Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 98

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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 98
The Main Hall of the Namgung Clan.
Upon his return to the Namgung Clan, Namgung Geom encountered Namgung Pae at once.
“The remnants of the Hwangcheon Faction launched an attack?”
Before Namgung Geom could even offer his report, Namgung Pae had already learned of it and asked first.
“Yes. It appears someone aided the Hwangcheon Faction in its reconstruction, and they acted under that person’s orders.”
“You believe this person is a spy within the clan?”
“Given that we eliminated a sorcerer disguised as a fortune-teller, it’s highly likely this is the same individual who sent the transmission butterfly.”
Namgung Pae found Namgung Geom’s reasoning sound.
“If that’s the case, we should remove the Heavenly Thunder Hall Administrator from suspicion.”
Namgung Hak remained confined in the Silver Dragon Hall.
They knew nothing whatsoever about the sorcerer who had mastered the Black Cat Technique.
Even if they had known something, with Namgung Hak confined as he was, it would have been impossible for him to orchestrate the remnants of the Hwangcheon Faction.
If the person who instigated the remnants and the one who sent the butterfly were the same, Namgung Hak’s suspicion would naturally dissolve.
“However, we have no evidence yet that both acts were committed by the same person.”
“Surely we cannot keep him under confinement indefinitely?”
“That’s why I’ve devised a method.”
Namgung Pae’s curiosity stirred at Namgung Geom’s words.
“What is it?”
“Release the Heavenly Thunder Hall Administrator, then place him under surveillance.”
“You mean to watch the Administrator and directly confirm whether he is the spy?”
“Precisely. The critical part is convincing him that all suspicion against him has been completely erased.”
If he believed doubt still lingered, he would guard himself carefully.
“It’s not a bad approach. I’ll discuss it with the Silver Dragon Hall Master.”
“Understood.”
“So, did you learn anything else from the Hwangcheon Faction Master?”
Namgung Pae steered the conversation back to its main thread.
“The Hwangcheon Faction Master claims he knows nothing of the person’s name or identity.”
“Do you believe him?”
“If this person sent the butterfly, they would have concealed their identity thoroughly.”
It made sense when he put it that way.
“Still, there might be clues to be found, might there not?”
As the saying goes, a long tail gets stepped on—through his dealings with the Hwangcheon Faction Master, the person might have inadvertently left traces.
“By the Hwangcheon Faction Master’s manner, he doesn’t look the type to speak under torture. And even if he does, it would be difficult to trust whether it’s the truth.”
Namgung Pae’s brow furrowed.
“Then there’s no way to track him down?”
“I intend to make use of the Hwangcheon Faction Master.”
“Make use of the Hwangcheon Faction Master?”
Namgung Geom explained his plan.
“It’s a sound strategy.”
“However, there’s a high likelihood he won’t move.”
“Since there’s no other way anyway, shouldn’t we exhaust every option we can?”
Namgung Geom nodded at Namgung Pae’s words.
“Then I’ll discuss the details with the Silver Dragon Hall Master and proceed accordingly.”
“Do so.”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Namgung Geom bowed respectfully and was just turning to exit the main hall when—
“You’ve worked hard. And thanks to you, Biryong Iljo was able to return safely. As the clan leader, I am grateful.”
Namgung Pae commended Namgung Geom’s achievements.
Had Namgung Geom not insisted on going himself, Biryong Iljo would not have come back alive.
“As the firstborn of the Namgung Clan, protecting our clan’s warriors is merely my duty.”
Namgung Geom spoke as if it were of no consequence.
He was not feigning modesty.
He spoke from genuine conviction.
And Namgung Pae could feel it now.
Once again, he was assured that this Namgung Geom was the one who should become the secondary clan leader for the sake of the Namgung Clan.
Leaving the main hall, Namgung Geom did not return to his quarters but instead headed to the training grounds of the Changyong-gak Sword Brigade.
Upon arrival, the members of the brigade were in the midst of their practice.
Namgung Chang was engaged in Martial Combat with Namgung Woo, the secondary clan leader.
Namgung Woo was at the Peak Realm, making him an ideal sparring partner for Namgung Chang.
What was remarkable was that Namgung Chang held his own against Namgung Woo without yielding an inch.
Namgung Chang had only recently ascended to the Peak Realm.
It was a time when even stabilizing one’s foundation at that level was difficult.
Yet he was displaying the Peak Realm’s power without reservation.
‘Talent is talent, after all.’
Namgung Geom inwardly marveled at Namgung Chang’s gifts.
In truth, if one measured talent alone, Namgung Chang was not far behind Namgung Geom himself.
