Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1606. Transmigrated to the Central Plains’ Murim (11)

The Hebei Peng Clan was one of the most prestigious noble clans in the Central Plains. No, calling them merely a prestigious noble clan would be an understatement. They stood among the Five Great Families alongside the Namgung Clan, Murong Clan, Tang Clan of Sichuan, and Zhuge Clan. Unlike the Murong Clan, which clung desperately to the glory of its past, the Hebei Peng Clan was the real deal.

I could still remember how shocked I was when I first saw the Peng Clan from afar.

Their influence was so immense that I briefly wondered whether the entirety of Hebei Province belonged to them. Their prestige was such that it reached all the way into Liaoning, where both the Murong Clan and the Jin Family of Shenyang resided.

Of course, that was partly because Shenyang's influence had been weakening over the years...

‘But even without that... their influence probably extended far and wide.’

Even taking that into account, there was no denying that the Hebei Peng Clan was one of the most powerful families in the martial world. They were known for their powerful physiques, domineering blade arts, and hot-blooded temperaments, giving them a reputation for being a clan full of reckless simpletons.

In reality, however, that wasn't true. If they were truly fools, there was no way the Peng Clan could have grown to such a scale. Of course, their natural dispositions and upbringing did give them a certain distinctive character, but every family occasionally produced an anomaly.

The woman who had apparently been chosen as Commander Jin's fiancée was someone like that. She stood out even among the Peng Clan. Beautiful Phoenix Peng Ga-Hee.

‘She's got a title and everything...’

Yeah, that was the important part. Considering how many members of the Peng Clan had titles, the fact that she had one of her own carried even greater weight.

She was one of the Three Phoenixes of the current generation, part of the newly established Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, and her title even carried the character for beauty.

It was said that those who had clapped their eyes on her face would never forget it.

“And... there are even rumors that her intellect rivals that of the Earth Dragon of the Zhuge Clan. Of course, one can’t believe everything the storytellers say, but... there seems to be some truth to it. They say that during the last Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, she actually forced the Earth Dragon onto the defensive in a debate,” So-Wol reported.

“...”

“Furthermore... she appears to possess formidable martial arts. They say she personally beheaded a notorious lust-driven criminal who had terrorized Hebei. Judging from that alone, it seems she may have already reached the Supreme Realm. I can’t understand how such a thing is possible either, but...” So-Wol paused.

“...”

“Still, please don’t worry too much, my lady. Rumors are always exaggerated as they pass from mouth to mouth. They call her the Beautiful Phoenix, but the only reason that Peng woman is known by such a title is that you have yet to make your debut in the Murim,” she added.

‘That's not comforting at all...’

The Shim sisters desperately attempted to console me, but I quietly turned my gaze to the side. Looking at Murong Hwa-Yeon reflected in the mirror, I noticed how exhausted she looked. She was undeniably beautiful, but her eyes looked dull and lifeless.

‘I mean... damn it. I used to be Aina Peneloti, the belle of every debutante ball...’

Granted, it was partly an act, but I distinctly remembered that Aina Peneloti had a certain brilliance. Every nobleman at those balls, from old aristocrats to fresh-faced young heirs, had been captivated by her. The same had been true when I was the Honorary Cardinal of the Democratic Country. Sure, makeup and lighting had done some of the work, but I was still capable of creating genuinely divine moments.

‘It's not like I had stopped taking care of myself, either.’

It was difficult to explain, but I’d say that I looked worn down by life.

‘These past eight years really have been—damn it...’

Things had finally stabilized enough for me to catch my breath, but the past eight years had been so chaotic that there were times I could barely close my eyes and sleep. This hellish parenting ordeal was far from over as well. Raising Squirmy was one thing, but I still hadn't found a cultivation method suitable for him.

His talent was simply too extraordinary to shove him into just any cultivation method, so I had been postponing the decision until we had somehow ended up here. I had wanted to find a cultivation method capable of properly harmonizing both of his attributes, but... the plan to have him cultivate before turning nine was on the verge of falling apart.

I was still losing sleep over that child...

“...”

‘And now the bastard's thinking about getting remarried?’

No matter how I looked at it, the man had clearly left his conscience behind somewhere. Of course, political considerations were probably the biggest factor. For the Jin Family of Shenyang, which coveted a place among the Five Great Families, this was the perfect opportunity to expand its influence.

Moreover, Young Master Jin had reached the Transformation Realm.

‘They want to use the Peng Clan's prestige to swallow up Shenyang.’

If I were the head of the Jin Family, I’d make the same decision. Having the Peng Clan as in-laws was an opportunity too good to pass up. If this marriage went through, the Jin Family could genuinely surpass the Murong Clan and enter the ranks of the Five Great Families.

Naturally, the Peng Clan had to have seen the advantages as well, and their interests ended up aligning. Part of me was worried that he would actually go through with it, but there was no way a man incapable of loving anyone but Aina Peneloti could truly marry a daughter of the Peng Clan.

Honestly, I’d applaud if Peng Ga-Hee somehow escaped that monkey.

“...”

“...”

The reason I was angry... Yeah, the reason I was angry was that I disliked the fact that the bastard was off on an escort mission while preparing for a second marriage.

I would love to sit down with the Shim sisters and spend the afternoon cursing him out, but instead, they were directing all their hostility toward the innocent and entirely blameless Peng Ga-Hee.

Since they couldn't criticize the Jin Family, they seemed determined to comfort Murong Hwa-Yeon by badmouthing Peng Ga-Hee instead. And apparently...

‘Looks like Murong Hwa-Yeon and Peng Ga-Hee go way back.’

