Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 170

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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 170. Sword Demon’s Remedy
“What is that?”
“I’m not entirely sure either.”
“What do you mean?”
“I went to clean Master’s room and found it there.”
“Isn’t it something you’re keeping?”
“Why would I be raising a flying squirrel?”
Namgung Ho Yeon stared at the small creature inside the red iron cage with a look of utter bewilderment.
The fist-sized creature was covered entirely in white fur, its tiny ears pricked straight up as if to prove its wariness.
As it rolled its black eyes this way and that, it began working its pink nose furiously.
“Squeak? Squeak-squeak!”
Bang!
Suddenly the creature’s eyes went wide, and it hurled itself toward Namgung Ho Yeon.
In the same instant, the membrane hidden along its flank unfurled completely, and the tiny body launched into the air.
Thud! Crack-whoosh!
“Squeak-squeak!”
But blocked by the red iron cage, the creature’s body erupted in steam as its attack failed.
“Squeak-squeak…….”
Writhing in pain, it retreated to its original spot, curled itself into a tight ball, and trembled violently.
“Huh? What’s wrong?”
“Yeah, is it sick?”
“…….”
Cho Seon Hyang and Myo Ha Yeong gazed at the flying squirrel with expressions of concern.
Namgung Ho Yeon fell silent.
‘Aside from the platform in the center of the cage, I sense yang qi everywhere. And that creature carries yin qi—it’s a spirit-beast. Could this be… that one from back then?’
Namgung Ho Yeon realized the flying squirrel’s true identity.
It was surely one of the Five Spirits that had followed along with Gang Ga Je, known as Olyeok Su.
“This is strange. Why is it in my room?”
Scratching his head, Namgung Ho Yeon approached the cage.
“Squeak-squeak…….”
Baek Seol Oh, thinking the massive human had come to torment him again, curled himself up even tighter.
At the sight, Namgung Ho Yeon clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, what kind of deranged animal abuser did this? I can’t let this stand—not as someone who cares for creatures.”
Namgung Ho Yeon placed his hand on the cage lock and drew up his Changgung Qi.
Whoosh! Crunch!
Blue light flooded the room, and the lock shattered.
Opening the cage door, Namgung Ho Yeon grasped Baek Seol Oh by the back and lifted him up.
The soft, supple body sagged limply as Baek Seol Oh dangled there.
“Squeak?”
“Come on, let’s go.”
“Squeak?”
Tap!
Once Namgung Ho Yeon set Baek Seol Oh down on the floor, the bewildered creature looked around uncertainly.
“Oh! How adorable!”
“Do you want this? Here, yum-yum.”
Myo Ha Yeong and Cho Seon Hyang squealed with delight as they offered sunflower seeds to Baek Seol Oh.
But Baek Seol Oh’s gaze remained fixed on Namgung Ho Yeon.
“Squeak-squeak!”
Patter! Flap!
This time, Baek Seol Oh successfully launched himself into Namgung Ho Yeon’s embrace.
Clinging to him like a cicada on a withered branch, Baek Seol Oh scurried upward, wormed his way into the folds of his robes, and burrowed inside.
“What are you doing?”
“Oh my, it seems to like Master.”
“Ooh! As expected of our charming brother!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“The older girls in the Chunha Class call you that? Another name for it is… well, it’s someone who seems cold but is actually warm.”
“That’s nonsense, and—wait?”
Namgung Ho Yeon’s brow twitched.
Having let it be out of curiosity, he now realized the creature was gnawing at his coin purse string with its teeth.
“Ha! Not even a pickpocket, but a pouch thief? What kind of bandit squirrel is this?”
“Chirp!”
Baek Seol Oh rummaged eagerly through the pouch and let out a delighted cry when he found what he wanted.
Baek Seol Oh scurried out quickly, clutching the Hong Ok Tong to his chest and poking his head sharply out from the front of his garment.
“Chirp!”
“What.”
“Chirp-chirp!”
“What about it.”
“Chirp! Chirp! Chirp-chirp!”
…….
Baek Seol Oh’s small mouth moved busily as he explained something in earnest.
Namgung Ho Yeon couldn’t understand a word of it, naturally, but he could tell what the creature wanted.
‘Did he react to the yin qi of the Eternal Cold Steel? Now that I think about it, this little one’s state is definitely strange.’
Whoosh!
Uigi Yeondong activated immediately.
Baek Seol Oh’s body flinched, but he held still.
Thanks to that, Namgung Ho Yeon was able to examine Baek Seol Oh’s internal condition closely.
‘What is this? The flow of qi is fragmenting all over the place? It’s similar to the state of internal injury……’
Near Baek Seol Oh’s solar plexus, he felt a chill colder than the glaciers of the Northern Sea.
That would be the creature’s Nae Dan, which served the role of the dantian for any murin.
But the surrounding Hyeol Do connected to it was swollen taut, obstructing the flow of qi.
It was undoubtedly a kind of edema that occurred when excessive qi had been consumed.
“Lie down for me.”
