Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 37

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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 37

 

The interior of the Golden Dragon Ship was far more splendid and magnificent than it appeared from the outside.

 

“Well, this is quite different from the pleasure boats I knew. It’s like a massive pavilion floating on water.”

 

Mujin said in admiration.

 

He was right.

 

From the ceiling that stretched up three stories high, countless night pearls shone as bright as daylight, and the furnishings placed throughout were all masterpieces worth a fortune.

 

The floor was completely covered with carpets so that not even footsteps could be heard, and the air was filled with the scent of expensive incense and the gentle sound of musical instruments.

 

Namgung Cheon nodded in agreement with Mujin’s words while looking around.

 

Young masters dressed in silk robes were gathered in small groups, engaged in conversation.

 

And ridiculously, all of them.

 

‘Only their eyes are smiling.’

 

A space where the arrogance of those backed by their family names and power mixed with the cunning of those trying to survive among them.

 

That was the true nature of this Golden Dragon Ship.

 

“This way.”

 

Jegal Seoyeon led Namgung Cheon toward the most splendid seats.

 

It was the place of honor prepared at the innermost part of the banquet hall, by the window overlooking the river.

 

Seats reserved for those belonging to the Nine Sects and Five Great Families.

 

But strangely, the seats were completely empty.

 

Mujin asked with a puzzled expression.

 

“Where did all the distinguished people go?”

 

Jegal Seoyeon chuckled.

 

“It’s obvious. They’re all outside waiting for the main character, aren’t they?”

 

Namgung Cheon looked at the empty seats of honor.

 

The main character.

 

She must be referring to Namgung Hwi.

 

However, Namgung Cheon sat down without caring.

 

Mujin sat beside him and whispered quietly.

 

“You’re not very popular. Everyone seems busy watching the Sword Dragon’s mood.”

 

“It’s nice and quiet.”

 

Namgung Cheon casually picked up his teacup.

 

Many people glanced at him and whispered among themselves, but no one readily approached to speak with him.

 

They didn’t want to displease Namgung Hwi.

 

‘How ridiculous.’

 

Namgung Cheon thought as he set down his teacup.

 

Reading the mood wouldn’t change their status, and greeting him without reading the mood wouldn’t put them in Namgung Hwi’s bad graces.

 

‘If he were such a petty man, he wouldn’t have been called the Sword Dragon in the first place.’

 

In the end, they were trapped in a snare of their own making.

 

It was utterly foolish behavior.

 

The silence continued for quite some time.

 

Finally.

 

“Really, honestly.”

 

Jegal Seoyeon snapped her fan shut with a sharp sound.

 

Her gaze began to sweep over the surrounding tables one by one.

 

And she said quietly.

 

“I heard the Ryu Clan is having headaches over their problems with the Black Death Sect… This isn’t the time to be acting so leisurely, is it?”

 

“…!”

 

One young master’s face turned deathly pale.

 

Jegal Seoyeon’s gaze moved elsewhere.

 

“I heard the young master of Taeha Trading Company is trying hard to curry favor with Sangdo-cheon this time, but how can you expect to stand out being so passive?”

 

Each time a name flowed from her lips, those who were pointed out startled and bowed their heads.

 

Then Jegal Seoyeon said coldly.

 

“Do you find my cousin brother laughable, or do you find me laughable?”

 

The surroundings froze at that sharp rebuke.

 

Several people approached hesitantly and reluctantly offered their greetings.

 

“Y-Young Master Namgung, I’ve heard much about you.”

 

An awkward greeting if there ever was one.

 

Namgung Cheon frowned at the hypocritical situation.

 

Thud.

 

He set down his teacup with a sound.

 

“Don’t bother with unnecessary acts.”

 

At Namgung Cheon’s cold words, everyone’s mouths shut tight.

 

Just as the atmosphere turned ice-cold again.

 

“Is it truly Young Master Namgung Cheon!”

 

Someone came running breathlessly from the entrance of the banquet hall.

 

A young man in simple martial robes.

 

“Hah, hah… I heard you had already entered and hurried over.”

 

The young man stood before Namgung Cheon without even catching his breath and showed his respects.

 

“I am Jowei of the Jo Clan from Hyeongju! Young Master, I’ve really wanted to meet you!”

 

The young man, Jowei, began to speak passionately before Namgung Cheon could stop him.

 

“The rumors from Anhui! I heard them clearly! You single-handedly cut down the entire Bloodsword Sect and ripped off that vicious sect leader’s head with your bare hands!”

 

“…?”

 

Namgung Cheon’s eyebrow twitched.

 

He had never ripped off anyone’s head with his bare hands.

 

“And the story about how you drove away the entire Sable Alliance with a single lion’s roar is truly…!”

 

That never happened either…

 

Namgung Cheon opened his mouth to correct the facts.

 

“That’s not true…”

 

“Ahem!”

 

Mujin cleared his throat beside him and poked Namgung Cheon’s side.

 

Then he whispered through voice transmission.

 

—Leave it be. Innocence is meant to be protected.

 

Namgung Cheon looked at Mujin with an incredulous expression and closed his mouth.

 

Jowei continued to recite Namgung Cheon’s non-existent heroic tales.

 

Perhaps because of his sincere attitude.

 

The cold atmosphere gradually began to thaw.

 

The other young masters who had only been reading the mood also began to approach and offer proper greetings.

 

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jang Yu of Jeonggeom-mun.”

 

“I am…”

 

Namgung Cheon didn’t bother to speak, but the introductions continued.

 

This went on for quite a while.

 

Murmur murmur.

 

Suddenly the entrance to the banquet hall became noisy.

 

“He’s here!”

