Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 156

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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 156. The Sword Demon and the Cold Iron Needle
A month had passed since Baekmu Academy opened its doors.
The forces that had sprung up like weeds in a Warring States period were now undergoing a natural consolidation, each faction rising and falling in turn.
Whoosh―!
The rainy season swept across Yichang as if to cool the sweltering heat.
Yichang comprised five districts, three cities, and six counties.
Among them, Diangjun District, where Baekmu Academy had taken root, had developed most dramatically.
Once a garrison post in the age of the Chu Kingdom and thus named Diangjun, this place had transformed into a city that never slept, its lights burning through the night.
Three men met in the Xiaojiang Tea House, nestled among the winding vistas of Serling Gorge, where one could sip tea while admiring the landscape.
All three were men in their middle-to-late thirties, each dressed in the simple robes of a Daoist practitioner.
“The Hojoong Cheon Dan has already risen to become a force within the academy’s sphere of influence.”
Yeong Geon, known as the Phantom Sword, spoke.
As the second-generation disciple of the Zhongnan School, he was the one who had founded and cultivated the Hojoong Cheon Dan.
“Ha, well. Even doing all this, we’re still in fourth place. I never knew building a faction of my own would be this difficult.”
Jeon Pyeong, second-generation disciple of the Jeomchang School and known as the Lightning Flash Sword, let out a frustrated sigh.
“I hate to admit it, but it’s true—those born into the great sects understand the practical side of things better than we do.”
Hong So, second-generation disciple of the Cheong Seong Sect and known as the Rushing Wind Severing Sword, spoke up.
“In fact, Yeong Geon’s ancestral household is a renowned merchant family in Shaanxi. Without him, success would have been far more difficult.”
“You flatter me.”
Yeong Geon smiled warmly at Hong So’s remark.
Jeon Pyeong shook his head vigorously and continued.
“Currently, the first-ranked faction in the academy is the Nakjeon Dan, second is the Gwangpung Dan, third is the Seonmu Dan. All are controlled by disciples from the Baekga Maeng.”
“Especially the Nakjeon Dan, with the Thunder God Radiant Dragon as its leader, has never relinquished its command even once.”
Yeong Geon glanced at Hong So and continued.
“What’s terrifying about Radiant Dragon is that everything—from the moment he arrived at the academy until now—has been carefully planned. In other words, even his sparring match against the immortal Hak Gyeong was part of his scheme.”
…….
Hong So’s face twisted.
The memory surfaced of the devastating defeat of Hak Gyeong, the Red Haze Sword, the senior brother of whom the Cheong Seong Sect was so proud.
‘My senior brother never recovered from that shock. As if he’d seen a ghost, he clutched his left arm and trembled violently.’
After that incident, the Cheong Seong Sect had been pushed out of the power struggle within Baekmu Academy, and at Yeong Geon’s invitation, Hong So had joined the Hojoong Cheon Dan.
“Of course, he wasn’t specifically targeting Hak Gyeong. For him, it was simply a matter of needing a stage to display his skill.”
“I thought, at most, it would be a Spring-Summer Semester affair.”
Jeon Pyeong’s words drew a shake of Yeong Geon’s head as he continued.
“It’s not ‘at most.’ They control more than half the academy. What Radiant Dragon seized wasn’t the Spring-Summer Semester—it was public opinion itself.”
“I hear that every night, screams of agony erupt from Dae Yeon Mu Jang. They say Radiant Dragon is sparring with the Spring-Summer Semester students.”
“Is that sparring? From where I stand, he’s simply beating them down.”
Jeon Pyeong spoke as if exasperated, but Yeong Geon’s interpretation was different.
“Among the Eastern Group disciples, Namgung Ho Yeon alone extended a hand to the Spring-Summer Semester students. He was the first to see their true value.”
“Recently, I hear the Gwangpung Dan has tried to follow suit, but it doesn’t seem to be working.”
“That’s precisely why Radiant Dragon is terrifying. He laid his foundation before he even arrived at the academy, having foreseen this very situation.”
At Yeong Geon’s words, both Jeon Pyeong and Hong So’s faces hardened.
