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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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As they ran, Namgung-Woo observed the others.
Their expressions, their movements, their Qi… all offered glimpses into their emotions and thoughts.
Some seemed anxious, while others were stoic, driven by a sense of duty.
Some were brimming with ambition, eager to make a name for themselves or earn the Zhuge Family’s favor.
But they all shared a common understanding: this was something they had to do.
“Strange.”
“What is?”
“Most of these people have no connection to the Zhuge Family. Yet, they consider this their duty. Reputation, reward, obligation… their belief in these things. Is this what it means to be a great family?”
“Well, I suppose so. It’s even more pronounced in the south. They’ve experienced firsthand how vulnerable they are to the unorthodox factions without a powerful righteous sect to lead them.”
The fall of the Namgung Family, the pillar of the southern Murim, had been the greatest shock of the Righteous-Unorthodox War.
It was a symbolic event, marking the shift of the regions south of the Huai River to the unorthodox factions, solidifying the Dugu Family’s control over the southern Murim.
That’s how influential a prestigious family could be.
“A family… could I create one?”
He had unconsciously murmured his thoughts aloud.
His voice was too soft.
Peng Ha-ryeong, seemingly not having heard him, asked,
“Huh? Oppa, did you say something?”
“No, nothing. Tell me about the Zhuge Family.”
“Oh, the Zhuge Family?”
She began a quick summary.
Even while using movement techniques, they were pacing themselves to match the others, so she could easily talk and use Secret Voice Transmission.
The Zhuge Family was divided into external and internal branches.
The Biwoon Squad, mobilized for this mission, belonged to the external branch.
Five divisions and three combat units belonged to the external branch.
Three halls in the internal branch, and one elite combat unit like the Peng Family’s Northern Sky Squad.
That was the structure of the Zhuge Family.
The General Affairs Division, which managed the family’s matters, was independent of both branches and reported directly to the Family Head.
“The Biwoon Squad is a combat unit of the external branch.”
“How strong are they?”
“Comparable to two or three mid-sized sects combined. If the Biwoon Squad Leader is involved, the entire squad is likely mobilized. And with Seon-ah there, the Guardians’ hall would also be involved.”
“She’s a direct descendant?”
“Not of the Family Head… she’s his niece.”
“Practically his daughter, though,” she added.
The Zhuge Family Head had two sons and doted on his only niece.
“But why send her on this mission?”
“Well, the Biwoon Squad Leader is quite skilled… you’ll understand the other reason when we get there.”
He took that to mean Zhuge Seon-ah possessed some special ability.
She hadn’t explained it through Secret Voice Transmission because it was either too complicated or she was worried about being overheard.
Those with exceptionally keen senses or special artifacts could eavesdrop on Secret Voice Transmission.
‘Finding them is the priority.’
Having observed the others and gathered information about the Zhuge Family, it was time to focus on the search.
He didn’t understand the tracking methods used by the scouts in the lead.
While his enhanced senses could detect broken branches or footprints, he couldn’t interpret their meaning.
But he had an advantage they didn’t.
‘First, the Ethereal Void Divine Art…’
Ethereal Void energy flowed from his upper dantian, circulating through the acupoints in his head.
His mind cleared, and he activated his Ever-Clear Vision.
It was as if the very flow of the world was being drawn into his eyes.
His mind, heightened by the Ethereal Void energy, interpreted the waves of energy, creating a map.
Like sensing a tiny ripple in a vast lake and tracing it back to its source.
He was tracking traces of True Qi, not physical evidence.
‘I can’t pinpoint their exact location, but I can find where the clashes occurred.’
Flash—
Tracing the ripples, he identified a location.
Increasing his speed with Thousand Li Steps and Sky Wind Divine Steps, he sped forward.
“Oppa?”
“Let’s go. Yang Kwai, Yang Jeong, follow me.”
He quickly overtook the others.
Taoist Jeong-gwang, who was receiving reports from the lead search party, frowned at Namgung-Woo’s sudden departure from the formation.
“Hey! You can’t just run off like that…”
“I know where the clashes occurred. I’ll lead the way.”
If an ordinary mercenary had said that, he would have dismissed it as nonsense.
But Namgung-Woo was accompanied by Peng Ha-ryeong, a direct descendant of the Peng Family.
Jeong-gwang asked hesitantly,
“…Are you a sorcerer?”
“Something like that.”
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West of the Guya Workshop was Mount Guhwa, and to the south was Mount Hwang.
Southwest of these two mountains lay Mount Seonu, accessible from both Mount Guhwa and Mount Hwang.
There was also a path leading east to Mount Jewoon.
