Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 169

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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 169. The Sword Demon’s Commendation
“The attempted bombing of Sanxia Dam?! What in heaven’s name has the Hubei Provincial Governor been doing?!”
“Now, now—is that truly the Provincial Governor’s fault alone? Surely the greatest cause lies in the Sanxia Hydraulic Overseer’s omission of reports.”
“How can you say such a thing at a time like this? When subordinates are mismanaged, it is only proper that their superiors bear the consequences.”
“By that logic, you would cast doubt upon His Majesty’s judgment in appointing the Provincial Governor in the first place?”
“Nonsense! Don’t twist my words!”
“You’re the one doing the twisting! Besides, the Dam Command falls under the Ministry of Works—one of the Six Ministries. Therefore, we ought to summon and interrogate the Minister of Works himself.”
“What did you say?”
After word of the incident at Hubei’s Treasury reached the capital, an emergency court conference was convened in Beijing.
The hall was, as always, a cacophony of voices.
And with good reason: the attempted bombing of Sanxia Dam was entangled in a web of competing interests and factions both great and small.
“If you’re going to make such accusations, then bring forth the Pojeongsa Ham Ik, who lost the Jincheonrae in the first place!”
“Excellent! Then let us interrogate Eastern Command’s Admiral Byeong Pil Tae Gam, who failed to intercept the stolen Jincheonrae before it reached Sanxia Dam!”
The contest of strength between central and provincial officials dragged on.
Those supporting the provincial faction defended the Provincial Governor and the Pojeongsa, while pressing their attacks upon the central officials—the Minister of Works and Byeong Pil Tae Gam.
In truth, when the question of responsibility was raised, there was scarcely a soul who bore no guilt.
The court conference had devolved into an arena of mutual recrimination, each side determined to prove the other more culpable.
“What has the Censorate been doing all this while?”
“Why should this fall upon the Censorate? The Provincial Inspector ought to have monitored corruption among the local officials far more vigilantly!”
“Did you just say what I think you said?!”
“I am speaking plain truth! You claim ignorance due to the Sanxia Overseer’s failure to report? Is that not ridiculous? You’re trying to cut off your own tail to escape!”
“You’re the one doing the cutting! To blame nothing but the supervising officers, when both Chief Eunuch and Assistant Eunuch are above reproach? Shameful!”
Unable to bear this farce any longer, General Hwang Gyun raised his voice in anger.
“This is no place to shirk responsibility! By the command of His Majesty the Emperor, you ministers must discuss the perpetrators of this incident and measures to contain the situation!”
“Ahem, ahem. The general speaks wisdom.”
When Emperor Un Mu Gun opened his mouth after Hwang Gyun’s rebuke, silence fell upon the chamber.
The Emperor, who ordinarily sat upon the throne and listened to his ministers’ debates in silence, now gazed down with fury burning in his eyes.
“We are curious. Who dares attempt to destroy the century-old legacy of Sanxia Dam—a project conceived by Our great-grandfather and perfected by Our grandfather?”
The construction of Sanxia Dam was the greatest achievement of the Imperial House.
That someone would dare strike at it was a challenge to the very nation of Un.
For the sake of imperial authority and the dignity of the throne, it was a grave matter that could not be tolerated.
“Chief Eunuch Byeong. Ahem. Speak—who are the perpetrators?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I, Byeong Pil Tae Gam, offer my report.”
Struck by the Emperor’s unusual tone, Byeong Pil Tae Gam stepped forward swiftly and began his report in his thin, careful voice.
“According to my investigation, Your Majesty, the attempted bombing of Sanxia Dam has been confirmed as the work of the Northern Barbarians.”
“The Northern Barbarians?”
Un Mu Gun’s brow furrowed.
The Northern Barbarians were not a single, unified force.
Rather, they were a blanket term for the various peoples dwelling to the north—Xiongnu, Xianbei, Wuhuan, and countless others.
“Indeed, Your Majesty! Upon learning that the Jincheonrae was stored in the Northern Military Command, these Northern Barbarians moved preemptively, planning the destruction of Sanxia Dam to sow chaos throughout Un!”
“Ahem, ahem. How do they dare parade about Zhongyuan so openly?”
“This deed was perpetrated by anti-national elements within Zhongyuan acting under the Northern Barbarians’ instigation. Eastern Command calls them the Imperial Remnant Army—remnants of the former regime.”
“How dare they!”
Boom!
As Un Mu Gun struck the armrest of the throne in fury, Byeong Pil Tae Gam accelerated his report.
