I Became the Namgung Clan’s Omnipotent Item-Powered Martial God - Chapter 51

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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 51
Episode 51 — Building Strength
#1
Even prestigious families conducted performance evaluations.
No, if anything, the internal assessments were harsher, and people were treated as disposable parts.
The Namgung Family was no exception.
How many people across this continent truly desired to join the Namgung Family and work alongside it?
When supply exceeded demand, value naturally diminished.
The Namgung Family operated by the same principle.
‘So these people are just useless components,’ Namgung Yeon thought.
He observed the instructors standing motionless and contemplated the matter.
Yet another thought had begun to take shape.
If he were to lead these people forward himself, might they prove useful?
It was something he’d never considered in the previous cycle.
His path had always prioritized efficiency alone.
And what had been the greatest obstacle among all those priorities?
It was people themselves.
‘These people who make me reflect on human nature….’
With that thought, Namgung Yeon decided to leave them with only a few words.
He believed he lacked the capacity to directly guide them.
He was already overburdened looking after the people suited to him—converting those who weren’t?
Others would call it a waste of time.
And he agreed.
But.
One day, when these people were truly prepared to serve the Namgung name, he hoped they would remember his words.
Should they stray toward the wrong path, he would strike their necks himself, but if they turned back like prodigal sons and reformed their hearts, he would gladly welcome them.
This was a foundation laid for such a moment, just in case.
“Instructors, I know this feels unjust to you.”
“…….”
“But wouldn’t it be worthwhile to act for the greater good instead? This is merely what a young boy felt—one who watched everything from a place no one was watching.”
Upon hearing Namgung Yeon’s words, the instructors’ faces flushed crimson.
Whether from shame or contempt, it was impossible to tell.
Still, it would serve as at least a small seed.
Whether that seed would sprout a darkened, withered emotion or blossom into a radiant, golden light—time alone would decide.
“I’ve spoken presumptuously to men fully grown. Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
“Fourth Young Master, you proved quite impressive.”
In place of the silent instructors, the Red Dragon Knight broke into a hearty laugh, his tone light.
Namgung Yeon did not bother to respond, walking instead toward those who continued training with diligence that day.
For those he concerned himself with, he wished they would sprout buds of the right color.
The Red Dragon Knight turned to the instructors and cast down a final remark.
If these men possessed even a shred of shame, his words would serve as a wedge.
“Even as you tarnished the name of Namgung, the Fourth Young Master defended you earnestly.”
“Is that… truly so?”
“That’s how it appeared. So… mind your conduct from now on.”
Sometimes romance mattered more than pragmatism.
Romance, by name, was the heart that thought first of another’s wellbeing rather than one’s own.
There were few who failed to recognize such a heart.
Certainly not among the elders who had walked together under the Namgung name.
“I’ve meddled too much.”
The Red Dragon Knight spoke those final words in earnest, then stepped into the Training Ground for a brief look around.
Only the instructors, standing dumbly in place, remained behind.
#2
All the members of the third group had gathered.
Ho Ho had to handle both cooking duties and cleaning work until a replacement arrived, but she held no resentment.
Rather, she seemed pleased to stay busy and have time to collect her thoughts.
They were concerned about their Group Leader, Namgung Yeon, who had disappeared all night.
“Where exactly were you wandering around all night?”
“I went to rescue my sister.”
“All night……?”
“Yes.”
The murmurs grew louder.
Why did the Namgung Family keep coming under attack?
Why did it have to be the Namgung Family of all people?
Their thoughts seemed to lay bare before Namgung Yeon’s eyes.
But the truth was, the Martial Realm was currently experiencing sporadic raids by Demons.
They simply didn’t know it.
After settling the commotion, Namgung Yeon spoke again.
“I’d originally planned to conduct more training before presenting gifts, but I’ve decided to move up the timing.”
“A gift?”
“Is this what you mentioned before?”
The matter Yi Hyeon and Namgung Jinjin had discussed during training.
Namgung Yeon nodded lightly and produced a wooden box he’d quietly prepared.
Inside lay Spiritual Medicine tailored to each person’s nature.
Would consuming this grant a dramatic leap in martial prowess?
Not quite.
What these people needed now was solid foundational work.
Expanding their capacity and laying groundwork for ascent.
‘All the Spiritual Medicine in here serves that purpose.’
He had always pondered it.
These companions, who grew in countless forms across each regression cycle.
In some cycles they became the finest talents under heaven itself, and in others they ended their lives as ordinary martial artists.
So he was perpetually consumed by the question: how far could he draw out their true potential?
Every elixir here had been carefully selected with consideration for their constitution and the path they would walk.
Moreover, Namgung Yeon had personally sourced the ingredients and crafted them himself.
“Today, rather than harsh training, it would be best to consume the Spiritual Medicine and spend time integrating it with new martial techniques.”
“What about the Group Leader? Aren’t you taking any?”
“I’m already consuming enough.”
“Of course the direct line is different. You buy things like this smoothly with pocket money from the Family Head.”
Though each expressed it differently, they were all grateful to Namgung Yeon.
The atmosphere that had initially rejected him was now one that treated him as a proper Group Leader.
With one exception: Namgung Geon-ho alone.
He gazed at the wooden box for a moment, then spoke.
With an entirely unexpected answer.
“I won’t take it.”
……
“What kind of manners are these, suddenly refusing when the Group Leader has gone to such trouble to prepare it?”
“Exactly—I haven’t really done much in this group anyway. That’s all there is to it.”
Namgung Geon-ho answered calmly even to Yi Hyeon’s sharp words.
His logic left them speechless, and all members of the three groups looked back and forth between Namgung Yeon and Namgung Geon-ho.
Remarkably, Namgung Yeon, as their Group Leader, said nothing and simply accepted his choice.
“Do as you wish.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Namgung Yeon again gauged Namgung Geon-ho’s abilities as the latter returned the Spiritual Medicine.
This man who always trained alone, who ate quietly even at meals.
Yet his martial skill had grown noticeably.
Strength enough that he could likely surpass several even among Namgung Yeon’s own siblings.
Was he using Namgung Yeon for his own ends?
Or was he simply moving according to his own private designs?
Or perhaps something else entirely?
‘For now, I should just let things flow as they will.’
Truly, there was nothing more difficult than controlling people’s hearts.
For now, acceptance was all that remained.
A figure shrouded in such mystery deserved nothing less.
“I’ll get up and train as usual.”
“As you wish.”
Namgung Geon-ho rose quietly and departed first.
The remaining members each returned to their own quarters to consume the Spiritual Medicine.
Someone who had been watching it all drew near to Namgung Yeon with a whisper.
“Young Master, you possess quite the remarkable talent.”
“What talent do you speak of?”
“It’s not easy to make people follow someone so headstrong and prideful.”
“Do you see the makings of a leader?”
The Red Dragon Knight nodded slowly.
Then, with a soft movement, he produced something.
Along with a brief bow.
“This is something the Family Head sent especially for you.”
“The Family Head?”
“You’ve recovered the Namgung Family’s talented disciples, so it’s only right you receive this. Besides, the students here…… they’re formidable indeed.”
“I’ve noticed.”
The Red Dragon Knight stroked his jaw.
Then, with a meaningful expression, he offered his farewell.
It was time for him to depart.
“It was a pleasure to meet you. I’ll take my leave now.”
“The pleasure was mine.”
“We shall meet again soon.”
He bowed with measured grace, then descended in quick, purposeful strides.
Namgung Yeon watched his receding figure and searched his memory.
The name of that impressive man was……
“Ah, that’s right.”
Namgung Yeon recalled the name and nodded to himself.
Now he should open the Family Head’s gift.
Namgung Yeon slowly unsealed the envelope his father had given him.
Inside lay things of considerable interest.
A bundle of vouchers and exchange vouchers for something.
There was also a permit allowing him to leave briefly to receive a guest.
Then……
“If Wol Young comes…… perhaps I should take a leisurely trip out for once.”
Namgung Yeon murmured the words in a voice that trembled faintly.
If only he had a bit more time, he could have gone to Yangyang.
He’d already asked Wol Young to handle it, but still—it would be better to go himself.
He meant to see an old friend there.
Along with Ho Ho, the dearest friend he’d ever had.
By now, cast out as an exile, that friend was wandering from place to place.
In this cycle too, he was a person Namgung Yeon desperately needed.
Now was the time when he would be suffering most.
‘Just wait a little longer. I’ll come for you soon.’
The formation he had created was unlike any other in the world.
And the Secret Transmission of the Jegal Family he had restored was the very formation that had once led the family to its golden age.
Originally, he alone had wielded that formation.
The Seven Star Forbidden Time Formation.

