Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 82

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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 82
Namgung Geom’s eyes lit up at Namgung Yeol’s words.
“You say it helps with the Bing-gong?”
“More precisely, it’s a technique that utilizes the Bing-gong.”
“A technique that utilizes the Bing-gong?”
Rather than answer, Namgung Yeol produced a Parchment Bundle.
When Namgung Geom accepted it and examined the contents, he found a title written there: Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique.
His eyes widened at the sight of it.
‘The Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique—that’s a lost technique from Beihai Binggong.’
The Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique was a method that embodied the Ice Dragon, the symbol of Beihai Binggong.
It was one of the Three Great Secrets of Beihai Binggong, alongside the Ice White Divine Technique and the Ice Dragon Sword Technique.
But it had fallen into disuse long ago and was no longer transmitted.
Yet here, against all expectation, the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique had surfaced.
“Where did you obtain this?”
“Do you happen to know anything about the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique?”
Namgung Yeol asked upon seeing Namgung Geom’s astonished expression.
“If I’m not mistaken, I’ve heard it was a lost technique of Beihai Binggong.”
Namgung Yeol’s face took on an admiring cast.
“Your insight is truly remarkable. You’re right—it is indeed a lost technique of Beihai Binggong.”
Namgung Yeol had needed to consult numerous texts before learning that the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique was a secret transmission of Beihai Binggong.
Yet from the name alone, Namgung Geom had divined its history—how could one not marvel at that?
The truth, of course, was that in his previous life he had been the Little Family Master of Beihai Binggong, and thus he knew.
“But how did you come by it?”
Namgung Geom asked, curiosity evident in his tone.
“Many years ago, in Henan Province on Tianzhong Mountain, I happened upon a hunter who gave it to me.”
“Do you happen to know how the hunter obtained it?”
“He said he found it in a pile of skeletal remains inside a cave he’d wandered into by chance.”
Namgung Geom’s memories from his past life surfaced.
As he recalled, the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique had been stolen from Beihai Binggong by Wu Ying Shen Tu of the Central Plains Martial Arts.
Beihai Binggong had pursued in fury, and the chase had extended all the way to Henan Province.
In the end, Wu Ying Shen Tu was caught by Beihai Binggong’s pursuit squad at Tianzhong Mountain, suffered a mortal wound, and fell over a cliff.
The pursuit squad had searched for his corpse to recover the stolen Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique.
But nowhere was his body found.
Eventually, Beihai Binggong’s pursuit squad abandoned the search and returned north.
Naturally, they had failed to recover the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique.
It was highly probable, then, that the owner of those skeletal remains was Wu Ying Shen Tu.
“Were there no other items besides the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique?”
“No. He said there was nothing else of note. But why do you ask?”
“It’s nothing. I merely thought that whoever possessed the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique was no ordinary person.”
Namgung Geom gave a vague deflection.
He could not reveal that the remains were those of Wu Ying Shen Tu.
“True enough. The Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique is no common object.”
“Is it possible to meet that hunter?”
“You wish to examine the cave?”
Namgung Yeol asked, reading Namgung Geom’s intent.
“Merely on the chance that something might be there.”
“You need only seek out a hunter named Jang Uk in Jangga Village, which lies beneath Tianzhong Mountain.”
Namgung Yeol provided the hunter’s information without hesitation.
“My thanks.”
Namgung Yeol waved his hand as though it were nothing.
“But are you certain it’s wise to entrust me with something so precious?”
“As you’ll see, mastering the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique requires the Bing-gong. Without it, I have no use for it—it’s mere words on parchment to me.”
Namgung Yeol spoke with a bitter smile.
Yet how could he not covet the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique?
He had searched for a Bing-gong suited to its mastery.
But the Bing-gong was not something one could obtain through mere desire.
Moreover, to master the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique, one required an Upper Grade Bing-gong.
For more than a decade, Namgung Yeol had searched for an Upper Grade Bing-gong, yet ultimately had found nothing.
