Chapter 81

The thick scent of the lake accompanied the blowing wind.

Hundreds of martial artists stood on both sides.

Over a thousand, closer to two thousand, martial artists faced each other, their murderous auras and fighting spirits clashing fiercely.

The rippling energy caused waves to rise on the lake’s surface.

The morning mist, which had risen at dawn, was pushed back and dissipated by the overwhelming energy emanating from the crowd. The very flow of energy in the area was thrown into chaos by the breaths of these martial artists.

Namgung Woo stood at the center of the formation, where the leaders had gathered.

Even Jegal Chong, who had barely managed to temporarily treat his internal injuries, was present. Considering the importance of this battle, his presence was absolutely necessary.

And there was another figure whose status and reputation rivaled Jegal Chong’s. From the Hyeong Mountain Sect, a beacon of the Orthodox Martial World in the Unorthodox-dominated Honam region, came Taemun Jinin, the First Sword of Hyeong Mountain and the sect’s leader.

Being a sect leader didn’t necessarily mean one was the strongest in the sect, but in the case of the Hyeong Mountain Sect, it was true.

Next to him stood Gowon Jinin of the Wudang Sect, whose reputation was worthy of the Wudang name, but even he had to concede a step to Taemun Jinin.

Others were not far behind. The leader of the Twin Pole Gate, the largest faction in Yangyang, and Yoo Won, the White Crane Swordsman of the Huguang Ten Great Swordsmen, who had come to lend a hand as a close friend of Jegal Chong of the Jegal Family.

The gathering was filled with figures whose names would elicit an “Ah! That one!” reaction anywhere in the martial world.

Yet, no one questioned Namgung Woo’s presence among them.

Everyone knew of his martial prowess and achievements.

Since the beginning of the Unmong Great War, Namgung Woo and the Changcheon Pavilion had shone brightly in the local battles.

Even Taemun Jinin had struggled against an unknown master from the Banunbang faction, but Namgung Woo had fought a fierce battle and, together with Taemun Jinin, managed to repel the enemy. The Battle of Hyeong Mountain, where they had succeeded in driving back the enemy, was still often talked about.

Namgung Woo, a young supreme master not yet in his twenties, was considered at least equal to Taemun Jinin, who was regarded as one of the strongest among the supreme masters. It was no wonder the Orthodox Martial World had cheered at his emergence.

Moreover, with Paeng Ha-ryeong of the Hapbuk Paeng Family and Jegal Seon-a of the Jegal Family by his side, rumors were bound to spread. In fact, Namgung Woo was more famous for his scandalous affairs with these two women than for his martial achievements.

If Namgung Woo hadn’t proven his strength on the battlefield, he might have faced all sorts of disputes over this matter.

Even now, Namgung Woo was the subject of both admiration and envy. If the admiration were to fade, it was clear what would take its place.

‘But today will be the last of that.’

In front of Namgung Woo, without even needing to turn his head, he could see Dongbang Hwa, the leader of Banunbang.

The moment he activated his Azure Tranquility Eyes, his gaze met Dongbang Hwa’s.

The enemy was also looking at him.

With unmistakable killing intent.

Thud.

Namgung Woo turned his head, following the weight of a hand on his shoulder. Taemun Jinin had approached.

“No need to be tense, Namgung Woo.”

“Taemun Jinin.”

When had he taken a step forward? Namgung Woo only now realized his foot had moved half a step ahead.

“You’ve grown an arm.”

“…It’s not fully healed.”

Using his Azure Tranquility Eyes, Namgung Woo confirmed that Dongbang Hwa’s new right arm had no meridians connected to his body.

“It doesn’t seem to be a simple prosthetic.”

“Banunbang. Those insufferable people. There’s no field they haven’t meddled in. They’ve even dabbled in the forbidden art of Jiangshi, outlawed by the Great Ming Law.”

“We’ll need to be cautious.”

As Namgung Woo and Taemun Jinin exchanged thoughts on Dongbang Hwa, the sun rose, pushing back the dawn.

The sun had risen. It was the promised time.

Jegal Chong, who had been sitting on a chair to conserve his strength and manage his internal injuries, stood up.

“Both of you, as we discussed earlier…”

“Father!”

“…Jun.”

Namgung Woo looked at Jegal Jun approaching the center and sank his gaze deeply, perhaps anticipating what was to come.

‘The time has come to face this.’

The Jegal Family had been careful to prevent the two from meeting, but this battle was a battlefield where everyone would gather.

If Jegal Jun came to the leaders with a specific agenda, there would be no way to stop him.

Even as he called for Jegal Chong, Jegal Jun’s eyes sought out Namgung Woo. Namgung Woo read the determination in his gaze, a clear message to watch him closely.

“Before the battle begins, grant me the opportunity for a single combat.”

Single combat. As the name implied, it meant a one-on-one duel.

In the martial world, one-on-one battles were usually called duels or martial duels, but this was a battlefield.

A term used in war was more fitting.

Namgung Woo saw through Jegal Jun’s intense competitive spirit directed at him.

‘If he can’t meet me, he at least wants to show himself.’

His lingering feelings for Paeng Ha-ryeong.

Jegal Jun was still sincere.

Despite the family’s cold decision to prioritize Namgung Woo, an outsider, Jegal Jun remained unyielding.

“That is…”

Before Jegal Chong could make a decision, others spoke up.

“Truly, the spirit of the Jegal Family’s direct line.”

“One of the Seven Dragons. Worthy of his reputation.”

“Family Head, please grant him permission.”

Jegal Chong’s brow furrowed. Even he couldn’t unilaterally decide all matters.

Though he was the representative of the Orthodox Martial World, he relied on the support of many other martial leaders. To dismiss their opinions, he needed a valid reason and an alternative.

