Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 117

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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 117
Yuming Valley.
Seop Hongang, master of Yuming Valley, frowned as his eldest son Seop Gyeonghwan rushed in with obvious urgency.
To see the normally composed Seop Gyeonghwan entering in such haste could only mean something had gone wrong.
“What is it?”
“The First Grand Prince of the Namgung Clan, Namgung Geom, has sent a letter through the Jeonseobang.”
“Why would the First Grand Prince of the Namgung Clan send an official letter to our valley?”
Seop Hongang asked, bewildered.
“The letter says that Namgung Geom has killed your second son.”
“What did you say?”
“I think it would be best if you read the letter yourself.”
Seop Gyeonghwan handed the official letter to his father.
Seop Hongang took it, scanned its contents, and burst out in rage.
“How dare he!”
Unable to contain his fury, Seop Hongang crumpled the letter in his fist.
Not content with killing Seop Myeonghwan, Namgung Geom was offering Yuming Valley the chance for revenge—inviting anyone to come forward and take it. It was an insult that could not be borne without response.
This was something that could not be done without treating Yuming Valley with contempt.
Seop Hongang’s hands trembled with rage as he clenched them tight and spoke.
“Have we confirmed that your second brother is truly dead?”
“I’ve sent people to verify it. We should have confirmation soon.”
Crack, crack.
Seop Hongang ground his teeth and spoke.
“If your second brother’s death is confirmed, I will not let that bastard Namgung Geom live.”
“But it seems suspicious that he would openly invite revenge like this.”
Seop Gyeonghwan questioned Namgung Geom’s true intentions.
“He’s doing this publicly to make sure we don’t bring the Sa Pae Ryun into it. That’s what he fears.”
Seop Hongang had grasped Namgung Geom’s strategy perfectly.
“Then what should we do?”
“If we don’t seek revenge ourselves and instead ask the Sa Pae Ryun for help, what will happen? The Martial World will laugh at us, saying we couldn’t even handle one man and had to rely on the Sa Pae Ryun’s strength.”
That was exactly what Namgung Geom was banking on with this proposition.
Even if revenge failed, it would be difficult to ask the Sa Pae Ryun for assistance afterward.
If we fail in our revenge and then ask the Sa Pae Ryun for help, the Martial World will mock Yuming Valley’s weakness.
Once the stage for revenge has been set publicly, the Sa Pae Ryun would have no justification to intervene.
Moreover, if the Sa Pae Ryun moved, the Namgung Clan would move as well.
Even if Yuming Valley asked for their aid, the Sa Pae Ryun would find it difficult to act.
The real question was whether Yuming Valley had the strength to carry out revenge on its own.
“But according to rumors in the Martial World, Namgung Geom’s skill is extraordinary. Who among us could face him?”
If the rumors were true and Namgung Geom had reached the True Martial Realm, only the master of Yuming Valley himself could stand against him.
But if the master of Yuming Valley went out personally to face a man still in his prime, the Martial World would ridicule him.
And if anyone else stepped forward, they would fail to achieve revenge.
“I will face him myself.”
“But Father, if you go yourself, you will be mocked by the Martial World.”
“A father avenging his son—who would dare laugh at that?”
Seop Hongang spoke with absolute conviction.
‘But what if Father loses to him?’
Seop Gyeonghwan felt a sudden doubt creeping in.
According to rumors in the Martial World, Namgung Geom had killed Heuk Cheonsal single-handedly.
Of course, he didn’t believe such rumors.
It made no sense that someone so young could kill Heuk Cheonsal, no matter the circumstances.
But what if, by some chance, it were true?
Even Seop Hongang could not guarantee victory.
In fact, the likelihood of Seop Hongang’s defeat was high.
If that happened, revenge would fail, and Yuming Valley’s honor and reputation would be destroyed.
But if Seop Hongang didn’t face him, no one could defeat Namgung Geom.
‘No, wait. Why must we abide by a one-on-one duel at all?’
