Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 12

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

#012

-Waaaah!!!

The cheers of countless people can be heard.

I was standing in the midst of that crowd.

All those people were shouting.

‘…This really is reality right now.’

Even though I’ve returned to the past, I still think about it every morning when I wake up.

Whenever I open my eyes again.

Ah, maybe all of that was actually just a dream.

Every night when I close my eyes again, I think this.

If I close my eyes now, won’t I wake up the next morning in that damp and musty blanket again, returning to those days as an assassin where I earned each day to live each day?

Burned to death.

Even while being mocked and burned to death for all my efforts until the very end, I don’t know if there was any response to my desperate desire to move forward.

No, I don’t even know if this is good fortune or misfortune to begin with.

However, what’s certain is that if I just let things be, my life will still be manipulated and controlled by others just like in the past,

and I have absolutely no intention of living like that in this lifetime.

“Kyaaaaaaak!!!”

Along with a desperate scream, I spoke to the one screaming as his hand twisted.

“You think so too, don’t you?”

“What kind of bullshit is that, you crazy bas- Aaaaak!!”

There were three decisive ill-fated relationships I faced before being expelled from the Namgung Family.

The first was my encounter with Namgung Cheon.

I’ve already destroyed that.

The second is precisely what happens at this Entrance Competition.

The Namgung Family is definitely a prestigious clan.

A brilliantly shining flame.

But just as much as that flame shines brilliantly, many insects tend to fly toward it.

The guy struggling in front of me.

Was his name Chusa?

Like this bastard who, when he started losing to my bare hands even while wielding a weapon, immediately tried to draw his sword and swing it.

“Let go, let go…! So…”

The Namgung Family has countless branch families.

And for those among them who aren’t chosen by the blood of the direct lineage, this opportunity is their last.

That’s probably why he’s struggling like this.

“Let go, you bastard!”

-Swish!

A dagger was swung toward my neck.

-Clang!!

There’s no need to dodge.

The tattoo carved with silver needles on my back, the blood of Pasabeolsik, glows faintly.

The first of Pasabeolsik’s four forms, ‘Body’, activates, and the blade stops in front of my skin.

‘As expected. Body has definitely been restored.’

My current body was far too weak and lacking compared to my peak assassin days in the past, with mountains of things that needed to be filled.

And since I decided not to accept fate and break through it, with nowhere to rely on, it was essential for me to catch up to my past abilities in the shortest time possible.

In that process, the method I conceived was based on the characteristic of the danjeon I newly obtained in this life.

I created it by combining Bukmyeong Singong, focusing on its infinite absorption and ability to detoxify and accept any form of internal energy.

It’s still very unstable.

But I intended to make this the center of my path forward, and immediately after learning Bukmyeong Singong, I absorbed twenty years’ worth of internal energy from Manyeon Hanchul indiscriminately.

Based on that, I succeeded in semi-forcibly materializing and awakening Body, one of the four forms derived from Pasabeolsik – my master’s unique reinterpretation – which excels at physical protection, using internal energy.

The stronger Body becomes, the duller the senses become, but it increases the body’s durability. Moreover, while it’s not at the level of protective energy that blocks sword qi, what faintly exists on my body is definitely golden protective energy.

There’s no problem blocking third-rate blades.

As internal energy accumulates in the future, the timing for opening all four forms of Pasabeolsik will also be much faster than my past self, incomparably so.

And the degree of strengthening will also become incomparably stronger than the past when I relied only on basic forms, as internal energy supports and grows at this current point.

And as such things accumulate, I will ultimately not just catch up to my past self but surpass it.

-Hissss…

The blade blocked by the trembling golden protective energy was hidden by the fluttering blood-red robes and clothing, making it invisible from the distant spectator seats.

Only Chusa, who was right in front of me, witnessed all of this.

Chusa said in a shocked voice.

“Crazy, why is the blade stopping in mid-air-“

-Snap!

My hand moves like lightning.

Having confirmed through actual combat that Pasabeolsik’s first form, Body, activates properly, there’s no further need.

I deflect the dagger while simultaneously grabbing his wrist and pulling it down. I strike his jaw with my elbow.

While pushing his chest with my shoulder, the base of my palms, the palm heel, strikes left and right like beating drums.

“Kuk!”

I put my fingers into his opened jaw. Pulled. Slammed him down to the floor.

Just as I lifted my foot to bring my heel down on his face-

“St… Stop! I surrender-!!”

-Thud.

The heel raised like an awl stops.

It stopped just before slightly crushing his nostrils.

