I Became the Namgung Clan’s Omnipotent Item-Powered Martial God - Chapter 11

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

Episode 11
11 – I shall purchase all of this place
#1
There are two kinds of people in this world.
Or rather, to be precise, there are two kinds of criminals.
The first are those who became criminals by necessity.
Those who stole to feed their mothers, or who struck another down to save someone.
These people could repent, and Namgung Yeon deemed them fundamentally good.
At least, across more than a dozen cycles, those he had encountered were like this.
People who, given a chance, could rise again with dignity.
These were the first kind of criminal.
“But Master.”
“Hmm?”
“Isn’t this Daesuksan?”
“It is.”
Then what of the second kind?
Those who committed crimes with deliberate malice.
People who couldn’t even remember why they first turned to crime.
Who killed for amusement, stole for amusement, harassed women for amusement.
These were garbage beyond rehabilitation.
Across numerous cycles, not a single one of these had ever reformed.
Without exception, they backstabbed, fled, or fell back into their old habits and brought ruin.
“This is where Heukpungbang operates, is it not?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I’m purchasing some suitable specimens.”
“Master, surely you don’t mean…”
And so here they were, drawn toward this very tale.
Namgung Yeon was heading toward the den of those criminals.
And he intended to overturn their lives completely.
South of Habei.
A mountain standing just below the martial lodge where they were staying.
People called it Daesuksan, and within it lay a treacherous gorge.
Once it had been under the Namgung Clan’s dominion, but gradually it had fallen beyond their interest.
The slum at least clung to the fringe of Namgung territory, but this place did not.
And so criminals operating throughout and beyond Anhui Province began gathering there, one by one.
Hidden by the mountain ranges from the state’s gaze, with wild beasts aplenty along the approach, it was a place common folk could not reach.
Human trafficking, drug trafficking, and all manner of black market dealings occurred at the mountain’s foot.
“What, you think I’m here for human trafficking?”
“…”
“Your nature is refreshingly honest—you didn’t even deny it.”
“Merely the concern of a loyal servant. It troubles me deeply.”
“I intend to change that place.”
What in the world was he saying?
This made even less sense.
Heukpungbang was somewhere even the Namgung Clan and Habei’s branch offices had abandoned.
So what did this young master intend to do about it?
Whatever else, this seemed like pure recklessness.
Ting-ting-ting—with each step, bells chimed in bright, clear tones.
Whether or not Namgung Yeon knew of Man Ho’s worries, his pace remained unhurried and calm.
“What exactly are you planning? And you’re wearing neither the Pae Long Shae nor the Pa Long Shae.”
“Don’t worry. There’ll be no need for such force.”
Dealing with mere criminals—Man Ho was overkill.
Namgung Yeon considered the people of Heukpungbang.
Would they belong to the first kind, or the second?
In every cycle where he’d visited Heukpungbang, they had without exception belonged to the second kind.
Perhaps money and livelihood had long since muddied their very nature.
But that did not excuse them.
There were no redeemable criminals in Heukpungbang.
Any who might have been redeemable had either died or escaped that hellish place.
“A place that rotten is all the more vulnerable to money and material things.”
“…”
#2
Night had fallen.
In a deep ravine of Daesuksan.
Concealed lights began to flicker in that place.
People who had been hiding scattered throughout the area converged one by one, and in an instant a dense black aura saturated all of Anhui Province.
“Young Master, are you truly going there?”
“Why else would we have come this far? If you’re going to whine, go back.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Then stay quiet.”
With those words, Namgung Yeon moved toward the place where dim firelight flickered.
Had he not heightened his Eye Enhancement using his Internal Energy, they would have lost their way.
The path was that treacherous, a journey on which ordinary people would have met with disaster in moments.
‘Heukpungbang. It’s always the same no matter when I come here—almost nostalgic.’
At first he had tried to win over the people of this place as allies by any means.
He’d even attempted to feed and clothe them well, hoping to use them as human shields.
But all of Namgung Yeon’s plans had come to nothing.
A consistency—they had never once failed to betray him.
Because of that very consistency, Namgung Yeon had come to understand one thing.
That the most effective approach was to discard the worthless ones quickly and be done with it.
Even in the cycles where he did not directly intervene, he heard news from time to time.
<Heukpungbang has risen in rebellion again!>
<Martial Artists pouring out of that place—they’re attacking the common folk!>
<They say they capture beautiful women and girls and sell them off? Either to be used as playthings or enslaved.>
A place where such rumors continued to circulate.
That was precisely what Heukpungbang was.
Criminals.
The most vicious sort of criminals at that.
They were like insects that fed on the filth at the very bottom and grew fat on it.
