Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 114

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#114

It was late at night.

Ja-gang-cheon had postponed his training and was waiting for someone in the courtyard.

“Where on earth did Brother Pan Seok-i go?”

“They said he bought a jade ring and ornaments at Boyokru during the day and left.”

Ja-gang-cheon’s anxiety grew even more at the words of Jang Geon, who had returned from the market.

“This won’t do. I’ll go out and look for him.”

When Jin Hwajin, who had been waiting together, couldn’t stand it anymore and tried to move, Ja-gang-cheon stopped her.

“Someone needs to wait. We’ll go look, so Sister-in-law Hwajin, please wait here.”

“But…”

“If Brother Pan Seok-i has been captured by someone, it means the opponent’s martial arts are good enough to defeat him.”

So Ja-gang-cheon called people who could at least protect themselves.

“Aunt, Cheon-gu, and only Sect Leader will go.”

Only four people from Ja-gang-cheon to Jin Hyeon-pil decided to participate in the search.

It would have been good if Ak-pung-jin, the leader of Jangpung Pyohyeon, had been there, but he had left Jiao-nan saying he had an important escort mission.

“Father. Please find Dae-gyo-du.”

Jin Hyeon-pil’s heart ached seeing his daughter who looked like she would burst into tears at any moment.

“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely find him and question him about making my daughter cry.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t like Pan Seok-i.

He was just regretful and anxious about giving his only blood relative in the world to another man.

‘Men can only be known through direct experience.’

Dating and marriage were different. Finding men who changed after marriage wasn’t that difficult.

So Jin Hyeon-pil’s heart still couldn’t completely accept Pan Seok-i.

“Let’s depart. Everyone scatter and search, and if you happen to discover enemies, don’t overdo it and inform the manor.”

Ja-gang-cheon even called Byeokseong to prepare for the search.

Neigh!

Just as he mounted Byeokseong’s back.

Snort!

Byeokseong, sensing something, snorted, and at the same time a huge shadow came running toward the main gate.

It looked like a bear attacking, so everyone was puzzled, but Jin Hwajin rushed forward.

“Dae-gyo-du!”

The one who appeared was Pan Seok-i.

His clothes were torn, exposing his skin, and his whole body was covered with scratches.

“Who did this to you? How dare someone do this to our gaga…”

At the word “gaga,” Pan Seok-i showed a foolish smile. He truly loved that title, but Jin Hwajin didn’t call him that often because she was embarrassed.

“Sorry. I lost the gift while getting this. I tried to buy it again, but the store was closed.”

Pan Seok-i scratched the back of his head and shyly extended his hand to Jin Hwajin.

In his hand was a blue flower that seemed to contain the sky. Seeing it up close, the tips of the petals sparkled with a transparent membrane like dewdrops and emitted a fragrance that cleared the mind.

Heavenly Cliff Blue Flower.

It was a precious flower that was rarely found only on cliff edges.

Humans couldn’t harvest it, and it was said that one could only obtain it by luck when owls or eagles intoxicated by its fragrance dropped it.

“Don’t tell me…”

“An herb gatherer said he saw the most precious flower in the world.”

Could there be such a foolish man in this world?

He had lost precious jade rings and ornaments to get a single flower with no medicinal properties.

This flower would wither in just one day.

“Why did you go so far as to get hurt?”

Pan Seok-i’s wounds painfully entered Jin Hwajin’s eyes. Seeing her shed tears unable to bear it, Pan Seok-i didn’t know what to do.

“Sorry. Was I too late?”

“Never get hurt again.”

“Alright. I’ll try.”

Her legs gave out and she fell into Pan Seok-i’s embrace.

Patting the back of Jin Hwajin who was crying sorrowfully, Pan Seok-i said.

“I’m slow-witted so I can’t think complicated thoughts. I just like Miss Hwajin so much that I want to keep liking you.”

Pan Seok-i took a step back and said to Jin Hwajin, meeting her eyes.

“Will you become my family?”

Jin Hwajin nodded. Embraced again, she burst into tears even louder than before.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Pan Seok-i didn’t know what to do and comforted her.

***

A bright early summer day.

