Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 73

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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 73
Before Namgung Geom had finished speaking, a group of martial artists stepped into the inn where he was lodging.
There were twenty-six of them in all, each wearing the Changyong Baek Robe that symbolized the Namgung Clan, with a large shield strapped across his back.
The martial artists of the Changyong Geom-dan were startled at the sight of them.
“The Pae Ryong-gak!”
In the Namgung Clan, the Pae Ryong-gak were the only martial artists who carried shields like that.
The Pae Ryong-gak was one of the Four Organizations of the Namgung Clan, responsible for protecting the Clan Head and Vice Clan Head.
Fundamentally, only the Clan Head and Vice Clan Head could receive protection from the Pae Ryong-gak.
In short, there was no reason for martial artists of the Pae Ryong-gak to appear here.
Moreover, among the Pae Ryong-gak martial artists who had appeared at the inn, there was one bearing a golden shield.
In the Pae Ryong-gak, only one person could carry a golden shield.
Namgung Gwon, leader of the Pae Ryong-gak.
The greatest shield of the Namgung Clan.
A master who held a place among the Ten Transcendent Swordsmen not with a blade, but with a shield.
He had come—the man who bore responsibility only for protecting Clan Head Namgung Paek.
“We pay our respects to the Pae Ryong-gak Leader.”
The martial artists of the Changyong Geom-dan recovered from their shock and offered proper salutation.
Hearing the commotion and stepping outside, Namgung Geom’s eyes widened at the sight of the middle-aged man bearing the golden shield.
He had not expected Namgung Gwon to come himself.
“Welcome. I had no idea the Pae Ryong-gak Leader would come in person.”
Namgung Geom bowed in greeting, his expression one of genuine surprise.
Shortly after arriving at the Hwahyun Branch, he had informed the main house of the situation and requested reinforcements.
He had expected the main house to send support, but to send the martial artists of the Pae Ryong-gak—
And for the Pae Ryong-gak Leader himself to come in person was something he had never anticipated.
“The Clan Head made special requests of me, so I came myself.”
Namgung Gwon let out a sigh and spoke.
“It seems I have caused you great trouble, Leader.”
Namgung Geom spoke apologetically, and Namgung Gwon waved his hand.
“There is no hidden meaning to it. It is simply that I, who must protect the Clan Head, feel quite uncomfortable being away from my post. First Young Master, do not misunderstand.”
“It appears you could not refuse the Clan Head’s insistence.”
Namgung Geom smiled, and Namgung Gwon shook his head slowly.
“He was so anxious that his eldest grandson might come to harm.”
Namgung Geom had not known that Namgung Paek worried for him so deeply.
His chest tightened unexpectedly.
“In any case, I am grateful that you came all this way in person. Your arrival reassures me greatly.”
The Pae Ryong-gak Leader bore responsibility for protecting the Clan Head.
In matters of protection, none in the Namgung Clan could match him.
Even the Heuk Salmuun Leader would not easily penetrate his guard.
This meant that the danger to Namgung Geom would be significantly reduced.
“You mentioned that during your journey to the Hoenam Branch, there might be further assassination attempts?”
Namgung Gwon straightened his expression and asked.
“That is correct.”
“Do you have any suspicion as to who might attempt it?”
Namgung Gwon asked.
Knowing who might strike would help considerably in planning protection.
“I suspect the Heuk Salmuun Leader.”
“The Heuk Salmuun Leader?”
Namgung Gwon’s eyes widened in surprise.
A far more formidable name had emerged than he had anticipated.
“That is my assessment.”
“Is there a particular reason you believe this?”
“So far, there have been three separate assassination attempts against me.”
“The Heuk Salmuun, the Nok Rim Maeng, and the Jangggang Suro Maeng.”
Namgung Gwon helpfully enumerated the three organizations.
Namgung Geom smiled and continued.
“Among them, the Heuk Salmuun Leader is the most confirmed suspect to be the spy of the organization.”
“Is that your only reason?”
Namgung Gwon asked, as if to say the evidence was insufficient.
“I believe the organization would find it preferable to move the Heuk Salmuun Leader, whose identity is already somewhat exposed.”
