I Became the Namgung Clan’s Omnipotent Item-Powered Martial God - Chapter 13

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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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Episode 13
Episode 13 – What You Show Matters Too
#1
Dawn had broken.
The people of Heukpungbang had to receive their new master without a moment of sleep.
Wol Yeong, who worked as a hostess here.
Through a conversation with a man who would later become the lord of the underworld, certain things had been arranged.
To establish her as the master of Heukpungbang, and have her deliver information to him.
Wol Yeong’s value was considerable.
She was a woman of such remarkable skill that there was a saying — all information in the martial world passed through her hands.
A woman whom he had met sometimes as an ally, sometimes as an adversary.
Truly formidable, and yet truly sincere.
“I didn’t expect to find you here.”
“Yes? What do you mean, sir?”
“I hope you’ll keep your promise to be my eyes and ears alone.”
“Of course, I shall.”
Wol Yeong, newly made master of Heukpungbang, bowed her head.
The fourth son of the Namgung Clan, the true heir.
One known to be bedridden had made an appearance.
And suddenly at that.
Such far-reaching consequences from a move without warning.
‘A frightening man.’
That was Wol Yeong’s assessment.
He spoke little and moved only when necessity demanded.
Yet it seemed as though he saw everything and remembered all of it.
And what of his martial prowess?
‘What I sense is second-tier Martial Artist level, but his movements have already surpassed the first tier.’
Wol Yeong had witnessed the movements of first-tier Martial Artists countless times.
Compared to them, she felt no sense of inferiority at all.
Rather, his movements seemed softer, more domineering, and far more refined.
Moreover, there was something else that moved her heart.
Wealth itself.
Indeed, was it because of the power of the Namgung Clan, whose influence rivaled that of the imperial court?
Though he had given her only a few small purses, they contained wealth enough for Heukpungbang to live on for years.
“I’m hardly worthy of such a position. Are you certain it’s wise to entrust me with this……?”
So she had asked.
Why would he entrust such a heavy responsibility to her, who worked in the pleasure quarters?
Namgung Yeon replied matter-of-factly.
“You know this place better than I ever will. That’s why I’m giving it to you.”
“But if I should fail to manage it properly……?”
“Could you fail before the power of the Namgung Clan?”
……
Simple words, yet a threat so terrifying it chilled her to the bone.
In this land of Anhui’s martial world, no one had ever crossed the Namgung Clan and lived.
Even if one fled to another region, it would only be a matter of time before death came.
Such was the nature of the Namgung Clan.
“Do your best, then. Use whatever funds you need at your discretion.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Send word by messenger, or use carrier pigeons if needed.”
Wol Yeong bowed her head.
Namgung Yeon gazed at her and recalled a scene.
If I had a foundation to display this talent, I wouldn’t have had to scrape by like this, sir!
Her voice, crying out in bitter resentment.
She had been a living example of what happened when talent existed but the environment could not support it.
She too had been forced to do whatever was necessary to survive, and in that struggle she had clashed with Namgung Yeon countless times.
Do you people of power and privilege know anything of how we lower classes live? Do you know what choices we had to make just to survive?
And so Wol Yeong had screamed — and then her throat had been cut, and she died.
That’s why, the moment he saw her, he had begun to wonder.
Now that he had provided Wol Yeong the full framework, what ability would she display?
If he granted her the support she had so desperately cried out for, what choice would she make?
“I trust you’ve committed your duties to memory.”
“Yes. I shall do my utmost.”
Now it was time to escort the criminals back.
They had to descend Daechuok Mountain and return to Mugwan.
Nam Ho Ho would be waiting there.
#2
The criminals who had attacked Namgung Yeon and Park Man Ho were all bound and being moved in a line.
If one fell, he fell. If one died, he died. They moved on regardless.
In any case, it was only a day’s journey.
Any man who couldn’t endure even this much was already beyond saving.
Still, somewhere along the way, Man Ho began to wonder.
Was there any real need to go through all this tedious trouble?
Wouldn’t bringing Nam Ho Ho have made the work faster from the start?
So he asked Namgung Yeon.
“Pardon me, sir. There’s something I’d like to ask.”
“Speak.”
“Is there really a need to drag them all this way from such a dangerous place?”
Namgung Yeon grasped his intent immediately.
He answered simply.
“There are common folk along the route these men will travel, are there not?”
“There are.”
“When they see criminals being escorted like this, what rumors will they spread?”
“Ah……”
Park Man Ho nodded slowly, understanding at last.
So he had planned even this far ahead.
He was clearly no ordinary man.
There was a reason Namgung Yeon had not brought Nam Ho Ho.
Sometimes it was necessary to let things be seen.
Right now, Anhui and Hefei were the center of attention because of the Small Household Competition among the Namgung Clan branches.
If criminals near Hefei were eliminated in such circumstances, what effect might that have?
“You’re even concerned with reputation, then?”
“In any case, what is seen also matters greatly. Especially for people like us.”
