Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 102

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 102
Namgung Pae’s eyes brightened at Namgung Geom’s words.
If Namgung Chang won the Martial Tournament, he would obtain two Spirit Pills.
As a result, the Namgung Clan would put forward one Spirit Pill and gain two in return.
Wasn’t this a matter of laying down one Spirit Pill and eating two?
Namgung Pae gazed at Namgung Geom with an expression of marvel.
“Why do you look at me that way?”
“I’m simply curious what’s inside that head of yours to come up with such ingenious ideas.”
“Whether waking or sleeping, if one constantly schemes about what might benefit the Namgung Clan, such thoughts arise naturally.”
Namgung Pae laughed at Namgung Geom’s quip as though it were absurd.
“So this old man fails to devise such plans because he hasn’t schemed for the Clan’s benefit?”
“Grandfather, you’ve offered the Clan countless brilliant insights over the years—how can you speak such words?”
“You’re a natural schemer, I’ll grant you that.”
At Namgung Geom’s reply, Namgung Pae let out a soft laugh.
The way he smoothly deflected with flattery was altogether natural.
“So what is Grandfather’s thought on this?”
“If Chang wins the championship, we gain a Spirit Pill for nothing—there’s no harm in it.”
If Namgung Chang’s victory were assured, there was no reason to decline.
“But what if Chang fails to take the championship? Wouldn’t that be a loss?”
“I believe Chang will emerge victorious. Even if he should miss the championship, he should at least advance to the Semi-Finals.”
Reaching the Semi-Finals alone meant breaking even.
“If you had entered the tournament yourself, you wouldn’t have bothered with doubts before proposing this.”
Namgung Pae spoke with a hint of regret.
“Had I entered, the other Clan Patriarchs would never have accepted the proposal.”
“True enough. Your victory would be certain, so you’d never make a losing wager.”
Conversely, precisely because Namgung Geom was not entering, the Patriarchs of the Five Great Clans would harbor hopes that their own Young Martial Artists might claim victory.
That much increased the likelihood of their acceptance.
“I shall discuss this matter with the Patriarchs of the Five Great Clans.”
“This Jungcheon Gathering sees participation from the majority of the Twelve Major Families and Thirty-Six Families, all for the formation of the Jungcheon Alliance. Should the Five Great Clans willingly offer Spirit Pills for the Martial Tournament, it would set a fine example for them.”
Namgung Geom added his explanation.
Though the Young Martial Artists of the Five Great Clans stood a high chance of claiming the Spirit Pills, the outcome remained uncertain.
Depending on the bracket arrangement, the Young Martial Artists of the Twelve Major Families and Thirty-Six Families might also advance to the Semi-Finals.
For them, obtaining the Five Great Clans’ Spirit Pills would be a golden opportunity.
Even should they fail to seize that chance, they would applaud the Five Great Clans’ generous gesture in offering Spirit Pills for the Martial Tournament.
“To think so far ahead—your mind runs deep indeed.”
“But truthfully, my greatest wish is for Namgung Chang to win the championship and receive two Spirit Pills.”
Namgung Geom made no pretense of his ambition.
“It seems you already have a use planned for those Spirit Pills.”
Namgung Pae perceived that Namgung Geom had already devised a purpose for them.
“And since something has been spent on Chang, shouldn’t one of the Spirit Pills be returned?”
“If Chang wins the championship at the Martial Tournament, the debt is fully repaid.”
Namgung Geom spoke as though it were unthinkable.
“Cunning devil. You’re determined to suffer no loss whatsoever.”
“A loss? If that Spirit Pill strengthens the warriors of the Namgung Clan, isn’t that ultimately beneficial to the Clan itself?”
Namgung Geom replied without backing down.
Namgung Pae could discern where Namgung Geom intended to use the Spirit Pill.
“Ah, so you mean to feed it to the captains of the Changyong Sword Corps.”
“The role of Corps Commander is no small burden.”
As Namgung Geom whimpered his complaint, Namgung Pae’s expression turned exasperated.
“You’d wring something out of this old man without hesitation. This old fool has nowhere left to turn.”
“I’m not such a shameless wretch. Whatever I receive now, I’ll repay you severalfold later.”
At Namgung Geom’s words, Namgung Pae snorted and replied:
“When? After this old man is dead?”
“What are you saying? You’ll surely live another hundred years.”
Namgung Pae let out a soft laugh.
