Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 27

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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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#027

“The time you mentioned has come.”

What interrupted the conversation between the Deputy Master and Sword Master Hwirong was the whisper of a maid holding a lantern.

“Sword Master, Sword Master Hwirong should now prepare to leave regarding the Master’s appointment—.”

“…!”

As soon as that name was heard, a figure beyond the red and blue flames suddenly stood up.

The Sword Master’s flame flickered.

“Deputy Master, I don’t know the content anyway, so I’ll explain to Sword Master Hwirong separately. Handle our opinions as you see fit. You already know my opinion, don’t you?”

“Understood.”

“Then.”

-Whoosh.

The red and blue flames disappeared, and the seats of the two masters vanished as if swallowed by darkness.

“I understand the remaining three masters have already been briefed.”

Three masters…?

Unlike the place where the five candles of the Five Great Patriarchs were lit, I could see three seats with gray candles positioned a little distance away.

“All agenda items for Bi Dam Yeon that required the three masters’ opinions have been concluded. The rest will be decided by the remaining three family heads and myself, so you may leave now.”

“….”

-Whoosh!

The flames from the remaining three seats were extinguished at once and disappeared, swallowed by darkness.

White smoke from the nine candlesticks scattered into the darkness like incense.

I watched the remaining three bamboo mats that appeared hazy before gradually scattering and disappearing into the darkness.

Perhaps… among them might be that Masked Man who burned me to death in my previous life.

Going further back to my infancy that I can’t remember, there might be the bastard who implanted the Gold Gate Prison Needle Technique in my body, making me live as a cripple for life.

“Deputy Master, let’s continue our discussion.”

A cheerful yet lofty voice.

“How interesting that the Deputy Master himself has stepped forward to speak!”

A white flame flickered.

“By the way, Fourth Prince Namgung Hwi, I didn’t see him at the Entrance Competition, but I heard he really caused quite a commotion?! Yes, that’s how it should be! Worthy of Namgung blood. A dignified warrior! A man must have pride.”

…Now that Sword Master Hwirong is gone, what’s with this guy.

I could even see the shadow of a figure stirring beyond the bamboo mat.

“Sword Master Baekrang, be quiet in the Confidential Discussion Hall.”

Next to the white flame, a gray flame wavered as a chilling voice echoed.

“Sword Master Amyeong, but my voice is naturally like this!”

“…You’re noisy, Sword Master Baekrang.”

It was the red flame, Flame Sparrow Hall, who had maintained silence until now, that scolded again with a haughty voice.

The Five Great Patriarchs of the Namgung Family.

Absolute masters gathered by the Crazy Dragon of Anhui while traveling the entire Martial Arts World, overthrowing the current system of the Namgung Family that was heading toward destruction.

With the Sword Master, Sword Master Hwirong, and the three masters having left, what remained were White Wolf Hall, Flame Sparrow Hall, and Shadow Hall.

And currently leading this situation was undoubtedly the Deputy Master above, Namgung Seong-tae, who was looking down at me with a sinister smile while speaking.

Sword Master Amyeong’s gray flame flickered as a cold voice spread out.

“The masters who were present would know from observation, but Fourth Prince Namgung Hwi claimed old regulations mentioned in past precedents, proceeding outside the framework of a typical competition. One against four. He rose up by crushing his competitors in one stroke through one-against-four combat. But bringing this up again now seems somewhat inappropriate.”

“I also find it puzzling. Wasn’t the match already decided through one-against-four without needing to determine right from wrong?”

“As Sword Master Amyeong and Sword Master Yeomjak have pointed out, that one-against-four matter is exactly what I want to address.”

The Deputy Master continued speaking.

“The Sword Master made a statement, and I also judged that statement to be appropriate. When we requested the Master’s approval for discussion at Bi Dam Yeon, the Master also entrusted the related conclusion to me without particular opposition, which means he thinks our opinion has clear validity.”

“Listening and thinking it over, it’s not entirely without merit.”

Sword Master Yeomjak added.

“His methods were too cruel and without the slightest hesitation. If he weren’t undoubtedly a confirmed blood relative of the Namgung Family in terms of status and birth, anyone would….”

Whoosh, the gray candle flickered.

“An assassin. And not a cheap one, but one who survived the depths of hell with his own philosophy. Of course, this is a simple metaphor about the feeling his presence gave, and I also see it as revealing the rough temperament of an apprentice. Because what I mentioned earlier could never happen.”

“Haha! Come to think of it, Sword Master Hwirong was also chuckling while saying strange things about the Fourth Prince!”

“Strange things?”

Sword Master Baekrang said.

“What did he say… That’s right! He’s hiding his skills, his main weapon isn’t hand-to-hand combat but blades, the more I look at him the more he resembles me and it really disgusts me, and so on.”

Sword Master Amyeong muttered as if spitting with an icy voice.

