Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 27

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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 27
When Namgung Geom made his request, Namgung Pae immediately shook his head.
“That won’t do. What could the Changyong Sword Brigade accomplish with fewer than thirty men?”
The Changyong Sword Brigade numbered only twenty-eight, including Namgung Geom.
Moreover, they had only just completed their training under Changyong Hall.
They possessed talent, but lacked both experience and skill.
Even if they had successfully completed the squad leader’s mission, the Sahae Faction was not in the same league as the Heung Faction.
“I wish for the Changyong Sword Brigade to develop the courage to face danger and fight, rather than merely receive protection.”
“Courage can too easily become recklessness.”
“I will prove through my abilities that this decision is not reckless.”
Hearing Namgung Geom’s response, Namgung Pae shook his head again.
“There are many other sword brigades capable of supporting the Seomund Clan without sending the Changyong Sword Brigade.”
Namgung Pae’s resolve was firm.
They had other military forces available, and there was no need to risk the Changyong Sword Brigade unnecessarily.
Faced with Namgung Pae’s decisive stance, Namgung Geom stepped back.
“I understand. I will abandon the idea of the Changyong Sword Brigade’s deployment. But I would like to participate myself in supporting the Seomund Clan.”
“What is your reason for wishing to participate so earnestly in the Seomund Clan’s support?”
Namgung Pae asked, unable to comprehend.
“I wish to strengthen my abilities through actual combat.”
That was indeed a reason, but he could not ignore the danger facing the Seomund Clan, his maternal clan in his past life.
Yet he could not reveal that fact plainly.
“Is that all?”
To Namgung Pae, it seemed there must be another reason.
But he could not imagine what that reason might be.
“Is another reason necessary?”
At Namgung Geom’s response, Namgung Pae let out a small laugh.
‘Blood cannot be hidden, can it?’
Namgung Il had been exactly like this.
Whenever a fight broke out, he would rush toward it without hesitation.
He would say there was no better way to sharpen one’s abilities than in life-or-death combat.
And in the end, he had died a meaningless death.
Namgung Pae worried that Namgung Geom might become like his father.
Yet if he protected him like a hothouse flower, he would blunt Namgung Geom’s talents.
If the danger was not too great, it was better to allow Namgung Geom to have his way.
The Sahae Faction was a power counted among the strongest in the underworld.
Of course, they could not compare to the Namgung Clan, but neither were they to be dismissed.
The very fact that the Seomund Clan was struggling showed that their opponents were no trivial force.
That was why he had not permitted the Changyong Sword Brigade to go.
But Namgung Geom’s situation was different.
Given Namgung Geom’s Realm, there would be no great threat unless he faced the Sahae Faction’s very best.
Moreover, Namgung Geom would not be going alone.
Namgung Pae was thinking of sending one of the three great sword units.
Above all, if Namgung Geom distinguished himself in this battle, it would aid him in the Heir Succession Competition.
Namgung Pae spoke as though he had no choice.
“Very well. Once the decision to support the Seomund Clan is made, I will permit your participation.”
“Thank you.”
Having obtained what he sought, Namgung Geom returned to his quarters.
Namgung Pae immediately summoned the leadership council.
And they discussed the matter of supporting the Seomund Clan.
Namgung Pae pushed strongly for supporting the Seomund Clan, and the Elder and the three Elders of the Branch Houses raised no objection.
The crucial question was what military force to send.
Through deliberation, the leadership decided to dispatch three sword brigades from the Cheonpung Sword Unit and one from the Janggang Sword Unit.
And Namgung Geom’s participation was also decided alongside them.
The three Elders of the Branch Houses objected on grounds of Namgung Geom’s safety, but once Namgung Pae pushed for his participation, they had no choice but to yield.
Finally, Namgung Pae announced the recognition and reward for the Changyong Sword Brigade.
No objections were raised regarding the recognition of the Changyong Sword Brigade.
However, regarding the reward, the three Elders of the Branch Houses voiced opposition, saying it was excessive.
But upon hearing that Namgung Geom had forgone his own reward to increase that of the Changyong Sword Brigade, they could raise no further objection.
Once the leadership council adjourned, Namgung Pae announced the main points to those within the clan.
