Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 48

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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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#048

 

-Crash!!!

 

Sichuan Tang Family’s head, Dangmujin’s quarters.

 

The finest celadon teacup in his hand shattered into pieces as it hit the wall. Boiling tea water soaked the wallpaper and dripped down. The face of Steward Gam standing beside him had already turned deathly pale, with cold sweat flowing like rain.

 

“Hwangbo Family… Dangmutae…! How dare these bastards…!”

 

Dangmujin’s shoulders trembled finely with rage.

 

Without caring about the broken teacup fragments, he glared once more at the Ten Thousand Poison Manual and account ledger notes placed on the table. His eyes had already lost reason and were bloodshot.

 

“Elder Yi… that old fox Dangmutae… I thought he might have some scheme, but to backstab me like this!”

 

The evidence I brought.

 

It was all too clear.

 

“I graciously took back someone who fought for the Tang Family and even had his danjeon ruined, yet he betrays my kindness like this?! How dare… how dare!”

 

The reaction shown by the Sichuan Tang Family head was at least not ‘he would never do such a thing.’

 

No, rather it was closer to ‘finally, as expected.’

 

When a small spark is thrown and it bursts into immediate reaction as if thrown onto oil-soaked hay, it means there was at least some understandable friction beforehand.

 

Of course, at first his pupils shook as if denying the situation, but the repeatedly confirmed contents of the Ten Thousand Poison Manual and above all the ledger contents gave him certainty.

 

“Master…”

 

And Steward Gam, who saw all this alongside him, felt the same.

 

Though his eyes showed concern for the master, the old man’s gaze, having long protected this Sichuan Tang Family, also held rage toward the Hwangbo Family and Elder Yi that matched the master’s.

 

-Crack.

 

The sound of bones twisting came from Dangmujin’s clenched fist.

 

“Steward.”

 

“…Yes, Master.”

 

“Imme…diately.”

 

Dangmujin’s voice was low and hot like lava boiling up from the bottom of hell.

 

“Prepare ten of the most elite… masters whose shadows cannot even be stepped on.”

 

“…Master?”

 

“And.”

 

Dangmujin slowly raised his head. His two eyes were blazing fiercely.

 

“Find out where that bastard Elder Yi is and report. As soon as preparations are ready, I’ll personally deal with that bastard myself. After cleaning house, I’ll personally visit the Hwangbo Family head as well. If necessary, one of the two will end today-.”

 

“With all due respect.”

 

I said quietly.

 

“I don’t think that’s right.”

 

“…What?!”

 

The master’s bloodshot eyes looked at me.

 

“Are you trying to stop me now? Or are you worried that I and the current Tang Family have weakened, that we might even lose?!”

 

My skin tingled.

 

No matter how much his influence had declined, and though he was half out of his mind like a sick man, the rage of Sichuan Tang Family head Dangmujin made me vividly feel what kind of existence he once was.

 

But I wasn’t intimidated.

 

“It’s not about winning or losing.”

 

“Then?!”

 

“If you act that way, regardless of victory and satisfaction, the Young Master will die first. That’s not what you want either, Master.”

 

I said.

 

“We should repay what needs to be repaid, but now is the time to consider practical benefits. I also sympathize with your anger, Master. But trying to get everything at once might result in losing everything.”

 

“Do you think you know everything just because you can talk?! You can speak so easily because you’re not the one involved!”

 

The Sichuan Tang Family head was furious.

 

“The fact that I’m not personally catching that bastard Elder Yi and skinning him alive right now is already being sufficiently calm! Your merit as an outsider in uncovering this situation is enough, and thanks to that you’re keeping your life, so withdraw now!”

 

“Master.”

 

And it was Steward Gam who stepped forward to stop this.

 

“Though I’ve served you since childhood, I’ve never once offered my opinion.”

 

“What are you trying to say now, Steward Gam.”

 

“In that sense, may this ignorant old man offer a word of honest advice for the first time?”

 

Steward Gam spoke in a gentle voice.

 

“I, Steward Gam, humbly suggest that this time we should first listen to Young Master Hwi’s words before making a judgment. However, if after listening, those words turn out to be complete nonsense or provide no help whatsoever for the Young Master’s condition.”

 

Steward Gam raised his head to look at me, then the master.

 

“After the young master returns to his family, I will personally bear the price for questioning him.”

 

I looked at Steward Gam in surprise.

 

Dangmujin also stared at him intently.

 

“…Steward Gam, you…”

 

“Please, Master. Right now in the Sichuan region, the Tang Family hasn’t even recovered half of half of its former peak status.”

 

Earnestly, Steward Gam spoke.

 

“In a way, perhaps only you and I remain to remember and maintain the Tang Family’s soul. Then we must keep our wits about us. Otherwise, the Tang Family will truly end in our generation.”

 

“Steward Gam, even for you there are things that can and cannot be said. What you just said clearly crossed the line.”

 

“This old man was taken in by the previous family head and saved his life, and this place is my only home. Where else in the world would be my home? If this place is destroyed, I’d rather die.”

