Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 182

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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 182. The Sword Demon and the Tyrant King’s Wager
The Tyrant King. Yang Mu Cheon.
By all accounts, he had been an ordinary commoner, ignorant of even the first character of martial arts, until the age of forty.
A merchant in the city of Bijie in Guizhou Province, Yang Mu Cheon had stolen and learned the secret techniques of the Bijie Sect, the dominant martial school of that region, from its sect master.
In merely three years, he reached the peak of mastery and accomplished the incredible feat of annihilating the Bijie Sect single-handedly, earning himself his reputation.
After that, he sought out the strong and fought without discrimination or ceremony.
Over the course of more than a decade, he earned the title of Tyrant King and rose to stand as one of the Twelve Kings.
‘At a pace comparable to my own—awakened in Uigi Yeondong and Sword Heart Resonance, having absorbed every secret technique of the Namgung Clan.’
Namgung Ho Yeon appraised the middle-aged man before him.
He sensed not only the unobstructed flow of Qi coursing through his entire body, but also that distinctive presence that warped the energy around him.
‘An Ascended Master. One who has reached Man Sang Yu Shim, at that.’
Namgung Ho Yeon’s eyes narrowed.
There were many things that didn’t add up based on the information he’d heard from Yul.
The Bijie Sect had been a faction of considerable local influence, but it was not one possessed of deep history or secret divine techniques like the Namgung Clan.
‘And at forty, the blood pathways harden and turbid energy accumulates—it’s not suited for learning martial arts.’
Renowned clans didn’t feed children spirit medicine and perform hair-washing ceremonies from an early age for nothing.
Every aspect—five propensities, learning capacity, physical form, Qi sensitivity—all grew less efficient with age.
‘He didn’t learn secret divine techniques, yet broke through the wall by taking up martial arts so late?’
While Namgung Ho Yeon regarded Yang Mu Cheon with disbelief, the man opened his mouth.
He spoke.
“Namgung, is it? I thought you came from Docheon, but it seems you’re from Baekga Maeng.”
“Not from Baekga Maeng. I’m currently affiliated with Baekmu Academy.”
“Baekmu Academy?”
“You haven’t heard? It’s been the talk for the past few months.”
“Doesn’t concern me.”
As Yang Mu Cheon raised his cup again, Namgung Ho Yeon asked him a question.
“Why did you demolish the Hojeop Sect? From what I can see, you don’t seem like the type to interfere in others’ affairs.”
“They interrupted my gambling.”
“Pardon?”
“They demanded protection money out of nowhere. When I said there was no need for protection, they said they’d give me a reason to need it and tried to cut off my arm.”
“……They deserved death.”
Namgung Ho Yeon offered his condolences to the Hojeop Sect.
If your vision is defective, you’re dead.
That’s the Jianghu.
“If you’re trying to recruit me into Baekga Maeng, don’t waste your breath.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I’m waiting for death.”
“…….”
Namgung Ho Yeon studied Yang Mu Cheon.
There was no sign he was lying.
After observing him for a moment, Namgung Ho Yeon spoke.
“Then before you die, would you not do one job with me?”
“……Hm.”
The corner of Yang Mu Cheon’s mouth lifted.
Usually, when death is mentioned, one asks for the reason.
But the young man before him showed no interest in such matters.
‘Quite the unusual one.’
He’d felt it from the gambling den onward—this was certainly no ordinary young master of an orthodox sect.
Someone who had crossed the threshold of death hundreds of times and killed thousands, who understood that death itself was nothing remarkable. He felt kinship with such a person.
And so Yang Mu Cheon felt, for the first time in a long while, the emotion called ‘interest.’
“Aren’t you curious about the reason?”
“Not particularly.”
Namgung Ho Yeon shrugged as he spoke.
“Whether it’s an incurable illness or weariness of life—none of my concern. As long as you’re not dying tomorrow, do one job with me.”
“Krhm. What an amusing lad.”
“Since I’ve made you laugh, you’re doing this job with me?”
“I’ll hear you out.”
“Well, I came out for practical training from Baekmu Academy this time, and our strategist devised a strategy called the Samak Byeongchaek.”
Namgung Ho Yeon explained the Samak Byeongchaek.
Yang Mu Cheon listened, raising his cup to his lips.
“Simply put, we use Guhua Mountain, Hwangsan, and Jeyun Mountain as a three-pronged strategy and cut off their rear supply lines.”
“I see. And you’re asking me to take charge of Hwangsan’s defense?”
“I’m sorry—what do you mean by that?”
“Hmm?”
“Why would you use a beast to guard a house? You’re supposed to let it loose in someone else’s front yard and have it tear people to shreds.”
……
Yang Mu Cheon fell silent.
