Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 16

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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 16

Namgung Clan’s Gajujeon.

Despite dozens of retainers being present, the vast hall was so quiet that not even the sound of breathing could be heard.

And at the center of all that silence sat a man on the Taesaui.

Under his indifferent gaze, only Jegal Hwa maintained her usual gentle smile.

But unlike her, the second young master Namgung Jin felt a deep burden.

The burden felt even greater since his elder brother, the first young master, was away at the Murim Alliance.

And at the very end of the retainers’ formation, in the most inconspicuous position, stood Namgung Cheon.

He didn’t show tension or avoid gazes like Namgung Jin or the other retainers.

His gaze was fixed from beginning to end solely on Namgung Mugang seated on the Taesaui.

And the emotion in his eyes carried a complex hue that couldn’t be defined by any single word—neither fear nor reverence.

‘…So we meet again like this.’

While other retainers couldn’t even lift their heads, crushed by the suffocating aura, Namgung Cheon alone faced him calmly.

Namgung Mugang on the Taesaui was merely sitting, yet his presence weighed down the entire Gajujeon.

A depth different from when they had sparred, now enhanced by the weight of years.

That unchanging strength actually calmed Namgung Cheon’s heart.

The Great War between Orthodox and Demonic, the duel in Heugmok-lim.

Initially it was a life-and-death battle between Orthodox and Demonic, enemy against enemy, but as time passed, that meaning faded.

Only the thrill and communion that could be felt at each other’s sword tips.

It was an emotion that couldn’t be felt anywhere else.

And at the end, the moment they faced each other covered in blood, smiling.

They silently exchanged swords and made a promise.

Someday, they would have their final battle at the pinnacle of the world.

But now, in this son’s body, he could only look up at that sky.

‘Still…’

Namgung Cheon’s eyes flickered like flames.

‘Someday.’

He would be able to cross swords with him again.

No matter how vast the gap between heaven and earth was now, he just needed to run faster than the pace of years that man had walked.

The moment he steeled that resolve, Namgung Mugang’s gaze began to slowly sweep over the retainers one by one.

Wherever his gaze touched, elders who had experienced countless battles instinctively bowed their waists, and Namgung Jin felt his breath catching.

And finally, his gaze reached and stopped on Namgung Cheon standing at the very end of the formation.

The only one who didn’t avoid his gaze and faced him head-on with unwavering will—his youngest son.

Namgung Mugang’s gaze naturally moved to Namgung Cheon’s waist.

On one side was Cheoncheon, the pride of Namgung, and on the opposite side was the jet-black sword he had personally sealed, Mukhon.

At this strange sight where light and darkness seemed to coexist, his previously indifferent eyes wavered briefly.

Like a tiny ripple when a small pebble falls on the surface of a calm lake.

But that was all.

He showed no further reaction.

He simply gazed at his son in silence.

The strange stillness flowing between father and son made the air in the hall settle even more heavily.

The other retainers could only watch the strange exchange of gazes between the two, forgetting even to breathe.

And it was Grand Elder Namgung Gyeong who broke that silence.

He stepped forward and opened his mouth.

“I shall report on the major and minor affairs during the family head’s absence.”

When Namgung Mugang nodded slightly, Namgung Gyeong began his report without hesitation.

Major matters regarding the family’s operations, finances, and exchanges with the Murim Alliance were discussed.

And finally, his voice lowered a tone as he brought up the topic everyone had been waiting for.

“Lastly, the report concerning the third young master.”

* * *

The report concerning the third young master.

At those words, the posture of the elders who had maintained indifferent expressions while receiving reports on other matters subtly changed.

Everyone’s attention focused on Namgung Cheon once again.

Namgung Gyeong glanced at Namgung Cheon briefly before opening his mouth.

“As already reported by letter, the third young master has achieved sword selection and…”

After briefly mentioning the sword selection, Namgung Gyeong immediately moved on to the achievements of the martial journey.

His report was an objective recitation of facts, but the content within was enough to shock everyone in the hall.

The defeat of Bieliong Gate Master Gwak San, the death of Bloodsword Sect Leader Galmuseong.

