Chapter 166

The Paeng Family’s Villa was empty, its master absent.

Paeng Ja-ryeong wasn’t the type to sit idle, so waiting for him for a whole month was out of the question. The timing coincidentally aligning was highly unlikely, so it was somewhat expected. Just as Namgung Woo had stepped out to rescue the Wind Chasing Unit, Paeng Ja-ryeong had also left Luoyang on some mission.

As the direct descendant and manager of the villa, Paeng Ha-ryeong provided lodging for the Changcheon Pavilion members, leaving no room to spare in the spacious Paeng Family Villa.

As soon as they unpacked, they scattered to their tasks without being told.

If it were a battle, they would’ve rested sufficiently to bring their condition to its peak, but wandering around Luoyang was easier than their usual training for these seasoned martial artists.

A few who had gained some enlightenment during this journey stayed behind at the villa to delve deeper into their insights, but their numbers were few.

Over half of the members left the villa in a hurry. Initially, the Southern Wind Unit consisted of 12 out of the 36 members of Changcheon Pavilion, so even they alone were close to a majority.

“I trust you’ll handle yourselves, but don’t get too relaxed.”

Though it might not have been necessary, following Namgung Baek’s advice that even trivial matters establish organizational hierarchy, Namgung Woo gave a brief lecture before dismissing them.

Someday, they’d have to establish rules for Changcheon Pavilion. With over 30 members and subdivided into three units, Changcheon Pavilion was growing into a proper group, and they needed a proper framework to bind them together.

‘I should’ve looked into the Namgung Family’s rules too.’

He had been so focused on the family’s organizational structure that he overlooked this part.

While Namgung Woo was pondering how to develop Changcheon Pavilion, the group arrived at the Martial Alliance.

The Martial Alliance, having noticed their arrival in Luoyang, welcomed them as if they had been waiting.

The Wind Chasing Unit members headed to Sangpyeon Hall to handle administrative tasks, while a small group, including Namgung Woo, was guided to the top floor of Central Heaven Pavilion.

“I had heard from the Jinroe Unit leader, but Byeok-un’s passing is truly regrettable. I pray for his peaceful rebirth in the Pure Land.”

Gakwon chanted Amitabha’s name and clasped his hands. Song Woojeol, though not a Buddhist, respectfully mirrored the gesture.

“I regret burdening Byeok-un with too much. The Beonse Sect…tracking them down was Byeok-un’s achievement.”

“You fulfilled your duty, Unit Leader. It’s only my failure to succeed him that weighs on me.”

As Song Woojeol hinted at his true purpose for visiting the Martial Alliance, Gakwon’s expression turned serious.

“Are you really leaving?”

“Yes. The Unit Leader left a message to go wherever I wished. As a friend of his nephew and one who witnessed his master’s final moments, saving my life alone is a bond spanning three lifetimes. With such deep ties, I believe there’s a place for me there.”

Hearing this, Namgung Woo realized just how complicated his connection with Song Woojeol was.

How much overlap was there between Song Chaeji and Gwak Dan’s acquaintances? Human connections were truly mysterious.

“As the Martial Alliance Leader, I should try to keep you here.”

The void left by the Wind Chasing Unit was significant.

Though organizations like Sangpyeon Hall and the Medical Bureau had their own guard units, their level was negligible compared to the Eight Elite Units.

Unlike the Eight Elite Units led by Supreme Peak Masters, the guard units paled in comparison.

Only the Leader’s direct unit and the Elders’ Council could rival the Eight Elite Units, with each Elite Unit representing about 10% of the Martial Alliance’s total strength.

Losing even 30% of their strength would be considered a total defeat in military terms, so 10% was no small matter.

The Wind Chasing Unit, specialized in search and tracking, had a unique role among the Eight Elite Units.

The Gansan Unit was also search-focused, but they specialized in finding hidden Ghost Gates in the mountains, making their expertise too narrow compared to the Wind Chasing Unit’s broader scope.

There was no replacement for the Wind Chasing Unit. But over half of its capabilities were due to Byeok-un’s individual skills.

With Byeok-un’s death, the Wind Chasing Unit had effectively lost its identity.

That’s why the Martial Alliance decided to let its members go.

If Byeok-un were alive and his Wind Evasion Technique still functional, the Alliance’s higher-ups would’ve desperately tried to keep the unit.

“But I won’t do that. The Buddha taught us not to hinder those seeking their own path.”

Even if Byeok-un were alive, Gakwon would’ve tried to let him go.

He would’ve used his authority as Leader to suppress the Elders’ objections and wished Byeok-un well.

This time was no different. Despite the hardliners arguing that sending away Song Woojeol, a Transcendent Peak Master, and the still-capable Peak Masters of the Wind Chasing Unit made no sense, Gakwon willingly spoke up.

