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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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The atmosphere in the Yi Family estate shifted.
Just moments ago, the Yi Family members had been carefully assessing each wandering martial artist, treating them as valuable assets.
The wanderers, too, had been busy discussing strategies among themselves, or conferring with the local martial artists of Wuan County, planning their defense.
But that diligence seemed to have vanished.
Now, the wanderers were buzzing about the reinforcements from the Peng Family, while the Yi Family members focused on welcoming their distinguished guests.
Such was the power of the Hebei Peng Family’s name.
Their presence alone brought a sense of calm and optimism.
While there was still some apprehension, the underlying fear had noticeably diminished.
‘So this is the weight a prestigious family carries.’
What level of renown, what demonstrable strength, was required to inspire such confidence with one’s mere presence?
Namgung-Woo’s heart pounded with anticipation. He felt he was about to witness the true strength of this world’s martial arts community.
“Well, looks like we’re yesterday’s news. Don’t you think so, friend?”
Someone approached Namgung-Woo and addressed him with familiarity.
Having sensed no hostility, Namgung-Woo had allowed the man to approach and turned to see who it was.
A young man, around the same age as Pyeong Cho-yul, perhaps in his mid-twenties.
He carried a sword at his waist and wore arm guards on his wrists, each equipped with a throwing knife.
The typical attire of a wandering martial artist. Namgung-Woo had noted him earlier as one of the more skilled individuals present.
His level was similar to Song Chae-ji’s: a first-rate martial artist, on the cusp of the Peak Realm. But what had truly piqued Namgung-Woo’s interest was…
“Hyung, please don’t just approach people so casually.”
…that he had a twin.
His attire was identical to his brother’s, but he wore his sword on the opposite side, suggesting he was left-handed.
“My apologies, fellow martial artist. I hope we haven’t disturbed your contemplation. My brother is… rather informal. Please forgive him.”
Unlike his brother, who seemed to embody the stereotypical image of a wandering martial artist, the younger twin was quite courteous.
His formal bow and respectful demeanor were more befitting a scholar than a wanderer.
“Not at all. I was feeling a bit lonely myself. I’m Nam Woo. I don’t have a title, and I’m currently affiliated with the Yo-Pyeong Escort Agency.”
“Oh, the Yo-Pyeong Escort Agency? They’re quite reputable in Shanxi. You’ve found a good place to work.”
“Hyung, your language…”
The younger twin chided him again, but the older twin remained unfazed.
“What’s the big deal? We’re all brothers in the martial world. Escorts, wanderers, it’s all the same, isn’t it?”
Namgung-Woo smiled and nodded, and the older twin gave his brother a smug look.
The younger twin clicked his tongue in exasperation, but the older twin ignored him and addressed Namgung-Woo.
“I’m Yang Kwai, the Swift Fall Blade. And as you can see, this is my twin brother.”
Yang Kwai gestured to his brother, and the younger twin continued the introduction.
“Yang Jeong. I’m known as the Flying Dagger Swordsman.”
Yang Kwai, the Swift Fall Blade, and Yang Jeong, the Flying Dagger Swordsman.
The two brothers were fairly well-known among wandering martial artists.
The fact that their titles reflected their fighting styles, rather than their origins or affiliations, was a testament to their skill.
Both were first-rate martial artists, practically on par with Peak Realm masters.
And despite their contrasting personalities, their twin bond gave them an uncanny ability to synchronize their movements, allowing them to defeat even Peak Realm masters without sustaining any injuries.
While Peak Realm masters were considered elite warriors in established sects, they were rare among wandering martial artists, where they were treated as top-tier experts.
The Yang brothers’ reputation for defeating such masters had earned them considerable respect.
Yang Kwai’s approach had been purely out of goodwill.
‘He looks weak.’
To Yang Kwai, Namgung-Woo’s stance suggested some martial arts training, but his Qi was faint.
Third-rate, having just begun to cultivate internal energy.
Second-rate, able to circulate that energy through their meridians.
