Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 83

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 83
Cheonroe-jeon of the Namgung Clan.
Namgung Byuk, the lord of Cheonroe-jeon, was confined to house arrest.
He stood accused of orchestrating the assassination of Namgung Geom.
It was enough to make him scream and tear his hair out.
However much he coveted the position of lesser patriarch, he was not so contemptible as to assassinate his own nephew.
Yet when Namgung Cho, patriarch of the Qingyang Branch, testified that he had received his orders from Namgung Byuk, and a letter bearing Namgung Byuk’s seal was discovered in his quarters, Namgung Byuk could not escape interrogation.
With both testimony and a sealed letter as evidence, Namgung Byuk could not evade scrutiny.
Eun Ryong-gak immediately placed him under confinement and began their inquiry.
At least, by virtue of being a direct descendant, he avoided the humiliation of being thrown into Eun Ryong-gak’s dungeons.
Namgung Byuk insisted upon his innocence.
But refuting both testimony and evidence proved difficult.
A confrontation with Namgung Cho would have helped, but Namgung Cho was already dead—his meridians shattered.
What worked in his favor was that Eun Ryong-gak itself entertained the possibility that Namgung Cho’s testimony and letter had been fabricated.
The lord of Eun Ryong-gak had not forgotten Namgung Geom’s counsel and followed it faithfully.
Namgung Byuk believed that if he waited, the truth would eventually come to light.
Then matters took an unexpected turn.
“Among the Three Black Killers, Heuk Ilsal has named the Cheonroe-jeon lord as the mastermind behind the Crown Prince’s assassination.”
At Namgung Bing’s words, Namgung Byuk leaped to his feet.
“Me, hire Heuk Ilsal for an assassination? Never. I’ve done no such thing.”
“And if I tell you that evidence of payment for the contract has surfaced, on top of Heuk Ilsal’s testimony?”
“Evidence of contract payment? What are you talking about?”
Namgung Byuk’s expression turned bewildered.
“When we raided the Black Killing Sect’s secret depot, the one Heuk Ilsal revealed, we found a payment slip bearing your name inside.”
Namgung Byuk’s face contorted at Namgung Bing’s words.
“This is nonsense! I never hired the Black Killing Sect in the first place, and even if I had, would I be fool enough to leave behind a slip with my name written on it?”
“Sigh. But when testimony and evidence align, it’s a matter I cannot simply overlook.”
This was not the first time.
There had already been Namgung Cho’s testimony and his letter.
Now Heuk Ilsal’s testimony and the payment slip had surfaced.
Eun Ryong-gak could not ignore such evidence and testimony.
“This is clearly a frame-up by someone. Of all people to hire for an assassination, the Black Killing Sect? And to leave behind a slip with my name on it? If that were discovered, everything would unravel. Would I risk madness for such a scheme?”
Namgung Byuk cried out, his voice thick with injustice.
Namgung Bing found merit in Namgung Byuk’s words.
Namgung Byuk was not a careless man.
Had he truly wished to kill Namgung Geom, he would not have left such obvious traces.
It was far more likely that someone had deliberately ensnared him in a trap, exactly as Namgung Byuk suggested.
According to Namgung Geom’s words, that someone would be the Kyo Clan.
“Since testimony and evidence have emerged, the investigation into the Cheonroe-jeon lord will continue. And we will investigate carefully whether this matter is indeed someone’s conspiracy.”
“I trust that you, as lord of Eun Ryong-gak, will fully clear my name.”
Namgung Byuk could sense that although Namgung Bing would conduct the investigation because evidence and testimony existed, he did not truly suspect him of being the mastermind.
Namgung Bing suspected that the testimony and evidence had been manipulated.
Yet he could not declare Namgung Byuk innocent based on suspicion alone.
He would need to prove the testimony and evidence had been fabricated, or uncover evidence of someone else’s conspiracy.
For Namgung Byuk, Namgung Bing was the only one he could trust right now.
“And there is one more thing I must tell you.”
“Speak.”
“The Crown Prince himself maintains forcefully that you are not the one behind this.”
“Geom is saying this?”
Namgung Byuk asked, surprise crossing his face.
“The Crown Prince trusts you. And he does not wish this matter to create discord between you.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
Namgung Byuk found it difficult to discern Namgung Bing’s intent.