 

That single shout changed everything.

 

Whoosh—.

 

In an instant, the area around Namgung Cheon became completely empty.

 

Meanwhile, the entrance was packed with people without room to step.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Mujin and Jegal Seoyeon glanced at Namgung Cheon cautiously.

 

But Namgung Cheon only drank his tea without any change in expression.

 

Just then, the crowd at the entrance parted to both sides.

 

And through that gap walked a man dressed in dazzling white martial robes.

 

Perfect features, gentle yet unapproachable dignity.

 

It was the eldest son of the Namgung Clan, the Sword Dragon Namgung Hwi.

 

‘….’

 

Namgung Cheon’s eyes narrowed.

 

‘His level is difficult to gauge.’

 

Moreover, from his footsteps to his breathing.

 

Everything was based on martial arts.

 

‘He’s modified the Cloud Movement technique, and his breathing is… a type of dynamic cultivation?’

 

Relentless training that never abandoned martial arts, sleeping or waking.

 

Behind the glamorous name of Sword Dragon, he could feel the bone-cutting effort and brilliant talent hidden there.

 

Why everyone in the clan was so enthusiastic about that man and placed such expectations on him.

 

‘I understand now.’

 

Namgung Hwi was a true martial artist who didn’t rest on his natural genius but honed himself to the extreme.

 

While Namgung Cheon was lost in such thoughts, Jegal Seoyeon beside him covered her mouth with her fan and grumbled.

 

“He always has to appear so fashionably late.”

 

Namgung Hwi, who had been crossing the banquet hall amid the crowd’s cheers.

 

His gentle eyes suddenly widened greatly.

 

And he immediately strode toward where Namgung Cheon was.

 

All eyes in the banquet hall followed his movement.

 

Namgung Hwi stopped in front of his younger brother.

 

And for a moment, he looked down at him without saying anything.

 

The neatly dressed black martial robes, his grown height, and above all, his completely changed eyes.

 

The frail youngest brother from his memories was nowhere to be found.

 

“…Cheon.”

 

Namgung Hwi’s voice trembled slightly.

 

“You’ve really changed. You really have.”

 

Namgung Hwi gripped Namgung Cheon’s shoulders firmly.

 

The solid strength and warm warmth transmitted from his hands.

 

That sincere joy momentarily swept Namgung Cheon with an unfamiliar emotion.

 

Namgung Cheon hesitated briefly before speaking calmly.

 

“It’s been a long time.”

 

At those words, Namgung Hwi smiled brightly.

 

“Yes, it has been a long time.”

 

And as soon as they confirmed the harmonious appearance of the two brothers, those who had been ignoring Namgung Cheon until now swarmed over as if by agreement.

 

“Haha, the brotherly affection between you two is truly wonderful to see!”

 

“I am Baek Yeop of Cheongseong. Young Master Namgung Cheon, I’ve heard much about you.”

 

At their shameless change of attitude, Namgung Cheon smiled bitterly inside, but outwardly nodded lightly.

 

Then Namgung Hwi gestured to two people behind him and said.

 

“Ah, look at me. Cheon, let me introduce you.”

 

Namgung Hwi pointed to one man.

 

“This is Danri Chu of the Danri Clan. Do you remember meeting him when you were young? He’s now with me at the Murim Alliance.”

 

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Ten years?”

 

Danri Chu laughed heartily and offered a handshake.

 

‘Lightning Sword Danri Chu.’

 

Namgung Cheon recalled the information from the wooden box the Haowen Clan leader had given him as he grasped his hand.

 

Next, Namgung Hwi turned his gaze to the young Taoist standing beside him.

 

“And this is also with me at the Murim Alliance, the Heroic Dragon, Taoist Myeongjin of Wudang.”

 

Myeongjin politely cupped his fists.

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Namgung. I am Myeongjin of Wudang.”

 

“I am Namgung Cheon.”

 

Namgung Cheon returned the courtesy while gazing into his eyes.

 

The clear and deep eyes of a Taoist.

 

But beyond them was hidden a razor-sharp aura that could never be concealed.

 

‘Heroic Dragon Myeongjin. Also called the Evil-Cutting Sword Hero.’

 

The assessment that despite being a Taoist, he had no hesitation whatsoever in cutting down evil.

 

Indeed, it was a sharp aura befitting that assessment.

 

As people continued to swarm over and it became noisy, Namgung Hwi spoke in a gentle voice.

 

“Could everyone please step aside for a moment? I have things to discuss with my brother whom I’m meeting after a long time.”

 

At that dignified request, those who had gathered showed disappointed expressions but obediently withdrew.

 

As the banquet hall became quiet again, Namgung Hwi sat down heavily in the seat next to Namgung Cheon as if he had been waiting.

 

His gaze turned toward Jegal Seoyeon, who sat across from Namgung Cheon.

 

“You’re here too. But why don’t I see the Poison Phoenix young lady of the Dang Clan? She’s not outside either.”

 

“Who could stop that free spirit? She’s probably wandering somewhere in Junghwon again.”

 

Namgung Hwi nodded with an understanding expression.

 

Just then, the Golden Dragon Ship vibrated once with the sound of drums.

 

Boom boom boom boom—.

 

It was the signal for departure.

 

As the ship began to move slowly, Namgung Hwi turned his gaze back to his younger brother.

 

“Now then, Cheon.”

 

He leaned forward and asked.

 

“Will you tell me your story now? Even though we’ve been apart for long years, everything I’ve heard has been unbelievable stories. And….”

 

Namgung Hwi paused and gazed into Namgung Cheon’s eyes with deepened eyes.

 

“I’d also like to know… the background behind how you’ve changed so completely.”

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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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