“Chirp!”
Thump!
At Namgung Ho Yeon’s word, Baek Seol Oh collapsed onto the ground.
Pop!
Namgung Ho Yeon opened the Hong Ok Tong and drew out the Eternal Cold Needles, beginning to insert them one by one into the swollen Hyeol Do.
“Chirp-whimper…….”
At that, Baek Seol Oh went limp as if receiving a compress, his body trembling in little jerks.
“M-master, what on earth are you——!”
When Namgung Ho Yeon suddenly drew out the needles and began stabbing the small child frantically, Cho Seon Hyang let out a startled cry.
“Stay still.”
At that, Myo Ha Yeong stopped her, observing Baek Seol Oh through her Kuchalgian.
Whoosh! Whooosh!
Each time a dark needle was inserted, the qi and blood were stabilizing.
“……He’s receiving treatment right now.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Myo Ha Yeong nodded and glanced at Namgung Ho Yeon, whose expression was one of concentration.
‘What exactly is his identity? The way he saw through my ability that no one in the tribe could detect……’
“You have an interesting Supernatural Ability, don’t you?”
“Hack!”
“From the way you cut off the flow of qi, I’d guess it’s an ability that lets you visualize the meridians?”
“H-how did you……”
“I’ve seen someone with a similar ability before. He was designated a threat to the Martial World and hunted down.”
…….
“You know it’s a dangerous ability, right? Prying into another’s techniques is forbidden.”
“……It’s not as clear-cut as all that.”
“Who would believe that?”
“W-what do you want from me?”
“Nothing much. I’m playing a game of whack-a-mole right now, so lend me a hand. Or should I say lend me an eye in this case?”
“Whack-a-mole……?”
“Well, it doesn’t look like you’re a Jiseon user anyway. If you help me out with this matter, I’ll keep quiet about your ability.”
Myo Ha Yeong’s eyes grew strange as she recalled their conversation.
Judging by the fact that nothing had happened to her since then, he was a man who kept his word.
‘Perhaps……if it’s this person……!’
Myo Ha Yeong’s gaze grew steadily more intense as she watched Namgung Ho Yeon placing the needles.
* * *
Crunch-crunch-crunch!
“The stone’s rolling away!”
“Nooooo!”
“Hey, you idiot! Watch it!”
“Ha, sorry, sorry. My hands slipped.”
“Ugh! That scatterbrain is hopeless!”
Students from Baekmu Academy were clearing fallen boulders scattered across the gorge.
Officially it was called physical training, but every student knew the real reason behind it.
“God, I’m working myself to death! I’m not a quarryman—what is this?”
Bang Pung Gae collapsed onto the ground in complaint, while Ak Du Gu laughed, hauling a boulder larger than his own body on his back.
“Ehahaha! Isn’t this wonderful? Doing good deeds and training at the same time!”
“Honestly, I envy your simplicity.”
Bang Pung Gae shook his head slowly.
The reason these students were clearing the debris from the collapsed gorge in Seolung Gorge was not arbitrary.
They would soon need to open the floodgates of Samhyeop Dam to release water, and the clearing would ensure the flow ran smoothly.
“Am I a government soldier? Why should Baekmu Academy be cleaning this up?”
“Well, it’s Baekmu Academy that destroyed it, isn’t it?”
“Damn it. My mother was right—one person makes the mess, another cleans it up.”
Bang Pung Gae glanced around Gongryeong Gorge thoughtfully.
‘A person brought this down? That’s absurd power. Hell, I’m jealous of it.’
Bang Pung Gae smacked his lips.
The strength to reshape nature itself.
If he possessed even half of half that power, wouldn’t that be something?
“Haha! Don’t complain. Besides, when you walk through the city wearing student robes, don’t the citizens applaud the Baekmu Academy?”
“Well, that’s true enough.”
Bang Pung Gae nodded in agreement with Ak Du Gu’s words.
After the failed bombing of Samhyeop Dam, public sentiment toward Baekmu Academy in Uichang had exploded.
And in the best possible direction.
“Hehe. Wearing student robes on the street, beautiful young ladies wave their hands at me—this is paradise on earth.”
“Is that why you’ve been wearing your student robes every day lately?”
“Of course! This is my first taste of hero’s treatment! Ahhh, so this is the life of a martial hero!”
Bang Pung Gae trembled with exhilarating delight.
Every time he ventured into the streets of Uichang these days, the roar of the crowds lifted the corners of his mouth, and his shoulders straightened of their own accord.
Rumors had spread that Baekmu Academy had prevented the bombing of Samhyeop Dam, and the citizens’ enthusiastic welcome followed.
“Huh, a hero—that’s no title for a wretch like me. I was lower than a water flea, nothing at all. A prodigy? I was merely shallow in talent.”
A handsome young man with a stern face, rolling boulders, muttered to himself like a person in a daze upon hearing Bang Pung Gae’s words.
“Is Gong Hyo still like that?”
“Even when he goes to the outhouse.”
“What happened to that cocky kid? Why is he suddenly so dejected?”
