Chapter 99

From the moment he decided to rebuild the Namgung Family, Namgung Woo anticipated a clash with the Dokgo Family. Unless the Dokgo Family withdrew their pursuit order against the Namgung Family, friction between Namgung Woo, who sought to restore the Namgung Family, and the Dokgo Family was inevitable.

However, this didn’t mean he would immediately declare himself as a Namgung and openly fight the Dokgo Family.

If the Dokgo Family head had martial prowess comparable to the Jegal Family head, Namgung Woo could either launch a decapitation strike with a small elite force or challenge them to a one-on-one life-and-death duel.

But the Dokgo Family head, Dokgo Wol, was a Peerless Master. Not just any Peerless Master, but one considered second only to the leader of the Black Martial Alliance in strength. Even if Namgung Woo had fully mastered the realm of Hua Jing, it was hard to be optimistic about his chances.

In his current state, relying on a miracle seemed like the only viable option.

Thus, Namgung Woo began his preparations.

“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.” From that moment, Namgung Woo started gathering information about the Dokgo Family.

Gathering information wasn’t difficult. The Dokgo Family was so famous that more was revealed than hidden.

The Yang Brothers visited Gaebang, Myorin purchased information from Haomun, and Namgung Woo pieced together the details about the Dokgo Family.

What he discovered was that the Dokgo Family was stronger and more formidable than he had vaguely imagined.

But he couldn’t avoid them forever. The moment of conflict would come when he least expected it.

The fight between the Namgung and Dokgo Families wasn’t one-sided. It was a two-sided battle where either side could strike first at any time.

“My name has already reached Dongbang Hwa. For survival, they wouldn’t hesitate to sell my name to the Black Martial Alliance.”

It was reasonable to assume that his identity had already spread to the Dokgo Family.

It was a bit puzzling that the Dokgo Family hadn’t shown any significant reaction yet.

But even if it hadn’t reached them yet, optimism was unwarranted. They might already be moving in the shadows.

Moreover, Namgung Woo had already met Dokgo Bin and left a clue.

Given the Dokgo Family’s persistence in maintaining the pursuit order for over a decade, they would surely catch his trail.

“As I said before, we need to grow our power as quickly as possible.”

That’s why he sought the alliance meeting and contacted survivors.

To prepare for the Dokgo Family, he needed to explosively expand his power before they made their move.

Thus, Namgung Woo pursued fame.

Like the Hapbuk Paeng Family, like the Jegal Family.

Just as people had flocked to support those names, he hoped to gain allies by promoting the name “Namgung Woo” instead of the forgotten Namgung Family.

He considered the martial duel competition a decent stepping stone, but given the Martial Alliance leader Gakwon’s remarks, it seemed unlikely to yield the desired results. Still, it was better than nothing, though there would surely be those who would cling to him despite the clear gap in strength.

However, there was something more pressing than the martial duel.

“Originally, I planned to win the martial duel and use that platform to recruit members for Changcheon Pavilion, but I’ve changed my mind. I’ll postpone the martial duel for now.”

Yang Jeong was the first to question Namgung Woo’s decision.

“Then you plan to recruit members for Changcheon Pavilion based solely on your existing reputation?”

“If that’s the case, it would’ve been better to recruit while we were in Huguang.”

“Let the leader finish speaking before you ask questions.”

Paeng Ha-ryeong silenced the Yang Brothers with a sharp look, earning a grateful glance from Namgung Woo.

“I’m the only one not participating in the martial duel.”

“…Are you saying you want us to participate?”

“I’m not forcing you. If you want to go voluntarily, I won’t stop you. And anyway, Geumshin would’ve gone even if I told him not to, right?”

“Ahem, if the Great Master had forbidden it, I would’ve restrained myself… probably.”

Geumshin cracked his knuckles, clearly itching for a fight.

“Having a member of Changcheon Pavilion demonstrate decent skills is more realistic than the Great Master going out and causing a dragon to wreak havoc in a lake, but it’s hard to expect a dramatic effect.”

Myorin’s point was valid. Namgung Woo didn’t expect much from such an effect either.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not allowing participation in the martial duel for that reason. And for now, we won’t be spending much time together.”

