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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Yang Kwai, overhearing Namgung-Woo’s murmur, tilted his head and asked curiously,
“Hanbok? Are you talking about Central Plains attire?”
Since Hanbok and Hanfu sounded pretty similar, it was a natural misunderstanding.
Before Yang Kwai could elaborate, Yang Jeong interjected,
“Fellow martial artist, that’s Goryeo-style clothing. From Haedong, beyond Liaodong.”
So, it was indeed Hanbok, as Namgung-Woo had thought.
While the Hanbok he was most familiar with was from the opening of Korea period, this one was different, resembling the style from the early Joseon dynasty.
Others might have simply dismissed the difference, but Namgung-Woo recognized the subtle details.
‘Pung-hyung only ever customized his Hanbok in the character section.’
Namgung-Pung, one of his two closest companions in Chu-rok Murim, had a particular fondness for Hanbok.
And after spending so much time with him, Namgung-Woo had become quite knowledgeable about it himself.
“No, I mean, why is she wearing that *here*, in the Central Plains?”
Yang Kwai, looking bewildered, wore a face full of confusion, as if Namgung-Woo’s question had an obvious answer.
“Look here, little brother, it’s common knowledge that Haedong clothing is stylish and beautiful. Just look at it. Unlike Central Plains clothing, which is just one piece, that mamigun skirt is more beautiful than a celestial maiden’s robes. As expected of the Hebei Peng Family. You wouldn’t be able to find such finely crafted mamigun in the Central Plains.”
“They must have acquired it directly from Haedong. That raven-blue silk is a dead giveaway.”
Was this a cultural victory?
Namgung-Woo felt a strange sense of pride.
Hearing them praise the beauty of Hanbok, declaring Haedong craftsmanship superior, made him wonder if this truly was a parallel world with a similar history.
‘I think I’ve heard something like this from Pung-hyung before.’
Well, whatever. It was a good thing.
He decided not to dwell on it, making a mental note to acquire some Hanbok for himself later.
“But… for the Blade Princess to come personally…”
“And the Soul Severing Blade, Peng Mu-ho, is with her as well.”
Blade Princess and Soul Severing Blade.
He’d never heard those titles before, but he knew who they were referring to.
The Blade Princess was obviously the woman at the front, the one who had caught his eye with her Hanbok.
And the other Peng Family member had to be the most powerful individual among them, the middle-aged man standing next to the Blade Princess.
“Are they famous?”
“You… don’t know them?”
“No.”
“Well, I suppose that’s possible if you’ve only been active in Shanxi.”
He felt another misunderstanding brewing, but he let it slide.
He observed the reactions of those around him.
He and the Yang brothers weren’t the only ones whispering about the Peng Family members…everyone was.
Perhaps used to such reactions, the Peng Family members ignored the whispers and approached the Yi Family head and bowed respectfully.
“Peng Ha-ryeong, from the Peng Family.”
“Oh! Welcome! It’s an honor to meet the renowned Blade Princess of the Peng Family. I’m Yi… Ah…”
The Yi Family head stammered, overwhelmed by her presence.
But no one found it odd. Even Namgung-Woo considered it a natural reaction.
Because she was beautiful.
‘Chae-ji was pretty too, but… is it the difference between dressing up and not?’
The Hangsang Sect, a once-great sect, didn’t wear makeup or elaborate clothing.
Peng Ha-ryeong, on the other hand, despite being a martial artist, wore a beautifully crafted raven-blue silk Hanbok and makeup, which enhanced her beauty.
Yet, she’d made practical adjustments, like shortening the sleeves and wearing only a single hairpin, so as not to hinder her movements.
She was the epitome of restrained elegance.
“Truly the most beautiful woman in Hebei…”
Someone murmured, and Namgung-Woo overheard it.
It was a quiet whisper, but with their heightened senses, all the Peak Realm masters present must have heard it, including Peng Ha-ryeong.
But her expression remained unchanged. Her composure suggested she was used to such grand compliments.
“We’re deeply grateful that the heroes of the Peng Family have graced our humble estate with their presence. Please, come this way. While we haven’t prepared a feast due to the impending battle, we have arranged a modest welcoming reception.”
“Thank you for your kindness, but perhaps the food could be shared with the anxious citizens of Wuan County. We don’t know when the Ghost Gate will open, so we should formulate a plan as quickly as possible.”
“Ah… such generosity, as expected of a direct descendant of the Seven Great Families. We’ll do as you suggest. But you must be tired from your journey. Perhaps a small meal first?”
Namgung-Woo saw right through the Yi Family head’s intentions.
The two young men standing beside him were likely his sons or close relatives.
It was a blatant attempt to arrange a meal between them and Peng Ha-ryeong.
Perhaps out of respect for the Yi Family head, Peng Ha-ryeong didn’t refuse outright.
“Then I’ll take the opportunity to observe the others here while preparations are underway.”
“Perhaps you’d prefer to rest in a room…”
“No need. We didn’t travel far, so I’m fine.”
Peng Ha-ryeong was firm.
Realizing she wouldn’t budge, the Yi Family head promised to have the meal prepared quickly and excused himself.
