Chapter 367: Orthodox Sect Gathering. (8)

There’s a saying that heroes are born amidst chaotic times.

It’s a famous saying widely known throughout the land.

Just as history has been in the past, and as it is in the current era. The written records proved that the saying held a certain degree of realism.

When there is a crisis, there exist those who try to block and overcome that crisis.

Those who find hope even in desperate situations, and burn their souls to find and nurture that hope.

Without caring for their own bodies.

Those who do not stop moving forward, even while trembling in fear of death.

The masses often called them heroes upon seeing this.

The incident where the Dragon Hall was attacked this time was no different.

In the midst of days that were called an era of peace, with no major incidents aside from monsters.

A rare incident occurred where many late-stage disciples were injured and died.

Fortunately, it was suppressed within a day.

But many casualties had already occurred.

Although the Martial Alliance side did not measure the exact number, it was estimated that the number of deaths would easily exceed several tens, perhaps even a hundred.

If this wasn’t a bolt from the blue, what would be?

People cursed the Martial Alliance for not responding until this situation arose.

Some even began to cast negative glances towards its very reason for existence.

They weren’t curious about what the situation was like at the time, or what problems existed.

For the people, they would simply focus on the fact that the Alliance couldn’t protect them.

‘The Martial Alliance is incompetent, trampling the budding talents that would soon soar.’

The attackers were from the unorthodox sects, yet the Martial Alliance took the blame.

It’s always been like that. When an incident occurs, people tend to find something to blame.

This time, it just happened to be the Martial Alliance.

Although it’s also true that the Martial Alliance is incompetent.

And.

The more such situations arose, the more people tended to pay attention to the individuals highlighted within them.

Who performed well amidst such chaos.

The Central Plains still hadn’t overcome the disaster known as the Demonic Mirror.

Because they always longed for heroes, it was an era that created heroes even when none existed.

In other words, it could be said to be an era where it was easy to become a hero.

If one had even a little bit of ability.

Then, while the Martial Alliance was taking the blame.

Who were the individuals highlighted in this incident?

Was it the Hidden Dragon, who stepped forward to protect his fellow disciples without yielding to the unorthodox sects?

Or perhaps the Sword Dragon, who exuded the aura of a chivalrous hero, reminiscent of plum blossoms?

There were many scholars and instructors who upheld the righteousness and chivalry of the orthodox sects amidst the brutal attack, not just these two.

Ironically, the person who became known and started receiving attention was someone else.

There was someone who made the leader of the unorthodox sects, the Great Demon Lord, kneel after attacking the Dragon Hall.

Even the sect leader of the Kunlun Sect, the Azure Sea Sword, lost an arm and was defeated.

Many were astonished by the fact that a martial artist who was, at best, a late-stage disciple managed to stop such a Great Demon Lord.

Thanks to that, there were many topics of conversation among people.

It was the discussion of whether that late-stage disciple had reached the Hwa-gyeong realm or not.

The Hwa-gyeong realm is a level where, even if you counted all the martial artists who reached it, the number wouldn’t exceed a thousand.

It was a height so lofty that one couldn’t reach it even after honing their skills for a lifetime.

It wasn’t for nothing that the peak realm was called the martial artist’s grave.

Because no matter how much they tried, they remained at the peak, unable to overcome the wall of Hwa-gyeong.

People called it the martial artist’s grave, and the commoner’s grave.

A late-stage disciple, not even past his youth, reached such a realm? It wasn’t something easily believable.

After all, no such martial artist had ever existed in history.

Of course, that doesn’t mean the fact that the martial artist made the Great Demon Lord kneel is false.

It was something the recovered Azure Sea Sword testified to.

Is that all?

It is said that immediately after subduing the Great Demon Lord, the young martial artist moved without delay.

To execute the other unorthodox sect members who were committing slaughter.

Later, witnesses said.

They said the sky was particularly red that day.

Mount Tai, where the scent of blood began to spread, soon saw the scent replaced by the smell of burning after the sky turned red.

The screams and fear of the late-stage disciples turned into the desperate cries of the unorthodox sect members.

