Chapter 23
Chapter 23: Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven
The scene playing out right before his eyes defied explanation in more ways than one.
How could that young girl possibly have caught on?
He had unleashed no probe of qi toward her. All he had done was lightly read the ambient aura drifting naturally from her frame to assess her depth.
In simpler terms, he had made no move to physically touch her; he had merely turned his eyes in her direction.
Under ordinary circumstances, Zhuge Seolha should have remained completely oblivious to Yanghwi’s attempt.
Yet she had picked up on it nonetheless.
Nor was that the sole oddity.
“Seolha, what troubles you? Come, tell your father!”
Zhuge Seolha had barely separated her lips by a sliver.
Yet Zhuge Seon reacted with sheer panic, looking as though the sky had just fallen.
“Why the alarm, Brother? Has something gone wrong?”
“It is nothing, Elder Brother. It is merely that my child almost never behaves this way.”
“Hmm… Could she be suffering from some hidden ailment…?”
After inspecting Zhuge Seolha once more and regaining his composure, Zhuge Seon managed an embarrassed, self-deprecating chuckle.
“I will share the particulars when we have a quiet moment. Putting that aside, Elder Brother, will you not present your family to me?”
“Certainly, Brother. You already know my wife, so she needs no introduction. And here are my three children.”
Zhuge Seon shifted his attention across the trio of Baek siblings.
Baek Heonso stood visibly tense, sneaking inquisitive glances toward Zhuge Seolha, who appeared to share his age.
Baek Yeonyeon radiated pure excitement and wonder, captivated by the unfamiliar guest and novel surroundings.
Then there was Yanghwi, whose calm, impenetrable stare belonged to someone far beyond his tender years.
Those two possess fine qualities… yet this youth who stands as the eldest is a true marvel. Is this the adopted son my sworn brother wrote of?
Yanghwi bore almost no resemblance to the boy he had been just months prior.
Nourished by regular, wholesome meals and unbroken daily cultivation, the unmistakable presence of an extraordinary martial talent emanated from him effortlessly.
“Nearly eight years have slipped by since I last sat with your father, meaning this is our first meeting. I am your uncle, Zhuge Seon.”
“It is an immense privilege to meet you, Uncle Zhuge.”
“A pleasure to greet you, Uncle!”
Yanghwi offered a refined, respectful bow alongside his siblings.
Even while observing proper decorum, his attention never truly left Zhuge Seolha, who remained silent within her father’s grasp.
Since they share the same age, social grace would call for introducing her as well, yet he makes no gesture to present her.
Beyond that, Zhuge Seolha kept her entire face veiled beneath sheer white silk.
Though the thin weave ensured her line of sight remained unobstructed, the necessity of wearing it at all was entirely baffling.
It would be thoroughly uncouth to pry openly.
Zhuge Seolha was destined to meet an untimely demise before long.
Could this unusual concealment be tied directly to the affliction that ends her life?
Even now, her gaze remained locked onto Yanghwi.
She had uttered not a single syllable, yet she had without question discerned his effort to probe her inner strength.
She must either possess some rare spiritual gift, or her innate perception matches my own keen sensitivity.
Factoring in the peculiar texture of the internal energy he had gleaned from her…
A tangle of unanswered questions knotted in his mind.
As dusk fell, a lively feast commenced within the Baek Estate.
It was arranged to honor Zhuge Seon, sworn brother to the patriarch and the young lord of an illustrious clan.
Curiously, throughout the entire banquet, Zhuge Seon never once set Zhuge Seolha down.
He took his food and drank his wine while keeping the young girl cradled securely against him.
“Brother Zhuge, your daughter is remarkably devoted to you.”
“Haha. Whenever Seolha finds herself in unfamiliar territory, she will not leave the side of her father or mother for even a breath.”
“Understood. Still, it would be pleasant if she could share some leisure time playing alongside Hwi, So, and Yeon.”
“It would indeed. Speaking of which, Elder Brother, your countenance is far more robust and prosperous than when we last parted.”
Just as Baek Muryang held quiet concerns regarding Zhuge Seolha’s condition, Zhuge Seon found himself intrigued by the visibly improved fortunes of the Baek household compared to earlier times.
“It appears fate has bestowed great fortune upon your threshold recently.”
“Haha, there is no denying that.”
Baek Muryang ran his fingers through his beard, wearing an affectionate smile.
