Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 38

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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 38

 

Namgung Cheon did not avoid Namgung Hwi’s gaze.

 

Infinitely deep and gentle eyes.

 

However.

 

‘Would he be able to look at me with those same eyes even after knowing the truth?’

 

If he were to learn that what slumbers within me is not the blood of Namgung, but the soul of Cheonma who once stained the world with blood.

 

Would those eyes remain unchanged even then?

 

‘That would be impossible.’

 

But nothing would change now.

 

Whatever he had been in the past, what mattered now was.

 

‘The fact that I am living under the name of Namgung.’

 

If that was the case.

 

“Nothing has changed.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I have simply found my rightful place.”

 

“Your rightful place…”

 

“Yes. I had been crouched down for far too long. But just because I crouched for a long time doesn’t mean I’m not of Namgung blood.”

 

Namgung Cheon’s eyes gleamed brightly.

 

“I simply intend to walk a path that brings no shame to the name of Namgung.”

 

“Namgung…”

 

Namgung Hwi mulled over the word ‘Namgung’ as he turned his gaze to his teacup.

 

He quietly stared at the tea contained within, then soon smiled softly.

 

“Yes, that’s what the name Namgung means. One must always be without shame before the sword, and must always serve as a pillar of the Orthodox Faction.”

 

Eventually, Namgung Hwi lifted his gaze from the teacup and spoke to Namgung Cheon.

 

“I never thought the day would come when you would speak like this… It’s good.”

 

Namgung Hwi nodded his head, seemingly genuinely pleased.

 

Then he picked up the wine bottle and filled Namgung Cheon’s cup.

 

“Come, drink. Wine cannot be absent on a day like today.”

 

Namgung Cheon received the cup with both hands and drained it in one gulp.

 

The strong liquor flowed down his throat, leaving behind a burning heat.

 

Then Namgung Hwi smiled contentedly and asked again.

 

“I have many things I want to ask, but now isn’t the right time to ask them all. How about we make time later for the three brothers, including Jin, to share drinks together?”

 

“I understand.”

 

At Namgung Cheon’s response, Namgung Hwi rose from his seat with a satisfied expression.

 

“Then I’ll go greet the other rising talents for a moment. Enjoy yourself comfortably.”

 

Then Namgung Hwi also spoke to Mujin, who was sitting beside him.

 

“Eulmyeol Sword, I hope you also enjoy yourself comfortably. I’m not sure if my younger brother’s lack of eloquence might bore you.”

 

“Haha, you know Young Master Cheon well. It’s fine. I’m used to it.”

 

When Mujin replied with a laugh, Namgung Hwi also smiled faintly and left his seat.

 

The rising talents of prestigious sects followed him as if by prior arrangement.

 

People like Danri Chu and Baek Yeop also left only eye greetings and quietly moved to other seats.

 

When Namgung Hwi left his seat, the rising talents of prestigious sects who had been staying around him also followed behind as if by prior arrangement.

 

As expected, the Sword Dragon was the center of power.

 

However, Namgung Cheon’s surroundings didn’t become completely empty again.

 

“Um… Young Master.”

 

When Namgung Hwi left and a gap appeared, those who had been watching from a distance cautiously approached.

 

“May we finish the greetings we couldn’t complete earlier? I am Lee Ja-seong from the White Lotus Sword Sect.”

 

“I, I am from Manchwek-bang in Honam…”

 

Namgung Cheon fiddled with his teacup as he surveyed their faces.

 

Those who couldn’t join the center of power, but had established their own positions in various regions.

 

‘Not bad.’

 

Rather, this side would be much easier to handle than those arrogant fellows from prestigious families with their complicated calculations.

 

Namgung Cheon smiled faintly and nodded his head.

 

“Please, sit.”

 

At those words, color returned to the faces of those who had been hesitating, and they began to take their seats.

 

Watching this scene, Mujin picked up a large hollow cake with his chopsticks.

 

“Young Master.”

 

Mujin called out quietly.

 

His voice was small enough to be drowned out by the surrounding commotion.

 

“Look at this hollow cake. The outside appears splendid and puffed up, but if you break it open, isn’t the inside completely empty like this?”

 

He put down the hollow cake and this time picked up a heavy-looking moon cake.

 

“But this fellow, though it looks small, is completely filled inside.”

 

Mujin took a bite of the moon cake and grinned.

 

“Wouldn’t taking a bite of this moon cake fill your stomach more than taking a bite of the hollow cake?”

 

At those words, Namgung Cheon chuckled and lifted his cup.

 

Mujin also followed and raised his cup.

 

“Come, let’s drink. We need to confirm the true worth of the moon cakes before this night ends.”

 

Namgung Cheon nodded briefly.

 

Clink—.

 

With a clear sound, the two men’s cups clinked together.

 

* * *

 

The drinking session was ripening.

 

Those who had been careful with even a single word at first were now comfortably continuing their conversations as wine circulated several rounds and dialogue flowed.

 

Namgung Cheon tilted his wine cup while carefully observing the faces of those chattering noisily.

 

Those gathered here were by no means randomly chosen individuals.

 

They were gems selected through a combination of information Jegal Seoyeon had whispered to him and intimate information about Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly participants received from the Haowen Clan leader.

 

Namgung Cheon’s gaze turned toward Jowei, who was laughing brightly.

 

‘Joga Clan of Hyeongju.’

 

A family that had operated martial halls in Hubei for a long time, producing numerous military officials.

 

And among their disciples, there were many cases of those who had risen to quite high positions.

