Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 144

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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 144. The Sword Ghost and the Beggar King
“You don’t need to go.”
“I must.”
“A head and hands aren’t joined at the hip.”
“The head needs the hands, and the hands need the head.”
“Why must you be so stubborn? It’s unlike you.”
“I know well what I can do and what I cannot.”
Jegal Ahyeon continued, her chestnut eyes alight with conviction.
“I believe there is but one reason for failure: we know only how to respond to orders given, not how to organize our own efforts.”
“You think you’re capable of that?”
“Of course. Because I harbor no excessive ambition—I execute only what I can do, in the way I can do it.”
“Strategy means certain speech, not certain action.”
“From Jungju, I cannot control everything that happens in Uichang. Does Father truly wish me to become a half-formed Hidden Dragon?”
“What did you say?”
At Jegal Ahyeon’s words, Jegal Shinsan’s brow furrowed.
Having touched upon her father’s gravest sore point, Jegal Ahyeon pressed her argument.
“No matter how brilliant the strategy, in the end it is people who execute it. So if we fully understand a person and entrust them only with what they can accomplish, how could we fail?”
“I know your skill in reading men has reached a high level. But the later generation disciples gathering at Baekmu Academy won’t think of themselves as mere pawns.”
“That’s precisely why I must see them directly and judge for myself. Know your opponent, and you can use anyone—remain ignorant, and great calamity will follow.”
A resonant hum filled the air.
Jegal Ahyeon activated her Simseogamhwa technique. Her unwavering conviction flowed into Jegal Shinsan.
“Baekmu Academy will surely attract those brimming with confidence in their own talents. As you say, they are not mere chess pieces who simply obey commands.
“…….”
“The virtuous cannot be seduced, but can be given purpose. The bold cannot be intimidated, but their courage can be used for dangerous tasks. The wise cannot be deceived, but can be made to achieve merit through righteous cause.”
“Baekmu Academy won’t gather only talents—petty men exist everywhere, and they will become obstacles for you.”
“I actually prefer petty men. They are the easiest for me to control, and how grateful I am for such tractable adversaries.”
Jegal Ahyeon smiled faintly as she spoke.
“The foolish can be deceived, the weak can be intimidated, the greedy can be tempted—what grateful people these are.”
“Ha ha ha! Uh-ha ha ha!”
Jegal Shinsan burst into hearty laughter.
He, known as Divine Calculation and Ghostly Scheme, was versed in all manner of military strategy and principle, and thus could always see several moves ahead.
Yet often things proceeded differently than he expected, and the reason was simple: it was people who executed his strategies.
‘Even I, called a genius for a hundred years, only grasped this after passing fifty. Yet this child already understands it.’
Jegal Shinsan’s smile grew warm with satisfaction.
‘There’s no helping it, I suppose.’
His reluctance to send Jegal Ahyeon to Uichang had been nothing but his own selfishness.
How he wished this child would remain in Jungju to aid him, but Uichang would soon rise as the center of the Baekdo Martial World.
“Uichang will be different from here. It sits as a frontier facing Gucheon Seong directly.”
“Then all the more opportunity will present itself.”
“So that’s why you’ve been advocating for establishing a Student Council.”
Jegal Shinsan nodded.
Behind the ostensible reason that Baekmu Academy was the Baekdo Martial World’s greatest educational institution lay far weightier intentions.
It was nothing less than the reconstruction of the Murim Meng in its traditional form through the unity of a fractured Baekdo Martial World.
‘Baekmu Academy will become not merely an educational institution, but a small martial world through which tremendous profits flow.’
With stakes of this magnitude, both alliances would certainly attempt to manipulate the situation for their own advantage.
To minimize such external interference, Jegal Ahyeon had proposed the establishment of a Student Council.
“An organization of students alone, with independent operational authority and command power. Do you truly think the various schools will accept such formidable privilege?”
“They will consent.”
“Why?”
“Human greed knows no limit—show even the faintest possibility, and they will rush forward.”
Jegal Ahyeon’s smile deepened.
“In gambling, what matters is not the true odds of success, but the size of the pot. If the stakes are large enough to tempt them, gamblers will set aside the actual probability and think only in terms of fifty-fifty odds.”
