Chapter 104

Namgung Woo was welcoming Paeng Ja-ryeong’s visit at that moment.

The Yang Brothers were out and about in the bustling streets of Luoyang.

As always, it was an inspection for information gathering and talent scouting.

“It’s quite lively here.”

“It’s about to start. Most places have already arrived.”

The Martial Alliance’s announced meeting date was just five days away.

So many people had gathered that even Luoyang’s welcoming rituals were being disrupted.

“Still, coming early was the right choice. There are no rooms left at the inns.”

“I noticed the signs since yesterday.”

But the major sects wouldn’t worry. They didn’t need to stay at inns since they had their own estates in Luoyang.

The reason famous sects could move more leisurely than others was that they had solid bases.

“Is there anyone who hasn’t arrived yet?”

With even the Sichuan Tang Family from faraway Chengdu already here, there are few sects or families further than them.

“The Sichuan Tang Family arrived the day before yesterday, Jongnam Sect yesterday… Oh, come to think of it, the Paeng Family hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Ah… I completely forgot. With Paeng Ha-ryeong here, I thought the Paeng Family had arrived. And I forgot about the Jegal Family too. How can they be later than the Sichuan Tang Family?”

“People from farther away usually hurry more.”

Yang Kwae recalled the faces of the Paeng Family members he had seen in Hapbuk, following Paeng Ha-ryeong waiting for Namgung Woo at Changmu Inn. Then he thought of the Jegal Family members.

“Will the Blade Sovereign come from the Paeng Family?”

“Wouldn’t he? He’s the most active among the Seven Great Families’ leaders.”

Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong walked and discussed the situation in Luoyang. Yet, their steps never faltered.

They already had a destination in mind. Not just today, but for days, the brothers had made it their main battlefield for information gathering.

Where was it?

Near the Luoshui Bridge where the Gaebang members gathered?

The Haomun information exchange Myorin told them about?

Or the famous inn frequented by enthusiasts?

Of course, all these places were great for gathering information.

Under normal circumstances, these would be the only ways to get information. But now was clearly an emergency!

Especially with a martial arts competition like this… all information would converge in one place.

Whoosh.

The place where the Yang Brothers boldly stepped in.

It was the gambling den where the betting for the martial arts competition was in full swing.

§

As soon as the Yang Brothers entered the gambling den, someone rushed out from inside.

“Oh, the Yang Brothers from Changcheon Pavilion! Come, come this way.”

Though the middle-aged man was much older than the Yang Brothers, his attitude was very respectful. It showed how well-regarded the Yang Brothers were here.

Guided by the gambling den’s staff, the Yang Brothers headed inside.

Under the gazes and whispers from all around, the brothers’ shoulders naturally straightened.

“From Changcheon Pavilion.”

“Maybe today we’ll get some real answers.”

Before entering the private room, Yang Jeong glanced at the large wooden board hanging on the wall.

Various nameplates were hung, with numbers written below. It was a status board showing the list of participants and their odds for the martial arts competition.

Namgung Woo’s name, known publicly as Nam Woo, wasn’t on the board yet.

Whether his name would appear was the main concern of the gamblers here.

If Namgung Woo’s name appeared, the odds would flip completely. Based on his visit to the Martial Alliance on the first day, it was speculated he wouldn’t participate, but who knew.

If Namgung Woo decided to join now, who could stop him? Even Deung Jong-yu, the leader of the Martial Alliance’s Eight Units, couldn’t handle him.

So, the gambling den was intensely focused on Namgung Woo’s movements. With the Yang Brothers, who were his close aides, arriving? Naturally, they would be treated as VIPs to extract information.

Unfortunately, the Yang Brothers, having grown up under a wandering father, were natural-born wanderers.

They wouldn’t easily give out information. Instead, they enjoyed the gambling den’s hospitality while extracting information from them. Though the gambling den, operating under the Martial Alliance’s nose in Luoyang, kept crucial information hidden.

It was a classic case of mutual deception, with hidden blades and smiles.

“Is the Blue Sword Emperor still in training today?”

“That’s right. But is there anyone showing intent to participate in the competition? Someone who could spark our captain’s competitive spirit.”

“Huh? Haha, is there such a person? Everyone in Luoyang knows the Blue Sword Emperor’s prowess. Even the Three Dragons and Four Phoenixes couldn’t handle him, could they?”

Deung Jong-yu, one of the Eight Unit leaders, was among the top martial artists.

Compared to Namgung Woo, who defeated Deung Jong-yu, there was no late-blooming prodigy who could match him.

“Are there any among the Seven Dragons and Four Phoenixes who won’t participate?”

“None have officially declined yet. But Nam Eung-ryong from Jeokchang and Baek Ryeon-bong from the Baek Family, who are about to get married, probably won’t come.”

If one wanted to keep the title of Dragon or Phoenix, they had to participate in the late-blooming prodigies’ festival to show their prowess.

Those who didn’t follow this strict rule would naturally be swept away by the tides, losing their titles.

