Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 64

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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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Episode 64
Hwang Jin-ung, master of the Black Water Gang.
He had entered the Black Water Gang as a mere underling at twelve years old and risen to its leadership in a decade.
He had killed the previous master and taken his place.
It was treason in all but name, yet in the underworld, strength was the only justification.
No one dared oppose Hwang Jin-ung, who had defeated the former master in open combat rather than through ambush.
With his formidable martial prowess, Hwang Jin-ung had seized control of the Black Water Gang.
Over the past decade, he had built it into one of the eighteen greatest water gangs of the Yangtze River Alliance.
Hwang Jin-ung’s rapid ascent in martial skill owed everything to the Sect’s support.
Orphaned at ten when plague claimed both parents, he had been abandoned on the streets.
The Sect had saved him from death by freezing and starvation.
Grateful for their mercy, he had become a sworn member and entered the Black Water Gang at the Sect’s command.
With the Sect’s backing, he had risen to lead it.
His loyalty to the Sect—which had plucked him from certain death and raised him to mastery—was absolute.
He would gladly throw away his life at a single word from them.
That was why his failure to fully execute the Sect’s last command gnawed at him so deeply.
But now, a chance to make amends had arrived.
A new order had come down through the Sect’s envoy, the Dark Cloud Messenger.
‘Kill Namgung Geom on his way to Huaxian.’
Whether he could kill Namgung Geom was irrelevant.
Now that the order had been given, it had to be fulfilled.
Hwang Jin-ung thought coldly through the matter.
Namgung Geom stood at a higher realm than he did.
A direct confrontation would be difficult to win.
Moreover, Namgung Geom traveled with skilled fighters like Namgung Chang.
Even those two alone would be formidable opponents for the Black Water Gang’s soldiers.
Yet neither did the Black Water Gang enjoy a numerical advantage.
The Dragon Rising Sword Sect had reinforced itself with nearly a hundred fighters from the Western Sword Sect and Southern Sword Sect.
Adding these to the original Dragon Rising force meant they actually outnumbered the Black Water Gang.
The one advantage the Black Water Gang possessed was fighting on the Yangtze River itself.
The water fighters of the Black Water Gang had rich experience and superior skill in naval combat, and fighting on the Yangtze would indeed give them the upper hand.
But the high masters among the Dragon Rising ranks—the vice-leader and the faction leaders—would be able to fully display their strength even on a boat.
If he could not stop them alongside Namgung Geom, the Black Water Gang could not hope to achieve dominance.
He needed another approach.
‘I must be willing to throw away my life.’
Without sacrificing himself, there seemed to be no way to kill Namgung Geom.
Of course, throwing away one’s life did not guarantee killing Namgung Geom.
But it would greatly increase the odds.
And so Hwang Jin-ung hit upon a method: the suicide ship.
He would use an explosives-laden vessel to blow apart the ship carrying Namgung Geom.
Ideally, Namgung Geom would perish in the blast, but if not, falling into the Yangtze would doom him all the same.
No matter how skilled a master, falling into the Yangtze River meant losing one’s bearings.
The Black Water Gang’s soldiers, by contrast, had grown up playing in the Yangtze’s waters since childhood.
They could move with ease even in the river’s violent currents.
Once in the Yangtze’s grip, even Namgung Geom would struggle against the Black Water Gang’s swimmers.
Hwang Jin-ung began formulating his plan at once, preparing to strike at Namgung Geom.
* * *
The Dragon Rising Sword Sect traveled down the Yangtze River fleet toward Huaxian.
The Namgung Clan had sent the fleet to ensure Namgung Geom’s safety on the journey.
“I wonder if the Yangtze River Alliance will attack us like they did before.”
Namgung Cheonsan spoke, recalling the Black Water Gang’s previous assault.
“It’s different this time. Then, those were merchant vessels of the House of Lee, but now we’re aboard the Yangtze River fleet. The Yangtze River Alliance wouldn’t dare attack unless they’d lost their minds.”
Namgung Cheolung dismissed the concern outright.
