I Became the Namgung Clan’s Omnipotent Item-Powered Martial God - Chapter 73

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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 73
73 – Hoarding
#1
The carriages depart.
Those that have left the Namgung Family Estate each venture forth with their own purpose, carrying out their assigned duties.
Someone stood where the entire scene could be seen at a glance.
“At last, they’re setting out.”
Whoosh.
He watched a carrier pigeon fly off into the distance, muttering to himself.
Eyes cold as winter.
The atmosphere itself had turned frigid and withdrawn.
Those within the Namgung Family Estate who knew him would say his presence had changed considerably.
Like a man drawing up a scheme, his demeanor was dark and sinister.
“Baekryong Daejoo, what are you doing here?”
“Elder.”
At that voice calling to him, the atmosphere shifted in an instant.
The gloomy presence vanished without a trace, and he turned to face the elder with his usual composure.
The elder studied him for a moment, then spoke evenly.
“You seem rather restless.”
“I confess I am.”
“So you released a carrier pigeon. For what purpose?”
The elder’s gaze was cold, though not condemning.
It was merely a question seeking to understand his intentions.
A simple question, yet Baekryong Daejoo felt a profound weight pressing down on him.
The man before him was the Third Elder.
The one to whom Baekryong Daejoo pledged his allegiance—and who moved to control the martial units, including Baekryong Dae and others.
Baekryong Daejoo bowed his head and spoke.
“I merely transmitted information in hopes of the Fourth Young Master’s safe return. Nothing more than that.”
“Heh heh, you’re becoming quite the fox, aren’t you?”
The Third Elder, hands clasped behind his back, let out an amused chuckle—as if he had already seen through Baekryong Daejoo’s true intentions.
Indeed, he and the Fourth Young Master had become entangled in bitter conflict.
The Third Elder wanted exactly what Baekryong Daejoo wanted.
As the Family Head’s closest ally lost strength, the power of the elders grew.
In the end, this was a structure where only the strongest survived—which meant breaking his rival’s power from the very beginning was necessary.
Especially Namgung Yeon, the Fourth Young Master….
“His momentum has been rather unusual of late. The Great Elder has been watching him closely as well.”
“Indeed. Acting on my own judgment, I passed along only limited information.”
……
The Third Elder studied Baekryong Daejoo’s eyes for a moment.
Far deeper now than they had been during his earlier friction with Namgung Yeon.
Whether this came from some hidden ambition or pure vindictiveness hardly mattered.
The reason itself was irrelevant.
What mattered was that Baekryong Daejoo had now proven himself ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with them and draw up greater schemes.
Only through deep thought and meticulous action could one hope to survive within this Namgung….
“Well done. I shall call upon you often henceforth—for the council of elders’ meetings.”
“……I am grateful.”
“That incident seems to have become a tonic for you.”
“Tonics are bitter on the tongue, as they say.”
Heh heh heh.
The Third Elder’s laughter faded into the distance.
A deeply satisfied laugh.
Baekryong Daejoo watched the Third Elder’s departing figure intently.
Then he raised his head, a thin, bloodstained smile crossing his face.
The grand estate of the Namgung Family Estate rose in majestic splendor before him.
Towering pavilions soared toward the heavens, and across the sprawling training grounds, countless warriors swung their blades.
How many among them would ever climb higher?
‘After that day, I resolved to climb higher.’
New information.
A new goal.
And new strength.
With these assets in hand, his position within the Namgung Family would only grow more entrenched.
And there was one more thing.
Namgung Yeon.
It was something he had to accomplish—if only to drag that detestable creature down into the dirt.
“In any case, you’re all nothing but tools to be used and discarded.”
He muttered these laden words as he vanished into the grand halls of the Namgung Family Estate.
#2
The moment Namgung Yeon returned to his quarters, he noticed someone waiting for him.
The journey to Cheongyang had gone remarkably smoothly.
No ambushes. The Demons hadn’t shown their faces once.
Namgung Hyeon-geum, now dead, must have been only a minor functionary managing this eastern sector.
That decrepit thing was nothing but a low-ranking officer.
It meant the Demons’ power had grown over long years, spreading like an underground city built beneath the earth.
In any case, with their administrator gone, things would remain quiet for a while.
They too had eyes—the Namgung Family would certainly invest effort accordingly.
‘At least I’ve bought myself some time.’
“Be careful out there.”
“Yes. We’ll speak briefly on the first floor.”
“Someone you know?”
“Yes. Someone I met during my time away.”
Gwangmin readily nodded at Namgung Yeon’s mention of going solo for a while.
One might argue they should meet somewhere discreet, but the saying goes—hide a tree in the forest.
If anything, slipping into a dark alley would draw the eyes of those who followed.
Better to speak openly than resort to such tactics.
After all, the people of Geomtae paid little attention to Namgung Yeon.
No matter how impressive his deeds, to them he was merely ‘that one who killed a few Demons wandering the streets.’