Though everyone already knew this content, hearing it officially through the Grand Elder’s mouth carried a different weight.

As the report continued, quiet gasps erupted in the hall, and several elders glanced at Namgung Cheon with admiring eyes.

When the atmosphere reached its peak, Namgung Gyeong delivered the climax.

“…Thus he defeated nine masters in and around Hefei, and his final opponent was the Wandering King’s disciple, Jeokmeolgeom Mujin.”

The moment the name ‘Jeokmeolgeom’ was mentioned, the air in the hall grew heavy.

Shocked sighs burst from the mouths of several elders who had just returned with the family head and were unaware of the news.

“Huh! The Wandering King’s disciple!”

Meanwhile, even those who had already heard the news unconsciously swallowed dry saliva at the weight of hearing the report before the family head.

Jeokmeolgeom Mujin.

He was a supreme master that most of the elders present couldn’t guarantee victory against.

Defeating such a person meant the youngest master’s martial prowess had already surpassed the elder level of the family.

Namgung Gyeong delivered the final blow to the stirring elders.

“Furthermore, that Jeokmeolgeom Mujin has volunteered to become the third young master’s personal retainer and is currently staying at the main house.”

Gasps and exclamations erupted here and there.

The act of drawing in an external supreme master through personal martial prowess.

It was both a dangerous variable that could shake the power structure within the family and a tremendous achievement.

But the report didn’t end there.

As if to reverse the atmosphere, Namgung Gyeong’s voice lowered another tone.

“However, the problems hidden behind that martial journey cannot be overlooked either.”

At those words, the excited air in the hall turned cold.

A smile of anticipation crossed the faces of elders from factions supporting the first or second young master, especially Seven Elder Namgung Do.

Namgung Gyeong began to dryly enumerate the problems caused by the martial journey.

“Due to the third young master’s actions, the existing power structure of Anhui Province’s underworld, including the Bloodsword Sect, has completely collapsed.”

His words had achievements and problems attached like two sides of a coin.

“Currently, minor heterodox factions are proliferating to claim the vacant underworld hegemony, and due to their power struggles, Anhui’s public sentiment has become somewhat unsettled.”

Public sentiment.

When that word came up, several elders coughed disapprovingly and glared at Namgung Cheon.

Namgung Gyeong paid no heed and reported the final problem.

“And due to the Bloodsword Sect’s collapse, the Sable Alliance, which had been receiving tribute from them, says they will dispatch the Black Wind Division under the pretext of investigating the truth.”

When the report ended, heavy silence descended on the hall once again.

The Grand Elder’s report had been utterly objective, but its content clearly came back as arrows aimed at Namgung Cheon.

The fact that while achieving brilliant merit, he had also created problems that needed to be dealt with as the price.

All the retainers held their breath, watching how Namgung Mugang would judge this matter and whom he would hold responsible.

All gazes focused on Namgung Mugang on the throne and Namgung Cheon, who stood without even a twitch throughout all the reports.

Then, Seven Elder Namgung Do stepped forward and raised his voice.

“Family Head, this is clearly chaos brought by the third young master’s excessive ambition! The family must quickly step forward to rectify this confusion…”

Just as he was about to continue speaking, Namgung Mugang quietly raised his hand to stop him.

All noise in the hall ceased as if by magic.

Namgung Mugang remained silent as if pondering for a moment, then turned his gaze toward Namgung Cheon.

“Cheon.”

“Yes.”

“What are your thoughts?”

At that question, Namgung Cheon opened his mouth with an unwavering voice.

“All the duels I engaged in followed proper procedures and were not done out of personal emotions. Furthermore, the chaos in Anhui Underworld is merely a natural phenomenon that occurred as the rotten root called the Bloodsword Sect was pulled out. I believe there was nothing wrong with my actions.”

Several elders frowned at those confident words.

Namgung Cheon paid them no mind and moved to the next step.

“However.”

He spoke with strength in his voice.

“Even so, since all of this began because of me, I will also bring it to an end.”

Words meaning he bore no fault, but would take responsibility.

At that arrogantly confident attitude, a strange light flickered in Namgung Mugang’s deep eyes.

