Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 39

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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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Episode 39
With the Master of Taehomun, Kang Gyeong-hak, fallen, the tide of battle shifted decisively in favor of the Seomun Clan.
“Those who surrender shall be spared. All of you—lay down your weapons and submit.”
Seo Mun-chu’s voice rang out across the hall toward the warriors of Taehomun.
There was no need to kill them if they would yield.
He was even considering absorbing Taehomun’s warriors into the Seomun Clan, depending on circumstances.
The warriors of Taehomun had already lost their will to fight.
They hurried to cast down their weapons and surrender.
A few continued to resist, refusing to yield even as the battle turned hopeless.
But their numbers were few, and they were quickly dispatched.
At last, the final warrior of Taehomun fell, and the battle ended.
After ordering his men to clear the hall, Seo Mun-chu withdrew with Nangung Geom to a private chamber.
There, his expression grew clouded with suspicion as he spoke.
“How does the Young Master of Nangung know of our clan’s Leiyonggyeol?”
“Leiyonggyeol? I’m afraid I don’t follow you.”
Nangung Geom tilted his head, feigning ignorance.
“The secret technique you taught me—I speak of that.”
Seo Mun-chu’s eyes remained narrowed with doubt.
He was grateful that Nangung Geom had shared this secret with him.
Yet the fact that he possessed a technique lost to the Seomun Clan for generations—that was not something to let pass without question.
“I discovered it quite by chance in my clan’s library. It was an anonymous secret manual, nothing more.”
Nangung Geom’s expression remained unmoved as he spoke.
“An anonymous secret manual found in the Nangung library?”
Seo Mun-chu’s tone betrayed his skepticism.
“Yes. The contents were subtle and intricate enough that I committed them to memory.”
“Is that truly so?”
Seo Mun-chu was not yet convinced.
The secret Nangung Geom had taught him fit too perfectly with the Leijingdobeop.
One might think it had been crafted expressly for that very technique.
Could it be that Nangung Geom was deceiving him—that this technique was indeed the Leiyonggyeol itself?
“Why would I lie about its name? If it is the Leiyonggyeol, I would simply call it the Leiyonggyeol.”
There was logic in that.
Nangung Geom had no reason to lie.
The very premise seemed impossible—how could he know the Leiyonggyeol at all?
The Leiyonggyeol was transmitted by the Patriarch only to his Young Master Candidate.
Unless one held that position within the Seomun Clan, the technique should be utterly unknowable.
“And truthfully, does it matter whether it is the Leiyonggyeol or not? What matters is that your clan’s Leijingdobeop has grown stronger through this secret—is that not what is important?”
“Your words ring true, Young Master of Nangung.”
It was indeed unimportant whether it was the Leiyonggyeol or something else.
How Nangung Geom had obtained the technique also mattered little.
What mattered was that this secret could replace the Leiyonggyeol that the Seomun Clan had lost.
“The debt I already owe you is considerable, and now you have added to it again. I am truly grateful.”
Seo Mun-chu spoke his thanks with genuine warmth.
“I am pleased to have been of service to you, Master of the Seomun Clan.”
“Your kindness runs so deep that the Bingyokdan alone seems insufficient.”
“No, that is more than adequate.”
“You may find it adequate, but I do not.”
Seo Mun-chu shook his head and reached into his robe, withdrawing a silver token.
“I ask that you accept this.”
“What is this?”
“A Leiyongpai.”
The Leiyongpai—a sacred token inscribed with the divine thunder-dragon that symbolized the Seomun Clan.
It was a Gratitude Token, bestowed upon those who had rendered the clan a profound service.
The holder of a Leiyongpai could make a single request of the Seomun Clan, and that clan was bound to fulfill it, whatever it might be.
Even if that request endangered the clan itself.
For this reason, the Seomun Clan did not distribute such tokens lightly.
Only a benefactor who had saved the clan from annihilation might deserve to receive one—and even then, it was debatable.
