Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 104

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#104

“Brother Hwi. Isn’t it about time you left that annex? Are you really that short on money?”

Namgung Taejin sat slouched in front of me.

He put a grape from the table into his mouth and chewed it.

“How long are you planning to live in such a shabby place? Your big brother came all this way, but I can’t even rest at my little brother’s house.”

“Still, it’s convenient for going back and forth while training.”

“Ah, come to think of it, you received the Tianwang Bidao key after winning the Soga Clan Heir Selection Competition, right? Is it useful? I heard it’s nothing but a lake when you go there.”

“Haha, exactly. Actually, I’m regretting it.”

We were at some high-class inn below Mount Cheonju.

Originally, I had planned to talk at the annex, but the moment Namgung Taejin set foot in the annex where I lived, his face showed displeasure and disgust.

He didn’t even try to hide it.

Instead, he said he had something to discuss with me and suggested we come here.

“Good, the food is out. What should we drink? And should we call some courtesans? How about it? I come here often, you know.”

“I don’t drink alcohol. And I’m shy around courtesans, so I don’t really want that.”

“Why? With a face like yours, wouldn’t you need to spend money just to hold hands with a woman? Don’t worry. Your big brother knows what’s good. If you’re worried about money, I’ll pay for it.”

With that statement just now, Namgung Taejin’s future was decided.

“I’m not feeling well today. Let’s do it next time.”

“Huh. If you’re a hero under heaven, you should naturally enjoy drinking and have a taste for women. Little brother, you’re not cut out to be a martial arts hero.”

“I don’t have the leisure to enjoy alcohol and women. Of course, as you say, brother, it’s natural that no one would like me. I know myself better than anyone.”

“Hehe, the more I see you, Brother Hwi, the more innocent you are. Alright, alright. It would be awkward for me to play alone with such an innocent brother, so let’s just eat together today.”

If Guk had been here, all my ongoing deception and acting would have been ruined.

At least Guk, being from a martial background, wouldn’t have the patience to endure such rudeness.

Of course, being able to endure it without problems doesn’t mean my heart isn’t hurt at all.

I’m not that perfect.

However.

I just know what goal I need to focus on, and I try to concentrate on that.

After that, while eating, Namgung Taejin continued chatting for a long time.

Even knowing this wasn’t the main topic, and knowing this was groundwork before the real topic came up, I played along appropriately.

Still, even a rotten fish has some value.

No matter how much this wild boar-like third young master spouted nonsense, since his position as third young master wasn’t fake, there was definitely information in his casual remarks that couldn’t be bought elsewhere for any price.

Moreover, he completely looked down on me.

In other words, there was no chance this information was false for the purpose of keeping me in check.

At least this alone was sufficient reward for today’s patience.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard, brother, but there seems to be a conflict of opinions within the Five Great Families about the incident where the Baekdo Alliance leadership vanished overnight.”

“Oh my.”

“So the banquet with the Jegal Family that was supposed to be in early spring has been postponed significantly. This is the first time something like this has happened.”

“…In your opinion, brother, how soon do you think it might be?”

“Huh? Brother, were you interested in the Jegal Family? I heard they have some pretty female warriors there.”

Does this pig only have alcohol and women in his head?

“Let’s see, at the earliest six months. If unlucky, a year? I’m disappointed too. Their youngest daughter, I think? She’s of marriageable age and supposedly very beautiful. They say she has a sharp personality, but that’s probably just rumors.”

It’s not a rumor.

My third fateful enemy…

She was even the decisive blow that twisted everything.

“Anyway, we have about a year.”

“Hm? Oh, yes. Well… that’s right. The family event has been postponed. In the meantime, if I solidify my power a bit, maybe I can make an impression on the Jegal Family’s youngest daughter?”

“Haha, you’re very interested in women, brother. Unlike me, you have the spirit of a hero.”

At my response, Namgung Taejin shrugged his shoulders.

“Hehe, what’s the big deal about that? Still, if you’re a man born in this martial arts world, wouldn’t it be good to throw away ordinary love and aim to have a connection with a peerless beauty at least once? For example, though she’s a bit scary, there’s Sword Master Yeomjak, or if you’re really bold, somewhere far away… way over there…”

Namgung Taejin, searching his memory, slapped his knee.

“Right. Monopolizing the favor of that northern Sura Blood Sect’s female sect leader wouldn’t be bad either! That’s exactly the kind of story that would be recorded in martial arts hero tales!”

I poured tea into my teacup and asked back.

“…Sura Blood Sect? Are you referring to the group representing ‘Blood’ in Jeongsamahyeol, one of the four great powers of the Central Plains?”

“Yes. You seem very unfamiliar with it, brother. You seem to have never heard of the Blood Sect’s female leader either. Ah, right, for a brother who’s new to the martial arts world, the name Sura Blood Sect might be unfamiliar. Then if I change the name, you might know? What was the other name… ah, that was it.”

Namgung Taejin said.

“Bicheonhonggun?”

-Pwaaak!!

I violently spat out the tea I was drinking.

Namgung Taejin was startled.

“Ugh, what are you doing? Ah, it’s hot! Server, server!!!”

“Ah, cough cough. I’m, I’m sorry. The tea I just drank was too hot.”

I used the towel the server brought to randomly wipe Namgung Taejin, starting from his face and going everywhere.

While wiping, I asked.

