The Youngest Prince of the Zhou Family - Chapter 36

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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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Youngest Master of the Zhu Family (36)

Martial Tournament

The cheers of the heroes.

And the passionate fervor of the warriors combined together, making the Zhu Family Grand Festival burn with excitement.

The high-level martial contests of warriors displaying the sword techniques of the prestigious Zhu Family in various ways truly revealed the Zhu Family’s prestige in its entirety.

Countless warriors rejoiced in their promotions and were also frustrated by their failures.

However, what was important was that they were all showing the results of their dedicated cultivation efforts.

It was truly a day that showed what a martial family was all about.

Finally, on the fifth day of the Grand Festival.

It was also the day when the direct lineage martial contests would finally begin.

From early morning, Dan-hee was nervously and carefully ironing my martial robes.

“Why are you going through such trouble? They’re just martial robes I’ll wear casually anyway.”

“Still, many adults will be watching, won’t they? If you dress carelessly, I’ll be the one getting scolded.”

At Dan-hee’s words, I couldn’t say anything.

It seemed like they had their own world that I didn’t understand.

“Hmm.”

While Dan-hee prepared the clothes, I thought about this martial tournament.

I remember that the direct lineage martial contests were quite noisy in my previous life.

‘Ju Sang-jin.’

Especially the day when Second Brother Ju Sang-jin would receive the full support of the adults.

Conversely, it was the day I would fall to the depths with nowhere left to go.

Whether in my previous life or now, I was forcibly dragged out, but there was one difference.

Namely, my mindset had changed in this life.

‘Since I’m already out here, I should do it properly.’

It wasn’t about making an impression on the adults.

More than anything, I didn’t want to lose to that bastard Ju Sang-jin.

I wasn’t even confident I would lose in the first place.

Most importantly, I had to carefully neutralize him without being detected.

Anyway, that guy wasn’t a problem…

‘Eldest Brother needs to step up.’

Ju Seung-hyeok.

I wonder if Eldest Brother properly understood what I meant?

It’s difficult.

If only he would move, more than half of the Zhu Family’s problems could actually be solved at once.

The authority of the Young Family Head is greater than expected, so I could use Eldest Brother’s power.

“Here, Young Master. I’ve ironed it very crisply.”

Dan-hee handed me the well-ironed martial robes.

Seeing her proud expression with charcoal smudges on her face was quite amusing.

“Thank you.”

I put on the martial robes and left the room.

“Everyone has already gathered, Young Master.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

We headed straight to the Great Training Ground where the martial tournament was being held.

As Mu Ying said, all the adults of the family had already come out.

“Oh?”

I spotted someone and quickly cupped my hands in greeting.

“I pay my respects to the Tang Family Head.”

“Haha, good. I was worried I came a bit late, but I’ll be able to see your martial contest.”

Tang Family Head Dang Hwa-pyeong spoke as if he was looking forward to it.

When he spoke to me in such a friendly manner, it was the Zhu Family Elders who were surprised.

Because the head of a family had spoken not out of courtesy or formality, but as if he was genuinely friendly.

‘He’s quite perceptive.’

I thought Dang Hwa-pyeong had instantly read the atmosphere within the family.

The subtle atmosphere of disregard toward me within the family.

Since the Elders were the same way, Dang Hwa-pyeong must have noticed this fact.

So he deliberately spoke to me even more friendly.

‘Look at those eyes.’

There were those who viewed this unfavorably.

One of them was Ju Sang-jin.

He was glaring at me as if he wanted to devour me, openly displaying his jealousy.

“After the martial tournament ends, I’ll come to your quarters tonight. Let’s have a brief chat.”

Dang Hwa-pyeong whispered in my ear in a small voice that no one else could hear.

I naturally nodded.

It seemed he had something to ask me about the internal problems of the Dang Family.

I immediately went up to my seat prepared on the platform.

Besides the adults of our family, the heads of other families had also already arrived.

