Chapter 4

While Yang Sodang went upstairs to fetch the uncle Song Chaeji mentioned, Namgung Woo followed Song Chaeji outside the inn.

The street in front of the inn had been transformed into a makeshift martial arena by the Black Bear Faction.

Several martial artists from the Black Bear Faction controlled the civilians passing through the street, and a natural boundary formed as onlookers gathered, hearing that a fight was about to break out.

As Song Chaeji boldly stepped into the open space surrounded by the crowd, a man who seemed to be the leader of the Black Bear Faction waiting inside twisted his lips into a smirk.

“They say they raise tiger cubs in Hangsan, but this looks more like a kitten.”

It seemed like he was talking about Song Chaeji.

Namgung Woo subtly raised his awkward internal energy and observed the man. His eyes held a faint blue glow.

‘He’s quite skilled.’

Before Namgung Woo could think deeper, Song Chaeji’s clear voice rang out.

“Don’t forget. This matter ends with this duel.”

“Of course. Don’t worry. We don’t want a full-blown conflict between factions over such a trivial matter either.”

“If it was trivial, you could have just backed off.”

“Except for that inn, everything else has already been settled. It’s too late to make exceptions now and tarnish our faction’s reputation. No need for long talks. Let’s begin.”

The man drew the large sword strapped to his back.

The aura emanating from the well-maintained blade was quite menacing.

Weapons were drawn. There was no turning back now.

Song Chaeji also drew her sword and took a stance.

“Song Chaeji of the Hangsan Faction. I learned the sword from Eulju Jinin.”

The man, though not pleased with Song Chaeji’s declaration of her lineage, spoke up, seemingly mindful of the onlookers.

“From the White Path, huh? I’m Pung Hyo of the Black Bear Faction. As for martial arts, I’ve learned a thing or two.”

There was no official referee, but it didn’t matter.

At this moment, the open space on the street became a stage solely for Song Chaeji and Pung Hyo.

Namgung Woo stood guard near the inn entrance, watching the two face off.

As both sides slowly sought an opening, Namgung Woo pondered over their earlier conversation.

‘Hangsan Faction…’

Namgung Woo was familiar with the faction. Though it appeared in Chasing Deer Murim, it was also known in the martial world as one of the Five Peaks Sword Faction.

‘If there’s a famous faction in Shanxi, it’s the Hangsan Faction.’

But something felt off. Even if it was considered weaker compared to the Nine Sects and One Gang, the Hangsan Faction was still one of the prestigious martial sects. Would they really hesitate to engage in an all-out war with a mere Black Path faction like this?

From Namgung Woo’s perspective, Pung Hyo’s martial skills weren’t particularly impressive. As long as Song Chaeji didn’t make any careless mistakes, she should win without much trouble.

‘Then is that guy just a low-ranking member? Or perhaps the faction leader is an extraordinary master. Alternatively, the Hangsan Faction might have declined.’

If none of those, then the Black Bear Faction must have some powerful backer.

As Namgung Woo roughly mapped out the power dynamics of Shanxi’s martial world, the two finally clashed.

Clang!

The sound was heavier than mere metal clashing.

Both Song Chaeji and Pung Hyo had infused their swords with internal energy.

A faint resonance emanated from the energy-filled blades.

It wasn’t quite the “sword’s cry,” but it was a clear sign of the Spirit-Infused Sword Technique, where one channels energy into their weapon as an extension of their body.

‘They both must have realized it now. Song Chaeji is at a higher level.’

Namgung Woo’s eyes had already turned a blazing sky-blue.

He could clearly see the energy swirling within their bodies and extending through their swords.

Neither had fully mastered the free manipulation of internal energy, but even within that, there was a clear difference. Song Chaeji was half a breath faster in her movements.

‘Moreover, Song Chaeji’s internal energy is purer.’

Yet, Pung Hyo was holding on purely due to his physical advantage.

Even though martial artists transcend human limits and wield extraordinary power, the innate physical differences between men and women aren’t entirely negligible.

At higher levels, that gap might become meaningless, but at Song Chaeji and Pung Hyo’s level, it was still a factor.

‘But he’s gradually being pushed back. The moment his internal energy wavers and he falls to the Internal Energy Strike Technique, it’ll be the end for Pung Hyo.’

Even though he could predict the outcome as if reading the future, Namgung Woo was completely engrossed in the duel.

It was fascinating.

The duel between the two.

The immature yet mystifying movements of their internal energy.

How would he have fought in their place?

Namgung Woo was also familiar with fighting while restricting his internal energy. In his sparring sessions with Namgung Mae, he always limited his energy to match her level.

If he were in Pung Hyo’s or Song Chaeji’s place, how would he have fought?

Hypothesizing and predicting the outcome was an entirely new experience for Namgung Woo.

The vitality he hadn’t felt in Chasing Deer Murim continuously stimulated his curiosity.

‘That was a missed opportunity. If she had gone for a horizontal strike instead of a vertical one just now, she could have ended it.’

Namgung Woo’s consciousness snapped back when someone tugged at his sleeve.

