Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 5

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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 5
After completing his application for the Entrance Test at Changyong Hall, Namgung Geom devoted himself to training until the day of the examination.
As a result, his strength and stamina increased noticeably, and his mastery of the Tianfeng Bingbai Sword Technique deepened as well.
Moreover, by absorbing one more of the eight remaining Geuk Yang Hwagi, his Internal Power grew stronger.
And as the Geuk Yang Hwagi that had accumulated in his meridians opened, his Realm became even more profound.
If he absorbed the remaining seven Geuk Yang Hwagi, reaching the Peak Realm would only be a matter of time.
Namgung Geom did not rush to absorb the Geuk Yang Hwagi.
As he had already said, absorbing the Geuk Yang Hwagi all at once could throw the balance of his Internal Power into chaos.
The True Realm was important, but there was no need to court danger.
His current Realm was not low either.
He stood at the middle tier of the first rank.
Among his peers, he was incomparable.
There was no rush even if he entered Changyong Hall and grew step by step.
Of course, if his uncles posed a threat, the situation would be different.
Namgung Geom did not let his guard down against his uncles.
They were beings who could threaten him at any moment.
For now, it was likely they would not make a move.
Namgung Geom had not yet risen to the point of threatening the Sub-Family Head’s position.
But if he distinguished himself and gained supporting forces, their thinking would change.
So before that happened, he had to accumulate as much strength as possible and build up forces that would back him.
Namgung Geom recalled his past life.
He had been a despised illegitimate son of Bukhaebingung.
Because of his Jungseon bloodline, he was regarded as an outsider.
There were almost no forces within Bukhaebingung that supported him.
As a result, he could not prevent the rebellion of Seol Jinag and the Bukhaesa Clan, and he lost his life.
To avoid repeating the tragedy of his past life, he had to cultivate forces that would support him.
What was better than the past life was that he now had a clear position as the Legitimate Eldest Son.
If he displayed outstanding ability backed by the legitimacy of being the Legitimate Eldest Son, there would be no shortage of people willing to support him as Sub-Family Head.
And now, the surest way to demonstrate Namgung Geom’s ability was to achieve the highest rank in the Entrance Test at Changyong Hall.
“Then let’s go.”
With all preparations complete, Namgung Geom headed for the Training Ground of Changyong Hall.
Upon arriving at the Training Ground of Changyong Hall, more than two hundred children had gathered.
All of them had applied for the Entrance Test of Changyong Hall.
Among them, roughly thirty would actually enter Changyong Hall.
The competition was bound to be fierce.
As Namgung Geom stepped into the Training Ground, all the children’s eyes fixed upon him at once.
“Isn’t that Namgung Geom?”
“Yeah, it’s him. Namgung Geom.”
“So he really is taking the test?”
“Maybe he figures this is his only chance—if he doesn’t try this year, he won’t get another. Might as well take the shot, even if he fails.”
“Still, as the eldest son of the main house, wouldn’t it be shameful if he failed?”
“If it were me, I wouldn’t even show up just to avoid the pity.”
The children whispered among themselves about Namgung Geom.
Namgung Geom heard their murmurs but paid them no mind.
Instead, he surveyed the children gathered in the Training Ground.
Three of them stood out to his eye.
‘The one on the left is my second uncle’s son, Namgung Chang.’
‘The one on the right is the Grand Elder’s grandson, Namgung Cheongsang.’
He recognized both of them instantly—their faces were already in his memory.
The last one was a face he had never seen before.
He was unusually large-framed and his body looked solid, and Namgung Geom thought he knew who he was.
‘That must be Namgung Cheolung.’
Namgung Cheolung.
A collateral branch from a cadet house, born with monstrous strength.
Based on that raw power, his swordwork, which pressed opponents down, was said to have few equals among his peers.
‘I’ve heard he’s one of the favored candidates for the top rank in this Entrance Test at Changyong Hall.’
Certainly, his bearing stood out more than the other children’s.
But that didn’t mean the others were lacking.
Compared to those three ahead, the rest had less, but there were no shortage of children with decent presence.
‘First, I’ll make the ones who enter Changyong Hall with me my allies.’
Those who entered Changyong Hall were the most talented individuals of their generation.
The current cohort’s talent was so exceptional it was called a golden age.
They had every likelihood of becoming masters who would one day lead the Namgung Clan.
If he could bring them to his side, they would become a considerable force.
