Chapter 112

On the way back after finishing the preliminary martial duel.

From the training ground to the moment they stepped onto the main road, Namgung Sol’s face remained blank, as if their soul had left their body.

Then, suddenly, they looked down at their palm and went blank again.

“They’re still like that. It’s not a sensation you can forget right away.”

Seeing Namgung Sol’s state, Paeng Ha-ryeong smiled softly and spoke.

Empathy for their junior, who was acting just like they had in the past, seeped into her smile.

Paeng Ha-ryeong had been the same. The thrill of manifesting tangible energy for the first time. It was still vividly etched in her memory.

Jegal Seon-a, seemingly feeling the same, nodded her small head vigorously in agreement.

“Did you feel the same, Father? Ah! Maybe it was stronger when you created your Sword Aura?”

“Uh… yeah… I think so…”

Namgung Woo, who had actually experienced the “waking up to find oneself a peerless master” scenario, stammered awkwardly.

At Namgung Woo’s response, the previously warm atmosphere turned chilly. A genius doesn’t understand the hearts of ordinary people.

Of course, Paeng Ha-ryeong and Jegal Seon-a were considered late-blooming prodigies with considerable talent, but compared to Namgung Woo, they were just average.

“Having too much talent isn’t always a good thing. Achieving anything feels so natural that you can’t even feel a sense of accomplishment…”

Perhaps it was because of her Resonance Power. Jegal Seon-a’s reaction was quite different from what ordinary people would usually show.

Instead of feeling frustrated or envious of the talent gap, Jegal Seon-a instead looked at Namgung Woo with sympathy.

“Hmm, and the emotions Sol is feeling are probably even greater than what I or Seon-a experienced.”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Namgung Sol, who was still repeatedly clenching and unclenching their hand, as if chasing the lingering sensation.

The reason Namgung Sol was so lost in their own world.

It wasn’t just because they had manifested Sword Energy for the first time in the final preliminary duel…

But also because it had been the key to their victory.

“It was a predetermined growth.”

Namgung Woo commented on Namgung Sol’s achievement, who had now reached the peak.

Namgung Sol already had more internal energy than most peak masters. Having learned the Great Lotus Heart Technique from Namgung Si-hee since childhood, Namgung Sol had surprisingly taken several elixirs and had clean meridians.

Namgung Woo guessed that Namgung Si-hee might have taken some elixirs or secret funds from the fallen Namgung Family.

Above all, what allowed Namgung Sol to reach the peak was a change in their mindset. What had been holding Namgung Sol back wasn’t their shallow understanding of martial arts, but their philosophy on life.

Chasing death rather than life, why practice martial arts? Martial arts are ultimately about protecting oneself from external dangers, cultivating longevity, and achieving enlightenment. Namgung Sol had been practicing without understanding the meaning behind it.

They had swung their sword diligently to live up to the Namgung Family name, but Namgung Sol themselves had been absent.

Namgung Woo gave Namgung Sol a reason to practice martial arts. Not for death, but for the desire and motivation to truly become strong.

‘It sprouted faster than expected, but the soil was good to begin with. Teaching them the Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword Technique, an Ascendant Martial Art, naturally led to this result.’

This is why prestigious families are fearsome.

Practicing a good internal energy technique since childhood, taking elixirs, accumulating sufficient internal energy, and then using an Ascendant Martial Art to leap over the wall to the peak in one go.

From the Transcendent Peak onwards, even Ascendant Martial Arts become mere entry tickets, and a long, arduous journey with no end in sight awaits. But for those who haven’t even crossed the threshold to the peak, such concerns are just idle worries.

Though they had come out, Namgung Sol’s deep contemplation was far from over.

It wasn’t a grand awakening, but they had gained a small insight.

To ensure Namgung Sol could fully grasp this insight, Namgung Woo made sure they weren’t disturbed by the energy barrier. He knew they could communicate through the barrier.

“By the way, what about the others?”

Jegal Seon-a changed the subject.

“Not sure about the Yang seniors, but Geumshin definitely made it, right?”

“With Hwa Gun-ryong and Jin Mu-ryong in the Northern Faction, it might be tough…”

“Really? But there’s still the difference in experience. You saw how Geumshin performed in the Unmong Great War.”

“But… those two are said to be among the strongest in the Seven Dragons Faction…”

Jegal Seon-a also wanted to side with Geumshin, who had fought for the Jegal Family.

However, due to the Jegal Family’s trait—”can’t lie, must speak what they believe is right”—Jegal Seon-a couldn’t confidently assert Geumshin’s advancement to the main tournament.

“Then let’s ask Father. His eyes are accurate. Father, what do you think?”

“I’ve never even seen this Jin Mu-ryong or Hwa Gun-ryong before.”

