I Became the Namgung Clan’s Omnipotent Item-Powered Martial God - Chapter 41

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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 41
Chapter 41 – The Path of Trust
#1
Namgung Mu gazed upon his son.
What he was plotting remained utterly opaque — his judgments and decisions defied easy understanding.
Even from what had been revealed so far, this much was clear.
He cultivated talent, nurtured promising disciples.
As if he meant to seize control of the Namgung Clan himself, he relentlessly expanded his network of power.
It might be modest in scope now.
But five years hence? Ten years?
‘Is he trying to make the Namgung Clan revolve around these people as its core?’
Perhaps the one who resembled him most was none other than you.
Namgung Mu opened his mouth to speak.
The Namgung Clan respects the strong.
Whether their blood runs humble or noble.
Some might harbor subtle disdain.
Those who would scorn different origins surely existed.
But to overcome even that and prove oneself boldly — that is the way of Namgung.
So he had decided to watch.
“That proposal I cannot accept.”
……
“By the law of Namgung, the child has already proven his capability; your demand merely duplicates what is already settled.”
“Patriarch, do you truly intend to accept that boy?”
“The more strong warriors we gather, the better. It has been long since I heard such wise words.”
None could bring themselves to voice denial.
They competed amongst themselves, yes, but they were bound beneath the name of Namgung.
The belonging that name conferred was considerable.
Even if they battled and clashed within these walls, all carried the pride of belonging to the foremost martial clan in the Martial World.
Should they ever leave Namgung, what then remained?
The hunger for strength.
Was that not the sole pillar sustaining Namgung?
The more strong warriors Namgung possessed, the better.
Without knowing it, all began to nod.
“Ho Ho, was it? My fourth son specifically requested that you call him by name back then. I remember it well.”
“Ah—”
“Thank you for proving that my son’s choice was not mistaken.”
“I-I am deeply sorry, no, it is a great honor! A tremendous honor!”
A shout so loud it rang clear and bright.
Tears welled in Ho Ho’s eyes as his expression shone with the sense of having been repaid for all his hardship.
But praise was fleeting.
Namgung Mu’s cold words struck immediately after.
“Yet there is one thing — you lack far too much. In short, your performance is utterly sloppy.”
……
“Discipline yourself further. What you have now is merely passable.”
“Y-yes, I understand!”
Namgung Mu’s manner of speech left no room for complacency.
Thus the mock battle of the third group came to an end.
Now it was time to claim rewards.
—Come with me.
And a “special reward” awaited Namgung Yeon.
In place of an Intermediate Martial Technique, what should be claimed instead?
Money and martial arts techniques, Spirit Medicine — these were in such surplus they might rot.
Then what was needed was a stage where such things could be properly put to use.
Namgung Yeon moved forward slowly.
Entry to Bi Go was to come tomorrow.
He had been granted one day of sweet respite.
#2
Namgung Mu spent a brief time alone with his son.
The floor of the Training Arena had been destroyed, and there was time while repairs were being made.
His son stood before him.
The feeling was peculiar.
In less than a year, he had achieved growth of this magnitude.
If Namgung Mu himself had been sent back to childhood, could he have grown faster than Namgung Yeon?
He couldn’t say for certain.
His son’s capacity for growth was steeper than anyone’s he had ever witnessed.
“You’ve suffered no ill effects?”
“No, Father. I’m in perfect health.”
“I hear the new quarters have been completed.”
“A place of rest should be comfortable, shouldn’t it? That’s where one truly recovers.”
“A fair point. It seems funds have been flowing out of various projects of late.”
Namgung Mu acknowledged his son’s decision.
If they could cultivate enough masters, the expense was hardly a concern.
The Namgung Clan was not a martial house that lacked wealth.
Now came the matter of true importance.
Namgung Mu swept his hand, forming a Qi Veil around them.
Then he moved directly to the point.
“The information you sent about the Demon Persons—you gathered it yourself?”
“I did.”
“How did you come by it? My own investigators found some of it accurate, some flawed.”
As expected. He knew everything already.
Namgung Yeon nodded calmly.
The household master—his father—was someone to work with, not someone to oppose.
Cold as he was, he had always cherished his children deeply.
He was simply poor at showing it; there was no lack of love.
A model from the old age, this man.
So Namgung Yeon spoke without hesitation.
“Over three months, I found an information network outside the Clan. I confirmed they’re competent.”
“And you set them to work gathering intelligence?”
“Yes. Though unexpectedly, some of them revealed themselves far sooner than anticipated.”
“The instructor and student who attacked Team Three.”
Namgung Mu’s face darkened.
He had no sense of how many Demon Persons had burrowed into the Namgung Clan.
Internal investigations, no matter what methods were employed, would likely yield nothing but evasion.
