Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 26

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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 26

Late at night, the day after the Hwangbo Clan and Shandong Sect departed.

Namgung Cheon stood in the small courtyard behind the residence.

He had been there for several hours already, without moving a muscle.

Only one thing filled his mind.

The duel with Hwangbo Gun.

The new martial art he had created in his mind’s eye, Cheoncheon Mansang Style.

Though he had executed it with his fists, its power exceeded his expectations.

But at the same time, he clearly saw his own limitations.

‘The flow between techniques was broken, and my movements were unnecessarily large.’

The cause was clear.

He looked down at his feet.

Footwork.

The foundation of martial arts that controls distance with opponents and creates opportunities for attack and defense through foot movement.

He had created his own footwork by adding variations to the Cloud-Riding Steps.

But that alone was insufficient.

Footwork was merely the movement of feet.

He needed a higher concept of movement that would allow him to freely traverse space and perfectly connect the flow between techniques.

He needed body techniques.

‘After all, techniques are collections of forms that move hands, feet, or weapons.’

Therefore, within techniques, appropriate footwork and body techniques had to be organically combined.

But currently, the only Namgung body technique he knew was the Floating Cloud Body Technique.

‘The Floating Cloud Body Technique cannot handle the variations of this sword.’

It was like painting a massive dragon but failing to paint the clouds and sky for it to swim through.

As he was lost in deep contemplation, his consciousness naturally turned to memories of his past life as Cheonma.

‘The Heavenly Demon Secret Vault.’

Countless martial arts manuals that Makyō had collected over hundreds of years.

Especially the lost techniques and martial arts from destroyed sects remained intact in his mind.

‘If I search, there should be useful body techniques.’

Several names flashed through his mind.

The Wind-Riding Body Technique that rode the flow of wind, the Phantom Illusion Steps that moved like shadows, the Seven Star River Crossing that could cross a river in seven steps…

All were supreme body techniques that had dominated their respective eras.

But Namgung Cheon soon shook his head.

‘No. Simply learning one body technique would be meaningless.’

The Cheoncheon Mansang Style he had created was a martial art that melded two opposing paths: Namgung and the demonic way.

A body technique biased toward either side could not unleash its true mysteries.

Then there was only one path.

‘I must create it.’

Deconstructing existing body techniques, taking only their advantages, and creating a new body technique that perfectly matched his Cheoncheon Mansang Style.

That was the path he must take.

“Hah.”

A sigh escaped him naturally.

Creating the Cheoncheon Mansang Style alone had required experiencing hundreds of deaths in his mind’s eye.

The body technique would require no less pain and time.

As he was lost in such deep contemplation.

“Are you still trapped in that duel?”

A gentle voice pierced his ears.

When Namgung Cheon raised his head, Jegal Hwa was already watching him from a few steps away.

She slowly approached and naturally sat on the stone table at one side of the courtyard.

Jegal Hwa smiled at Namgung Cheon and spoke.

“The family head left a message.”

At those words, Namgung Cheon’s gaze finally turned to her lips.

“He said you opened a new sky, but cannot yet soar within it.”

“…”

Namgung Cheon’s eyes trembled slightly.

The deficiency that only he knew about.

Namgung Mugang had perfectly seen through it with just one duel.

Jegal Hwa quietly watched Namgung Cheon, then took out an old book from her bosom and placed it on the stone table.

The cover read “Baekcheon Trading Company.”

Without even looking at the book, Namgung Cheon said.

“I’m not particularly interested in the family’s affairs right now.”

“I know.”

Jegal Hwa responded as if she had expected his reaction.

“But this isn’t ordinary business. It’s something your brother Jin tried to handle and failed miserably at.”

Even at her words, Namgung Cheon’s expression remained unchanged.

His brother Namgung Jin’s failure held no interest for him whatsoever.

Jegal Hwa smiled as if expecting his indifference and continued.

“Baekcheon Trading Company was originally one of our Namgung’s main trading companies. It brought enormous wealth through trade in Gangnam. But twenty years ago, when Nambyeok Trading Guild appeared, everything changed.”

Jegal Hwa let out a shallow sigh and continued.

“They gradually seized control of all distribution networks in Gangnam with unimaginable financial power. They won over merchants who traded with us and bribed officials to cleverly exploit our trading company’s weaknesses.”

Jegal Hwa smiled as she looked at Namgung Cheon.

“How do you think your brother tried to solve this problem?”

Namgung Cheon fell into brief thought.

‘Namgung Jin.’

Since his consciousness as Cheonma had settled in this body, there had been little contact.

However, memories of him remained, so he could provide an answer.

“He would have tried to suppress them with Namgung’s power and money.”

Jegal Hwa nodded.

“Correct. Your brother both tried to win them over and threaten them. All in the Namgung name. But he failed completely. Do you know why?”

At that question, Namgung Cheon recalled the Black Wind Division leader he had met recently.

More precisely, the force he belonged to.

“Simply thinking, the Sable Alliance. They were probably backing Nambyeok Trading Guild from the start.”

Jegal Hwa nodded.

“Yes, they were opponents that neither threats nor persuasion could work on from the beginning. The Sable Alliance is a massive force that even we Namgung cannot carelessly touch.”

Her eyes deepened.

“That’s why the family head is curious. How will you solve this problem that cannot be cut with a sword?”

Jegal Hwa’s question.

But Namgung Cheon’s answer completely exceeded her expectations.

