Chapter 79

“What kind of relationship is this…?”

Namgung Woo was caught off guard by the sudden question and couldn’t come up with an answer.

Instead of Namgung Woo, it was Jegal Jong who intercepted Jegal Jun’s question.

“Your rudeness has gone too far! Step back immediately! This is an order from the acting family head. If you defy this, I will no longer consider you my nephew and will order your confinement!”

Jegal Jong looked like he was about to lose his mind.

Who was Namgung Woo? He was the savior who had rescued his only child, and though they were bound by a contractual relationship, he was the one who had averted an unprecedented crisis for the Jegal Family.

Moreover, Namgung Woo’s role in the upcoming war was immense. Both the Jegal Family and the Banunbang faction lacked a peerless master known as one of the Three Poles and Twelve Honored Ones. Even with the allies they had gathered, this remained the case.

Thus, the Jegal Family vaguely estimated Namgung Woo’s strength and believed the scales of victory had tipped in their favor.

That was, until Banunbang unexpectedly brought out a peerless master from who-knows-where.

Now, Namgung Woo’s importance had escalated from “nice to have” to “absolutely necessary.”

In the current situation where both the Martial Alliance and the Black Martial Alliance remained silent and delayed sending their peerless masters, his significance was even more pronounced.

And yet, here they were, dredging up an old, already-settled engagement story and ruining the mood. Jegal Jong, regardless of Yoo Gyeong-ryong or anyone else, was determined to support the eldest son, Jegal Gong, as the next family head.

Did his uncle’s stern warning work this time?

Jegal Jun clenched his lips tightly, then reluctantly made a fist salute.

“My apologies to the family’s benefactor. I will formally request an audience in the future.”

“No need. For now, you will reflect in solitary confinement in the Cold Palace.”

Reflection in the Cold Palace—a punishment of being locked in a freezing, unheated cell.

“…Understood. Then, I shall take my leave.”

“Before going to the Cold Palace, pay your respects to the family head.”

“No need. I already paid my respects upon arrival.”

Jegal Jun bowed his head and turned to leave.

As soon as Jegal Jun opened the door and stepped out, the anxious guard waiting outside quickly bowed and closed the door.

“Phew… I apologize for showing you such an unsightly side of our family. As a senior of the family, I will apologize on their behalf.”

“No need. More importantly, who was that young master?”

In response to Namgung Woo’s question, Jegal Jong explained.

“There was an engagement with the eldest daughter of the Paeng Family in the past. The family heads of both families were close, so… But don’t worry too much. The engagement was annulled without any issues.”

It made sense how Paeng Ha-ryeong, who never left Hapbuk, became friends with Jegal Seon-a. It seemed their connection was through Jegal Jun’s engagement.

Previously, Jegal Seon-a had stayed with the Paeng Family for a while, so Jegal Jun must have accompanied her.

Jegal Jong confirmed that assumption.

“That was when the engagement talks were happening. Jun insisted on seeing her in person, and Seon-a threw a tantrum to go along, so we sent her too.”

After that visit, Jegal Jun, who had been indifferent to the engagement, returned as an enthusiastic supporter. Thanks to his fervent approval, the engagement was finalized, but it never came to fruition.

Not long after, Paeng Ye-ryeong’s terminal condition was revealed, and the Paeng Family’s circumstances changed drastically.

Since the engagement was more of a vague agreement, it was easily annulled.

The shock must have been great, as Jegal Jun was in a daze for a while before suddenly declaring he would focus on martial arts in seclusion.

The pain of heartbreak was the backdrop for Jegal Jun, who became one of the Seven Dragons in the Jegal Family, known more for their formation techniques than martial arts.

“Let’s stop the story here.”

“Yes, that would be best.”

Though Jegal Jun had started the confrontation, discussing him in his absence felt like gossiping, which made Namgung Woo uncomfortable.

“The reason for summoning you, Great Hero, is to discuss how to deal with that unknown master who fought with the family head and you.”

This was somewhat expected.

Namgung Woo, who had already given it some thought, spoke.

“Unless there’s a plan to lure him out separately, it would be difficult for me to handle it alone.”

