Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 109

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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 109
Crash!
Under Namgung Chang’s final strike, Peng Dohyuk lost his footing and fell.
A sharp cry escaped him.
Rolling across the ground from the impact, Peng Dohyuk scrambled to rise.
But Namgung Chang’s blade was already at his chest.
A tremor rippled through him.
Peng Dohyuk’s eyes wavered.
He could not accept his own defeat.
It was one thing to lose to Namgung Geom, but to fall to Namgung Chang—someone below him in Realm—was unbearable.
He found it difficult to reconcile.
Yet even so, he did not allow himself the shame of denying it to the end.
“I am defeated.”
Peng Dohyuk exhaled heavily and accepted his loss with grace.
“Thank you for granting me such an excellent match until the very end, Prince Peng.”
Namgung Chang lowered his blade and offered his gratitude.
Peng Dohyuk brushed the dust from himself and stood.
“Congratulations on taking the championship of the Bimuyeon.”
“Thank you.”
“But this is my only defeat today. Next time, I will surely win.”
At Peng Daozhou’s words, Namgung Chang smiled.
“I’m afraid that won’t happen.”
Peng Daozhou laughed quietly.
“We’ll see about that.”
Peng Daozhou vowed that he would break Namgung Chang next time.
And to that end, he resolved to intensify his training beyond its current rigor.
But Namgung Chang harbored the same determination.
Among his peers, only Namgung Geom stood above him—that was enough.
He would yield supremacy to no one else.
And for that purpose, he would continue to devote himself to cultivation with the same unrelenting fervor.
Both sensed the other’s resolve.
In that moment, they understood something.
They would become lifelong rivals.
Meanwhile, on the spectator platform, the joy and sorrow of Namgung Pae, Patriarch of the Namgung Clan, and Peng Jihu, Patriarch of the Hebei Peng Clan, diverged sharply.
Namgung Pae could hardly contain his delight at Namgung Chang’s victory.
In truth, he had harbored private misgivings about Namgung Chang competing in the Bimuyeon in place of Namgung Geom.
But Namgung Chang had taken the championship as if to prove something.
It was as though a declaration had been made to the Martial World.
The Namgung Clan was not defined by Namgung Geom alone.
There was also a rising star named Namgung Chang.
Through this victory, the Martial World would come to understand the depth of the Namgung Clan’s power.
More than anything, his joy was doubled by having decisively suppressed the Hebei Peng Clan’s ambitions to dispute the Alliance leadership.
By contrast, Peng Jihu of the Hebei Peng Clan struggled to mask his expression at Peng Dohyuk’s defeat.
Even the Sobyongryong Namgung Geom had not competed, and yet the championship was lost.
To a substitute sent in his place, no less.
It was humiliation and disgrace for the Hebei Peng Clan.
The Hebei Peng Clan’s greatest Young Martial Artist, Peng Dohyuk, had fallen not even to the Namgung Clan’s greatest, but to a replacement.
People would undoubtedly think the Namgung Clan stood above the Hebei Peng Clan.
Peng Jihu longed for the Hebei Peng Clan to surpass the Namgung Clan’s position.
That was why he sought to become the leader of the Jeongcheon Alliance.
But this result from the Bimuyeon would only cement the perception that the Hebei Peng Clan was beneath the Namgung Clan.
“I thought the Namgung Clan had only the Sobyongryong. Congratulations.”
Peng Jihu suppressed the sting in his heart and offered Namgung Pae his congratulations.
“Thank you. And don’t be too discouraged. Your young heir has demonstrated considerable skill, after all.”
At Namgung Pae’s words of consolation, Peng Jihu managed a forced smile.
Namgung Pae stepped forward to the center of the platform.
“All of you Young Martial Artists who competed in the Bimuyeon today have labored hard. Some of you will be satisfied with the result; others will be disappointed. But you have merely stepped onto the starting line. Depending on your effort, you can overturn today’s result in any way you wish. Do not grow arrogant, do not despair, and always do your utmost so that you may become the pillars of the Martial World.”
At Namgung Pae’s words, the Young Martial Artists who had competed took on solemn expressions.
“Now, as promised, those Young Martial Artists who advanced to the Semi-Finals will be granted Spirit Pills from the secret arts of the Five Great Clans. Additionally, the champion will receive one extra Spirit Pill as a special reward.”
The Young Martial Artists gazed enviously at those who had advanced to the Semi-Finals.
The spectators in the stands were no different.
“Then let the champion, Namgung Chang, choose which Spirit Pills he will receive.”
“I will choose the Great Flame Pill and the Heavenly Star Pill.”
Namgung Chang selected the Great Flame Pill from the Namgung Clan and the Heavenly Star Pill from the Jegal Clan.
Peng Daozhou followed by choosing the Hunyuan Pill from the Hebei Peng Clan, Tang Baiho selected the Sanyang Pill from the Sichuan Tang Clan, and Seomun Hak chose the Jade Qi Pill from the Moyong Clan.
