Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 56

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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 56
Namgung Geom had learned through his past life how dangerous kindness or favor without reason could be.
He had fallen into traps more than once by being deceived by their goodwill, narrowly escaping death on several occasions.
So whenever he encountered kindness or favor without clear motive, suspicion rose first.
Such was the case with Namgung Cho, the Cheongyang Branch Master.
Namgung Cho was known to support Namgung Byuk, the Thunder Fortress Master, as the Sub-branch Master.
There was no reason for him to show goodwill or kindness toward Namgung Geom.
Not unless he harbored some other intention.
Of course, since Namgung Geom was the eldest grandson of the Namgung Clan, basic courtesy was to be expected.
But even accounting for that, his treatment seemed excessive.
Suspicion of Namgung Cho took root naturally.
Namgung Geom turned to Namgung Woo beside him.
“Do you happen to know anything about the Cheongyang Branch Master?”
He reasoned that since Namgung Woo came from the same branch, he would likely know more than he did.
“We don’t interact much, so I only know the basics, I’m afraid.”
“Tell me what you do know.”
Namgung Woo recalled what he knew of Namgung Cho.
“The Cheongyang Branch Master was born of a concubine, so by rights he should never have been able to attain the position of Branch Master.”
“Then how did he become Branch Master?”
The Namgung Clan drew strict distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate lines.
It was exceedingly rare for an illegitimate son to inherit.
“His half-brothers from the legitimate line died under mysterious circumstances one after another, and the opportunity came to him.”
“Mysterious circumstances, you say?”
Namgung Geom’s eyes sharpened as he leaned forward.
“Yes. He had three half-brothers, and they all passed away under unexplained circumstances.”
“And the reason was never discovered?”
“The Eunryong-gak of the main house conducted an extensive investigation, but nothing definitive came to light, or so I’ve heard.”
The Eunryong-gak was one of the Three Major Divisions of the Namgung Clan and handled intelligence.
Its investigative abilities were renowned to such a degree that there was virtually nothing they could not uncover.
“That only makes it more suspicious.”
If even the Eunryong-gak had failed to illuminate the matter, it was no ordinary affair.
“It may be presumptuous to say, but at the time there were many who suspected the Cheongyang Branch Master himself.”
Namgung Woo glanced cautiously around before speaking in a lower voice.
It was only natural.
If all his legitimate half-brothers were dead, Namgung Cho was the one who stood to gain the most.
In fact, he had risen to the position of Branch Master from his illegitimate status.
By all accounts, he had profited handsomely.
‘Could the Cheongyang Branch Master be connected to the Cult?’
The thought suddenly seized Namgung Geom.
There were few places one could destroy evidence and cover up a crime while evading the Eunryong-gak’s scrutiny.
But the Samma Cult would be more than capable of such a thing.
Namgung Geom had already been suspecting that there were agents of the Cult within the Namgung Clan itself.
Hearing Namgung Woo’s account, his suspicion naturally gravitated in that direction.
But he quickly shook his head.
He was in a heightened state of alert because of the Cult’s existence.
He could not accuse a Branch Master on mere circumstantial suspicion without solid proof.
It would be foolish to sow discord between the main house and the branch.
“Is something troubling you?”
“No. I’m simply overthinking matters.”
Namgung Geom chose not to voice his suspicions to Namgung Woo.
There was no benefit in a branch member hearing such doubts.
After bathing in the Gwibin-gak, Namgung Geom changed into fresh clothes prepared by the Cheongyang Branch.
He rested briefly, and when evening came, he made his way to the banquet hall.
Namgung Woo and his personal attendants accompanied him.
“Welcome, welcome.”
Namgung Cho greeted Namgung Geom warmly.
At the banquet table sat the high-ranking members of the Cheongyang Branch, as well as the sect master and vice-masters of the Nambang Sword Sect.
Namgung Geom exchanged greetings with them at Namgung Cho’s introduction.
Among all those gathered, the one who drew the most attention was Namgung Jinseong, the sect master of the Nambang Sword Sect.
Namgung Jinseong was in his mid-thirties, his cultivation at the late stage of the Peak Realm.
His realm was the highest among them, save for the Branch Master of Cheongyang, and his physique bore the marks of considerable bodily cultivation.
