Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 25

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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 25

A secluded guest room in Jacheon Hall.

Here, a modest drinking table was set for four young people.

Originally, this should have been a gathering that included the second young master Namgung Jin as well.

However, he had avoided the occasion with the excuse of not feeling well.

Looking at that empty seat, Ak Soyou thought.

‘…Still calculating as ever, Young Master Namgung Jin.’

He probably had no desire to celebrate his younger brother’s achievement, but what would be even more terrible would be being compared while sitting next to that glory.

He must have calculated that it would be better to avoid the gathering altogether.

Thanks to that, an awkward yet peculiar drinking session among just the four of them began.

The first to break the silence was Hwangbo Gun.

He laughed heartily and picked up the wine bottle in front of him to fill Namgung Cheon’s cup.

“Young Master Namgung Cheon! I lost to you in martial arts. I acknowledge it cleanly. However, I must prove that our Hwangbo clan’s drinking capacity is the best under heaven! Accept this cup!”

Namgung Cheon frowned as if annoyed but reluctantly picked up his cup.

With the clear sound of their cups clinking together, the tense atmosphere began to ease.

After several rounds of drinks, Ak Soyou, who had been quietly looking after his sister until now, spoke to Hwangbo Gun with a bitter smile.

“Hwangbo Gun, was this what you were aiming for when you brought it up at the training ground?”

His words carried a subtle reproach, wondering if Hwangbo Gun had deliberately created this gathering to avoid the heavy atmosphere among the adults.

But Hwangbo Gun waved his hands as if genuinely wronged.

“No, it’s not like that! I simply wanted to compete with Young Master Namgung Cheon in drinking, just the two of us… Everyone seems to misunderstand.”

He clicked his tongue regretfully.

“Besides, I couldn’t even see Young Master Namgung Jin properly. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him.”

At his candid appearance, Ak Soyou could no longer continue his words and shook his head.

A pure martial artist with no malice and usually no ulterior motives in his actions.

That was exactly who Hwangbo Gun was.

Then, Ak Seolran looked at Namgung Cheon with sparkling eyes and asked.

“Young Master, if it’s not rude to ask, I’d like to inquire. The fist technique you displayed at the training ground earlier… it was different from any martial art I know.”

At her question, Hwangbo Gun also stopped his chatter and listened intently.

All eyes focused on Namgung Cheon.

Namgung Cheon looked down at his wine cup for a moment, then answered quietly.

“It’s Namgung’s martial art.”

At that answer, Hwangbo Gun asked back with a puzzled expression.

“Namgung’s martial art? Does the Namgung Clan have such a fist technique? As far as I know, Namgung has no fist techniques of that caliber other than swordsmanship.”

Namgung Cheon put down his empty wine cup and answered indifferently.

“I simply displayed Namgung’s martial art through fists.”

Silence.

Hwangbo Gun wore a bewildered expression, unable to understand the meaning of those words.

But Ak Soyou was different.

His eyes filled with shock.

“…You mean you displayed fist techniques based on the principles of swordsmanship, without being bound by form?”

At Ak Soyou’s trembling voice, Namgung Cheon looked at him properly for the first time.

‘He understands.’

To comprehend it at once.

Namgung Cheon nodded silently.

At that confirmation, Ak Soyou felt his breath catch involuntarily.

The form of the weapon is not important.

What matters is the fundamental principle contained within it.

An extremely obvious truth of martial arts that even a child would know.

However.

‘Knowing and doing are different things.’

Countless martial artists dedicate their entire lives trying to practice that truth, but most end their lives trapped by the form of the weapon they wield.

Yet that man.

That man of similar age to himself was already freely walking in that realm.

This was not a level that could be explained simply by calling him a genius.

While Ak Soyou looked at Namgung Cheon with eyes filled with awe, Ak Seolran asked once more.

“Then discarding your sword was also to demonstrate that realm.”