“How long have you known?”
“For some time now. Do you remember what happened in Seomseo, years ago?”
“Yes, I’m aware of it.”
“From that point, I felt we needed to prepare gradually.”
Years had passed since then.
Something terrible had occurred in Seomseo.
Simply put, an entire village had vanished without trace.
A ghost town was born, and all who entered it went missing.
It was eventually revealed to be the work of Demon Persons, and a sweeping extermination campaign was launched.
So he had been preparing since then…….
Namgung Mu quietly marveled at his son’s foresight.
If ability had been demonstrated, then it deserved trust and delegation.
“Then begin your preparations.”
“For what, Father?”
“Build your own independent force—beyond the Namgung Clan.”
“Are you certain that’s wise?”
Namgung Mu stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing upon the Namgung Clan’s landscape.
Towering walls.
A vast manor built deep within verdant mountains and forest.
A clan wielding such immense influence it could be called its own kingdom.
Yet internal fracture was the sole method capable of breaching even the sturdiest rampart.
He had come to understand that a moment demanding the greatest gamble of his life had arrived.
The Namgung Clan had grown too stagnant.
Perhaps now was the time for transformation anew.
“Stagnant water rots—and the depths of Namgung are already thick with rot and decay.”
“……I understand. Then, shall I adjust the coming schedule accordingly?”
“Explain in detail. If there’s no disruption to the Competition Matches, I will allow it.”
Namgung Yeon nodded.
This was fortuitous.
The fact that Namgung Mu was bringing him a secret request.
That would become the foothold through which he could slowly seize control of the Namgung Clan.
His words would gain weight.
His actions would be granted justification.
All that mattered was the result.
Only results for the Namgung Clan would explain everything he had done.
After hearing his son finish his explanation, the clan leader nodded in acknowledgment.
“That should be manageable. Don’t worry.”
“I will do my utmost for the Namgung Clan.”
……
Namgung Yeon felt the clan leader’s hand settle calmly upon his shoulder.
Twice.
Weighty.
And the texture of a hand weathered by calluses, stiff with the marks of labor.
That hand which upheld the Namgung Clan seemed to lift some burden from him.
It was a feeling he never tired of.
A son always craved his father’s recognition.
“I won’t disappoint you. Or anyone who stands beneath me.”
“And do get along well with your brothers and sisters.”
With that, Namgung Mu departed once more toward the mock competition grounds.
The board was set.
If that were so.
“Then it’s time to scatter some coin.”
It was the moment to begin his spending spree.
#3
That evening.
The members of the Third Group were savoring a sweet respite after a long time.
Given the nature of the competition match, they couldn’t return to their families, but simply being within this vast estate brought them a sense of security.
“Which martial technique are you going to choose?”
“Hard to say. I’m leaning toward external cultivation, though.”
“For me, it has to be speed. Speed is the means by which you can toy with your opponent.”
As they chatted idly, Namgung Yeon entered the quarters.
All eyes turned toward him, and everyone greeted him with bright faces.
“So everyone was gathered here.”
“Group leader, do you truly not intend to enter Bi Go?”
“That’s right. I don’t have much need for it.”
The position of group leader will be contested soon. Couldn’t we get ahead that way?”
Namgung Jinjin pinpointed the overconfidence that Namgung Yeon’s words risked revealing.
He trusted him for now, but he had no intention of showing mercy when it came down to it.
Namgung Yeon laughed softly upon hearing that.
It was true that their martial strength had improved dramatically.
But the years he had accumulated were not at a level to be consumed by their mere talent.
Of course, there might be some among them capable of it someday—but not yet.
“Don’t worry. Even with the Three Calamities Sword Technique, you can defeat them.”
“I’d like to test myself against them once.”
“That’s why I’m going to recommend a secret technique to you all.”
“But do you know what’s inside Bi Go? That place is……”
A place that no one without explicit permission could ever enter.
Even the clan leader’s own children faced the same restriction.
One had to demonstrate exceptional results.
Or prove one’s worth through one’s own power.
Those were the only conditions for entering Bi Go.
‘The highest among them is the Infinite Sky Celestial Divine Art, but……’
Namgung Yeon was already learning that.
He simply hadn’t revealed it yet.
As the group leader, he assessed the capabilities of his members.
Building up martial techniques was an extremely important matter.
Depending on which technique one learned, talent could wither or burn all the more brilliantly.
I put them through countless trials and experiments.
Every time I looked at each of their faces, those memories came flooding back.
Ho Ho especially had the hardest time of it.
Still, he was someone who mastered it all in the end.
‘I will make your talents bloom more brilliantly than in any other round.’
And.
As team leader, I intended to give out generous rewards.
Of course, assuming they followed orders well.
Team Three would become even stronger.
Namgung would grow stronger too.

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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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