Chapter 73

Namgung Woo’s life at the Jegal Family was somewhat similar to his time at the Hapbuk Paeng Family.

After all, being a guest is usually like that. Unless there’s something special going on, all guests do is eat and sleep. For martial artists, training is added to that routine.

If even regular guests are like that, you can imagine how much better the treatment is for those who are also benefactors.

True to its reputation for rationality, the Jegal Family treated Namgung Woo, who had helped Jegal Seon-a and the Biun Unit, with the respect he deserved.

Namgung Woo and the Changcheon Pavilion were assigned the highest-grade lodgings available. His status was also elevated to match that of martial artists sent by major factions, rather than being treated as a mere hired wanderer.

Given that Paeng Ha-ryeong, a member of the Hapbuk Paeng Family, was present, this treatment could be seen as natural. However, the Jegal Family made it clear to Namgung Woo that the decision was based on his own merits, not Paeng Ha-ryeong’s influence.

“What are you looking at?”

Geumshin approached Namgung Woo, who was gazing out the window.

“Just watching people.”

Namgung Woo’s lodgings were at an inn slightly removed from the bustling center of Wuhan.

The guest rooms in the Jegal Family’s grand estate were already reserved for other guests. The Jegal Family deemed the regular guest quarters too shabby for someone like Namgung Woo.

Geumshin glanced outside the window where Namgung Woo was looking.

The area was already close to the city center, so there was always a decent flow of people. But today, the streets were unusually crowded.

“Word of the declaration of war must have spread, and everyone’s rushing around.”

The declaration of war by Banunbang against the Jegal Family.

The shocking news spread faster than a thousand-mile horse. With the imperial family and the Seekers in the Mist already drawing attention in the east, this major event in the central-south region of the martial world naturally became the focus of everyone’s attention.

Those who were already on their way to aid the Jegal Family hurried even more to gather in Wuhan. Even those who had distanced themselves from the martial world quickened their steps, not wanting to miss the spectacle.

As a result, Wuhan was suddenly flooded with people.

“There are a lot of wanderers.”

“For them, this war is a golden opportunity. While the Ghost Gate Sealing Battle is significant, a decisive battle like this in the martial world is the perfect chance to increase their value.”

Geumshin, despite being a monk, seemed quite worldly.

Namgung Woo swallowed his urge to ask if Geumshin was really a monk and focused on observing the crowd.

‘There are a few decently skilled individuals mixed in.’

Namgung Woo’s gaze wasn’t limited to the street below.

His energy perception extended all the way to the city center.

This was why he had refused the Jegal Family’s offer of a separate building and chosen this place instead.

Most of the martial artists, excluding ordinary civilians, ranged from first to second-rate, with a few peak masters scattered among them.

While peak masters were common in major factions like the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Black Path Seven Gates, they were rare in the broader martial world.

Peak masters among wanderers often carried themselves with pride, and for good reason. In smaller factions, a peak master was considered the backbone of the group, and unaffiliated peak masters were welcomed with open arms by any faction, barring specific disqualifications.

And now, peak masters were swarming Wuhan.

Their numbers were a clear indicator of how significant this event was.

Namgung Woo carefully observed the martial artists with strong energy, including the peak masters.

He had been considering expanding the Changcheon Pavilion. While he had recently recruited Geumshin, a fully matured peak master, Geumshin was more of a contracted mercenary, temporarily joining through a deal with Hwaseong Temple.

In the long term, the Changcheon Pavilion needed new talents.

‘That one seems decent, but he’s affiliated with a faction… That one seems to have practiced demonic arts? His energy feels off.’

Namgung Woo wasn’t planning to recruit based solely on martial prowess, but there were still minimum standards.

As he scrutinized those who met the criteria, his eyes suddenly widened.

“Geumshin, do you see them?”

Namgung Woo pointed to a group that had just entered the street.

Geumshin used Hwaseong Temple’s observation technique to examine them.

“Yes, Great Master.”

“They’re incredibly skilled. Do you recognize any of them?”

“I don’t recognize their faces, but I know their uniforms.”

“Who are they?”

Even as he asked, Namgung Woo’s gaze remained fixed on the group.