Jegal Shinsan nodded in agreement as he spoke.
“……Your words ring true. Already those in favor are beginning to emerge.”
“From where?”
“From Baekga Maeng, the Shandong Ak Family and the Hwangbo Clan were first to support it. From Murim Meng, Qingcheng, Wudang, Diancang, and the entire Five Great Sword Schools have consented.”
“Hehe, Pro-War and Anti-War Factions have found common ground after such a long time.”
“That’s what power is.”
Jegal Shinsan laughed alongside her.
“Hehe, Ahyeon. Your ambition burns brightly indeed. If you can seize control of the Student Council, the main clan will soar.”
“…….”
“More than anything, Uichang lies within Hubei Province, which is our clan’s sphere of influence. I’ll speak to Heon Myeong and ensure he supports you to the fullest.”
“Thank you.”
Jegal Ahyeon bowed her head.
Her three-layered hair fell smoothly, concealing her expression.
‘I am building this stage not for the Jegal Clan, but for him alone. All this power is a gift meant for him.’
Jegal Ahyeon smiled, her mind dwelling on that one incomparable man.
‘The first Student Council president will be Namgung Ho Yeon. I will make it so.’
* * *
“Student Council? The name alone doesn’t sit right. It sounds like something that’ll be endlessly bothersome.”
“Heh-heh-heh! You really think so?”
“Of course. It’s written all over it—plenty of work, plenty of complaints incoming.”
“Khe-heh-heh-heh!”
Bang Ui Chae laughed with genuine delight.
He could read sincerity in Namgung Ho Yeon’s blunt manner of speech.
“Well, I do like the idea of Baekmu Academy. As they say, unity comes when there’s an outside enemy to rally against, doesn’t it?”
―Heh-hah! Three hundred years ago, Oniyaro played that role perfectly. Wouldn’t you agree, my dear ‘Outside Enemy’?
‘Shut it.’
Ho Yeon thought tersely to Hukyuh.
‘That’s clever thinking. But then, we were snarling at each other yesterday—there’s no way we could suddenly join hands today.’
Ho Yeon nodded when Bang Ui Chae told him that Baekmu Academy would soon open its doors.
After all, what was the reason the Martial World had split in two to begin with?
The Murim Meng, anchored by the Nine Sects and One Clan, had seen the Ten Clans rebel and secede to form the Baekga Maeng.
But to Ho Yeon’s mind, it wasn’t exactly a compelling reason.
‘It’s just that they got comfortable and full. A hundred years without war or bloodshed—no wonder they were dying of boredom.’
Three hundred years ago, what had sparked the birth of the Samdo Alliance, that unprecedented coalition of righteous and demonic sects alike?
Because the Sword Ghost had indiscriminately slaughtered righteous and demonic cultivators without distinction.
Thus it was that the existence of a sufficiently powerful enemy drove internal unity.
“Gucheon Seong’s momentum is far from ordinary, so we did need to join forces eventually. Baekmu Academy will serve as excellent justification for it.”
“You’ve read it exactly right.”
Bang Ui Chae smiled and met Ho Yeon’s gaze, pleased that the conversation flowed so smoothly.
But then his expression hardened, and he leaned in to whisper.
“This old beggar is certain that various spies will infiltrate Baekmu Academy.”
“Well, of course they will.”
“And among them, there will surely be spies from the Society.”
At Bang Ui Chae’s words, Ho Yeon’s brows twitched slightly.
“Elder, so what exactly are these people from the Society doing?”
“I don’t know the full details of their identity or aims, but one thing is clear—they are a dark current flowing through all of Zhongyuan’s Martial World.”
“A dark current?”
“From what this old beggar has learned, the Society’s spies have infiltrated the Baekga Maeng, the Murim Meng, Gucheon Seong, and even the imperial court itself.”
“…….”
“They’re methodically and deliberately sapping Zhongyuan’s strength. This entire Gucheon conflict—it’s their handiwork.”
“Huh.”
Ho Yeon let out a hollow laugh.
Bang Ui Chae continued.
“Just like with the Cruel Killing Sword you’ve wielded, there have been many masters whose cultivation has risen dramatically in recent times.”
