Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 62

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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 62
Eunryong-gak.
An organization that occupied one seat among the Three Swordsmith Divisions, which handled the martial force of the Namgung Clan.
They were a division specialized in intelligence, and they also undertook investigations of specific incidents and interrogations of witnesses.
That they had taken on this investigation of the Cheongyang Branch’s Family Head was entirely natural.
But he hadn’t expected the Director of Eunryong-gak to come in person.
“Seems my arrival has startled you greatly.”
The Director of Eunryong-gak smiled faintly as he observed Namgung Geom’s surprise at his entrance.
Namgung Bing, Director of Eunryong-gak.
One of the Ten Blades of the Eternal Heaven, and a master who had inherited the Gohon Il-Geom, which the Namgung Clan regarded as the left-handed path.
The Gohon Il-Geom consisted of only a single technique.
It was the infinite variations of swordplay compressed into that one move.
A unified sword where a single technique contained the very essence of the entire art.
That was precisely the Gohon Il-Geom.
Learning the Gohon Il-Geom was extraordinarily difficult.
But if one brought the Gohon Il-Geom to mastery, there were few who could withstand that single blade.
“I never expected you to come in person, Director.”
“When the Family Head of a branch has attempted to take the Crown Prince’s life—that’s no trivial matter. Of course I came myself.”
Namgung Bing spoke as though it were obvious.
“I am only sorry to have caused you to make such a long and arduous journey on my account.”
At Namgung Geom’s words, Namgung Bing laughed and shook his head.
“No need for such formality. But tell me—are you injured anywhere?”
“Fortunately, I suffered no injury, so please have no concern.”
“I hear the Family Head of Cheongyang attacked in the dead of night. How did the Crown Prince detect and repel the assault?”
Namgung Bing asked with obvious curiosity.
Even a master in deep sleep would have difficulty sensing an attack.
And on that night, Namgung Geom had drunk heavily at the banquet.
The Family Head of Cheongyang had surely counted on this when launching his assault.
Yet Namgung Geom had repelled the attack without sustaining any injury.
Without prior warning, it would have been a difficult feat.
“I have always been a light sleeper.”
Namgung Geom gave a vague answer.
There was no reason to reveal anything about the Bing-baek Jusha.
For his part, Namgung Bing inferred that Namgung Geom possessed some special technique.
But since Namgung Geom seemed unwilling to discuss it, he pressed no further.
There was no point in forcing someone to reveal what they wished to keep hidden.
“In any case, is the Family Head of Cheongyang still alive?”
“Yes. But his Innate Qi is depleted, and he won’t survive much longer.”
Namgung Bing’s expression darkened.
“Torture will be difficult then. Has the Crown Prince learned anything of value?”
“I have discovered something, but it is likely false.”
“Let me be the judge of that. Tell me what the Crown Prince heard.”
Namgung Geom relayed everything he had extracted from Namgung Cho’s interrogation without omission.
“So he claimed the Thunder-Lord Warlord was behind it.”
“But I do not believe that to be the case.”
As Namgung Geom prepared to voice his suspicions, Namgung Bing raised his hand to stop him.
“Save the Crown Prince’s thoughts for later. If I form preconceptions now, it will only cloud my judgment.”
“But this is a crucial point. You must know it before you conduct the interrogation.”
When Namgung Geom refused to back down, Namgung Bing sighed.
“Very well. Let me hear it then.”
“I would ask that you consider the possibility that the Family Head of Cheongyang was backed by one of the divisions of Sammakyeo.”
At Namgung Geom’s answer, Namgung Bing’s expression hardened.
“Did you just say that one of the divisions of Sammakyeo was behind this?”
“Yes.”
“Surely you have grounds for such a claim?”
Namgung Geom laid out his suspicions in detail, beginning with the incident at the Scarlet Wolf Manor.
“So what you have is mere suspicion, not concrete evidence.”
Namgung Bing spoke as if Namgung Geom’s conjecture mattered little.
What mattered to him was solid proof.
“I have no clear evidence yet. But there are times when suspicion proves more accurate than circumstantial evidence.”