Following the hand, he saw Yang Sodang, who had returned at some point, clutching his sleeve with a worried expression.

“Big brother… she can win, right?”

Namgung Woo gently patted Yang Sodang’s head as she looked up at him with teary eyes.

Perhaps it was the warmth of his touch, but Yang Sodang’s expression brightened slightly.

“Of course. Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon.”

After comforting Yang Sodang, Namgung Woo nodded to the man standing beside her.

The man’s frail body told the story of what he had been through. He must have gone to confront the Black Bear Faction’s tyranny and gotten beaten up. Thankfully, nothing seemed broken.

“You must be the one my daughter brought.”

“Yes. I owe your daughter a great debt.”

“Nonsense. It’s only natural to help those in need…”

Namgung Woo could see where Yang Sodang’s selflessness came from. With a father who considered generosity a given, she had naturally inherited that trait.

He didn’t know the exact relationship between Song Chaeji and the father-daughter pair, but he could vaguely understand why she was so fiercely protective.

The heartwarming moment was punctuated by the sharp clang of metal as Song Chaeji deflected Pung Hyo’s large sword and pointed her blade at his throat.

“I’ve won.”

Song Chaeji’s face was filled with satisfaction and triumph.

Pung Hyo, seemingly unbothered, raised his hands calmly.

“Alright, alright. I lost. Lower your sword.”

As Pung Hyo admitted defeat, cheers erupted from the onlookers.

“As expected of the Hangsan Faction!”

“Does this mean the Hangsan Faction will rejoin the Nine Sects?”

“Hey! It’s not that simple!”

The Black Bear Faction’s reputation in Pyeongyo County wasn’t great.

This incident was a prime example. They colluded with the county magistrate to force unfair deals on the people. For the oppressed citizens of Pyeongyo, Song Chaeji’s victory over the Black Bear Faction was a cause for celebration.

But the joy was short-lived.

“Next up, Jin Chung, you take over.”

As Song Chaeji sheathed her sword, Pung Hyo spoke.

“What?”

Song Chaeji’s voice was filled with disbelief.

“What do you mean? The duel isn’t over yet.”

“Nonsense! You just admitted defeat yourself…”

“That was me losing. Not the Black Bear Faction.”

Pung Hyo smirked.

They say anger can leave one speechless, and that was exactly how Song Chaeji felt.

As she stared at Pung Hyo in stunned silence, a man named Jin Chung approached.

“Did you forget? This duel isn’t between Song Chaeji and Pung Hyo, but between the Black Bear Faction and the Yang Family Inn.”

“That’s… that’s absurd!”

Namgung Woo couldn’t stop Yang Sodang from bursting out.

He himself was inwardly marveling at the audacious logic.

“That’s… that’s just ridiculous!”

“Kid, step aside.”

Jin Chung coldly addressed Yang Sodang, who had stepped forward as if to protect Song Chaeji.

“Or are you going to take her place?”

True to the Black Bear Faction’s nature as a Black Path faction, they were all cut from the same cloth. Jin Chung’s threat, followed by Pung Hyo’s sneer, crushed Yang Sodang’s courage.

“It’s okay, little one.”

Song Chaeji gently pulled Yang Sodang behind her.

Then she returned the threat.

“You do realize this could give the Hangsan Faction a reason to intervene, right?”

“Well, then Taiyuan might also get involved, no?”

Taiyuan, the capital and center of Shanxi.

Could the Black Bear Faction have such a powerful backer there to act so brazenly? Song Chaeji’s brow furrowed, clearly burdened.

“…Fine. I’ll play along with your tune. Are these all the representatives from the Black Bear Faction? Let’s see if you can still spout such nonsense after I defeat all of you.”

Song Chaeji declared boldly, reigniting her fighting spirit.

The crowd once again erupted in admiration for the heroic woman, but Namgung Woo remained coldly analytical.

‘She’s letting her emotions take over.’

It was true that Song Chaeji was stronger than Pung Hyo, but the gap wasn’t huge. The previous duel had already drained much of her stamina and internal energy.

Continuing this车轮战 (continuous battle) was reckless. Unless Song Chaeji suddenly achieved a breakthrough to a higher realm, defeat was inevitable.

‘She must know that. Well, she looks barely 20.’

Namgung Woo was being generous. If she were in her teens, it would be strange for her to be traveling alone, so he estimated her to be around 20. But judging by her appearance alone, even 20 seemed a stretch.

“Jin Chung, his martial skills are roughly on par with Pung Hyo.”

Soon, the duel resumed.

Watching Song Chaeji clearly on the defensive this time, Namgung Woo subtly clenched and unclenched his fist.

His internal energy began to circulate through his meridians, slowly unraveling.

‘Looks like I’ll have to step in. It’s the perfect chance to repay the favor.’

His internal energy still felt awkward. Namgung Woo focused on a single strand of true energy, examining his meridians.

His experience in Chasing Deer Murim wasn’t entirely useless. It felt somewhat similar.

‘Control is key, control.’

After all, accidentally killing someone would be problematic.