A Plea in the Mountains
The brief truce negotiations concluded successfully. The attackers released the Jegal Family prisoners, and Namgung Woo along with the orthodox martial artists refrained from pursuing them. Though some might have been tempted to break away in pursuit of merit and fame, the Black Sword Ghost and the Annihilating Demon were notorious experts of the unorthodox sects in the Hohwang region. Having achieved their objective, none were willing to risk their lives needlessly.
On the return journey, Jeong Gwang let out a sigh of relief inwardly and glanced at Namgung Woo. If that man had not been here, it would have been disastrous.
As one of the top experts of the Huangshan Sect, Jeong Gwang knew his chances of single-handedly stopping either the Black Sword Ghost or the Annihilating Demon were slim. Even if he managed to hold one at bay, what of the other? Though the monk Geumsin had fought valiantly, Jeong Gwang could see his limitations.
In contrast, that man—Nam Woo, was it? His superior skill against the Black Sword Ghost. At his age, it was hard not to feel a twinge of envy. Now he fully understood why the Hebei Paeng Family had attached such a precious direct bloodline to him. They must intend to take him in as a son-in-law.
No matter how renowned the Hebei Paeng Family was for the blade, skill of that caliber rendered the difference in weapons meaningless.
After confirming that Hangwi was assisting the injured Jegal Pan, Jeong Gwang quickened his pace.
"Young Hero Nam."
At Jeong Gwang's call, Namgung Woo turned his head.
"Taoist Jeong Gwang? Did you have something to say to me?"
"Taoist? That title is too grand. Just call me a simple Taoist priest."
"As you wish."
"By the way, Young Hero Nam, how do you plan to return? Are you thinking of heading straight north back to Guya Manor?"
"Do you have another suggestion?"
Feeling as though Namgung Woo already knew what he was about to say, Jeong Gwang cleared his throat.
"Ahem, returning to Guya Manor is fine, but the Jegal Family members have suffered both external and internal injuries. Since Huangshan is closer than Guya Manor or Guhwasan, it wouldn't be too late to rest there briefly and recover before continuing."
"Huangshan, you say?"
"Indeed. Our Huangshan has hot springs that are excellent for treating internal injuries and restoring the body."
Hot springs. There was still time until the one-month deadline mentioned at Guya Manor, and it was true that the Jegal Family retainers needed time to recover from their various wounds. Even knowing why Jeong Gwang had suddenly become so friendly, Namgung Woo saw no reason to refuse.
Jeong Gwang, Hangwi, Jegal Pan, and Jegal Seon-a—all had stopped speaking and moving, as if waiting for Namgung Woo to make the decision. He could feel their respect and trust. Along with a sense of responsibility came a feeling of elation. This was the sensation tasted by one who leads a group. It wasn't unpleasant. It reminded him of when he had first become guild leader of the Namgung Family in Chukrok Murim.
I suppose I'll have to get used to this. In Chukrok Murim, guild members had gradually quit the game shortly after he became leader, but here it would be the opposite—more and more people would come to follow him. Not only the current Changcheon Squad, but perhaps even greater forces in the future.
Namgung Woo made his decision.
"Let's go to Huangshan."
The journey to Huangshan was far more comfortable than the outward trip, thanks to the Huangshan Sect members who knew the area well. Jegal Seon-a, who seemed somewhat exhausted, followed the group with Paeng Ha-ryeong's assistance. The orthodox martial artists had also expended much of their stamina rushing here, so their pace was not particularly fast, allowing Jegal Seon-a to keep up on her own.
The mere thought that the pursuit had ended seemed to bring vitality back to Jegal Seon-a's heavy body. As her mind stabilized, what little true qi remained began to circulate to aid her recovery.
Yet apart from her eased mind, Jegal Seon-a's thoughts were tangled with countless worries. Among them, what concerned her most at the moment was none other than Paeng Ha-ryeong.
"Um, Ha-ryeong-ah."
"Hm?"
"Did you perhaps... make some kind of engagement with that young hero?"
"Huh? Ah, no, nothing like that."
Jegal Seon-a's eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of Paeng Ha-ryeong waving her hands, her face flushed red. Though they hadn't seen each other often, they had spent time together in their youth when Jegal Seon-a stayed at the Hebei Paeng Family for a while, so both believed they knew each other reasonably well. Especially Jegal Seon-a, whose resonance ability gave her a deeper understanding of others.
To her, Paeng Ha-ryeong's clumsy denial only seemed to emphasize her true feelings.
"Even though you call him Gaga?"
"That, well... he's older than me, so..."
"Really?"
"...Gaga doesn't know."
