Chapter 87

Inside the inn of Honghohyeon. Upon returning, the Yang Brothers were waiting for Namgung Woo right in front of the door, as if they had been there for some time.

Seeing Namgung Woo approaching alongside Paeng Ha-ryeong, the Yang Brothers opened the inn’s door as if they were gatekeepers.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Let’s go upstairs to talk.”

“Understood.”

Yang Kwae answered with a somewhat sinister smile.

As soon as they entered the room used as Namgung Woo’s private quarters, Yang Kwae immediately fired off a question.

“Have you finally made up your mind?”

The Yang Brothers, who knew Namgung Woo was from the Namgung Family, had roughly guessed what he was planning after seeing his determined face as he left the inn with Paeng Ha-ryeong.

The Yang Brothers were those who had staked their lives on Namgung Woo. Without hiding anything, Namgung Woo answered directly.

“Yes. From now on, our goal is the restoration of our family.”

“Ugh… I’ve been waiting for you to say that until my neck almost snapped. Ahem, as a man, if you’re born a man, you should charge into the martial world with a sword and at least make the world buzz, even if you don’t reach the steps of the emperor.”

“Brother, are you some kind of grandmaster? Steps of the emperor? Still… you’re not entirely wrong.”

The Yang Brothers responded enthusiastically to Namgung Woo’s declaration.

Their father, who lived and died as an ordinary wanderer. Following in his footsteps, they became wanderers, but the brothers always saw themselves as martial artists and members of the martial world. They trained their martial arts, raised their realms, and aimed to astonish the world with their prowess.

How could they not have ambitions as martial artists?

Seeing the Yang Brothers react as if they had been waiting for this, Paeng Ha-ryeong narrowed her eyes.

“So, you two already knew the family’s secret.”

With her cheeks puffed out in strong dissatisfaction, Yang Kwae spoke casually.

“Don’t hate us too much. We’re kind of like disciples, so we’re a community of fate with the boss. But now, what should we call you, Paeng junior? Madam?”

“Madam…”

Paeng Ha-ryeong repeated the word Yang Kwae had casually thrown out, her eyes narrowing as she pondered its implications. Then, she cleared her throat and retracted her sharp gaze.

“Well. You seniors shared a bond with the family before I did. I understand. Sure.”

As the thought crossed the Yang Brothers’ minds whether someone who gave in so easily could really become the madam, Namgung Woo cut through their playful banter and steered the conversation back to the main topic.

“So, we’re no longer participating in the war and will head to Luoyang.”

“Luoyang?”

“Indeed… we should visit the Martial Alliance at least once. But there’s no need to rush.”

“True. The fight between the Namgung and Dokgo Families is their own. Even if we inform the Martial Alliance, we can’t expect much support, boss.”

Realizing that Namgung Woo had mentioned going to Luoyang to her first, Paeng Ha-ryeong smiled faintly. Even she thought it was childish, but her lips twitched involuntarily at the thought that Namgung Woo had considered her first.

Without noticing Paeng Ha-ryeong’s expression, Namgung Woo answered the Yang Brothers’ question.

“The Martial Alliance is one thing, but there’s a survivor of the Namgung Family there. The Jegal Family head confirmed it, so it’s reliable information.”

“If the Jegal Family head confirmed it, there’s no doubt.”

“But why did the Jegal Family head tell you… Did you speak to him directly?”

“It just happened that way. Dongbang Hwa of the Banunbang saw my martial arts and figured out my origins.”

When Namgung Woo explained how Jegal Chong had learned his name, the three immediately understood.

“Dongbang Hwa, the Fallen Immortal, is like a living history of the martial world. It’s not strange that he knows the Namgung Family’s martial arts.”

“Actually, it’s more surprising that Dokgo Bin didn’t recognize you last time.”

“He was young. Being a direct descendant, he probably wasn’t mobilized for the assassination order.”

Casually mentioning their encounter with Dokgo Bin at Guyajang, Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong, true to their twin nature, simultaneously shifted their gaze to Namgung Woo’s waist.

At the end of their gaze was the sword made from the Netherworld Horn, hanging at Namgung Woo’s side.

Since the topic of Guyajang had come up, their attention naturally shifted there.

Noticing the Yang Brothers’ gaze, Namgung Woo placed his hand on the sword and spoke.

“I was just about to bring that up.”

Originally, Namgung Woo had entrusted the sword ordered from Guyajang to Hwaseong Temple.

Under the condition that Hwaseong Temple would participate in the Unmong Great War with the martial monk Geumshin, Hwaseong Temple would receive the sword from Guyajang on Namgung Woo’s behalf and deliver it safely.

That was the agreement between Namgung Woo and Abbot Hangwi.

Namgung Woo could receive the sword through the trustworthy Hwaseong Temple, and Abbot Hangwi could add a powerful force like Namgung Woo to the Jegal Family, their ally, while also satisfying Geumshin’s fighting spirit, which was more suited to a martial artist than a monk—a mutually beneficial deal.

Both sides gained something while achieving their goals—a rational and satisfying deal.

And in the end, both sides succeeded in achieving what they wanted. Namgung Woo received the sword safely, and Hwaseong Temple secured victory for their ally, the Jegal Family, by having Namgung Woo participate.

However, there was still something slightly uncomfortable about parting ways as if it were just a cool deal.

“So, who exactly is that woman?”

The identity of the woman who delivered the sword to Namgung Woo on behalf of Hangwi was the issue.

“I’m not sure. Hwaseong Temple said they didn’t know either.”

According to Hwaseong Temple, she suddenly appeared, forcibly took the sword, and disappeared.

While it was resolved in the end, strictly speaking, Hwaseong Temple had failed to uphold their part of the agreement.