“Congratulations!”

“Bridegroom! Congratulations!”

“Oh my! I thought there was a stone statue standing there! Congratulations! Dae-gyo-du!”

A great feast was held at Deungmyeong Manor.

It was the wedding ceremony of Pan Seok-i and Jin Hwajin, dressed up splendidly in silk clothes.

Since they lived in the same manor anyway, they skipped the traditional six rites and held the wedding ceremony directly.

Jin Hwajin was busy getting dressed in her chamber, and Pan Seok-i was greeting guests at the manor entrance.

“Welcome!”

The person more excited than Pan Seok-i was Ja-gang-cheon.

“Gangcheon. Calm down. You need to receive greetings.”

“Today I’ll accept all greetings!”

Cheon-gu knew he couldn’t stop him.

-How about decorating the bride’s dress with night-shining silk?

He had even made such a request. Naturally, it was opposed as it would be like putting a thief on the bride.

-Buy all the alcohol in Jiao-nan! We’ll serve it all at the wedding!

Since complaints from the giru and inns could already be heard, he was told to stop.

-Slaughter all the pigs, cattle, horses, ducks, and chickens!

He was told it wouldn’t do because seeing too much blood would bring bad luck to the wedding.

Ja-gang-cheon constantly tried to do something, and Cheon-gu stopped him.

Nevertheless, Pan Seok-i’s wedding was as splendid and grand as any high official would envy.

The wedding was scheduled for noon, but the band started playing from the morning. And dancers and singers were preparing the stage.

Not only that, but the acrobatic troupe that Ja-gang-cheon insisted must be there had been receiving lavish treatment since last night while preparing their performance.

Thanks to this, the manor was full from the morning, and there were no more seats, so they even prepared seats outside the main gate.

“Let’s tear down the wall!”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

“The people outside can’t see the wedding!”

“Be patient. When the wedding starts, everyone will come inside. And actually, climbing up on the wall gives a better view.”

The conversation between Ja-gang-cheon and Cheon-gu was heard by everyone around.

“Deungmyeong Jangju is incredibly excited.”

“Hasn’t he been with Dae-gyo-du since the founding of Deungmyeong Manor? He’s someone who cherishes his people so much, so he should do at least this much.”

“Look at that expression. It’s the first time I’ve seen him greet strangers so brightly.”

“Those trying to make a good impression on this opportunity have lined up.”

While Ja-gang-cheon was exchanging greetings with outsiders, there were also those helping with the wedding inside the manor.

“There. How is it?”

The one holding a mirror and reflecting the bride was Yeon-hee from Hao-mun.

“Wow. Is this really me?”

Jin Hwajin was amazed by her own reflection in the mirror.

It wasn’t that she lacked confidence in her appearance, but the woman in the mirror now was a beauty you’d only see in paintings.

“I told you to trust me, didn’t I?”

When Yeon-hee first came in, there was a small commotion.

-I’ll need to redo your makeup.

Was she trying to ruin the wedding?

Such doubts arose.

However, knowing she wouldn’t do such a thing to someone from Deungmyeong Manor, she asked for the reason.

-I’ll make you the most beautiful woman in the world. Trust me.

She was about to refuse, but the next words convinced her.

-Look at me now. Isn’t it clear who’s better at makeup?

Yeon-hee, who had appeared fully dressed up, was beautiful even in Jin Hwajin’s eyes as a woman. Her considerable age couldn’t diminish her beauty.

-I’ll make you even prettier than me.

In the end, Yeon-hee’s persuasion worked, and Jin Hwajin was transformed into a completely different appearance.

The sharp edge characteristic of a swordsman changed into confident and enchanting eyes, and her lips, which had seemed stubborn from countless resolutions, became soft with the addition of fragility through crimson lipstick.

The accessories were both splendid and harmonious, swaying slightly with her movements and catching the eye.

“Now. Are you ready? Today you’re the most important person in the world. That means you can be a little arrogant.”

“I understand.”

While saying those words, someone shouted from outside the door.

“It’s time.”

She headed toward the front courtyard where the wedding ceremony was being held, trailing her long red skirt.

