Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 37

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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 37
Baek Gyeong Won, the Master of Taeho Dan, collapsed on the grounds of Seomun Chu’s Estate.
The battle, already tilted in favor of the Seomun Clan, turned entirely one-sided.
The Seomun Clan’s warriors drove the Taeho Dan fighters back relentlessly.
As the last of them fell, the battle came to an end.
Seomun Chu approached Namgung Geom.
He felt that Namgung Geom’s aura had transformed overnight.
Not only had his Internal Energy grown stronger, but he now radiated an oppressive presence that dominated the space around him.
One in the Peak Realm could never display such commanding force.
“Surely he hasn’t… stepped into the Jinmu Realm?”
Seomun Chu’s tone betrayed his disbelief.
“It’s thanks to the Byungok Dan you gave me, sir.”
At Namgung Geom’s words, Seomun Chu let out a hollow laugh.
He’d suspected as much, yet to hear it confirmed—that the boy had truly reached the Jinmu Realm—felt impossible.
Could one really ascend to the Jinmu Realm simply by consuming a Byungok Dan, no matter how potent?
The Jinmu Realm was not an achievement that could be reached by mere abundance of Internal Energy.
Its essence lay in condensing the Internal Energy that filled one’s Dantian, evolving it to a higher stage.
Without profound enlightenment regarding Internal Energy, such a thing was impossible.
However gifted a martial prodigy Namgung Geom might be, he was still barely past his youth.
That he could attain such profound enlightenment at such a tender age seemed utterly beyond belief.
‘How extraordinary must his talent truly be?’
Seomun Chu found himself marveling at Namgung Geom’s aptitude.
“To think you’ve reached the Jinmu Realm at your age—truly, it is astonishing.”
“Without the Byungok Dan, it would have been impossible. I am truly grateful that you entrusted me with such a precious Spirit Pill.”
Seomun Chu waved his hand dismissively and spoke.
“No, I should be the one thanking you. Had it not been for you, the Taeho Moon’s surprise attack would have dealt us grievous losses. You have saved our clan not once, but twice now—I am eternally in your debt.”
Namgung Geom had sensed the Taeho Moon’s assault and rushed out to delay them until the Seomun Clan’s warriors could arrive.
Thanks to his actions, the Seomun Clan had repelled the attack with minimal casualties.
That Namgung Geom had saved the Seomun Clan a second time was a debt that could never be repaid in a single lifetime.
“So the attackers were from the Taeho Moon.”
Now Namgung Geom finally understood the true identity of his assailants.
“My relations with the Taeho Moon have been strained for some time, but I never imagined they would attempt such a brazen assault.”
Seomun Chu genuinely had not foreseen this.
“It appears the Hukssal Moon was involved in this as well.”
“Were the assassins you defeated from the Hukssal Moon?”
When Seomun Chu had arrived here, Namgung Geom was engaged with one of the Hukssal Sam Geom.
From the assassin’s martial prowess, Seomun Chu had deduced that he belonged to the Hukssal Moon.
“Correct. One of the Hukssal Sam Geom and three of the Hukssal Sip Young.”
“One of the Hukssal Sam Geom?”
At the mention of one of the Hukssal Moon’s top masters, Seomun Chu’s eyes widened in alarm.
The Hukssal Sam Geom were skilled enough to kill even masters of the Jinmu Realm.
“They likely came specifically to target you, sir.”
“Without you, I would have been completely defenseless against his assassination technique.”
Seomun Chu had not anticipated an assault by the Hukssal Sam Geom.
Naturally, he would have made no preparations against such an attack.
Had the Hukssal Sam Geom launched his assassination while Seomun Chu fought the Taeho Moon warriors, it would have been fatal.
In truth, Namgung Geom had saved Seomun Chu’s life every bit as much as he had saved the clan’s.
“You would have been more than capable of defending against a Hukssal Sam Geom’s assassination, sir.”
Seomun Chu shook his head.
“While I was engaged with the Taeho Moon warriors, had the Hukssal Sam Geom struck, I could not have stopped him.”
He knew full well that he would have been unable to counter such an attack under those circumstances.
“But how did you recognize the Hukssal Moon’s assassins and dispatch them?”
Seomun Chu asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.
“I discovered them silently eliminating the Seomun Clan warriors who were keeping watch. I then turned the tables and struck at them from behind.”
