Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 43

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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 43
Namgung Pae settled the schedule for the Minor Family Head Selection and rose from his seat.
Namgung Geom left the Family Head’s Residence with his uncles.
“Well now. I never expected to find myself competing with you for the Minor Family Head position.”
His eldest uncle, Namgung Seong, spoke with a wry smile.
Namgung Pae’s decision to hold the Minor Family Head Selection a year hence was more than welcome.
Yet the prospect of competing for the position against a much younger nephew sat poorly with him.
Not from any fear of losing the Minor Family Head seat to such a youth.
It was the matter of contending for the position itself with someone so much his junior that wounded his pride.
“I consider it an honor to compete alongside my uncles.”
Namgung Geom replied with careful courtesy.
These three uncles were not his enemies.
Once the Minor Family Head was decided, they would be family who stood together under the Namgung Clan’s name.
There was no reason to cultivate discord among them.
“Why struggle for the Minor Family Head position against we uncles?”
Namgung Byeok spoke as though suggesting he simply step aside.
“I have no wish to contend with my uncles either, but I hope you’ll understand my desire to challenge for the Minor Family Head seat as the eldest grandson of the Namgung Clan.”
Namgung Geom made his intention to compete clear.
“With your standing and martial prowess, you’re surely qualified to vie for the position. So brothers, do stop making things difficult for him.”
Namgung Un, who had been listening quietly, addressed his two elder brothers.
Namgung Geom regarded Namgung Un with surprise at this unexpected support.
Namgung Byeok, by contrast, bristled and raised his voice.
“Making things difficult? What are you talking about?”
“The way you’re speaking—as if a mere boy shouldn’t be trying to compete with his uncles. That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it? Anyone who heard you would think you feared losing the Minor Family Head position to him.”
At Namgung Un’s continued words, Namgung Byeok’s expression darkened.
“Who’s afraid of losing the Minor Family Head seat?”
“Then what’s the problem? Whoever wins by skill in the Minor Family Head Selection is that. Nothing more.”
Namgung Un shrugged as he spoke.
Namgung Byeok found he could offer no rebuttal.
To argue against him now would only make it appear that he truly did fear losing the Minor Family Head position to Namgung Geom.
“The fourth brother has it right. We simply conduct the Minor Family Head Selection fairly by skill.”
Namgung Seong settled the matter with a single statement.
He believed without question that he would become Minor Family Head, whether Namgung Geom participated or not.
His only grievance was the prospect of competing for it against such a young nephew.
But this was a decision already made by Namgung Pae, the Family Head.
He had no choice but to accept it, however much he disliked it.
With Namgung Seong taking this stance, Namgung Byeok had even less to say.
“Since we’re on the subject, how about we reach an agreement here?”
At Namgung Un’s proposal, Namgung Seong asked with evident confusion.
“What sort of agreement do you mean?”
Namgung Un smiled faintly and answered.
“That we compete fairly and all abide by the result.”
“Isn’t that obvious? Why speak of an agreement on something so plain?”
Namgung Seong asked with a baffled expression.
He saw it as something they would naturally do, hardly the subject of any formal accord.
“It should never come to pass, but I worry there might be bloodshed between brothers and uncle and nephew.”
Namgung Un spoke as though he wanted to be certain of the matter.
“I won’t harm a brother or nephew over the Minor Family Head seat. And even should I fail to become Minor Family Head, I swear I’ll accept it and move forward.”
Namgung Seong gave his word readily.
After all, he was confident he would become Minor Family Head, so he had no reason not to accept such an outcome.
Since he was certain of his success, there was no cause to resort to dishonorable means.
“I too will make that pledge.”
Namgung Byeok accepted the agreement without hesitation.
Namgung Un turned his gaze to Namgung Geom.
“I too will not bring harm to my uncles. Naturally, I’ll accept the outcome as well.”
“Then, now that we’ve agreed, let’s all do our best and see who prevails.”
Namgung Un spoke with evident satisfaction.
Namgung Geom regarded Namgung Un with eyes touched by curiosity.
There was something about the way he seemed to be looking out for him.
