Chapter 1095
So-ho had only operated in the Taiyuan region and wasn't a professional intelligence operative, so he had never seen the likeness of a heavyweight like Namgung Un before.
Even if he had.
Given that the man was squatting in the mountains looking like a beggar, he wouldn't have recognized him anyway.
"Can you not hear me?"
Whoosh.
Ironically, it was the pursuers who heard So-ho's shout.
They had been cautiously scouting the mountain paths when the sharp cry echoed, prompting them to scale the cliff in an instant.
Thud.
The ones who finally arrived were three masked men dressed in dust-covered plain robes.
"What the hell is this now?"
The masked men at the front narrowed their eyes.
A fleeing beggar, a boy carrying him on his back, and a man in beggar's garb standing with his arms crossed, staring at the ground.
It was a combination that made absolutely no sense.
"Doesn't matter what it is."
The masked men drew their swords.
At the sound of blades unsheathing, Namgung Un finally seemed to snap out of his thoughts, furrowing his brow as he spoke.
"What are you doing?"
"None of your business."
The masked man's voice dripped with killing intent.
"You just need to die."
"Bandits, then."
Namgung Un studied the masked man holding his sword, then shook his head and pulled out a money pouch from his robes, holding it out.
"Take it."
So-ho's jaw dropped.
The young man he'd mistaken for a beggar turned out to be not just ignorant of the world, but a complete fool?
Flick.
As Namgung Un tossed the pouch,
Plop.
The masked men reflexively caught it with both hands.
Namgung Un then squatted back down, lost in thought again.
Whatever he was pondering so deeply, his brow remained furrowed, motionless as a statue.
"This lunatic."
Finally snapping out of it, the masked man spoke to his subordinates as if there was nothing more to see here.
"Kill."
The surrounding masked men immediately unleashed hidden blades.
Three in total, they shot like lightning toward the throats of So-ho, Sulgwae, and Namgung Un.
Swish.
Still squatting, Namgung Un flicked his sleeve.
In an instant, the three hidden blades that had been streaking toward them were sucked into his sleeve.
Thunk.
So-ho's mouth hung open.
This young man wasn't some clueless fool—he was a terrifying master who had cultivated an extraordinary martial art.
"Vicious methods."
Namgung Un frowned at the hidden blades coiled in his sleeve as if they were bugs.
"So you're not bandits, but members of the Unorthodox Faction."
"A martial artist, huh."
The masked man didn't seem particularly surprised, merely nodding.
Then, with his left arm, he drew a circle in the air and pushed forward with all his might.
Boom.
The space around Namgung Un distorted slowly before a palm force like a cannonball surged toward his face.
Realizing he was dealing with a formidable master, the masked man unleashed a powerful palm technique.
Bam! Crack-crack-crack!
Namgung Un extended his index finger, sending out successive bursts of Finger Wind, instantly dispersing the incoming palm energy.
The masked man's eyes flashed as he watched.
If palm energy was a blade, then Finger Wind was like a needle.
Dispersing palm energy with Finger Wind required not only deeper internal energy but also precise perception of the energy's flow.
With this single move, Namgung Un had proven himself the superior.
"He's a master. Draw your weapons!"
At the masked man's shout, his subordinates unsheathed their swords.
Swish-swish-swish!
They encircled him, their movements like flower buds blooming and closing as they relentlessly targeted Namgung Un's vital points.
"This isn't an Unorthodox Faction's sword technique."
As they unleashed their swordplay, the haze in Namgung Un's eyes sharpened.
Zing.
Casually clasping his hands behind his back, he extended his index and middle fingers, forming a sword of energy to block their attacks.
Clang-clang-clang!
But the masked men's sword techniques were highly advanced, not easily countered, and their strange energy gradually restricted Namgung Un's internal power.
"Tch."
As he continuously fended off their attacks, Namgung Un's energy sword shortened as his internal energy was suppressed, prompting an irritated shout.
"Damn it, of all times to be training in Swordlessness without my sword."
His words might have sounded flippant.
But his defense was disciplined, his lower body rooted like an ancient tree, moving with solemn precision.
The longer the fight dragged on, the more the masked men's movements grew erratic, their stances unstable.
Thwack!
As the battle wore on, one of the masked men had an idea.
