Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 45

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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 45
The elders of the Namgung Clan had much to discuss regarding Namgung Geom’s emergence as a clan successor candidate.
Most of them had already settled on preferred candidates in their minds.
The one drawing the most support was Namgung Seong, master of the Spear Palace.
Though somewhat less favored, Namgung Byeok, master of the Thunder Pavilion, was also garnering considerable backing.
Namgung Un, master of the Wind Pavilion, lagged far behind the other two in support.
In essence, it was a two-way contest between Namgung Seong and Namgung Byeok.
Then Namgung Geom threw his hat into the ring.
The elders backing Namgung Seong initially dismissed Namgung Geom’s entry as inconsequential.
They acknowledged that Namgung Geom’s martial prowess was formidable, but they believed it virtually impossible for him to surpass Namgung Seong in any realistic sense.
The elders supporting Namgung Byeok likewise did not believe Namgung Geom could defeat him.
Yet unlike those backing Namgung Seong, they could not afford to take Namgung Geom’s participation lightly.
Namgung Byeok was already at a disadvantage to Namgung Seong in both martial skill and factional support.
Given these circumstances, there was a high chance Namgung Geom might target Namgung Byeok.
Judging from Namgung Geom’s rate of growth, there was no telling what might happen within a year.
For this reason, they needed to keep a close eye on his development.
The elders supporting Namgung Un wore complicated expressions.
They were already losing ground to Namgung Seong and Namgung Byeok in the succession race.
Now a formidable new contender in Namgung Geom had entered the fray.
There was nothing good about this for Namgung Un.
As for the elders maintaining neutrality, they simply observed with curiosity.
Namgung Geom carefully gauged the mood of the assembled elders.
The selection for clan successor would be decided through martial contest and council vote.
The martial contest was straightforward—victory through superior skill settled the matter.
The council vote, however, hinged upon the elders’ support.
While it would be ideal to secure backing from all the elders, such a thing was realistically impossible.
Namgung Geom harbored no such greedy ambitions.
If he could secure the support of a simple majority, he could win the final selection.
There was no need to strain himself capturing unanimous elder approval.
That said, for the sake of the clan successor’s authority, it would be preferable to gain support from as many elders as possible.
For now, the priority was simply to become the clan successor.
‘First, I need to bring the neutral faction to my side.’
Among the ten elders and four palace masters, three maintained strict neutrality.
Namgung Geom decided to approach them first.
But winning them over would not be easy.
His three uncles had already expended considerable effort attempting to sway them.
Yet they had remained steadfastly neutral, refusing to commit to any faction.
Their neutrality likely stemmed from one of two reasons.
Either they saw no one among his uncles worthy of succession.
Or they had no interest in becoming entangled in the succession dispute at all.
If the former, then demonstrating his own capabilities might work.
If the latter, persuasion would prove considerably more difficult.
‘I’ll have to try and see.’
It was possible they might be swayed more easily than expected.
Namgung Geom resolved to arrange a meeting with the neutral elders.
In any case, none of the elders opposed the succession selection process, and it was decided that the contest would take place the following autumn.
But the elder council had not yet concluded.
Namgung Pae then raised the matter of what to do about the Heukssal Mun with the assembled elders.
That the Heukssal Mun had instigated the Sahae Bang and Taeho Mun to attack the Seo Mun family was one thing, but the assault on Namgung Geom could not be overlooked.
Namgung Geom was the eldest grandson of the Namgung Clan.
An attack on him was tantamount to a challenge against the entire clan.
“The Heukssal Mun must be destroyed at once.”
Namgung Seong spoke as if there were no room for deliberation.
“Indeed. We must make an example of what happens when someone strikes at the main house.”
Namgung Ho-jeong, the senior elder backing Namgung Seong, added his voice in agreement.
“Have you forgotten that the Sapae Alliance stands behind the Heukssal Mun?”
Namgung Byeok posed this as a counterpoint after hearing the two men’s opinions.
“Since the Heukssal Mun attempted to ambush the Spear Dragon Sword Master, the Sapae Alliance won’t dare intervene.”
Namgung Ho-jeong spoke as though there were nothing to worry about.
But Namgung Byeok’s thoughts were otherwise.
“No. That’s not the case. The Sapae Alliance will protect the Heukssal Mun, even if it means clashing with the main house.”