As a result, the Hebei Peng Clan and the Sichuan Tang Clan suffered no loss, as the Spirit Pills went to their own young martial artists.
Only the Jegal Clan and the Moyong Clan came away empty-handed.
Jegal Seongyeol, the patriarch of the Jegal Clan, and Moyong Gwan, the patriarch of the Moyong Clan, could not help but feel the sting of disappointment.
In any case, all the prizes for the Bimuyeon had been distributed.
The decision to award Spirit Pills from the Five Great Clans as Bimuyeon prizes was made only after arriving at the Namgung Clan.
This meant they had no way to prepare the Spirit Pills in advance.
That the patriarchs of the Five Great Clans were nonetheless able to produce Spirit Pills was because they carried them at all times as a precaution.
In any case, Spirit Pills had been distributed to all the Semi-Finals entrants, and every event of the Bimuyeon had concluded.
“The Bimuyeon is hereby concluded.”
At Namgung Pae’s declaration, the spectators in the stands began to rise from their seats.
“Wait. The Bimuyeon is finished, but there is one matter I wish to have verified before everyone present.”
At Namgung Pae’s words, the spectators in the stands wore expressions of bewilderment.
The patriarchs on the judges’ platform also showed their confusion.
“I wish to dispel a false rumor regarding my clan’s Namgung Geom.”
Namgung Pae spoke to the patriarchs on the judges’ platform.
“What false rumor do you speak of?”
Seomun Cheong, the patriarch of the Seomun Clan, asked.
“The rumor that my clan’s Namgung Geom is a descendant of the Arctic Ice Demon.”
At Namgung Pae’s words, the patriarchs on the judges’ platform were taken aback.
The spectators in the stands likewise stirred at the mention of the Arctic Ice Demon.
“What are you saying? I have never heard such a rumor about Namgung Geom being a descendant of the Arctic Ice Demon.”
Peng Jihu asked, seeming puzzled.
“Someone wishes to slander Namgung Geom. This is a note that was left at the quarters of the Sichuan Tang Clan last night, and it contains claims that Namgung Geom is a descendant of the Arctic Ice Demon.”
Namgung Pae unfolded the note before the patriarchs on the judges’ platform as he spoke.
“Who left that note?”
Jegal Seongyeol asked.
“That has not yet been determined. However, before the rumor grows further, I wish to have it officially verified before all of you that Namgung Geom is not a descendant of the Arctic Ice Demon.”
“How do you propose to verify this?”
Peng Jihu asked.
“If the patriarchs of the Five Great Clans here directly examine Namgung Geom’s Inner Power, they will be able to confirm that he has not cultivated the Demonic Art of the Arctic Ice Demon.”
At Namgung Pae’s words, the patriarchs on the judges’ platform nodded their heads.
The patriarchs of the Five Great Clans possessed credibility in their very persons.
If they were to conduct the examination directly and verify the facts, it would be trustworthy.
“And if necessary, we will also submit to verification by the Shaolin Temple and the Wudang Sect.”
At Namgung Pae’s words, the patriarchs on the judges’ platform understood that he had nothing to hide.
“That is no difficult matter.”
Peng Jihu readily accepted Namgung Pae’s proposal.
The other patriarchs of the Five Great Clans likewise expressed their agreement with a nod.
“In case there are those who still harbor doubt, please conduct a thorough verification, staking the honor of the Five Great Clans.”
“I shall conduct a verification without a shred of falsehood, staking the name of the Dao King and the Hebei Peng Clan.”
“I too shall conduct a thorough verification, staking the name of the Dark King and the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
The patriarchs of the Five Great Clans made their promises in turn.
“Then Namgung Geom, come up to the judges’ platform.”
At Namgung Pae’s directive, Namgung Geom ascended to the judges’ platform.
“Then please begin.”
Namgung Pae spoke toward the patriarchs of the Five Great Clans.
“I shall go first.”
Peng Jihu examined Namgung Geom’s Inner Power before all the others.
The Dao King, Peng Jihu.
An absolute master whose name appeared among the Six Nobles alongside Namgung Pae.
If Namgung Geom had cultivated Demonic Art, he would never be able to conceal Demonic Aura from his perception.
Peng Jihu channeled his Hunyuan Qi into Namgung Geom’s interior.
And then he examined Namgung Geom’s Inner Power.
An Icy Cold Aura vast as Changung itself, as though it would freeze all things.
Within it lay the churning, scalding Fire Qi of extreme yang.
Changgung Binghwa Divine Art.
Confronted with Namgung Geom’s Inner Power—one that achieved Water-Fire Mutuality and Yin-Yang Harmony—Peng Jihu found himself at a loss.
‘What kind of monster is this?’
He couldn’t fathom how someone so young could attain Water-Fire Mutuality in his Inner Power and harmonize Yin and Yang.
