An Unexpected Ally
After emerging from the cave, Woo-gang moved to another location, wondering if Yeom Si-woo might have left any other traces behind.
The place he arrived at was none other than the second training ground, where he had once cultivated amid pitch-black darkness.
Upon reaching the site of the former Hong Yeommun, Woo-gang searched every nook and cranny.
But he found nothing left behind by Si-woo there.
Still, since it had been the site of his master's sect, he hoped there might be some clue about splintered branches or factions. He combed through it meticulously once more, but came up empty-handed.
Perhaps they knew of this place too, and had left nothing behind for that reason.
Leaving without any gains, Woo-gang set his next destination and pressed on briskly.
He walked at times, ran at others, heading steadily northeast.
As Woo-gang traversed a mountain path, he sat on a broad rock and pulled out a rice ball he had prepared in the last village.
Clutching the rock-hard rice ball, frozen by the midwinter chill, it soon warmed in his hand, reaching the perfect temperature to eat.
Thanks to the heat of the Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong, Woo-gang was utterly unaffected by the cold rising from the rock or the fierce winds whipping around him.
Even the clothes he wore were so thin they would shock anyone else—garments suited only to the transition from summer to autumn.
Munching casually on the rice ball, Woo-gang suddenly grabbed the spear propped beside him and swung it lightly.
Clang! Thunk!
A clear metallic ring was followed by the sound of a small stone embedding itself in a tree.
"That's far enough. Don't come any closer."
Woo-gang, having deflected the flying pebble, extended his spear and aimed it squarely as he spoke.
There stood an elderly man with a faint smile—none other than Geomwang, Dok Go-hu.
Dok Go-hu had seen Woo-gang from afar before, but Woo-gang didn't recognize him and thus remained on high alert.
Especially after the events at the Murim Alliance, where he had learned anew to suspect and guard against everyone—his wariness was sharper than ever.
"You've still got your edge. I thought the Murim Alliance might have dulled you, but those recent events must have sharpened it again."
"Who are you?"
Woo-gang fixed the old man with a steady gaze.
His expression was calm, but his eyes were as sharp as the spear tip he extended.
"Finish that rice ball first. I won't move a step until you're done."
Even as Geomwang spoke, Woo-gang kept his spear trained on the man, never breaking eye contact as he took another bite.
Geomwang watched with an air of approval, standing stock-still as promised.
Once the rice ball was gone, Woo-gang rose, spear still pointed.
He stared straight at Geomwang and asked, "You speak as if you know me well. Who are you?"
"I know you well enough. You might not know me, but I've seen you from a distance."
Woo-gang frowned at Geomwang's words.
Even if he hadn't seen the face, he couldn't forget the presence of someone emitting such a subtle yet potent aura.
But no matter how he racked his memory, this aura felt new—though vaguely familiar, its source eluded him.
"You'd know my son and granddaughter better. I'm Dok Go-hu."
"Geomwang?"
"That's right. I'm the Sword King."
Dok Go-hu revealed his identity.
Yet Woo-gang did not lower his guard.
"You don't believe me?"
"Recent events have taught me anew not to trust anyone. Even if you claim to be Geomwang, how can you prove it?"
Woo-gang challenged.
Geomwang nodded readily.
"Good attitude. The jianghu is a place where trusting too easily gets you stabbed in the back—like what Sa Ma-gang did to you."
"You know too much. That's suspicious in itself."
"How could I not know, with my son in the Murim Alliance? We don't meet often, but I hear about the big events."
Even with Geomwang's explanation, Woo-gang eyed him warily.
"Heh. I'm even letting out my aura on purpose. Feel it closely—it should resemble my son's."
Only then did Woo-gang recall Dok Go-yeong-mu's aura.
He had faced it directly only once, when he first heard of Si-woo's supposed corpse.
And even then, in his agitated state, he hadn't fully sensed or memorized it.
That was why Geomwang's aura felt familiar but hadn't immediately clicked with Dok Go-yeong-mu.
"Believe me now?"
"That much, I can accept. But why have you come looking for me?"
Woo-gang asked.
Dok Go-yeong-mu had known Sa Ma-gang deceived him yet feigned ignorance.
Geomwang was his father and claimed to hear of major events, so Woo-gang couldn't take his intentions at face value.
"It's too grand to call worry, so let's say curiosity brought me."
Geomwang spoke plainly, infusing sincerity into his casual tone.
But Woo-gang's ingrained caution wouldn't let him fully accept it.
"You're not here to persuade me?"
