Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 52

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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 52
After finishing his interrogation, Namgung Geom surveyed the condition of the Changyong Sword Group members.
Everyone had sustained injuries, but fortunately, no one had lost their life.
Some had taken serious wounds and would need rest for the time being.
Namgung Geom encouraged the injured members.
Despite their wounds, the Changyong Sword Group was in high spirits.
It was thanks to their victory over the Blood Wolf Group.
So they’re pleased with themselves for defeating mere bandits?
The Blood Wolf Lair was one of the regular bandit strongholds under the Nocrim Alliance.
These were no ragtag brigands without roots or organization.
Moreover, the Blood Wolf Group comprised the elite bandits of the Blood Wolf Lair.
The Changyong Sword Group’s victory over them was no small matter.
Namgung Geom gazed at his members with quiet satisfaction.
Through today’s victory, the Changyong Sword Group would gain confidence and grow stronger still.
“We have time before dawn breaks, so get some rest.”
Namgung Geom spoke to his members.
With injuries to tend and the crossing of Cheonju Mountain ahead tomorrow, they needed sleep.
“What about the watch?”
Namgung Chang asked.
Though further attacks seemed unlikely, one could never be certain.
“I’ll keep watch, so the rest of you rest.”
Namgung Geom intended to stand guard himself so his members could recover.
“But you’re the Group Leader—we can’t have you standing watch.”
“That’s right. We’ll handle the watch, so you rest too.”
Namgung Cheolung seconded Namgung Chang’s words.
“No. I have things to think through, and I’ll keep watch tonight. Don’t worry and sleep.”
At Namgung Geom’s insistence, the four subordinates reluctantly lay down to rest.
Shortly after, once all the Changyong Sword Group members had fallen asleep, Namgung Geom stood watch alone.
He spread his awareness in all directions, bracing for any sudden attack, while his thoughts turned to the Sect.
Nothing was certain yet.
All he knew was that the Blood Wolf Lair Master was likely an agent of the Sect, and the Black Kill Sect Master had a high probability of being one as well.
Namgung Geom suspected that agents of the Sect were hidden among other forces throughout the Martial World.
His conjecture was that the Blackwater Stronghold of the Janggang Waterway League might also be connected to the Sect.
The crucial question was what the Sect’s agents were after.
Namgung Geom surmised that their goal was to foment discord in the Martial World and trigger a Great Righteous Confrontation.
For now, preventing that was paramount.
Though still uncertain, it seemed best to inform the Patriarch Namgung Pae about the Sect—at least so he could prepare.
To be ready, in any case.
‘But what if there are agents of the Sect even within the Main House?’
He hoped not, but anything was possible.
Caution was needed.
That night passed without further attack.
The next day, after a simple breakfast of dried provisions, Namgung Geom and the Changyong Sword Group crossed Cheonju Mountain.
With everyone bearing wounds both great and small, they forgone training in the Divine Technique.
Even as they traversed Cheonju Mountain, Namgung Geom maintained a rigorous watch.
Fortunately, no further attacks came, and Namgung Geom and the Changyong Sword Group descended the mountain unharmed.
And as the sun set that day, they arrived at the Taeho Branch of the Namgung Clan.
The Taeho Branch.
One of the four major branch families of the Namgung Clan, it had split off five generations back during the time of the current Patriarch Namgung Pae’s ancestor.
The Patriarch of the Taeho Branch was Namgung Pyo, a master of the True Martial Realm.
In his mid-forties, he cut a dignified and measured figure.
“Welcome.”
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Namgung Geom.”
Namgung Geom bowed respectfully.
“I may not know the Crown Prince well, but I saw you once when you were young.”
Namgung Pyo spoke with a smile.
“I see. I was too young to remember it then.”
“That’s understandable. But I hear you were attacked by the Blood Wolf Lair on your way here?”
Namgung Pyo’s expression grew grave as he asked.
Cheonju Mountain fell under the Taeho Branch’s jurisdiction.
It was there that Namgung Geom, the Crown Prince of the Main House, came under attack by the Blood Wolf Lair.
If anything had happened to Namgung Geom, the Taeho Branch would not have escaped responsibility.
