Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 46

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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 46
“You asked for reinforcements for the Changyong Sword Unit?”
Namgung Pae asked.
“Now that I’ve been formally named a Soga-ju candidate, I believed it proper to request military support befitting that position.”
His three uncles, as heads of three estates, commanded the Three Great Sword Divisions.
By contrast, Namgung Geom had only twenty-seven members of the Changyong Sword Unit.
For the fairness of the Soga-ju Selection Tournament, there was a clear need to strengthen the Changyong Sword Unit’s fighting capacity.
At minimum, they owed him a foundation capable of competing against his uncles.
“What do the senior elders think?”
Namgung Pae inquired about the elders’ opinions.
“I believe it would be wise to promote the Changyong Sword Unit to a Changyong Sword Division and expand its numbers in this opportunity.”
Namgung Baek, head of the Changyong Section, voiced his position.
Not merely to expand, but to elevate it to a full Division.
It was quite bold.
In essence, Namgung Baek was lending his support to Namgung Geom.
Namgung Geom could sense that Namgung Baek favored him.
“How long has the Sword Unit existed, and now you speak of promoting it to a Division?”
Elder Namgung Jinwook spoke as if questioning the haste.
“In this section chief’s judgment, the Crown Prince possesses both the cultivation and standing to command a Division.”
Namgung Baek spoke with conviction.
Beyond the rank itself as a Soga-ju candidate, Namgung Geom’s martial attainment was substantial.
To have him lead merely a Unit was like entrusting a cart to a thoroughbred—a waste of his gifts.
“Yet the Crown Prince is scarcely past his twentieth year. His martial prowess may be exceptional, but his experience commanding a Division falls far short.”
Namgung Jinwook did not yield his position.
“If you have witnessed the Crown Prince’s accomplishments in the two previous missions, surely you would not speak of lacking experience.”
At Namgung Baek’s rebuttal, Namgung Jinwook’s words faltered.
The results Namgung Geom had achieved in those two missions were not something anyone could accomplish.
To speak of lacking experience when one had produced such results was absurd.
“Moreover, the addition of a new Division is necessary for strengthening our House’s military capacity.”
Namgung Baek drove home his point.
For the Namgung Clan to rise higher than it now stood, their elite forces required enhancement.
Qualitative growth mattered, but quantitative growth was equally vital.
Adding a new Division now to reinforce their elite would serve the House’s interests well.
“However, if we promote the Changyong Sword Unit to a Division, we would need a substantial expansion. Do you have a plan for that?”
Elder Namgung Hojeong asked Namgung Baek.
Namgung Baek turned his head toward Namgung Geom.
“Does the Crown Prince perhaps have thoughts on this matter?”
“Upon promotion to the Changyong Sword Division, I intend to select the additional members from the Four Direction Sword Units.”
The Namgung Clan’s military strength did not rest solely on the Three Great Sword Divisions.
Beyond the Three Great Divisions, four regional Sword Units guarded the Namgung territories in the cardinal directions.
These were the Four Direction Sword Units.
Each consisted of ten Sword Units, and together they defended the divided territories of the Namgung Clan.
Compared to the elite Three Great Divisions, their martial strength was certainly inferior.
Yet the Four Direction Sword Units harbored capable fighters.
Namgung Geom intended to draw personnel from the Four Direction Sword Units to form the Changyong Sword Division.
“From the Four Direction Sword Units, we could draw the necessary personnel without severe loss of fighting power.”
“The issue is not the number of personnel. If we withdraw skilled fighters from the Four Direction Sword Units to establish the Changyong Sword Division, we will create gaps in their defenses.”
“So long as we do not draw personnel of vice-commander rank or above from the Four Direction Sword Units, no such gaps need occur.”
Namgung Geom had no intention of recruiting the top-tier fighters from those units.
While he could rapidly strengthen the Changyong Sword Division, weakening the Four Direction Sword Units in the process would prove problematic.
“Then won’t the Changyong Sword Division’s strength be too limited?”
“If we are merely filling numbers, there is reason to question whether forming a Division at all serves any purpose.”