“I think it’s a matter unrelated to me.”

“…”

“Baekcheon Trading Company isn’t our Namgung’s only trading company, is it? Rather, if it’s not profitable, we should boldly eliminate it and further develop the profitable ones.”

Jegal Hwa burst into light laughter.

“Yes, your words are extremely sound business logic. But that’s a merchant’s calculation.”

Her voice sank low.

“And the family head doesn’t want a merchant.”

An unexpected statement.

But Namgung Cheon immediately grasped the true meaning of those words.

‘A test from the family head?’

His father, and his past life’s nemesis.

A new kind of test that Namgung Mugang was throwing at him.

‘My sword cannot reach there yet. However….’

Through his mind flashed everything he had done, from the martial tournament to the negotiations with the Sable Alliance.

Moments when he had moved the world according to his will in places where his sword could not reach.

‘Do you think I’ll fall behind even in the world beyond the sword?’

A cold smile crossed Namgung Cheon’s lips.

Thud―.

Then he picked up the book placed on the stone table.

At that, the smile on Jegal Hwa’s lips deepened more than ever before.

“Show me once.”

That you don’t elevate the Namgung name through swordsmanship alone.

* * *

Light filtering through the paper windows illuminated the spines of books arranged without a speck of dust.

Second Young Master Namgung Jin closed his eyes while holding his brush and took a long, deep breath.

The scent of ink and the dry fragrance of expensive agarwood that filled the room.

Only after that fragrance completely filled his lungs did he open his eyes again and look down at the rice paper before him.

Books wrapped in silk and expensive writing implements.

Combined with his upright and aristocratic features, it was a picture-perfect scene.

But contrary to his appearance, his inner thoughts were endlessly complicated.

‘I’ve been abandoned.’

The three days of banquets.

Before the distinguished guests of the Hwangbo Clan and Shandong Sect, he had been nothing but a perfect wallflower.

All attention and conversation flowed solely around the Third Young Master, Namgung Cheon.

Even his father, Namgung Mugang, hadn’t given him so much as a single glance.

How hard had he worked for the clan, filling the void left by the eldest son’s absence?

All those achievements had become worthless in less than a few months.

Could the accomplishments and standing he had built over a lifetime be so easily forgotten over just martial prowess?

The tip of his brush trembled slightly with dejection.

Even so, he maintained a calm expression as he wrote character by character with his brush.

Just then, his confidant and strategist Yang Seokgi entered and bowed his head.

“Young Master.”

“Speak.”

Yang Seokgi adjusted his glasses and continued.

“Just now, at a gathering where the Head of the Clan called some elders… she has entrusted the Baekcheon Trading Company matter to the Third Young Master.”

Namgung Jin’s hand, which had been moving the brush, stopped abruptly.

Ink spread across the rice paper, instantly ruining the characters he had been carefully writing.

He silently looked down at the ruined writing without a word.

Yang Seokgi carefully continued.

“Also… she announced that if the Third Young Master resolves this matter, she will reconsider his qualification to represent Namgung at the Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly.”

Thud.

Namgung Jin set down the brush he was holding with a sound.

Ink splattered, staining the well-organized desk, but he paid it no mind.

‘Announced….’

Mother hadn’t quietly assigned this task.

She had deliberately gathered people to remind them of his failure once more and made sure all eyes were on his younger brother.

If his brother succeeded, that glory would be maximized.

‘A perfect narrative will be created of my brother accomplishing what I failed to do. However, what’s more troublesome is….’

The fact that he couldn’t even interfere.

The moment he sabotaged this matter that everyone in the clan was watching, he would be branded as a petty person who ruins the clan’s affairs.

Restraining and hindering others.

This wasn’t what Namgung wanted, nor was it Namgung’s way.

“…Ha.”

A hollow laugh escaped from Namgung Jin’s lips.

He pushed away his brush and looked out at the garden through the window.

‘Yes, this was mother’s way.’

Thorough calculation.

A method of making even her own children compete against each other and making the child who showed results shine even brighter.

Though it stung, he soon regained his composure.

‘And this matter has already been announced.’

Responding emotionally to this would be something only a foolish amateur would do.

‘Baekcheon Trading Company….’

He recalled his past failure.

There was no shame.

Rather, through that failure, he understood the essence of this problem more perfectly than anyone.

Namgung Jin turned back to look at Yang Seokgi.

“What do you think? Do you believe that boy can resolve the Baekcheon Trading Company problem?”

“Seeing the Third Young Master’s martial tournament, he’s certainly no ordinary person, but martial principles and commercial principles are different matters… It won’t be easy.”

Namgung Jin nodded.

“That’s right, the Baekcheon Trading Company problem isn’t something that can be solved just by having strength. I once thought so too and failed. Yes, what could a boy who has never even tried trading company work accomplish?”

A problem that could never be solved by force alone.

Namgung Cheon would eventually follow the exact same path of failure as himself.

Namgung Jin picked up the ruined rice paper.

“Baekcheon Trading Company is like this. Once ruined writing cannot be rewritten. It will only add another failure to an already failed matter.”

Namgung Jin crumpled the rice paper and threw it into the cold bronze brazier.

And he thought.

‘Eventually, when my brother fails at this task and loses credibility….’

He could present the other achievements he had been preparing and monopolize the clan’s recognition.

It was a perfect opportunity.

And that moment would truly be.

‘The opportunity for me to soar again.’

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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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