Vol. 1 Chapter 1.8

* * *

The following day. Hwangbo Jeong-gun summoned the clan’s high-ranking elders to the Heavenly King Hall. Because he was a leader who rarely called unannounced meetings, the atmosphere in the hall was thick with curiosity.

“Thank you all for gathering on such short notice. The reason I have called you here today is none other than the upcoming Grand Orthodox Martial Arts Gathering.”

The Orthodox Martial Arts Gathering was a massive, prestigious gathering where the leaders of the great martial world and noble clans converged. It was a grand stage designed to debate critical political matters and foster alliances in short, the ultimate networking event of the martial world.

Clearing his throat, Hwangbo Jeong-gun leveled a firm gaze at the retainers.

“I have made my decision. For this upcoming gathering, I will be bringing Yeon-ah along with me.”

“Pardon?”

“Clan Head, where is this coming from all of a sudden?!”

Predictably, a chorus of bewildered objections immediately erupted from the elders. It was an entirely natural reaction. Aside from a single mandatory appearance when she was a toddler, Hwangbo Yeon had never once attended a formal gathering.

The martial arts gathering was an event where not only the Clan Heads but also the prominent rising stars representing each family gathered.

Because it was a massive congregation of hot-blooded youths, friction was inevitable. It frequently started with tense psychological warfare, and in severe cases, escalated straight into formal duels. It was an environment that the fragile, faint-hearted Hwangbo Yeon could never have endured.

“I am suggesting this because our Hwangbo Clan is the only family that hasn’t brought its successor to the gathering until now. Didn’t you all witness her duel with Peng Dong-hu yesterday? Yeon-ah is no longer the girl she used to be.”

“Be that as it may…”

The atmosphere in the hall remained coldly skeptical. Watching their bitter, reluctant expressions, Hwangbo Jeong-gun swallowed a heavy sigh.

They still can’t accept Yeon-ah’s transformation. I suppose a single duel wasn’t enough to shatter years of prejudice.

“This is a stage where the most formidable, exceptional talents across the continent gather. If she goes and falters, it could severely damage our clan’s prestige…”

“We should count our blessings if it ends at that. For all we know, she might return home completely paralyzed with fear, just like last time.”

Amid the sea of murmuring voices, an elder raised his hand.

“Does the Young Miss even possess the resolve to go herself?”

“Well that is…”

Hwangbo Jeong-gun’s voice trailed off. In truth, he hadn’t actually asked his daughter directly.

“Is that not the most critical factor? I highly doubt the Young Miss even wishes to attend.”

“I share that sentiment.”

As more murmurs rose in agreement, Hwangbo Jeong-gun’s face fell into a thoroughly troubled expression.

I intended to secure the elders’ approval before informing Yeon-ah. I never anticipated the backlash would be this severe.

Just as his hesitation reached a peak, the doors to the Heavenly King Hall were flung wide open.

“You don’t need to worry about that. Because I have every intention of attending.”

Marching through the parted crowd with effortless confident strides, it was Yeon. Although she had stayed up the entire night cultivating her internal energy, her gaze was noticeably deeper and sharper than before.

Faced with her striking aura, the rowdy elders instantly shut their mouths. Her transformation was something they could suddenly feel vibrating in the air. Sweeping a cold calculated glance over each and every face in the room, Yeon walked right up to stand beside Hwangbo Jeong-gun.

“Y-Yeon-ah?”

“Father, we cannot be the only clan that leaves our successor behind. If we did that, it would truly damage the Hwangbo Clan’s prestige, wouldn’t it?”

Yeon’s razor-sharp eyes locked directly onto the elder who had just been lecturing her father about prestige. Uncertain whether her target was intentional or a coincidence, the man awkwardly shifted his gaze away.

“Ahem…”

Letting out a sharp amused chuckle at his reaction, Yeon continued.

“I have no idea what you are all so terribly worried about but I assure you, the scenario you’re imagining will never happen. If any of you still happen to view me as fragile and weak…”

Deliberately cutting herself off, Yeon unleashed her aura. A vast roaring wave of internal energy exploded outward, rippling across the room in perfect concentric circles.

“Good heavens…”

The sheer weight of her undeniable cultivation caused the elders’ expressions to twist in shock. While the clan certainly possessed masters far stronger than Yeon, it was clear that her power level was vastly superior to anything they had estimated. After all, the original Hwangbo Yeon had never actually displayed her true strength.

“Ahem. Well if the Young Miss is truly this determined…”

“Yes looking at her current state, it seems highly unlikely she would be pushed around by the other rising stars.”

Faced with a successor who was clearly prepared to use physical enforcement to get her way if necessary, the negative tide of public opinion inside the hall rapidly turned in her favor.

In reality, Yeon had a very specific reason for forcing her way into the gathering. The Orthodox Martial Arts Gathering was a massive, critical turning point in the plot of Martial Supreme: The Peak of Martial Arts. There was no way she was going to let herself be sidelined by some absurd, bureaucratic excuses.

Capitalizing beautifully on the sudden shift in momentum, Hwangbo Jeong-gun immediately seized control of the room.

“Then the matter is officially settled. This meeting is adjourned.”

* * *

The moment she left the Heavenly King Hall and returned to her quarters, Yeon immediately summoned her maid.

“So-jin! So-jin!”

“Yes, Young Miss!”

Always prompt and adorable, So-jin came rushing into the room.

“It’s official..we’re going to the martial arts gathering. Because of that, I need you to help me pack some clothes.”

“Clothes…. Young Miss?”

“This is my first official outing in ages. I can’t exactly show up looking ordinary, can I?”

“W-Well.. that is true.”

“Bring out everything we have. If we lack options, ask my father to secure some new ones from the merchants.”

Because the original Hwangbo Yeon had never shown even a passing interest in fashion, So-jin looked thoroughly bewildered for a split second. But being a sharp, quick-witted girl, she quickly gave a bright, energetic nod and vanished to carry out her orders.

You’ll have to get used to this from now on, So-jin.

While she had given a grand speech about the fate of the martial world, Yeon hadn’t forgotten the primary objective of her transmigration to live her best life as a true lady.

Even if this was a martial arts world, it wasn’t an impossible dream. By all metrics, the Hwangbo Clan was essentially the equivalent of a high-tier ducal family in this universe. As the sole daughter of the Clan Head, she was practically a highborn lady of the highest order. Having completely validated her logic, Yeon pumped a tight fist into the air.

So what if this isn’t a romance fantasy novel? I’ll just become the ultimate lady right here!

Furthermore, having made such a massive scene in front of the elders, she had zero intention of letting herself be outshined at the gathering. She might have to show respect to the senior clan heads, but when it came to the rising stars around her own age, Yeon was not the type to bow her head to anyone.

To achieve total dominance, a killer first impression was mandatory. Fortunately, Hwangbo Yeon possessed a staggeringly powerful weapon for that exact purpose, her breathtaking natural beauty.

Until now, that weapon had been kept completely under wraps, buried beneath a layer of self-doubt. But now, the game has changed. A deeply resentful soul who had spent her entire past life forbidden from dressing up was now piloting this flawless vessel.

“Hehehe. Watch closely, world. I’m about to show you the true power of the Greatest Beauty of Shandong. A hidden, overpowered masterpiece you never saw coming…”

A brilliant, calculating smile curved across Yeon’s lips as a soft, triumphant chuckle echoed quietly through the room.