Chapter 128

The sword moved unconsciously, as if driven by an instinct carved into his very blood. Namgung Sol’s body moved faster than his thoughts, driven by a blind hostility far greater than when he first saw Song Chaeji, who claimed to be Namgung Woo’s acquaintance. Using the fastest move of the Swallow Spin Step, “Swallow Soaring Through the Sky,” he closed the distance and unleashed the Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword Technique’s ultimate move, “Dragon Soaring Across the Heavens,” aiming to sever his opponent’s head with a genuine intent to kill.

The steps, like swallows taking flight, blurred his vision. The flight, as if mocking even a dragon, closed the remaining distance in an instant. This was Namgung Sol’s strongest possible strike at the moment. Yet, to his opponent, it was nothing more than the playful antics of a swallow.

The sword energy, infused with internal energy that pushed his limits to the point of causing sharp pain in his meridians, was something even peak masters would struggle to match. Namgung Sol, whose total internal energy ranked among the top of peak masters, unleashed a strike that defied belief for someone who had just reached the peak realm. Yet, it was blocked with a single sword.

“Is this your best?” The calm question only fueled Namgung Sol’s rising anger, especially since it wasn’t mockery but a simple fact-checking query. With their swords locked, Namgung Sol poured strength into his entire body and took a step forward. Despite the blade being inches from his body, he didn’t hesitate, showing boldness. Throwing himself into his opponent’s sword range was foolish, but it didn’t matter. The outcome was already in his opponent’s hands.

“Who are you?” “Haven’t you figured it out? More importantly, are you okay? You might get cut.” “I don’t care.” Dropping formalities, Namgung Sol glared at his opponent’s unseen face. All he could see was the veil covering the bamboo hat, but he vowed never to forget even that image.

“And if you’re who I think you are, you can’t cut me. Right?” “Hmm?” As if proving his point, Namgung Sol took another step forward. Surprisingly, his opponent stepped back. “…I knew it. You came here knowing who I am.” Namgung Sol’s lips curled slightly, confident he was right. His opponent, however, exhaled softly.

“Unexpected.” “What is?” “I didn’t expect you to be this bold. Then again, such boldness is necessary for that.” The sentence was fragmented, but Namgung Sol understood perfectly. If that person knew his identity, the hidden meaning in those words was obvious.

Namgung Sol unleashed a chaotic wave of energy, like a dragon whose reverse scale had been touched. But that was all he could do. “Enough.” With a single word, the energy Namgung Sol had summoned scattered like dandelion seeds in the wind. The referee, using his own energy, disrupted Namgung Sol’s without causing internal injury.

“Excessive killing intent and reckless attacks akin to self-harm. Disqualification due to rule violation. Step down immediately.” The head referee, presiding over the martial duel, declared the end of the match. “…I’m sorry.” Namgung Sol, regaining his senses, acknowledged his mistake. His internal energy, which had been poured into his sword, dissipated back into his dantian. The overexertion caused a tingling pain in his meridians.

Meanwhile, his opponent sheathed his sword with effortless ease, clearly showing who the victor and the loser were. Before declaring the winner, the referee issued a warning to the opponent. “You’re also warned. I didn’t hear exactly what you said, but you intentionally muffled your voice with energy. I also sensed you using Whispering Transmission. Provocation is part of the mental battle, but only under our supervision. If you try to hide your words like that again, you’ll also be disqualified.” “Understood.”

Namgung Sol stopped himself from grabbing his opponent. Not just because of the referee’s gaze, but also because he realized this was a public martial duel arena. The actions she had already shown would invite countless criticisms and suspicions, and he couldn’t afford to add more.

In guilt and self-disappointment, Namgung Sol turned his head to where Namgung Woo was. And he saw him—already at the edge of the arena, unlike the others. Had the referee not intervened, Namgung Woo would have stepped in himself to stop Namgung Sol. To ensure Namgung Sol didn’t get hurt.

Seeing Namgung Woo, who prioritized his safety over the duel’s outcome or his own pride, brought tears to Namgung Sol’s eyes. With weak steps, he approached Namgung Woo. “I’m sorry…” “You know you went too far, right?” “Yes…” Namgung Sol, utterly dejected, couldn’t even meet Namgung Woo’s eyes, staring at the ground instead.