But Namgung Geom had already gained profound enlightenment through the insights of his past life, and he possessed the power of the Ice Technique attribute.
Moreover, he had not only been born with the Eternal Ice Body that maximized the Ice Technique, but had also absorbed the Extreme Yang Fire Qi from the Guyang Jeolmaek and achieved harmony within his Inner Power.
And on top of all that, he had obtained the Ice Dragon Sword, which amplified the Ice Technique itself.
The convergence of all these advantages created a gap that could not be bridged by comparison.
Thus any comparison with Namgung Geom was meaningless.
The proper measure was to compare him with his peers.
Objectively speaking, Namgung Chang’s talent and realm stood at the very apex among those his age.
Even raising the bracket by several years, he would not fall short against most.
One could see this simply from the fact that he was fighting as an equal against Namgung Woo, the Faction Master.
Yet even this was not enough.
To win the Martial Combat at the Jeongcheon Tournament, he would need to grow far stronger.
Namgung Geom was not troubled by this.
If Namgung Chang trained in deadly earnest with him, everything would come to pass.
Namgung Chang would suffer, certainly—but there was no path to strength without pain.
“Besides, I’m not the one who has to suffer through it.”
Namgung Geom shrugged his shoulders and turned his head away.
He could see the trio of young swordsmen across the courtyard, their swords flashing as they sweat beaded on their foreheads.
One might have expected them to slack off in the absence of the Black Shadows Three, but they had not loosened their reins on their training.
Nor should they have.
Namgung Chang, who had once stood on equal footing with them, had pulled far ahead.
They could not afford to fall behind Namgung Chang as well as Namgung Geom.
They could not immediately consume the elixirs that Namgung Chang consumed.
But would they simply lament and curse the lack of elixirs?
No.
That was the resignation of the defeated.
Instead, they kindled their determination.
Without elixirs, they could reach the Peak Realm through twice, three times the effort—that would suffice.
They threw themselves into their training with savage desperation, unprompted by anyone.
Namgung Geom smiled as he watched them.
“Yes. That’s the spirit that makes it worth raising them.”
Namgung Geom intended to help not only Namgung Chang but the trio reach the Peak Realm as well.
But he did not intend to help them unconditionally.
It was his principle never to aid those who did not exert themselves.
If the trio continued to show such zeal, Namgung Geom would support them to the end.
But if they grew lazy, he would withhold his aid from them.
Looking at how they conducted themselves now, it seemed unlikely that day would come.
After observing their training, Namgung Geom made his way to his mother Kang Mo-yeon’s quarters.
He had returned from Cheonju Mountain without informing Kang Mo-yeon beforehand.
The journey to Cheonju Mountain had to be kept secret.
Having gone without warning, she would surely be consumed with worry.
Moments later, Namgung Geom arrived at Kang Mo-yeon’s quarters and, guided by her attendant, stepped inside.
“Welcome back. You’ve been to Cheonju Mountain?”
“Yes, Mother. It was a matter requiring discretion, so I left without informing you. I apologize. You must have been worried.”
“As the heir of the Namgung Clan, it is only proper that you attend to your duties. There is nothing to apologize for. And that you have returned safely is all that matters.”
Namgung Geom smiled at Kang Mo-yeon’s composed demeanor.
Though she must have worried greatly in her heart, she concealed it so as not to burden him.
“Have you eaten?”
“No, Mother. I came straight here hoping to dine with you.”
“Then wait a moment. I’ll have it prepared shortly.”
Kang Mo-yeon left Namgung Geom and went to the kitchen.
She wished to serve him an evening meal of her own hands.
Presently, Kang Mo-yeon returned with the meal prepared.
“You must be hungry. Come now, eat.”
“I’ll dig in.”
Namgung Geom began his meal, and Kang Mo-yeon watched with evident pleasure.
“Mother, please eat as well.”
“Just watching you eat fills my belly.”
“If you don’t eat, I won’t either.”
“All right then. I’ll eat too, so you go ahead.”
At Namgung Geom’s insistence, Kang Mo-yeon picked up her chopsticks with a resigned smile.
The two of them shared a quiet, intimate supper together.
Once dinner was finished, a servant brought tea.
“Shouldn’t you be heading off to practice?”
“Training is important, but there’s something peaceful about sitting with you like this, sharing tea and conversation.”
“Don’t say such things on my account.”
Kang Mo-yeon had no wish to become an obstacle to her son’s cultivation.
“I want to do this. Do you find it troublesome?”
“Troublesome? No—I only wondered if I was stealing your time.”
