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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“…Because she was premature?”
Namgung-Woo’s question deepened the shadows in Peng Ha-ryeong’s eyes.
“Not exactly. If that were the case, other premature babies would have the same condition. But… that’s what Mother believed.”
The Peng Family’s bonds were strong.
That included daughters-in-law and sons-in-law.
“Those born with a permanently open upper dantian… become imbeciles. Their minds are overwhelmed by the uncontrolled flow of cosmic energy.”
When Peng Ye-ryeong’s fontanelles didn’t close after two years, the Peng Family was devastated.
Their precious youngest daughter, born into a life of privilege, was cursed with a fate worse than death.
It was unacceptable.
From that day forward, the Peng Family embarked on a desperate quest to defy fate.
“We tried everything. Meridian cleansing, acupoint stimulation, even teaching her cultivation techniques when she was just three years old… and of course, countless medicines…”
“That must have been hard to accept.”
“Yes, being premature made things more complicated. We had to be careful with the treatments, and there were limits to what medicines she could tolerate.”
They’d done everything they could.
They’d even resorted to unorthodox methods, but nothing worked.
The Mosan Sect, renowned for their mastery of esoteric arts, was notoriously reclusive. They wouldn’t share their knowledge with outsiders.
They’d consulted other practitioners of esoteric arts, but they’d all been turned away.
Physicians, esoteric practitioners, martial artists – they’d sought help from everyone, but they’d only managed to buy time.
Then, they’d turned their attention to another possibility.
Ghost Gates.
Portals that unleashed yokai and sometimes left behind mystical artifacts.
If worldly methods couldn’t change fate, perhaps otherworldly power could.
Driven by their fierce familial love, the Peng Family threw themselves into the dangerous pursuit of these otherworldly solutions.
But they hadn’t found an answer yet.
“Father is away because he heard about a white Ghost Gate.”
She’d slipped into calling him “Father,” her usual formality replaced by familial intimacy.
“White? The one in Wuan County was blue, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. It was supposed to be a low-level gate. It was strange.”
“Then a white gate must be extremely dangerous.”
The technique he’d used to destroy the Form Snatching Wraith was one of the Thirteen Lightning Sword Techniques’ ultimate moves.
While not his absolute strongest attack, it was close.
If a white Ghost Gate spawned stronger yokai, he wasn’t sure he could win.
“It’s alright. The head of the Yang Family of Xinchang is with him. Together, they can handle even a white Ghost Gate.”
Despite the worry in her voice, her faith in her father was unwavering.
“Miss Peng.”
“Yes?”
“Do you… want me to examine Ye-ryeong?”
Why had she told him all this?
The reason was clear.
He’d not only healed her but also cleansed her meridians. She must have sensed something special about him.
She couldn’t know about his Ever-Clear Vision, but she might have guessed he possessed some unique ability.
She lowered her head, her voice heavy with shame.
“…I know it’s a shameless request.”
He’d already done so much for her family.
Reaching the Peak Realm before thirty earned one the title of “Rising Star,” a future pillar of the martial world.
But reaching the late stage of the Peak Realm at twenty-four? That was exceptional, worthy of being called a “Dragon or Phoenix.”
He’d propelled her from the early stage to the late stage of the Peak Realm in a single session. Even her father would have acknowledged him as a benefactor.
And now, she was asking him to heal her sister as well?
It was audacious.
Of course, she’d offer him a suitable reward, but it was still a difficult request to make.
“I’m not a physician. I’m a martial artist.”
She tried not to lose hope.
‘I knew this might happen.’
They’d only known each other for a few days. And their connection was based on his acts of kindness towards her.
She didn’t have the right to be disappointed.
Then he continued, “If it were within my power, other experts could have done it. So, tell me, why are you asking me?”
“Your aura… it was different.”
“My aura?”
She recalled her first impression of him.
His serene, crystal-clear aura.
It had shocked her then, and now, knowing his true strength, it seemed even more extraordinary.
“Your aura was perfectly balanced. Normally, there are fluctuations, stronger and weaker points depending on the flow of Qi and the meridians used. But yours was uniform, from head to toe.”
“What if someone intentionally controls their aura?”
“It’s possible. Protective Qi techniques can create a shield, which would result in a uniform aura. But who uses protective Qi all the time?”
“…Indeed.”
And if it were protective Qi, it wouldn’t be called an aura.
Anyone with eyes could see a layer of True Qi covering the body.
“And the most striking part was… your head.”
“My head?”
“Yes. As you know, the Conception and Governing Vessels are located in the head. Unless they’re opened, the aura around the head is significantly weaker than the rest of the body. But yours was consistent.”
