Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 114

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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 114. The Sword Demon Finds Peace
Two days had passed since the Namgung Clan departed from the Danli Clan Estate.
“Master of the house! We’ve found it, we’ve found it!”
“Where!”
“In the rear courtyard of Nan Deung Won—an abandoned well!”
“Nan Deung Won!”
At the report from the Heukoh Group member, Dan Ri Hwan sprang to his feet and deployed the Divine Movement Technique as he rushed toward Nan Deung Won.
Several senior members of the clan who had heard the news were already gathered in the rear courtyard of Nan Deung Won, and Dan Ri So Ok, the first elder, greeted him with a flushed expression of excitement.
“Master, forgive my doubts. It’s really here!”
“Where is it?”
“This way, please!”
Tap!
Dan Ri So Ok threw herself into the abandoned well, and Dan Ri Hwan followed close behind.
For some days now, a comprehensive survey of every well in the Danli Clan Estate had been underway.
The official reason was to inspect the clan’s water sources.
Since poisoning wells was a relatively common tactic in warfare, everyone understood and accepted it.
But amid this search, discreet information had been circulated among certain senior members.
It was rumor that royal treasures might be hidden somewhere beneath the estate.
‘I thought the master had lost his mind to overwork. But it was true all along!’
Tap!
As Dan Ri So Ok landed on the well floor, Dan Ri Chu, the leader of the Heukoh Group, was waiting in night clothes.
Crackle, crackle!
He held a torch, and the side of the well opened like a cave, hollow and gaping.
“For the sake of secrecy, we’ve kept everyone out. Look there.”
“Oh!”
Dan Ri Hwan gasped as he examined the interior.
Beyond the cave lay a massive stone wall, weathered though it was, with an orchid flower carved in bas-relief upon its surface.
“The symbol of the main house and the national flower of the ancient Dancheon Kingdom!”
“One can almost feel the breath of our ancestors. But… what is that?”
As Dan Ri Hwan marveled, Dan Ri So Ok pointed to one section of the stone wall.
The stone wall was cracked, with fragments flaking away.
“The wall has weakened after enduring so many years in this damp place. We must proceed carefully with the dismantling work.”
Step, step, step.
Following Dan Ri Chu’s words, Dan Ri Hwan moved and peered beyond the cracked stone wall.
At first he could see only darkness, but as he heightened his Visual Acuity Enhancement using his Internal Energy, the contents gradually came into view.
“Ah!”
Inside, gold and silver gleamed, and he could make out the shapes of weapons and ceramics.
At a glance, they were treasures of no ordinary worth.
“Unfortunately, the silks have all deteriorated, and many of the weapons are heavily rusted.”
“Ha! Is that the problem right now?”
At Dan Ri Chu’s report, Dan Ri Hwan shook his head with a broad smile spreading across his face.
“What perfect timing! Just when the clan’s finances have run dry, we receive such a gift! The ancestors truly watch over their descendants!”
“My goodness, how marvelous!”
In the meantime, Dan Ri So Ok, who had peeked beyond the stone wall, turned with a radiant smile.
“Speaking of which, I heard that it was a maidservant doing chores at Nan Deung Won a hundred years ago who discovered the Wol Yeong Dan Hong.”
“Indeed. She must have found it while drawing water from the well.”
Dan Ri Hwan nodded.
Back then, before the well had dried up, the Wol Yeong Dan Hong must have been swept up by the water’s current and floated out through the cracks in the stone wall.
‘Come to think of it, what a remarkable coincidence. I found this place through information provided by Ho Yeon, and yet that treasure is in his hands.’
When Dan Ri Hwan first heard that his third son had lost the Wol Yeong Dan Hong at the Baekga Geom-hoe, he had flown into a rage.
For the Wol Yeong Dan Hong was no mere fine dagger—it carried the symbolic weight of being a relic of the Dancheon Kingdom.
But now that things had unfolded this way, the loss of the Wol Yeong Dan Hong by his third son seemed to have been a blessing for the clan after all.
“Ha ha ha! Perfect! Now it’s perfect!”
Dan Ri Hwan, whose mind had been troubled by the pursuit of the Golden Water Sect and the aftermath of war, felt all his worries wash away as he burst into hearty laughter.
* * *
―Oniyaro. Doesn’t it feel wasteful?
‘What does?’
―The treasure in the well. You could have slipped out at night and nobody would have known.
As Heukyah Tae Geom asked with a tone of regret, Ho Yeon chuckled and replied.
