Chapter 153

The Jinryeong Mountain Range, as if all the mountains in the world had gathered in one place.

The densely packed mountains formed ridges, with towering ancient trees and bizarre rocks accumulated over centuries.

But even in such a place, people live.

The terrain of the Jinryeong Mountain Range is extremely rugged, but there are still basins within it. Excluding the central Hanjung area, there are several basins where people have formed villages, and Geumju (Gold Village) was one of them.

Geumju, Hanjung Prefecture, Shaanxi Province.

In the past, it was also called Seonghyun County of Hanjung.

Excluding Hanjung, which was practically a small kingdom, Geumju was one of the largest villages within the Jinryeong Mountain Range.

Since it was located directly north of Daepa Mountain, the group planned to rest properly in Geumju before moving on.

That was the plan, but…

“G-Great Hero…”

“Great Master.”

Jegal Seon-a and Myorin, the walking alarm systems, called out to Namgung Woo simultaneously.

The meaning was obvious.

“They arrived faster than expected.”

Although his physical condition hadn’t fully recovered, and he couldn’t properly use his heightened senses or Azure Tranquility Eyes, Namgung Woo instinctively sensed the danger the two had predicted.

And it seemed he wasn’t the only one.

“Looks like they don’t plan to let us pass peacefully.”

Yi Ho-yeong chimed in as he followed. Deung Jong-yu, who was never one to stay silent, also spoke up.

“Some crazy bandits wouldn’t dare pick a fight with the Martial Alliance… So, it must be them moving already? They’re quick.”

The ominous energy felt at the entrance to the basin where Geumju was located, just after exiting the Jinryeong Mountain Range.

It was clear that the path was intentionally blocked.

“Should we avoid them for now…”

“That’s not an option.”

Song Chaeji, knowing Namgung Woo’s condition wasn’t at its best, suggested retreat, but Namgung Woo cut her off before she could finish.

“Our food and water are limited. We have to break through.”

“And they’ve already noticed us. Even if we retreat now, they’ll chase us.”

Song Woojeol agreed with Namgung Woo.

Faced with back-to-back rebuttals from her friend and uncle, Song Chaeji pouted with a sulky expression.

“We break through.”

Namgung Woo’s words reignited the spirit of Changcheon Pavilion.

The friction with the Dokgo Family. It was expected, and they had been waiting for it.

Though sudden, if they were to flee in fear now, they would have run away the moment they saw the Black Ghost Gate.

Namgung Woo stepped forward, leading the way.

Toward the place where his sworn enemy awaited.

The Yang Brothers hurriedly followed by his side.

“Captain, you’re not in the best condition. Stay in the middle.”

“That’s right. Leave this to us.”

Despite their pleas, Namgung Woo neither shortened his stride nor slowed his pace.

Instead, he explained.

“I can’t stay back before the fight even begins.”

“But…”

“The Great Master is right. As the leader of a group, there’s a position you must hold. Great Master, I’ll assist you.”

“No, Geumshin hyung. Even so, this position belongs to us brothers who’ve been with the Captain since the beginning.”

“What are you talking about? In Changcheon Pavilion, it’s based on strength. Didn’t you say that yourself?”

Using the Myeongryeo Footwork Technique, Myorin pushed Yang Kwae aside and took the spot next to Namgung Woo.

Yang Kwae furrowed his brow, trying to squeeze back in, but Myorin, also wary of him, eventually gave up the spot.

“Then it’s my turn.”

“…Fine, you win.”

As Paeng Ha-ryeong claimed the right side of Namgung Woo, Geumshin hummed thoughtfully and stepped aside.

“Then this spot should belong to Jegal Seon-a.”

“Me? Really?”

Jegal Seon-a quickly took the spot Geumshin had vacated.

Behind Namgung Woo stood his fellow Namgung family members, Namgung Sol and Namgung Ju. With the three Namgung family members at the center, the Changcheon Pavilion members formed a protective formation around them.

The two unrelated groups from the Martial Alliance, the Jinroe Unit and the Wind Chasing Unit, naturally fell to the rear.

At the entrance of the valley, just past the mountain’s foothills, a group of menacing figures awaited them, exuding a sharp, intimidating aura.

From the front, a middle-aged man stepped forward.

“Changcheon Pavilion. And the survivors of the Namgung Family. Correct?”

He didn’t look like a martial artist but more like a rural villager. In fact, the Changcheon Pavilion members initially thought he was just a messenger sent by the Dokgo Family.

If it weren’t for the sword at his waist, they might not have even recognized him as a martial artist.

Even the three Supreme Peak Masters—Yi Ho-yeong, Song Woojeol, and Deung Jong-yu—accepted this as normal. Though they felt something off and heightened their guard, they couldn’t pinpoint what was causing the dissonance between their instincts and reason.

Only Namgung Woo noticed the man’s peculiarity.

‘He’s halfway there.’

Not fully ascended to the Transcendent Peak, but stuck in an awkward state beyond the Supreme Peak. It reminded Namgung Woo of himself when he hadn’t fully unified his essence, energy, and spirit.

The pinnacle of Supreme Peak Masters that Namgung Woo had seen was undoubtedly Han Gyeran. This man was clearly at a higher level than her.

What Namgung Woo guessed was that during the moment of enlightenment, the man had failed to fully grasp it due to some reason, leaving him in an incomplete state.