“Another lesson learned, sir.”
And that was how one grew.
Along the road from Daechuok Mountain to Mugwan ran the Official Road where people traveled.
If those who passed along it spread word one by one, the family’s reputation would naturally rise within the clan.
Or perhaps those who envied them would emerge as well.
The greater their hostility grew, the better it was.
The simplest way to distinguish friend from foe lay in how one acted under extreme circumstances.
When pushed to their most desperate moment, their true nature would emerge.
‘And those who seek to tempt them will certainly appear.’
As they always had before.
As they descended below Daechuok Mountain, people began to appear here and there.
Seeing what looked like criminals being escorted, they could not tear their eyes away from Namgung Yeon and the others.
Someone who could bear to watch no longer approached those at the rear—people who had been abducted and were now returning home—and asked them.
What in heaven’s name was happening that they were being dragged away in such a pitiful state?
“Tell me, friend. What is this about?”
“The esteemed members of the Namgung Clan saved us.”
“Truly!?”
“Indeed. Those men were slave traders—they’d caught us to sell us off. But—”
A brief exchange ensued.
Naturally, those who heard the story marveled at it, and hastily passed word to others in their group.
“So then, who is that man?”
“I’m not certain.”
“He’s an esteemed member of the Namgung Clan, they said……”
“Surely someone in the marketplace would know him.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Then they hurried off on their way.
Namgung Yeon watched them depart, hoping the rumors would spread far and wide.
Once word reached the ears of the elders and his relatives, they would grow all the more anxious, would they not?
Besides, Father, the head of the household, would take some notice of this too.
There was a quiet satisfaction in playing the role of stopping those bent on recklessness.
If it worked out, well and good. If not, so be it.
‘And there’s one more thing.’
He could not prevent all those calamities by his strength alone.
So he would have to cultivate the clan, cultivate the martial world itself.
To the point where, even without him, this land and its people could be protected.
Fortunately, he possessed wealth and resources in abundance.
‘Are you watching?’
This time, things would not go your way.
Namgung Yeon’s pace quickened.
#3
“Th-this is all what, sir…?”
“Your training materials.”
……
Nam Ho Ho’s mouth fell open.
Shabby figures kneeling on the ground.
Blood had coagulated on them until they no longer looked human, lined up before him in rows.
Nam Ho Ho let his fear pour forth from the depths of his heart.
“Er, young master. Not really? Surely not…?”
“Cut them down with your own hands. They’re not worth keeping alive anyway.”
……
Namgung Yeon drew out a blade without hesitation.
A sword he had taken from his storage.
Ordinary to look upon, yet unmatched in its hardness and sharpness of edge.
Nam Ho Ho grasped the sword with trembling hands.
Namgung Yeon watched him and spoke.
He understood.
He knew.
How much Nam Ho Ho trembled with fear, how much he despised taking a life.
“Nam Ho Ho.”
“Yes, young master.”
“If you truly wish to become my limbs and hands, cast off your fear.”
……
The words came gently, yet they carried backbone.
Words so coldly precise, so sharply edged they ached.
To Nam Ho Ho, they sounded like this:
If you cling to fear, we cannot walk together any longer.
Why had the young master chosen someone so worthless as him?
Nam Ho Ho had pondered this deeply in solitude.
Why?
Why had the young master decided to stand with him?
‘It couldn’t be merely because I cook well, and he wouldn’t have looked after me so carefully just because I clean diligently.’
Wearing the weighty Pae Ryong Swae, that thought grew stronger still.
Then he wanted to ask.
Why, when he was weak and fearful?
“Young master.”
“Yes.”
“Why do you do this for me? There must be many others with greater talent……”
“Because your talent shines brightest in my eyes.”
……
Not a moment’s hesitation before the words spilled out.
His talent was the brightest?
How could such an absurd thing—
“Talent is not merely what appears at first glance. Talent can bloom late. Some may seem to have reached high peaks, yet their limits are clear, while others appear unremarkable but possess vast vessels within. Do you understand?”
“Late Blooming Talent, is that what you mean?”
“More important than that is Character. Nam Ho Ho, never forget—your Character is your greatest talent.”
Namgung Yeon spoke with utter calm.
Nam Ho Ho had always kept his word.
Nam Ho Ho had never abandoned justice.
Who was it that stood tall and endured to the very end, unbending even as the world hurtled toward ruin?
It was a man named Nam Ho Ho.
A Martial Artist who looked down upon his own gifts, yet always reached the highest peaks.
A true apostle of justice, moved always by righteousness and compassion.
Namgung Yeon was the one who had watched his talent from afar, and also from near.
“Not fleeing when faced with hardship—that is the first part. But keeping righteousness and compassion even then—that, my boy, is your greatest talent.”
“Master……”
“So overcome your fear. If you have chosen to live as a Martial Artist, then become ruthless. We must survive in a world far harsher and more merciless than this.”
At Namgung Yeon’s words, Ho Ho’s trembling ceased.

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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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