‘That would mean carrying each piece out and disposing of it—more trouble than it’s worth. Better to hand it over to the Danli Clan and strengthen their power instead.’
“Listen, Ho Yeon. Do you truly trust a black-haired beast? People are different when they enter the privy and when they leave it, you understand.”
“This old codger thinks similarly. It’s unwise to keep fattening the power of the Dan Ri Sega.”
‘Hmm? The old man’s thoughts are unexpected? I’d have thought he’d only speak honeyed words.’
“Crgh! Those people eye the main house’s position with hungry intent, don’t they?”
Cheon Nae Geom harbored a particular attachment to the Namgung Clan, so his wariness of the Dan Ri Sega—a rival clan in Anhui—felt almost protective.
Namgung Ho Yeon spoke then.
‘I’ve given this considerable thought. How does one become the Greatest Clan Under Heaven?’
“Mm?”
‘I don’t claim to know the answer, but surely boasting about it ourselves will convince no one, yes?’
“……That much is true.”
‘Then we must convince them from the depths of their hearts. Having bestowed such favor upon the Dan Ri Sega, won’t they at least acknowledge us?’
“……”
Cheon Nae Geom fell silent at Ho Yeon’s words.
He was too astonished to speak.
“Who are you? You’re not the Ho Yeon I know!”
“Oi! What have you done with Dan Wee Myeong? Return my friend to me!”
‘What are they going on about? I’m finally being serious for once.’
As Cheon Nae Geom and Heukyah Tae Geom raised their voices, Ho Yeon pouted.
His train of thought owed much to old Namgung Cheon Gang’s words.
“You have sown too many grudges, and sought only to sever them all with your blade.”
‘Severing things—I’m quite good at that. Which is why they called me Sword Demon. But given this second chance I’ve been granted, I’d like to live differently this time. To build rather than to break.’
At Ho Yeon’s casual remark, both swordsmen gasped in unison.
“Hah! To hear righteous words from you! The sun must be rising in the west tomorrow!”
“Puhaha! Ho Yeon, you’ve grown old. They say a man changes suddenly right before he dies—are you alright?”
‘Shut your mouth.’
As he exchanged words with the two swordsmen, Ho Yeon scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
He could feel his own transformation taking place within him.
The dying words of old Namgung Cheon Gang seemed to have taken deep root in his heart, leaving their mark.
But it was not only those words.
The many people he had met since becoming Namgung Ho Yeon were slowly, steadily changing him—reshaping him entirely.
“I believe in you, Young Master! Please believe in me as well! I am Geuk Ji Ryang, Commander of the Iron Sword Brigade!”
“No matter what others say, I believe in you! I too shall become a man of virtue like you!”
“You shine.”
“……I’m grateful you are my younger brother. Your brother depends on you.”
The trust and faith he had never received during his years as Sword Demon felt awkward, like wearing clothes that didn’t fit.
Yet it was not unpleasant.
Rather, he found the sensation of being needed agreeable, and he wished to prove their judgment sound.
And now, having come full circle, Ho Yeon had finally returned to where all this change began.
“We have arrived! The Namgung Clan Estate!”
* * *
“Uwooooo!”
“The Young Dragon of Namgung has returned as the Radiant Dragon of Zhongyuan!”
“Welcome home, Young Master!”
“The Radiant Dragon Demon Horse Master! Young Master Namgung!”
“Hahaha! The minor master has done it again.”
The carriage crossing the gate was engulfed in a thunderous roar of celebration from the entire Namgung Clan.
Their youngest lord—who had made Namgung’s name resound throughout Zhongyuan by winning the Yongbong Conference.
And who had returned after slaying even the Man-Eating Horse Master, one of the Hundred and Eight Stars.
Thump!
At the appearance of the carriage, Peng So Hwa gripped her husband’s hand tightly.
Her heart still thundered in her chest, her lips dry.
‘Our boy. He’s alright, isn’t he?’
No matter how many called Ho Yeon a hero, to her he remained her youngest son—a child to be cherished and protected.
She longed to rush to the carriage that very moment and confirm he was unharmed, but she could not.
“You……”
“Sigh. I’m alright. A mother cannot shackle her child’s ankles.”
Namgung Baek regarded his wife with concern, but Peng So Hwa smiled gently and nodded.
If she showed tears now, their tender-hearted youngest might hesitate to venture forth into the world.
That could not be allowed. Ho Yeon must go forth into the wide world and fulfill his destiny.
‘Heaven has granted you exceptional gifts. It is only right that you use them for the greater good.’
His son was, true to his name, Ho Yeon—a vessel vast and boundless.
