The Wudang Blood Incident
The atmosphere had grown heavy and oppressive.
“Namgung Ho, the Lord of Myeongdang, pays his respects to the Clan Leader.”
A man entered, his face drained of all color and his steps unsteady from exhaustion.
He was a warrior who had gone to meet the Wudang Sect’s envoys alongside Namgung Cheonyeong.
His face was deathly pale, and his gait was sluggish.
Sun Wukong glanced at him.
*His inner energy has completely run dry.*
He was barely scraping together the last of his strength to show proper etiquette.
*He must have left yesterday afternoon to greet the envoy party and only returned this evening.*
The moment trouble arose, he had rushed here at full speed using his light kung fu.
Namgung Jinbaek, who had noticed the exhaustion, went straight to the point.
“Explain. Is this letter true?”
“When our group reached the outskirts of Wulin, rumors had already spread throughout the area. That a large force of warriors wearing Wudang Sect robes had entered Anhui Province.”
“Yet the Wudang Sect disciples themselves could not be found anywhere.”
“Yes. They had all vanished. It was as if the rumors had been false, as though they had never even come to Anhui.”
Namgung Jinbaek’s face darkened noticeably.
Wulin was part of Anhui Province.
No matter how peripheral Wulin might be, any martial world incident in Anhui fell under the Namgung Clan’s jurisdiction. They could not shirk responsibility.
“The Myeongdang Lord had planned to wait ahead at the pass for the Wudang Sect disciples. But no matter how long we waited, they never arrived. When I suspected they might have taken another route, I searched everywhere…”
“So they never came?”
“Yes.”
“Then the incident was simply an unfortunate coincidence?”
The letter from Namgung Cheonyeong had been so urgent that it contained few details.
“No. The Myeongdang Lord noticed strange signs and thoroughly examined the surroundings. He discovered faint traces of blood that had been smeared over.”
“….”
“Besides the bloodstains, there were signs of battle as well. The problem is that all of it had been deliberately wiped away by someone. Without the Myeongdang Lord’s ability, we would never have noticed.”
“What evidence is there that it was the Wudang Sect?”
“Here it is.”
The warrior carefully pulled something from his pocket. It was a talisman attached to a sword sheath.
Namgung Jinbaek’s eyebrow twitched faintly.
“These are decorations that the Wudang Sect warriors attach to their swords.”
Though torn and shabby, the color and shape were unmistakable.
The dried blood on it clearly suggested what had happened.
“Traces of burning were also found at the discovery site. It had been thoroughly wiped and scattered by the wind, making it hard to track, but the Myeongdang Lord is still pursuing it.”
With that, Namgung Ho broke into a violent fit of coughing.
Namgung Jinbaek swallowed his words.
“Drink some cool water and rest. Replenish your inner energy and recover. You’ve worked hard.”
After sending Namgung Ho away, Namgung Jinbaek fell silent for a long time.
Muhwa, who had been listening quietly, spoke in a low voice.
“We didn’t attack the Wudang Sect, but this is also a problem for the Namgung Clan, Lord.”
“….”
“Especially since the envoys sent to the Namgung Clan were attacked within Anhui Province. If we claim to be the leaders of Anhui’s martial world, we have a moral duty to investigate and pursue this matter.”
“As one of the pillars of the righteous martial world, do we have the obligation to take responsibility…?”
“Moreover, we killed a righteous warrior on Namgung Clan territory. Whoever it was, it’s proof that the perpetrator looks down on the Namgung Clan.”
“If we simply stand by and watch this, it will also damage the Namgung Clan’s prestige.”
“Prestige and standing are one thing, but if those who attacked the Wudang Sect are bold enough to…”
“They must be the bastards of the Sama Evil Faction.”
Namgung Jinbaek’s voice was calm, yet it carried a faint trace of anger. He flicked his sleeve sharply.
“Summon every warrior of the Namgung Clan at once.”
“Yes, Lord.”
Muhwa hurried out.
Namgung Jinbaek watched his back, then turned to Sun Wukong.
“These past few years have been unusually peaceful. The Namgung Clan warriors said they were all bored stiff… but now such vicious incidents keep happening.”
