Chapter 96

After taking a few steps forward, the sound started to reach my ears at some point.

“Why? You said I could come anytime…”

“That’s true, but the Alliance Leader has a guest scheduled right now, so it’s difficult.”

“I’m not asking to see the Alliance Leader. Even the Sangpyeon Hall Leader would be fine…”

The visitor stomped their feet, pleading with the guard. Their voice, filled with desperation, still carried a youthful tone.

It seemed they weren’t randomly trying to meet the Alliance Leader but had business with the Sangpyeon Hall, which handled the Martial Alliance’s general affairs.

The guard also seemed sympathetic, but with orders from above, there was nothing they could do.

‘Probably, the Alliance Leader’s guest is me.’

Namgung Woo, climbing the stairs, memorized the conversation he overheard.

The Central Heaven Pavilion, befitting the largest building of the Martial Alliance, was built on a platform almost two stories high. The sensation underfoot felt different from solid ground. There must be space beneath this too.

The five-story pavilion rising above and the two-story platform below, plus the underground space beneath the platform. Essentially, the Central Heaven Pavilion was an eight-story structure.

But now, such facts didn’t interest Namgung Woo much.

Namgung Woo quickly, but without rushing, climbed the stairs and stood before the Central Heaven Pavilion. Only then did the guards notice him, widening their eyes and quickly assuming a defensive stance.

However, it was Namgung Woo who spoke first.

“From what I heard, it seems you’re blocking entry because of me. There’s no need for that, so let me in.”

At Namgung Woo’s words, the visitor turned around. A strong curiosity about who this person, the reason they were being denied entry, was, showed in their swift movement.

But gazes are mutual. If you see something, that something also sees you.

It was a face on the boundary between a girl and a woman. If judged young, she might be in her late teens, and even generously, she wouldn’t surpass her early twenties. Still, judging by her determined eyes, she seemed to be around twenty.

The two guards at the Central Heaven Pavilion’s main entrance looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Their lips moved slightly, perhaps sending a Whispering Transmission.

“Ah~ Ah~ It’s fine. No need to go in. Since the guest the Alliance Leader summoned is here. Just open the gate. I’ll accompany them.”

“Ah! Leader of the Jinroe Unit.”

As if finding a lifeline, the guard called out to Deung Jong-yu with a relieved expression. Meanwhile, the guard who had been talking to the female visitor cautiously asked,

“But really… is it okay to let them in together? The Sangpyeon Hall Leader said not to let anyone else into the Central Heaven Pavilion while the guest is here…”

“Hmm, since the guest has allowed it, it should be fine. I’ll handle it, so you guys focus on your duties.”

“Yes, Leader of the Jinroe Unit.”

With Deung Jong-yu stepping forward, things proceeded swiftly.

The guards, looking relieved, opened the main gate of the Central Heaven Pavilion.

Deung Jong-yu entered first as the guarantor, and as Namgung Woo entered the Central Heaven Pavilion, the woman quickly followed behind.

Whether oblivious or flustered, the woman didn’t notice the gaze Paeng Ha-ryeong was sending and approached Namgung Woo to greet him.

“Th-thank you… Young Hero? Great Hero?”

“Call me whatever you’re comfortable with. More importantly, what’s your name?”

“Ah, I am…”

Just as the woman was about to say her name, Deung Jong-yu, who was ahead, suddenly rushed over, blocking between them and urging Namgung Woo.

“Now now~ No time for this here. Let’s hurry a bit more. The Alliance Leader is waiting.”

But Namgung Woo ignored Deung Jong-yu’s urging and firmly continued his words.

“You said you had business with the Sangpyeon Hall, but meeting the Alliance Leader directly would be more convenient. I also have business with the Alliance Leader, so let’s go together.”

“Huh? Th-that’s okay? You’ve already helped me so much…”

While the woman hesitated, wondering if this was really okay, Namgung Woo finally spoke to Deung Jong-yu.

“Isn’t it fine?”

“The guest was invited by the Alliance, so if the person in question wishes, there’s nothing we can do. Let’s do that.”

Shrugging as if giving up, Deung Jong-yu faithfully resumed his role as a guide.

As they went upstairs, Namgung Woo observed the inside of the Central Heaven Pavilion. There were more presences than he expected.

He had heard that the Central Heaven Pavilion shared the building with the Sangpyeon Hall the woman was looking for, so it must be the administrative staff. Traces of martial arts training were faint.

Some showed considerable skill, but they were far from Deung Jong-yu’s level.

Around the fourth floor, a middle-aged man in scholar’s robes greeted Namgung Woo’s group with a bow. Unlike the people of the Jegal Family, there was no aura of martial arts. It was purely the demeanor of a scholar who had honed only academic studies.

Just as the man in scholar’s robes was about to say something, his eyes widened as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

“No, y-you, why are you here… Leader of the Jinroe Unit, what is this?”

“Our guest suggested accompanying us. Isn’t it fine?”

“Fine… Sigh, I shouldn’t have sent you. I should have sent the Taetaek Unit Leader.”

“Haha, don’t say such cold words. More importantly, the Alliance Leader? Should I take them up right away?”

“That’s true… but there’s no choice. Guest, please wait a moment. I’ll inform the Alliance Leader…”

[No need for that.]

A voice echoed from above, like a serene landscape sound.

Imperial Qi Transmission. A more profound method of sound transmission than Whispering Transmission. The skill to twist it to transmit naturally without secrecy was extraordinary.

“That settles it. Let’s go up now.”