Judging by the quality of his Inner Power alone, one might believe him a master of the Absolute Realm.
This was no Inner Power that could be obtained through Demonic Art.
Indeed, not the faintest trace of Demonic Aura emanated from Namgung Geom’s Inner Power.
Namgung Geom had learned the Bing-gong, that much was certain—but it was decidedly not the Demonic Art of the Arctic Ice Demon.
The Arctic Ice Demon was known to have mastered the Bingcheon Surah Demonic Art.
The hallmark of the Bingcheon Surah Demonic Art was its ferocity.
The Bingcheon Surah Demonic Art could not mingle with other natures of Qi.
Yet Namgung Geom’s Inner Power contained both the essence of Changung and the warmth of extreme Yang fire.
The Bingcheon Surah Demonic Art could never harbor such essence.
It would not have tolerated even Peng Jihu’s own Qi in that moment.
Upon meeting the Hunyuan Qi, the blood-starved demon within ice would have thrashed about, tearing it asunder—that much was certain.
But Namgung Geom’s Inner Power was as magnanimous as Changung itself, embracing all things.
“It’s decidedly not the Bingcheon Surah Demonic Art,” Peng Jihu said.
He withdrew his Hunyuan Qi as if there was nothing more to examine.
It wasn’t only Peng Jihu.
Tang Cheonoh, Moyong Gwan, and Jegal Seongyeol all publicly declared that Namgung Geom had not learned the Bingcheon Surah Demonic Art.
The patriarchs in the arena and the martial artists in the stands believed them.
The credibility of the Five Great Clans’ patriarchs carried weight, but it was the Namgung Clan’s own request for verification that made the greatest difference.
Had Namgung Geom truly learned the Arctic Ice Demon’s Demonic Art, he would have done everything in his power to avoid examination.
The fact that the Namgung Clan itself requested verification was proof enough of their confidence.
And the results bore that out.
So no one harbored suspicion that Namgung Geom had learned the Arctic Ice Demon’s Demonic Art.
Meanwhile, Tang Baiho let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding.
The public declaration by the Five Great Clans’ patriarchs meant the note’s contents were false.
‘If I had made an accusation against Namgung Geom based only on that note, claiming he’d learned the Arctic Ice Demon’s Demonic Art…’
The thought alone turned his stomach.
Tang Baiho believed that his decision at the last moment to keep his wits and bring the note to Tang Cheonoh was the best thing he’d ever done in his life.
With the Five Great Clans’ patriarchs having made their declaration, Namgung Geom would at least be free from the false accusation of being a successor to the Arctic Ice Demon for a time.
But the sect would not retreat so readily.
They would fan the flames of rumor in every way, nurturing doubt throughout the Martial World.
Before that happened, he needed to act preemptively and nip suspicion in the bud.
Namgung Geom resolved to seek verification from Shaolin Temple and Wudang Sect with all haste.
Once rumors had swollen and suspicion had taken root, they became difficult to contain.
Preemptive action like today’s was far more effective.
* * *
The Patriarch’s Hall of the Namgung Clan.
Namgung Pae summoned Namgung Geom and Namgung Byung, the master of the Silver Dragon Pavilion.
“Have you confirmed the rumors in the Martial World?”
Namgung Pae asked Namgung Byung.
Upon learning the contents of the note the previous night, Namgung Pae had immediately ordered the Silver Dragon Pavilion to investigate the rumors circulating through the Martial World.
“We’ve confirmed that rumors alleging the Crown Prince is a successor to the Arctic Ice Demon are spreading covertly.”
“What is the source of these rumors?”
“We are currently investigating. However, it appears finding the source will not be straightforward.”
Namgung Byung answered, his expression troubled.
“Continue searching for the source of the rumors, and publicize throughout the Martial World that the patriarchs of the Five Great Clans verified today that it is not the Arctic Ice Demon’s Demonic Art.”
Once word spread that the Five Great Clans’ patriarchs had conducted verification, the rumors should be quelled.
“Understood. I shall implement measures immediately.”
“Has there been any progress in finding the sect’s spy?”
“This incident appears to have made one thing clear: Namgung Hak, the Chief Administrator, is not the sect’s spy.”
The Silver Dragon Pavilion had continued to surveil Namgung Hak.
But Namgung Hak had done nothing suspicious.
Yet the note claiming Namgung Geom was a successor to the Arctic Ice Demon had reached Tang Baiho.
The likelihood was high that someone other than Namgung Hak was the sect’s spy.
“Is there nothing else you have discovered?”
“My apologies.”
Namgung Byung lowered his head.
At that moment, Namgung Geom made a proposal.
“What if we verify the movements of the major figures within the clans?”
“And by major figures within the clans, you mean whom exactly?”
Namgung Pae asked.
“All those of Clan Lord rank and above, as well as the Palace Masters of the three palaces and the Grand Elders.”
Namgung Byung
Author |
Baek Wol-geom
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Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
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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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