Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 16

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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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#016

“Hehehe, everything seems like your world right now, doesn’t it…?”

It was when I was descending the stairs of the competition venue.

“A naive young master with no support base… no legitimacy… yet you’ve caused such trouble… Of all the twenty-one branch factions under the Namgung Family, you had to humiliate us like this…”

“…”

Below the competition venue, it was Wi Jiseung, the youngest of the Wi Family Quartet, the fourth brother who was receiving treatment for his injuries.

And among the four, he was also the one with the largest build and best physical skills, who had suffered relatively minor injuries thanks to the concentrated attacks on the second brother who had shouted about mixed blood during the chaotic fight with all four.

I stared at Wi Jiseung intently.

I spoke briefly.

“Should I interpret those words just now as the official opinion of the Sword Master through you?”

“No. From this point on, the Sword Master has nothing to do with this.”

Wi Jiseung spat blood-mixed saliva.

“From this point on, you’ve crossed into personal grudges against us brothers and our faction. You’re a completely reckless, half-baked young master who knows nothing about the martial world or the ways of this world. I, Wi Jiseung, will definitely avenge my brothers.”

I looked around.

Everyone was not paying attention to this place.

The award ceremony was already over.

The competition had moved to the next section, and accordingly, the audience’s attention was focused on where the moderator was proceeding.

I gestured to the physician who was treating Wi Jiseung beside me, looking flustered.

The physician didn’t know what to do and hurriedly withdrew.

“Let me clearly recite what you’ve done wrong. You mule.”

“What I’ve done?”

“It was just one generation ago that relying only on Namgung’s direct bloodline nearly led to the family’s decline and destruction.”

“…”

“Do you think we could become a family that can claim to be one of the great families among the Five Great Families just by benefiting from Namgung bloodline alone?”

Wi Jiseung shouted in frustration.

“No! When the current family was falling apart, Family Head Namgung Cheonhyeok, the Mad Dragon of Anhui, willingly recognized the existence of external surnames and brought in the Five Great Patriarchs who swore absolute loyalty to him to establish pillars. And then, centered around them again, regardless of origin, he integrated the large and small twenty-one factions of Anhui who swore loyalty under the Namgung name, claiming to be collateral external surname branches to achieve revival – that’s the current Namgung Family.”

Wi Jiseung’s eyes gleamed.

It was anger about the shame and humiliation he and his brothers had suffered publicly in front of everyone.

“That’s what makes us different from other families and our pride. Others rank by a single drop of blood, but we’re different. That’s exactly the bond between the Family Head and us, and Namgung’s identity. However, even the oath of lifelong loyalty to Namgung doesn’t mean obedience without respect. And you just broke that balance. Even as such a fool who lacks even the support of direct bloodline. Isn’t that right, Third Young Master?”

Wi Jiseung giggled.

“Enjoy yourself to your heart’s content now. When night comes, representing our Wi Family Quartet, I, Wi Jiseung, will make you keenly feel what our roots originally were, and what position we held among the bandits who ruled northern Anhui.”

“I don’t understand.”

At the end of Wi Jiseung’s curse-like long words, I answered calmly.

And I crouched down in front of him as he sat collapsed, meeting his gaze.

“Even after being so overwhelmingly crushed earlier, you still don’t understand your situation?”

“That’s what you don’t know. You know nothing about this world called the martial realm, you’re like a flower in this garden!”

Wi Jiseung said.

“Do you think this world always settles things through direct confrontation? A life-and-death duel is completely different from sparring!”

It implied many meanings.

No one around was focusing on our conversation.

Wi Jiseung said.

“You might have gained some fortune somewhere, but once you step out of this cage-like place, you have no idea how bone-chilling and ruthless this world is, where assassins ambush and betray. No, you couldn’t know. You’ve messed with the wrong people, young master. Or should I call you Third Young Master? Hehe.”

I said briefly.

“…You talk too much.”

“What?”

I looked around once more.

I confirmed that no one was paying attention.

And I whispered while looking at Wi Jiseung.

“For a defeated bastard who should be tucking his tail between his legs.”

“…?”

Wi Jiseung was flustered by the sudden, incoherent curses that flowed from my mouth.

I quickly continued speaking over that.

“The Fourth Young Master’s ascension procedure, credential verification, official registration as Fourth Young Master in the Namgung Family’s genealogy, a brief half-day rest, then the naming ceremony and external announcement procedures – generously estimating, it’ll take an additional five days.”

“What the fuck did you just say, I’ll tear that mouth of yours right-!”

“After a total of five days pass, when the full moon reaches its peak and begins to wane, I’ll go to a very famous brothel beyond the northern mountains of Anhui, Yaohua Pavilion, that night.”

