Translator: Nox
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: We're Family
Peng Hyeon-do stood alone in the training hall under the moonlight, sweat dripping from his brow.
Everyone else — disciples, warriors, servants — had long since collapsed from exhaustion.
But not him.
He was still practicing basic forms. Punching. Footwork. Saber swings. All over again.
His body moved with perfection — reinforced by the Heavenly Martial Body and drilled under the ghostly eye of the Thunderblade Emperor, Peng Mu-hyeok.
[“You don’t tire, do you?”]
“I’m still good to go.”
[“Push too far and your body will break. Resting well and eating well are also part of training.”]
“Heh, don’t worry. I know.”
Most people needed to rest.
But not him.
His physique — one sculpted from years of min-maxing in the game, now real — healed instantly, and adapted quickly.
Overtraining didn’t exist in his world anymore.
Still, Hyeon-do decided to wrap it up.
And that’s when a shadow appeared.
His older brother — Peng Jin-hyeok.
“Finally done? I was waiting.”
“Got something to say?”
“Look at you. Acting all high and mighty now.”
He glared at Hyeon-do as if ready to pounce.
“You picking a fight?”
“No. Just one question.”
Hyeon-do looked up at him. Jin-hyeok was tall — well over five cheok — and had an imposing presence for his age.
“What’s with you all of a sudden? Why are you showing off?”
“Showing off? I’m just helping the clan.”
“Helping the—?! What, you want to be Clan Head? Is that it? You don’t trust me?!”
His voice cracked as he yelled.
Was it fear?
Jealousy?
Hyeon-do stayed calm.
“Really? That’s what’s bothering you?”
“......”
“Let’s be real. We’re on the edge of collapse. Is now really the time to fight over scraps?”
“......”
“We’re family. Let’s get enough food on the table first before we fight over portions.”
“You arrogant— acting like you can fix everything.”
He turned red in the face.
Hyeon-do smirked.
“I stepped up because I *can* fix it. And you should step up too. Train harder. Maybe if you’re struggling, I’ll even help you.”
“......”
“I’ve gotta get up early tomorrow. Later.”
“Wh-where are you going?!”
Jin-hyeok panicked. Even he hadn’t received official clearance to leave the estate.
But this kid was already preparing for departure?
“I came up with the plan. Gotta see it through.”
And he walked off.
Behind him, Jin-hyeok stood stunned.
Hyeon-do’s voice lingered in his mind.
<“If you don’t want to be left behind... keep up.”>
He didn’t get it now — but he would.
Eventually.
“Ugh. Paperwork. They can deal with that.”
Hyeon-do had no interest in being Clan Head.
All that did was bury you in reports.
Let someone else hold the title.
He had bigger plans.
[“Bah! And you call yourself Peng Clan?!”]
A ghostly voice rang in his head.
He ignored it.
---
The next morning, just before dawn.
The air was hazy. The world, still grey.
The steward stood with two guards, preparing for a covert departure.
He hadn’t slept — just managed his fatigue with internal energy.
‘Hopefully I can rest after this.’
He rubbed his eyes and stepped outside.
“We’re ready, Steward.”
“Let’s go fetch the Young Master.”
Together, they walked to the annex.
It was a tiny building — barely more than a one-room hut.
But the door was open.
Inside, Hyeon-do sat cross-legged.
Breathing.
And with each breath — a faint thunder-like qi surged from his body.
“...This is...”
“Shh.”
They watched in awe as he finished his meditation and opened his eyes.
A flash of lightning.
In his pupils.
“Am I late?”
“N-no, Young Master.”
He got up, grabbed his robe and gear, and stepped outside.
No questions. No fanfare.
Just calm determination.
The guards and the steward could only stare.
They had seen it.
The thunderous power the Peng Clan once wielded — now reignited in this child.
“Shall we go?”
“S-sir. I know it’s rude but...”
“Save the questions for when we return.”
He smiled.
He had plans.
And gifts.
[“Hmph. That boy’s training in Thunderforce. But his brother... will train in Heaven-Earth Void Qi.”]
‘Oh?’
[“Yes. While yours is pure destruction, his centers harmony between heaven and earth — refining all three dantians equally. A true balance.”]
‘Sounds... solid.’
[“My master used to practice that path. It’s the only way to match Thunderforce.”]
‘Then we’ll train him in it.’
This trip would earn them loot — and progress.
Hyeon-do grinned.
“Steward, I’ll teach you something good later.”
“Haha... I look forward to it.”
They departed quietly into the pre-dawn mist.
Their destination — the Meng Trading Group.
And beyond that — the Zhegall Sect.
【To be continued in Chapter 7】
