Chapter 216
Chapter 216
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 216
Chapter Title: Paegun's Appearance
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Three days had passed since the meeting with Paegun.
The Zhuge Clan was busy with cleanup after the banquet ended, and most of the guests had already departed.
Those staying in the clan's annexes dwindled one by one.
"This is delicious."
"There's more here, Senior Brother."
Cheonhwi and Danmokrin were still lounging in the annex, enjoying their carefree life.
Today, as Cheonhwi leisurely rolled a candied fruit in his mouth, he gazed north.
'Another bust today.'
He had sneaked out several times over the past three days to meet Paegun again, but every attempt had failed.
It was no wonder—the Small Heavenly Ultimate Array had already been broken, exposing its location, and security had been tightened several times over.
It was hard just to get close.
'At this rate, they won't even think of letting anyone near for days.'
Cheonhwi's expression soured slightly.
It was a rare encounter with a peerless master.
Yet they hadn't exchanged blows, and time was just slipping away, leaving him frustrated.
'Should I just act crazy and barge in?'
He considered the impulsive idea but ultimately shook his head.
The risks outweighed the gains.
Why pick a fight with the Zhuge Clan over it?
The sect leader had emphasized before they left not to cause any trouble within the clan.
'Plus, with him, I'd only get one shot. Can't waste it like this.'
Cheonhwi thought coldly.
Paegun's martial prowess was extraordinary.
No, extraordinary didn't even cover it.
He had surpassed the Heavenly Martial Realm, reaching the transcendent realm they called the Divine Martial Realm.
In contrast, Cheonhwi wasn't fully prepared yet.
He hadn't even fully regained his past life's power.
Wasting that one chance against a peerless master in this half-baked state would be too regrettable.
Better to step back now and wait for another opportunity.
'Tch, no helping it.'
Cheonhwi swallowed the last of the candied fruit he had been rolling around and stood up.
"Oh? Young hero, you're up."
"Where are you going?"
Paeng Cheolwi and Hwangbo Sohyeon, sitting at the nearby table, looked at him in surprise.
For the past few days, Cheonhwi had been lounging in bed without stepping outside the annex.
The servants brought food right to them.
And with Danmokrin stuck to his side handling all the errands, there was no need to go out.
"Heading back now."
His abrupt words made Paeng Cheolwi and Hwangbo Sohyeon set down their teacups in confusion.
"Suddenly?"
"Already?"
They blinked in astonishment.
"Why so surprised?"
"W-Well..."
Hwangbo Sohyeon hesitated.
"Lady Yang is coming..."
"Pardon?"
Cheonhwi tilted his head at the sudden name, then recalled who it was and mumbled.
"Oh, Lady Yang?"
Hwangbo Sohyeon nodded vigorously.
The day she met Cheonhwi, she had immediately sent a letter to Yang Seoryeong.
The reply arrived just two days ago.
It was very short.
[On my way!]
He had never seen such an excited tone from her.
It was amusing at first glance. And now, the very Cheonhwi who had gotten Yang Seoryeong so worked up was trying to leave.
"Y-Young hero..."
Hwangbo Sohyeon said carefully, looking troubled.
"Couldn't you at least show your face to Lady Yang when she arrives?"
She pleaded earnestly, but Cheonhwi wasn't one to care about such things.
"The banquet's over, no reason to stay longer. Might as well go while I'm at it. Pull the thorn out while it's fresh, right?"
"But Lady Yang wants to see you..."
"What, is today the only chance? We can meet later. You all know my sect now anyway."
Cheonhwi said casually, reaching for his sword beside him, then paused.
Danmokrin was showing clear discomfort nearby.
"What's wrong? Don't wanna go? Stay longer if you like and come separately."
"N-No!"
Danmokrin shook her head frantically.
After a moment, she asked cautiously.
"Senior Brother, who's Lady Yang?"
"Someone I met briefly. Why?"
Cheonhwi dismissed it lightly, and Danmokrin's expression brightened to normal.
"Just curious."
Meanwhile, Hwangbo Sohyeon felt the world darkening before her eyes.
Paeng Cheolwi, watching her, asked.
"What's wrong?"
"Lady Yang's gonna have it rough."
Paeng Cheolwi nodded immediately.
"She will. But no need to worry too much. Young Master Zhuge said they signed an agreement with the Day-Month Sect..."
