Peng Zongheon followed behind such a man.

Peng Zongheon shouted towards me and Ji Cheon Wu.

“You two, are you very close?”

At that moment, I heard.

“What’s this now.”

Ji Cheon Wu stared at Peng Zongheon with a cold gaze as if looking at an insect.

Peng Zongheon, whether his guts were as swollen as his face, did not avoid Ji Cheon Wu’s gaze.

It was then that the man standing behind Peng Zongheon stepped forward.

“Well, it seems we’ve unnecessarily interrupted the two of you.”

Looking at the suddenly appeared man, I whispered in Dang Hwa Ryeong’s ear.

“Who is that person?”

“Peng Zongheon was the second young master of the Northern Peng family, and that person is the first young master. He’s Peng Zongheon’s elder brother. His name is Peng Su Hyeon.”

“……”

“Sir Peng Su Hyeon is actually quite different from Peng Zongheon. He probably fell for some misinformation Peng Zongheon told him. He’s a bit hot-tempered and simple-minded.”

I marveled.

‘The brothers really look exactly alike.’

While their facial features were similar, the atmosphere they gave off was different.

As Dang Hwa Ryeong said, Peng Su Hyeon looked somewhat naive.

Dang Hwa Ryeong continued.

“He’s easily fooled by people’s lies. But he’s not a bad person by nature.”

Peng Su Hyeon strode towards me. I had to tilt my head up. Because he was much taller than me.

I was like a cicada clinging to an old tree.

“I heard rumors that my younger brother was disrespectful.”

To his words, I replied.

“He was indeed disrespectful.”

The atmosphere instantly turned chilly.

The face of Peng Su Hyeon, who had been addressing me, hardened.

“I see. It seems young lady Nam Gung was greatly offended.”

“Yes, he was quite dismissive of me.”

“Then, how about a martial arts match to apologize for my brother’s rudeness?”

“You want to apologize through a martial arts match?”

“Yes, I intend to teach you a lesson.”

Interested expressions appeared on the faces of the onlookers.

More precisely, on the faces of those who were acquainted with Peng Zongheon.

Dang Hwa Ryeong whispered in my ear.

“Hey, are you going to accept that nonsense?”

It might be my imagination, but there seemed to be a hint of concern in his voice.

The dagger uncle excitedly exclaimed.

[Accept it right away!]

‘It’s like an angel and a devil whispering.’

I smiled brightly at Peng Su Hyeon.

“Alright, let’s have a match. It sounds fun.”

After answering like that, I glanced to the side.

‘Ji Cheon Wu seems quite angry…’

Ji Cheon Wu was glaring at the Peng brothers with crossed arms and a displeased look.

[Those fellows, even without you, they’d have a hard time preserving their lives.] [This is the timeline separator]

After being humiliated by Nam Gung Lin, Peng Zongheon thought. He was the type of person who wouldn’t be satisfied until he paid back double what he suffered.

Peng Zongheon reported everything that happened to him to Peng Su Hyeon.

Of course, mixed with some lies.

“Nam Gung Lin hid her identity and deceived me. She looked down on our Peng family, so I had no choice but to draw my sword.”

“Is that truly what happened?”

Peng Su Hyeon’s question was directed at the family’s warriors escorting him.

Peng Zongheon glared at them fiercely with wide eyes.

The warriors, afraid of falling out of Peng Zongheon’s favor, couldn’t speak the truth.

“If Nam Gung young lady really did that to you on purpose, that’s unacceptable.”

“If that’s not the case, why would she treat me like this? Talking about my level, isn’t that too much even for someone from the Nam Gung family?”

“It seems her arrogance has reached the sky after winning the Cheonhaje. Don’t worry, Zongheon.”

As far as Peng Zongheon knew, Peng Su Hyeon was the strongest expert among his peers.

‘No matter how exceptional she is, she can’t defeat elder brother.’

Nam Gung Lin hadn’t shown herself for a long time after winning the Cheonhaje.

People gossiped about various reasons why Nam Gung Lin wasn’t coming out of the Nam Gung family.

These were some of the rumors.

‘She did seem stronger than me but…’

There were occasional martial arts matches to strengthen family bonds.

‘Of course, given the situation, no one would think this is just a simple match.’

It wasn’t against propriety for Peng Su Hyeon to challenge Nam Gung Lin to a match.

The Nam Gung Lin that Peng Zongheon saw was very arrogant. So she wouldn’t refuse the match.

Sure enough.

“Alright, let’s do it. It sounds fun.”

As soon as Nam Gung Lin finished speaking, everyone looked at her with astonished eyes.

They had proposed this considering Nam Gung Lin’s confident personality, but they hadn’t expected her to accept so cheerfully.

Peng Su Hyeon looked down at Nam Gung Lin and spoke.

“Fun, fun… you find a match with me fun?”

A faint smile played on Peng Su Hyeon’s lips as he asked.

“Yes, sharing martial arts is always enjoyable. I never refuse martial arts challenges that come to me.”

