Chapter 77

In the first encounter, Namgung Woo’s breath momentarily stopped.

Until now, no one had connected the Thirteen Lightning Flash Swords to the Namgung Family. The only one who had seen through the origins of Namgung Woo’s martial arts was Dongbang Hwa. Even Paeng Hu-sang, a peerless master and the head of the Hapbuk Paeng Family, a prestigious family with a long history alongside the Namgung Family, was no exception.

From that moment on, Namgung Woo began to lend weight to the hypothesis that the martial arts of Chasing Deer Murim and this world were different.

Even though the principles and techniques engraved in Namgung Woo’s mind applied to reality, Chasing Deer Murim and this world were separate realms. Just because they shared the name “Namgung Family” didn’t mean their martial arts were the same.

But it seemed that was indeed the case.

Dongbang Hwa, caught between shock and absurdity, shouted with a mix of emotions.

“It’s been 20 years! The damn Namgung swordsmanship still survives!”

When the Namgung Family was exposed, Namgung Woo instinctively thought of the Dokgo Family.

Dokgo Bin, whom he had coincidentally met in Guyajang. The questions Namgung Woo had asked about the Namgung Family. And the assassination order the Dokgo Family had placed on the Namgung Family.

Namgung Woo wanted to avoid getting entangled in this as much as possible. He had hidden his name and age to avoid being caught up in this situation.

Distracted by the sudden surge of killing intent, Namgung Woo’s focus wavered. Dongbang Hwa, delighted that his psychological warfare had hit its mark, gathered his internal energy in his palm.

In an instant, the compressed internal energy surged. Dongbang Hwa wasted no time and immediately targeted Namgung Woo.

The enemy’s attack was deflected, and the Cotton Palm, a technique that combines offense and defense, striking fatal blows with the Internal Energy Strike Technique. Dongbang Hwa extracted only the latter’s essence, adding it to the Corrosive Demon Palm, which was already terrifyingly insidious, and unleashed a burst of energy.

Just as the two streams of energy were about to engulf Namgung Woo, Jegal Chong quickly intervened, striking with a palm technique.

*Boom-! Whooosh-!*

The Wind-Borrowing Palm’s gust reversed the direction of the wind, blocking Dongbang Hwa’s energy and distorting the air.

“Focus!”

Even after hearing the name of the Namgung Family, which could never be taken lightly, Jegal Chong’s concentration remained unshaken.

Namgung Woo realized his own shortcomings. He lacked experience. He needed unwavering resolve, a heart that wouldn’t falter in any situation.

“…I will definitely catch him.”

Muttering to himself, Namgung Woo steeled his resolve.

Exposed? It was inevitable. From the moment he made the mistake of being overly optimistic, thinking such a situation wouldn’t arise, this outcome was predetermined.

He should have been more cautious. Dongbang Hwa had seen through Namgung Woo’s identity not through the Thirteen Lightning Flash Swords, but through the Vast Heaven Divine Art.

If Paeng Hu-sang had directly witnessed the Vast Heaven Divine Art, he might have also realized Namgung Woo’s true identity.

But regret was too late. Now was not the time for reflection.

A new clue had been thrown into this world, which he had thought was completely separate from his original world. He had also become entangled in the ill-fated relationship between the Namgung and Dokgo Families.

For now, he would forget all of that.

And look forward.

He looked at Dongbang Hwa, who was pressuring Jegal Chong.

The Azure Tranquility Eyes glowed with a bluish-white light, taking in the world.

A line was drawn on Namgung Woo’s vision.

A line leading to Dongbang Hwa.

Following that line, Namgung Woo’s sword, wrapped in a blue Sword Aura, shot forward.

The ultimate technique of the Boundless Heaven Divine Sword.

‘Boundless Drift.’

A world without boundaries. Just endlessly running.

True to the name of the Boundless Divine Sword, Namgung Woo’s sword raced forward without any hindrance or obstacle.

A blue comet streaked across.

In the briefest of moments, as Dongbang Hwa and Jegal Chong were entangled in a complex exchange of techniques, the sword cut through it all like a swift, decisive stroke.

*Swoosh—!*

The Protective Aura Energy and defensive techniques. Dongbang Hwa’s double-layered defense, like when he faced Yi Ja-ryong, was split apart.

Aura Energy cutting through Aura Energy—a miraculous feat.

Jegal Chong witnessed it clearly from close range.

It was as if the sword was cutting through space itself. Amid the scattering droplets of blood, a single blue sword gleamed brightly.

“Ugh!”

A pained groan followed belatedly. Dongbang Hwa, with one arm severed from the shoulder, frantically tried to stop the bleeding.

Jegal Chong, prepared to take on further injuries, gathered his energy for the Great Heavenly Divine Technique.

“I’ll take him this time! I’ll cut off his head!”

In the urgent situation, Jegal Chong, having lost his composure, shouted without honorifics.