Hwangbo Sohyeon smiled bitterly at his words.
'That's not the issue...'
Having come and gone from the annex these past days, she was certain Danmokrin liked Cheonhwi.
Normally cold as ice, but warm as sunlight around him.
Most people had probably noticed.
Except for one.
'Paeng is too dense.'
Paeng Cheolwi was clueless about romance, frustratingly so.
But what could she do? That's why she liked him.
'If that woman was a rival...'
Hwangbo Sohyeon's gaze turned to Danmokrin.
'She's stunning.'
Her looks naturally drew the eye.
A bewitching charm hovering between girl and woman.
Not even jealousy-inducing.
'Comparing her to Lady Yang... they're different types.'
Yang Seoryeong was a beauty too.
Not for nothing called Gansu Province's top beauty.
But their auras were opposites.
Yang exuded mature allure, while Danmokrin shone with pure innocence.
"Couldn't you stay a bit longer..."
"No, I'm done with the hassle."
Cheonhwi replied to Hwangbo Sohyeon, who couldn't let go, and turned his head.
At that moment.
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded, and the door burst open without waiting.
"Cheonhwi, young swordsman!"
Zhuge Myeong strode in.
Without permission, he spotted Cheonhwi standing and widened his eyes.
"This is a first—seeing you up and about."
Zhuge Myeong approached chattily, but Cheonhwi ignored him completely.
Yet Zhuge Myeong's mouth didn't stop.
"Hahaha, you're all here. Good morning. Young Master Paeng, Lady Hwangbo. And Lady Rin too."
Words poured out like a waterfall.
'Loud.'
Cheonhwi shook his head.
He could leave a bit later, but one reason for leaving now was precisely this Zhuge Myeong.
Since the banquet, he visited daily, trying to chat.
More like monologuing.
"Mount Hua Sect Taoists are so taciturn. Vow of silence or...?"
As Paeng Cheolwi and Hwangbo Sohyeon smiled awkwardly at his nonstop talk.
"Brother!"
Zhuge Seonghyeon rushed in urgently.
"Didn't I tell you not to bother the young hero?"
"Bother? What do you mean?"
Zhuge Myeong shrugged.
"Building friendship. Right?"
Cheonhwi replied indifferently to the beaming Zhuge Myeong.
"No."
His voice was icy cold.
Others would sense it and back off, but not Zhuge Myeong.
"Hahaha, no need to be shy, young swordsman."
His obliviousness was extreme.
'Can't even chase him out...'
If it were provocation, sure.
But he was innocently trying to befriend him. What to do?
Then Zhuge Seonghyeon, reading Cheonhwi's irritated expression, intervened.
"Brother, didn't Father summon you earlier?"
"Oh!"
Zhuge Myeong whirled around.
"See you later then."
After he left having said his piece, Zhuge Seonghyeon sighed with exasperation.
"Haa. Sorry, young hero."
His head throbbed.
He had introduced them, thinking martial arts talk would flow between Cheonhwi and Zhuge Myeong.
But this was unexpected.
"I never knew my brother was this oblivious."
He had admired Zhuge Myeong.
Overwhelming talent and leadership.
But idolizing from afar meant he hadn't known his personality well.
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi grabbed his sword, ignoring the apology.
"Whatever. I'm leaving anyway."
"Pardon?"
Zhuge Seonghyeon blinked.
"Leaving? Where to...?"
"Mount Hua Sect, obviously."
"Y-You're heading back?"
"Any reason to stay?"
"No, but..."
Zhuge Seonghyeon stammered.
He had invited him partly to introduce to his brothers, but mostly because his father showed interest.
Now Father was too busy to even meet.
'...Next time then.'
Thinking of his father, Zhuge Seonghyeon nodded.
"Please wait a moment."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A short while later, outside the Zhuge Clan's main gate.
"We've been waiting."
Cheonhwi looked at Go Sam, who greeted him from the carriage driver's seat, and spoke.
"You've been at the clan the whole time."
"The caravan leader said to escort you properly on your way back."
"Hm, I see."
Cheonhwi chuckled at the attentive treatment.
"Y-Young hero! No, young swordsman!"
Zhuge Myeong came running, out of breath.
He caught his breath quickly and looked up at Cheonhwi.
"Leaving already?"
