Chapter 30

As the surrounding attention sharply focused, Namgung Woo observed the man approaching them.

Those who have mastered martial arts age slowly, making most of them look youthful, but that man seemed to be around thirty.

It wasn’t just his appearance; Namgung Woo intuitively felt it.

‘The young master of the Paeng Family.’

Indeed, his aura was extraordinary.

A more stable aura than even Paeng Mu-ho, who was in the transitional phase between Peak Master and Supreme Peak Master. He was properly containing the energy that subtly flowed out of his body.

‘Is he a Supreme Peak Master? It’s a bit ambiguous.’

It seemed both right and wrong. Even if he were a Supreme Peak Master, he must have barely reached that level recently.

While Namgung Woo was thinking about Paeng Ja-ryeong, he conversed with Paeng Ha-ryeong.

“How did you come all the way here?”

“You overcame a great crisis and returned. How could your older brother just sit and wait? Moreover, the benefactor who saved you is also here, so it’s only right that I come to greet them.”

After carefully examining his younger sister’s condition, Paeng Ja-ryeong finally shifted his gaze to the surroundings.

“So, where are they? I must first express my gratitude.”

Though Namgung Woo and the Yang Brothers were beside Paeng Ha-ryeong, Paeng Ja-ryeong unconsciously excluded them, thinking they couldn’t be the ones.

The Yang Brothers, who hadn’t even reached the Peak Master level, were naturally dismissed. However, the reason he didn’t notice Namgung Woo was not only because his level was lower but also because Namgung Woo’s energy had become indistinguishable from that of ordinary martial artists.

During the journey from Beijing to Tianjin, Namgung Woo had reached a level where he could alter his energy to appear ordinary.

To Paeng Ja-ryeong’s eyes, both the Yang Brothers and Namgung Woo seemed no different, so it was natural he didn’t consider them as the benefactor.

Paeng Ha-ryeong, who had greatly assisted Namgung Woo in controlling his energy, easily noticed Paeng Ja-ryeong’s oversight. It was clear that while he appeared to be looking at the group, his gaze was scanning the surroundings.

Suppressing a smile, Paeng Ha-ryeong pointed to Namgung Woo beside her.

“This is him. As you’ve heard, he’s my benefactor.”

For a moment, Paeng Ja-ryeong wondered if she was teasing him.

However, the experience he gained acting as the family head of a great family wasn’t just for show. Reflexively, he performed a martial salute and bowed respectfully to Namgung Woo.

“I am Paeng Ja-ryeong. I’ve been given the nickname ‘Unshakable Blade Lord’ by the martial world.”

Was it a pure self-introduction? Or was it a subtle challenge, like ‘I’m this kind of person, what about you?’

His posture was so proper that it was ambiguous, but Namgung Woo thought it leaned towards the latter.

“I am Nam Woo. I don’t have a nickname yet.”

“Ah, I see.”

Though Paeng Ja-ryeong outwardly acted as if it were nothing, his thoughts were complex.

‘His physique and appearance are indeed exceptional. But his energy doesn’t seem particularly impressive. For his age, he’s certainly outstanding, but that level is insufficient. Ha-ryeong wouldn’t tease me. Given my uncle’s lack of reaction, it must be true… Could he be a master who has rejuvenated? Return to Simplicity? But he doesn’t feel like an elder master. Ah, could it be…?’

“Perhaps…”

Just as Paeng Ja-ryeong cautiously tried to ask a question, Paeng Ha-ryeong cut him off.

“Instead of doing this outside, let’s go to the main house. Staying here will only hinder others’ passage.”

“Ah? Oh, right. Let’s do that. Benefactor, how about coming to our estate first to rest?”

“I won’t decline.”

The group, now doubled in size, walked through the streets of Tianjin, naturally drawing people’s attention.

The Paeng Family members, accustomed to such attention, took it in stride, but the Yang Brothers, feeling nervous, moved closer to Namgung Woo.

Namgung Woo, however, remained calm. Walking alongside Paeng Ja-ryeong and Paeng Ha-ryeong, he didn’t seem lacking compared to the two direct descendants of a prestigious family.

The Paeng Family wasn’t particularly obsessed with elegance or refinement, but the natural demeanor of high status existed in their direct bloodline.

Yet, the reason Namgung Woo didn’t fall behind was clear.

The twin brothers, thinking alike as usual, turned their heads simultaneously.

‘Indeed, the Namgung Family. Their innate qualities are different.’

‘Exactly. Even without learning imperial studies, a prestigious family remains prestigious. It doesn’t fade in just one or two generations.’

‘Are we just their subordinates?’

‘We’re not much different from those Paeng Family martial artists, are we?’

Unconsciously straightening their shoulders, the Yang Brothers walked with renewed vigor.

Who are we?

The first subordinates taken in by the last survivor of the Namgung Family.

If anyone had seen the Yang Brothers’ smirking faces, they would have been quite displeased, but fortunately, everyone’s attention was focused on the three people ahead, so no disgraceful incident occurred.

“Twenty-six. You look very young. At first, I thought you were a young man in his early twenties.”

Namgung Woo had clearly stated his age as twenty-six after revealing it to Paeng Ha-ryeong.

Since martial artists generally age slowly, it was better to go by his actual age to avoid misunderstandings about his connection to the Namgung Family.

“Young Master, you also look youthful. I never thought you had passed thirty.”

Paeng Ja-ryeong was thirty-one this year, just past the age considered the upper limit for late bloomers.

Namgung Woo’s guess of around thirty was spot on.

