Chapter 140

Southern Directly Administered Region, Hapbi.

The place where Zhang Liao achieved an immortal victory and built an everlasting reputation against Sun Quan now had a new absolute ruler.

The Dokgo Family.

The Sword Demon of the Evil Path, Dokgo Wol.

However, before he appeared, the family ruling Hapbi was different.

The name that resurfaced once again caused a shockwave within the Dokgo Family.

“So, it has come to this.”

Dokgo Wol muttered bitterly upon hearing the report.

He had hoped that name would never resurface.

Contrary to public perception, Dokgo Wol himself was not one who enjoyed killing.

“Family Head, what shall we do? The young lady has sent a message to return…”

“Enough. The Martial Solitary Journey has been our family tradition since we moved our base to the martial world. Once she comes of age, she should be able to take care of herself.”

There’s a saying from the Western Regions that lions throw their cubs off cliffs to raise them strong, only nurturing the ones that survive.

From Dokgo Wol’s perspective, having seen actual lions, it’s nonsense, but as a metaphor, it holds some truth.

To grow stronger, one needs trials.

All trials that don’t lead to death ultimately make a person stronger. Like iron forged by a hammer, humans are tempered through trials and hardships.

That is the fastest path to achieving martial prowess. Physically and mentally. The achievements of those who cultivate alone in the mountains can never surpass the determination built by rolling through the mud of the secular world.

The Dokgo Family was such a family. Dokgo Wol also rose to his position after countless adversities. If Dokgo Bin is to succeed him as the family head, she too must undergo such trials.

Otherwise, she will be overshadowed by other blood relatives who throw themselves into the storm.

“One thing is certain, we cannot ignore those who claim the Namgung name.”

The chilling voice of Dokgo Wol carried a firm resolve.

Not enjoying killing doesn’t mean he avoids it.

If necessary, he will kill.

“Family Head, I’ve heard that the opponent is undoubtedly a Peerless Master. If you personally intervene, the White Path Martial World won’t sit idly by.”

The Sword Family Blood Feud between the Namgung and Dokgo Families.

The orthodox martial world didn’t interfere because Dan Un-ak stepped forward and declared it a feud between the two families, with no external support. The fact that the battlefield was limited to the Southern Directly Administered Region also played a role.

The orthodox martial world would never sit back and watch a famous Peerless Master like Dokgo Wol enter their territories in Henan or Shaanxi.

Even if they don’t attack, they would monitor his every move in real-time and disrupt him.

“Changcheon Daeju has used his head well.”

Dokgo Wol saw through the calculations of Namgung Woo and Jegal Seon-a hidden behind this situation.

In the Dokgo Family, aside from him, there’s no one who can match Namgung Woo, and their external forces are limited. If the family head moves, it’s too significant and would draw the attention of the entire White Path Martial World.

Peerless Masters like Namgung Woo and Dokgo Wol are like stars on earth. Their immense presence creates a gravity that distorts the world and draws people in, whether they are enemies or allies.

“Even so, they can’t directly interfere with our family’s affairs.”

The pursuit order, an extension of the Sword Family Blood Feud, is based on an agreement between the Martial Alliance and the Black Martial Alliance.

Without the resolve to endure a Second Jeongsa Great War, all they can do is irritate us.

“Is Chahwi the only one left?”

“As for the remaining sword masters in the family, yes.”

“Chahwi.”

Dokgo Chahwi. One of the three Supreme Peak Masters, the Three Sword Heroes of the Dokgo Family.

In the Southern Directly Administered Region, she ranks among the top ten masters, and even in the entire world, she would be counted among the top hundred. But compared to Namgung Woo, even her brilliant reputation pales.

‘Chahwi alone is not enough.’

At least two.

Two of the Three Sword Heroes must step forward.

“Send a return order to Baekjin, who went to Jeun Mountain.”

“As you command.”

The subordinate who received Dokgo Wol’s order moved without question, bowing deeply.

Advice can be given, but issuing orders is solely the family head’s authority. Once an order is given, it must be carried out without question.

It was a strictness akin to military law.

However, no matter how strict the family rules, there’s always someone who slightly deviates.

“Family Head.”

The martial artist who had just stepped out to carry out Dokgo Wol’s order was momentarily confused as to why he was back inside the room.

Realizing it was due to the profound principles of martial arts, he immediately bowed his head.

“Hmph. The Life and Death Unit members are quite sharp.”

The old man who suddenly appeared was the one who slightly deviated from the family rules.

Not just the rules. His martial arts seemed to defy the natural order of the world.

His Above and Below Poison Step had twisted the flow of the Life and Death Unit member’s movement, turning his direction.

Even after witnessing such a miraculous technique, Dokgo Wol’s reaction was utterly indifferent.

Dokgo Wol himself could do it, and he had seen the old man play such tricks several times before.