Namgung Ho Yeon’s explanation continued.
“Here’s our military strategy. You know Poyang Lake in Jiangxi Province, which Docheon controls, don’t you?”
“Impossible not to know. It’s the largest freshwater lake in Zhongyuan.”
“The small lake near our clan is fairly large, but Poyang Lake is a massive body of water—five times its size. There are more than a dozen cities connected to it alone.”
Namgung Ho Yeon relayed Jegal Ahyeon’s explanation verbatim.
“It’s connected to Nanchang, the provincial capital, and touches the Yangtze River to the north—truly the heart of Jiangxi Province’s commerce and supply.”
“So cutting off rear supply lines means taking control of Poyang Lake.”
“Full control would be impossible—the lake is too vast. But we can dispatch a small elite strike force and create chaos.”
“Excellent. You’ve found yourself a capable strategist.”
“I think so too.”
Namgung Ho Yeon continued with a slight smile.
“I can’t devise strategies like that myself. But when it comes to fighting—I know it better than most.”
“Oh?”
“The way I see it, a true fight means going for the opponent’s vital points without regard for method or morality.”
“Then what do you think Docheon’s vital point is right now?”
Yang Mu Cheon asked with genuine curiosity, and Namgung Ho Yeon bared his teeth as he spoke.
“Strike while the house is empty.”
“You mean slip in while the room is unguarded?”
“In plain terms—ransacking an empty house.”
“I see. Docheon’s forces are raiding Anhui, leaving his main garrison exposed.”
“The defenses of the Hyeol Yeom Sect, Geumcheon Sect, and Hojeop Sect are especially weak right now.”
Namgung Ho Yeon’s eyes began to gleam like those of a predator.
“Doesn’t that sound appetizing? I’ve been cooped up in academy life, stir-crazy with frustration. I think it’s time I let loose properly for once.”
“Heh-heh-heh. You’d charge into enemy territory alone? That’s more than just mad—it’s insane.”
“Well, truthfully I prefer going straight for the head with Capture Thief Capture King, but I don’t have the skill yet. Damn this bottleneck. Hwa Byeong will come before Hwa Gyeong.”
Pfft!
As Namgung Ho Yeon grumbled, Yang Mu Cheon’s shoulders shook with laughter.
It felt like the first time he’d laughed like this in over a decade.
He wanted to hunt the Blade King, but lacking the skill, he’d settled for targeting the main garrison of the Jiangxi Five Tyrants instead—which was short on defenses?
“Pheasant instead of chicken? That chicken looks plenty big and vicious—you confident you can handle it?”
“A chicken is a chicken. Pluck out every feather, stew it thoroughly, and it’s packed with nutrition, isn’t it?”
“So you’re asking me to catch the chicken for you?”
“If we strike one, the security of the other chicken coops will tighten up. A rare opportunity like this—the more beasts involved, the better. Or better yet, if you catch the pheasant instead.”
“You’re a bold one.”
Yang Mu Cheon let out a quiet laugh.
He’d appeared out of nowhere asking Yang Mu Cheon to catch the Blade King for him.
“If I catch the chicken for you, what will you give me in return?”
“Well, that’s the problem, isn’t it?”
In response to Yang Mu Cheon’s question, Namgung Ho Yeon scratched the back of his head and continued.
“I looked into you a bit, but I couldn’t figure out what to offer. So I decided to ask you directly.”
“How straightforward.”
“So what do you want? Should I give you all of this?”
Clink.
As Namgung Ho Yeon held up a sack bulging with gold coins, Yang Mu Cheon shook his head and spoke.
“I don’t need it. You keep that heavy thing.”
“Tsk. I figured as much. Is there anything else you want?”
“Didn’t I already tell you?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m waiting for death.”
……
At Yang Mu Cheon’s words, Namgung Ho Yeon’s expression contorted.
“If you want to die that badly, why not just kill yourself?”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why?”
“I promised my son I would fight with all my strength until the very end, and die doing so.”
“…….”
“Eighteen years have passed since I wished for death. And yet I remain alive. That is why I have come here.”
Yang Mu Cheon continued, a thin smile crossing his weathered face.
“The man most widely regarded as closest to the strongest under heaven—the Sword Demon Wu Yu Hai. He shows himself in Hwangsan from time to time, or so I’ve heard.”
“……And what will you do when you meet him?”
“Fight him, of course. And die. Heh heh, if I die fighting the Sword Demon, my son won’t scold me in the afterlife.”
Yang Mu Cheon poured the last of his drink into his cup with a bitter laugh, then drained it before speaking again.
“But for months now, the Sword Demon hasn’t shown his face, and all sorts of troublemakers keep coming my way instead.”
“…….”
