Chapter 48

Namgung Woo stared straight at Paeng Hu-sang, who stood across from him.

Paeng Hu-sang held a practice sword, not the one used in real combat.

A massive surge of energy swirled around his body.

“Then, let’s begin.”

With that declaration, a storm-like wave of energy fiercely rushed toward Namgung Woo.

How did it come to this?

In a fleeting moment, Namgung Woo recalled the beginning of it all.

After staying in Tianjin for quite some time, Namgung Woo was considering when to leave.

Around that time, the commotion in Beijing had spread across the martial world, and the reputation of the Hapbuk Paeng Family, which had greatly contributed to quelling it, was shaking the martial world.

To decide his next destination after leaving the Hapbuk Paeng Family, Namgung Woo sought out Paeng Hu-sang. Though he was closer to Paeng Ha-ryeong or Paeng Ye-ryeong, the head of the Paeng Family was, after all, Paeng Hu-sang.

It was only proper to inform the family head of his plans.

When Namgung Woo mentioned his intention to leave the Paeng Family Villa and asked if Paeng Hu-sang could recommend a blacksmith capable of crafting the Netherworld Horn, Paeng Hu-sang suddenly replied:

“Benefactor, do you like fishing?”

§

As mentioned before, Tianjin is an inland city but also a port city adjacent to the Grand Canal.

However, even without the Grand Canal, Tianjin is a coastal city close enough to the sea that one could see the ocean within a day if they wished.

With two vast seas nearby, Tianjin was a place where rivers and lakes were easily found.

Though the Grand Canal, heavily altered by human hands, wasn’t suitable for aquatic life, there were plenty of fishing spots around Tianjin.

But the place Paeng Hu-sang took Namgung Woo was special.

A fishing spot exclusively for the Hapbuk Paeng Family. However, since the martial artists of the Paeng Family didn’t enjoy fishing, it was essentially Paeng Hu-sang’s personal fishing spot.

Dressed in casual clothes instead of martial attire, the two sat side by side at the fishing spot.

Though Namgung Woo had never fished before, he had a rough idea from videos and friends’ boasts, and he followed Paeng Hu-sang’s instructions well.

After casting his line, Namgung Woo asked Paeng Hu-sang, who had just thrown his own line:

“Do you like fishing?”

“Not particularly. But it’s become a hobby now.”

Initially, Paeng Hu-sang had used formal speech with Namgung Woo as his benefactor, but after Namgung Woo asked to speak more casually, he switched to informal speech.

Paeng Hu-sang began to reminisce about his past.

“When I was young, I was quite an impatient child.”

His tone suggested that he wasn’t like that anymore.

If there had been someone to cross-examine him, they would have foamed at the mouth recounting Paeng Hu-sang’s past deeds.

But unfortunately, this fishing spot was private property of the Paeng Family.

“My father told me to try fishing. At first, it was just annoying. I didn’t like wasting time on something other than martial arts. As you’ll come to know, fishing can be quite boring.”

Though some might find it enjoyable, Paeng Hu-sang wasn’t one of them.

Yet, he continued to fish.

Not just because of his father’s command. He had his own reasons.

“Why did Taigong Wang float his fishing hook three inches above the water?”

“That’s the story of ‘Three Inches Above Water,’ right?”

It was a well-known tale, and Namgung Woo remembered hearing it.

Taigong Wang, also known as Jiang Taigong, was a figure often associated with fishing.

Though the name might seem random, Jiang Taigong was quite famous in martial arts.

The idiom “Taigong Fishing” described a technique of using an opponent’s strength to disarm them, and Jiang Taigong himself was deified in Taoism, with martial arts based on his philosophy existing in reality.

“I used to think Taoist martial arts were just full of empty rituals. But I learned otherwise. What I needed back then wasn’t something to seek outside but something to find within. Once I realized that, the walls crumbled.”

Namgung Woo realized Paeng Hu-sang wasn’t just reminiscing.

He was giving advice.

To Namgung Woo, who couldn’t properly control his Upper Dantian.

To Namgung Woo, who had lost the harmony of essence, energy, and spirit, relying solely on the fierce fire of his internal energy and the extreme power of Ascendant Martial Arts to display the strength of a peak expert.

“…Did you know?”

