Chapter 142: Chapter 142

“The fact that Madokjin is here means there might be other groups as well.”

Namgung So-hye, who was returning to her room after finishing her early morning training, spotted Dan Woo-hyun washing his face and spoke out of nowhere.

She also knew well how things were going in the manor. Furthermore, having fought Madokjin once before, she was a woman who knew how terrifying he could be.

She clenched her fists and glared at Dan Woo-hyun.

“Do you really intend to fight?”

“It wasn’t me who started the fight. It was them.”

“Even though the Martial Sovereign Castle won’t just sit back and watch?”

“Would I be able to make a living by the sword if I were afraid of a mere Martial Sovereign Castle?”

Smirking, Dan Woo-hyun wiped his face with a cloth. His expression and behavior remained so relaxed that he did not seem to feel a single shred of tension about the upcoming fight.

It was unclear whether he was just indifferent or if he lacked emotions altogether.

“What about So-mi?”

“I have already sent her to Hong Won-chang’s house anyway.”

“You are thorough with your preparations…”

Namgung So-hye watched him with her eyes narrowed.

Something was strange.

The Dan Woo-hyun of the past would have stepped back and distanced himself before any troublesome matter occurred.

Although there were times when he stepped forward himself, he had tried his best not to get involved, which made her realize that his will shrank from being associated with the martial world.

But now?

It was different.

It felt as if he had become a completely different person.

He was actively trying to participate in the fight.

As if he could obtain something only by doing so.

“What are you trying to obtain?”

“Who knows? Is there anything I want to obtain from this martial world?”

Namgung So-hye pondered deeply.

Dan Woo-hyun was an extremely individualistic person. He only needed money because of Dan So-mi; otherwise, he was the type of person who would live contentedly even in a beggar’s den rather than such a splendid manor.

Would such a man gain something by killing Madokjin?

That was impossible.

Then, on the contrary, was it to live comfortably?

That was not it either.

If anything, he was only making more enemies.

“Do not try to think. Do not try to read someone’s thoughts as you please. They are not things you can fathom.”

“Why don’t you stop reading mine first?”

“Hahaha.”

Dan Woo-hyun laughed merrily.

Namgung So-hye’s sulking face felt quite cute to him. He reached out his hand once, then hesitated. Out of his habit of patting Dan So-mi, his hand had almost moved on its own.

Namgung So-hye glared at him with wide eyes.

“Yes! I am a child! Go ahead and pat me.”

“I didn’t mean it that way…”

“Do it!”

She gripped her sword hilt as if she would start a sword fight right then and there.

She even sent him a fierce gaze that seemed ready to slice his hand off if it dared to approach. However, when Dan Woo-hyun did nothing, she finally let out a long sigh.

“The Young Master Dan I know is someone who is a bit relaxed and tries not to make enemies… It’s strange.”

“What do you know about me?”

In the meaningless words he spat out, a tone as sharp as a blade was heard. Startled, Namgung So-hye barely held onto her trembling body and gasped.

The moment she met Dan Woo-hyun’s eyes, she felt as if she were being sucked into the darkness.

‘Yes, I have felt this before.’

The gaze of Namgung Cheon looking down while sitting in the seat of the Martial Alliance Leader. The look of an absolute master that Sa Do-hak occasionally showed. It was the gaze of a strong cultivator who knew that no one could surpass him.

At the same time as feeling that…

A distant gaze.

It was the gaze of someone who knew things that Namgung So-hye, Namgung Cheon, or even Sa Do-hak had never seen. The dignity of an absolute master, which had been hidden until now, seemed to be fully revealed.

Namgung So-hye, swallowing hard, took a step back in hesitation.

“Do not conclude that you know someone you do not actually know.”

“B-But still, just…”

Namgung So-hye, who was trembling all over, even stuttered her words.

Everyone else said that Dan Woo-hyun was scary. But in reality, to Namgung So-hye, he was a person who was not scary at all.

Until now.

The Dan Woo-hyun in front of her today was truly terrifying.

She felt an atmosphere where it was difficult to even exchange words casually.

“Ah, I don’t care! Do whatever you want!”

In the end, Namgung So-hye, glaring with wide eyes, shrieked. Her deeply flushed face seemed to be due to anger rather than embarrassment.

Then, without saying a word, she drew water from the well and began to wash her face.

“Women are truly incomprehensible.”

Dan Woo-hyun shrugged his shoulders and turned his gaze.

Sa Do-hak was sitting there, though it was unclear since when. Holding alcohol in one hand, he grinned and spoke.

“You are a truly strange fellow.”

“Haha, I hear that quite often.”

“Tsk, tsk. Right. Let me ask you one thing too. What is the reason you are suddenly dealing with those pieces of trash?”

“Trash?”

Gulp, gulp.

Sa Do-hak kept gulping down the alcohol.

Each time the stinging sensation went down his throat, he did not get drunk, but felt his mood rising. Liking this very much, he did not take his eyes off the alcohol.

“Yes, trash. Do things like Madokjin or Martial Sovereign Castle even catch our eye? If we set our minds to it, couldn’t we go right away and crush them?”

“Haha.”

Dan Woo-hyun laughed, but Sa Do-hak was serious.

Literally, those guys were nothing more than trash.

They were existences that wouldn’t be strange to discard at any moment, not even worth being considered living things.

Because there were capable people of that caliber in this manor.

With only Namgung Cheon, Sa Do-hak, and Dan Woo-hyun, they possessed the martial power to crush the likes of Martial Sovereign Castle overnight.