“So you’re saying that even after the Scarlet Wolf Gang ambushed us and the Cyan Yang branch leader attacked the young master, you still talk like that?”
Namgung Cheonsan replied, as if in disbelief.
“The Three Great Masters have a point. In the martial world, anything can happen. We must always be prepared.”
At Namgung Geom’s words, Namgung Cheolung nodded in agreement.
“Do you believe the Yangtze River Alliance will attempt an attack, then, young master?”
Namgung Woo, the vice-leader, asked.
“I think some level of precaution would be wise.”
Namgung Geom was growing suspicious of the Black Water Sect’s connection to the cult.
If the leader of the Black Water Sect was indeed a cult spy, the likelihood of an attack on him was high.
The question was how they would strike.
The Black Water Sect’s forces alone could not match the Soaring Dragon Sword Band and the Yangtze River Martial Alliance’s first-rate contingent.
And mobilizing other forces would not be easy either.
The only feasible approach would be for the other sects of the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance to coordinate an attack, but they would likely hesitate to join in striking the Namgung Clan directly.
Still, preparations were necessary.
After all, the leaders of other sects might be cult spies just like the leader of the Black Water Sect.
But even if the other sects did coordinate an assault, their current forces would be more than sufficient.
What concerned Namgung Geom most was the possibility of the cult’s masters joining the fray—but given the risk of exposure, they would likely not move recklessly.
By mentally mapping out various scenarios beforehand, one could minimize panic when they occurred.
Namgung Geom envisioned several possible scenarios and prepared for the Black Water Sect’s attack accordingly.
The riverboat carrying the Soaring Dragon Sword Band arrived at Wuhu in the early evening.
“Let us rest here for the night and depart at dawn tomorrow.”
Namgung Geom decided to spend the night in Wuhu and brought the riverboat to a halt.
“First Commander, please take your meal before we proceed.”
Namgung Gwan, the chief of the Yangtze River Martial Alliance’s first-rate contingent, spoke up.
Since the boat could not be left unmanned, he was suggesting that Namgung Geom eat first.
“Then I shall go and return shortly.”
Without protest, Namgung Geom disembarked from the boat along with Namgung Chang and Namgung Cheolung.
The others could not eat until these three had finished their meal.
Rather than engage in pointless courtesy about who should eat first, it was better to go and return quickly.
Namgung Geom proceeded to a nearby inn with the two chiefs.
They ordered food and waited for it to arrive.
As Namgung Geom surveyed the inn’s interior, he overheard a conversation about the Namgung Clan.
“There’s a rumor that the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance will square off against the Namgung Clan. Have you heard anything about it?”
Namgung Geom turned his head toward the voice.
Two men who appeared to be merchants were eating and conversing.
“I’ve heard the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance has been quite overbearing. It seems the Namgung Clan has finally drawn their swords.”
A plain-featured merchant spoke as though it were only natural.
The broad-faced merchant across from him shook his head.
“That’s not it. I heard the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance has been sharpening their blades ever since that Black Water Sect incident.”
“So you’re saying the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance will strike first, not the Namgung Clan?”
The plain-featured merchant wore an expression of disbelief.
The broad-faced merchant glanced around, leaned in closer, and lowered his voice.
“I’m not sure if it’s true, but I heard the Crown Prince of the Namgung Clan attacked the Black Water Sect out of the blue to gain merit.”
Hearing this, Namgung Geom felt utterly incredulous.
“Who on earth would spread such an absurd rumor?”
Namgung Cheolung could not help but start to rise, when Namgung Geom quickly raised his hand to stop him.
“Keep quiet and listen.”
At Namgung Geom’s words, Namgung Cheolung sat back down.
“Surely the Crown Prince of the Namgung Clan would never do such a thing?”
The plain-featured merchant sounded skeptical.
“How could the Black Water Sect attack the Crown Prince of the Namgung Clan unless they were mad?”
“That’s true, but it seems absurd for the Crown Prince of the Namgung Clan to do something so blatantly exposed.”