It was wrong to use such a vessel, one capable of embracing the world, as though it were a mere sauce dish.
‘I am the mother of dragons. I cannot pass down the Yeouiju to my child, nor shall I bind him in shackles. I will meet him with composure.’
Just as Peng So Hwa was steeling herself, the carriage door before them swung open.
Bang!
“Wow, there are so many people!”
“Hey! Come on out! Are there lots of ladies?”
“Ha, Gwang Myeong. Do compose yourself.”
A sea of humanity in utter chaos.
Hye Il, Gwang Myeong, Un Am, and Nan Ah descended from the carriage in turn.
Cheon Se Geuk followed, taking hold of the carriage door and bowing his head, and finally Ho Yeon emerged.
“Really now. There they go again.”
Ho Yeon muttered with visible exhaustion, furrowing his brow, yet each time he did so, the cheers only grew louder.
“Wow, wow! My friend really does come from a formidable clan!”
“Of course. Is the Namgung Clan just any noble house?”
Hye Il’s eyes widened in wonder and admiration, while Gwang Myeong reveled in the cheers, waving his hands about enthusiastically.
“Hmm. They all have that keen, piercing look in their eyes—hardly ordinary.”
“Indeed. The Namgung Clan, as expected. It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen such resplendent tiles.”
Un Am marveled at the martial presence of the gathered crowd, while Nan Ah’s eyes gleamed as she gazed at the shimmering blue-tinted roof tiles.
“Welcome home.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I’ve heard the news. You’ve done well.”
Thump.
Namgung Baek embraced his son without fanfare. In that moment, Ho Yeon felt a sense of security he could not put into words.
“Righteousness means to stop once and examine carefully. Your actions are truly worthy of becoming the standard of the Orthodox Path.”
“Please, Father, you flatter me too much.”
“Do you doubt this father’s judgment? You would make an excellent clan leader.”
“Good heavens, don’t say such terrifying things.”
“Haha!”
Ho Yeon was aghast, and Namgung Baek released him with a hearty laugh.
Shortly after, as Peng So Hwa approached, Ho Yeon glanced nervously at her.
“Ah, Mother.”
“Ho Yeon.”
“…Yes.”
Though Ho Yeon now stood taller and broader than Peng So Hwa, he somehow felt diminished in her presence.
‘I should have brought her a gift.’
Ho Yeon had expected her to voice words of concern and shed tears.
She was, after all, a tender-hearted woman prone to weeping.
But Peng So Hwa’s response was entirely unexpected.
“Well done.”
“I beg your… pardon?”
“Much is required of those who have been given much. You have used your abilities rightly. You are truly my son.”
Smooth. Smooth.
Peng So Hwa smiled softly, tidying his disheveled hair.
Meeting the eyes of her youngest son, who stood stunned, Peng So Hwa pressed her counsel upon him.
“My child. Live a life of broad service to the world. That you are able to do so is a true blessing. Do you understand?”
“…Yes.”
Ho Yeon nodded.
Peng So Hwa’s hands trembled faintly as she arranged his hair.
Yet she asked brightly, looking toward the three who stood behind, her voice steady as starlight.
“Oh my, are these perhaps Ho Yeon’s friends?”
“No, they’re just…”
“Hello, Mother! I’m Hye Il, Ho Yeon’s friend. It’s an honor to meet you!”
“I’m Gwang Myeong! My stature may be small, but my spirit is vast!”
Cutting off Ho Yeon’s explanation, Hye Il and Gwang Myeong rushed to introduce themselves, while Un Am and Nan Ah followed with proper courtesy.
“Infinite Buddha. I am Un Am, third disciple of Hwasan Sect. Ho Yeon and I share the bond of Sword Friends and maintain deep fellowship.”
“I am Nan Ah, fourth disciple of Ami Sect. Our Nakjeon Group operates under Ho Yeon’s leadership, so please treat us with ease.”
At the introductions of the three visitors, Peng So Hwa’s eyes sparkled with delight.
“My goodness! Not just one friend, but four? Our Ho Yeon is truly remarkable!”
“Ha! Ho Yeon bringing friends home! We must throw a welcoming feast!”
Namgung Baek welcomed the Three Paths Unified as well, guiding them into the inner courtyard.
Ho Yeon, watching their forms disappear inside, pressed a hand to his chest.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, Ho Yeon nodded.
‘Yes. I’m home.’
It was then that Ho Yeon felt the weight lift—his journey abroad, whether it had been brief or long, was finally at an end.

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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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