‘Far more disciplined than the Sect Master of the Nambang Sword Sect.’
In both inner power and physical refinement, he surpassed Namgung Yongsang.
“I’ve heard the Crown Prince’s martial prowess is extraordinary. If the opportunity arose, I would be honored to receive instruction.”
Namgung Jinseong spoke with a challenging gleam in his eyes.
Namgung Geom could read the competitive fire burning behind that gaze.
Among martial artists, there were those of peculiarly belligerent temperament.
The sort whose bodies itched for combat the moment they laid eyes on a strong opponent.
Namgung Jinseong’s eyes betrayed exactly that.
“Once the selection trials for Changyong Sword Sect are properly concluded, let us cross blades.”
Namgung Geom had made the promise of a martial combat with Namgung Jinseong.
“Why wait until then? Why not have the two of you spar here, now?”
At that moment, Namgung Cho made a suggestion.
“Here, you mean?”
Namgung Geom furrowed his brow and asked.
“Without a word being spoken, I’m certain many here wish to see the Crown Prince’s martial prowess. Of course, if the Crown Prince finds it distasteful, there’s nothing to be done.”
Namgung Cho spoke as though pressing nothing upon him.
“I would very much like to see the Crown Prince’s martial prowess.”
“It would be an honor if the Crown Prince would display his skill.”
The assembled guests in the banquet hall cried out in unison.
Namgung Jinseong’s eyes gleamed with obvious eagerness to commence their bout at once.
If Namgung Geom declined to fight here, others would assume he lacked confidence in victory.
What others thought mattered little to Namgung Geom.
Yet he was no mere individual.
He was the eldest grandson of the Namgung Clan, and the family’s honor rested upon his shoulders.
More importantly, as a candidate for Sub-branch Master, this was an opportunity to leave an indelible impression upon the leadership of both Cheongyang Branch and the Nambang Sword Sect.
“Since all wish to see this young master’s martial prowess, I cannot refuse.”
Namgung Geom accepted the challenge.
Namgung Cho had cleared a space in the front courtyard of the hall where the banquet was being held for the combat to unfold.
Namgung Geom and Namgung Jinseong faced one another, while onlookers from both Cheongyang Branch and the Nambang Sword Sect gathered round to witness the martial exchange.
“Please, you may begin.”
Namgung Geom yielded the first strike.
“Then I shall.”
Namgung Jinseong did not hesitate and launched his opening assault.
He closed the distance with the Muhanbou technique, then descended with a sword strike employing the Il-do Yang-dan method.
From his blade flowed an oppressive pressure that manifested as sword energy, falling vertically without restraint.
To the eye, it appeared to be a simple technique.
But the reality was quite otherwise.
The momentum rising from Namgung Jinseong’s sword seized command of the surrounding space, ensnaring Namgung Geom within its grasp.
Changgung Swordplay.
The technique confined an opponent through the momentum of sword energy, then shattered them with overwhelming force that could not be stopped even if perceived.
‘He’s captured the celestial momentum with perfect form.’
Namgung Geom marveled inwardly.
Namgung Jinseong’s Changgung Swordplay was no ordinary display.
Among the Namgung Clan’s martial techniques, Changgung Swordplay was the most obscure and difficult to master.
That he had attained such proficiency was evidence of Namgung Jinseong’s exceptional talent.
Yet however formidable Namgung Jinseong’s blade, it fell short of posing a true threat to Namgung Geom.
Namgung Geom extended the Bing Long Sword to meet the descending blade.
The frigid force of ice that arose from his sword seized the space in an instant.
For a moment, Namgung Jinseong felt as though a frozen sky were opening above him from Namgung Geom’s blade.
But it was no illusion—it was real.
Changgung Gaecheon.
The quintessence of Changgung Wuae Swordplay, which held the heavens within the blade.
Namgung Geom’s Changgung Gaecheon, infused with the force of the Bing-gong technique, differed in that it was not a blue sky but a frozen one.
Crash!
Namgung Jinseong’s sword energy, meeting the frozen heaven, vanished without a trace.
Namgung Jinseong hastily retreated to evade the momentum of the frozen sky.
Namgung Geom pressed forward and brought his sword down upon him.
From his blade, the frozen heaven opened once more and descended upon Namgung Jinseong.
