Chapter 159

The group rested deeply in Geumju for five long days.

The Jinroe Unit, which had only done the final work of closing the Black Ghost Gate, still had the energy to race to Luoyang to see who could use the fastest movement technique, but the Changcheon Pavilion was completely exhausted from the relentless forced march.

Moving from Luoyang to Daepa Mountain. The search operation at Daepa Mountain. The Ghost Gate Sealing Battle. The fierce battle with the Dokgo Family.

Now reduced to 35 members, the Changcheon Pavilion, as soon as they secured an inn in Geumju, spent three full days just eating, sleeping, and meditating.

And it was around that time that Yi Ho-yeong bid his farewell.

“You’re really leaving.”

“That’s right. The Jegal Family’s request was settled when we left Luoyang, so there’s nothing holding me back.”

Yi Ho-yeong had started moving a day earlier than the others and had already packed all his belongings.

Though he had talked about leaving, when the moment of farewell actually arrived, the feeling of regret was not small.

“I can’t go with you, but I’ll cheer you on.”

“…Please visit anytime. I’ll keep this seat reserved for you, Great Hero.”

“Haha, it might become a permanent vacancy.”

Yi Ho-yeong was a wandering hero.

A traveler who roamed in search of righteousness.

His participation in the Unmong Great War was not because he couldn’t ignore the injustice he saw.

The reason he walked the same path as the Namgung Family, even if briefly, was not just because of his connection with Namgung Ju, but also because it was a form of righteousness for Yi Ho-yeong. Now that the Namgung Family’s reconstruction was on track, their affairs had become their own domain.

The future must be faced with their own strength, not relying on the help of wandering heroes.

Knowing that it would be rude to try to change Yi Ho-yeong’s resolute mind, Namgung Woo instead asked about his destination.

“Do you have a destination in mind?”

“Ah, I was planning to take the Yokgok Road and stop by Jongnam. I had some business there originally, but I kept putting it off.”

“I’ll accompany you as far as Seokyang County.”

Yokgok Road, which crosses the Jinryeong Mountain Range to the north. Namgung Woo was referring to Seokyang County, the entrance to that road.

But Yi Ho-yeong chuckled and instead patted Namgung Woo’s shoulder.

“Don’t bother. It’s not worth leaving your position empty.”

Some members of the Changcheon Pavilion had not fully recovered yet. Yi Ho-yeong’s words were a jab at that.

While Namgung Woo couldn’t respond smoothly, Yi Ho-yeong took his leave.

“If fate brings us together again, let’s meet. I’ll be cheering you on.”

Having already shared a drink with his friend Namgung Ju the previous night, Yi Ho-yeong’s steps were light.

How free is the path of a wandering hero who chases small acts of righteousness rather than great fame that will be remembered in history.

“Safe travels.”

Namgung Woo clasped his fists toward Yi Ho-yeong’s retreating back.

§

Yi Ho-yeong’s departure did not change the course of the Changcheon Pavilion.

Their ultimate goal was the reconstruction of the Namgung Family.

As the next stepping stone in that journey, Namgung Woo set his sights on Dongbang Hwa.

With 35 members of the Changcheon Pavilion and the newly joined Namgung Baek, making a total of 36, it was difficult for everyone to attend, so Namgung Woo gathered only the core members to explain the plan first.

Namgung Woo himself, along with the two who had reserved the positions of host and hostess, Paeng Ha-ryeong and Jegal Seon-a.

Plus the three remaining blood relatives of the Namgung Family.

And the newly organized leaders of the three units of the Changcheon Pavilion: Geumshin, Cheok Mu-hong, and Song Woojeol.

These nine would be the members of the upcoming Changcheon Pavilion leadership meeting.

Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong volunteered for the position of bodyguards, citing their experience, but were quickly dismissed by Geumshin.

By the way, the names of the three units were based on their characteristics: the Royal Guard Unit led by Geumshin, the Brave Martial Unit centered around Cheok Mu-hong, and the Southern Wind Unit composed of Song Woojeol and the former Wind Chasing Unit members.

Here, Yang Kwae also insisted on naming the unit the Fundamental Unit, but it was canceled due to Namgung Woo’s opposition.

Returning to the topic, the attendees’ reactions to Namgung Woo’s proposal to capture Dongbang Hwa as a short-term goal to further clarify Jegal Seon-a’s analysis of the Beonse Sect and the unclear process of the Namgung Family’s destruction were somewhat lukewarm.

The reason was that while they understood, they felt it wasn’t really necessary.

With the immediate enemy being the Dokgo Family and having already engaged in battle, the opinion was strong that they should focus more on that.

However, some agreed with Namgung Woo’s opinion.

“The Beonse Sect might have supported the Dokgo Family. It’s a possibility.”

Namgung Baek was surprisingly the most active supporter.

“The danger of a traitor is great. But it’s strange that they fell so easily just because of one betrayal. I don’t know the details, but Namgung Si-hee, being from a collateral line, would have had limited information.”

“Um… sorry, but my mother actively joined the revival forces and rose to a central position.”

