Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 91

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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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#091

The evening after the first day of the competition ended.

The atmosphere in the village was hotter than ever.

“Usually the first day is boring, but today was thrilling.”

“Those who said they’d watch from tomorrow will beat the ground in regret.”

The first day, which started in the afternoon, was usually when newcomers to Gangho came out to build up the atmosphere.

Since the second day was when the final 10 would be selected, leaving a strong impression that day was advantageous.

That’s why most of those aiming for the final stage didn’t participate on the first day.

“It was Deungmyeong Manor’s day.”

Everyone agreed with that statement.

Not only did the three participants from the Martial Arts Competition leave a strong impression, but the majesty of Song Ja-in, who decorated the finale, overwhelmed the audience.

It was a natural reaction since they had directly witnessed the skills of one of the martial world’s greatest masters. Especially her final words remained vividly in everyone’s minds.

-I have never once spared anyone who oppresses our manor.

It was the moment Song Ja-in’s affiliation with Deungmyeong Manor was clearly imprinted. Moreover, her reputation alone greatly elevated Deungmyeong Manor’s status. Considering the martial world’s principle that history becomes power, it was a perfect result.

“Will Cheon-gu go out once more tomorrow?”

“I should.”

“I hope we can both make it to the final 10.”

“Realistically, that’s impossible. I don’t want to overdo it and end with a bad showing.”

“Then what will you do?”

“I’ll fight just once with someone worthwhile. I want to clash with all my strength.”

Ja-gang-cheon nodded at Cheon-gu’s goal.

“That’s a good idea. Have you thought about who you’ll fight?”

“Yes. There’s someone I really want to face.”

“Who is it?”

“That’s a secret.”

Ja-gang-cheon didn’t understand.

“Is there a particular reason it needs to be secret?”

“If I tell you who it is, you and Aunt will give me advice. I want to know my exact abilities right now.”

“We could just not give advice.”

“Are you confident about that?”

Ja-gang-cheon made eye contact with Song Ja-in who was nearby.

“No. I don’t want to hear who it is.”

“I’m not confident either. At my age, I live for the fun of nagging.”

In the end, they decided to reveal Cheon-gu’s opponent tomorrow.

“Let’s eat dinner in our room.”

“That would be best. If we go down now, many people will grab us.”

Having already experienced greeting hell, Ja-gang-cheon decided to eat dinner in their room.

They called the waitstaff to order simple dishes, and about an hour passed.

“Is it ready already?”

Since it was dinner time, he thought it would take long, but the door opened immediately.

“Huh? Sister.”

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

The visitor was Cheon Seolhwa. Seeing her serious expression, Ja-gang-cheon didn’t refuse and followed her out.

Cheon Seolhwa walked silently along the river and soon left the village. After walking for a while, she confirmed no one was around and turned around.

“What’s your true identity?”

“What do you mean?”

“North Cheon Sword Technique. The move you used in your duel with Namgung Seong. That’s the 2nd form of North Cheon Sword Technique.”

Ja-gang-cheon was surprised.

It was a simple movement and enhanced with Mukryeomdo’s energy, so he thought no one would recognize it.

“Answer me!”

She was certain. That’s why she expressed her emotions without hesitation.

“I don’t want to fight you.”

Cheon Seolhwa gave her final warning.

“North Cheon Sword Technique 2nd form, Dragon Flame Reverse Heaven. It creates a unique ascending energy, but there are conditions. You did it exactly right.”

When Ja-gang-cheon remained still, she stepped forward.

“North Cheon Sword Technique can only be learned by Grandfather’s direct lineage. If you learned it secretly, you’ll be pursued by all of North Cheon City.”

“How did you recognize it immediately?”

Ja-gang-cheon didn’t deny it.

“My younger brother is learning North Cheon Sword Technique. I helped with his research.”

Now he could understand why Cheon Seolhwa was so certain.

“Now tell me. What’s your true identity? Why do you know North Cheon Sword Technique?”