 

Steward Gam’s dim eyebrows trembled.

 

He wasn’t a martial artist and his martial arts were meager.

 

But even so, he didn’t waver under the master’s intimidation.

 

“Young Master Hwi beside us, though a young master from another family, from what I’ve observed with my limited knowledge, knows the weight of his words, doesn’t act rashly, and above all always tries to make wise judgments through objective analysis.”

 

“…”

 

“Such a person wouldn’t make his previous statement without reason. Does it seem like I’m taking Young Master Hwi’s side? No. I’m speaking now thinking only of the Sichuan Tang Family.”

 

Dangmujin opened his mouth.

 

Then closed it again.

 

Steward Gam’s words continued.

 

“Above all, if he said nothing and withdrew from this place, Young Master Hwi would benefit most. I believe he naturally knows this. Yet he spoke anyway, meaning there’s a reason. In a situation where even one person’s insight is precious, if it’s truly a path for the Tang Family, I believe we must listen even if I sacrifice this old body.”

 

Each of Steward Gam’s words seemed to draw blood.

 

“Master, if anyone knows, don’t you? That story I often told you since childhood…”

 

Looking at the master, Steward Gam said.

 

“Every crisis brings at least one opportunity to overturn everything. And that opportunity to overturn everything always approaches wearing the mask that tomorrow will bring the same chance once more.”

 

“…”

 

“We must do anything. Even if others see it as futile and mock us…! That might be the very method to break through our situation, and above all…!”

 

Steward Gam said.

 

“Like this… don’t you also have no intention of letting the Sichuan Tang Family helplessly collapse like this, Master?”

 

I don’t know what happened between them.

 

But the master’s explosive anger subsided.

 

The white steam flowing from the ceramic teapot before him cooled and dispersed.

 

And Dangmujin looked at me.

 

“…If you still have thoughts of speaking.”

 

Dangmujin sighed deeply.

 

“Could you tell me? What thoughts you have.”

 

I nodded.

 

“Then there’s something I’d like to say.”

 

I took a deep breath.

 

“If things proceed according to the plan I’m about to propose, all these scattered and stagnant problems currently plaguing the Sichuan Tang Family…”

 

I looked toward the open window.

 

Dark clouds were gathering.

 

The end of winter.

 

The sky was darkening as if a cold winter rain would pour down.

 

The candlelight flickered.

 

Under the flickering candlelight, I looked at the head of the Sichuan Tang Family and the steward as I spoke.

 

“I believe that tomorrow, in the span of a single night, all of this could be resolved at once.”

 

***

 

-Crash!

 

“Family Head! Is that true?”

 

The council meeting held in the Grand Hall of the Sichuan Tang Family from the next morning.

 

The doors of the Grand Hall burst open as if shattered, and the one who came rushing in was Elder Yi, Dang Mutai.

 

Though he had the face of an old man, beneath it could be seen a well-trained body.

 

“The lost Ten Thousand Poison Technique, that rubbing of the previous patriarch has been found?!”

 

In the Grand Hall were already all the key figures of the Tang Family, along with the other two elders who had been in the midst of discussion.

 

Steward Gam showed his respects.

 

“Elder Dang Mutai, you have arrived.”

 

“No, I mean!”

 

Elder Yi pointed at the Ten Thousand Poison Technique placed before him.

 

“Where did this suddenly come from…? My goodness, is this really a rubbing of the Ten Thousand Poison Technique?!”

 

“It is, so please calm down…”

 

“And above all, is what I received true? That the poison involved in the ghost incident was really Jacheonamsa, the very lost secret technique of our predecessor that we suspected?!”

 

A cold voice spoke toward the greatly excited Elder Dang Mutai.

 

“Elder Dang Mutai, since you’re late, how about taking a seat first. We were just discussing that matter anyway.”

 

The head of the Sichuan Tang Family, Dang Mujin.

 

At his words, everyone looked at Elder Yi.

 

“Your disruption has stopped our discussion.”

 

Elder Yi bristled.

 

“Family Head, acting so calm right now-!”

 

And toward the elder causing a commotion, sharp glares from those filling the Grand Hall poured down.

 

At the silent reproach from everyone, more than he had expected, Dang Mutai flinched.

 

‘These… bastards?’

 

“Elder Dang Mutai. I understand your loyalty to the Tang Family, so please sit.”

 

At Dang Mujin’s words, the elder finally gritted his teeth and bowed his head.

 

“I… will comply.”

 

But on his bowed face was an anger he could not hide.

 

‘Damn it… that dying scarecrow…’

 

He had spent a long time on this.

 

He had never acted hastily, and over a long period, one by one, whenever seemingly reasonable justifications arose, he had cut off the limbs and extremities.

 

But Dang Mutai still felt that the spiritual center of the Sichuan Tang Family remained with that family head.

