Chapter 68

The negotiation was successful.

The attackers released the captives from the Jegal Family, and Namgung Woo and the Orthodox Martial World did not pursue them.

Though blinded by merit and fame, it was likely that some would have defected, but the Black Sword Ghost and Myeolseomma were notorious evil masters in the Huguang region. Having achieved their goal, there was no need to risk their lives unnecessarily.

On the way back.

Jeong Gwang sighed in relief inwardly as he glanced at Namgung Woo.

‘If it weren’t for him, things would have been a disaster.’

The chances of Jeong Gwang, a master ranked among the Hwang Mountain Sect, stopping the Black Sword Ghost or Myeolseomma alone were slim.

Even if Jeong Gwang managed to hold off one, what about the other?

Though the martial monk Geumshin from Hwaseong Temple had shown some effort, Jeong Gwang still found it lacking.

‘In contrast, that man, Namgung Woo, the Great Hero.’

His skill that held the upper hand against the Black Sword Ghost. Considering his age, it didn’t even provoke jealousy. It completely made sense why the Hapbuk Paeng Family had attached such a precious direct descendant to him.

‘They must be planning to take him in as a son-in-law.’

Even though the Hapbuk Paeng Family was famous for their swordsmanship, at that level of skill, the difference in weapons became meaningless.

Jeong Gwang quickened his pace after confirming that Hangwi was assisting the injured Jegal Pan.

“Great Hero Nam.”

At Jeong Gwang’s call, Namgung Woo turned his head.

“Jeong Gwang, the Taoist? Do you have something to say to me?”

“Taoist is too much. Just call me a Taoist priest.”

“If you say so.”

“But Great Hero Nam, how do you plan to return? Are you heading straight north to return to Guyajang?”

“Do you have another suggestion?”

Jeong Gwang, feeling as if Namgung Woo already knew what he was going to say, cleared his throat and spoke.

“Ahem, returning to Guyajang is fine, but the Jegal Family members have suffered external and internal injuries. Since Hwang Mountain is closer than Guhwa Mountain or Guyajang, it might be good to stay there for a while to recover before heading back.”

“Hwang Mountain, you say?”

“Yes. Our Hwang Mountain has hot springs, which are excellent for treating internal injuries and recovering the body.”

Hot springs, huh.

There was still time before the one-month deadline mentioned at Guyajang, and it was true that the Jegal Family members had suffered various injuries and needed a recovery period.

Though Jeong Gwang’s sudden friendliness had a reason, there was no need to refuse.

Jeong Gwang, Hangwi, Jegal Pan, and Jegal Seon-a.

They all seemed to be waiting for Namgung Woo to make a decision, stopping their words and actions.

He felt respect and trust directed towards him. A sense of responsibility and elation rose within him. This was the feeling of leading a group. It wasn’t bad. It was similar to when he had just become the guild leader of the Namgung Family in Chasing Deer Murim.

‘I need to get used to this.’

In Chasing Deer Murim, shortly after he became the guild leader, members started quitting the game one by one, but here, on the contrary, the number of people following him would increase.

Not just at Changcheon Pavilion now, but perhaps even in the future when he would build an even greater force.

Namgung Woo made his decision.

“Let’s go to Hwang Mountain.”

§

The journey to Hwang Mountain was much easier thanks to the Hwang Mountain Sect members who knew the area well.

Jegal Seon-a, slightly exhausted, was following the group with the help of Paeng Ha-ryeong.

The Orthodox martial artists, having rushed here in a frenzy, were also quite drained, so the pace wasn’t too fast, allowing Jegal Seon-a to keep up on her own.

Just the thought that the chase was over seemed to breathe life into Jegal Seon-a’s heavy body. With her mind at ease, the remaining energy in her body began to move to recover.

However, despite her mind being at ease, Jegal Seon-a’s thoughts were swirling with various concerns.

Among the many worries, what immediately concerned Jegal Seon-a was none other than Paeng Ha-ryeong.

“Hey, Ha-ryeong.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you… engaged or something with that Great Hero?”

“Huh? Oh, no, nothing like that.”

Seeing Paeng Ha-ryeong’s face turn red as she waved her hands in denial, Jegal Seon-a’s eyes narrowed.

Though they hadn’t seen each other often, Jegal Seon-a had stayed at the Hapbuk Paeng Family for a while when they were younger, so they knew each other fairly well.

Especially since Jegal Seon-a, with her Resonance Power, had a deep understanding of others. To her, Paeng Ha-ryeong’s awkward denial only emphasized her true feelings.

“Calling him ‘Gaga’?”

“Well, he’s older than me, so…”

“Really?”

