Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 15

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

#015

“Oh my. That can’t be right…?”

Sword Master Hwirong looked at the sparring arena once more through the canopy.

On the sparring arena, the Wi Family Quartet and Namgung Hwi were entangled in fierce combat.

Watching it all, one of the Five Great Patriarchs, Sword Master Hwirong, was impressed.

“With all that killing intent, he’s only acting like that? What remarkable restraint.”

Scratching the steel headband that diagonally covered one of his eyes, the Swaego, Sword Master Hwirong found it endlessly amusing.

A subordinate from the Hwirong Sect standing beside him tilted his head.

“You mean the Wi Family Quartet? Well, their killing intent right now is no joke – it really feels like murder could happen.”

Sword Master Hwirong chuckled softly.

“Ah, so that’s how it looks to other people.”

“…Pardon?”

Sword Master Hwirong pointed repeatedly at Namgung Hwi’s shoulder line as he was about to throw a punch.

“Look at that. Those movements are quite unique. It feels like he’s deliberately forcing all his killing techniques to conform to boxing forms. Can you tell? My, that fellow is fascinating. That’s not something you can learn.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about…”

“Hmm. Hmm hmm. Well, I suppose.”

Sword Master Hwirong looked around once.

“The rear martial arts world has become soft with peace, so there aren’t many people who can see properly. It’s not even advanced martial arts, just common grappling techniques, so they don’t pay attention.”

“Is there really something worth seeing properly?”

“You know what? There’s something modern martial artists forget. The truly dangerous ones aren’t those who use advanced martial arts or superior techniques.”

He picked apart the fruit slices placed in front of him piece by piece with his hands. Scratching his dark hair, he popped them into his mouth one by one.

“Those who have experienced frustration so deep they wanted to bash their heads against a wall and die – no matter how much they pretend to be cheerful or calm, trying to organize and hide it, they have a distinctive aura. Those kinds of people are dangerous.”

“…Sword Master Hwirong?”

“In that sense-“

Sword Master Hwirong looked up at the sky.

“…I’d like to see him use a blade once. Isn’t there some fool somewhere who could provoke that young master?”

***

-Thud…!

The eldest of the Wi Family Quartet, Wi Jacheon, collapsed in a miserable state.

With that as the finale, all of the Wi Family Quartet had fallen in a shattered state.

The third brother who had attacked first was completely crushed – except for his left leg, all his limbs were broken and crushed like wet laundry.

The second brother, who had been called “mixed blood” during the fight, had his hip joint crushed, and above all, his face was broken and mangled beyond recognition.

The most intact was the fourth brother, Wi Jiseung, who preserved his limbs and could still move somewhat. But even he had his ribs broken in chunks, his nose and jaw twisted and shattered, only able to moan while covering his face and sides with both hands.

Defeat.

The overwhelming defeat of the Wi Family Quartet.

The cruel techniques revealed in that process.

This could definitely be a problem.

This place was the Namgung Family.

One of the Five Great Families even within the righteous faction.

No matter how much things had changed from the old days and become more barren,

Even though the boundaries between factions had blurred between Jeongsamahyeol for survival, there were still things that had to be protected.

Therefore-

“How could you commit such cruel acts…!”

It was natural for the Sword Master to rise with bloodshot eyes.

But at the same time, there was a justification that suppressed all of that.

“…”

Four against one.

Four had ganged up on one.

And they weren’t weaklings either, but the Wi Family Quartet who were recognized for their skills.

They had all attacked one person and were utterly destroyed.

An agreement had been reached in that process, and all parties involved had consented.

In the martial arts world, might makes right.

In the martial world, strength is law.

This applied to everyone regardless of faction.

While criticism might be possible, the legitimacy of it could not be disputed.

And even the slim possibility of criticism regarding the cruel techniques used in the process,

“Enough.”

Was cut off by a single word from the head of the Namgung Family.

“The match is decided. And applying the old rules, I acknowledge this as five consecutive victories, so I permit the designation of Namgung Hwi as the fourth young master of the current Entrance Competition. All of this is witnessed and certified by me, Namgung Cheonhyeok.”

Namgung Cheonhyeok looked around the assembly with his murky, dead gray eyes.

“However- regardless of the result, there are things that must be said.”

Namgung Cheonhyeok spoke toward me.

“Toward fellow family members, such cruel techniques as today are forbidden from now on. Do you understand?”

I answered calmly.

“I understand.”

“No matter how much I have emphasized in my generation that in raising the declining Namgung Family, rather than being trapped in the logic of faction cooperation and justification, the family’s identity should be to move thoroughly based on practical benefits, our roots are clearly in the righteous faction. You must not commit acts that directly deny this.”

“I will keep this in mind.”

“Then proceed.”

Namgung Cheonhyeok gestured to the side.

The chief steward of the Namgung Family read aloud in his place.

