Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 36

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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 36

 

Clatter.

 

The carriage wheel caught on a protruding stone and shook violently.

 

“My apologies! Are you alright!”

 

Baekheun, sitting on the driver’s seat, hastily turned his head and shouted.

 

However, Namgung Cheon, seated inside the carriage, still rested his chin on his hand and indifferently gazed at the scenery passing by outside the window.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

A short, indifferent reply.

 

At those words, Baekheun finally relaxed and took hold of the reins again.

 

Watching this scene, Mujin smiled and spoke up.

 

He was lying down almost completely, using his bundle as a pillow.

 

“Young master, how do you usually treat him that he’s so nervous? Are you harsh with your subordinates?”

 

At Mujin’s question, Namgung Cheon fell into thought for a moment.

 

‘Harsh…’

 

In his previous life, when he was Cheonma, that might have been true.

 

But not now.

 

Since being reborn as Namgung Cheon, he had never made unreasonable demands of Baekheun, nor had he ever gotten angry at him.

 

If anything, his indifference was the problem.

 

“I simply did nothing at all.”

 

At Namgung Cheon’s calm answer, Mujin chuckled.

 

“How very like you, young master.”

 

Mujin pulled out some jerky from his chest and chewed it while turning his gaze to the window.

 

The Main Road leading to the Yangtze River was already bustling with countless crowds and carriages.

 

From the flags of fairly renowned sects to the lavishly decorated carriage processions of merchant groups.

 

Mujin pointed outside the window and spoke.

 

“Quite noisy, isn’t it? Complete opposite of you, young master.”

 

As Mujin said, the carriage Namgung Cheon rode in had no decorations whatsoever.

 

It wasn’t something Namgung Cheon had specifically requested either.

 

Probably his mother, Jegal Hwa, had thoughtfully prepared it this way.

 

Namgung Cheon looked at the ornate carriages outside and spoke quietly.

 

“It’s not incomprehensible. They need to draw attention somehow, so that’s what they do.”

 

Mujin started in surprise and spoke.

 

“How do you understand so well when you’ve lived your whole life born into the Namgung clan? You’re right, they have to show off somehow. They think that’s how authority is established.”

 

Mujin pointed with his finger at the ornate carriage procession passing by outside.

 

Each carriage had flags embroidered with the character ” fluttering in gold thread.

 

“Like those people.”

 

“Sangdo-cheon.”

 

At Namgung Cheon’s calm words, Mujin nodded.

 

“That’s right. Looks like they’ve opened their purse strings again this time. It’s quite remarkable how they pour out such fortunes at every Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly.”

 

Sangdo-cheon.

 

A massive merchant alliance that controlled and shook the commercial rights of the world, and one corner of the Four Hegemons of the World that stood shoulder to shoulder with the Orthodox, Heterodox, and Demonic factions.

 

It was an alliance of Junghwon’s great merchant groups, Pyoguk, and Jeonjang.

 

“Even the Murim Alliance tolerates them, so that says it all. Well, since they’re the ones funding even the Sable Alliance, there’s no way the Orthodox Faction would be left out, right?”

 

Mujin continued speaking while chewing his jerky.

 

“Though it’s amusing how they throw money around regardless of Orthodox or Heterodox, thanks to that they have connections with everyone so no one dares touch them carelessly. Financial power is truly frightening.”

 

Namgung Cheon nodded.

 

He too knew of Sangdo-cheon’s existence.

 

In his previous life, when he was Cheonma, Sangdo-cheon had existed as well.

 

Then as now, they were unchanged in maintaining balance with money and taking profit from atop that balance.

 

However, they were ones who never crossed the line precariously.

 

‘That’s precisely why, paradoxically, they get along with everyone without much trouble.’

 

A neutrality so complete it was hard to even call it taking sides.

 

And that was probably exactly the position Sangdo-cheon wanted.

 

‘Still, I don’t have much contact with them yet.’

 

Namgung Cheon dismissed his thoughts and looked outside the window again.