 

Moreover, centered around Family Head Dang Mujin, Elder Lee, Elder Sam, and especially Steward Gam who oversaw the Tang Family’s finances, stood like unshakeable stakes, claiming to be the soul of the Tang Family, always becoming obstacles whenever he tried to take action.

 

‘Indeed… I can’t leave you bastards alone. I’ll deal with you soon enough.’

 

Suppressing the rebellion rising to his throat, Dang Mutai returned to his seat.

 

Looking at the now quiet Grand Hall, Dang Mujin spoke.

 

“Now that Elder Yi is here, let’s continue our discussion.”

 

Thus, heated discussion began again.

 

But nothing reached the ears of Elder Dang Mutai, who sat quietly in the corner.

 

He was simply staring intently at the Ten Thousand Poison Technique rubbing placed on the table in the center of the Grand Hall.

 

‘How did this happen. That’s definitely the rubbing I received from the Hwangbo Family.’

 

His pupils were shaking violently.

 

‘Why? Where did it go wrong? That shouldn’t be here. That should be past the Wol Ak O Seong hideout, in that location at the silver mine.’

 

His mind became complicated.

 

‘Was everything discovered? No. That’s impossible. Among the three major assassin factions, Eclipsenight specializes in concealment, and Wol Ak O Seong are skilled members from there. Their hideout was blocking the only entrance leading there. Even with a massive search, there’s no way it could be discovered… how?’

 

At the same time, doubts arose.

 

‘Setting everything else aside, if they found the Ten Thousand Poison Technique, that certificate should also be in that pile of papers. How much was discovered? If they found that, they wouldn’t be greeting me so calmly. What is this? What exactly happened?’

 

He examined the expressions of those around him.

 

Starting with Family Head Dang Mujin, Steward Gam, and even Elder Lee and Elder Sam who had bad feelings toward him – no one was sending him hostile looks.

 

Even if he was now half-dead, the naturally fiery-tempered head of the Sichuan Tang Family would have tried to kill him immediately if he had discovered the certificate with the Hwangbo Family.

 

There was no way he would be speaking so nonchalantly, with the same powerless face and voice he had shown all along.

 

‘Anyway, that certificate probably doesn’t clearly point to me… but I’m uneasy.’

 

In the midst of this, Dang Mujin’s words flowed in.

 

“-Therefore, Young Master Namgung Hwi here encountered masked strangers while searching near the silver mine, engaged in fierce battle while questioning their identity, and they fled. He discovered this book they dropped and brought it here. Before we begin discussing this serious matter in earnest, I wish to commend Young Master Namgung Hwi’s achievement in this place.”

 

Dang Mujin gestured.

 

“Fourth Young Master of the Namgung Family, Namgung Hwi. As the head of the Sichuan Tang Family, I officially express my gratitude for your efforts.”

 

-Step.

 

At those words, Namgung Hwi, who had been standing like a shadow, stepped forward and cupped his fists.

 

“It is undeserved. I was merely fortunate.”

 

‘…Why is that bastard here…?’

 

At the unexpected appearance of this person, Dang Mutai was bewildered.

 

The outsider who came from Namgung.

 

He had been an eyesore from the first time he saw him. But at the same time, he was also like a fly he paid no attention to.

 

Wrapped in pitch-black blood-wind robes, with an utterly pathetic build and ugly appearance. As a martial artist, he was trash not worth taking as a disciple. Judging by the external energy wrapped within him, his body seemed quite trained, but since he looked young, that was probably just for show too.

 

A common greenhorn overflowing in the martial world, pretending to be tough and acting up based only on his background.

 

That was exactly the conclusion Dang Mutai had reached about Namgung Hwi.

 

So he had thoroughly intimidated him.

 

Not to act rashly.

 

Even if he went to the silver mine, to tag along when he, the responsible administrator of that jurisdiction, organized an investigation team.

 

But… what are these bastards saying now?

 

Dang Mujin’s voice echoed through the Grand Hall.

 

“All of this happened in the process of searching the silver mine alone, risking danger even though there was no need to do so, so I truly commend that courage. Elder Yi even offered to go together with him safely later.”

 

“I thought it would be too late if we went together. How could I stretch out my legs and rest comfortably when a friend is suffering?”

 

Namgung Hwi spoke humbly.

 

“Due to my insufficient skills, I failed to track those strangers to the end and let them escape, so I take this opportunity to offer my apologies.”

 

At those words, the people around jumped up.

 

“Apologies? That’s completely unwarranted!”

 

“You’ve done more than enough, so don’t say such terrible things.”

 

“If you had been injured while recklessly pursuing them, we wouldn’t be able to hold our heads up.”

 

Simultaneously, among the people filling the Grand Hall, small exclamations arose along with increasingly favorable looks.

 

“Indeed, befitting a son of a prestigious family.”

 

“The principles of the martial world have not died.”

 

“Hehe… While everyone in the martial world looked down on us as the Tang Family declined, Namgung still respects us.”

 

And only the eyes of Dang Mutai watching all of this were different from the others.

 

‘That Namgung bastard actually went…?’

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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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