Following the Ripples
Namgung Woo observed the people around him as they rushed toward the rescue. Their expressions, movements, and auras revealed fragments of their emotions and thoughts. Some appeared impatient, while others moved with a detached sense of duty. There were also those burning with ambition—whether to make a name for themselves or to earn the Jegal Family's favor through this act. Yet all of them shared one conviction: that this was something that simply had to be done.
"How fascinating."
"What is?"
"Most of the people here have no connection to the Jegal Family. Yet they treat this matter as a given. Fame, reward, duty… their faith in those things. Is this what it means to be a great family?"
"Well, I suppose so. And it would be even more so in the south. After all, they've seen firsthand that without a great orthodox sect to serve as a pillar, they cannot stand against the unorthodox factions."
The fall of the Namgung Family, once the great pillar of Namjikrye. It had been called the greatest shock of the Orthodox-Unorthodox War. With the Dokgo Family seizing control of Namjikrye's martial world, it had become a symbolic event marking the complete shift of the region south of the Yangtze into unorthodox territory. That was how immense the influence of a great orthodox family could be.
"A family, huh… Could I build one again?"
Namgung Woo's murmured words were so quiet that Paeng Ha-ryeong failed to catch them.
"Pardon? Gaga, did you say something?"
"No, nothing. More importantly, could you tell me about the Jegal Family?"
"Ah, the Jegal Family?"
Paeng Ha-ryeong launched into a concise lecture even as they maintained their pace with the others. Since they were deliberately matching the group's speed rather than pushing ahead at full strength, there was ample room for conversation or voice transmission.
The Jegal Family was divided into an outer hall and an inner hall. The Biyun Unit mobilized for this incident belonged to the outer hall's martial forces. There were five regiments and three martial units under the outer hall, three institutes under the inner hall, and one elite unit comparable to the Hebei Paeng Family's Bukcheon Unit. That was the Jegal Family's internal structure. The General Affairs Office, which managed the family's major and minor affairs, was a separate institution belonging to neither hall and fell directly under the Family Head's command.
"The Biyun Unit is one of the outer hall's martial forces."
"What is their level?"
"Roughly equivalent to two or three mid-sized sects combined. If the Biyun Unit's commander has taken the field, it's highly likely the entire unit has mobilized. Since Seon-a is with them, the Guardian Institute would have joined as well."
"A direct descendant?"
"Not the Family Head's direct line… she's his niece."
Paeng Ha-ryeong added that although she was only a niece, the Jegal Family Head treated his sole niece like a daughter, doting on her immensely.
"Then why send her on this mission?"
"For one, the Biyun Unit's commander is an exceptional expert. As for the other reason… you'll understand when you see her."
Namgung Woo took this to mean that Jegal Seon-a possessed some special quality. The fact that Paeng Ha-ryeong did not elaborate even through voice transmission suggested either that it was extremely difficult to explain or that she wished to avoid any risk of being overheard. Those with exceptionally developed qi senses or special artifacts could indeed eavesdrop on voice transmissions.
First, we need to find them.
Having gathered information on both the surrounding people and the Jegal Family, it was time to focus on the search. Namgung Woo did not know the search methods being used by the lead group. Even if his superior senses could detect broken branches or footprints, he could not properly interpret their meaning. However, Namgung Woo possessed something others could not replicate.
First, Gongryeong Taeheo Singong…
The spiritual energy of the Gongryeong Divine Art flowed from his upper dantian through the meridians in his head. As his mind cleared, Namgung Woo activated Changnyeongmanan. It felt as though the very flow of the world was being drawn in through his eyes. His brain, awakened by the Gongryeong energy, began interpreting the waves of qi entering his vision and mapping them out—like sensing the faintest ripple on a vast lake and tracing it back to its source. He was following traces of true qi, not physical marks.
Even if I cannot pinpoint their current location, I should at least be able to find where the clash occurred.
Following the ripple to its origin, Namgung Woo identified a specific location. Enhancing his Cheonrihojeong and Cheonpungsinbeop, he accelerated.
"Gaga?"
"We're changing course. Yang Kvae, Yang Jeong—follow me."
Namgung Woo weaved past those ahead and surged forward. The lead search party, along with Jeong Gwang who had been receiving their reports from just behind, watched Namgung Woo break formation with furrowed brows.
"Hey, if you move about so recklessly—"
"I know where the clash occurred. I will guide you there."
Had an ordinary vagabond said such a thing, Jeong Gwang would have dismissed it outright. But standing beside Namgung Woo was Paeng Ha-ryeong, a direct descendant of the Paeng Family. Jeong Gwang asked somewhat reluctantly,
"…Are you a sorcerer?"
"Something like that."
West of Guya Manor lay Mount Guhua, and to the south, Mount Huang. Further southwest from those two mountains stood Mount Seonu, with mountain paths connecting to both. Alternatively, one could head straight east toward Mount Jeyun. Tracking someone who had entered Mount Seonu was an exceedingly difficult task. Yet the pursuers had accomplished this feat flawlessly, never once losing the Jegal Family's trail.