Deung Jong-yu lightly greeted the Sangpyeon Hall Leader and led the group up the stairs to the final fifth floor.

The number of people following Deung Jong-yu increased from three to four. Namgung Woo, Paeng Ha-ryeong, the woman whose name was still unknown, and the Sangpyeon Hall Leader.

By the way, the remaining four members of the Changcheon Pavilion were given the role of finding lodging after completing their initiation and were separated.

Finally, there was only one person on the fifth floor.

A monk in yellow robes with a red kasaya draped over them. A shaved head and nine seals engraved on the forehead.

Having been in the martial world for decades, yet undefeated.

From Shaolin, yet never opened the path of killing, hence non-lethal.

The Martial Alliance Leader, Monk Gakwon, was like an ancient tree that had stood in one place for hundreds of years, blending into the space.

“Alliance Leader. I have brought the guest.”

“Amitabha. Please come in.”

Only when he spoke did Gakwon seem like a living, breathing human.

Unlike Gwak Dan, who lived at the center of secular life, Paeng Hu-sang, who devoted his entire body for the sake of his family, and the Five Tones Demon Lord, who trampled everything around him solely for himself.

Unlike them, the aura of someone who reached the pinnacle by following religious teachings was like this.

It was surprising that someone from Shaolin, who would casually open the path of killing and stain their hands with blood, was more detached from secular life than the previous three.

At the Alliance Leader’s greeting, everyone responded with their own greetings. Only Namgung Woo and Paeng Ha-ryeong added self-introductions. The other three were already acquainted with Monk Gakwon.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Deung Jong-yu, having completed his role, descended from the fifth floor. Gakwon offered Namgung Woo a seat.

“Please sit here. If you prefer sitting on the floor, let me know.”

“It’s fine. The chair is comfortable.”

Gakwon had brewed tea according to the number of people since sending the Imperial Qi Transmission from the fourth floor.

On the table were five cups, and Gakwon personally poured the tea.

“Maojian tea. Grown in Xinyang, it’s a famous tea in Henan.”

“Thank you.”

Namgung Woo, holding the teacup, glanced to the side before drinking and said,

“While we enjoy the tea the Alliance Leader has provided, perhaps we should resolve this lady’s matter first.”

Even at Namgung Woo’s words, Gakwon showed no sign of embarrassment and maintained a serene expression.

A martial monk of peerless mastery. His mental cultivation wasn’t so shallow as to be shaken by mere words.

“That would be good.”

“Alliance Leader…”

The Sangpyeon Hall Leader tried to say something, but Gakwon stopped him by raising his palm.

“So, Sol. Have you come to say the same thing as last time?”

The woman called Sol, finding the atmosphere unbearable, slightly shrunk her shoulders but nodded vigorously.

“Yes. I understand the Alliance wants to protect me, but staying like this won’t change anything.”

“You know it could be a dangerous decision, right?”

“It’s okay. Rather, what I fear more are those who want to use me.”

“Amitabha… The karma of the White Path Martial World runs deep.”

Perhaps sensing something from the conversation.

Paeng Ha-ryeong urgently sent a Whispering Transmission to Namgung Woo.

[Could it be…]

[Not now. We’ll talk later.]

Namgung Woo cut off Paeng Ha-ryeong’s Whispering Transmission.

His gaze was fixed on Gakwon. Gakwon was looking at the woman named Sol beside him, but Namgung Woo sensed that what he was seeing with his eyes wasn’t everything.

“But my answer remains the same as before.”

“Anyway… the Dokgo Family…!”

“Sol.”

At the Sangpyeon Hall Leader’s call, Sol bowed her head.

“…I’m sorry.”

“Let’s discuss that issue later. Sangpyeon Hall Leader, please take Sol and leave us for a moment.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

As the Sangpyeon Hall Leader and Sol disappeared from the fifth floor, Gakwon finally spoke to Namgung Woo.

“As per the letter from the Jegal Family Leader.”

“What did the Jegal Family Leader say about me?”

Jegal Chong was one of the few who knew Namgung Woo’s real name.

However, Namgung Woo judged that Jegal Chong hadn’t mentioned his name. He trusted Jegal Chong, and if Gakwon knew his real name, he wouldn’t have reacted as he did earlier.

Namgung Woo’s prediction was correct. Jegal Chong hadn’t divulged everything about Namgung Woo.

Instead, he only said this:

Perhaps the Alliance Leader might think of denial upon seeing him three times, but everything about him is true.

“The first denial was upon seeing the benefactor. At that age, such a level. I thought, with such shallow cultivation, could one reach this level in an instant? But the Black Martial Alliance Leader also reached peerless mastery at a similar age, so how could I just deny?”

The first denial was Namgung Woo’s level.

Gakwon hadn’t participated in the Jeongsa Great War. At that time, Shaolin was still recovering from the Blood Sect’s near-destruction and had entered a 30-year seclusion.

“The other two denials, I still don’t know, but I’ll find out gradually.”

Namgung Woo felt he knew at least one more. Paeng Ha-ryeong did too. But instead of mentioning it, Namgung Woo asked again.

“May I ask why you sought me out?”

“Of course. An old man cannot steal a young man’s time. You know the Alliance meeting is approaching, right?”

“Yes.”

“Separate from the meeting of the Orthodox Martial World’s leadership, we also plan to hold a Martial Duel competition.”

Right. Such an event couldn’t be missing from this gathering.

The factions coming to the Alliance meeting were also bringing late-blooming prodigies to compete and gain fame.

“In that competition, I hope you will not participate.”