Chapter 91

Namgung Woo prepared to leave Honghohyeon the very next day after accepting Myorin into the group. He had originally thought about resting a bit more before moving, but there was no real reason to delay.

A Peak Master is someone who has reached the absolute limit of the human body. Upon reaching the realm of Five Dragons Serving the Saint, even if one hasn’t mastered the techniques of the Middle Dantian, it naturally opens up. Just opening the Middle Dantian, which governs the body’s homeostasis, significantly enhances recovery and endurance. That’s why Peak Masters are considered the real deal in the martial world. From then on, it becomes possible to fight for days on end without rest.

Yang Jeong, who had just reached the peak, still had some minor fluctuations in stamina, but he accepted it as part of his training. He also didn’t want to waste more time just because of himself.

After a hearty breakfast and packing up, the group was about to leave the inn when the appearance of one person delayed their departure.

“Please take me with you, Great Master.”

In just one day, Geumshin’s appearance had changed significantly. Instead of a monk’s robe, he wore martial attire, and instead of the short staff he had been using after losing his original one to the Black Sword Ghost, he now carried his old long staff on his back. If not for his still-shaven head, anyone would see him as a martial artist.

“Hmm… You’ve changed quite a bit, haven’t you?”

Namgung Woo’s ambiguous words. He didn’t outright refuse, but by using honorifics, he subtly reminded Geumshin of the previous day’s events.

But Geumshin was different now too.

He awkwardly touched his still-bald head and said, “I’ve returned to secular life. I’m no longer a monk, just Geumshin. I never had a name to begin with.”

Having no name given by his parents, Geumshin’s Buddhist name was his only name.

“Hwaseong Temple won’t be implicated.”

Even if Geumshin were to suffer, Hwaseong Temple wouldn’t seek revenge.

“You said it was dangerous. It’s fine. That’s why I’m following you.”

This guy really is a born fighter, not a monk.

“That staff, it’s Monk Hangwi’s, right?”

Namgung Woo’s words brought the conversation back. Hearing this, Geumshin smirked and nodded.

“You really know how to push people. Fine. Since you’ve even returned to secular life, there’s no reason to refuse. Follow us.”

“That’s all I’ve been waiting for.”

Geumshin performed a martial salute instead of a monk’s bow. Namgung Woo also lightly clenched his fist and tapped it against his palm.

“Welcome back.”

After completing his return, Geumshin finally voiced the question he had been holding.

“By the way, is this inn also newly joined?”

“Right. You two don’t know each other? Myorin, this is Geumshin. He’s from Hwaseong Temple, and even though he left for a while, consider him your senior.”

As Namgung Woo mediated, Myorin nodded indifferently.

“I’m Myorin.”

“I’m Geumshin.”

With Yang Kwae, Yang Jeong, Paeng Ha-ryeong, and now Geumshin and Myorin, the group was starting to look like a proper band of wanderers.

Just as the two finished introducing themselves, Paeng Ha-ryeong, who had gone upstairs, came running down.

“Ah, Monk Geumshin, are you here to say goodbye?”

“No. Geumshin has decided to join us. He’s returned to secular life.”

“Returned to secular life… That must have been a tough decision… Well, in that case, let’s work well together again!”

“Haha, I’ll be in your care as well.”

While Myorin’s expression twitched slightly at Paeng Ha-ryeong’s overly cheerful welcome, Namgung Woo asked Paeng Ha-ryeong, “What about Lady Jegal?”

“Seon-a seems to have gained some insight from the last battle.”

While repeating Jegal Seon-a’s excuse, Paeng Ha-ryeong had noticed that Jegal Seon-a was avoiding them for some reason. She had a guess as to why, but she didn’t mention it. It might not be true, and even if it was, she didn’t want to bring it up.

“Is that so?”

When Namgung Woo briefly questioned her and their eyes met, Paeng Ha-ryeong felt as if all her hidden thoughts were being read.

Should she say what she was thinking now? Paeng Ha-ryeong bit her lip. But before she could decide, Namgung Woo moved.

“Let’s go. The contract with the Jegal Family has been officially concluded by the family head. The most threatening enemy is dead, and Banunbang’s forces have been halved, so the Jegal Family will handle the rest.”

By killing the Demon Lord of Five Tones, Namgung Woo had already fulfilled his role.

Namgung Woo stepped forward without hesitation. If he had wanted to take care of everything, he wouldn’t have parted ways with the Cheongsu Gate people in the middle of the Unmong Great War.

There will always be those left behind. Right now, Namgung Woo was barely able to take care of those who stayed by his side.

As he stepped out of the inn, Yang Kwae quickly ran ahead and opened the door.

Following Namgung Woo out, the group lined up behind him. Paeng Ha-ryeong was first, followed by Yang Kwae and Yang Jeong side by side, with Geumshin slipping between the brothers, and Myorin walking a step behind.

As the six of them stepped onto the street, the gazes of the people walking by gathered on them. And upon seeing Namgung Woo and the others, they began to whisper among themselves.

Namgung Woo and the name Changcheon Pavilion were gradually becoming known to the world, gaining fame.

The Yang brothers’ shoulders twitched slightly, perhaps excited by the fact that people recognized them. Paeng Ha-ryeong took it in stride, while Geumshin and Myorin, though somewhat awkward, maintained their composure as befitting their religious backgrounds.

And so, Changcheon Pavilion left Honghohyeon.

Their destination was Luoyang.

§

“By the way, Boss, there’s something I’m curious about.”

“What is it? Speak.”

“Aren’t you going to name your sword? Famous swords all have names, right? Like the Paeng Family Head’s Divine Abyss or Lady Jegal’s White Frost. Shouldn’t you name yours too?”

