Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 79

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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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#079

“There was no Gongcheong Stone Oil.”

Ja-gang-cheon said that. There were certainly people sending suspicious glances, but no one questioned him further.

“Once uncle’s treatment is finished, I’ll come visit.”

The North Cheon City people left quickly to treat Talbohoe, and Geumgang-gae turned back satisfied that everyone was safe.

“I guess I’ll have to beg for drinks today.”

When everyone left, Ja-gang-cheon also returned to the merchant guild. Then he lowered his voice as if sharing a secret.

“I already absorbed the Gongcheong Stone Oil.”

“As expected! Hyeongnim!”

“Well done.”

They sincerely celebrated Ja-gang-cheon’s achievement. But they weren’t entirely happy.

“Now when we return to the manor, I’ll have to focus more on training.”

“I will too.”

While Ja-gang-cheon was searching for the Gongcheong Stone Oil, the two had felt their own limitations.

“It’s fortunate things worked out well, but we could have put you in danger.”

“Everything turned out fine, so don’t blame yourself.”

“It’s not just self-blame, I’m also disappointed in myself. I felt truly powerless.”

The incident in Yonggu had given them several challenges to face.

Ja-gang-cheon realized his position in Gangho represented by Jeongpa and Demonic Sect, while Cheon-gu and Pansuk experienced helpless defeat.

“I want to return to the manor quickly.”

For Pan Seok-i to say such things meant he was mentally exhausted.

Especially since this incident involved both Hao-mun and Gae-bang, creating complex relationships.

They had searched the tidal flats at night and waited anxiously for ten days.

Once everything ended, all that fatigue hit them at once.

“Let’s just meet cousin sister and return right away.”

Fortunately, the wait wasn’t long.

The next morning,

Ja-gang-cheon received a formal invitation.

It was an upscale restaurant in the market, and a specially prepared room was set with a lavish feast.

“Sister, you’re quite wasteful too. You should save money to live well.”

“You never say what I expect you to say.”

“What do people usually say at times like this?”

“They say ‘Thank you for preparing this.'”

“Compared to what I did for you, this meal is nothing, isn’t it?”

Cheon Seolhwa laughed comfortably.

“You look much prettier when you smile like that.”

If another man had said it, she would have suspected his intentions, but not with Ja-gang-cheon.

“Anyway, thank you. I don’t plan to end it with just this meal, so don’t worry.”

“Then what will you do for me?”

“Tell me if there’s something you want. As long as I’m alive, I’ll do my best to grant it. But I don’t have much power in North Cheon City yet. If you want something big, you’ll have to wait a little.”

“I’ve already decided what I want.”

“What is it?”

“It’s simple. If I ever look lonely, please take my side.”

Cheon Seolhwa pondered those words, but couldn’t grasp their meaning at all.

“Just do that if such a situation arises. I have no other requests, so don’t worry about it.”

Having said that, Ja-gang-cheon picked up his chopsticks and began eating.

“Sister, you should eat too.”

Cheon Seolhwa quietly watched Ja-gang-cheon.

“What kind of person are you really?”

“I’m curious about that too.”

“What?”

“I just want to be Ja-gang-cheon, but people keep telling me to abandon half of myself. They don’t see me completely.”

Though he spoke calmly, his sorrow was clearly felt.

“Living isn’t easy for you either.”

“Yes. It’s difficult. But there are more happy things.”

“You’re the first person to say that. How can there be more happy things?”

“Because there are many good people around me.”

“That’s surprising too. Do you have a secret for keeping good people close?”

“You kill the bad people.”

“Huh?”

“When I killed all the bad people, only good people remained.”

Cheon Seolhwa momentarily doubted her ears.

She couldn’t believe that Ja-gang-cheon who saved her and Talbohoe was the same person saying these words.

‘The Hwangbo Clan wasn’t sealed away due to bad luck.’

Her past self who had opposed such a person seemed incredibly reckless.

“I’ll keep your advice in mind. But there’s one last thing I want to confirm.”

“What is it?”

“The sword and secret manual Song Jin-baek left behind. Can I really take them?”

“Yes. Please take them.”

“Why are you giving them to me?”

“Because I think sister needs them.”

“What?”

“I don’t need them, but sister does. Then the person who needs them should have them, right?”

This was true.

‘I already understand the manual, and I don’t need the sword.’

Regarding the manual, he understood its principles and core techniques, so he had no more desire for it. That experience would be great foundation for future training. However, it followed a different path from the martial arts Ja-gang-cheon had learned. So he gave it up without regret.

The reason for giving up the sword was even simpler – Ja-gang-cheon’s treasure vault was full of better swords.

‘This way, there won’t be any problems with North Cheon City either.’

Of course, the special relationship of being cousin sister also played a role.

“I should just gratefully accept it?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. I received so much help in this matter. Thank you.”

“Yes. Now sister should eat too. The food is delicious.”

“Right.”

Cheon Seolhwa felt that meal would remain in her memory for a long time.

***

The group that returned to Jiao-nan decided to spend the remaining autumn and winter strengthening the manor’s foundation.

The somewhat unsettled atmosphere due to the three key figures being away quickly regained stability.

But the three who had been to Yonggu became completely different people.

Cheon-gu and Pansuk were filled with determination and devoted themselves to martial arts training so intensely it was frightening. Thanks to them, those around were also swept up in the atmosphere and increased their training time.

Their change was remarkable, but the most changed person was Ja-gang-cheon.

“Hmm. I had been missing this all along. I thought that to become faster, I naturally had to become lighter. But that’s not it. For acceleration, you might need to become heavier instead. When you can control that, this becomes possible.”

Ja-gang-cheon swung the wooden sword sideways.