The group wasn’t large. Centered around a figure who seemed to be their leader, there were seven martial artists, making eight in total. Despite their small number, their energy completely overwhelmed the dozens of martial artists in the area.

It was breathtaking. Even without intentionally amplifying their energy, the natural flow of their presence dominated the surroundings.

Namgung Woo’s surprise turned to understanding upon hearing Geumshin’s answer.

“Black uniforms with white robes. The symbol of Taiji and the pine sword engraved on them—there’s only one group they can be. The Wudang Sect.”

“Wudang…”

The Wudang Sect, one of the fundamental factions of the White Path Martial World.

Among the Nine Sects and One Gang, two sects stand out.

Shaolin and Wudang.

These two, known as the North Star of the martial world, are undoubtedly the most famous factions in the martial world.

Though their influence has waned due to repeated wars, their martial arts have been passed down without interruption, so their current decline is only temporary.

As the saying goes, the Wudang Sect’s energy was truly deserving of its reputation. Their dignified and flawless energy radiated the grandeur of a renowned sect.

And their arrival here signaled that the Jegal Family’s war preparations were complete.

“With Wudang and the Jegal Family, you could say 90% of the White Path Martial World’s strength in Hubei has gathered here.”

Geumshin, who belonged to Hwaseong Temple, a righteous faction, watched with satisfaction as the forces of the White Path Martial World gathered. He anticipated the war would soon begin in earnest.

“Should I call the others?”

Paeng Ha-ryeong was with Jegal Seon-a.

The Yang Brothers, ordered by Namgung Woo to focus on training instead of messing around before the war, were at the training ground.

Knowing their locations, they could be summoned immediately.

But Namgung Woo’s answer was the opposite of what the question implied.

“No, we’ll go down.”

“Ah, right. With the Wudang Sect here, the Jegal Family will likely hold a meeting or something.”

“That’s not it. It’s started.”

“Huh?”

Namgung Woo didn’t elaborate. Instead, he moved. They would see it with their own eyes soon enough.

As Namgung Woo stood up from the window and headed downstairs, Geumshin hurriedly followed.

The martial world’s declaration of war is different from the formal declarations of the future.

There’s no obligation to justify the war’s legitimacy or deliver the declaration through diplomatic envoys.

The only similarity with future declarations is one thing.

The immediate commencement of war.

The war had already begun.

Namgung Woo moved toward the exit, his consciousness still tethered to the sudden appearance of an unidentified energy within his perception.

‘They were waiting in Wuhan. For the Wudang Sect.’

The fact that they moved the moment the Wudang Sect appeared was proof.

Though Namgung Woo hadn’t examined them closely, he had opened his Azure Tranquility Eyes. Even if they had exploited a blind spot in his perception, deceiving his eyes meant they had come thoroughly prepared.

It was hard to believe they didn’t have some ulterior motive.

‘Are they trying to crush the Wudang Sect, the Jegal Family’s hope, right in front of everyone to firmly seize the momentum?’

With this question in mind, Namgung Woo arrived on the first floor. Stepping outside, he saw two groups facing off across a newly formed open space.

On one side were the Wudang Sect disciples, dressed in black uniforms and white robes, standing in orderly formation.

On the other side were a group of unidentified martial artists, wearing a chaotic mix of colors and styles.

The latter group had no uniformity in clothing, gender, age, or even energy. They were a stark contrast to the Wudang Sect, whose members shared similar energy and age, with the exception of their leader.

Namgung Woo’s eyes quickly scanned them.

‘Typical of a faction rather than a sect. They’re united by purpose, not martial arts.’

And in the current situation, there was only one faction that would block the Wudang Sect in Wuhan.

Everyone knew it, and a wave of shock and exclamations spread through the crowd.

“Banunbang!”

“Banunbang is here!”

“How are they already here?!”

“Wait, are they really going to engage in a preliminary battle against the Wudang Sect right now?”

Amid the murmurs of the onlookers, a voice from the Banunbang side rang out, steady and unwavering.

“We warn the Wudang Sect. Retreat now. If you don’t…”

The Banunbang martial artist raised his crescent moon blade, pointing the tip of the blade forward.

Among the onlookers, someone who recognized the weapon muttered its nickname, “Hallyong Mado,” adding weight to the warning.

“…we’ll break your sword right here.”