Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 12

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

Chapter 12
“You want to form a new unit from the graduates of Changyong Hall?”
It was a request Namgung Pae had never considered.
“Yes. Rather than enter the Three Great Sword Divisions, I wish to establish an independent sword unit of my own.”
Namgung Geom stated his intention clearly.
“Changyong Hall’s graduates number barely thirty. What could possibly be accomplished with such a small force?”
Namgung Pae’s response was skeptical.
It wasn’t only the numbers—the students of Changyong Hall lacked real combat experience.
He doubted whether they alone could truly carry out missions with competence.
“The numbers are limited, but the skill is considerable. Especially the three squad leaders—their abilities rival those of the Three Great Sword Divisions’ commanders without any shortcoming.”
Namgung Geom countered.
A small force of elite fighters was far superior to a mediocre rabble, however large.
His classmates from Changyong Hall were talented enough to be called the golden generation.
And over the past five years, his training had allowed that talent to flourish.
The three squad leaders and Namgung Seol especially had already reached the first-class realm, fully comparable to the commanders of the Three Great Sword Divisions.
“Beyond that, I myself am present, so we can certainly accomplish any mission assigned to us.”
Namgung Geom’s cultivation stood at the level of a division commander within the Three Great Sword Divisions.
Combined with his classmates’ strength, they would not be significantly inferior to even one full division.
“I acknowledge your martial skill, yet you have no experience in the martial world. I cannot be certain you will handle missions well.”
Namgung Pae remained doubtful.
The martial world could not be survived through martial skill alone.
Experience was as vital as technique.
Namgung Geom had never ventured into the martial world.
He questioned whether Namgung Geom, lacking such experience, could truly execute missions with proficiency.
“Experience accumulates with time. If you remain concerned, appointing an advisor to counsel us would be one solution.”
“An advisor—not a poor idea at all.”
Namgung Pae nodded at Namgung Geom’s proposal.
“Then you will permit the formation of a new unit?”
Namgung Pae shook his head.
“Creating a new sword unit for the clan requires agreement among the three branch heads and the elders.”
“Yet if you, the Family Head, show resolve, the branch heads and elders will follow your will.”
The Namgung Clan traditionally held the Family Head’s authority as paramount.
Moreover, Namgung Pae was one of the Six Supremes, spoken of as the strongest in the martial world.
The branch heads and elders dared not oppose his authority.
When he made a decision, they could only comply.
“On other matters, perhaps, but forcing through something as sensitive as creating a new sword unit would breed discontent.”
In martial families, military might symbolized power itself.
The three branch heads commanded the Three Great Sword Divisions.
A new sword unit would diminish their authority proportionally.
Worse, that new unit would be entrusted to Namgung Geom himself.
For Namgung Geom—who might contend for the position of Young Family Head—to gain such military power was unwelcome to them.
To the branch heads, it would appear that Namgung Pae was consolidating power behind Namgung Geom.
With discontent already building among them over Namgung Pae’s delay in naming a successor, any forceful action on his part would provoke severe resistance.
That burden would fall on Namgung Pae as well.
“So if you wish to form a new sword unit, you must first convince the three branch heads and the elders.”
“Then I must propose conditions they cannot refuse to accept.”
Namgung Geom spoke with meaningful expression.
“It seems you’ve already thought of such conditions?”
Namgung Geom broke into a slight smile and spoke.
“First, I will prove our capability by challenging one of the Three Great Sword Divisions to a sparring match.”
“What form should the sparring take?”
“Five representatives from each side will compete. If three or more of us achieve victory, we gain recognition as a legitimate sword unit. How does that sound?”
Namgung Pae nodded, as though the method was sound.
“And if you fail to win three or more matches?”
“I will withdraw the request entirely.”
“So you are confident you can win three or more matches.”
At Namgung Pae’s words, Namgung Geom smiled.
“I have faith in my classmates.”
“And after the capability is verified—what then?”
Namgung Pae recalled Namgung Geom’s earlier use of the word “first” and asked.
“Just as the Family Head will, the Masters and Elders of the Three Divisions will question our ability to execute missions.”
“Likely so.”
“That’s why I intend to prove our capability by taking on a mission myself.”