By the time the sun began to set, all the fighting spirit and killing intent that had permeated Mount Tai had vanished, leaving only fiery energy (Hwa-gi).

The owner of the red sky did not hesitate to punish the wicked.

Moreover, the method was said to be extremely violent for an orthodox disciple. Crippling someone by breaking a part of their body.

Burning them to death while holding them by the neck was the basic method.

Many frowned upon hearing this, saying it was too violent and cruel a method for a young martial artist, let alone an orthodox disciple.

However, many hypothesized that it was because he was ultimately enraged beyond his tolerance.

Because fellow orthodox disciples were being killed by the unorthodox sects.

They said he became so enraged upon smelling the blood that filled Mount Tai that he showed no mercy.

‘Bullshit.’

Of course, the young man who heard this shouted that he just took care of them while letting off some steam, but.

Everyone invariably treated it as humility and modesty.

In any case, he was ultimately a hero who stopped the attack by making the Great Demon Lord kneel.

While becoming more ruthless than anyone against the wicked.

He doesn’t hesitate to save people.

His fierce appearance was terrifying enough to make one pause upon first sight, but.

The character contained within was more affectionate than anyone.

He seemed to follow directly in the footsteps of his father, the Tiger Hero (Ho-hyeop).

He was once a figure shrouded in baseless rumors like ‘a tiger father, a dog son,’ but.

Now, many had spread the story that Ho-hyeop had deliberately spread those rumors to hide his son’s talent.

Naturally.

The person who heard the story could only grind his teeth and shout, ‘Stop talking nonsense.’

No matter how much he insisted it wasn’t true, and shouted that he wasn’t that kind of person.

The rumors spread throughout the Central Plains had already spread too far to be corrected.

Moreover, what about the background a martial artist possesses?

He was the only son of Ho-hyeop, who once reigned as the embodiment of fear in the minds of unorthodox sect members.

The younger brother of Sword Phoenix, who was called the foremost late-stage disciple.

The winner of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

The youngest peak realm martial artist in history.

He was a genius who held the nickname ‘True Dragon’ among the Six Dragons and Three Peaks.

In other words, he even had the epithet of being the brightest star in the generation of meteors.

In such circumstances, through this incident, the young man shed his status as a late-stage disciple and was recognized by people as a master.

‘The True Dragon (Jin-ryong) is not a martial artist who can be bound by the term late-stage disciple.’

The people of the Central Plains began to recognize Jin-ryong as a martial artist, beyond his age.

Therefore, a new nickname was created.

Meaning the birth of a new master, not the late-stage disciple Jin-ryong.

Didn’t the masses crave heroes?

In this sense, he was the hero everyone desired.

Possessing the righteousness and chivalry to act without hesitation to save others.

Yet being endlessly cruel to the unorthodox sects.

Inflicting punishments and penalties so cruel that they instill fear in the wicked.

Because his appearance was said to be like that of a demon.

Many bestowed this name as Jin-ryong’s new nickname.

“So-Yeomra.”

“…!”

Screech.

Kwahng-!

My fingertips, which had been extending in a straight line, faltered at a single word and hit something else.

As my fist hit the wall, it cracked and a sound burst forth.

The sound echoed throughout the entire cave.

Covering my suddenly flushed ears, I looked at the person who uttered that damn word to me.

“Heh heh.”

“…Is it funny?”

As I looked at him with a bewildered expression.

Moyong Hi-ah, who was eating a dumpling with one hand, grinned and said.

“It’s very funny.”

“I don’t find it funny at all. That.”

“That’s strange… Do you dislike it that much? It’s certainly a cool nickname.”

“If you’re going to say that… you should lower the corners of your mouth when you speak. Miss Snow Phoenix.”

“Oh dear, I’ve made an uncharacteristic mistake.”

At my words, Moyong Hi-ah made a ‘whoops’ expression.

And pulled down the corners of her mouth with her finger.

Seeing that expression made my teeth grind involuntarily.

‘Sigh.’

But I couldn’t dare to lash out.

I couldn’t do that to the kid who came all the way here in broad daylight just to bring me food.

All I could do was curse inwardly.

‘So-Yeomra, damn it.’

