Chapter 78

Right after the relentless assault by Banunbang…

Leaving behind the Jegal Family, who had fully immersed themselves in recovery efforts and damage assessment, Namgung Woo secluded himself in an inn.

It was a form of seclusion. He had realized his shortcomings. He had become aware of his own mediocrity. Now, it was time to face it and fill those gaps.

“Was I too complacent…?”

There was a sense of unfairness too.

Namgung Woo had done his best, after all. He had hidden his name, concealed his age—though the latter had quickly reverted to his true age after meeting Paeng Ha-ryeong.

He had also been quite cautious with his martial arts.

Namgung Woo’s primary protective divine technique.

Infinite Steps, Heavenly Wind Body Technique, Thousand Miles Courtyard Steps.

The commonality among these three was surprisingly that they weren’t particularly distinctive. At best, Infinite Steps could be considered a bold, aggressive footwork technique that heavily emphasized the front foot.

But such characteristics could be found in other aggressive footwork techniques as well. While the underlying principles might be worlds apart, outwardly they appeared quite similar.

Simple yet strong. Namgung Woo’s protective divine technique followed that principle.

Superior efficiency, swift speed, top-tier control—Namgung Woo’s protective divine technique maximized the strengths a protective divine technique should have.

It didn’t have any special abilities like the cloud-treading movements of Jeyun Sect or the reverse-field-creating footwork of Above and Below Poison Step. However, there was no need to worry about his identity being exposed due to his martial arts.

Was it just the protective divine technique?

The Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art and the Thirteen Thunder Swords were similar. Thunder Qi was an attractive force. Many martial artists, captivated by its immense power, had trained in Thunder Qi techniques to the point of exhaustion.

Frankly speaking, among the Seven Great Families, there wasn’t a single family that didn’t have at least one Thunder Qi technique.

Even if one didn’t fully grasp the principles, those who trained in martial arts and reached a high level naturally became aware of the bioelectricity within their bodies.

How many in the Seven Great Families had reached that level?

Surprisingly, if one’s martial arts were solid, learning a Thunder Qi technique wasn’t that difficult to begin with. The extent of its power was another matter, of course.

Naturally, high-level techniques like the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art were extremely rare. However, there were cases like the martial arts of the Yang Brothers’ Lightning Master, so it was hard to definitively attribute it to the Namgung Family.

In fact, even Dongbang Hwa hadn’t thought of the Namgung Family when he saw the Thirteen Thunder Swords.

“The Vast Heaven Divine Art and the Changgung Boundless Sword Technique. I thought it would be fine as long as Dokgo Bin didn’t notice.”

The Dokgo Family, who thought they knew the Namgung Family better than anyone.

Even the direct descendants of the Dokgo Family hadn’t recognized it, so he believed there was no longer any need to hold back. He considered his martial arts different from those of the Namgung Family in this world.

“But Dongbang Hwa recognized it. It’s the same. At least, the outward characteristics and the essence within the martial arts are identical.”

What exactly was Chasing Deer Murim? Could it be dismissed as a coincidence? What was that voice he heard at the end?

“Questions without answers can be set aside. What’s important is what to do next. Focus on the immediate task.”

To avoid or to confront.

It was questionable whether Namgung Woo had any choice in the matter, but the act of choosing a path itself held meaning.

It wasn’t a matter of initiative. It was a matter of attitude toward life.

“If I consider this world merely a temporary stop before moving on, then the former would be correct.”

In that case, Namgung Woo’s top priority would be to survive and find a way to return.

But if he considered this world not a transit point but a final destination…

“I must not avoid it.”

The goal of nurturing Changcheon Pavilion alone was insufficient.

A larger, more solid goal.

What came to Namgung Woo’s mind were the images of the two families he had seen.

The Hapbuk Paeng Family, which provided stability to those around them through their mere existence, protecting each other with strong bonds.

The Jegal Family, which attracted those who wished to be together through their existence, facing crises alongside those who gathered around them.

“I must reach that level. Whatever form it takes.”

However, such a force isn’t easily created by Namgung Woo alone.

Thus, self-cultivation comes first.

If one wishes to govern, one must first prepare oneself.

“I must become stronger.”

The path forward was already set.

Namgung Woo half-opened his eyes, turning the Azure Tranquility Eyes inward to observe his body.

The three energies within his body.

The energies from the upper, middle, and lower dantians began to intertwine, becoming one.

§

The atmosphere in Wuhan was tense.

Everyone had been anticipating war, but no one expected it to start so suddenly and so dramatically.

Banunbang’s preemptive strike on Wuhan? Possible. But using gunpowder smuggled through trade routes to breach the Jegal Family’s estate was a shockingly bold move no one had anticipated.

“Even though the White Path Martial World often disregards national laws and commits illegal acts, and the Imperial Family’s prestige has greatly declined, can they really handle the backlash from such an act?”

That was the public perception.

But Jegal Jong, the Ten Ice Thunder, thought differently.

“It’s possible.”

“Are you serious?”

The question burst from the lips of the young man sitting across from Jegal Jong. The young man, Namgung Woo, wasn’t well-versed in law, but he knew that military weapons like gunpowder were strictly controlled by any nation.

