Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 203

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Third-rate Martial Arts Family, Greatest Under Heaven – Episode 203
Jegal Seol-ha was born with the Peach Blossom Physique.
And the Peach Blossom Physique was, true to its name, a constitution that innately possessed the Peach Blossom Qi—an aura that captivated others.
During her childhood when she couldn’t control the Peach Blossom Qi, it had been a heavenly curse that inflicted hellish, horrific experiences upon Jegal Seol-ha.
In the previous life, the Jegal Family had failed to find a way to strip away Jegal Seol-ha’s heavenly curse, and Yang Hwi was essentially convinced that Jegal Seol-ha was Seob Hon-ma-hu, who had once caused a great blood calamity.
‘So this is what happens when the Peach Blossom Physique fully blooms correctly.’
I had thought she’d be beautiful when she grew up.
But Jegal Seol-ha’s beauty upon reaching her twenties exceeded all imagination.
Even Yang Hwi, who had weathered countless trials, momentarily lost his composure and could only gaze at her in a daze.
“How have you been, Elder Brother Hwi?”
Eyes clear and deep, yet bearing a unique, distinctive luminescence.
A palace dress beautifully embroidered with the Jegal Family’s distinctive patterns.
Skin like white jade that made one immediately understand why her courtesy name contained the character for jade, contrasted by long, lustrous black hair as dark and glossy as ebony.
In this moment, I understood.
‘Some people are struggling through hardship, even reversing time itself, just to be called the Greatest Under Heaven. And yet…’
Jegal Seol-ha had already claimed the title of Greatest Under Heaven.
The most beautiful woman of this era was undoubtedly her, no matter what anyone said.
“Elder Brother Hwi? We haven’t seen each other in so long, yet you say nothing?”
She smiled softly and glanced around.
Dozens upon dozens of late-stage cultivators, their attendants or the elders responsible for them, and even Namgung Cheon-yeong and Namgung Sa-geom—everyone.
Was gazing only at Jegal Seol-ha.
Jegal Seol-ha’s beauty was sufficient to make everyone lose their senses in admiration.
‘What’s truly remarkable is that this reaction was drawn purely from beauty and presence, without any interference from the Seduction Technique lineage.’
I could feel the Peach Blossom Qi’s characteristic dark yet burning aura, but it wasn’t enough to bewitch people as it had been before.
Given that she wasn’t wearing a face veil, Jegal Seol-ha had undoubtedly achieved perfect control over her constitution.
She had transcended merely suppressing and sealing it with force.
‘She must have gone through quite an ordeal. Then again, Master wouldn’t have just left Seol-ha as she was.’
About a year ago, Eum Hu had publicly declared that Jegal Seol-ha was her disciple.
She had half-accepted Yang Hwi’s advice to disguise it as building a faction and make the Shaman’s intestines twist.
Given Eum Hu’s personality, she wouldn’t have announced it if Seol-ha wasn’t ready…
‘Come to think of it, this girl Seol-ha has quite impressive progress.’
Three years ago, Yang Hwi had elevated Jegal Seol-ha to the Peak Realm by showing her a slightly accelerated path.
Reaching the Peak Realm at an age barely past twenty was an enormous achievement.
But now it felt like she had surpassed even that. It seemed she had reached a level that would be difficult to attain even if one lived twice her age.
Indeed, that’s the only way one can claim to be a direct disciple of one of the Cheonmu-sip-jon.
“Elder Brother Hwi?”
As the silence stretched, a hint of bewilderment seeped into Jegal Seol-ha’s dark eyes.
I’d been lost in thought for too long after not seeing her in so long.
-What’s this? That’s not like you, Elder Brother! Surely you haven’t been captivated by this master and disciple’s beauty?!
‘Ugh, that snapped me right back to reality.’
Even through the veil, I could distinctly sense the playfulness and vibrancy emanating from her.
From a face as beautiful as a celestial maiden, it was somewhat—how should I put it—spirited and unrestrained.
As that thought crossed my mind, my lips naturally curved upward.
She was quite mischievous, but that was precisely what made her Jegal Seol-ha.
-You’ve really become beautiful, Seol-ha.
-Oh, oh my…!