‘And if I activate Gimak on top of that, no one listening would think twice.’
His face bore the mark of the Heukpung Faction.
Somehow, the one who had stumbled before had now come here.
So Wol Young had decided to give him one last chance.
Namgung Yeon judged the situation in silence and took the seat across from him.
The lodge was crowded with guests; their voices would be swallowed if they kept them low.
Such surroundings were actually ideal.
Namgung Yeon activated Gimak subtly and opened his mouth.
“Can you hear me clearly?”
“…Yes, Gongja.”
“I’ve dampened the noise somewhat. Make your report.”
His eyes widened briefly in alarm, but he soon composed himself and began his report.
The clear voices around them faded, leaving only a dull, muted ambient sound.
In that state, he poured tea and began to speak.
“Two weeks ago, a man named Manho arrived together with Cheongyang Rujoo.”
“I see.”
He sipped the tea, and the distinctive sweetness of Yellow Tea lingered on his palate.
The Cheongyang Rujoo household had grown wealthy through this Yellow Tea.
Now it had become a rotting corpse writhing with maggots, but the tea they had begun selling had swiftly become Cheongyang’s signature product.
It was said to have a different character from the Yellow Tea produced near Dongjeong Lake, earning it the name “Cheongyang Yellow Bud Tea.”
Since these leaves were even supplied to the imperial court, their quality was certainly exceptional.
“So, what scheme were they hatching?”
“As the Bangju’s first venture, we entered into agreement with Cheongyang Rujoo to monopolize the distribution of Yellow Tea.”
“Well done.”
It was a shrewd move that spoke to Wol Young’s exceptional acumen.
If that were the case, the Express House would surely be in chaos.
The man before him seemed aware of this point as well.
Or perhaps he had already received word from Wol Young.
“The Pungyun Express House has been attempting to interfere. They keep making noise about payment terms and contracts, a tremendous fuss.”
“What of Wol Young’s safety?”
“The Bangju has entered into contract with a martial sect opposed to the Pungyun Express House and is being protected accordingly.”
Namgung Yeon nodded.
She was handling things capably enough.
Still, whether the Demons had their tendrils woven into that arrangement remained an unknown.
So long as she remained vigilant on that single point, she would demonstrate perfect conduct in every regard.
“Thus, I have been acquiring every yellow tea in Cheongyang. By the time you arrive, the Pungyun Express House will be pressing Lu Zhu, or so I’ve heard.”
“I understand. Your tongue proves useful today after all.”
Namgung Yeon rose from his seat with those words.
The man rose as well, bowing deeply in respect.
Wol Young had always emphasized one thing.
“From now on, you live as though bearing a new station. So…… please, cultivate your dignity.”
“Every action you take threatens to bring shame upon him. That is what worries me.”
He had not understood it at first.
But now, the meaning of it was beginning to dawn on him.
The Pungyun Express House, was it.
Those fellows…… how they invoked the name of the Namgung Family.
So he had desperately wanted to offer an apology.
And he had come to this place hoping to become someone that Namgung Yeon would value.
Namgung Yeon watched in silence as the man spoke carefully, still bowing.
“I apologize for before. I was rash then. It will not happen again.”
“…….”
“Our people now—.”
“Your name.”
“……I beg your pardon?”
The man, seeing Namgung Yeon silent for a long moment, hurried to continue.
When Namgung Yeon asked for his name, he flinched in surprise and repeated the question back.
What came to his ears was the same question.
“What is your name.”
“It is Hwang Chil, if it please you.”
“I shall remember it. Maintain that bearing, and I will value you highly.”
“……Thank you, Gongja.”
Namgung Yeon turned away from the man bowing ever deeper and climbed back to his quarters.
He had heard the name before, though it had never lodged itself in his memory.
Yet watching the crown of that bowed head, a thought came to him unbidden.
Had these people too died fighting for the Martial Realm.
Or had they simply fallen in with Demons and committed atrocities in their shadow.
He did not know the fates of countless nameless souls, but what would come to pass if he intervened.
‘Though I cannot save everyone…….’
Those who came into his view, he would save to the fullest extent.
Since he alone bore knowledge of this world’s doom, it was natural that he spread his ideals.
He had planted seeds of a new destiny; now he must watch to see how they would take root.
Yet.
He possessed the means to provide abundant nourishment so those seeds might flourish beyond measure.
He knew when to water them, when to let them bask in sunlight, and which pests to exterminate.
If all such conditions were met, was there not reason to harbor great expectations.
“Yellow tea hoarding, is it…… I look forward to it.”
Namgung Yeon rose once more to retire to his rest.
Surely, unsettling movements had already begun within the Namgung Family itself.
And the following morning.
Something entirely opposite to Namgung Yeon’s resolve came to pass.
“Kyaaaaaaagh—!?”
“…….”
Hwang Chil had become a cold corpse, cast into some nameless street.
Namgung Yeon stared at him with vacant eyes.

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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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