Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 51

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

#051

 

“…!”

 

Everyone’s gaze toward me begins to change.

 

Especially in Family Head Dangmujin’s eyes, for the first time, interest rather than anger begins to appear.

 

I continued speaking.

 

“Elder Yi will consider me a thorn in his side. And he’ll be looking down on me. In the midst of that, if he has to listen to reproach from someone he despises, he’ll have no choice but to react. That’s where it starts.”

 

I continued my words.

 

“From there, I’ll clumsily but persistently push him to take responsibility, and in response, Elder Yi will mention the Hwangbo Family’s thorough security and berate me, saying ‘Do you think bringing that is easy?’ treating me like an ignorant brat who doesn’t know the circumstances, and he’ll list out information. Perhaps in that process, he might additionally reveal where Baekhwamodo is stored, locations and information that only he would know.”

 

“You’re thinking too simply. What if he doesn’t say anything at all?”

 

To Family Head Dangmujin’s realistic question, I immediately answered.

 

“It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t provide additional information about Baekhwamodo’s location. After all, the core purpose is something else.”

 

“Core purpose?”

 

“This conversation itself will ring an alarm that makes him take additional action, causing him to inevitably do something he wouldn’t normally do. That’s enough.”

 

Suddenly the air in the room rippled subtly. My voice rang out, cutting through the air that had settled like ink.

 

“From what I’ve observed so far, he’s clearly focused on preserving his position while dreaming of wealth and glory. The fact that he’s been doing this for at least a year means that while I don’t know Elder Dang Mutai personally, I can at least tell he’s the type who reacts sensitively to others’ gazes, reputation, and the detection of crises.”

 

“…Master Namgung Hwi is correct. How did you know that.”

 

Steward Gam expressed quiet admiration.

 

“People of that type are truly excellent at detecting the epicenter of earthquakes that might threaten their safety. We’re going to stimulate that.”

 

I pointed my finger at the document with the Hwangbo Family’s clear seal on the table.

 

“According to this document, the Hwangbo Family currently has three roots, and the remaining one should be with Elder Yi. We need to plan to recover all of them. Only then can we prepare for the possibility that even one might fail. That’s how plans should be.”

 

“….”

 

“Setting aside the three that went to the Hwangbo Family, the immediate problem is the one root with Elder Yi. That one would have been thoroughly hidden with Eclipsenight’s involvement.”

 

The family head asked.

 

“No matter how thoroughly it’s hidden, wouldn’t it come out if we put him under house arrest and search everywhere? If it comes out that way, there’d be no need to go through the trouble of going to the Hwangbo Family.”

 

“That opinion is also reasonable, but no.”

 

I shook my head.

 

“Items that Eclipsenight has deliberately hidden won’t be easy to find even if you grind the entire surroundings to powder. Moreover, even if found, it would be discovered much later, when Baekhwamodo is no longer needed.”

 

When Baekhwamodo is no longer needed.

 

What that meant was one thing, and Steward Gam, who caught on, let out a short sigh.

 

Family Head Dangmujin said.

 

“You… since you’re from the Namgung family, it’s unlikely, but you know that ecosystem incredibly well, like a professional who worked in that field.”

 

“I just have a lot of miscellaneous knowledge.”

 

At my words, Dangmujin stared at me intently.

 

“Really… you’re unique. I’ve seen countless geniuses, but you’re somehow different. I’ve met other Namgung people, but none like you.”

 

“….”

 

Dangmujin said.

 

“Sorry for the unnecessary words. Continue speaking.”

 

I nodded.

 

“Anyway, the conversation with Elder Yi will extract any additional information related to the Hwangbo Family while simultaneously making him take some action. It doesn’t matter if not, but if in that process he thoroughly brings out Baekhwamodo from where it’s hidden, that would be even better.”

 

“You’ll catch him in that process?”

 

“Correct.”

 

Steward Gam added a word.

 

“This entire process itself will also serve as clear evidence to pressure Elder Yi, who would otherwise slip away like a loach.”

