Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 61

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 61. The Geom Gwi Arrives at the Funeral
―Ha ha ha! So you’ve brought the bride price, then?
―You. Haven’t you reached the age where you know there’s no such thing as a free meal in this world?
Namgung Ho Yeon smacked his lips at the two swords’ jab and replied.
“Tch. It couldn’t be helped. Who would’ve thought I’d happen to have something like this?”
Namgung Ho Yeon rolled the Cheon Gang Dan wrapped in gold foil across his palm, thinking.
‘If what the Red Craftmaster said is true, this Cheon Gang Dan is an elixir beyond comparison with the Baek Seon Gang Che Bo Dan.’
The Baek Seon Gang Che Bo Dan was a semi-elixir-grade medicinal pellet that enhanced stamina and nourished the body.
Using it, Namgung Ho Yeon could momentarily unleash the power of Jeol Jeong.
The Cheon Gang Dan, by contrast, could replenish Nae Gong at once, completely cure Nae Sang, and permanently strengthen the Hyeol Maek and Hyeol Do.
“With this, it’s possible.”
Namgung Ho Yeon’s eyes gleamed.
What had caused the imbalance in Sim Ki Che—the equilibrium of mind, technique, and body?
Because his body was too young and his blood vessels too soft, he couldn’t draw out his full power even when he had it.
“With this, I can accelerate ‘time.'”
He’d thought the only solution was time itself, and yet this rare treasure called Cheon Gang Dan had appeared at precisely the right moment.
―Ahem. Quite the stroke of fortune. This should ease your impatience as well.
As Namgung Ho Yeon gazed at the Cheon Gang Dan as if entranced, Cheon Roe Geom cleared his throat and spoke.
“……You knew?”
―Of course. As you read our hearts, so do we read yours.
―You. It started then, didn’t it? After you saw Mo Yong Sang Cheon’s radiant blade.
At Heuk Ya Tae Geom’s words, Namgung Ho Yeon nodded slightly.
Until then, Namgung Ho Yeon had believed he had time enough.
He was still in a growth period; if he waited just a few more years, his bones would naturally harden and his blood vessels would toughen.
“But what if that old man were an enemy? What if he decided to attack the Namgung Clan? Could I stop him?”
Namgung Ho Yeon muttered.
He didn’t know what Man Sang Yu Sim was, but the very existence of something that could destroy his daily life had made him anxious.
That’s why he’d deliberately tested his Uigi Yeondong when facing Dong Mu Oe.
To check whether his teeth were honed sharp enough.
“At the worst. I must be able to cut down anyone. That’s what the Geom Gwi is.”
Whoosh!
A crimson Gwi Ki bloomed and swirled in Namgung Ho Yeon’s eyes.
It was Killing Intent—the kind a threatened beast unleashes as a sign of displeasure.
“It’s been a long time since someone stood above my head. Still feels dirty.”
―Ha! Now that’s what you should be like. I was worried you’d gone soft!
―Tsk tsk. What a foul-tempered creature.
At the Killing Intent Namgung Ho Yeon gave off, Heuk Ya Tae Geom was delighted, while Cheon Roe Geom clicked his tongue.
“……It’s a strange feeling. I want to grow stronger. As soon as possible.”
―There’s much that’s strange. For any Mu In, such desire is only natural.
“No, old master. In the past, I never once thought about becoming stronger.”
―What? You were the best martial artist under heaven, and you’re talking nonsense?
“It’s the truth. Heuk Ya would know.”
At Namgung Ho Yeon’s words, Heuk Ya Tae Geom confirmed it in his raucous voice.
―Well, that’s right. You just killed and killed again. As a result, you ended up strong, but you were always a wandering wolf without purpose from the start.
―Hmph. Sophistry.
When Cheon Roe Geom spoke as if exasperated, Namgung Ho Yeon smiled faintly and said.
“So this is what that feeling was. The desire to grow stronger.”
Crunch!
Namgung Ho Yeon clenched his fist and felt his heart throb.
He knew all too well where this change of heart had begun.
“I am a greedy man. No one can take what is mine.”
―Pu-heh-heh! Your collecting urge was impressive. You’d stuff any fine blade straight into the Geom Gwe.