“Fortunately, we managed to repel the assault without any deaths, so there is no need for concern.”
Namgung Pyo spoke with a solemn expression.
“I have no face to show the Crown Prince because of this.”
“Surely the Branch Master did not anticipate that the Blood Wolf Lair would attack the Main House’s martial artists.”
Namgung Pyo shook his head as if that were not the issue.
“Still, failing to detect the Blood Wolf Lair’s movements was a clear oversight on my part. If the Main House sees fit to hold me accountable, I will accept it without complaint.”
Namgung Pyo’s willingness to acknowledge his fault and take responsibility was admirable.
“I understand your sentiments, Branch Master. There is no need to say more. Instead, might I ask you to see to the treatment of the wounded?”
“Of course. I shall see to it at once.”
Namgung Pyo immediately summoned attendants to tend to the injuries of the Changyong Sword Group members.
“Thank you.”
“No need for such formality. For now, rest yourselves. I shall have a banquet prepared in honor of the Crown Prince.”
“There is no need to trouble yourself.”
Though Namgung Geom demurred, Namgung Pyo would not relent.
“The Crown Prince of the Main House has graced us with his presence—I must show proper courtesy. Rest assured and take your ease.”
Namgung Pyo summoned a martial artist to escort Namgung Geom to the Guest Hall.
Namgung Geom requested that the banquet be kept as modest as possible, then accepted the escort to the Guest Hall.
After washing briefly and resting there, Namgung Pyo sent word that the banquet was prepared.
Namgung Geom made his way to the banquet hall with the members of the Changyong Sword Group.
The banquet hall held the senior leadership of the Taeho Branch, as well as the Group Leader and Major Officers of the Seobang Sword Group.
Namgung Pyo had invited the Group Leader and Major Officers of the Seobang Sword Group to the banquet.
Namgung Geom exchanged greetings with them.
“I am Namgung Yongsang, Group Leader of the Seobang Sword Group, and I offer my respects to the Crown Prince.”
Namgung Yongsang was in his mid-thirties, his realm at the Peak Realm’s later stages.
The ten Major Officers who accompanied him were all present—one at the early Peak Realm, the rest at the middle-to-late stages of First Class.
Certainly, their strength paled compared to the Three Great Sword Pavilions of the Main House.
Yet with their level of ability, they would have been treated with respect in any ordinary sect.
After exchanging greetings, Namgung Geom took his seat and the banquet began at once.
The people of the Taeho Branch and the Seobang Sword Group were highly interested in Namgung Geom.
Namgung Geom had been destined to die young from the Guyang Jeolmaek.
Yet one day he suddenly overcame the curse and displayed a tremendous realm of power.
On top of that, he had demonstrated his prowess twice in the Martial World.
Word of Namgung Geom had reached even the Taeho Branch and the Seobang Sword Group.
But his realm and martial prowess were difficult to believe on hearsay alone.
Now that they met him face to face, they wished to verify his realm and martial prowess firsthand.
Yet few among them possessed the discernment to truly appreciate his realm and martial prowess.
Only Namgung Pyo, the household master of the Taeho Branch, was capable of assessing Namgung Geom’s true level.
As a result, one man could not contain his curiosity and stepped forward.
That man was Namgung Woo, Namgung Pyo’s son.
Namgung Woo held the position of Minor Household Master of the Taeho Branch and took great pride in his own abilities.
To such a man, the rumors of Namgung Geom’s realm and prowess were a shock.
That Namgung Geom, five years his junior, possessed a higher realm than he did.
Not merely higher, either.
A realm he himself could scarcely dare to look upon.
Namgung Woo could not accept this.
He believed that the Main House had exaggerated Namgung Geom’s realm to establish the Crown Prince’s authority.
And he wished to prove it before the eyes of all.
“Crown Prince! I have been deeply impressed by your recent exploits in the Martial World. If it would not be impertinent, might I have the honor of crossing blades with you?”
Namgung Woo spoke with careful courtesy.
Namgung Geom read the confidence burning in Namgung Woo’s eyes.
He believed he could defeat him.
The true intention behind his request for Martial Combat was perfectly transparent.