Every time I thought of that fucking word, I felt like I was boiling up inside.

‘Whoever came up with it, just let me find them. I’ll show them the real King Yama.’

It was a nickname so awkward that Jin-ryong sounded better. What kind of bullshit is it for an orthodox disciple to have ‘Yeomra’ attached to their nickname?

‘Who the hell is it?’

The more I imagined it, the angrier I got.

It had only been about a month since I started being called that. The problem must have been the strange stories about me that started circulating from somewhere.

‘…What? Punishing the wicked… and blah blah blah?’

I was already in a bad mood, and I just killed them because I didn’t like those bastards causing trouble.

Somehow, it got packaged strangely.

I do hate unorthodox sect members, but.

It wasn’t something to attach grand words like ‘execution’ or ‘punishment’ to.

I simply killed them because they were villains worth killing.

And I didn’t hesitate because there were no repercussions for me.

I don’t know why they see it as something done with great justification and conviction.

‘Anyway, humans really love spreading rumors.’

The biggest problem was definitely.

When that old man, the Azure Sea Sword, woke up and testified, the fact that he spoke as if I had caught them all must have been the problem.

‘I’m going crazy.’

Well… technically, it is correct.

If you think about it, the problem with the rumors is that, aside from being portrayed as if I acted with some grand justification, everything else is true.

The fact that the rumors spread so quickly was also a problem.

But the biggest problem was that the nickname itself was incredibly bizarre.

“I think it’s rather decent, but do you really dislike it that much, Gong-ja-nim?”

“You… do you really think that looks okay?”

So-Yeomra looks okay? Is she serious?

At my disgusted expression, Moyong Hi-ah smiled awkwardly.

Seeing that, it seemed she didn’t think it was a perfectly fine nickname either.

“The name is a bit…”

“See? You think so too.”

“…Anyway, the important thing is that a martial artist got a nickname.”

That’s true.

A nickname is quite an important aspect for a martial artist.

A nickname is, in a way, the essence of a martial artist.

It was like a karma formed by gathering the martial arts, characteristics, and realms achieved by the user.

Because of this, there are many naive fellows who give themselves cool nicknames.

But those hollow nicknames eventually fade away quickly.

A true nickname, after all, could be said to be a name given by others.

Even the masters called the Three Saints right now.

Didn’t become the Three Saints by calling themselves that.

It was because countless people recognized them as the three strongest after seeing them that they were called the Three Saints.

It’s the same for my father’s nickname, Ho-hyeop.

The respective nicknames held by the heads of the Four Great Families are also for the same reason.

Therefore, a nickname is ultimately, in a way, a value for a martial artist.

…Still.

“No matter what, this isn’t right…!”

As I stomped my foot on the ground in displeasure, Moyong Hi-ah watched without changing her expression.

It’s because she’s seen me do this so many times.

‘Fine, I accept all that.’

Recognized as a master, beyond being a late-stage disciple?

Fine.

All fine.

It’s a form of reputation gained, and it might be helpful later, so let’s just accept it.

So-Yeomra? Even if the nickname is a bit crappy, what can I do?

No matter how I look at it, I thought it was better than the nickname I got in my past life…

‘…No, they both seem similar.’

…Even so, if I tried to overlook it, I could.

Wherever I go, people recognize me shouting ‘So-Yeomra!’ or ‘Little Yeomra!’, and I hear them say I’m scary or amazing.

I could overlook that too.

The important thing is.

‘Why did the rumors spread so quickly?’

My rumors had spread unreasonably fast.

I don’t know about other regions, but just in Henan, the speed of spread was no joke.

It’s no wonder they’re talking only about me day and night in taverns and inns.

“It is strange.”

Perhaps I wasn’t the strange one; Moyong Hi-ah also seemed to feel something was off.

“There’s a feeling that it’s a bit too artificial.”

“Right.”

“But… if that’s the case, Gong-ja-nim, you already know the reason, don’t you?”

“…”

That was also true.

I vaguely knew the reason why I found myself in this situation.

‘It’s all manipulation.’

From my perspective, while the incident I caused was significant.