“Nonsense. Someone similar to him? Just thinking about it is a nightmare.”

“Haha! I agree as well. There couldn’t be another human resembling that fox!”

“I also agree. It’s not the first or second time Sword Master Hwirong has caused confusion with his nonsense.”

“No, no. Don’t you three understand Sword Master Hwirong’s heart? I think I do.”

Deputy Master Namgung Seong-tae interjected.

“Even that Sword Master Hwirong acknowledged it. The current Fourth Prince showed unbelievably cruel methods in one-against-four combat, even though he’s a candidate before becoming the official heir, in the process of being selected for the Fourth Prince position—one of only four prince positions in the prestigious Namgung Family and recognized as the Master’s direct lineage.”

“….”

My eyes met with the Deputy Master’s gaze.

So he’s really going to make an issue of that.

It was as I expected.

Even though the Wi Family Quartet were all guys with one foot in the Green Forest, they were also under the Sword Master’s faction.

Since I turned such guys into cripples, this level of reaction was natural.

And most importantly.

‘As I thought, they haven’t received official word about the brothel beyond the mountain range.’

The brawl that occurred in a corner of Anhui beyond the mountain range around the full moon hadn’t reached the Sword Master yet.

Originally, for it to reach the highest leader like the Sword Master, it would be an extremely filthy and trivial brawl of bottom-dwellers, so it would have been postponed in priority.

If they knew, especially since one of the Wi Family Quartet even died in that incident, there’s no way only this level of reaction would come out.

‘But then rather….’

They’re staging this unreasonable play based only on what happened at the Entrance Competition?

“Even so, didn’t he legitimately pass the Heir Selection Competition?”

Sword Master Baekrang expressed doubt.

“I even heard that the Master personally approved additional bestowal of the Imperial One-Thousand-Cycle Pill? From what I heard through the grapevine, once the Fourth Prince appointment stage is complete, even the discussion about performing the family’s designated duties under Hwirong Hall was all settled. Haha! Of course!”

-Suddenly.

The wavering white flame stopped moving as if frozen.

“If it’s a personality that would harm Namgung, that sprout should be plucked when visible. I don’t believe in human rehabilitation.”

“The Sword Master’s and my thinking isn’t about unconditional opposition. The last fourth prince position should rightfully go to Namgung Hwi. However.”

The Deputy Master curled up the corner of his mouth.

“Whether someone ‘presumed’ to suppress such violent temperament and stubbornness truly has the qualifications to be the face of Great Namgung as the fourth prince—we members of Bi Dam Yeon see the need for a small ‘additional verification.'”

“…Verification…”

Sword Master Baekrang fell silent.

“The Deputy Master’s and Sword Master’s words seem reasonable. Every great matter needs justification. Even if it appears foolish.”

Sword Master Amyeong said.

“We Five Great Patriarchs, each with our own sects and unacceptable values, share the common point of pledging loyalty to the current Master along with Namgung’s prestige. But separately from that, I can’t tolerate leaving one inferior matter handled poorly, giving those various scoundrels of the Martial Arts World something to nitpick and gossip about behind our backs forever.”

“….”

Silence filled the Secret Banquet.

What it meant was clear.

Bugaju smiled as if he had won. And looked at me triumphantly.

“Unfortunately, it seems this is how things are. Boatman, you may feel wronged, but our purpose is such, so please agre-.”

“I agree.”

I said decisively.

“I would do the same. I understand.”

Bugaju Namgung Seong-tae’s brow furrowed as his words were cut off.

“…Oh?”

Beyond Sword Master Yeomjak’s red candlelight, a short exclamation flowed out.

Without showing any disturbance, I asked back.

“So, I ask Bugaju. What are the conditions for that small verification?”

“Huh. Our Boatman has grand ambitions indeed. Good. Since even the person involved has no complaints, no, I’ll talk about additional verification. Nothing to be nervous about.”

Bugaju’s face quickly recovered. The corners of his mouth twisted with satisfaction. He must think I took the bait, saying ‘that’s right.’

“Martial prowess is one thing, but the position of Namgung’s Boatman requires various things. Therefore, there are currently two urgent matters the family needs to handle. It’s a place to test the strategy, diplomatic skills, and dignity befitting a prince of the Namgung Family, so Boatman, please choose one of the two yourself, complete it successfully, and return.”

“One of two missions?”

“That’s right. Then our Secret Banquet will declare that we will recognize you as Namgung’s official Boatman without any further objections and protect you with full force against any external threats.”

“Good.”

I nodded.

“I’ll do it. What are the two missions I must choose from?”

“Refreshing and good. Excellent.”

Bugaju held up two fingers.

“First is escorting the Cheongwun Trading Company to the northwest. You just need to cooperate with the Bureau of Seals members to transport goods from the Taewun Mountain Range to the north of the river.”

“Accompanying the Bureau of Seals?”

