Chapter 38

“Captain, let’s go together!”

While saving the Yopyeong Escort Agency and talking to Pyeong Choyul, Yang Kwae managed to follow along and stopped Namgung Woo, who was about to rush out alone again.

“Captain, I know you’re strong, but if they’re determined to hold you back, it’ll take a lot of time. Let us clear the way instead.”

Yang Jeong also chimed in.

Namgung Woo compared the pros and cons of taking them along. If they encountered enemies, he could leave it to the Yang Brothers and save time. If not, he could run freely and save time that way. Either way, the result would be similar. There was no reason to leave them behind.

He wanted to conserve as much energy as possible for any unforeseen circumstances.

“Alright. You two lead the way.”

“Eungong, I also…”

“Miss Paeng, protect the people of the Yopyeong Escort Agency.”

Paeng Ha-ryeong looked enviously at the Yang Brothers standing beside him, her face slightly pouting.

“I’ll assign three warriors from the Northern Sky Unit. I’ll definitely be of help to you, Eungong.”

Peak Masters at the end of their cultivation are rare. Even reaching the Transcendent Peak makes one a top hundred master in the world. Transcendent Peak masters are few even among prestigious sects, and the main force is usually composed of Peak Masters.

Even among Peak Masters, levels vary, and someone like Paeng Ha-ryeong would be treated as a main force wherever she went.

“…It’ll be dangerous.”

“It’s fine. I’ve already received a life-saving favor. If I avoid danger just because it’s risky, how can I talk about repaying your kindness?”

Namgung Woo allowed Paeng Ha-ryeong to join.

“Ah, by the way, Captain, where are we going?”

Namgung Woo pointed north.

“The Forbidden City, Manse Mountain.”

§

“Southeast! The Paeng Family will handle it!”

“U-chaek, take care of it!”

“Yes, Miss!”

One person broke away from the group, and a rough sword light cut through the darkness of the night.

“Northwest! They’re not strong, Yang Jeong, go.”

“As you command!”

Yang Jeong stepped forward and unleashed his most confident move from the Thirteen Lightning Flash Swords, the One Strike Wall.

His sword, filled with energy, sliced through the waist of an approaching demon.

“This is truly a hellish scene.”

Yang Kwae, who had just finished off another demon, spoke for everyone’s feelings.

Four Ghost Gates had appeared around the Forbidden City.

For some reason, the northern gate had failed to open and dispersed, but the other three gates were continuously spewing out demons.

“The Imperial Guards have stepped in, so it’ll be resolved soon.”

There are no martial sects in Beijing. At most, there are tourists or wandering mercenaries looking for work.

They were no match for the sudden appearance of the Ghost Gates.

To make matters worse, flames erupted all over Beijing, making it hard for ordinary people to keep their wits.

But Beijing doesn’t need martial sects.

The Emperor’s swords protect the Imperial Family. The Imperial Guards are holding the line.

“Uncle is also here, so a Ghost Gate of this level will be dealt with soon.”

The Ghost Gates weren’t the problem.

The real problem was…

Chik, chik.

The Yang Brothers’ movement techniques were cut off.

Martial artists blocking the path to the Forbidden City.

Allies? No.

Enemies.

On the way here, Namgung Woo’s group had already clashed with martial artists three times. They were the martial artists of the faction behind this incident. They were setting fires in Beijing and obstructing the Imperial Guards and martial artists trying to stop the Ghost Gates.

They were the reason Beijing couldn’t quickly quell the chaos.

“Hey, you, if you don’t want to die, get lost.”

Yang Kwae cursed and pointed his sword at the thug who had been causing trouble.

“Brother, he’s not someone you can handle alone. He’s a Peak Master.”

“Tch, Captain, go ahead. We’ll handle this.”

The enemies, who had been wary of the Paeng Family’s martial artists, snorted at the brothers’ words.

“You punks?”

“Die!”

Strike first, win first. The third move of the Thirteen Lightning Flash Swords, Dry Thunderfall, exploited the enemy’s opening.

“Paeng U-chaek, Paeng Wi, help them!”

Two of Namgung Woo’s subordinates and two of Paeng Ha-ryeong’s joined the fray, turning it into a group battle.

Using Azure Tranquility Eyes, Namgung Woo quickly assessed their martial prowess and stopped worrying, gathering energy at his Yongcheon point.

“Don’t lose.”

“Go ahead! We’ll catch up soon!”

Leaving Yang Jeong’s shout behind, Namgung Woo and Paeng Ha-ryeong started running again.

Paeng Ha-ryeong seemed slightly worried, but Namgung Woo didn’t pay it any mind. They’ll be fine. The enemies are Peak Masters, but the two Paeng Family martial artists are also Peak Masters, and the Yang Brothers’ combined techniques surpass Peak Masters.