“Ah, so because the Hukssal Moon assassins cleared a path, I was completely unaware that the Taeho Moon had penetrated this far into the estate.”
Seomun Chu spoke as though the final piece of the puzzle had fallen into place.
“Indeed. The Concealment Art of the Hukssal Moon assassins was quite formidable.”
“Had you not been here, this would have ended in disaster.”
Had the Hukssal Moon assassins’ concealment completely breached the defensive perimeter?
No one would have noticed until the Taeho Moon warriors had already reached deep within the Inner Garden.
And they would have been unable to mount any proper defense against the Taeho Dan warriors who descended upon them so suddenly.
The thought alone made him dizzy.
Seomun Chu felt a fresh wave of gratitude toward Namgung Geom.
“What matters is that we’ve captured one of the Hukssal Sam Geom.”
“Then we can expose that the Hukssal Moon incited the Sahae Bang and Taeho Moon to attack the main house.”
“Precisely. And since the Hukssal Moon is involved, the Sapaeryeon cannot remain untouched either.”
Seomun Chu shook his head with a skeptical expression.
“The Sapaeryeon will deny everything to the bitter end.”
Namgung Geom shared that assessment.
It was highly probable they would claim the Hukssal Moon acted on its own authority.
Without direct evidence of Sapaeryeon involvement, attacking them would be difficult.
“But the Sapaeryeon will have no choice but to lie low for a while.”
“In that time, we must establish the Jungcheon Alliance and build sufficient strength to oppose them.”
“Exactly. The fact that the Hukssal Moon of the Sapaeryeon incited the Sahae Bang and Taeho Moon to attack the Seomun Clan will serve as the catalyst for the Jungcheon Alliance’s formation.”
Seomun Chu could not help but marvel at Namgung Geom’s grasp of the situation.
For one so young, to read the currents of power with such precision was no simple feat.
Namgung Geom was not merely strong in martial skill—his mind was equally sharp.
Seomun Chu could now be certain of one thing.
The future of the martial world would flow through Namgung Geom.
And the Namgung Clan, which possessed him, would likewise come to command the martial realm.
‘The Seomun Clan’s future rests in Namgung Geom’s hands.’
It was called mutual protection.
Should Namgung Geom watch over the Seomun Clan, no one would dare treat them lightly.
To reclaim the Seomun Clan’s former glory, they must hold fast to their bond with Namgung Geom.
Seomun Chu swore to himself he would do all within his power to strengthen that relationship.
In that light, giving him the Byungok Dan had been a wise decision.
With something that held little value for the Seomun Clan, he had contributed to Namgung Geom’s ascent to the Jinmu Realm.
Of course, the Byungok Dan was meant as repayment for the aid rendered to the Seomun Clan.
But given Namgung Geom’s nature, he would not forget the Seomun Clan who had helped him reach his Peak Realm.
‘But is the Byungok Dan truly enough?’
Seomun Chu felt as though something more was needed.
Had he not just received Namgung Geom’s aid this very night?
It was only right to offer him recompense.
Yet he could think of nothing suitable to give.
‘That’s right—there was that!’
Then, a thought came to him.
Seomun Chu decided he would give it to Namgung Geom before he departed the estate.
“But what do you intend to do about the Taeho Moon?”
Namgung Geom asked.
“The Taeho Moon attacked the main house under cover of night. Even if the Seomun Clan were to annihilate them, none could fault us for it.”
As Seomun Chu said, the Seomun Clan had ample justification to strike at the Taeho Moon.
“So you intend to attack the Taeho Moon?”
Seomun Chu smiled ruefully and shook his head.
“That’s what the words say, but attacking the Taeho Moon immediately would be no easy task, would it?”
The bulk of the Seomun Clan’s forces were deployed at the Janggang Estuary to contain the Sahae Bang.
There were forces remaining at the main house, but to leave it undefended and attack the Taeho Moon carried considerable risk.
Yet he could not pull forces from the Janggang Estuary either.
If the Sahae Bang made a move, the estuary could be lost.
“The problem is that the Sahae Bang and Taeho Moon could join forces.”
At Namgung Geom’s words, Seomun Chu’s expression hardened.
With the Seomun Clan as their common enemy, the Sahae Bang and Taeho Moon shared aligned interests.
