I Became the Namgung Clan’s Omnipotent Item-Powered Martial God - Chapter 44

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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 44
Chapter 44 – Know Where to Draw the Line
#1
Fifty thousand gold currency.
How much was that, really?
It was certainly an amount that ordinary people could scarcely imagine.
Perhaps even considerable merchants would think twice before uttering such a figure.
A skilled craftsman’s annual income was roughly twenty-four silver currency.
And that was earned through grueling labor all day long, hands and feet worn nearly to nothing.
Yet fifty thousand gold currency…
“That, that’s far too much…”
“It’s not excessive. With that amount, you’ll be free to pursue your aims as you see fit.”
“Young Master, are you not afraid? How could I know what this girl might do with such a vast sum?”
Namgung Yeon laughed at Wol-yeong’s words.
Then he leaned forward, fixing his gaze directly on her eyes before parting his lips to answer.
Wol-yeong met those turbid, fathomless eyes and her breath caught for a moment.
She swallowed and turned over his words in her mind.
His gaze seemed to ask her something.
Whether she could bear the darkness she was about to witness.
Though Wol-yeong had lived in shadow all her life, the darkness this man carried seemed utterly overwhelming.
“Such a pittance as fifty thousand gold won’t buy much. It’s only dust.”
…
“I know my own life has value. If you mean to buy my allegiance with mere money… you’re welcome to try.”
If you could.
Seeing the tremor in Wol-yeong’s eyes, Namgung Yeon felt reassured.
Those who truly meant to betray never spoke like that in the first place.
Instead, they’d promise to use it well, claim they’d met a benefactor for life.
Namgung Yeon opened the Infinite Coffer and produced what he’d prepared.
What he’d gathered was as follows:
[Infinite Coffer]
[Demonic Sword: Ghost Iron]

[Uncut Diamond]
[Low-grade Night Pearl]
[Heavenly Sunken Wood]

