Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 59

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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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#059

 

Dangmujin said nothing in response to my words.

 

Dangmujin gestured with his hand.

 

Everyone withdrew.

 

After a brief silence, Dangmujin spoke.

 

“You want me to watch your back?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…I received reports from Steward Gam and the Tang family members who were escorting and searching with him, but there was something I particularly wanted to ask separately.”

 

“Are you speaking to me?”

 

“Yes. In that sense, let me confirm a few things.”

 

Dangmujin looked at me with deep eyes.

 

“No matter how injured he was, no matter how his tendons and bones weren’t intact so he couldn’t properly use the Tang family’s greatest specialty of hidden weapons, he was definitely an elder of the Tang family.”

 

“…”

 

“Such an existence was broken head-on by you, who hasn’t even reached the age of twenty. It wasn’t just broken either. You finished it with a life-and-death duel, not a sparring match. Though Steward Gam couldn’t see properly at the end due to the tunnel collapse, the traitorous elder definitely died by your hand. Is that correct?”

 

“That’s correct. Is there some problem with that? Something you don’t care about, or some suspicious aspect regarding my abilities?”

 

“You seem to be misunderstanding. That’s not what I’m talking about right now.”

 

Dangmujin shook his head.

 

“You have no standing in the martial arts world. In that state, even though the Sichuan Tang family has fallen and been cut in half, you defeated no less than an elder, yet you showed absolutely no sign of excitement. You even went to find Steward Gam and his group separately several times to earnestly request something.”

 

Dangmujin spoke in a cold voice.

 

“As much as possible, regarding what happened today, while it can’t be helped within the Tang family, you didn’t want it to spread beyond that. When I heard that report, I doubted my ears.”

 

“…”

 

“Upon further investigation, as expected, it seems no one in the current martial arts world knows about your abilities. Surprisingly, this even includes members of your own family.”

 

Dangmujin approached.

 

He looked straight into my eyes.

 

“Up to here. Is what I’ve grasped correct?”

 

“The world is vast, and there are many skilled people like me-”

 

“It seems to be correct.”

 

“…”

 

“There may be many skilled people. There may be many people superior to you. But among ordinary people, regardless of being arrogant or humble about such outstanding achievements, there is definitely no one who tries to hide it so cunningly.”

 

“…”

 

“If such an existence asks to watch their back, how would you accept that? Would you gladly accept it as a simple request? No. No… that’s absolutely not it.”

 

I maintained a calm expression.

 

“That means you’re refusing.”

 

“No. Are you in your right mind? You’re Yuni’s lifesaver. What I mean is, if it were just me, Dangmujin personally, I could say it right now without hesitation. That I would watch your back. But right now, I don’t think that’s what you want. I need to confirm once more before answering.”

 

Dangmujin stared at me intently.

 

“You’re not asking for the Tang family to watch your back, but rather requesting the Tang Clan to watch your back. Is that correct?”

 

I nodded.

 

“Your guess is correct.”

 

Even as I answered, I was inwardly impressed.

 

Even a rotten fish is still a fish, they say. Even a sick tiger is still a tiger.

 

The family head was precisely confirming the core point once again.

 

And judging by the flow of the conversation, he was undoubtedly seeing even beyond that.

 

The family head Dangmujin I first met had become powerless due to external pressure and bodily injuries, and was in terrible shape.

 

I can say with certainty that even meeting the head of some minor sect would have had more formidable presence than this.

 

On top of that, the fact that even his only direct bloodline son was dying from what appeared to be a curse from the previous generation would have been the decisive blow.

 

But now, as these things were being resolved one by one,

 

The eyes of family head Dangmujin that were returning showed clearly his original nature that had been inherent from the beginning.

 

‘The Heavenly Fragrance Poison Demon… was indeed not an illusion.’

 

The strategic wolf who had dominated the martial arts world.

 

The green wolf who had killed all the countless members of Jeongsamahyeol who had been pursuing him.

 

Since arriving here and grasping the Sichuan Tang family situation, I had been drawing an overall picture.

 

Right now, everyone ignores them, and since they’re just a sinking ship that’s falling and submerging, their reputation is worse than anyone’s and at rock bottom,

 

The current Sichuan Tang family is one that barely moves even when given a golden toad, and even the Namgung family, supposedly their greatest ally, turns away from them.

 

I believed that this was not the end of their potential.

 

Moreover, from the moment I newly realized the existence of family head Dangmujin, I became confident in my thoughts.

 

If.

 

If the problems in Sichuan I’m currently facing are ultimately the decisive trigger leading to the Tang family’s destruction, and based on this, the legendary Heavenly Fragrance Poison Demon is born.

 

Though it would definitely not be easy.

 

The moment I resolve this,

 

It would lead to the result of creating the greatest variable that I, a weak pebble, could make.