Moreover, among their fathers and grandfathers were not a few of the clan’s senior figures.
Take Namgung Cheongsang alone—his grandfather held the rank of Elder, and his father was the head of the Finance Department, which controlled the Namgung Clan’s wealth.
If he could make them his allies and gain access to their backing, he could rapidly build his influence.
Meanwhile, the three whom Namgung Geom had noticed watched him in turn, their eyes bright with curiosity.
Yet their eyes were not sharp enough to gauge his aura.
As silent gazes exchanged between them, his cousin Namgung Chang approached first.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes. It has.”
Namgung Geom returned the greeting.
Though cousins, he felt no particular warmth toward the encounter.
It was a sign that their bond had never run deep.
“I never thought you’d take the Entrance Test for Changyong Hall.”
Namgung Chang spoke as if in surprise.
“If I’m a direct heir of the Namgung Clan, I should naturally enter Changyong Hall.”
“Of course. But weren’t you unable to learn martial arts because of the Guuyang Jeolmaek?”
Namgung Chang asked as if testing him.
He was trying to discover how Namgung Geom had come to learn martial arts.
But Namgung Geom had no intention of explaining.
“Does it displease you that I’ve begun learning martial arts?”
“Not at all. I’m simply curious how you were able to overcome the Guuyang Jeolmaek and learn martial arts.”
Namgung Chang answered without losing his smile.
‘Was my Second Uncle behind this?’
Namgung Geom suddenly wondered if Namgung Chang had been instructed by his Second Uncle, Namgung Byeok.
If so, he certainly could not reveal anything.
“And why should I tell you such a thing?”
Namgung Chang’s expression flickered with surprise at Namgung Geom’s blunt reply.
He had not expected him to respond this way.
But he quickly recovered and spoke again.
“Well, since you’ve suddenly begun learning martial arts, there are likely no shortage of people in the clan with questions about it.”
‘Look at him.’
Watching Namgung Chang invoke the clan’s opinion, it became clear that Namgung Byeok had given him instructions.
Namgung Chang was only fifteen years old.
It was hard to imagine a boy that age capable of such cunning scheming, using the clan’s gossip to pressure him.
Had Namgung Geom been an ordinary fifteen-year-old, he might have been flustered by such words.
But Namgung Geom had been tempered through Seol Jinag’s schemes in his previous life, making this child’s play.
“Isn’t it rather you who suspects, not them?”
“What are you saying? Of course I trust you.”
When Namgung Chang protested, Namgung Geom let out a derisive snort.
“If you truly did, you wouldn’t have said such things in the first place.”
“I only speak out of concern for you.”
“There’s nothing to worry about. Grandfather has said nothing of it, so who would dare comment on my martial training?”
At Namgung Geom’s words, Namgung Chang’s expression hardened.
If the Patriarch Namgung Pae had tacitly approved, it would be difficult to press the matter further.
To do so would be to defy the Patriarch’s will.
“Hah. If Grandfather has acknowledged it, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Namgung Chang said as if admitting his needless concern.
“Now that you understand, you can go.”
Namgung Geom waved his hand dismissively.
Namgung Chang glared at him before returning to his place.
Namgung Geom paid him no further mind and turned his gaze toward Namgung Cheongsang and Namgung Cheolung.
Namgung Cheongsang regarded him with curious eyes, while Namgung Cheolung looked at him with arrogance.
‘This should prove interesting.’
As Namgung Geom smiled faintly at Namgung Cheolung’s expression, the boy’s brow twitched.
Then the instructors of Changyong Hall entered the Training Ground.
The eyes of all the gathered children naturally turned toward the instructors.
A middle-aged man wearing a rank badge bearing the Changyong symbol stepped forward.
He surveyed the children gathered in the Training Ground before speaking.
“Welcome. I am Namgung Pil, the chief instructor of Changyong Hall.”
He had served as an instructor at Changyong Hall for more than twenty years.
Not a single warrior among the Namgung Clan’s elite Three Great Sword Brigades had escaped his tutelage.
“Before you take the Entrance Test for Changyong Hall, I’ll explain the test briefly.”
Namgung Pil began his explanation of the Entrance Test.
“The Entrance Test for Changyong Hall is divided into two stages. The first stage is the Struggle for Flags.”
The Struggle for Flags was a test to find and retrieve the Changyong Flags hidden on Cheongeom Peak.
