Chapter 56

Wi Seong-ha truly set the standard for a clueless self-introduction.

Wi Ji-ryang didn’t miss the opportunity.

“Kukuku, what’s this? You said you’d straighten things out properly.”

“…Don’t laugh.”

Wi Seong-ha gritted her teeth, suppressing her anger as Wi Ji-ryang poked her side and mocked her.

But Wi Ji-ryang had already seized the moment. A six-year age difference meant nothing—when you’ve caught your sibling’s weakness, how could you not tease them?

“Hurry up and check it out. Let me bask in the glory of our sharp little sister.”

Wi Ji-ryang, who had been relentlessly teasing Wi Seong-ha as she remained silent, finally decided to tone it down and returned to a normal tone.

“But seriously, why are you so sensitive? Is it because that Namgung Woo guy is handsome?”

They had already exchanged introductions when they first met at the Mercenary Association.

Though Wi Seong-ha was bold and straightforward, befitting a martial family’s daughter, she was still a woman. Wi Ji-ryang thought it was natural for her to feel a bit nervous around someone as strikingly handsome as Namgung Woo.

“…Do you think I’m some shallow person who only cares about looks?”

“Then? What’s the problem?”

Wi Ji-ryang glanced at Namgung Woo’s group walking slightly ahead.

Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong were walking awkwardly, while Namgung Woo seemed to be giving them advice.

Even their ordinary walking seemed like a form of footwork training. Despite their slow pace, they were moving faster than Wi Ji-ryang and his group, who were using light body techniques. It was clear they were on a different level.

“Still haven’t noticed? Seriously, if you become the sect leader, I’ll have Mount Tai-sized worries.”

“Just spit it out. Ah, Senior Brother, did you notice something?”

“Hmm. Well, that Yang Kwae guy is definitely a Peak Master.”

Men, honestly.

Wi Seong-ha clicked her tongue and muttered in a tiny voice about something only she had noticed.

Since she hadn’t reached the Peak Master level and couldn’t use Whispering Transmission, she tried her best to keep her voice low so Namgung Woo wouldn’t hear.

“Wow, it’s Shadow Spider silk.”

“Huh?”

Even the leader of the Cheongsu Gate, the father of the Wi siblings, couldn’t afford clothes made from Shadow Spider silk.

It wasn’t that he lacked the ability, but rather because the Cheongsu Gate leader was frugal by nature. In other words, it was a luxury even for a sect leader.

And here was a mercenary wearing such expensive clothes? Wandering the martial world ruled by strength? Only the three Supreme Peak Masters among thousands of mercenaries could afford such a thing. Or someone with equally powerful backing.

[…Who among the mercenaries is a Supreme Peak Master?]

Wi Ji-ryang clumsily sent a Whispering Transmission.

The seasoned Peak Master, Lee Gong-seo, replied smoothly.

[The Mercenary King, Hwang Ryong-ho, and the Undefeated Wanderer. Three of them.]

[Anyone who matches his appearance…]

[None.]

All three were known to be in their 40s.

Though Supreme Peak Masters maintained youthful bodies, Namgung Woo looked to be in his early 20s, which didn’t match.

[Then it must be the latter.]

[If he’s from Hapbuk, there’s only one thing that comes to mind…]

[No way…?]

‘The Paeng Family?’

Wi Ji-ryang swallowed his words. Even he found the idea ridiculous and let out a hollow laugh.

Shadow Spider silk was something only direct descendants or Great Masters of the Hapbuk Paeng Family could afford. And such people were too famous to hide their identities for long.

The only possibility was the woman wearing the veil, but…

‘A direct descendant of the Hapbuk Paeng Family as a mercenary? That’s insane.’

No wonder the Seven Great Families were called “Great Families.” They had wielded power for generations, unlike the Black Martial Alliance’s Four Great Powers, which had risen to prominence only decades ago.

“But, Seong-ha. You’ve got a good eye. How did you notice that?”

“…I’m a woman too, you know?”

Wi Seong-ha summarized the embarrassing process in one sentence.

How to put it? At first, she was captivated by Namgung Woo, then she scrutinized the woman next to him like a rival, and eventually realized the fabric wasn’t ordinary.

Having followed the Cheongsu Gate leader and seen real Shadow Spider silk before, Wi Seong-ha barely recognized it.

