Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 135

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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 135
Gang Taecheon entrusted Gang Baekcheon’s interrogation to Namgung Geom.
Gang Baekcheon invoked his status as an elder of the maternal line and thundered at Namgung Geom for his disrespect, but Namgung Geom brushed him off without ceremony.
Then he dragged Gang Baekcheon to a separate room and began the interrogation.
At first, he questioned him courteously, speaking with measured courtesy.
But Gang Baekcheon stubbornly denied all charges.
“It seems we have no choice.”
Namgung Geom had hoped to end the matter with words alone.
But as long as Gang Baekcheon persisted in his denials, he had no option but to employ harsher methods.
That said, he did not resort to anything truly extreme.
He simply infused Gang Baekcheon’s body with the Icy Cold Aura.
Yet the effect was perfect.
Gang Baekcheon was no martial practitioner—merely a criminal—and already well past seventy winters.
He had no capacity to withstand the Icy Cold Qi that froze to his very marrow.
Screaming as his entire body crystallized in agony, Gang Baekcheon eventually broke and confessed the truth.
From poisoning the Hangzhou Trading Company through operatives he had planted there long ago, to preparing for external assault as backup should the poisoning fail—he laid bare every detail.
Yet concerning the sect, he seemed genuinely to know nothing.
According to his account, there had been someone who learned of his poisoning scheme and approached him.
This person was a mysterious stranger of unknown identity who offered to aid his revenge without condition.
He also claimed that this same person had arranged the Saaebang assault.
He knew only that an attack would occur that night; he had never even heard the name Saaebang before.
Namgung Geom did not believe him and applied more Icy Cold Aura, yet even through the torment, Gang Baekcheon’s answer did not waver.
‘Does he truly not know?’
Namgung Geom recalled the Master of Desolate Heaven.
He too had been ignorant of the sect’s existence.
He had merely received support from agents the sect had planted and used that to threaten the Namgung Clan.
The likelihood was high that Gang Baekcheon found himself in a similar position.
Of course, it was possible he was deceiving Namgung Geom to the very end, as the Patriarch of Qingyang Branch had done.
“I’ve already confessed to poisoning—what more lies could I possibly tell you now?”
Gang Baekcheon cried out, his face contorted with anguish, as though grievously wronged.
His words held a certain logic.
Once he admitted to the poisoning attempt, his life was already forfeit.
With death staring him in the face, there was no reason to endure torture simply to conceal the sect’s existence.
Unless, of course, he had some compelling reason to keep the sect’s existence hidden at any cost.
‘For his children’s sake?’
The moment Gang Baekcheon revealed the sect’s existence, its retribution might turn its blade toward his children.
To protect his own bloodline, he would seal his lips.
Namgung Geom withdrew the Icy Cold Aura and ended the interrogation.
Further torture seemed unlikely to yield any useful intelligence.
It stood to reason that even if Gang Baekcheon knew of the sect’s existence, there was precious little he actually knew.
Given his station and capability, the sect would not have valued him highly.
He was nothing more than a tool with which to consume the Hangzhou Trading Company whole.
Above all, Gang Baekcheon was an old man well past seventy.
Pressing him further might kill him before his body could endure.
Since his crime could be established on the poisoning attempt alone, it was better to end the questioning here.
Namgung Geom reported his findings directly to Gang Taecheon and Gang Yonghyun.
Gang Baekcheon, brought before them both, admitted to all his crimes, and his confederates, who were subsequently captured, confessed that they had administered the poison on his orders.
Gang Taecheon could not forgive Gang Baekcheon.
Gang Baekcheon had aimed not only at his life but at his son Gang Yonghyun’s as well.
Gang Baekcheon appealed shamelessly to brotherhood, but the moment he wielded poison, that brotherhood was already shattered.
Gang Taecheon harbored no mercy for Gang Baekcheon.
He resolved with finality to have him executed.
With Gang Baekcheon confessing to the poisoning attempt and mobilizing Saaebang to assault the Hangzhou Trading Company, no one could dispute his sentence.
* * *
Deep in the night, Namgung Geom returned to his quarters in Buyong Pavilion and sat upon his bed, lost in thought.
“Perhaps it would be wise to depart Hangzhou Trading Company without further delay.”
The sect had its sights set on the Hangzhou Trading Company.
Though it had failed this time and withdrawn because of him, there was no knowing when it might bare its fangs again.
The moment he left this place, the sect might seize the opportunity to strike at the Hangzhou Trading Company anew.
Without Namgung Geom, the Hangzhou Trading Company would find it difficult to withstand the sect’s assault.
If Saaebang launched another assault alone, the Hangzhou Golden Merchant would collapse entirely.