“The heavens favored us with a momentous encounter, and that karmic tie ushered in boundless blessings.”
With those words, Baek Muryang cast an admiring glance toward Yanghwi.
From there, the doting patriarch launched into shameless, unrestrained praise of his boy.
Shoulders squared with pride, Baek Muryang recounted every triumph Yanghwi had secured thus far.
Because many of those deeds bordered on the unbelievable, Zhuge Seon could only listen in genuine, open-mouthed astonishment.
“Did that truly transpire, Elder Brother? By that young boy’s hand?”
“Mercy, to imagine such deep strategies originating from an eight-year-old mind.”
“His utter lack of trepidation might be his sole fault. You must have endured endless sleepless nights, Elder Brother.”
Zhuge Seon turned his gaze fully upon Yanghwi, who was the very picture of polite restraint.
“Though our house carries the title of Divine Strategist Zhuge, looking at your exploits alone, it is you who ought to bear the moniker of divine strategist.”
“Your praise is far too generous, Uncle.”
The curve of Zhuge Seon’s mouth widened.
Even standing before the young lord of the Zhuge clan, this child did not show a shred of unease.
Precisely as his sworn brother had claimed, the boy possessed remarkable grit.
“Hold fast to the benevolence your father has shown you, and apply yourself without wavering. For the honor of the Baek clan.”
“I shall carve those words into my bones and never let them fade.”
“Hahaha, splendidly spoken!”
Blessed with the stature of an unyielding champion, a profound devotion to martial arts, and unparalleled combat skill, he went by the title Peerless Dragon (臥龍無雙).
Despite being the heir to the scholarly Zhuge clan, Zhuge Seon was an extraordinary warrior whose might rivaled the historical peerless dominance of Lü Bu Fengxian.
Yanghwi’s temperament matched his tastes completely.
“Yanghwi. And you two, Heonso and Yeonyeon. Tell me, is there anything your hearts desire? Your uncle would like to present each of you with a gift to mark this first gathering.”
“Brother, there is no call for such indulgence.”
Baek Muryang made a dismissing motion with his hand, but Zhuge Seon merely barked a hearty laugh, threw back his wine cup, and spoke with rich warmth:
“If that concerns you, Elder Brother, why not bestow a gift upon my daughter in exchange? Truth be told, I journeyed here carrying a favor to ask of you, so this arrangement suits us both.”
So this was no spontaneous detour while traveling through the region. He had come with an explicit goal.
Traveling with a young girl who clung persistently to her guardians… That underlying purpose was almost certainly tied to Zhuge Seolha.
As Yanghwi analyzed the situation, Baek Heonso and Baek Yeonyeon looked up at him with slight hesitation.
“Since Uncle extends such kind generosity, So, Yeon, speak what you wish for.”
The instant Yanghwi gave the nod, their expressions lit up.
They had been anxious about how to receive Zhuge Seon’s magnanimous gesture without violating decorum, but Yanghwi had gracefully settled their doubts.
“Uncle, I would love a practice blade forged by the Zhuge clan! I will practice tirelessly and grow into a renowned martial artist!”
“Uncle, Yeon wishes for beautiful delicacies that are much sweeter and tastier than common treats!”
“Hahahahaha! Simple wishes, every one of them. Your uncle will grant them without fail! Now, Yanghwi, what does your heart desire?”
Every gaze gathered in the hall shifted toward Yanghwi.
Yanghwi weighed his options carefully.
If he followed his purest ambition, he would demand the formal patronage of the Zhuge clan, yet setting aside how calculating that would appear, it had virtually no chance of being granted.
What request could carry the naive ring of youth while securing tangible leverage?
The impending Yuhang Conference and the martial tournament arranged by the Suho Alliance.
The underlying purpose behind Zhuge Seon’s appearance at the Baek Estate alongside Zhuge Seolha.
The peculiar essence dwelling inside Zhuge Seolha, and the distinct nature of the inner force he had perceived from her.
When all was considered, extracting knowledge would yield the greatest return.
Yanghwi softened his tone into bright, innocent youthfulness.
“Uncle, how ought I address your daughter?”
“She shares your age, so you may simply call her Seolha.”
“Then we stand as equals and friends! Would it be permissible for me to look upon my friend’s face?”
In a split second, Zhuge Seon’s features tightened.
It was not anger born from crossed boundaries, but an expression of profound, aching sorrow, as if he could barely stomach the grief weighing down his chest.