Namgung Woo responded awkwardly.

No matter how miraculous Namgung Woo’s Azure Tranquility Eyes were, how could he predict the outcome against someone he’d never seen? That would be more divination than analysis.

Moreover, unless he was watching in real-time, the chances of Namgung Woo’s predictions being off were not low.

A martial artist’s fight is full of variables. Even with a difference in skill, the outcome can change depending on the situation. Namgung Sol alone had defeated three opponents with higher cultivation levels to advance to the main tournament.

Those who ride the flow of luck are like that. Even the impossible becomes possible if luck is on their side.

“Still, someone like Geumshin…”

Namgung Woo suddenly cut off his words and sharply turned his head.

Before he knew it, his eyes were glowing with a bluish light, amplifying the power of his Azure Tranquility Eyes.

‘That’s…’

No mistake.

The anomaly he had seen in Luoyang.

With various circumstances overlapping, he had been unsure if it was a mistake, but now it was certain.

Namgung Woo hadn’t misseen. The Azure Tranquility Eyes had accurately captured the strangeness, as always.

That strangeness.

It resembled the energy he had sensed from Yi Ja-ryong on Manse Mountain.

“Father?”

“Wait a moment. Take Sol and head back to the inn first.”

“Huh? All of a sudden?”

It’s getting farther away. And blurrier.

It was like that back then too.

‘I’ll catch it this time.’

The mystery that pierced through Namgung Woo’s very existence.

Yi Ja-ryong, who had known something even Namgung Woo, who had experienced the world changing firsthand, didn’t know. If this person was connected to him, they might provide some clue to the mystery Namgung Woo was grappling with.

“I don’t have time to explain. Please.”

Speaking urgently to Paeng Ha-ryeong, Namgung Woo even withdrew the energy barrier surrounding Namgung Sol and channeled his internal energy through his footwork.

Then, immediately gathering his true energy at the Yongquan point, he burst into the sky.

*Boom!*

In his haste, he even forgot to control the shockwaves affecting the surroundings.

But despite the rush, the effect was impressive. Using the Heavenly Wind Body Technique to propel himself and the Thousand Miles Courtyard Steps to slice through the air, he created a whirlwind with successive techniques like Soaring Sky and Divine Leap.

The sudden gust of dust caused passersby to groan and wave their arms.

“Tsk! Who’s using a movement technique in the middle of the main road? Such lack of manners…”

“Sorry about that. Here, use this to get a new set of clothes.”

Quickly pulling out a pouch, Paeng Ha-ryeong distributed some silver to appease their complaints.

Jegal Seon-a marveled at her swift response.

Indeed. This is what it means to be a supportive partner…

While Jegal Seon-a admitted she was outmatched by Paeng Ha-ryeong, Namgung Sol, suddenly exposed to external stimuli as the energy barrier lifted, snapped back to attention.

“Huh? What? Where are we?”

“Ah, it’s fine. We were on our way back to the inn.”

§

Namgung Woo ran.

His figure stretched across the roof tiles. Unlike before, Namgung Woo’s movement technique had regained its composure, and he glided across Luoyang without disturbing a single tile.

‘There.’

Running across roof tiles and walls, Namgung Woo stepped back onto the road as he sensed the energy getting closer. There were pedestrians, but it didn’t matter. Instead of the straightforward Infinite Steps, he used the Swallow Spin Step he had taught Namgung Sol, gracefully curving around people.

The moment he turned into an alley.

What Namgung Woo faced wasn’t the figure he had expected, but a dead-end marked by a wall.

“Did I lose them…?”

Witnessing the disappearance of the entity he had been chasing, Namgung Woo expanded his energy sense further, fully opening his Upper Dantian.

The combination of his Azure Tranquility Eyes and the Empty Spirit Technique rapidly expanded his perception range. But the energy resembling Yi Ja-ryong’s was no longer detectable.

“I was shaken off… They were aware of me too.”

What Namgung Woo had been following was a decoy left intentionally by the other party.

He had thought only he could see through others, never considering that he himself could be seen through. It was a miscalculation on Namgung Woo’s part.

This wasn’t the first time Namgung Woo had been shaken off. It had happened with Myorin and a few times during the Unmong Great War.

Thus, Namgung Woo didn’t despair but acknowledged his mistake and extended his thoughts beyond it.

‘Still, there’s progress. I confirmed their existence. Am I the target? Or do they have another purpose?’

Considering the Martial Alliance, the latter also seemed plausible.

If it were the former, they would have been circling around him, but if it were the latter, things would get complicated.

Knowing that a pursuer like Namgung Woo was on their tail, the other party would move more cautiously and covertly.

