Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 86

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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 86
Upon leaving the Family Head Residence, Namgung Bing, master of the Silver Dragon Pavilion, made straight for the Thunder Lightning Pavilion.
“How is the investigation progressing? Still no advancement?”
The moment Namgung Bing entered, Namgung Byuk pressed him with the question.
“Heuk Il-sal has revealed that his confession was false.”
“Is that true?”
Namgung Byuk’s expression shifted to one of surprise.
He had not expected Heuk Il-sal to recant so readily.
“The Crown Prince himself interrogated Heuk Il-sal and uncovered this fact.”
At Namgung Bing’s words, Namgung Byuk fell silent for a moment.
“Geom interrogated him directly?”
“He did.”
“And how did Geom manage to extract such testimony from Heuk Il-sal?”
Even at the Silver Dragon Pavilion, when they had questioned Heuk Il-sal, he insisted on nothing but his claim that Namgung Byuk had ordered the assassination.
Yet the moment Namgung Geom questioned him, Heuk Il-sal recanted—it made no sense.
“The Crown Prince secured this testimony by offering to accept Heuk Il-sal into the Namgung family on the condition that he reveal the truth.”
“He tried to assassinate Geom, leveled absurd accusations against me, and now Geom takes him into the family? That’s ridiculous. More importantly, how could we possibly trust such a man?”
Namgung Byuk shot to his feet.
“The Crown Prince will maintain control through special restraints. Moreover, with the Black Day Sect Master dead and the sect effectively dissolved, Heuk Il-sal will have no other options.”
“The Black Day Sect Master is dead? What do you mean by that?”
Namgung Byuk’s eyes widened in shock.
“The Sect Master attacked the Crown Prince some time ago, and the Crown Prince killed him in that encounter.”
“Geom defeated the Black Day Sect Master alone?”
Namgung Byuk asked as if he could scarcely believe it.
“I find it difficult to accept as well, but the Crown Prince did it single-handedly, according to the report.”
A hollow laugh escaped Namgung Byuk’s lips.
The Black Day Sect Master was a master of such skill that even he could not guarantee victory against him.
For Namgung Geom to have felled him alone was absurd—truly absurd.
Yet at the same time, a chill crept through him.
If Namgung Geom had truly defeated the Black Day Sect Master in single combat,
then his martial prowess and realm were no longer beneath Namgung Byuk’s own.
Perhaps he had already surpassed him.
If he was not careful, he could lose to Namgung Geom in the Succession Contest.
But that was a concern for later.
For now, clearing his own name took precedence.
“Then can I now be absolved of the charge that I ordered Geom’s assassination?”
“We must verify the forgery of the letter found at the Qingyang Branch and the document recently discovered.”
“Heuk Il-sal has already admitted his confession was false—what more do you need to confirm?”
“Even so, establishing it conclusively would be better for the Thunder Lightning Pavilion Master, would it not?”
It was not an unreasonable point.
“There is one more thing I must tell you.”
“What is it?”
“The fact that Heuk Il-sal revealed his confession to be false will remain secret for the time being.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Namgung Byuk asked, his confusion evident.
“It means the suspicion that the Thunder Lightning Pavilion Master ordered the Crown Prince’s assassination will be left intact.”
“Then tell me—what reason could there possibly be for doing such a thing?”
Namgung Byuk spoke with visible frustration.
“To root out any Cult Spies who may be lurking within the Main House.”
“There are Cult Spies within the Main House?”
Namgung Byuk asked, his alarm plain.
“Nothing is certain yet.”
“Is the possibility of a Cult Spy in the Main House merely a suspicion, or do you have other grounds for believing this?”
Namgung Byuk pressed.
“According to Heuk Il-sal’s testimony, someone sent him a messenger cat while he was imprisoned in the Thunder Prison.”
“How could a messenger be sent to someone locked in the Thunder Prison?”
“They used a Messenger Cat.”
“A Messenger Cat? You mean they sent the message by cat?”
“Yes. After receiving the message brought by the Messenger Cat, Heuk Il-sal made his false confession that the Thunder Lightning Pavilion Master had ordered the assassination.”
“Then Heuk Il-sal is also a Cult Spy?”
“No, sir. He believed that document came from the Black Day Sect Master and confessed under false pretenses.”
“So you’re thinking whoever sent that document to Heuk Il-sal will approach me as well.”
