Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Third-Rate Martial Family Becomes World's Best
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Yang-hui led Jin Geum-bo back to his residence.
"My attire is too shabby to receive a guest."
It wasn't wrong.
His clothes were little more than rags after his long seclusion.
"Please wait a moment while I tidy up my appearance."
When Yang-hui returned in fresh attire, Jin Geum-bo couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
'Truly a refined young noble!'
His face was that of a boy, yet his body belonged to a young man.
No, it was more than sufficient to call him a hero of his generation.
Was this the bearing of Jang Ik-deok, who had single-handedly blocked the Jangpan forces?
Just looking at his height, he seemed a full chi taller than Jin Geum-bo himself—that said it all.
"If I may be so bold, Young Master Baek... are you truly fifteen this year?"
Yang-hui glanced down at his own frame and chuckled softly.
"For fifteen, I am quite grown."
It was the result of several years of training that bordered on asceticism.
Does intense training make you taller?
Of course not, but Yang-hui had his Immortal Pellet.
'I never imagined the Immortal Qi's effects would be this remarkable.'
One distinguishing trait of the Immortal Qi within the Immortal Pellet was its ability to strengthen the body.
More resilient, more sturdy.
In the midst of his prime growth years, he had repeatedly pushed his body to the brink each day and restored it with Immortal Qi—naturally forging his current physique.
'It won't grow any more from here, will it?'
A six-chi stature. Muscles packed tightly across his entire frame.
The ideal warrior's body, but...
If it grew further, he'd be called a giant before a warrior.
'Nah. No way.'
He quelled his unease and looked at Jin Geum-bo.
"The qi I possess is a bit unusual. My physical development comes quicker than most."
"I see."
"That aside, I heard you wish for me to join the escort."
"Indeed."
"You're paying ten times the standard fee just for my company—what's the reason?"
Jin Geum-bo let out a hearty laugh, feigning boldness.
"My Sword Demon... Eek!"
Yang-hui's fangs flashed for an instant. Jin Geum-bo quickly corrected himself.
"The heir of the Baek Clan, whose righteousness and fame shake the four seas—I simply wished to share the journey."
"Oh my, shake the four seas? At best, rumors have spread only through Gangseo Province."
Yang-hui smiled gently as he scrutinized Jin Geum-bo up and down.
'Ten times the fee for just me? That doesn't add up.'
The cargo was merely a single letter, no less.
Even if Jin Geum-bo was accompanying as a guard of sorts.
Any other merchant would brave minor risks and travel alone to save coin.
Wasn't that the hallmark of those who walked the merchant's path—live and die by gold?
"Allow me one question, Merchant Jin."
"Ask two if you like."
"In these parts, only the Baek Clan can provide proper escort. Are there any risks you're concerned about during the journey?"
"...None in particular, but I wouldn't expect a trip between provinces to be free of danger. That's why I'm hiring with such a fee."
As Jin Geum-bo spoke, Yang-hui observed him head to toe.
More precisely, the subtle shifts in his expression and breathing.
Soon, the corners of Yang-hui's mouth curved up.
"The destination is the Jin Clan Manor in Gyesu County. And your own clan shares the name."
"It is my family."
A merchant heading home to his clan.
Cargo: one letter.
Route through Anhui.
Destination on the Anhui-Henan border.
'It all fits.'
For the past two years, Yang-hui had been searching for a certain merchant.
Even amid seclusion, he had tipped off Chui-dal to ensure he didn't miss any leads.
"I trust you realize how peculiar this commission is, Merchant Jin."
"Is it? Ahem, it's merely out of admiration and respect for you, Young Master Baek."
Jin Geum-bo put on a puzzled expression.
Yet Yang-hui could feel it—his pulse quickening ever so slightly.
"I'll accept."
"Hm? Didn't you just call it strange?"
"I did. And yet I'll accept anyway. Without asking another thing."
Yang-hui grinned at Jin Geum-bo.
"So keep that in mind, Merchant Jin. That I sensed something off but took the job without prying."
"......"
In that moment, Jin Geum-bo realized at least one rumor about Yang-hui was true.
'A mind of profound depths beyond his years—indeed.'
Had he noticed?
But how? He hadn't said a word.
Tension made him swallow hard.
Jin Geum-bo forced a calm nod.
