I Became the Namgung Clan’s Omnipotent Item-Powered Martial God - Chapter 116
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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 116
116 – The Fourth’s Rebellion
#1
A dazzling duel.
Though they wielded practice blades without sharpened edges, the clash of steel on steel set the hearts of countless spectators racing.
Why were martial artists held in such esteem?
Was it not because they fought with a brilliance ordinary people could never achieve?
Unlike street thugs who merely threw fists, these were true combatants who wielded actual weapons and could kill—professionals whose art commanded the eye and ear.
A demonstration match between expert fighters had that power to captivate.
“A masterful move, Young Master.”
“Thank you.”
A roar erupted from the crowd—a sound so thunderous it seemed it might reach the ears of those living in Soho itself.
The spectators’ cheers swelled outward.
So tremendous was their volume that those dwelling in Soho might have heard them.
The Martial Exhibition displayed by the Namgung Family was of extraordinary caliber.
“This generation of Namgung is truly formidable.”
“They’ll become the unrivaled masters of Central Plains martial arts once again.”
“Shouldn’t the Nine Sects and One School be exerting themselves more?”
The Nine Sects and One School, locked in an unspoken rivalry with the Five Great Clans, harbored ambitions of their own.
The Nine Sects and One School—anchored by Shaolin, Huashan, and Wudang—had long wished to stand above the Five Great Clans at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering and the Supreme Martial Arts Tournament.
Yet for generations now, they had been forced to yield that position to the Five Great Clans.
What would this generation bring?
Emissaries had arrived from Shaolin, situated near Anhui, and also from the headquarters of the Murim Alliance itself.
What were their impressions?
The consensus was unanimous—the momentum of the Namgung Family this generation was extraordinary.
Particularly that Young Master.
“He’s barely past his twentieth year, isn’t he?”
“Indeed. Yet already such masterful control of Sword Qi… He may well enter the realm of Peak Master before thirty.”
“Hah. A height even the Martial Saint of the Age failed to achieve.”
In the Age of Thunder God, there had been not only Peak Masters, but several in the Flower Realm as well, or so the tales went.
In this peaceful era, such formidable warriors were rare indeed.
The Heavenly Realm?
That was a realm found only in legend.
All who had once remembered such tales had long since returned to dust.
And yet…
He wondered if this generation of Namgung might set foot upon that legendary threshold.
“Brilliant. Truly brilliant.”
“At least in Anhui, no upstart powers will dare raise their heads. Wouldn’t you say?”
“Perhaps you’re right.”
The emissary from the Murim Alliance nodded meaningfully.
Indeed, the Namgung were worthy of their name.
Yet even the Namgung must have their vulnerabilities.
‘I should observe a while longer.’
He withdrew quietly from his seat.
Choosing a target was simple enough.
Now came the slow erosion of Namgung’s strength.
He gazed up at the sky.
Above, in the clear heavens, a great hawk circled in lazy spirals.
While attention was fixed here, the time had come to gnaw away at the Namgung Family’s power.
The cheers continued unabated.
And beneath that roar, figures stirring in the shadows began to move.
#2
This was the Hapsan Training Ground.
Today, as always, Bang Ya and Han Lim were overseeing workers as they expanded the facility.
The Mysterious Water that Young Master Namgung Yeon had left behind in generous supply—it was proving invaluable.
Those who drank it doubled their work output.
The pay was generous, and there were all manner of benefits and support for the laborers to boot.
Where else could one find such employment?
Consequently, the workers’ pace was remarkably swift.
“Han Lim. I’ve drafted a new Formation Technique design. What do you make of it?”
“Wouldn’t making this a bit wider improve its versatility?”
“Hmm……. I suppose it would, but it’ll require quite a bit more material.”
“Yeon said I should just tell you what we need…….”
The Sword Discussion Tournament was in full swing, and now wasn’t the time to make the trip to the Main Estate.
Materials were running dangerously thin.
To satisfy Namgung Yeon and those working under him, they’d have to use materials liberally.
Especially when it came to Formation Techniques—he’d been explicit about not holding back there.
Yet neither could the work be delayed.
Han Lim stroked his chin, lost in thought.
“Should I make the trip to the Main Estate myself?”
“Not a chance. I told you not to wander about with things so unsettled.”
“But still…….”
Just as he was weighing his options, a stranger approached.
Someone unfamiliar drew near.
“Something troubling you?”
A gravelly voice.
And a lean, muscular frame.
Everyone’s gaze snapped toward the man who spoke with such ease and warmth.
“W-who are you, sir?”
“Ah, he’s that boy’s maternal grandfather.”
“Maternal grandfather……. Y-you’re the former Family Head of the Dang Clan……!?”
This time, it was Han Lim who was startled.
He was a member of the Jegal Family.
Naturally, he possessed information that let him recognize anyone by reputation alone.
But why was the former Family Head of the Dang Clan here of all places!?
Han Lim’s voice quavered as he bowed deeply, offering a martial salute.
The former Family Head of the Dang Clan.
A figure of towering, almost unfathomable rank.