Wi Jiseung’s ranting suddenly stopped.

I spoke to him calmly.

“I heard that you Wi Family Quartet are lowly country bumpkins who used to leech off bandits in the northern corner of Anhui. You probably wouldn’t know about such a high-class brothel.”

“…What?”

“I’m going to spend the gold reward I received generously to commemorate being elevated to Fourth Young Master. I just passed my coming of age too, so I’ll celebrate that as well. After all, I’ve now proudly become not just a direct descendant and the Family Head’s son, but one of the four young masters of the Namgung Family – this much is appropriate.”

“…”

“I can’t do it near the main house here because of appearances. Beyond those mountains, where no one can recognize me, I’ll celebrate today’s victory. I’ll drink heavily, call for courtesans, and enjoy everything there is to enjoy.

While mocking you loudmouths. And with the full moon that’s waxing and beginning to wane as my side dish, I’ll return here before dawn, before the Family Head notices. Of course…”

I reached out my hand.

“You’ll still be lying in bed like an invalid.”

“…”

“This is the difference between you and me.”

Wi Jiseung unconsciously flinched at my approaching hand.

And immediately, as if he couldn’t tolerate showing such a reaction, he looked at me with a face that turned explosively red.

I straightened his collar.

I brushed off the dirt and whispered.

“So just hold onto your broken arm and live quietly with your mouth shut. Got it?”

“…You…bastard!”

“And about the form of address, call me properly.”

No matter how little people were paying attention, they could feel the ominous atmosphere.

The surrounding martial artists began approaching due to the conversation between Wi Jiseung and me and the menacing atmosphere between us.

“Anyone watching would think you’re a man with the guts to call me that even in official settings.”

“…!”

Wi Jiseung’s face changed from explosive red to purple.

“Is there some problem?”

Among those approaching was a white crow mask emerging from the shadows,

Baekjao, who was exclusively responsible for protecting only the direct bloodline of the Namgung Family.

“Third Young Master.”

And he definitely called me Third Young Master.

“…”

Throughout my previous life, I had only been able to see them from afar.

They never shared eye contact with me, never spoke to me.

Complete air treatment.

It was understandable.

White Crow, Baekjao.

They were among the strongest beings in the Namgung Family, responsible for protecting the Family Head, including the Soga Clan and the Five Great Patriarchs.

To them, someone like me stuck in the annex, just one among countless children, was outside their consideration.

And now those same people were looking directly at me, politely asking.

“Did this martial artist from the branch faction perhaps commit some disrespectful words or actions regarding his defeat?”

“No.”

I shook my head lightly.

“It’s common among martial artists for the defeated to ask about the causes of their defeat and review them.”

“Ah, is that so? If the Fourth Young Master says so.”

“We once fought, but though our surnames differ, aren’t we surely one family within the framework of Namgung? I suppose that could be the case.”

I looked at Wi Jiseung.

“Isn’t that right?”

“…!”

“Ah, come to think of it, though I completely crushed you all, perhaps it was too quick – I don’t even know your name. What is your name?”

Red bloodshot veins appear in Wi Jiseung’s eyes.

He trembles.

“You bas….”

-Swish.

Baekjao’s white beak turns soundlessly.

Behind the mask, empty hollow round avian pupils quietly, silently stare at Wi Jiseung.

“What did you just say?”

“…Wi…Jiseung, sir.”

Baekjao speaks quietly.

“Honorific.”

Trembling, Wi Jiseung speaks each syllable with difficulty.

“F…Fourth Young Master.”

“Full name?”

At Baekjao’s words, Wi Jiseung bit his lips.

“Namgung Hwi… Fourth Young Master.”

“Courtesy.”

“Thank you… for the spar.”

“Yes, yes. Wi Jiseung.”

I passed by Wi Jiseung’s side and patted his shoulder.

“See, you can do it. Let’s get along well since we’re family. Will you also come to Yaohua Pavilion in five days?”

“…Ah.”

And slowly, Wi Jiseung collapsed backward, clutching his reddened nape.

Burst capillaries are visible on his forehead as he fell from apoplectic rage.

Looking at this, I instructed Baekjao beside me.

“If it’s alright, could you take this frail one to a physician? I’d like the Apothecary to take especially good care of him.”

“…It would be presumptuous of Baekjao to say this to the Fourth Young Master.”

Baekjao said.

“There’s no need to trouble the Apothecary with such a minor figure from a branch faction. No matter how much the Family Head recruited them for the family’s prosperity, I don’t think we need to consider such people of lowly origins.”

I looked at the collapsed Wi Jiseung.

My intention to treat Wi Jiseung isn’t out of petty conscience.

