“…May I inquire as to what that means?”
“I find your body quite appealing! Your build is truly remarkable! You’re the perfect talent for our Peng family beyond comparison!”
…Perhaps I shouldn’t have come to the Hebei Peng family.
I stood frozen like a stone statue, staring blankly at him due to the completely unexpected behavior of the head of the Peng family. With a gaze that exuded the scent of sweat, he approached me, grabbed my shoulders, and shouted.
“The perfect bone structure for wielding great swords! A robust muscle mass! A towering physique! This is the ideal body that the Hebei Peng family desires! It’s you!”
“I don’t understand how this relates to the question if I’m single or not.”
“Ho ho, our Peng family’s blood mixed with yours would produce a child with an ideal body! What do you say? Won’t you consider becoming my son-in-law?”
“I firmly decline.”
What on earth could happen to me if I accepted?
I imagined ominous outcomes and resolutely rejected the head of the Peng family’s proposal. No matter what else, I didn’t want to belong to their family.
And I’m certainly not the type to become a son-in-law elsewhere.
“Hmm…What a pity! Nevertheless, this offer will always be open. Let me know if you ever change your mind.”
Thankfully, the head of the Peng family backed off easily.
He must realize that it’s too presumptuous to ask for so much upon our first meeting.
If he were from the Evil Cults or the Devil Sect, my opinions wouldn’t matter much. As unease grew at the first-bomb dropped in our initial encounter, I watched as the head of the Peng family retreated back to his position.
“Hmm! I’ve made the guest wait too long. Come here! Let me hear what you’ve come to speak about!”
“I already handed a letter to the guard. Have you not read it perhaps?”
“Ho! If there’s something to say, it must be spoken orally!”
Didn’t he just not bother reading it because he was lazy?
With the increasing unpredictability of the head of the Peng family’s words and actions, I felt a headache coming on as I resumed speaking.
“I’ve come to ask you to supervise the martial arts succession trial!”
“Hmm! So you’re challenging the Su family to a martial prohibition?”
“That’s correct.”
“I accept!”
“Excuse me?”
“There’s no way I’d pass up such an interesting event! So, when is this martial prohibition set to happen?”
Whether I should approve or disapprove of the straightforward approval from the head of the Peng family was beyond imagination.
“Since the supervision from all parties is not complete yet, the date hasn’t been decided.”
“Hmm! Understood! Once it’s set, send a letter to the Peng family! I’ll come to watch the martial prohibition against the Su family!”
“Thank you. Then…”
“A guest cannot leave empty-handed, can they! Today, you shall rest in the Peng family’s residence!”
“Thank you.”
“Please don’t make such a fuss! Is there any house in the world that treats their guests poorly? Attend to him! Peng Guye! Please escort the guest to our reception hall!”
“Yes, I will do as Lord says.”
Wait, Peng Guye?
I involuntarily turned my head and looked at the door that was opening.
There stood Peng Guye, the daughter of the head of the Peng family and one of the famous beauties of the martial realm, modestly bowing her head.
“Then, please follow me.”
I guess there’s no use pondering it.
Since I’m only staying for a day anyway, it doesn’t matter.
Following Peng Guye, who was unexpectedly tall for a woman, I headed towards the reception hall.
——————–
“Did everything go well?”
“Better than I expected.”
Even in the original story, the members of this family were always known for their straightforward, hospitable nature, and it seems that’s true in reality as well. But the subtle scheming behind their hearty demeanor surely speaks to the fact that this is the patriarch of one of the Five Great Families.
I reflected on Peng Guye, who quietly brought me to my room.
A character that had a small role in the original story.
A childhood friend of Namgung So-so and, if I remember correctly, someone who played the role of bridging the protagonist and Namgung So-so.
Since the Peng family itself didn’t have much significance, naturally, Peng Guye’s role was minimal as well.
“…You look tired for someone who said everything went well.”
“It’s just that…Lord Peng was such an ‘interesting’ person.”
I couldn’t say anything bad about Lord Peng of the Peng family. My indirect response made Mok-kyeong nod before returning to cleaning her sword in the corner.
“I’ve already taken a bath, so you should bathe now.”
Her hair was still slightly damp, so she must have taken a bath.
I turned from the androgynous appearance of Mok-kyeong and looked at Hye-ryeong, who had her face in my sleeve.
“Uncle smells like a woman.”
“Don’t say that. It’s a bit frightening.”
Why does it feel like she’s going to stab me in the back if I leave this be?
I calmed Hye-ryeong by gently pinching her soft cheeks.
As my touch calmed her, her expression softened, resembling a puppy that continued to seek affection.
“Am I supposed to look like I’m fooling around?”