This was revenge for his second son.
In seeking revenge, why concern ourselves with propriety?
“Father! Why should we follow his rules? Let me lead the Yuming Band and cut him down.”
“You would attack with the Yuming Band?”
“This is not a fair martial contest—it is revenge. Why should we restrain ourselves with such niceties?”
Seop Gyeonghwan’s words drew a nod from Seop Hongang.
“You’re right. For revenge, there’s nothing we won’t do.”
Just then, a martial artist hurried into the main hall of Yuming Valley.
“We’ve confirmed the body of the Second Young Master.”
“Then there’s no more reason to hesitate. The First will take the Yuming Band and bring me his head.”
At Seop Hongang’s command, Seop Gyeonghwan nodded.
“I will bring you his head without fail.”
Seop Gyeonghwan left the main hall at once.
Then he assembled the Yuming Band, the elite force of Yuming Valley.
Once all the warriors of the Yuming Band had gathered, he led them out of the valley toward Yeonam.
* * *
Namgung Geom postponed his trip to Shaolin Temple until the matter of Yuming Valley was settled.
There was no fixed deadline for his journey to Shaolin, so his schedule had some flexibility.
Namgung Geom stayed at an inn in Yeonam, waiting for Yuming Valley’s response.
‘How will Yuming Valley make its move?’
He ate lunch at the inn, turning the question over in his mind.
The best outcome would be to face Seop Hongang in combat and end it cleanly with a decisive victory.
For that to happen, it was crucial to establish an agreement beforehand—that revenge would be settled by a single duel with him, regardless of the outcome.
That way, Seop Hongang couldn’t appeal to the Sa Pae Ryun for aid afterward.
But whether Seop Hongang would step forward remained uncertain.
If he did come out and lost to Namgung Geom, unable to achieve his revenge, both he and Yuming Valley would lose face—so he would have to be cautious.
Even if he did come forward, there was no guarantee he’d agree to settle the matter with a single duel.
“Would you mind if I joined your table?”
Just then, someone asked to sit with him.
Namgung Geom looked up to see a man in his mid-twenties standing before him.
Namgung Geom instinctively probed the man’s aura.
He had learned martial arts, but his power hadn’t yet reached even the First Class realm.
Namgung Geom glanced around the inn.
There were plenty of empty seats.
Yet he still asked to join him?
The man had recognized him and approached deliberately.
“Are you from the Jeonseobang?”
Namgung Geom asked the man.
In Yeonam, the only place that would know his true identity was the Jeonseobang.
So if someone approached him now, they were likely from there.
A glimmer of admiration flickered across the man’s eyes.
“That’s correct. I am Yuk Musang, the Deputy Chief of the Jeonseobang.”
Namgung Geom’s expression showed surprise at learning Yuk Musang’s position.
“What brings the Deputy Chief of the Jeonseobang to seek me out?”
“Must we conduct this business standing?”
“Please, sit.”
Namgung Geom gestured to the empty seat before him.
Yuk Musang lowered his head and sat down.
“Since I haven’t finished my meal yet, would you care to join me?”
“Is the Young Master offering to buy?”
“Well, we’re meeting for the first time, but what’s a meal between two people? Help yourself to whatever you’d like.”
Namgung Geom shrugged and called over a server.
He added another meal to his order.
“So, what business brings you to me?”
“I’ve come to inform you of Yuming Valley’s movements.”
“I heard the Jeonseobang doesn’t provide information without compensation. Or have I misunderstood?”
Namgung Geom asked with a puzzled expression.
“That’s correct. Information from our agency never leaves without payment.”
“Then what is the price for this information?”
“This time, I will share the information with you at no cost.”
Namgung Geom wasn’t naive enough to take Yuk Musang’s words at face value.
He said there was no price, but something must be behind this offer.
“What’s your reason for that?”
“Because I wish to gain your favor.”
“And what good would my favor do you?”
Yuk Musang smiled awkwardly and spoke.