“I hope it’s the former… Though that’s not entirely good either.”

Muttering to himself to soothe his disappointment, Namgung Woo exited the alley.

He had run so frantically that he was now near Luoyang’s outskirts.

Using his movement technique like before would get him to Changmu Inn quickly, but there was no need to rush now that the chase was over.

Thinking to leisurely enjoy the late sights of Luoyang, Namgung Woo noticed a girl about Jegal Seon-a’s height questioning vendors at a stall.

“Excuse me! Have you seen a woman in red robes? About 5 feet 4 inches tall, with her hair tied up like this.”

The girl gestured above her head to indicate the height.

The sight of the pretty girl explaining with gestures was both cute and pitiful, and the vendors seemed to be racking their brains, but it didn’t seem fruitful.

Feeling sorry for the girl, who was anxiously pacing, Namgung Woo approached, thinking, “This is just my nature,” and spoke up.

“Excuse me. Is the woman you’re looking for a martial artist?”

The weather hadn’t fully warmed up yet, and it was still chilly. Wearing robes in such weather suggested either a high tolerance for cold or martial arts training that made such temperatures trivial.

There was also the unlikely possibility of poverty, but given the girl’s appearance, that was highly improbable. Though the fabric seemed plain, it was clearly high-quality.

Namgung Woo had now developed enough discernment to recognize the quality of fabric.

The girl cautiously observed Namgung Woo, who had suddenly approached.

‘What? I didn’t sense him… When did he…?’

The girl, while tense, answered with a hint of hope.

“Yes, she’s quite skilled.”

“What’s her energy like?”

“Huh?”

“Her energy aura. Is it similar to yours?”

“Ah… It’s quite different. More… expansive, I guess… Hmm…”

The girl struggled to find the right words but did her best to explain, even using gestures.

Though her vocabulary wasn’t extensive, her explanation provided enough clues for identification.

“Fortunately, it’s not too far. If you head towards the Martial Alliance, you’ll find a main road…”

Namgung Woo paused mid-explanation, noticing the girl’s awkward expression, and changed his tone.

“Is this your first time in Luoyang?”

“Ah, yes. I came to see the Martial Alliance meeting…”

“Let’s go together. I’ll guide you.”

“But… wouldn’t that be troublesome?”

“It’s on the way to where I’m heading, so don’t worry.”

With that, Namgung Woo started walking in the direction the girl had mentioned.

Unable to use her Protective Divine Technique, the girl had to move her legs quickly to keep up with Namgung Woo’s much longer strides.

“Um, sir, are you a martial artist from the Martial Alliance?”

“No. I’m just similar to them.”

“Ah… So you came to see the meeting too…”

After asking one question, the girl tightly closed her mouth and focused solely on following Namgung Woo.

The shy girl kept her lips sealed, and Namgung Woo, not attaching much meaning to this brief companionship, walked in silence.

Their quiet journey ended when the girl finally found the person she was looking for.

“Miss!”

“Ah! Serim!”

“Really… When did you leave? I’ve been looking for you…”

The girl quickly ran over and hugged the woman. Though the girl had grabbed her, the height difference made it seem like the girl had run into the woman’s embrace.

“But how did you find me? I was about to give up and ask the Martial Alliance for help…”

“Ah, someone helped me… Huh? Where did he go?”

Namgung Woo had left the moment he confirmed the girl had found her person.

The girl quickly looked around, but Namgung Woo had long since disappeared from her sight.

Giving up on finding him, the girl slumped her shoulders, regretting not being able to thank him.

The woman, hugging the girl from behind and cradling her head against her chest, comforted her.

“Let’s talk as we go. If he’s in Luoyang, we’ll meet again. If not, I’ll ask him to find you.”

“Ah, okay.”

While Namgung Woo headed south, the two women walked north, beyond Luoyang’s outskirts.

This time, they held hands tightly, ensuring they wouldn’t lose each other again.

“Luoyang is truly amazing. The nickname ‘Martial Village’ isn’t for nothing.”

“Why? Was the person who helped you that impressive?”

“Yes. He was right behind me, and I didn’t even notice! And when he asked about her energy aura, he just said, ‘Found her,’ and went on his way.”

The girl, even mimicking Namgung Woo’s tone, described their encounter, and the woman smiled warmly.

‘She didn’t want to come, but now she’s more excited than anyone.’

The woman, who had been distracted by the sights and had gotten separated, listened as the girl enthusiastically recounted her meeting with Namgung Woo.

“Wow… That’s possible?”

“Exactly.”

“Could Uncle Yang do that?”

“Probably, right? But he looked really young…”

“Huh?”

“Miss?”

“Ah, nothing. Let’s go. I said I’d be back soon, and they’ll be waiting.”

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