‘It’s absurd. How many moves ahead was he reading?’
‘I was only thinking of recruiting powerful masters. I never realized that public opinion could be so critical.’
They were shocked to realize they had suffered complete defeat not only in martial prowess but also in strategy against Namgung Ho Yeon, who was nearly twenty years their junior.
Yeong Geon continued.
“We must acknowledge it now. Namgung Ho Yeon is the closest to becoming Student Council President.”
“Well then, what are we to do?”
“It’s not yet time to give up. If we can persuade the Five Mountain Sword Sect…….”
“That’s impossible. They’ve been oppressed by our Nine Schools for so long. They may act independently, but they won’t subordinate themselves to the Hojoong Cheon Dan.”
“True, the Huashan School declared its position first.”
“Then how…….”
“Remember this. From now on, our true enemy is not the Nakjeon Dan or the Gwangpung Dan—it’s the Seonmu Dan.”
“Hmm?”
“Mo Yong Cheol?”
At Yeong Geon’s words, Jeon Pyeong and Hong So’s gazes locked onto him.
Yeong Geon spoke.
“What we must aim for is to hold the deciding vote.”
“To hold the deciding vote?”
“Think about it. The strength of the Nakjeon Dan and the Gwangpung Dan is nearly equal. If they turn on each other, who benefits?”
“Ah, the third faction.”
“Correct. We shall move between the Nakjeon Dan and the Gwangpung Dan, securing practical advantage. I suspect Mo Yong Cheol harbors similar thoughts.”
“Hmph, so that’s why the Seonmu Dan draws neutral factions to itself? Everyone’s quick on their feet.”
Jeon Pyeong’s expression had grown weary by now.
Yunnan was so remote that no power rival to the Jeomchang School existed there.
Because of this, one earned respect simply by training diligently in the mountains—but stepping outside revealed there were more than a few matters demanding attention.
Hong So, lost in thought, stroked her chin before turning to Yeong Geon with a question.
“Can it be done? Mo Yong Cheol hails from the greatest Sega of his generation. Not long ago, he was being discussed as a potential clan heir—his cunning must be extraordinary.”
“Hehehehe, I wouldn’t have raised the matter if there were no way forward.”
Yeong Geon replied to Hong So’s worry with a meaningful smile.
“Wasn’t there a major spy-rooting operation recently?”
“Ah, that campaign led by Hu Gae, you mean.”
“Over forty across all four seasons. Three were caught from the Eastern Group alone—it was shocking.”
Yeong Geon’s smile deepened at Jeon Pyeong and Hong So’s words.
“Quite coincidentally, more than half the captured spies belonged to the Seonmu Dan. The three from the Eastern Group were no exception.”
“What?!”
“Surely not?!”
“The truth remains unknown to anyone. In fact, coincidence is the likeliest explanation. Since the Seonmu Dan draws neutral factions, their operations would’ve been easier for spies to conduct there.”
Yeong Geon grinned and continued.
“But here’s what matters—most of the spies came from the Seonmu Dan. That’s excellent justification.”
“Exactly! If we leverage that to stir things up…!”
“We could topple them.”
Jeon Pyeong and Hong So, grasping Yeong Geon’s meaning, clenched their fists tight.
In orthodox sects, what mattered was justification and dignity.
Once the perception spread that the Seonmu Dan was corrupt, they would crumble from within.
“Our Hojoong Cheon Dan can rise to third rank in Baekmu Academy.”
“And not merely third place, either.”
“Third with the deciding vote! That’s as good as first.”
The three masters exchanged glances, their eyes alight.
They’d worried they’d be overwhelmed by Later Generation Disciples from the Baekga Maeng, but one final gambit remained.
Crackle!
‘Mm?’
An odd sound reached Yeong Geon’s ears as he gazed at Jeon Pyeong and Hong So with satisfaction in his eyes.
He turned his head toward the source—and spotted a bundle propped against the next table.
Crack! Crackle-crackle!
The strange, grating noise emanated from within it.
‘Did a peddler leave this behind? There must be rats inside.’
The instant Yeong Geon tilted his head in puzzlement—
Thunder!
Boom-crack!