Jegal Seol-ha hadn’t expected such a direct compliment, and a hint of embarrassment bloomed across her face.
It was strange that she called me “older brother” for the first time, and it seemed she had something on her mind.
‘The timing is perfect.’
It came at just the right moment when I was troubled by those Namgung bastards.
I might as well play along.
“Seol-ha. It’s been a while.”
“Indeed, older brother. It’s been nearly three years, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, that sounds right.”
-But why are you calling me older brother?
-You haven’t revealed that I’m your disciple. Would you call me teacher instead?
It was considerate of her. But there were other titles between us—Young Master, Young Lady.
-Let’s not be so distant with each other. Would you call me that?
-No. Then I’d have to call you Miss Jegal.
-Ugh, you’re right.
We had spent too much time together since childhood to address each other with such formal titles as Young Master and Young Lady.
“Seol-ha, what brings you here?”
“What brings me here? You’re being playful, older brother. Didn’t we agree to meet at Tae Lake?”
We did…? When…?
It was clear that Jegal Seol-ha was seeking some form of assistance.
“That’s true, but to be precise, we agreed to meet at a tavern near Tae Lake.”
“I was bored and wandering around when I heard the commotion.”
“Ah. So you’re not wearing a face veil anymore like before?”
Jegal Seol-ha turned her face slightly so no one could see, then playfully stuck out her tongue.
-Isn’t it a shame to hide such precious beauty?
-That’s true.
-Ah! You admitted it again right away? What’s gotten into you?
-It’s not just that it’s true, but it’s also pleasant to see.
When I first met her, Jegal Seol-ha had cursed her own constitution and natural beauty.
The suffering she endured because of it had been immense.
Yet now, she was accepting herself.
Like a weed battered by harsh winds that had bloomed into the most beautiful flower under heaven.
How could I not marvel at such a sight?
“Older brother, let’s settle our reunion inside… oh.”
After exchanging enough words, Jegal Seol-ha suddenly wore an expression of realization.
As if she had forgotten the gazes of those around her while conversing with her close companion.
“The Jegal Family’s Seol-ha offers her greetings to all of you.”
Seol-ha lifts the hem of her palace skirt and bows respectfully to the后期 members.
At that moment, Yang Hwi noticed that she had subtly employed the power of her sound technique.
Perhaps because of this, her voice was exceptionally pleasant to hear.
‘Truly, a voice like jade itself.’
“Would it be permissible for this inadequate girl to take leave with the young master of the Baek Family and the one I serve as an elder brother?”
It was an elegant request, yet also a resolute declaration.
The later indices were so formidable that no one dared to refuse them.
Save for one person.
“Miss Jegal. It has been quite some time since we last met.”
“Ah, Senior Namgung Sa-geom.”
“You say you depart with the young master of the Baek Family, yet how can you abandon the Namgung Family so? We had an agreement between our families….”
“Oh my!”
Jegal Seol-ha raised her voice urgently.
“My father commanded that I escort the party departing from the household of my uncle. This is a prior commitment and an order from the elder and patriarch of our family. I apologize, but today I must honor the order of precedence.”
A violent gust swept through the air.
As the dust settled, the figures of Yang Hwi and Seol-ha had vanished without a trace.
“Lightness technique perfected to its peak…!”
“So the twin pillars of the Eum Hu lineage are sound technique and lightness technique!”
“Truly worthy of being a disciple of Pacheon Eum Hu!”
As the later indices marveled, Namgung Sageom, who had examined one side, furrowed his brow.
‘The youths from both the Dang and Baek Families have all disappeared.’
They must have received a secret message in advance and slipped away while attention was focused elsewhere.
“Tsk. All this effort has come to naught.”
Baek Yang-hwi of the Baek Family. Jegal Seol-ha of the Jegal Family.
He had not aimed to kill two birds with one stone, but rather carefully planned to catch two birds with two separate stones.
Yet the two birds met each other and flew away before he could even cast his stones.
For Namgung Sa-geom, it was unbearably frustrating.
“Let us depart, Cheon-yeong.”
“Uncle Sa-geom. A question has arisen in my mind.”
Namgung Cheon-yeong stared in disbelief at the direction Jegal Seol-ha had vanished. His tone carried a faint hint of betrayal.
