Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 122

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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 122
Namgung Geom followed Gwang Hae’s guidance toward the abbot’s chamber of Shaolin Temple.
“What was that technique you deployed at the end? It didn’t seem like ordinary martial arts.”
Gwang Hae asked as they walked toward the chamber.
“Sorcery.”
“Martial arts and sorcery both. Truly remarkable for your age.”
Gwang Hae spoke with genuine admiration.
He had been called a prodigy since childhood.
And in truth, his talent was unparalleled.
Not yet thirty, already gazing toward the Absolute Realm—what more needed saying?
Though known as one of the Three Young Prodigies of Buddhism, even Small Sword Immortal and Small Sword Saint paled beside Gwang Hae.
Gwang Hae harbored no delusion that he was the greatest.
But among his peers, he was confident he could defeat anyone in a duel.
Then Namgung Geom appeared—a monster.
Not merely matching someone his own age, but fighting to a draw with someone seven years his senior.
To call it a draw was generous; had they fought longer, he might well have lost.
Gwang Hae genuinely admired Namgung Geom’s martial prowess.
He felt no envy or jealousy toward him.
Rather, he was delighted.
How fortunate to meet someone who could stand as his equal throughout a lifetime of cultivation.
Gwang Hae felt nothing but eager anticipation for all the future duels with Namgung Geom.
“Your Xiao Shen Fist is truly extraordinary. In all my years, I have never witnessed such devastating fist force.”
The image of Gwang Hae’s fist cutting through Bing Tian’s ice and hurtling forward still gave Namgung Geom chills to recall.
Gwang Hae chuckled and replied.
“All your years? You’ve only just turned twenty, haven’t you?”
“Ha. That’s true enough.”
Namgung Geom’s jest drew a shake of the head from Gwang Hae, who then said,
“How about we meet once a year and test our martial arts against each other?”
“How could I refuse such an opportunity to match my Xiao Shen Fist against your martial arts?”
“Heh. I’m already looking forward to a year from now.”
Gwang Hae was genuinely eager for their next confrontation.
Namgung Geom felt the same.
For a martial artist, a duel with a formidable opponent like Gwang Hae was the greatest of pleasures.
As they talked, they reached the abbot’s chamber before long.
“Abbot! I have brought Young Master Namgung.”
Gwang Hae announced, and a kindly voice emerged from within.
“Show him in.”
Gwang Hae gestured for him to enter.
Namgung Geom bowed respectfully to Gwang Hae before stepping into the chamber.
There sat an old monk, his white beard hanging long, in quiet repose.
It was Gong Won, the abbot of Shaolin Temple.
If his Dharma heir, the Demon-Subduing Divine Monk Gong Jin, was the one whose renown resounded throughout the Martial World, then Gong Won was the great pillar that steadied Shaolin and the Buddhist Alliance from within.
His impartial and public-spirited nature—leaning toward neither faction—was the true strength that guided Shaolin and the Buddhist Alliance with stability.
“The Namgung Clan’s Namgung Geom pays respect to the abbot of Shaolin Temple.”
“Please, be seated.”
Gong Won offered him a place.
Once Namgung Geom had settled, Gong Won spoke in his kind voice.
“Your reputation precedes you widely, Young Master Namgung.”
“I am merely embarrassed to hear such praise before the Abbot.”
Gong Won shook his head and said,
“You are too humble. At your age, I had not achieved half your mastery.”
“Ha. To hear such words from the Abbot leaves me quite at a loss.”
As Namgung Geom looked flustered, Gong Won smiled and said,
“There are rumors in the Martial World about the origins of your martial power, are there not?”
“There is gossip that my Bing-gong comes from the Demonic Technique of the Northern Sea Ice Demon.”
“Then let me ask: what is your Bing-gong?”
Gong Won asked quietly, his gaze upon Namgung Geom.
In that moment, meeting the Abbot’s deep and serene eyes, Namgung Geom felt his heart sink.
