Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 23

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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 23

The Hwangbo Clan, Shandong Sect, and Namgung Clan.

It meant that everyone was waiting for one person—Namgung Cheon.

Mujin hastily closed his mouth that had fallen open without him realizing and cleared his throat.

“Ahem. So you’re saying that even the heads of both clans are waiting only for the young master?”

Namgung Un nodded with a sigh.

“Though the two clan heads haven’t said anything directly, the atmosphere in Jacheon Hall where the banquet is being held is growing heavier by the moment.”

Deep fatigue settled on his face.

Sympathy flickered in Mujin’s eyes as he looked at Namgung Un.

Though he was the head steward, he was a young man similar to himself, approaching the age of thirty.

He might be capable enough to handle important clan responsibilities, but dealing with the prominent figures of two renowned clans would be burdensome even for someone like him.

Namgung Un opened his mouth as if he had made a decision.

“I should return and report the situation again. Since there’s no clear solution…”

Just as he was about to turn around.

Creeeeak—.

Without any sign, the tightly closed door of the residence slowly opened.

At that sound, both men’s gazes simultaneously turned toward the door.

And finally, Namgung Cheon revealed himself.

After three days of seclusion, his beard had grown dark, and his clothes were disheveled.

Looking at such a Namgung Cheon, Mujin soon thought.

‘…Now I really can’t match him.’

Certainly, even before his seclusion, he could clearly sense Namgung Cheon’s aura.

An aura that was endlessly sharp yet heavily settled.

But now, he couldn’t sense any aura from Namgung Cheon whatsoever.

There was even a strange sense of lightness felt in his eyes.

“…”

“…”

It wasn’t just Mujin.

Namgung Un also sensed that subtle change and unconsciously closed his mouth.

For quite a while, the two men silently stared at Namgung Cheon.

The strange situation of two grown men quietly staring at him.

Namgung Cheon furrowed his brow.

He looked back and forth between the two, then quietly opened his mouth.

“If you have no business, I’ll be going inside.”

Then Namgung Un startled and said.

“Ah, my apologies. I do have business. Very important business.”

Having regained his composure, Namgung Un reported the situation once more.

That the Hwangbo Clan and Shandong Sect had come and a banquet was being held, and that they had specifically requested a martial duel with Namgung Cheon.

Finally, that everyone had been waiting for Namgung Cheon for three days.

Namgung Un continued in a somewhat urgent tone.

“Then we must hurry to prepare, so I’ll call the servants first.”

At those words, Namgung Cheon seemed to fall into thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“It’s fine. Please wait just a moment.”

“Understood, young master.”

Namgung Un didn’t urge further and stepped back.

Namgung Cheon went back inside the residence.

Thud.

The door closed,

“…”

Namgung Un stared blankly at the closed door.

Until just moments ago, he had been anxious thinking time was of the essence, but now that feeling had disappeared like a lie.

Rather, he was overwhelmed by the change he had sensed from Namgung Cheon earlier and couldn’t collect himself.

‘His aura… couldn’t be felt at all.’

Even when he returned after completing his martial journey, he had been surrounded by an aura like a sharply forged sword.

‘But… now I couldn’t sense any aura at all.’

Like a quiet lake of unknown depth, he had perfectly contained his power within.

A true master hides their strength within and only draws it from the scabbard when necessary.

The third young master was like that now.

Only then did he clearly understand why the Head of the Clan, Jegal Hwa, paid such close attention to the third young master.

While Namgung Un was reassessing Namgung Cheon, the door opened again.

“…?”

Namgung Un doubted his own eyes at the sight of Namgung Cheon emerging from the residence.

Though his disheveled hair was neatly tied, the clothes Namgung Cheon wore were not the splendid ceremonial robes meant for receiving guests.

Simple black martial attire that clung to his body, made solely for actual combat.

He even had both swords, Cheoncheon and Mukhon, properly fastened at his waist.

“Young master?”

A bewildered voice escaped from Namgung Un’s mouth without him realizing.

“That attire is…”

Originally, formal exchanges between clans, especially martial duels between their successors, followed the custom of showing mutual respect.

They would enjoy the banquet in neat ceremonial robes, then when the time came, both sides would agree to move to another location, change into martial attire, and duel with proper etiquette.

That was the way of prestigious clans.

But Namgung Cheon was ignoring all those procedures and courtesies from the start.

An appearance as if he could fight right now.

While Namgung Un was flustered and didn’t know what to do, laughter burst from Mujin who was standing beside him.

“Haha, that’s truly like the young master.”

Namgung Cheon paid no attention to their reactions and said quietly.

“Let’s go. To meet our guests.”

* * *

The banquet continuing for the third day.

Heavy silence hung in the private room of Jacheon Hall.

The splendid music and dancing from outside the door could be heard faintly, but inside the room, only three leaders were silently raising their wine cups.

The first to break the silence was the head of the Hwangbo Clan, Fist King Hwangbo U.

“I received reports that the Northern Ice Palace’s movements are unusual. They say the expansion of power has been fierce since the new palace master took position.”

At his words, the head of the Shandong Sect, Spear King Ak Paesan, also nodded with a serious expression.

“The Green Forest is the same. Since a new chief bandit appeared, they’re not moving like simple bandits but like an army. It’s clearly different from ten years ago.”

The two clan heads discussed the heavy martial world situation while looking at Namgung Mugang at the head seat.

As if asking for his thoughts about the approaching winter.

Namgung Mugang emptied his wine cup and answered quietly.

“When winter comes, we just cut down winter. Like we did with Makyō.”

“…Hehe, you’re still the same.”

Hwangbo U let out a hollow laugh.