“I tell you this hoping the Cheonroe-jeon lord will not become needlessly suspicious.”
“Needlessly suspicious?”
“The Crown Prince insists the Kyo Clan is behind this, and he believes the Kyo Clan desires to pit you and the Crown Prince against each other in a family feud.”
“I understand what you’re saying.”
Namgung Byuk nodded, his expression growing thoughtful.
* * *
Namgung Geom examined the Ice Dragon Transformation Technique he had received from Namgung Yeol.
The Ice Dragon Transformation Technique was a method that embodied the Ice Dragon, symbol of the Bukhaebinggoong.
To deploy the Ice Dragon Transformation Technique, the Ice White God Art was essential.
Namgung Yeol had thought that a higher level of Bing-gong would suffice, but in reality, one could not deploy the Ice Dragon Transformation Technique without the Ice White God Art.
Namgung Geom had mastered the Ice White God Art.
To be precise, he had integrated the Changung Great Flame God Art and the Ice White God Art into the Changgung Ice Flame God Art.
Yet the Ice White God Art lay within it, and there was no obstacle whatsoever to deploying the Ice Dragon Transformation Technique.
The Ice Dragon Transformation Technique differed fundamentally from ordinary martial arts.
It was correspondingly difficult to master.
“This will take some time.”
For Namgung Geom, this was his first attempt at learning the Ice Dragon Transformation Technique.
It seemed it would require considerable time before he could use it in actual combat.
Namgung Geom wanted to test the power of the Ice Dragon Transformation Technique at once.
But this was not something to be rushed.
Learning it properly and thoroughly was what mattered.
That night.
Namgung Geom spent the entire night studying the Ice Dragon Transformation Technique.
And the next day.
He departed the Hoiryeong Branch and made for the Namgung Clan’s main house.
Biryong-gak led the way, and Paelyong-gak escorted Namgung Geom.
Behind them followed the Changyong Sword Unit.
“There will be no attacks in the immediate term, so you need not remain overly vigilant.”
Namgung Geom spoke to Namgung Gwon, who kept glancing in all directions.
“Do enemies announce their attacks beforehand?”
Namgung Gwon replied as though he could afford no lapse in caution whatsoever.
“At least during our journey to the main house, the likelihood of an attack is low.”
The leader of the Black Killing Sect had come himself.
The sect must have been confident that the leader’s attack would succeed on the road.
Thus they likely had made no other preparations.
Of course, the sect could prepare another attack.
But assembling someone stronger than the Black Killing Sect’s leader would require time.
From the Hoiryeong Branch to the main house was a three-day journey.
Preparing another assault in that span would be difficult.
“The greatest enemy of any escort is complacency itself. The guards of Paelyong-gak permit not even a moment’s carelessness.”
Faced with Namgung Gwon’s firm resolve, Namgung Geom said nothing more.
On the other hand, he felt reassured.
With Paelyong-gak’s guards protecting him as solidly as an iron fortress, he could set aside his worries about ambush.
From the Hoiryeong Branch, Namgung Geom’s party accelerated their pace as much as possible.
Though he had said there would be no further attacks, returning to the main house as quickly as possible was the safest course.
And four days later.
Namgung Geom’s party arrived safely at the main house.
“I thank you for all the trouble you have gone to on my account.”
Namgung Geom expressed his gratitude to Namgung Gwon, lord of Paelyong-gak.
Now that he had returned to the main house, Namgung Gwon would resume his usual duties as the Clan Patriarch’s personal guard.
“Trouble? It has been a long time since I could conduct a worthy escort, and that has been rewarding in itself.”
While guarding Namgung Pae, there was little chance of encountering real danger.
He was none other than the Sixth Ranked, Namgung Pae.
There were few in the martial world bold enough to target him.
As a result, he rarely had the opportunity to guard with such intensity.
It is said that the finest escort is one that prevents danger from arising, yet Namgung Gwon was a warrior.
As a warrior, he harbored a yearning for battle that made his blood boil.
In escorting Namgung Geom this time, he had conducted an escort charged with tension after a long while.
In the moment, he had been consumed with anxiety over Namgung Geom’s safety, but that tension had brought an exhilaration of its own.
The tension and thrill he had felt again after so long breathed new vitality into Namgung Gwon.
