Chapter 106

The day of the alliance meeting has dawned.

The annex of Changmu Inn was bustling with people from the morning.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the reason they stayed in Luoyang was for today. Although the original plan had gone slightly awry, there were still things to do in Luoyang.

Even if the Martial Alliance meeting was off-limits to those without an invitation, the Martial Duel Tournament was open to everyone. While those in their 30s, especially mid-30s, might hesitate to participate, the Martial Duel Tournament itself didn’t discriminate based on age or gender.

Many from Changcheon Pavilion also participated in the Martial Duel Tournament.

While those who had signed up were busy preparing for today’s preliminaries, Myorin, who had boldly skipped the tournament, descended to the first-floor lounge with the leisurely gait of a well-fed cat.

There, Namgung Woo, who, like Myorin, had opted out of the tournament, was already waiting.

“It feels like it’s been a while since I last saw you.”

“Yawn… Isn’t it because the Great Master has been focusing on the young lady?”

“But even so, Myorin, you’ve been holed up in your room too, haven’t you?”

Indeed, after arriving in Luoyang, Myorin had only wandered outside for a couple of days before retreating to her room, only showing her face during meal times.

Myorin plopped down diagonally across from Namgung Woo and sighed.

“What can I do? If I want to go out, I have to be accompanied by at least one member. And getting permission from the Great Master for every little thing is a hassle for both of us.”

Myorin’s treatment was quite different from the other members of Changcheon Pavilion.

As a member, she was also somewhat under surveillance.

“Don’t take it the wrong way. It’s also a form of consideration for you.”

She had to inform Namgung Woo of her destinations in advance and be accompanied by at least one member.

These conditions were not only to keep an eye on Myorin but also to ensure that if her identity were discovered and something happened, Namgung Woo could respond immediately.

Myorin, well aware of her situation, didn’t particularly resist Namgung Woo’s measures. She just felt a bit sorry for herself and occasionally complained.

“Sigh… What crime did I commit… Well, I did commit a crime, but… Ugh, it’s the first time I’ve resented my master.”

“But it was your own decision to help Yi Ja-ryong for the sake of the secret manual, right?”

“…That’s true too.”

No matter how much she cursed and blamed Yi Ja-ryong in her heart, the one she ultimately blamed was herself.

“Sigh… Maybe I should look for a time-reversal spell…”

“If you find one, let me know too.”

Namgung Woo, who had casually responded to Myorin’s regret-filled nonsense, suddenly questioned his own words.

‘If such a thing really existed, would it be okay for me to use it?’

His longing for his original world had already faded.

Even if he could return to the past, Namgung Woo would probably strive to live the same life again to return here.

The bonds he had formed in this world had become a significant part of his life.

“No, never mind. You can use it alone.”

“…What is it, Great Master? You’re getting all serious and then smiling. It’s kinda weird, you know?”

“It’s nothing. More importantly, is that secret manual you got from Yi Ja-ryong really reliable?”

“Of course. The original is gone now, but it’s genuinely the secret manual of our Cheongjeong Sect’s martial arts. There’s no way it could get us in trouble.”

Myorin was also a skilled sorceress. If there had been any tampering with the secret manual, she would have noticed immediately.

“But that manual has been lost for a long time… How did Yi Ja-ryong get it… I should have asked him back then.”

“Maybe Yi Ja-ryong didn’t get it himself.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind. Look, everyone’s coming down. Let’s have a light breakfast first and then talk. How about some Hui noodles?”

“Eww… Hui noodles are tasteless.”

Due to the sensory dullness caused by the side effects of her spells, Myorin’s taste buds had weakened, and she stuck out her tongue at Namgung Woo’s menu choice.

To be fair, Hui noodles were indeed a bit bland. But Namgung Woo firmly shut down Myorin’s complaints.

“It’s suitable for breakfast.”

Just as they were about to order breakfast at Changmu Inn, light yet oddly lively footsteps were heard from the stairs above.

“Ga-ga, good morning!”

—

The annex of Changmu Inn, which was supposed to be spacious, felt unusually cramped today.

In addition to the original members of Changcheon Pavilion staying in the annex, two more people had joined, bringing the total to nine.