Depending on circumstances, they could easily join hands.
“So what if you were to call in part of your forces from the Janggang Estuary to attack the Taeho Moon?”
“And how would that leave the Janggang Estuary defenseless?”
“You have the main house’s forces, do you not?”
The Namgung Clan’s forces possessed a deterrent power all their own.
The moment the Sahae Bang attacked the Namgung forces, the Namgung Clan would enter the fray in earnest.
The Sahae Bang would have to be mad to turn the Namgung Clan into an enemy.
Even with the Seomun Clan forces withdrawn, the likelihood of the Sahae Bang attempting an attack remained low.
“I fear we may be accruing too great a debt to the Namgung Clan.”
“Going forward, it will be a matter of aiding our allies under the banner of the Jungcheon Alliance. How could that possibly be called a debt?”
“Hearing you say so puts my mind at ease.”
Seomun Chu decided to summon the forces stationed at the Janggang Estuary, just as Namgung Geom had suggested.
“And I myself shall take part in the assault on the Taeho Moon.”
“You as well, Lord Namgung?”
Seomun Chu asked, surprised.
“There may be other forces from the Hukssal Moon or the Sapaeryeon hidden within the Taeho Moon. It would be wise to have one more master in the battle.”
“If you join us, we would be grateful, but shouldn’t you be returning to the Namgung Clan’s main house?”
“The main house will understand, given that this concerns the Seomun Clan.”
In truth, there was no pressing reason for him to return to the Namgung Clan immediately.
Delaying his return by a few more days would cause no difficulties.
Namgung Geom informed the four masters of the Changyong Sword Unit of his intention to participate in the assault on the Taeho Moon.
“Is it truly all right to join the attack on the Taeho Moon without permission from the main house?”
Namgung Chang expressed his concern.
“The justification for attacking the Taeho Moon is clear enough. The main house won’t raise serious objections.”
The Namgung Clan had already decided to support the Seomun Clan.
Therefore, participating in the assault on the Taeho Moon was hardly contrary to the clan’s policy.
Moreover, they had a solid justification for the attack.
“But what if the Sapaeryeon has forces within the Taeho Moon? Wouldn’t that make things far worse?”
At Namgung Cheonsang’s concern, Namgung Geom shook his head.
“What matters is justification. If it comes to light that the Sapaeryeon instigated the Taeho Moon to attack the Seomun Clan, it will be the Sapaeryeon who finds itself at a disadvantage.”
“But couldn’t the Sapaeryeon use this as a pretext to attack the main house?”
This time, Namgung Cheol Ung voiced his worry.
“The moment the Sapaeryeon attacks the main house, the Great War of Righteous and Evil will begin.”
The Five Great Clans had alliances binding them to one another.
Should the Namgung Clan come under attack, the other Four Great Clans would move to join the fight at once.
And it was highly likely that other clans in favor of the Jungcheon Alliance would also enter the fray.
It would amount to the Great War of Righteous and Evil itself.
Even with the Sapaeryeon’s considerable strength, facing the Five Great Clans was no easy feat.
And if other clans joined the battle, the Sapaeryeon’s chances of victory were nearly nonexistent.
“So the Sapaeryeon won’t dare make a rash move unless they have sound justification.”
At Namgung Geom’s explanation, Namgung Cheol Ung nodded in understanding.
* * *
Five days later.
Namgung Geom and the four masters of the Changyong Sword Unit moved toward Hozhou, where the Taeho Moon stood, alongside the Seomun Clan’s warriors.
Upon reaching Hozhou after crossing the Taeho, the Seomun Clan’s scouts, who had moved ahead earlier, reported on the Taeho Moon’s situation.
“We estimate there are roughly two hundred warriors within the Taeho Moon.”
“Have any other forces from the Hukssal Moon or the Sapaeryeon been detected?”
Seomun Chu asked.
It was rare for a clan master to participate directly in combat.
His direct participation showed his determination to punish the Taeho Moon thoroughly.
“Security is too tight for us to confirm.”
The scout lowered his head apologetically.
“The fact that they haven’t withdrawn despite knowing of the main house’s attack suggests they’re relying on something.”
Namgung Geom, standing nearby, spoke as though the answer were obvious.
“Why not find out directly?”
Namgung Bing-Ryong
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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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