 

The passing scenery had changed from forest paths to an open riverside.

 

Before long, the carriage was traveling along the Yangtze River’s current.

 

Along the riverbank, countless boats could be seen moored.

 

Various flags were fluttering in the river breeze.

 

Among them, several particularly eye-catching enormous flags.

 

“Anhui, Hubei, Honam, Sichuan. All the prominent sects of what’s called the Janggang Alliance have gathered.”

 

As Mujin murmured quietly, Namgung Cheon spoke indifferently.

 

“It’s not like they’re formally bound enough to be called an alliance. It’s just a facade tied together by the reason of living along the same waterway.”

 

“Even if it’s a facade, it can’t be ignored. If even the Heterodox Faction calls it that, it’s no exaggeration to say it’s already a pillar supporting the Murim Alliance.”

 

Mujin looked intently at Namgung Cheon and continued.

 

“That’s why this Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly is important. It’s a place to gauge in advance who will have the loudest voice in the Janggang Alliance, and furthermore in the Murim Alliance. There’s a good reason why the rising stars who will become the pillars of each sect desperately gather here.”

 

Just then, the rattling carriage slowed down and gradually came to a stop.

 

They had arrived at Wuhan Ferry Terminal.

 

Mujin gathered his bundle and stood up.

 

“Well, seeing is believing, isn’t it? We’re here, so let’s go out and see for ourselves.”

 

“See what?”

 

At Namgung Cheon’s indifferent question, Mujin stopped opening the door, turned back, and grinned.

 

“Whether you can truly grasp not just Anhui, but even that vast Yangtze River in one hand, young master.”

 

* * *

 

A two-story pavilion overlooking the riverbank at a glance.

 

Jegal Seoyeon rested her chin on the railing with a bored expression, looking out the window.

 

Since Yungjoong in Hubei and this place Wuhan were close by, she had arrived early and was waiting for Namgung Cheon.

 

“Miss, it’s already been an hour.”

 

Hong Cheong approached with a worried expression.

 

“At this rate, all the good spots will be taken. Besides, the Head of the Clan said to make good connections here and there…”

 

“Enough.”

 

Jegal Seoyeon waved her hand and cut off her words.

 

“It’s obvious what I’d see anyway. They’ll either act arrogant relying on their family names, or try to flatter me to catch my eye.”

 

Her tone carried boredom.

 

To her, called a prodigy, peers among the rising stars were simply tedious.

 

‘But…’

 

Namgung Cheon came to mind.

 

Such radical actions that made her doubt whether he was the same frail cousin from her childhood memories.

 

That’s why she was so curious.

 

Just how he had changed.

 

“It’s about time he arrived.”

 

Her gaze persistently scanned the entrance to the riverbank.

 

Carriages of prestigious families with ornate patterns carved on them were entering in a line, but that wasn’t what she was waiting for.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Through the countless crowds, a single carriage with no decorations whatsoever slid in smoothly.

 

It was a carriage that looked utterly ordinary, with just one guard holding the horse’s reins.

 

Creak.

 

The carriage stopped and the door opened.

 

The first to step out was a man carrying a bundle.

 

Jegal Seoyeon frowned the moment she saw him.

 

‘A wanderer?’

 

Why would a wanderer be at the Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly…?

 

At that moment.

 

“Jeokmeolgeom!”

 

If that’s the case.

 

Following him, a man in black martial robes slowly stepped down from the carriage.

 

Neatly tied-up hair, a remarkably handsome face devoid of any smile, and…

 

Two swords crossed and hanging at his waist.

 

“…Found him.”

 

Jegal Seoyeon shot up from her seat.

 

“Let’s go, Hong Cheong.”

 

“Yes? Where to?”

 

“Where else? We need to go greet the real protagonist.”

 

* * *

 

Wuhan Ferry Terminal was truly packed with people.

 

Crowds that had flocked from all corners of the world filled the riverbank.

 

Colorful flags fluttered and drums resounded.

 

But the real spectacle was on the river.

 

Among the countless boats, one particularly eye-catching massive vessel was anchored in the middle of the river.