With the Thirteen Lightning Flash Swords, they won’t lose to Peak Masters.

What bothered Namgung Woo more was the energy explosion at the Forbidden City, below Manse Mountain.

“The Forbidden City is a mess.”

“So?”

“No, ignore the Forbidden City. What’s important is Manse Mountain. Others will start noticing soon.”

No matter how good one is at hiding energy, there’s a limit to everything.

With such a massive energy surge, it’s impossible to hide completely.

Not just Namgung Woo, but any martial artist of considerable skill would start sensing that energy.

“The Forbidden City is a distraction.”

As soon as Namgung Woo said that, a surge of sword energy rushed towards them.

“Tch!”

Clang!

An instant draw. Namgung Woo’s single move, the Soul-Severing Sword, split the sword energy in half.

“Strong.”

The attacker calmly acknowledged Namgung Woo’s strength.

“But I can’t let you pass.”

The man wore black martial attire with robes similar to an official’s uniform.

He wielded a spear, not a sword or blade. The sword energy earlier was from the spear.

“You, you must be of high status.”

The man surprisingly answered easily.

“I am the Black Tortoise Lion under the True Son of Heaven.”

“True Son of Heaven? A rebel group?”

“You, girl from the Paeng Family, watch your words. It’s not rebellion, but restoration.”

The man was usually not talkative, but he had a reason for speaking now.

‘I can’t win this.’

That was his thought upon seeing Namgung Woo.

Then he had to buy time through conversation.

But his clumsy attempt didn’t work on the two.

“Eungong, let me handle this.”

“Are you sure? He’s strong.”

“I’ll hold my ground as much as possible. Reinforcements will come soon. I can hold out until then.”

The energy of the Heaven and Earth Void Divine Technique surged through her meridians.

The density of her sword energy surpassed that of ordinary Peak Masters, reaching the level of Sword Aura.

Born into the Hapbuk Paeng Family, trained in divine techniques, and consuming numerous rare medicines, her accumulated power was about to bloom through Namgung Woo.

If she could overcome this moment, Paeng Ha-ryeong would leap to a higher realm.

It was an opportunity to leap years ahead in an instant.

Though the price of failure would be her life.

As a martial artist, it was worth the risk.

“Alright. That guy, judging by his leg muscles and meridians, his footwork isn’t fast. Slow and heavy. But there’s strength within. Use the Void Steps to the fullest.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Don’t be fooled by his stance. His left hand is more developed. He’s left-handed.”

“…Cunning.”

Namgung Woo exposed all the Black Tortoise Lion’s tricks with Azure Tranquility Eyes.

“Don’t get hurt.”

“……Of course!”

After giving all the advice, Namgung Woo leaped into the air with Infinite Steps.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

The Black Tortoise Lion’s spear energy shot through the air again, but this time it was blocked by a blade.

Paeng Ha-ryeong didn’t like it, but she could use Flying Sword Energy. The blade energy clashed with the spear energy in mid-air.

“I won’t forgive anyone who hinders Eungong.”

§

Leaving all enemies behind, the first thing Namgung Woo saw upon entering Manse Mountain was a woman in red clothes, similar to the Black Tortoise Lion, being brutally beaten by another woman.

Unlike the Black Tortoise Lion in black, the woman in red was likely the Vermilion Bird Lion.

Her martial prowess wasn’t much different from the Black Tortoise Lion’s.

Yet, she was being completely overpowered and eventually killed.

‘Strong.’

Upon seeing the woman who had killed the Vermilion Bird Lion in just four moves, Namgung Woo was convinced she was stronger than anyone he had ever seen.

The Transcendent Peak Master, Paeng Ja-ryeong? Far from it. Even if they were at the same level, the gap was clear.

Just as not all students at the same university are equal, there are levels even among Transcendent Peak Masters, and the difference is on a whole other level compared to lower-tier masters.

‘Can I win?’

For a moment, even Namgung Woo thought he might lose.

‘Can win. But I’ll have to accept injuries.’

Even as a top master, the wear and tear of time and aging were inevitable. The Azure Tranquility Eyes had noticed traces of aging, but she was still a force to be reckoned with.

Namgung Woo’s judgment was correct.

The woman’s name was Han Gyeran.

She was the concubine of the late Emperor Seondeok, grandfather of the current Emperor Seonghwa, and the Grand Empress Dowager, revered even more than the Emperor’s mother, Empress Hyosuk.

In the palace, she was respected by all as the “Great Elder,” but during the fierce political struggles between two emperors, she earned a nickname akin to a martial artist.

The Martial Empress of the East Sea.

The Martial Empress who came from the East Sea.

---