A roar that shook heaven itself, and flames erupted from the bundle, scorching everything within three meters radius to ash.
* * *
“Yawn. What’s on the schedule today?”
“Pharmacology Fundamentals, Poetry Composition, and Principles of Metal Smelting, sir.”
Namgung Ho Yeon yawned widely and scratched at his loose outer robe as the answer came from behind him.
Swish! Swish-swish!
Cho Seon Hyang hurried after him with quick, mincing steps, combing and tidying his disheveled hair.
“Ugh, what tedious subjects. At least Metal Smelting’s there to save me?”
Namgung Ho Yeon called to mind Gyeong Geo, the Metal Smelting instructor, who went by another name.
That eccentric fellow shared Namgung Ho Yeon’s practical, combat-oriented bent, so his lessons were dynamic enough to merit attention.
‘Gongdong School. Half those bastards were demonic, weren’t they? Even now, mixed among the disciples, actual demons still slip through sometimes.’
Namgung Ho Yeon chuckled to himself, his mind turning to old memories.
The Demon Subduing Sword Squad from the Gongdong School—they’d been an endless thorn in his side when he was the Sword Demon.
‘Spouting that “Human and Ghost Same Path” nonsense, embracing Mutual Destruction without hesitation—absolute lunatics. Wait… that’s actually not bad.’
Namgung Ho Yeon nodded at the sudden notion that had struck him.
Every evening, he was pulverizing the Spring-Summer Semester students at Dae Yeon Mu Jang.
Using real combat experience as his pretext, he beat them without mercy, and suspicious individuals were compiled into a list and handed to Hu Gae.
‘Today I’ll teach them about Mutual Destruction. Hehe, not a bad idea. You’re all dead today.’
―… You can’t simply vent your academy boredom on them, can you?
As the Cheon Rae Sword spoke, Namgung Ho Yeon shrugged his shoulders.
‘Vent? This is legitimate practical sparring. They seem to enjoy it anyway.’
―It’s because of you that the Medical Department Director was shrieking about cripples pouring into the Spring-Summer Semester.
‘Bones grow stronger once they’ve been broken. Besides, now the medical students have practice material. Two birds with one stone, isn’t it?’
―Pffft! Oh, you devil! Aren’t you just too diligent? Such integrity, such integrity!
‘Heh heh, I suppose I am rather an exemplary student. If only Mother could see me now.’
―Goodness. There’s no reasoning with such lawless creatures.
It was then, while Namgung Ho Yeon was conversing with his fellow swordsmen, that Cho Seon Hyang spoke.
“Master, please take these with you.”
“Take what?”
Namgung Ho Yeon turned to look back.
Cho Seon Hyang held an oil-treated ink cloth, a rain hat for the head, and an umbrella made of bamboo.
“Ah, never mind. I can’t stand feeling cramped.”
“No, you won’t! You’ll catch cold!”
“If I catch cold, does that make me a master?”
“Still not allowed! If you don’t wear these, I won’t do your homework for you anymore!”
At Cho Seon Hyang’s bold declaration, Namgung Ho Yeon’s body stiffened.
She had been doing all his tedious written assignments for him.
“Ah, fine, fine. Why does she get more like my mother every day?”
“Hehe.”
As Namgung Ho Yeon grumbled and put on the rain hat, Cho Seon Hyang beamed and draped the oil-treated cloth over him.
Flutter!
“I’m off.”
“Have a safe trip!”
Having unfurled the bamboo umbrella, Namgung Ho Yeon left Heuk Juk Won, and Cho Seon Hyang waved her hand, seeing him off until he disappeared from view.
Whoooosh―!
Patter! Patter! Patter!
Drenched by the downpour, Namgung Ho Yeon made his way toward Uiyak Dang.
His first class, Fundamentals of Pharmacology, was being held there.
Then.
“Clear the way! Clear the way!”
“Injured patients!”
“Bring the Medical Department Director!”
Pound-pound-pound! Pound-pound-pound!
A group rushed through Uiyak Dang in haste.
From those carrying three stretchers came an acrid smell of sulfur.
Namgung Ho Yeon wrinkled the bridge of his nose, watching their retreating figures and murmuring to himself.