"Persuade? Persuade you of what? I've lived my life as a wild recluse. The Murim Alliance means nothing to me. Why would I care? If you said you were heading back, I'd try to talk you out of it."
Geomwang scowled as he spoke.
He had fiercely opposed Dok Go-yeong-mu's decision to join the Alliance.
In the end, parental love bent his will, but it had strained their relationship for a time.
"Fine. You've seen my state now. I'll be on my way."
Woo-gang drew a line.
"About this distance, it seems."
Geomwang muttered something inscrutable.
As Woo-gang frowned in confusion, Geomwang continued.
"The distance between you and me. Our psychological gap matches this physical one."
Woo-gang let out a small sigh.
"I don't have the luxury for wordplay right now."
"I know. But rushing won't bring the missing Flame King back."
At the mention of Si-woo, Woo-gang's gaze sharpened further.
"For matters tied to the Flame King, you need to be far calmer and more detached than this—blade-sharp, but cold. That's how you miss nothing. Finding a missing person isn't easy."
Woo-gang took a deep breath, conceding the point.
"Right. That's the attitude. Your sensitivity and haste create openings. Sa Ma-gang is like a feral cat—he doesn't miss gaps. And having always succeeded, he can't grasp true desperation. His nature met your openings, creating this mess. Don't just blame him blindly."
Geomwang's words felt like a stern rebuke and sage guidance all at once.
"What do you want to say to me?"
Woo-gang asked, his mind somewhat eased.
"Your tone's loosening up. What I want to say... nothing, really. Even that last bit wasn't planned. But I thought I'd tag along for a while."
Woo-gang frowned again.
"No need to scowl. I won't interfere with what you're doing. Who knows? I might spot what you miss. I've lived a bit longer than you."
It wasn't wrong.
Geomwang, with more experience, might see things his inexperienced eyes overlooked.
He knew that, but it felt uncomfortable.
After the Murim Alliance betrayal, having anyone nearby chafed.
Right now, Woo-gang craved solitude above all.
And Geomwang seemed to read that plainly.
"You can't do it alone. You need allies. Whether the Alliance truly sought the Flame King or not, their information network could have been your eyes and ears. But now? You're blind and deaf. I'm just offering a little help."
Geomwang reassured him.
Woo-gang pondered long.
Follow his head, or his heart?
"Hoo..."
After much deliberation, he sighed.
"Very well. Let's do it."
Accepting the offer, Geomwang smiled.
"Wise choice. Now, put that spear away before you poke me."
His light tone aimed to ease the mood, and Woo-gang slowly lowered the weapon.
He resumed walking in his original direction, with Geomwang falling in close beside him.
"Not cold?"
"Not at all."
"Hands and feet not numb?"
"Not in the slightest."
"So, where to now?"
From then on, Geomwang's questions poured forth.
Woo-gang quickly regretted his decision after just a few steps.
The Ak Family, once a renowned house in Shandong Province.
They had dominated an era with their spear arts, but faded into decline, overshadowed by the "King of All Weapons," the sword.
Then Yeom Si-woo appeared, rekindling faint hopes.
But when his innate energy outshone his spear, earning him the title Flame King over Spear King, those hopes shattered.
Ak So-cheon had been the one expected to revive the Ak Family, bearing the weight of great anticipation.
One man couldn't achieve much alone, but united, the family could make the world remember the Shandong Ak Family once more—even if not to past glory.
Yet that hope crumbled all too soon.
Ak So-cheon, growing to meet expectations, suffered a cultivation deviation during training and took to his sickbed.
Fortunately, it wasn't the worst—demonic possession—but impurities built up severely in his body, and his true energy flow became erratic.
Just as he seemed to recover enough to circulate power, the impurities would rage worse, deteriorating his condition further.
In the end, Ak So-cheon reached a point where he could no longer cultivate, failing to regain his health.
The Ak Family's morale plummeted.
Hopes turned to despair, and the higher they had aimed, the harder the fall.
That was the current state of the Shandong Ak Family.
The main gate stood firmly shut.
As if cut off from the world, it rarely opened.
Vitality should have brimmed in a martial house, yet listlessness hung heavy in the air.
Geomwang scowled at the sight.
Though he had wandered the world, this was his first visit to the Shandong Ak Family.
"A martial house in such a state."
He muttered with pity.
After gazing at the gate beside him for a moment, Woo-gang approached and knocked firmly.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
A presence soon approached from within.
"Who is it?"
The voice was so listless it barely sounded like a warrior's.
"Yeom Woo-gang, disciple of the Flame King. I have business with the Shandong Ak Family."
Woo-gang announced himself to those inside.