Namgung Cheon’s gaze turned to her.

He shook his head and answered.

“No. I simply showed courtesy to my opponent’s martial art.”

At that answer, this time Hwangbo Gun’s eyes widened.

It meant he hadn’t disregarded Hwangbo and his own fists, but rather respected them by facing them in the same manner.

It had been sincere courtesy, not an insult directed at him.

A thrill rose along with realization.

“Kahahahaha!”

Hwangbo Gun slapped his thigh and burst into hearty laughter.

“Truly befitting a young master! I’ve never met a man like you in my entire life. I’m not ashamed of my defeat!”

He felt not the slightest bit of shame.

Rather, his defeat felt even more valuable.

He laughed heartily and filled Namgung Cheon’s cup to the brim with wine.

Ak Soyou watched such Hwangbo Gun and swallowed a bitter smile.

“For the Fist Dragon of the world to acknowledge defeat so easily, how unexpected.”

At his words, Hwangbo Gun bristled.

“A loss is a loss! And Young Master Namgung didn’t even use his sword, right? At this level, I clearly lost fair and square!”

He downed his drink in one gulp and continued.

“Well, among our Seven Dragons, there’s probably no one except the Monk Dragon who could pressure me like this without a weapon.”

Seven Dragon Peaks.

It was a term referring to the nine people at the pinnacle of the current martial world’s rising generation.

Ak Seolran asked with sparkling eyes.

“Then does Young Master Namgung also belong to those Seven Dragons?”

“Hmm, that would be difficult right now, I think.”

It was Hwangbo Gun who answered.

“The Seven Dragon Peaks are already established. Moreover, from Namgung…”

Ak Soyou picked up the conversation.

“The eldest young master, Young Master Namgung Hwi, is called the Sword Dragon.”

Ak Soyou paused briefly and looked at Namgung Cheon with meaningful eyes.

“But seeing today’s sparring match… it seems that structure will gradually change as well.”

At Ak Soyou’s words, Hwangbo Gun didn’t object.

Rather, he nodded and agreed.

“Young Master, with your level of skill, you could easily claim one of the Seven Dragons’ positions and more. Why haven’t you made your name known in the martial world until now?”

At Hwangbo Gun’s question, everyone’s gaze focused on Namgung Cheon.

Namgung Cheon tilted his wine cup and answered quietly.

“Not interested.”

“…?”

Not only Hwangbo Gun and Ak Seolran, but even Ak Soyou was momentarily at a loss for words, unable to understand the meaning of that answer.

Honor, ranking, being the best under heaven.

Aren’t these things that all martial artists constantly yearn for?

Moreover, to have no interest in the Seven Dragons, who are considered the best among the rising generation.

The first to regain his composure was Ak Soyou.

He wore a bitter smile and muttered as if talking to himself.

“…You’re serious.”

Before that overwhelming indifference, the splendid title of Seven Dragon Peaks felt like nothing more than children’s play.

While Ak Soyou emptied his cup with complicated feelings, Hwangbo Gun burst into hearty laughter.

He downed his drink in one gulp and smacked his lips with regret.

“Truly regrettable! If I had my way, I’d love to drink through the night for days and spar as well, but tomorrow I must depart for Shandong.”

Two clans that had come to celebrate the family head’s return.

Having fulfilled that duty, it was now time to return to their main houses.

Then Ak Soyou glanced at Namgung Cheon and asked.

“By the way, are you perhaps going to the Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly?”

“Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly?”

When Hwangbo Gun asked back, Ak Soyou answered.

“That gathering of promising young talents from sects along the Yangtze River. Held every five years.”

Only then did Hwangbo Gun slap his knee and nod.

“Ah! You mean that assembly where women lined up, smitten by the Sword Dragon.”

At Hwangbo Gun’s words, Ak Soyou rolled his eyes, but Namgung Cheon himself only fiddled with his wine cup.

Then Ak Soyou spoke again.