The simplest answer, yet the most difficult one in the world.

It was an answer befitting the world’s greatest swordsman.

“It’s easy for the Sword Emperor of the world to say that. But we’re old now too. We can’t always stand at the forefront. Eventually, it will become our children’s era…”

Just as Hwangbo U was trailing off his words with regret.

“…!”

Hwangbo U and Ak Paesan, and even Namgung Mugang.

The eyes of the three clan heads turned toward the same place simultaneously.

Hwangbo U unconsciously swallowed dry saliva and asked Ak Paesan through voice transmission.

―This aura… who on earth could it be?

Ak Paesan also replied through voice transmission filled with shock.

―I don’t know either. Could there be another such existence in the Namgung?

While the two clan heads were engulfed in shock, a very faint smile appeared on Namgung Mugang’s lips.

At that moment, Wisa, who was guarding the door outside the private room, shouted with inner energy.

“Third Young Master, Young Master Namgung Cheon has arrived!”

At those words, shock crossed the faces of the two clan heads once again.

Could the owner of this overwhelming aura be the Third Young Master who had just barely passed his coming of age?

Namgung Mugang rose from his seat.

“Let’s go out. It seems the main character has finally arrived.”

* * *

Amidst the various colorful garments brilliantly reflecting the lantern light.

“…?”

Everyone’s gaze turned toward Namgung Cheon, who had just entered.

More precisely, toward his clothing.

Namgung Cheon was wearing completely black martial robes, as if he were about to go on a night mission.

A black figure proudly crossing the colorfully splendid banquet hall.

Everyone’s gaze naturally followed Namgung Cheon’s steps.

Having crossed the hall, Namgung Cheon finally stopped before Namgung Mugang, bowed respectfully, and spoke.

“This humble one greets the Head of the Clan. Please forgive my late arrival.”

A courteous greeting that followed proper etiquette.

Namgung Mugang, receiving the greeting, nodded silently.

Jegal Hwa, sitting beside him, spoke with a gentle smile.

“From what I can see, there seems to be a good reason for this.”

Then Jegal Hwa looked toward Hwangbo U and Ak Paesan and spoke.

“Greet the two clan heads as well.”

Namgung Cheon turned toward the two clan heads and bowed respectfully.

“I am the Third Young Master, Namgung Cheon. I greet the clan heads.”

Then Hwangbo U laughed heartily and spoke.

“Haha, when did you grow up so much? I’m sure I remember seeing you as a newborn baby. But more than that, recently your name has been heard beyond Anhui and even in Shandong.”

Ak Paesan chimed in.

“I heard that even Shandong’s Swift Wind Twin Blades lost to you. Is that true?”

Namgung Cheon fell into thought for a moment.

‘Swift Wind Twin Blades? Did I even have a duel with such a person?’

Then he soon remembered.

‘Ah, one of those who came during my meal?’

Namgung Cheon answered briefly in an emotionless voice.

“Yes, such a thing happened.”

“Hmm… I see. But…”

Ak Paesan’s gaze swept over Namgung Cheon once.

“May I ask why you came dressed in martial robes?”

At that question, Namgung Cheon’s eyes swept over the junior members in the guest seats for the first time.

Soon his gaze stopped at one place.

The young man with the highest martial prowess among those from the Hwangbo Clan.

At the same time, someone who looked exactly like Hwangbo U.

It was the Junior Head of the Hwangbo Clan, Hwangbo Gun.

Namgung Cheon looked straight at him and spoke.

“I heard that the Hwangbo Junior Head wishes to have a duel with me.”

The atmosphere in the hall sank once again.

Just as Ak Paesan was about to nod slowly in affirmation and speak.

Hwangbo U’s urgent voice transmission struck Ak Paesan’s ear.

―That won’t do! He’ll end up like the Swift Wind Twin Blades!

However, the son who didn’t know his father’s feelings.

“That’s right! After hearing rumors about Young Master Namgung Cheon, I’ve been dying to compete with you!”

Hwangbo Gun sprang up from his seat and spoke heartily.

“Hwangbo Gun!”

Hwangbo U called his son’s name reproachfully, but it was already too late.

Hwangbo Gun paid no heed to his father’s restraint and boldly cupped his fists toward Namgung Cheon.

“Junior Head of the Hwangbo Clan, Hwangbo Gun, formally requests a duel with Young Master Namgung Cheon.”

An awkward silence pervaded the hall.

Hwangbo U’s face was rigid as he had to clean up the mess his son had created on his own, and Namgung Mugang remained silent as always.

Then, Namgung Cheon spoke first.

“If the Hwangbo Clan Head permits, may I add one condition to this duel?”

At those words, all gazes focused on Hwangbo U.

Hwangbo U wore a displeased expression, but reluctantly nodded under the gazes felt from all directions.

“…Very well, speak.”

Then Namgung Cheon slowly unfastened both swords at his waist, Cheoncheon and Mukhon, and placed them audibly on a nearby table.

And with empty hands, he looked at Hwangbo Gun and spoke quietly.

“I too will engage in this duel with bare hands.”

Silence.

The moment when everyone was at a loss for words at Namgung Cheon’s statement.

“Hahahaha!”

Hwangbo U’s hearty laughter echoed throughout.

His face bore a smile full of interest.

He spoke toward Namgung Mugang at the head seat.

“Sword Emperor, you’ve raised your son quite interestingly! To dare discuss fists before us Hwangbo!”

Then Hwangbo U rose from his seat and spoke to Hwangbo Gun.

“Show him, Gun. How mighty the Hwangbo fist is.”

His expression grew cold.

He quietly added one more line.

“Without fail.”

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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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