To be precise, it’s something the Martial Alliance, which is taking all the blame, is orchestrating.

‘Such speed implies the Beggar’s Sect must have been involved too.’

It was something I was almost certain of.

That the Martial Alliance was involved in my current rumors. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense.

The Martial Alliance’s public approval is currently at rock bottom.

They were still considered symbols of the orthodox sects.

So people tolerated their sloppy work, but.

That had been accumulating, and this attack might have been the final straw.

As a result, besides talk about me, topics that often come up are.

‘The Alliance needs to be overturned.’

Or discussions like, ‘If it’s like this, why does the Martial Alliance even exist?’

That’s why it’s even more puzzling.

‘Why me, in this situation?’

At first, I thought it was to slightly distract from the Martial Alliance’s plummeting reputation.

More precisely, to cover up the constant talk about the Martial Alliance all day long.

I wondered if they were trying to lure people by selling me as a person.

This was a method the Martial Alliance sometimes used to cover up when a major incident occurred.

So I thought it was something like that again this time, but looking at it now, it’s beyond that level.

‘At this point, it’s just…’

It feels like they’re promoting me.

To the extent that they seem to be boosting me up, even at the cost of lowering the Martial Alliance’s reputation.

‘Why?’

If that’s the case, why are they promoting me?

No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand it right now.

Because I don’t know what their objective is.

Moreover, the biggest problem.

‘…Why does the nickname have to be like that?’

I found myself thinking again about the nickname currently attached to me.

That means the people pushing this name are from the Martial Alliance.

Grind grind-

I grit my teeth and throw a punch.

Thump! Thump!

The sound that had echoed in the cave earlier started to burst forth again. Moyong Hi-ah, watching me, let out a sigh.

“Please, I told you to take breaks while doing it.”

“I’ve rested enough.”

Even as I answered, I kept throwing punches.

“…At most, five minutes?”

“That’s enough.”

“You’re really crazy.”

Moyong Hi-ah said it as if she was disgusted, but my movements didn’t stop.

How many days has it been since I started this?

‘I don’t know, it feels like it’s been over seven days and nights.’

I haven’t counted, so I don’t know. This only counts the days I spent in the cave.

Including the days before that, who knows how long it’s been.

Reaching this level, even I feel sick of it, but I can’t help it.

‘For now, I just have to do as I’m told.’

The crazy thing I’m doing now was ordered not by anyone else, but by Pae-jon.

Recalling the past, the time I sought learning from Pae-jon.

It’s a bit later than that.

The idea that to learn another internal energy technique (Sim-gong), one must empty everything they currently hold and refill it anew.

Is a kind of unwritten rule for martial artists.

Everyone thought so because it couldn’t be done otherwise.

I remember.

Pae-jon’s face at the time, reluctantly teaching me the verses of the Sim-gong due to my insistence.

And the change in his expression when I absorbed his Sim-gong into my body.

Should I call it a sense of emptiness?

Or perhaps, shock or trembling would be fitting.

As I expected, without discarding the internal energy of Gu-yeom-hwa-ryun-gong (Nine Burning Wheel Gong) that was already in my body.

I succeeded in incorporating Pae-jon’s unique internal energy technique.

Putting aside the fact that I received other martial arts.

If you ask if it makes sense to succeed in learning Pae-jon’s martial arts in just a few days.

‘It was much easier than expected.’

Surprisingly, Pae-jon’s Sim-gong wasn’t a particularly difficult technique to learn.

Pae-jon himself said it wasn’t that difficult.

Of course, that doesn’t mean absorbing two Sim-gongs was easy.

This is what Pae-jon’s expression at the time indicated.

‘-This is impossible.’

I simply thought that since my body, which could absorb all sorts of energies, was still alive and well, Pae-jon’s martial arts might also be possible.

And it actually caused no problems.

I was slightly anxious, wondering if ‘martial arts’ might be different.

Seeing that it was absorbed without issue, this omnivorous body didn’t seem to filter out martial arts.

However.

‘-You… you truly are a Heavenly Martial Body.’

It seemed Pae-jon saw it a bit differently.

At the time, Pae-jon looked greatly shocked and said this to me.

