I Became the Namgung Clan’s Omnipotent Item-Powered Martial God - Chapter 62

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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 62
Chapter 62 — Those Who Forsake Heavenly Ethics
#1
The reason two brothers, once close, had drifted apart was simple enough.
One man pursued victory above all else.
The other held the path itself sacred.
Two brothers with different aspirations had, without realizing it, begun to walk parallel lines that would never converge.
“You sent me and my colleagues to our deaths — did you think I wouldn’t know?”
……
“And then you received credit for it, and finally claimed a position of power.”
The elder brother, who prized results, had used his subordinates and allies as tools.
Even knowing it was wrong, he never stopped.
And the younger brother?
He taught that even in failure, if something lay beyond one’s ability, it must be humbly accepted.
“When I sought you out, the matter was already decided.”
“Did I not tell you then that there was nothing to be done?”
That open mouth still lies. The elders could have solved it easily enough.”
“What good are such words now? And so this is what you do — become a Demon and loose your minions upon the world?”
Namgung Hyeon-jong’s expression twisted with contempt.
His convictions had never wavered.
To follow the strong — this was the law of Namgung.
That the Namgung Family achieved near-perfect results was precisely because the weak had been cast aside.
At that time, Namgung Hyeon-jong had had no choice but to act as he did.
Even now, after all these long years, he believed it still.
Namgung Yeon said nothing.
He offered no judgment.
‘Both have their reasons — both speak truth, after all.’
Did darkness not exist within Namgung?
Did those the world called heroes cast no shadow?
There was no one of pristine clarity in the Namgung Family.
At least, not among those Namgung Yeon knew.
And so he let their conflicting principles clash, nothing more.
Whatever cruelty had been shown to him, Namgung Hyeon-jong remained a pillar of the family.
A pillar that would hold firm as the younger generation grew and flourished.
And Namgung Yeon had no wish to see that pillar fall here.
Namgung Hyeon-jong caught the shift in Namgung Yeon’s gaze.
He stepped forward with even greater force, befitting a Senior Elder’s dignity.
Before the younger generation, at least, he had to be the steadfast pillar of Namgung.
“……You withdraw from here, Yeon.”
“Yes. Do not worry for me, in any way.”
……
His part was finished now.
All that remained was to see it through cleanly.
And with this, another turning point would emerge.
‘How the Senior Elder moves will determine the path forward.’
The Senior Elder’s eldest grandson was at odds with Namgung Cheon.
It would not do for him to have leverage over the Family Head’s faction.
The attempt to eliminate him on impulse likely stemmed from the same logic.
If he did not press further here, the matter would resolve itself easily.
Of course, he knew such restraint would not come easily.
The eyes of Namgung Hyeon-jong’s martial attendants fixed upon him gleamed with unmistakable intent.
#2
The Senior Elder gazed at his younger brother with a troubled heart.
Their mother had always been frail, and had borne few children.
In this age, siblings meant power and influence to a noble house.
To father many talented descendants was deemed the sacred duty of the parent’s generation.
Yet Hyeon-jong’s mother had been too weak to bear more than two.
These two had grown up with no one to rely upon but each other.
Now, both aged, they stood with swords drawn against one another.
What was the meaning of this?
“Why didn’t you come straight to me instead?”
“And you would have listened……? I don’t think so.”
“Regardless — a Demon! You’ve sold your very soul!”
Rumble—!
From the Elder, now nearly perfected as a martial artist, a formidable force erupted.
Namgung Hyeon-geum did not yield, unleashing Demonic Energy in response.
“What is a soul! If it means dragging you to ruin, I would do far worse!”
“If blood truly must spill…….”
“Hehehehe……. Come then. My brother has always had far too much to say.”
Roar—!
Unable to contain himself any longer, Namgung Hyeon-jong threw himself into the fray.
Now began the true clash of masters.
Whoever lost would forfeit their life.
Namgung Yeon watched the other martial artists standing about in a daze, then posed his question.
Directly and without preamble.
“The Elder said nothing else to you?”
“……No.”
“I see. Then he never instructed you to eliminate the Fourth Young Master while isolated, or to make it look like an accident, or anything of that sort?”
“Your words overstep, sir. Even if the Elder and the Family Head are rivals, they would not cross that line.”
“And what of you?”
At Namgung Yeon’s cutting remark, all fell silent.
In truth, they had not failed to consider it.
Remove a rival by any means necessary.
In such contests, the weak are culled and only the strong survive.
Yet none had expected him to ask so bluntly, and the shock showed plainly on their faces.
Someone exhaled slowly, then opened their mouth.
“Rest assured. Nothing of the sort will occur.”
“It had better not.”
“We too are members of the Namgung Family.”
Namgung Yeon regarded the man who had spoken.
Then, with a slight smile, he nodded.
“I hope you maintain that conviction to the end.”
“Of course……we shall.”
How would the battle unfold?
The clash between the brothers bloomed ever more magnificently.
Each time they collided, the entire Training Grounds resonated.