“Then it’s settled. This tea is excellent, by the way.”
Namgung Geom sipped and murmured his appreciation.
“It came from my family—if it suits your palate, I’ll have some sent to your residence as well.”
“No, please. Keep it for yourself. If I wish to taste it, I’ll visit you.”
Kang Mo-yeon pressed the offer no further.
“Very well. Come whenever you wish.”
“But how does your family fare? Everyone is well, I trust?”
Namgung Geom asked, struck by how little attention he’d given to his maternal relatives of late.
“My family thrives without cause for concern. The trading house reports ever-growing profits.”
Indeed, the Hangju Gold Merchant was enjoying its golden age.
“That gladdens me to hear.”
His mother’s family flourishing was good news for Namgung Geom as well.
“But your grandfather’s seventieth birthday celebration is in three months, and I’m at a loss as to what to do.”
Kang Mo-yeon spoke with evident concern.
“Grandfather’s celebration—of course we must visit and offer our congratulations. And you yourself haven’t been to the family home in ages.”
This was no ordinary occasion, but his grandfather’s seventieth birthday.
As the grandson, it was his duty to attend.
“But will you truly be able to spare the time?”
Kang Mo-yeon asked with renewed hope.
She had worried about burdening her son, who was occupied with his cultivation and the clan’s affairs.
But when Namgung Geom agreed readily, her worries eased.
“Of course I will.”
“Then I’ll send word ahead that we’re coming.”
“Please do. And I should take my leave now.”
At his words, Kang Mo-yeon’s expression grew wistful, though she did not hold him back.
“Yes. I hope I haven’t kept you too long.”
“Not at all. I’ve enjoyed this time with you—it’s been too long since we could spend an evening together like this.”
“I’m glad then. You must be busy—go on now.”
After taking his leave from Kang Mo-yeon, Namgung Geom made his way to the Silver Dragon Hall.
“You’ve come.”
Namgung Byung, master of the Silver Dragon Hall, received him.
“Have you perhaps heard from the clan leader about my thoughts on handling Namgung Hak and the Hwangcheon Faction Master?”
“The clan leader told me of your proposal. Your thinking, then?”
“Yes. If you see a better course of action—”
Namgung Byung shook his head.
“No. For now, your approach seems the soundest.”
“The crucial matter is that both the surveillance of Namgung Hak and the protection of the Hwangcheon Faction Master must be conducted in complete secrecy.”
Namgung Hak must never suspect he was being watched.
As for the Hwangcheon Faction Master, his protection needed to remain unseen.
Whoever had sent the Hwangcheon Faction Master would need an opening to move.
“I was already planning to assign the Silver Dragon Hall’s finest operatives. As for protecting the Hwangcheon Faction Master, I’ll attend to that personally—so have no worries on that front.”
The Silver Dragon Hall’s warriors specialized in tracking and surveillance.
Their elite operatives were thoroughly reliable.
And with Namgung Byung taking personal charge, there seemed little reason for concern.
“Then I can trust this to you.”
“Leave this matter to the Hall. And see that the Crown Prince applies himself fully to preparations for the Jeongcheon Tournament.”
“Understood.”
After concluding his conversation with the Silver Dragon Hall Master, Namgung Geom returned to his quarters and trained in the Ice Dragon Transformation Technique deep into the night.
And the next day.
He finished breakfast early and headed to the training grounds of the Changyong-gak Sword Brigade.
Despite the early hour, the training grounds were already filled with members.
Naturally, Namgung Chang and the Four Guardians were present as well.
Namgung Geom approached them.
“You’ve arrived.”
They greeted him upon seeing Namgung Geom.
While they normally treated Namgung Geom casually, in formal settings or when others were watching, they maintained strict courtesy.
Namgung Geom nodded, acknowledging their greeting.
“Has everyone eaten breakfast?”
“Yes, we have.”
Namgung Geom nodded and spoke.
“Then Namgung Chang will spar with me, and the other three will train with the Three Shadow Swordsmen.”
“Understood.”
Namgung Cheolung and the other two withdrew to one side of the training grounds with the Three Shadow Swordsmen.
Namgung Geom addressed Namgung Chang, now alone with him.
“You’re aware that the Jeongcheon Tournament is fast approaching, aren’t you?”
There was less than a month remaining before the Jeongcheon Tournament.
Namgung Chang nodded as if he already knew.
“Until then, you’ll need to train as if your life depends on it.”
“I’m ready.”
Namgung Chang answered as one prepared and resolved.
Namgung Geom nodded and drew his sword.
“Then let’s begin with you defending against my three strikes.”
Namgung Ice 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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