“The courtesies are done. So—what’s the problem?”
“Ah, we’re running short on materials, sir. We’re trying to do it properly, you see…….”
“I see. But perhaps it would be best to pause the work for now.”
Dang Yeon Ho.
He himself had come forward to suggest postponing the work.
What could possibly be happening……?
Curiosity flickered across their faces, but none dared ask outright.
Their visitor was, after all, the celebrated former Family Head of the Sichuan Dang Clan.
“Is there somewhere safe in this vicinity?”
“Safe, you say……?”
“Somewhere sheltered from fire.”
“Ah……. There’s a place downslope where a waterfall flows.”
That would do nicely.
Dang Yeon Ho nodded and turned to Bang Ya.
“Take the workers down there and get them to shelter.”
“N-now, sir?”
“Yes. Right now.”
In that instant, Dang Yeon Ho’s eyes changed.
They became decisive, lethal.
Bang Ya lacked the mental fortitude to withstand such pressure, so he nodded frantically.
Then he gathered those who stood uncertain and gave them his orders.
“Listen up! Pack light and head down immediately!”
“What? All of a sudden?”
“He’s ordered us to move, now. Something’s about to happen.”
“But what about all this……?”
The workers were decent men, at least.
The sort who took their duties seriously.
A site like this didn’t come around often—and now they were being told to evacuate?
“Never mind all that! Something’s coming.”
“……Right. Then we’d better move fast.”
Fortunately, these were men who valued their lives.
In the treacherous Martial Realm, there was only one way to live long: know when to flee.
The rule was simple: at the first hint of danger, flee without so much as a backward glance.
Yet in the Martial Realm, the weak died all the same.
An ominous figure arriving to tell them to run…?
There was only one sensible course of action—escape with their lives.
“Move, move! Head toward the Waterfall!”
“Yes!”
“Forgive me, but might I ask what’s happening?”
Unable to contain his curiosity, Han Lim pressed Dang Yeon Ho for answers.
What could possibly bring the Dang Clan’s former Family Head all the way here in person?
Fortunately, Dang Yeon Ho took no offense at the question and answered kindly.
They had met before, and Han Lim seemed like a friend of his grandson.
“An attack appears imminent. You should take shelter as well.”
“…I understand.”
Han Lim recalled what Namgung Yeon had said before leaving.
Words spoken upon his return from that assignment.
Perhaps that time had come.
He quickly gathered what he needed to construct a simple formation.
It might buy them a little time, at least.
“Hmm… Even at the Namgung estate, there’s no peace.”
It might have been better to stay holed up in Hwanghakmnu.
Then it happened.
Crash—!
A terrible sound echoed from somewhere in the distance.
And then—
“What… what is that?”
A Black Iron Sphere tumbled toward the Training Ground.
The attack came without warning, and it was devastating.
#3
Back at the Namgung Main Estate.
The celebration continued in blissful ignorance.
Then someone spotted flames rising in the distance.
‘Over there…?’
The Chief Administrator had issued strict orders.
No matter what, vigilance was not to be lowered; should anything unusual be detected within Namgung lands, it was to be reported immediately.
The Cheonryong Guard—the Family Head’s own elite unit—had been deployed with explicit instructions.
That was clearly in the direction of the Hapsan Training Ground.
Which meant—
“I’ll check it out.”
“Yes, I saw it too.”
“The Chief Administrator was right.”
The enemy would likely strike at the perimeter first.
Even if demons were attacking, slaughtering innocent lives would turn the people against them.
That was why the Chief Administrator had advised constant vigilance and observation.
His foresight had proven exactly correct.
The Cheonryong Guard Warrior felt his skin prickle as he hurried toward the Family Head.
The elders cast puzzled looks his way, but that hardly mattered now.
“We’re in the middle of an important ceremony—what is this?”
“I must report something urgent.”
Though the Third Elder asked with clear displeasure, the Cheonryong Guard Warrior had never deferred to the elder council.
He was simply a man carrying out his duty.
The Family Head glanced at the Third Elder, then opened his mouth.
“What is it?”
“It is…”
Bowing, he used Sound Transmission to report to Namgung Mu.
-A major fire has broken out at the Hapsan Training Ground. What should we do?
-Strengthen the perimeter guards further, and deal with any suspicious persons immediately.
-Understood.
Once his report was complete, he slipped away silently.
Namgung Mu gazed toward the stage, his eyes growing cold.
His intuition had been correct—they would devour the periphery first.
But one thing…
‘It could be a trap. For now, I have no choice but to trust the Dang Clan’s warriors.’
The demons’ full strength would inevitably turn toward the Namgung Family.
The timing… yes.
Right after the civilians departed.
When they’d grown careless, deep in celebration, their guard lowered.
“That was a worthy match.”
Below, the eldest son’s bout had just concluded, and the two exchanged the courtesies of respect.
Namgung Mu observed the place where the disciples gathered, his gaze sharp and calculating.
Here, perhaps, the true mettle of Namgung would be revealed—such was the thought that crossed his mind.
The atmosphere of the gathering had begun to ripen in earnest.
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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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