“Recently, bandits have been rampant, and it seems the regular Bureau of Seals warriors are a bit unreliable, so they sent a request for cooperation asking if we could provide support. It’s nothing special. It’s near Anhui, one of countless such incidents that occur monthly, normally too trivial to even reach this Secret Banquet.”

Bugaju’s continuing words echoed through the Secret Banquet hall.

“I’ve already discussed everything with the trading company leader. No need to seek separate cooperation. If you’re lucky, bandits might not even appear. Even if they do, with your martial prowess, it shouldn’t be a problem. In a way, isn’t this your first entry into the martial arts world? It’s an opportunity to gain your first practical experience safely while simultaneously building reputation and influence with other forces.”

“What’s the second?”

“The second is quite different in weight from the first. Actually, there’s no point in even mentioning this, but let me tell you.”

Bugaju took out a letter from his chest.

“A visit to one of the Five Great Families, the Sichuan Tang Family.”

“…!”

The Sichuan Tang Family.

One of the five families in the current martial arts world.

Though they had certainly declined and weakened compared to the past, they were unrivaled when it came to poisons and hidden weapons.

“Bugaju. Even though the family head delegated authority to you, that seems rather inconsistent!”

Sword Master Baekrang’s white flame flickered.

“One of the missions is to send him to that Tang clan, one of the Five Great Families, no matter how declined they may be?!”

“Sword Master Baekrang misunderstands – of course it’s not an official visit between families.”

Bugaju stroked his goatee.

“As other Sword Masters know, the Namgung Family and Sichuan Tang Family have been entangled in trade involving poisons, medicinal herbs, and above all, silver for six years. This has been very helpful to our finances.”

Sword Master Yeomjak made a short “Ah” sound.

“Bugaju has in mind that recent request regarding the incident of unknown cause at the Sacheon Party Mines.”

“That’s right. Something has clearly gone wrong at the mines, causing delays in silver delivery by the agreed deadline… The atmosphere at the Sichuan Tang Family isn’t good for various reasons, so sending an official envoy to press them about the contract would just create unnecessary trouble.”

Bugaju looked at me with a bleak smile.

“Boatman Namgung Hwi, the road will be long and rough, but go investigate the situation and incidentally deliver my brief greeting to the Tang Family head to find out what’s happening. I don’t expect you to solve anything. That’s the second mission. Simple, right? Ah, of course-.”

Bugaju grinned wickedly.

“If the family head agrees to meet you.”

My eyebrow twitched.

‘This bastard Bugaju…?’

Since Bugaju declared that the Namgung Family would make no mention whatsoever regarding the visit to the Sichuan Tang Family, when even sending official documents for a young family head’s visit would be questionable, it was obvious to anyone that this would result in humiliation.

‘And the result of that failure would continuously gnaw at my dignity as Boatman, making me an object of ridicule and weakening my power.’

Even any fool could see the uncertainty, danger, and transparent intentions behind this.

In contrast, the other option was the physically simple Cheongwun Trading Company escort.

Even judging based on my overwhelming martial prowess at the Ranking Competition, escorting the Cheongwun Trading Company was definitely suitable for me.

Of course, even this was just a low-level Bureau of Seals escort job that only guards would do.

It would stick to my future status like a label.

Like an immature prince taking baby steps under the protection of a great family.

But still, success was almost guaranteed, which was clearly different from the Sichuan Tang Family matter.

“…”

I looked around.

I looked at Bugaju again.

I felt the atmosphere that had settled over the Secret Banquet.

Though hidden behind bamboo screens, I could already sense it.

The candles expressing their state of mind were all motionless as if nailed down, scattering white smoke into the air before disappearing.

The other Sword Masters already guessed what choice this greenhorn would make.

They were already preparing to adjourn and return to their territories to organize what new orders to give.

Well…

That’s right.

The answer was already decided anyway.

“I understand both missions well. I’ll make my choice.”

“Hehe, so quickly? Well, unless you’re a fool, there’s only one answer.”

Bugaju chuckled, then pulled out the fan tucked at his waist, spread it wide, and waved it leisurely.

“Well, the answer is the first one, right? Obviously, no need to ask. It’s not anyone’s fault that your capacity as a beginner is like this, so don’t feel awkward about it. Everyone has their baby phase. I’ll tell the Cheongwun Trading Company leader to take good care of you, so even though it’s a low-level escort job, work hard with a sense of mission…”

“-Regarding the Sichuan Tang Family.”

-Flicker!!

The candles in front of the three Sword Masters wavered.

“I accept the second mission, and I, Namgung Hwi, will depart for the Sichuan Tang Family tomorrow.”

I die.

Considering all circumstances, the answer was already decided.

If I choose the Cheongwun Trading Company, I die.

And for solving my final ill-fated relationship, the third ill-fated relationship that was to come, my only path to survival was the second mission, the Sichuan Tang Family.

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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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