Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 59

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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 59
Namgung Geom believed it highly likely that Namgung Cho’s attempt on his life was connected to the Cult.
Otherwise, there was no way Namgung Cho would have resorted to such a desperate gambit.
That was why he had deliberately mentioned the Samma Cult by name.
If Namgung Cho truly was a Cult spy, he would show some reaction, or so Namgung Geom had hoped.
‘How does he know?’
The moment Namgung Geom spoke of the Samma Cult, Namgung Cho’s eyes widened in shock, his gaze flickering for an instant.
Namgung Geom, who had been studying his face intently, did not miss it.
‘He’s definitely a Cult spy.’
Certain of his identity, Namgung Geom’s eyes turned to ice.
“A Samma Cult spy? Your Highness mustn’t insult the branch lord with such nonsense.”
Namgung Cho’s voice rang out in fury.
Namgung Geom paid him no mind. “Then prove to me that you are not a Samma Cult spy.”
Namgung Cho’s expression twisted in confusion. “What?”
At the sight of his bewilderment, Namgung Geom smiled slightly.
“Did you not ask me to prove that I have not studied the Demonic Martial Art of the Beihai Bing Ma? By that same logic, you should prove your innocence.”
Namgung Cho’s face contorted with rage. “For me—the branch lord of Cheongyang—to be called a Samma Cult spy is absurd.”
“And what of before you became branch lord?”
When Namgung Geom spoke as if he knew everything, his eyes betrayed uncertainty.
“I have no evidence, and you slander a branch lord without proof. The other branch lords will not stand for this.”
Namgung Cho invoked the other branch lords, trying to transform what was a personal matter into a dispute between the main clan and the branches.
Namgung Geom, seeing through his intent, smiled faintly. “Since words alone will get us nowhere, let us end this.”
Namgung Geom believed further argument would be nothing but a waste of time.
That Namgung Cho was a Cult spy remained suspicion only.
But the fact that Namgung Cho had tried to kill him was undeniable.
He had clear grounds to apprehend him.
Whether Namgung Cho was truly a Cult spy would become clear once Namgung Geom subdued him and extracted the truth through interrogation.
Words would accomplish nothing now.
Namgung Geom advanced toward Namgung Cho.
“What are you standing there for? Stop him at once!”
Namgung Myeong shouted toward the First Sword Corps.
“From this moment forward, anyone who interferes will be deemed a Samma Cult spy and executed on the spot. Withdraw.”
Namgung Geom released the full force of his aura without restraint.
The crushing power that erupted from his body caused the First Sword Corps to falter and retreat.
‘Attacking Namgung Geom means death.’
Their instincts screamed warning after warning.
The warriors of the First Sword Corps dared not stand against him.
Nor was it only them.
Namgung Myeong too was crushed beneath the weight of Namgung Geom’s presence.
Namgung Geom deliberately focused his aura upon Namgung Myeong.
Namgung Myeong stood at the threshold of the Peak Realm.
Yet he was nowhere near Namgung Geom’s level.
The Bingcheon aura that Namgung Geom unleashed bore down upon Namgung Myeong like a mountain.
Namgung Myeong felt his entire body freeze as though locked in ice.
He gritted his teeth and tried to shake off the oppressive force, but could not break free.
‘How can he be so strong?’
Namgung Myeong was astonished by the sheer power radiating from his cousin.
What in the world could one accomplish to wield such strength at such a young age?
‘He has certainly mastered the Demonic Martial Art of the Beihai Bing Ma!’
There was no other explanation for Namgung Geom’s cultivation level.
Namgung Myeong realized his father had been right.
That Namgung Pae had failed to recognize Namgung Geom’s Demonic Martial Art?
His judgment must have been clouded by familial affection.
‘I must stop him. I must protect Father!’
Namgung Myeong drew upon every ounce of his Inner Power.
The Bingcheon aura pressing down upon him suddenly gave way.
Seizing the opening, Namgung Myeong hurled himself toward Namgung Geom.

But there was a figure blocking his path.
Namgung Woo.
Having subdued all of the Three Sword Corps from the Cheongyang Branch, he now stood in Namgung Myeong’s way.
“That’s enough.”
“Step aside!”
Namgung Myeong thrust his blade toward Namgung Woo.