“Huh? Suddenly?”

“I met a Namgung survivor today.”

At those words, thoughts of the martial duel faded into the background as the group’s attention shifted.

“Already…?”

“How was it? Are they strong?”

“If there’s another person like the captain, maybe we can just go head-to-head with them?”

“Do you really think that’s possible? Even if the captain becomes the family head, how many heads does the Dokgo Family have left?”

Namgung Woo addressed the most notable point first rather than answering their questions one by one.

“The Dokgo Family’s pursuit order is still active. But there’s something strange about it. I realized that during this meeting.”

The reaction of the Namgung survivor under the Martial Alliance’s protection, Namgung Sol, was peculiar.

While fearful of the Dokgo Family, they also exuded a strange confidence that the Dokgo Family couldn’t do anything to them.

Namgung Woo, who had been observing closely since their first meeting, saw through even the subtlest emotions.

“The Martial Alliance leader seems to know something, but we need to confirm that first. Once we do, we’ll finalize our plan.”

“But talent recruitment is still ongoing, right?”

“Correct. No matter what path we take, expanding our power is essential.”

Speaking his thoughts aloud helped Namgung Woo organize his mind. He hesitated before mentioning something that remained purely speculative.

‘Perhaps my name will be revealed through this.’

If that happened, the Dokgo Family would no longer remain silent.

It would mean the emergence of a force openly opposing them.

But Namgung Woo wasn’t considering such a scenario without a plan.

The north was the domain of the Orthodox Martial World. While exceptions like the Shadowless Gate in Shanxi existed, the Orthodox Martial World’s power was overwhelming.

Even the Dokgo Family would find it difficult to move their family head directly into such territory.

Though the Sword Family Blood Feud was acknowledged as separate from the Jeongsa Great War, restrictions on their activities were inevitable. Especially if the Dokgo Family head, a walking strategic weapon, were to come, it would be even more problematic.

‘In fact, luring their pursuit force and picking them off one by one might not be a bad idea.’

Namgung Woo, who had never played strategy simulation games in his past life, felt his head ache at the thought of conducting an actual war.

‘First, let’s meet Namgung Sol and think from there.’

§

From the next day, Namgung Woo began approaching Namgung Sol.

They had exchanged greetings but hadn’t made any specific arrangements. However, that didn’t matter.

Namgung Sol’s aura and presence were already etched in Namgung Woo’s mind. Though Luoyang was vast, considering the Martial Alliance’s protection of Namgung Sol, they couldn’t be far from the alliance. Wandering around, it wouldn’t be too hard to find Namgung Sol.

‘It feels a bit like stalking, though.’

With so many recognizable faces around, Namgung Woo bought a bamboo hat to cover his face. Suppressing his aura as much as possible, he moved around as if in stealth, reducing the attention he drew.

‘Found them.’

After hours of searching, Namgung Woo detected Namgung Sol’s aura at a training ground.

Namgung Sol wasn’t staying at the Martial Alliance’s guesthouse but at a regular inn, likely to avoid suspicion.

‘Isn’t it more suspicious to move from outside the Martial Alliance into it?’

Though he thought that, the Martial Alliance leader and Sangpyeon Hall leader must have handled it well. They probably arranged a plausible identity for Namgung Sol to move in and out of the alliance without raising eyebrows.

‘And this inn isn’t exactly ordinary.’

While it was common for martial artists to frequent inns in Luoyang, having all the guests be masters at the peak level or above was suspicious.

Assuming it was a secret lodging or safehouse used by the Martial Alliance, Namgung Woo entered the inn.

Surprisingly, no one stopped him. It wasn’t that they didn’t notice him, but rather that they seemed to have expected his arrival.

‘The Martial Alliance leader must have given them a heads-up.’

If they were accommodating, he wouldn’t refuse.

Namgung Woo passed through the inn’s occupants unchallenged and headed toward the training ground at the back.

There, Namgung Sol was diligently practicing their sword techniques.

Silently observing, Namgung Woo finally made his presence known with a light remark.

“Your sword is too hasty. Instead of blindly chasing strength, you should focus on the subtlety of the sword’s intent.”