“……Sulfur smoke?”
* * *
“Wh―what is the meaning of this! Yeong Geon! Come to your senses!”
“What happened to Hong So?!”
“Jeon Pyeong! Are you all right?! Jeon Pyeong!”
Uiyak Dang fell into complete chaos.
The three people brought on stretchers were disciples of Cheong Seong, Jeomchang, and Zhongnan, respectively.
“Director Yang! Please save our Yeong Geon!”
“Hong So is the future of Cheong Seong!”
“Is Jeon Pyeong going to be all right?!”
Instructors from their respective sects, their faces gone ashen, pressed Yang Ji Ho with questions.
Yang Ji Ho was a physician trained by the Baekseon Medical School, brought in as Medical Department Director when Baekmu Academy opened its doors.
“Fortunately, all three unconsciously deployed their Self-Protection Qi and avoided immediate death. The external injuries will heal sufficiently with Self-Regenerating Medicine. The rainy season arriving at this moment was Heaven’s grace.”
“Then, could it be―!”
“But the internal injuries are another matter.”
Yang Ji Ho gazed at the three swordsmen with regret as he spoke.
“Fire Qi has infiltrated throughout their meridians. Particularly acute is the imbalance in Heart Blood Deficiency and Liver Blood Deficiency. They instinctively channel their Nae Gong to the liver and heart, but if this continues, we can only manage to preserve their lives.”
“What do you mean…….”
“In short, even if these three survive, they will no longer be murin.”
“……!”
“……!”
“……!”
At Yang Ji Ho’s words, the instructors’ complexions drained to ashen grey.
They would no longer be murin?
That meant they would become cripples unable to use Nae Gong.
For a warrior, it was a cruelty far worse than a death sentence.
“That… that can’t be!”
“There must be a way! There has to be!”
“Director Yang! Please! I’m begging you, help us!”
“Ah…”
Yang Ji Ho exhaled heavily, as though struggling to find the words.
“There are two possible methods.”
“What? What methods?”
“One is to use medicinal ingredients rich in Yin Qi to drive out the Fire Qi. If we had Snow Ginseng, a complete recovery would be possible.”
“Good heavens!”
“Where in the world are we supposed to find Snow Ginseng right now?”
“And… what about the other method?”
The instructors stared at Yang Ji Ho with desperate eyes, but the words that came from his lips remained bleak.
“The other is to employ Yin Needles and perform the Meridian Supplementation and Drainage Technique. This would strengthen the Yin Qi of the spleen, allowing it to resist the Fire Qi of its own accord.”
“Yin Needles? You mean Jade Needles?”
“The Yin Qi of Jade Needles alone won’t suffice, Han Chul. We’d need needles forged from Ten-Thousand Year Cold Iron to even attempt it.”
“Ah…”
“Ten-Thousand Year Cold Iron…”
“It’s impossible, then…”
The instructors fell into despair.
Obtaining Ten-Thousand Year Cold Iron was difficult enough, but there were precious few master craftsmen capable of working it into needles.
And even if such a craftsman were found, it was clear the three students would become cripples while the needles were being made.
The atmosphere of despair was beginning to settle over Uiyak Dang when—
Creak.
“Ahem, ahem. Just a student passing by.”
The door to Uiyak Dang opened with that dry cough, and Namgung Ho Yeon poked his head inside.
“…Mm?”
“You… Namgung Ho Yeon?!”
“You scoundrel! Did you come to mock our misfortune?”
The instructors’ reaction was fierce.
The Cheong Seong Sect instructor in particular pointed at him with an agitated expression.
Namgung Ho Yeon smacked his lips.
“Tsk. I thought I was living decently enough, but this is the welcome I get.”
“Student Ho Yeon. Class is canceled today, so please return. Everyone is on edge given the circumstances.”
Yang Ji Ho, who at least had some acquaintance with Namgung Ho Yeon, tried to send him away.
With a shrug, Namgung Ho Yeon pulled a red jade cylinder from his sleeve and held it up.
“I came in because someone said you needed this. Should I really leave?”
“Mm? What is that?”
“Ten-Thousand Year Cold Iron Needles.”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”

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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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