 

‘That means…’

 

They had the power to move officials in times of crisis.

 

This was Joga Clan’s unique weapon that martial sects other than the Five Great Families could not easily obtain.

 

This time, Namgung Cheon’s gaze turned toward a bear-like man.

 

‘Hwacheol-mun.’

 

A craftsman group whose skills were the best in Hubei.

 

According to Jegal Seoyeon, their scale wasn’t large so their true worth wasn’t widely known, but the quality of weapons they produced was very good.

 

Of course, this was something that needed separate verification.

 

Finally, Namgung Cheon’s gaze reached a young man with sharp eyes.

 

‘White Lotus Sword Sect.’

 

Stubborn survivors who persistently survived in Honam where the Heterodox Faction held sway.

 

Rather than flashy techniques, they were skilled in assassination methods unbefitting of the Orthodox Faction.

 

Perhaps due to this, the Orthodox Faction survivors in Honam were gradually showing movements of uniting around the White Lotus Sword Sect.

 

All three places were ones that prestigious families wouldn’t even glance at, but for Namgung Cheon, they were places with the potential to become more reliable allies than anyone else.

 

Practical benefit over justification, substance over appearance.

 

That was Namgung Cheon’s way of building power.

 

“Hahaha! Really? You made such a mistake!”

 

Jowei burst into hearty laughter, livening up the atmosphere.

 

Hwajinseok, the deputy head of Hwacheol Bang, scratched his head with a flushed face, looking embarrassed.

 

“When you work with iron, you end up burning your beard quite often. Haha.”

 

Rough but warm conversations flowed between them.

 

Namgung Cheon occasionally nodded or gave faint smiles in response to their conversation.

 

Lee Ja-seong of the White Lotus Sword Sect filled his cup with a serious expression and spoke.

 

“Thanks to you, Young Master, our White Lotus Sword Sect will finally be able to breathe. The iron workshops in Honam have been struggling with headaches because they couldn’t supply swords due to pressure from the Heterodox Faction, but who would have thought we’d connect with Hwacheol Bang.”

 

“We help each other to survive, don’t we? For us, it’s good if the swords we make are put to better use.”

 

Hwajinseok laughed heartily and clinked his cup.

 

Namgung Cheon smiled as he watched the three clinking their cups.

 

‘The Gold Money House and these three places as well.’

 

The foundation of substantial power spanning Anhui, Hubei, and Honam was being drawn.

 

“Please take care of us. We’ll have many occasions to meet in the future.”

 

When Namgung Cheon raised his cup, everyone lifted their cups high as if they had been waiting.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Did you enjoy yourselves?”

 

Namgung Hwi, who had returned at some point, was watching the scene with a pleased expression.

 

At the appearance of the eldest young master, Jowei and the others were startled and quickly rose from their seats.

 

Even though they were quite drunk, their movements showed no signs of disorder.

 

“We shall take our leave now. Young Master, thank you for sparing your precious time.”

 

“We’ll see you again next time!”

 

They quickly tidied up and withdrew with good sense.

 

Namgung Hwi looked at where they had left and chuckled softly.

 

“It’s a good sight.”

 

He filled his empty cup and spoke quietly.

 

“The fact that one can enjoy oneself with just alcohol and conversation, without the family’s authority or pretentious formalities.”

 

His tone carried a subtle fatigue.

 

Knowing that fatigue, Namgung Cheon replied calmly.

 

“Isn’t substance better than the shell?”

 

“Substance…”

 

Namgung Hwi nodded.

 

“Yes, you’re right. I didn’t know you had such good judgment of people.”

 

Namgung Hwi smiled as he looked at his younger brother.

 

A different path from his own. But perhaps a more solid path.

 

He was proud of his younger brother walking that path.

 

After that, the brothers sat side by side by the window, drinking several cups while feeling the river breeze.

 

But not long after.

 

Thud.

 

Namgung Cheon set down his cup.

 

At the same time, Namgung Hwi’s cup stopped in midair.

 

‘…!’

 

Both their gazes turned toward the window, toward the dark river waters as if by agreement.

 

A subtle but distinct presence.

 

It was such a faint presence that ordinary martial artists wouldn’t be able to detect it.

 

And the next moment, Namgung Hwi’s gaze turned toward Namgung Cheon.

 

‘His ki perception is on par with mine.’

 

Clearly, his younger brother had read that presence at the same time as him, perhaps even slightly faster.

 

And before that thought could finish.

 

Swoosh—!

 

Along with the sound of cutting through water.

 

Thump—!

 

The Golden Dragon Ship shook violently.

 

Then Namgung Cheon was the first to rise and head toward the deck.

 

Namgung Hwi followed behind him.

 

The deck had already become a scene of chaos.

 

Among the broken railings and overturned drinking tables, a single black shadow stood tall.

 

Then, someone shouted in a terror-stricken voice.

 

“It’s, it’s the Yangtze River Dragon!”

 

The sole disciple of Pae Gang-myeong, the Water King and supreme leader of the Janggang Suryo Sibpal Chae.

 

Yangtze River Dragon, Jang Gwang.

 

A hideous scar running diagonally across his face gleamed in the moonlight.

 

He kicked up a jade cup that was rolling on the floor with his toe.

 

Thud.

 

Catching the cup that shot up into the air, he wiped the moisture from the cup with his sleeve and spoke.

 

“Having a feast in front of someone else’s house without even sending an invitation.”

 

Jang Gwang held up the empty cup in the air and raised one corner of his mouth.

 

“So I came to get a drink.”

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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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