‘To control the energy flowing through your body like that and contain two things without issue. What kind of control is that?’

Pae-jon spoke as if he had discovered a new world, but.

From my perspective, I just thought, ‘What kind of bullshit is this?’

What does ‘like that’ mean, and how is the energy being controlled?

It was something only Pae-jon, who had his hand on my back helping me learn the Sim-gong, could have felt.

‘What method allows for such fine control?’

-…Yes?

Pae-jon even asked me out of curiosity. Of course, the only answer I could give was.

‘-…It just worked.’

That’s all I could say.

Because I didn’t know.

It was an unlucky thing to say even for me, so I worried for a moment that I might have offended Pae-jon.

Surprisingly, Pae-jon only showed an even more excited expression.

What’s with that face? Scary…

Was that the problem? No matter how I looked at it, that must have been the problem.

The reason I’m doing this crazy thing right now.

It’s all because Pae-jon ordered it.

Now that I’d learned the Sim-gong, it was time to learn about the martial arts.

The martial art called Divine Art, Tu-a-pa-cheon-mu.

Its creator is Pae-jon, and it’s a martial art less than a hundred years old.

Just the strength Pae-jon displayed was enough for it to be called a Divine Art.

Since I have memories of facing him directly.

I knew better than anyone how strong it was.

What movements would I learn first, and how? Around the time I felt uncharacteristically excited.

Pae-jon said to me with an excited face.

‘Using only the energy of Tu-a-pa-cheon-mu, break through this mountain and pass.’

‘…Yes?’

‘You can only use your fists. You must not use any other energy.’

He suddenly brought me to a mountain to start training, said something out of the blue, and then turned to leave the mountain.

As I urgently tried to grab him to demand an explanation.

‘-…No, wait…’

‘-Ah, right, and.’

Pae-jon ignored my words and said this.

‘I don’t want to hear the word ‘master’ yet, so you don’t have to say it.’

Saying that, he disappeared very quickly.

Now, he occasionally appears to check on my condition and then disappears, that’s all.

This is the reason I’m doing this crazy thing right now.

‘Crazy bastard.’

To break through a mountain with just fists? Is that even possible? No matter how I hear it, it’s absurd.

‘And I’m also crazy for doing it just because he told me to.’

For him to tell me to break through, and for me to actually be doing it, makes me just as crazy.

Others would ask.

Why am I doing it? Not just for a day or two, but for nearly two months.

I thought it would be better to get stronger the original way if I was going to suffer like this, but.

From the day I tried it, just to see.

‘This.’

The Sim-gong of Tu-a-pa-cheon-mu, called a Divine Art.

It explained why Tu-a-pa-cheon-gong was easier to learn than expected.

This was closer to a restriction than a Sim-gong.

The more I moved my body while using the Sim-gong, the more painful it was, as if my muscles were screaming.

My dantian felt heavily suppressed, and my whole body became sluggish as if carrying iron balls.

At first, I cursed him, wondering what kind of Sim-gong this was, but.

After using it a few more times, I realized something.

This Sim-gong wasn’t meant to inflict pain on the body.

Rather, it was in the process of appropriately transforming the body.

Changes occurred with each use.

Although very subtle, I could feel my muscles strengthening through the Sim-gong.

It’s an unbelievable Sim-gong.

I knew its speed was incredibly slow, and that there would be no difference unless practiced consistently, but the fact that it strengthened just by using it and moving my body was…

If this became known, the impact would be immense.

It explained why Pae-jon’s martial arts were called Divine Arts.

It was the power that allowed him to maintain such a robust appearance even after experiencing rejuvenation, but.

There was one major problem.

‘It’s too painful.’

The very act of using the Sim-gong and moving my body.

Was incredibly painful.

As I mentioned earlier, it induced pain as if undergoing all sorts of punishments.

It was to the point where, at first, even extending my arm once was difficult.

Twisting my waist, lifting my arm. The pain felt with each movement was considerable.

And it’s the same now, after time has passed.

Sweat flowed even with slight movements, of course.

Sometimes, I even passed out from the unbearable pain.