 

That’s not just some weapon or some fortuitous encounter.

 

It’s the greatest change in the flow of water that I can create in the flow of this world like a giant waterfall.

 

“Really… this is absurd.”

 

Dangmujin opened his mouth.

 

He closed it.

 

He opened it again.

 

He looked astounded.

 

“Don’t tell me when you came here from the Namgung family as a simple errand for the deputy family head, you planned and aimed for all this?”

 

“How could that be possible.”

 

“Right, what if there had been no moonstone in the mine? What if there had been no such betrayal by the elder? Frankly speaking, what if things like Jacheonamsa or Baekhwamodo hadn’t been resolved so precariously and the situation had flowed toward the worst-case scenario? No, what if you had been defeated in the life-and-death duel with the elder?”

 

Dangmujin shook his head.

 

“I understand you while not being able to understand you. How on earth did you create such results? Did you have strategies to prepare for each of those situations?”

 

After hesitating briefly, I speak honestly, at least here.

 

“Of course there might have been other strategies, but if luck hadn’t followed, I would have died.”

 

“Died? So you gambled? With your own life at stake? Were you so confident of victory? How arrogant.”

 

“It’s not arrogance, I’m simply always living with my back against the wall.”

 

I spoke in a low voice.

 

“I know better than anyone that my current position is not one where I can move with leisure. No, if I had taken it easy from the start, would a situation like having a private audience with the master of the Sichuan Tang family have ever come about in this lifetime?”

 

“…It absolutely never would have happened.”

 

Dangmujin trailed off, recalling how he had turned me away at the door and treated me dismissively on the first day.

 

“I understand. Now that I’ve grasped who you are, I’ll answer regarding your request. I and we will now move forward to reclaim our past glory, and I acknowledge that the spark of that beginning was definitely delivered to us by you, young master of the Namgung family, Namgung Hwi.”

 

Finally, the main point.

 

With what I’ve broken through this time, the Sichuan Tang family will definitely soar.

 

And rather, I don’t know what kind of monster the Heavenly Fragrance Poison Demon Dangmujin might become.

 

The Dangmujin I knew had a destroyed danjeon, but the Dangmujin of this life doesn’t even have that.

 

Indeed…

 

Did I do the right thing?

 

I struggle with all my might to survive and throw everything I can at it, but I don’t know what results that will bring.

 

Originally, soon one of the Namgung family’s Five Great Patriarchs, the Sword Master Hwirong, would die by poisoning.

 

The Sichuan Tang family would be destroyed, and Dangmujin would lose his son and become the unprecedented martial arts villain called the Heavenly Fragrance Poison Demon.

 

How many people’s fates have already changed due to my actions now?

 

“Having the Tang Clan watch your back means the resolve to protect only that person’s back even if heaven itself becomes hostile to them. The highest declaration the Tang family, which is certain about gratitude and grudges, can make. For this, one must be a member of the Tang Clan. The exception clause for watching someone’s back even when they’re not family members is, in short, being a direct blood relative or disciple of the family head, or otherwise receiving approval from the eight elders among the Tang family’s previous generation elders. Getting approval from the top eight elders takes over a year. I’m sure it wouldn’t be rejected, but that’s separate from the time it takes.”

 

“…”

 

My complexion hardens.

 

I had focused only on whether it would be accepted, paying attention to the fact that there would be absolutely no betrayal, but I had overlooked the time the process would take.

 

A year would be problematic.

 

Especially considering the immediate misfortunes that will come.

 

“Looking at your complexion, it seems one year is indeed too much to ask.”

 

Dangmujin, who noticed my expression, says.

 

“One year is a bit much.”

 

“As your boatman, there must be various issues related to the Young Master’s appointment and other matters.”

 

“I can’t go into detail right now, but it’s similar.”

 

“For the Tang Gate to back someone, to accept an outsider as family, means a system of collective responsibility where if that person causes harm beyond the Tang Family to the entire Tang Gate, the one who vouched for them also bears responsibility. That’s why it takes over a year to get approval from the eight elders, but…”

 

Dangmujin maintains a long silence after saying that.

 

While waiting for an answer, I instead observe his complexion.

 

“…Master?”

 

Even after three more breaths, he exhaled a long white breath under the blue winter sky.

 

“Don’t worry. I have something in mind. But could you wait until tomorrow?”

 

“…Is there a way to shorten the period? Right now, even I can’t see any method.”

 

“No problem. It just takes time to prepare. We also need proper external justification. Anyway, can you understand?”

 

“I gladly understand.”

 

Dangmujin’s mouth fell open.

 

“Good heavens, you understand?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Aren’t you upset? I actually expected you to be furious.”

 

“How could I be?”