He swiftly kicked So-ho aside, snatched Sulgwae from his back, and bolted down the mountain.
Watching this, Namgung Un shouted in shock.
"Kidnapping a child?!"
Sssk!
Distracted, a masked man's blade grazed his shoulder.
"Haah—"
In that instant, a cold blue light flared in Namgung Un's eyes.
"You're scum who don't deserve mercy!"
Until now, he had been holding back, not using the True Void Absolute Art against them.
Rumble—
The entire cliff shook as a mountainous aura erupted behind Namgung Un.
"In my entire life, I've never spared vermin like you."
That aura surged into the sky like a colossal sword energy.
It wasn't internal energy—it was the manifestation of a profound Sword Intent embedded within his sword technique.
"The Emperor Sword Form?!"
The masked man's eyes widened.
Only now did he realize—the young man covered in dirt, squatting like a beggar—
he was Namgung Un, a prodigy who even surpassed the current Family Head, Namgung Jeong.
"Young Clan Head of the Namgung Family!"
Before his shout could fully echo—
KWA-WOOOOM!
The Emperor Sword Form, which had soared to the heavens, came crashing down upon the masked men.
They tried to evade, but—
Trapped under the crushing pressure of the Emperor Sword Form, they could only stare wide-eyed as it descended.
SCHWING!
The colossal sword energy split the cliff face clean in half—
"AAARGH!"
—sending the masked men plummeting below.
Just as Namgung Un flicked his hands with a scoff—
Tuk.
Something round rolled to a stop at his feet.
"Huh?"
When he looked down, a smooth, black stone lay at his feet.
Heaven-Crushing Explosive Pellet.
Before falling, the masked men had hurled it at him.
"Damn it."
Namgung Un immediately unleashed his Protective Astral Energy at full force.
If he dodged, the explosion would blast straight into So-ho behind him.
KWA-BOOOOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the earth, and towering flames erupted skyward.
Whoooosh—
As the white smoke dispersed with the wind, Namgung Un stood before So-ho, arms spread wide, his robes in tatters.
"You unharmed?"
He paid no mind to his own injuries—only So-ho's safety mattered.
It was the bearing of a true hero, one who could face the heavens without shame.
"I-I'm fine."
So-ho, momentarily stunned, quickly snapped out of it and dropped to his knees.
"Young Hero Namgung. Please help me."
Now realizing this was the Young Clan Head of the Namgung Family, he kowtowed, forehead thudding against the ground.
"My friend—I have to save him."
"Ah."
Namgung Un nodded, recalling the masked man who had fled down the mountain.
"Climb on. I'll get him back right now."
So-ho was covered in dirt from scrambling through the mountains, and Sulgwae—the one taken—was dressed like a beggar.
Yet Namgung Un didn't hesitate. He knelt, pressing one knee to the ground and bending forward.
"Thank you, Great Hero."
The Young Clan Head of the mighty Namgung Family—
Ignoring the filth, he had knelt without hesitation. Overwhelmed, So-ho felt a surge of emotion.
"I won't forget this kindness, even when my bones turn to dust."
"Forget it if you want."
With So-ho on his back, Namgung Un unleashed a Movement Technique like a great roc, soaring down the mountain.
Whoosh—whoosh—
The scenery blurred past so fast So-ho couldn't keep his eyes open.
"Not ordinary men, are they?"
Even after chasing for a short while, there was no trace of the masked man carrying Sulgwae.
"They had help from an accomplice. The trail splits here."
Namgung Un's eyes darkened as he examined the tracks.
The frivolous, carefree air he once had was gone—now, he carried the seasoned bearing of a veteran of the Martial World.
"Just who are these men, kidnapping your friend?"
"They were kidnappers disguised as a wandering troupe."
So-ho quickly summarized what had happened—though he hid his connection to the Evil Soul Squad, claiming instead that he had only learned Lightness Art from a wandering master.
Namgung Un's eyes flashed.
"A wandering troupe?"
It wasn't unusual for such groups to kidnap beggar children—forcing vagrants into menial labor was common.
But for Masters capable of withstanding his Emperor Sword Form to disguise themselves as lowly wanderers and systematically abduct a beggar child—that was harder to believe.