―Hmm. I’m not sure if this is a positive direction.
Hearing Cheon Roe Geom’s words, Namgung Ho Yeon recalled the old man Namgung Cheon Gang, whom he’d met atop the West Lake Bridge long ago.
“Geom Gwi, you flow like a boat adrift without purpose. Even a mere blade is born with the purpose of ‘slaughter,’ yet you lack even that. This is your final chance—I pray you find the ‘purpose’ of life.”
‘Ah, so that’s what the old man meant by purpose.’
Namgung Ho Yeon felt a pleasant clarity as his long-standing question found its answer, and he murmured.
“Well, I should think of it as a good opportunity. Whether it’s Uigi Yeondong or martial arts. Learning to bloom amidst countless battles.”
―You! Are you going to eat that rabbit dropping right now?
“Are you insane? Full recovery of Nae Gong and Nae Sang healed completely—that’s a spare life. I’ll use it only when I truly need it.”
―Before that, how exactly do you plan to leave? You’re not going to run off without saying a word, are you?
“Ah, that. The princess agreed to help.”
Cheon Roe Geom’s question drew a chuckle from Ho Yeon, who muttered the reply.
“If we move quickly enough, we can slip away without anyone noticing.”
* * *
“Ho Yeon. All right then, I’m off. Make sure you eat well even without me.”
“Yes.”
“Ugh! I wish you could come with us, Ho Yeon.”
“I have work to do. I’m the tea plantation owner, after all.”
Ho Yeon saw off Peng So Hwa and Namgung Sang A, who wore expressions of barely contained excitement, with those words.
The two women were dressed in their finest attire, a detail explained by the arrival of the imperial escort that followed.
“We’ve come to receive you.”
At the head of the escort stood a broad-shouldered man—General Eon Jang Hwan.
He respectfully helped Peng So Hwa and Namgung Sang A into the carriage, offering Ho Yeon a cordial nod.
Ho Yeon returned the gesture with a nod of his own, completing the farewell.
Clop, clop!
Rumble, rumble!
As the carriage receded into the distance, Mo Yong Yul muttered softly beside him.
“They say the Hwaqing Palace has scenery unmatched under heaven……”
“Do you wish you could go too?”
“Ah, no. It’s fine.”
“Are you sure? An opportunity like this doesn’t come easily.”
Ho Yeon smiled faintly.
Hwaqing Palace was a magnificent auxiliary palace built atop a mountain east of Chang’an, renowned since ancient times as both a sacred peak and a center for hot springs.
Within its grounds lay the Hwaqing Pool, where legend held that immersion extended one’s lifespan—need more be said?
“It’s a place one cannot enter without a personal invitation from the imperial family. If you change your mind, I can arrange it even now.”
“No! I’d rather stay with you!”
“Impressive loyalty.”
“Of course. I’m your one and only sibling, after all!”
As Mo Yong Yul clenched his fists tightly and declared this with pride, Wolmyo and Jeokseo mewed and chirped from within his robe.
“Then let’s go.”
“Are we eating out already?”
“No.”
“Then where are we……”
Mo Yong Yul followed behind Ho Yeon with quiet obedience, though puzzlement flickered across his face.
He’d expected them to wander the marketplace as usual, browsing for snacks, but instead Ho Yeon led him into a stable to purchase a horse.
“Brother?”
“Mount up.”
“Pardon?”
“We’re heading to Banzi Hwa.”
“Banzi Hwa? But that’s in Sichuan……”
Mo Yong Yul’s eyes widened with surprise, and Ho Yeon grinned, ruffling his hair affectionately.
“Your brother and I have a secret mission to carry out.”
“A secret…… mission?!”
Mo Yong Yul’s eyes gleamed with sudden brilliance.
A secret mission?
It felt like something momentous.
“Any martial artist worth his salt should know how to undertake a secret mission or two. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Of course! I love secret missions!”
“Then let’s be off.”
Whoosh! Thud!
As Ho Yeon mounted the horse, a flushed-faced Mo Yong Yul scrambled up behind him.
Clop-clop, clop-clop, clop-clop!
Ho Yeon pulled the reins taut, and the horse’s hooves struck the ground with powerful strides.
And immediately after.
Rustle.