The martial artists of the Namgung Clan could not hide their astonishment upon learning of the achievements of Namgung Geom and the Changyong Sword Brigade.
None of them had expected that the newcomers, fresh graduates from Changyong Hall, would achieve such remarkable feats.
The rewards given for their accomplishments were equally astonishing.
Never before had a single sword unit received ten Minor Elixir Pills as a reward.
Even accounting for the Changyong Sword Brigade’s achievements, the reward seemed excessive.
More than a few voiced their discontent, calling it favoritism toward the Changyong Sword Brigade.
But when word spread that Namgung Geom had forfeited his own reward to increase the allowance for his brigade members, the complaints diminished considerably.
Instead, admiration for Namgung Geom’s priority to his own brigade grew, as did envy of the Changyong Sword Brigade.
The members of the Changyong Sword Brigade were deeply moved when they learned that Namgung Geom had declined his reward for their sake.
At the same time, they felt a pang of guilt toward him for spurning compensation on their behalf.
“If you hadn’t conceded to us, you could have received a Major Elixir Pill. Don’t you regret it?”
Namgung Geom shook his head at Namgung Chang’s words.
“Not at all. To me, the strength of the Changyong Sword Brigade is a greater reward than anything else.”
“Now you’re going to make us all emotional with talk like that.”
Namgung Cheol-ung spoke with an moved expression.
“The only issue is that we have only ten Spirit Pills, so not everyone in the brigade can receive one.”
As Namgung Geom spoke with a regretful tone, Namgung Cheon-sang shook his head.
“Ten is plenty. But how do you plan to distribute the Spirit Pills?”
“I’ll decide based on skill first.”
At Namgung Geom’s words, the relatively skilled members nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, the less skilled members wore discontented expressions.
There was no possibility they would receive a Minor Elixir Pill.
Namgung Geom wore a wry smile at their reaction.
They had been praising him just moments ago, yet now they grumbled because they wouldn’t receive a Minor Elixir Pill.
The saying that nothing was as duplicitous as human nature fit perfectly.
In any case, if their discontent festered, it could become a spark of discord.
“However, if we receive rewards again, those who missed out this time will be prioritized.”
Only after hearing that did their expressions soften.
Having decided how to distribute the rewards, Namgung Geom appointed a vice-commander and squad leaders for the Changyong Sword Brigade.
These positions, too, were assigned based on skill: Namgung Chang became vice-commander, while Namgung Cheol-ung, Namgung Cheon-sang, and Namgung Seol were appointed as squad leaders.
No one objected to their appointments.
“There is one last thing I must tell you.”
“What is it?”
Namgung Chang asked.
“The Three Sword Units of the Cheonpung Sword Unit have decided to deploy in support of the Seomund Clan, and I will be going with them.”
“You’re going alone, Commander?”
Namgung Cheon-sang asked in surprise.
“Yes.”
“That makes no sense. If you’re going, we must go with you as a matter of course.”
Namgung Cheol-ung rose abruptly and spoke loudly.
Namgung Geom shook his head.
“The family head refused to permit the Changyong Sword Brigade’s dispatch, citing insufficient skill.”
“Even so, you can’t go alone. Regardless of the other members, the vice-commander and we squad leaders must go with you.”
Namgung Chang nodded at Namgung Cheol-ung’s words.
“Right. With our skill, the family head will surely grant permission.”
“Agreed.”
The other two squad leaders voiced their assent as well.
Namgung Geom smiled at their loyalty in refusing to send him alone.
“Then the four of you will accompany me.”
Namgung Geom sought Namgung Pae’s approval and incorporated the vice-commander Namgung Chang and the three squad leaders into the mission.
Namgung Chang and the three squad leaders possessed skill that was scarcely inferior to the squad leaders of the Cheonpung Sword Unit’s Three Sword Units.
Had they not fought to a draw against those very squad leaders in sparring not long ago?
With their skill, they were fully qualified to participate in battle against the Sahae Faction.
* * *
Four days later.
The Namgung Clan dispatched the Three Sword Units of the Cheonpung Sword Unit to support the Seomund Clan.
Namgung Geom and the four members of the Changyong Sword Brigade departed with them.
The Three Sword Units of the Cheonpung Sword Unit had suffered a loss of face in their sparring match against the Changyong Sword Brigade.