“Elder, did you achieve anything this time?”

“You’ve already seen it, why ask?”

The tone was respectful but somehow felt light, almost dismissive.

Normally, even elders would use respectful language to the family head, the absolute authority of the Dokgo Family, but this old man was an exception.

“By the way, I heard outside that the Namgung brat has appeared again. Is it true?”

“Yes.”

“A Peerless Master… So, the Namgung Family still has such potential.”

The old man showed great interest.

His fingers twitched. He seemed eager to draw his sword, tapping the hilt.

“I’ll go.”

Forgetting even respectful language, the old man began to exude a competitive aura.

Dokgo Wol silently watched him, and the old man asked, sounding incredulous.

“Why? Do you think I’ll lose?”

“I didn’t think so.”

“Hmph, you thought a little, didn’t you?”

The old man wasn’t too displeased.

He knew it was Dokgo Wol’s way of showing concern, caring for him.

But if he were to yield to such worries, he wouldn’t have brought it up in the first place.

A Peerless Master? He knows they’re strong. But not unbeatable.

And resting under a peaceful shade is something that can’t happen even in old age.

Especially for those born with the Dokgo surname.

“I’ve recently grasped a clue. Facing the Namgung’s Peerless Master might help me fully grasp it.”

“…I’ll assign a guide. We’ve taken in a useful guest.”

The Grand Elder of the Dokgo Family.

It’s been over 20 years since he last appeared in the martial world, and even that was brief due to certain circumstances.

Ten years can change the landscape, and it’s been more than enough time for the landscape to change twice.

The world has forgotten him. So even if he reappears, few will recognize him.

If he travels with non-family members, even the orthodox martial world won’t realize he’s from the Dokgo Family.

But if he returns after defeating Namgung Woo, the rebuilder of the Namgung Family and a known Peerless Master…

The world will remember him once again.

The secret sword of the Dokgo Family.

The Mad Sword Sect’s Dokgo Pil.

§

Among the mountain ranges that form the Sichuan Basin, there’s a range in the northeast that serves as a natural boundary between Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Hubei.

The Daepa Mountain Range. Somewhere in this vast range, considered the southeastern branch of the immense Jinryeong Mountain Range, they were present.

“Danju, I have something to report.”

A man with a stubbly beard, looking to be in his late twenties, approached a slightly older man.

At the man’s call, the one called Danju raised his hand to stop him.

“Wait. I’m sensing the flow of the wind.”

“…The wind hasn’t blown for days. More importantly, we’ve run out of food. Even the last reserves of wall grain are gone.”

At this, the man called Danju, Byeok-un, leader of the Wind Chasing Unit, exhaled deeply and stood up.

“How are the members?”

“Not good. The energy here is stagnant, like the wind has stopped. And the anxiety is overwhelming.”

“Today marks the tenth day.”

Ten days.

Not a long time, but enough for the human mind to be consumed by anxiety when isolated.

The reason they’ve held on so far is due to their martial training and their bond and trust in Danju Byeok-un.

But even that is starting to crumble.

Byeok-un, who could sense the wind and always find the optimal path.

From the moment his Wind Evasion Technique failed, this outcome might have been inevitable.

“Perhaps we should try to break through the demons the way we came.”

“That’s impossible.”

Byeok-un cut him off.

“Half of us are already gone. The remaining half… in our current state, it’s hopeless. This space is undoubtedly a formation. Even in a formation, the wind blows. It can stop for a while, but not forever. Beyond that is the realm of sorcery.”

“If it were sorcery, Seo-a would have known.”

“Right. Let’s hold on a little longer. I’ll definitely find a way.”

“…Understood, Danju. But how much longer can we last?”

“It’s fine. The alliance must have noticed something’s wrong. Reinforcements will come soon.”

Though whether they’ll find this place is another matter—he didn’t voice that thought.

Everyone already knows, and saying it would only deepen despair.

‘Those who were outside were ordered to return to the alliance on the first day. I don’t know if they made it, but if they did, they should have arrived by now. If they arrived earlier, even better, but we must prepare for the worst. It’s the alliance meeting period, so at least two units should come. If we hold on a little longer…’

The problem is the demons outside the formation.

Their existence is valuable evidence that the Beonse Sect can artificially open the Ghost Gate, but now they’re just threats to the Wind Chasing Unit’s survival.

‘This formation isn’t to protect us. It’s a prison. We’re being hunted. Once our usefulness ends… those demons will come charging like madmen.’

That moment will likely coincide with the arrival of the Martial Alliance’s reinforcements.

Hiding that thought, Byeok-un spoke calmly.

“I’m counting on you, Woojeol.”

At Byeok-un’s words, Song Woojeol bowed and turned away.

They didn’t know.

That there were those who had started moving much faster than they thought.

And that they were already here.

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