Tracking someone who had entered Mount Seonu was a difficult task.
But the pursuers were doing just that.
They hadn’t once lost track of the Zhuge Family.
And this time was no different.
“They’re here.”
“Already…”
Zhuge Pan clicked his tongue and gripped his sword hilt.
They had been attacked three times already.
So far, they had avoided significant casualties because Zhuge Seon-ah had anticipated the attacks, allowing them to set up formations and trap their pursuers.
But they couldn’t keep this up forever.
He looked at the young woman who had just warned him.
Zhuge Seon-ah.
Born with a unique upper dantian ability, she had mastered the Zhuge Family’s secret upper dantian technique, the Stargazing Heavenly Map.
Her ability had allowed them to anticipate the attacks, but the repeated crises had taken a toll on her.
‘If she uses the Stargazing Heavenly Map even twice more… perhaps even once… her body won’t be able to handle it.’
While he preferred martial arts over scholarly pursuits, he was still a Zhuge.
And one couldn’t reach the rank of Squad Leader without considerable knowledge.
He quickly assessed the situation.
“We’ll be caught if we continue like this. They have a way of tracking us. Running will only exhaust us. It’s better to set up a formation and hold our ground here. While we prepare the formation, Seon-ah, you should rest and conserve your energy.”
Zhuge Seon-ah shook her head.
“I’m still alright. I’ll help.”
“Young lady, the Squad Leader is right.”
The warrior monk Geum-shin of Hwaseong Temple supported Zhuge Pan.
“With the terrain to our advantage, their tricks will be limited.”
“But…”
“Monk Hang-wi is a master of protective techniques, even among Hwaseong Temple monks. He should have reached Jing County by now and will be returning with reinforcements from the righteous Murim. We just need to hold out until then.”
“And the formation relies on you, Seon-ah.”
“Alright…”
“Don’t even think about using the Heavenly Map. Conserve your True Qi.”
With those words, Zhuge Pan dispersed with the Biwoon Squad warriors.
Geum-shin and the other warrior monks, unfamiliar with formations, remained in place.
“Young lady.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry. They may outnumber us, but the Zhuge Family’s formations will negate their advantage.”
Geum-shin tried to reassure her, but his words offered little comfort.
The Zhuge Family’s formations were unparalleled.
Even the Mosan Sect, renowned for their mastery of magic, acknowledged the Zhuge Family’s superiority in formation techniques.
But formations couldn’t be set up instantly.
Their effectiveness depended on the time, manpower, and resources invested.
Only a family like the Zhuge could even consider setting up a formation on the spot.
But its power wouldn’t be as formidable as Geum-shin believed.
‘If only it were night…’
The power of the Stargazing Heavenly Map came from the stars.
Stars could be seen during the day, though faintly and with difficulty.
Therefore, its power was weakened during the day, requiring more mental focus and True Qi.
Even simply maintaining her awareness of their surroundings was causing a throbbing headache.
“Ah!”
A sharp pain, like a needle piercing her skull.
She clutched her head and stumbled.
“Young lady?”
Geum-shin supported her.
Her body trembled, and her pupils constricted.
The enemy was here.
Right in front of them.
They were about to attack!
“I have to warn the Squad Leader…!”
“Warn him about what?”
The world seemed to turn black.
Her innate upper dantian ability, Sensory Acuity, had activated.
And what she sensed was the True Qi, the martial arts, and the intent of the one who had been pursuing them.
“Oh…”
Too late.
Overwhelmed by despair, she collapsed to her knees, despite Geum-shin’s support.
Sensory Acuity granted her the power of the Stargazing Heavenly Map, but it also made her mind vulnerable.
The Black Sword Devil Jeong Po.
Even Zhuge Pan struggled against him.
For Zhuge Seon-ah, facing him was utterly impossible, even in her wildest dreams.
“…Please rest for a while, young lady.”
Geum-shin stepped forward.
In a single stride, the staff strapped to his back was now in his hands.
“A warrior monk of Hwaseong Temple. The Phoenix Pine Staff. I’ve heard it’s quite powerful.”
Screech—
The Black Sword Devil’s sword scraped against its scabbard, a grating sound unlike the clear ring of ordinary swords.
Deathly Qi flowed from the black blade.
It was a mystical, perhaps even demonic, sword.
“Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Your sins are heavy. I will send you to Buddha.”
“If you can.”
With the Black Sword Devil’s confident declaration, Geum-shin charged.
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“Stop.”
Sensing a surge of True Qi in the distance, Namgung-Woo halted his companions.
“We’re changing direction. I think I’ve found them.”
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