Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 71

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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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#071

 

White Dao Alliance Headquarters.

 

Inside the spacious tent, leaders sat in a circle alongside emblems representing each sect.

 

Haenam Sect, Hyeongsan Sect, Muwi Sect, Jinzhu Sect, Shin Nongbang, and the recently joined Geoggyeong Sect and Haesa Sect.

 

The atmosphere was strange.

 

As Seo Ganghyeok and I entered, I could feel all eyes turning toward us at once.

 

Several of them didn’t bother hiding their obvious discomfort.

 

It seemed word of what happened at the entrance had already spread.

 

However, among them, one person’s reaction was different.

 

‘That guy is…’

 

A massive bald man carrying a giant steel hexagonal mace on his back.

 

One eye was crushed, and with thick lips, he sat quietly in one corner of the tent, silently staring at the ground in complete silence.

 

‘Where did such a monster come from.’

 

My whole body shivered.

 

My master had said.

 

No matter how much of a gathering of trash it might be, that doesn’t guarantee there aren’t sharp wooden splinters among the garbage.

 

But people often confuse that, he said.

 

I could tell as soon as I entered.

 

When an assassin enters an unfamiliar place, the first thing to assess is the people, and the second is the terrain. After scanning everyone, I reached one conclusion.

 

‘I could somehow handle the other guys, but that one would be difficult. He’s a real warrior.’

 

I couldn’t gauge him.

 

‘In terms of full strength, he’s incomparable to the injured Elder Dangmutae – he’s a warrior standing on the front lines.’

 

Old sword scars crawled like earthworms across his bald head. Similar scars were intricately woven on his neck visible between his collar and on the back of his hands.

 

It meant he had never avoided a fight.

 

And most of all, what hung on his back.

 

A steel hexagonal mace.

 

A six-sided club much larger than a human head was tied with leather straps across the man’s broad back. I didn’t want to imagine what would happen to a person if that thing came crashing down.

 

And on top of it, what appeared to be human flesh clung there, not even properly cleaned off.

 

What was strange was the surrounding area.

 

Looking at the seating arrangement of the leaders, there was notably wide spacing only around that man’s left and right sides. No one wanted to sit close to him.

 

Instinctive avoidance.

 

Any martial artist would inevitably feel it.

 

That wasn’t the type you could feel safe around just because he was on the same side.

 

“Haha, you’ve arrived.”

 

The first to speak was a sect leader in Hyeongsan Sect attire.

 

An elderly man of considerable age stood up from his seat.

 

“You must have had a hard journey coming such a long way. On behalf of the White Dao Alliance, we deeply appreciate the Namgung Family’s cooperation.”

 

It was a polite greeting.

 

But it was also a greeting mixed with artificiality.

 

For instance, whatever they had been discussing until just before, the face of the fat middle-aged man sitting next to him was flushed bright red.

 

From his attire, he must be the Geoggyeong Sect Leader.

 

The man called Manwi who had been crushed by Seo Ganghyeok’s two fingers earlier belonged to that very sect, so that would explain his particular reaction.

 

“…”

 

However, while the Geoggyeong Sect Leader glared at Seo Ganghyeok as if he wanted to kill him, perhaps having heard about what happened earlier, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

 

Seo Ganghyeok plopped down in an empty seat and said.

 

“Since I came here to work on a request anyway, let’s skip the greetings. You mentioned subjugating Guiryeongseuui? Let me hear the main point.”

 

Straight to the point.

 

The Hyeongsan Sect Leader’s expression stiffened slightly.

 

“As arrogant as the rumors say.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Seo Ganghyeok yawned.

 

“I’m like this even in front of our Master.”

 

“…I’ll trust that your skills are as real as those rumors.”

 

“Haha. That’s correct.”

 

The Hyeongsan Sect Leader continued with another artificial smile.

 

“Let me get to the point. We’ve received intelligence that Guiryeongseuui, who is in hiding at Samyeong Mountain, has colluded with the demonic path and is treating all sorts of evil heretics including cult members while taking refuge there.”

 

“What’s the source of this intelligence?”

 

“…A reliable channel.”

 

It was a vague answer.