That Seo Mun-chu was offering the Leiyongpai to Nangung Geom spoke volumes about the depth of his gratitude.
“I cannot accept the Leiyongpai. I truly cannot.”

Nangung Geom knew exactly what the Leiyongpai was.
Taking it felt like too heavy a burden.
“If you know what the Leiyongpai is, then you understand not to use it carelessly.”
“That’s precisely why I cannot accept it.”
“You are more than worthy to receive the Leiyongpai. Please, take it.”
Nangung Geom’s expression grew troubled.
With reluctance, he accepted the Leiyongpai.
“I am grateful. I will receive it as a gesture of goodwill from the Seomun Clan.”
“Should the main house have need of our support, come to us at any time.”
“I understand.”
Nangung Geom slipped the Leiyongpai into his robe.
Whether he would ever use it remained uncertain, but possessing it alone held immense value.
He now held a token that could move the Seomun Clan whenever he wished.
“But what shall we do about Taehomun’s territory?”
As Nangung Geom secured the Leiyongpai, Seo Mun-chu posed the question.
“Naturally, the Seomun Clan must assume control.”
Nangung Geom answered without hesitation.
In the martial world, it was customary that when conflict erupted between factions, the victor claimed the defeated faction’s territory.
By all rights, the Seomun Clan should have taken Taehomun’s domain for themselves.
Yet Seo Mun-chu’s thinking diverged from convention.
“Your contribution is undeniable—how could the main house monopolize Taehomun’s territory?”
He intended to share Taehomun’s domain with the Nangung Clan.
It was repayment for the Nangung Clan’s assistance to the Seomun Clan this time.
The decision also weighed practical considerations.
The Seomun Clan’s military strength was insufficient to defend Taehomun’s territory alone.
But if the Nangung Clan assumed partial control, few would dare challenge them for the domain.
Borrow Tiger’s Might.
It was a calculated move—to protect the newly acquired Taehomun territory by borrowing the prestige of the Nangung Clan.
“Then we shall follow whatever division the Seomun Clan decides.”
Nangung Geom made no objection to sharing Taehomun’s territory.
The credit would be entirely his, and it would score significant points in the Young Master Candidate competition.
“Then how would it be if we jointly administer Taehomun’s territory?”
“If that is what the Clan Head of the Seomun desires, I shall do so.”
Nangung Geom agreed to follow Seo Mun-chu’s proposal.
“Very well. I shall send a formal document to the Nangung Clan with the details.”
“Understood.”
After matters were settled, the Seomun Clan left a contingent to guard Taehomun’s territory and returned to Soju.
Nangung Geom’s party traveled back to Soju with them.
They immediately made preparations to depart for the Nangung Clan.
The reason they had come to Soju instead of leaving Hoju directly was to bring Heuk Samsal from the Heuksalmun with them.
After exchanging farewells with Seo Mun-chu, Nangung Geom took Heuk Samsal and departed the Seomun estate.
* * *
Two days after traveling through the Grand Canal to the Changjiang River, Nangung Geom’s party arrived at Namgyeong.
“We’ll rest here for the night.”
The sun had already set; further travel was impossible.
Nangung Geom’s party sought out a suitable inn.
By chance, they encountered Seol Un-cheon, the proprietor of the Seolgajang.
“What brings the Young Master to these parts?”
“As we make our way back to the clan, night has fallen. We were searching for lodging.”
“If you haven’t secured a room elsewhere, why not stay the night at our establishment?”
“Then I shall accept your kindness without hesitation.”
Nangung Geom’s party followed Seol Un-cheon to the Seolgajang.
“Is it really safe to go to the Seolgajang?”
Nangung Chang asked warily of the proprietor.
It was possible that the Seolgajang harbored ill feelings from the incident at the Taehomun Tea House.
“The proprietor of the Seolgajang has no reason to bear a grudge from that matter. Don’t worry.”
“You speak as though you know the proprietor intimately.”
“We had a brief conversation last time, and surprisingly, our sensibilities aligned well.”