'This doesn't make sense.'
Namgung Un sensed these masked men weren't mere kidnappers—they were tied to the Abyssal Forces.
'No time to waste.'
Originally, he had planned to send a distress signal, summoning the Namgung Family's experts to hunt them down.
But judging by their escape method—
If he took it slow, they'd slip away.
'Can I handle them alone?'
Long ago, a master from Tibet had gifted him a sword imbued with a mysterious sword technique.
Because of it, he could unleash terrifying sword arts.
Now that he had mastered all those Sword Studies, he realized it was time to practice Swordlessness.
He had been training in the mountains, trying to unify his techniques—but he hadn't perfected it yet.
'That's a problem for later.'
"Alright."
Resolved, Namgung Un pulled a glass vial from his robes and handed it to So-ho.
A Fasting Pill.
"Eat it. We're chasing them day and night without rest."
Large organizations like this could erase their tracks in an instant.
If they missed their chance, saving Sulgwae would be impossible.
Namgung Un planned to pursue relentlessly, tracking the masked men who had taken him.
"It's fine."
So-ho shook his head.
"Save it for when you need it, Great Hero."
"Eat it. I can go days without a sip of water."
Reluctantly, So-ho chewed the pill.
Namgung Un took a deep breath, then nodded.
"Hold on tight from now on."
He resumed tracking the masked men's trail.
Though they had many allies aiding their escape, none could deceive Namgung Un's sharp eyes.
After three days of endless pursuit westward, they finally arrived at Jade Gate Pass.
KWA-WOOOOM!
Namgung Un's eyes flashed as he pushed his Movement Technique to the limit.
His extrasensory perception had detected danger.
"Ruthless bastards. They've even established influence beyond the frontier."
Namgung Un muttered under his breath as he halted his movement technique and landed on the ground.
After setting down So-ho, whom he had been carrying, he spoke in a low voice.
"Do you truly wish to find your friend?"
So-ho nodded.
Namgung Un sighed.
"It seems this is as far as I can help you."
"Huh?"
Whoooosh.
In that moment, the distant sky darkened, and an eerie sound of breaking air began to echo.
Unable to shake off Namgung Un's pursuit, the masked men who had passed through Jade Gate Pass had likely called in reinforcements from the Central Plains—forces now converging to eliminate him in one fell swoop.
"Fighting them alone might be a bit beyond me, but I'll hold them off as best I can."
Namgung Un turned to So-ho.
"Take this path past Jade Gate Pass and try tracking your friend's trail again. If luck is on your side, you might even meet someone who can help you."
"Young Hero..."
"You've learned how to handle information, right? You should be able to pick up their trail just as I did."
Throughout their pursuit of the masked men, Namgung Un had continuously taught So-ho various methods, and So-ho himself had offered sharp observations and insights.
Because of this, Namgung Un had discerned that So-ho was no ordinary disciple of a minor sect—he was a professional information scout, a wandering rogue.
"Of course. Thank you, Young Hero."
So-ho bowed deeply to Namgung Un.
For four days, this man he had never met before had pushed himself to the limit, using his lightness art without rest.
And now, he was prepared to stake his life against the approaching pursuers.
Though the martial world was filled with countless righteous heroes, few were willing to risk their lives so readily for the Path of Righteousness.
Namgung Un's actions would later become the catalyst that shaped So-ho into a hero who would shake the world—but that was a story for the distant future.
"I will never forget the kindness you've shown me."
"You don't have to remember."
Whoooosh—
As the eerie sound of breaking air drew closer, Namgung Un shouted:
"Go, now!"
"Yes!"
So-ho immediately unleashed his lightness art and sprinted toward Jade Gate Pass.
CLANG! CRASH!
The clashing of weapons resounded behind him—Namgung Un was already locked in battle.
'I have to hurry.'
Tears threatened to spill.
Gritting his teeth, So-ho pushed his lightness art to its limits.
But his skill was far from refined.
After running at full speed for about half an hour, his mouth was parched, and his soles burned as if on fire.
"Hah... Hah..."
Exhausted, he collapsed, tears finally breaking free.
There had been a time when he thought becoming an information scout would grant him a comfortable, worry-free life.
So instead of honing his martial skills, he had expanded his network, gathering contacts and connections.