Namgung Sol, still burdened with guilt, spoke in a subdued voice. It was a valid rebuttal, but Namgung Baek immediately dismissed it.

“Even considering that, it’s still strange.”

Namgung Baek began to retrace the flow of events before he left the family to follow the duties of the Small History Elder and protect the family’s lineage.

“The main family’s initial response was a big mistake, which led to the Dokgo Family’s rapid rise. It was like wildfire. The branch families were swept away in an instant.”

“The Namgung Family had also weakened.”

“Correct. The former family head… now the previous family head, after the Sword Emperor disappeared, the family head personally stepped forward and poured all efforts into finding traces of the Sword Emperor.”

To reclaim the Emperor’s Sword Form, the heart of the Namgung Family, they had to squeeze out the remaining strength to rebuild the family, which had been half-destroyed after the Blood Sect’s calamity, while also conducting search operations.

“With weakened forces and dispersion… in that situation, misjudging the Dokgo Family’s level and not gathering the scattered forces to strike at once was the main family’s greatest mistake.”

The blood feud between the Namgung and Dokgo Families.

The Namgung Family, already weakened, decided it was better to face only the Dokgo Family and finish it rather than getting caught up in the Jeongsa Great War.

Geographically, being sandwiched between the Black Martial Alliance’s main unit and the Nine Dragons Association, the Namgung Family felt that if they stood in the middle of the Jeongsa Great War, they might be annihilated this time.

Ultimately, it was a misjudgment, but the Namgung Family had agonized over making a choice that suited the family’s situation.

“After that, to reverse the worsening war situation, they accepted a life-and-death duel between family heads, but even that failed, sealing the main family’s downfall.”

Namgung Woo knew this much.

And he roughly knew what followed. The revival forces, centered around the surviving young family head, were soon annihilated by the Dokgo Family, effectively ending the blood feud.

“The revival forces were likely organized in a cell structure. Even if Namgung Si-hee rose to a central position, she wouldn’t know the entire force. But the revival forces were annihilated in an instant without a chance to act. It’s reasonable to think there were more traitors or that the Dokgo Family had hidden strength.”

“So, what you’re saying, Elder, is that the Dokgo Family might have hidden strength or allies, and we should confirm that first?”

Song Woojeol, fitting for a former deputy leader of the Palroe Unit, summarized Namgung Baek’s point.

“Hmm… hearing it like that, the importance really sinks in.”

“Knowing your enemy and yourself, you can fight a hundred battles without peril. It’s best to properly understand the Dokgo Family’s capabilities.”

Geumshin and Cheok Mu-hong also showed agreement, accepting Namgung Woo’s next goal.

“The problem is whether Dongbang Hwa really knows the Dokgo Family’s strength.”

Jegal Seon-a, who had the largest stake in this goal setting, expressed her concern.

Why Dongbang Hwa? Namgung Woo had his own reasonable basis.

“The Five Tones Demon Emperor was acquainted with the Sword Emperor.”

“They were both among the Ten Hegemons of the Nine Provinces.”

“And Dongbang Hwa colluded with that Five Tones Demon Emperor to establish the Banunbang. He must know something about the Sword Emperor.”

That’s where they start.

“That Sword Emperor also had contact with Pung Hyeon. And Pung Hyeon showed hostility toward the Namgung name. Not just the Sword Emperor, but the entire Namgung Family.”

Then, perhaps they were also somewhat involved in the Namgung Family’s destruction.

It’s still just an uncertain speculation, but by following the Sword Emperor’s traces, they might find out.

The true identity of the one they are facing.

“I understand. Why Dongbang Hwa is the starting point. But I also want to point out one thing.”

“Go ahead.”

“After the Unmong Great War, the Banunbang fell, and Dongbang Hwa hid under Man Gwibi’s protection. Even though the Imperial Family is currently preoccupied with the northeast and can’t focus on the martial world, stirring up trouble with the Imperial Family is a different story. Is there really a way to capture Dongbang Hwa?”

Asking the question, Song Woojeol didn’t really expect a clear answer.

They could think of a way as they went, or come up with a solution on the spot—it wouldn’t be too late. That was the principle formed through years of experience. After all, the Wind Chasing Unit’s missions were mostly like that.

First, go where the feeling leads, and then figure out the direction or solution for the mission—that was the Wind Chasing Unit’s way.

But there was something Song Woojeol, who hadn’t been in Luoyang, didn’t know.

“That’s not something to worry too much about.”

Geumshin said, forcing down a twitching smile.

“Our Great Master has an exceptionally remarkable fiancée.”

As Paeng Ha-ryeong and Jegal Seon-a’s faces twisted in displeasure, Namgung Baek and Song Woojeol’s faces lit up with curiosity instead.

“Family Head, was there more?”

Namgung Baek was more delighted.

“From which noble family’s daughter…?”

Song Woojeol was slightly surprised.

Already on the tip of his tongue, Geumshin continued boldly, unafraid of Namgung Woo’s glare.

“Princess Gasang Jui-hyang. She must be eagerly waiting for the Great Master in Luoyang.”

With a cute Cheongdangon in her arms.