A strange tension settled between the Peng Family members and the other martial artists present.
The Peng Family members initiated the interaction.
They pointed out individuals they recognized, whispering into Peng Ha-ryeong’s ear.
Perhaps they didn’t see the need for secret voice transmission, or perhaps they assumed no one could overhear them.
Namgung-Woo suspected it was a bit of both, but mostly the latter.
They weren’t gossiping. They were simply assessing the other martial artists, commenting on their cultivation levels and fighting styles.
As Peng Ha-ryeong listened, her gaze shifted toward Namgung-Woo and the Yang brothers, likely because Peng Mu-ho had just brought up the Twin Wave Blades.
And their eyes met.
Peng Ha-ryeong’s eyes widened slightly as she saw the faint blue glow in Namgung-Woo’s eyes.
Her expression quickly returned to normal, but Namgung-Woo’s Ever-Clear Vision had caught the flicker of surprise, the momentary shift in her emotions.
‘Surprise? Did she see through my cultivation level?’
She was clearly a Peak Realm master herself. Peng Mu-ho seemed to be at the very peak of the Peak Realm, bordering on the Transcendent Realm, but even he shouldn’t be able to see through his disguise.
If they’d cultivated some special eye technique, his Ever-Clear Vision would have dissected it instantly.
Before he could delve deeper into the question, they sprang into action.
This time, Peng Ha-ryeong stepped back, and Peng Mu-ho stepped forward.
“So you’re here as well, Twin Wave Blades.”
It seemed to be a title referring to the Yang brothers, the twin wandering swordsmen.
He addressed them with a familiarity that suggested a prior acquaintance.
“It’s been a while, Soul Severing Blade.”
“How have you been?”
“Heh, listen to you. Flying Dagger Swordsman, you must have been through a lot.”
“Not at all.”
“Hmm, I don’t quite follow.”
Peng Mu-ho chuckled and asked,
“Have you considered my offer from last time?”
“I apologize, but we are not ready to join any sect yet.”
“Is that so? That’s a shame. Well, let’s work well together again this time, too.”
“Of course. With the esteemed members of the Peng Family here, this yokai hunt should be much easier.”
“Don’t get complacent, Swift Fall Blade.”
“Just call me by my name. We’re not strangers.”
“I prefer this. And who is this fellow martial artist beside you?”
All eyes turned towards Namgung-Woo as Peng Mu-ho spoke.
Namgung-Woo had a feeling they were more interested in him than the Yang brothers.
He enhanced his Ever-Clear Vision and intently observed them.
“I’m Nam Woo.”
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After finishing the meal prepared by the Yi Family, Peng Ha-ryeong and the rest of the Peng Family retired to the quarters arranged for them.
The moment they stepped into the room, Peng Ha-ryeong broke the silence and spoke.
.
“Uncle, did you sense it?”
Throughout the meal, she’d been preoccupied with a single thought, so much so that she even forgot about the Ghost Gate and the impending battle.
Her mind had been entirely focused on one person.
“You mean the young man next to the Twin Wave Blades, Nam Woo?”
“Yes. He’s… strange.”
Strange.
She couldn’t find the right words to describe it.
“Indeed. His Qi is remarkably stable.”
Normally, Qi fluctuated.
Internal energy wasn’t like an involuntary muscle; it was deeply connected to the wielder’s will, intent, and emotions, naturally causing it to fluctuate.
Naturally, variations in intensity depended on the development of the meridians.
This was especially true for those who hadn’t opened their Governing and Conception Vessels.
Without full access to all the acupuncture points, there were inevitable weak points in the flow of Qi, particularly in the head.
The upper dantian, situated in the head, was cultivated by only a select few martial artists. In contrast, the lower dantian was universally trained, and the middle dantian opened naturally with sufficient cultivation.
So, unless one actively circulated protective Qi, the energy flow in the head would naturally remain weaker.
But Namgung-Woo’s Qi was different.
“I’ve… never seen anything like it. It’s like… a calm lake. So peaceful.”
The moment she saw him, Peng Ha-ryeong had been stunned, rendered almost speechless.
If it weren’t for her experience as a direct descendant of the Peng Family, someone who had even visited the Imperial Palace, she might have exclaimed in surprise and rushed over to examine him more closely.
“How is that possible? Even Father’s Qi isn’t that stable…”
While her father, the Peng Family head, could probably achieve a similar level of control with effort, Namgung-Woo maintained it effortlessly.
That’s what shocked her.
“Well, I’m not sure. Perhaps he cultivates all three dantians simultaneously. But his Qi wasn’t particularly strong, so it’s possible he practices some highly refined righteous technique.”
“…Do you think he could help Ye-ryeong?”
That name was at the heart of all her worries.
Peng Mu-ho looked at her with pity, his voice was tinged with bitterness.
“That’s… hard to say. But he’s worth observing.”
“…You’re right. I should stay close to him during this yokai hunt.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Peng Ha-ryeong recalled Namgung-Woo’s face.
‘I’ll be watching you. I want to see what kind of person you truly are.’
‘And if you truly are a beacon of hope… then…’
‘…I’ll have to somehow bring you back with me.’
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Thanks for the new chapter!! It was a fun read..