“I didn’t know the Crown Prince had such keen insight into criminal investigation.”
Namgung Bing’s voice carried a note of displeasure.
“If I’ve overstepped, I beg your forgiveness. I meant only to ensure that nothing escapes your notice, and I hope you’ll take my words in that spirit.”
At Namgung Geom’s measured tone, Namgung Bing’s expression softened.
“I understand your intent well enough. I’ll give due consideration to the points you’ve raised.”
“Thank you.”
“Then I’ll proceed with the interrogation.”
Namgung Bing entered the room where Namgung Cho was being held, accompanied by the head investigator from Eunryong-gak.
Namgung Geom waited outside for the questioning to conclude.
It was three hours later when Namgung Bing emerged.
“What came of it?”
Namgung Geom pressed for results the moment Namgung Bing appeared.
“Let’s have some tea first, and then I’ll tell you what I’ve learned.”
Namgung Bing spoke in a weary voice.
“My apologies. I was too eager.”
Namgung Geom escorted Namgung Bing to the Main Pavilion of the Cheongyang Branch and ordered tea to be brought.
A servant from the pavilion soon arrived with the pot.
Namgung Bing took a sip before beginning his account of the interrogation.
“Just as you predicted, he maintained throughout that the Thunder Lord had orchestrated the whole thing.”
“Surely you don’t believe that claim?”
Namgung Bing shook his head and continued.
“I myself doubt the Thunder Lord would commit such an act, but given how consistent the Cheongyang Branch Head’s confession has been, an investigation is unavoidable.”
Namgung Geom had no counter to that.
“If I may ask, how do you intend to proceed with the investigation?”
“First, I need to examine the relationship between the Cheongyang Branch Head and the Thunder Lord. By now, the Main Pavilion’s investigation team will have already begun searching his residence and anywhere else evidence might be found.”
It was a textbook investigative procedure—nothing remarkable.
“Will you not investigate separately the connection to the sect that I mentioned?”
“We’ll look into that as well, but for now I want to focus on the relationship between the Cheongyang Branch Head and the Thunder Lord.”
“It would be best to conclude the investigation as swiftly as possible, for your sake as well as for the Second Uncle’s.”
From Namgung Byuk’s position, clearing his name even a day sooner would be a mercy.
“Let’s wait and see whether anything turns up at the Cheongyang Branch Head’s residence.”
“Understood.”
Namgung Geom returned to the Distinguished Guest Pavilion.
“How did it go?”
Namgung Chang, who had been waiting for him, asked about the interrogation’s outcome.
“He’s still insisting that the Second Uncle put him up to it. Right now, Eunryong-gak’s investigation team is searching the Cheongyang Branch Head’s residence.”
“What if they find something incriminating against Father at his place?”
Namgung Chang spoke with worry etched across his face.
Hearing his words, Namgung Geom felt an ominous chill.
If Namgung Cho had named Namgung Byuk as the instigator on impulse, that would be one thing.
But what if the attack had been planned in advance, with failure as a contingency?
Namgung Byuk might well have left evidence of his involvement behind.
“There’s no point worrying prematurely. Let’s wait for the investigation to conclude.”
Namgung Geom reassured Namgung Chang without letting his own anxiety show.
And that evening.
Namgung Bing summoned Namgung Geom.
“They found this in a hidden chamber at the Cheongyang Branch Head’s residence. Have a look.”
He handed over a letter.
As Namgung Geom read its contents, his face went rigid.
The letter was in Namgung Byuk’s hand, and it contained an order to kill Namgung Geom.
“It’s a forgery.”
Namgung Geom spoke with absolute certainty.
“But the handwriting and seal match the Thunder Lord’s exactly.”
Namgung Bing knew the handwriting of all the Namgung Clan’s principal figures with precision.
The script in the letter matched the Thunder Lord Namgung Byuk’s perfectly.
The seal too was unmistakably his.
“Does it not strike you as if someone deliberately left this to be discovered?”
“That’s merely your suspicion, not proof.”
“The Second Uncle is no fool. He would never leave such incriminating evidence behind.”
