Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 39

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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 39

 

“….”

 

Silence settled over the group at Jang Gwang’s unexpected words.

 

However, Jang Gwang paid no mind to their silence and burst into a chuckle as he thrust his empty cup forward.

 

“Why are you all like this? Is it because the alcohol is too precious? Or do thorns grow in your mouths when you share a table with a Heterodox Faction member?”

 

He chuckled and continued speaking.

 

“Don’t be so petty. We’re all people who eat the same martial world rice, so can’t we at least share a drink?”

 

Several of the younger generation’s faces darkened with anger at his shamelessness.

 

But no one stepped forward readily.

 

The opponent was the minor leader of Janggang Surochai.

 

If they carelessly provoked him, this entire ship could end up at the bottom of the river.

 

Then, breaking the silence, Namgung Hwi stepped forward.

 

Namgung Hwi stared directly at Jang Gwang and spoke.

 

“I don’t recall inviting Janggang Surochai.”

 

“An invitation… That’s right, you certainly didn’t send one. However.”

 

Jang Gwang tapped the deck with his foot as he spoke.

 

“Where is this? Isn’t this the Yangtze River? You’re having a feast in our home, so is it such a great sin for me to come pay my respects?”

 

“….”

 

“Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t come here to fight.”

 

Jang Gwang raised both hands and grinned wickedly.

 

“Let’s talk about it then. When has our Surochai ever gone around robbing common people like those Green Forest bastards?”

 

Jang Gwang counted on his fingers as he continued.

 

“We maintain the waterways, prevent the embankments from collapsing, and sometimes even rescue people who fall into the water. Isn’t this enough for us to do our part as members of the martial world? Even though we have the Heterodox Faction label attached to us.”

 

His words were true.

 

Though Janggang Surochai had a notorious reputation, they weren’t a group that engaged in indiscriminate slaughter or plunder.

 

Rather, they were famous for guiding merchant groups through the waterways more safely than any other organization, as long as the toll was paid properly.

 

Namgung Hwi also knew this fact, so he couldn’t rashly draw his sword.

 

Though the Orthodox and Heterodox Factions fought each other in secret, that was only when their interests clashed or there was clear wrongdoing.

 

Drawing a blade without reason would only result in meaningless slaughter.

 

Fundamentally, the martial world was a place where black and white coexisted.

 

Then, Jang Gwang’s gaze turned toward someone.

 

“Oh? I see a familiar face over there.”

 

Where his gaze landed, Mujin stood with his arms crossed.

 

Jang Gwang’s eyes widened.

 

“Isn’t that the Eulmyeol Sword? Hey, what’s an old man doing here? This is a place for young and fresh kids to play. Of course, I’m also officially part of the younger generation, so I can be here too.”

 

Mujin’s eyebrows twitched.

 

He spoke with a displeased expression.

 

“If this isn’t a place for me to be, then you shouldn’t be here either. Since we’re the same age.”

 

At those words, everyone’s gazes went back and forth between Mujin and Jang Gwang’s faces.

 

Jang Gwang’s face looked at least ten years older.

 

It was due to his vicious scars and rough skin.

 

“Haha! Don’t look at me like that. I just aged from hardship, but we’re the same age. More importantly…”

 

Jang Gwang trailed off.

 

His eyes narrowed, then moved to a man standing next to Mujin.

 

A man in black martial robes with two swords at his side.

 

“Oh! The famous Young Master Namgung Cheon. I heard you became that young master’s retainer?”

 

Jang Gwang clapped his hands and exclaimed.

 

His eyes gleamed with interest.

 

Jang Gwang strode toward Namgung Cheon.

 

The intimidating presence emanating from his scarred face and massive frame was truly formidable, so no one dared to block his path.

 

However, Namgung Hwi was different.

 

“Step back. If you come any closer, I’ll have no choice but to draw my sword.”

 

Blue energy rose from Namgung Hwi’s entire body.

 

Then Jang Gwang spread his hands as if to calm him and stepped back.

 

“Calm down. Didn’t I tell you? I didn’t come here to fight.”

 

Having stepped back, Jang Gwang asked Mujin with a mischievous expression.

 

“So, Eulmyeol Sword. Is it true that you lost to that young master?”

 

A direct question.

 

Everyone’s ears perked up.

 

They had all been curious whether the legendary Eulmyeol Sword had really lost, or if it was just a false rumor.

 

Mujin cleared his throat and answered with feigned solemnity.

 

“I didn’t lose. It might have been a draw at most.”

 

“…?”

 

Namgung Cheon’s gaze briefly turned toward Mujin.

 

Then Jang Gwang burst into laughter.

 

“Haha, you lost, you lost.”

 

Jang Gwang laughed and looked at Namgung Cheon again.

 

And for a moment, his eyes became serious.

 

He looked over Namgung Cheon’s entire body and then nodded.

 

“Hmm, looking at your energy, it’s understandable that he lost.”

 

“I said I didn’t lose!”