“The words of the Thunder Transmitter are not wrong. The Sapae Alliance will protect the Heukssal Mun, if only to avoid losing the trust of other powers.”
Elder Namgung Jin-uk added his reasoning.
For what it was worth, he was supporting Namgung Byeok.
The Sapae Alliance was a coalition of several heterodox sects united under the Baecheon Mun at its core.
And the Heukssal Mun was one of the Sapae Alliance’s principal forces.
If the Sapae Alliance abandoned the Heukssal Mun, the other core forces would think that they too could suffer the same fate one day.
The moment the belief that the Sapae Alliance would protect them no matter what disappeared, the Alliance’s cohesion would inevitably crumble.
It was highly likely that the Sapae Alliance would protect the Heukssal Mun precisely to prevent this.
At least, that was what Namgung Byeok and Namgung Jin-uk believed.
“So you’re saying we should leave the Heukssal Mun alone out of fear of the Sapae Alliance?”
Namgung Seong directed the question toward Namgung Jin-uk.
“The Heukssal Mun must certainly be held accountable for attempting to kill the main house’s successor. But that doesn’t necessarily have to be done through force.”
“If not through force, then how do you propose to hold them accountable?”
Namgung Seong pressed further.
“If we impose a substantial compensation payment, we can avoid a clash with the Sapae Alliance while preserving the main house’s honor.”
At Namgung Jin-uk’s answer, Namgung Seong’s brow furrowed.
He disliked the idea of settling the matter with mere compensation.
And it was questionable whether the Heukssal Mun would willingly hand over such a large sum in the first place.
“Do you truly believe the Heukssal Mun would willingly pay substantial compensation?”
Third Elder Namgung Ho-jeong asked, as if reading Namgung Seong’s thoughts.
“Since we have two of the Three Heukssal Swords in our hands, they will have no choice but to pay compensation to save their lives.”
Namgung Seong’s expression darkened at those words.
“Are you saying we should hand over the two members of the Three Heukssal Swords we’ve barely captured, Elder?”
“Enemies need not fall only by the blade. If we drain the Heukssal Mun’s coffers, they will crumble of their own accord.”
Maintaining a faction requires enormous sums of money.
If the Heukssal Mun paid a substantial compensation, their finances would be crippled.
And once their finances collapsed, it would become difficult for them to maintain their current power.
“While I wish Elder’s words would come to pass, the Heukssal Mun won’t pay compensation of such magnitude as to truly shake their finances.”
Namgung Ho-jeong countered Namgung Jin-uk’s argument.
“Even so, we can still make the demand. An assault on the Heukssal Mun should be reserved as a last resort.”
Namgung Jin-uk refused to yield and pressed his position.
“What is the Sword Dragon’s opinion?”
Namgung Pae asked for Namgung Geom’s thoughts.
The elders’ gazes naturally turned toward Namgung Geom.
“While punishing the Heukssal Mun is important, I believe forming the Jeongjung Alliance should take priority.”
At Namgung Geom’s answer, Namgung Pae’s eyes flickered with interest.
“If the main house attacks the Heukssal Mun, the Sapae Alliance will intervene. Destroying the Heukssal Mun with the main house’s strength alone wouldn’t be difficult, but facing the Sapae Alliance would exceed our capabilities.”
Namgung Geom continued.
“So you’re saying we should form the Jeongjung Alliance and attack the Heukssal Mun?”
“If we attack the Heukssal Mun under the banner of the Jeongjung Alliance, the Sapae Alliance won’t be able to act so easily—not unless they’re willing to spark the Great War of the Righteous Path.”
And even if we demanded compensation, we could extract far greater amounts.
“But forming the Jeongjung Alliance is no simple matter.”
“Until now, the Twelve Families and the Thirty-Six Houses have been reluctant about forming the Jeongjung Alliance. But this incident with the Seo Mun family should have deepened their sense of crisis.”
The Murim held countless martial families.
Among them, the Five Great Clans stood at the apex.
And beneath the Five Great Clans existed the Twelve Families and the Thirty-Six Houses.
The Jeongjung Alliance was a martial federation centered on the Five Great Clans that would unite the Twelve Families and the Thirty-Six Houses.
Until now, the Twelve Families and the Thirty-Six Houses had been reluctant about its formation.
They did not wish to fall under the dominion of the Five Great Clans.