“I can’t tell you everything.”

“I need to hear it.”

“What makes you angriest, Sister? That an outsider learned North Cheon Sword Technique? Or that I didn’t tell you beforehand? Why are you angry?”

“Because I have to fight you.”

Ja-gang-cheon pondered those words.

‘Did she grow fond of me quickly because we’re still relatives?’

Ja-gang-cheon finally remembered what he should say first.

“Thank you for asking me first. Other people sometimes use force first.”

“Stop talking nonsense and tell me now. I can’t hold back any longer either.”

“I’ll tell you the most important part first. I’m someone qualified to learn North Cheon Sword Technique.”

“What? What does that mean?”

Cheon Seolhwa didn’t think Ja-gang-cheon was lying. It was too absurd to be a lie.

“I learned North Cheon Sword Technique from my parents. And they formally inherited North Cheon Sword Technique.”

“You’re not lying right now, are you?”

“No.”

“Then go to North Cheon City and prove it.”

“If it were a place I could go, I would have gone long ago. I’m waiting for a time when I can go to North Cheon City with dignity. Please wait just a few years.”

Cheon Seolhwa stared quietly at Ja-gang-cheon.

“So you’re saying you’re our family?”

Ja-gang-cheon didn’t answer. Cheon Seolhwa, thinking that was an affirmation, felt goosebumps all over her body.

“Then when you asked me to take your side before…”

“When I go to North Cheon City, many people will criticize me. I was asking you to take my side then.”

At this point, Cheon Seolhwa began to feel some trust.

‘That’s not an achievement possible from stealing and learning. It’s skill from at least ten years of training.’

To give a simple example, it was at a much higher level than her younger brother’s North Cheon Sword Technique that she had helped with.

That meant he had trained for a very long time.

When she looked at Ja-gang-cheon again with that thought, Cheon Seolhwa was speechless.

‘He can make that expression too.’

It was a bitter and sad expression. Since he always had a bright expression, the contrast appeared even more stark.

“Can’t you go to North Cheon City now? I’ll help you.”

“Not now. They’ll definitely deny me.”

“How are you so certain?”

“Because I’ve already been denied once.”

At the Wudang Sect, he was treated as an existence that shouldn’t exist in this world.

He didn’t want to repeat that experience at North Cheon City.

“Hmm.”

Cheon Seolhwa closed her eyes and organized Ja-gang-cheon’s words.

‘Being qualified to learn North Cheon Sword Technique means he’s Grandfather’s bloodline. But if he goes now, his existence will be denied. And many people will criticize him.’

Cheon Seolhwa, who had organized these facts, was shocked.

‘He’s an illegitimate child!’

If he was a child born from a relationship outside of marriage, all the circumstances would fit perfectly.

‘Who had the affair? Grandfather? Or aunt? Surely not mother?’

Her mind became complicated.

“Don’t think too deeply about it now. When the time comes, I’ll tell you first, sister. Then please be on my side as promised.”

“Phew.”

Cheon Seolhwa approached close enough to reach out and touch, looking straight into Ja-gang-cheon’s eyes.

“There’s no lie in what you just said?”

“None.”

“Can you swear to it?”

“I swear on everyone I love.”

She had seen today during the martial arts match how dearly Ja-gang-cheon cared for the manor family. He had fought Namgung Seong when Pan Seok-i got hurt.

Since he swore on such family members, it didn’t seem like he would lie.

“Phew. It must have been very difficult all this time, right?”

It was unexpected comfort.

“Uh…”

So Ja-gang-cheon was surprised.

Hot emotions surged up from his chest, and he almost shed tears.

“Why am I being like this?”

“Just how difficult has it been for you?”

Cheon Seolhwa hugged Ja-gang-cheon tightly. Knowing they were relatives, her hesitation disappeared.

“I’ll definitely be on your side.”

“Thank you.”

Ja-gang-cheon felt her hand patting his back very warmly.