“I had an inkling. When you fought Yi Ja-ryong at Manse Mountain, you barely used the Upper Dantian’s power. If it were the Upper Dantian Martial Arts capable of closing Paeng Ye-ryeong’s celestial gate, it would be a divine technique unmatched even by Yi Ja-ryong’s spells.”

“I did use the Upper Dantian’s power to counter the spells, though.”

“Just because you’re born with fast legs doesn’t mean you call it a profound protective technique.”

Though Paeng Hu-sang phrased it politely out of respect for his benefactor, he was essentially saying it was just because Namgung Woo had a special body.

Struck by the truth, Namgung Woo clenched his mouth shut.

Paeng Hu-sang chuckled and pulled out a book from his robe, handing it over.

“Take it.”

“What is this?”

Namgung Woo took the book and read the title on the cover.

“Jeseon Scripture?”

Jeseon Scripture (濟仙境). Crossing the boundary of immortals. The title suggested it was a Taoist scripture or something similar.

“It’s a spellbook. Also a Taoist scripture.”

“Ah.”

Paeng Hu-sang held his fishing rod as he spoke.

“I obtained it during this journey. Back when I didn’t know you, I considered it my last hope.”

Paeng Hu-sang had exhausted all his efforts to close Paeng Ye-ryeong’s celestial gate.

And the Jeseon Scripture was the most valuable and promising achievement he had gained in recent years.

“The title is provisional. I had it appraised by a knowledgeable spellcaster, and they were utterly amazed. It weaves together various Taoist scriptures and spells, and its level is incredibly high. But now, our Paeng Family no longer needs it.”

Paeng Hu-sang recalled Paeng Ye-ryeong’s narrowing celestial gate.

Paeng Ye-ryeong, who had begun to control her Upper Dantian and manage the celestial gate on her own. Hope was no longer necessary. Salvation had already been granted.

“I’ll give it to you.”

“…To me?”

“Reading Taoist scriptures is good, but Zhuangzi and Laozi are too abstract and obscure to be immediately useful. And to navigate the treacherous martial world, you need some proficiency in spells. The Jeseon Scripture is perfect for learning Taoist studies and building knowledge of spells. If you master it properly, you might even show off a bit at the Mosan Sect.”

The Mosan Sect, known as the headquarters of spells in the White Path Martial World.

In this era where the Ghost Gate has opened and the value of spells has risen alongside martial arts, the Mosan Sect has firmly established itself as a member of the Nine Sects and One Gang.

A spellbook even the Mosan Sect doesn’t know? It’s priceless. If its existence became widely known, a bloodbath wouldn’t be surprising.

Namgung Woo didn’t fully grasp the value of the Jeseon Scripture, but it was clear that it was far more precious than the martial robe woven by the Shadow Spider’s master craftsman. It might even be more valuable than the Netherworld Horn left by Gwak Dan.

Thus, Namgung Woo hesitated, unsure if he should accept it.

“If you don’t need it, I’ll burn it. Once something leaves my hands, it’s better not to take it back.”

“…Then I’ll gratefully keep it.”

Leaving room to return it if necessary, Namgung Woo’s reply made Paeng Hu-sang click his tongue internally.

A man should have ambition and drive.

In Paeng Hu-sang’s eyes, Namgung Woo was too bound by etiquette. Sometimes, it’s okay to ignore etiquette and act boldly.

‘That’s something he can improve over time.’

Thinking that Namgung Woo would never realize, Paeng Hu-sang lifted his fishing rod with a flourish, proudly displaying a rather large, flapping fish.

“See that?”

“A fine catch. Congratulations.”

“Hahaha. Indeed.”

Paeng Hu-sang laughed contentedly and released the fish back into the water.

Behold this mercy.

This is the magnanimity befitting the head of the Hapbuk Paeng Family.

Feeling Namgung Woo’s gaze filled with respect, Paeng Hu-sang decided to drive the point home and unveiled his second prepared move.

“But you haven’t experienced the Upper Dantian’s power in martial arts, have you?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Good. Then it’s worth experiencing. They say hearing a hundred times isn’t worth seeing once, seeing a hundred times isn’t worth understanding once, and understanding a hundred times isn’t worth acting once. Come on, let’s head back. I’ll let you experience the essence of the Paeng Family’s martial arts firsthand!”

Having poured out a year’s worth of stories in one day, Paeng Hu-sang urged Namgung Woo to hurry back to the Paeng Family Villa.

And that was how Namgung Woo ended up facing Paeng Hu-sang in the training ground.