Chapter 160

It had been about ten days since they stayed in Geumju.

They had finished preparing to step back into the world.

Most of their injuries had healed to the point where they could be considered minor, and the Moyong Family’s gold veins, which extended all the way to Geumju, had provided them with ample supplies.

And most importantly—

Namgung Woo’s body had finally fully recovered.

Confirming that his newly reconstructed organs were functioning perfectly, just as he had glimpsed through Azure Tranquility Eyes, Namgung Woo proceeded to completely empty the inn’s food storage that day.

Namgung Woo, who had been teetering on the edge between life and death, hadn’t been able to eat anything during that time. He could barely manage to drink water. For someone who indulged in gourmet food as much as martial arts, the suffering must have been immense.

Even Paeng Ha-ryeong had to stop him from his binge eating, and only then did he regain his senses.

In truth, their rest had been solely for Namgung Woo’s recovery, so as soon as he regained his strength, they left Geumju.

With their stamina replenished, their movement techniques were as light as ever.

They reached Shiyan County in just three days and then split into two groups again.

“Then I’ll see you in Luoyang.”

The original purpose of the Jinroe Unit was to escort and protect the Wind Chasing Unit, which had gone on a mission.

However, since the Wind Chasing Unit had left the Martial Alliance and joined Changcheon Pavilion, their objective was essentially accomplished. Though the method had been rather bizarre.

That didn’t mean the Jinroe Unit had nothing left to do. If that were the case, they would have left Geumju much earlier.

While fulfilling their moral duty to protect the Wind Chasing Unit, they also received information from Namgung Woo. Namgung Woo shared almost everything with them, except for matters related to the Namgung Family.

Although Changcheon Pavilion had assisted the Wind Chasing Unit first and intervened in the Martial Alliance’s affairs, the Jinroe Unit also provided the best support they could to Changcheon Pavilion. Information was the price for that.

After hearing Jegal Seon-a’s hypothesis about the identity of the Beonse Sect, Deung Jong-yu decided to return to the Martial Alliance as quickly as possible to relay this information and parted ways with Changcheon Pavilion.

So, was Namgung Woo not going to Luoyang? That wasn’t the case. They were also heading to Luoyang, but they had a stop to make along the way.

“If you go to Wudang, please convey my regards to the sect leader.”

“Are you acquainted?”

Namgung Woo asked with a hint of admiration, as if someone of Deung Jong-yu’s status could consider the leaders of the Nine Sects as mere acquaintances.

Deung Jong-yu confidently replied,

“Not really.”

“…Then?”

“I’ve just always wanted to meet him, so I thought I’d at least pass on my name this time.”

Namgung Woo once again pondered Deung Jong-yu’s nickname.

Thunder Dragon Hero. He truly lived up to the name.

“Anyway, I’ll be on my way now. Don’t keep them waiting too long. The Wind Chasing Unit issue won’t be easily resolved.”

Losing an entire unit like the Wind Chasing Unit must have been a significant blow to the Martial Alliance. At least it wasn’t a total wipeout, so they could take some solace in that.

The Jinroe Unit and Deung Jong-yu headed north to use the waterways of the Dan River, while Changcheon Pavilion and Namgung Woo entered Shiyan County.

Wudang Mountain, the stronghold of the Wudang Sect, was located between Shiyan County and Fang County. According to feng shui, it was a place of great natural harmony.

The northern Shiyan County, where the Dan River flowed, was the front yard of the Wudang Sect, while Fang County, leading into the Jinryeong Mountain Range, was the backyard.

However, even in Shiyan County, it was about 60 li (24 km) to Wudang Mountain, so they planned to spend a day in Shiyan County before ascending the mountain.

As the front yard of the Wudang Sect, Shiyan County exuded a subtle Wudang atmosphere as Namgung Woo and Changcheon Pavilion wandered around.

The architectural style of Shiyan County wasn’t much different from other towns. However, the scent of incense from the Taoist temples wafted through the streets, and the black-and-white taiji symbols and pine tree patterns found here and there clearly revealed the presence of the Wudang Sect.

Above all, the attitude and gaze of the common folk in Shiyan County toward them were different.

Usually, commoners feel fear toward martial artists. Those who live in their own world, unafraid of the authorities.

The protection of the authorities is limited, and the fists before their eyes are close. While some martial artists might choose to fatten the goose that lays golden eggs, most wandering martial artists don’t care about the future or the plight of others.

Outsiders are already objects of suspicion, and those who have mastered martial arts are naturally objects of fear.

But the people of Shiyan County looked at Changcheon Pavilion with curiosity rather than fear.

They trusted the Wudang Sect to protect them. The belief that no matter what martial artists came to cause trouble, the Wudang Sect would handle it. This confidence was evident in the demeanor of the people of Shiyan County.

Although Changcheon Pavilion’s strength was such that they could contend with the Wudang Sect’s main force, the commoners, unaware of such details, saw them as just another group of external martial artists.

“Truly the North Star of the martial world. The Southern Wudang lives up to its name.”