“And as an individual, not the Leader, I’m delighted that you’ll be a strength for Namgung.”

Namgung Woo, the new lineage of Namgung, was a spark of hope.

A light to dispel darkness, but still an unfinished hope, not yet a full flame.

The power of a Peerless Master was absolute, but the Dokgo Family also had one.

This time, they even had two. The Dokgo Family’s three Supreme Peak Masters and numerous high-level experts among their retainers and guests.

The power of a group surpasses that of an individual.

Especially when the group’s leader is also an individual in an absolute position.

Thus, it was a difficult task. Gakwon had always thought it would be a long and arduous process for Namgung Woo to rebuild the Namgung Family against the Dokgo Family.

But what now?

In just a few months,

Namgung Woo and Changcheon Pavilion had become a raging fire.

Defeating the assassination squad sent by the Dokgo Family, recruiting two Supreme Peak Masters, Changcheon Pavilion had grown into a major force in the martial world.

In terms of pure martial power, they surpassed many renowned factions.

What would they look like with more time? Perhaps they might even recreate the image of the Namgung Family from Gakwon’s faint memories.

The blueprint was already in Namgung Woo’s hands.

“The elder who preserved Namgung’s history has survived. A blessing for the martial world.”

Small History Elder Namgung Baek.

Gakwon didn’t know much about Namgung Baek as an individual, but he understood the importance of the Small History Elder’s role.

“How could someone like me be a blessing for the martial world? The true blessing is the return of the family head, whom we thought had perished.”

“The family head…”

The Small History Elder called him the family head.

To someone whose birth and upbringing were unknown.

Gakwon knew the reason.

“Hyu would’ve been happy.”

“…He surely would have.”

Recalling the face of his departed friend, Gakwon softly chanted a Buddhist prayer.

After Song Woojeol and Namgung Baek, Gakwon finally addressed Namgung Woo.

“Though belated, I thank you for aiding the Alliance.”

Accepting Namgung Baek’s reference to Namgung Woo as the family head, Gakwon elevated his tone.

“You may speak freely. And it wasn’t to aid the Martial Alliance, but to fulfill a friend’s request and a comrade’s last wish.”

“Humility is good, but too much can be disproportionate. It’s better to accept it as it is. That way, you can gain more from the Alliance, no?”

Well, even without that, the Leader himself seemed eager to take care of him.

Of course, Gakwon had a strong sense of duty and responsibility as the Martial Alliance Leader, so he wouldn’t cross the line, but he’d fill it to the brim.

“And even without receiving more, just taking in the Wind Chasing Unit members is already a great reward.”

“I’ll make sure to remember that and tell the others, Great Master.”

“…That’s not necessary.”

But it was. Song Woojeol strongly expressed his intent to convey it.

For a moment, Gakwon burst into laughter at the sight of the two.

As the laughter subsided, Gakwon, more as the Martial Alliance Leader than Namgung Hyu’s friend, spoke.

“I’ve heard your thoughts on the Beonse Sect. Following your input, we reanalyzed the Beonse Scriptures and found several words and situations suggesting Nüwa worship. We’re investigating further based on this. Would Changcheon Pavilion consider joining?”

The Beonse Sect was dangerous.

That was the conclusion of the Martial Alliance and the Alliance Council.

The appearance of the Blood Sect 50 years ago, which turned the world upside down.

And the Ghost Gate they opened in their final struggle.

The speculation that all of this might have been the Beonse Sect’s doing gained more traction as it became clear they could artificially open Ghost Gates.

The Martial Alliance requested cooperation from various sects for the search, and the Alliance Council confirmed the support.

Paeng Ja-ryeong’s absence was also due to his involvement in this search. Though it might seem unnecessary for the Paeng Family’s young master to personally participate, they had taken on the Moyong Family’s share as well.

In any case, Namgung Woo also agreed with the danger posed by the Beonse Sect. Beyond agreement, he harbored a stronger resolve than anyone.

Those who dealt with Ghost Gates connected to other worlds.

The prophecy Pung Hyeon spoke of.

The glimpse of Namgung Jin in his memories.

Namgung Woo, from his very existence in this world to the feelings he now held, was deeply intertwined with the Beonse Sect.

“For now, I have something else to focus on. If we uncover anything new about them, I’ll inform the Alliance.”

“I see…understood.”

Gakwon understood Namgung Woo’s situation.

The clash with the Dokgo Family had already begun.

With the second round of the Sword Family Blood Feud between the Namgung and Dokgo Families declared, Namgung Woo had no room to also deal with the Beonse Sect.

“Then we’ll share any new information we find as well. Call it an old man’s caution, but the flow feels unusual. Once their tail is stepped on, they’ll eventually show themselves. I feel that day isn’t far off.”