But in the face of danger, what protected him wasn't his vast connections or his social ties—it was the strength to stand on his own.
"Young Hero Namgung could run for three days without even a sip of water."
So-ho clenched his jaw.
'If I survive this, I swear I'll train properly in martial arts.'
Thud.
Struggling to his feet, he activated his lightness art once more.
Before he knew it, he found himself in an endless stretch of desolate rocky terrain—but he had no strength left to move.
Thump.
In the end, he fell face-first into the dirt.
Whoooosh...
Then, a strange wind rose from the ground, and a dark shadow appeared before him.
Clad in black robes that wrapped tightly around his frame, the figure wore a single pauldron shaped like a wing.
"Young friend."
The youth extended a leather pouch filled with water.
"Are you alright?"
So-ho weakly lifted his head.
The face that greeted him bore a smile brighter than sunlight.
"Crossing this wasteland without water is reckless, you know."
"I... I was..."
"You look exhausted. Drink, even if you have to force yourself."
"Th... thank you."
So-ho carefully sipped the water.
But he couldn't hide the pain and anguish in his eyes.
"What happened?"
"Well..."
So-ho hesitated, thinking the youth was too young to be of any real help.
Yet, driven by desperation, he explained the situation anyway.
"So, martial artists disguised as a traveling troupe kidnapped children, you say?"
The youth's gaze deepened as he listened intently.
"And they passed through here less than half a day ago. Hmm."
Rubbing his chin, the youth asked again for descriptions of Sulgwae and the masked men, as if confirming details.
"They don't sound like any ordinary faction."
After a moment of thought, the youth spoke.
"Can you wait here for a few days?"
"Huh?"
"I'll go find them and bring the children back."
The youth looked toward the distant sky.
"If my guess is right, I should be able to return within three days."
"N-no, that's not necessary!"
Those masked men had forced Namgung Un, the Young Clan Head of the Namgung Family, to unleash his True Void Sword Study—they were masters.
So-ho didn't want this kind-hearted youth to throw his life away out of recklessness.
"They're not ordinary martial artists."
"It's fine."
"Then let me go with you!"
The youth shook his head.
"But this area is still crawling with bandits. There's been recent infighting among the tribes."
Ah.
Seeing the gentle look in the youth's eyes, So-ho finally realized his own foolishness.
'He's telling me—so kindly—that with my current lightness art, I'd only be a hindrance.'
"I understand. Then I'll wait here."
"Take these."
The youth handed him a fasting pill and a leather water flask.
"I'll be back as soon as possible."
And then, like an immortal, he rose into the air—
BOOM!
With an earth-shaking explosion, a black meteor split the heavens.
So-ho's mouth fell open.
Having trained extensively in Lightness Art himself, he understood just how extraordinary that level of movement was.
"That level..."
So-ho rubbed his eyes.
The Evil Soul Squad members specialized in Lightness Art, and their Body-Locomotion Martial Art was on par with the strongest fighters in the world.
Yet this young man had just displayed speed several times faster than even theirs? Not to mention, he was more than twice as fast as Namgung Un had been during their last encounter.
"Just who is he?"
Though So-ho called himself an information scout, he was still only familiar with news from the Taiyuan region. He knew nothing of the famous figures in the martial world.
"He must be a powerhouse capable of shaking the heavens."
So-ho clenched his fists.
I got lucky.
If it was that young man, he would surely bring Sulgwae back. All So-ho had to do was trust him and wait here.
He sipped sparingly from the leather water pouch and chewed on a Fasting Pill whenever hunger gnawed at him.
Fortunately, there was a rock here to shield him from the sun.
He settled beneath it and practiced the Internal Energy Method U Gyeong had taught him.
But it was closer to a Life Nourishing Secret—a basic technique—and his mind remained unsettled.
Before even half a day had passed, exhaustion overtook him, and he fell asleep leaning against the rock.
When he woke some time later, he took another sip of water and attempted Qi Circulation again.
My mind must not waver, no matter the circumstances.
On the road, finding a quiet place free from outside disturbances to practice Qi Circulation was a luxury.
The heart like still water, calm and unshaken.
Unconsciously, So-ho was grasping the essence of mental discipline.
How many days passed like this?
