The Youngest Daughter of the Hebei Peng Clan Is a Truly a Very Famous Little Heavenly Demon - Chapter 34

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

34.

 

The events that followed unfolded slowly.

 

First, Eon Yeonhyeok and Ju Sohui returned to the Wulin Alliance headquarters to report matters related to the Blood Sect, while I recuperated at an inn in Hubei during that time.

 

I thought I’d have to attend meetings as an important witness, but Ju Sohui’s influence really is something. Thanks to her handling everything alone, I was spared the worry of rambling about Cheonryun Sinmago in front of the Orthodox Faction elders.

 

Oh right. I also solved another curiosity during that time.

 

“Mother, do you happen to know what this plaque is used for?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

When I showed her the Heaven plaque I’d received in Hunan, Ju Sohui immediately reacted.

 

“That’s a plaque Nangung gives to those who have shown them appropriate kindness. How did you come to receive it?”

 

“Oh, a woman who looked about my age gave it to me in Hunan Province.”

 

“A child your age.”

 

Ju Sohui’s eyebrows rose slightly.

 

“That’s strange. Currently, there are no girls of that age in Nangung.”

 

“Didn’t you say before that Nangung’s Sword Princess is a peerless master who underwent rejuvenation? Could it have been her?”

 

“The Sword Princess has the appearance of a young child.”

 

“Huh. Then, then a ghost?”

 

Shock!

 

It’s a Nangung plaque, but there are no girls my age in Nangung.

 

As I stammered, feeling somewhat chilled, Ju Sohui burst into laughter.

 

“How could that be? Probably someone who obtained the plaque through other means gave it to you. Keep the plaque safe and use it when you need light assistance.”

 

“Yes.”

 

A gratitude plaque from Nangung.

 

Though it was low grade, it was generous compensation for treating someone to a ten-coin bowl of malatang. I tied the sky plaque with blue thread together with the other plaques.

 

“You’ve improved quite a lot now.”

 

Two weeks after treatment.

 

Finally, the wound on my thigh had completely healed. Though it had been deep enough to see bone, only a thin scar like a thread remained, and Ju Sohui seemed to inwardly breathe a sigh of relief.

 

“If I had my way, I’d want to carry you around in my arms for about a hundred years.”

 

“Ahaha.”

 

She said that, but…

 

…surely she wasn’t serious?

 

“You should be able to move around soon.”

 

Seeing that I had recovered, Ju Sohui spoke with a bittersweet expression. Meanwhile, Eon Yeonhyeok, who had been going back and forth between the Wulin Alliance and the inn saying he was coming to see me, looked very excited.

 

“Finally, even I get to take in a cute female disciple in my old age!”

 

“I haven’t said I’m sending her yet.”

 

“Sword Master, why are you being like this when we both know what’s what? I’ve already sent word to the Dang Family, so they’ll be relieved if I guide Dori.”

 

“…Tch.”

 

Ju Sohui openly showed her displeasure at his excitement.

 

When I wondered why she was like that, Dangsoso later told me when we were alone.

 

“Usually, martial artists from great families don’t teach their secret techniques to outsiders.”

 

“Really? Elder Eon seemed desperate to take me as a disciple though?”

 

“That’s because he plans to teach Lady Peng and then make her his daughter-in-law. Since Young Master Eon is the same age as you, it wouldn’t be teaching an outsider but transmitting secret techniques within the family.”

 

“Wow.”

 

I understood why Ju Sohui had been constantly nitpicking at Eon Yeonhyeok.

 

Since she doted on me so much, she couldn’t help but be sensitive to talk of marriage.

 

‘So all that talk was serious.’

 

I recalled Eon Muhyeok, who had fled without a backward glance, leaving Ju Sohui and me behind.

 

He really left without even looking back.

 

‘Annoying bastard.’

 

I wanted to punch him the next time we met, but I’d have to get revenge by just stealing martial arts from Eon Yeonhyeok.

 

* * *

 

The eldest son of the Jinzhu Eon Family, Eon Muhyeok.

 

“Huuu…”

 

The boy, now seventeen years old, had been sitting cross-legged since early dawn, concentrating on breathing exercises.

 

The mental technique of Guiguan Beiqi.

 

It extremely lowers and hardens the body’s temperature. This Guiguan Beiqi, which forms the foundation of all Eon Family martial arts, was both a basic breathing method and a very powerful external technique that turned the user into a living jiangshi.

 

‘Not enough.’

 

Internal energy had increased in his dantian.

 

But only very slightly. Eon Muhyeok furrowed his handsome brow and tried to calm his mind.

 

“Young Master Eon became a peak master at fifteen, didn’t he?”

 

“Isn’t that a first in the martial world? Hah, truly the grandson of Sigui. What an achievement!”

 

“I heard Wudang’s head disciple is quite extraordinary, but at this rate, he’ll face Young Master Eon. Surely one of them will be the next greatest under heaven!”

 

Eon Muhyeok was called the best among the rising stars of the great families due to his exceptional talent.

 

Such a person had recently been gripped by unprecedented anxiety.

 

Impatience for faster achievement.

 

It was a dangerous state that could lead to qi deviation, but no one in the Eon Family noticed the eldest son’s change.

 

This was actually natural.

 

The current patriarch, Eon Taehyeok, wasn’t someone greatly interested in his son’s achievements. Though he had inherited the Eon Family position when his brothers all died, he hadn’t changed much from his days as a young master and preferred playing to advancing in martial arts.