And at this moment, Jegal Jun’s proposal lacked such a reason.

Jegal Jun must have been waiting for this moment, holding his breath. It was a judgment befitting the heir of the Jegal Family. Under normal circumstances, Jegal Chong would have been pleased with his son’s growth, but now, he wasn’t so happy.

Reluctantly, Jegal Chong gave his permission.

“…Very well. I grant it.”

Jegal Jun didn’t smile. With a stern face, he turned to the gathered heroes and took a stance.

On the other side, energy was already beginning to ripple. There was no time to hesitate. Jegal Jun immediately walked toward the enemy, passing by Namgung Woo.

“I won’t avoid it. I’ll face it head-on. I won’t turn my eyes away.”

Before Namgung Woo could respond, Jegal Jun had already passed by.

Watching Jegal Jun stride confidently toward the Unorthodox martial artists, Namgung Woo pondered his words.

He was ready to face it. Even if the Namgung Family’s secrets were revealed, and he had to fight without the Dokgo Family’s grudges, he wouldn’t run anymore.

But Jegal Jun’s words weren’t about that.

It wasn’t about how to navigate this world, but about something smaller, perhaps even trivial—a single connection.

‘Now, I understand everything.’

Even if he were oblivious, at this point, ignoring it would be deliberate.

He now understood the meaning behind the nickname “Gaga.” In fact, he had known Paeng Ha-ryeong’s feelings even before that. He had just been avoiding them.

He was afraid. In this world where he might leave at any moment, he feared leaving too deep a mark.

‘Perhaps that fear was the starting point of everything.’

Hesitating to form connections made it difficult to set goals in life.

‘In that sense, I’m even grateful to you.’

Consciously or unconsciously.

For forcing him to face the connections he had been avoiding.

‘Once this battle is over… I’ll give you an answer.’

Namgung Woo glanced toward the Changcheon Pavilion. Was it a coincidence? Or had they been watching him all along?

His eyes met Paeng Ha-ryeong’s, who had been watching him. She smiled and waved, and Namgung Woo smiled back, waving in return.

“Namgung Woo, look ahead. It’s begun.”

At Taemun Jinin’s words, Namgung Woo turned his attention to where the energy was rippling.

“That person…?”

A duel was taking place between the two sides.

Jegal Jun’s request for single combat had been accepted. It was a move that couldn’t be refused. To back down would be to lose face.

Even though martial artists were different from ordinary armies, the importance of morale in group battles was the same.

As a late-blooming prodigy, Jegal Jun had stepped forward, and from the other side, another late-blooming prodigy had emerged.

“Banunbang doesn’t have late-blooming prodigies. It’s a place where those who have already achieved mastery gather in pursuit of immortality. That person is said to be a great master sent by the Gwangseo Manga.”

“Gwangseo Manga. One of the four families of the Black Martial Alliance.”

Namgung Woo had heard that the Gwangseo Manga had sent support, but this was the first time he had seen one of their members.

The Gwangseo Manga, based in Guilin, Guangxi, was often compared to the Jegal Family. Their family head’s nickname, Ghost Martial Marquis, was even derived from Zhuge Liang’s posthumous title, showing the Gwangseo Manga’s less-than-favorable feelings toward the Jegal Family.

“Perhaps they intend to crush the Jegal Family completely this time…”

As Taemun Jinin commented on the Gwangseo Manga’s intentions, the duel between the two late-blooming prodigies grew increasingly intense.

Jegal Jun, using Iron Thread, and the great master of the Manga, using the Magistrate’s Brush.

Both wielded rare weapons, showcasing unique techniques.

‘Jegal Jun’s footwork is clearly superior, but not by much.’

Jegal Jun’s advantage wasn’t due to overwhelming skill but rather his reliance on the Heavenly Mystery Step.

But he was definitely ahead. Jegal Jun recognized this and pressed his advantage, closing in on the Manga’s great master.

‘That’s…!’

The steps that should have followed the Eight Trigrams path of the Heavenly Mystery Step stopped short of their intended points.

A mistake? No. Jegal Jun’s concentration was at its peak. There was no way he could make such a mistake.

It was intentional malice.

‘Dongbang Hwa.’

No one else noticed. Only Namgung Woo’s eyes saw it.

A subtle, delicate interference visible only to the Azure Tranquility Eyes. It was a sinister technique only possible for someone like Dongbang Hwa, who might even surpass Yi Ja-ryong in sorcery.

Jegal Jun’s footwork faltered. And that small error, like the butterfly effect, led to a fatal outcome.

The Manga’s great master’s Magistrate’s Brush pierced the meridians of Jegal Jun’s legs, which had lost the Heavenly Mystery Step’s effect. His legs froze. Before he could regain his footing, the Magistrate’s Brush aimed for his vital points.

‘He’s done for… No way to dodge…’

Without a chance to cry out or evade the Magistrate’s Brush’s iron tip, Jegal Jun recognized his impending death.

‘Not yet… I haven’t even said what I needed to…’

He wanted to close his eyes.

He wanted to escape the death approaching with the Magistrate’s Brush.

But Jegal Jun didn’t close his eyes, and so he saw.

The Magistrate’s Brush shattered into pieces before his eyes.

And Namgung Woo’s back, who had intervened between him and the Manga’s great master.

“I, too, no longer intend to turn my eyes away.”

Namgung Woo’s eyes looked forward.

Accepting the path he had walked.

His blue pupils finally began to fully accept this world as it was.

“The single combat is over. Dongbang Hwa, instead of these petty tricks, come out and fight me yourself.”

At Namgung Woo’s declaration, Dongbang Hwa twisted his lips in disdain.

And lowered his hand.

“Kill them all.”

The final act of the war.

The Unmong Great Battle.

The war begins.