“In short, Your Majesty, this incident has revealed collusion between the Northern Barbarians and the Imperial Remnant Army. Yet by Your Majesty’s divine grace, Sanxia Dam stands firm, and their treacherous scheme has ended in ignominious failure! Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years!”
The ministers exchanged glances at Byeong Pil Tae Gam’s silken words.
‘So he means to escape his own responsibility by his own cunning, then?’
‘They say the Chief Eunuch possesses the finest tongue in all the realm—and now I believe it.’
‘Well, this may yet be weathered.’
The ministers had seen through his design.
Eastern Command’s Admiral Byeong Pil Tae Gam could hardly escape responsibility for this incident.
He was attempting to deflect the Emperor’s gaze from internal failings to external threats, thus evading censure.
‘It is true that remnants of the former regime exist, and the Northern Barbarians’ momentum is indeed alarming. Without Scholar Yu’s counsel, I would have faced grave humiliation today.’
Byeong Pil Tae Gam’s eyes flicked toward the handsome scholar in blue robes standing among the ministers.
Yu Hui Seong met his glance with a subtle smile and nodded.
With his assistance, the crisis of this moment had been overcome.
Moreover, using the capture of the Imperial Remnant Army as pretext to strengthen Eastern Command’s hand—it was, in a sense, turning calamity into fortune.
‘When one receives favor, one must repay it in kind. Have no fear.’
Byeong Pil Tae Gam nodded back toward Yu Hui Seong, moistened his lips, and continued.
“The Northern Barbarian factions implicated in this incident are as follows: Balasa, Wuluote, Charnos, and Wujiete. These are the culprits.”
“Hmm?”
“Their leaders call themselves ‘Khan’ and have long cast greedy eyes upon the Silver Empire. I believe this presents an opportunity to strengthen the Northern Military Command and demonstrate the Silver Empire’s might to the world…….”
“That will not do.”
As Byeong Pil Tae Gam’s words flowed on smoothly, a jade-like voice—clear and rolling as a perfect orb—cut through them.
‘How dare someone……!’
Byeong Pil Tae Gam turned his head.
He needed to see the face of whoever had the audacity to interrupt one of the Twelve Chief Eunuchs—a man so powerful he could make even birds fall from the sky—the Supreme Commander of the East.
“Ahem.”
But Byeong Pil Tae Gam had no choice but to smooth his frown into a mild expression.
A woman in a crimson robe embroidered with golden ginkgo leaves gazed at him with eyes as clear and fathomless as a still pond.
Imperial Princess Un Cho Ae, known for her talents and accomplishments.
The years had only deepened her beauty, ripening it to such a degree that even the scheming heart of a worldly eunuch could not help but ripple at the sight.
‘……She is a demon incarnate.’
In truth, whenever young officials stood before her—she whom all praised as the fairest in the realm—they froze, their words catching in their throats.
Moreover, through her Proposal to Replace Boiling with Sun-Drying, Un Cho Ae had eliminated the abuses of the salt monopoly system and now enjoyed the support of countless officials from the Qinghua Faction and the common people alike.
“War is an act that holds a nation’s economy hostage. What do we gain by sending the Silver Empire’s subjects into a desolate wasteland?”
When Un Cho Ae spoke, the power woven through her voice captivated all hearts in the chamber.
Recovering his wits quickly, Byeong Pil Tae Gam countered her words.
“And yet, Your Highness, this matter concerns the prestige of the Imperial House itself. I fear that without some decisive action, your own authority, Your Highness, would be diminished.”
“Authority that crumbles so easily was never worth having in the first place.”
Byeong Pil Tae Gam had skillfully tried to reframe the matter as one affecting the Princess’s standing rather than the throne’s, but Un Cho Ae saw through it.
“What authority, maintained by the blood of the people, can ever be truly secure?”
“Indeed! This humble servant understands well the compassionate heart of Your Highness. And yet, Your Highness, your words may be construed as an insult to the valiant warriors of the Great Silver Empire.”
Byeong Pil Tae Gam’s eyes gleamed with cunning calculation.
In fact, several generals present darkened at Un Cho Ae’s words.
Then Un Cho Ae turned her gaze toward each of them one by one, bestowing a gentle smile.
“How could I ever show disrespect to the brave generals of the Silver Empire? It is precisely because they exist that our people can tend their livelihoods in peace and security, and that I am able to stand before you all today. Please allow me to express my deepest gratitude.”