Namgung Pae’s expression brightened with interest.
“You’ll take on a mission yourself?”
“If we succeed at a mission handed down from above, it will prove the Sword Division’s capability to execute missions, and then they’ll have no grounds left to oppose the Division’s establishment, will they?”
Namgung Pae nodded in agreement.
If they proved their strength through a sparring match and succeeded at a mission, the Masters and Elders of the Three Divisions would have no choice but to stop opposing them.
“But what if the Masters of the Three Divisions actually hope for your failure and deliberately give you a difficult mission? You’re not worried about that?”
“I don’t believe the Masters of the Three Divisions would do something so petty.”
Namgung Geom’s uncles were direct blood of the Namgung Clan and men of considerable pride.
He believed they would not stoop to such pettiness against their younger nephew.
Had they been inclined to such tactics, they would have made their move several times over these past five years.
Yet Namgung Geom’s uncles had merely observed, never raising a hand against him.
It was a sign of their will not to resort to cowardly means.
Namgung Geom believed this time would be no different.
“I’ve heard your conditions well. The leadership council will discuss the matter and inform you of the result.”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
With his business concluded, Namgung Geom departed the Family Head’s Residence at once.
Namgung Pae immediately convened a leadership council meeting.
And they held a discussion regarding the establishment of the new Sword Division.
As expected, the Masters of the Three Divisions opposed the creation of the Sword Division.
Many of the Elders shared their opposition.
Their main objection centered on the Division’s qualifications.
They were merely graduates who had just completed their education at Changyong Hall.
Their martial prowess was still lacking, and they had no real combat experience.
Their argument was that even if the Sword Division were established, these recruits could hardly execute proper missions.
Namgung Pae presented Namgung Geom’s conditions to them.
The Masters and Elders of the Three Divisions had no choice but to accept the conditions Namgung Geom had set.
He had volunteered to undergo a sparring match and take on a mission, vowing to dispel their concerns through demonstrated strength.
If they refused to accept this, their stated reasons would be revealed as false.
Therefore, the proper course was to proceed with verification according to Namgung Geom’s conditions.
At the same time, some harbored the belief that Namgung Geom and his peers would fail to meet those conditions.
The conditions Namgung Geom had set forth were far from trivial.
Even winning a sparring match against one division of the Three Great Sword Divisions would be a difficult feat.
And even if they succeeded in the sparring match, accomplishing a mission would be no easy task.
The Masters and Elders of the Three Divisions had accepted the conditions believing that Namgung Geom and his peers would fail the verification.
When Namgung Geom learned that the Masters and Elders of the Three Divisions had agreed to his conditions, he smiled.
If he simply fulfilled the conditions he had set, the new Sword Division would be established.
Above all else, Namgung Geom had been most concerned about his uncles’ opposition.
But now there was no need to worry any longer.
“Then, for assured victory, I should absorb the final Extreme Yang Fire Qi.”
Over the past five years, Namgung Geom had steadily absorbed the Extreme Yang Fire Qi.
As a result, of the Extreme Yang Fire Qi accumulated in nine meridians, he had absorbed eight, leaving only the final one.
Before his confrontation with the Three Great Sword Divisions, Namgung Geom resolved to absorb the last Extreme Yang Fire Qi.
Until now, Namgung Geom had absorbed the Extreme Yang Fire Qi at a measured pace.
Absorbing the Extreme Yang Fire Qi increased his internal qi and allowed him to ascend in cultivation realm.
Yet he had not rushed the absorption in order to maintain harmony in his internal qi.
Besides, during his training at Changyong Hall, there had been no urgent need to raise his realm rapidly.
But now, facing a sparring match with the Three Great Sword Divisions, absorbing the Extreme Yang Fire Qi was necessary for assured victory.
In truth, even without absorbing the Extreme Yang Fire Qi, he could defeat a division master.
Still, it was better to display overwhelming strength.
At this point, absorbing the Extreme Yang Fire Qi posed no problem in maintaining harmony within his internal qi either.
That evening, Namgung Geom began qi circulation meditation to absorb the Extreme Yang Fire Qi.
His powerful internal qi moved toward the Extreme Yang Fire Qi accumulated in the ninth and final meridian.