Both Elder Namgung Hojeong and Elder Namgung Jinwook continued to voice their objections.
“Even if their present skill is lacking, if they are young and talented, they can certainly develop their strength through training.”
Elder Namgung Jinwook shook his head.
“But therein lies the problem—such a thing is far easier said than done.”
If training alone were enough to forge masters, where would one find anyone in the Martial World who was not already accomplished?
“I will take personal responsibility for molding them into the Namgung Clan’s elite.”
At those words, Namgung Jinwook let out a scoff.
“And what skill does the Crown Prince possess to accomplish such a feat?”
“Just looking at the strength of the Changyong Sword Unit right now, it seems we can tell.”
Namgung Jinwook stared at Namgung Geom’s answer with a look of disbelief.
“You speak as though the Crown Prince himself trained the Changyong Sword Unit.”
“As you say, it is indeed true that the Crown Prince has contributed greatly to the training of the Changyong Sword Unit.”
Namgung Jinwook looked at Namgung Baek as if to ask what nonsense that was.
Namgung Baek revealed the fact that Namgung Geom had personally supervised the training of the Changyong Sword Unit at Changyong Section.
Namgung Jinwook’s expression was one of disbelief.
How could it make sense that the Crown Prince had taught the cadets while there were instructors at Changyong Section?
“The instructors of Changyong Section have also acknowledged that the Crown Prince teaches far better than they do and is of greater benefit to them.”
Namgung Baek was the chief of Changyong Section.
No one knew more about the training at Changyong Section than he did.
If Namgung Baek said it was so, then it was so.
“And what does the First Elder think?”
Namgung Pae asked Namgung Muhyeon, the First Elder, who had been listening in silence.
“If the Crown Prince can develop the Changyong Sword Division into an elite force, it would be good for our clan as well. Even if he cannot, there is no harm in entrusting the Changyong Sword Division to him for a trial.”
Namgung Pae nodded at the First Elder Namgung Muhyeon’s response.
“Then let us promote the Changyong Sword Unit to the Changyong Sword Division, and have personnel transferred from the Four Direction Sword Units. Does anyone object?”
Namgung Pae concluded and turned to ask the senior elders.
Meeting Namgung Pae’s gaze, the senior elders dared not voice opposition.
“Then let it be decided thus.”
As the meeting ended, the senior elders rose from their seats and left the Family Lord’s Hall.
Once outside, Namgung Geom approached Changyong Section Chief Namgung Baek.
“Might I trouble you for a cup of tea?”
“I’m not sure I have tea suited to the Crown Prince’s palate.”
“Any tea you serve is agreeable to me.”
“Then let us go to Changyong Section.”
Namgung Geom moved to Changyong Section with Namgung Baek.
“Please, have a seat.”
Namgung Baek offered Namgung Geom a place and prepared the tea himself.
“Try this.”
Namgung Geom lifted the cup Namgung Baek had given him and took a sip.
“It’s excellent.”
“Yes. But you didn’t come merely for tea, and you have something to ask me?”
“First, I wish to thank you for the support you gave in the Family Lord’s Hall.”
“What support did I give?”
Namgung Baek looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“For helping with the promotion of the Changyong Sword Unit.”
“Don’t mention it. Given your cultivation level and your position as a Soga-ju candidate, you should rightfully command at least a Sword Division. There’s no need to thank me.”
Namgung Baek made clear that he had not spoken solely for Namgung Geom’s benefit.
“Still, thanks to your words, I achieved the result I desired, and for that I am grateful.”
Namgung Baek nodded.
“I understand. I shall accept your thanks graciously. Now, tell me what you truly wish to discuss.”
“As a Soga-ju candidate, I wish to gain your support.”
Namgung Geom spoke directly.
“Do you know why I have maintained neutrality until now?”
“Is it not because you wish to avoid entanglement in the Soga-ju competition?”
“No. It is because I have found no candidate worthy of my acknowledgment.”
The three Branch Lords were certainly outstanding.
But they did not merit Namgung Baek’s admiration and allegiance.
The Soga-ju of the Namgung Clan could not settle for merely being exceptional.
They must possess talent and strength that stood out even across the entire Martial World.
