Ice Dragon of Namgung - Chapter 99

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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 99
Boom!
Namgung Chang ricocheted backward from the collision with the Icy Cold Sword Wind, crashing hard into the ground.
“Still, you held out for ten seconds.”
Namgung Geom regarded Namgung Chang, who lay gasping for breath on the floor, with an air of approval.
A fortnight.
Over those two weeks, Namgung Chang had engaged in ceaseless Martial Combat with Namgung Geom.
Where he had once been unable to last even three seconds, he now withstood ten seconds in half a month’s time.
Of course, had Namgung Geom unleashed his full power, Namgung Chang wouldn’t have lasted a single second.
Namgung Geom had calibrated his attacks to the Peak Mid-stage level.
Yet even at Peak Mid-stage, his sword carried an understanding far deeper than that.
For Namgung Chang to endure ten seconds, even with that restraint, was a remarkable achievement.
“You really were trying to kill me.”
Namgung Chang groused as he pushed himself upright.
Yet despite his words, a smile played at the corners of his mouth.
Over the past fortnight, he had trained with the resolve of a man prepared to die.
And he had achieved what had seemed impossible—withstanding Namgung Geom’s ten-second assault.
Now he felt confident enough to face anyone at the Jeongcheon Assembly’s competition.
None of the participants could wield a sword stronger than Namgung Geom’s.
“So I torture myself sparring with you, and you complain?”
Namgung Geom smiled faintly and extended his hand.
Namgung Chang grasped it and rose to his feet.
After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke his gratitude with an embarrassed expression.
“Thank you. Truly.”
He meant it sincerely.
Everything—his entry into the Assembly’s competition, the Great Flame Pill, his ascension to the Peak Realm—all of it owed to Namgung Geom.
And over this past fortnight, Namgung Geom had set aside his own training to spar with him.
As a result, Namgung Chang had achieved remarkable growth.
It would have been impossible without Namgung Geom.
His own father could never have done what Namgung Geom had done—offering everything without asking for a thing in return.
To not be grateful for such kindness would make him less than human.
Namgung Chang would do anything for Namgung Geom.
He was prepared to lay down his own life.
“If you’re truly grateful, win the Assembly tournament.”
“Do you really think I can win it?”
“I’d need to see the Young Martial Artists from the other great clans, but I don’t think anyone will be able to withstand my ten seconds.”
“Your confidence is rubbing off on me.”
“Still, don’t grow complacent. The Martial World is full of monsters.”
Namgung Geom offered the warning.
“You think I’m the only one who feels that way?”
When Namgung Chang responded with a bemused expression, Namgung Geom shrugged.
“Sparring ends today. Use the remaining time to consolidate what you’ve learned from these bouts.”
“Understood.”
“One way or another, things are about to get lively around the clan.”
Starting today, the Five Great Clans and other major families were scheduled to arrive at Namgung Clan.
The clan was already bustling with preparations to receive them.
‘I hope that rat isn’t plotting something.’
Namgung Geom’s thoughts turned uneasily to the enemy spy.
Though he had spread the rumor that the Yellow Heaven Sect Leader had begun talking, the spy had made no move.
If he had intended to silence the Yellow Heaven Sect Leader, he would have acted long ago.
The fact that he remained inactive suggested he wasn’t concerned about what the Sect Leader might reveal.
For now, there was no way to locate him.
He had no choice but to wait for the spy to make his move first.
The problem was that the Jeongcheon Assembly would be opening.
More than thirty families, including the Five Great Clans, were scheduled to participate in the Assembly.
Namgung Clan would have much to oversee.
And with so many outsiders coming and going, the security system could develop gaps.
From a strategic standpoint, it was an ideal environment for the enemy spy to make his move.
Should he exploit the Assembly to make his play, the consequences could be grave.
The problem was that Namgung Geom had no way to predict how he would act.
There was nothing for it but to scrutinize the clan and its surroundings with utmost care.
That very afternoon, clans and families began arriving in succession, starting with the Seomun Clan.
The attendants of Sangjeon took charge of their reception.
Namgung Geom excused himself from the hosting duties—he was still too young to entertain the patriarchs of the great clans.
Instead, he resolved to oversee a banquet for the young martial artists of the various families.
More than thirty young martial artists were attending this Jeongcheon Assembly.
Namgung Geom prepared a banquet in their honor.
First, the matter of location was crucial—it could be held within the clan grounds or at a rented establishment outside.
Namgung Geom rented out an entire pavilion in Xiaohu so the young martial artists could enjoy themselves freely, without the watchful eyes of their elders.