“So that’s why you tested me?”
“Ahem! My apologies.”
“But why me specifically? My father also broke through recently.”
“The Sword Saint of Righteousness would never do such a thing.”
“So you’re saying I would?”
“Hmm, well, given the circumstances…”
Bang Ui Chae stroked his beard awkwardly and continued.
“You raised your reputation right at the time Baekmu Academy would open. From this side’s perspective, it looked like you were aiming for the Student Council presidency.”
“I’ve told you—I don’t care about that. Besides, I’d never even heard of Baekmu Academy until you mentioned it just now.”
“Tsk, so it seems.”
Bang Ui Chae clicked his tongue.
A single exchange of moves taught far more than a hundred words ever could.
‘This one is simply mad for the martial arts. The Qigangjoong Gyeop, the True Qi Combustion Method—everything about him speaks to that obsession.’
Ordinarily, when a person encountered a wall, they thought of scaling it, not of dragging someone already standing atop it down to the ground below.
But Namgung Ho Yeon—this one thought differently altogether.
‘These techniques were clearly designed for Wall Breakthrough. This one cares more about winning fights than advancing his realm—a fighting dog pure and simple.’
For this reason, Bang Ui Chae felt reassured.
If he’d had help from the Society, he would have broken through. There would’ve been no need to devise such techniques.
‘When I heard news of the Gwangyong Chammagiang incident, I assumed Namgung Ho Yeon had worked with the Dan Ri Clan to kill the Cannibal Demon King. Everyone thought the same.’
But after meeting Namgung Ho Yeon in person, Bang Ui Chae changed his mind.
This bastard might have truly defeated the Cannibal Demon King alone.
Bang Ui Chae nodded and spoke.
“You’re the right man for this.”
“Sorry? For what?”
“Power beyond a Later Generation Disciple. Sharp instincts. Decisive judgment. And you’ve clashed with the Society before.”
Bang Ui Chae nodded again and continued.
“Why don’t you aim for the position of Student Council President?”
“…What were you listening to just now? I told you I don’t do tedious things like that.”
“It’s a request for Zhongyuan’s future. With you leading, you could rally the Later Generation Disciples and stop the Society’s scheme at Baekmu Academy.”
“Listen, sir. Of course I’d covet independent operational authority—it’s a kind of recognition as a Wandering Force, after all.”
To Hoyeon’s mind, the greatest advantage and strength of the Student Council was independent operational authority.
Free from interference by both Alliances, and from any sect or clan?
That meant being able to command disciples from other sects like private soldiers.
Of course, doing it openly would provoke backlash, but justification could be manufactured.
‘Besides, Uichang is close to Anhui. As Student Council President, I could use others’ blades to eliminate those Eastern Prosperity bastards who oppose the main branch.’
In short, the Student Council President would be like a small alliance lord of the newly born White Path Alliance.
But Hoyeon shook his head.
“Do you take me for a fool? There’s no right without responsibility. The Student Council Presidency is a poisoned chalice—sweet at first, but bitter at the end.”
To enjoy much meant bearing much responsibility in turn.
And above all, Hoyeon had no intention of playing nursemaid to children.
“…Someone will become Student Council President whether you do or not.”
At Hoyeon’s refusal, Bang Ui Chae stared at him for a moment before speaking.
“What if that person is the Society’s puppet? Hostile to the Namgung Clan?”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“This old geezer has taken a liking to Hefei. There aren’t many cities in all of Zhongyuan as pleasant to live in as this one.”
……
“You feel the same way, don’t you?”
At Bang Ui Chae’s words, Hoyeon’s brow furrowed.
He was making a threat—not quite, but almost.
‘Uichang being close to Anhui means a powerful new force appearing next to the main branch.’
And the two cities were even connected by the Yangtze River.
What if the Student Council President—wielding tremendous authority—harbored ill intent?
‘…The aftermath would surely reach Hefei.’
As Hoyeon’s expression hardened, Bang Ui Chae nodded and spoke.
“The choice is yours. Of course, it’s not a position that comes simply because you want it.”
……
“Think carefully. Time may not be on your side. Those quick with news are already heading for Uichang.”

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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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