Chapter 95

The initiation ceremony in Luoyang had ended.

The training ground was completely destroyed. The stone slabs of the training ground were split or shattered, and the ground looked as if it had been hit by artillery. Could such a result truly be achieved by mere human footsteps? Even the people living in Luoyang were stunned by the sight.

And on the training ground stood two men.

Namgung Woo and Deung Jong-yu’s appearances were completely opposite.

Namgung Woo wore a black martial uniform with a blue robe over it.

Deung Jong-yu wore a blue martial uniform with a black robe over it.

Not only were the colors contrasting, but the condition of their clothes was also entirely different. While Namgung Woo’s black uniform was spotless, Deung Jong-yu’s robe was covered in dust, losing its original black color and appearing as if it had always been gray.

Deung Jong-yu inspected his sword. He had been worried about Namgung Woo’s sword energy, fearing it might have chipped his blade. Though both wielded sword energy, the density was different.

It was fortunate that Namgung Woo had restrained his sword aura, mindful of the surroundings. If the gap in sword energy was this vast, the difference in sword aura would have been even more pronounced.

Deung Jong-yu had experienced battles with peerless masters. He had learned then that the aura energy he once thought invincible could be shattered or broken by a more refined aura.

Deung Jong-yu reversed his grip on the sword. He accepted that further exchanges would only waste time.

He performed a bow salute, holding the sword tip downward. The gesture, filled with respect for a master, showcased the dignity of the Martial Alliance’s leader.

“I admit defeat. Thank you for allowing me to witness such splendid sword energy.”

“Likewise.”

Namgung Woo’s reply was brief, but Deung Jong-yu could sense the sincerity within.

Deung Jong-yu, who had lived a life of relentless victories, had now suffered his second defeat. Yet, he didn’t feel too bad about it. He wasn’t unfamiliar with defeat, and losing to someone who also wielded Thunder Qi had opened a new path for growth.

Deung Jong-yu sheathed his sword and spoke.

“To achieve such martial prowess at your age is remarkable. I once thought Thunder Qi martial arts were unrivaled, but you’ve humbled me. It feels like I was the one being initiated.”

“It was a good duel. I hope to face you at full strength next time.”

“Haha! That’s both terrifying and exciting to hear.”

With a hearty laugh, Deung Jong-yu tugged at the front of his robe and flicked it. Though the gesture wasn’t forceful, the result was impressive. The small action created a ripple, shaking off all the dust clinging to his robe.

Even if his robe was made of special material like Namgung Woo’s, the refined control of internal energy was evident.

Even Paeng Ha-ryeong, who had opened all her meridians, would need considerable focus to manipulate energy with such finesse.

The effortless display of such skill revealed the demeanor of a supreme master.

Deung Jong-yu clasped his hands again, this time in a fist salute.

“Welcome to Luoyang, the Martial Village.”

Deung Jong-yu’s words were the cue.

“Welcome!”

“Welcome to Luoyang!”

“Blue Sword Emperor! Look over here!”

“Hey, Yang Brothers! Thanks to you, I won three taels of silver! Thank you!”

In the Martial Village, martial prowess was everything.

Thus, if one proved their martial arts, Luoyang would extend a fitting welcome.

Changcheon Pavilion had proven their martial prowess.

Exceedingly so, surpassing even the leader of the Eight Units, one of Luoyang’s top martial groups.

The events of the Unmong Great War had spread far, making Namgung Woo’s name known. And Namgung Woo had clearly demonstrated that his reputation was well-deserved. To the common folk of Luoyang, he was a mysterious young master who seemed to have descended from the heavens, straight out of a novel. It would have been stranger if they weren’t enthusiastic.

Amid the applause and cheers of Luoyang’s people, even the wandering martial artists who had been eyeing Changcheon Pavilion awkwardly clapped or half-heartedly joined in.

Having drawn such a warm welcome from Luoyang’s people, Deung Jong-yu approached Namgung Woo, who was momentarily dazed, and brought up the purpose of his visit.

“You must be exhausted from the initiation ceremony, but I hope you can spare a little more time. There’s someone who wishes to meet you.”

Namgung Woo lowered his eyelids briefly. When he opened them again, the Azure Tranquility Eyes he had been using disappeared, revealing his original black irises.

Receiving praise from a crowd wasn’t new to him, having experienced it in Hahongho. But being cheered by common folk instead of martial artists felt somewhat awkward.

With a blink, Namgung Woo composed himself and nodded at Deung Jong-yu’s words. The only person in Luoyang who could send the Martial Alliance’s leader as a messenger was someone he had also wanted to meet.

“Let’s go. I wanted to meet them too.”

The meeting with the Martial Alliance’s leader came sooner than Namgung Woo had anticipated.

—

Luoyang was a large city.

Though smaller in scale compared to Nanjing, the former capital, and Beijing, the current capital, Luoyang’s ancient charm surpassed both.

Built along the Luo River, Luoyang was divided into north and south. The north, home to the Yi Royal Residence, was heavily influenced by the government, while the south, where the Martial Alliance was based, had weaker governmental control.

Walking along the path, grateful they didn’t need to cross the Luo River, Namgung Woo asked a question that had been on his mind since encountering the martial artists earlier.

“By the way, those people earlier seemed like wandering martial artists or disciples of minor sects. Do you not control them?”

“That’s right. Frankly, the Martial Alliance’s influence in Luoyang surpasses that of the government.”

It was inevitable. The rise of Luoyang from a mere county-level city during the Yuan dynasty to a core city was entirely due to the Martial Alliance’s efforts.

The common folk’s support for the Martial Alliance was absolute. The ability to create open spaces and build training grounds throughout the city was because the southern part of Luoyang, south of the Luo River, was a planned new city built from the ground up under the Martial Alliance’s leadership.