The term "Gaga" generally referred to an older male, but when a woman used it toward a man, it carried another meaning. However, Namgung Woo was ignorant of such customs. Since everyone assumed he would know at least this much, no one had pointed it out, leading to the misunderstanding.
At first, Paeng Ha-ryeong had spun happy fantasies, thinking Namgung Woo's lack of correction meant he felt the same. But as time passed, she realized something was amiss. Being right beside him, she couldn't help but notice—Namgung Woo truly had no idea what the term implied.
"How should I put it... he's a bit lacking in common sense."
"Ah... I see. The type who's only immersed in martial arts and pays no attention to anything else."
Jegal Seon-a looked at Paeng Ha-ryeong with a gaze tinged with slight pity and understanding. Then she fell momentarily dazed.
The friend who had struggled alone for her sister whose lifespan was limited, unable to even smile properly. The friend who had said she would give up her own happiness for her sister and sought out the closed-door training grounds herself. Jegal Seon-a had never seen such a friend wearing a melting, beaming smile.
"Ye-ryeong... she got better?"
"Ah, yes. That's right."
"That young hero did it?"
Paeng Ha-ryeong nodded silently. Her gaze toward Namgung Woo grew even more affectionate.
She means it, Ha-ryeong... So deeply and intensely that the fluttering Jegal Seon-a had felt when first saved by Namgung Woo now seemed trivial by comparison.
...He was reliable. The thought of wanting to stay by his side suddenly surfaced in Namgung Woo's mind. An endless sky. Though it held stormy heavens with thunder and lightning, and cool, quiet night skies, it was comforting.
Paeng Ha-ryeong, unaware of the faint jealousy and envy in Jegal Seon-a's eyes, changed the subject as if to steer away.
"By the way, what happened to the Jegal Family? What was that attack about?"
"...Do you know what happened in Beijing?"
"Of course. I was there too."
Paeng Ha-ryeong spoke proudly, and Jegal Seon-a asked in surprise.
"You were there at the time?"
"Yeah. I was with Gaga."
"Ah... so the young hero was there too. But why didn't I hear about it? He's so strong..."
"He doesn't like becoming too famous."
The great roc waits for the storm to soar. Was even the chaos in Beijing not a storm worthy of Namgung Woo beginning his ascent? Jegal Seon-a stole a curious glance at him before continuing her explanation.
"The imperial court was shaken. The Wulim Governor also headed to Shandong. That's when Banunbang began to move."
With no more need for caution, Banunbang launched their offensive against the Jegal Family, which they had long been eyeing for an opportunity.
"For now, it's only a struggle over parts of their sphere of influence, but our Jegal Family is certain. What they're after isn't merely territory. There will definitely be an all-out war where one side's survival is at stake."
A gloomy light fell over Jegal Seon-a's eyes. How many would die or be injured? Banunbang was strong. Comparable to the Nine Sects, they were clearly superior in military strength to the Jegal Family. Banunbang was a faction that gathered all manner of figures from both orthodox and unorthodox sects, even from beyond the borders. Since only the strong could survive within their ranks, every member of Banunbang was a Peak Realm expert or higher. Even the Huashan Sect, which boasted the strongest force among the Nine Sects, could not guarantee victory if they fought without their supreme expert, the Taehwageomseon.
That said, the Jegal Family had no intention of going down without a fight. Just as Jegal Seon-a had sought out Guya Manor, other members of the Jegal Family were being dispatched on missions throughout the land in preparation for war—to find allies who would fight alongside them, to secure support from the Martial Alliance, to protect the Jegal Family.
"This attack was one of Banunbang's schemes to hinder us."
Black Sword Ghost Jeong Po. Annihilating Demon Jeo Ri-ryung. They were supreme experts recruited by Banunbang, which had begun securing forces ahead of the Jegal Family. The Black Sword Ghost, who traveled with his disciples of the Black Sword Unit, and the Annihilating Demon, master of the Annihilating Gate, were not merely individuals—they represented entire forces. The fact that Banunbang had deployed them here showed just how thorough and persistent their preparations were.
"It seems Banunbang hasn't moved directly yet?"
"They're waiting."
For the final nail to be driven in. Until they witnessed clear proof that the imperial court could no longer dictate the direction of the martial world. Thanks to this, the Jegal Family had been granted some time. It was uncertain how long it would last, but at least for the time being, they would be fine.
"So, um... Ha-ryeong-ah."
After calling her name, Jegal Seon-a's words trailed off. Her chapped lips, showing signs of hardship, parted and closed before she clenched her fists and lowered her head.
Is this the right thing to do? Is it okay to do this? Suppressing the complex emotions of guilt and desperation, hope and self-loathing, Jegal Seon-a forced out her voice with difficulty.
"...Could you help us?"