Chapter 263: Chapter 263

“How is her condition?”

At Dan Woo-hyun’s question, Namgung Cheon let out a soft groan.

Then he glanced at Dan Woo-hyun.

Letting out a small sigh, Namgung Cheon asked cautiously.

“Was it perhaps you? The one who infused energy into So-hye’s body?”

“She would have held out even without that.”

Namgung Cheon swallowed a groan and nodded.

That she was able to run all the way here from such a distance while severely injured, and even holding a child, was thanks to none other than Dan Woo-hyun’s energy.

Of course, he acknowledged that Namgung So-hye’s mental strength was remarkable, but if it had not been for that energy, it would not have been strange if she had surely drawn her last breath.

“Thank you.”

“I did not do it to receive thanks. More than that, I asked how her condition was.”

“She is currently lying down and resting. Although she needs to recuperate for the time being, I believe she will regain consciousness soon.”

A sigh escaped from Namgung Cheon’s mouth.

Hearing that she seemed to have received a deep wound on her back while trying to protect So-mi, So-mi’s shock must have been no small matter as well.

He thought that the fact she had not come out of her room, remaining cooped up inside even though two days had already passed, was probably for that reason.

“How is So-mi doing?”

“She will be fine.”

Dan Woo-hyun nodded while drinking his tea nonchalantly. For a young girl, she had experienced something that was bound to be a great shock.

Until now, most things had occurred while she was asleep or in places Dan So-mi did not know about.

Furthermore, it had never ended with someone getting seriously injured, but this time was different.

Namgung So-hye suffered a severe injury while protecting Dan So-mi.

How could that young child endure such a thing?

“No one would blame that child…”

“Because she knows that well, she cannot forgive herself even more.”

Everyone comforted and shielded Dan So-mi.

“Should you not go see her?”

“Even if I go, I will only say similar things. Right now, there is someone more suitable than me.”

“Hmm?”

Wondering if there was such a person, he looked around and suddenly realized that Sa Do-hak was nowhere to be seen. Wondering if that man was the suitable person, he looked at Dan Woo-hyun with a suspicious gaze.

Dan Woo-hyun shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

“He will be suitable. Probably, that is.”

“…”

Namgung Cheon’s suspicious gaze did not easily fade.

* * *

“So-mi… did nothing…”

Inside the room, Dan So-mi looked at Sa Do-hak with a crying face.

“Stop crying!”

Dan So-mi was greatly startled by Sa Do-hak’s single word.

Thump!

Sa Do-hak slammed the table and raised his voice.

“Adults have their own roles! What fault is it of yours when you know nothing?”

“B-But…”

“Act like a child! Especially in that kind of situation, what could you have possibly done!”

At Sa Do-hak’s words, Dan So-mi shed large, heavy tears.

Sa Do-hak’s glaring eyes were incredibly terrifying.

“Every action is bound to bring results and responsibilities. That is what an adult is. So-hye protected you, a child, as an adult. Do you still not understand?”

“No…”

With a dejected expression, Dan So-mi shook her head.

“Anyway, since So-hye ended up like that to protect you, you must take responsibility.”

“Pardon?”

Dan So-mi blinked her eyes and looked at Sa Do-hak.

Nursing her by her side was completely possible, but was there something else?

As she tilted her head, Sa Do-hak, who wore a somewhat gentler expression unlike how angry he had been until now, spoke.

“Let us go make some good food for the patient.”

“Ah…”

“And if you are by her side, will she not recover even faster?”

“Y-Yes! So-mi will do it! I can do it!”

Dan So-mi stood up abruptly with a bright smile.

She had a lot to do.

First, she had to go up the mountain. Since she needed to obtain healthy herbs and ingredients there, many preparations were needed for this and that.

Wearing a bright smile as if she had never cried, Dan So-mi hurriedly left the room.

Her steps, taken for the first time in two days, were extremely light.

* * *

“See? Was I not right?”

Watching Dan So-mi leave the clan estate holding Sa Do-hak’s hand, Dan Woo-hyun smiled. That dejected face was nowhere to be seen, and she wore a bright smile as always.

Although he did not know what Sa Do-hak had said or for what they were leaving the house, it seemed certain that he had cheered Dan So-mi up.

Namgung Cheon watched this with a somewhat displeased look.

“This old man could have done that too.”

“Haha, you probably could… perhaps, that is.”

Dan Woo-hyun brushed himself off and stood up.

At that moment, as if crossing paths with Dan So-mi who was leaving the house, a familiar face entered inside. He bowed deeply toward Dan Woo-hyun.

“Have you been well?”

“It has been a long time.”

The person in front of him was Gu Mu-ak.

He was the Sect Leader of the Haoh Gate.

As if he had rushed over in a hurry at Dan Woo-hyun’s call, cold sweat covered his forehead. Since he had not been in Yueyang, it was obvious he had made an effort to arrive as quickly as possible.

“You probably have an idea why I called you, right?”

Gu Mu-ak nodded.

He already knew most of the events taking place near Yueyang.

Murong Hyeok-mun was moving like a ghost while massacring orthodox martial artists, Yueyang lay at the end of his path, and not only the Martial Alliance but also the Cheondo Association were moving to kill him.

However, to prevent this, even the Murong Clan had implicitly revealed themselves, so a bloody battle might break out on the land of Yueyang if they were not careful.

“Which one would you like to hear first?”

“The Martial Alliance first.”

“The Martial Alliance was in the middle of chasing after Murong Hyeok-mun and slowly narrowing the distance… but perhaps having lost his tail, they are currently fully occupied with searching. It is the same for the Cheondo Association.”