“How naive of you. In the martial world, whose word carries more weight—the Namgung Clan’s or the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance’s?”
The broad-faced merchant spoke with evident frustration.
“Come now, would the Namgung Clan really fabricate lies?”
“What makes the Namgung Clan any different? If it benefits them, they’ll do far worse than mere deception.”
“What benefit would the Namgung Clan gain from starting such a conflict?”
“When the Yangtze River Waterway Alliance attacks the Namgung Clan, they might use it as a pretext to establish the Righteous Heaven Alliance.”
“So you’re saying they deliberately provoked this conflict to establish the Righteous Heaven Alliance?”
“I’m not saying it definitely happened—just that it could be possible.”
“Do you perhaps harbor some grudge against the Namgung Clan?”
The plain-featured merchant narrowed his eyes and asked.
The broad-faced merchant dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand.
“Could a man like me possibly have a grudge against such an illustrious force as the Namgung Clan?”
“Then why do you speak so poorly of them? We owe our livelihood to the Namgung Clan’s prosperity.”
The two men were merchants who traveled the Yangtze.
They were able to earn their living precisely because of the Namgung Clan’s influence.
If the Namgung Clan hadn’t stopped the Yangtze River Alliance’s tyranny, it would have been all but impossible to survive, let alone profit.
To criticize the Namgung Clan without acknowledging that debt would be to know nothing of gratitude.
“Don’t take it the wrong way. I’m just repeating hearsay, so don’t misunderstand.”
The broad-shouldered man waved his hand dismissively and reached for the wine bottle.
“Come now—let’s have a drink.”
The affable man said nothing more about the Namgung Clan or the Yangtze River Alliance.
“Where did he hear such talk?” Namgung Cheolung asked, genuinely curious.

“I’m not sure, but it’s clear that someone is deliberately spreading rumors.”
Namgung Chang spoke with a frown.
“Most likely, the Cult is behind it.”
“But why would they spread such rumors?”
Namgung Cheolung pressed.
“To make it appear that the Yangtze River Alliance orchestrated the Black Water Faction’s attack.”
“So they want us to wage war with the Yangtze River Alliance.”
“Exactly. The Cult’s goal is to set the Orthodox Sects and Unorthodox Sects against each other.”
Namgung Geom spoke with certainty.
The Cult was not merely after Namgung Geom’s life.
Through his death, they sought to ignite a war between the Orthodox and Unorthodox.
There was no definitive proof yet.
But the circumstances were damning enough to draw that conclusion.
“Once the Orthodox-Unorthodox war weakens the martial world, then the Cult will reveal its true face,” Namgung Chang said grimly.

“Then shouldn’t we warn the martial world and prepare our defenses?”
At Namgung Cheolung’s words, Namgung Geom shook his head.
“We’ll need to warn them, of course. But the Unorthodox won’t believe us—even if the Orthodox do.”
The Orthodox and Unorthodox didn’t trust each other’s words.
Even if the Orthodox sects revealed the Cult’s existence, the Unorthodox would assume it was another Orthodox ploy.
Even if they suspected it wasn’t a lie, they would refuse to take the word of the Orthodox.
“The Unorthodox have some sense—they won’t resort to open war without reason.”
“The head may understand, but pride won’t let them back down.”
To a martial artist, honor and prestige weighed as heavily as life itself.
Even if they saw through the Cult’s deception, pride could drive them to fight the Orthodox anyway.
“Then we have no choice but to avoid conflict as much as possible from our side.”
Namgung Geom shook his head.
“And what of the Orthodox? If clashes keep mounting like this, both sides will refuse to yield—pride demands it.”
Disaster loomed, even as they saw through the puppet master’s scheme.
It was foolish beyond measure, yet such was the nature of the martial world.
“But we can’t simply let the Orthodox and Unorthodox wage war.”
At Namgung Chang’s words, Namgung Geom nodded.
“That’s why we must expose the Cult’s existence, no matter what.”
Namgung Byeong-ryong
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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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