Namgung Woo placed his hand on Namgung Sol’s head and ruffled his hair. “I told you to take care of yourself first. You just had to cause trouble. But it’s good it ended here. A day or two of rest, and you’ll be fine.” Encouraged by Namgung Woo’s unexpectedly bright tone, Namgung Sol mustered the courage to ask, “Aren’t you going to ask?” “Ask what?” “Why I did it…”

Namgung Woo, a peerless master who could communicate through energy or Whispering Transmission, didn’t ask. Instead, he answered. “I know. I know him too.” Namgung Woo glanced up at the figure still standing on the arena. Still the same? No, even more advanced. In just three months, his opponent had taken another step in growth.

From a level where even Namgung Woo couldn’t tell if he was a Supreme Peak Master, he had now unmistakably reached that realm. Even if Paeng Ja-ryeong came, Namgung Woo wasn’t sure who would win. The growth speed of Namgung Sol’s opponent, Dokgo Bin, was nothing short of miraculous.

Namgung Woo looked at Dokgo Bin’s face, meeting the gaze that had been fixed on him since the duel ended. The veil, made of a special material even those with trained eyes couldn’t see through, was no obstacle for Namgung Woo’s Azure Tranquility Eyes. Both had much to say but didn’t. This wasn’t the end. They both sensed a more suitable time would come.

“Let’s go. We’ll talk in detail later.” § After reluctantly sending Princess Jihyang away, Namgung Woo shared what he had noticed with everyone. Given Namgung Woo’s high trustworthiness, no further evidence was needed, but Namgung Sol also added his testimony.

“It’s the same person we saw at Guyajang, right? The Dokgo Family’s lone daughter.” “Guyajang? You’ve met before?” “Yes. She participated in the Four Seasons Brew. She lost to Gagarang for the brewing rights. She was strange, but I didn’t expect her to chase us here…” Paeng Ha-ryeong frowned, recalling Dokgo Bin’s insistence on following Namgung Woo.

Myorin, sensing it wasn’t a pleasant encounter, stayed silent. Geumshin filled the silence. “The Dokgo Family’s lone daughter must be Dokgo Bin.” “Wait, Geumshin, you knew? But you fought her too. Why didn’t you share this crucial information?” “I didn’t know. I only heard rumors. This is the first time I’ve met her. I just found out she’s acquainted with the Great Master.” “Just ignore him. You can’t expect much from his memory.” “What?!”

Yang Jeong, holding down Yang Kwae, who was about to stand up, sighed deeply. Namgung Woo spoke again. “Enough. The important thing isn’t that. First, we need to discuss whether Dokgo Bin’s participation in this martial duel is the Dokgo Family’s decision or her own.” “But Captain, can someone from the Black Path participate in the Martial Alliance’s duels? Isn’t that against the rules?” “It’s not.”

Paeng Ha-ryeong explained. “I think it was mentioned before. The Martial Alliance was originally formed by both the White and Black Paths. Even though the Black Martial Alliance has split off now, both paths participated when the duels first started. Given that the name ‘Martial Alliance’ signifies uniting the entire martial world, there probably isn’t a rule banning Black Path participation.”

Though fairly confident, Paeng Ha-ryeong looked to someone with more definitive knowledge—the Jegal Family, known for their expertise in laws and regulations. But Jegal Seon-a seemed too preoccupied to discuss the Martial Alliance’s rules. And for good reason. The conversation hinted at one clear fact.

Namgung Woo’s abnormally high achievements and sword techniques surpassing even the Jegal Family’s secrets. Namgung Sol, whom Namgung Woo suddenly brought in as a disciple, calling her “Sookmae” while others called her “Miss.” And the unusually hostile and wary atmosphere toward the Dokgo Family, only mentioned today.

Putting it all together, one conclusion emerged: Namgung Woo and Namgung Sol were descendants of the Namgung Family, destroyed by the Dokgo Family, and everyone here was preparing to stand against the Dokgo Family to rebuild the Namgung Family.