I Became the Namgung Clan’s Omnipotent Item-Powered Martial God - Chapter 104

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 104
104 – Geomjon
#1
The Namgung Family had more than a few recluses in its ranks.
The world knew them as formidable masters, but then again……
Namgung Yeon remembered precisely what they were actually like.
There was a certain mystique to being a Hidden Master.
He’d resented them before for not stepping forward in the family’s affairs.
Or rather, he’d scoured through all of Anhui on his own, searching them out.
The result: all but one had disappointed him.
“You won’t have need of the other Hidden Masters, I presume.”
“My son, do you believe in the legend of Hidden Masters?”
His father, Namgung Mu, had asked him this.
Namgung Yeon couldn’t help the laughter that escaped him, and shook his head.
“No. They went into hiding because their strength no longer holds sway in the Martial Realm.”
“……More accurate than I expected. True. If you rely only on their strength and neglect your own training, you’ll come to regret it bitterly.”
“Your grandfather, though—he must be different, yes?”
In all those times, Namgung Yeon had met his grandfather only twice.
Vigor and strength undiminished past eighty years old.
A body that had undergone the Hwangol Talte, appearing scarcely past forty.
Not some hermit withering away in solitude in the mountains, but a man advancing toward something higher still.
He was one who truly deserved the title of Geomjon.
Though his nature was as sharp as a blade itself, strict in all things.
“Your grandfather is different from me. So conduct yourself with proper courtesy when you meet him.”
“Yes, Father.”
“You’ve worked hard on this matter too.”
Now his father spoke such words as well.
If he’d lost his mother near the Slums……he must have suffered guilt for a long time.
He must have felt regret toward Namgung Yeon himself for having witnessed her death.
He had to appear as a coldly pragmatic Family Head, but in truth his heart held much warmth……
In any case, the Small Family Head Competition had now entered an entirely new phase.
Those who’d been scattered far and wide had gathered in one place, so the course of events would certainly unfold in a new direction from before.
‘Everything has begun to flow differently.’
The Geomjon rarely intervened in such matters.
But this time, his son the Family Head had come personally with a letter to request it……
So how would his grandfather observe this crisis unfold?
“Then I shall depart.”
“Go. I trust you with this.”
He’d considered stopping to see his brothers and sisters briefly, but let the thought pass.
For now, rooting out the Demons who’d infiltrated within took priority.
“And there is one more piece of news.”
“What is it?”
Just as he was about to leave the Family Head’s office, the patriarch’s mouth opened again.
As if to confirm something.
“A Demonic Sword has been discovered in Hubei, it seems.”
“……I see.”
“The Demons’ attention will be turned that way for some time.”
“Understood. Then now is indeed the opportune moment, is it not?”
Namgung Mu nodded abstractedly, gazing out the window.
Good.
The Peng Family was moving in precisely the right way, so all they had to do now was conduct themselves properly.
‘The picture is coming into focus.’
Namgung Yeon thought so and bowed before slipping from the room.
His destination: Mount Hwangsan.
Once called Sinsu’s home country.
#2
“You’re going alone?”
“No. I’m taking Ho Ho and you with me.”
“There’s still time before the Sword Discussion Tournament……We’ll need to make it back quickly.”
By carriage, they could make the journey in a few days if they hurried.
Namgung Yeon had no intention of being stingy with coin this time either.
Once he returned…… yes.
The time had come to retrieve what he’d prepared for his father.
Those growing impatient would now move to attack the Namgung directly, or target his father himself.
The reason he hadn’t handed over the items until now was to prevent them from cutting their losses and fleeing outright.
Before overwhelming force, whether Demon or not, survival drove all movement.
‘Now that I’ve cornered them…… they’ll bare their fangs to live.’
Whether they recruit outside forces or spark rebellion……
They’ll do whatever it takes to strangle the Family Head’s breath and squeeze him with threats.
Perhaps their target of coercion will become our sons and daughters.
These items had been prepared precisely for such a moment.
Things that would prevent his father from blaming himself.
Great strength carries great responsibility, as they say.
No—his father already bore a burden far heavier than his own strength could bear.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
“Ho Ho said preparations were complete?”
“Yes. She should be waiting below.”
Namgung Yeon nodded and stepped out of the Separate Building.
Ho Ho would be waiting at the front gate of the Main Estate.
It was the dead of night, so they would need to leave with care.
“The carriage is already near, they say.”
“Good.”
Father had arranged everything beforehand, it seemed.
Namgung Yeon opened his mouth as he gazed at the Main Estate, lit by lanterns and torches.
“There will be an attack this time.”
“……Yes?”
“For there are no secrets within a family’s inner workings.”
Namgung Yeon spoke while thinking of the assassin bands nearby.
Man Ho closed his mouth silently, tightening his grip on his sword hilt.