 

“Reliable? If the White Dao Alliance says so, then I should believe it. I too will consider that person a cult member.”

 

Though Seo Ganghyeok also thought it was nonsensical, he just chuckled and didn’t probe further.

 

At first glance, he might seem like someone extremely irresponsible who didn’t want to work.

 

But having lived beside him for five days of travel, whether I liked it or not, I was beginning to see something.

 

That was…

 

Though it might not suit the great Sword Master Hwirong,

 

It was closer to an attitude that the affairs of this world no longer had anything to do with him.

 

‘Since my story is already over anyway.’

 

I recalled his habitual phrase that he occasionally muttered during our five-day journey.

 

Seo Ganghyeok answered listlessly.

 

“Then what’s the plan for catching this cult member?”

 

Shin Nongbang stepped forward.

 

“We have the entire Samyeong Mountain area surrounded. However, the mountain terrain is so rough and the valleys so deep that searching with large-scale forces would be inefficient. To be honest… the net has rather wide gaps.”

 

“And so?”

 

“But there’s no major concern. They’re not moving around but have established a fixed residence where they’re staying. We just need to find their dwelling. Four of the seven major sect leaders of the White Dao Alliance will personally serve as executioners, and we’ll organize fast-moving scouts to search through the net systematically.”

 

Seo Ganghyeok rested his chin on his hand.

 

“The scouts find them and the leaders handle them?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“How many?”

 

“About twenty scouts. We’ve selected those skilled in lightness techniques from each sect.”

 

Seo Ganghyeok nodded.

 

“Then I…”

 

Seo Ganghyeok pointed to the bald man behind him.

 

“Obviously, I should stand guard with that guy to prepare for the worst-case scenario? And serve as a substitute executioner depending on the situation.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

The bald man spoke for the first time.

 

With an intimidating atmosphere, he quietly murmured.

 

“Sword Master Hwirong. I’ve heard much about your reputation. I am Ha Song of Shin Nongbang.”

 

“Ha Song…?”

 

Interest flickered in Seo Ganghyeok’s eyes for the first time.

 

“You mean that butcher Ha Song who crushes enemies’ lower bodies to death with a hexagonal mace, regardless of age or gender? The one who was recently even summoned by the Imperial Court as an executioner?”

 

“That’s right. Don’t get in my way.”

 

Seo Ganghyeok’s breathing slowed.

 

“…Get in… your way?”

 

“No matter who you are, if you interfere with executing according to the greater cause, I might kill you.”

 

“…”

 

With a snickering sound, Sword Master Hwirong turned his head.

 

“The martial arts world is running quite nicely. Even dogs are gathering for the principle of non-interference between officials and martial artists.”

 

Ha Song’s eyebrows twitched.

 

Seo Ganghyeok chuckled and waved his hand.

 

“Right. Well, I don’t care if I kill anyone connected to the cult members. Go ahead and do whatever you want. I won’t mind at all.”

 

The Hyeongsan Sect Leader spoke.

 

“In any case, we’re grateful for your cooperation. If Sword Master Hwirong joins us, this subjugation will proceed smoothly…”

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Wait.”

 

One person interrupted.

 

It was the Haesa Sect Leader.

 

A middle-aged man with a greasy face and cunning eyes.

 

He glanced at me and opened his mouth.

 

“Sword Master Hwirong said he would take charge of protecting the leadership…”

 

He deliberately paused before speaking.

 

“What are the Namgung Family’s Young Master’s intentions?”

 

Everyone’s gaze turned in unison,

 

toward me, who had been maintaining silence until now.

 

“Ah, come to think of it, I almost forgot.”

 

The Geoggyeong Sect Leader pushed his plump face forward from the side.

 

“Perhaps Young Master would be interested in joining the scouting unit? While Sword Master Hwirong cannot move due to protecting us, since two of you came, if we could see the Namgung Family’s swordsmanship directly from at least one person, it would be a great honor for us.”

 

It was polite speech.

 

But the underlying intention was obvious.

 

He must have quite a grudge, emphasizing ‘two of you’ so blatantly.

 

Since he was humiliated by Sword Master Hwirong at the entrance, he wanted to push around me, who seemed relatively easier to handle.

