Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 107

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 107

The next morning, when Namgung Cheon had finished preparing to leave.

Dangho, the head of Poison Shadow Hall, came personally to deliver a summons from the Poison Emperor.

“The Head of the Clan is calling for you.”

Namgung Cheon nodded and followed him.

Eventually, Dangho’s steps stopped not at Mandokjeon, but at the innermost garden of the Dangpa Clan.

In the center of that garden, Dangpaecheon was feeding the carp in the pond.

“You’ve come.”

Dangpaecheon spoke quietly without turning around.

“Yes, I heard you called for me.”

Dangpaecheon slowly turned his body.

In one hand he held what appeared to be a food container, and in the other hand was a long, black case.

“Last night Dangmu, no, my daughter went to see you.”

“….”

Namgung Cheon silently gazed at Dangpaecheon.

Dangpaecheon’s eyes deepened.

“A foolish child. She’s always been restless, unable to prove herself. The name of being the Poison Emperor’s daughter was shackles to that child.”

He continued with a bitter smile.

“So I pretended not to know. Even knowing it was dangerous, I hoped that child would spread her wings and soar on her own. Hoping that someday she would break free from what she considered shackles.”

Dangpaecheon’s gaze reached Namgung Cheon.

“And you… you broke those shackles for her.”

“….”

“You acknowledged her as a martial artist named Dangmu, not as the Poison Emperor’s daughter. Thank you.”

Dangpaecheon lightly bowed his head.

An astounding sight of the Poison Emperor, one of the Twenty-Eight Stars of the World and ruler of Sichuan, showing respect to a young man barely past his coming of age.

Despite witnessing this, Namgung Cheon spoke in a calm tone.

“I did nothing. I merely spoke the truth.”

“Because there was no one to tell her that truth, that child lived trapped her entire life.”

Dangpaecheon held out the black case in his hand.

“Take it.”

“This is….”

“A gift. I too am not giving this to the third son of the Namgung Clan, but to the martial artist who protected my daughter’s back.”

Namgung Cheon hesitated for a moment before accepting the case.

A heavy weight was transmitted through his palm.

When he opened the case, a cool energy along with a jade-like blue light burst forth from within.

What was in the case was a dagger about one foot long.

The handle was made of ebony, and the blade was shining entirely in a brilliant jade color.

A gleam appeared in Namgung Cheon’s eyes.

It was an unmistakable dagger.

Because there was only one dagger with such coloring in all of Junghwon.

“Bidok Dagger….”

Namgung Cheon murmured quietly.

The Bidok Dagger, one of the three great treasures of the Dang Clan.

It was a precious sword said to be made by tempering Manyeon Hanjeol in the Dang Clan’s secret poison.

It could be called a precious sword in itself, but its true power lay in the deadly poison permanently infused in the blade.

“Since you know about it, there’s no need for explanation.”

“…This is too generous a gift.”

“It is not excessive.”

Dangpaecheon spoke firmly.

“The Dang Clan does not forget kindness. You saved my daughter and protected the honor of the Dang Clan. You deserve to receive at least this much.”

Namgung Cheon no longer declined and closed the case.

“I gratefully accept it.”

“So, what do you plan to do now? I heard you’re returning to your clan.”

Dangpaecheon’s eyes narrowed.

Namgung Cheon answered without any change in expression.

“Yes. I’ve been away for a long time, so I should return now.”

Dangpaecheon heard those words and let out a hollow laugh.

“Yes, going to your clan… Interesting. The Sword Emperor would have been quite pleased to hear that.”

He added as if guessing Namgung Cheon’s true intentions.

“The path to your clan will be smooth. However….”

Dangpaecheon slowly approached Namgung Cheon and continued.

“There’s never just one path. Even if you change your mind along the way and take a different path, if you show that Bidok Dagger, the Dang Clan’s secret networks will help you wherever you are. The same goes for the jade token.”

The corners of Namgung Cheon’s mouth rose.

Dangpaecheon had indeed guessed that he wouldn’t return quietly.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Go then. I’ll speak well of you to the Sword Emperor and Mujin.”

“Yes, thank you. Then I’ll take my leave now.”

As Namgung Cheon turned and began walking, Dangpaecheon quietly spoke.

“Ah, one more thing.”

Namgung Cheon stopped walking and turned his head to look at Dangpaecheon.

And on Dangpaecheon’s face as he turned around was a strange smile.

“My daughter, please look after her from time to time in the future. So that child doesn’t lose her way.”

Reading the meaning behind those words, Namgung Cheon immediately answered.

“She has already found her own path, so there will be no need for that.”

Leaving behind his answer without hesitation, Namgung Cheon left the garden without lingering.

* * *

Before leaving the Dang Clan, Namgung Cheon stopped by Chungpungwan where Mujin was staying.

As he entered the guest room, the strong smell of medicinal herbs and the sound of Mujin grumbling reached him.

