Chapter 25

The private room of the inn where the Yopyeong Escort Agency was staying. People were sitting around a round table placed in the center of the room.

With Namgung Woo at the center, Pyeong Choyul and the Yang Brothers were seated to his right, while Paeng Mu-ho and Paeng Ha-ryeong were seated to his left.

Since Namgung Woo had just finished an early meal, only tea and light snacks were placed on the table, but no one reached for them.

In the midst of the awkward atmosphere, Paeng Ha-ryeong broke the ice by bowing respectfully to Namgung Woo.

“Sir, let me formally introduce myself. I am Ha-ryeong of the Paeng Family. Though I owe you my life, I have not yet expressed my gratitude. That has been weighing on my mind, so I came here to see you.”

“Ah, yes.”

Namgung Woo felt uncomfortable under Paeng Ha-ryeong’s sparkling gaze and subtly averted his eyes.

When he had observed her from afar or when she was lying unconscious as a patient, it hadn’t struck him as much, but seeing her up close now, the impression was entirely different.

How could such a small head coexist with such large eyes and a straight nose?

Even in an era where appearances are highly standardized, her beauty could easily overshadow most celebrities, making them look like amateurs in comparison.

For Namgung Woo, who was just an ordinary citizen, the direct approach of a beauty like Paeng Ha-ryeong was quite overwhelming.

“It’s not just about saving my life. Capturing the Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom and sealing the Ghost Gate to protect Muan County also covered up our Paeng Family’s mistakes. On top of that, you personally treated me and even restored my meridians. It’s no different from giving me a new lease on life. Please, allow me the opportunity to repay your kindness.”

While Paeng Ha-ryeong spoke earnestly, Pyeong Choyul, surprised by something he hadn’t known, whispered to Yang Kwae.

“The Soul-Stealing Ghost Phantom? You captured it?”

“You didn’t know? Our leader sliced it in half with a single strike.”

“No, I heard it was just a wandering ghost… But leader?”

“We formed a mercenary group. We, the brothers, also owe him our lives, just like the Paeng Family. We swore to follow him as our leader.”

“Such a story…”

Paeng Ha-ryeong perked up her ears at the whispered conversation between the three across the table.

She had known that the Yang Brothers had left with Namgung Woo, but the fact that Namgung Woo had taken them under his wing and formed a mercenary group was new information.

Paeng Ha-ryeong quickly absorbed the information Pyeong Choyul had revealed.

“Of course, Sir, your companions are also invited as guests of our family.”

Namgung Woo didn’t respond immediately, covering his mouth with his hand as he pondered his words.

If he had received this offer back in Muan County, Namgung Woo would have politely declined.

The Yopyeong Escort Agency had come to him on their own, hadn’t they? The Yopyeong Escort Agency and the Hapbuk Paeng Family were different. The former was closer to the civilian world than the martial world, while the latter was clearly a prominent family in the heart of the martial world.

Moreover, not knowing why the Orthodox Martial World wasn’t helping the Namgung Family, Namgung Woo had been hesitant to get close to the Paeng Family.

But now, things were different.

He had gained some understanding of the relationship between the Orthodox Martial World and the Namgung Family, and more importantly, he had come to realize that deep down, he also desired to be with others and to be acknowledged.

According to a psychologist, desires have a hierarchy.

At the base are the physiological needs for survival, followed by the safety needs to protect one’s freedom. Once these are satisfied, humans naturally seek a sense of belonging and love, and act to fulfill their esteem needs.

These four levels of needs were termed deficiency needs.

Namgung Woo was no different. Unless one had reached the Divine Realm (入神境), where one completely transcends worldly desires and principles, one remains bound by human flaws. His current realm, the Harmonious Realm (化境), was merely a step above, still within the bounds of humanity.

Even this realm was a rare miracle in the mortal world, and while it might be considered a step towards transcending humanity into the realm of gods and buddhas, ultimately, he was still human.

Namgung Woo’s situation was even more unique. His essence and energy had reached the perfect Harmonious Realm, but his spirit was barely keeping up with his body and energy, making the unity of essence, energy, and spirit incomplete.

It was only through a momentary enlightenment that he briefly achieved this unity. Without that experience, he might have been floundering in disarray.

In any case, Namgung Woo viewed Paeng Ha-ryeong’s proposal positively.

‘If I go through the Hapbuk Paeng Family, wouldn’t I be able to bypass the Haomun?’

Originally, he had come to Beijing to gather more detailed information about the Namgung Family through the Haomun and to meet with the people of the Yopyeong Escort Agency.

So, if the information issue could be resolved, there was no need to stay in Beijing.

Perhaps sensing that Namgung Woo’s prolonged contemplation was a sign of refusal, Paeng Mu-ho subtly offered another suggestion.

“You’ve just arrived in Beijing, so it must be difficult to move around right away. You should also spend some time with the people from the Yopyeong Escort Agency and take a rest while you think things over.”