This was the true collision of masters.
Undoubtedly, the Elder’s skill surpassed imagination.
Even with dozens of Regressions and overwhelming growth, it remained beyond Namgung Yeon’s reach.
Not yet possessing even the basic conditions to exchange blows.
To oppose him now would be folly.
‘Yet one day I must surpass him…….’
Either make him submit.
Or remove him before he becomes an obstacle.
A choice would come, inevitably.
Still, watching the Elder’s habits and techniques presented an excellent opportunity.
He possessed a mystical eye and experience beyond measure.
Even as he chided his own talent for not yet reaching such heights.
And even as he harbored hope that ascension to greater realms remained possible.
Namgung Yeon stood with arms folded, quietly observing the clash of masters.
The battle grew fiercer, then seemed to settle into a lull.
After one tremendous impact, the two had drawn back to a reasonable distance.
“……Truly disappointing.”
“Krhehe……. As expected of my brother.”
The advantage in strength was undeniable.
The one breathing heavily was Namgung Hyeon-geum.
A Demon’s growth.
The conditions could not help but differ.
To reach the rank of Elder, Namgung Hyeon-jong had eaten well and trained in favorable circumstances.
He had studied under the finest martial artists of his age and endured countless battles.
When his body ached, he applied the finest medicinal salves; when his sword broke, he commissioned a new one from the greatest swordsmith in the land.
But what of Namgung Hyeon-geum?
He had lived a life of poverty, and the Demon’s reality was equally bleak.
His gaunt, skeletal frame bore witness to that hard existence.
“If only he had lived quietly, he might have at least kept his life.”
“That day, Namgung Hyeon-geum died.”
“Then today it is the Demon’s turn to fall!”
Yet seeing his younger brother refuse to yield, the Elder charged at him again.
But everyone present knew the truth.
Was it a flicker of guilt?
The Elder’s hands lacked the sharpness of one truly intent on killing his own brother.
Namgung Yeon observed this and quietly made his preparations.
He could not leave this Demon as it was.
Ting—
The bell on the Maryeong Sword chimed once more.
#3
The brothers’ clash ended rather anticlimactically.
Scrape—!
The Elder’s massive blade cleaved through his brother’s arm.
It fell away cleanly, severing below the elbow.
With that, victory was decided.
It was an excellent opportunity to witness the Elder’s tremendous martial prowess.
Such formidable strength, and yet he had not even mastered the Changgoong Daeyeon Divine Art.
This showed why the Namgung Family was so revered and followed by those around them.
“Hagh… hagh… like this…”
“It is finished. Surrender now.”
……
The Elder spoke, his blade still leveled.
His expression seemed bitter.
Then he spoke as if seized by some momentous resolve.
“I will not kill you. You are my only brother, after all. But…”
Thud—!
His foot moved, striking the Demon’s Dantian.
With a sound like a drum bursting, Namgung Hyeon-geum tumbled away.
His Dantian shattered, and the sinister Demonic Energy scattered visibly into the air before their eyes.
To destroy the Dantian.
No martial master, regardless of how many Dantians they had opened—middle or upper—could wield their arts without a core Dantian.
Thus, for a martial master, the destruction of the Dantian was an indignity far worse than death itself.
“Kugh…”
“Live out your days as a powerless old man. Let that be your penance for whatever sins you have committed.”
……
A hollow laugh.
And a touch of pity.
The Elder concluded the judgment with a voice that carried just a hint of regret.
He looked down at his only blood relative with sorrowful eyes, then turned away.
“You others—depart. The Lord as well. Pay no heed to the words of this treacherous wretch.”
“Very well.”
Namgung Yeon took a step back.
Yet his grip on the Maryeong Sword remained firm.
His instincts, honed by countless trials, were issuing a warning.
It was not yet finished.
‘…He is moving.’
It happened far too swiftly.
Only Namgung Yeon, who had reacted first, could register such speed.
Demons possessed a trait.
Especially those Demons gifted with special abilities.
When their Dantian was destroyed or death was imminent, they would make one final, desperate strike.
Carelessness summoned death.
The Namgung Family Head had himself been far removed from actual combat for quite some time.
His muscles, once iron-hard, had grown soft, and his bones had begun to weaken.
Die—!
Failing to respond to such a sudden assault was inevitable.
An attack the Namgung Family had never before experienced.
The destroyed Dantian, the certainty of victory—
And finally, the elder brother’s heart, which could not bring itself to be utterly ruthless because they shared blood, all converged as one.
A low, bestial growl tore from his throat.
Namgung Hyeon-geum now resembled nothing less than a great demon.
He seized his blade and rushed forward in an instant, as though to burn away everything that remained and take his vengeance.
The elder instinctively twisted his body—
Daeyeon Sword Technique.
Yekyeon Paswae.

The blade technique that shatters those who abandon the natural order sang out with lethal force.
In a heartbeat it threaded through, the sword piercing straight for the throat.
Ting—!
Only the harsh, trembling ring of a bell echoed in the silence of those who had forsaken Heavenly Ethics.

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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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