"Yes."
"Isn't it too rushed? Stay a few more days..."
Zhuge Myeong expressed regret.
He smiled bitterly, as if seeing off a close friend.
Then his eyes sparkled.
"Next time, I'll visit Mount Hua."
Visit my foot.
Cheonhwi refused outright.
"No need."
"Haha, no need to be shy."
Cheonhwi sighed at Zhuge Myeong's self-interpretation and waved dismissively.
"Do as you like."
"I'll definitely come."
Ignoring Zhuge Myeong's chatter from behind, as Cheonhwi moved to board the carriage.
"Young hero."
Paeng Cheolwi and Hwangbo Sohyeon approached.
"Visit my home later. I'll prepare properly."
"Please visit the Hwangbo Clan too."
"If I have time."
Same questions, same answers.
They were a bit disappointed without a firm yes but nodded and stepped back.
Then Zhuge Seung-ho and Zhuge Seonghyeon appeared.
"Young hero, take this."
He handed over an item carefully wrapped in luxurious silk.
Unknown contents, but the silk alone screamed value.
"A gift from Seonghyeon and me."
"Worthy of you, young hero."
Zhuge Seonghyeon, beside him, shrugged his broad shoulders proudly.
"If you're giving."
Cheonhwi accepted the wooden box wrapped in silk.
"Safe travels."
"We'll contact you later."
As Cheonhwi prepared to board amid their courteous fist salutes.
"......"
Sudden cold silence fell.
Those chattering noisily near the gate all stopped talking.
Not just words.
They froze, faces stiff as if forgetting to breathe, eyes wide staring somewhere.
The eerie silence persisted.
Thud— thud—
Footsteps echoed.
Due to the suffocating quiet?
The steps grew louder, approaching the gate.
Swish—
People subtly backed away.
And through the gap, an elderly man in faded gray robes, white-haired, hands behind back, walked very slowly.
All were stunned speechless.
Especially the elders—their jaws dropped, mesmerized, following him with their gazes.
"G-Grandfather?"
Zhuge Myeong yelped and ran forward.
That broke the silence—people exhaled and cried out in near-screams.
"......P-Paegun?!"
"Wh-Why is the Eight-Armed God here suddenly..."
Bodies trembled.
Some staggered, on the verge of fainting, cold sweat pouring.
Zhuge Gocheon saw approaching Zhuge Myeong and smiled softly.
"You've grown so much."
"Really?"
Zhuge Myeong couldn't hide his bewilderment.
For the first time, the ever-bold man fidgeted.
"But Grandfather, why here...?"
"Came to meet someone."
"Someone?"
As Zhuge Myeong gasped in shock.
"There you are."
Zhuge Gocheon smiled at Cheonhwi, passed Zhuge Myeong, and approached.
"Leaving now?"
Cheonhwi paused boarding and met Zhuge Gocheon's eyes.
"Can't stay forever."
"The one you came to meet is a Mount Hua Sect Taoist?"
"Wh-Who is that Taoist..."
Everyone was shocked by their exchange.
Zhuge Gocheon, silent for decades, emerging was astonishing enough—yet to meet a Mount Hua Taoist personally?
As onlookers gaped at the incomprehensible scene.
"About time you showed."
Cheonhwi grumbled.
"Could've come earlier."
"Only now could I come."
"Fair point."
Cheonhwi conceded.
Even now, his appearance alone drew all eyes.
If he'd come earlier to see Cheonhwi privately, it would've caused a massive uproar.
"Just a greeting before I go?"
"What else?"
"Tch, shame."
Cheonhwi's eyes gleamed mid-sentence.
"Don't you get bored usually?"
"Bored? How so?"
Zhuge Gocheon tilted his head.
"Saw your place—nothing but a vegetable patch."
Realizing, Zhuge Gocheon's eyes curved.
"Heh, it's surprisingly fun. Though tending it is hard now."
"Then visit Mount Hua sometime."
Cheonhwi grinned.
"Not much to see, but the plum blossoms are beautiful."
"Heh, plum blossoms. Looking forward to it."
Zhuge Gocheon burst into laughter.
"I'll go later. Take good care of those plums till then."
"Naturally."
They gazed at each other briefly.
Then Cheonhwi hopped onto the carriage and mumbled.
"I'll be waiting."
"Stay well till then."