Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 53

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 53
“Before that, shouldn’t we also decide what will be wagered if I defeat the First Heir?”
At Namgung Woo’s words, Namgung Geom’s expression shifted to one of sudden realization.
“Ah, how careless of me. What is it that you wish for, Branch Lord Candidate?”
In truth, he had never given it a thought.
He was certain he would win anyway, so there was no need to consider Namgung Woo’s demands.
“If I win, please allow me to learn the secret techniques of the Three Great Sword Techniques.”
The secret techniques of the Three Great Sword Techniques were in principle granted only to direct-line descendants of the main house.
The Three Great Sword Pavilions and branch families could only learn the Three Great Sword Techniques with their essential secrets removed.
However, with special approval from the main house, even branch families were permitted to study the secret techniques of the Three Great Sword Techniques.
“That matter lies beyond my authority.”
Granting the secret techniques of the Three Great Sword Techniques to a branch family was the prerogative of the Clan Lord.
It was not a decision Namgung Geom could make.
Since he would win the wager anyway, there was no harm in making the promise.
Yet as First Heir of the main house, breaking a promise would damage his honor.
“If the First Heir were to petition the Clan Lord, would he not grant it?”
“I can petition the Clan Lord, but I cannot guarantee he will agree.”
“So long as the First Heir does his utmost to petition the Clan Lord, regardless of the outcome, that will be sufficient.”
Namgung Woo believed that Namgung Pae would consent, if only for the sake of the First Heir’s dignity.
“On that condition, I can make the promise.”
“Then we are agreed.”
The two men, having set the terms of their wager, prepared to begin the Martial Combat.
Namgung Geom drew the Changyong Sword, borrowed from Namgung Chang, rather than the Icedragon Sword.
He did not want any talk afterward that he had won through the power of the Icedragon Sword.
In the courtyard before the pavilion where the banquet was held, Namgung Geom and Namgung Woo faced each other.
The banquet guests had filed out into the courtyard to witness the Martial Combat between them.
While curious about the outcome, they were most interested in Namgung Geom’s martial prowess.
With all eyes upon them, the Martial Combat began.
Namgung Geom did not move first, waiting for Namgung Woo to attack.
‘Let’s see how long he can maintain his composure!’
Namgung Woo snorted inwardly and charged at Namgung Geom.
The Sword Aura born from his blade split into four, targeting Namgung Geom’s vital points.
Seomjeon Roaming Dragon.
The fourth form of the Seomjeon Thirteen Sword Thunders.
‘Respectable.’
The four lightning bolts moving as if to trace a dragon’s path were not without merit.
But that was only by the standard of someone of Namgung Woo’s age.
By Namgung Geom’s measure, it was merely adequate.
Namgung Geom extended his sword toward Namgung Woo’s blade.
From his sword, too, four lightning bolts erupted in equal number.
It was the same form.
Yet it was utterly unlike the Seomjeon Roaming Dragon that Namgung Woo had deployed.
Namgung Geom’s lightning, infused with the penetrating cold of numbing ice, seemed less like a Roaming Dragon and more like the movement of an Ice Dragon.
The Ice Dragon’s lightning, staining its surroundings with cold Qi, rushed toward the Roaming Dragon’s lightning.
Crash!
The Ice Dragon and Roaming Dragon collided, and a tremendous boom echoed forth.
Namgung Woo grimaced and was driven backward.
The force of the blade itself was formidable, but the bone-chilling Cold Qi that pierced through the Sword Aura made him start in alarm.
Namgung Woo hastily gathered his Inner Power to shake off the icy Cold Qi.
In that instant, Sword Aura erupted from Namgung Geom’s blade in succession.
The layered lightning Aura compressed the space around it as it flew in.
And just as it reached Namgung Woo’s proximity, it suddenly scattered into nine strands, wrapping around his entire body like a net.
Seomjeon Sword Net.
The net formed by the lightning Aura seemed ready to devour Namgung Woo at any moment.
But that was not all.
Along with the lightning net, extreme Cold Qi swept through, freezing his entire body.
Namgung Woo cried out in alarm and retreated, swinging his sword.
Lightning Aura poured continuously from his blade, tearing into the lightning net.
Boom-crack!