“Won’t you go?”

“Brother, there’s the eldest young master, isn’t there?”

At those words, Ak Soyou nodded as if understanding.

Sword Dragon Namgung Hwi.

The eldest son of the Namgung Clan and currently the most likely candidate for the next family head.

Since he had attended representing Namgung five years ago, that position would naturally be the eldest young master’s this time as well.

Hwangbo Gun clicked his tongue regretfully.

“Country bumpkins like us from Shandong can’t even get a glimpse of an invitation, yet here you could send more but choose not to.”

“Hwangbo Gun.”

Ak Soyou quietly gave him a warning look, but he too harbored a strange regret toward Namgung Cheon.

It was pitiful that despite possessing such skill, he couldn’t step forward due to family hierarchy.

“Anyway, we’re leaving tomorrow. If the young master ever travels the martial world and passes through Shandong, please be sure to visit our Ak Clan or Hwangbo.”

At Ak Soyou’s courteous proposal, Namgung Cheon nodded.

“Hah, excellent! Come, one more drink…!”

Hwangbo Gun, whose eyes had already glazed over, vigorously shook the wine bottle.

But his body was already swaying contrary to his will.

“Huh?”

Thud—!

Having lost his balance, Hwangbo Gun’s head crashed straight onto the table.

Ak Soyou pressed his forehead and let out a deep sigh.

“…You lose in both fists and drinking capacity, Hwangbo Gun.”

At those words, Namgung Cheon unconsciously let out a quiet chuckle.

Thus, the three’s first drinking session came to an end with Hwangbo Gun’s thunderous snoring.

* * *

Gajujeon.

Only four people remained, tilting their wine cups: Namgung Mugang, Jegal Hwa, Hwangbo U, and Ak Paesan.

The afterglow of the sparring match that had taken place at the training ground still lingered in the hall.

Hwangbo U was the first to break the silence.

He wore a bitter smile as he filled Namgung Mugang’s cup.

“You’ve raised one son truly well. It’s the first time I’ve seen my son accept defeat so gracefully.”

Ak Paesan also added in a serious voice.

“Indeed, the rumors were not unfounded. However, there’s one thing I’m curious about.”

Ak Paesan’s gaze turned to Namgung Mugang.

“The martial arts that child displayed… those were techniques I’ve never seen anywhere. Where exactly did he obtain such fortune?”

At that question, Hwangbo U also listened intently.

It was what both men were most curious about.

Beyond simply being strong, where did the foundation of those martial arts originate?

With everyone’s attention focused on him, Namgung Mugang, who had been silent until now, spoke for the first time.

“It’s not fortune. Though slightly different, it’s definitely rooted in our Namgung martial arts.”

Namgung Mugang continued while gazing at the darkness outside the window.

“So it’s a path that child found on his own. He just needs a little help.”

“…!”

Shock flashed across the faces of Hwangbo U and Ak Paesan.

Not strengthened by obtaining fortune, but finding a new path on his own.

“…Your jokes have improved. Are you saying a child who had been secluded all this time created martial arts by himself?”

Hwangbo U spoke with uncharacteristic seriousness.

Ak Paesan nodded.

“If that’s true… then Namgung Cheon, that child has the qualities of a Grand Master worthy of leaving his name in martial history. Are you serious?”

Grand Master.

In the martial world, that term was never something to be spoken lightly.

A title that even masters who had devoted decades to martial arts might speak only once in their lifetime, if at all.

Beyond meaning high achievement, it was a designation reserved only for those who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, capable of changing the flow of an era.

Namgung Mugang silently tilted his wine cup.

At that sight, the two family heads’ eyes widened even more.

They knew from the start that Namgung Mugang wasn’t the type to make jokes.

But they simply didn’t want to believe it.

That such a genius existed in this era where their own children lived.

Heavy silence flowed through the hall.

After a long while, Hwangbo U changed the subject as if trying to lighten the mood.

