Chapter 13

The atmosphere of the Iga Clan changed drastically.

Just moments ago, the Iga Clan members were carefully inspecting each ronin, treating them as valuable assets.

Most of the ronin were gathered in small groups, either discussing how to fight together or planning strategies with the martial artists of Muan County.

But where did all that enthusiasm go?

The ronin were now busy chattering about the reinforcements coming from the Paeng Family, and the Iga Clan was focused on preparing for a regular VIP reception.

All of this was due to the power of the Hapbuk Paeng Family’s name.

Just their presence alone made people feel a sense of stability and optimism. Although there was still some underlying fear, Namgung Woo could feel that a significant portion of it had been diluted.

‘Is this the weight of a prestigious family’s name?’

How much fame and the actual power to back it up is needed to instill such confidence in people just by existing?

Namgung Woo’s heart raced with anticipation, knowing that this time, he would witness the true potential of the martial world.

“Well, looks like we’ve turned into sacks of rice. Don’t you think, bro?”

Someone approached Namgung Woo and casually struck up a conversation.

Knowing there was no ill intent, Namgung Woo turned to see who it was.

A young man in his mid-20s, similar in age to Pyeong Choyul.

He wore a sword at his waist and had a dagger strapped to his wrist—a typical ronin outfit. He was one of the ronin Namgung Woo had noted as quite skilled when he first arrived at the Iga Clan.

He was at a level similar to Song Chaeji—a top-tier martial artist nearing the peak. But what caught Namgung Woo’s attention even more was…

“Brother, please don’t approach strangers so casually.”

…the fact that he was a twin.

His attire was similar to his brother’s, but unlike his brother, he was left-handed, with his sword strapped on the opposite side.

“My apologies, young hero. I hope we didn’t disturb your thoughts. Our brother tends to be a bit too casual. Please forgive us.”

Unlike the brother, who was a perfect example of a ronin, the younger twin was quite polite.

His demeanor was so refined that he seemed more like a young master from a noble family than a ronin.

“Not at all. I was feeling a bit lonely by myself. I’m Nam Woo. I don’t have a nickname yet, but I’m currently with the Yopyeong Escort Agency.”

“Oh, Yopyeong Escort Agency? That’s quite a reputable place in Shanxi. You’re working at a good place.”

“Brother, your tone…”

The younger brother scolded him again, but the older brother remained unfazed.

“What’s the big deal? We’re all wanderers here. Escorts, ronin—it’s all the same, right?”

Namgung Woo nodded with a smile, and the older brother smugly tilted his chin at his younger sibling. The younger brother clicked his tongue in disbelief, but the older brother continued speaking to Namgung Woo.

“I’m Yang Kwae, the Fast Falling Blade. As you can see, I’m this guy’s twin brother.”

Yang Kwae glanced at his younger brother, who then took over.

“I’m Yang Jeong. People call me the Flying Blade Gentleman.”

Yang Kwae, the Fast Falling Blade, and Yang Jeong, the Flying Blade Gentleman.

The two were somewhat well-known among the ronin. Their nicknames, which reflected their martial arts specialties rather than their origins or regions, indicated that they were recognized for their skills.

Both Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong were considered top-tier martial artists, almost at the peak level.

Moreover, being twins, their personalities were opposites, but their coordination in combat was impeccable. Together, they could even take on a Peak Master without a scratch.

While Peak Masters were considered elite forces in major sects, in the ronin world, reaching the peak level was already a rare feat. The Yang Brothers, who had a record of defeating a Peak Master, were respected figures in this world.

Yang Kwae’s approach to Namgung Woo was purely out of goodwill.

‘He seems weak.’

From Yang Kwae’s perspective, Namgung Woo seemed to have some martial arts training based on his posture, but his energy was too faint.

A third-rate martial artist who had just begun accumulating internal energy.

A second-rate martial artist who could move that energy within their body.

Namgung Woo’s level, as judged by Yang Kwae, was somewhere between the two.

‘If he joins the Ghost Gate Sealing Battle without knowing better, he’ll likely die a gruesome death.’

