Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 134

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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 134
Bang! Crash-crash-crash!
The explosive sound pierced clearly into Manjin Hall.
The faces of the Gang family froze in an instant.
The noise erupting from outside carried a destructive force that ordinary martial artists could never produce.
It was the kind of clash you’d only hear in battles between true masters.
This meant the attacker was no ordinary foe.
They were all worried for Namgung Geom’s safety.
They knew his martial skill was formidable.
But Namgung Geom was not invincible.
There were many masters in the Martial World stronger than him.
It was possible one of them had come.
“Geom won’t come to harm, will he?”
Gang Moyeon gazed anxiously toward the direction of the explosions.
She wanted nothing more than to rush outside and confirm Namgung Geom was unharmed.
But she knew well that if she left now, it would only scatter his focus.
To trust Namgung Geom and wait was the truest way to help him.
“Don’t worry. Geom is a man touched by heaven itself. Heaven will protect him.”
Gang Taecheon spoke to soothe Gang Moyeon.
His words were no mere comfort.
He truly believed Namgung Geom was someone extraordinary.
Namgung Geom had overcome the Guyang Jeolmaek, that inborn curse, and reached the Divine Martial Realm Late Stage at such a tender age.
No parallel existed anywhere in the history of the Martial World.
Namgung Geom’s achievements could not be explained except as the work of heaven itself.
And a creature of heaven would not be allowed to perish so meaninglessly here.
Gang Taecheon truly believed this.
And so he felt no fear.
“Father speaks true. Geom will be safe, so sister need not worry so much.”
Gang Yonghyun also moved to comfort Gang Moyeon from his place nearby.
Gang Yonghyun and the other uncles were equally anxious about Namgung Geom.
But now they could only trust him.
Meanwhile, Gang Baekcheon, seated in a corner of Manjin Hall, was no less restless.
If the attack failed, he had no way of knowing what would become of him.
He had arranged to frame Gang Seonghyun, the second son of Gang Taecheon, in his stead.
But so long as Gang Taecheon and Gang Yonghyun remained alive, a thorough investigation would be conducted.
If that happened, Gang Seonghyun’s innocence would be revealed, and his own guilt would likely surface as well.
Now, the only thing Gang Baekcheon could rely on was the attack.
If it failed, his survival seemed impossible.
Boom-crash-crash-boom!
Then came a deafening roar beyond anything heard before, shaking the Hangzhou Gold Hall itself.
And with that sound, the explosions ceased entirely.
The Gang family understood the battle had ended.
But who had won?
Moments later, the sound of footsteps approaching Manjin Hall reached their ears.
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
The door opened, and a figure stepped inside.
It was Namgung Geom.
“Geom!”
Gang Moyeon brightened and rushed toward him.
“Are you all right? You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”
“I’m fine, don’t worry.”
Namgung Geom smiled as he spoke.
He had taken an internal injury from overextending his Inner Power, but there were no visible wounds of consequence.
Gang Moyeon examined him, and seeing no serious injuries, she felt relief wash over her.
“Thank you. You saved me and Yonghyun from poison, and repelled the attack besides—the debt our maternal side owes you now is truly immense.”
Gang Taecheon spoke with deep emotion.
Namgung Geom shook his head as if demurring.
“I’ve received far too much from my maternal grandfather’s house already. This is nothing in comparison.”
“What have we ever done for you to speak such words? You’ve saved the Hangzhou Gold Hall itself today. It’s nothing like sending a few bottles of spiritual medicine.”
“In any case, as your grandson by marriage, it’s only natural I should do what I can. Please don’t concern yourself further, grandfather.”
Namgung Geom’s words prompted Gang Taecheon to shake his head firmly.
“That’s impossible. When we receive a favor, it’s the principle of Hangzhou Gold Merchant to repay it tenfold.”
Gang Taecheon stroked his beard and continued.
“Seems like you just made that up on the spot, didn’t you?”
When Namgung Geom narrowed his eyes and asked with a suspicious tone, Gang Taecheon’s expression faltered.