Sun Wukong let out a chuckle.
“I suppose I’m bringing misfortune.”
Namgung Jinbaek shook his head in confusion.
“That can’t be. If anything, it’s good fortune that has arrived. There’s no way I’d bring misfortune.”
Sun Wukong smiled faintly.
*Well, fortune and misfortune are as varied as the flip of a palm.*
The gods of the Heavenly Court had never hesitated to call Sun Wukong the god of calamity.
Since the beginning of time, Sun Wukong’s deeds had left the Heavenly Court scarred by unparalleled disaster.
Tang Sanzang had eventually said that all disasters were the result of Sun Wukong enduring hardships to become the Buddha. In terms of karma, disaster had become fortune.
*Whether misfortune or fortune, it just so happens that after I came to the Namgung Clan, such things began to occur.*
In the Namgung Clan, was Sun Wukong fortune or calamity?
Sun Wukong shrugged.
*That’s none of my concern.*
What could he do? It was his own fate; he had to think about it.
Sun Wukong stepped outside and looked up at the sky.
*Myeodu-eung. Go and investigate thoroughly.*
A white light soared into the moonlight.
* * *
“I will go. Please send me, Lord.”
Namgung Jinbaek sighed as he looked at Namgung Muyoung before him.
Not only Muyoung. Seowol was also staring fixedly at him as if trying to assert her own presence.
Seowol’s silent, cold gaze weighed more heavily than Muyoung’s earnest voice.
“This is a dangerous matter.”
“Where in the martial world is there no danger? If you avoid danger and only seek the easy path, how could you be called a chivalrous hero or a warrior of the martial world?”
“He was an envoy from the Wulin Alliance sent to the Namgung Clan. Would they have sent incompetent fools from the Wudang Sect? Absolutely not. They must have been composed of those with ironclad skills. Yet all of them fell.”
“I am a warrior of the Namgung Clan and the Young Master.”
He would not be sent away. Namgung Jinbaek felt a surge of pride in his heart. A righteous child.
It was admirable that he had grown into such a firm figure even among the ruthless elders of the Namgung Clan.
That was why Namgung Jinbaek could not answer immediately.
*The opinions of the Namgung Clan had been unanimous for the first time in a long while…*
At the very least, they had to track the incident, capture the perpetrator, and rescue any survivors if possible. This was the righteous path of the righteous sects and the responsibility of a prestigious orthodox sect. There was no disagreement on that.
Even if relations with the Wudang Sect were not good, the fact that the perpetrator was likely a Sama Evil Faction member weighed even more heavily.
The Sama Alliance that had unified the Sama Evil Faction.
To chase them to the ends of hell and exterminate them was precisely what the Namgung Clan did.
*The problem is that there is no one left.*
It had always been the Namgung Clan’s Achilles’ heel.
The Namgung Clan was already stretched thin, with one person handling six or seven tasks at once.
The numerous interests and businesses they had recovered were also problematic.
Every minor complaint and grievance from the business side was the Namgung Clan’s problem.
Those who wielded swords were the most trustworthy elders and retainers, but when it came to this, they were utterly useless. Their processing speed was slow, and the backlog kept growing.
If even one person were missing, it would be a disaster.
Even with the help of the steward Cheong, who was still alive, it was barely holding together.
*If I could, I’d want to go myself.*
He had realized the severity of the matter. After the great war, there had never been an attack on a major sect like the Wudang Sect.
*But…*
Namgung Jinbaek closed his eyes.
Sa Hyeol-cheol-gwi, Honam-do, Baek-an-magun, Gunei Nosa.
*Those who had been plotting beneath the very walls of the main estate.*
Namgung Jinbaek felt uneasy at the thought of leaving the estate unguarded.
Memories of the past resurfaced like ghosts and tormented him endlessly.
If an ambush like the one in the past Sama Alliance days struck while he was away.
He did not distrust the Namgung Clan’s elders and retainers, but the lingering unease in his heart made him restless.
“So you wish to send me?”
Muyoung had seen through Namgung Jinbaek’s dilemma in an instant.
Publicly, he was the Namgung Clan’s successor.
Privately, he was his son.
