Chapter 144 : Tracking (1)

Chapter 144: Tracking (1)

“Oh, right. There was a method like that.”

Namgung Seong’s expression brightened.

He, too, was greatly worried since Namgung Soomyung and Namgung Sohong had been kidnapped.

However, since the heirs of other clans had also been kidnapped, he simply didn’t show it outwardly.

“Then, I will leave the tracking to you, Young Master Yong.”

“Understood. I believe the tracking team should be kept as small as possible. Please provide around ten elite members. Since I have ten members of the Heavenly Central Soaring Dragon Unit from the main family, that will be sufficient for the first tracking team.”

“How do you expect to rescue the heirs of the clans with just that number? Shouldn’t you take more with you?”

“If the tracking team is too large, it will only make us easier to detect. Right now, Ihwa Palace is most likely moving stealthily. Avoiding their attention is the top priority. I will take a carrier pigeon with me. If more reinforcements are needed, I will send a message with it. Therefore, the second tracking team should stay positioned not too far from us and provide support when needed.”

Even to Namgung Seong, this seemed like a sound plan, so he didn’t oppose it and agreed.

“Very well. And if you need support, go to any martial clan in Anhui, reveal my name, and request assistance. I will send word in advance that they are to comply with any request you make.”

This clearly showed that the true power of Anhui was indeed the Namgung Clan.

It meant that as long as they were in Anhui, the influence of the Namgung Clan would prevail over any martial clan.

Namgung Seong then looked at Jegal Yohye and asked,

“By the way, what do you think is the reason why Ihwa Palace kidnapped the heirs? Do they intend to go to war with all the clans of the martial world?”

Jegal Yohye shook her head.

“We still haven’t determined whether this incident was impulsive or premeditated. Moreover, there have been no movements from Ihwa Palace in our intelligence reports. That means they are moving extremely covertly. We need to investigate further to uncover the full story.”

“Since you put it that way, there’s nothing more to say.”

Namgung Seong knew the information network of the Namgung Clan still couldn’t match that of the Jegal Clan.

“Sect Leader, I will immediately lead the team and start tracking the enemy. I will keep you updated via carrier pigeon, so it would be best for the Namgung Clan’s team to join us at an appropriate location.”

“No matter how I think about it, I believe it’s better to form the tracking team and go together.”

“I apologize, but forming the team alone will take at least two hours. We can’t afford to waste even a moment right now.”

Summoning the council of elders, explaining the situation, and forming the team would take no less than one or two hours. That was why Yong Hwarin insisted on leaving without delay.

Namgung Seong nodded in agreement.

“I will use my authority to quickly assemble a tracking team and send them after you. Right now, you’re the only one I can trust. Yoo-ah, come in.”

Namgung Yoo, who had been waiting outside, entered.

“Take Yoo-ah with you. She is quite skilled in tracking.”

Yong Hwarin knew that Namgung Yoo was proficient in the techniques of the Left Dao’s tracking methods, so he didn’t refuse.

“This child insisted on going herself once the tracking team was ready, so there’s no need to worry.”

“I will not be a burden to Young Master Yong. I stepped up because I was concerned for the Three Chivalrous Sisters. Also, I am quite familiar with the Anhui region, so I will be helpful in tracking.”

Yong Hwarin knew that Namgung Yoo had recently grown close to Jeong Minji of the Three Chivalrous Sisters, calling each other sisters.

“On the contrary, I should be the one asking for your help.”

Yong Hwarin took Namgung Yoo and stepped outside.

“I need to meet with Monk Gak Woo.”

Namgung Yoo told him where Monk Gak Woo and the Arhat monks were staying.

“The Shaolin monks are staying in the honored guest quarters. And I will begin preparing for our departure.”

After parting ways with Namgung Yoo, Yong Hwarin went to meet Monk Gak Woo to greet him.

“Master, I plan to lead the tracking team to pursue Ihwa Palace. What do you intend to do?”

He asked, hoping they might accompany him.

Having the three Arhat monks with him would greatly strengthen their power and give him peace of mind.

“We have yet to complete our mission. We plan to continue pursuing the one called Third Young Master to retrieve the White Tiger Subduing Demon Sword.”

Hearing their intention, Yong Hwarin quietly replied.

“As you know from the Soho incident, they are extremely cunning and devious. You must not act separately. Also, request someone skilled in tracking from the Namgung Clan. The Namgung Clan Leader promised to assist with any request. If you need help from anywhere else, he said to mention the Namgung Clan’s name to receive assistance.”

“I understand. We have already reported to our temple, so support should arrive soon. We have realized it is unreasonable to pursue these villains on our own. And thank you. I heard that Monk Gak Un owes you his life.”

“Not at all. How could that be considered saving a life? If I had been in the same position, Monk Gak Un would have done the same for me.”

Monk Gak Woo smiled as he listened.

However, he soon wore a gloomy expression and muttered,

“If I had listened more carefully to your words, we wouldn’t have lost Monk Gak Pung like that. I underestimated those villains.”

“I, too, grieve for what happened to Monk Gak Pung... I will take my leave now.”

As Yong Hwarin stood to leave, Monk Gak Woo stood as well and spoke,

“If you happen to discover any trace of the one called Third Young Master during your pursuit, please inform us.”

“Understood.”

Monk Gak Woo looked at Yong Hwarin with affection and said,

“Take care, Benefactor Yong.”

“Yes, Master. I will see you again in good health.”

Yong Hwarin felt heavy-hearted, thinking of Monk Gak Pung who had once shared hardship with him but had met such a tragic end.

When Yong Hwarin stepped outside, the Heavenly Central Soaring Dragon Unit was waiting for him.

At least there had been no injuries despite the chaos caused by Soho.

