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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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A little over 200 li southeast of Beijing lay the city of Tianjin. [T/N: about 100 kilometers]
During the Jingnan Campaign, when the Yongle Emperor overthrew the Jianwen Emperor, he passed through this place, giving it the name “Heavenly Ford.”
It was a unique city, a landlocked port.
How could a landlocked city also be a port? Because Tianjin lay along the Grand Canal.
This massive waterway stretched from Hangzhou in the south all the way to Beijing in the north.
Tianjin served as a midpoint and a crucial gateway to Beijing.
A bustling center of commerce since the Yuan Dynasty, Tianjin thrived even further under the Yongle Emperor, who restored and expanded the Grand Canal after relocating the capital to Beijing.
For the Ming Dynasty, with its capital so far north, the Grand Canal was a lifeline, an artery.
And Tianjin, as Beijing’s port, reaped the benefits, becoming the second largest city in Hebei Province.
And within this city resided a powerful clan.
A martial arts family that held sway over the Jianghu of Hebei.
The Peng Family.
“Mother, it’s Ja-ryeong.”
A young man announced his presence outside the innermost chambers of the Peng Family estate, located on the outskirts of Tianjin.
His name was Peng Ja-ryeong, the eldest son and heir apparent, once known as the “Defeated Dragon.”
“Come in.”
With his mother’s permission, he opened the door and entered the room.
It was a fittingly informal entrance for the heir of the Peng Family….who cared little for formality.
“Mother, today… Oh, Ye-ryeong is here too.”
Only after he’d entered did he notice his youngest sister, nestled in his mother’s arms.
Only then did he sense her unusually strong Qi. The fact that he hadn’t sensed it from outside was a paradox.
It was because Ye-ryeong’s presence itself was faint.
And that meant her time was running out.
He carefully controlled his expression; he couldn’t let his mother and sister see his grief.
He needed to focus. He reminded himself of his purpose and spoke, “I received a message from Uncle and Ha-ryeong.”
“Oh? Are they safe?”
She’d already heard rumors about the events in Wuan County and the sealing of the Ghost Gate.
But rumors were unreliable.
And the most important details had been deliberately omitted.
If the Peng Family had their own intelligence network, they could have verified the rumors and filled in the gaps.
But they didn’t.
The Imperial Court, practically on their doorstep, wouldn’t allow it.
So, the Peng Family relied on the Beggars’ Sect for most of their information.
“Yes. It’s as the Beggars’ Sect reported. There were casualties, but they were all wanderers. Our family members played a key role in sealing the gate.”
“That’s a relief.”
“They’re returning from Beijing.”
“She probably wanted some time away from home, I suppose.”
They both knew that wasn’t true.
Peng Ha-ryeong cherished her family above all else.
But they maintained this pretense for the sake of the other person in the room.
Though it was doubtful she understood.
“Ye-ryeong, why don’t you go prepare for your sister’s return?”
His mother released Ye-ryeong, who nodded and left the room with light, almost ethereal steps.
Once she was gone, Peng Ja-ryeong suppressed a sigh. He couldn’t show his despair in front of his mother.
She already blamed herself for Ye-ryeong’s condition. He couldn’t add to her burden.
He composed himself and addressed the matter that had necessitated Ye-ryeong’s dismissal.
“You remember that Ha-ryeong was seriously injured, right?”
His mother’s face clouded with sorrow.
Her youngest daughter, born frail and weak.
And her family, risking their lives to save her.
The thought always brought her to the brink of tears, especially when she recalled Ha-ryeong’s near-fatal injury, the one that almost cost her an arm.
“…Yes.”
It was all she could manage to say.
She was simply grateful that Ha-ryeong was alive.
She took a deep breath and added, “Buddha has blessed us. In his infinite compassion, he guided Ha-ryeong to a benefactor.”
It was a sentiment befitting her devout faith.
He knew how sincerely she prayed and how much she devoted to the Buddha.
He didn’t share her faith, but he respected her devotion.
“But the reports didn’t mention anything about this benefactor.”
They’d said they parted ways immediately and that the benefactor didn’t want to be known.
It made sense that the details were scarce.
Peng Mu-ho was a man of integrity.