“Words, just words. You grow smoother with each passing year.”
Yet despite his words, Namgung Pae harbored no real displeasure toward this grandson of his who spoke so familiarly before him.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“Wait a moment.”
As Namgung Geom turned to depart, Namgung Pae held him back.
“Is there anything else you wish to say?”
“By any chance, among the young martial artists you saw at yesterday’s banquet, is there a woman who catches your eye?”
The question caught Namgung Geom entirely off guard, and for once his expression betrayed genuine surprise.
“Why do you ask such a thing all of a sudden?”
“Why ask? Because it is time you took a wife.”
“A wife?”
Namgung Geom’s eyes widened.
Seeing his reaction, Namgung Pae clicked his tongue and spoke.
“The eldest grandson of the Namgung Clan has no thought of carrying on the line?”
“Ha. I thought to consider marriage only after becoming Branch Patriarch.”
For now, he had no time to spare for such matters.
There was the Branch Patriarch Selection Competition, and he had yet to resolve the matter of the sect’s internal strife.
“Why? Is there no woman who appeals to you?”
“It is not a matter of appeal or not — I simply have never given such things any thought.”
“Then give it thought from this moment on. Even if the marriage takes place after you become Branch Patriarch, the betrothal can be settled beforehand. Or, if you prefer, your grandfather can arrange it for you.”
Under Namgung Pae’s subtle pressure, Namgung Geom managed a bitter smile.
“No, I shall give it consideration.”
“Good. Think on it carefully.”
“Then, if there is nothing more you wish to say, I shall take my leave.”
Namgung Pae nodded, and Namgung Geom bowed and withdrew from the Patriarch’s Hall.
“Marriage……”
Once outside the Patriarch’s Hall, Namgung Geom sighed.
In truth, he held no particular feeling toward marriage.
In his former life, he had already endured one painful union.
The woman who had been his wife then came from the Bukcheon Saga.
She had been thoroughly trained by the Bukcheon Saga as an assassin sent to kill him.
After killing his wife by his own hand, he had never again given his heart to a woman.
This remained true even now, as Namgung Geom.
Truthfully, if he could choose, he would prefer not to marry at all.
But as the eldest grandson of the Namgung Clan, refusing marriage was not easy.
If he must marry, then——
‘I shall choose the woman myself.’
Namgung Geom had no intention whatsoever of entering into a political marriage of the sort that prominent clans arranged.
If he was to marry, it would be to a woman of his own choosing.
He recalled the women he had seen at yesterday’s banquet.
None of them had left any particular impression on him.
‘Where should I even look?’
Namgung Geom furrowed his brow as though troubled.
“Well, if there is fate, we shall meet naturally enough.”
Namgung Geom ceased his brooding and made his way toward the Practice Grounds of the Changyong Sword Corps.
On his way to the Practice Grounds, Namgung Geom encountered the young martial artists from the Five Great Clans.
“Namgung, my brother!”
Peng Daozhou greeted Namgung Geom warmly.
At yesterday’s banquet, Namgung Geom had made the acquaintance of the young martial artists and sworn brotherhood with them.
Peng Daozhou was older than Namgung Geom, so naturally Namgung Geom had become the younger brother.
The other young martial artists beside Peng Daozhou also waved in greeting.
However, Tang Baiho of the Sichuan Tang Clan snorted and turned his head away.
“It looks as though you’re heading somewhere.”
Namgung Geom paid no mind to Tang Baiho and inquired.
“We thought we ought to see Xiaohu while we’re in the Namgung Clan.”
Xiaohu, located near Haebi, was famous as a scenic spot.
It was especially popular among young men and women in their twenties.
“Oh, I should have arranged this beforehand. I fear I’ve been a neglectful host.”
Namgung Geom apologized for not taking the initiative himself.
“Since it’s come to this, why don’t you join us, Namgung?”
Peng Daozhou made the suggestion.
“Yes, come with us, Namgung. Women from other clans will be joining as well, so you won’t find it tedious.”
Moyong Jun of the Moyong Clan spoke with evident anticipation.
Even other men acknowledged his handsome features; his reputation as a charming nobleman was well known.
“I have no objection, but I fear Tang Gongzi may find it uncomfortable……”
Namgung Geom looked at Tang Baiho and spoke.
“Actually, this works out well. Why don’t we share some tea today and clear the air about what happened yesterday?”
