Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 60

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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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#060

 

Manaakdangmun Samok .

 

The power of the Tang Gate,

 

The knowledge of the Tang Family,

 

The original sin of the Tang Family.

 

A place where the Sichuan Tang Family sealed away memories of their golden age in three underground levels, when they once wielded influence across the world not just as a family but as a gate.

 

A forbidden place that has been all but abandoned, where even chosen members of the Tang Family have repeatedly died since the previous family head’s time.

 

‘I wonder if the information I know is correct.’

 

I look at the Ebony Dragon Bracers clanking on my wrists.

 

‘…It should be right.’

 

Even in my past life, Manaakdangmun Samok was famous.

 

After all, it was the place where that Heavenly Fragrance Poison Demon was born.

 

Dangmujin doesn’t know,

 

But it’s the birthplace of that legendary wolf of Sichuan who once toyed with the entire martial world, that public enemy of the martial arts world.

 

Instead of the original owner who should have gone there according to the natural flow of events, I was making the first move by going there myself.

 

“My goodness, my goodness, my goodness.”

 

The massive Tang Family member guiding me to Manaakdangmun Samok kept looking back at me and exclaiming in amazement.

 

“Even though the Master gave the order, I really wonder if it’s okay to bring an outsider like this… I keep looking back because I find it so fascinating.”

 

“Is that so.”

 

“Still…”

 

The man who introduced himself as the caretaker and final gatekeeper of this place smiled gently at me.

 

“I really wanted to serve Young Master Hwi and have a conversation at least once before you left Sichuan, so it’s an honor to meet you like this.”

 

I smiled and responded in kind.

 

“I feel the same way. We’re acquainted, aren’t we?”

 

His innocent eyes, which didn’t match his large frame, grew as big as fists.

 

“…You… remembered me?”

 

“Of course. I remember your name too, Danghua, correct?”

 

The search for Elder Yi literally had the fate of the Tang Family at stake, so everyone had been mobilized.

 

Right after the final battle at the silver mine, as I staggered down through the collapsed tunnel, he had been standing next to Steward Gam, mouth agape as he watched me.

 

“Even my name… Indeed, what Steward Gam told us about you was accurate.”

 

He has a gentle face.

 

He was looking at me with pure goodwill.

 

“First impression? And what did Steward Gam say?”

 

“That’s a secret. Haha, let’s hurry along.”

 

Manaakdangmun Samok was said to be located up the mountain behind the Sichuan Tang Family.

 

Danghua cut through the tangled brown undergrowth with a large sickle, advancing without hesitation.

 

“Come to think of it, Young Master Hwi, you asked us back then to absolutely never mention that battle that will be remembered in the martial world.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Steward Gam and I are really trying to keep that promise faithfully. We’ve strictly instructed our subordinates as well.”

 

I chuckled.

 

“For all that effort, it seems like rumors have already spread quite a bit within the Tang Family.”

 

“The rumors have spread… that much? Uh, uhh… Well, that is…”

 

Danghua was visibly flustered by my teasing remark.

 

“Don’t worry about it, please don’t mind it too much. I made the request, but I expected it would spread within the Tang Family anyway.”

 

Danghua breathed a sigh of relief.

 

“Ah, is that so. Then that’s fortunate.”

 

If the Namgung Family was to be my main battlefield, I thought it would be best if none of my capabilities leaked out.

 

So initially I didn’t want anyone to witness it, but if there were witnesses, it couldn’t be helped.

 

I had asked them to keep quiet as much as possible, but I figured it was inevitable that it would spread internally.

 

If I thought about it positively, appropriate rumors spreading within the Tang Family would put invisible pressure on Dangmujin and the elders who were probably having heated discussions about the demands I had made.

 

‘The only slight problem in that process is…’

 

The number of Tang Family members who looked at me and whispered among themselves was increasing exponentially.

 

Since I was sensitive to the gazes of people who murmured while looking at my face, I could feel this even more clearly.

 

Yesterday, I don’t know who it was, but when I came out in the morning, someone had cut flowers and placed them in a vase in front of my quarters.

 

I had thought that could happen.

 

But today, some Tang Family member suddenly said,

 

‘I heard Young Master Hwi is such a master of hidden techniques. They say you instantly dealt with the traitor Dangmutae.’

 

and asked me to look at his dagger throwing stance, which gave me a headache.

 

‘Just what kind of heroic tale is this being inflated into…’

 

The inflation of these rumors was probably largely due to Steward Gam’s group not being able to witness the entire battle process.

 

The final clash of the life-and-death duel was not witnessed by anyone due to the tunnel collapsing from the water flow just before it happened.

 

‘Come to think of it, back then Dangmutae definitely… used the ultimate technique.’

 

When cornered, Dangmutae had deployed even the Tang Family’s ultimate technique, Mantianhauazhong, though it was incomplete, and I had countered it head-on.

 

‘…Thinking about it, what exactly did I do back then.’

 

It was an experience I had never felt before in my life.

 

Time slowed down, everything was analyzed piece by piece, and I felt like I understood it all.

 

Dangmutae asked if I had copied it, but it wasn’t simply copying.