The only person capable of deploying it.
The one who had stood as his wings until the very end, protecting the Martial Realm.
Namgung Yeon needed him.
In futures yet to come, and in the past left behind.
And in this present moment as well.
“Soon, an opportunity to go outside will present itself……”
It was convenient timing.
The Jegal Family would surely need substantial funds right now.
And this was something he had hoped for in each cycle.
To ease his friend’s suffering and help him find a new life as quickly as possible.
Why hadn’t he done so before now?
He had tried.
But each time, the need for vast sums of money and the interference of corrupt men had made it difficult.
After that, he had made his resolve.
‘So I have regressed thirty times.’
His friend would never remember, but Namgung Yeon himself had endured those cycles of suffering.
What is the ache of watching someone you love suffer again and again?
Many had become his driving force, but his friend’s suffering in particular had shattered his heart.
‘Because of that, I was always able to think, to agonize, and to gather things in the shadows.’
The time of waiting had come to an end.
Namgung Yeon himself did not yet know it.
That in this journey, it would not only be his friend who found salvation.
A man who remembers a savior that does not exist, robbed of his own memories.
And another who thrashes in agony, unable to reach out a hand of rescue.
Whose time had been twisted more cruelly?
Namgung Yeon, who had lost more than anyone else to avoid the pain of loss.
Now, to keep from doing so again, he began turning his mind over with renewed vigor.
‘There is no room for error.’
So he must save his friend—the one clinging to survival by sheer will—by the most certain means available.
And then.
“Grandson! Grandfather’s here!”
A surprise visitor arrived on the eve of the Group Leader selection tournament.

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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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