A man in black robes and a black hat emerged from the shadows and approached the stable keeper.
“You there.”
“Oh my! You startled me!”
“I need a horse.”
* * *
Mist hung heavy in the air.
A woman in white mourning clothes stood before a small garden.
A white banner thrust into the gate frame—a Jeban—announced that this was a house of death.
“Oh dear. Oh dear. What are we to do? Gong Ui Won, gone like that…….”
An old woman with hair white as snow gripped the woman in white and wailed.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Of course I came! Do you know how much I owe Gong Ui Won?”
The old woman brandished her walking stick and cried out in fury.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
“Cowards, all of you! How many lives did Gong Ui Won save, yet not a single one comes to pay respects!”
“I understand.”
“Understand what! Pathetic wretches, trembling before the Pae Wang Moon!”
……
The woman’s face twisted into a sorrowful smile at the old woman’s words.
Then, from within the mist came the sound of footsteps, and a dozen men emerged.
Step, step, step.
All wore black martial robes, and emblazoned across each chest in gold was the character for “Domination.”
“Speak of the devil, and he appears……!”
“Yeon Grandma. Go inside.”
The old woman glared at them with eyes full of hate, and the woman pushed her firmly into the house with a face rigid as stone.
“Heh heh! Were you in mourning?”
“……Please leave.”
“Why? I should at least light incense at the altar.”
A man in golden robes, leading the black-clad fighters, regarded the woman with a sneer playing about his lips.
“After all, isn’t he my father-in-law?”
“How dare you! You are no in-law of mine!”
“Fufufu! Then I’m not?”
Thud!
As the man stepped forward, the woman’s body trembled.
“With your father gone, you’re all alone now. What can you possibly do by yourself?”
“……I will inherit his practice.”
“His practice? Ah, so you picked up some acupuncture from watching over his shoulder? That might be useful. Come find me sometime when my shoulders ache.”
“I’ll do no such thing for you! Never!”
At the woman’s shout, the man’s laughter vanished, and he whispered close to her ear.
“Stupid girl. There’s no one else to turn to but me. I’ve made sure of it.”
“You……!”
“Starve and waste away, or go peddling yourself in the marketplace? Or better yet, let me buy you at a proper price?”
Thud!
“Ugh! Let go of my hand!”
“Still pouting, are we? Heh heh!”
As the man seized the woman’s hand and laughed darkly, the old woman watching from behind the door came rushing out with her stick raised.
“You filthy wretch! Accosting a decent woman in broad daylight!”
“What? I didn’t see anyone else here.”
“Yeon Grandma!”
Crack!
The man in golden robes launched a vicious kick at the charging old woman.
The old woman lost her grip on the stick and crashed to the ground hard.
“Ow…….”
“Grandma!”
Patter-patter!
The woman rushed to the fallen old woman and checked her condition, while the man watched with a smirk and snapped the white banner from the gate frame.
Crack!
“Think carefully. In Banzi Hwa, nothing escapes the reach of the Pae Wang Moon.”
……
“The longer you delay your choice, the harder things will become. I look forward to the day you come to me. Hehehehe!”
Step, step, step.
“Ugh!”
As the men withdrew, the woman clenched her teeth, and the old woman spoke with worry in her voice.
“Maeng A. You must never go to that monster. Last month, the merchant’s daughter fell into his hands…….”
“Don’t worry. I’d rather bite through my own tongue than let them hear anything.”
“You mustn’t die! You have to live!”
“……Yes. I must live.”
The woman nodded and helped the old woman to her feet.
Then.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Footsteps echoed through the mist.
At first she thought the Pae Wang Moon fighters had returned, but the sound was too soft for that.
Soon two figures emerged from the fog.
Their clothes were tattered and stained, no different from beggars.
“Who are you?”
When the woman asked, the taller of the two men opened his mouth.
Contrary to his appearance, his voice emerged clear and refined.
“Just travelers passing through. Might we trouble you for some water?”
“Huff… huff…”
“As you can see, my younger brother is exhausted from our long journey.”
They were Namgung Ho Yeon and Mo Yong Yul, who had just arrived at Banzi Hwa.
The woman, studying the two of them in turn, nodded and spoke.
“Even if this is a house of mourning, you’re welcome to come inside.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————