Trapped within the momentum of the frozen sky, Namgung Jinseong felt as though his entire body was turning to ice.
He summoned his Inner Power to resist, but he could not escape the momentum of the Changgung Binghcheon.
The sword energy of the Changgung Binghcheon descended upon him.
Namgung Jinseong realized that with his current skill, he could not possibly block it.
“I yield.”
He immediately conceded defeat, and Namgung Geom at once withdrew his blade.
The momentum of the Changgung Binghcheon that had been laden in his sword vanished as if washed away.
Namgung Jinseong gazed at Namgung Geom with admiration in his eyes.
To withdraw the momentum of the Changgung Binghcheon in a single instant was no easy feat.
It was only possible when one’s mastery of Inner Power had reached its absolute pinnacle.
Namgung Jinseong could perceive just how extraordinary Namgung Geom’s realm truly was.
“Thank you. Through your swordplay, I have gained much insight.”
Namgung Jinseong expressed his gratitude to Namgung Geom with genuine sincerity.
Namgung Geom had deployed only two forms.
Yet within them lay the very essence of the Changgung Wuae Swordplay.
Simply by witnessing the essence of the Changgung Wuae Swordplay, Namgung Jinseong had gained profound understanding.
To embody that understanding in his swordplay immediately would be difficult.
But if through cultivation he could distill that enlightenment into his technique, he would achieve a realm higher than where he stood now.
That was why Namgung Jinseong felt such deep gratitude toward Namgung Geom.
For he understood that Namgung Geom had shown him the essence of the Changgung Wuae Swordplay precisely to grant him this enlightenment.
Namgung Jinseong bore no prior connection to Namgung Geom.
He had sworn no loyalty to him, declared no support.
Yet Namgung Geom had shown him the essence of the Changgung Wuae Swordplay without asking anything in return.
“I am gladdened that it proved useful to the Sect Master. I shall look forward to our next meeting.”
“I shall do my utmost to not disappoint you, Crown Prince.”
Meanwhile, the reactions of those who had watched the martial combat between the two men were divided.
Those who recognized the quality of Namgung Geom’s swordplay could not help but marvel.
Those who failed to perceive the depth of his blade, however, wore expressions of letdown as the bout ended in an instant.
They had expected much, only for the combat to conclude so anticlimactically.
Yet whom could they blame?
They could only lament their own eyes for failing to recognize even after witnessing the essence of the Changgung Wuae Swordplay.
“Well then, since the martial combat is finished, let us all retire inside and begin the banquet in earnest.”
Namgung Cho ushered the spectators back indoors.
Though his expression wore a smile, his inner thoughts were quite the opposite.
‘The Crown Prince’s skill is no ordinary matter.’
Namgung Geom’s martial prowess was far superior to what he had anticipated.
To speak honestly, he had no confidence in winning if they faced each other one-on-one.
In truth, his prodding for the martial combat had partly been to gauge Namgung Geom’s true strength, but his deeper hope was that Namgung Geom might sustain an injury in the bout.
But not only did he avoid injury—he had finished without even exerting full effort.
At this rate, eliminating Namgung Geom would not be a simple matter.
He would have to find a way to prevent Namgung Geom from using his full power.
The chance to wound him in combat had already passed.
For now, the only option was to make Namgung Geom drink as much as possible.
If Namgung Geom became drunk and fell asleep, it would not be difficult to kill him.
Namgung Cho approached Namgung Geom, wine bottle in hand.
“Crown Prince! Do accept a cup of my wine.”
Namgung Geom did not refuse, accepting the cup that Namgung Cho poured for him.
“Please, allow me to pour a cup for you as well.”
Namgung Geom in turn poured wine into Namgung Cho’s cup.
“Welcome once again to the Cheongyang Branch. I trust you will achieve fine results with the Nambang Sword Sect.”
“I am grateful.”
Namgung Geom and Namgung Cho raised their cups and drank together.
“Would you accept a cup from me as well, sir?”
After drinking with Namgung Cho, it was Namgung Jinseong’s turn to offer wine.
Namgung Geom did not refuse, accepting the cup from Namgung Jinseong.
Watching this, the corners of Namgung Cho’s mouth curved upward in satisfaction.
‘That’s right. Don’t hold back—drink plenty.’
Namgung Bing-ryong
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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