Those who couldn’t ride the ascending current of enlightenment to a higher realm were left stagnant in the middle.

He was a living reminder of the importance of having protectors during enlightenment.

But regardless of his ambiguous state, the man was strong.

Just as a first-rate martial artist could defeat a Peak Master, and a Peak Master could kill a Supreme Peak Master.

The boundaries of realms weren’t as absolute as they seemed.

Even in his prime, Namgung Woo wouldn’t have been confident of a flawless victory against such an opponent.

“That’s right. I am Namgung Woo, the Great Master of Changcheon Pavilion. Who are you?”

“Who am I?”

The man gripped the hilt of his sword and answered briefly.

“Dokgo Pil.”

Everyone had guessed it, but the confirmation of that name caused the tension between the two groups to clash sharply.

The atmosphere was so tense it felt like they might lunge at each other with blades at any moment.

Only Dokgo Pil and Namgung Woo seemed unaffected by the tension.

“You there, heroes of the Martial Alliance behind you.”

“…We’re listening.”

Since Song Woojeol was still the Deputy Leader, Deung Jong-yu stepped forward to respond.

Dokgo Pil spoke indifferently.

“This is a family matter. Don’t interfere. This is the agreement between the Alliance and the Dokgo Family.”

The blatantly threatening warning made Deung Jong-yu unable to hide his displeasure.

But he had no way to express it.

Because Dokgo Pil’s words were the truth.

Though he wanted to stand with Namgung Woo and fight against that arrogant Dokgo Pil, Deung Jong-yu was ultimately just a blade of the Martial Alliance.

The authority to unilaterally start a major event that could signal the beginning of the Jeongsa Great War lay solely with the Alliance Leader, Gakwon.

“…Deputy Leader.”

“I know. I know. Tsk…”

Worried that Deung Jong-yu might do something reckless again, the Deputy Leader called out to him, and Deung Jong-yu clicked his tongue in irritation.

“…Great Master of Changcheon Pavilion, I’m sorry, but we can’t help.”

“I understand.”

“…I’m sorry.”

With the Martial Alliance stepping back, only Changcheon Pavilion remained.

Fortunately, they still had a card to play.

“Don’t worry. I’ll lend a hand.”

Yi Ho-yeong, the only one not officially part of Changcheon Pavilion, willingly rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight alongside them even if it meant being targeted by the Dokgo Family’s assassination orders.

It was out of friendship for his friend Namgung Ju and loyalty to Namgung Woo, who had granted his request.

“That Dokgo Pil guy… I’ll take him on. The problem is the others.”

With Namgung Woo effectively out of commission, Yi Ho-yeong was their strongest fighter.

It was only natural that he would face Dokgo Pil, the strongest on the opposing side.

But Dokgo Pil wasn’t the only top-tier expert on their side.

“Black Sword Ghost… I wondered where he disappeared to after the Unmong Great War. So he sought refuge with the Dokgo Family.”

“The Black Sword Squad is completely finished.”

Geumshin and Yang Kwae’s words.

Paeng Ha-ryeong also added with a thoughtful tone.

“The other side isn’t easy either. They don’t seem to be from the Dokgo Family…”

This time, it was Sangmyeong, a newly recruited member of Changcheon Pavilion, who answered.

“Ice Soul Sword Lord Geum Cheolmyeong. A famous Supreme Master from Zhejiang. I’ve seen him once.”

“So they didn’t just take in Black Sword Ghost.”

“Maybe he’s not a guest but a retainer.”

“These guys came fully prepared. They’re trying to deceive the Orthodox Martial World by only using outsiders.”

While listening to his excited subordinates, Namgung Woo quickly calculated.

A Peerless Master like Dokgo Pil, and two Supreme Peak Masters.

With Yi Ho-yeong as their only top-tier fighter, Changcheon Pavilion was at a clear disadvantage.

But there was no thought of losing, nor any intention to flee.

“Great Hero Yi.”

“Yeah.”

“Take on that Geum Cheolmyeong guy.”

“…Got it.”

He didn’t ask if it was okay. That would be an insult to a martial artist who had already made up their mind.

Instead, he trusted and followed.

“Geumshin.”

“Yes, Great Master.”

“Take on Black Sword Ghost with Myorin. Avenge the humiliation from last time.”

“Of course.”

“Ah~ always giving me the hard tasks…”

As Geumshin and Myorin accepted Namgung Woo’s orders with a mix of tension and excitement, someone approached his side.

It was Song Woojeol.

“Leave that guy to me.”

“Great Hero Song?”

“The Martial Alliance…”

“Forget about it.”

Song Woojeol said this and stared directly at Dokgo Pil.

“I will withdraw from the Martial Alliance. From now on, I have no ties to the Martial Alliance. Is that acceptable?”

There was no response from Dokgo Pil, but the silence was an awkward affirmation.

After saying this, the members of the Wind Chasing Unit lined up behind Song Woojeol.

This wasn’t just Song Woojeol’s decision.

It was the unanimous decision of the entire Wind Chasing Unit.

“Deputy Leader of the Wind Chasing Unit, Song Woojeol, and his twelve subordinates. As of this moment, we leave the Martial Alliance and pledge allegiance to the Head of the Namgung Family.”