Every time that happened, I wondered, if the Sim-gong itself is like this.

Does Pae-jon move through such pain every time he uses his martial arts?

At that point, he seems more like a pervert…?

No matter how I looked at it, it was truly insane martial arts.

While thinking, ‘What kind of martial arts is this?’

‘I can feel myself getting stronger.’

Though it was minuscule, I could feel myself slowly getting stronger. The fact that I could feel myself getting stronger was important.

Should I call it physical strengthening rather than advancement in realm?

If Pae-jon intended and created this, he must truly be a monster.

Although I still haven’t received proper movement training for Tu-a-pa-cheon-mu.

The reason I’m madly digging through the cave is ultimately.

Because I felt it was actually helpful.

“Just how long are you planning to do this?”

To those who don’t know, they’d probably think I’m doing some useless training.

Moyong Hi-ah was just like that.

“You’ll hurt yourself if you keep doing that, Gong-ja-nim…”

“It’s fine.”

I couldn’t tell anyone about Pae-jon’s identity.

And since I couldn’t reveal that I was being trained by him, to others, I must look like a lunatic just punching and digging through caves.

Still, seeing that they don’t stop me and even bring me food like this.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve done so many strange things… they’ve just gotten used to it?

That’s kind of unpleasant…

“Ugh…”

I stopped mid-punch, faltering. It was because the pain I just felt was too intense.

If I hadn’t held onto my consciousness, I would have definitely passed out.

“…”

Moyong Hi-ah, who had been watching, finally let out a deep sigh and got up.

“Make sure you eat your meals.”

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes, Miss Namgung will be coming tomorrow.”

“Why doesn’t she just rest instead of coming.”

It seems like they’re taking turns bringing me food according to a schedule.

It’s not like I’m actually in the cave all day.

I do go back and eat at night, so I don’t know why they come here at lunchtime.

And in turns, no less.

‘How does she even know when I go out at night to find me?’

In Moyong Hi-ah’s case, she’d show up like clockwork whenever I headed towards the cave at night.

How does she possibly know?

“I want to tell her to rest too, but it doesn’t work out that way. Miss Namgung is also quite perceptive. Unlike some people.”

“Huh?”

“Anyway, I’ll be going now. Gong-ja-nim Gu. You’ll come tonight, right?”

“Maybe…?”

Moyong Hi-ah frowned, perhaps not liking the answer, but.

Seemingly deciding not to say more, she turned her back towards the entrance.

Then.

“Ah, right.”

“What now?”

“You have to be okay seven days from now, right?”

Moyong Hi-ah, who said that as if earnestly requesting.

Then disappeared out of the cave as if everything was settled.

“…Tsk.”

Hearing that, I suddenly remembered something I had momentarily forgotten. The seven days and nights Moyong Hi-ah mentioned.

That was the date the Orthodox Gathering would be held.

I was in a situation where I had to participate in the Orthodox Gathering.

Why I have to go there, I wonder, but I was also the person who witnessed the attack incident most closely.

And it’s because everyone is singing ‘So-Yeomra, So-Yeomra’ everywhere.

Just thinking about it gave me a headache.

That’s not the only thing giving me a headache.

“Ha…”

Thinking about it made me sigh involuntarily.

‘How many people are coming?’

It wasn’t for any other reason than the attendees of the Orthodox Gathering.

The Four Great Families, the Nine Great Sects, all those important figures coming is one thing.

What’s causing me such a headache isn’t that.

It’s because I heard that the Gu family members would be attending this Orthodox Gathering.

Who exactly is coming.

Elder Il, Commander Il-geom, Madam Mi, and Gu Huibi…

And finally, my father is coming too, wasn’t it?

Honestly, up to here was fine.

An incident occurred, and they said an Orthodox Gathering would be held.

The Gu family, being called a prestigious orthodox family, should at least show their face at the gathering, I thought.

It’s just…

‘…Why Father?’

My father coming to Henan held various other meanings.

Even the heads of the Four Great Families are attending in person.

So why couldn’t the head of the Gu family come?

For some reason, my father absolutely refused to go to Henan.

He’s called the Guardian of Shanxi, and the head’s duties are busy, but.