 

“Yes, that will become another path to restore the Young Master separate from the Hwangbo Family matter, and at the very least, it will also be an opportunity to uproot the poisonous mushroom that is Elder Yi. From any perspective, I see no reason not to do it. That concludes my explanation.”

 

When my explanation ended, only silence flowed in the room for a while.

 

The family head, who had been looking at me for a long time, said.

 

“What did you say your name was?”

 

“As I mentioned before, it’s Namgung Hwi.”

 

The family head said.

 

“I’ll definitely remember it. Your name. Moreover, your opinion was also plausible. I’m impressed.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Dangmujin raised one finger.

 

“But there’s one crucial thing missing. Because of that, it’s impossible.”

 

“May I ask what that is?”

 

“No matter that it’s a branch office and not the main family, you’re underestimating the Hwangbo Family too much.”

 

He continued speaking.

 

“While Elder Yi, who directly transported the goods, would know the detailed specific location, it’s certain that the place is the Hwangbo Family’s Zhiyue Aijing branch office located closest to here. Who’s going to go there?”

 

Weight entered his voice.

 

“If we deploy Sacheon Tang Family people and they get caught, that would ultimately be the same as the all-out war I originally intended to wage. Moreover, the Tang Family’s prestige would fall even lower than declaring war. Being caught sneaking around from behind is a greater humiliation than losing in a frontal fight. So infiltrate others? Who? By hiring wandering warriors? What even our Tang Family’s elite warriors might barely manage, how could we expect to accomplish with the level of mere wandering warriors? In the end, there’s no one.”

 

“There is one person.”

 

At my answer, both Dangmujin and Steward Gam’s eyes widened simultaneously.

 

“…Who?”

 

“Is there someone who will step forward?”

 

Under the flickering candlelight, I said.

 

“I will go.”

 

Dangmujin shouted.

 

“Are you in your right mind? Impossible! And no matter that you’re from the Namgung Family, if you get caught, we’ll deny any connection between you and us with all our might. Sorry, but there’s no other way.”

 

“That’s still fine with me.”

 

I answered without hesitation.

 

Steward Gam urgently added from the side.

 

“Young Master Namgung Hwi, that place isn’t somewhere you can break through just by having high martial arts skills. That Hwangbo Family branch office… the level of response is different.”

 

Beads of sweat formed on Steward Gam’s face as he continued speaking.

 

“That place isn’t a simple branch office guarded by hundreds of guards, but is itself one giant ‘killing machine.’ The guards protecting it, regardless of their martial arts level, are people trained their entire lives solely to detect and slaughter intruders. They move organically like hunting dogs linked by chains, cutting intruders’ throats without even making a sound.”

 

He caught his breath and continued speaking with increasing agitation.

 

“And what about the Jegal Family’s Three-Gate Restriction System that would be at the branch office? The moment you’re discovered and cause a commotion, the most important items will immediately be moved as the top priority, and simultaneously they’ll spread a dragnet to inevitably kill any intruder inside, regardless of reason. And even if we concede a hundred times that Master Namgung Hwi has outstanding martial arts—.”

 

With a dismayed expression, Steward Gam said.

 

“The branch office is located at none other than Zhiyue Aijing. It’s on the bedrock of Zhiyue Aijing, where countless Hanchul ore deposits are buried—one of the raw materials for Manyeon Hanchul that would be used for prisons. Do you know who’s guarding there? They’re not martial artists. They’re guards who have been harshly trained to move organically like a single organism. There, you can’t use internal energy…!”

 

“No problem.”

 

I said decisively.

 

“I’m saying this after thoroughly considering everything you’ve mentioned. It will be fine.”

 

“Fine, my foot—!”

 

Steward Gam squeezed his eyes shut and grabbed the back of his neck.

 

-Bang!

 

Dangmujin struck the table.

 

“Enough! Don’t you truly understand what Steward Gam’s words mean? Are you saying you can wield sword energy? No, didn’t he say you can’t use internal energy!”

 

He continued speaking without even breathing.

 

“Setting aside everything else, do you know what it means for a martial artist to be unable to handle internal energy? Don’t you understand the weight of those words? No matter how advanced your martial arts skills, how will you avoid those countless spears, swords, and crossbows, and above all, what will you do about the Jegal Family’s Three-Gate Restrictions! What if you fail? You will fail! You will definitely fail!”