It was called the Geumhwa Pavilion, and it belonged to Gang Moyeon, Namgung Geom’s mother.
The Hangzhou Golden Merchant had provided the pavilion and the Geumhwa Silk Shop as Gang Moyeon’s bride price.
He had given her command of the purse strings so she would not have to defer to anyone in her husband’s household for want of money.
The revenues from the Geumhwa Pavilion and Silk Shop were substantial, allowing Gang Moyeon to live with confidence and dignity among her in-laws.
Namgung Geom asked his mother’s permission and rented out the entire Geumhwa Pavilion.
He prepared the finest wines and delicacies the establishment had to offer.
It lacked nothing for a banquet of young martial artists.
Namgung Geom sent invitations to the young martial artists of the various clans and families.
Namgung Chang received an invitation as well.
All who received invitations confirmed their attendance.
As the hour approached, Namgung Geom went to the Geumhwa Pavilion and made ready to receive his guests.
As the banquet time drew near, young martial artists arrived in succession.
Namgung Geom greeted each one personally, observing their character and bearing.
Most hovered around the First Class level—respectable enough, but nothing extraordinary.
Yet among them were some who stood out distinctly: the young martial artists of the Five Great Clans.
They had all reached the Peak Realm, and their inner energy was remarkably stable.
Peng Daozhou of the Hebei Peng Clan was particularly impressive.
“Namgung Geom. I have long heard of the reputation of Little Tiger Blade Peng Daozhou of the Hebei Peng Clan. It is a pleasure to meet you at last.”
Namgung Geom greeted Peng Daozhou with a respectful bow.
Little Tiger Blade—Peng Daozhou.
The eldest grandson of the Hebei Peng Clan, one of the Six Nobles and the direct grandson of Peng Jihu, the clan patriarch.
His father held the position of Junior Patriarch of the Hebei Peng Clan, and Peng Daozhou himself was a leading candidate to become the next Junior Patriarch.
He possessed such prodigious talent that even Peng Jihu, the patriarch, had declared him the finest the Hebei Peng Clan had ever produced.
At twenty, he had already reached the Peak Realm; now, at twenty-one, he was approaching the Peak Mid-stage.
Namgung Geom had heard many rumors about Peng Daozhou.
He had been curious to see for himself, and now that he did, the man was certainly formidable.
‘Namgung Chang will need to be on his guard.’
By realm alone, Peng Daozhou stood above Namgung Chang.
Yet a higher realm did not guarantee victory.
What was certain was that it would not be easy for Namgung Chang to defeat Peng Daozhou.
Still, Namgung Geom harbored no great concern.
Namgung Chang had refined his Sword Technique through martial combats with him.
Peng Daozhou’s Blade Technique was yet to be seen, but it would not exceed Namgung Chang’s.
Namgung Chang was entirely capable of winning.
For his part, Peng Daozhou felt a jolt of shock upon seeing Namgung Geom.
‘His realm cannot be gauged.’
Namgung Geom’s realm was utterly imperceptible to him.
Which meant one thing: Namgung Geom’s realm was higher than his own.
‘Truly the Divine Martial Realm?’
Peng Daozhou had heard the rumors about Namgung Geom.
They said he had already ascended to the Divine Martial Realm and had even slain the master of the Heuk Sal Mun.
Peng Daozhou had naturally dismissed these claims as false.
The Divine Martial Realm at such a tender age?
And not only that, but to have slain the master of the Heuk Sal Mun single-handedly?
It was preposterous.
He had assumed the Namgung Clan was merely exaggerating to promote Namgung Geom’s standing.
But seeing Namgung Geom in person, he now understood otherwise.
Among those of the same Peak Realm, one could sense their level to some degree.
Yet Namgung Geom’s realm was shrouded in complete mystery, utterly beyond his perception.
The Divine Martial Realm—and not some modest threshold of it, but rather an unfathomably high echelon.
The shock was so profound that Peng Daozhou forgot even to answer Namgung Geom’s greeting.
“Peng!”
At Namgung Geom’s call, Peng Daozhou realized his blunder and spoke quickly.
“I am Peng Daozhou of the Hebei Peng Clan. I’m honored to meet the Young Ice Dragon.”
Young Ice Dragon was an epithet recently attached to Namgung Geom.
The fact that an epithet had been added to his name meant he was beginning to earn renown throughout the Martial World.
Namgung Geom found the epithet Young Ice Dragon not without merit.
He would have preferred it without the “Young” prefix—at least it wasn’t the Old Ice Dragon.
“Thank you for gracing this gathering. The preparations are modest, but please enjoy yourselves freely.”
“I should be the one thanking you for the invitation.”