Namgung Il had been such a man.
Namgung Il possessed overwhelming talent and ability that dominated the entire Martial World.
In comparison, the three Branch Lords fell far short.
Namgung Baek was an ardent follower of Namgung Il.
In his eyes, the three Branch Lords could never measure up.
“So you are saying that to gain your support, I must first earn your recognition.”
“The only person I have ever recognized is your father. If you surpass your father, then you shall be the second person I recognize.”
Namgung Geom smiled at Namgung Baek’s words.
“I shall certainly surpass my father and earn your support.”
“Let’s hope for that.”
In truth, Namgung Baek had already come to recognize Namgung Geom.
Namgung Geom had achieved the True Martial Realm while still in his early twenties.
Even Namgung Il, who had been called the greatest genius of the Namgung Clan, had only reached that state after turning twenty-five.
But that wasn’t all.
Through two missions, Namgung Geom had demonstrated strategic thinking and decisive judgment.
And as he had shown in the recent council meeting, his ability to read the political situation was equally sharp.
Namgung Geom had already surpassed Namgung Il by a considerable margin.
Yet he had told Namgung Geom to exceed Namgung Il precisely because he hoped the young man would not grow complacent and would continue to strive harder than ever.
There was another reason as well—it was for Namgung Geom’s own safety.
Namgung Geom was already drawing considerable attention.
The three family lords were surely growing wary of him as well.
But if Namgung Baek were to openly support Namgung Geom on top of all that,
they might sense a threat and move against him.
So for now, refraining from declaring his support was actually the best way to protect Namgung Geom’s safety.
Namgung Geom could not have known Namgung Baek’s true thoughts.
But he could at least sense that Namgung Baek had it in mind to support him.
For now, that alone was a satisfying result.

* * *
Cheonroe Hall.
Namgung Byeok and the senior members supporting him were discussing matters with grave expressions.
Four senior members had gathered in Cheonroe Hall.
They were Second Elder Namgung Yuhyeon, Fifth Elder Namgung Jinwook, Namgung Youngshin of the Flying Dragon Section, and Namgung Jaehyeon, Master of Cheonroe Hall.
“What do you think about Geom becoming a Soga-ju candidate?”
Namgung Byeok asked.
“Now that the Crown Prince has reached the True Martial Realm, the situation is far from reassuring.”
Fifth Elder Namgung Jinwook furrowed his brow as he replied.
“Are you suggesting I might lose to Geom in the Soga-ju Selection Tournament?”
Namgung Byeok’s expression darkened.
“I trust in the family lord’s strength, but the Crown Prince’s rate of growth is no trivial matter.”
It had been just over five years since Namgung Geom had corrected the Guyang Severed Meridian and begun serious martial training.
Yet he had already reached the True Martial Realm.
There was no way to predict where Namgung Geom might stand a year from now.
While the possibility was remote, it was not impossible that Namgung Geom might surpass Namgung Byeok.
Namgung Byeok’s expression hardened.
To advance to the final vote in the Soga-ju Selection Tournament, one had to place in the top three in the preliminary bouts.
With his current strength, defeating Namgung Seong would be difficult.
So to reach the final vote, he would have to defeat both Namgung Geom and Namgung Woon.
Namgung Woon posed no real threat to Namgung Byeok.
The critical opponent was Namgung Geom.
Based on current abilities alone, there was no chance Namgung Geom could defeat him.
The problem was the year that remained.
Could Namgung Geom truly catch up to him within a year?
Though he wanted to dismiss such a notion, he could not ignore what the Fifth Elder had said.
Over the past half year, Namgung Geom’s rate of growth had been nothing short of miraculous.
If that growth continued, it was not impossible for Namgung Geom to overtake him.
“As the saying goes, ‘prepare in peace for trouble in times of peril.’ There is no harm in making preparations for the Crown Prince’s continued growth.”
“What sort of preparations did you have in mind?”
Namgung Byeok asked.
Fifth Elder Namgung Jinwook spoke with careful deliberation.
“The most certain method would be to take action before the Crown Prince grows any stronger.”
Namgung Bing-ryong
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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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