Chapter 137

As the martial duel competition was nearing its end, the Martial Alliance Assembly was also approaching its conclusion.

Originally, the schedule of the Martial Alliance Assembly was set in conjunction with the martial duel competition, and since most of the important agendas had been sorted out, it was just a matter of wrapping things up properly.

The fact that one major agenda had been passed meant that the huge task had been handed over to the practitioners.

The Sangpyeon Hall, which could be considered the executive branch for implementing the agendas decided at the assembly, was buried in paperwork day and night.

To the extent that Woo Myeon, the head of Sangpyeon Hall, who had not practiced martial arts as a former bureaucrat, was now contemplating whether he should finally learn proper martial arts.

So, from Woo Myeon’s perspective, it was quite irritating to see Gakwon, who had come to get approval, casually enjoying tea.

“Here are the matters that require the approval of the Alliance Leader.”

“Ah, is that so? Let me see.”

Gakwon put down his teacup and picked up the stack of documents Woo Myeon had brought. They were fresh documents that hadn’t even been rolled into scrolls yet.

Though the work could be tedious, Gakwon maintained a smile throughout. Not because the tea was good or because the work was enjoyable.

Woo Myeon, knowing the reason behind that smile, couldn’t help but ask.

“Are you that happy?”

“Hoho, what are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb. I understand you’re happy to see hope for the reconstruction of your friend’s family. I’ve also grown fond of Sol, and it would be good if Sol had some relatives left.”

“Hmm, but your expression says otherwise?”

“Why did you hide it?”

“…Hide what?”

“The fact that the Great Master of Changcheon Pavilion is a descendant of the Namgung Family.”

“I didn’t know either.”

“Alliance Leader.”

Woo Myeon’s words carried a sense of disappointment rather than anger.

Gakwon put down the documents for a moment and spoke seriously.

“I had a hunch, but I wasn’t sure. If I had known, why would I have hidden it from you? When I found out about Sol, I was the first to discuss it with you, Gyeongcheom.”

“…That’s true. My apologies.”

“Enough. No need to say more.”

As Gakwon waved his hand dismissively, Woo Myeon relaxed his stiff expression and sat down belatedly.

“But, Alliance Leader.”

“Hmm? Is there something else you’re curious about?”

If Gakwon had used his Upper Dantian’s Three Divine Powers, he could have read Woo Myeon’s doubts, but he chose not to. At least, as a person, Gakwon didn’t prefer reading thoughts through divine powers.

And even without using the Three Divine Powers, Woo Myeon was the type to ask directly about his thoughts.

“Could… the Great Master of Changcheon Pavilion be that child?”

“…Woo Myeon.”

Gakwon called him by his name instead of his title.

Woo Myeon nodded. It meant he was okay with Gakwon using Mind-Reading Power.

But Gakwon dispersed the heavy atmosphere with an empty smile.

“Enough. There’s no need for that. You know as well as I do that all I know about him is the existence of that child.”

“Still no contact, huh?”

“He must be disappointed in me.”

“Alliance Leader….”

Woo Myeon looked at Gakwon with pitying eyes.

The martial monk Gakwon of Shaolin Temple. The young master of the Namgung Family, Namgung Hyu.

Between the friendship of these two, there was one more person.

Though their backgrounds, affiliations, and ages were all different, they were closer than anyone else.

The end of that friendship was tragic.

One died fighting for his family, one was bound to his sect and had to watch that death, and the last one disappeared after his friend’s death.

Carrying the hope left by his friend.

“Well, that’s it. The assembly can wrap up with this. Now I’ll have some time. I’ll go get some fresh air.”

“Are you going to meet the Great Master of Changcheon Pavilion?”

“Since we’re on the topic.”

“Then you should go to the Paeng Family’s Villa instead of Changmu Inn. I heard they moved because too many people were gathering.”

“Is that so?”

“And… you know, right?”

The pitiful look from earlier was gone, and Woo Myeon had returned to being a dry work machine.

“I’ll go secretly.”

“If you see Sol, please send my regards. And congratulate him on making it to the finals.”

“Alright. I’ll tell him to visit Sangpyeon Hall at least once.”

“No need to go that far… With the Namgung name revealed, he’ll be busy enough.”

Still, Woo Myeon slightly raised the corner of his mouth.

But Gakwon never made it to the Paeng Family’s Villa.

As the two chatted and descended to the fourth floor of the Central Heaven Pavilion.

Someone rushed in with shocking news.

“Head of Sangpyeon Hall! Ah, the Alliance Leader is here too!”

“What’s the matter?”

Woo Myeon instinctively sensed that something was wrong.

And before that, Gakwon opened his Mind-Reading Power.

“This is… Gyeongcheom, convene the assembly again. I’ve read everything, so you go and rest.”

Realizing that Gakwon had used Mind-Reading Power, Woo Myeon nodded. Just before taking action, Woo Myeon asked Gakwon.

“What about you, Alliance Leader?”

“I need to meet the survivor who returned from the Wind Chasing Unit. Sending my regards to Sol will have to wait.”

“From the Wind Chasing Unit…! I’ll move as quickly as possible.”

“I leave it to you.”

