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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Life at the Zhuge Family estate felt strangely similar to his time with the Peng Family.
That was the nature of being a guest.
Unless there was a specific task, guests mostly ate, slept, and, in the case of martial artists, trained.
And as a honored guest who had earned their gratitude, Namgung-Woo received even better treatment.
True to their reputation for fairness, the Zhuge Family treated him with the respect he deserved for helping Zhuge Seon-ah and the Biwoon Squad.
He and the Azure Sky Group were given the highest-ranking accommodations still available.
He was treated not as a hired mercenary but as a martial artist sent by a major sect.
This was partly due to Peng Ha-ryeong’s presence, but the Zhuge Family always sent messages directly to him, not her, making it clear who they considered the leader.
“What are you looking at?”
Geum-shin approached Namgung-Woo, who was gazing out the window.
“People.”
His lodgings were in an inn just outside Wuhan’s central district.
The guest quarters within the Zhuge estate were already occupied.
And the Zhuge Family considered the common guest rooms too shabby for him.
Geum-shin looked out the window.
The area was usually busy due to its proximity to the central district, but today, the crowds were unusually large.
“Word of the declaration of war must have spread.”
The Banun Clan’s declaration of war against the Zhuge Family.
The shocking news had spread like wildfire.
With the Imperial Court’s campaign against the Wayseekers of the Mist already attracting attention in the east, this new conflict in the central and southern regions had captivated everyone.
Those who had been planning to aid the Zhuge Family rushed to Wuhan, and even those less involved in Murim affairs hurried to witness the unfolding events.
Wuhan was overflowing with people.
“A lot of mercenaries.”
“This war is a big opportunity for them. Even better than Ghost Gate closures. A major conflict like this is the perfect chance to raise their prices.”
As always, Geum-shin seemed more worldly than a typical monk.
Namgung-Woo suppressed a comment about his monk-like qualities and focused on observing the crowd.
‘There are some decent fighters mixed in.’
His perception extended beyond the street below, reaching the central district.
This was why he had chosen this inn over the Zhuge Family’s offer of a separate residence.
Most of the martial artists were First or Second-Class, but a few seemed to be Peak Realm experts.
While Peak Realm experts were common in large sects like the Nine Great Sects and the Seven Unorthodox Sects, they were rare overall.
Peak Realm mercenaries were usually quite arrogant, and for good reason.
They were highly valued.
In smaller sects, a Peak Realm expert was considered a pillar of the community, and unaffiliated Peak Realm martial artists were welcomed with open arms by any faction, unless they had some serious flaw.
Now, Wuhan was teeming with them.
Their numbers indicated the magnitude of the impending conflict.
Namgung-Woo carefully observed the martial artists with decent Qi, including the Peak Realm experts.
He had been considering expanding the Azure Sky Group.
While Geum-shin was a valuable addition, he was only a temporary member, a mercenary hired through a deal with Hwaseong Temple.
In the long run, the Azure Sky Group needed more permanent members.
‘That one’s not bad, but he’s part of a sect… and that one cultivates demonic arts? His Qi is strange.’
He wasn’t simply recruiting based on skill level, but he had certain standards.
As he scanned the crowd, looking for suitable candidates, his eyes widened.
“Geum-shin, do you see them?”
He pointed to a group just entering the street.
Geum-shin used his Hwaseong Temple techniques to observe them.
“Yes, Leader.”
“They’re incredibly strong. Do you recognize any of them?”
“I don’t recognize their faces, but I recognize their uniforms.”
“Who are they?”
His gaze remained fixed on the group.
There weren’t many of them.
Seven martial artists surrounding a leader or escort.
Only eight in total, but their combined Qi dwarfed the dozens of other martial artists in the area.
It was overwhelming.
They weren’t intentionally amplifying their Qi; it simply radiated from them, dominating their surroundings.
Namgung-Woo’s surprise turned to understanding as Geum-shin answered.
“Black robes with white overcoats. The Taiji symbol and the Pine and Sword emblem. There’s only one group that fits that description. The Wudang Sect.”
“Wudang…”
The Nine Great Sects, the foundation of the righteous Murim.
Among them, two stood out.
Shaolin and Wudang.
These two were undoubtedly the most famous sects in the Jianghu.
While their influence had waned due to constant warfare, their martial arts lineages remained unbroken.
Their current decline was only temporary.
As the saying went, their reputation was well-deserved.
The Wudang Sect’s Qi was truly awe-inspiring.
Their dignified aura reflected their status as a prestigious sect.
And their presence here meant that the Zhuge Family’s preparations for war were complete.
“Wudang and Zhuge. We can say that 90% of the righteous Murim forces in Hubei are now assembled.”
Geum-shin, also a member of the righteous Murim, watched with satisfaction as the forces gathered.
He anticipated the imminent start of the war.
“Should I call the others?”
Peng Ha-ryeong was with Zhuge Seon-ah.
The Yang brothers were training at the martial arts grounds, as instructed by Namgung-Woo.
He could summon them immediately.
But Namgung-Woo’s response was unexpected.
“No, we’ll go to them.”
“Ah, I see. With the Wudang Sect’s arrival, the Zhuge Family will likely hold a meeting.”
“That’s not it. It’s already begun.”
“What?”
Namgung-Woo didn’t elaborate.
He simply moved.
They would see it for themselves soon enough.
Geum-shin hurried after him.
Declarations of war in the Murim were different from formal declarations in the future.
There was no need for justification, no diplomatic protocols.
There was only one similarity.
The immediate commencement of hostilities.
The war had already begun.
Namgung-Woo walked towards the exit, his senses focused on the unfamiliar Qi that had suddenly appeared.
‘They were waiting in Wuhan. Waiting for the Wudang Sect.’
The fact that they had moved the moment the Wudang Sect appeared was proof.
While he hadn’t observed them closely, he had been using his Ever-Clear Vision.
They had managed to exploit a blind spot in his perception, which meant they were well-prepared.
There had to be a reason for their actions.
‘Are they trying to demoralize the Zhuge Family by defeating their strongest allies, the Wudang Sect, right from the start?’
He reached the ground floor and stepped outside.
He saw two groups facing off across a clearing.
On one side, the Wudang Daoists, neatly arrayed in their black and white robes.
On the other, a motley crew of unidentified martial artists in various clothing.
The latter group varied not only in their attire but also in gender, age, and even the nature of their Qi.
They were a stark contrast to the uniformly dressed, similarly aged Wudang Daoists.
Namgung-Woo quickly assessed them.
‘Typical of a loose organization, who are not a proper sect. They’re united by a common goal, not a shared martial art.’
And in the current situation, there was only one group that would dare confront the Wudang Sect within Wuhan.
Everyone realized it at the same time, and gasps of shock rippled through the crowd.
“The Banun Clan!”
“The Banun Clan is here!”
“How are they already here?!”
“Are they seriously starting a skirmish against the Wudang Sect right now?”
Over the murmuring crowd, a voice from the Banun Clan rang out, clear and unwavering.
“This is a warning to the Wudang Sect. Retreat. Otherwise…”
The Banun Clan martial artist raised his crescent blade, its tip pointed at the Wudang Daoists.
Someone in the crowd recognized the weapon, murmuring its name, the Dragon-Slaying Demonic Blade, adding weight to the threat.
“I will break your swords here and now.”
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