Yang Kwai placed Namgung-Woo somewhere in between.
‘He’ll get himself killed if he jumps into a fight against those yokai.’
They had been there once themselves…young and reckless, eager to prove their worth in the martial world.
His affiliation with the Yo-Pyeong Escort Agency was surprising, though believable.
But since Namgung-Woo hadn’t specified his role, Yang Kwai assumed he was probably a porter, not an actual escort.
He’d probably said “escort” to save face.
Yang Jeong, knowing his brother’s soft heart, understood his intentions. He waited for a lull in the conversation before speaking.
“How about you join us during this… yokai hunt?”
Protection from the Yang twins, whose combined strength rivaled a late-stage Peak Realm master? That was a generous offer.
Of course, it was only generous if Namgung-Woo was as weak as they believed.
The faint Qi they sensed was intentionally projected by Namgung-Woo.
If he completely concealed his energy, they might mistake him for an ordinary person, like Song Chae-ji had. So, he’d deliberately leaked a small amount of Qi.
But as he hadn’t yet mastered complete control over his internal energy, he remained cautious, maintaining a low output to avoid any accidental surges.
If the Yang brothers knew the truth, they’d be mortified by their misplaced concern, but their mutual ignorance spared them that embarrassment.
Namgung-Woo, clueless about their assumptions, formulated his own theory.
‘Did they sense my Lightning Qi? I didn’t think I was projecting it, but they must be quite perceptive.’
He could see the pure Lightning Qi stored in their lower dantians.
Remarkably pure for wandering martial artists, even purer than Hwang Mu-tak’s. He couldn’t tell what techniques they practiced, but they were clearly from a righteous lineage.
‘Either they stumbled upon some fortunate encounter, or they came from a prestigious background before becoming wanderers.’
Considering their age, their talent was considerable.
Song Chae-ji, who had reached a similar level at twenty, was considered a prodigy.
The Yang twins were at least gifted. And their internal energy reserves were even greater than Song Chae-ji’s, honed on Mount Heng, one of the Five Sacred Mountains.
‘They’re just a step away from the Peak Realm.’
The balance of Essence, Qi, and Spirit was the path to ascension.
Their Essence and Qi were ready for the Peak Realm. All that remained was for their Spirit to catch up, to achieve a deeper understanding of martial arts.
‘Did they become wanderers to seek that enlightenment?’
Even the best teachers couldn’t force enlightenment upon their students.
It had to come from within. A teacher could lay the foundation, provide guidance, but the final step was up to the individual.
‘I’ll observe them for a while.’
Namgung-Woo made up his mind.
“I’d be glad to.”
“Excellent! How about we call each other ‘brother’? I’m older, after all.”
“Hyung, aren’t you being a bit too familiar? What do you think, fellow martial artist?”
“Haha, I don’t mind. I’ll call you Kwai-hyung. Ah, but that might be confusing. Since you don’t have courtesy names, I’ll just use your given names.”
“What’s with courtesy names? We have titles. Just call me Kwai-hyung.”
“I’ll stick with ‘fellow martial artist’ for now.”
“As you wish, Jeong-hyung.”
As Namgung-Woo chatted with the Yang brothers, building a rapport, he sensed a powerful aura approaching the Yi Family estate and turned his head.
Beyond the main gate.
A group of individuals, radiating a heavy, almost oppressive Qi, were approaching.
“Fellow martial artist?”
“They’re here.”
“Ah… the esteemed members of the Peng Family have arrived.”
All eyes turned towards the gate, drawn by their words.
The crowd, oblivious to the fact that Namgung-Woo had sensed their approach first, focused their attention on the group entering the estate.
Five men and women.
Namgung-Woo let out a low whistle of admiration.
All of them were Peak Realm masters.
And one of them possessed an aura even stronger than Hwang Mu-tak’s, who he’d considered to be a high-ranking Peak Realm master.
But what truly surprised him was…
The woman leading the group, the reinforcement from the Peng Family.
He recognized…
“…Hanbok?”
…her clothes.
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