 

I was definitely…

 

‘I was understanding it piece by piece.’

 

A clue I could sense.

 

At the same time, a feeling like faint smoke rising up, as if it would disappear forever as if nothing had happened if I let it slip away.

 

‘Could this be related to that Heavenly Killing Talent?’

 

Before the feeling gained from this life-and-death battle completely faded, Manaakdangmun Samok became a destination I absolutely had to enter right now.

 

‘By the way… how unique.’

 

Climbing the extremely steep mountain path, I looked at Danghua leading the way ahead of me with admiration.

 

‘His mouth really doesn’t rest.’

 

“Haha, so you see, when I cooked the other day, all the elders were so delighted they nearly fainted from how delicious it was!”

 

“Young Master, you should-”

 

“Young Master! Look at this! Winter must be ending! New shoots are already coming up!”

 

…It’s draining my energy.

 

‘When will we reach Manaakdangmun Samok? Should I hit him on the head? No, then I won’t get guidance.’

 

Actually, I had expected this to happen.

 

After all, wasn’t this an opportunity to walk alone with someone who had fought a life-and-death battle with an elder of his own martial family before even reaching the age of twenty?

 

For a martial artist, this would be an opportunity to go crazy with excitement, and it was understandable that he would bombard me with questions.

 

However, Danghua was a bit different.

 

It was true that he continuously asked me questions,

 

‘What’s interesting is that he doesn’t bring up martial arts topics at all.’

 

What he asked me about were completely trivial questions from a martial artist’s perspective.

 

Favorite foods, places I’d been, what I usually did, family, favorite scenery, famous spots in Sichuan that I should definitely visit while I was here, and so on.

 

After holding back and holding back,

 

I finally couldn’t stand it and asked why he was asking such things, saying I expected him to ask about martial arts and combat.

 

“I naturally want to ask about martial arts too, but…”

 

Danghua scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed.

 

“There will probably be countless people other than me who will always ask you the same questions and bother you about that anyway.”

 

“….”

 

“Something that always seems like it won’t leave you alone? But even in the process of leisurely walking in such a secluded place, if I ask the same questions, you’d feel suffocated, wouldn’t you?”

 

Danghua let out a short sigh.

 

“Of course, someone of low rank like me wouldn’t understand even if I asked you about martial arts anyway.”

 

The last statement is a lie.

 

Rather, people of lower rank are more likely to be rude, not know where the line is, and ask indiscriminate questions countless times.

 

I remained silent for a moment, then added completely unnecessary, pointless words.

 

“…The duel with Elder Yi was something I survived through luck.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“My martial arts skills aren’t that high. Even though I’m from the Namgung Family, my foundation isn’t the dignified orthodox Namgung martial arts, but merely scraps gathered from lowly places here and there. So please don’t harbor any illusions about me. Feel free to ask questions if you want. Though I’m lacking, I’ll answer to the best of my knowledge with sincerity.”

 

Danghua’s eyes widened like lanterns.

 

“Your martial arts are lowly? Oh my. Don’t say such things. Someone who defeated the traitor Dangmutae in direct combat shouldn’t say that.”

 

“…Regardless of the results, it’s the truth. Apart from struggling, I’ve always felt that a person’s background and their lowliness or nobility cannot be escaped no matter how much they struggle. I’ve even been told things like ‘what kind of butcher’s technique is that?'”

 

The last comment was something I heard from a young lady I had saved in my past life.

 

“That person has very poor judgment.”

 

Danghua said.

 

I looked at Danghua’s shoulders swaying in front of me and asked back.

 

“Poor judgment?”

 

“Yes. Even though I’m completely illiterate, I can tell that much.”

 

Danghua said calmly while swinging his sickle left and right to cut through the grass.

 

“Let’s say, even if I concede a hundred times, that the foundation of your martial arts is truly lowly. But martial arts depend more on the one who wields them than their essence. Like a sword. A sword that hangs at the waist of a famous family’s young master for days, boasting only its majesty like a decoration, versus a sword held in a butcher’s hands that creates the meat everyone needs. Which would be more precious and valuable? Which sword would have more meaning?”

 

Danghua looked at me and grinned.

 

“I guarantee that if your martial arts had a personality, they’d be saying they met a good master.”

 

“I am….”

 

I opened my mouth.

 

I closed it again.

 

Then I said.

 

“Am I not ugly?”

 

Even I think this makes no sense at all.

 

I don’t know why I said something so absurd and childish.

 

So, feeling too embarrassed, I hastily added in a stiff tone.

 

“…Please forget that. It was nonsensical crazy talk.”

 

“Ugly?”

 

Danghua quickly caught onto that and responded.

 

“Hmm.”

 

He examined my face closely. Then he sighed and said.

 

“Don’t people around you object when they hear such talk about you? Like telling them not to say strange things.”

 

“That’s never happened.”

 

“See. I’m pretty good at reading faces, so everyone in the Tang Family asks me questions whether they’re going to town to meet women or whatever, and I’m confident about this.”

 

Danghua said with a confident voice.