But it was only for a moment before he spoke loudly.
“Nonsense. It’s always been that way. So don’t think of refusing the gratitude of Hangzhou Gold Merchant.”
Though the hastily improvised principle was obvious, Namgung Geom decided to let it pass without comment.
“Ha, well then, I’m grateful to accept your kindness, Grandfather.”
“Of course you should. If there’s anything else you desire, speak freely.”
“Nothing comes to mind at present, so I’ll give it some thought and let you know.”
Since Namgung Geom had never intended the deed as something requiring repayment, nothing in particular came to mind.
“Do tell me. Otherwise, I’ll decide the reward myself.”
Namgung Geom, who had been hoping to buy time and slip past the matter, gave a wry smile at Gang Taecheon’s shrewdness.
“I understand.”
Namgung Geom nodded, then spoke as if something had just occurred to him.
“Now that I think of it, the gathering was interrupted, so I wasn’t able to present this earlier—but I have a gift for you, Grandfather.”
“A gift?”
“It’s your seventieth birthday celebration, and surely your grandson couldn’t arrive empty-handed?”
“Is that so? I’m curious what gift my grandson has prepared.”
Namgung Geom retrieved a box containing a Thousand-Year Human Form Ginseng from the bundle of his belongings that he’d brought from Buyong Pavilion.
“What is this?”
“Please open it and see for yourself.”
Gang Taecheon opened the box.
Inside lay a ginseng root shaped like a human figure.
“This is…?”
“A Thousand-Year Human Form Ginseng. If you consume it, you should enjoy good health and longevity well into your hundredth year.”
“A Thousand-Year Human Form Ginseng? Where on earth did you obtain something so precious?”
Gang Taecheon asked in astonishment.
He had heard of the Thousand-Year Human Form Ginseng before and knew well just how rare a spiritual medicine it was.
“It came about by chance. Perhaps even Heaven recognized the sincerity of my heart toward you, Grandfather.”
Gang Taecheon’s expression grew deeply moved at Namgung Geom’s gentle words.
Yet he could not accept the Thousand-Year Human Form Ginseng.
“Your kindness touches my heart, but how could I accept something so precious? For a vibrant warrior like you, it would be far more beneficial than for an old man like me. I’ll count it as already received—put it away again.”
Gang Taecheon had never trained in martial arts.
He knew little of martial technique.
Yet he did know that a spiritual medicine like the Thousand-Year Human Form Ginseng could elevate a warrior’s Inner Power.
It would certainly benefit Namgung Geom far more than an old man like himself.
“The Thousand-Year Human Form Ginseng contains potent yang energy—it could actually become poison for me. Please accept it, Grandfather. If you remain healthy and well for many years to come, that will be enough for me.”
“Is it truly the case that the Thousand-Year Human Form Ginseng would be poison for you?”
Gang Taecheon asked, doubtful of Namgung Geom’s words.
“Yes. So please don’t feel burdened at all. And even without the Thousand-Year Human Form Ginseng, I have other means to advance my martial arts, so worry not.”
Gang Taecheon nodded at Namgung Geom’s words.
“Then I’ll accept it gratefully.”
Gang Taecheon resolved to accept Namgung Geom’s sincerity graciously.
To refuse a gift prepared with good intentions was itself a breach of courtesy.
Instead, he resolved to repay what he had received by giving something back to Namgung Geom.
“Yonghyun!”
Gang Taecheon called for Gang Yonghyun.
“Yes, Father.”
“I wish to give the Golden Fund Tablet that was entrusted to me to Geom. What do you think?”
At Gang Taecheon’s words, Gang Yonghyun’s eyes flickered for a moment.
The Golden Fund Tablet was a credential that granted unlimited access to the funds that Hangzhou Gold Merchant had entrusted to the Golden Battlefield, the foremost trading post in the Central Plains.
Only two people could possess the Golden Fund Tablet: Gang Taecheon, the former patriarch, and Gang Yonghyun, the current patriarch.
To have unrestricted access to the merchant company’s funds was itself immense power.