They could have harbored resentment toward Namgung Geom and his group, but they did not.
Instead, they treated them warmly.
The Three Sword Units had been deeply impressed by Namgung Geom’s skill in the previous sparring match.
The firstborn heir of the Namgung Clan, whose martial prowess had reached its zenith at such a young age.
No warrior of the Namgung Clan could help but admire him.
“First, allow me to congratulate you on becoming the Master of the Changyong Sword Brigade.”
Namgung Ji-hwan, Master of the Cheonpung Sword Unit, stepped forward and offered his congratulations.
“I’m grateful. And I’m honored to undertake this mission alongside the Cheonpung Sword Unit.”
“The honor is entirely mine, to work alongside you, the Heir.”
At Namgung Ji-hwan’s words, Namgung Geom waved a hand dismissively.
“Honor? Not at all. I’d count myself fortunate if I don’t hinder the Cheonpung Sword Unit’s mission.”
“Knowing your prowess and that of the Unit Leaders, hindrance is the last thing we’d worry about.”
He wasn’t being polite.
Namgung Geom’s martial prowess surpassed Namgung Ji-hwan’s.
The Four Companions’ abilities were no inferior to those of the Cheonpung Sword Unit’s leaders.
Their arrival would only strengthen the Cheonpung Sword Unit’s fighting force — there was nothing to lose.
“Then I’ll look forward to your support.”
“And I to yours.”
After exchanging brief pleasantries, the Cheonpung Sword Unit and Namgung Geom’s party set out for Namgyeong.
There they would rendezvous with elements of the Janggang Sword Unit before moving downriver along the Janggang.
On the way to Namgyeong, Namgung Geom sparred in rotation with the Four Companions.
The Four Companions, having consumed a Minor Elixir Pill as their reward, had grown five years’ worth of Inner Energy.
Some might dismiss five years as trifling, but for those whose Inner Energy hadn’t yet matured, it was nearly a tenth of their total cultivation.
The real challenge lay in effectively utilizing the sudden surge in Inner Energy.
Careless fusion of the newfound power with their existing Techniques could throw everything off balance.
This was why one undertook Closed Door Cultivation after consuming Spirit Pills.
Namgung Geom had achieved the same through sparring instead.
First, he had them deploy their Inner Energy at full power.
By exerting their Inner Energy completely while adapting naturally to the increase, they would integrate it seamlessly.
Any slips in their Technique would be corrected on the spot.
Simple in theory, but impossible to execute without deep understanding of Inner Energy and Technique.
For Namgung Geom, it was second nature.
The Four Companions drew on their increased Inner Energy while adjusting their Techniques in kind.
Within mere days, they had adapted to the newfound power.
Their martial prowess grew proportionally stronger.
The Unit Leaders of the Cheonpung Sword Unit, watching from the sidelines, could scarcely contain their amazement.
“Their strength grew that much in just a few days?”
“Even accounting for the Minor Elixir Pill, it doesn’t make sense.”
The answer was obvious.
“The Heir’s instruction must be that exceptional.”
The Unit Leaders possessed discerning eyes.
They recognized that Namgung Geom was refining the Four Companions’ Inner Energy and Technique through sparring.
He wasn’t imparting any hidden secrets.
But he explained to each of them, with clarity, exactly what they needed to understand.
Through his guidance, the Four Companions had grown in strength so swiftly.
“I envy them. Getting personal sparring instruction from the Heir like that.”
The Unit Leaders of the Cheonpung Sword Unit gazed at the Four Companions with longing.
“Why don’t we ask if he’ll spar with us too?”
“But we’re not part of the Changyong Sword Brigade. Would he even agree?”
“If he doesn’t, we’re no worse off. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
The Unit Leaders of the Cheonpung Sword Unit waited for Namgung Geom’s sparring session to end, then approached him.
“Is there something you wished to discuss?”
Namgung Geom asked them.
“We wondered if we might also receive your sparring instruction, Heir.”
Namgung Geom smiled warmly and replied.
“Of course. Though I’d need to obtain permission from your Unit Master first.”
“The Master has already granted his approval.”
Namgung Geom nodded.
“Then we needn’t delay. Let’s begin at once.”
Namgung Bing-ryong
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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