That’s just a justification.

I’ve already laid enough groundwork.

If my thoughts are correct, the Wi Family Quartet will surely cause trouble later – they’re fundamentally rotten.

People whose roots must be pulled out someday.

Of course, I might be wrong, but… if my memories from my previous life are correct-.

I raised my head to look at Baekjao and spoke clearly.

“No, though we mixed hands, though our surnames differ, they’re still surely the same Namgung household united under Family Head Anhui’s Blood Dragon. I can’t leave them coldly.”

“….”

“Please. Even if I wanted to take him myself, I must go to Taecheong-won right now to proceed with the Fourth Young Master ascension procedures and document verification.”

“Since you haven’t officially taken the position of Young Master yet, you might not know, so I’ll presumptuously offer a word.”

Baekjao quietly bowed his head.

“When speaking to us in the future, please command us. Not request.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, and.”

Baekjao said.

“On behalf of Baekjao, I thank the Fourth Young Master for caring so attentively even for the family’s branch factions.”

“It’s nothing much. Fighting can build bad feelings, but if we’re family, we should resolve them. That’s how people come back and share fellowship.”

It absolutely must be that way.

I said briefly.

“And though you said to command, I’d rather make requests. Nothing in this world is taken for granted.”

“….”

“And what’s your name?”

Baekjao tilts his head.

“…? I am Baekjao, but-.”

“No, your name.”

Beyond Baekjao’s white crow mask, the pupils within the black eye sockets slightly widen.

“…You mean my name?”

“Yes. This is also fate.”

“Once the Fourth Young Master is officially registered, Baekjao guards will naturally be assigned, but no one knows yet which of the fifty Baekjao will serve you. So why would you want to know the name of someone insignificant like me who might just pass by briefly-.”

“Nothing in this world is insignificant.”

I said.

“Especially those who struggle desperately to live. Origin and status don’t matter. Only true heart is important.”

“….”

“I don’t know about other Young Masters, but I’ve resolved this much. If I win today. If I succeed in starting a new life.”

I clenched my fist.

“When I must command, I command. When I must lead, I lead. When I must retaliate, I retaliate thoroughly. And above all, I don’t compromise today for tomorrow. I consider one retreat as lifelong death. That is my creed.”

I nodded.

“As I begin this life, this is my own uncompromisable covenant, my own righteousness.”

“….”

“In that sense.”

I patted Baekjao’s shoulder.

“If by chance fate connects us and we meet again in this life, I’ll be counting on you. If it’s too awkward, you don’t have to tell me your name.”

Their pride is like bamboo.

On the surface, they don’t even wear rank insignia.

So among the fifty Baekjao, you can’t tell if someone is one of the eighteen strongest White Fang class, or one of the thirty-two subordinates.

But regardless of position, all their members don’t just stop at simple protection – if necessary, speaking directly to even the Family Head is their nature.

Especially the eighteen White Fangs, and among them the later ranks who are said to be stronger, they’re famous for being filled with pride that doesn’t bow even to the Family Head.

White shadows,

The fifty white crows – even when the Namgung Family faced the path to destruction and fell,

Even when direct bloodline betrayed,

Even when they abandoned the Namgung surname and scattered, only the Baekjao group remained until the end, not a single one defecting, centered here at Taecheong-won.

And I know that such Baekjao have a rule of immediately answering questions from those they protect.

But the silence that followed lasted five breaths before Baekjao’s answer came-.

“…Guk (Chrysanthemum).”

Baekjao said quietly.

And he cupped his fists.

“If I’m assigned to serve you next time we meet, you may call me Guk from then on.”

“….”

Actually, to send Wi Jiseung and the Wi Family Quartet to the Apothecary for quick recovery, and to provide justification during that process, I had rambled various words, and at the end asked somewhat thoughtlessly on impulse.

So I couldn’t know exactly what his silence in between meant.

I don’t know how he reacted to, interpreted, and accepted my words. I just thought he would ignore it.

No matter how I’ve gained the Fourth Young Master position now, I’m still a novice, and anyone who knows even a little about how things work would know what treatment I receive and that I reside in the annex.

So I was somewhat surprised that the proud Baekjao answered my words and gave me a personal response.

Trying not to show my surprise, I calmly asked back.

“Haha. Thanks for telling me your name. Still, it feels a bit odd for only me to call you by name, doesn’t it? The other young masters will probably all know your name anyway—.”

“This is the first time I’ve been asked, and at the same time, it’s also the first time I’ve answered.”

“Huh…?”

Guk said.

“As the Sword Master of the 18th Division of Baekja-o, White Crow’s executioner, you are the only one I have told my name to, Young Master Hwi.”

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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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