Ja-gang-cheon ultimately failed to maintain his dignity as a manor lord.

“Brother! Sister-in-law Hwajin! Congratulations! Live happily!”

He said those words dozens of times.

He eagerly accepted and drank the alcohol offered by guests, feeling intoxication for the first time in his life.

It was a pleasant confusion.

The swaying world was somewhat amusing too.

“Cheon-gu. So this is why people drink.”

“Gangcheon. The wedding ceremony is just starting.”

“Ah! Should I sober up?”

“Yeah. You should. Many guests have come. You can’t make any slip-ups.”

Just a moment ago, Ja-gang-cheon had said to someone who came to greet him for the first time, “I’ll come visit before this year ends.”

“Wait a moment.”

Ja-gang-cheon circulated his internal energy while sitting in his chair, and Cheon-gu subtly blocked the front.

After a moment,

Hiss.

Steam rose from Ja-gang-cheon’s body, giving off a musty smell.

“Now it’s done.”

Watching Ja-gang-cheon, who had expelled the alcohol from his system, Cheon-gu asked.

“Do you regret it?”

“Yeah. I drank so much. What a waste of alcohol.”

“Drink comfortably after the wedding ceremony ends.”

“Got it.”

Meanwhile, the groom and bride bowed to each other.

“I thought the bride was marrying well, but seeing her beauty, the groom is the one who’s been blessed.”

“She always wore Deungmyeong Sect robes, so I didn’t know she was this pretty.”

“She was always beautiful. It’s just that no one could approach her since she was Dae-gyo-du’s lover.”

Today’s bride was so beautiful that countless compliments seemed insufficient.

“Groom! Stop smiling so much!”

“You’re going to drool! This man!”

“Dae-gyo-du! We’re envious!”

Receiving congratulations from various people, the groom and bride continued bowing to heaven and earth, parents, and each other.

“Gangcheon. It’s your turn.”

And finally, Ja-gang-cheon stood between them.

“I declare to heaven and earth, I testify to Gangho, we swear to share life and death together.”

As his voice, infused with internal energy, spread through the gathering, Pansuk and Jin Hwajin repeated those words.

“We declare to heaven and earth! We testify to Gangho! We swear to share life and death together!”

Pansuk’s voice was so loud that Jin Hwajin’s voice was drowned out.

And according to the final procedure of the wedding ceremony, the groom and bride shared the alcohol contained in a gourd.

Ja-gang-cheon watched quietly, then shouted to everyone the moment the bride’s lips parted.

“I hereby declare that these two have become husband and wife!”

Wowww!

Wahhh!

Cheers and applause louder than during the martial arts tournament poured out. Amid their cheering, Pansuk lifted the bride up in his arms.

Another bride might have been flustered, but Jin Hwajin was not. Instead, when she whispered something, Pansuk seated her on his shoulders.

“Thank you!”

“Thank you.”

With the bride and groom greeting everyone like this, the wedding ceremony reached its peak.

***

As if the feast from a few days ago was a lie, Ja-gang-cheon had a serious expression.

“Is it completed?”

It was one month before the promised meeting with Nokrim.

“We made the structure similarly. However, there are some concerns.”

In front of Ja-gang-cheon lay a hexagonal box made of wood instead of jade.

The size was the same as the Green Forest Sect Seal, but due to the wood, the internal structure wasn’t visible.

“What are the concerns?”

“The magnetite.”

“You mean the stone that attracts iron?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

The stonemason demonstrated directly by bringing metal pieces to the hexagonal box.

Clack!

The metal pieces were drawn by the magnetic force and stuck to the hexagonal box.

“We couldn’t make the magnetic strength exactly the same. We tried to make it as similar as possible, but it’s questionable how precisely it will operate.”

“Is it such a delicate mechanism?”

“Actually, I think this level is sufficient, but I can’t say for certain that it’s perfect.”

Being craftsmen, their standards for completion were very high. However, Ja-gang-cheon rather thought, ‘This level is perfect.’

“You’ve all worked hard.”

Ja-gang-cheon collected both the fake and real keys.

And the next morning.

He left the manor to end the bet with Nokrim.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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