 

Despite the patriarch’s indulgence, the Jinzhu Eon Family maintained its position among the Five Great Families, albeit precariously, thanks to Sigui, the grand patriarch, who kept his eyes wide open guarding the family’s real power. The particularly outstanding achievements of Eon Muhyeok, the young patriarch, also played a part.

 

Yes.

 

He absolutely had to be outstanding.

 

Even prominent families could be unremarkable for a generation or so if unlucky. But if that lasted for two generations, could they still be called prominent?

 

“Muhyeok, you are the future of the Eon Family.”

 

Having finished his breathing exercises, Eon Muhyeok gripped the sword placed beside him and muttered.

 

“I am the future of the Eon Family.”

 

This was a vow to himself.

 

‘Lady Peng…’

 

As he drew his practice sword, scenes he’d witnessed recently floated through his mind.

 

At first, he’d been shocked to see a woman who was at least at the Wisdom Learning level, no matter how low he estimated, slumping into the Sword Master’s embrace.

 

But after dining together, he realized. While he had only recently reached mid-peak level with great difficulty, her achievement was a full stage ahead.

 

It was the first time in his life he’d been so surpassed by a peer.

 

Since that day, Eon Muhyeok had desperately tried to catch up to that girl, but if advancement in martial realms could be solved by gritting one’s teeth, there would have been over ten thousand Hyeongyeong masters long ago.

 

He moved his body mechanically while caught up in distracting thoughts.

 

Guiguan Jamming Twelve Forms.

 

Fill the twelve meridians where qi and blood flow with ghostly energy and hold one’s breath.

 

The Eon Family’s sword path that only humans who had become living corpses could unfold was embroidered in the air. From the sword that had reached mid-peak level, a colorless haze rose, denser than before.

 

Swordsmanship of such high level it was hard to believe from a seventeen-year-old boy.

 

Yet it was still insufficient.

 

So insufficient he couldn’t bear it.

 

‘Should I ask grandfather for help? But…’

 

Soon reaching his limit, Eon Muhyeok sheathed his sword and resumed the breathing he’d stopped while executing the forms. His skin, which had become pale and hard like a jiangshi, regained its original color. His cooled body temperature gradually returned as well.

 

His gaze dropped downward. He repeatedly clenched and opened his left hand that wasn’t holding the sword.

 

‘I must quickly reach the later stage.’

 

For a peak martial artist to overcome the wall, they must release qi externally.

 

The easiest place is the hand holding the sword.

 

Having closed the life gate and opened the ghost gate, he attempted to release qi once more. But frustratingly, the ghostly energy was blocked precisely by the inner meridians, showing no sign of emerging.

 

His energy dissipated.

 

Just as he was about to frown in disappointment at himself.

 

“Big brother!”

 

A familiar voice was heard.

 

It was Eon Mujin, the fourth son. Unlike the other brothers who were practically given up on, he was at least someone you could talk to.

 

“Mujin, I told you not to come in while I’m training.”

 

“I know that, but brother. The Patriarch has returned.”

 

“Grandfather?”

 

Eon Muhyeok’s expression, which had been deeply troubled, subtly brightened.

 

If it was grandfather, he could confide his worries. Perhaps he could even receive advice and find a clue to the next realm.

 

“I should go pay my respects.”

 

“Yes. Oh, but, um.”

 

Eon Mujin, who had been following his brother with quick steps, glanced around cautiously.

 

“What is it?”

 

“He brought some young lady with him. I heard he’s going to teach her, but that must be a false rumor, right? We’re not even a sect, and there’s no reason to teach someone from another family.”

 

Most noble families are exclusive.

 

A family’s secret techniques can only be learned by direct bloodline descendants. Other martial arts are bestowed upon those who pledge loyalty to the family, but even so, it was extremely rare for someone as high-ranking as a Patriarch to teach just one person.

 

Of course, there are exceptions.

 

Cases where families with good relations look after children from other families as a form of exchange. Especially between neighboring prestigious families, since they often end up connected through marriage anyway, it’s perfectly possible to provide brief training guidance, excluding the family’s secret arts.

 

Having thought that far, the pretty girl who had recently given him inner demons came to Eon Muhyeok’s mind. He, who had been hurrying, suddenly turned his head and asked.

 

“Didn’t you hear which family’s young lady she was?”

 

“Oh, well.”

 

Eon Mujin hesitated.

 

“Since the Sword Emperor came with her, she’s probably a young lady from the Peng Family or House of Dang, isn’t she?”

 

…As expected!

 

“Hey, brother! Let’s go together!”

 

Eon Muhyeok, whose heart had grown urgent, quickened his pace even more.

 

Before long, having reached Cheonbindan, he sensed several presences. Though he knew it was rude, he deliberately spoke in a loud voice.

 

“Grandfather, this is Muhyeok. May I come in for a moment?”

 

An eternity-like instant passed.

 

“Come in.”

 

As soon as permission was granted, Eon Muhyeok opened the door. Inside were Eon Yeonhyeok, Ju Sohui, and the girl with the youthful face he had seen before.

 

The girl who spotted him smiled brightly.

 

It was a smile so fresh and beautiful that it made all his previous anxiety seem meaningless. For a moment, he lost his senses and drew in a breath.

 

Then Eon Yeonhyeok, who had been sitting, called him with a stern tone.

 

“You’ve come at just the right time. From today, Lady Peng will be staying at Cheonbindan for training for a while, so I want you to look after her well as a friend.”

 

“…Pardon?”

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