“Ah… Aah.”

Chusa foams at the mouth and collapses. I put my foot down next to him. The foam flowing from Chusa’s mouth runs along the floor and wets my sole.

I looked at the moderator who was standing there dumbfounded.

“Aren’t you going to end it?”

The moderator opened his mouth and then hurriedly said.

“St… Stop! That’s enough!”

I watch Chusa being carried away on a stretcher, then turn my head.

“…”

Father, Namgung Cheonhyeok.

He was sitting on the high dais.

What is father thinking?

Gray eyes.

I had no interaction with father throughout my previous life.

Father was in a world beyond worlds.

And I lived an abandoned life.

Honestly, I don’t even feel what a father in an ordinary family would be like.

The leader of this massive group, also called by the title of father… that’s about the extent of it.

No, rather, the father of my previous life was the one who tried to starve, oppress, and kill me.

Does that person even think about my mother, whom I can’t even remember?

I don’t know.

It doesn’t matter anyway.

Certainly in my previous life, I failed to gain his recognition here and instead received only humiliation and contempt – those coldly hardened gray eyes – when I tried to resolve things clumsily.

And if the ill-fated relationship I’m thinking of is about to unfold-

‘There’s no need to drag it out anyway.’

That’s why I stepped forward first and had the first match.

The process of the Entrance Competition is really simple.

There is one small exception clause, but the general framework that most people recognize is as follows.

Anyone may come forward first.

Candidates challenge the first person who comes forward in order of arrival.

And if they welcome challengers twice like that and achieve two consecutive victories, they enter the entrance candidacy.

Among those who achieved two consecutive victories, one of those with the most outstanding martial prowess is either eliminated or nominated as the final candidate through discussion by the five judges.

It’s a method to prevent bloodshed while stopping excessive competition between factions.

At the same time, it’s also a stage that can become as dirty as one wants it to be.

“Excuse me… Young Master Namgung Hwi.”

The moderator addresses me.

“Would it be alright to proceed with the next stage?”

“Of course. However—”

At my continuing words, the moderator who was about to take a breath to proceed hesitates.

“As I understand it, after the first victory, if I’m agreeable, I can freely call out any challenger for the second match without being bound by any framework. Is that correct?”

“Since the opponent must also agree, it’s an old exception clause that’s rarely used in practice… but yes, that’s correct.”

A moment of silence.

The waiting candidates who were about to take the stage hesitated.

People began to murmur.

The moderator said.

“However, most choose someone manageable to complete their two consecutive victories. There’s no need to push yourself unnecessarily. The essence of the match is not fighting, but passing.”

The moderator’s words weren’t wrong.

But for me, the purpose of the match was already different.

‘…I won’t be manipulated again. Starting with those ill-fated relationships.’

And slowly, I look toward Bugaju in the distance.

I look at the Sword Master beside him, glaring at me as if to devour me.

Even the five judges below them, certainly sending hostile gazes toward me.

‘…I will forge my own path.’

I make my decision.

And I clearly shout.

“Good. Then according to the rules, I, Namgung Hwi, will now begin calling out the next opponent in the manner I desire.”

“…Pardon?”

“I, Namgung Hwi, designate Wi Jacheon, the eldest of the Wi Family Quartet, as my second opponent.”

Instantly, silence covered the stage.

-….

In the distance, Namgung Cheonhyeok’s dead eyes widen slightly.

Toward that silence, I spoke once more.

“Wi Jacheon, eldest of the Wi Family Quartet. If you have any intention of fighting me, come up.”

“….”

Among the crowd, I look at the massive figure staring at me dumbfounded.

I look at the other brothers beside him.

That’s right.

Those vivid in my memory.

They’re exactly as they were in my ill-fated relationships from my past life.

Even all the brothers behind them are exactly the same.

They were the ones who fired the starting shot that destroyed my life in my previous existence.

-…. …. …..

It was a fuse.

“He’s crazy. I didn’t mishear.”

“Is he in his right mind?”

“Why Wi Jacheon of all people?”

People begin to murmur.

“Wi Jacheon…?! That pale-faced demon Wi Jacheon?”

“Usually when facing two consecutive victories, one would choose someone who looks safe, but why the strongest among the Wi Family Quartet of all people…”

The moderator approached again.

“Wi Jacheon’s skills are absolutely not to be taken lightly. It would be wise to reconsider carefully—”

“Wi Jacheon!!”

I shouted toward the air again.

“Wi Jacheon, eldest son of the Wi Family Quartet, if you have thoughts about the entrance competition, come out!”