In truth, even finding a Bing-gong presented a problem.
He had cultivated the Internal Energy Heart Method of the Namgung Clan.
Having already mastered the Inner Power of the Namgung Clan, it was impossible for him to train in the Bing-gong anew.
So he’d had no choice but to abandon the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique by force.
Still, regret lingered, and he’d kept it in storage—until Namgung Geom appeared at precisely that moment.
Namgung Geom had mastered the Bing-gong.
Judging by his realm, it was highly likely he’d achieved the Upper Grade.
Moreover, his talent was exceptional.
With Namgung Geom, the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique could certainly be mastered.
But he’d never intended to give it to Namgung Geom from the start.
It was only after witnessing Namgung Geom rush unhesitatingly to rescue Namgung Min that he decided to pass on the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique.
“So don’t carry any burden, Crown Prince. Accept it.”
“Then I shall accept it gratefully.”
Namgung Geom took the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique without hesitation.
The Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique was a secret transmission of Beihai Binggong.
Should he master it, Namgung Geom would grow far stronger still.
And by obtaining the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique, Namgung Geom had now acquired all three of the great secrets of Beihai Binggong.
That the eldest grandson of the Namgung Clan would gain the Three Great Secrets that he himself had never obtained even as the Little Master of Beihai Binggong—truly, karma was beyond understanding.
“And there is one more matter remaining.”
“What might that be?”
Namgung Geom asked with evident curiosity.
“The loyalty of the Huinan Branch Family Master.”
“Pardon?”
Namgung Geom didn’t grasp it at once and turned to look at Namgung Yeol.
“From this very moment, I, Namgung Yeol, Branch Family Master of Huinan, do swear to support the Crown Prince as the Little Family Master and henceforth pledge my unwavering loyalty.”
At Namgung Yeol’s sudden oath of allegiance, Namgung Geom’s face grew flustered.
“That expression tells me the Crown Prince is indeed still young in years.”
Namgung Yeol spoke with playful warmth.
Namgung Geom quickly composed himself and rearranged his expression.
“For you, the Branch Family Master, to support me as the Little Family Master—nothing could bring greater joy. But is this because I rescued your son?”
“I have already repaid that debt with the Ice Dragon Divine Transformation Technique. My decision to support you as Little Family Master is purely for the future of the Namgung Clan.”
Namgung Yeol was not so simple in thought as to decide on a Little Family Master merely out of gratitude for saving his son.
This time, he had witnessed Namgung Geom’s martial skill and character, and gained true conviction.
The Namgung Clan’s future required Namgung Geom to become the Little Family Master.
“Hearing you speak thus brings me even greater joy. I am truly grateful for your trust in me. I shall ensure that you never have cause to regret that decision.”
“I believe in you without doubt, Crown Prince.”
Thus Namgung Geom obtained Namgung Yeol’s support and loyalty—unexpected fortune.
It was the greatest reward of this journey to the Huinan branch.
* * *
Heuk-un Saja’s face hardened as he listened to his subordinate’s report.
“The Black Killing Sect Master failed?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did you not say Namgung Geom entered Palgong Mountain alone?”
With Namgung Geom entering alone, there should have been no way for the Black Killing Sect Master to fail.
Unless the Black Killing Sect Master had grown careless—but having already failed once, surely he would not make that mistake again.
“It appears the Black Killing Sect Master fell to Namgung Geom.”
Not merely a failure, but the Black Killing Sect Master was dead.
“What nonsense is this?”
Heuk-un Saja’s voice rang out in disbelief.
“I confess I find it hard to credit, sir, but the Black Killing Sect Master was confirmed to have used the Black Killing Explosive Blood Technique at the end.”
“And yet Namgung Geom survived?”
“He did, sir.”
“No other masters of the Namgung Clan appeared?”
Heuk-un Saja’s brow furrowed as he pressed for more.