The retainers held their breath, waiting for the family head’s next words.

After a long moment, Namgung Mugang’s mouth finally opened.

“Good.”

Then several elders’ faces hardened.

Namgung Mugang continued speaking, ignoring their reactions.

“I entrust you with full authority over this matter.”

Full delegation of authority.

This meant not simply assigning responsibility, but granting authority equal to the family head’s regarding this matter.

He had entrusted the youngest son, who had no presence, with full authority over the significant matter of Anhui’s Heterodox Faction and the Sable Alliance.

“F-Family Head! This is…!”

Seven Elder Namgung Do opened his mouth, but Namgung Mugang’s words crushed his following words.

“It is the family head’s command.”

The command of Namgung Mugang, who was both the Sword Emperor and family head.

Before that absolute weight, neither Namgung Do nor anyone else dared to open their mouths.

But Namgung Mugang’s shocking declaration didn’t end there.

“Now everyone withdraw. Only Cheon remains.”

A private audience.

Not only had he delegated full authority, but now he intended to face him alone.

The retainers couldn’t help but be shocked.

Just what did the family head see in that youngest son to show such radical behavior?

However, the elders and retainers didn’t dare raise objections and began quietly leaving Gajujeon with bowed heads.

Only Jegal Hwa exited last, wearing a faint smile of unknown meaning.

Creak… Thud.

The heavy door closed, and only two people remained in the vast hall.

Father and son.

And Cheonma and the Sword Emperor, who had been rivals.

Namgung Mugang descended from Taesaui and slowly approached Namgung Cheon.

However, his gaze was fixed not on his son’s face but on the jet-black sword at his waist, Mukhon.

Then he spoke.

“I never thought I’d see it again.”

His voice carried deep emotion.

To him, Mukhon was not a cold lump of metal, but a trace of that day long ago.

“…”

Namgung Cheon couldn’t say anything.

He too had felt the same emotion when he saw Mukhon.

‘You were waiting too.’

After staring at the scabbard for a long while, Namgung Mugang raised his gaze to look directly at his son.

Complex emotions swirled in his eyes.

He looked alternately at the two swords hanging side by side at his son’s waist and asked.

“Was Cheoncheon alone insufficient? Why did you covet Mukhon as well?”

It was pure curiosity.

The treasured sword symbolizing Namgung’s righteous path and the relic of one who had been the pinnacle of the demonic path.

He was asking why he sought to wield two swords that could never coexist.

Namgung Cheon answered with unwavering eyes.

“Cheoncheon showed me Namgung’s honor.”

He paused briefly and looked down at Mukhon hanging at his waist.

A smile crossed his lips.

“But this sword showed me power itself.”

“…Power.”

Namgung Mugang quietly repeated those words.

An answer so simple that it was all the more understandable.

In his son’s answer, Namgung Mugang read not trivial reasons like honor or fame, but simply a martial artist’s primal desire to become stronger.

That pure yearning that resembled his old nemesis.

Eventually he turned and spoke.

“I hope you can handle it.”

That was the end of their conversation.

Namgung Mugang slowly walked back up to the high seat where Taesaui was located.

He no longer gave his son any attention.

Namgung Cheon silently bowed toward that retreating figure.

After finishing his bow, he paused for a moment and watched Namgung Mugang returning to Taesaui.

More precisely, the vast sky he would someday have to surpass.

Then he turned without lingering attachment.

He walked step by step without wavering toward the firmly closed heavy door.

Thud.

The moment the heavy door closed behind him, the splendid scenery of Gajujeon disappeared from view.

Only a single ray of light seeping through the door crack dimly illuminated the corridor.

Namgung Cheon paused there for a moment and felt it.

The enormous presence felt from behind the door.

It was certainly an unreachable, distant heaven that he couldn’t even dare look up at yet.

‘But…’

His hand slowly moved toward Mukhon at his waist.

The cold sensation touching his palm.

‘This is my will that will someday reach you, that heaven.’

His eyes gleamed coldly.

‘Wait, Namgung Mugang.’

For the day I reach the heavens.

To see the end we couldn’t settle.

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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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