Only days had passed since that disaster, and now he had to face new threats.
“Can this truly be a prestigious house of the Martial Realm……?”
“The larger the organization, the more complex its internal affairs become—wouldn’t you agree?”
“That may be so…… but you seem remarkably composed.”
“One only panics at the unforeseen. If something can be anticipated, there’s no reason to panic.”
As he spoke, Namgung Yeon retrieved something from the Secret Vault.
Assassins are cruel, ruthless, and scrupulous about neither means nor method.
So why do Orthodox Martial Artists struggle against assassin bands?
Because of the Orthodox Martial Artist’s unreasonable stubbornness.
“Don’t be scrupulous about means or method in facing them.”
“But……”
“You needn’t meet those who wage dirty war with nobility. Unless, of course, you possess that much strength yourself.”
“That is…… not the case.”
Perhaps a supreme master of the highest caliber could face assassins with nobility.
But if one lacked such power, one had to fight bitterly.
“You owe it to your family and comrades. There’s no death more hollow than dying vainly while trying to look good.”
“……I shall remember this.”
Man Ho didn’t fully understand, but he bowed his head.
He had never lost by following the Young Master’s words.
He glanced quietly around his surroundings.
Though he sensed nothing, observers were surely present.
A chill crept through him.
If none of this was mere coincidence……
‘I must steel myself thoroughly.’
Perhaps this would become a great turning point for Ho Ho as well.
In any case, he sensed this matter would not be easy.
He could see Ho Ho in the distance.
‘Caught up in all this despite yourself—you’ve certainly earned your hardship.’
A life lived as an ordinary cleaning servant, growing old in obscurity.
Or a life pursued as a martial artist, dying in the chase for honor and glory.
If asked which path was better, I could not answer easily.
The life of a martial artist was also steeped in filth and ugliness.
Ho Ho waved without understanding anything.
That fellow truly has an easy heart.
Man Ho chuckled softly and waved in return.
Namgung Yeon likewise chuckled and spoke to Man Ho.
“That bright smile, no matter what troubles come—that’s Ho Ho’s true charm.”
“It does seem so.”
The two of them exchanged hearty laughs as they stood facing Ho Ho.
Then Namgung Yeon spoke to Ho Ho in the same manner.
“An… an attack……!?”
“Hush. Keep your voice down. We’re still within the estate.”
“Yes, yes. But what should I do……?”
“Take this and fight. You won’t die, at least.”
…….
Namgung Yeon distributed Spiritual Medicine from the Secret Vault in Muhan to the two of them.
Thanks to having prepared ahead, he could portion them out to eat one at a time.
“With so much Spiritual Medicine…….”
“We may have to fight through the night. But we’re still going to Mount Hwangsan.”
“……I understand.”
Namgung Yeon climbed into the carriage and scanned his surroundings.
The flow of energy visible in his eyes.
It seemed to have already begun to move.
#3
“Is it really alright to handle this so hastily?”
“No problem. Just do the work well.”
“If this… fails, do you know what happens?”
The figure in the hood let out a soft chuckle at the question.
The reason Salmak had come forward like this was simple.
“That’s not my concern. So don’t fail.”
…….
“I’ve set the fee generous enough that even if Salmak crumbles, I could rebuild it once more…….”
Surely, he wasn’t afraid, was he?
In the end, it was only killing two immature brats and one bodyguard who hadn’t even reached the Peak Martial Master realm.
His anxious demeanor—fretting over trivial details—hardly inspired confidence.
“You’ll handle the aftermath yourselves, won’t you.”
…….
“If this mission fails, Salmak won’t survive much longer.”
“But if you give your all and still fail, what then?”
The man smiled and opened his mouth.
In the Martial Realm, failure of a mission meant death.
The Salmak people knew that well enough.
“You understand the rules of the Martial World, surely.”
“You too should be careful. My mouth is not sealed tight.”
“Finish the work before they enter the foothills of Mount Hwangsan. If you don’t…….”
The one who had commissioned Salmak shook his head as he thought of someone.
And as if in warning, he spoke once more.
“Once they set foot in the foothills of Mount Hwangsan, don’t look back—pull your people out.”
…….
“I say this not out of concern for Salmak, but for your lives.”
The man left the dark chamber with those words.
The master of Salmak dwelled on his retreating figure and his final words.
What threat could possibly lie in Mount Hwangsan to make such an arrogant man speak that way?
There was no harm in being cautious.
“The preparations are complete, then.”
“Yes.”
“After this mission, let’s retire cleanly and head west.”
“Understood.”
Once he’d claimed his share, it was time to wash his hands clean and disappear.
But the Martial World had its own laws.
There was only one way to wash one’s hands clean forever.
Death alone could grant that absolution.
The assassins of Salmak were moving to eliminate someone.
It was the story of an hour before Namgung Yeon and Man Ho stirred.

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