He always repaid his debts.
And Ha-ryeong was kind-hearted.
If it had been up to him, he would have included every detail about the benefactor in his report.
But his uncle and sister shared his loyalty to the family.
They simply chose a different approach.
A direct, head-on collision.
“It seems they stayed in Beijing to find this benefactor. Uncle’s letter says they managed to meet him again.”
The report to the family had come from Peng Mu-ho, not Ha-ryeong.
As the previous head’s son and the current head’s brother, he was a respected member of the family.
While Ha-ryeong was higher in the line of succession, and therefore the official representative, his status was no less significant.
“And they’re bringing him here.”
“The benefactor is coming too?”
Her eyes widened, and she shifted as if about to jump up and prepare for their guest.
She didn’t actually stand, but the slight movement was surprising for someone of her usually composed demeanor.
“Quickly, we must prepare to welcome our guest.”
“Don’t worry. The Peng Family is always ready to receive honored guests. That’s not the issue.”
The real news was yet to come.
He hesitated, unsure if he should tell his mother.
But he couldn’t keep it from her.
He was the acting head of the family, but she was the matriarch.
She had a right to know.
He spoke with his voice filled with a hope he could barely believe himself, “This benefactor… the one who healed Ha-ryeong… he might be able to help Ye-ryeong.”
At his words, his mother’s eyes widened.
Muyong Hye, who had entered the Peng Family through a political marriage but had come to love them as her own, stared at her son, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Her expression mirrored Ha-ryeong’s, a testament to their familial bond. As the meaning of his words sank in, a flush of excitement colored her cheeks.
Ha-ryeong never spoke carelessly….especially not about her sister.
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“So this is Tianjin…”
Three days after leaving Beijing, Namgung-Woo and his companions arrived in Tianjin.
While Beijing was grand and magnificent, befitting an imperial capital, Tianjin had a more rugged charm, a vibrant energy that surpassed even Beijing’s.
The constant flow of goods through the Grand Canal’s port, the throngs of merchants and laborers, the visitors seeking rare treasures – the city pulsed with life.
Even Namgung-Woo, accustomed to the bustling cities of the future, found himself captivated.
“Is this everyone’s first time in Tianjin?”
Peng Ha-ryeong chuckled, watching the three men gawk like country bumpkins.
“Yeah, it’s my first time. It’s even more impressive than I imagined.”
“Same here. There is plenty of work, but Tianjin is too peaceful for our liking.”
“Well, of course. With the Peng Family here, there’s no room for trouble.”
Peng Mu-ho couldn’t help but feel a touch of family pride.
“Since we’re here, let’s have a look around, Boss.”
Yang Kwai’s suggestion was met with an enthusiastic nod from Peng Ha-ryeong.
“Of course. I’ll give you a tour. With the Peng Family name, we can go anywhere in Tianjin.”
“I’ve always wanted to see the Tianhou Palace. I hear it’s quite something.”
While Tianjin was now landlocked, it had once been a coastal city.
Even now, the city retained its maritime traditions, worshipping Mazu, the goddess of the sea. The Tianhou Palace was dedicated to her.
He’d learned about it from Namgung-Pung, his friend from the future, who’d been obsessed with history.
“Oh, you know about Mazu’s Tianhou Palace?”
Peng Mu-ho was pleased by his interest in their hometown.
“Yes, a little.”
“The Tianhou Palace is a must-see. Tianjin’s commerce revolves around it. The surrounding streets are practically one giant marketplace.”
Peng Ha-ryeong added, “You should also visit the Yuhuangge Pavilion. It’s a Taoist monastery built by Emperor Xuande. A purely spiritual place, no martial arts involved.”
Peng Mu-ho chimed in, “I go there to clear my mind when my training stagnates.”
“Those sound interesting, but let’s go to the Peng Family estate first. We’re not here for sightseeing.”
“Indeed. You’re right.”
“Don’t worry. I sent word ahead. They should be expecting us…”
Peng Ha-ryeong stopped mid-sentence.
A group of familiar figures was approaching them.
“Ha-ryeong!”
The person leading the group was someone they all knew.
“Brother?”
“Young Master?”
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