It was similar yet different from Luoyang. While Luoyang was filled with vitality and passion, Shiyan County exuded a sense of peace.

“Our main family was once like this too…”

A faint mist appeared in Namgung Baek’s eyes.

Hefei, the major city of the Southern Directly Administered Region and later the capital of Anhui Province, was once like this. Incomparable in size to Shiyan County, Hefei enjoyed excellent public order and prosperity rivaling Nanjing, all without the need for government intervention.

This was the standing of the Namgung Family, and soon, it became their pride.

“Commander, let’s secure lodging first, shall we? No, I mean, I’ll secure it.”

“Just speak comfortably.”

“Ahem, how could I? This is, well, the discipline of Changcheon Pavilion…”

Yang Kwae’s attempt to act formal was met with Myorin’s blunt remark, “Stop putting on airs.”

Now that Changcheon Pavilion had grown considerably and was seen as equivalent to the Namgung Family, Yang Kwae had started to mind his words and actions.

But habits are hard to break. His bandit-like speech kept slipping out, and with a helpless shake of his head, he was pushed aside by his younger brother’s hand.

“Commander, I’ll go find lodging. The village isn’t very large, so we’ll likely need to split into two places.”

“No need. See that large building to the northwest? It’s an inn. There aren’t many auras there. They should have rooms available.”

Namgung Woo himself was surprised by how quickly the words came out.

Even without Azure Tranquility Eyes, he could instantly sense and analyze the surroundings? That level of perception was previously impossible.

His newly reconstructed organs and dual dantians.

The Heavenly Boundary Power had elevated his physical senses to a whole new level, a fact he realized belatedly.

“Ah… yes. Then, let’s do that…”

Even Yang Jeong, who had been by Namgung Woo’s side the longest, couldn’t hide his astonishment and walked away as if possessed.

“Captain, what do you think?”

“About what?”

“The Commander’s words just now. Are all Peerless Masters like that?”

“How would I know…”

Cheok Mu-hong answered Seok Ha-hee’s question in a dazed voice.

It wasn’t just the Yeongmu Unit. The Namfung Unit beside them reacted similarly.

“Can the Unit Leader become like that too?”

“If he uses the Wind Evasion Technique, maybe.”

“But the Commander answered instantly just now.”

“Then it might be too much.”

Even Song Woojeol, who had entered the Transcendent Peak, felt that the level of perception was far beyond reach.

With similar reactions, the three units of Changcheon Pavilion shared similar thoughts.

‘With this person, it’s possible,’ ‘The reconstruction of the Namgung Family isn’t just a dream.’

“Euncheon.”

“Ah, yes, Vice Captain.”

“Captain, you’re an idiot.”

“Ah… I’m sorry, Senior Hwaseo.”

The former youngest of the Wind Chasing Unit, now the youngest of Changcheon Pavilion, Maeng Euncheon, still showed a somewhat naive demeanor and awkwardly smiled.

Song Woojeol spoke.

“You go with them.”

“Ah, yes!”

Maeng Euncheon quickly ran off. Seeing this, Cheok Mu-hong also turned his head, as if not to be outdone. He wanted to send someone from his unit too…

‘But there’s no one to send.’

Although the Yeongmu Unit was named as such, it was only out of respect for Cheok Mu-hong as the captain, not because they had been part of the Yeongmu Unit in the past.

Unlike the Namfung Unit, which had simply transferred from the Wind Chasing Unit with its internal discipline intact, the Yeongmu Unit was different.

If the captain gave an order, they would go, but there was no one in the Yeongmu Unit to send as the youngest.

‘Should I send Hyeon Dun?’

Eventually, his gaze fell on a subordinate who had been with him since the Yeongmu Unit days.

Though it was bothersome, Hyeon Dun, out of respect for his long-time superior, was about to accept the gaze when a voice from behind interrupted their exchange.

“Captain, I’ll go. When it comes to movement techniques, it’s me.”

It was Go Yeongchu Myeongbo, So Un-pyeong.

He volunteered to save Cheok Mu-hong’s face.

“…I’ll leave it to you.”

Cheok Mu-hong spoke in an awkward tone. So Un-pyeong chuckled and quickly caught up to the three who were already far ahead. Even while focusing on precision over speed within Shiyan County, he was incredibly fast.

Truly a master of movement techniques. (Except for Namgung Woo) The title of “Fastest Under Heaven” suited him well.

After sending the four ahead, Changcheon Pavilion leisurely looked around and headed toward the inn.

Suddenly, a young man appeared in front of them, blocking their path.

A refreshingly handsome appearance. The young man, who seemed closer to his late teens than his twenties, politely clasped his hands in apology for his sudden intrusion and spoke.

“Nice to meet you. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Namgung Woo shook his head at the question.

But there was definitely someone in Changcheon Pavilion who could affirm that.

Instead of answering immediately, that person relayed the fact to Namgung Woo.

“We met him in Luoyang.”

The one answering was Geumshin.

And the name of the young man he had met in Luoyang was Mun Se-gang, the True Martial Dragon.