They had been through that phase too—reckless youths in their twenties, diving headfirst into the martial world.

It was surprising that he was with the Yopyeong Escort Agency. It didn’t seem like a lie.

But since Namgung Woo didn’t specify his exact position, Yang Kwae wondered if he was more of a porter than an escort.

Calling himself an escort was probably just to save face.

Yang Jeong, knowing his brother’s soft-hearted nature, had long realized that his brother’s approach was out of a desire to protect Namgung Woo. So, when the conversation had warmed up enough, Yang Jeong asked on behalf of his brother.

“So, how about sticking with us during the Ghost Gate Sealing Battle?”

The protection of the Yang Twins, who were considered almost at the peak level? That was quite a generous offer.

Of course, that was only if Namgung Woo was as weak as they thought—somewhere between third and second rate.

What the Yang Brothers felt was merely the faint energy Namgung Woo intentionally released.

If he completely concealed his energy, like he did with Song Chaeji, he would appear as an ordinary person with no martial arts training. But since he couldn’t fully control his energy yet, he kept it at a minimal level.

If the Yang Brothers had known this, they would have been embarrassed by their presumptuousness, but their ignorance kept the misunderstanding intact.

Namgung Woo, unaware that they had approached him out of pity, instead speculated about their reasons based on his own knowledge.

‘Did they sense my Thunder Qi? I didn’t reveal it in my energy, but they must have good intuition.’

Namgung Woo’s eyes pierced through the pure Thunder Qi stored in the Yang Brothers’ lower dantians.

For ronins wandering the world without a proper master, their internal energy was purer than even Hwang Moo-tak’s. Though he couldn’t tell what martial arts they practiced, it was surely a正统 (orthodox) style.

‘Either they had a fortuitous encounter, or they came from a good background before becoming ronins. One of the two.’

Considering they were only in their mid-20s, their talent wasn’t bad either.

Given that Song Chaeji, who reached a similar level by her twenties, was considered a prodigy, the Yang Brothers were at least above average. In terms of pure internal energy, they even surpassed Song Chaeji, who had trained at the renowned Mount Heng.

‘With just one opportunity, they could break through to the peak.’

The balance of essence, energy, and spirit is the path to ascension.

Their essence and energy were already prepared to reach the peak. All that was left was for their spirit to catch up and awaken to a broader understanding of martial arts.

‘Did they become ronins to seek that enlightenment?’

No matter how good a master is, they can’t force enlightenment onto a disciple. It must be realized on one’s own. A master can only lay the foundation and provide clues.

‘Should I observe them a bit more?’

Namgung Woo made his decision.

“I’m fine with that.”

“Great! Then let’s go with ‘little brother’ for now. I’m the older one, after all.”

“Brother, isn’t that too casual? What do you think, young hero?”

“Haha, I don’t mind. Then I’ll call you Brother Kwae. Ah, but that might get confusing. If you don’t have courtesy names, I’ll just call you by your names.”

“Martial artists don’t use courtesy names. We have nicknames. Just call me Brother Kwae.”

“I’ll stick with ‘young hero.'”

“Alright, Brother Jeong.”

As Namgung Woo chatted with the Yang Brothers, he suddenly turned his head, sensing a heavy energy approaching the Iga Clan.

Beyond the main gate.

A group of people, their auras naturally pressing down on the surroundings, was approaching.

“Young hero?”

“They’re here.”

“Ah… The Paeng Family has arrived.”

The three of them, along with everyone else, turned their attention to the gate.

Unbeknownst to them, Namgung Woo had sensed their presence before anyone else, and they were now focused on the group crossing the threshold.

Five men and women.

Namgung Woo quietly marveled.

All of them were Peak Masters. And one of them was even stronger than Hwang Moo-tak, who was already among the top-tier Peak Masters.

But what surprised Namgung Woo the most was someone else.

A woman walking at the forefront of the Paeng Family’s reinforcements.

Namgung Woo knew who she was.

“Hanbok?”

He was referring to the clothes she was wearing.