“The Crown Prince suspects a cult spy may be inciting the Thunder Lightning Pavilion’s master to attack him.”
“Which means I need to remain under suspicion and confined.”
Namgung Byuk nodded in understanding.
“Beyond that, we’ll also spread rumors that the Crown Prince faction is pushing hard for the Thunder Lightning Pavilion’s master to be punished.”
“You’ll create a situation that enrages me, then wait for the cult spy to make contact.”
Namgung Byuk had little difficulty discerning Namgung Geom’s intent.
“The Thunder Lightning Pavilion’s master may find it unpleasant, but since catching the cult spy is paramount, I ask for his understanding.”
“No—I want to find whoever framed me just as much.”
“Then I’ll take my leave, assured there are no misunderstandings about what comes next.”
“Thank you for telling me beforehand.”
“That gratitude might be better directed at the Crown Prince.”
Namgung Byuk looked at him as if to ask what he meant.
“It was the Crown Prince who insisted on full disclosure to the Thunder Lightning Pavilion’s master. And he also stepped forward to vouch for the Thunder Lightning Pavilion’s master’s innocence to the Family Head.”
“I see. I’ll offer my separate thanks to Geom later.”
Namgung Bing nodded and departed the Thunder Lightning Pavilion.
Several days passed.
Still, no evidence emerged to dispel the suspicions against Namgung Byuk.
Moreover, the chorus of condemnation and calls for punishment grew louder.
To any observer, the situation looked dire for Namgung Byuk.
* * *
A pavilion facing the Thunder Lightning Pavilion.
Namgung Geom crouched hidden atop the roof, keeping watch over the Thunder Lightning Pavilion.
He appeared to be merely sitting still, but he had already woven the Icy Hundred Thread Net across the surrounding area.
A mesh of Cold Qi enveloped the Thunder Lightning Pavilion.
Whether human or cat, anything entering it would be detected immediately.
As Namgung Geom’s realm advanced, he found the Icy Hundred Thread Net easier to deploy.
The range of the Icy Hundred Thread Net had expanded to fifteen zhang.
He could not maintain it indefinitely, though.
Still, if he pushed himself, he could manage half a day—enough to watch through the night without problem.
‘But who is this cult spy that’s infiltrated the Main House?’
No one came readily to mind.
He could only speculate that it must be someone close to Namgung Byuk.
Whoever had forged Namgung Byuk’s handwriting and seal, and even issued forged documents, seemed likely to be someone intimate with him.
Of course, that was mere conjecture.
The truth would reveal itself through observation.
The best outcome would be if there were no cult spies within the family at all.
Namgung Geom continued his watch, turning these thoughts over in his mind.
Then, after some time had passed—
The Icy Hundred Thread Net detected a body heat signature that was not one of the Silver Dragon Pavilion’s warriors.
The temperature was slightly higher than human.
So not human, then.
That meant it was likely a cat, after all.
Namgung Geom used the Icy Hundred Thread Net to track the cat’s heat signature.
The cat moved silently, avoiding the Silver Dragon Pavilion’s warriors.
The Silver Dragon Pavilion’s warriors remained utterly unaware of the soundless cat moving through the darkness.
The cat navigated the Thunder Lightning Pavilion with familiarity, slipping easily into places where the Silver Dragon Pavilion’s warriors could not see.
But the Icy Hundred Thread Net could not be evaded.
The cat entered the chamber where Namgung Byuk was being held.
Having confirmed this, Namgung Geom moved toward where Namgung Bing was positioned.
“The Messenger Cat has moved.”
Namgung Bing started at Namgung Geom’s words.
He and the Silver Dragon Pavilion’s warriors had been standing guard with iron-tight vigilance.
Yet none of them had noticed the cat’s movement.
But Namgung Geom had detected the cat’s passage that they could not see.
“How did you confirm that?”
Namgung Bing could not suppress his curiosity and asked.
“My hearing is rather keen.”
At Namgung Geom’s cryptic reply, Namgung Bing smiled knowingly and asked no further questions.
“Then I’ll chase the cat away once it appears.”
“I’ll take care of chasing the cat.”
“I’ll have the warriors from the Silver Dragon Pavilion assist you.”
Namgung Geom shook his head at Namgung Bing’s words.
“No. The cat might startle and flee, so I’ll follow discreetly on my own.”