"Then I look forward to working with you, Young Master Baek."
"The pleasure's mine."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day, after agreeing to depart and sending Jin Geum-bo off, Yang-hui immediately summoned Chui-dal.
"Chui-dalaa!"
His shout echoed thunderously through the vast Baek Clan Manor.
The door to his residence burst open, and Chui-dal stormed in, face twisted in annoyance.
"Don't call me Chui-dal!"
"Kid, if not Chui-dal, then what?"
"Ihu! Ihu! My name is Ihu!"
"Tch. It's been years already—why fuss now? Accept it. You're Chui-dal."
"......Sword Demon."
"......"
"What do you need, Sword Demon Bro?!"
"You little—?!"
Yang-hui swung his hand.
Chui-dal, who had anticipated it, tried to dodge with nimble footwork.
But...
Smack!
"Kyaack!"
"That's for calling your bro by that nickname!"
"What's normal about calling your bro an ugly otter?! What goes around comes around, ack! Stop! Stop hitting!"
Only after delivering three chestnuts precisely to the same spot on Chui-dal's skull did he lower his arm.
The kid was getting bolder by the day.
"Chui-dal."
"......Yes, Bro."
"I've decided to take the escort job. Get ready."
Chui-dal's expression turned serious.
"Is it the one you've been looking for?"
"Probably."
"The one Eun-hu mentioned?"
Chui-dal was one of the few who knew part of why Yang-hui had been searching for someone these past two years.
"Yeah. Gear up thoroughly. It'll be a long trip."
"Understood. What's the lineup for the escort?"
"You and me. Gu-hyung, Dang-hyung, and Dang-nuim."
Chui-dal's eyes deepened.
Five in total—just five, but the maximum force they could show without arousing suspicion.
Including even Gu-ak...
"That dangerous?"
"Not sure yet. But we'll need to stay sharp."
"Got it."
"First, bring Gu-hyung here... No, you go to him. Inform the elders too."
Chui-dal instantly grasped why Yang-hui wanted to avoid Gu-ak and burst into laughter.
"Heh heh heh, you'll run into him anyway—why dodge so—"
It was then.
"Little Brother! I heard you've ended your seclusion!"
The door flew open again—Gu-ak had barged in.
"Let's see if you've reached the Peak Realm! You were grinding your teeth so hard before seclusion—you must have broken through!"
"......"
"Oh no! You didn't! Puahaha! Puahahahaha!"
It had been over five years since Baek Clan Manor began truly spreading its wings.
Short if short, but long enough to change half the world.
Many changes had come to the Baek Clan Manor.
One of them was Gu-ak.
"Ahem! Pfft, it happens. Even to a genius like you, the Peak wall is too lofty!"
"......"
"This One-Day One-Hero Baek Wing Pavilion's Flame Division Leader, Gu-ak, long ago scaled that Peak wall—but it was too much for you yet!"
"......"
"Puahahahaha!"
He had to face him eventually.
Even so, the reason Yang-hui had tried to avoid Gu-ak...
'Damn it all—I absolutely had to break through Peak this time.'
Three years ago.
Gu-ak had shattered his wall and become a Peak Realm expert.
The Baek Clan now had two Peak experts—cause for celebration.
But the problem was Gu-ak's nose had grown too high since then.
"......Gu-hyung. It's only been three months since last we met before seclusion."
"Time flies that fast? And yet you're still—pfft—First-Rate!"
......Fine. He admitted it.
He had teased Gu-ak endlessly whenever the chance arose.
But he didn't think he'd piled up karma enough for three years of payback.
And yet!
"Argh! I really needed to break through Peak this time!"
"Puhahat! The Peak wall is the Transcendence wall! Not just anyone can cross it, Little Bro!"
"......"
Yang-hui simply gazed at the sky.
In his past life, he'd gone beyond mere Peak to Super Peak.
Yet here he was, enduring this teasing.
'Sigh. I built the vessel too vast.'
In his past life, he'd reached Peak in his early twenties.
Yet even turning back time, he hadn't ascended to Peak yet. The reason...
'Harmonizing mind, qi, and body is this difficult.'
To reach Peak required not just enlightenment, but another condition.
The unity of mind, qi, and body.
Only by harmoniously fusing heart, energy, and flesh could one cross the so-called Transcendence wall.