The one mercy was that both the mysterious man shrouding Jeok Un and the Saaebang Master had withdrawn with grave injuries.
Immediate action would be impossible for them, so there would be time while they recovered.
“We must devise a solid countermeasure before then.”
The first thought that struck him was dispatching elite forces from the Namgung Clan to this place.
But considering the martial prowess of Jeok Un’s companion, they would need to send at least two of the Ten Swords of Heaven—a decision that couldn’t be made lightly.
There was another option: requesting full forces through Jeongcheonmaeng itself.
This wasn’t some trivial matter—it involved someone presumed to be sent from the Sect.
The other clans of Jeongcheonmaeng would dispatch their masters too; there would be no great objection.
And if the Hangzhou Golden Merchant offered financial support to Jeongcheonmaeng, both the justification and the practical benefits would be perfect.
“That approach would be far more certain.”
For the safety of the Hangzhou Golden Merchant, entering under the protection of Jeongcheonmaeng seemed the best course.
But this was a decision he, as merely an in-law, could not make alone.
It was for Gang Taecheon and Gang Yonghyun to decide.
Namgung Geom resolved to propose it to them as soon as dawn broke the next day.
The next morning.
Namgung Geom laid bare the threat from the Sect and proposed joining Jeongcheonmaeng to Gang Taecheon and Gang Yonghyun.
“What does the Manager think?”
Gang Taecheon asked Gang Yonghyun for his thoughts.
Gang Yonghyun was the current manager of the Hangzhou Golden Merchant, so his opinion carried weight.
Gang Yonghyun pondered for a moment, then spoke.
“If the Hangzhou Golden Merchant joins Jeongcheonmaeng, we would gain not only safety but also considerable commercial advantage.”
Once admitted to Jeongcheonmaeng, they would naturally develop closer ties with the member clans.
By leveraging those relationships to conduct trade with Jeongcheonmaeng’s clans, the Hangzhou Golden Merchant would reap proportional gains.
“So you’re in favor of joining Jeongcheonmaeng?”
“Yes, Father. If we cannot stop the Sect, our house will find it difficult to remain unharmed. In that case, wouldn’t it be best to fight alongside Jeongcheonmaeng?”
“Quite right. And since my in-laws, the Namgung Clan, hold the position of Alliance Master, it would be all the better to stand with Jeongcheonmaeng.”
Gang Taecheon held the same view as Gang Yonghyun.
“Then I shall formally convey our intention to join Jeongcheonmaeng.”
“Do so.”
The moment Gang Taecheon and Gang Yonghyun made their decision without hesitation, Namgung Geom smiled.
“Thank you for receiving my proposal so graciously.”
Namgung Geom well understood that beneath their swift acceptance lay a profound trust in him.
“Ha ha. It is we who should thank you. You’ve gone to the trouble of finding a way to protect our Hangzhou Golden Merchant from harm.”
Gang Yonghyun waved his hand dismissively, regarding his nephew with warm eyes.
The genuine concern Namgung Geom showed for the house’s welfare filled him with nothing but gratitude and pride.
“However, even if we complete the formal procedures to join Jeongcheonmaeng, it will take time for the Alliance’s full forces to be deployed.”
At his words, the expressions of Gang Taecheon and Gang Yonghyun darkened.
Seeing their faces, Namgung Geom spoke again quickly.
“But please don’t worry too much. I intend to request that the main house send its elite forces first, ahead of Jeongcheonmaeng’s full strength.”
At Namgung Geom’s arrangement, Gang Taecheon burst into hearty laughter.
“Ha ha! One grandson by marriage is worth ten blood grandsons.”
At Gang Taecheon’s words dripping with favoritism, Namgung Geom waved his hand in protest.
“Please don’t say such things in front of my cousins. I don’t want to be resented for nothing.”
Gang Taecheon brushed off his concern.
“Who would dare resent you? If anyone did, I’d chase them all away.”
“Grandfather, please don’t!”
As Namgung Geom made a pleading face, Gang Yonghyun, watching from the side, could not help but laugh.
* * *
Sacheoryeon Headquarters.
A massive man radiating an intimidating aura sat upon the main seat.
Cheok Jingwang—the Tyrannical Celestial Demon.
He was the Master of Pakcheonmun and the Alliance Master of Sa Pae Ryun.
He held one of the six seats among the Six Venerable Evils, the apex of the Martial World.
In truth, the Six Venerable Evils was a designation made strictly from the Orthodox perspective.
The righteous masters were honored with the title “Venerable,” while the unorthodox masters were disparaged with “Evil.”
It was fundamentally different from the “Evil” of Sammagyeo.
Thus, though classified as Evil, he was not regarded as an absolutely accursed being who must be exterminated, as Sammagyeo was.
