Chapter 163

“It’s not an old wound.”

Gohyeon reminisced about the day he faced Dongbang Hwa.

It wouldn’t be an unfamiliar story to Namgung Woo either. His encounter with Dongbang Hwa was just before the Beijing Turmoil, a time when the entire martial world, and even the world itself, was shaken by the news of the White Ghost Gate opening.

The Ghost Gate appeared near Namyang.

To the north of Namyang, where the Jinryeong Mountain Range meets, there was a mountain called Dusan.

The White Ghost Gate appeared there.

The martial world of Henan was turned upside down. In Henan, the heart of the White Path Martial World, the appearance of a White Ghost Gate, which even surpassed the Black Ghost Gate, was no exaggeration.

If that gate opened, it was clear that the White Path Martial World would suffer catastrophic damage.

The White Path Martial World acted swiftly. They sent requests for cooperation to other regions, and all the major sects based in Henan mobilized.

The Martial Alliance, Shaolin Temple, Gaebang, and the Heonwon Family.

Heonwon Kang, the leader of the Heonwon Family, who had been so inactive that rumors spread he had ascended like a legend, appeared and dispelled all doubts. The three remaining members of the Eight Guards Unit and the Shaolin’s Abbot, Guanghui Huofo, also descended from the mountain.

Joining them were Paeng Hu-sang, the Blade Sovereign of the Hapbuk Paeng Family, who arrived faster than anyone upon hearing the news of the White Ghost Gate, and Jayang Jinin, the Sword Immortal of Huashan Sect, who arrived around the same time as Paeng Hu-sang due to the proximity.

Even Han Won-chun, the Martial Arts Governor, joined with his troops to prevent the White Ghost Gate from opening.

One of the Three Extremes, two of the Twelve Sovereigns, and one of the Imperial Family’s Peerless Masters.

A total of four Peerless Masters gathered in one place to attempt to seal the White Ghost Gate.

The Wudang Sect, closer than the Huashan Sect, was also present. Their role was to block any interference. They were the rear support team, prepared in case the Unorthodox Martial World tried to disrupt them.

The White Ghost Gate was a calamity, but it also promised rewards. The Black Path Martial World wouldn’t let the White Path Martial World monopolize it.

The White Path Martial World’s preparations were spot on. Gohyeon encountered Dongbang Hwa that day.

“We succeeded in repelling him, but my body ended up like this.”

Dongbang Hwa, who knew the Wudang Sect’s martial arts inside out, and Gohyeon, who didn’t know Dongbang Hwa’s martial arts and techniques. The gap between the two was clear.

Above all, the existence of Dongbang Hwa’s techniques and martial arts, the Taiji Reverse Martial Arts, was significant. Based on Wudang’s martial arts but thoroughly rejecting its teachings, he built a completely opposite path.

It was a testament to Gohyeon’s achievement that he survived with all his limbs intact.

‘So, the Blade Sovereign rushed to Beijing right after the White Ghost Gate Sealing Battle and participated in the Beijing Turmoil?’

For Namgung Woo, who had sealed the Black Ghost Gate twice, this was hard to believe.

Even sealing the Black Ghost Gate was a grueling battle, but could one really travel that distance and fight two battles in a row, even with four Peerless Masters?

“Are you curious?”

“Ah, yes. It was such a significant event…”

Seeing Namgung Woo’s youthful curiosity, Gohyeon smiled faintly and continued to unravel the past.

“I wasn’t actually there, but I heard later that there was discord between the Heonwon Family and the Martial Alliance.”

“What was the reason?”

“The Extreme Light wanted the Ghost Gate to open.”

Those who wanted to seal the Ghost Gate before it opened, and those who wanted the Ghost Gate Master to emerge.

The latter wasn’t just the Heonwon Family.

Surprisingly, Paeng Hu-sang was also on that side.

At the time, Paeng Hu-sang was preoccupied with Paeng Ye-ryeong’s treatment and intended to capture the White Ghost Gate Master to obtain even a fragment of his inner core.

With half of the four Peerless Masters opposing, the sealing process dragged on.

“And then the Ghost Gate opened.”

“The White Ghost Gate… but wasn’t the sealing successful?”

After all, Paeng Hu-sang appeared in Beijing in surprisingly good condition.

Gohyeon explained the reason.

“It closed as soon as it opened.”

Before the Ghost Gate Master could emerge.

Heonwon Kang, who had been the most vocal about seeing the White Ghost Gate Master, suddenly changed his stance and took the lead in sealing the Ghost Gate.

Paeng Hu-sang didn’t even have time to oppose. The sealing battle ended just like that.

‘So, he rushed to Beijing right after? Then how did he obtain the Jeseon Scripture?’

If the White Ghost Gate Sealing Battle ended like that, it made sense that Paeng Hu-sang arrived in Beijing in good condition to join the Beijing Turmoil.