“Through this Entrance Competition, the final fourth young master will be Young Master Namgung Hwi. Details regarding this will be assigned later, and from now on, Young Master Namgung Hwi’s official title will be Young Master, so all members of the family please take note.”

Silence enveloped the hall.

“Furthermore, since Young Master Hwi was selected in the Soga Clan Entrance Competition, there will be a reward for this.”

The sparring equipment was cleared away.

And maids carrying three treasures came forward.

I could make a choice regarding them.

The three selectable rewards placed there were the same as in my past memories.

The one on the far left.

What the Namgung Family was most proud of. The Emperor’s Lifetime Transformation Pill that could only be consumed once in a lifetime, took eight full years just to gather ingredients and manufacture once, and was directly managed by the family head due to its rarity.

Depending on a person’s capacity and a master’s assistance, it was said one could immediately gain up to sixty years’ worth of internal energy, so in a way, everyone participating in the Entrance Competition was essentially aiming for this.

The second reward next to it was the Seven Wisdom Immortal Ring Sword.

A sword.

And one of the supreme treasured swords at that.

Each Entrance Competition gave a weapon specific to that competition, and this time it would be a sword.

Though inferior to the Emperor’s Lifetime Transformation Pill, anyone with a thirst for swords or weapons would definitely choose this.

The third was a key.

Access rights to the Tianwang Secret Path.

And it was the most inferior option.

It was a token that allowed access to a certain area called the Tianwang Secret Path at the summit of Mount Cheonju, the highest mountain in Anhui.

What exactly existed in the Tianwang Secret Path at the heights of Mount Cheonju had never been clearly mentioned.

It was only known that successive founding patriarchs of the Namgung Family had visited there, and it was known as a place for training the mind that only the family head could visit, a lakeside location passed down to one person.

This place, at the highest point of Mount Cheonju which was the Namgung Family’s Sacred Mountain, could only be visited once every five years under the new moon when offering rituals, and only for one hour by high-ranking officials, while normally only the family head could visit.

While there had been investigations of that place, there had never been any mention of exploration for rare items, medicinal herbs, or secret caves.

Therefore, this key had definitely not been chosen by anyone in the five previous competitions that had been held.

If anyone had chosen this among the three rewards, it wouldn’t have even reached my turn.

The four successors of the previous generation, the young masters, all without exception chose either the Emperor’s Life-Changing Pill or a weapon.

“For reference-.”

The chief steward speaks to me as I face my choice.

“One of the two remaining Emperor’s Life-Changing Pills was just consumed by the Third Young Master the other day. Therefore, if you pass on this now, there will be no remaining quantity for the next eight years.”

“I’ll take the third option.”

“Yes, then the elixir…”

The chief steward’s movement stops.

“Pardon?”

“…”

And Namgung Cheonhyeok, watching all of this, simply stared at me intently with his gray eyes.

The chief steward asks again.

“I’ll ask once more. Which of the three will you choose? Once you speak, I’ll immediately stamp it for confirmation, so please choose carefully-.”

“I’ll say it clearly once more. As the fourth young master of the Namgung Family, I, Namgung Hwi, choose the third option, the key to Tianwang Bidao.”

“…?!”

Namgung Cheonhyeok’s eyes widen.

Indifferent eyes.

Focus comes to the dead gray light.

And among everyone, he looks at me.

I don’t avoid that gaze.

And between that gaze and gaze,

What fills the space between is-.

-…!!

It was an explosive murmuring incomparably more intense than even when I had brutally crushed the Wi Family Quartet earlier.

“He’s lost his mind…!”

Led by one person’s cry as if about to vomit,

“Shouldn’t someone give that foolish young master some advice?!”

“After struggling to win even a one-on-four fight, what is this about.”

“Good heavens, I’m getting a headache. I heard he was left alone in the annex without any affiliation, and now he’s making a pointless gamble…!”

“Really… what foolishness! Even if that place is called Sacred Mountain, what does he think is there.”

“And that place is even…!”

The one standing at the front shouts.

“During the recent ritual, when the First Young Master had his subordinates search it, they confirmed there’s absolutely nothing there – not even a secret chamber or medicinal herbs – just a place with only a lake at the summit?”

I hear all their words.

They’re right.

Not a single word is wrong.

Even the Sword Master is cheering with delight.

The Deputy Family Head is also opening his mouth, and I can see him calculating like an abacus in his head about what to do with the Emperor’s Life-Changing Pill I won’t be taking, how his faction can recover it.

‘But this is the best choice.’

People tend to prefer certain rewards over uncertain but potentially greater rewards.

Especially between unpredictable rewards and confirmed rewards, and when even that confirmed reward is tremendously valuable as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, hesitating would be foolish.

However.

If my guess is correct, this method is the best.

“Stupid bastard…!”

That cry came from far away, from the youngest and fourth of the quartet who was the only one maintaining consciousness among the crushed and broken brothers, Wi Jiseung.