“So be it. I’ll wait another week or so, and if the Sword Demon doesn’t come, I’ll settle for one of the Four Tyrants. To end a life that began in Guizhou, in Guizhou itself—that would be fitting.”
He scraped back his chair with a low sound.
Yang Mu Cheon rose to his feet.
Namgung Ho Yeon, who had been watching him with the air of someone who had said all there was to say, spoke up.
“I don’t fully understand your circumstances, but if I’m right—you wish to die at the hands of the strongest under heaven?”
“It is my heart’s desire.”
“Then wait just a little longer.”
“Hmm?”
Yang Mu Cheon turned his head.
Namgung Ho Yeon gazed at him with eyes burning like flames and smiled.
“Wouldn’t it be better to die at the hands of the true strongest under heaven, rather than merely the man closest to that title?”
“And who would that be?”
“Me.”
“……What?”
“I make you this promise: within the next ten years, I will become the strongest under heaven by any means necessary, and I will grant you death by my hand. How does that sound?”
At Namgung Ho Yeon’s words, Yang Mu Cheon stared directly into his eyes.
The clarity in those two eyes, the resolve burning there, told him this was no jest but a solemn vow.
Having confirmed this, Yang Mu Cheon burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Khahahaha!”
“……Why do you laugh?”
“Hahaha! Is that what you call a proposal? This is masterful indeed. The audacity to speak of the strongest under heaven!”
“So what? The strongest under heaven is nothing special. Carve your way through enough opponents and you become the strongest.”
As Namgung Ho Yeon grumbled, Yang Mu Cheon shook his head with a wry smile.
“Khehehe, youth. If you’re so confident, will you make a wager with me?”
“What kind of wager?”
“In a week, I will leave Hwangsan. If by then you succeed in achieving Seungbyeok, I will deliver whatever prey you wish—chicken, pheasant, it doesn’t matter. Surely the future strongest under heaven can manage that much?”
At Yang Mu Cheon’s words, Namgung Ho Yeon’s expression darkened.
“If you don’t want to do it, just say so. Why mock someone minding their own business?”
“Heh heh, and you didn’t just now interfere with someone minding theirs?”
“…….”
“I wish you success in your endeavors.”
Thud!
With that, Yang Mu Cheon stepped out of the room.
* * *
“Th-thank you! Thank you so much!”
“Don’t thank me. That was payment for food.”
“I’ll work…… hic! I’ll work so hard, I promise!”
Twe Ki bowed repeatedly, tears streaming down her face.
Her trembling hands clutched the weighty money pouch tightly.
“Try your hand at running a fabric shop. Don’t take up food trade under any circumstances.”
“Of course not! I’ll live honestly! From now on, I won’t even come near a gambling house!”
“That’s up to you. Just make sure the children eat regularly.”
Clink!
Namgung Ho Yeon shouldered a sack heavy with gold coins and began to walk.
Twe Ki called out to the departing figure in the wide-brimmed hat.
“My daughter is named Young Ran! From this day forward, every single day I will offer water in honor of you, benefactor!”
“Do as you wish.”
Step, step, step.
Namgung Ho Yeon continued on his way.
Namgung Ho Yeon clicked his tongue as he walked down a moonlit street.
“Tsk, another failure.”
He’d known the odds weren’t good, but even so, the taste of a failed recruitment left his mouth bitter.
“Well, I’ll settle for the side earnings at least.”
Whoosh!
Ho Yeon suddenly hurled a heavy bundle into the empty air.
The bundle traced a parabolic arc before falling to the ground, where a man in nightclothes caught it and descended with it.
Thud!
“You’re Eun Hyeong Salsu?”
“…Not exactly an Assassin, sir.”
“Either way, you’re with Seonmun, aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
Ho Yeon handed the bundle to the man who had suddenly appeared from the darkness and spoke.
“Hold onto that for me for a moment.”
“Yes? Where are you heading?”
“Cheongeumgwan.”
“…You just came from there?”
“Heh, by now I’d wager the higher-ups have already received my message.”
Grin!
Ho Yeon’s mouth curved into a smile that caught the moonlight, casting a chill across his face.
“I’m not one to leave loose ends.”
Pat!
Ho Yeon’s form dissolved into the darkness.
The nightclothes-clad man shook his head in murmured amazement.
“Phew, truly an overwhelming presence. How did the Young Lord manage to take someone like that as his older brother…?”
Tap!
As the man in nightclothes kicked off the ground, his figure melted into the empty air.
And high atop a distant building, Yang Mu Cheon, who had watched the entire scene unfold, whispered to himself.
“Gun Woo, you were once that kind-hearted and devoted too. Just wait a little longer, my son. Soon this failure of a father’s battles will finally come to 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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