“The Biryong-gak Master and the men of Biryong-gak did move, but only long after Namgung Geom entered.”
Heuk-un Saja grasped at once what his subordinate was implying.
“So the Black Killing Sect Master had more than enough opportunity to kill Namgung Geom.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Yet he failed to kill him and resorted to the Black Killing Explosive Blood Technique instead……”
“The Black Killing Explosive Blood Technique is a final self-destructive measure. It would be most accurate to say that Namgung Geom pressed the Black Killing Sect Master into such a corner.”
Heuk-un Saja let out a hollow laugh of exasperation.
If what his subordinate said was true, then Namgung Geom was strong enough to kill the Black Killing Sect Master.
How could such a thing be possible?
Just days ago, Namgung Geom had survived the Black Killing Sect Master’s attack only because of Biryong-gak’s protection.
And now his strength had grown enough to defeat the Black Killing Sect Master alone?
It made no sense whatsoever.
Namgung Geom was already operating at an absurd level.
To advance further from there should have been impossible.
Yet Namgung Geom was a being who defied all logic.
One could not judge him by ordinary standards.
A creature who transcended common sense like Namgung Geom had to be accepted even when the outcome seemed impossible.
Otherwise, one’s judgment would go astray.
Even as Heuk-un Saja thought it impossible, he mentally revised upward his assessment of Namgung Geom’s realm and martial prowess.
“If he brought down the Black Killing Sect Master alone, I’d have to place him at least in the late stage of the True Martial Realm.”
That was the minimum.
The Black Killing Sect Master’s Concealment Technique could kill even masters of the Absolute Realm.
If the Black Killing Sect Master had launched a surprise attack using his concealment and still failed to kill Namgung Geom, there was a possibility he operated at an even higher level.
But surely not that high, regardless.
Heuk-un Saja concluded that the Black Killing Sect Master must have engaged in a direct confrontation rather than relying on concealment and ambush.
There was no other way such an outcome could have occurred.
The real problem was that the Black Killing Sect Master’s death had placed him in a precarious position.
He had lost four shadow agents of the organization.
Not merely ordinary shadow agents, but senior ones occupying critical positions.
Losing them was grave enough, but he had no results to show for it.
Worst of all was the possibility that the organization’s very existence might be exposed.
If word of the organization’s existence came to light because of this incident, the leadership would not let it pass.
In the worst case, he might have to answer with his life.
To preserve his own life at the very least, he had to prevent the organization from being exposed.
“How is the plan to frame this as a succession struggle within the Namgung Clan progressing?”
“I’ve arranged for Black Day Killer, who is being held by the Namgung Clan, to name Namgung Byuk as the orchestrator behind all of this.”
Heuk-un Saja’s plan was to make it appear that everything that had transpired was instigated by Namgung Byuk.
The Branch Master of Qingyang had already lit the fuse.
Once Black Day Killer named Namgung Byuk as the mastermind, suspicion would be difficult for him to escape.
But that was not enough.
The testimony of the Qingyang Branch Master or Black Day Killer was merely words.
He needed actual proof that Namgung Byuk had attempted to kill Namgung Geom.
“You’ve prepared evidence that Namgung Byuk commissioned the Black Killing Sect to assassinate Namgung Geom?”
“A warrant issued in Namgung Byuk’s name has been planted to be found in the Black Killing Sect’s secret branch.”
With that, Namgung Byuk would be cornered completely.
Of course, it was far too contrived.
But proving it was someone’s fabrication would not be easy.
For now, by directing all suspicion toward Namgung Byuk, he would prevent the organization’s existence from surfacing.
Then he would slip information to Namgung Byuk.
That this entire affair was something Namgung Geom had orchestrated to eliminate him.
What would happen when Namgung Byuk, stripped of everything by a false accusation, learned this information?
Without a doubt, his fury would drive him to attempt Namgung Geom’s death.
“It would be a pleasure to witness a blood feud between uncle and nephew.”
Namgung Bingryong
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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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