He made a note to meet with Namgung Un privately at some point.
Judging from his uncles’ demeanor, it seemed unlikely that the kind of fratricidal conflict that had consumed his previous life would come to pass.
Of course, it was premature to be certain.
For now they spoke that way because they believed themselves destined to become Minor Family Head—but their words might change if circumstances shifted.
If Namgung Geom were to surpass them and claim the position, there was no telling how they would respond.
After parting with his uncles, Namgung Geom made his way to Kang Moyeon’s quarters.
His mission was complete, and it was only proper to pay his respects to his mother.
“Welcome home. You’re not injured, are you?”
The moment Kang Moyeon saw Namgung Geom, she scrutinized him for any sign of harm.
“Not a scratch. I’m fine, Mother.”
Namgung Geom raised his arms and rotated them to demonstrate his uninjured state.
Only then did Kang Moyeon’s expression relax.
“So I hear you distinguished yourself on this mission as well?”
Kang Moyeon had apparently received word of Namgung Geom’s report.
“I was fortunate.”
“Accolades are well enough, but you must never forget that your safety comes first.”
“Don’t worry, Mother. If nothing else, I’ll be careful for your sake.”
Namgung Geom set her mind at ease.
“And nothing unusual happened at the Family Head’s Residence?”
Kang Moyeon asked after the happenings there.
“The Family Head has officially designated me as a Minor Family Head candidate and decided to hold a Minor Family Head Selection in one year.”
At those words, Kang Moyeon’s eyes widened.
“One year? Isn’t that terribly disadvantageous for you?”
Given Namgung Geom’s age, one year was short—painfully short.
In her estimation, it would be impossible for him to close the gap with his uncles in a single year.
It was effectively the same as barring him from the position entirely.
Bitterness tinged Kang Moyeon’s words—she believed Namgung Pae had shown no consideration for her son’s circumstances.
She thought he had paid no regard to Namgung Geom’s standing.
“It wasn’t the Family Head who set that timeframe—it was me.”
“You set it?”
Kang Moyeon looked at him, clearly puzzled.
“A year may not be long, but if I apply myself, I believe I can catch up to my uncles.”
“Even with your exceptional talent, isn’t a year unreasonably short?”
Kang Moyeon remained unconvinced.
It wasn’t that she doubted her son’s gifts.
But the timeframe was simply too narrow.
No matter how gifted Namgung Geom was, she judged that at least five years would be necessary for him to catch up with his uncles.
And anyone else would reach the same conclusion.
Frankly, even five years would be remarkably quick.
“What if I’ve already reached the True Martial Realm?”
“What? You’ve already entered the True Martial Realm? Is that truly the case?”
Kang Moyeon responded in disbelief.
“So believe in me. I will succeed my father as Minor Family Head of the Namgung Clan.”
“But will your uncles simply allow it?”
Kang Moyeon worried that his three uncles might grow wary and pose a threat to him.
“If the Minor Family Head Selection were set for several years from now, my uncles would certainly regard me with greater caution.”
The longer the period, the greater the chance he could narrow the gap.
“But with the selection only a year away, they won’t view me as much of a threat.”
That was why Namgung Geom had proposed the shorter timeframe, despite knowing it worked against him.
Kang Moyeon nodded slowly, his reasoning taking hold.
“What matters is whether you can truly close the gap with your uncles in that year. Can you really do this?”
“I wouldn’t have agreed to it if I doubted myself. So trust your son.”
Kang Moyeon nodded at his answer.
“Is there anything this mother can do to help?”
Namgung Geom shook his head.
“Just believe in me and watch over me, Mother. That’s all I need.”
* * *
The next day.
Through the efforts of the Changyong Sword Unit’s four senior instructors, word of Namgung Geom’s exploits on the mission spread rapidly.
The warriors of the Namgung Clan could speak of nothing but his achievements whenever they gathered.
Among them were two martial artists of the Namgung Clan Patrol Unit: Namgung Chil and Namgung Won.
“They say the Crown Prince broke through two full units of the Dragon King Unit from the Sihae Faction?”
Namgung Chil, whose weathered features bore an expression of wonder, posed the question.