“I have only just risen to the position of Young Master and have not yet taken on any duties. Seowol is in the same situation. Even if we leave now, the Namgung Clan will not collapse.”
“Hmm!”
“And even if we cannot uncover the perpetrator of this incident, we must show our resolve to resolve it. There is no stronger justification than the Young Master personally intervening.”
Muyoung’s words were correct. That was why he was troubled. Thanks to passing the Changryong Chulgwan and receiving Sun Wukong’s guidance, Muyoung and Seowol had grown clearly.
The clear light in their eyes was proof.
But he hesitated.
As a father and as an uncle.
Yet he was the master of the great Namgung Clan.
He had to make the best decision.
“Young Master Namgung Muyoung and Namgung Seowol. Join the Myeongdang Lord first and investigate this blood incident.”
“Yes, Lord.”
“Muyoung. Although you are Young Master, your experience in the martial world is still lacking. Think of it as helping the Myeongdang Lord who is already pursuing the matter.”
“I understand.”
Muyoung was not one to act on his own will as Young Master.
Moreover, Namgung Cheonyeong was the head of a core institution of the Namgung Clan.
“Even if you identify the enemy, do not rush in to fight immediately. Think carefully, and think again.”
“If the enemy is strong, knowing when to retreat is the warrior’s posture.”
“I know. But sometimes bloodlust makes one forget that posture.”
“….”
Muyoung could not firmly deny it.
Namgung Jinbaek smiled bitterly.
He was the late-blooming genius of the bloodthirsty young generation.
And beside him was Namgung Seowol…
“I’ll do well too!”
Namgung Jinbaek smiled bitterly.
In martial skill, at least, she was like his own daughter.
“Tsk, Seowol. This is a public matter. Lord, that is most improper…”
When Muyoung tried to scold her, Jinbaek waved his hand.
When had our Namgung Clan ever followed etiquette?
“Seowol, if you see someone who looks strong, do not rashly draw your sword and charge in.”
“…Yes.”
“Move according to the Myeongdang Lord’s instructions. Understood?”
“Yes.”
This time she answered without hesitation.
Namgung Jinbaek paused.
*Could Cheonyeong not handle Seowol?*
All the elders and retainers of the Namgung Clan had felt the same.
In their minds, the fierce former Clan Leader and Sword God remained.
As the daughter of the Sword God, they had not been able to treat her with affection.
Namgung Jinbaek could not easily tell whether the Myeongdang Lord could control Seowol’s stubbornness.
*Controlling that hot-tempered girl.*
If it were Muhwa, who followed like a sister, it would be fine.
But Muhwa was heading to the Wulin Alliance. He had to report the incident and discuss it there. The Wulin Alliance, filled with seasoned Nine Sects and One Gang warriors who had seen every battle, was the only place worth going.
*And Muyoung always gives in to his cousin…*
One name flashed through Namgung Jinbaek’s mind.
* * *
“If I go, I’ll probably have to enter Wudang Mountain at least once.”
“Probably so. The Wudang Sect will also send out search parties, and we’ll need to discuss the matter. We’ll have to go to the Wudang Sect directly to talk.”
“Wudang Mountain…”
Sun Wukong repeated the name.
“I’ll go and see for myself this time.”
Namgung Jinbaek’s face brightened slightly at Sun Wukong’s murmur.
Sun Wukong grinned.
“I’ll go, Lord.”
“Thank you, Teacher Sun. Then… please take good care of our Seowol.”
“That little brat?”
“She’s unpredictable, after all… Please control her well, Teacher Sun.”
Sun Wukong smiled faintly.
“Don’t worry. This Sun Wukong will return safely.”
Sun Wukong’s true strength had been seen directly.
Namgung Jinbaek secretly thought he might be on par with himself.
It meant comparable to one of the Ten Great Masters of the martial world.
This was also an estimation.
Sun Wukong had never used his full power until now.
Namgung Seowol could not muster her energy in front of Sun Wukong either.
Sun Wukong was her equal.
But.
Seeing Sun Wukong speak with shoulders squared and a confident tone…
*Something feels off.*
Namgung Jinbaek felt an inexplicable unease.