 

“If you put on some weight, you’ll become much more handsome. You look ugly now because your facial bones are showing, but if you gain weight, you’ll definitely become a sharp and cool handsome man. If you have close friends around you, someday, someone among your acquaintances or family will surely say the same thing as me. Take good care of that person later.”

 

At those words, I stared at Danghua for a moment and said.

 

“…Later or whatever, you’re still saying I’m ugly now, aren’t you?”

 

“…Ah, that’s.”

 

“I’m joking. Thanks for the comfort, even if it’s just empty words.”

 

Danghua looked flustered, then laughed.

 

“Haha, my heart sank for a moment there. But don’t worry, though I’m weak, I’ll definitely take responsibility and protect you on this path! I have my pride as the Tang Family’s gatekeeper! We’re almost there now, so cheer up.”

 

“….”

 

I followed behind him like that.

 

…His words just now somehow reminded me of Baekjao Guk.

 

Also, regarding appearance and various other things, Wu Biaoyun at the Namgung Family had said similar things.

 

I actually find these pure types of people burdensome and difficult to deal with.

 

I’d rather the person facing me showed their claws.

 

I even think it would be better if they found fault and pointed fingers like everyone else usually did.

 

If that were the case, I could act without any hesitation or obstruction.

 

But things like this… I still don’t know how to handle them well.

 

“We’ve arrived.”

 

Danghua’s words snapped me out of my thoughts.

 

“Is this the place?”

 

“Yes.”

 

At first glance, it looked like going down to an underground warehouse.

 

After taking the back path of the Tang Family and climbing the mountain path for quite a while, what suddenly appeared was a dry well.

 

Next to the dry well was a massive iron cover.

 

“This is why I manage this place.”

 

Danghua dragged his massive frame and lifted the cover that covered the ground with his crude grip strength.

 

-Creak.

 

I could feel heat rushing out enough to make my hair flutter.

 

A black abyss so deep that the bottom couldn’t be seen.

 

It didn’t seem fitting to call it a door.

 

It felt like opening a pot lid and having to go in prepared to be boiled.

 

“Since the Master has given permission, I won’t add any words about qualification for entry. However, we’ve shared some conversation and formed a connection, so if I may add some advice….”

 

Danghua hesitated.

 

Then he looked at me with worried, round eyes.

 

“Don’t breathe in the green smoke… and absolutely don’t go to the third underground level. Please only look at the first and second levels.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“It’s unlikely, but even if an old woman approaches you offering to guide you, absolutely don’t respond or stare directly into her eyes. There are no guiding maids or any people inside.”

 

“…An old woman?”

 

“Long ago, even a Kunlun Taoist came here, though the sect is now destroyed, and he said it wasn’t actually an old woman but a primordial spirit… He said that unless one has the protection of the Black Dragon, any technique would be ineffective no matter what sorcerer or yin-yang master came.”

 

Danghua said with a worried voice.

 

“That’s why only carefully selected Tang Family members with strong mental fortitude come here, and only those with truly strong desire for martial arts. To study the knowledge up to the first and second underground levels.”

 

This must be why Dangmujin was so flustered.

 

“What does the old woman do?”

 

“According to those who barely survived, she lures people to the third underground level. And if you go to the third level, you die without exception.”

 

“…Understood.”

 

“You promised. Especially that you absolutely won’t go to the third underground level.”

 

“I promise.”

 

“Lights will turn on once you go all the way down.”

 

With those final words, Danghua stepped back.

 

I descended the damp stairs.

 

I went endlessly down the spiraling stairs.

 

Danghua’s face, looking down worriedly from far above, grew distant.

 

-Thud… Thud….

 

The sound of my footsteps echoed through the underground.

 

-Thud.

 

-Thuduk.

 

The sound of footsteps.

 

-Thuduk.

 

-Thududuk….

 

It definitely moves off-beat.

 

Nevertheless, I ignored it and went down.

 

Even if those off-beat footsteps followed right behind mine.

 

Even if the pace gradually quickened, I continued down.

 

I finished descending the stairs.

 

In that damp and humid place where no darkness could be seen, I looked down into the void.

 

-Thong…! Thong thong!

 

With tremendous sounds, distant red flames began rising one by one from afar, approaching.

 

A massive plaza brightened as if being drawn toward me-.

 

[….]

 

An old woman stood before me, staring directly at me.

 

Before I could do anything, our gazes met head-on.

 

Blood began flowing from the old woman’s two empty eye sockets. She opened her blood-red mouth.

 

[The original sin of Tang Gate, Third Underground….]

 

-Kwaaaaang!!!!

 

The moment I grabbed the old woman’s neck, I slammed her down onto the corridor.

 

[…! How did you grab me…?!]

 

I brought my fist down like a hammer on the shocked old woman.

 

-Bang bang bang bang!!

 

What scattered above my madly pummeling fists was the gleaming golden light from the eyes of the Ebony Dragon Bracers on my wrists.

 

-Ke…keeng….

 

Hazy green smoke.

 

Within that smoke, what was caught in my grasp was a single silver fox.

 

I spoke roughly to the fox trembling with blood.

 

“Just guide me to where the Third Underground Level is. I don’t have time to play along with your tricks.”

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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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