He wished to defeat Namgung Geom in the contest and prove himself superior.
To Namgung Geom’s eyes, it was laughable.
For the sake of the Crown Prince’s dignity, it seemed worthwhile to demonstrate his martial prowess once.
Namgung Woo, the Minor Household Master of the Taeho Branch, was not an unworthy opponent.
“I was curious about the Minor Household Master’s martial arts myself.”
When Namgung Geom did not decline the challenge, Namgung Woo’s face broke into a triumphant smile.
“But surely a martial contest alone wouldn’t be entertaining, would it?”
“Are you suggesting we wager on the match?”
Namgung Woo asked, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
“With something at stake, wouldn’t you fight with greater sincerity?”
Namgung Geom’s words made Namgung Woo furrow his brow.
“What sort of wager did you have in mind?”
“You know well enough why I’ve come here.”
“To select personnel for the Changyong Sword Group, if I’m not mistaken.”
Namgung Geom nodded and continued.
“If I defeat the Minor Household Master, how would it be if he came as Vice Leader of the Changyong Sword Group?”
The unexpected proposal caught Namgung Woo off guard, his expression growing uncertain.
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“Precisely what I said. The Minor Household Master would assume the position of Vice Leader of the Changyong Sword Group.”
“That’s absurd.”
Namgung Geom shook his head.
“What’s absurd about it? Even a junior master from a branch family can join a sword group of the Main House. All it requires is the will to do so.”
Namgung Woo glanced toward Namgung Pyo with bewilderment in his eyes.
Namgung Pyo drew a quiet breath and spoke.
“Your Highness’s realm surpasses my son’s by far. Isn’t this wager terribly unfair?”
Namgung Pyo’s objection held considerable merit.
Namgung Geom nodded as though in agreement.
“As you say, winning outright would be too unbalanced. What if we make it so that I must win within three seconds?”
“Within three seconds?”
“If I cannot defeat the Minor Household Master within three seconds, then he shall claim victory.”
Namgung Geom elaborated further.
‘Three seconds? What does this fool take me for?’
Namgung Woo believed Namgung Geom was looking down on him.
Stung in his pride, he spoke before Namgung Pyo could object.
“Very well. I accept the wager proposed by Your Highness.”
‘That reckless idiot!’
Namgung Pyo felt indignation rise in his chest as he watched his son accept Namgung Geom’s provocation.
If the wager went through, Namgung Woo would become Vice Leader of the Changyong Sword Group.
While Namgung Woo remained unaware, Namgung Pyo could sense Namgung Geom’s realm clearly.
If Namgung Geom unleashed a genuine attack, three seconds would be far too long—even one second would be difficult to withstand.
He could not allow his Minor Household Master to become Vice Leader of the Changyong Sword Group.
Somehow, he had to withdraw from the wager.
“Your Highness, forgive me, but what if we simply disregard the wager?”
“The position of Vice Leader of the Changyong Sword Group would be an excellent opportunity for the Minor Household Master.”
Namgung Geom spoke with a meaningful expression.
Understanding dawned on Namgung Pyo in that moment.
If Namgung Geom were to become the young master of the Main House,
then Namgung Woo would become one of his close confidants, positioned to eventually lead the Namgung Clan alongside him.
For Namgung Woo and for the Taeho Branch, it was no trivial matter.
Even if Namgung Geom failed to become young master, there would be much for Namgung Woo to learn and observe at his side.
Namgung Woo’s talent was considerable.
Currently, no one in the Taeho Branch surpassed him in ability.
Yet that very talent had bred arrogance in him.
He believed himself to be supreme.
For Namgung Woo to grow beyond his present limits, he needed to escape the confines of the Taeho Branch and experience a wider world.
“Can I trust Your Highness’s word?”
“If you cannot trust the Crown Prince of the Main House, whom else would you trust?”
“Then I shall defer to Your Highness’s intentions.”
Namgung Pyo decided to accept Namgung Geom’s wager.
Namgung Geom responded with a smile, then turned his gaze toward Namgung Woo.
“Shall we begin the wager now?”
Namgung Bingryong
Author |
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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