Sensing danger, the Extreme Yang Fire Qi released intense heat.
Yet the internal qi of the Changgung Bing-Hwa Divine Technique swiftly subdued the Extreme Yang Fire Qi and began to absorb its essence.
Namgung Geom circulated the internal qi infused with the absorbed Extreme Yang Fire Qi through the heavenly circulation.
As the circulation continued, the Extreme Yang Fire Qi gradually merged into the Changgung Bing-Hwa Divine Technique’s internal qi.
Namgung Geom guided the Changgung Bing-Hwa Divine Technique’s internal qi to the meridian where the Extreme Yang Fire Qi had been.
Namgung Geom had yet to complete the Grand Heavenly Circulation.
The meridians where the Extreme Yang Fire Qi had accumulated were blocked.
But now that he had absorbed the Extreme Yang Fire Qi, there was nothing to stop him.
The internal qi from the Changgung Grand Evolution Divine Technique tore through the meridians where the Extreme Yang Fire Qi had been building with unstoppable force.
Crash!
As the final meridian opened, the Grand Heavenly Circulation was complete.
The Grand Heavenly Circulation was the stage where internal qi circulated throughout the entire body, transcending the Governing and Conception vessels.
It was a gateway to ascending to the next realm.
In the martial world, completing the Grand Heavenly Circulation typically means one has reached the peak realm.
But Namgung Geom did not stop there—he repeated the Grand Heavenly Circulation, widening and strengthening the pathways.
His qi circulation meditation continued through the night.
And as dawn broke.
Namgung Geom opened his eyes, finishing his meditation.
Flash!
A brilliant divine light blazed in his eyes for a moment, then faded.
Namgung Geom examined his own body.
His five senses had become extraordinarily sharp, and his physical abilities had surged dramatically.
The internal qi in his dantian had also increased greatly.
Not only had it increased quantitatively, but it had evolved qualitatively into something far more sophisticated, achieving the Water-Fire Mutual Benefit through which the qi had become far more refined and transcendent.
“I’ve reached the late stages of the peak realm.”
By completing the Grand Heavenly Circulation and refining it, he had elevated his realm in one leap to the late peak realm.
It had been possible because he already carried the enlightenment of realm-breaking from his previous life.
He yearned to reach an even higher realm.
But his internal qi was insufficient.
To ascend to a realm higher than this, enlightenment alone was not enough.
Internal qi had to support it—that was the only way.
In fact, reaching this realm had been thanks to absorbing Gu Yang’s Extreme Yang Fire Qi.
Without it, no matter how profound the enlightenment from his previous life, he would never have crossed the threshold of the peak realm.
Namgung Geom felt a twinge of regret, but he was satisfied with his current realm.
He was only twenty years old.
Reaching even just the first-class realm at that age earned one the title of prodigy.
But he had reached the late peak realm.
Moreover, considering the yin-fire properties imbued in his internal qi, he could actually exert far greater power than his realm alone suggested.
Adding his experience and martial techniques from his previous life, he would not fall short even against a master of the True Martial Realm.
To be unsatisfied even with that would be sheer greed.
Having assessed his realm, Namgung Geom ate breakfast and headed to Changyong Hall.
He hadn’t slept all night due to his meditation, yet he felt no fatigue.
Rather, his body felt fresher and better than ever.
Upon arriving at Changyong Hall, his seniors who had come out early were preparing for training.
Their qi became even more vivid to his perception.
As his realm rose, his sensitivity to qi developed along with his five senses.
Conversely, the aura emanating from Namgung Geom had changed.
Namgung Chang was the first to sense it.
The moment he saw Namgung Geom, the fine hairs on his entire body stood on end.
Faced with a pressure incomparable to before, Namgung Chang’s brow furrowed.
“Did your realm just break through?”
One could not exert such overwhelming pressure without advancing in realm.
Namgung Geom smiled slightly and replied.
“I thought I was a bit short for taking on a new sword division, so I raised my realm a little.”
Namgung Bing-Ryong
Author |
Baek Wol-Geom
Publisher |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
Editor-in-Chief |
Editorial Department
Published by |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – 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]
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. — The contents of this book may not be used in any form or by any means without the written permission of Dream Books.

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