Chapter 197: The True Face of Namgung Yoo (1)

“What are they chasing the Division Leader for?”

“Judging by their actions, it seems they’re trying to take me hostage and steal our division’s Jiangshi Technique.”

“What kind of people would do such a heinous thing?”

Namgung Yoo sighed in worry.

If they were kidnapping the East Evil Division Leader with ill intent to create jiangshi, that alone was enough to threaten the entire murim.

She couldn’t believe those pursuing the Division Leader had good intentions.

“After meeting you this time, our division will suspend all activities for a while to investigate who is after me. Of course, the jiangshi requested by the Namgung Clan will be delivered on time. How many do you need?”

Namgung Yoo thought for a moment, then replied.

“I intend to place an order for about fifty-nine more.”

“To make fifty-nine jiangshi, I will need about a year. As you know, our division does not create jiangshi from the living. We need corpses that have been dead no more than three days, so time is required to procure the bodies.”

“I’m aware. I can wait.”

“The payment terms remain the same.”

“I know that as well. I’ve brought a payment note worth five portions.”

The reason Namgung Yoo had to come in person was because she was carrying a payment note for a large sum.

Something this important couldn’t be entrusted to just anyone, which is why Namgung Yoo, who was acquainted with the East Evil Division Leader, had come.

The East Evil Division Leader received the note, checked it, and rose from his seat.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

“Wait a moment.”

The East Evil Division Leader turned around just as he was about to step out of the Dharma Hall.

“Is there more you need to say?”

“By chance, do you have an antidote for Jiangshi Poison?”

At those words, Baek Cheonggye’s brow twitched.

But perhaps due to the poison, even his eyebrows had barely a few strands left.

“Who’s been poisoned by Jiangshi Poison?”

“Yes. I heard that the Vice Head of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union was poisoned by Jiangshi Poison. My friend is searching for the antidote. I’ll pay you, so please sell it to me.”

“In the past, I sold Jiangshi Poison in various places to raise funds for jiangshi production. The victims of that poison are starting to appear now. But since it’s Lady Namgung asking, I’ll give you the antidote without charge.”

Baek Cheonggye took out a small bottle from his robes and handed it to Namgung Yoo.

“This antidote will more than suffice to detoxify the Jiangshi Poison.”

“Thank you. And when we leave here, let’s go to the central district together. It may be dangerous if you move alone.”

Though Baek Cheonggye didn’t say anything, he was not in normal condition, having been injured while being pursued and fighting.

So he didn’t reject Namgung Yoo’s suggestion outright.

“Alright. If we move together, they’ll see me as a monk and we’ll draw less attention.”

Namgung Yoo had suggested accompanying him because she noticed that Baek Cheonggye was uncomfortable moving—clearly injured.

Baek Cheonggye made a large offering while performing his prayers in the Dharma Hall.

From his perspective, he had spent several days hiding at Yeonhwasa, shaking off unknown pursuers and treating his injuries, so Yeonhwasa was practically a savior to him.

“Let’s go now.”

Namgung Yoo left Yeonhwasa with Baek Cheonggye.

“We need to reach the central district of Jeongju.”

“I was heading there anyway. Let’s go together.”

Namgung Yoo and the East Evil Division Leader Baek Cheonggye left Yeonhwasa and began heading toward Changcheon Martial Arts Hall when they realized a group was tailing them.

“It seems we’ve been tracked by the pursuers.”

When Namgung Clan escort Namgung Yeong, who had been monitoring the rear, spoke, Baek Cheonggye grimaced.

“I didn’t expect them to be this persistent. Lady Namgung, go on ahead. They’re after me, not you.”

Namgung Yoo almost reflexively took a step forward at those words.

As the East Evil Division Leader said, this wasn’t her fight.

But during this time, Namgung Yoo had witnessed how her older brother was changing.

And while living among those who led that change, she had come to realize that she, too, was changing.

‘Have I absorbed the spirit of chivalry just by spending time with Yong Gongja and the three Jeong sisters?’

Descendants of noble clans were taught never to put themselves at a disadvantage.

That was not only how they were educated, but also an instinct born from the nature of the clans that prioritized gain over righteousness.

Seeing Namgung Yoo hesitate, the escort said,

“The Division Leader is right. There’s no need to get involved in unnecessary trouble.”

Namgung Yoo gave a wry smile and replied.

“The Division Leader came here at the main house’s request. The house was the one that wanted to meet him first. Leaving him behind while he’s in danger doesn’t seem proper.”

“Agassi…”

The escorts tried to dissuade Namgung Yoo out of concern, but their expressions were bright.

They, too, had changed while spending time with the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect.

“Lady Namgung, if you’re worried about me, don’t be. I can take care of myself.”

Namgung Yoo shook her head.

She knew Baek Cheonggye was injured and couldn’t just leave him behind, pretending not to notice.

"If I run away like this, I won’t be able to face my friends. They're fairly well-known righteous warriors. If I flee, they likely wouldn’t consider me their friend anymore."

"You had such friends, Sojeo? This old man would love to meet them."

"You’ll meet them someday. They’re the ones I’ve fallen for."

"If Lady Namgung helps, even a hundred of those bastards wouldn't be a problem. As long as you watch my rear, I can beat them all to death with my fists."

Namgung Yoo made up her mind to fight and stood behind Baek Cheonggye.

Three escorts stood beside her.

With this, the rear was secured, and Baek Cheonggye could use his martial arts to the fullest.

A group gradually approached from the distance, eyes fixed on Baek Cheonggye and Namgung Yoo.

One man stepped forward about five jang and opened his mouth.

"Sojeo, you didn’t consider why I was moving so slowly, did you?"

Namgung Yoo snapped back at his words.

"Sounds like you’re saying you gave me a chance to run."