But this incident with the Seo Mun family changed the landscape.
Behind the Sahae Bang, which had attacked the Seo Mun family, stood the Heukssal Mun.
Given that the Heukssal Mun was one of the Sapae Alliance’s principal forces, it was highly likely that the Alliance itself had orchestrated the attack.
If the Sapae Alliance were genuinely bent on seizing control of the Murim—
Then other martial families could face attacks just as the Seo Mun family had.
The Seo Mun family had escaped the crisis because the Namgung Clan provided timely support.
But there was no guarantee other families would receive the same aid.
After all, neither the Namgung Clan nor the other Great Clans were obligated to defend them.
The surest way for them to secure the support of the Great Clans was to form the Jeongjung Alliance.
“So you’re saying that now they’ll come forward eagerly to form the Jeongjung Alliance?”
“The Seo Mun family head has already committed to participating in the formation of the Jeongjung Alliance, and will actively work to persuade the other great clans as well.”
Namgung Pae’s eyes widened at Namgung Geom’s words.
“Is that really true?”
“It is. The Seo Mun family head gave me his word directly.”
A smile bloomed at the corners of Namgung Pae’s mouth.
He had invested considerable effort in forming the Jeongjung Alliance.
But persuading the Twelve Families and the Thirty-Six Houses—aside from the Five Great Clans—had proven difficult.
By helping the Seo Mun family, Namgung Pae had intended to use that as leverage to convince the other martial families.
Yet somehow Namgung Geom had already figured this out and brought the Seo Mun family into the fold on his own initiative.
To have him accomplish such things without being asked—it was far more impressive than he’d expected.
“I didn’t realize you were thinking that far ahead.”
“When I saw the involvement of the Heukssal Mun, I judged that forming the Jeongjung Alliance had become urgent, so I persuaded the Seo Mun family head accordingly.”
The power of the Sapae Alliance had been growing day by day.
Judging by their recent mobilization of the Sahae Bang, it was highly likely that the Sahae Bang had already fallen under the Sapae Alliance’s umbrella.
The Sahae Bang was among the second-largest forces in the Demonic Sect, after the Sapae Alliance.
If the Sahae Bang had come under the Sapae Alliance’s control, the Nok Rim Alliance and the Janggang Suro Alliance couldn’t be far behind.
The inescapable truth was that the Five Great Clans alone would struggle to oppose the Sapae Alliance.
Therefore, the Jeongjung Alliance had to be formed as quickly as possible, and forces gathered.
“If the Seo Mun family actively steps forward as you suggest, it will be of great benefit to the formation of the Jeongjung Alliance.”
“And if the Jeongjung Alliance is indeed formed this time, given the Namgung Clan’s considerable contribution, we will have the standing to voice our preference in selecting the Alliance leader.”
Namgung Pae’s expression grew even brighter.
“If it comes to pass, I couldn’t ask for more.”
At Namgung Pae’s satisfied expression, Namgung Seong and Namgung Byeok furrowed their brows.
The formation of the Jeongjung Alliance was a matter the Namgung Clan had invested considerable effort in.
If the Jeongjung Alliance was formed and Namgung Pae became its leader, the Namgung Clan’s standing would rise far beyond its current level.
When that happened, it was obvious that Namgung Geom, who had contributed to the Alliance’s formation, would attract significant attention.
His reputation would rise, and his position as a candidate for clan successor would likely strengthen considerably.
If that came to pass, the elders’ loyalties might begin to waver.
Namgung Seong and Namgung Byeok sharpened their vigilance toward Namgung Geom.
“Then we’ll postpone dealing with the Heukssal Mun for now and make the formation of the Jeongjung Alliance our priority.”
Everyone nodded at Namgung Pae’s decision.
“Is there anything else anyone wishes to discuss?”
Namgung Pae asked the elders.
Namgung Geom raised his hand and spoke.
“There is one request I would like to make.”
“What is it?”
Namgung Pae asked with curiosity.
The elders too turned their gaze toward Namgung Geom to see what his request might be.
Namgung Geom smiled and spoke.
“I would like to request additional personnel for the Changyong Sword Company.”
Namgung Bing-ryong
Author |
Baek Wol-geom
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Samyang C&C Corp.
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This book’s contents may not be used in any form or by any means without the written permission of Samyang C&C Corp. – Dream Books.

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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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