However, Namgung Woo’s statement wasn’t entirely false. Based purely on appearance, Paeng Ja-ryeong also looked like he was in his mid-twenties.

“Haha, martial artists like us all look young. That’s why even commoners strive to learn martial arts to reap its benefits.”

Commoners also learn martial arts. That statement piqued Namgung Woo’s curiosity.

Usually, martial arts are passed down only to the worthy. Here, ‘the worthy’ doesn’t mean non-humans but those deemed qualified.

Even in Taoist or Buddhist sects, their martial arts are strictly passed down internally, and any leakage to the outside becomes a major incident.

There’s a reason for distinguishing between core disciples and outer disciples and varying the levels of martial arts taught.

Do they have the talent to learn martial arts? Can they work for our organization if we teach them? Is there any benefit in accepting them as disciples? These are the considerations.

In such a situation, for ordinary commoners without connections or money, martial arts are like a pie in the sky.

“Do many commoners learn martial arts?”

“Of course. Among commoners, it’s rare to find someone who hasn’t even touched basic martial arts like the Three Talents Mind Method. Even the third-rate Earth Escape Technique is practically known by all commoners.”

“I see. It seems martial arts are more widespread than I thought.”

“It’s a troubled era.”

That one sentence said it all.

In a world where superhumans who have mastered martial arts openly exist, and with the presence of the Ghost Gate, disasters can strike at any time.

Martial artists can at least be reasoned with, but the monsters from the Ghost Gate are beyond that.

Though the state and military exist to suppress martial artists’ tyranny and protect against the Ghost Gate, it’s impossible for them to monitor and guard the entire vast land.

Thus, commoners have no choice but to turn to self-defense.

“Many also learn martial arts for health. In prestigious families, martial arts have long been a basic requirement.”

Medical technology was severely lacking in this era.

In such times, martial arts that maximize natural healing and allow one to overcome most illnesses and injuries? Only a fool wouldn’t learn it. It’s a real panacea, a shortcut to longevity. Why wouldn’t anyone learn it?

‘With a lack of proper medical systems, and even those being accessible only to the upper class, it’s natural for people to flock to martial arts.’

Indeed, the current martial world was more powerful than ever.

The imperial family, despite its immense power, couldn’t touch the martial world because they acted as a kind of self-defense force suppressing the Ghost Gate. Moreover, the martial world had grown too large for the imperial family to handle entirely.

Unlike the orthodox sects that obediently followed the imperial family’s policies, the unorthodox sects boldly engaged in illegal activities, thriving openly for these reasons.

“Benefactor, do you have a specific reason for learning martial arts?”

Paeng Ja-ryeong subtly asked.

Though it seemed like a natural question in the flow of conversation, it was actually an attempt to probe Namgung Woo’s background.

As Namgung Woo reflexively prepared to answer, Paeng Ha-ryeong, who had been quiet, spoke up.

“Benefactor, we’ve arrived. That’s our Paeng Family’s estate. Can you see it?”

“Oh… it’s enormous.”

It was as if a small village was entirely the Paeng Family’s estate.

While Namgung Woo discreetly used his Azure Tranquility Eyes to observe the estate, a fierce staring contest broke out between the Paeng siblings beside him.

Paeng Ja-ryeong subtly moved his lips, activating his internal energy. Whispering Secret Transmission, a technique only Peak Masters could use.

[Why?]

[Are you going to keep probing like that?]

[Ha-ryeong, as the young master of the Paeng Family, I’m just doing my duty.]

[No.]

[I’ll restrain myself a bit.]

[I’ll explain in detail later, so stop.]

Paeng Ja-ryeong shrugged at his sister’s cold glare.

‘Ugh. Our Ha-ryeong wasn’t like this before… Is there really something I missed? Is he some kind of royalty?’

Grumbling internally about Paeng Ha-ryeong prioritizing Namgung Woo over the Paeng Family, Paeng Ja-ryeong stepped forward.

The Paeng Family martial artists at the gate recognized him and immediately opened the doors.

As the gates concealing the Paeng Family’s estate swung open, a group of people who had been waiting entered the scene.

At the center stood a dignified middle-aged woman and a girl beside her, with martial artists standing behind them. It was an overwhelmingly large welcoming party for a benefactor.

Namgung Woo immediately recognized the woman.

She resembled Paeng Ha-ryeong and Paeng Ja-ryeong, and with the young master present, there was only one person from the main family who would be waiting.

“Welcome. I am Moyong Hye, the matron of the Paeng Family. We’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

Moyong Hye spoke directly to Namgung Woo, who stood beside Paeng Ha-ryeong.

Namgung Woo also bowed respectfully, performing a martial salute.

“I am Nam Woo. Thank you for your warm welcome.”

Though brief, Namgung Woo, having worked in a company, knew how to behave in important situations.

Both Moyong Hye and Namgung Woo acted as mature adults following social norms, but there was someone at this gathering who transcended those boundaries.

A girl lightly approached Namgung Woo.

Paeng Ye-ryeong tilted her waist and looked up at Namgung Woo from below. He hadn’t even finished his salute yet.

She examined his face through the loop formed by his hands and arms, her actions so bold that no one thought to stop her.

As everyone stood frozen in astonishment, Paeng Ye-ryeong began circling Namgung Woo like a swallow.

“Hmm? Huh? Mmm…”

Tilting her head repeatedly, she scrutinized him meticulously as she circled around.

Namgung Woo also blinked, observing her actions.

After completing a full circle, Paeng Ye-ryeong stood before Namgung Woo again, clutching her head as if facing an unsolvable riddle.

Then, looking directly into his eyes, she blurted out:

“Why are you alive?”