At Yang Kwae’s words, Namgung Woo recalled the weapon he had used back in Chasing Deer Murim.

It was a sword named Extreme Cloud Divine Sword. At that time, it was the highest-grade ultimate weapon.

Perhaps the sword made from the Netherworld Horn he now wielded held a similar status in this world.

“Hmm. I haven’t thought about it yet.”

“Then, may I humbly suggest a name?”

Yang Kwae asked in an unusually polite and respectful tone.

Then, a new participant appeared. If his brother was doing it, he would too. Like action and reaction, Yang Jeong naturally followed.

“May I also suggest one? Since it’s made from the Netherworld Horn, how about Heavenly Horn?”

“Oh, come on~ This guy has no sense at all. No way. You’re out.”

“It’s intuitive and good, right? These things should hit you right away. Take the Blade Sovereign’s Divine Abyss, for example. The character for ‘divine’ and the character for ‘abyss.’ It conveys the feeling of a newly forged abyss right away. That’s what a good name is. Any objections will be considered an insult to the Blade Sovereign.”

“What kind of logic is that…?”

Just as Yang Jeong was about to scold Yang Kwae for his nonsense, Yang Kwae noticed Paeng Ha-ryeong silently staring at him from the side and quickly cleared his throat, swallowing his words.

As Yang Kwae fell silent, Yang Jeong continued with renewed vigor.

“Isn’t Heavenly Horn originally a term referring to a corner of the sky? Weapons are, after all, an extension of the body, and since the Boss is like the heavens, wouldn’t Heavenly Horn be very appropriate in meaning?”

Yang Kwae looked at Yang Jeong in disbelief, but Yang Jeong remained unfazed.

Not only had Namgung Woo mastered martial arts that envisioned the heavens, but who was it that took them off the streets and raised them into proper Peak Masters?

If they hadn’t met Namgung Woo, the Yang brothers would still be rolling around as common wanderers, unable to even touch the threshold of the peak, shouting about how their combined strength could take on Peak Masters.

“But still, Heavenly Horn is too uninspired, isn’t it?”

The one who countered Yang Jeong’s argument was none other than Myorin.

Under Yang Kwae’s silent but enthusiastic gaze of support, Myorin spoke.

“I took a quick look, and that’s clearly a demonic sword. The scabbard is imbued with spiritual energy, and it’s suppressing the evil energy, so you can’t feel it.”

The sword made from the Netherworld Horn. And the scabbard made from Dragon Eye Wood.

Myorin focused on the oppressive evil energy hidden beneath its divine appearance.

“Divine, but also considered the king of demons. Black Dragon… How about that? No, how does that sound?”

For a moment, Myorin forgot even the setting of using honorifics, and her natural speech slipped out. She must have been serious about naming it. Her usually expressionless face was slightly flushed, confirming it.

But even this was met with opposition.

“But the sword is blue and white, isn’t it?”

“……”

“Blue Dragon or White Dragon would be more fitting.”

“……As I said, that sword is originally a demonic sword…”

“Honestly, isn’t Heavenly Horn better than Black Dragon?”

Even Yang Kwae shook his head, as if he couldn’t bring himself to support this.

3 against 1. Faced with the tyranny of numbers, Myorin fell silent.

“Boss, it’d be quicker if you just named it yourself.”

Namgung Woo had already given up hope the moment Myorin suggested Black Dragon and was deep in thought.

Then, he absentmindedly voiced what he had been considering.

“I want to focus on connections…”

“Ah, right, that was given to you by the Commander of the Imperial Guards, wasn’t it?”

“That too. Among other things.”

When he received the horn from Gwak Dan, Namgung Woo had also received a request regarding Gwak Dan’s former disciple, Song Woojeol. It wasn’t an obligation, but if the opportunity arose, Namgung Woo intended to fulfill Gwak Dan’s request. He wasn’t sure how much help he could be, though.

And by receiving that horn, Namgung Woo had headed to Guyajang and become entangled with many more connections.

Cheongsu Gate, Guyajang, Hwaseong Temple, Hwang Mountain Sect, Hyeong Mountain Sect, and the Jegal Family.

It all started with that horn, that sword.

At Namgung Woo’s words, Geumshin, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

“Then how about Bonding?”

“Bonding?”

“It refers to the mind reacting to an object and changing, or the cause that triggers some action through a great condition. In simpler terms, it means forming connections. In Buddhism, we often say not to form bonds, but originally, bonding isn’t inherently good or bad. It’s just that by entangling with various conditions, one becomes bound to the secular world, increasing afflictions and making it harder to reach nirvana, so we distance ourselves from it. But for those living in the secular world, isn’t bonding life itself?”

The Netherworld Horn changed its nature upon meeting a new owner, which is bonding, and through this horn, connections were formed with many people, which is also bonding.

The others’ eyes widened at Geumshin’s Buddhist sermon.

The image of a fallen monk who seemed more likely to read martial arts manuals than Buddhist scriptures and train in martial arts rather than meditate suddenly spouting such words… That thought was clearly written on their faces.

“Wow… This time, you really sounded like a monk.”

“Not just sounded like, he was a monk.”

“Wow, this time, you really sounded like a wanderer.”

Geumshin shrugged off Yang Kwae’s words.

Namgung Woo pondered Geumshin’s words and then gently gripped the sword’s hilt. As if it had a spirit of its own, the sword resonated the moment Namgung Woo held it.

“You seem to like it too. Good. From now on, it’s the Bonding Sword.”

On the road to Luoyang.

This happened during a rest on a quiet path.