“Ahem.”
“You are most gracious, Your Highness.”
“Cough—worry not, Your Highness! I shall defend you with my very life!”
The generals who received Un Cho Ae’s smile puffed their chests with pride.
And as she observed their satisfaction, Un Cho Ae continued.
“Sun Tzu once said that war is a field of life and death, a crossroads between survival and ruin, and must therefore be approached with utmost caution. I cannot bear to lose even a single hero of the Silver Empire to meaningless strife.”
At Un Cho Ae’s words, the generals’ faces shone with emotion, while Byeong Pil Tae Gam’s expression darkened considerably.
“Wu Qi also taught us: those who won five battles suffered calamity; those who won four grew impoverished; those who won three became hegemon; those who won twice became princes; and only he who fought but once and prevailed became emperor.”
As Un Cho Ae’s words flowed like water, every ear in the chamber was drawn in.
“Those who delight in victory inevitably meet great ruin. There is no need for us to march into the Northern Barbarians’ lands and invite hardship upon ourselves.”
“……Truly, you are worthy of the title, Your Highness. Your mastery of the Art of War is evident—the teachings of General Hwang Gyun himself, whose name is carved by ten thousand battles, shine through.”
Byeong Pil Tae Gam spoke as if in admiration.
Yet beneath his words lay a hidden barb.
It was mockery directed at the Princess—who had never set foot on an actual battlefield—speaking of military strategy as though she were a seasoned general.
“Surely not. No matter how brilliant a teacher, how could I claim true mastery of the Art of War?”
But Un Cho Ae merely smiled in response to Byeong Pil Tae Gam’s veiled jab.
“Yet there is one thing I do know: harvest season approaches, and should we conscript soldiers now, the grain yield will plummet severely.”
“…….”
At Un Cho Ae’s words, Byeong Pil Tae Gam fell silent.
There was nothing left for him to refute.
Thump!
‘That woman again……!’
Yu Hui Seong clenched his fist, watching Byeong Pil Tae Gam and Un Cho Ae in turn—one struck mute as a man with honey in his mouth, the other victorious.
The operation to create domestic chaos by destroying the Sanxia Dam had ended in utter failure.
Yu Hui Seong had immediately pushed Byeong Pil Tae Gam to initiate the next plan, without even a moment to rage.
It was to pin blame for this incident on the Northern Barbarians, thereby sowing chaos beyond the empire’s borders.
But Un Cho Ae’s interference was steering the mood in an unwanted direction.
“Ah, I see. If harvest draws near, there’s nothing to be done. Cough—Chief Eunuch Byeong, keep close watch on Northern Barbarian movements at all times. And devote your full efforts to eliminating the Imperial Remnant Army.”
“……Yes! Your Majesty’s will shall be obeyed!”
Byeong Pil Tae Gam bowed his head, content with half a victory.
Then, Un Cho Ae opened her mouth once more.
“Your Majesty, if I may, I have a proposal.”
“Hmm? Do tell.”
Un Mu Gun gazed fondly at his daughter and gave his assent, whereupon Un Cho Ae’s cherry-red lips parted.
“The pursuit of the conspirators shall fall to the capable ministers of our realm. Might we instead proceed with a Merit Commendation—to honor those who have distinguished themselves and earned glory?”
“Hmm?”
“In doing so, we would comfort the people, who have been greatly alarmed, and make known to all under heaven that great service receives great reward—thereby kindling the ambition and zeal of those who aspire to virtue.”
“A brilliant stratagem indeed! Ahem!”
The Emperor beamed at Un Cho Ae’s proposal.
There were many purposes served by honoring merit in this manner, generation after generation.
One was to praise those who had achieved distinction and thereby encourage such deeds.
Another was to elevate the merit itself—through lavish rewards—from the realm of private accomplishment into that of public recognition.
“Yes, quite so. You say those who earned merit this time were Martial World adepts?”
“They too are subjects of our realm. Naturally, they are those who have received the Emperor’s grace.”
“Ah, so you would honor them and thereby establish the authority of the imperial house? Truly worthy of a brilliant princess.”
The ministers, too, voiced their approval.
Un Cho Ae smiled softly and murmured to herself.
‘Ho Yeon, I send this small gift to my distant friend laboring far away.’
* * *
At that very moment.
“Achoo!”
“Squawk!”
“Stop shedding all over the place!”
“Chirp…”
From thousands of leagues away in Beijing, Ho Yeon could know nothing of the conversation unfolding in court.

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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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