Upon arriving at the Seolgajang, Seol Un-cheon offered Nangung Geom’s party the guest quarters.
After bathing, Nangung Geom’s party enjoyed the lavish banquet the Seolgajang had prepared.
That night.
Nangung Geom slipped out of the guest pavilion without the others knowing.
And there he met Seol Un-cheon.
“How have the side effects of the Binggong resolved?”
“Thanks to the secret method you shared, I was able to dispel the Cold Toxin in Meridians.”
Seol Un-cheon spoke with gratitude in his voice.
“I’m glad it proved useful.”
“Though your cultivation has advanced considerably since we last met.”
Seol Un-cheon could sense that Nangung Geom’s vital energy had transformed.
“It’s thanks to the Bingyokdan the Seomun Clan provided.”
“Did you say Bingyokdan?”
His expression betrayed puzzlement at why the Beihai Binggong’s Bingyokdan would be in the possession of the Seomun Clan.
“Apparently it was given as a betrothal gift when the Beihai Binggong and the Seomun Clan formed a marriage alliance in the past.”
“Bingyokdan, no less. You truly are blessed with fortune.”
Seol Un-cheon spoke with evident envy.
“If you diligently cultivate the secret method I taught you, your own progress will follow.”
“It would be even better if you revealed the remaining portion of the secret method.”
“There’s no need to rush. Once trust is established between us, I’ll share it of my own accord.”
Nangung Geom had no intention of easily revealing the rest of the secret.
It was like the fairy’s celestial robe in the old tale of the Heavenly Maiden and the Woodcutter.
If he revealed everything at once, Seol Un-cheon could escape from his grasp.
So he must hold onto the secret until Seol Un-cheon came to follow him with genuine devotion.
* * *
Outskirts of Namgyeong.
A shabby shrine stood empty save for a middle-aged man in black robes, hands clasped behind his back.
After a moment, a masked figure in black entered the shrine.
He bowed and offered his report.
“Nangung Geom’s party has been confirmed entering Seolgajang.”
“Seolgajang? Has Seolgajang attached itself to the Nangung Clan?”
The middle-aged man asked with a puzzled expression.
“There was an occasion when Nangung Geom and the Seolgajang Master Seol Un-cheon met concerning the incident at Taehomun Tavern. I suspect they grew close then.”
The masked man reported what he had observed.
“So when our Seomun Clan extended a hand, they refused—yet their heart was inclined toward the Nangung Clan all along.”
The middle-aged man spoke with displeasure.
“Seolgajang has maintained neutrality for a long time. Whether they will place themselves under the Nangung Clan requires further observation.”
“In any case, now that they’ve entered Seolgajang, any action tonight would be difficult.”
The man in black furrowed his brow.
He was Heuk Isal, one of the Three Heuksalmun Blades.
When the Heuksalmun learned what Heuk Samsal and ten of the Heuksalmun Acolytes had suffered at Nangung Geom’s hands, they immediately dispatched Heuk Isal and Heuk Yeong-dae.
Their purpose was to eliminate Nangung Geom’s party and rescue Heuk Samsal.
Heuk Isal and Heuk Yeong-dae waited for Nangung Geom’s party in Namgyeong.
They had planned to strike the moment the party settled into an inn.
But unexpectedly, Nangung Geom’s party had gone to Seolgajang instead.
To eliminate them, he would have to enter Seolgajang.
Which meant inevitably clashing with Seolgajang itself.
Seolgajang was only a minor martial family, but they possessed solid strength.
While the Heuksalmun’s elite force might manage, Heuk Yeong-dae alone could not attack Seolgajang without difficulty.
The Heuksalmun’s target was Nangung Geom’s party, not Seolgajang.
There was no need to force a confrontation with them.
Opportunities to eliminate Nangung Geom’s party would come again, with or without tonight.
“When do you intend to make your move?”
“Once Nangung Geom’s party leaves Namgyeong, we strike immediately.”
Nangung Bing-ryong
Author|
Baek Wol-geom
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(주) Samyang C&C
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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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