Namgung Gwon thought for a moment, then nodded as if he understood.
“It seems likely that the spies from the Nok Rim Maeng and Jangggang Suro Maeng whose identities haven’t yet been exposed are being kept hidden.”
“If it were the leader of the Heuk Salmuun, he would certainly possess the skill to kill me.”
“True enough. If it’s the leader of the Heuk Salmuun, he’d have little trouble taking down the Crown Prince.”
The leader of the Heuk Salmuun had a track record of assassinating even masters of the Absolute Realm.
Looking purely at martial prowess, it would be no difficult matter for the leader of the Heuk Salmuun to kill Namgung Geom.
“And what of the leader of the Pae Ryong-gak?”
At Namgung Geom’s question, Namgung Gwon shook his head.
“The Concealment Technique of the Heuk Salmuun leader is difficult even for me to detect. Truthfully, I can’t say with certainty that I could stop his assault.”
“But wouldn’t the odds improve somewhat if we prepare in advance?”
Without knowing beforehand that the Heuk Salmuun leader was coming, it would be difficult to stop his assault.
But if one anticipated his attack and prepared accordingly, one could mount at least some defense.
“Even so, the danger remains all the same. Why not return to the main house while you still can?”
The finest protection was to avoid dangerous situations altogether.
Namgung Gwon believed that returning to the main house was the wisest course for Namgung Geom’s safety.
“To draw out a hidden enemy, one must accept the risk.”
“And if you die in the attempt, what good is any of it?”
“Even if I return to the main house now, they will simply continue hunting me.”
Avoiding danger this time would solve nothing.
Eliminating the threat itself was the truly safe path.
“Besides, the leader of the Pae Ryong-gak will be protecting me—what have you to fear?”
At Namgung Geom’s jest, Namgung Gwon let out a dry laugh.
“So the Crown Prince means to burden me with responsibility, does he?”
“Then I entrust you with guiding me safely to the Hoenam Branch.”
“I’ll do my best.”
At Namgung Gwon’s reply, Namgung Geom smiled.
As Namgung Geom understood it, Namgung Gwon supported Namgung Sung, the master of the Changung, as the secondary clan leader.
One might suspect that Namgung Gwon could be negligent in his protection due to his political allegiances.
Yet Namgung Geom harbored no such concern.
He knew well that Namgung Gwon was not so irresponsible as to slacken his duties based on whom he supported.
Had he been, Namgung Paek would never have sent him here in the first place.
“But have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Oh, how thoughtless of me, keeping you here without noticing. Please, let us prepare a meal for you at once.”
Namgung Geom excused himself from the room and ordered the kitchen to bring food for Namgung Gwon and the Pae Ryong-gak warriors.
Shortly after, the food arrived, and Namgung Gwon and the Pae Ryong-gak warriors ate their late supper.
The Pae Ryong-gak warriors who had come with Namgung Gwon numbered twenty-five in total.
They formed the second protective unit of the Pae Ryong-gak, tasked primarily with guarding the clan leader.
The fact that Namgung Paek’s dedicated bodyguard—both the leader and the protective unit—had been mobilized for Namgung Geom’s protection showed the extraordinary favor granted to him.
It was an unprecedented honor.
Even a secondary clan leader rarely received such protection.
Namgung Geom found himself genuinely grateful for Namgung Paek’s consideration.
Yet one thing troubled his mind.
‘I wonder if the Heuk Salmuun leader might simply withdraw because of them.’
If the leader of the Heuk Salmuun learned that the Pae Ryong-gak protective unit had been deployed, he might well hesitate before attempting an assault.
The Pae Ryong-gak’s protective capabilities were renowned throughout the martial world.
To assassins like those of the Heuk Salmuun who specialized in covert attacks, they were a formidable obstacle.
That alone was reason enough to give pause.
But if the leader of the Pae Ryong-gak were present as well.
There was a high likelihood the Heuk Salmuun leader would abandon his assault and withdraw.
Namgung Geom’s plan was to capture the Heuk Salmuun leader this time.
The first reason was to eliminate the threat posed by the Heuk Salmuun; the second was to uncover the existence of whoever was behind the organization.