“That’s all I know. For more details, it would be better to ask the Paeng Family Head, who has a close relationship with the Family Head.”

Unlike Gohyeon, who wasn’t present, Paeng Hu-sang would know more details.

Namgung Woo carefully noted what to ask Paeng Hu-sang. Then, he bowed to Gohyeon in gratitude.

“Thank you for satisfying my curiosity.”

Gohyeon had shared everything he knew to clear Namgung Woo’s doubts. It was something that could have been lightly passed over in conversation.

But no matter how small, it was right to express gratitude for what was received.

“Don’t mention it. It’s too small a matter to receive thanks for. And, it was our Wudang Sect that received first.”

Gohyeon said that the Wudang Sect should be the first to express gratitude.

“Actually, before the Family Head proposed cooperation, our sect should have acted sooner.”

The elimination of Dongbang Hwa.

Even those who left the martial world to return to secular life were supposed to abandon their martial arts.

As the sect leader, it was unthinkable to leave a traitor who betrayed the Wudang Sect untouched.

“We delayed. Using the Jeongsa Great War as an excuse, and the Imperial Family as a barrier.”

We should have killed him when we met during the White Ghost Gate Sealing Battle. That we didn’t was due to my own shortcomings.

Conversely, because my body was ruined, I had to stay and protect Wudang Mountain during the Unmong Great War, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If Gohyeon had been in good condition.

If I had sent Gowon to Wuhan and attacked Cheonjasan Mountain myself, I might have been able to cut off Dongbang Hwa’s head before he could involve the Imperial Family.

And now, another opportunity has come. A chance to make up for my own mistakes.

Gohyeon straightened his posture and clenched his fist, just as Namgung Woo had done.

“Thank you for not forgetting our sect’s place.”

If Namgung Woo had reserved a place for the Wudang Sect in his plan to capture Dongbang Hwa.

The Wudang Sect would gladly place the Songmun Sword on that name.

§

The Changcheon Pavilion group descending from Wudang Mountain.

Beside them was an unexpected companion.

An elder martial artist from the previous generation, called Sasukjo by Gowon.

Considering that Gohyeon, the Wudang Sect Leader, had personally promised assistance with gratitude, this was a rather lackluster support.

Even if Yeongwan Jinin, another Supreme Peak Master of the Wudang Sect, wasn’t present, they could have at least sent Gowon Jinin.

“No, even if not Gowon Jinin, at least the Seven Swords of Wudang could have been sent.”

The seven disciples personally trained by Gowon. Known as the Seven Swords due to their status as true disciples, they had supported the Jegal Family in Wuhan alongside Gowon Jinin during the Unmong Great War.

While Gowon was beheading Hallyong Mado, they were also in the thick of the battle, yet not a single one died, a testament to their skill.

“Jin Muryong is also here.”

“Honestly, looking at him now, Jin Muryong seems a bit…”

Mun Se-gang, who was carrying the elder’s luggage as if he were a servant.

He wasn’t even carrying a sword, so why did he have so much luggage?

“He seems like a sorcerer…”

“He’s not just ‘seems like’ a sorcerer, he is one.”

Yang Kwae sensed something unusual in Myorin’s voice.

Whenever she scolded him, her voice would usually rise, but the voice he just heard was calm, as if she were tense on a battlefield.

“At first, I didn’t notice, but now I vaguely understand. A monstrous being has been hiding in Wudang…”

“Is it that bad?”

Yang Kwae, who thought the elder might be a Peak Master at best, scrutinized him more carefully but couldn’t find anything particularly intimidating.

While Myorin was trembling in shock and fear, the elder spoke to Namgung Woo.

“Hey, Namgung Family Head.”

“Yes, Jinin.”

“Just call me Elder, I’m not used to being called Jinin. By the way, you have quite an interesting kid among your subordinates.”

“Are you talking about Myorin?”

“Is that girl’s name Myorin?”

“Yes.”

“Then that’s correct.”

Just as Myorin felt a chill from the elder, the elder also showed strong interest in Myorin.

“If it’s not too much trouble for the Namgung Family Head, could I give that kid some guidance?”

“Guidance? Wouldn’t teaching Wudang’s techniques be problematic?”

“I can’t teach Wudang’s techniques, but I can tweak that kid’s skills a bit.”

In that case, the elder would also learn about the Cheongjeong Sect’s techniques that Myorin had inherited.

But this could also be a good opportunity.

Currently, there are only two sorcerers in Changcheon Pavilion: Myorin and the one who transferred from the Wind Chasing Unit.

Including Jegal Seon-a as a guest, that makes three. If we include formation masters as sorcerers.

In such a situation, the elder’s help could be a foundation for Myorin’s growth.

“I’ll talk to her. But ultimately, the choice is hers, so I can’t give a definite answer.”