Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 88

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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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#088

Right after arriving at the Namgung Family following various twists and turns.

“Hwirong treated you? How curious. That man isn’t one to treat others unless there’s good reason.”

Immediately upon arrival, Sword Master Yeomjak released her flame sparrows and had a brief conversation with me about my injuries and treatment.

During that conversation,

She showed great interest when I mentioned that Sword Master Hwirong had looked after my body.

“I thought Hwirong calling you his disciple was just a joke. Could there be some personal reason I don’t know about, or some special reason why he cared for you so much and uses that title?”

Of course, I couldn’t tell her everything.

Seo Ganghyeok may seem loose on the surface, but he’s not someone who acts without thinking.

I hid what needed to be hidden and said what could reasonably be said.

“How could I know Sword Master Hwirong’s mind? It must be one of his jokes.”

“That does seem likely…”

Red mist swirled as Sword Master Yeomjak approached boldly, her veil fluttering.

She pushed back the veil that had been covering her eyes and the moonlight behind her neck.

“Let me take a look.”

She flicked her white fingers and boldly pulled open my collar, examining the traces near my collarbone.

“It’s true. There are definitely traces of various treatments having been performed.”

“…Right?”

“However, there seems to be some mistake in your claim of being seriously injured.”

“…What? That can’t be.”

“No, you’re almost completely healed. You’ll be able to move around normally by tomorrow or the day after? There must have been some mistake.”

I had coughed up so much blood and fallen into a near-death state.

Having collapsed while performing the fourth form of Pasabeolsik, honestly, even with Sword Master Hwirong’s treatment and additional measures from Guiryeongseuui, I had been prepared that I might need to meditate and regulate my qi for several months in the worst case.

But almost completely healed?

I could sense it intuitively.

This wasn’t due to additional treatment.

There was some more fundamental reason.

I reflexively tried to ask the large red-eyed Sword Master Yeomjak a question.

I was about to ask the expert something.

And then I hesitated.

-Your body will grow in a direction never seen before in the martial arts world, adapting to your danjeon.

It was Leaf Huazi’s words that I had forgotten.

‘…That’s it!’

And the string of vigilance that had loosened momentarily due to the madmen’s actions suddenly became taut again.

‘Everything about me must not be revealed.’

I naturally changed the subject.

“Ah, I see. I must have been frightened because my martial arts level is still low. It’s fortunate if it’s not a serious injury.”

“Hmm? You seemed like you were about to say something.”

She soon withdrew her interest.

“There are several procedures to handle, so follow behind me.”

Though we arrived at Mount Cheonju of the Namgung Family in the middle of the night, Mount Cheonju was as bright as day due to lanterns lit everywhere.

“Has Sword Master Yeomjak arrived?”

Dozens of maids had come out solely to greet her.

Besides them, numerous officials from the inner and outer courts were present to give overdue reports.

Walking among them, Sword Master Yeomjak simultaneously handled countless matters.

I simply had to follow behind her.

I felt it anew.

Though it was the same Mount Cheonju, the reception and scenery changed as if the space itself transformed depending on the status of the person entering.

And there was something else I realized.

Looking at her back as she walked boldly among the cluster of red lanterns, I thought.

A Patriarch is truly a far greater existence than I had imagined.

There must be many things I don’t know.

She too must have lived fiercely, writing her own history in her own way.

Perhaps she’s cut from the same cloth as Sword Master Hwirong.

And then…

‘Directionally challenged… Could that really be true?’

She can’t find her way.

Others might just dismiss it as quirky.

Of course, there could be martial artists who can’t find their way.

But I don’t think so.

There was a characteristic I noticed when watching her wield the flame sparrows.

And among my past colleagues, there was a similar case.

If my thinking is correct, she is…

…No.

I stop my thoughts.

Anyway, whatever the truth may be, it’s not important right now.

This thinking that starts from one characteristic and digs deeper.

This too is a chronic problem stemming from past habits.

“Take this.”

It was Sword Master Yeomjak’s guest hall.

I received a bundle from her hands.

“Unseal it.”

When I untied the golden cord, what emerged was a golden-carved token with the azure sky and blue dragon, symbols of the Namgung’s authority, engraved on it.

“From this moment forward, I declare that the Namgung under heaven stands behind you. The path you walk will become the family’s prestige, and the family will gladly become your sword screen. In place of the currently vacant Bidamyeon, I personally confer upon you the official qualification of Boatman from this moment.”

Sword Master Yeomjak infused gentle energy into my token with her white hands beneath her red robes.

“From now on, remember that the Namgung’s prestige rests on your actions. The world will be watching you.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Though I had expected it, the discussions about confirming my position as Boatman that had proceeded while I was away to Sword Master Hwirong and Samyeong Mountain seemed to have gone smoothly without any particular problems.

I had received an official identity token stamped with the formal seal signifying recognition from the Family Head, Deputy Family Head, and the Five Great Patriarchs, acknowledging my contributions at the Sacheon Party.

Until then, it had been a temporary title promised verbally, but I knew better than anyone the difference between verbal approval and having it officially documented.

In a place where even simple backstreet contract work could be overturned as easily as flipping one’s palm, in a place where such power struggles occurred, it would be worse, not better.

But now that I had overcome the biggest hurdle, my position as Boatman would no longer be treated as a mere figurehead or phantom existence that existed only in name.