The compressed lightning Aura erupted, rending the lightning net asunder.
Seomjeon Explosive Thunder.
It was the eighth form of the Seomjeon Thirteen Sword Thunders—a technique that detonated condensed Seomjeon sword aura in a violent burst.
Boom-crash!
The Seomjeon Sword Net that took the full force of the Seomjeon Explosive Thunder tore apart completely.
But at such close range, there was no escaping the shockwave.
“Ugh!”
Namgung Woo stumbled backward with a cry of pain.
It wasn’t just the force of the explosion—the biting cold infusing Namgung Geom’s blade had penetrated deep into his body.
Namgung Woo tried to shake off the icy Qi, but he’d just exhausted himself unleashing the Seomjeon Explosive Thunder at full force.
His inner power couldn’t circulate fast enough.
To make matters worse, the cold Qi froze his meridians, cutting off his inner power entirely.
Then Namgung Geom’s blade shot toward him.
Flash!
A sword aura so swift it could cleave light itself hurtled through the air.
Seomjeon Splitting Light.
The first form of the Seomjeon Thirteen Sword Thunders.
But it would be a mistake to dismiss it as merely the first form.
The Seomjeon Splitting Light that Namgung Geom displayed contained the very essence of the Seomjeon Thirteen Sword Thunders.
In that moment, Namgung Woo realized just how inferior his own Seomjeon Splitting Light truly was.
‘There’s no way to block this.’
Even at full strength, he couldn’t stop this strike.
And before he could finish that thought, Namgung Geom’s blade was already at his throat.
He had no time to react before the blade touched his neck.
For an instant, Namgung Woo felt as if his throat was being pierced through, and his body trembled.
In a real fight, his throat would have been torn open.
It was the first time he’d ever felt the terror of death.
He stared at Namgung Geom with trembling eyes.
It was a flawless defeat with no room for excuses.
Namgung Woo realized just how arrogant he’d been.
That Seomjeon Splitting Light which Namgung Geom had unleashed at the end.
It had been a tremendous shock.
He couldn’t believe it was possible to execute the form like that.
From that technique alone, he could see how extraordinary Namgung Geom’s martial prowess truly was.
To have thought he could defeat someone like that—if Namgung Geom ever found out, the shame would be unbearable.
“I acknowledge my defeat.”
Namgung Woo admitted his loss.
Namgung Geom sheathed his sword.
“Your Seomjeon Thirteen Sword Thunders weren’t bad for a Branch Lord Candidate. If you can achieve harmony between inner power and form, you could reach an even higher realm.”
Namgung Woo’s eyes lit up at this counsel from Namgung Geom.
“Harmony between inner power and form, you say?”
“A Branch Lord Candidate tends to rely on inner power when executing forms. When that happens, the precision of the form inevitably suffers.”
When inner power deepens, executing forms becomes easier.
So it’s common for practitioners to train forms carelessly and rely instead on inner power to unleash their martial arts.
But while this makes it appear as though inner power elevates the form’s potency in the moment, that’s not truly the case.
By perfecting the form’s execution, one can achieve greater power with the same amount of inner power.
Naturally, the efficiency of one’s inner power improves accordingly.
“Then how should I proceed?”
“Training your forms without relying on inner power in your daily practice would be helpful.”
“I’m grateful for your guidance, Crown Prince.”
Namgung Woo bowed his head sincerely.
Namgung Geom smiled gently and spoke.
“For the Deputy Commander of the Changyong Sword Unit, such advice is the least I can offer.”
Namgung Woo let out a rueful laugh.
He’d never imagined that he, as the Branch Lord Candidate of the Taeho Branch, would become the Deputy Commander of the Changyong Sword Unit.
Namgung Woo couldn’t help but censure himself.
He had dismissed Namgung Geom without truly understanding his level of mastery.
And he had carelessly accepted the wager without thinking of his position as a Branch Lord Candidate.
As a result, he’d lost the wager and now found himself bound to become the Deputy Commander of the Changyong Sword Unit.
If he hadn’t witnessed Namgung Geom’s martial skill, he wouldn’t have been able to bear it.
But thinking of that Seomjeon Splitting Light that Namgung Geom had displayed, becoming Deputy Commander of the Changyong Sword Unit didn’t seem so bad after all.