“Brother Taejin. How is Bicheonhonggun the Sura Blood Sect? I’ve actually heard of Bicheonhonggun, but I had no idea it was the Sura Blood Sect.”

Namgung Taejin frowned while fixing his wet clothes.

“Really, you don’t even know something so obvious? Bicheon can mean flying immortals or celestial maidens, but it’s a homophone wordplay for Bicheon , meaning Asura, and what would Honggun be? When you think of red, isn’t it blood? It’s literally the Sura Blood Sect playing with words using their own name. Geez. I’m really worried about you, brother. Having to explain even things like this… Really, what will you do if you get scammed somewhere?”

“…Ah, yes. Um… so. Yes. I should be careful of scams.”

Normally, this would have been acting.

But my reaction right now was genuine.

‘They were… a Blood Sect?’

All the things Gangbi and Cheongwun had said in passing now fit together perfectly.

It also explained why Sword Master Hwirong had been so particularly curious.

Even that Guiwonbangyeong technique that Cheongwun supposedly used to block my path was very unfamiliar.

I thought that unfamiliarity was because I was an assassin, because I didn’t know the martial arts world deeply enough.

‘Then who exactly… did I meet?’

Misunderstanding my confused and dazed reaction, Namgung Taejin clicked his tongue.

“Geez. Getting so spaced out just because I scolded you for not knowing one piece of martial arts common knowledge… Would this big brother scold you because his heart aches? Anyone would think you saw the eldest daughter of the Sun and Moon Sect passing by on Anhui Street in broad daylight, the way you’re spacing out.”

Beyond the window frame, snow-white hair appeared on the street and then disappeared.

“Snap out of it and pour me some alcohol!”

“Yes, brother.”

I poured alcohol into Namgung Taejin’s cup and answered respectfully.

“Still, thanks to the Cheonribang you gave me, I’ve finished all the repairs and it seems like it will properly function as an information organization. Of course, to you, brother, it would be laughably small profits, but for me it’s quite moving.”

Namgung Taejin’s expression changed.

“…You succeeded in restoring even a bit of that?”

“Ah, restoration is too grand a word.”

I spoke calmly, with a benevolent smile.

But with a hint of pride mixed in.

“The first floor of the existing building was the place where rain leaked in the least. I designated that as the temporary main residence first, and they happened to be raising pigs. I encouraged them to do that better while also handling information on the side. I can’t even dream of sects or great families yet, but I think I can somehow manage with small escort agencies.”

“…Ah.”

Namgung Taejin, belatedly understanding the situation, quickly relaxed his expression.

“Escort agencies? Ah. Right. Haha! I thought… Right, right! Of course! I believed my little brother would do well. I wouldn’t have given you something strange, would I? Right?”

“Exactly, you’re truly my big brother.”

“Wow, little brother will become rich soon. Yes. You have to work hard raising pigs and doing this and that to gather money and power. Then later when I rise up by defeating my older brothers, if you help me even a little, maybe I’ll take care of our little brother Hwi too?”

I held out my teacup to clink against Namgung Taejin’s wine cup and nodded.

“You speak truly.”

Namgung Taejin tossed a few more grapes into his mouth.

He chewed and looked at me.

His eyes seemed to be thinking about something.

“But brother.”

His voice lowered.

I sensed it.

This is the main point.

“Yes, elder brother.”

“So I’ve been admiring your abilities, how you revived Cheonribang so well.”

“Yes.”

“You’re still the Third Young Master, aren’t you? What’s the point of just gathering information?”

“…What?”

“Tsk, this is the problem. You lack the basics. Information is information, but real combat is real combat…!”

Namgung Taejin leaned forward.

The chair creaked.

“A true young master of the Namgung Family should have a sword to wield, meaning a private military organization. Don’t you think?”

I made a shocked expression.

“I see. I never thought of that. But am I already at a level where I should have such a thing?”

“Of course! You’re a brother I acknowledge! And I know about your martial prowess from the Heir Apparent Selection Competition! That’s more than enough to lead martial artists. So here’s what I’m saying.”

He tapped the table with his finger.

“Brother, I’m currently pushing forward with something. In that process, I’m organizing and liquidating various miscellaneous things for cash.”

“You have something you’re pursuing?”

“I can’t really say what it is. Anyway, what I want to say is, while I’m organizing miscellaneous things, as you know, what’s miscellaneous at my level as the Third Young Master—second only to the Vice Patriarch in terms of funds within the Namgung Family—isn’t miscellaneous at all for others.”

Then Namgung Taejin leaned down and spoke secretly.

“Like Cheonribang, how about I give you the glorious first pick of those miscellaneous things?”

“Is that perhaps… a sword?”

Namgung Taejin clapped his hands.

“As expected, you’re smart! Exactly! The place I’m trying to organize urgently right now has people who use swords, and it’s perfect for real combat training too. Wow. When I saw this, I immediately thought of you. I must give this to brother Hwi. No matter how much others beg for it, I must absolutely give it to brother Hwi.”

I blinked my eyes.

“What exactly is it?”

“Since you don’t know much about the martial arts world, I’m worried you might get scared or have preconceptions after hearing what I say.”

“Now I’m even more curious. What is it?”

“Then… brother. Have you perhaps.”

Namgung Taejin says.

“Ever heard of an Amtu-jang (Dark Fighting Arena)?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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