“Uncle…”

“Ha-ryeong, don’t be so hasty. It’s not proper to force our benefactor to accept our gratitude.”

“…I was too rash. Sir.”

As Paeng Ha-ryeong bowed her head, Namgung Woo waved his hand dismissively.

“There’s no need for that. Instead of this, let’s eat something and talk. Have you all eaten?”

“Leader, we just…”

“Oh, the soup here is amazing.”

“Soup?”

Isn’t that the origin of sweet and sour pork? Namgung Woo, whose appetite was suddenly whetted, no longer cared about the others’ reactions.

“Let’s order it right away.”

“Sir, we’ll pay for it, so feel free to order anything.”

“Miss Paeng, what are you saying? Are you trying to make us look like poor hosts who can’t even treat our guests properly?”

“…Alright. But we’ll prepare the wine. We happen to have some good Bamboo Leaf Wine.”

To those who know its fame, Bamboo Leaf Wine might be surprising, but it’s actually a medicinal wine.

It’s believed to aid blood circulation and stabilize energy, and since the Paeng Family members were still recovering from various internal injuries sustained during the recent Ghost Gate Sealing Battle, they often drank a cup of Bamboo Leaf Wine.

“Bamboo Leaf Wine! Shanxi Province is the birthplace of Bamboo Leaf Wine, isn’t it? If Miss Paeng is confident about this wine, even I, Pyeong, can’t resist.”

Indeed, with food and wine, the atmosphere quickly became warm and lively.

Namgung Woo nodded contentedly, satisfied with his decision.

The Yang Brothers, who had been watching the whole process, thought their leader was about to indulge in a feast, but since Azure Tranquility Eyes didn’t include mind-reading, Namgung Woo simply picked up his chopsticks and reached for the soup that had just been served.

“Earlier, you mentioned the escort mission. Did it go well? I heard the cargo was quite difficult to handle.”

“Ah, that. The cargo was opal, which is a gemstone that’s surprisingly fragile. It’s also quite tricky to manage.”

“Opal? You mean the gemstone with a milky base and multicolored hues?”

“Exactly. Miss Paeng, you’re quite knowledgeable.”

Opal, known as “opal” in the West, was a mineral that was easily damaged and required careful handling, making it not very popular in the Central Plains.

“So, it’s a bit unexpected, but people’s tastes vary, don’t they? Anyway, it ended well. We also made a few more business contacts in Beijing. Ever since Sir Namgung arrived, everything seems to be going smoothly, hahaha!”

As Pyeong Choyul laughed heartily, Paeng Ha-ryeong tilted her head and asked.

“Opal isn’t commonly used these days, is it?”

“That’s true, but it was once called ‘True Jade.’ There’s still some demand for it.”

Paeng Ha-ryeong found it a bit odd but accepted the explanation.

Even though, as a woman, she had more knowledge of gems and jewelry than most men, Pyeong Choyul was an expert in the market trends. If he said so, it must be true.

“Now, instead of this, let’s toast to our gathering!”

As everyone raised their glasses, Namgung Woo habitually clinked his glass with the one next to him.

To Namgung Woo, this was a familiar toast, but the others’ reactions were a bit strange.

As Namgung Woo and the others exchanged glances, wondering if he had made a mistake, Paeng Ha-ryeong, whose glass he had clinked, hesitantly spoke up.

“Um… Sir.”

“Yes?”

“Are you… perhaps drunk?”

15th century.

Toast.

Not yet invented.

§

After the short drinking session, the Paeng Family rented a separate building attached to the inn where the Yopyeong Escort Agency was staying.

They had offered to give Namgung Woo a room or even a separate building, but he declined. A room provided by the Yopyeong Escort Agency was enough.

Instead, he was allowed to use the courtyard attached to the building as a training ground. Beijing, being a densely populated city, made it difficult to find spacious open areas.

Namgung Woo and the Yang Brothers’ training continued as usual that day. Had they been drinking? If they couldn’t control their bodies due to alcohol, how could they call themselves martial artists?

The Paeng Family members, who had lent them the courtyard, stayed inside the building while they sparred, allowing them to practice freely without worry.

Namgung Woo, out of consideration, ended the sparring session earlier than usual and quietly left.

Of course, the Paeng Family had told them not to worry and to use the courtyard freely, but Namgung Woo declined. His inner sense of fairness was too sharp to monopolize the courtyard they had rented.

The habits of a modern society governed by natural rights and the rule of law, constantly teaching morality and ethics, were still deeply ingrained in Namgung Woo.

At the same time, he also harbored a retaliatory tendency and individualism born from living in a harsh reality. It might seem contradictory, but humans are inherently complex beings.

As Namgung Woo was about to leave, Paeng Ha-ryeong cautiously stopped him with a request.

“Sir, could you spar with me too?”