If he could receive guidance at Namgung Geom’s side, it would surely aid his own growth considerably.
That was likely why Namgung Pae hadn’t opposed the wager.
“Surely you don’t mean to pretend you’ve forgotten the wager?”
When Namgung Woo offered no reply, Namgung Geom asked.
“How could I? I shall assume the role of Deputy Commander of the Changyong Sword Squad, as the wager stipulates.”
Namgung Geom smiled, satisfied.
“I’ll rely on you going forward.”
“And I on you as well.”
Their Martial Combat ended thus.
And Namgung Woo became Deputy Commander of the Changyong Sword Squad.
Meanwhile, those in attendance at the banquet could scarcely contain their murmurs about Namgung Geom’s prowess.
Most had assumed the rumors were exaggerated.
But having witnessed Namgung Geom’s martial skill firsthand, they recognized the tales had not been embellished at all.
The banquet’s attendees were left deeply impressed by his mastery.
His Ice Technique in particular had been striking.
Some wondered at the origins of his Ice Technique, yet none possessed the audacity to inquire directly.
One thing was certain: after witnessing Namgung Geom’s martial skill, many began to regard him in a new light.
When they first heard he had become a Branch Lord Candidate at so young an age, suspicion arose that he had merely been granted the position to fill a vacancy.
But after seeing his martial prowess, they could not deny that he was worthy of the title.
Not that they immediately rallied to support him as Branch Lord.
Yet their regard had undeniably shifted toward favor.
“Your Highness! Thanks to you, my eyes have been properly treated. Especially that final form—I could only marvel at it.”
Namgung Yongsang, Commander of the Western Sword Unit, spared no praise.
“It gladdens me to hear such words from the Commander of the Western Sword Unit.”
“The sword techniques of the Namgung Clan, wielded through Ice Technique, were truly impressive. As a martial artist, I found myself longing to cross blades with you.”
Namgung Yongsang had subtly conveyed his desire for a Martial Combat with Namgung Geom.
“That’s hardly a difficult matter. Before we depart Taeho, let us arrange it.”
Namgung Geom did not refuse his request.
“Should you grant me such an honor, I’m grateful—though I worry I might only trouble you needlessly.”
“Not at all. I too have long wished to see the Commander’s sword style.”
At Namgung Geom’s words, Namgung Yongsang suddenly grew anxious.
“What if I only disappoint you with my inadequacy?”
He worried that his skill might be too lacking, leaving Namgung Geom disappointed.
“There’s no cause for concern—the Commander’s skill is more than sufficient.”
Namgung Geom replied with a smile.
“By the way, how do you intend to proceed with the selection of recruits for the Changyong Sword Squad?”
Namgung Yongsang inquired about the selection method.
He had heard only that the Four Sword Units would conduct the selection; the specifics remained unclear to him.
“Those who apply for the Changyong Sword Squad will face Martial Combat against the members of the Changyong Sword Squad.”
“Surely none of the regular members from the Western Sword Unit could defeat the Changyong Sword Squad members?”
Namgung Yongsang expressed his doubt.
The Changyong Sword Squad members were the finest talents of the Namgung Clan, having completed Changyong-gak.
Even accounting for their lack of experience, their martial skill could not be compared to that of regular members from the Western Sword Unit.
In a no-holds-barred, pragmatic combat it might be different—but in a regulated Martial Combat, defeating them would be difficult.
Namgung Geom shook his head and spoke.
“The outcome of the Martial Combat is not what matters.”
“Then what does matter?”
At Namgung Yongsang’s question, Namgung Geom smiled meaningfully.
“What matters is what they demonstrate in the Martial Combat.”
Namgung Icedragon
Author |
Baek Wol-geom
Publisher |
(Co.) Samyang C&C
Editorial Director |
Editorial Department
Published by |
(Co.) Samyang C&C – Dream Books
Address |
7th Floor, Gwangseong Building, 28 Bongeunsa-ro 114-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
UCI |
G720:N+A063-20260511103
Blog |
blog.naver.com/dreambookss
Twitter (X) |
@dreambookss
Submissions |
[email protected]
(주) Samyang C&C – The contents of this book may not be used in any form or by any means without the written permission of Dream Books.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————