“By any chance, did something happen with the Deputy Family Head?”

I was puzzled by Sword Master Yeomjak’s question.

“Why do you ask?”

“Well… the Deputy Family Head did stamp his approval for the Boatman confirmation after the discussions, but during that process, he had a fit, coughing up blood, and was rushed to Yakwangdang. I was wondering if you had any idea why.”

“I don’t. I’m worried he might have some chronic illness.”

“He shouldn’t have any chronic illness. He’s been riding around outside in that golden carriage in the cold wind, so he probably caught a cold. As you know, he’s the only one among us who comes from a scholarly background.”

“That’s right.”

…Well, it seems there were indeed some minor issues during the discussion process.

“So where are we going now?”

“First, since you’ve returned from a long journey, you should bathe. Then, properly dressed in your position as Boatman, you’ll receive a briefing about tomorrow’s merit evaluation at the Monthly Political Assembly. Of course, this month’s assembly will be quite abbreviated, but it wouldn’t be bad for the Boatman to be fully prepared for tomorrow as practice before the formal Monthly Political Assembly.”

“I see.”

“The Monthly Political Assembly is held on the first month of each new season, starting in the afternoon after the full moon rises. Remember this, and unless there’s something major, always keep attendance in mind.”

We walked beyond the territory of Yeomjak Pavilion, following the endless corridors of the Namgung Family’s main residence.

At my words that there was no need to escort me directly, she said.

“You are now the fourth young master of Namgung, no matter what anyone says. Do not lower yourself. Besides, Hwirong clearly handed you over to me directly. It’s only natural that I see this through to the end.”

I was truly rejected outright.

Still, that rejection wasn’t an unpleasant one.

On the way, Sword Master Yeomjak said.

“The Monthly Political Assembly requires at least one member of Namgung Family’s core leadership, the Bidamyeon members, to lead the proceedings. However, at this point, all Bidamyeon members of the Namgung Family except myself are away on business. Including the deputy family head. That’s why I’m staying here now to coordinate the final arrangements.”

The creaking sound of wood.

As she entered the room, she had removed the veil she always wore on her head and let it fall behind her neck.

Following the movements of Sword Master Yeomjak walking in front of me, her veil and the silk gauze hanging from it fluttered as if wrapping around her upper body, blending with her long hair.

I silently followed behind her and then spoke.

“Father… no, where has the Master gone again?”

“This will probably be the last time. Next time, he’ll be staying here.”

What did she mean by the last time?

“…I’ve always wondered about this.”

“Hmm?”

“No matter how much I tried to think they’d be busy as one of the Five Great Families, I just couldn’t understand it.”

“…”

I looked directly into her crimson eyes and asked.

“What exactly is the Namgung Family’s leadership doing to be constantly busy like this?”

At my question, Sword Master Yeomjak hesitated.

She gazed at me quietly.

Then she opened her mouth.

“The answer to that question can only be known when the fourth young master rises to a position where the Young Master’s seat is within reach.”

Within reach.

That meant I’d have to climb at least to the second young master’s position.

I see.

So there’s an information gap here as well.

If you want to know, climb up – is that it?

Fine.

Then I’ll climb up for you.

I suddenly recalled the past.

Could the me from back then have ever imagined my current appearance?

The me who was withering away in a corner annex, kicked around like a stone in the vast Namgung Family, am now walking side by side with a hall master who is one of the five core leaders not just of the Monthly Political Assembly, but even of Bidamyeon.

With the status of fourth young master, no less.

It was a rise in status like the difference between heaven and earth within the Namgung Family.

Even at the Sichuan Tang Family, there were words I had shouted during my duel with family head Tang Mujin.

When he asked if I had gambled with my life as collateral, I had retorted asking if I could have even faced him if I hadn’t done this.

-Life is like grains of sand. Though most will flow down as you pour them, what’s certain is that if you keep pouring, you’ll rise higher than where you started.

My master’s, grandfather’s words came to mind.

-Will there be someone who recognizes sincerity?

-I don’t know that either. I too have been betrayed countless times.

And grandfather had said.

-Even so, believing that someone will recognize it and moving forward – isn’t that what makes us human?

Yes. That’s right.

Little by little, but today too, I move forward.

Even if no one has expectations of me.

Even if no one watches over me.

I will move forward.

“Come to think of it.”

Having a sudden question, I ask Sword Master Yeomjak.

“Sword Master Hwirong was also barehanded, so you don’t use a sword either, Sword Master Yeomjak? I haven’t seen you wearing a sword.”

“How could that be? Both Sword Master Hwirong and I are martial artists. Has Sword Master Hwirong not shown his true weapon even once during this journey?”

That was unexpected.

I had naturally assumed Sword Master Hwirong was the type who fought barehanded.

“No, I’ve never seen it.”

Sword Master Yeomjak spoke as if it were obvious.

“I handle red silk thread, the flame sparrow silk, but my main weapon is separate. Hwirong is the same. He mainly uses his bare hands, but he too has his own distinct main weapon.”

“But I’ve seen Sword Master Hwirong fight, and I’ve never once seen him draw a weapon.”

“It’s simple. For the exact same reason I use flame sparrow silk.”

Sword Master Yeomjak said indifferently.

“He simply didn’t feel the need to draw it.”

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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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