“I must apologize, but that cannot be granted. Our Seolha must not uncover her face carelessly.”
A gentle, unyielding wall. Yet Yanghwi did not retreat.
“With you I share my robe (與子同袍). It is said that between true companions there should be no barriers or secrets, so why must Seolha conceal herself from the world? I merely wish to comprehend the reason.”
“……”
With you I share my robe was a revered idiom drawn directly from the Book of Songs among the classic texts.
It described an intimate fellowship between souls so devoid of pretension that they could divide a single garment between them.
The Zhuge clan prized literary elegance higher than any martial sect across the land. Zhuge Seon felt genuine wonder and pleasure that an eight-year-old child could naturally quote from the Book of Songs.
Under the mellowing influence of wine and admiration, Zhuge Seon let slip an explanation he would typically have kept locked away:
“It is not that Seolha desires to hide her features. She is simply unable to reveal them. Thus, press the matter no further.”
He clearly had no intention of unveiling the full circumstance.
Even so, this was plenty. It confirmed that she was bound by necessity to remain behind the veil.
“Yanghwi, I will entertain a different request from you. Name what else you seek.”
Having achieved his core objective, Yanghwi held no other personal wish suited for a child to utter.
Since the chance remained open, he resolved to turn it toward his father’s benefit.
“If so, Uncle, would you accompany my brother and me to the martial tournament scheduled in a few days?”
“Hmm? A martial gathering is being held?”
The Baek clan had already accepted the Suho Alliance’s invitation toward the Yuhang Conference.
With the young master of the Zhuge clan and his father’s sworn brother staying as a revered guest, Baek Muryang could never simply leave him unattended, making their shared travel inevitable.
Yanghwi had simply stepped forward to bridge the matter before Baek Muryang was forced to swallow his pride and ask his sworn brother for assistance.
Even if their sworn brotherhood is free of pride and pretense, it is far better if Father never has to appear as though he is begging for aid.
Both Baek Muryang and Zhuge Seon grasped the silent intent underneath Yanghwi’s words.
“Elder Brother, does the matter you proposed in your earlier correspondence still stand?”
Baek Muryang waved his hand in swift dismissal.
“Not in the slightest, Brother. You would do well to search for an inheritor among your own Zhuge bloodline.”
“To possess such profound intellect while remaining so deeply dedicated to his kin! He tempts any man to claim him!”
Zhuge Seon erupted into boisterous laughter, booming with satisfaction:
“Splendid! The Yuhang Conference, you say? I was pondering how to occupy my time while staying here anyway, so this falls into place neatly. I shall ride alongside your father. However!”
Bringing his hand down onto the wooden table to punctuate his condition, Zhuge Seon added:
“As it is a martial contest, the competitors will undoubtedly be separated by their years. Claim the championship in your bracket! Accomplish that, and your uncle will bestow a reward of great value upon you!”
The corners of Yanghwi’s mouth curled slightly.
An unexpected bounty had fallen straight into his lap.
“When you speak of a reward, Uncle, how broad might that horizon be?”
He did not ask what the gift was, but where its boundaries ended.
Zhuge Seon shook his head in sheer wonder.
The boy standing before him, his sworn brother’s adopted kin, possessed such razor-sharp cunning that believing he was merely eight years old was nearly impossible.
Even when measured against the finest scions of the Zhuge clan, this youth was an anomaly.
“Are you attempting to test your uncle’s boundaries? Have no fear! It will be more than grand enough to satisfy an ambitious spirit like yours!”
Hearing Zhuge Seon’s sweeping guarantee, Yanghwi smiled.
The heir to the great Zhuge clan would certainly offer nothing trivial.
Yet, while a generous gift was always welcome, this was not the moment to chase material gain.
Unraveling the mystery surrounding Zhuge Seon and Zhuge Seolha remained the primary objective.
With that in mind:
“The reward this nephew seeks… is the permission to accompany you, Uncle, wherever your journey takes you on Seolha’s behalf.”
As Yanghwi delivered his terms with a subtle grin, Zhuge Seon’s eyes flared with sheer astonishment.
“Hahahahaha! Now this is truly remarkable!”
Comments for chapter "Chapter 23"
MANGA DISCUSSION
Madara Info
Madara stands as a beacon for those desiring to craft a captivating online comic and manga reading platform on WordPress
For custom work request, please send email to wpstylish(at)gmail(dot)com