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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Sensing the weight of the surrounding gazes, Namgung-Woo observed the man approaching them.
Martial artists often appeared younger than their age, but this man looked to be around thirty.
It wasn’t just his appearance; it was a gut feeling.
‘The Peng Family’s Young Master.’
His aura was definitely distinct.
Even more stable than Peng Mu-ho’s, who was at the cusp of the Transcendent Realm.
He had excellent control over his Qi.
‘Transcendent Realm? Hard to tell.’
If so, he seemed to be at the initial stage.
While Namgung-Woo assessed him, Peng Ja-ryeong spoke to his sister.
“What are you doing out here?”
“I couldn’t just stay put when my little sister returned from a near-death experience, could I? And I have to greet the benefactor who saved you.”
After confirming Ha-ryeong was unharmed, he shifted his attention to the others.
“So, where is this benefactor? I must offer my thanks.”
Namgung-Woo and the Yang brothers stood beside Ha-ryeong, but he subconsciously dismissed them.
The Yang brothers, who hadn’t even reached the Peak Realm, were understandable.
But his failure to recognize Namgung-Woo wasn’t just due to the difference in their skill levels.
It was also because Namgung-Woo’s aura had changed.
During the journey from Beijing to Tianjin, Namgung-Woo had refined his control over his aura, making it appear ordinary.
To Peng Ja-ryeong, Namgung-Woo seemed no different from the Yang brothers.
He couldn’t imagine this ordinary-looking man being the savior his sister spoke of.
Peng Ha-ryeong, who had been instrumental in helping Namgung-Woo control his aura, noticed her brother’s oversight. His gaze swept over the group, but he didn’t truly register them.
She suppressed a smile and gestured towards Namgung-Woo.
“This is him. Benefactor, this is my older brother, as I mentioned.”
For a brief moment, Peng Ja-ryeong thought she was joking.
But his experience as acting head of the family had honed his instincts. He reflexively cupped his hands in a respectful greeting.
“I’m Peng Ja-ryeong. I am known as the Unshakable Blade in the Jianghu.”
Was it a simple introduction? Or a subtle challenge?
His formal demeanor made it hard to tell, but Namgung-Woo suspected the latter.
“Nam Woo. I don’t have a title yet.”
“I see.”
Peng Ja-ryeong’s expression remained neutral, but his mind raced.
‘His physique and appearance are certainly striking. But his aura is… unremarkable. He’s skilled for his age, but not that skilled. Ha-ryeong wouldn’t joke about this. And Uncle isn’t reacting, so it must be true… Is he a master who’s reversed his aging? Returned to his youth? But he doesn’t have the air of an elder. Wait… could he be…?’
“Perhaps…”
As he was about to voice his suspicion, Peng Ha-ryeong interrupted, “Let’s not stand around here. We’ll block the road. Let’s go back to the estate.”
“Oh? Right. Benefactor, please join us at our estate and rest from your journey.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“Not at all. Please.”
As the doubled entourage proceeded down Tianjin’s main street, they drew considerable attention.
The Peng Family members, accustomed to being in the public eye, were unfazed. But the Yang brothers, feeling the pressure, moved closer to Namgung-Woo.
Namgung-Woo, however, remained calm. He walked alongside Peng Ja-ryeong and Peng Ha-ryeong, his demeanor equal to theirs, despite their status as direct descendants of a prestigious family.
While the Peng Family wasn’t overly concerned with formality, there was a certain air of nobility that came with being a direct descendant.
However, Namgung-Woo didn’t seem to fall short in this regard.
The Yang brothers, thinking in unison as usual, exchanged a look.
‘As expected of the Namgung Family. A different breed.’
‘Indeed. Even without formal training in leadership, the aura of a prestigious family doesn’t fade in a generation or two.’
‘We’re serving under that man.’
‘We’re practically on par with the Peng Family’s warriors.’
They straightened their shoulders and their steps gained a newfound confidence.
Who were they?
The first followers of the last survivor of the Namgung Family.
Their smug grins would have been off-putting to anyone who noticed, but fortunately, everyone’s attention was focused on the three people leading the procession.
“Twenty-six? You look much younger. I thought you were barely out of your teens.”
Namgung-Woo had revealed his true age after the earlier conversation with Peng Ha-ryeong.
Most martial artists looked young, and he didn’t want to create confusion or suspicion by pretending to be younger than he was.
“You look young for your age too, Young Master. I wouldn’t have guessed you were past thirty.”
Peng Ja-ryeong was thirty-one, just past the age considered the upper limit for a “Rising Star.”
Namgung-Woo’s estimate had been accurate.