While such insects could not affect the Murim as a whole, they did spread disease quietly, one connection at a time.
They would serve an important role in sharpening Ho Ho’s practical instincts.
For that purpose, a show of wealth was absolutely necessary.
“Welcome, si— who might you be?”
“I’ve come from Habei. Heard there were some interesting things here.”
“……Do you know what sort of place this is?”
The gatekeeper caught sight of Namgung Yeon and faltered.
Then his expression grew troubled.
The gatekeepers had been selected from those who could read.
It was necessary to report immediately should any distinguished guests arrive.
But now a rather troublesome person had indeed shown up.
He appeared young, someone unfamiliar with how the world worked……
Yet the warrior beside him carried an aura that was far from ordinary.
He’d thought to intimidate them into turning back on their own, but that hadn’t worked either.
“Not to worry—I came ignorant of the place. What would we gain by harassing you lot?”
“……”
“Go fetch your Bangju. Tell him I have something urgent to discuss.”
“Very well.”
The gatekeeper gave Namgung Yeon one more sidelong glance, then slipped away.
Namgung Yeon moved to step inside.
“If you go too far in, we won’t be able to find you.”
“I’ll just look around near the entrance. Think of it as the curiosity of a young boy.”
“Very well.”
One of the two gatekeepers reluctantly nodded.
The Namgung Clan.
There was no one in this Heukpungbang who couldn’t read those characters.
That was why no one dared treat him roughly.
Judging by his appearance, he must be someone of importance from the Namgung Clan……
Who among the clan’s people would not know he had left?
No one, surely.
If the clan head remained absent for an extended time, search parties would be dispatched, and they would surely come to this Heukpungbang.
‘Then it will all be over.’
They would know of this place’s existence as well.
So why would they tolerate a den of criminals without interference?
There was only one reason.
[Because it had never surfaced into the world—it remained buried in shadow.]
They too were a faction that understood the darkness of this world.
Though they occupied the highest reaches of Murim society, they grasped the workings of its deepest shadows.
They were the Namgung Clan—the foremost of all Murim’s great houses.
A nest of darkness, where one could do as one pleased with members of the Namgung Clan?
Not a chance.
On the contrary, given Heukpungbang’s nature of concealment, they could only watch in silence.
This place could be reduced to ash with a single word from someone of authority.
‘Indeed, this place never changes, no matter when I visit.’
Strange sounds echoed from one corner.
From another, the sound of someone being beaten.
Elsewhere, clusters of people sat collapsed, staring blankly into empty space.
The firelight cast by dull crimson lanterns—as desaturated as those in a pleasure quarter—flickered throughout the darkness.
The murky hue of those lamps mirrored the lives of these people, stained black as they were.
He felt Man Ho beside him, rigid with cold tension.
“Is this the first time you’ve seen such a place?”
“…Yes.”
“Someone once told me these people too are members of society. What do you think?”
“….”
Man Ho had heard too much to speak freely.
His silence—unable to offer clear affirmation—was answer enough.
Namgung Yeon simply smiled.
As he stood vacant for a moment, considering what should be done about this place, someone came rushing toward them.
“My goodness, an honored guest visits—whatever brings you to this place?”
“Are you the Faction Master?”
“Yes, that’s right. I am the Faction Master who leads Heukpungbang. Please, call me Heuk.”
Namgung Yeon studied Heuk’s appearance before asking.
With utter directness.
“How much did it cost you to become the Faction Master of this place?”
Deep, dark eyes fixed upon Heukpungbang’s Faction Master as though they might swallow him whole.
#3
At first, he was startled.
He’d rushed over hurriedly when word came that someone important from the Namgung Clan had arrived—and it was true.
But why would such a person come to this place?
‘Usually those with impure motives visit here….’
Perhaps Heukpungbang might seize an opportunity to ascend.
That was what he thought.
What could the Namgung be lacking that they’d come to such a place?
Misguided righteousness?
One shouldn’t expect such things from them.
They were madmen who pursued only strength.
And so, brimming with hope, he inquired.
What was it they needed?
But the answer came as something entirely unexpected.
“How much did it cost you to become Faction Master…?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s… well, if I’m being honest, it was quite expensive.”
“Would this be enough to buy all of Heukpungbang?”
Namgung Yeon produced a heavy pouch.
A strange sound emanated from within—click, clatter.
If it had been gold or silver coins, they should have made a bright ringing sound….
Curious, Heuk carefully opened the pouch to peek inside.
“Gasp!?”
“This should be enough to purchase the entirety of this place. Or am I mistaken?”
“Y-y-yes, that’s absolutely right!”
Namgung Yeon laughed quietly.
Then he spoke.
“Then bring everyone you’ve captured and everyone who’s been captured before me.”

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