The Wind Chasing Unit, which had discovered the existence of the Beonse Sect while tracking Yi Ja-ryong’s traces.

After delivering their scripture, the Beonsegyeong, contact with them had been cut off. Finally, a survivor had returned.

Perhaps, this could have an impact even greater than the martial duel competition, which was called the best in history.

‘Beonse Sect… After failing to drive a wedge between the main alliance and the Yi Royal Residence, are they making their next move?’

It was a cold judgment, but Gakwon believed the Wind Chasing Unit had been annihilated. Referring to the returnee from the Wind Chasing Unit as a survivor rather than a messenger or returnee was a reflection of that thought.

As a monk, it might be disqualifying, but Gakwon was now the Alliance Leader. As the leader of the Martial Alliance, he had the duty to view the situation more coldly and clearly than anyone else.

It had been quite some time since the regular contact, which should have come daily, had been cut off.

The moment contact was lost was precisely when Namgung Woo captured Seomun Pyo, thwarting the plot to divide the Yi Royal Residence and the Martial Alliance.

As soon as contact was lost, Gakwon dispatched the Taetaek Unit, but there had been no significant news yet.

Gakwon believed the time to expect the safe return of the Wind Chasing Unit had passed, but a survivor had returned.

With news that could either be the foundation of hope or the beginning of disaster.

§

The largest room in the Paeng Family’s Villa was packed with people. For the first time, the room, which always had extra space, was showing its limits.

People from the Paeng Family, Changcheon Pavilion, and even the Jegal Family.

With people gathering from three places, the large room was filled with their presence.

From the middle of the Jegal Family’s side, sitting on the left, Jegal Hyul’s straightforward affirmation came out.

“Good. I’ll help.”

But Jegal Hyul’s words had more to them.

“However, I’m not sure how much help it will be. Although there are members of the Star Net Group in Henan, the martial artists gathered in Luoyang now are from all over the world, not just Henan.”

“Haha, that’s enough. To fill that gap~ that’s why Moyong Gyeongdo is here, right? Isn’t that so, Ja-ryeong?”

“Can you not…?”

“What? Why? I’m calling Ja-ryeong by his name.”

“Sigh… Do you have no intention of maintaining decorum?”

“Stop with the deep voice. Just act normal. It’s not an official occasion.”

Listening to the conversation between Paeng Ja-ryeong and Moyong Gyeongdo, Namgung Woo smiled awkwardly.

Paeng Ja-ryeong, who loses his usual composure under the influence of others’ moods. It was a first for Namgung Woo.

“By the way, I didn’t expect to see someone from the Namgung Family here. Does this make us relatives?”

“Gyeongdo. Why would you become a relative of my benefactor?”

“Why? If I marry Ha-ryeong, then from my perspective, he becomes the husband of my cousin, so we’d be relatives.”

“…Benefactor, just ignore this guy. Same goes for the Star Net Group Leader.”

Paeng Ja-ryeong, Jegal Hyul, Moyong Gyeongdo.

The fact that these renowned figures, whose mere names made people gasp, had gathered in one place was solely to support Namgung Woo in expanding the influence of Changcheon Pavilion.

While it was good to recruit more members to increase the size of Changcheon Pavilion, accepting anyone without discretion would only turn it into a ragtag army.

To recruit proper talents, it was crucial to first understand what kind of person they were.

Honestly, Namgung Woo wasn’t sure if he needed the help of the three families, but Paeng Ja-ryeong acted as if it were his own business and brought Jegal Hyul and Moyong Gyeongdo to offer their cooperation, even without Namgung Woo’s request.

‘Is this really necessary? I can assess their skills with Azure Tranquility Eyes, and Seon-ah can evaluate their character with Resonance Power.’

But since his younger sister or a precious direct descendant of the family (a nephew cherished by the family head) was involved, Namgung Woo accepted the assistance of the three families.

“Ahem! Now, let me first present the preliminary list of recommended candidates I’ve selected!”

Yang Kwae stepped forward boldly, despite feeling immense pressure in the presence of three of the Seven Great Families.

Myorin, who couldn’t even think of lighting cannabis, let alone taking out bamboo, muttered in slight surprise.

“Huh~? Did you really do some research?”

“Tsk. Small talk. Trouble.”

“What! I was complimenting you for once…!”

As Myorin grumbled and chewed out Yang Kwae in her mouth, Yang Kwae straightened his posture with a serious attitude.

Beside him, his assistant Yang Jeong unfolded the prepared papers.

“Then let’s begin…!”

Thud!

Yang Kwae abruptly cut off his speech at the sound and turned his head sharply, but seeing the Paeng Family uniform worn by the person entering, he suppressed his rising impatience and barely kept his lips from parting.

“Sorry. It must be urgent.”

“No, Young Master. Please proceed with the matter first.”

“Excuse me for a moment. What’s the matter?”

Paeng Ja-ryeong’s words were low but stern.

It was a quiet warning that he wouldn’t let it slide if the interruption was for something trivial.

The Paeng Family martial artist opened his mouth with an awkward expression.

“Well… right now, outside, the Great Master of Changcheon Pavilion and…”

“Hey!! Really!! I’m really close with Namgung, you know─!!!”