Nam Gung Lin said this while meeting the eyes of those watching her.

“If any of you also wish to have a match with me, feel free to request one anytime.”

As she spoke, her eyes were filled with confidence.

Peng Su Hyeon replied to Nam Gung Lin’s words.

“Your confidence is impressive.”

“I have reason to be.”

“Well, we’ll have to see if it’s confidence or arrogance.”

Peng Su Hyeon turned his gaze.

It was towards Peng Yeon Sim, who had appeared at some point and was listening to their conversation with interest.

“May we have a match?”

Peng Yeon Sim didn’t refuse.

‘It would be entertaining to see Nam Gung Lin humiliated.’

Thinking this, she replied.

“Very well, it will be a time to strengthen the bonds between you.”

They moved to the training ground next to the Harmony Meeting.

“I won’t go easy on you.”

Peng Su Hyeon said this as he drew his sword. Then suddenly, he realized how small Nam Gung Lin was.

Nam Gung Lin, standing up, was a small girl barely half his size.

‘This is a bit unfair.’

As he suddenly realized this fact, a feeling of guilt washed over him. He had come to teach her a lesson for insulting the Peng family, but he wondered if this was right.

Seeing him like this, Nam Gung Lin spoke.

“I am a martial artist.”

It was a firm voice.

“I don’t want to be judged by appearances.”

“I apologize.”

Hearing Peng Su Hyeon’s polite apology, Nam Gung Lin said.

“I’m not sure what you heard before coming here. But I didn’t want to make excuses with words.”

“What do you mean…”

“If I win this match, I’ll tell you then.”

Peng Su Hyeon let out a faint sigh.

“Do as you wish.”

With those words, the unique sword technique of the Peng family unfolded from his hands.

Clang!

Nam Gung Lin blocked the powerful strike. Interest glimmered in Peng Su Hyeon’s eyes.

‘How?’

His spirit energy was considered unmatched in the Peng family.

The strength coming from his huge body was terrifying.

Yet Nam Gung Lin received his sword without changing her expression.

Whoosh!

Blue energy flared on Nam Gung Lin’s sword.

“Sword energy!”

Peng Su Hyeon couldn’t help but be truly surprised. Nam Gung Lin was not yet even twenty years old.

It was an absurdly young age. Yet she was able to manifest sword energy!

Peng Su Hyeon also infused his sword with spirit energy.

Boom!

Nam Gung Lin’s sword struck the side of his blade.

Peng Su Hyeon barely managed to block that sword.

Clang! Clash!

The sound of sword meeting sword rang out. Peng Su Hyeon felt like he was having a proper duel after a long time.

There weren’t many people who could receive his spirit energy and have a proper match with him.

‘She’s really amazing!’

No wonder she won the Cheonhaje, her skills were certainly worthy of it.

Nam Gung Lin’s swordsmanship was mysterious.

It would be fast then slow, developing in directions he couldn’t predict.

Peng Su Hyeon was smiling brightly before he knew it. And at the same time, he realized.

‘I cannot win!’

But even so, he displayed the sword techniques of the Peng family to the best of his ability.

‘I’ll put my all into it.’

Peng Su Hyeon’s immense strength was poured into his sword.

It was a move that even his father couldn’t easily block.

“Haha.”

Peng Su Hyeon let out a hollow laugh.

Before his sword technique could even finish, Nam Gung Lin’s sword stopped in front of his neck.

It was his complete defeat.

Peng Su Hyeon had no choice but to acknowledge this fact.

Peng Su Hyeon bowed his head, making a fist-palm salute towards Nam Gung Lin.

“I’ve learned something.”

The training ground was quiet.

No one dared to speak carelessly. Who was this Peng Su Hyeon that Nam Gung Lin had faced?

He was evaluated as the strongest among martial artists in their late twenties.

‘He’s strong enough to be counted among the Five Dragons of the later-stage foundation realm!’

Peng Zongheon bowed his head with a face turned deathly pale.

Peng Zongheon hadn’t imagined at all that Peng Su Hyeon would lose.

“Hahaha!”

Peng Su Hyeon burst into hearty laughter. He didn’t seem upset despite losing to Nam Gung Lin, who was much younger than him.

“Young lady Nam Gung’s skills are truly exceptional. It’s been a while since someone from an orthodox sect won the Cheonhaje.”

“……”

“To be honest, I’m ashamed. Our Peng family also didn’t participate in the Cheonhaje.”

At Peng Su Hyeon’s words, Peng Zongheon’s face reddened. He couldn’t say anything and just bowed his head.

“You certainly have the skills worthy of winning the Cheonhaje.”

At Peng Su Hyeon’s reaction, the faces of those watching the match relaxed.

Naturally, everyone’s gaze turned to Nam Gung Lin.

“They say she defeated the formidable Ak Wi Cheon…”

“It’s amazing. I wonder if she’s become even stronger through closed-door training all this time?”