“Hehe…”
“Hey, Mok-kyeong, why are you—”
I scratched my head awkwardly amidst the suddenly uncomfortable atmosphere. I must have said something embarrassing, but at least Hye-ryeong calmed down, so it’s fortunate in its own way.
“Now that the task is done, we’ll rest well today and head back to the Martial Alliance tomorrow. So get as much rest as you can.”
“Then…can I use your leg as a pillow?”
“Me?”
“Yes!”
Even though it’ll probably just give her a headache resting on my all-muscle thigh, if she insists, I should oblige her. I nodded at her request and found an appropriate spot.
Hye-ryeong quickly nestled her head onto my thigh and looked up at me.
“Uncle feels kind of mysterious when I look up like this.”
“You’re always looking up.”
“Mm, but it’s different!”
“How’s it different?”
“It just is!”
If she says it’s different, then it’s different.
Still, I glanced at Mok-kyeong, who occasionally kept looking at the situation. When our eyes met, she looked startled like a thief caught red-handed and quickly averted her gaze.
What’s gotten into her?
“I’m getting sleepy…”
“Then we should lay down the bedding and go to sleep.”
“Okay…”
Is she really a kid or an adult?
I lifted the half-asleep Hye-ryeong, brought her to her designated room, and laid her down. Though reluctant to part from me, she eventually fell asleep as I gently pet her head.
We’ve been running non-stop for several days now, taking a short half-day each time, so it’s no surprise she’s tired.
After covering Hye-ryeong with a blanket, I returned to my own room.
“…You must have been quite tired.”
“It’s been a forced march, so it’s only natural. How about you?”
“I’m also ready to sleep.”
“Then let’s sleep.”
Both of us quietly laid out our bedding. Though I was mentally exhausted and wanted to just lie down, there was no way to sleep fully dressed like this. After removing my leather coat and martial uniform, I wore my lighter undergarments and got under the covers.
“Feeling a bit warmer?”
“Yeah, yeah…”
“Don’t you feel fine without the heavy clothing on such a warm night?”
If it weren’t so chilly outside, but the room’s heater created a cozy warmth; wearing all that extra clothing must be hot.
“I’m fine.”
What kind of martial artist would be bothered by a little heat…
Still in my lighter outfit, I lay down and stared at the ceiling. The only light was the faint moonlight that came through the window and a small flame from the oil lamp.
Closing my eyes to fall asleep…
“…Mok-kyeong.”
“Y-Yes?”
“Anything you want to say?”
Why does your gaze keep piercing me?
If there’s something to say, just say it.
Mok-kyeong hesitated upon my inquiry and then carefully spoke.
“Lord Eun-gong…Do you hold affection for Miss Hye-ryeong?”
“Jeez, that came from nowhere.”
“…I apologize. Please forget it.”
“I’m not quite sure myself.”
Because I’ve never experienced love.
If someone asks if I like her or love her, I would say I like her right now.
There is also a sense that she’s like a younger sister I must care for.
“…It feels more like familial affection.”
“I see.”
“Then why bring this up suddenly?”
“…It just came to mind… that’s all…”
“Understood. Then I shall sleep now. Do the same.”
“…Yes.”
I gradually drifted off to sleep.
——————-
“Indeed, the Five Great Families are a cut above the rest!”
“The food was quite delicious.”
“I didn’t expect to be treated this hospitably despite the sudden visit.”
“They are one of the Five Great Families.”
It is to be expected since a family of the Five Great Families cannot afford to neglect even a single guest, or their standing would be tarnished. With a much-relieved expression, I redirected my gaze from Hye-ryeong running beside me using martial arts and looked forward.
The well-ordered family roads.
Since everything at the Hebei Peng family happened more quickly than I anticipated, though there’s a slight detour, the roads make it easy to go back without any obstacles.
“If we continue like this, we’ll practice for a few days, then head to Hughang and…”
Not necessarily. There’s not a critical need to go to the Martial Alliance.
If we stop briefly in Hughang and resolve the Haomen issue, it’s like accomplishing two tasks at once.
With that thought, my pace naturally slowed, and those flanking me—also adjusting their pace—looked at me questioningly.
“What’s going on?”
“Let’s take it easy. We’re approaching our destination.”
“Are we close?”
“We’re going to Hughang.”
“Suddenly?”
“There is something to resolve there. We might stay longer, but if you’d rather go to the Martial Alliance, you can head there.”
“I’m coming with you, even if it’s the Devil Sect.”
“I’ll follow you to the depths of hell.”
Are you guys competing?
With their intense declarations, I sighed.
“Do as you please.”
As long as I make the right choice, it’s fine.
With that, my next destination was set as Hughang.