 

Telling me to run around the rugged mountain terrain and work hard like a dog.

 

The Geoggyeong Sect Leader snorted smugly from the side.

 

“Good idea. If the Namgung Family’s heir personally steps to the front lines, it would help boost morale.”

 

A sarcastic tone.

 

“What does Sword Master Hwirong think about this?”

 

The Hyeongsan Sect Leader asked.

 

Seo Ganghyeok shrugged his shoulders.

 

“You seem to be mistaken about something, but even if it’s the Namgung Family, Young Master is Young Master, and I am the Master of Hwirong Hall. We each hold independent positions within the Namgung Family, and I have absolutely no right to say anything about Young Master’s decisions.”

 

He added calmly.

 

“So if you’re curious about something, ask Young Master directly.”

 

It was a correct statement.

 

But at the same time, it was unbelievably dry for people who had traveled together for five days.

 

I glanced at Seo Ganghyeok.

 

We had journeyed together for five days.

 

But now he was just looking up at the ceiling with his arms crossed.

 

‘…Even though he seems easygoing, he clearly separates public and private matters.’

 

He had said so from the very beginning.

 

That we would return to our original positions, leaving behind the temporary master and disciple relationship.

 

So this is what he meant.

 

‘Fine by me.’

 

“That’s what he says, so what about you, Young Master? If you’d rather stay with us, well, since you’re Young Master rather than just a young clan leader, we could arrange a corner seat for you accordingly.”

 

The old foxes exchanged glances and giggled among themselves.

 

However.

 

‘…It was worth keeping silent.’

 

I had expected things to turn out this way since Sword Master Hwirong sent away the Geoggyeong Sect’s warrior.

 

I saved my words and tried my best to appear passive and easy to underestimate.

 

Sure enough, they took the bait.

 

Since they couldn’t even jokingly mess with the storm-like Sword Master Hwirong, they targeted me, who had no background and was relatively quiet.

 

I was planning to use that as leverage to move independently anyway.

 

But even so, if they’re going to move this simply without any deviation.

 

‘Isn’t this too good?’

 

I immediately nodded.

 

“Sounds good.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

The Haesa Sect Leader blinked.

 

The Geoggyeong Sect Leader also looked bewildered.

 

They didn’t expect me to accept so readily.

 

I spoke calmly.

 

“As a young master of the Namgung Family, I cannot remain idle while dealing with evil cult members. Staying still makes me restless, so I’ll join the scouting unit and run around myself. I had no intention of just standing around receiving protection from behind anyway.”

 

“…”

 

“However.”

 

I looked straight at them.

 

“I don’t want to be held back. Please allow me to act independently.”

 

The Haesa Sect Leader’s eyes narrowed.

 

“Independent action…”

 

“The Namgung Family’s martial arts are better displayed when alone. Having people loitering around would only be a hindrance.”

 

It was a shameless statement.

 

“And would it be alright to request support for the necessary supplies? Since I’m suddenly taking on a scouting role I hadn’t planned for, I’m short on supplies.”

 

“…Since we proposed the scouting, of course we’ll provide them.”

 

“Equipment too? I noticed on the way here that everyone’s armament is in good condition, probably because it’s the Baekdo Alliance.”

 

Gradually, their responses became slower.

 

“…Of course, we’ll… provide equipment too.”

 

Their expressions soured.

 

But they had nothing to say.

 

After all, they were the ones who originally intended to send me to dangerous places to push me around.

 

I lightly cupped my fists.

 

“Thank you. Then, with independent action guaranteed, I’ll depart as soon as I receive supplies.”

 

In the end, all those who had tried to manipulate me could only reluctantly say words they didn’t mean, with expressions like they’d eaten shit.

 

“We wish Young Master good fortune in battle. We’ll follow behind.”

 

Behind them, Seo Ganghyeok was covering his eyes and quietly chuckling.

 

I left the tent with that at my back.

 

‘Guiryeongseuui.’

 

Now it’s just a matter of time.

 

I must find him before anyone else.

 

Before everyone, including the Baekdo Alliance, finds and kills him.

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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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