“Ahem, actually, we came today not only to celebrate your return but also to discuss one more matter.”

His voice dropped low.

Hwangbo U’s gaze turned to Namgung Mugang.

“It’s a problem on a different level from the Northern Ice Palace or Green Forest we mentioned earlier.”

At those words, Ak Paesan’s face also hardened.

A problem more serious than the Northern Ice Palace or Green Forest.

Those words could only mean one thing.

“You mean Makyō.”

At Ak Paesan’s words, Hwangbo U nodded.

“Yes, Sword Emperor, you would know better than anyone.”

At Hwangbo U’s words, Namgung Mugang’s eyes, which had shown no movement until now, trembled very slightly.

Not missing that change, Ak Paesan spoke with a stern expression.

“…The recent incidents in Gansu are also likely their doing.”

The peaceful air of Jacheon Hall turned cold as ice.

Hwangbo U continued.

“In the past, our generation roamed the Central Plains and blocked their activities. But now we too have grown old. We can’t stay at the forefront forever.”

His gaze turned toward where the guest rooms would be.

“Now is the time for our children’s generation to join forces.”

Ak Paesan also agreed with his words.

“Right. If scattered, we’ll only be defeated one by one. We need a focal point.”

Finally, Hwangbo U brought up the main point.

“That’s why this Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly is important. Though it’s another’s feast that we’re not invited to, shouldn’t Namgung, who is no different from the leader of the Yangtze, firmly hold the center?”

Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly.

Once every five years, a gathering of the rising talents from the sects along the Yangtze River basin.

Though it’s ostensibly for exchange, everyone knows the truth.

The Orthodox Faction sects of the Yangtze River region are so numerous that the term ‘Janggang Alliance’ is commonly attached to them.

This gathering is a place to predict in advance which rising talents might potentially lead them.

Hwangbo U continued speaking.

“Since it’s held once every five years, they won’t all just quietly drink and leave.”

Ak Paesan also nodded gravely.

“That’s right. They’re hot-blooded youngsters, so they’ll surely try to establish a hierarchy.”

To their words, Jegal Hwa replied with a gentle smile.

“Don’t worry. Hwi happens to have returned from the Murim Alliance and will attend the Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly.”

The Sword Dragon of the Seven Dragon Peaks and the eldest young master closest to becoming the next family head, Namgung Hwi.

It was only natural that he would represent Namgung at the Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly.

However.

“….”

“….”

A subtle disappointment crossed the faces of Hwangbo U and Ak Paesan.

The two family heads exchanged glances with uncomfortable expressions.

The person they wanted to hear about wasn’t the already proven Sword Dragon.

Hwangbo U forced a hearty laugh and said.

“Haha, of course the Sword Dragon’s reputation is known throughout the world. However….”

His gaze turned toward Namgung Mugang.

“From what I’ve seen this time, doesn’t Namgung have one more hidden dragon?”

Ak Paesan picked up on his words.

“That’s right. In a gathering where outstanding talents come together… wouldn’t that unpredictable child be able to cause even greater waves?”

The subtle expectations of the two family heads.

But Namgung Mugang paid no heed to their gazes and simply tilted his wine cup in silence.

It was Jegal Hwa who broke that silence.

She opened her mouth with a meaningful smile.

“I believe Cheon’s martial prowess has already been sufficiently proven.”

At her words, puzzlement crossed the faces of Hwangbo U and Ak Paesan.

If his martial prowess had been proven, why put forward only the Sword Dragon?

As if reading their doubts, Jegal Hwa’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“However, to stand in Namgung’s name at the Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly, one must also know how to solve problems that cannot be cut with a sword.”

She paused briefly and glanced at Namgung Mugang, who was quietly listening to everything.

“And if he can safely resolve those problems as well….”

The smile on Jegal Hwa’s lips deepened more than ever before.

“There would be no reason why that child couldn’t represent Namgung.”

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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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