Gang Taecheon giving the Golden Fund Tablet to Namgung Geom meant transferring that authority.
“Father! That is……”
“If it weren’t for Geom, Hangzhou Gold Merchant would have been ruined today. The Golden Fund Tablet wouldn’t be too much to give—I’d give even more and it wouldn’t be wasteful.”
At Gang Taecheon’s words, Gang Yonghyun paused to consider, then nodded.
“I shall defer to your wishes, Father.”
As Gang Taecheon had said, if it hadn’t been for Namgung Geom, neither he nor Gang Taecheon would still be alive.
The Hangzhou Gold Merchant would likely have collapsed as well.
After all, without Namgung Geom, they wouldn’t have been able to stop the attack just now.
Compared to what Namgung Geom had done for the Hangzhou Gold Merchant, giving him the Golden Fund Tablet was hardly excessive at all.
Above all, even if they gave the Golden Fund Tablet to Namgung Geom, he wasn’t the type to squander the Hangzhou Gold Merchant’s funds or waste them away.
So giving him the Golden Fund Tablet wouldn’t cause any real problem.
Rather, it would become an opportunity to deepen their bond with Namgung Geom.
Even though Namgung Geom was the Hangzhou Gold Merchant’s grandson by marriage, there was an inevitable distance compared to a blood grandson.
If their relationship with Namgung Geom grew closer and more solid through the Golden Fund Tablet, it would benefit the Hangzhou Gold Merchant as well.
Considering Namgung Geom’s martial prowess, it was highly likely he would rise to become the Clan Patriarch of the Namgung Clan and stand among the greatest in the Martial World.
“Please, both of you, put aside your words. I have no intention of accepting the Golden Fund Tablet. I have no real need for it.”
Namgung Geom declined the Golden Fund Tablet.
“If you don’t accept the Golden Fund Tablet, then I won’t accept the Thousand-Year Human Form Ginseng either. And who knows what the world may bring? Even if you don’t need it now, there will come a day when the Golden Fund Tablet is necessary. So accept it without another word.”
Gang Taecheon spoke with finality.
Though Namgung Geom hadn’t seen him in several days, he knew well that once Gang Taecheon made a decision, he never wavered.
If he refused the Golden Fund Tablet, Gang Taecheon would truly return the Thousand-Year Human Form Ginseng.
“Then I shall accept it gratefully.”
Namgung Geom decided to take the Golden Fund Tablet for now and return it later with some suitable excuse.
Gang Taecheon handed over the Golden Fund Tablet before Namgung Geom could change his mind.
Namgung Geom took the Golden Fund Tablet and tucked it into his robes.
The Hangzhou Gold Merchant’s wealth entrusted to the Golden Battlefield alone was worth several million taels.
With just the Golden Fund Tablet, one could spend that money freely.
Of course, he had no intention of spending it, but his heart felt considerably lighter.
‘Money really is nice, after all.’
Namgung Geom smiled faintly.
In that moment, his gaze fell upon Gang Baekcheon, whose expression was rigid.
Both the Heuk Un Saja and the Saehaebang Master had fled.
For now, Gang Baekcheon was the only clue to grasp the tail of the conspiracy.
Of course, there was no physical evidence that Gang Baekcheon had used poison.
But Namgung Geom was certain he was the culprit.
“Grandfather, I beg your pardon, but I have one request.”
“What is it?”
“Please allow me to interrogate your elder brother over there.”
Namgung Geom intended to interrogate Gang Baekcheon without delay.
“My elder brother?”
Gang Taecheon’s expression shifted in surprise.
“I am certain he poisoned you and your elder brother. It’s also highly likely that he instigated the Saehaebang to attack the Hangzhou Gold Merchant tonight.”
“But to interrogate without any evidence…?”
Gang Taecheon harbored the same suspicion of Gang Baekcheon.
Yet he thought it improper to interrogate Gang Baekcheon without evidence.
In the unlikely event that Gang Baekcheon were innocent, there would be much to answer for.
“If he is not the culprit, I shall take full responsibility.”
Namgung Bing-ryong
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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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