“That Peng woman must’ve been harboring a grudge against you all this time, my lady. Hasn't she been jealous of you since you two were young? And who could blame her? Whether it was intelligence or beauty, she always paled whenever she stood beside you. I can still remember the way she used to glare at you.”

‘Ah... so they have history.’

“Anything you possessed, she wanted all of them as well. Anything you did, she’d try to imitate. I'm certain this matter involving Young Master Jin is no different. Why else would the Peng Clan send the Beautiful Phoenix to marry into the Jin Family of Shenyang?”

‘Isn't that a bit of a stretch? And it's not like the Jin Family is some insignificant household.’

“Young Master Jin has reached the Transformation Realm, and he’s quite handsome, but if it hadn’t been for that Peng woman's request, I doubt the idea of marrying into the Jin Family would ever have been raised.

“Weren't there even talks of a betrothal with the Earth Dragon of the Zhuge Clan? To pass over the Zhuge Clan and instead set foot in the Jin Family's household... No matter how I look at it, something about it feels off.”

‘Not really. If they wanted to strengthen their influence in Liaoning, it would make perfect sense.’

“Wouldn't it be best... to take some sort of action?”

‘What sort of action?’

“O-Of course, we respect your wish not to stand in Young Master Jin's way, but... at the very least, don't you think he deserves to know your circumstances? Shouldn't he be given the chance to make his own choice?

“I'm worried that he’s being deceived by that woman and that he may end up deeply hurt or abandon the resolve he had worked so hard to build.”

‘The more I listen... the more tempting that sounds.’

Of course, from Young Master Jin's perspective, ending up with Murong Hwa-Yeon would be the fastest way to ruin his life. In the minds of the Shim sisters, however, Peng Ga-Hee had apparently long since become a full-fledged villainess.

“Enough,” I ordered.

“...”

“I have no desire to go back on a decision I once made. Right now, I wish only for flowers to bloom along the path ahead of the Jin Family. And... if it is her, then I can rest easy. I’m certain she’ll support the Jin Family well at his side,” I added.

‘That's rich coming from someone who bit her lip hard enough to draw blood three days ago.’

Naturally, they looked completely unconvinced. After all, I had been so furious that blood poured from my lip when they reported the matter to me. It was hardly surprising that the Shim sisters wouldn’t stop bringing it up.

They had probably concluded that I still couldn't forget Young Master Jin. After hearing the same argument enough to make my ears bleed over the past three days, I was honestly getting tired of it.

‘But... keep going. Encourage me a little more...’

“Sob... but...”

“I’m fine,” I reassured them.

“Waaah... my lady...”

‘I do have my pride, you know. I can't exactly go running after Commander Jin just because you girls had suggested it.’

Of course, I couldn't simply sit still either.

‘At this rate, I'll die first.’

If I were to keep rotting away here, I'd end up dying first. The bastard would spend a few years getting married, then a few more years going on escort missions and hunting down demonic cultivators. Before long, even more time would be wasted.

And then who exactly was supposed to take responsibility for Murong Hwa-Yeon's life? Whether it worked out or not, I knew better than anyone that the right thing to do was to force my way over to Commander Jin.

If I were to miss this opportunity, I would probably not see the bastard again for several more years.

‘This is where my loyal subordinates are supposed to step in. I can't make the first move.’ Honestly, if I were to follow my heart, I'd run straight to Commander Jin. They said he was heading to Hebei. For a moment, I even wondered whether he’d pass through this village.

‘No... his route is slightly different.’

It didn’t really matter. The important thing was that he'd finally left the Jin Family estate and stepped out into the world. The three sisters already knew where Young Master Jin was headed. If I were to just maintain the appearance of quietly nursing a broken heart, they'd probably track him down on their own.

They could even arrange an accidental encounter. Naturally, I wiped away a few tears and rose to my feet.

“I do not wish to hear any more of this,” I ordered.

“M-my lady!”

“There’s much to prepare for this escort mission. We can’t afford any mistakes,” I said.

“But... sob...”

‘Why are you crying so much? I'm practically telling you to go make arrangements to meet Young Master Jin.’

“My lady...”

‘Don't worry too much. In times like these, men aren't supposed to abandon their first wives.’

Naturally, I felt the urge to put a little more effort into my appearance for the first time in a long while. If he ended up hearing that I was here, he would have no choice but to come looking for me.

If he ended up coming here, I had to make a memorable impression on the people who would inevitably accompany him.

With that thought in mind, I left the three Shim sisters behind and headed toward the garden.

Just then, I spotted Squirmy returning from the academy. He seemed to be back earlier than usual, which made me tilt my head slightly, but I assumed there was probably a reasonable explanation behind it.

‘Just wait a little longer, Squirmy. Mama's going to bring you everything. Spiritual medicines, cultivation manuals, all of it. I'm going to squeeze every last thing out of Young Master Jin.’

“...”

‘I'll even get you one of those weapons your grandfather forged with his heart and soul.’

I was preparing myself for the greeting that would surely come, but instead, the brat walked right past me without saying a word.

‘What?’

Was he still sulking over what happened three days ago?

‘No, he definitely greeted me yesterday.’

His head was lowered, and he picked up his pace as though he wanted to slip away unnoticed.

‘This little—is he starting to rebel?’

I had no choice but to call out to him. “Jin-Cheon.”

‘What happened to his face?’

His face wasn't just swollen. It was bruised.

‘Your... face... who did this to you?’

“...”

‘Who hit you?’

“...”

‘I've never even laid a hand on you... so why does my Squirmy look like this?’

“...”

“Did someone... hit you?” I asked.