“I pay my respects to the Namgung Family Head and the Zhuge Family Head. I am Woo Jin of the Zhu Family.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“…”

The one who briefly said it was nice to meet me was the current head of the Namgung Family, Great Hero Namgung Yeom.

He’s also known by the separate title of Azure Heaven Sword Emperor.

And he’s also the maternal grandfather of that arrogant Ju Sang-jin.

The look in his eyes toward me wasn’t particularly favorable.

And the one who silently just nodded was the head of the Zhuge Family, Great Hero Zhuge Jun.

He has the separate title of Divine Strategist Elder, and true to his title, he’s quite brilliant.

‘Is that it?’

Besides the three including the Tang Family Head, it seems the other two of the Five Great Families couldn’t make it.

After seeing all the adults take their seats, I also sat down.

Soon, Ju Yu-kyung announced the start of the direct lineage martial tournament.

The direct lineage martial tournament was also a very important kind of gateway for Family Head Ju Tae-seong.

It’s convenient to think of it as a test to judge how properly the Family Head’s children had grown.

The first to step onto the platform was Ju Seung-kyung, my eldest sister.

When she stepped up, loud cheers erupted from the warriors and heroes positioned around.

Seung-kyung cupped her hands toward the heroes, and finally took a bow toward the adults sitting in the seats of honor, then slowly took her stance.

I observed her carefully.

‘I’ve taught her everything I could.’

The Flying Heaven Responding Flame Sword Technique she had learned was one of the family’s basic sword techniques, boasting considerable swift sword style swordsmanship.

Since she wasn’t mixing in internal energy, I could take in each of her martial techniques with my eyes.

“Oh, Seung-kyung’s level has already broken through the 8th stage.”

“That’s impressive, isn’t it? Don’t you think so, Family Head?”

“…”

The Elders’ reaction wasn’t bad.

Rather, it was a surprised reaction.

‘The real beginning is from now.’

I didn’t take my eyes off her sword until the end.

I wonder if she properly understood the insights I had passed on?

I was extremely curious.

The Flying Heaven Responding Flame Sword Technique unfolds as a swift sword style from the beginning.

It’s fast, light, and also agile.

However, that speed accelerates even more as it enters the latter half techniques.

Later, tremendous thrusts rush forth at a speed that becomes difficult to follow with the eyes.

Swish!

Everyone held their breath.

Tearing through the air, the surrounding atmosphere burst into flames.

Like the name of the sword technique, sword force exploded madly as if the sword itself was ablaze with flames.

Explosion, then another explosion.

But that’s the problem.

‘It definitely doesn’t suit Elder Sister.’

And soon after, Seung-kyung’s sword began to change little by little.

‘As expected.’

I smiled with satisfaction.

She had realized it.

Indeed, just like Elder Sister.

If Eldest Brother is a natural martial talent, then Eldest Sister is the perfect hard worker.

That solid, indomitable will would be so remarkable that most men couldn’t even present their business cards.

“Ho.”

Just as Elder Sister Seung-kyung’s sword began to change, Namgung Yeom, the Family Head of the Namgung Family, exclaimed in admiration.

The sword force that had been embroidering the air dropped vertically.

At first glance, it seemed like an absurd sword force, but that would be a misunderstanding.

‘Since no internal energy was infused, it would appear that way, but…’

What if internal energy supported that situation?

The weakness of the Flying Heaven Responding Flame Sword Technique, which had been concentrated on the upper section, would be extremely compensated.

Even if it couldn’t completely utilize the lower section, by compensating for the vulnerable middle section, it added perfection to the sword force.

However, it’s also true that it requires tremendous physical strength.

Originally, the Swift Sword Style is a sword style that’s only possible when supported by tremendous physical strength.

Conversely, like how the Dominating Sword Style or sword styles containing the Heavy Sword Principle paradoxically don’t require such great physical strength.

“…”

The expressions of the assembled heroes were unusual.

“Huff, huff…”

Seung-kyung also gasped for breath, exhaling roughly.

When she finally properly executed the last martial technique and withdrew everything.

Only then did cheers burst forth.

“Wow, incredible!”