“What a fate I have. Everyone else is fine, but only I end up like this.”

Mujin was still wrapped in bandages all over his body, leaning against the bed and receiving fruit that Soyuol was peeling for him.

Seeing Namgung Cheon enter, Mujin brightened and tried to get up, but immediately grabbed his side and grimaced.

“Young Master… My body is in such a state that I can’t even greet you properly.”

“It’s fine. Please rest.”

Namgung Cheon took a seat in the chair beside the table.

Soyuol, who had been quietly peeling fruit nearby, bowed silently and stepped aside.

Mujin chewed the fruit in his mouth while looking Namgung Cheon over.

“It looks like you’re all prepared. I can see you’ve even packed your bundle.”

“That’s right. I must leave now.”

At those words, regret flashed in Mujin’s eyes.

“I’d like to go with you, but in this condition I’d only be a burden… I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Besides, you were the one who brought out Elder Uiseon, so it’s proper to stay by his side until he fully recovers.”

At Namgung Cheon’s words, Mujin smiled and nodded.

“Young Master seems indifferent but always says what needs to be said. I understand. I’ll recover my body here while keeping the Elder company. And occasionally listening to Miss So’s nagging.”

After his playful remark, Mujin’s expression became serious.

“Are you perhaps going to Gwiju? I overheard Hyeolnachal mentioning Gwiju.”

After a moment of silence, Namgung Cheon nodded.

There was no reason to hide it from Mujin.

“Hah, that makes it even more regrettable that I can’t go with you. It would be interesting.”

Namgung Cheon’s eyes narrowed.

“This isn’t a pleasure trip.”

“Hmm.”

This time, Mujin’s eyes narrowed.

“Young Master, do you know something?”

“What do you mean?”

“When you look most excited.”

“…?”

At the sudden remark, Namgung Cheon showed a puzzled expression.

Then Mujin pointed to the sword hanging at Namgung Cheon’s waist.

“When you use your sword. Ah, all warriors might be like that, but your case is different.”

Mujin pointed to his own throat with his finger as he continued.

“When fighting to the point where your life hangs by a thread, have you ever seen your own expression?”

Namgung Cheon shook his head.

There was no way he could have.

Unless an opponent he was fighting to the death suddenly held up a mirror in front of him.

Mujin chuckled and opened his mouth.

“You’re smiling. More happily than at any other time.”

“….”

It was a fact he hadn’t been aware of himself.

He had simply given his all to win, to survive, and to cut down the enemy before him.

But Mujin’s words touched a fundamental instinct that had been settled deep in Namgung Cheon’s heart.

His past life as Cheonma.

‘Even in those days when I took countless lives, I only felt alive when facing a sword.’

He thought he was walking the path of righteousness now, but was the fighting spirit writhing in his dantian still the same?

“…I suppose that’s true.”

Namgung Cheon murmured quietly.

He couldn’t deny it.

‘No, I don’t want to deny it.’

This was the most certain way for him to live in this world.

“So be careful on your journey. You’re a much more dangerous person than you think you are.”

Mujin spoke in a playful tone, but his eyes were more serious than ever.

“Don’t be consumed by the sword. I hope you smile not because you enjoy cutting people down… but because you enjoy proving that overwhelming strength.”

Namgung Cheon quietly gazed at Mujin, then soon rose from his seat.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

A brief answer.

But within it was his intention not to take Mujin’s concern lightly.

Before leaving the room, Namgung Cheon added a word over his shoulder.

“Get your treatment properly. And next time we meet, buy me a drink with that seed money you’ve been saving bit by bit.”

Mujin burst into laughter.

“Haha, don’t worry. I’ll buy you a grand one!”

Leaving Mujin’s cheerful laughter behind, Namgung Cheon left the room.

As he walked along the connecting corridor, he saw the back of a woman standing by the pond in the garden.

It was Dang Eunseol, neatly dressed in deep green martial robes.

Sensing Namgung Cheon’s presence, she slowly turned around.

“You’re leaving.”

“That’s right.”

Her clear eyes, like the sky after rain, turned toward the black case Namgung Cheon was carrying.

“Father has given you a treasure of our clan. I’m sure you’ll be able to handle it well.”

“I’ll use it well.”

She politely bowed her head in respect.

“I pray for your safe journey.”

Namgung Cheon silently accepted her final farewell.

And slowly began walking again.

Soon he reached the main gate of the Dang Clan.

As he crossed the threshold, the distinctive dense medicinal fragrance of the Dang Clan faded behind him.

His head slowly turned.

Namgung Cheon briefly stopped walking and looked back.

The distant view of the Dang Clan that had already grown far away.

This too would be just one of the many places he would pass through in the future.

He turned his head again to face forward.

A place where neither the facade of the Orthodox Faction nor the name of Namgung could reach.

Namgung Cheon began walking again.

Toward the harsh land where he would have to bear everything alone.

Toward Gwiju.

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