“Without knowing who the cult spy is, it’s dangerous for you to move alone, Crown Prince.”
Namgung Bing expressed concern for Namgung Geom’s safety.
“If danger arises, I’ll retreat at once or send a signal.”
“Still…”
“I faced the Heuk Sal Mun Master and came away unscathed, so please don’t worry overmuch.”
Namgung Bing nodded, accepting the inevitable.
“I understand. But you must withdraw immediately if things turn perilous.”
“Understood.”
Namgung Geom spoke with the confidence of one who would be true to his word.
* * *
The Thunder Lightning Pavilion quarters.
Namgung Byuk found confinement stifling.
Neither did he care for the talk outside—rumors that painted him as a contemptible uncle who had tried to murder his own nephew.
He burned to clear his name at once.
Yet to catch the cult spy, he had no choice but to endure the injustice and frustration.
Still, he began to wonder whether this endless waiting served any purpose at all.
Several days had passed since the Silver Dragon Pavilion Master’s last visit, and neither person nor Messenger Cat had come near.
It was possible the cult spy didn’t exist within the estate, or was simply lying low—contrary to what Namgung Geom believed.
Namgung Byuk had resolved to wait until today and no longer; if nothing came to pass, he would prove his innocence and end his confinement.
Meow!
Just then, the cry of a cat echoed from one corner of the quarters.
When Namgung Byuk turned toward the sound, he saw a black cat.
The moment he glimpsed the Tube Container tied around the cat’s leg, his eyes brightened.
The Messenger Cat had come, just as Namgung Bing had said it would.
Which meant there was indeed a cult spy within the estate.
“Come here.”
When Namgung Byuk extended his hand, the cat approached.
He untied the Tube Container from the cat’s leg.
Opening the cap, he found a rolled scroll inside.
Namgung Byuk drew out the scroll and unrolled it.
The paper was covered in small, precise writing.
The script looked familiar—it was the handwriting of Namgung Hak, the chief administrator of the Thunder Lightning Pavilion.
“Can it be that Namgung Hak is the cult spy?”
Namgung Byuk shook his head in disbelief.
Namgung Hak was his most trusted aide.
There was no possibility he was a cult spy.
This had to be a forgery, just like the letter found in the Qingyang Branch quarters—someone had imitated the handwriting.
Namgung Byuk examined the scroll’s contents.
The message had four main points.
First, Namgung Geom had coerced Heuk Il-sal into falsely accusing Namgung Byuk in exchange for sparing his life, and the document was something Namgung Geom had prepared long ago.
Second, upon returning to the Main House, Namgung Geom claims that Namgung Byuk is certainly the orchestrator of the assassination and demands harsh punishment.
Third, Namgung Bing is siding with Namgung Geom and, knowing the letter and document are forgeries, is turning a blind eye to it.
Fourth, Namgung Pae views Namgung Geom as the heir apparent and seeks to use this opportunity to eliminate Namgung Byuk.
The scroll conveyed to him that all of this was orchestrated by Namgung Geom and that he was in grave danger if he did nothing.
Surely the sender hoped that, upon reading the scroll’s contents, Namgung Byuk would be driven to action by his fury.
The handwriting mimicking Namgung Hak’s was meant to make him trust the message.
Namgung Byuk wondered what would have happened if Heuk Il-sal had not admitted to his false confession—if the false accusation had never been cleared.
He might well have lost his reason in his anguish and rage, attacking Namgung Geom directly.
Had he done so, ruin would have been his fate.
A chill ran through Namgung Byuk as the full weight of the scheme became clear.
He had to catch this cult spy who committed such a heinous deed.
To do so, he would first need to deliver this scroll to the Silver Dragon Pavilion Master.
Namgung Byuk started to call out to the Silver Dragon Pavilion Master waiting outside, then hesitated.
Something about the scroll’s handwriting troubled him.
He grew anxious—what if Namgung Hak, like himself, had been falsely accused and forced into a dire predicament?
Still, there was no hiding the messenger cat.
He instructed one of the Silver Dragon Pavilion’s martial artists waiting outside his quarters to bring the pavilion master to him.
Then, suddenly remembering the cat that had delivered the letter, he inspected his quarters.
But the cat had already vanished.
Namgung Bing Dragon
Author |
Baek Wol-geom
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(주) 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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