 

“What you’ve done for us is so enormous, yet here I am, the head of a faction, unable to immediately accept even that one condition you presented as compensation for such tremendous kindness. Instead of acting like a warrior, I’m delaying my answer like some lowly merchant would. Yet you understand?”

 

“That’s precisely why I trust you even more. You know the weight and magnitude of trust and promises, so you’re being cautious. If you overcome such considerations, your dignity will be greater than Mount Tai, so I’d rather have a great Mount Tai than a small sand hill.”

 

Dangmujin let out a hollow laugh as if incredulous.

 

“…You’re hopeless. Where on earth do you acquire such insight?”

 

“Books-”

 

“Enough. I understand Steward Gam’s feelings.”

 

Dangmujin gestured to his subordinates in the distance to come over and said.

 

“Anyway, I’ll give you a conclusion about your proposal tomorrow. Tonight will be your last night in Sichuan, so tell me if you have any desires.”

 

“I’ve already stated my desire.”

 

“I feel sorry about this. As a personal reward for understanding me as a man when I couldn’t give an immediate answer, I’m making this offer, so treasure it. I have pride as a family head, so I’ll gladly consider most reasonable requests.”

 

“In that case.”

 

And I speak as if I just thought of it.

 

The goal of having the Sichuan Tang Family back me was enormous, and since I didn’t know how they’d respond, I thought it might be rejected.

 

So if my first proposal was rejected, I had already prepared my second plan to definitely push through, using their guilty conscience as leverage.

 

No, this was actually more like the main point.

 

“There’s one place I’d like to visit.”

 

Surely the first proposal will be accepted somehow.

 

I don’t know what the timing and scale will be when it returns, but Dangmujin will certainly do everything in his power.

 

I’ve already done everything I could, and there’s nothing more I can do for that result.

 

I can only hope for how the seeds I’ve sown will return tomorrow morning.

 

Then what I need to focus on next is,

 

Using Dangmujin’s guilty conscience that inevitably exists in the current situation to extract compensation I could never normally receive.

 

“Oh, a place you want to visit?”

 

Dangmujin brightens up.

 

“Where is it? Since opportunities to come to Sichuan are rare, if there’s a famous place you want to see, we’ll spare no effort.”

 

“Manaakdangmun Samok.”

 

“…!”

 

Dangmujin’s face hardens.

 

I said decisively.

 

“The library where all of the Tang Gate’s secret manuals are gathered. That very Manaakdangmun Samok, famous throughout the martial arts world for never allowing outsiders entry – I want to spend that precious night you’ve given me there.”

 

“…How do you know about that place…?”

 

It doesn’t matter if you were a wolf who controlled the martial arts world, or the Heavenly Fragrance Poison Demon.

 

It doesn’t matter if in my previous life you were a disaster-like existence that I could only desperately avoid, someone I wouldn’t dare approach unless in large numbers.

 

It doesn’t matter if you’re the head of the Sichuan Tang Family.

 

At least not before that essence awakens.

 

And if I’m a benefactor of the Sichuan Tang Family, who never forgets those who helped in times of need.

 

It’s worth trying.

 

The Tang Family, said to be the most noble in the martial arts world.

 

That very Tang Family that no one in martial arts history could subdue or easily gain cooperation from.

 

A request to have that Sichuan Tang Family, beyond just the Tang Family but as the Sichuan Dangmun at its absolute peak, guarantee my backing.

 

If this succeeds, it would be the first recorded case of an outsider in the martial arts world.

 

The path ahead is enormous.

 

This is the only way for me, who has nothing, to survive in this martial arts world.

 

Making an investment means I calculated getting at least double in return.

 

Having nothing to lose, I bet my life and staked everything.

 

To seize the compensation I envisioned, I had to do that, and I had no choice.

 

And now, based on those results, I’m claiming even what would be considered blasphemous to mention given my original status.

 

This is exactly the direction I must go.

 

This is how I’ll survive, the method available to me.

 

‘I’ll seize everything down to the bone. Everything…! Not leaving a single thing behind, everything…!’

 

Dangmujin spoke with a trembling voice.

 

“That place… How do you know about it? No, that doesn’t matter. You want to enter there? Even Tang Family members often can’t enter that place once in their lifetime, and no outsider has ever entered such a place.”

 

“Ah. If this is also difficult for you like the first proposal, Master.”

 

I shrugged my shoulders.

 

“You can refuse and I won’t mind at all. After all, I’m just someone who came to help a friend from the Namgung Family.”

 

“…”

 

“In that sense, since the Sichuan Tang Family is so vast, I’m asking out of concern that I might get lost when leaving tomorrow…”

 

Toward the bewildered Dangmujin, I smiled quietly.

 

“If I want to return to the Namgung Family at dawn tomorrow, which gate would be fastest to exit through?”

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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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