For him, this escort had held more joy than hardship.
Though of course, it was a feeling he could only experience because Namgung Geom had returned unharmed.
“I too was grateful to receive your escort, and should opportunity arise, I shall certainly treat you to a drink.”
“I shall look forward to that day. Now I shall take my leave.”
Namgung Gwon departed first with the warriors of Paelyong-gak.
The warriors of Biryong-gak followed, offering their respects before departing.
After sending off the Changyong Sword Unit as well, Namgung Geom made his way to his quarters.
Upon arriving at his quarters, Namgung Geom bathed first thing.
Once he’d finished and stepped outside, a summons from the Clan Patriarch’s residence was waiting for him.
“He’s in quite a hurry.”
He’d been planning to seek out Namgung Pae after bathing anyway.
But the old man couldn’t wait and had sent for him in the meantime.
“Can’t keep Grandfather waiting.”
Namgung Geom quickly changed into fresh clothes and made his way to the Patriarch’s residence.
Upon arriving, he announced himself at the entrance.
Permission was granted from within, and he stepped inside.
Namgung Pae sat in the seat of honor, observing Namgung Geom as he entered.
At first his gaze was casual, but the moment he sensed Namgung Geom’s aura, he visibly started.
Namgung Geom’s Inner Power was at least in the late stages of the True Martial Realm.
A month ago, Namgung Geom had been in the middle stages of that same realm.
Yet in the span of a single month, his cultivation had advanced to the late stages.
Was such a thing even possible?
While Namgung Pae struggled to hide his shock, Namgung Geom stepped before him.
“Namgung Geom, commander of the Changyong Sword Unit, pays his respects to the Clan Patriarch. I have successfully completed the selection of personnel for the unit and returned safely.”
“Good. You’ve labored well. But your aura is extraordinary—have you broken through to a new level?”
Namgung Pae acknowledged the greeting perfunctorily, then went straight to the point.
“I was able to advance my cultivation recently with the aid of the Ice Dragon Sword.”
Namgung Geom answered without reservation, speaking the plain truth.
This wasn’t a trivial matter—his realm had risen.
He needed at least a reasonable explanation that Namgung Pae would accept.
“With the aid of the Ice Dragon Sword?”
“The Ice Dragon Sword’s ability to amplify Cold Qi is something you are aware of, sir.”
Namgung Pae nodded as if he knew this already, then asked further.
“But how exactly did it aid you?”
“I amplified my Inner Power through the sword and thereby opened the Hundred Meridians.”
“What? Is such a thing truly possible?”
Namgung Pae asked in disbelief.
“I tried it somewhat on impulse, and my Inner Power was genuinely amplified. Thanks to that, I was able to pierce through the Meridian Opening in the Hundred Meridians.”
Namgung Pae considered Namgung Geom’s words for a moment.
Theoretically, it was certainly plausible.
Yet it was an unverified method, and the dangers remained unknown.
“It’s fortunate you succeeded, but it was a reckless attempt—your Inner Power could have spiraled out of control.”
Namgung Pae pointed out the rashness of his grandson’s gambit.
“I was not unaware of that risk, but I trusted in the Ice Dragon Sword.”
“You trusted in a sword?”
“Since the Ice Dragon Sword has acknowledged me as its master, I believed it would not harm me.”
Namgung Pae found it absurd that he would place faith in a blade rather than in himself.
Yet with the Ice Dragon Sword, perhaps such a thing was possible.
After all, Namgung Geom’s judgment had proven sound.
Still, not every mystery had been resolved.
“And how exactly did you open the Hundred Meridians? Sheer abundance of Inner Power alone cannot breach it.”
“It wasn’t particularly difficult.”
Namgung Geom spoke as though it were the most natural thing.
Namgung Ice Dragon
Author |
Baek Wol-geom
Publisher |
Samyang C&C Corp.
Editor-in-Chief |
Editorial Department
Published by |
Samyang C&C Corp. — Dream Books
Address |
7F Gwangseong Building, 28 Bongeunsa-ro 114-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
UCI |
G720:N+A063-20260511103
Blog |
blog.naver.com/dreambookss
Twitter (X) |
@dreambookss
Submissions |
[email protected]
© Samyang C&C — No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means without the written permission of Dreambooks.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————