The battlefield was vast. Not the entire Hubei Province, but the area between Banunbang’s Cheonjasan Mountain and the Jegal Family’s Wuhan could be considered the battlefield.

But would the Jegal Family bring this up without a plan?

Of course not. They had a solution.

“Please accompany Seon-a.”

“With Jegal Seon-a?”

“Yes. Seon-a has mastered the Resonance Star Sky Diagram, a martial art of the Upper Dantian that allows her to foresee fortune and misfortune. The most ominous place on the battlefield is where he will appear. Please block him there.”

Dongbang Hwa, though a master of forbidden arts and highly dangerous, had lost his right arm to Namgung Woo, significantly reducing his threat.

Thus, the greatest omen in the Resonance Star Sky Diagram would undoubtedly be his.

“…Deploying you, Great Hero, to the most dangerous part of the battlefield is not something we take lightly… but we believe this is the best course of action. Ultimately, our family’s stance must be defensive, not offensive.”

If the battlefield were in Hunan Province, it might have been different. Then, the Jegal Family might have taken the offensive, and Banunbang the defensive. Or perhaps the Black Path’s selfishness would have kicked in, leaving local Black Path sects to fend for themselves.

But the Jegal Family couldn’t do that. As the guardians of Hubei’s martial world and with branches throughout Hubei’s cities, they had much to protect.

“If that’s the case, I have no reason to refuse.”

“Thank you. Please take good care of Seon-a, my daughter.”

Though it was a request to protect Jegal Seon-a during the war, Namgung Woo, who had noticed her admiration and affection, found the words oddly touching.

Unaware of how Namgung Woo took his words, Jegal Jong quickly returned to business.

“I heard you received a request from Seon-a. And that the compensation hasn’t been properly discussed. So, I’d like to formally propose compensation now.”

Jegal Jong unfolded a document he had prepared and began explaining the compensation they could offer.

From basic money to martial arts (excluding the family’s secret techniques), divine weapons, and the Jegal Family’s interests…

But these were things Namgung Woo could take or leave.

He still had plenty of money, and managing interests would be troublesome. The divine weapons were tempting, but he already had armor from the Hapbuk Paeng Family and would soon have a sword.

Martial arts were even more unnecessary. He hadn’t even mastered what he was currently learning—what use would more be?

So, Namgung Woo gently but firmly pushed away the document Jegal Jong had presented.

“Great Hero?”

“Let’s consider it a debt.”

“A debt?”

“Just as I helped you, the Jegal Family will help me when I need it.”

At Namgung Woo’s words, Jegal Jong’s expression changed subtly—a strange, bitter smile that seemed both light and heavy.

“That’s the most difficult compensation. And it also means you trust our Jegal Family that much…”

Jegal Jong shook his head as if admitting defeat and spoke honestly.

“Though I’m the acting family head, I can’t decide this alone. I’ll discuss it with the family head.”

“No need.”

“Family head?”

Already sensing Jegal Chong’s approach, Namgung Woo stood up leisurely and saluted him. Jegal Chong waved his hand, dismissing the formality.

“No need for such formalities. Sit comfortably. I’ll take it from here. You may leave now, Jong.”

“But, your injury…”

“Enough. Don’t worry about it.”

“…Then, I shall take my leave.”

Though still not fully recovered from his injury, Jegal Chong walked over with a slightly unsteady gait and plopped down across from Namgung Woo.

“I heard the conversation outside.”

“Quick of you.”

“Before answering, let me ask one thing.”

Despite his injury, Jegal Chong’s deep eyes met Namgung Woo’s.

As if he would thoroughly verify the truth of Namgung Woo’s next words.

“The Namgung Family. Is it true?”

Here it comes.

The name imposed on him, unrelated to Namgung Woo himself.

But Namgung Woo didn’t hesitate to answer.

He had already made up his mind.

“If you’re asking if I’m a Namgung, then yes, I am.”

“…Could it be…”

“But.”

Namgung Woo cut off Jegal Chong’s astonished murmur and continued.

“If you’re asking if I’m from the Namgung Family, I don’t know. While I have an attachment to the Namgung surname, I have no desire for revenge against the Dokgo Family or any determination to rebuild the Namgung Family.”

---