“That’s hardly the extent of it. He exposed the Black Kill Sect lurking behind the Sihae Faction and even subdued two of the Black Kill Three Swords.”
Namgung Won, seated across from him, added to the account.
“The Black Kill Three Swords? Aren’t they the masters of the Black Kill Sect?”
Namgung Chil asked, startled.
“Indeed. Their Concealment Technique is so formidable that even masters of the True Martial Realm struggle to detect them.”
“And the Crown Prince subdued them?”
Namgung Chil’s expression betrayed his disbelief.
“Which is why it’s such an extraordinary feat.”
“I’ve also heard that the Crown Prince destroyed the Taeho Sect alongside the Seomun Clan?”
“That’s right. The Seomun Clan acknowledged the Crown Prince’s contributions and agreed to divide the Taeho Sect’s territories with their main house.”
Namgung Won, whose connections ran wide and deep, seemed to know everything.
“Ha! The Crown Prince’s exploits are truly remarkable. And what reward does he receive for all this?”
Given Namgung Geom’s accomplishments, it could hardly be an ordinary honor.
“From what I hear, the Family Head has granted him permission to enter the Hundred Sword Vault.”
“The Hundred Sword Vault? But isn’t the Crown Prince’s current level insufficient to qualify for entry?”
Namgung Chil tilted his head in puzzlement.
“This is difficult to believe, but word has it that the Crown Prince has ascended to the True Martial Realm.”
“That makes no sense. No matter how extraordinary the Crown Prince is, he’s barely come of age.”
Namgung Chil spoke as though the claim were absurd.
“I find it hard to credit myself, but this comes from the Vice-Commander and captains of the Changyong Sword Unit who accompanied the Crown Prince.”
“Even so…….”
Namgung Chil could not bring himself to believe in Namgung Geom’s realm.
Nor were other martial artists any different in their skepticism.
Among the warriors of the Namgung Clan, conflicting accounts of Namgung Geom’s realm circulated freely.
Some even wagered on the truth of his cultivation level.
Amid this ferment, an official announcement regarding Namgung Geom’s deeds and rewards was made public.
The content differed little from the rumors.
Namgung Geom’s accomplishments proved as reported, and his rewards matched what had been said.
And there was one more matter disclosed concerning his realm.
The official word held that Namgung Geom had already ascended to the True Martial Realm.
The realm was explicitly confirmed to silence any whispers of impropriety regarding his entry into the Hundred Sword Vault.
Once Namgung Geom’s realm was verified, the warriors of the Namgung Clan could not contain their shock.
Despite the official announcement, some still refused to believe in Namgung Geom’s advancement.
After the rewards were announced, Namgung Geom went directly to seek out Namgung Pae.
“I wish to enter the Hundred Sword Vault at once.”
“Very well. There’s no point in delaying.”
Namgung Pae set out toward the Hundred Sword Vault with Namgung Geom.
The Hundred Sword Vault lay within the Forbidden Zone of the Namgung Clan.
This alone spoke to the place’s significance.
None could enter the Forbidden Zone without the Family Head’s authority.
Namgung Geom followed Namgung Pae through the barrier and into the Forbidden Zone.
As they ventured deeper, a rocky mountain came into view.
“This is the place.”
Namgung Pae pointed toward the mountain.
At its base, a vast cavern yawned open.
A massive stone door sealed the entrance.
At first glance, it was a door no amount of force could move.
Seeing it, Namgung Geom recognized it at once as a mechanism-operated portal.
Namgung Pae placed his hand at the center of the stone door.
Profound energy surged from his palm, seeping into the mechanisms within.
A deep, resonant hum filled the air.
Strange inscriptions glowed across the stone door’s surface as the mechanism began to turn.
A grinding sound echoed outward.
The massive stone door slid aside, revealing the entrance to the cavern.
“May you find a blade worthy of your spirit.”
“Thank you.”
Namgung Geom stepped into the Hundred Sword Vault.
What sword awaited him within?
His heart raced with anticipation.
Namgung Bing-ryong
Author |
Baekwol Geom
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Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
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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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