“Seems the Dual Demon Pair dealt him quite the shock.”
“Ha, who hasn’t faced those brutal bastards? Even Un Am took a beating from them.”
Bang Pung Gae stared at Gong Hyo with an expression of disbelief.
He was rolling stones and laughing to himself.
Rumble, rumble.
“Hehe, I’m a dung beetle. I have no talent. I’m sorry, Master. I was a lowly insect who failed to meet your expectations. Perhaps the revival of the Hwangsan Sect would be better left to another disciple…”
“The man’s completely lost his mind. He was better before.”
Ak Du Gu spoke to Bang Pung Gae, who was shaking his head.
“I think your words may be incorrect.”
“What? If that isn’t madness, what is?”
“Not that. Isn’t the one who made the mess right there?”
“Huh? Gasp!”
Bang Pung Gae turned his head in the direction Ak Du Gu was pointing and was startled.
There stood a bare-chested man quietly carrying boulders—it was Ak San Gun, the explosive madman.
‘What am I missing? What exactly am I searching for…?’
Thud.
Ak San Gun set down the massive boulder and gazed up at the sky.
His mind had been in turmoil lately, so he’d thrown himself into physical work, but the unease remained unchanged.
“First Under Heaven.”
“This junior student spoke carelessly about the Dual Demon Pair seniors. My sincere apologies.”
“It’s not about whether I can or cannot! I will see it through!”
‘Huh, defeat this clean and there’s no regret at all.’
Ambition, tolerance, resolve, result.
In every respect, Namgung Ho Yeon surpassed him.
He was a man who knew how to turn his words into reality.
He had saved Uichang.
‘To rescue hundreds of thousands of lives and yet not step into the spotlight. There are limits to transcendence, surely.’
Namgung Ho Yeon remained cloistered in his quarters, making no public appearances whatsoever.
Had it been him, he would have moved swiftly, attending every function and cultivating his renown.
‘Hmm, so this is nothing to him? I can’t even fathom how vast a vessel he must be.’
As Ak San Gun shook his head, a man’s voice cut through the silence.
“Did you really think you could sway the hearts of the Chunha Class students with such antics?”
“……Mo Yong Cheol.”
Ak San Gun turned to regard the man who had spoken.
He had sharp, handsome features, yet the bitter smile hanging from his lips was grating.
Most of all, the crimson glint that flickered in his eyes was unsettling.
“Futile. That cunning schemer Namgung Ho Yeon won the hearts of the Chunha Class vermin from his first day of study. Trying to follow his lead now will only make you a latecomer.”
“State your real purpose.”
When Ak San Gun spoke, Mo Yong Cheol shrugged and opened his mouth.
“You already know, don’t you?”
“An alliance proposal.”
Namgung Ho Yeon’s influence now extends beyond Baekmu Academy to encompass all of Uichang. If things continue as they are, that bastard will become Student Council President.”
Thud!
Bloodshot veins bulged in Mo Yong Cheol’s eyes.
“I will never allow it! The Student Council presidency is mine!”
Watching Mo Yong Cheol’s eyes gleam with peculiar obsession, Ak San Gun asked, “Why do you want the position so badly?”

“Why? Isn’t it obvious? The Student Council President commands authority. To control such a force at will is power rivaling a sect master!”
“Power……, I see.”
“I can reclaim everything that was taken from me in one stroke! Join hands with me. If we two unite, we can surely overwhelm Namgung Ho Yeon.”
Watching Mo Yong Cheol burn with the flames of ambition, Ak San Gun glimpsed his own former self and let out a soft laugh.
“So this is how I was.”
“What?”
“Not interested.”
Step, step, step.
Ak San Gun turned to leave.
Mo Yong Cheol gnashed his teeth as he watched the man’s retreating figure.
“Tch! I thought he wasn’t stupid enough to miss what’s happening……! Ugh!”
Mo Yong Cheol clutched his head.
Every day since receiving Jiseon’s Secret Art, the headaches came.
‘What a mess this fool has made of me!’
Mo Yong Cheol’s rage fixed on Mo Yong Hak.
That idiot’s scheme had failed, and the result was nothing but raising Namgung Ho Yeon’s reputation.
‘Calm down. That fool’s death is good fortune for me. Now the organization’s support will concentrate on me!’
The competition was not yet over.
In the practical training session soon to begin, a reversal was entirely possible.
For that purpose, he had already brought many masters under his wing.
‘If I stick to the plan, all will be well. It’s unfortunate I haven’t found the Sword Emperor’s disciple, but even this much is power enough…….’
It was just as Mo Yong Cheol, having been rejected in his alliance proposal to Ak San Gun, turned to leave.
Roll, roll!
“No matter how I try to deny it, there’s no escaping it. That pile of dog dung over there is my future…….”
Accompanied by bizarre humming, a man was rolling a boulder with great effort.
The moment Mo Yong Cheol saw the man’s face, his eyes flew wide.
‘That……the Sword Emperor’s disciple?! Found him!’

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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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