“…You wouldn’t understand, Gaga.”

The term ‘Gaga’ generally refers to an older male, but when a woman uses it for a man, it carries another meaning.

However, Namgung Woo was unaware of this custom. Since no one pointed it out, thinking he must know, a misunderstanding arose.

At first, Paeng Ha-ryeong, seeing that Namgung Woo didn’t object, happily assumed he felt the same way.

But as time passed, she began to realize something was off. Being right beside Namgung Woo, she couldn’t help but notice that he truly had no idea about the meaning.

“Well, he’s a bit lacking in common sense.”

“Ah… I see. The type who’s so absorbed in martial arts that he doesn’t pay attention to anything else.”

Jegal Seon-a looked at Paeng Ha-ryeong with a mix of pity and understanding.

Then she paused.

Her friend, who had struggled for her sister with a limited lifespan, unable to even smile properly. The friend who had said she would give up her own happiness for her sister and had sought out the Ghost Gate Sealing Battle on her own.

Jegal Seon-a had never seen Paeng Ha-ryeong with such a melting, blissful expression.

“Is Ye-ryeong… better now?”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

“That Great Hero?”

Paeng Ha-ryeong nodded silently. Her gaze towards Namgung Woo became even more affectionate.

‘She’s serious, Ha-ryeong…’

When she was first rescued by Namgung Woo, her own heart had raced, but Paeng Ha-ryeong’s feelings were deep and intense.

‘…He was reliable.’

The thought of wanting to stay by his side suddenly came to mind.

The boundless sky.

Though it contained thunderous storms and the cool, serene night sky, it felt comforting.

Paeng Ha-ryeong, unaware of the faint envy and longing in Jegal Seon-a’s gaze, tried to change the subject.

“By the way, what happened to the Jegal Family? What was the attack about?”

“…Do you know what happened in Beijing?”

“Of course. I was there too.”

When Paeng Ha-ryeong proudly said so, Jegal Seon-a asked in surprise.

“You were there then?”

“Yes. I was with Gaga.”

“Ah… The Great Hero was there too. But why didn’t I hear about it? With such strength…”

“He dislikes becoming too famous.”

The great roc waits for the storm to soar.

Perhaps even the turmoil in Beijing wasn’t enough of a storm for Namgung Woo to take flight.

Jegal Seon-a glanced at him curiously and continued her explanation.

“The Imperial Family was shaken. The Martial Arts Governor headed to Shandong. Then, the Banunbang began to move.”

No longer needing to hold back, the Banunbang launched an offensive against the Jegal Family, whom they had been eyeing for an opportunity.

“So far, it’s just a struggle over some territories, but we in the Jegal Family are certain. What they’re aiming for isn’t just territory. There will definitely be a full-scale war that will determine the survival of one of us.”

A gloomy light shadowed Jegal Seon-a’s eyes.

How many would die or be injured?

The Banunbang is strong. Comparable to the Nine Sects, they are clearly superior in martial power to the Jegal Family.

The Banunbang, having gathered various figures from both within and outside the Central Plains, is a faction where only those at the peak or above can survive.

Even the Huashan Sect, the strongest among the Nine Sects, would find it hard to guarantee victory against them, except for their Peerless Master, the Taihua Sword Immortal.

That said, the Jegal Family has no intention of giving in easily. Like Jegal Seon-a seeking out Guyajang, other members of the Jegal Family are being mobilized for missions to prepare for the war.

To find comrades to fight alongside, to gain support from the Martial Alliance, to protect the Jegal Family.

“This attack was one of the Banunbang’s schemes to hinder us.”

Black Sword Ghost Jeongpo. Myeolseomma Jeo Riryung.

They were the top masters recruited by the Banunbang, who had started securing their forces earlier than the Jegal Family. The Black Sword Ghost, leading the Black Sword Squad, and Myeolseomma, the leader of the Myeoljin Gate, were not just individual top masters.

The fact that they were deployed here shows how thorough and relentless the Banunbang’s preparations were.

“Is the Banunbang not moving directly yet?”

“They’re waiting.”

For the final nail to be driven in.

Until they witness clear evidence that the Imperial Family can no longer control the direction of the martial world.

This gave the Jegal Family some time. How long it would last was uncertain, but at least for now, it was manageable.

“So, by the way… Ha-ryeong.”

After calling her name, Jegal Seon-a’s words abruptly stopped.

Her chapped lips twitched as she clenched her fists and lowered her head.

Is this the right thing?

Is this okay?

Suppressing a mix of guilt, desperation, hope, and self-reproach, Jegal Seon-a forced out her voice with difficulty.

“…Can you help me?”