“Words won’t work, then.”
Namgung Woo raised his sword with no choice, intercepting Namgung Myeong’s attack.
Namgung Geom paid them no mind and advanced toward Namgung Cho.
The First Sword Corps guarding Namgung Cho’s front crumbled before Namgung Geom’s momentum, splitting left and right to open a passage.
Namgung Cho’s expression hardened.
If he were captured by Namgung Geom here, everything would be finished.
An investigation would reveal that he had struck at Namgung Geom first.
Treason was the least of it—his connection to the Cult could also come to light.
Rather than leave behind the shameful mark of being a Cult spy, it would be better to die here.
But he could not die alone.
He would take Namgung Geom with him.
For Namgung Myeong’s sake, he had to kill Namgung Geom.
If he killed Namgung Geom, the Cult would acknowledge that feat and protect Namgung Myeong in return.
Namgung Cho drew upon every last reserve of strength within himself.
Not merely his Inner Power—he burned through his very Innate Life Force.
His momentum shifted violently, and the air around him shuddered.
Then Namgung Cho’s blade moved.
Crack-crack-crack—
Overwhelming sword energy layered upon itself, forming a Dragon Form before lancing directly toward Namgung Geom.
Roooar—
The ferocious momentum sounded as though a dragon itself were crying out.
Namgung Geom was not caught off guard by Namgung Cho’s assault.
He had anticipated that Namgung Cho would make one final desperate struggle.
The attack was more formidable than he’d expected, but not beyond his capacity to withstand.
Namgung Geom extended his blade toward the Dragon Form’s sword energy rushing down upon him.
Crack-crack-crack—
From his sword poured forth a tide of glacial power, seizing command of the space.
Changgung Bingcheon.
From Namgung Geom’s blade opened the Bingcheon, and the frozen sky consumed the Dragon Form’s sword energy whole.
The Dragon Form’s sword energy, trapped within the Bingcheon.
It strained with all its might to shatter the frozen barrier.
Yet no matter how mighty the dragon’s strength, it could never tear apart the sky itself.
Crack-crash-shatter!
The Dragon Form’s sword energy, frozen within the Bingcheon, shattered into fragments.
Namgung Cho’s eyes widened as if they might split.
But he had no leisure for shock.
The Bingcheon blade that had shattered the Dragon Form extended toward Namgung Cho.
Namgung Cho poured forth his sword energy again to block the Bingcheon blade.
But unable to pierce the Bingcheon, his energy froze entirely.
Crack-crash-shatter!
The Bingcheon, having shattered all of his sword energy, consumed Namgung Cho as well.
Trapped within the Bingcheon, Namgung Cho collapsed amid the agony of his entire body turning to ice.
Had Namgung Geom intended to kill him, he could have done so without difficulty.
But Namgung Geom had no intention of killing Namgung Cho.
There was much he needed to hear from him.
So instead of death, Namgung Geom cast him into the Hibernation State.
Having subdued Namgung Cho, Namgung Geom turned his gaze upon the warriors of the Cheongyang Branch.
The First Sword Corps had fallen to Namgung Geom, and the Three Sword Corps had been subdued by the Changyong Swordsmen.
Though the First Sword Corps remained, with their commander now fallen, they had no will to continue fighting.
They swiftly withdrew their blades and retreated.
Finally, Namgung Myeong, the last to remain, fell as Namgung Woo’s blade pierced his shoulder.
The night’s battle had come to an end.
Namgung Geom spoke to the warriors of the Cheongyang Branch.
“Namgung Cho, Branch Master of the Cheongyang Branch, attempted to kill me, the Crown Prince of the Main Family. This is manifest treason. The warriors of the Cheongyang Branch who attacked me at the Branch Master’s command shall likewise bear the weight of guilt.”
The commander of the First Sword Corps bowed his head urgently.
“Please consider our position — we had no choice but to obey the Branch Family Master’s command.”
“The Four Branch Families of the Namgung Clan follow the main house. Even if it was the Branch Family Master’s order, attacking me, the Crown Prince of the main house, cannot be forgiven.”
At Namgung Geom’s stern words, the commander of the First Sword Corps hastened to make excuses.