The Martial Alliance, which had transformed Luoyang from a city reduced to a size smaller than that of the Zhou dynasty into a major city based on the old Tang dynasty foundations, was revered by Luoyang’s people more than the royal residence.

That was why the common folk didn’t complain even when loud clashes occurred during the day.

The Yi Royal Residence also acknowledged the Martial Alliance’s authority, including the southern part of Luoyang as part of the Yi’s fiefdom, collecting taxes but entrusting actual governance to the Martial Alliance.

“But the Martial Alliance isn’t the government. We don’t interfere with Luoyang’s entry and exit. We mediate disputes, but getting involved in governmental affairs beyond that would only cause unnecessary trouble.”

Recalling that the city gates were guarded by the government, Namgung Woo understood.

“Paradoxically, the government trusts the Martial Alliance and hardly controls the entry of martial artists. Thus, the Martial Village doesn’t discriminate against martial artists. The initiation ceremony is the only filter. Don’t think too badly of it. There’s a reason it’s been passed down as a tradition.”

“It wasn’t bad. I got to experience the identity of Luoyang as a city in one go.”

“Hah, that’s a relief.”

The Martial Alliance was like a fortress. Though it lacked walls, anyone trying to describe it in one word would likely say the same as Namgung Woo.

Beyond the low walls, eight outer hall buildings were arranged like the eight trigrams, encircling the center. If that wasn’t a fortress, what was?

Seeing Namgung Woo react the same way as most first-time visitors, Deung Jong-yu thought, “Even a peerless master is just like everyone else,” and spoke.

“These buildings are the residences and training caves of the Martial Alliance’s Eight Units. The one directly ahead is the Qian Tian Unit’s, and our Jinroe Unit is located in the northeast.”

“Following the directions of the Eight Trigrams?”

“Correct.”

After a brief answer, Deung Jong-yu waved to the gatekeepers to open the gate and led the way through the path between the buildings.

“This way.”

Namgung Woo noticed traces of mystical arts in the Martial Alliance’s buildings.

Though it felt somewhat lacking compared to the Forbidden City or the Jegal Family’s estate, it seemed the Martial Alliance had also considered mystical arts when constructing their fortress.

The eight outer buildings arranged according to the Eight Trigrams, and within their protection, four inner buildings.

The Martial Alliance leader’s office was located on the top floor of the massive five-story central hall.

“We’re almost there. Just pass through this inner corridor, and we’ll reach the Central Heaven Pavilion.”

Deung Jong-yu referred to the path between the outer eight buildings as the outer corridor and the path between the inner three buildings as the inner corridor.

And the Central Heaven Pavilion at the very center was where all major decisions of the Martial Alliance were made.

Soon.

In just a moment, he would meet the representative of the Orthodox Martial World.

Though he had already met Paeng Hu-sang, the leader of the Paeng Family, one of the Twelve Venerables, and Jegal Chong, the head of the Jegal Family, another of the Seven Great Families, the weight of meeting the Martial Alliance leader felt different.

‘The Martial Alliance leader… a Shaolin monk, right?’

When the previous leader stepped down and a new one was elected, the Orthodox Martial World had considered placing the leader of the Heonwon Family, the foremost of the White Path, in the position to counter the Black Path’s leader, Dan Un-ak.

However, Heonwon Kang declined, stating that being the head of the Heonwon Family was enough for him. The next candidate was a peerless master from Shaolin, who held significant influence across the entire martial world.

He was the current Martial Alliance leader, Gakwon Daesa, known as “No Killing, No Defeat.”

And the world preferred to call him not by his title or alias, but by this name:

Buddha Venerable.

One of the Twelve Venerables, peerless masters revered across the land.

What intentions did he have in summoning Namgung Woo?

With equal parts anticipation and worry, Namgung Woo arrived at the Central Heaven Pavilion, where a guest was already waiting.

“Ah, this…”

Deung Jong-yu, recognizing the guest, sighed softly and rubbed his forehead.

The guest was a small girl. About the same height as Jegal Seon-a, though slightly more robust.

“Do you know her?”

“Well… it’s a bit difficult to explain right now.”

The answer was意味深长.

Namgung Woo observed the girl more closely. Upon closer inspection, the term “guest” didn’t quite fit. It seemed more like she was trying to enter the Central Heaven Pavilion, but the guards were stopping her.

Namgung Woo, with his keen senses, could only speculate because no sound escaped the Central Heaven Pavilion’s surroundings, as if a special formation was in place.

Perhaps it was a defense against internal espionage, even affecting vision, but it was unlikely to block the Azure Tranquility Eyes, which even the Forbidden City couldn’t stop.

The moment Namgung Woo’s eyes took on a blue hue.

His expression turned serious, and his pupils shook.

“Gaga?”

Paeng Ha-ryeong, who had reached a level where she could sense Namgung Woo’s mood just from his back, was the first to notice the change.

But unlike usual, Namgung Woo’s voice didn’t return immediately. He was too shocked, his mind overwhelmed.

With the same focus as during a life-and-death battle, Namgung Woo scrutinized the girl several times to ensure he wasn’t mistaken.

There was no mistake. The Azure Tranquility Eyes didn’t err.

Yes, he couldn’t have been wrong.

What Namgung Woo saw in the girl.

The internal energy she possessed.

It was too similar to his own.

Namgung Woo intuitively understood the nature of that energy.

‘Great Lotus Heart Technique…’

The family’s secret technique, practiced before mastering the Vast Heaven Divine Art.

That energy resided within the girl.

‘That child… is she truly a survivor of the Namgung Family in this world…’

The moment he recognized the girl’s identity, Namgung Woo’s feet were already moving.