 

A gigantic pavilion ship five stories high.

 

At the bow, a massive dragon head gilded in gold opened its mouth, and the entire hull was adorned with red silk and golden decorations.

 

“That’s the Golden Dragon Ship. It’s the banquet hall provided by Sangdo-cheon.”

 

Mujin pointed at the ship with his finger.

 

Even Namgung Cheon was quite impressed this time.

 

The size of the Golden Dragon Ship was more magnificent than he had expected.

 

‘As expected of Sangdo-cheon. Well, it would have to be at least this grand to deserve the name “cheon.”‘

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Someone blocked Namgung Cheon’s path.

 

“It’s been a long time, big brother.”

 

A clear and melodious voice.

 

Namgung Cheon’s steps halted.

 

Before him stood a woman with jade-like skin and luminous eyes.

 

Holding a white fan.

 

‘A white fan…’

 

It was an item that was like a symbol of the Jegal Clan.

 

Namgung Cheon searched his memory for a moment.

 

The Jegal Clan, which had frequent exchanges with the Namgung Clan.

 

Among them, one girl who had particularly followed him around.

 

Childhood memories overlapped with the woman before him, and a name came to mind.

 

“Jegal Seoyeon.”

 

Then Jegal Seoyeon folded her fan and looked at Namgung Cheon with a puzzled expression.

 

“Your way of speaking… No, more than that, we’re not strangers, are we? You should call me Seoyeon.”

 

Jegal Seoyeon folded her fan and took another step closer.

 

‘The Jegal Clan…’

 

Jegal Hwa’s words flashed through Namgung Cheon’s mind.

 

—If you have time on your journey, try visiting your maternal family as well.

 

He thought he understood why she had said that.

 

Though her face still wore a bright smile, in that brief moment, Jegal Seoyeon was analyzing everything about him.

 

His voice, expression, manner of speaking, and even his posture.

 

‘She’s even trying to read my energy.’

 

The instinctive habit of analyzing opponents and extracting information.

 

It was probably a trait that flowed in the blood of the Jegal Clan.

 

“By the way, you’ve really changed a lot. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

 

“Jegal… No, you’ve also changed quite a bit.”

 

Namgung Cheon replied calmly as well.

 

It was a moment of subtle probing between the two.

 

“Excuse me, sorry to interrupt your touching reunion.”

 

Mujin, who had been standing beside them, suddenly poked his head in.

 

“If we keep this up here, dawn will break. How about we find a place first and then talk?”

 

Only then did Jegal Seoyeon’s gaze turn to Mujin.

 

She pretended to be surprised and widened her eyes.

 

“Jeokmeolgeom was here too. I was so focused on seeing big brother that I failed to greet you properly.”

 

“Haha, when the renowned phoenix of the world doesn’t recognize me, I don’t know where to put myself.”

 

Mujin responded cheekily.

 

Jegal Seoyeon looked at Mujin and thought.

 

‘Jeokmeolgeom Mujin.’

 

To think that he, called the free spirit of the martial world, was sticking to Namgung Cheon’s side like a shadow.

 

This too was evidence of Namgung Cheon’s transformation.

 

“I was rude. Let’s go quickly.”

 

Jegal Seoyeon took the lead.

 

Namgung Cheon, Mujin, and Baekheun followed behind her.

 

The group pushed through the crowd toward the end of the ferry terminal.

 

The Golden Dragon Ship drew closer and closer.

 

The golden dragon head glinted in the sunlight as it looked down at them.

 

Namgung Cheon stopped for a moment and looked up at the Golden Dragon Ship.

 

The massive vessel.

 

The countless figures that would be gathered on it.

 

And the great whirlpool they would create.

 

Now he had to dive into that whirlpool not as Cheonma, but as Namgung Cheon.

 

Suddenly, Mujin’s question about whether he could even bend the Yangtze River to his will came to mind.

 

As if answering that question.

 

A faint smile crossed Namgung Cheon’s lips.

—————
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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