 

His shout echoed through the room.

 

“You’re wrong.”

 

I shook my head.

 

And looking straight into Family Head Dangmujin’s eyes, I spoke in a low voice, but one harder than any metal.

 

“Since I’m going, it absolutely will not fail.”

 

***

 

-Rumble…!

 

-Flash!!!

 

A torrential downpour fell.

 

The massive downpour was so fierce it created white sprays and bounced off the ground.

 

-Huu… huu…

 

White breath cut across the air.

 

Under the white breath and cold winter rain, I felt my hands growing numb as I searched through my belongings.

 

What came out at my fingertips was a single note.

 

I unfolded it and read it in the pure white thunderstorm, in the momentary flashes of white static silence.

 

[I truly did my best with all the equipment, including the gear added at the last minute. I hope it suits your taste.]

 

Below that, another line was written.

 

[Especially the added throwing weapons, they were really difficult to make.]

 

“…”

 

-Flash!!!

 

Under the pure white lightning, black blood-stained robes fluttered from head to toe.

 

In the downpour, my shadow fluttered and swayed in the rough wind as if it would tear apart.

 

I held my palm out over the rainwater. The ink spread, the paper absorbed water and tore into pieces, scattering beyond recognition.

 

“Huu…”

 

Along with the white breath spreading before my eyes,

 

I began equipping myself without hesitation in the cold rainwater that chilled my entire body.

 

-Clank… crack.

 

-Clang.

 

I put on iron gauntlets on my right hand.

 

The cold of the metal glove covering my right hand touched my skin. When I clenched and opened my fist, the sound of joints interlocking mixed with the rain, along with the weight that could crush bones.

 

I wrapped iron chains over it and fitted the Ebony Dragon Bracers on top.

 

I pushed awls into leather sheaths tied to both calves.

 

I inserted the remaining one at my thigh.

 

I separated the short spear into three pieces and stored them on my back.

 

Seven throwing weapons and five bamboo tubes went into my belt around my waist.

 

I layered five protective plates over vital organs and tightened leather boots with metal cores at the tips.

 

“This is the first time in this life…”

 

What I pulled from my chest while breathing white mist was a face mask.

 

I wrapped it from above my nose to my jawline, pulling it tight.

 

Through my bangs that had settled in the white rain, black eyes gleamed.

 

And above them, red light began to seep out like rippling waves.

 

“Huu…”

 

In the downpour, from atop the high cliff, I looked at the target I would now enter.

 

-Rumble…!

 

In the white thunderstorm, a massive estate came into view.

 

Should I call that a mansion?

 

Or should I call it a small castle?

 

Five enormous ramparts were stacked in layers.

 

Between those ramparts were countless buildings.

 

The endless guard posts and numerous torches flickering made it seem like I was looking at a single breathing, massive living creature.

 

I swept the ground with my metal glove.

 

Beneath the mud was solid, salt-like dark rock.

 

The moment I tried using a tiny amount of internal energy as a test, the qi and blood throughout my body boiled.

 

I stopped using internal energy and confirmed once more that the dark rock extended all the way to the estate.

 

An ore-rich cliff area with high levels of cold iron ore, the raw material for Manyeon Hanchul.

 

‘Just as Steward Gam said.’

 

I couldn’t use internal energy from now on.

 

If I did, my qi and blood would reverse flow, I’d cough up blood, and it would be worse than not using it at all.

 

Along with Pasabeolsik, I had to rely purely on physical abilities.

 

Those standing guard were also highly trained guards.

 

Though the Hwangbo Family was one of five martial clans, the reason they had guards trained like imperial officials protecting them was to thoroughly exploit this geography.

 

But it didn’t matter.

 

This was exactly what I had done countless times in the past.

 

-Flash.

 

Under the white lightning, a signboard became visible.

 

Hwangbo Family

 

Zhiyue Aijing

 

Along with white breath,

 

I quietly rose from the forest shadows and muttered.

 

“Let’s begin the main job.”

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