The man nodded.

"Exactly. I gave you that chance—so why are you still here?"

"The Division Leader was invited by the main house. You should know that pressuring the Division Leader is the same as opposing our family."

"Hmm. So you’re threatening me in the name of the Namgung Clan?"

"Hearing you call it a threat confirms you’re not good people after all."

"Uhahaha! I, Ma Jeung, am no saint, but I’m no villain either."

"If someone kidnaps and threatens others and isn’t a villain, then who is?"

As Namgung Yoo spoke, she suddenly flinched as she repeated the man's name in her head.

"Could you be the Fire Bird Sword, Demonic Hero Ma Jeung?"

"You’ve got a sharp eye."

"How could I not recognize a master of the Four Demonic Heavens?"

"If Lady Namgung steps back even now, I won’t interfere."

"I’ve already decided to stand with the Division Leader. I don’t care if you back off."

"Hahahaha! So the rumor that the Namgung Clan had a gifted woman was true. Even I, Ma, am impressed. But from now on, you’ll bear full responsibility for what happens."

"That’s my line."

When Ma Jeung raised his hand, martial artists standing like phantoms behind him all drew their weapons at once.

These were the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps directly commanded by the First Young Master Lee Yung.

For this mission, he had brought twenty specially selected elites.

But because Baek Cheonggye’s martial arts were so formidable that casualties mounted without success, Ma Jeung had stepped in himself.

"I’ll break through the front. Cover my back. Not once has the White Poison Corpse Art ever failed. Even if he’s one of the Four Demonic Heavens, I can take down a mere Fire Bird Sword."

Baek Cheonggye had absolute confidence in his martial arts.

In truth, he had defeated many supreme-level experts sent by Lee Yung to make it this far.

Namgung Yoo nodded.

And then she finally drew the sword she had kept sheathed until now.

Srrrk!

But the blade Namgung Yoo drew was dark—its color resembling a brush dipped in black ink.

Seeing this, Ma Jeung grimaced.

"Don’t tell me... that’s a poison sword?"

Namgung Yoo nodded.

"Recognizing a poison sword—you have quite the eye."

"A poison sword... one of only three said to exist in the Tang Clan, and it’s in your possession, Sojeo?"

The Poison Sword was one of the world’s legendary weapons.

It was forged by the Tang Clan using dozens of their most deadly poisons. Even a scratch from it would result in a fatal poisoning.

Until now, the Tang Clan had only successfully forged three such swords.

That Namgung Yoo held one of them deeply surprised Ma Jeung—and stirred a greedy desire in him.

"I heard that Sword King Namgung Bi once did something for the Tang Clan and received a poison sword. So it was true. Did you think possessing a poison sword makes you superior?"

"Now that you’ve recognized it, I doubt you’ll hold back."

"Let’s see then, if this poison sword lives up to its legend."

As Ma Jeung dropped his raised hand, the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps surged forward.

"Division Leader, take this."

Namgung Yoo offered a small pill, and Baek Cheonggye looked at her with questioning eyes.

"I’m going to release poison. This is the antidote to them."

At those words, Baek Cheonggye quickly swallowed it and shouted,

"Come at me, you bastards! I’ll avenge my disciples!"

Baek Cheonggye met the onrushing Tenebrous Ghosts Corps and threw his fists without mercy.

Kang!

Swords bounced off his body with a clang like metal slamming against iron.

At that moment, Baek Cheonggye charged into the enemy ranks and tore at a neck.

Crunch!

Baek Cheonggye’s fighting style was like that of a wild beast.

However, his movements and actions were so subtle and mysterious that he couldn’t be caught easily.

The escorts of the Namgung Clan formed the Three Talents Formation behind Baek Cheonggye to skillfully block the enemies closing in.

Whenever the enemy’s momentum surged, Namgung Yoo scattered a white powder from her sleeve into the air.

At that, the warriors of the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps who had been attacking staggered and fell back.

In those moments, the Namgung Clan’s escorts severed their throats.

Namgung Yoo and the escorts had already experienced battles with assassins like these, so their coordination was perfectly synchronized.

Though the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps were of comparable skill to the escorts of the Namgung Clan, they couldn’t break through the Three Talents Formation because of this reason.

“Phew, so this is the level...”

Ma Jeung now understood why the East Evil Division Leader had repeatedly escaped the encirclements.

Armed with Corpse Art and Poison Arts, Baek Cheonggye charged forward relentlessly, with nothing to fear.

Moreover, with capable allies covering his rear, he broke through the siege and continued pushing forward.

Above all, thanks to Namgung Yoo's timely release of poison, it was difficult to approach from the sides.

‘Descendants of noble clans usually despise those who use poison, prizing their hollow honor... yet Namgung Yoo wields poison without hesitation. At this rate, the innocent will be slaughtered along with the rest.’

The synergy between Baek Cheonggye’s Poison Arts and Namgung Yoo’s poison attacks was so precise that, if this continued, the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps might be annihilated.

Not even one sikgyeong had passed, but already ten members of the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps were dead—enough to suggest complete annihilation was possible.

Ma Jeung lunged toward Baek Cheonggye, who had just driven his fist into a warrior’s chest, crushing it six jang deep.

Whooosh!

His movement stirred the surrounding air violently.

“Mm!”

Feeling an overwhelming pressure charging directly toward him, Baek Cheonggye thrust both hands forward and raised the White Poison Corpse Art to its peak.

As he infused qi into his hands, they turned a bluish hue and emitted a surge of poisonous energy.

Detecting the venom from behind, Namgung Yoo admired it silently.

‘Incredible. They say once you master the White Poison Corpse Art, you become unmatched—it's true. This must be the invincible martial art, without doubt.’

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