“Cheer up. I’ll support you.”

After saying that, Cheon Seolhwa stepped back and spoke as if something came to mind.

“No wonder you said you’d never see me as a woman. Was this the reason?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Cheon Seolhwa smiled and was about to speak again when she suddenly closed her mouth.

“I think we should end our conversation here.”

Ja-gang-cheon also sensed something strange and looked back. As expected, there was a figure approaching from afar with fierce momentum.

“Miss!”

It was Talbohoe.

“He’s quite angry. Don’t tell me you snuck out?”

“Not snuck out, I ditched him.”

“That’s even worse.”

“It’s fine! I gained a reliable younger brother, so I should accept that much.”

The word “younger brother” sounded quite pleasant to hear.

Since he thought no one would acknowledge him as family, it felt even more touching.

“Then shall we play some tag?”

“Why are you running away?”

He asked her as she prepared to use lightness skill.

“If I get caught here, you’ll get scolded too. This sister will take all the scolding.”

Cheon Seolhwa shouted to the approaching Talbohoe.

“Come slowly! I won’t run away!”

Contrary to her words, she ran toward the right side.

“Miss! Stop right there!”

Thanks to that, Ja-gang-cheon didn’t have to face Talbohoe.

***

“But why did your mood improve? You were serious the whole time after the martial arts match ended.”

“What? Does my good mood make you feel bad?”

“I just want to know the reason.”

Talbohoe had a somewhat suspicious expression.

“Did something happen with Deungmyeong Jangwon Jangju?”

“Uncle Talbo shouldn’t speak with that expression. He’s our life savior.”

“Ahem! I remember too. I’ll definitely repay him when the time comes, but I must give advice for Miss’s sake.”

“What advice do you want to give?”

“He’s a man with many suspicions. At such a young age, he possesses outstanding martial arts, but we can’t know the roots. All that’s known is that he learned Bicheon Shinbo, but his current martial arts can’t be explained by saying he’s a descendant of Sintu.”

Sintu, the founder of Bicheon Shinbo, was not someone with strong martial arts.

“Uncle Talbo!”

“Yes?”

“Are roots that important?”

“They are important.”

“Is that why you grow your hair like that? Because you can’t bear to pull out the roots?”

“Why are you suddenly making sophistry? Is there really something going on?”

“Nothing at all. I just gave some advice because he’s a cute younger brother.”

“Really? Be careful. If it wasn’t advice but a fight had broken out, tonight would have been quite rough.”

Cheon Seolhwa stopped walking and looked at Talbo.

“What do you mean?”

“There were two people watching.”

“Who?”

“Dok-ja-mo.”

Just as Talbohoe was wary of Ja-gang-cheon, Dok-ja-mo didn’t trust Cheon Seolhwa either.

“If you had drawn a sword, it really would have gotten complicated. But there was another person watching?”

“Yes. Mok Seo-ryeon was there.”

“What? Why was that girl there?”

“Calling her ‘that girl’ – please maintain your dignity.”

“Dignity can freeze to death when it comes to those Jeongpa brats. Why was that girl spying on Gangcheon?”

“I didn’t say she was spying.”

“Then why was she watching?”

“How would I know? After seeing Miss hug Deungmyeong Jangju, she left with a sad expression.”

It happened that while Talbo was running toward Cheon Seolhwa, he saw her turning away.

“But why do men like that girl?”

Receiving sharp eyes, Talbohoe shook his head.

“Not me.”

“Right? She’s not that pretty, is she?”

“She is pretty though. People’s eyes aren’t fly eyes – would they choose her as the greatest beauty for no reason?”

“I’m prettier!”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Right?”

“Yes. Miss is much prettier. There’s no comparison.”

“Uncle Talbo is the best after all.”

“If you know that, don’t run away. If something happens to Miss’s safety, I’ll lose my head.”

“Alright.”

Though she had been troubled when leaving the lodging, she was now cheerfully laughing while bantering with Talbo.

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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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