Jegal Woon stepped in to mediate between the two.
“That sounds fair. We can’t have the young talents of the Five Great Clans at each other’s throats. If there’s been a misunderstanding, let’s clear it up and put this behind us.”
Peng Daozhou echoed Jegal Woon’s words.
“Since both of you are saying this, I can’t very well hold onto my own grudge. Young Master Namgung, what do you say we let yesterday be forgotten?”
Tang Baiho turned to Namgung Geom, as if to say he had no other choice.
“I too have no wish to remain at odds with you, Young Master Tang. Let’s forget yesterday and move forward in harmony.”
Namgung Geom extended his hand to Tang Baiho.
Tang Baiho grasped it firmly.
“Well then, since those charming ladies are waiting, shall we be on our way?”
Moyong Jun urged the young talents forward.
The others shook their heads as if they had no choice but to follow, trailing after him.
Namgung Geom moved along with them.
He regretted missing his training, but hospitality to guests came first.
Namgung Geom and the young talents exited through the eastern gate of the Namgung Clan.
Two carriages prepared in advance were waiting there.
After a short while, five elegantly dressed women emerged.
There were five of them.
Namgung Geom examined their faces carefully.
Moyong Seol of the Moyong Clan.
Jegal Hee of the Jegal Clan.
Seomun Hye of the Seomun Clan.
Baili So of the Baili Clan.
Sanggwan Young of the Sanggwan Clan.
They were all beauties in the prime of youth, each displaying her own distinctive charm.
They smiled warmly upon seeing Namgung Geom.
“My! You’re coming along too, Young Master Namgung?”
Sanggwan Young, ever playful, spoke first.
“Since guests have come to visit the main house, it’s only proper that I guide them to see Xiaohu.”
“How wonderful that Young Master Namgung will be our guide! I’m so excited.”
“Ha, don’t expect too much. Truth is, I’ve only been to Xiaohu a handful of times myself.”
“How is that possible?”
Seomun Hye of the Seomun Clan asked, as if she couldn’t fathom it.
It seemed like someone of her standing would visit Xiaohu whenever time allowed.
“Watching the scenery of Xiaohu while taking tea is pleasant enough, but I find it more enjoyable to swing my sword an extra time instead during those hours.”
“I… I see.”
Seomun Hye laughed awkwardly at Namgung Geom’s words.
She hadn’t expected such a reason.
“So that’s why Young Master Namgung has become so formidable.”
Moyong Seol spoke with evident admiration.
“But I’ve noticed you haven’t neglected your own training either, Miss Moyong.”
She was the most skilled among the women.
It was clear how diligently she pursued her martial studies.
“Compared to Young Master Namgung, it’s nothing more than a drop in the ocean.”
“If I’d known you’d monopolize all the ladies’ attention like this, I wouldn’t have brought my younger cousin along.”
As the women’s eyes were fixed only on Namgung Geom, Moyong Jun grumbled from the side.
“Even without Young Master Namgung here, no one would spare a glance for a flirt like my brother.”
Moyong Seol snorted and spoke dismissively.
“A flirt? I’m merely waiting to meet the woman worthy of my devotion.”
Moyong Jun replied with unshakable confidence.
At his words, the women covered their mouths and laughed.
Namgung Geom couldn’t fathom what was so amusing, but Moyong Jun’s handsome face was itself a formidable weapon that compelled laughter.
Peng Daozhou, witnessing this, shook his head.
“A shallow world indeed.”
Noticing Peng Daozhou’s expression, Namgung Geom nodded in agreement.
Upon seeing this, Peng Daozhou’s eyes narrowed.
“What? Why are you nodding at my face?”
Just then, Moyong Jun stepped closer and draped an arm across Peng Daozhou’s shoulder.
“Why ask when you already know?”
Peng Daozhou let out a quiet sigh and raised his fist.
“Let’s just fight for now.”
Namgung Geom
Author |
Baek Wol Geom
Publisher |
(주) Samyang C&C
Editorial Director |
Editorial Department
Published by |
(주) Samyang C&C – Dream Books
Address |
7F Gwangseong Building, 28 Bongeunsa-ro 114-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
UCI |
G720:N+A063-20260511103
Blog |
blog.naver.com/dreambookss
Twitter (X) |
@dreambookss
Submissions |
[email protected]
No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means without written permission from (주) Samyang C&C – Dream Books.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————