“Why did Miss Jegal depart with them? Should she not have gone with me… with me instead?”
Namgung Sa-geom clicked his tongue once more.
He had no idea where to even begin explaining.

* * *
“Kyaaaah! Seol-ha!”
“Sister Yeon-yeon! It’s been so long! And you too, Yeon-yeon!”
“Sister Seol-ha, I’m so happy to see you!”
A waystation in a prefecture that required crossing two or three mountain passes to reach—not the Taeho region.
Yang Hwi watched Jegal Seol-ha, Dang-yeon, and Baek Yeon-yeon as they made a fuss and caught up with each other.
“Heh. It’ll take quite a while before they settle down.”
“They’re all seeing each other for the first time in ages. Women tend to grow close to one another faster and deeper than men do.”
Dang-gun and Yang Hwi, along with the other men, sat on the wooden window frames of the guest room and watched the women.
In truth, aside from Yang Hwi, none of them felt particularly inclined to join in the reunion.
Jegal Seol-ha was different from before—or rather, she had always been remarkably beautiful.
But the change was so drastic that it created a sense of distance.
“Elder brother. May I ask you something while we have time?”
“Chu Dal, don’t bite too hard.”
“That’s a terribly unfunny joke. Anyway, why is that?”
“Why is what.”
“You lost your composure after meeting those Namgung bastards.”
I turned my head slightly toward Chu Dal.
“Did it show?”
“Have I known you for just a day or two?”
“It’s because of you, you brat.”
“Me? What did I do?”
“Then know that’s the reason.”
I couldn’t very well tell him that a memory of you from my past life had surged up uncontrollably.
“I found it strange too. Younger brother Hwi, you’ve always been unusually intense whenever the Namgung are involved.”
The words carried an implicit request for an explanation.
Since I couldn’t tell the truth, I might as well flatter him a bit or deflect appropriately.
“It’s irritating, the things they do. I still haven’t forgotten what Namgung Cheon-hu did to Elder Dang back in Taeho.”
“Mm…!”
Just as emotion welled up in Dang-gun’s eyes, Jegal Seol-ha, flanked by Dang-yeon and Baek Yeon-yeon on either side, thrust her face right in front of mine.
“Elder brother.”
“Seol-ha. That’s not a good habit.”
“What is?”
“I know you’ve become remarkably beautiful, but if you keep suddenly shoving your face in front of men like that to show off, they might get the wrong ideas.”
“I only do it to you, so don’t worry.”
“Why only me?”
“Because you’ve always been so composed and glib that it makes me want to surprise you?”
So that’s why you ambushed me every time we met?
Well, thrusting your face at me is better than suddenly throwing a punch, I suppose.
Either way, it certainly is pleasing to the eye.
“So you’re calling me ‘older brother’ here too?”
“From now on, whenever there are other people around, I need to keep calling you that. It’s to build the habit.”
“Well, that’s not important. But why did you suddenly show up?”
The timing had been remarkably convenient and helpful, but curiosity was curiosity nonetheless.
“Ah, about that. Uncle asked me to come. He said you were heading to Anhwi, so he asked me to stop you from causing any trouble.”
Even after deciding to hunt down the Baek Family Head and turning my direction toward Anhwi, I had continued to stay in contact with the main family.
‘Father really doesn’t trust his own son.’
“In the end, Uncle’s foresight proved its worth. Thanks to that, I was able to help as well.”
“Ah. I need to ask about that too. What’s been going on lately? I noticed you were acting a bit strange earlier.”
Jegal Seol-ha’s expression immediately turned irritated and exasperated.
“Our Seol-ha is beautiful even when she makes that face!”
“Thank you, sister. But I’m quite furious right now.”
“What happened?”
Jegal Seol-ha’s answer was simple.
“These bastards have no sense of shame.”
“What did they do?”
“The Namgung Family has arranged a betrothal.”
“What?!”
“Really?!”
“That can’t happen!!”
In that instant, everyone’s gaze turned toward Yang Hwi, who had just shouted those words.
“….”
“….”
“….”
“Hwi, why can’t it happen?”
“Brother, surely you don’t…?”
Suspicious gazes concentrated on Yang Hwi.

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