That was proof that their combined formation technique had reached a masterful level.

Soon after, Jegal Yohye appeared, and Yong Hwarin finished his preparations and mounted his horse.

“Miss Jegal, if anything happens or if you have any plans, please contact me via carrier pigeon.”

Jegal Yohye nodded.

Although she wanted to follow, she knew that without any martial arts skills, she would only be a burden to them.

Being someone who always prioritized reason, she understood that staying behind was the most rational choice. Thus, she suppressed her desire to make unreasonable demands.

Just as Yong Hwarin was about to depart with the Soaring Dragon Unit, riders approached from behind.

“Wait. We’re coming with you.”

Turning around, Yong Hwarin saw that Jegal Cheongyeong and Pang Cheollyeon had already regained consciousness and were riding toward him.

“Shouldn’t Yeon Mae and Yeong Mae rest a little longer?”

“No. The Namgung Clan gave us excellent medicine, and after circulating our qi once, we have already healed our internal injuries.”

The complexion of Pang Cheollyeon and Jegal Cheongyeong had indeed improved noticeably.

However, Yong Hwarin shook his head.

“Then join up with the Namgung Clan’s tracking team and come later.”

“We refuse. We will follow Brother Hwarin.”

Jegal Cheongyeong spoke firmly, leaving no room for argument, and Yong Hwarin let out a bitter smile.

Jegal Cheongyeong had always been assertive and never backed down on her stance.

He knew better than anyone that he couldn’t break her stubbornness now.

“It’s not just Young Master Yong’s matter.”

Jegal Yeongcheon appeared late and spoke up.

“I have heard that Ihwa Palace’s cunning is extraordinary. I am certain there will come a time when the wisdom of the Jegal Clan is needed.”

Since Jegal Yeongcheon also stepped forward, Yong Hwarin replied,

“Stay here with Miss Jegal Yohye and…”

Jegal Yeongcheon interrupted him.

“No. One sibling is enough to stay behind.”

As soon as Jegal Yeongcheon finished speaking, Pang Cheollyeon stepped forward as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“My brother has been kidnapped. How could I just sit here and wait idly?”

“Giyok entrusted Yeon Mae to me. How could I possibly take you along? Giyok would be furious.”

At those words, Pang Cheollyeon smiled lightly.

“Brother Hwarin, you really don’t know the women of the Pang Clan. Even in the Bamboo Forest, I fought at the vanguard prepared to die. Do you really think I would sit around and wait for the ones who did that to my brother?”

Yong Hwarin nodded as he looked at Pang Cheollyeon.

“That’s right. If you shrank back and cried, you wouldn’t be a woman of the Pang Clan. Very well. Come with us.”

Yong Hwarin then turned to Jegal Cheongyeong and Jegal Yeongcheon.

“Let’s go together. But there is one condition—you must follow my orders. Will you agree to that?”

Jegal Cheongyeong replied immediately.

“Don’t worry. I will follow Brother Hwarin’s orders.”

Jegal Yeongcheon had not expected Jegal Cheongyeong, who was known for her pride, to accept Yong Hwarin’s condition so easily.

In situations like this, the Jegal Clan had always taken the lead. It was natural for them to be the ones giving orders. Yet, without a moment of hesitation, she had spoken those words.

Jegal Yeongcheon found it strange to hear such words from Jegal Cheongyeong for the first time.

What was even more surprising and unfamiliar was Yong Hwarin himself. So far, Yong Hwarin had assembled the tracking team and led the operation with not a single wasted move.

There was a level of expertise in his actions that only someone with significant field experience could display.

Jegal Yeongcheon realized that even he would not have been able to carry out things this swiftly and efficiently. The fact that he was feeling admiration toward someone outside of the Jegal Clan felt foreign to him, making this whole situation feel strange.

Watching Yong Hwarin meet with Clan Leader Namgung Seong and giving orders made Jegal Yeongcheon want to observe him more closely.

After all, when Jegal Yeongcheon had emerged from closed-door training, the name he heard most frequently was Yong Hwarin’s, along with the title "Heavenly Central Sword Hero."

No matter where he went, he always heard that name and title circulating through the rumors.

At that time, Yong Hwarin had been making a name for himself wherever he went, so Jegal Yeongcheon had no choice but to hear about him whether he liked it or not.

He was extremely curious about how a frail sect successor had become such a celebrated hero.

‘I’ll confirm for myself whether you’re truly a hero.’

In truth, this was why Jegal Yeongcheon wanted to go with Yong Hwarin.

Whether Yong Hwarin was aware of these feelings or not, he began the pursuit by sending the tracking hound of Hajeong Escort Agency to the front.

A day had passed since they had begun their pursuit, yet the tracking hound continued to run forward without stopping. This raised doubts about whether it was truly following the scent correctly.

“Is that dog really following the scent properly?” Jegal Yeongcheon asked.

Yong Hwarin nodded.

“Considering that this path matches the location I discussed with Miss Namgung, I don’t believe it’s mistaken.”

When the tracking hound advanced, Namgung Yoo would search the surrounding area for traces.

Though it felt somewhat strange and unfamiliar to see a young lady of a prestigious clan performing such tasks, no one could complain since she was accurately finding traces.

“What lies ahead if we continue following this path?” Yong Hwarin asked Namgung Yoo.

Ever since they began tracking, Namgung Yoo had behaved not as a lady, but as a dedicated tracker.

She was a woman with many peculiarities.

Though she sometimes seemed immature, she was incredibly intelligent.

She was also well-versed in various fields, never at a loss for words during discussions. Yet, despite being a direct descendant of the Jegal Clan, Jegal Yeongcheon found himself feeling inferior to her.

“This road leads to Myoseon Mountain,” she replied.