Yet, he was trying to target those guys whom he hadn’t even spared a glance at until now. Wasn’t that strange? For someone who could have had as much fame and power as he wanted.

“I intend to become the greatest.”

The moment those words were heard, not to mention Namgung So-hye, who was washing her face, even Sa Do-hak raised his head in wonder and looked at Dan Woo-hyun.

Unexpected words had come out.

“What?”

“I said I intend to become the greatest.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Aren’t you already at the top?”

Sa Do-hak spoke as he wiped the alcohol off his lips.

In his eyes, Dan Woo-hyun had already ascended to the seat of the greatest. It was just that others did not know it, but whether it was Sa Do-hak, Namgung Cheon, or any of the other Five Emperors, none of them were thought to be able to survive against Dan Woo-hyun.

That was because the martial power of the man before him was impossible to measure.

“The strongest and the greatest are different. I was always the strongest, but I was not the greatest.”

Sa Do-hak tilted his head at the incomprehensible words.

What kind of nonsense was it to say he was the strongest but not the greatest?

Literally, it felt subtly different, but why couldn’t he understand it? Was it because he was drunk, or was this fellow trying to speak in Zen riddles?

He had absolutely no way of knowing.

“What kind of bullshit is that?”

“Hahaha.”

When Sa Do-hak spat out those harsh words, Dan Woo-hyun laughed.

That aroused his curiosity even more.

“Well, it is just like that. There is no meaning to it, so do not pay attention.”

“Why do you say meaningless things?”

“Hahaha.”

“What a crazy bastard.”

As if he did not like Dan Woo-hyun’s laughing face, Sa Do-hak cursed roughly and turned his back. He felt like he had just been made a fool of after asking for no reason.

“He was not the greatest, but he was the strongest…”

At that moment, a small voice was heard.

“Huh?”

When Dan Woo-hyun turned his head, he saw Namgung So-hye wearing a blank expression. When he sent her an inquisitive look, unable to fathom her meaning, she hastily turned her head away.

“You were the strongest, so why are you not the greatest? If you are the strongest, aren’t you also the greatest?”

“Just because one is strong does not mean they are the greatest. Back then, there was someone else at the highest point…”

“Back then…”

“Why is that?”

“Ah, it’s nothing! More than that, it’s strange. Why isn’t Madokjin moving from Yueyang? Given his personality, it’s about time he invaded…?”

“He must be testing the waters.”

“Testing the waters?”

Dan Woo-hyun nodded.

There were several reasons for Madokjin’s actions. He made it known that they were here because of Gwon Mu-jin and took control of Yueyang. All the people’s anger and annoyance would be directed towards Gwon Mu-jin and Dan Woo-hyun, who could be considered his family.

He wanted to shatter the faith and trust that people who used to be close had.

Also, he was testing the waters.

In other words, he was watching to see how they would move.

The guy who would have normally invaded was probably using this trick to understand their movements in advance and prepare because of the presence of a master like Dan Woo-hyun.

If so, playing along with his tune was also fun.

“Just what are you planning to do…”

“Do you know when martial artists receive the greatest enthusiasm?”

“T-That is…”

Something like a martial arts tournament?

Or when rumors spread after slaying a notorious villain?

Namgung So-hye tilted her head, caught between the two answers. She hesitated on which answer to give. Since Dan Woo-hyun was a person who sometimes gave unexpected answers, she really wanted to guess correctly.

Unaware of or indifferent to Namgung So-hye’s feelings, Dan Woo-hyun spoke.

“It is when one proudly wins a duel against a villain.”

“What is that!”

She had been thinking of two options, but he had combined them into one and answered. Namgung So-hye lamented her own foolishness, regretting why she had not spoken sooner.

“There is nothing better than that to gain the greatest fame and make a name for oneself all at once.”

“T-That’s true.”

Huh? Namgung So-hye thought.

If she retraced what he just said… step by step, there was only one conclusion.

“No way! Do you plan to have a duel with them?”

“Hahaha, who knows.”

Dan Woo-hyun walked away with a loud laugh.

Whether it was because he had nothing more to say or because he wanted to watch Namgung So-hye lost in thought a bit longer, it was unclear, but he seemed to be in a very good mood.

Namgung So-hye sighed as she quietly watched his retreating figure.

Just what does that person want to do…

Watching Dan Woo-hyun gradually grow distant, Namgung So-hye stared intently at his back. Soon, recalling something, she clenched her fists without realizing it.

“It is what Lord Dan said. The strongest and the greatest seem to be different.”

“Pardon?”

“They say the Martial God was the strongest but could not become the greatest, and the Blood Demon was the greatest but could not become the strongest. Indeed, since he is their descendant, he seems to have obtained something that allows him to know the events of a thousand years ago in detail. Isn’t it amazing? To be able to hear about the things that transpired among those beyond the heavens. Hohoho.”

Watching Namgung Cheon’s laughter at that time, So-hye thought.

That even though it was an event of the past, it was surprising that such martial artists existed. She also liked her grandfather’s expression as he spoke of such things with joy.

They were figures beyond the heavens who could no longer be seen today.

How could hearing the stories of such people not be joyous, fun, and intriguing to her as a fellow martial artist?

However, Namgung So-hye had just changed her mind.

‘No, Grandfather…’

‘The one who failed to become the greatest is right in front of our eyes now…’

‘Might actually be here.’

Namgung So-hye repeatedly engraved the name she had found in the tomb of the Three Heavens in the past.

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