The issue was...
'My mind, qi, and body have all grown too immense.'
Mind: Enlightenment from past life.
Qi: Immortal Qi from the Immortal Pellet, absent in past life.
Body: Flesh tempered solidly on Immortal Qi foundation.
Too much had changed.
His past life's insights could no longer smash through to Peak.
"......Gu-hyung. A great vessel ripens late, and the firmer the foundation, the higher it stacks."
"What? Can't hear First-Rate prattle."
"......"
First-Rate at fifteen.
Not quite "mere First-Rate" territory.
Even across the world, those reaching First-Rate at this age could be counted on fingers.
But objective facts meant nothing to Gu-ak.
"Don't worry, Little Bro. Persist in First-Rate, and one day you'll cross. Puahahaha!"
Grind. A chilling sound emanated from Yang-hui's jaw.
"Gu-hyung. No regrets?"
Gu-ak flinched for a moment.
But he quickly regained his confidence.
Who was he? Peak expert Gu-ak.
'You'll reach Peak someday for sure...'
But someday was someday—this was now! When else to tease?
As Gu-ak thought that...
"One more word, and we spar today."
"......Hm?"
"This mere First-Rater wants some pointers from a Peak expert."
Gu-ak fell silent, eyeing Yang-hui who stood with legs braced.
His words suggested "pointers," but it didn't feel that way.
'No way this kid thinks he can beat me?'
Absurd.
A First-Rate could never defeat a Peak expert.
It was absolute truth, like rain not falling up from the earth.
'But this punk's been crushing everyone since he was a nine-year-old Third-Rate punk.'
"......Haha. Hahaha. Little Bro, looks like you have business. Shall we talk first...?"
"No. Need to warm up first. Follow me."
Yang-hui cracked his jaw and arms with pops.
He hadn't gained nothing from this seclusion training.
First-Rate beating Peak? Impossible?
He'd personally demonstrate the miracle turning impossible to possible.
Forget the escort—discipline first.
"Little Bro? The! The talk first!"
"Follow me first!"
As Yang-hui raised his voice...
For the third time that day, the door to his residence burst open.
A voice rang out soon after.
"Abbuchi! Hui Oppa!"
Yang-hui and Gu-ak's faces melted simultaneously.
"Aigoo, Hwa-hwa!"
"Our Hwa-hwa's here!"
The child who entered was Gu Hwa-hwa, Gu-ak's daughter.
"Come here!"
"To Daddy's arms!"
Yang-hui and Gu-ak spread their arms wide to welcome Gu Hwa-hwa—and glared at each other.
"Hwa-hwa, come to Uncle?"
"Daddy, Daddy. Hwa-hwa."
The girl, blooming beautifully like her name Hwa-hwa (Harmony Flower), tilted her head for a moment before toddling over.
Yang-hui was the victor.
"How could this be! Hwa-hwa, how could you abandon Daddy?!"
"But Uncle's more handsome?"
"......"
Gu-ak froze as if struck by lightning.
Already seeking out handsome faces?
"I'll slay every pretty boy around—no, starting with Little Bro! Aaaargh!"
Gu Hwa-hwa furrowed her delicate brows.
"Daddy! Don't bully Uncle!"
Gu-ak stiffened once more, slowly sinking to his knees.
"How... Our Hwa-hwa... Hwa-hwa..."
As the Peak expert, titles be damned, suffered inner wounds from one word from his daughter and despaired...
"Don't take it too hard, Great Hero Gu. Children are innocent and place great weight on appearances, after all."
"Right. If anything, it's Great Hero Gu's rugged looks. Ahaha!"
The Dang siblings entered through the door.
Yang-hui had wondered how five-year-old Hwa-hwa came alone—they'd been playing with her.
"Hui, I heard from Chui-dal Bro. You want Yeon-i and me for the escort."
"Yeah."
Dang Gun accepted Yang-hui's casual address without issue.
They'd grown as close as blood brothers over the past few years.
"Hmm. Doesn't seem like an ordinary escort. Special circumstances?"
With the full escort party gathered, it was time to address it.
"Of course there's a reason."
As he spoke, Yang-hui recalled information passed from Eun-hu years ago.
[Young hero. We've found traces of Sword Sage Yeo Dong-bin.]