The Youngest Daughter of the Hebei Peng Clan Is a Truly a Very Famous Little Heavenly Demon - Chapter 87

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

87.

Unlike what was said about wearing a slightly darker blue robe similar to Ju Sohui’s, Gong Haelyeong was dressed in ordinary martial attire, perhaps to avoid causing a commotion.

With a bamboo hat pulled low and her hair twisted up, she looked like an ordinary female martial artist.

Even so, her tall stature and extraordinary gait were quite noticeable, but she was skilled in stealth. Ordinary people who weren’t martial artists wouldn’t feel any sense of incongruity even if she brushed right past them.

‘Oh…’

I followed closely behind Gong Haelyeong, carefully observing her footsteps.

There was a rustling sound.

This was a unique gait different from Dokgo Yeon, Eon Yeonhyeok, or even her disciple Ju Sohui.

First, Dokgo Yeon.

As Cheonma, she doesn’t hide her footsteps. Her confident stride reveals arrogant self-assurance that she can defeat anyone who might hear and come looking.

The Cheonma Gunrimbo she uses in combat needs no further explanation. It’s the most aggressive footwork technique I aim for, used together with Cheonma Sinryeo Geombeop.

Eon Yeonhyeok.

His footsteps are distinctly eerie compared to Dokgo Yeon’s.

But it’s not that he’s trying to hide himself. The sinister aura unique to necromancers who handle Guiguanfeigong like breathing is revealed even in his steps.

Since I only studied necromancy from Eon Yeonhyeok, I don’t know what footwork technique he uses, but the Eon Family or Sigui must have their own unique martial arts.

The Eon Family’s secret techniques are probably hidden in that momentum Eon Muhyeok showed at the beginning of our duel.

Finally, Ju Sohui.

Her steps are deep and cool.

But they’re far from the gloominess characteristic of Sigui. Her coldness, resembling the deep northern sea, is actually clarity itself.

Positioned at the overwhelming starting point of Northern Enlightenment Skill, she condenses tremendous energy unsuited to her age, making it seem as if the ground sinks with each step.

Quiet and still.

No sound is made, but it’s different from an assassin. This is a unique characteristic of one who has mastered Northern Enlightenment Skill.

That’s why I thought her master Gong Haelyeong would have a similar atmosphere. Especially since she initially hid her presence like Ju Sohui.

But observing her throughout our walk through the alley, her stealth was like waves.

The rustling sound spreads like ripples, audible to human ears but preventing recognition. Without conscious attention, one would mistake it for the sound of natural wind. Within the irregular rhythm, the patterns of the South Sea are born.

Watching the gently spreading energy, I realized.

‘That’s it.’

Wollangyubo (Wave-Crossing Flow Steps).

Besides Danhaebichu, the second footwork technique I taught Ju Sohui.

Honestly speaking, I couldn’t properly master Wollangyubo.

Unlike Danhaebichu, which resembles the domineering and straightforward sea, Wollangyubo consists of flowing steps like undulating waves.

It’s fluid martial arts befitting the creator of Wolhae Swordplay, which intensively incorporates the mysteries of flow. It’s far too difficult for me.

“Are you reading my footwork?”

Her accent is quite different from Ju Sohui’s.

Unlike Ju Sohui, who speaks the Imperial Court’s standard language learned from childhood—round and soft speech—Gong Haelyeong’s language is clear and quick.

Yet there’s something strangely mixed in at times, clearly showing the two have spent a long time together.

It’s quite fascinating.

“Given that child’s personality, she would have taught both techniques to her daughter as well.”

“Ah! Um, that’s…”

“I don’t mind.”

Gong Haelyeong, who had glanced back at me, faced forward again.

“When teaching Sohui the secret techniques, I gave permission to pass them on to the child from her womb. Since she’d be a member of the Peng Family anyway, she’d mainly learn Ohhodanmundo.”

“I don’t know how to use Ohhodanmundo.”

“Of course you wouldn’t. But it’s rather unfortunate.”

She stopped walking.

“Ohhodanmundo suits the Heavenly Thunder Body extremely well.”

My steps also came to an abrupt halt.

Cold sweat began to form.

“H-how did you know? I never showed you my inner energy…?”

“You learn these things with age.”

“But Mother had no idea!”

At my retort, Gong Haelyeong’s lips curved upward.

“Why wouldn’t she know? She knew but deliberately chose not to teach you more.”

“But why would Mother—”

“I can’t fully understand that child’s thoughts, but if it’s the Sohui I knew, there would be two reasons.”

She clasped her hands behind her back.

“First, by the time she found you, you were already accustomed to swordplay, so learning blade techniques anew would be quite inefficient.”

This time she stepped closer.

The face thrust toward me was tanned by the South Sea sun, appearing healthier than northern Chūan people. Her lean frame swayed slightly.

“Second, it was probably for your brother, who has less talent than you.”

“My brother?”

“If you’re approaching the Harmony realm at just seventeen, then Sohui would have immediately recognized what an extraordinary talent her daughter was upon finding you.”

Though they say news travels slowly in the south, Gong Haelyeong knew everything about the Peng Family’s situation.

Come to think of it, even Imhaewo said he always stops by Geobang’s Hunan Branch Tower when visiting Hunan, so it’s natural for her as Patriarch to have overwhelming intelligence compared to the masses. Gong Haelyeong raised just one of her thin eyebrows.

“No, that’s not right. Even to my eyes, you’re at a level that’s hard to simply call talented. Though she’s my disciple, Sohui was also called a natural disaster. But you’ve already surpassed your mother’s achievements.”

“Well, that’s…”

“I can’t even define what to call someone more talented than that child. Sohui must be happy yet unable to stop thinking about your brother.”

This was a topic I’d never considered.

Peng was an incredibly good older brother.

This fake sibling who came into my life, having lived as Mother’s only daughter, was too busy floundering before me to show any jealousy.

More honestly, even if I were to immediately become the Peng Family’s young patriarch, he’d probably gladly tell me to go ahead.

I don’t know for sure since I’ve never mentioned it.

But people have certain atmospheres about them, don’t they?

“If it were simply a matter of who becomes the next family head, how nice that would be.”

Gong Haelyeong said, looking down at me.

“What’s important is the tragedy of the eldest son with an overly excellent younger sister. This stimulates much more primal feelings of inferiority than having outstanding older siblings.”

“My brother isn’t really the type for that though?”

“No human can be completely free of inferiority. It’s just a matter of how one resolves the naturally arising feelings of inadequacy.”

She certainly wasn’t wrong.

They say when your cousin buys land, your stomach hurts, so even the kindest person might occasionally feel uncomfortable when their closest sibling has everything.

But a good person is a good person.

Such people’s inferiority turns inward rather than toward others.

This means they’d become impatient with their previously satisfying achievements, lose composure, and likely end up like Eon Muhyeok when I met him.

“It seems you’ve realized something.”

“A little.”

Hearing my answer, she continued in a slightly softer tone, as if comforting a child.

“Well, don’t feel too disappointed. Even if it were reversed, Sohui would have suggested a different path for you. When there are two children, it’s natural for parents to want at least one as a successor to inherit their secret techniques.”

Ah.

I understood.

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