It seemed as though Gong Won’s gaze pierced straight through to his very soul.
Namgung Geom could sense it instinctively.
One cannot lie in front of Gong Won.
Yet revealing the Icewhite Divine Technique was equally impossible.
“I beg your pardon, but the origins of my Bing-gong technique cannot be disclosed. However, I can assure you without equivocation that the Bing-gong I have mastered is not a Demonic Technique.”
Namgung Geom chose his words with utmost care.
At this response, Gong Won smiled faintly and asked a question.
“Does the young prince’s Bing-gong not originate from the Northern Sea Ice Palace?”
For a moment, Namgung Geom’s eyes wavered.
Gong Won was not probing blindly.
He was asking with certainty about the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s Bing-gong.
“How did you come to know this?”
Namgung Geom did not deny it, but asked instead.
He sensed that denial would be futile.
Gong Won smiled and replied.
“In my younger days, I once exchanged martial techniques with a master from the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Since you already seem to know, I will speak plainly. The Bing-gong I have mastered is indeed from the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Then the Martial World’s rumor that you are a successor to the Northern Sea Ice Demon is not entirely unfounded.”
Namgung Geom immediately countered.
“Simply because I have mastered the Bing-gong of the Northern Sea Ice Palace does not make me one of their people. Therefore, the claim that I am a successor to the Northern Sea Ice Demon is incorrect.”
“That is a fair point.”
Gong Won conceded readily.
“Above all, the Bing-gong I have mastered is not a Demonic Technique, so the rumor that I am a successor to the Northern Sea Ice Demon is groundless.”
“Yet if it becomes known that the young prince has mastered the Bing-gong of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, the world will not view it that way.”
Gong Won spoke with an inscrutable expression.
“Should Shaolin Temple certify that my Bing-gong is not a Demonic Technique, there would be no problem whatsoever.”
Namgung Geom spoke with confidence.
“Are you asking Shaolin Temple to conceal that your Bing-gong is from the Northern Sea Ice Palace?”
“Is there need to reveal that fact and stir up turmoil?”
“You suspect the Cult?”
Gong Won asked.
The letter he had received from the Jeongcheon Alliance contained matters concerning the Cult’s existence.
“Yes. I believe this rumor originated from the Cult.”
“You mean the Cult fabricated this rumor to orchestrate chaos in the Martial World?”
“That is correct. There is no other reason such a rumor would suddenly spread.”
Gong Won nodded in agreement.
“There is certainly merit to that. But how did the young prince come to possess the Bing-gong of the Northern Sea Ice Palace?”
Gong Won asked as if the question had suddenly occurred to him.
“I beg your pardon, but that is a matter I cannot discuss. What I can say with certainty is that it has no connection to the Northern Sea Ice Demon.”
“It seems there are circumstances difficult to explain.”
“If you press me further for an answer, I will have no choice but to resort to falsehood.”
Faced with Namgung Geom’s resolute stance, Gong Won did not press further.
“Is there anything else you wish to say?”
“Though I have mastered the Bing-gong of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, the roots of my martial arts lie with the Namgung Clan. As the eldest grandson of the Namgung Clan, I swear I will not bring shame upon the clan’s name.”
Gong Won regarded Namgung Geom steadily, then nodded.
“As the abbot of Shaolin Temple, I shall certify that your martial arts are not the Demonic Technique of the Northern Sea Ice Demon.”
“I am grateful.”
“But mark my words well. Should your martial arts become a problem, Shaolin Temple stands ready to act at any time.”
Gong Won did not forget to issue a warning.
“Such a situation will not arise.”
At Namgung Geom’s firm assurance, Gong Won nodded as if satisfied.
“As for the Cult, both this temple and the Buddhist Alliance will remain vigilant.”
“Regarding the matter of the Cult, I hope you will also consider cooperation with the Jeongcheon Alliance.”
Gong Won spoke with a benevolent smile.
“In the face of the Three Young Prodigies of Buddhism’s threat, it is only natural for the Nine Sects and Five Families to join hands. You need not worry on that account.”