Indeed, the Ming Code included regulations on the management of gunpowder.

Jegal Jong had memorized all of it and knew the severe penalties that would follow, but he didn’t expect a proper legal trial.

The backer of Banunbang, as he had heard from Jegal Chong. Her power was sufficient to even cover up this incident.

“Do you know of a woman named Man Gwibi?”

“I’ve heard of her.”

“Man Gwibi not only killed the Emperor’s only legitimate heir but also forced concubines pregnant with the Emperor’s children to abort. Yet, the Emperor forgave her.”

Unable to bear it, the elders and palace officials of the Imperial Family conspired to secretly raise one prince, after which she seemed to give up such atrocities. However, Man Gwibi had harmed more than one of the Emperor’s children.

Yet, the Seonghwa Emperor turned a blind eye to it.

“Moreover, the new intelligence agency, Seochang, established after the recent Beijing unrest. Its head, Wang Jik, is Man Gwibi’s man. If Man Gwibi sides with Banunbang, the Imperial Family will likely let this incident pass without much action.”

If Gwak Dan had been alive, even Man Gwibi’s schemes wouldn’t have been able to control the Imperial Guards. But with Gwak Dan gone, the Imperial Guards were quickly being absorbed into Seochang.

The situation in Beijing wasn’t the only concern. Jegal Jong also recalled the ongoing campaign against the Seekers in the Mist.

They had finally destroyed the main base and captured most of the core members, but some had escaped and were being pursued.

From the Imperial Family’s perspective, having invested heavily in the campaign, this wasn’t particularly encouraging. The same went for the surrounding factions.

The Imperial Family might prefer to let the martial world factions tear each other apart rather than expend more energy intervening in Hubei’s affairs.

Jegal Jong had given up on the Imperial Family. The balance of power had collapsed, and an era of every man for himself had arrived.

With the shadow of the absolute ruler lifted from the martial world and even the Imperial Family’s weight diminished, all that remained was a turbulent era.

“But for now, I’d like to discuss something other than these heavy topics.”

Namgung Woo didn’t know what Jegal Jong was about to bring up.

Not because there was nothing to guess, but because there was too much.

From the enemies Namgung Woo had fought, to the gratitude expressed by the Jegal Family head, to personal topics—there were many things to discuss with the Jegal Family.

“I was actually curious about why you sought me out.”

“Is that so? First… I’d like to apologize on behalf of the family head for not being able to come in person.”

“It’s fine. I’ve heard about the situation with the Jegal Family head.”

Jegal Chong, who had been leading the recovery efforts on the front lines despite his injuries, had only just begun his recovery after things had somewhat settled and was in no condition to come out.

“Instead, as the Jegal Family’s chief steward and the family head’s younger brother, I, acting as the family head, would like to discuss a few matters with you, Nam Daehyeop.”

Namgung Woo realized that Jegal Chong had kept silent about him. Jegal truly recognized him as a member of the Nam Family.

‘Perhaps he intends to handle matters related to the Namgung Family independently later.’

Thinking that it might be more convenient for the chief steward, Jegal Jong, to handle the formalities of the request, Namgung Woo was about to speak when…

“W-wait a moment, Young Master! The chief steward is currently…”

A hurried voice came from outside.

The sound of footsteps approaching Namgung Woo’s room grew louder and then stopped right outside the door.

Thud!

“Uncle.”

Despite the protests of those around him, the person who pushed open the door and entered was a young man who appeared to be around Namgung Woo’s age.

Seeing the young man’s face, Jegal Jong frowned and spoke in a stern tone.

“I am currently handling official business. Even if you are the family head’s child, this is a clear overstep. As the acting family head, I will discipline you later. Leave.”

Jegal Jong’s demeanor was quite severe. Though not born with martial talent and thus not highly skilled in martial arts, the authority of the second-in-command of the massive Jegal Family was not to be taken lightly.

Yet, the uninvited guest, despite being warned of discipline, stubbornly spoke his piece.

“I will gladly accept any discipline for this rudeness. But I couldn’t hold back.”

“…Jun.”

A faint trace of regret tinged Jegal Jong’s voice as he called the young man’s name.

Jegal Jun. The second son of Jegal Chong, the most likely candidate to be the next head of the Jegal Family.

When Namgung Woo had just entered Wuhan, Jegal Jun had been outside the city, carrying out a mission to seek support from other sects. When this incident broke out, Jegal Jun hurriedly returned to the family.

And he had heard. The rumors and facts about Namgung Woo. The feelings he had upon hearing them. Jegal Jong could guess those feelings and sighed, unable to forcibly send Jegal Jun away.

Jegal Jun clasped his fists toward Namgung Woo and spoke.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Jegal Jun.”

“Nam Woo.”

As soon as Namgung Woo returned the greeting, Jegal Jun immediately stated his purpose for barging in.

“I heard you’re close with Ha-ryeong.”

Jegal Jun.

His epithet was well-known.

One of the Seven Dragons of the White Path Martial World, the Late Blooming Prodigy, the Dragon of Clarity (惟憬龍).

At the age of twenty, he had entered the pinnacle realm, the greatest talent of the Jegal Family.

And.

“May I ask what your relationship is?”

The former fiancé of Paeng Ha-ryeong.