Sa Pae Ryun naturally viewed Cheok Jingwang’s title as the Tyrannical Celestial Demon with displeasure.
So they called him the Tyrant King instead.
In truth, Cheok Jingwang cared little whether they called him the Tyrant or the Tyrant Demon.
What did it matter what name they used?
What mattered was that he was the strongest in the Martial World.
Cheok Jingwang had always believed himself supreme in the Martial World.
He was confident he could defeat even the Six Nobles that the orthodox sects boasted of.
And his skill was certainly equal to that confidence.
Across from Cheok Jingwang sat Sa Gongun, the strategist of the Sa Pae Ryun.
Sa Gongun was Cheok Jingwang’s trusted aide and advisor, playing a crucial role in determining the organization’s major decisions.
“The Saaebang has sent a letter to the lord.”
“The Saaebang?”
“They propose to join the Sa Pae Ryun if we kill Namgung Geom.”
At Sa Gongun’s report, Cheok Jingwang’s expression turned incredulous.
“Killing Namgung Geom is their condition for joining?”
“The Saaebang attacked the Hangzhou Trading Company, and they suffered greatly at Namgung Geom’s hands. Their leader even withdrew with severe wounds.”
“The Saaebang attacked the Hangzhou Trading Company?”
Cheok Jingwang registered his doubt.
“It seems they colluded with Gang Baekcheon, who was driven out of the Hangzhou Trading Company, attempting to seize it for themselves.”
Even with Sa Gongun’s explanation, Cheok Jingwang’s suspicions lingered.
“Why would the Saaebang leader participate directly?”
“I suspect he moved personally upon learning that Namgung Geom was at the Hangzhou Trading Company.”
“Ah—so when the Seomun Clan was attacked last time, he suffered at Namgung Geom’s hands and sought revenge.”
Cheok Jingwang formed his own conclusion.
“Precisely. And having withdrawn with grave injuries, his resentment has only deepened.”
“So he seeks to borrow the Sa Pae Ryun’s strength to kill Namgung Geom.”
His initial bewilderment gave way to understanding as the full picture emerged.
The crucial question was whether accepting the Saaebang would benefit the Sa Pae Ryun.
From a purely strategic standpoint, the Saaebang’s forces would certainly strengthen them.
The problem lay in the condition they had set.
“Yet if we kill Namgung Geom, we cannot avoid all-out war with the Jeongcheonmaeng, can we?”
To accept the Saaebang at the cost of waging total war against the Jeongcheonmaeng would be ruin, not gain.
“War with the Jeongcheonmaeng is difficult to avoid regardless.”
“You mean the Jeongcheonmaeng will attack us?”
“The Five Great Clans—especially the Namgung Clan—clash with us constantly.”
Just recently, Heuk Cheonsal had fallen by their hand, the second son of the Yuryeongwon had been slain, and their plan to seize the Jeonseobang had failed due to the Namgung Clan’s interference.
“Until now, the balance of power between them and us kept both sides from committing to total war, but if the Jeongcheonmaeng grows stronger, we cannot predict what will happen.”
“Then you’re suggesting we strike first, before the Jeongcheonmaeng attacks?”
“Even if the Jeongcheonmaeng’s formation is confirmed, it will take time to establish their structure. Striking preemptively before then may work to our advantage.”
Sa Gongun’s words held merit.
Yet a full war with the Jeongcheonmaeng was not a decision to be made lightly.
“Moreover, for the Sa Pae Ryun’s reputation, we cannot afford to ignore Namgung Geom.”
The Sa Pae Ryun’s face had been repeatedly damaged by a single man.
If they let this pass, all would assume the Sa Pae Ryun feared the Namgung Clan and by extension the Jeongcheonmaeng.
They needed to demonstrate clearly what happened to those who challenged the Sa Pae Ryun.
“Above all, Namgung Geom is far too dangerous. If we leave him as he is, he will become a monster that devours the Sa Pae Ryun.”
Sa Gongun’s final words shook Cheok Jingwang’s resolve.
Namgung Geom had reached the Divine Martial Realm in his youth.
Moreover, not even the early stages of that realm.
Judging by the grave wounds he’d inflicted on the Saaebang leader, he had likely reached the Divine Martial Realm Late Stage at minimum.
It was unprecedented in all of history.
If left as Sa Gongun warned, Namgung Geom might become a monster even Cheok Jingwang himself could not defeat.
One man alone could topple the Sa Pae Ryun.
To prevent that, Namgung Geom must be eliminated before he grew any stronger.
Even if it meant waging total war with the Jeongcheonmaeng.
Cheok Jingwang made his decision and spoke.
“Prepare the Black Thunder and Red Wind.”
Namgung Geom
Author |
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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