Dan Woo-hyun nodded at those words.

Because they were people who could potentially be a hindrance, he had judged that it would be better if they were not around. There was nothing good about colliding with unnecessary people.

“Impressive. For a fellow who is no different from a bloodthirsty demon to shake off the pursuit…?”

“There was friction between the Cheondo Association and the Martial Alliance. It happened while they were looking for traces to catch Murong Hyeok-mun.”

Namgung Cheon frowned.

No matter how much they were fellow orthodox members, their goals and ideologies were different, so colliding was inevitable.

From the perspective of the Nine Great Sects and One Union, they were in a position where they had to destroy the Kunlun Sect and punish the one who tarnished the name of the orthodox faction to reveal their power to the whole world once again.

On the contrary, for the Cheondo Association, there was the fact that the Murong Clan was originally one of the pillars of the Eight Great Families, and that Murong Hyeok-mun was a major criminal who tarnished the name of the Eight Great Families.

In addition, since they had a past where they were the ones who nominated him as the Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance, resolving the Cheondo Association’s power and their own blemish by executing him was their priority.

Since they could not yield Murong Hyeok-mun’s neck due to each other’s positions, it was only natural that they clashed.

Namgung Cheon did not like the whole situation.

“What is even more interesting is something else.”

“Is there something else?”

“Yes.”

Gu Mu-ak glanced at Namgung Cheon.

Hiding his expression, he muttered softly.

“The Namgung Clan went out alone without joining any faction.”

“Wh-What!?”

Namgung Cheon opened his eyes wide with a shocked expression.

He knew that in order to unite the clan and raise it up again, they had to resolve such a major task. Moreover, the Murong Clan was already no different from an enemy, and since they had tried to kill the Sword Emperor and taken his arm, there was naturally a justification.

However, was the timing of their move not somewhat early?

“I understand that the martial artists of the Namgung Clan, centered around the current family head Namgung Yong, are currently chasing after Murong Hyeok-mun. Moreover, because the Murong Clan is closely pursuing them from behind, I suspect trouble will break out soon.”

Namgung Cheon was dumbfounded and opened his mouth.

Considering Murong Hyeok-mun’s abilities, a significant sacrifice would definitely occur. No matter how important revenge was, there was no need to overdo it while accepting sacrifices.

Yet, Namgung Yong had proceeded with such an unreasonable matter.

Namgung Cheon grabbed the bridge of his nose.

“Oh, my head…”

It was an absurd choice, enough to make his head ache.

However, the family head of the Namgung Clan was now Namgung Yong, and it was a decision he had made. If so, Namgung Cheon could not oppose it, and it was only right that he should no longer concern himself with it.

“I see… What became of Murong Hyeok-mun?”

“After mobilizing the members in the vicinity to scan the area and pursue him, it seems he will cross over into Hunan soon. However, because he is very hard to find once he conceals his appearance, we are also having quite a hard time.”

Having heard the story, Dan Woo-hyun nodded.

In the end, the fact that Murong Hyeok-mun was coming toward Yueyang remained unchanged. Although things were twisting strangely because others were intruding here and there, that was also within the expected range.

“In the end, it means he has gathered the flies.”

“It seems so.”

Gu Mu-ak wore an absurd smile.

That person was probably the only human who could call the Martial Alliance, the Cheondo Association, and the Namgung Clan flies.

For they were those who could be called the strongest organizations of the orthodox faction in both name and reality.

“And… because Murong Jang-uk disappeared, a pursuit party was formed by the Murong Clan. They are currently searching the vicinity of Yueyang, but…”

“Enough.”

Dan Woo-hyun waved his hand as if he did not want to hear about that. In any case, that much was already expected, and there was already a countermeasure for it.

As he slightly turned his head to look at a certain spot, he saw Zhuge Un grinning.

“Everything is already fully prepared.”

Gu Mu-ak noticed something while looking at Dan Woo-hyun nod. Come to think of it, several people were not to be seen.

Zhuge Yeon, Gwon Mu-jin, Ma Jang-gang, and even Jang Sam-tae.

At that moment, as if realizing something, Gu Mu-ak quickly lowered his head.

The deed was already done and could not be undone.

Since the Murong Clan had picked the fight first, they were not ones to call it off either.

If so, what could they do?

Neither Zhuge Un nor Dan Woo-hyun were ones to let things pass easily, so they would surely cause a huge scene.

In the end, it was clear that those who were currently not visible had gone out to strike the Murong Clan.

Having realized everything, Gu Mu-ak closed his mouth.

Then, looking at Dan Woo-hyun, he sent a determined gaze.

“As for the information fee…”

“I will send a child once you return.”

“Pardon?”

“I said I would send a child to bring the money.”

At those words, Gu Mu-ak’s eyes narrowed. As he looked at Dan Woo-hyun with a disbelieving gaze, Dan Woo-hyun’s eyes also turned razor-sharp.

He turned his head away unconsciously, but he still had to say what needed to be said.

“I think I could just take it myself…”

“No, I will send them.”

“No, I…”

“Leave now.”

“…”

Dan Woo-hyun waved his hand dismissively as if it was troublesome. It did not seem like he would deal with him any further.

Gu Mu-ak trembled all over.

At that moment, Zhuge Un stealthily approached and patted Gu Mu-ak’s shoulder.

“Do not worry. I will bring it myself.”

At those words, Gu Mu-ak’s eyes shone brightly.

Even if he could not trust Dan Woo-hyun, he could trust Zhuge Un.

Letting out a sigh of relief, he turned his back.

His steps heading back seemed quite light.

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