This time was no different.
"They're here."
"Already…"
Jegal Pan clicked his tongue and gripped his sword hilt. This was already the third ambush. Fortunately, they had anticipated each attack and avoided major losses, thanks to pre-laid formations that trapped and diverted their enemies. But how much longer this could continue was uncertain.
Jegal Pan looked at the girl who had just warned them of the attack—Jegal Seon-a. Born with a special upper dantian ability, she had mastered the Jegal Family's secret art, Gongmyeongseongcheondo. Thanks to her, they had been able to predict the ambushes so far, but the repeated crises had visibly taken their toll on her condition.
Two more times… or perhaps even one more activation of Gongmyeongseongcheondo, and Seon-a's body will not hold.
Though Jegal Pan preferred martial arts over scholarship, he was still a blood relative of the Jegal Family. Moreover, without considerable erudition, one could not rise to the rank of unit commander within the family. Having quickly assessed the situation, Jegal Pan spoke.
"At this rate, we'll be caught. As long as they have a way to track us, running will only drain our stamina. It would be better to set up formations and hold our ground here. While we prepare the formations, Seon-a, you should rest and conserve your strength."
Jegal Seon-a shook her head vigorously at his words.
"I'm still fine. I can help too."
"Young Lady, the Unit Commander's words are correct."
The one reinforcing Jegal Pan's statement was Geumsin, the monk from Hwaseong Temple.
"Given the terrain, their options are limited."
"But…"
"The Reverend Hangwi is among the foremost practitioners of protective arts at Hwaseong Temple. By now, he should have reached Gyeong County and be returning with the orthodox martial world's heroes. Holding out until then is what matters most."
"In the end, the core of the formation must be handled by you, Seon-a."
"…Understood."
"And do not even think of using Gongmyeongseongcheondo. You must conserve your qi."
After issuing his instructions, Jegal Pan dispersed with the Biyun Unit warriors. Meanwhile, Geumsin and the other monks from Hwaseong Temple, who had no expertise in formations, remained in place.
"Young Lady."
"Yes?"
"Do not worry. Though their numbers are great, even numerical superiority is useless against the Jegal Family's ultimate formation."
Geumsin's attempt to reassure the anxious Jegal Seon-a failed to reach her. The Jegal Family's formations were absolute. Even the Mt. Mao Sect, renowned for its mastery of sorcery, acknowledged that they fell short of the Jegal Family when it came to formations. However, formations could not be deployed so casually in such a short time. Their effectiveness depended entirely on the time, manpower, and resources invested. The Jegal Family could at least claim to set up a formation on the spot, but its power would never be as overwhelming as Geumsin suggested.
If only it were night…
The power of Gongmyeongseongcheondo came from the stars. Stars could be seen even during the day, though doing so was extremely difficult and the light was faint. Thus, the art's power was weakened, requiring far greater mental and internal energy. Simply maintaining the ability to detect crises had already left Jegal Seon-a with a throbbing headache.
"Ah!"
A pain as though a massive needle had pierced through her head. Jegal Seon-a clutched her head and staggered. Geumsin moved to support her. Her body trembled, and her pupils contracted.
The enemies had arrived. They were right in front of them. They would be upon them at any moment!
"I must inform the Unit Commander—!"
"Inform him of what?"
For an instant, the world seemed to darken before Jegal Seon-a's eyes. Her innate upper dantian ability—her resonance power—had activated. What she saw was the true qi, martial arts, and inner nature of the one who had been pursuing them all this time.
"Aah…"
It was too late. Overwhelmed by despair, Jegal Seon-a collapsed to her knees despite Geumsin's support. Her resonance power granted her the great strength of Gongmyeongseongcheondo, but it also left her with a fragile mind that was easily shaken.
Black Sword Ghost Jeong Po. Even Jegal Pan would struggle to face him. For Jegal Seon-a, opposing him was impossible even in death.
"…Rest for a moment, Young Lady."
Geumsin stepped forward in front of Jegal Seon-a. As he took a step, the staff strapped to his back was now gripped in both hands.
"A monk from Hwaseong Temple. The Bonghwangsongbong technique. I have heard it is not bad."
Kkigigik—
The sound of the Black Sword Ghost drawing his blade was nothing like the clear ring of ordinary swords. It was the grating scrape of rusted iron. Malevolent energy flowed from the black blade. It was a weapon that could be called an oddity, a demonic sword, or a cursed blade.
"Namu Jijang Bosal. Your killing karma runs deep. I shall send you to the Buddha here and now."
"If you can."
With the Black Sword Ghost's confident words, Geumsin's figure shot forward.
"Halt."
Namgung Woo stopped the group after sensing the ripples of true qi from ahead.
"We are changing direction. It seems we have found them."