“Then I have spoken out of turn. I shall take my leave now.”
“Are you departing at once?”
Gong Won inquired about his plans.
“I would wish to remain at Shaolin Temple a few days longer, but I have pressing matters to attend to, so I must depart immediately.”
“It is a pity you must leave so soon. Travel safely on your return.”
“Thank you.”
Namgung Geom bowed respectfully to Gong Won and departed from the abbot’s chamber.
When Namgung Geom stepped out of the abbot’s quarters, Gwang Hae was still there, waiting.
“You’ve been standing here the whole time?”
“If I’d wandered off and strayed into forbidden grounds, there’d be hell to pay. Did your talk go well?”
“Yes. The abbot looked after everything carefully.”
Gwang Hae nodded at Namgung Geom’s reply.
“Then there’s no problem. You’re not planning to leave right away, are you?”
“It seems I must leave at once.”
“Is that so? I was hoping we could share a cup of grain tea.”
Among the monks, grain tea was a code word for alcohol.
In plain terms, it meant Gwang Hae wanted to share a drink with someone whose spirit he understood.
Hearing the wistfulness in Gwang Hae’s voice, Namgung Geom found he couldn’t bring himself to leave immediately.
“Then how about just one cup?”
Gwang Hae’s face lit up at once.
That night, Namgung Geom drank grain tea with Gwang Hae until dawn.
As with all things, one cup of alcohol had a way of becoming many.
* * *
Leaving Shaolin Temple and descending Songshan Mountain, Namgung Geom met Yuk Musang in Deungbong County.
Yuk Musang had not gone to Shaolin Temple with him, but had waited in Deungbong County instead.
But Yuk Musang’s expression was grave.
“Has something happened?”
Namgung Geom asked.
“Word came that my uncle has imprisoned my father and seized control of the Jeonseo Faction.”
“And the faction masters accepted this?”
“Formally, my father is said to have yielded the position of faction lord to my uncle.”
Namgung Geom could piece together what had really happened.
“In truth, your father was overcome by coercion.”
“Most likely, my uncle threatened my life to force it through.”
Yuk Musang spoke with barely contained anger.
“Do you know the name of the Sa Pae Ryun master who aided your uncle?”
“I heard it was someone called Ak Seungdo.”
Namgung Geom’s eyes flashed.
Ak Seungdo.
A Sa Pae Ryun master he had faced once before at the Black Bear Lodge.
At that time, Namgung Geom had been far outmatched.
But now it would be different.
“Are there no other masters involved?”
If it were only Ak Seungdo, the matter would be straightforward; but if there were others, it could become complicated.
“I’ve heard no other names mentioned besides Ak Seungdo.”
“Then we leave at once.”
“Now? So soon?”
Yuk Musang asked, startled.
“There’s no telling how long your uncle will keep the faction lord alive. And your uncle may well turn his sights on you as well.”
For now, with others watching, he wouldn’t dare kill the faction lord outright.
To do so immediately would raise suspicion that he had seized the position by force.
But as long as the faction lord remained alive, there was no knowing when he might attempt to reclaim his seat.
Thus it was likely your uncle would seek to kill him at the opportune moment, making it appear natural.
And Yuk Musang faced the same danger.
So long as the faction master lived, he remained a potential threat.
It was possible Sa Pae Ryun warriors were already on the move to eliminate him.
But they would not dare strike here, on Shaolin’s doorstep.
The moment we depart this place, they will likely launch their attack.
“I am grateful. If you help me see this through, I will never forget the debt I owe you.”
Namgung Geom shook his head at Yuk Musang’s gratitude.
“You can offer thanks once this matter is settled. There’s no need to rush.”
Namgung Geom and Yuk Musang gathered their things at once and set out.
As Namgung Geom started down the path, he suddenly thought of something and asked.
“By the way, where is the headquarters of the Jeonseo Faction?”
Namgung Bingryong
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Baekwol 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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