He could not allow the Heuk Salmuun leader to retreat without action.
‘I must conceal the identity of the leader of the Pae Ryong-gak.’
Namgung Geom decided to hide the fact that the leader of the Pae Ryong-gak was here.
He would have him disguise himself as an ordinary member so none would recognize him.
With the leader of the Pae Ryong-gak present among the protective unit, the Heuk Salmuun leader would not dare attempt an assault.
But if the leader of the Pae Ryong-gak were absent, the Heuk Salmuun leader might hesitate and yet still judge the odds favorable enough to try.
Of course, this was merely Namgung Geom’s speculation.
In truth, he could not know for certain whether the Heuk Salmuun leader would move at all.
It was possible that someone other than the Heuk Salmuun leader might attempt the assault, or that no assault would come at all.
He simply believed that Heuk Cheonsal was the most likely to attempt an ambush, and he was shaping his plans accordingly.
Predicting and preparing for something was far better than moving blindly without any precaution.
Once the meal at Pae Ryong-gak ended, Namgung Geom laid out his thoughts to Namgung Gwon.
Namgung Gwon’s expression was far from pleased.
“Hmm. To be honest, I still hope deeply that you’ll return to the main house.”
What mattered most to him was Namgung Geom’s safety.
Avoiding the ambush entirely was the best course.
He had no appetite for traveling to the Hoenam Branch while carrying the threat of an ambush.
And now, to hear the boy speak of hiding his own existence and deliberately inviting an attack—it was exasperating.
“The finest protection is not to create a dangerous situation in the first place. You know that well.”
“If you know that, why are you asking me to compound the danger instead?”
“Because you cannot protect me forever. Right now, while you are here, is the safest opportunity to eliminate the threat.”
At Namgung Geom’s stubbornness, Namgung Gwon shook his head in resignation.
“So you’re determined to court danger, then.”
“If you and I stand together, the danger won’t be as grave as you fear.”
At Namgung Geom’s meaningful expression, Namgung Gwon’s eyes gleamed.
“It seems the First Young Master has some hidden card up his sleeve.”
“Even Heuk Cheonsal won’t escape detection if he comes within ten paces of me.”
“Is that truly so?”
Namgung Gwon asked as though he found it hard to believe.
Heuk Cheonsal’s Concealment Technique was so masterful that even an expert of the Absolute Realm struggled to perceive it.
Yet Namgung Geom, who had only reached the True Martial Realm, could sense concealment—it was remarkable.
“Only, I cannot maintain Detection continuously.”
“Then I and Pae Ryong-gak will cover those gaps.”
“Yes.”
Namgung Gwon nodded.
“The First Young Master does have a plan, after all.”
“It is far from perfect.”
“Still, it’s better than nothing.”
Better than nothing did not even begin to cover it.
If they could detect Heuk Cheonsal concealing himself within ten paces, their chances of success would rise considerably.
* * *
Jangbong Mountain.
Heuk Cheonsal, the leader of the Heuk Salmuun, was receiving a report from Heuk Sal Dae-ju.
“Have you confirmed Namgung Geom’s location?”
“He is lodging at an inn in Jangbong County. He appears to be crossing Jangbong Mountain tomorrow morning.”
Heuk Sal Dae-ju answered respectfully.
“How many men does he have?”
“When he arrived in Jangbong County, there were only the senior members of the Changyong Geom-dan, but martial artists from Pae Ryong-gak arrived additionally in the evening.”
“Pae Ryong-gak?”
Heuk Cheonsal’s eyes widened.
“Yes. By the numbers, it appears a full unit has been mobilized.”
“The sudden arrival of Pae Ryong-gak’s escort suggests they anticipate an ambush.”
There was no other reason to suddenly summon an escort unit.
“I share the same thought, Master. They have clearly called for reinforcements from the main house, anticipating an ambush.”
“Did you also confirm who led the escort here?”
Heuk Cheonsal asked.
“It appears Namgung Gwon himself came personally.”
“What?”
Heuk Cheonsal stared at Heuk Sal Dae-ju in shock.
Heuk Sal Dae-ju answered with absolute certainty.
“I confirmed with my own eyes that he bears the Golden Shield on his back.”
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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