“Because I wish to borrow the power of the Young Master Namgung.”
“My power, you say?”
“It is shameful to admit, but my uncle is backing the Sa Pae Ryun and eyeing the position of Master of the Jeonseobang.”
Namgung Geom understood, upon hearing Yuk Musang’s words, the reason this man had approached him.
“You’re asking me to stop your uncle?”
“So long as the Sa Pae Ryun supports him, we cannot stop him with our strength alone. But if it were you, Young Master Namgung, it would be possible.”
Namgung Geom fell into thought for a moment, then shook his head.
“To do that, I would have to clash with the Sa Pae Ryun, and that is not what I desire.”
“If you resolve my uncle’s problem, I will allow you to use the Jeonseobang’s information network without charge.”
Namgung Geom was inwardly startled by Yuk Musang’s proposal.
If he could use the Jeonseobang’s information network, which blanketed all of Jungwon, for free, the benefit would be beyond imagination.
Yet no matter how great the advantage, making an enemy of the Sa Pae Ryun required careful consideration.
“Additionally, among the information coming into our agency, anything related to Young Master Namgung and the Namgung Clan will be reported to you with priority.”
Yuk Musang, having gauged Namgung Geom’s expression, quickly added another condition.
‘These are far too generous terms.’
It was practically the same as placing the Jeonseobang under his command.
“But why ask me of all people?”
The Martial World was overflowing with masters.
Even without Namgung Geom, there were forces aplenty worth joining hands with.
“To be honest, I did not wish to draw outside forces into the Jeonseobang’s internal power struggle. But if it becomes unavoidable, I have no choice but to select the most trustworthy person.”
The Sa Pae Ryun’s purpose in interfering in the Jeonseobang’s power struggle was clear.
It was to use his uncle and swallow the Jeonseobang whole.
If he were to draw in another force to stop the Sa Pae Ryun, there was no guarantee that they, too, would not covet the Jeonseobang.
It could become like driving out a wolf only to invite a tiger.
So he needed help from a pure force with no intention of seizing the Jeonseobang.
That was why he had thought of Shaolin Temple.
Originally, Yuk Musang had been on his way to request aid from Shaolin Temple.
But upon hearing of Namgung Geom’s whereabouts in Yeonam, he changed his mind.
Namgung Geom had beheaded the Second Master of Yuming Valley for nothing more than a herb merchant, and openly faced the Yuming Valley.
Yuk Musang believed that such a sense of justice would never overlook the Sa Pae Ryun’s ambition to manipulate his uncle and seize control of the Jeonseobang.
Above all, he was certain that Namgung Geom would not harbor the greed to secretly dominate the Jeonseobang as the Sa Pae Ryun did.
“That person is me?”
“It is.”
“We meet for the first time today—what makes you trust me based on that?”
Namgung Geom asked as if unable to comprehend.
“I thought that a person who stakes his life to save the son of a branch patriarch is worthy of trust.”
At Yuk Musang’s words, Namgung Geom fell into contemplation.
If he could borrow the Jeonseobang’s capabilities, it would be of great help.
Moreover, he had to prevent the Sa Pae Ryun from taking control of the Jeonseobang.
But it was a matter of clashing with the Sa Pae Ryun.
This was not a decision Namgung Geom could make unilaterally.
“I have heard your proposal well, Master of the Jeonseobang. But it seems this is not a matter I can decide alone. Would it be acceptable if I give you an answer after consulting with the main house?”
“Of course.”
Yuk Musang nodded.
He had not expected Namgung Geom to make an immediate decision.
“Then might I hear of the Yuming Valley’s movements?”
“The Yuming Valley has set the Yuming Band in motion.”
“The Yuming Band, you say…?”
“The elite of the Yuming Valley. I hear the Young Master of the Yuming Valley is moving with them as well.”
Namgung Geom let out a short laugh.
“Then I must prepare to meet the Yuming Band.”
Namgung Bingryong
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Baek Wol-geom
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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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