Namgung Woo personally didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, but it seemed Hwaseong Temple couldn’t just let it go.

“Anyway, we need to deal with this first.”

Namgung Woo decided to properly address the suspicious female Taoist who had been tailing them, regardless of Hwaseong Temple.

“That female Taoist, this might not be the first time she’s been involved with us.”

“Huh?”

Paeng Ha-ryeong immediately reacted to Namgung Woo’s words.

“Could she be someone the family knew…?”

“Not exactly. If she knows us, it’s one-sided.”

“Then should we go check her out first?”

“No.”

Even before discussing with Paeng Ha-ryeong, Namgung Woo had already set the order for their next steps.

First, Paeng Ha-ryeong. And second.

“We need to settle things with Hwaseong Temple first.”

§

The very next day.

When Namgung Woo met with the people from Hwaseong Temple, their representative, Abbot Hangwi, began with the same words as before.

“I am truly ashamed, Great Hero.”

“It’s fine, Abbot. The sword was delivered safely, wasn’t it?”

“Though that fairy fortunately delivered the sword to you, if she had been from the Banunbang, Hwaseong Temple would have failed to uphold our agreement with you. Even if you, Great Hero, are magnanimous, how could we lightly overlook our mistake?”

Abbot Hangwi bowed his head in genuine apology.

As Namgung Woo continued to reassure him and helped him up, Hangwi brought up his prepared suggestion.

“Though it’s not much of an apology, how about having Geumshin continue to follow and assist you?”

“Geumshin?”

Geumshin was indeed a talent. Though not considered a late-blooming prodigy at his age, he was a mature peak master, a force to be reckoned with in any organization.

But it felt a bit unfair to burden Geumshin with responsibility when he had already fulfilled his role.

“I see. That was your goal from the start.”

“Hmm, you figured it out?”

“I was a bit suspicious from the beginning. You deliberately sought me out to send Geumshin away, didn’t you?”

“…That was one reason.”

Abbot Hangwi continued with a bitter smile.

“Geumshin is a child I took in. But his temperament was more suited to martial arts than Buddhism.”

“So you’re sending him into the martial world through me?”

“Yes. I believed that you, Great Hero, could control Geumshin while letting him roam the martial world as he wished.”

A temperament more suited to a martial artist than a monk.

Even if he stayed at Hwaseong Temple, Geumshin would only feel endless frustration and constantly look for an opportunity to escape.

Rather than that, let him go. Entrust him to someone reliable and let him explore the martial world to his heart’s content.

Though Geumshin preferred martial arts, he still had some Buddhist teachings in his heart. Surely, he would accumulate good deeds while roaming the martial world and follow the teachings of the Bodhisattva. That would be beneficial to the world.

That was Abbot Hangwi’s thought.

But Namgung Woo’s answer was already decided.

“If that’s the case, you’ve chosen the wrong person.”

“Great Hero…”

“My surroundings are a battlefield. I know Geumshin is a formidable peak master. But even that isn’t enough to guarantee survival. Things are going to get much more dangerous. Not just Geumshin, but the entire Hwaseong Temple could be dragged into it.”

Namgung Woo stood up without waiting for Hangwi’s response. It was a clear signal that he wouldn’t continue the conversation.

“And don’t try to use me under the pretext of an apology. As a senior in the martial world, I’ve shown you respect, but this is quite unpleasant.”

Passing by the frozen Hangwi, Namgung Woo opened the door.

“Our agreement ends here. Let’s not argue over this anymore.”

As he stepped out, the gazes of those waiting outside fell on Namgung Woo.

Among them was Geumshin.

“Great Master…”

Namgung Woo suppressed his irritation. Geumshin had done his best. Despite being older, he had respectfully served Namgung Woo as the Great Master and fulfilled his role faithfully. Venting his frustration on him would just be taking it out on the wrong person.

Namgung Woo took a deep breath, shook off his emotions, and faced Geumshin with a smile.

“You’ve worked hard, Monk.”

“…I apologize. I had no idea the Abbot had such thoughts…”

“There’s no need to apologize on his behalf.”

“But…”

“Instead, take care of Abbot Hangwi. I may have been too harsh.”

Realizing Namgung Woo’s resolve, Geumshin hesitated with a troubled expression, then bowed his head and entered the room where Hangwi was.

Turning to the remaining group—the Yang Brothers and Paeng Ha-ryeong—Namgung Woo spoke.

“Let’s go. We have some final arrangements to make.”

Leading the four of them back to Changcheon Pavilion, they headed to their destination.

It wasn’t far. They had been given lodging at a nearby inn for surveillance purposes.

And there, they faced the female Taoist.

Though they hadn’t even exchanged names yet, Namgung Woo was already becoming familiar with her.

Her unique aura was hard to forget—pure and clear, yet layered with something strange and unsettling.

Namgung Woo observed the female Taoist. Her attire was… quite something. Paeng Ha-ryeong beside him had already raised her guard to the maximum, her eyes sharp.

“We haven’t even introduced ourselves yet, but let’s start with this. What’s your purpose?”

“My purpose?”

The female Taoist’s sharp eyes and cold, yet dazzling appearance were matched by a husky voice that somehow fit.

With a flutter, she stood up, her wide Taoist robe swaying. It was quite an elegant posture, though the disheveled attire created a sense of dissonance.

Gulp. One of the Yang Brothers swallowed hard, and at the same time, the female Taoist moved swiftly.

Thinking it might be an ambush, Paeng Ha-ryeong was the first to react, but the female Taoist was a step ahead.

Instead, the female Taoist prostrated herself in a full bow!

“Please, spare me!”