With his broken nose and jaw, he moved his rattling mouth and shouted with difficulty.

“Is that all you choose after everything? What, do you think you’ll encounter some fortune in such a place? Kahahaha!”

It was mockery born of spite.

His nose was twisted and his ribs and jaw were shattered by me.

So when our eyes met, what would surely dwell in his pupils first would be fear. But simultaneously, what blazed up in his pupils next was insane hatred toward me, stemming from the truth that he was the only one left among the quartet.

“Enjoy it while you can… Choose a lot, whatever you choose…!”

Having lived as an assassin in my previous life and lived a rough life, I learned.

Half-hearted revenge only brings greater retaliation.

And at least for the fourth brother, the earlier confrontation seemed to have brought such a result.

Feeling that hatred, I looked at the fourth of the Wi Family Quartet, Wi Jiseung, and-.

‘How fortunate.’

I smiled at him.

-Flinch.

Wi Jiseung flinched at the smile that flashed for that instant. But soon, toward me who had returned to an expressionless face, he began sending even more hate-filled gazes as if he couldn’t forgive himself for flinching even momentarily.

“Here is the key to Tianwang Bidao of Mount Cheonju.”

Two of the three rewards were moved back, and the key placed on crimson silk was presented before me.

The chief steward says with a smile.

“At the same time, from now on, Young Master Namgung Hwi’s official rank will be one of the four candidates for successor to the great Namgung Family, the ‘Fourth Young Master,’ and you will receive treatment befitting that position. Simultaneously, no member of the Namgung Family can block Young Master Namgung Hwi’s access to ‘Tianwang Bidao’ at any time or under any conditions, and excluding the Family Head, you have gained the qualification as the sole person able to enter Tianwang Bidao.”

What was handed over was called a key, but it had the appearance of a jewel with a water drop pattern.

What was given as additional prizes were small elixirs, a gold reward, and an identification token proving my status.

“…”

The token.

It’s golden.

My fingertips trembled slightly as I picked it up.

The golden token with a splendid golden dragon coiled around it, incomparably more magnificent than Namgung Cheon’s silver token that I had used well for a while, represented that from now on, I was officially the fourth young master of this great family called the Namgung Family, regardless of what anyone said.

“…”

I pick it up.

I stroke it endlessly.

At this moment, this token was more precious to me than any great elixir.

…It was the first step.

Countless memories flash through my mind.

Memories of being among everyone, yet not being there.

Pretending not to be wronged even when wronged.

Pretending not to hurt even when hurt.

Pretending not to hear even when cursed at.

Pretending to be fine even when others ignored me and treated me like air.

People sometimes called me a mule and found it remarkable.

That even when mocked like that, I remained unfazed with that ugly face.

That I never showed any sign of distress.

There’s no way I could be unfazed.

Being treated like that…

I’m not made of iron, so how could I be unfazed.

I just.

I pretended to be fine because I felt that if I showed distress, my heart would truly break then.

‘Finally.’

Really, finally…

I’m taking the first step away from being a mule to being treated as a human for the first time.

“I gratefully accept.”

I gather the token, gold reward, and key to Tianwang Bidao.

And as I turn around-.

“-No matter how stern the rules may be, no matter how much responsibility comes with choices.”

It was Namgung Cheonhyeok’s words striking down like white lightning.

“As the Family Head who built up this Namgung Family, I cannot tolerate standing by while the four young masters representing the family might go elsewhere and bow their heads due to insufficient ability. You there.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“For fairness, I first command the restrictions to be implemented alongside that decision before its declaration. Chief steward, receive this order.”

The chief steward bows his head.

“I am loyal, please command me.”

“As compensation for this additional decision being applied to this selection, the chosen one shall belong to one of the five war lord factions to be determined later and serve the family’s interests by performing various missions for a certain period.”

Namgung Cheonhyeok’s voice continues to echo.

“Now then, from this moment, by the Family Head’s command, I announce the additional decision to be applied.”

…No way.

I stop walking.

I turn around.

“As compensation for applying this restriction, I specially permit the granting of the Emperor’s Lifetime Transformation Pill to this Entrance Competition’s chosen one by the Family Head’s authority. Refusal is not permitted.”

Namgung Cheonhyeok stands up.

He looks down at me.

“While it is right to blame my decision that gambles on uncertainty and proper for me to take responsibility for it, from now on you are not simply an individual warrior but the ‘Fourth Young Master’ who is the face of the Namgung Family, so you must never forget this fact in any future decisions.”

Looking down at me, the Family Head of the Namgung Family, the Mad Dragon of Anhui, speaks clearly.

“Do you understand my meaning, Namgung Hwi.”

“…!”

Without realizing it, I grip the golden token in my hand.

My fingertips trembled. The golden token shook slightly.

That was something that had never happened once in my entire previous life.

“…I understand.”

Father

called my name.

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