The Second Commission
The Huangshan Sect willingly opened its gates for the righteous martial artists of the White Path. However, they could only accommodate less than half of the people within the sect grounds. There were over a hundred individuals. The Taoist temple that was the Huangshan Sect did not have space to house all of them. Many of the guest rooms had already been given to other visitors. Thus, the Huangshan Sect arranged lodgings for them in Yixian County, located right below Mount Huang. Since Yixian and Mount Huang were so close that they could practically be considered one, named after the mountain's old name Yishan, it made no difference. Those staying in Yixian could visit Mount Huang's scenery with the Huangshan Sect's active cooperation, so there were no complaints.
In this situation, Namgung Woo, who had been tacitly accepted as the leader of the White Path martial artists, was among the minority accommodated within the Huangshan Sect grounds. That was why he came to meet the sect leader of the Huangshan Sect.
"Welcome, Young Hero Nam."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sect Leader."
The Huangshan Sect's leader was a man named Jeonggeon, a Taoist who used the same 'Jeong' character in his name as Jeonggwang. Recalling that Jeonggwang had been an elder of the Huangshan Sect, Namgung Woo remembered the name.
"Do you like tea?"
"I don't dislike it."
Jeonggeon personally prepared tea and placed it before Namgung Woo.
"It's called Huangshan Maofeng tea. Our Mount Huang is famous for its four wonders, but this Huangshan Maofeng should be counted among the five wonders."
"Is that so? I'll enjoy it gratefully."
Namgung Woo wasn't particularly knowledgeable about tea ceremony, but with just one sip, he could tell from the aroma spreading widely that Huangshan Maofeng was different from ordinary tea. Along with a refreshing sensation, a subtle sweetness gently caressed his tongue. The swallow was so smooth that it brought to mind the expression 'the tea flows gently.'
"It's good tea."
"Haha, you know how to appreciate the taste. Take some with you when you leave Mount Huang."
"Is that alright?"
"I've already heard from my junior brother Jeonggwang about the young hero's exploits. Thanks to you, our Huangshan Sect's people weren't harmed, so how could I be stingy with just this bit of tea?"
It was a statement that carried the Taoist sect's ethos of rejecting material desires, fitting for those who were Taoists before martial artists.
"The reason I called you here is partly my personal desire as an old Taoist to see you, but more than that, it's to convey one fact."
Jeonggeon's lips moved. And Namgung Woo, who had been listening calmly until the end of his explanation, closed his eyes when the words finished. The answer had come.
"Have you returned?"
"Yes. I got some tea. It's called Huangshan Maofeng."
"Huangshan Maofeng? That's precious..."
Paeng Ha-ryeong naturally accepted the Huangshan Maofeng that Namgung Woo offered. The two of them looked just like a wife greeting her husband who had bought something on his way home from work. At least, that's how it appeared to Jegal Seon-a, who had been watching them.
"Jegal Young Lady was here too."
"Ah, yes, yes, Young Hero. And, um, you can speak casually..."
"It's fine. This way is more comfortable for now."
"I-if that's the case..."
Jegal Seon-a shrank back, overwhelmed by the private space created by Namgung Woo and Paeng Ha-ryeong.
"Let's go inside first. The two seniors will be here soon too."
"Right. Let's do that."
"And Gaga, over there, Seon-a too..."
"Yes. Jegal Young Lady, please come with us. I have something to say anyway."
"Ah, yes!"
Jegal Seon-a followed the two with stiff steps.
'Something to say to me...? What is it? What could it be?'
Even though she knew it couldn't be, Jegal Seon-a's heart pounded.
'Still, we're like comrades who fought against the attackers together...'
Jegal Seon-a suddenly realized she was harboring some kind of expectation and shook her head vigorously.
'No! Jegal Seon-a! You're a person of the Jegal Family! Don't forget the burning chivalry in your heart, but always maintain cold reason. Recite the family motto, Jegal Seon-a! Deep breaths, let's take deep breaths. While recalling the verses of the Muhyang Heart Art...'
"Huuu... haaaa..."
There was something called the swaying bridge effect. It was the phenomenon where the excitement felt in a moment of danger was mistaken for excitement caused by a separate factor, typically love. The Jegal Family, which had deeply reflected on human psychology, understood that a similar phenomenon existed, even if they didn't know the exact mechanism.
'It must be something like that. It has to be...'
Watching her friend walking beside Namgung Woo with a bright smile, Jegal Seon-a tried to compose her emotions.
"Seon-a? What are you doing? Come in quickly."
"Ah, yes. I'll do that."
Jegal Seon-a, who hadn't fully sorted out her emotions yet, sat across from Namgung Woo in an awkward posture. Then she recalled the reason she had followed here at Paeng Ha-ryeong's request.
'I promised the Vice Pavilion Lord that I would do it.'
Vice Pavilion Lord Jegal Pan was busy. He had the role of expressing gratitude to those who helped in this matter, including the Huangshan Sect, while also requesting greater assistance despite the imposition. So here, Jegal Seon-a herself had to accomplish it.
Jegal Seon-a, who had somehow mustered a handful of courage, suddenly raised her bowed head.
"Um, Young Hero Nam...!"
Rattle!
"Leader, we're late."