The wooden sword that seemed to move slowly suddenly gained speed as if it had disappeared, and when his arm fully extended, there was a sound of air bursting.

“Wow.”

The people studying the Extreme Sword Technique together burst into exclamations.

Among them was Song Ja-in.

‘His way of looking at martial arts has changed. So it’s true that he witnessed the mysteries of the Unryong Jeongcheon Sword.’

The Unryong Jeongcheon Sword was a supreme sword technique. Yet Ja-gang-cheon had expressed its mysteries like this.

-I saw interesting mysteries. Though the path was different from my martial arts, I think I learned something good.

Song Ja-in judged that Ja-gang-cheon didn’t fully recognize his own development.

‘He has taken a big step forward.’

The cutting technique he had just shown with the wooden sword proved this.

‘This winter will be interesting.’

Ja-gang-cheon, who had seemed like just a rough gem to be cultivated, now appeared in a slightly different light.

She couldn’t even predict how quickly Ja-gang-cheon would grow after taking the Gongcheong Seokyu.

‘I can’t lose.’

For the first time, she felt competitive spirit toward Ja-gang-cheon.

‘I too will focus on growth this winter.’

Song Ja-in added her contribution to the manor that was already full of fervor.

As autumn passed and winter came, the martial arts research fever at Deungmyeong Manor reached its peak.

Jin Hyeon-pil, who was both the head of Jinggeuk Martial Arts School and sect leader, found each day overwhelming.

However, someone looked at Jin Hyeon-pil with envious eyes.

“How long has it been since Hyeongnim and I had tea like this?”

Jin Hyeon-pil had tea with Ak-pung-jin, the head of Jangpung Pyohyeon, after a long time.

Even though they were in the same manor, it was because Jin Hyeon-pil was so busy.

“I have something to discuss with you.”

“What matter makes you so serious?”

Despite their deepened friendship as brothers, today Ak-pung-jin began speaking with a heavy heart.

“Would it be alright to make the Akga Changbeop and Eungjosu public for martial arts research?”

“What? You mean…”

“I want to dedicate Jangpung Pyohyeon’s exclusive martial arts to Deungmyeong Manor.”

This was already being done at Jinggeuk Martial Arts School. That’s why he was asking for permission.

He had been cautious, worried it might seem like throwing cold water on the research that was going well, but Jin Hyeon-pil actually smiled brightly.

“Hyeongnim. You’ve made a good decision. Actually, I was going to recommend it to you first, but I held back thinking it would be rude for me to mention exclusive martial arts.”

“Is that so? I was foolish to worry for so long.”

“You were just being prudent. But really, you’ve made an excellent decision. Actually, the martial arts of Jin Geuk-il-in School are no longer mine. They’ve become new martial arts that have developed several levels beyond what I knew. If the ancestors of Jin Geuk-il-in School saw these martial arts, they would have praised me greatly, saying I did well.”

What would have taken Jin Hyeon-pil a lifetime to accomplish, if at all, quickly produced results once it became a research topic at Deungmyeong Manor.

“Surely the Akga Changbeop and Eungjosu will also achieve great development.”

“I knew he was an outstanding person, but living with him directly, the Lord is far more remarkable than I thought. So while dedicating the martial arts, I’m thinking of having Jangpung Pyohyeon enter under Deungmyeong Manor as well.”

Jin Hyeon-pil nodded as if in agreement.

“I think about that every day too. Rather than continuing to maintain the name Jinggeuk Sect, wouldn’t it be better to enter Deungmyeong Manor and see greater possibilities?”

“The names Jinggeuk Sect and Jangpung Pyohyeon would disappear, but our martial arts could develop even greater and become supreme martial arts representing the world.”

The two realized they had the same thoughts and smiled. Thus they ended their long deliberation.

The next morning during training time, Jin Hyeon-pil and Ak-pung-jin told Ja-gang-cheon of their decision.

“The names of Jinggeuk Martial Arts School and Jangpung Pyohyeon will disappear. Are you really okay with this?”

“Instead, they will shine even brighter under the name of Deungmyeong Manor. And I’m confident that everyone I’m responsible for will be happier than before.”

“Names are not important. I think this is an opportunity given to my life. I am being greedy right now.”

Ja-gang-cheon glanced at Cheon-gu.

Before accepting them, Cheon-gu had said this current situation was the most ideal.

“Then please continue your activities as the sect leader of Deungmyeong Sect, Sect Leader Jin Hyeon-pil. All martial arts researched at Deungmyeong Manor will belong to Deungmyeong Sect.”

By abandoning the name of Jinggeuk Sect, Jin Hyeon-pil became the leader of an even greater sect.

“Uncle Ak-pung-jin, please become the guardian leader who can protect not only the caravan but also our people including the Donghai Merchant Guild. The scope is everywhere our manor people exist.”

“Would I be able to do that job?”

“You’ve been protecting fiercely and earnestly. I’m confident you’ll do well.”

Since the topic came up, Ja-gang-cheon clearly organized the hierarchy.

“Please call me Lord instead of Sect Leader from now on. Aunt here will have the authority of an Elder regardless of title, and the manor Subordinate will maintain his position as is. And I’ll appoint Hyeong Pansuk as the grand instructor overseeing both the manor and Deungmyeong Sect.”

Since this was discussed with Cheon-gu beforehand, it was organized cleanly.

“Our manor will continue to develop from now on. Please stay with us.”

“Thank you for opening the path for us, Lord.”

“It’s an honor to be able to stay together.”

It was when they were giving their greetings.

Tap. Tap.

Something coldly touched everyone’s faces.

“Oh? It’s snow.”

This year’s first snow fell.

As if blessing their unity, white snow colored the entire world the same color.

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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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