Namgung Bing’s thoughts aligned with Namgung Geom’s own.
This letter was far too blatant in exposing the Thunder Lightning Pavilion Master.
A man as meticulous as the Thunder Lightning Pavilion Master would never have left such evidence behind.
Someone had clearly forged it.
Falsifying handwriting and seals is difficult, but not impossible.
“From the First Prince’s position, couldn’t you use this letter to bring down the Thunder Lightning Pavilion Master, your competitor for Family Head?”
Namgung Bing asked as if wondering whether Namgung Geom felt no temptation.
Namgung Geom let out a slight laugh and countered.
“Could the Pavilion Master truly accept a man who rose to Family Head through such ignoble means?”
“Of course not.”
“Precisely. I will ascend to the position of Family Head through legitimate methods.”
At Namgung Geom’s answer, Namgung Bing smiled and asked another question.
“What is the First Prince’s reason for wanting to become Family Head?”
“It is naturally for the sake of the Namgung Clan.”
Namgung Geom answered without hesitation.
“Not the First Prince’s own ambition?”
“If by ambition the Pavilion Master means making the Namgung Clan the premier family under Heaven, then yes, it is true.”
At Namgung Geom’s confident reply, Namgung Bing burst into hearty laughter.
“Ha! The First Prince’s ambitions run quite deep.”
“I do not believe it to be an impossible task.”
“But neither is it easily done.”
What martial family did not dream of becoming the premier house under Heaven?
Yet throughout the long history of the martial realm, only a handful of families had ever reached that pinnacle.
A family recognized by all the martial world as Number One Under Heaven.
That was a feat as difficult as plucking a star from the sky.
“Would it not be tiresome if it were too easy?”
Namgung Geom replied with a confident smile.
Namgung Bing could read the certainty in Namgung Geom’s eyes.
‘Perhaps the First Prince could achieve it.’
Seeing Namgung Geom’s smile, Namgung Bing felt a spark of hope kindle within him.
With Namgung Geom’s current cultivation and martial prowess, becoming the Number One Master under Heaven was no mere dream.
And if Namgung Geom became that supreme master, the Namgung Clan itself could claim the same glory.
Where the Number One Master dwells, there dwells the Number One family.
“Let me watch to see how the First Prince makes the Namgung Clan the premier family under Heaven. Though first, he must become Family Head, of course.”
“Is there any chance you would consider supporting me to become Family Head?”
At Namgung Geom’s proposal, Namgung Bing smiled and spoke.
“Once the First Prince becomes Family Head, I will support you with greater fervor than anyone.”
Namgung Bing had maintained strict neutrality in the competition for Family Head.
His position demanded that he keep his neutrality above all else.
Eunryong-gak was an organization specialized in intelligence and covert operations.
If Eunryong-gak’s capabilities were ever used in the Family Head succession, it could spark serious strife.
For that reason, Pavilion Masters of Eunryong-gak had maintained strict neutrality in the succession for generations.
“Then, returning to the main matter—I will conduct a thorough investigation into whether this letter has been forged.”
Namgung Geom said nothing more about the letter itself.
Since Namgung Bing had promised to investigate thoroughly, Namgung Geom could trust him.
“Would it be permitted to ask one final favor?”
“What is it?”
“I hope the Pavilion Master will watch carefully so that this incident does not cause any rift between myself and my uncle.”
Namgung Bing nodded as if understanding what Namgung Geom meant.
“I promise to conduct a thorough investigation and render a careful judgment. I will also examine closely this Sammakyeo that the First Prince mentioned.”
At Namgung Bing’s answer, Namgung Geom could finally set his mind at ease.
“Thank you.”
“Then the First Prince is heading to Hwahyeon?”
“That is correct.”
“There have already been two assassination attempts on you—are you certain? Perhaps you should return to the main residence first?”
Namgung Bing expressed concern for Namgung Geom’s safety and suggested he return to the main house.
But Namgung Geom shook his head.
“I cannot abandon the opportunity to catch them in their own snare.”
Namgung Bing Dragon
Author |
Baek Wol-Geom
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(Co.) Samyang C&C
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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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