“It’s remarkable that you can discern so much from only the aura.”
He hadn’t considered that.
He’d only thought about concealing his aura, not the specific details.
“Not everyone can. My uncle and I have been observing Ye-ryeong, so we’re familiar with the aura of someone with an open upper dantian. But most people wouldn’t notice the difference.”
So, his efforts to blend in hadn’t been entirely in vain.
“But the aura was just the initial trigger. It was unusual, but you could have simply cultivated a unique technique. My uncle even mentioned the Reverse Meridian Cleansing Technique.”
She’d truly started to believe he could help Ye-ryeong after he’d saved her life.
“As you said, transferring True Qi and meridian cleansing are within the capabilities of skilled martial artists. But eliminating demonic Qi while simultaneously cleansing all the smaller meridians? I’ve never heard of such a thing. You have something special… like Ye-ryeong. That’s why I dared to ask you this favor.”
After confessing her hopes, she looked at him with both relief and uncertainty.
“Was that… helpful?”
“Yes, very helpful.”
It had given him valuable insight into how to blend in.
And he’d seen the depth of her hope.
He would respond to her sincerity with his own.
Just as he’d accepted the Yang brothers, he extended a hand to her.
“You’ve given me a good answer, so I’ll give you one in return.”
She looked at him in confusion, and he said, “We are Wanderers.”
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The next day, Namgung-Woo and the Yang brothers left Beijing after just one night.
“This is great. We don’t even have to lift a finger. Boss is bringing in the work himself. Makes us look bad as mercenaries.”
Yang Kwai’s complaint was met with a sharp retort from Yang Jeong.
“What do you mean we have nothing to do? We go where Boss tells us to go, we do what he tells us to do. What, are you too good for errands now?”
“Who said I was too good? I’d be happy to run errands. But Boss’s new client is the Peng Family’s precious daughter. You think they’ll let us handle anything important?”
“Oh…”
“This idiot’s brain has turned to mush ever since Boss took him in. Boss, I think he needs a good talking-to.”
Namgung-Woo sighed, tossing the metaphorical hot potato back to them.
“I think you’re both equally useless. Perfectly matched.”
“Hey, I’m better than him.”
“That’s what I should be saying, Hyung.”
He left them to their bickering and focused on guiding his horse which was provided by the Peng Family.
The Peng Family members were riding ahead, acting as guides.
As he approached, they moved aside, clearing the path.
“Benefactor?”
“You said it would take three days to reach Tianjin? I’d like to hear more about… your sister, if you don’t mind.”
Peng Ha-ryeong’s face lit up with a bright smile.
“Of course!”
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In the heart of Beijing, amidst grand palaces, temples, and Taoist monasteries, a man performed a divination ritual in a small, secluded shrine.
The air was thick with incense.
The low murmur of chanting filled the room.
Flickering candlelight cast long, dancing shadows.
The man’s hand, rotating a string of prayer beads, suddenly stilled.
“He’s left.”
He opened his eyes, revealing pale pupils that momentarily resembled those of a blind man before returning to their normal hazel color.
“Left? Who left?”
A clear voice called out from behind him.
He answered without turning around, “The last impurity has left Beijing.”
His voice, though devoid of inflection, held a hint of triumph. But the intruder remained unimpressed.
“Oh, really? Is that good?”
“Indeed. But I don’t expect you to understand. You wouldn’t anyway.”
“You know me well.”
The intruder stepped into the candlelight….a slender figure draped in a loose robe that couldn’t fully conceal her feminine curves.
“I’ve taken care of everything we discussed.”
The man’s smile widened.
“As expected of the Sect Leader’s decree. Efficient.”
“Enough talk. Where’s my payment? You haven’t forgotten our agreement, have you?”
“Heh, where’s that Taoist composure? Hwaran Seonja would be disappointed.”
“…Watch your tongue,Li Zi-long.”
The man, Li Zi-long, remained unfazed by her threat.
He spoke in a leisurely tone, “I always honor my agreements. Breaking a contract involving the manipulation of fate… even I wouldn’t risk that. Don’t worry. Your payment is ready.”
“You should have said so. Where is it?”
She looked ready to search the shrine, and his smile faded.
“I left it at our usual meeting place.”
“Always so secretive.”
Who knew how many hidden locations he had in Beijing?
“We’re done here, right?”
Her eagerness to leave was palpable.
He simply replied, “Yes.”
She didn’t waste any time and disappeared as quickly as she’d appeared.
Silence returned to the shrine.
Though his thoughts were momentarily disrupted by her intrusion, Li Zi-long collected himself and completed his ritual.
“Soon… soon, a new era will begin…”
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