He specifically showed reluctance to come to Henan.

In the first place, he rarely left Shanxi unless it was a major event.

Recalling that he left the region for Gu Huibi’s matter or my engagement ceremony, he probably just feels uncomfortable in Henan.

‘Does that mean this incident is so significant that it would make my father come to Henan?’

It could be seen that way, but.

It was unavoidable that I had questions.

More than anything.

‘Just seeing my father makes me unconsciously uncomfortable.’

It was still like that.

Even if it’s better than before, facing my father was always a particularly awkward matter for me.

It’s to the point where the punch I was throwing stopped.

“Shall I stop here for today?”

Perhaps it was because stray thoughts came to mind, I couldn’t concentrate easily.

In the end, deciding to end today’s grueling work here, I retracted my fist that had been hovering in the air.

And stopped circulating the Sim-gong in my body.

Then, all the shackles bound to my body were released, and my body, drenched in pain, became free.

My body was covered in sweat.

It’s because enduring the pain while moving was particularly difficult.

I also felt a sense of refreshment.

It had become almost impossible to sweat from training alone, so I figured it was okay to sweat like this.

Immediately after, I put on my clothes and stepped out of the cave.

My destination was the inn provided for the scholars as lodging.

Those who survived the attack couldn’t return to their families or sects.

Unless their affiliated families or sects sent people for them.

Of course, if their affiliated families or sects sent a letter stating they could be sent without issue, they were released, but.

Such places were very few.

Besides, I heard that the Orthodox Gathering would be held in a few months.

And the Martial Alliance itself provided a relatively well-managed place.

It felt like everyone was enduring and staying.

As I entered the streets of Henan, the streets were still filled with murmuring voices.

‘-No, I mean, the Alliance…’

‘-Didn’t the Alliance Leader say last time…’

As always, they were noisily discussing the current rumors.

‘-So, about So-Yeomra.’

Amidst that, I felt my name being mixed in, so I pulled down the bamboo hat I was wearing a little deeper.

Normally, I wouldn’t wear something bothersome like this.

But due to those damned rumors, I was forced to wear it.

‘…This is really fucking annoying.’

A sigh escaped me.

I couldn’t fathom what a state this was.

‘I need to get back quickly.’

With that thought, as I walked past the people.

“Young Hero.”

I heard someone call out to me.

Who is it? Did they figure it out?

I paused and shifted my gaze. I considered ignoring them and shaking them off, but I couldn’t.

The person who called me was a man wearing a bamboo hat pulled down low, just like me.

I couldn’t see his face, but.

‘Strong, huh?’

I could tell the opponent was strong.

The man also flinched slightly upon seeing me. He was probably feeling the same way I was.

“…What business do you have?”

Based on the feeling, it didn’t seem like he had recognized me and stopped me.

At my words, the man put his surprise aside and said.

“Do you happen to know where the Baek-rim Inn is?”

“…Hmm?”

At the man’s words, I frowned slightly.

Because the place he mentioned was the same place I was heading to.

As I took a defensive stance, the man continued speaking.

“My daughter is staying there, but I came secretly, so I don’t know the way well.”

At those words, I glanced up and down at the man.

He’s a strong man. The fact that I couldn’t accurately gauge his level means.

He’s either a martial artist who reached Hwa-gyeong, or someone who has reached the very end of the peak realm.

As I still didn’t lower my guard.

The man took something out of his pocket and showed it to me.

It was a letter bearing the seal of the Martial Alliance.

‘That…’

I realized it was a letter containing information about the upcoming Orthodox Gathering.

Only after seeing that did I turn away from the man. It seemed he was the family member of a scholar staying there.

Since there isn’t just one or two scholars staying there, I don’t know who he is, but sensing the man’s aura, he seems to be quite a martial artist. Is he from a family or a sect?

I was curious, but something else came first.

“Follow me.”

“Are you going to guide me?”

“Not exactly, it’s just that I’m heading there myself.”

I walked ahead as if guiding the man.

Following me.

Moyong Tae, the White Heaven Sword Master (Baek-cheon-geom-ju), also walked.