That unique luster. The Shadow Spider silk, more beautiful than even the finest silk, was firmly etched in her memory.

“Anyway, they’re not ordinary people.”

“We knew that from the start. Being a Peak Master at that age already sets them apart.”

“Stop nitpicking!”

§

Meanwhile, Namgung Woo was eavesdropping on the entire conversation from behind.

“They’ve figured it out.”

Along with Paeng Ha-ryeong.

“Guess so. Is it usually this easy to notice?”

Namgung Woo’s question made Paeng Ha-ryeong feel guilty. She cleared her throat awkwardly.

‘It’s my fault we got caught.’

Namgung Woo was wearing a thin robe over his martial attire. The robe was made of plain cotton, so there was no way to tell unless someone had special vision techniques.

And Paeng Ha-ryeong was the same, wearing a veil over her martial attire.

‘How dare they…!’

But the moment Paeng Ha-ryeong saw the look in Wi Seong-ha’s eyes, she removed the veil she had been using to hide her identity.

It was a warning to back off after giving them enough clues to guess her status.

Leaving the cotton robe on was Paeng Ha-ryeong’s last act of restraint.

After all, neither Namgung Woo nor the Yang Brothers seemed intent on living as mercenaries forever. They were only acting as mercenaries this time to gather information, combined with Namgung Woo’s personal preference.

Paeng Ha-ryeong judged that this level of impulsive behavior was within acceptable limits.

Though it was still a bit embarrassing to admit.

In simple terms, it was awkward to reveal the petty rivalry between women.

“Seems they have a good eye. But, Gaga, did you hear all their conversations?”

Paeng Ha-ryeong naturally shifted the topic.

Here, “conversations” included not just spoken words but also Whispering Transmissions.

Namgung Woo nodded slightly, understanding her meaning.

Their Whispering Transmissions were clumsy to Namgung Woo’s ears.

Eavesdropping on a Whispering Transmission from a Peerless Master like Paeng Hu-sang would require mystical techniques, but listening in on the halting transmissions of someone who had just entered the Peak Master realm was child’s play for Namgung Woo.

Even Paeng Hu-sang or Gwak Dan could do it easily. Han Gyeran of Haedong would have no trouble, and Paeng Ja-ryeong could hear it with a bit of focus.

Not thinking it was anything to boast about, Namgung Woo answered lightly.

“Nothing important.”

“Really?”

But sensing something off about Namgung Woo’s demeanor, Paeng Ha-ryeong was about to ask more when the Yang Brothers’ voices cut her off.

“Ah, boss! Give us some advice. When stepping here, how should we move our internal energy?”

The footwork the Yang Brothers were practicing wasn’t Namgung Woo’s main technique, Infinite Steps. While the Thirteen Lightning Flash Swords was useful on its own, it truly shone when paired with the right footwork.

Since the Yang Brothers had no proper martial arts besides internal energy techniques, Namgung Woo taught them the Reverse Step Technique he had used before mastering Infinite Steps.

Unlike Infinite Steps, which functioned as an Ascendant Martial Art with every step, the Reverse Step Technique only served its basic purpose as footwork. Even so, the brothers’ skills were rapidly improving.

Especially Yang Kwae, who had reached the Peak Master level and was passionately devoting himself to training.

“Focus your energy on the Great Mound Acupoint while releasing energy from the Five Steps Acupoint on the right side… but let’s save that for later.”

Namgung Woo then shifted his gaze elsewhere.

“First, let’s review what you’ve practiced so far in a real scenario.”

The moment Namgung Woo said that.

The atmosphere changed drastically.

A metallic scent of blood wafted through the air. It wasn’t an illusion—the thick smell of blood assaulted everyone’s senses.

“Kukuku, you’ve got good instincts, kid.”

Squelch, squelch.

An old man walked onto the road, his steps sounding like he was trudging through a puddle.

Everyone realized he was the source of the blood scent.

And they also knew his name.

“Blood-Blind Elder…”

Wi Seong-ha’s voice trembled with fear as the Blood-Blind Elder, Gorokgal, twisted his mouth into a grotesque smile.

It was the face of someone who clearly enjoyed others’ fear.

“This time, you’ve brought me four more prey.”

Namgung Woo’s eyes glowed blue as he assessed Gorokgal’s internal energy.

Then, with a calm demeanor, he spoke.

“Not a bad opponent. Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong, the two of you should take him on together.”