But his compliment wasn’t entirely false. Peng Ja-ryeong could easily pass for someone in his mid-twenties.
“Haha, all martial artists look young. That’s why even commoners strive to learn martial arts, to reap the benefits.”
Commoners learning martial arts? That piqued his interest.
Martial arts were traditionally taught only to those deemed worthy.
Even within sects and temples, techniques were closely guarded secrets. Leaking them to outsiders was a serious offense.
There was a reason why inner disciples received superior training compared to outer disciples.
Sects carefully evaluated potential students, considering their talent, loyalty, and potential value.
For ordinary people, without connections or wealth, martial arts were an unattainable dream.
“Do many commoners learn martial arts?”
“Of course. It’s rare to find someone who hasn’t at least dabbled in a common technique like the Three Calamities Heart Method. And practically everyone knows the Beggar’s Sect’s Earth Dog Fist.”
“I see… Martial arts are more widespread than I thought.”
“It’s a chaotic era.”
That single sentence spoke volumes.
A world where superhuman martial artists existed.
A world where Ghost Gates could unleash unpredictable horrors at any moment.
At least you could reason with martial artists.
But the yokai’s were a different story.
The Imperial Court and its army existed to maintain order and protect the people, but they couldn’t be everywhere at once.
So, people turned to martial arts for self-defense.
“Many also practice martial arts for health reasons. Even among the nobility, it’s considered a basic skill.”
Medical knowledge was limited in this era.
So, a practice that enhanced natural healing and boosted resistance to disease and injury?
Not learning them would be foolish.
A real-life panacea, a path to a healthier life.
Why wouldn’t they learn it?
‘With limited access to proper medical care, and even that mostly reserved for the wealthy, it’s no wonder people turn to martial arts.’
The current martial world was stronger than ever before.
The Imperial Court, despite its vast power, couldn’t control the martial artists.
Not only did they act as a defense force against Ghost Gates, but their collective power had grown so immense that even the Emperor couldn’t easily suppress them.
That’s why the Black Path sects, who disregarded the Imperial Court’s authority, were thriving.
“What about you, Benefactor? What led you to the path of martial arts?”
Peng Ja-ryeong’s question seemed casual, but it was a subtle probe into his background.
As Namgung-Woo was about to answer, Peng Ha-ryeong spoke up, “Benefactor, we’re here. That’s our estate. See?”
“Wow… it’s huge.”
The Peng Family estate was practically a small town.
While Namgung-Woo discreetly used his Ever-Clear Vision to observe the estate, a silent battle raged between the Peng siblings.
Peng Ja-ryeong moved his lips, subtly channeling his True Qi.
Secret Voice Transmission.
A technique only accessible to Peak Realm martial artists.
[Why?]
[Why are you interrogating him?]
[Ha-ryeong, I’m just doing my duty as Young Master of the Peng Family.]
[No.]
[I’ll be more discreet.]
[I’ll explain later. Just stop.]
Peng Ja-ryeong shrugged at his sister’s icy glare.
‘Hmm. Ha-ryeong isn’t usually like this… Is there something I’m missing? Is he some kind of royalty?’
He grumbled inwardly about his sister’s protectiveness and stepped forward.
The guards at the gate, recognizing him, opened the doors.
As the gates swung open, revealing the Peng Family estate, a group of people came into view.
At the center stood an elegant middle-aged woman and a young girl. Behind them stood a line of martial artists.
A welcoming committee fit for royalty.
Namgung-Woo instantly recognized the woman.
She shared some facial features with Peng Ha-ryeong and Peng Ja-ryeong.
And considering the Young Master himself had come to greet them, there was only one other person who would be waiting at the estate.
“Welcome. I am Muyong Hye, the matriarch of the Peng Family. We’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”
Muyong Hye addressed Namgung-Woo directly, her gaze unwavering.
He bowed respectfully in return.
“Nam Woo. Thank you for your warm welcome.”
Having worked in an office environment, he knew how to conduct himself in formal situations.
Both he and Muyong Hye acted with the decorum expected of adults in a social setting.
But one person present disregarded all such conventions.
A young girl approached him with light, bouncing steps.
Peng Ye-ryeong tilted her head, looking up at his face through the circle formed by his clasped hands, before he’d even lowered them.
Her boldness was so unexpected that no one reacted.
As everyone watched in stunned silence, she began to circle him, like a lark around its nest.
“Hmm? Mmm? Mmmmm…”
She tilted her head, scrutinizing him with intense curiosity.
He blinked, observing her strange behavior.
After completing a full circle, she stopped in front of him again, and a puzzled frown appeared on her face.
Then, she looked him in the eye and blurted out,
“Why are you alive?”
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