With six members of Changcheon Pavilion, Namgung Sol, Jegal Seon-a, and Yi Ho-yeong, the annex was clearly insufficient for such a large group.

After finishing breakfast and preparing to leave, they naturally split into groups based on their activities.

Namgung Woo first looked at Geumshin and said, “I know you’re excited, but don’t overdo it.”

“Don’t worry. I understand what a Martial Duel is.”

Though his muscles and internal energy were visibly tense and twitching.

“Do I really have to go watch?”

“You’ll see me in the main event.”

Geumshin’s confidence was well-founded.

As a peak-level master, even surpassing Paeng Ha-ryeong, Geumshin would have easily secured a spot in the main event of the previous Martial Duel Tournament, which was said to be of an unprecedented level.

“The Yang Brothers, stick with Myorin.”

“Don’t worry. Since Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong have different schedules, we’ll take turns keeping an eye on her.”

“Surveillance? What am I, a prisoner?”

“Not a prisoner, but definitely a person of interest.”

The Yang Brothers had also entered the Martial Duel Tournament.

Having lived as wanderers, their desire for fame and success had grown stronger. Having just entered the peak realm, making it to the main event wouldn’t be easy, but participating alone was a valuable experience.

Geumshin, Yang Kwae, Yang Jeong, and Myorin. The remaining members decided to stick together.

With the sudden addition of Jegal Seon-a and Yi Ho-yeong, the group now numbered five, more than half of the total.

However, only one of them was participating in the Martial Duel Tournament.

Namgung Sol, the temporary protagonist of this group, was visibly tense under the increased attention, her face stiff.

“Relax. Don’t overthink it. Just do what you’ve learned.”

Did Namgung Woo know how difficult that was?

But even without Namgung Woo, this was a hurdle she would have had to face eventually.

Namgung Sol’s dream of proudly representing the Namgung Family and achieving great results in the Martial Duel Tournament to elevate the family’s name had been shattered, but the weight of her name still hung heavily on her.

With Namgung Woo abstaining from the tournament and staying secluded at Changmu Inn, people began to speculate.

Just like at the gambling house, many tried to extract information from the members of Changcheon Pavilion. However, Geumshin and the Yang Brothers didn’t provide any substantial information, leading to various conjectures, some of which were quite plausible.

The most widely accepted theory was the disciple-training theory.

“The level of the Martial Duel Tournament is too high for the Blue Sword Emperor himself to participate, so he’s training a disciple to take his place!”

In other words, Namgung Sol was now seen not just as a survivor of the Namgung Family but as the disciple of the Blue Sword Emperor.

Namgung Woo had heard this rumor from the Yang Brothers and understood the burden Namgung Sol was feeling.

But he also knew that no matter what he said, it wouldn’t resonate much with Namgung Sol, so he didn’t elaborate.

“Miss Jegal has decided to stay with us, but are you really okay with this, Great Hero?”

“It would only be awkward if I tagged along. I’ll keep my distance and follow quietly, so don’t worry too much.”

Yi Ho-yeong, who preferred to stay apart rather than join the group.

Since Yi Ho-yeong himself felt more comfortable this way, Namgung Woo didn’t object. Moreover, Yi Ho-yeong’s client wasn’t Namgung Woo but the Jegal Family.

Besides, Yi Ho-yeong wasn’t staying in the annex but in a room at Changmu Inn.

How did he get a room when there were none available?

A wanderer who recognized Yi Ho-yeong voluntarily gave up his room. Yi Ho-yeong didn’t just accept it; he provided appropriate compensation (which he would later bill to the Jegal Family), but the key point was that the room was willingly offered.

The reputation of Hwang Ryong-ho, one of the Three Great Wanderers and the most renowned in the White Path Martial World, was that strong.

“Then let’s head out. Let’s aim to return by dinner.”

Right after Namgung Woo finished speaking, the door to the annex of Changmu Inn swung open.

And the moment they stepped out onto the main street.

The gazes and auras of those who had been waiting for them poured down.

Unlike the previous mix of curiosity, admiration, doubt, and distrust, this was different.

Clear hostility.

Sharp vigilance.

The competitive spirit of martial artists.

The Martial Duel Tournament had already begun.