[…]
Boom—!
A chest the size of a man’s body materialized.
Wol-yeong had no time to wonder where it came from.
The moment she saw what lay inside, she had to cover her mouth with both hands.
“Is this… all of it…?”
“Use it as you please. However, this sword has a particular purpose, so I’d like you to move according to my plan.”
“Yes, I will follow your orders.”
She felt a primal fear grip her.
This man, Namgung Yeon.
If she betrayed him, he would press her with an even greater fortune.
And if one’s only power was wealth rather than martial strength, the danger was all the greater.
By her reckoning, her master possessed wealth far beyond this.
Wealth had one peculiar property—the moment one lost the advantage, absolute ruin followed.
It required exceptional cunning to survive such a game, and she knew herself to lack such talent.
‘A frightening man.’
Wol-yeong could not even conceive of raising a hand against Namgung Yeon.
Most of all, those unwavering eyes terrified her.
She suspected he would send the members of the Heukpung Bang she cherished to hell without blinking an eye.
Because to him, she seemed merely a tool.
Wol-yeong made peace with her fate.
She had gained a new life because of him; it was only right that she stake everything alongside him.
“Then, where do you intend to use this sword?”
“I’d like to hold a small tournament. The sponsor should be… yes, the Peng Clan.”
“The Peng Clan, then……?”
“A family with footholds in Hebei and Wuhan. They own Huangxue Tower, and they’re the hometown of the Thunder God.”
Long ago, in times distant and dimly remembered.
A young man appeared seemingly from nowhere and saved the martial world single-handedly.
People called him the Thunder God.
One who wielded the Lightning Divine Art with perfect mastery and was said to have inherited the power of the Divine Beast.
Hailed as a complete martial master, lauded as the greatest of all ages — Peng Xian-dao, the Thunder God.
His descendants now comprise the Peng Clan.
Naturally they possessed great wealth, and naturally they wielded considerable influence in battles against Demonic Beings.
‘Though the problem is they’ve squandered everything the Thunder God left behind…….’
But they would serve admirably to draw the Demonic Beings’ attention.
The Hubei region, where both the Jegal Clan and the Peng Clan maintained branches, was critically positioned.
It was the passage connecting Sichuan and Anhui — the very region the Demonic Beings would seek to occupy first in times to come.
‘So I’ll shatter the Demonic Beings there into fragments and scattered chaos.’
The Demonic Sword would serve a vital purpose.
Namgung Yeon issued his final order.
“Make contact with the Peng Clan, and spread rumors about the Demonic Sword. A blood wind will blow.”
“…….”
“Do you think it too cruel?”
At Namgung Yeon’s words, Wol-yeong found herself unable to speak.
And in that silence, she understood.
Into what darkness she had placed her feet.
“No, sir. I will carry out your instructions.”
Wol-yeong merely bowed her head.
Namgung Yeon.
She decided to watch a while longer, to see what picture he was painting.
“And one more thing. This one is a personal request —”
The errand involving fifty thousand pieces of Gold Currency proved both risky and complex.
#2
The next day.
The Main Clan Residence was in an uproar from morning.
The Third Squad was preparing once again to depart for the Hapsan Training Grounds.
Their Squad Leader found his path blocked by a procession of figures.
“Young Master, might we have a word with you?”
“Of course.”
The Third Elder: Namgung Hyeok-un.
He approached Namgung Yeon alongside several high-ranking members of the Namgung hierarchy.
From the opposite direction emerged the Clan Lord himself, Namgung Mu.
At his side stood the father of Namgung Jin-jin, the Baekryong Brigade Commander.
Namgung Yeon grasped the situation in an instant.
The Baekryong Brigade Commander.
In a single day, he had spread word throughout the entire clan and brought a notary public with him.
His father’s expression was notably grave.
‘How will he respond, I wonder.’
As Namgung Yeon was thinking precisely that, the Third Elder’s mouth opened.
This man who backed the Baekryong Brigade Commander.
Or more accurately, the man who used the Baekryong Brigade Commander to bring powerful warriors into his own faction.
Reducing those who obeyed the Clan Lord’s commands.
Increasing those who followed his own.
A simple power struggle, and the Baekryong Brigade Commander was merely his instrument.
This was the elder who spoke now, his tone one of reproach.
“Yesterday’s conduct was quite discourteous. After all, isn’t he both an elder of the clan and the Commander who leads the Baekryong Brigade?”
“I merely exercised my authority as Squad Leader. Moreover, I offered to draw up a proper contract.”
“Do you truly believe that possible? It seems a reckless challenge to me.”
The Third Elder spoke as though concerned, yet inwardly he was smiling.
The Clan Lord’s worthless son was tightening his own noose.
Unaware that his actions were shackling his own father’s feet in turn.
The Third Elder swallowed his laughter and goaded Namgung Yeon further.
“Your confidence could exert considerable influence on the Young Master Selection Competition.”
“I doubt it would apply except in the absence of my older brothers and sisters.”
“Yeon, is what the Baekryong Brigade Master said the truth?”
The Clan Head Namgung Mu’s voice cut through the tense standoff between the two men.
Beneath his measured tone lay a faint anger, though toward whom exactly was unclear.
Whether he was reproaching his own son’s recklessness or the Baekryong Brigade Master’s childish handling, his voice betrayed nothing.
“Young Master, if you withdraw now, I shall be magnanimous and forgive you. Only—do not interfere in matters concerning my son.”
“Hmm…….”
Namgung Yeon regarded the Baekryong Brigade Master with something like contempt as he stood there beside his father.
A grown man scurrying off to tattle to another’s father like a child.
The people of Baekryong Brigade must hold him in high regard indeed.
“I wonder who taught a full-grown adult to run and tell another man’s father his grievances.”
“What did you—?”
“Know your place, Baekryong Brigade Master.”
“Clan Head! Did you hear that? Should this young master say another word—!”
The situation had become utterly chaotic.
Namgung Mu regarded his son Namgung Yeon with cold eyes.
In the past, he would have shouted him down without hearing a word.
It was certainly strange to see the Young Master commenting on the Baekryong Brigade Master’s son like this.
But.
‘What is he thinking?’
Since rising from his sickbed, his son’s movements had been peculiar and enigmatic.
If he asked the reason, he sensed an answer that would benefit the Namgung Clan would emerge.
“Explain what thoughts and decisions led you to this.”
“Of course.”
Namgung Yeon continued his explanation calmly.
With each word, one sank deeper into the mire—all premised on acting for the Namgung Clan alone.
#3
First.
A Squad Leader may involve themselves in a Squad Member’s decision-making.
Second.
A Squad Member must follow the Squad Leader’s orders, unless the situation is unjust.
Third.
The Baekryong Brigade Master is, regrettably, not Namgung Jin-jin’s patron.
“And in the Young Master Selection Competition, one who is not a patron can exercise no influence over a candidate. Is that correct?”
“…….”
“…….”
Perfect logic.
Airtight reasoning that silenced every tongue in the room.
The Third Elder’s gaze turned lethal, its edge directed at the Baekryong Brigade Master, Namgung Jo.
‘At least I left Jin-jin in the carriage.’
However much one despises, a father remains his child’s heaven.
To surpass the father is the son’s alone to accomplish.
Namgung Yeon understood this well, which is why he had not summoned Namgung Jin-jin.
No—he had strictly instructed him to stay away.
Through Yi Hyeon, this command: do not let him leave the carriage, no matter what.
He had spoken these words himself.
A courtesy of sorts, and his own wish that Jin-jin grow without bearing such chains.
Namgung Yeon turned his gaze toward the Baekryong Brigade Master, who was being subjected to a withering stare.
The Clan Head too was regarding him with something akin to disdain.
“Still, since I have spoken these words, I shall keep them. Two years is sufficient.”
“Then let those present serve as witnesses, shall they not, Clan Head?”
“Do as you wish, Baekryong Brigade Master.”
“……Yes.”
“Act with prudence henceforth.”
Namgung Mu’s eyes held no emotion whatsoever.
He merely let the anger rising within him at this wasted errand show for a moment—directed not at the Baekryong Brigade Master, but at the Third Elder.
“Third Elder, perhaps you might handle such matters on your own……?”
“My apologies, Clan Head.”
“Then see to your duties. Have Squad Three make haste to the Hapsan Training Grounds.”
“Yes, Clan Head.”
Namgung Yeon clasped his fists in salute and took his leave.
Before departing, he made sure to offer one final word.
“I shall raise Jin-jin well.”
……
“Ah, and the Wan-ho seal is being used well too. Thank you, Elder.”
With that, Namgung Yeon turned his back on the Third Elder, whose expression had soured like rotting water, and walked away.
The Baekryong Brigade Captain would break a little—or perhaps quite a bit.
That, too, might be a necessary process.
‘For now, let them fight among yourselves.’
Rather than turning their eyes outward, he intended to make them focus on internal struggles.
Only then could he prepare thoroughly on the outside.
Behind Namgung Yeon’s footsteps, the angry voice of the Third Elder echoed faintly.

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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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