"We heard you called urgently."
"Ah, sit down."
As the Yang brothers sat on Paeng Ha-ryeong's opposite side, to Namgung Woo's left, Namgung Woo looked at Jegal Seon-a and said.
"I'm sorry for interrupting what you were about to say, but may I speak first?"
"O-of course! Do as you wish, Young Hero."
"Thank you."
Having received Jegal Seon-a's understanding, Namgung Woo lightly scanned the room once and opened his mouth.
"First, there's something I need to convey."
The meeting with Jeonggeon that had taken place in the morning. As befitting the Huangshan Sect leader, Jeonggeon's information network was on a completely different level from that of ordinary people.
"It's news from the Mt. Mao Sect. It seems the subjugation of the Nine Paths Alliance isn't going as smoothly as expected."
"What? Then, don't tell me..."
"The imperial family is serious too. The outcome of the subjugation will be as everyone expected. However, it's unlikely to happen in a short period."
Namgung Woo recalled the conversations he had with people over the past few days. Jeonggwang who tried to recruit him... The Yang brothers who shared their thoughts while listening to his concerns... The private meeting with Paeng Ha-ryeong right after... And finally, Jeonggeon's story today.
"So, we need to build up our forces."
It seemed like a leap with a large part of the middle process omitted, but everyone present was someone who could understand its meaning. Whether they were exceptionally perceptive or knew a lot, each in their own way.
They interpreted Namgung Woo's declaration based on their own thoughts.
'Has Gaga finished preparing his mind to reveal himself to the world?'
'Even a master of Young Hero's level must have thought this turmoil was that dangerous...'
Paeng Ha-ryeong and Jegal Seon-a's judgments were mostly accurate, but the Yang brothers' understanding was different.
'Yes. This is it. This is what it is. The Leader isn't someone who would stop at just a vagabond squad.'
'As expected... Is that it? Is he trying to lay the foundation for rebuilding the family?'
Yang Kvae and Yang Jeong's eyes sparkled with respect and anticipation.
Finding it quite burdensome, Namgung Woo subtly averted his gaze from the brothers.
"This incident will bring great upheaval to the martial world. It will begin right next door, in Huguang. We've already gotten one foot into Huguang's affairs."
Someone had once said. I may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you. Namgung Woo had already set foot in the jianghu. Fighting against the Bokmanghoe, obtaining the Four Season Water Bead from the Guya Manor Lord, rescuing the Jegal Family from the Banunbang. Grudges and favors had been engraved, and they wouldn't disappear even if Namgung Woo turned his head and avoided them.
Then he would accept it. And he would prepare. So that he could bear the weight of those grudges and favors.
"As I mentioned separately before, I plan to start by growing the Changcheon Squad first."
"Even without that, there are quite a few people who were impressed by the Leader this time and want to join the Changcheon Squad."
"But most of them are weaker than me, so I'm not sure if they'll be of much help..."
"Just increasing the size is helpful. Especially for a vagabond squad, isn't it?"
"Hey, Junior Paeng, we have our Changcheon Squad's pride, you know. With this Peak Realm expert Yang Kvae here, where would some First-class riffraff..."
"Sorry about being First-class riffraff."
Before Yang Kvae and Yang Jeong could start their usual bickering, Namgung Woo extended his hand to stop them and quickly organized the situation.
"Everyone has valid points, but this time Yang Kvae is right. I have no intention of accepting just anyone. Yang Jeong is also on the verge of reaching the Peak Realm. If possible, it's better to accept those who can immediately become combat power."
From the beginning, he had no intention of opening the Changcheon Squad's doors indiscriminately right now. Namgung Woo was considering accepting only one or two at most, even if he did accept more. He had separately thought about the time to seriously expand his forces.
"At this point, I'd like to hear from Jegal Young Lady first."
"Me? Me?"
"I heard from Ha-ryeong. She said you have something to ask of me."
"That's true, but..."
Seeing them talk about growing the Changcheon Squad and such, it seemed like they were busy, and Jegal Seon-a was confused about whether it was okay to ask for help here. What if she asked and got rejected? It would hurt too much...
'But I have to do it!'
Gulp.
Jegal Seon-a's slender throat bobbed.
"...If the imperial family's subjugation is in that situation... the Banunbang will soon launch a large-scale offensive against our Jegal Family. At that time... I hope Young Hero can help us. Of course, we'll provide appropriate compensation in return."
"Is that a request?"
Namgung Woo's voice, which had been speaking gently to Jegal Seon-a until now, became serious and firm.
Jegal Seon-a's mind split in half. What should she answer? Yes? No?
'What is the correct answer...?'
Just as she was about to close her eyes and rely on luck, Jegal Seon-a saw Paeng Ha-ryeong slightly nodding her head and slammed on the brakes of her tongue that was about to say no, then changed direction.
"Y-yes! Yes! I'll formally request it from the Changcheon Squad."
Was that the correct answer? In her tension, Jegal Seon-a saw the corner of Namgung Woo's mouth slightly rise.
"Accepted. In this war, we'll stand together."
Through this war, the world would come to know of the Changcheon Squad's existence. This was the beginning. Using fame as a growth agent, the Changcheon Squad would grow.
'And perhaps... it might become something worthy of being called a family.'