“Waaa! Zhu Family is the best!”

It was a legendary reaction.

Even while conducting the Grand Festival every year, this was the first time such a great response was received.

“Remarkable. If this goes well, another phoenix might be born in the Zhu Family. Eldest Brother.”

Tang Family Head Dang Hwa-pyeong expressed his honest impression as if he was truly amazed.

Hearing those words, Ju Tae-seong stared intently at Ju Seung-kyung’s face with a silent expression.

He’s a person whose thoughts are completely impossible to read.

Soon, Seung-kyung, as if embarrassed, blushed and bowed to everyone before descending below the platform.

This was truly like a ceremony to showcase the martial arts one had learned before the actual martial competition began.

Now following her, another woman climbed onto the platform.

“Ju Sang-ah.”

She’s Namgung Yi-hwa’s daughter and Ju Sang-jin’s younger sister.

She’s my second elder sister.

Unlike Elder Sister Seung-kyung who had a fiery temperament that blazed like fire, Second Elder Sister was a typical ice-cold woman.

Tall with jade-white skin and jet-black hair.

With long eyelashes and a prominent nose bridge, everyone had praised her as the greatest beauty in Jiangxi since childhood… but her personality was quite taciturn and cold.

To what extent? So much that even I had never had a conversation with her.

I remember that until I was about ten years old, I didn’t even know she was my elder sister.

As expected, she too properly amazed the assembled heroes with tremendous skill, and thunder-like cheers similar to Elder Sister Seung-kyung’s burst forth.

Bowing with a silent expression without a moment of tension until the end was just like watching Father.

Eventually, my turn approached.

A place I would never have stepped forward to originally.

Moreover, even in my previous life, I had never stood on this platform.

But this time is different.

Father’s gaze as if he knew something.

Unlike other times, Ju Tae-seong was looking at me with meaningful eyes.

Since I had never received such a gaze before, the feeling was quite strange.

Standing on the platform, I bow toward the assembled heroes.

Countless eyes turned toward me.

But the expectation had completely disappeared from their expressions.

‘Really…’

That’s how reputation works.

Once it’s embedded in one’s mind, it’s difficult to forget that image easily.

“Hmm, doesn’t the youngest young master handle a sword?”

Namgung Yeom asked Ju Tae-seong.

“…”

Ju Tae-seong was glaring at me with his lips tightly pressed together.

On the other hand, Dang Hwa-pyeong, having seen something at the Dang Family Estate, just watched me with a faint smile on his lips.

“Ugh, it’ll be fortunate if he doesn’t embarrass himself.”

“Hasn’t that guy not trained for quite a while?”

“Sigh, why did the Family Head have to be so stubborn about sending that kid out… Tsk tsk.”

The Elders’ complaining voices were clearly audible.

They were speaking for me to hear.

‘…’

In my previous life and now.

I must endure.

Ultimately, all of this is a burden created by my own karma.

Resolving it also all comes back as my own karma.

Swoosh!

I slowly raised my hand.

Extending my foot half a step forward, I lightly assumed the basic stance.

“Fist technique?”

The Elders’ expressions distorted with disappointment.

The Zhu Family has no fist technique manuals.

Naturally, they would think what I was doing was pointless.

Lightly clenching my fist, I extended my fist toward the Elders.

Watch properly.

That the righteous faction must never be arrogant now.

Therefore, they must not despise and look down on other martial arts.

Even from below the platform, jeers poured toward me.

“If you haven’t learned anything, go inside!”

“Ugh, it’s embarrassing, so just go in and sleep!”

I said nothing.

‘Yes, laugh all you want.’

Enough for those words to come naturally, the center of my body had already changed.

‘Black King Assault Body.’

The Fighting King’s legacy.

The ultimate Body Techniques of the Unorthodox Faction, sacrificing flesh to take bone, drawing forth instinct and nature.

Thud!

He took a Single Step.

The Floor vibrated, dust rose, and the flow of the atmosphere changed.

The murmuring of the heroes who had been sneering just moments before died down.

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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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