“Had it not been for the Branch Family Master’s words that the Crown Prince had learned the Demonic Martial Art of Beihai Bing Ma, we would never have attacked you.”
Namgung Geom let out a scoff at those words.
“So in the end, you attacked me based solely on the Branch Family Master’s word, without any verification of the facts?”
The commander of the First Sword Corps met Namgung Geom’s derision with a hardened expression.
“If you demand punishment for that crime, I will accept it willingly. But I hope you understand that I have never harbored any disloyalty toward you or the main house.”
Namgung Geom regarded the commander of the First Sword Corps for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well — I will trust you for now. However, the warriors of the Cheongyang Branch will remain confined until the entire investigation is complete.”
Namgung Geom had no intention of charging the Cheongyang Branch warriors with treason.
He knew they had not actively supported Namgung Cho’s treacherous acts.
Yet he maintained a stern atmosphere deliberately — this was an opportunity to establish firm discipline once and for all.
Even the warriors of the Four Branch Families must place the main house above all else.
No matter what order a Branch Family Master gives, attacking the main house must never occur.
Of late, as the power of the Four Branch Families had grown, their loyalty to the main house had indeed begun to wane.
Namgung Geom intended to use this incident as an opportunity to impress upon the branch warriors the immutable position of the main house.
“Have the Changyong Swordsmen divide the Cheongyang Branch warriors into several buildings for confinement. See to it that those who are injured or dead are properly attended to.”
The warriors of the Changyong Swordsmen, having received Namgung Geom’s instruction, moved at once.
“What do you intend to do now?”
Namgung Chang approached Namgung Geom’s side and asked.
He used formal speech, contrary to his usual manner.
With so many eyes watching — including Namgung Woo’s — he observed proper courtesy out of regard for Namgung Geom’s dignity.
“I need to find out why the Cheongyang Branch Master wanted me dead.”
“Do you believe there is another reason besides learning the Demonic Martial Art of Beihai Bing Ma?”
“If my martial techniques were the problem, all he needed to do was report it to the main house. There would be no reason to kill me directly.”
Namgung Chang nodded.
Namgung Geom had not even threatened Namgung Cho with the Demonic Martial Art of Beihai Bing Ma.
It was difficult to explain Namgung Cho’s attack based merely on the fact that he had learned the art.
And there was no particular animosity between them.
There had to be some other reason.
Namgung Chang suddenly recalled something Namgung Geom had said.
“What did you mean when you said the Cheongyang Branch Master was a spy for the Samma Cult?”
Namgung Geom would not have mentioned the Samma Cult without reason.
“I’m not certain yet. Once I interrogate the Cheongyang Branch Master, if anything comes to light, I’ll tell you then.”
“You intend to interrogate him directly?”
“That’s my plan.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to wait for the main house’s decision?”
Namgung Geom shook his head.
“That would take too long. The Cheongyang Branch Master exhausted even his Innate Life Force in his attempt at mutual destruction, and he’s suffered injuries from the Bing-gong I deployed. He won’t last more than a few days.”
If he waited for the main house’s decision, Namgung Cho might die first.
So he had to hurry the interrogation before Namgung Cho expired.
Namgung Geom proceeded at once to the interrogation of Namgung Cho.
He first moved Namgung Cho, who lay in a hibernation state, trapped by the force of Bingcheon, to the inner chambers of the building, then woke him.
Namgung Cho, awakening from hibernation, trembled at the lingering cold that remained in his body.
But his expression hardened the moment he saw Namgung Geom.
He had attempted mutual destruction by even burning away his Innate Life Force at the last moment, yet he had fallen to Namgung Geom’s sword.
“Why did you try to kill me?”
“When I heard that the Crown Prince had learned the Demonic Martial Art of Beihai Bing Ma, I thought eliminating you would be for the benefit of the Namgung Clan.”
“You tried to kill me for the good of the Namgung Clan?”
Namgung Geom asked as if he found it absurd.
“Yes.”
“Do you expect me to believe that?”
“Believe it or not — that is the truth.”
Namgung Geom shook his head at Namgung Cho’s shamelessness and spoke.
“No — you were acting on orders from the Cult.”
Namgung Bing-ryong
Author |
Baek Wol-geom
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Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
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Editorial Department
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No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books.

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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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