“There are sixty-four Changyong Flags hidden on Cheongeom Peak, and only those who obtain a flag may proceed to the second stage.”
More than two hundred children had gathered in the Training Ground.
Only sixty-four of them would be allowed to attempt the second stage.
“The rules of the Struggle for Flags are three in number. First: you may only possess a Changyong Flag after reaching the summit of Cheongeom Peak.”
To obtain a flag, one had to first climb to the summit of Cheongeom Peak.
It was a condition designed to test basic stamina and Movement Technique.
“Second: you may seize a Changyong Flag that another person has found.”
The Struggle for Flags was not merely about finding flags.
The true essence lay in defending what you had found from other candidates.
That was what made the test so elegant.
“However, you cannot seize flags indiscriminately.”
Combined with the first condition, you could only seize a flag after reaching the summit yourself.
Waiting at the base and snatching flags from those who descended was forbidden.
Additionally, those who already possessed a flag could not seize another’s.
This prevented someone with a flag from taking another and passing it to an ally.
In short, flags obtained through another’s strength rather than your own were not recognized.
Finally, groups of four or more working together to seize a flag were not permitted.
While alliances among weaker candidates were considered strategy, combinations exceeding three were deemed unfair.
“Third: you must not intentionally inflict injury during the Struggle for Flags. Above all, you must never take a life.”
“What happens if someone intentionally causes harm?” asked one of the candidates.
A candidate among them spoke up.
“You will be disqualified immediately upon confirmation.”
For reference, instructors from Changyong Hall would be stationed throughout Cheongeom Peak to monitor.
With luck, one might evade their eyes.
But there was no reason to take such a risk.
Unless one had some other purpose.
The children who heard Namgung Pil’s explanation began racking their brains about how to obtain the flags.
All the children gathered in the Training Ground were competitors.
Yet since groups of three could work together, cooperation was also necessary.
The children studied one another while formulating their own strategies.
Those who knew each other exchanged knowing glances and formed quiet alliances.
Among them, certain children’s eyes brightened as they looked at Namgung Geom.
‘Make Namgung Geom fail the second stage.’
They recalled the orders they had received.
Whoever had given them the order had promised a generous reward if they caused Namgung Geom to fail the test.
With their abilities, it would be difficult to pass this Entrance Test for Changyong Hall.
If so, it would be better to sabotage Namgung Geom and receive the reward.
But they did not know.
That Namgung Geom was reading their eyes.
‘Young enough that they can’t hide their intent in their gaze.’
Namgung Geom could sense some kind of determination directed at him in those eyes.
Children with no prior connection to him would not attempt something without reason.
His uncles must have made a move.
It was something he had partially anticipated.
His uncles would have already noticed his changes.
They would not simply sit idle and watch.
There was a high probability they would interfere to prevent him from entering Changyong Hall by any means.
‘They mean to use these children either to prevent me from finding the flags or to steal the ones I find.’
But their plans would not succeed.
He would not give them the opportunity to interfere in the first place.
The method was simple.
‘I’ll find the flags and come back down faster than anyone else.’
The Struggle for Flags begins by reaching the summit of Cheongeom Peak.
If one arrived at the summit faster than anyone else and found the Changyong Flag, there would be no need to clash with the other children.
The question was whether it was possible to reach the mountaintop before the others.
‘That much is nothing.’
Namgung Geom was confident he could reach the summit faster than anyone.
“Then we shall begin the Struggle for Flags now. The time limit is the Hour of Monkey. Only those who return with the Changyong Flag within that time will pass the test, so everyone must keep careful track of the hours and not be late.”
The moment Namgung Pil finished speaking, the bell signaling the start of the Struggle for Flags rang out.
The children gathered at the Training Ground began racing up Cheongeom Peak.
Reaching the summit of Cheongeom Peak was itself a competition.
The children at the Training Ground exerted all their strength to reach the summit of Cheongeom Peak even a moment sooner than the rest.
The instant the bell rang, Namgung Geom bolted forward.
But suddenly three children blocked his path ahead.
They ran side by side, blocking the space for Namgung Geom to move forward.
That was not all.
Children clung to him from both sides, preventing him from breaking through to either flank.
It was deliberate obstruction, plain as day.
‘That won’t do.’
Namgung Geom laughed as if it were beneath him and deployed the Namgung Bingryong Movement Technique.
Namgung Bingryong
Author |
Baegyeol Geom
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Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
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Editorial Department
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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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