“Ah…”

And parting the crowd, a massive figure walks forward.

“The Sword Master was right. Young Master, have you truly lost your mind?”

Wi Jacheon, carrying a huge crescent blade, was coming up with a sneer as if incredulous.

“There’s no greater humiliation than this in front of my brothers. To dare single me out… and as a sacrifice for two consecutive victories?”

Commonly, even to be considered a minimum candidate by the judges, one would choose someone they were certain they could defeat as the sacrifice for two consecutive victories.

Anyway, if someone declared they would challenge strongly, that person would take priority over the one who called them out,

but regardless of who the target was, being called out as the second opponent in the Entrance Competition was considered a disgrace.

“Puhaha! He called out big brother first. Well, just as the Sword Master said, he really must have eaten something wrong.”

“Kuhaha! Big brother, how will you handle this humiliation?”

The remaining three members of the Wi Family Quartet gathered behind are visible.

They were snickering and looking at me with disdain, sending jeers.

Amidst such commotion from his brothers, Wi Jacheon growled with a flushed face.

“Hey. Young Master. Are you confident? Calling me, Wi Jacheon, as a sacrifice for two consecutive victories?”

“Of course. Do you dislike it?”

“Ha, this stubborn bastard…”

With a cracking sound, Wi Jacheon loosened his neck.

“Fine, let’s settle this once and for all today—”

“And the second of the Wi Family Quartet!”

At that moment, cutting off Wi Jacheon’s words, I shouted like lightning.

“Wi Gahu! I also request a challenge with you!”

“What…?”

People’s eyes widened as if about to pop out.

“What is he saying now?”

“Wi Jacheon came up, but now another brother?”

In the distance, Bugaju Namgung Seong-tae shot up from his seat.

“Namgung Hwi, you just called out Wi Jacheon. With your opponent already responding and coming up, to call out someone now, if this is some petty scheme to replace your candidate at this point…!”

“Two against one!”

I shouted.

“You can attack together! I understand that according to the rules, after the first victory, there are no restrictions on the challenge method!”

Namgung Seong-tae looks incredulous.

“That, that crazy fool, what is he saying? Of course such nonsense should be cut—”

Then he suddenly nods his head.

“…Ah, is that so? So that’s what it is.”

He smirks.

“Yes. Good.”

What was flustered by that momentum were actually the judges beside him.

“Bugaju-nim. Even if there are regulations, there are things that were discussed beforehand. If we suddenly do this—”

“Grant permission. I roughly understand what that bastard is thinking.”

Namgung Seong-tae wore a sinister smile.

“That bastard is aiming for the old regulation where defeating five would make him the fourth prince who can directly challenge for the Soga Clan position. While he still has some strength, he wants to face the strongest first and second together?”

“That only has nominal justification based on past precedent. Moreover, today’s Entrance Competition was discussed to have only second rounds allocated—”

“So what’s the problem with that?”

“What?”

Namgung Seong-tae tilted his head.

“Allow only up to this round and send them down regardless of victory or defeat. Whether it’s one or two people in the second round. After that, the judges should deliberate on the two rounds as previously discussed and select the entrance candidates ‘according to your convictions.'”

“Ah, if that’s what you mean, there’s no problem.”

The judges nodded with expressions of understanding.

“We’ll do as instructed.”

“For everyone’s sake, we should respect their determination to work hard. In that case—”

And he raised his head.

“I, Namgung Seong-tae, officially approve that proposal—”

“Wi Hojin!”

Cutting off those words, I shouted.

“Third of the Wi Family Quartet, I also call upon Wi Hojin—!”

People were shocked.

“Up to the third?”

“Are you insane?”

—Thud.

Family head Namgung Cheonhyeok’s eyes widened as he stood up.

And before all that murmuring could subside, I shouted.

“And the last of the Wi Family Quartet, Wi Jiseung as well, I call upon all four of them for this single round…!”

“What are you saying!!”

The deputy family head shouted.

“This Entrance Competition is no place for such reckless bravado—!”

“One against four…!”

I look.

I look at the family head, Namgung Cheonhyeok.

“I! Namgung Hwi…! I, Namgung Hwi, direct bloodline of the Namgung Family yet residing in the annex due to my lowly mother’s mixed blood, declare that with this single match I will directly challenge for the qualification as the fourth Soga Clan entrance candidate…!”

I point to the Wi Family Quartet.

“One against four…! One against four, I dare request that all of the Wi Family Quartet come up at once!!”

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