Namgung Woo was ready to respond to Jegal Chong’s determined proposal. Jegal Chong had expended a significant amount of stamina and internal energy in his brief battle with Dongbang Hwa, but Namgung Woo still had plenty of strength left.

In terms of total internal energy, Namgung Woo was comparable to Dongbang Hwa, who had greedily absorbed various internal energy techniques and elixirs for over half a century.

But Namgung Woo couldn’t comply with Jegal Chong’s request.

Just as he was about to swing his sword.

A chilling sensation ran down Namgung Woo’s spine.

It felt as if a blade had been pressed against his neck. As if the killing intent had materialized, targeting his own neck.

An absurd pressure tightened around his sword arm. But Namgung Woo could shake it off. However, the consequences were unpredictable.

‘If I swing…’

He might die.

In the briefest moment between swinging and retracting his sword, even in that fleeting gap, the presence now revealing itself to Namgung Woo could threaten his life.

The enemy was that strong. A force reminiscent of Paeng Hu-sang and Gwak Dan.

Namgung Woo’s sword moved reflexively.

As soon as he sensed the danger, Namgung Woo twisted his body.

And that decision was correct.

*Crash!*

The sound was more like grinding than an explosion.

The energy that flew in was bizarre, with a complex structure.

If Namgung Woo hadn’t changed direction, even with his Protective Aura Energy, he wouldn’t have escaped serious injury.

As Namgung Woo focused and blocked the sneak attack, Dongbang Hwa’s triumphant shout and an unfamiliar voice reached his ears.

“Not too late, is it?”

“I told you. It’s not yet complete.”

Namgung Woo wasn’t the only one who sensed something was off. Jegal Chong, seeing Namgung Woo turn his body, also used the Heavenly Mystery Step to retreat.

There was no sacrifice. Unlike Namgung Woo, who had blocked the attack and was prepared for further strikes without a scratch, blood dripped from Jegal Chong’s fingertips.

The man standing in front of Dongbang Hwa clenched and unclenched his fist, then swung his arm to shake off the blood on his hand. It was Jegal Chong’s blood.

“You tried to tear off one of my arms too. Heavenly Mystery Step, not bad.”

The man who had pinned Namgung Woo down with an attack and wounded Jegal Chong. A middle-aged man with no distinctive features, wearing a gray martial arts uniform. Even the well-traveled Jegal Chong had never seen him before.

“…Who are you?”

The man didn’t answer. Did he even hear? He had no interest in Jegal Chong, only staring intently at Namgung Woo.

“Too slow.”

“…The loss is great.”

“I won’t say it twice.”

The conversation was confusing, making it unclear if he was even part of Banunbang. The leader of Banunbang was undoubtedly Dongbang Hwa. Since its founding, Dongbang Hwa’s position within Banunbang was unshakable.

Yet, the man treated Dongbang Hwa almost like a subordinate.

As Dongbang Hwa retreated, Jegal Chong roared in anger.

“Do you think we’ll let you go just like that?”

Coming here uninvited and expecting to leave? The prestige of the Jegal Family would be tarnished.

With one arm, it wasn’t worth it. To make it worth it, they had to capture Dongbang Hwa’s head, or at least that mysterious man.

Jegal Chong sent his internal energy through his damaged meridians. The Wind-Grasping Palm, which controlled the direction of energy, created a gravitational pull.

But the actions of the two Banunbang members were beyond Jegal Chong’s control. Dongbang Hwa used his remaining hand to deploy the Taiji Reverse Martial Arts, neutralizing Jegal Chong’s energy. As soon as Dongbang Hwa retreated with a body technique, the man who had been restraining Namgung Woo also flew away.

Namgung Woo easily shook off the gravitational pull of the Wind-Grasping Palm and watched the two leave the courtyard.

‘If we had fought, could I have won?’

He didn’t know. He couldn’t tell.

Namgung Woo had thought that if he poured all his martial arts into it, he could somehow face the Five Tigers Severing Gate Blade.

But against that man, he didn’t even have such thoughts.

The enemy he had let slip away.

All that remained was the ruined courtyard.

Jegal Chong looked around blankly. The wind blowing over the half-destroyed courtyard carried the lingering stench of gunpowder.

With a sigh, Jegal Chong shook off the gloom and despair, then turned to Namgung Woo with a fist salute.

“Thank you. I’ll formally express my gratitude after we sort out this situation.”

“As you wish.”

“…We also need to talk about the Namgung Family.”

“I’ll make time.”

As Namgung Woo returned the fist salute, Jegal Chong nodded with a complicated expression.

There would be much to discuss the next time they met.

Namgung Woo and Jegal Chong’s thoughts deepened.

Amid the complex calculations of the situation and the future, their thoughts diverged in completely different directions, but their starting point was the same.

Banunbang versus the Jegal Family. The first battle of the war had ended in Banunbang’s victory.