“Seats have been arranged inside. Please make yourselves comfortable while you wait.”
Peng Daozhou nodded and entered.
After him, several more young martial artists from various clans and families began to arrive.
Each brought attendants with them, and their combined numbers easily exceeded fifty.
There was scarcely need for additional security personnel.
Still, one could never be too careful.
Namgung Geom instructed the Changyong Sword Corps to maintain watch over the perimeter.
He also had the Black Shadow Three Swords keep guard from the shadows.
Soon all the young martial artists had arrived, and Namgung Geom, as host, took the seat of honor.
“I am grateful to you all for attending this gathering. Tonight is meant to foster fellowship among us, so please relax and enjoy yourselves.”
With Namgung Geom’s words, the banquet began.
Among the young martial artists assembled, some already knew one another, but most were meeting for the first time.
As a result, the atmosphere was inevitably stiff and awkward.
Namgung Geom, as host, took it upon himself to lighten the mood.
He approached others first, exchanged greetings, and guided the conversation, gradually easing the tension.
Though he was meeting them for the first time today, he engaged with them as though they were old acquaintances.
He deliberately paid special attention to the young martial artists from the Twelve Major Families and the Thirty-Six Families.
They had seemed cautious, overshadowed by the names of the Five Great Clans.
But when Namgung Geom approached them without hesitation and engaged them in conversation, the atmosphere naturally relaxed.
Once Namgung Geom broke the ice, the other young martial artists followed suit, and the banquet soon became warm and convivial.
The young martial artists naturally gravitated toward Namgung Geom, who seemed to be guiding the gathering.
Namgung Geom had earned such a high reputation in the Martial World that he now bore the epithet Young Ice Dragon.
Most notably, his cultivation level and his victory over Heuk Cheonsal had become the talk of the Martial World.
Among the young martial artists, there was much speculation about whether these rumors were true or not.
They wanted to ask Namgung Geom directly, but none dared step forward.
It was Baili Hong of the Baili Clan, one of the Twelve Major Families, who finally gathered the courage to ask.
“Lord Namgung! According to rumors in the Martial World, you defeated Heuk Cheonsal. Is that true?”
All eyes turned toward Namgung Geom.
“It is true that I defeated Heuk Cheonsal.”
“But Heuk Cheonsal is a master who has even killed those at the Absolute Realm. Did you really defeat him?”
Tang Baiho of the Sichuan Tang Clan asked with a sardonic smile.
From his expression, it was clear he did not believe Namgung Geom’s words.
Namgung Geom might well have taken offense, but he showed no displeasure whatsoever.
“Had Heuk Cheonsal employed the Stealth Technique, the outcome might have been different. But he chose direct confrontation, which is how I managed to barely prevail.”
“Even so, to defeat Heuk Cheonsal in a direct contest, wouldn’t one need to be at least at the Divine Martial Realm Late Stage? Are you really at that level?”
Moyong Jun of the Moyong Clan asked incredulously.
The other young martial artists felt the same way.
They could not fathom how anyone his age could possibly have reached such an advanced realm.
“In the Martial World, it is impolite to ask another directly about their cultivation level.”
Namgung Geom had no intention of revealing his exact level.
If they refused to believe him, so be it.
There was no reason to prove his cultivation level to them.
Yet there was someone who interpreted his silence differently.
“Since you won’t speak, it seems you have reasons you can’t reveal your level. Perhaps you’re not at the Divine Martial Realm as rumored?”
At Tang Baiho’s barbed remark, Namgung Geom let out a soft laugh.
“Think what you will.”
“There are also rumors that the Namgung Clan exaggerated your level to enhance your reputation?”
At those words, Namgung Geom’s expression shifted.
He had anticipated that when he met with these young martial artists, there would certainly be someone who would provoke him without understanding his position.
There was always at least one person who refused to acknowledge those superior to them and would stir up trouble.
Sure enough, his expectations proved accurate.
If he backed down here, those who underestimated him would only grow bolder.
Above all, Namgung Geom now represented the Namgung Clan.
He could tolerate being looked down upon himself.
But he could not abide the Namgung Clan being treated with contempt.
“You’re suggesting, then, that the main branch has spread false rumors throughout the Martial World?”
An Icy Cold Aura surged violently from Namgung Geom.
The Icy Cold Aura ensnared Tang Baiho in an instant.
“Ugh.”
Tang Baiho gasped as if trapped in an ice cavern.
Namgung Geom spoke to him with chilling precision.
“If that is the case, then you, young master of the Tang, are insulting the main branch. And the price of such an insult is not light.”
Namgung Bing-ryong
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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