KWA-WOOOOM!
A sound like tearing fabric reached So-ho's ears from the distant sky.
He's back.
Bolting upright, So-ho rushed outside.
Several more explosive booms echoed before a black shadow descended to the ground.
It was the young man, clad in black armor.
"Here."
Carefully, he lowered a small, ragged figure from his back and laid them gently on the rock.
Sulgwae.
The friend he had searched for so desperately was finally returned to him.
"Sulgwae!"
So-ho leaped up and sprinted forward.
But Sulgwae lay still, eyes tightly shut as if in a deep slumber.
"Sulgwae! It's me—So-ho!"
No matter how much he shook him, Sulgwae didn't stir.
The young man, watching silently, finally spoke.
"He's unconscious due to a strange Great Art."
"A... Great Art?"
"Yes. Given how difficult it is to break, it's likely not an ordinary Mind Seizing Secret Art, but an ancient Soul-Stealing Secret Art."
His expression darkened as he continued.
"Those people weren't an ordinary faction either. Given their use of bizarre Supernatural Powers, they're most likely part of the Abyssal Forces lurking beneath the martial world's surface."
Though So-ho couldn't fully grasp his words, he dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Great Hero. I can never repay you for saving my friend."
"Don't mention it."
The young man shook his head.
"Shouldn't wanderers help each other in times of trouble?"
Despite his words, his body was streaked with dust and blood, sweat beading on his forehead.
Clearly, he had fought fiercely and endured hardships to return here. Yet he acted as if it were nothing.
"Great Hero."
So-ho bowed again.
"Though I'm just a lowly wanderer, if you would grant me the honor of knowing your esteemed name, I will remember this debt for the rest of my life."
"It's fine. Don't trouble yourself."
"Please, Great Hero."
As So-ho bowed his head, the young man scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"I'm called Heuk-pyo."
"The Wandering King?!"
So-ho's mouth fell open in shock.
Starting as a mere follower of the Martial Soul Lord, then earning the alias "Black Whirlwind"—
The dazzling rise of this legendary information scout had ignited the hearts of countless young warriors.
And now, this same man, who operated independently Beyond the Frontier and achieved mythical feats, stood before him—
The Wandering King, the most admired figure among young martial artists, was this unassuming youth?
"Great Hero Heuk-pyo."
So-ho's voice trembled.
"Meeting you is the honor of three lifetimes."
Though he, too, had idolized the Wandering King, Heuk-pyo had mostly operated Beyond the Frontier, so his appearance wasn't widely known in the Central Plains.
So-ho had always imagined a rough, stern-faced man—not this refined and youthful figure.
"'Great Hero' is too much."
Seeing So-ho's flushed face, Heuk-pyo shook his head with an embarrassed expression.
"I'm just a wanderer like you."
"No."
So-ho bowed deeply once more.
"Thank you. Truly."
Then, glancing at the still-sleeping Sulgwae, he hesitantly asked,
"So... my friend can't be woken?"
"Their Mind Seizing Secret Art is formidable. Even I couldn't undo it."
Heuk-pyo's expression turned grave.
"Likely, they weren't just kidnapping vagrants—they were selecting children with special constitutions for some kind of Great Art."
He sighed deeply, looking at Sulgwae.
"The younger the child, the more childlike innocence remains in their Spirit and Mind. Normally, that would make them resistant to complex Mind Seizing Great Art. They shouldn't have fallen this deeply."
Heuk-pyo's brows furrowed.
"Moreover, they must be a hidden faction that avoids revealing themselves in the martial world. That's why they pursued their captives so relentlessly—they couldn't risk their deeds being exposed."
So-ho nodded slowly.
So that was why they had secretly abducted vagrant children.
And why they had chased even a single child with such tenacity.
So that was the hidden truth behind it all.
Heuk-pyo drew a single dagger from his robes.
"To my knowledge, there are only two masters in the murim capable of breaking a Mind-Seizing Art of this caliber..."
Channeling his internal energy, he etched a delicate pattern along the blade before extending it to So-ho.
"Fortunately, I happen to know one of them."
Heuk-pyo spoke with unwavering conviction.
"Take this dagger to Sword Tail Mountain."
"Sword Tail Mountain...?"
"He will aid you."