[The scariest one is out.]

Yang Kwae sent a Whispering Transmission, and Yang Jeong, now quite skilled, replied.

[Nam Eung-ryong?]

[Yes.]

The martial arts competition had no gender divisions.

There were no separate male and female divisions.

Naturally. The martial world was cold. Swords didn’t discriminate by gender.

Enemies met in the martial world wouldn’t be weaker just because they were women.

Though it was more common to let one’s guard down against women, there was a famous saying in the martial world: “Beware of the elderly, children, and women.”

Anyway, the Yang Brothers were pleased that one of the strong contenders was out.

[Nam Eung-ryong is fierce. Didn’t he defeat the Paeng Family’s young master and take second place five years ago?]

[Probably. This really seems like the young lady will make a move. Did you see the odds?]

[Which odds?]

[The round of 16. What if we bet on just making it to the round of 16? If we bet, it would be suspicious. We might need to use a proxy.]

Those who made it to the round of 16 would receive the honorable titles of Dragon or Phoenix. Originally, it was the Nine Dragons and Five Phoenixes, but two had already passed thirty and were disqualified, and others had married or passed their prime, leaving the Seven Dragons and Four Phoenixes.

Thus, the betting board also had a category for predicting who would make it to the round of 16.

The highest odds were for predicting the winner, but predicting the round of 16 was also quite profitable.

[What about Geumshin? Should we bet on him?]

[That’s not a bad idea. Maybe bet on both.]

[But if former Dragons and Phoenixes are gathering, the Jegal Family will probably…]

[Does it matter? That Jegal Jun or whatever, he’s quick to understand his place.]

After finishing their fruitful information gathering at the gambling den, the Yang Brothers prepared to return to Changmu Inn.

Thinking of showing off to Namgung Woo and Namgung Sol about who to watch out for in the competition, they hurried their steps. But at the entrance of Changmu Inn, they saw a familiar face hesitating.

“Isn’t this Jegal Seon-a?”

The person hesitating at the entrance was their dear comrade from the Unmong Great War, Jegal Seon-a.

Seeing Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong, Jegal Seon-a looked flustered and said,

“Oh, ah, Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong, it’s…?”

“You’ve come at the right time. But why are you standing here? Come in. The captain has been busy lately, but he’ll make time for you.”

Yang Kwae chimed in beside his brother.

“Or just come with us. You’re here to see the captain, right?”

“These guys. Don’t you remember me?”

“Ah… Hwang Ryong-ho! What brings you here…?”

Yang Kwae cautiously asked, recognizing Yi Ho-yeong.

Though Yang Kwae spoke casually with Namgung Woo, to wanderers, the Three Great Wanderers were living legends.

To Yang Kwae, dealing with Yi Ho-yeong was more nerve-wracking than with Namgung Woo. Regardless of strength, he was an idol-like figure.

Yi Ho-yeong shrugged his shoulders and slung an arm around the brothers.

“What’s a wanderer without business? I took a bodyguard job. Both the Jegal Family head and the Nengyun Pavilion head are in poor health, so I’m filling in. And there’s already a guest inside.”

Yi Ho-yeong gestured towards the inner part of Changmu Inn, where a man sat on a chair near the entrance to the annex.

At first glance, he resembled Paeng Mu-ho in build but looked quite different.

The man, with the Paeng Family’s characteristic bold lines, exuded a domineering aura not inferior to Yi Ho-yeong.

One of the two Supreme Peak Masters of the Hapbuk Paeng Family.

Besides the young master Paeng Ja-ryeong, there was only one other.

“Paeng Yo-beom of the Northern Sky Unit. The Paeng Family arrived first.”

§

While the world’s attention shifted from Beijing to Luoyang.

Many people actually began moving from Beijing to Luoyang.

And among them was a very, very special person.

“Really… can’t we go back now…!”

A girl with a distressed expression pleaded earnestly. Though barely over five feet tall, her nimble legs moved surprisingly fast.

But even that wasn’t her full speed, as her breathing was relaxed. She seemed to be deliberately slowing down to match her companion’s pace.

Hearing the girl’s plea, the companion running a few steps ahead shouted.

“No! Whether we go back now or later, we’ll get scolded either way. If that’s the case, we should at least see Luoyang properly!”

The woman running ahead with long strides laughed, saying future me would handle the consequences.

The girl’s face grew even more distressed, but the woman paid no heed and ran even harder.

“And, there’s someone I really want to see!”

“Someone you want to see?”

“Yes! Se-rim, you’ll probably like him too! They say he’s incredibly strong!”

The girl’s name came from the woman’s lips.

The girl’s full name was Yang Se-rim.

The third child of the Shinchang Yang Family’s head, Shinchang Yang So-hu.

True to her status as the direct descendant of a royal-loyal martial family, she had a role to play for the imperial family, which was…

“Ah… I’m fine, can’t we just go back, Princess!”

To be the virtual princess Jihyang’s maid, friend, and bodyguard.