 

Mujin shouted indignantly from the side, but Jang Gwang ignored him completely and said,

 

“Come now, we’ve exchanged greetings, so let’s have a drink!”

 

He looked around the group and raised his wine cup.

 

“….”

 

But all that returned was cold silence.

 

The younger generation still hadn’t removed their hands from their sword hilts, glaring at Jang Gwang with cold eyes.

 

Their eyes seemed to say they absolutely couldn’t tolerate a Heterodox Faction member acting up.

 

Jang Gwang clicked his tongue.

 

“Tsk tsk, really stubborn.”

 

He scratched his head as if frustrated, then suddenly looked at Namgung Cheon with gleaming eyes.

 

“Hey, young master. As you can see, everyone’s got their hackles up at me. At this rate, I’ll taste blades before I taste alcohol.”

 

He put on a troubled expression for Namgung Cheon.

 

“Help me break this stiff atmosphere, young master.”

 

Namgung Cheon stared at him intently.

 

His intentions were obvious, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

 

Rather, he thought this might be the only person who could breathe life into this boring and pretentious banquet hall.

 

“Speak.”

 

As soon as Namgung Cheon gave permission, Jang Gwang shouted loudly as if he had been waiting.

 

“Haha! Truly a man among men! You definitely said to speak, right?”

 

Jang Gwang stepped backward to the center of the deck.

 

Then he looked around the group and shouted heartily.

 

“Originally, martial artists get close through fists rather than words! Through blades rather than alcohol, isn’t that right? But I can’t fight all the younger generation here…”

 

Jang Gwang pointed his finger at Namgung Cheon.

 

“Young master, have a sparring match with me.”

 

At those words, the banquet hall stirred.

 

It wasn’t simply because of Jang Gwang’s notorious reputation.

 

Janggang Suryo Sibpal Chae.

 

To become the minor leader, a disciple of the supreme leader who stood at their peak, one had to defeat all eighteen leaders through martial force.

 

In other words, the position of Young Leader is not inherited through bloodline, but seized through skill.

 

“No matter how much he’s a young master of Namgung, he has no chance of winning.”

 

“Avoiding it would be the best strategy. Besides, there’s no real reason to fight.”

 

Most expected Namgung Cheon to refuse.

 

If he accepted and lost, the reputation he had built up could crumble in an instant.

 

However.

 

‘If he refuses, they’ll say he fled in fear of the Yangtze River Dragon. I must prevent him from giving any answer.’

 

As Namgung Hwi thought this and tried to step forward.

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Namgung Cheon stopped him and walked forward.

 

A faint smile hung on his lips.

 

“Good.”

 

“Cheon!”

 

The eyes of Namgung Hwi and everyone else widened in shock.

 

Meanwhile, the corners of Jang Gwang’s mouth rose high.

 

“How refreshing. But hmm, may I add one condition?”

 

Namgung Cheon nodded.

 

Then Jang Gwang pointed beyond the deck railing to the rippling river water.

 

On the river where darkness had settled, a single ferry boat floated alone.

 

It was the boat Jang Gwang had ridden to reach this area.

 

Jang Gwang grinned wickedly as he spoke.

 

“Let’s do it on that boat. Whoever admits defeat or falls into the water loses. Isn’t that clean?”

 

At that proposal, the Orthodox Faction’s rising stars murmured.

 

“Cowardly!”

 

“Even if he’s called a dragon, isn’t this too shameless!”

 

On a swaying boat, and in familiar waters.

 

Anyone could see these were absolutely advantageous conditions for Jang Gwang.

 

However.

 

“Not bad. Good.”

 

Namgung Cheon calmly accepted.

 

He even seemed to welcome it.

 

Jang Gwang’s eyes widened at Namgung Cheon’s acceptance.

 

He had expected him to refuse or modify the conditions.

 

“Oho, what impressive guts you have.”

 

Jang Gwang laughed heartily as he leaped up onto the railing.

 

“Then I’ll go ahead and wait!”

 

Thud.

 

With his leap, Jang Gwang’s large frame lightly landed on the small boat.

 

The boat didn’t even budge.

 

It was lightness skill truly worthy of the nickname Yangtze River Dragon.

 

Now Namgung Cheon approached the railing.

 

The night breeze fluttered his clothes.

 

From behind, Mujin asked with apparent worry.

 

“I guarantee that bastard will use all sorts of tricks. If that happens, you’ll have your hands full just keeping your balance.”

 

Mujin’s voice contained sincere concern.

 

“Why do you think his nickname is Dragon? He won’t be a fish in water, but a dragon in water… There’s no need to do this.”

 

Before Mujin could finish speaking, Namgung Hwi urgently grabbed his younger brother’s shoulder.

 

“That’s right, there’s no need to push yourself. There’s no reason to fall for his provocation. And land and a boat deck are clearly different.”

 

But Namgung Cheon gently removed his brother’s hand.

 

“Don’t worry.”

 

Namgung Cheon’s eyes showed no wavering.

 

“And anyway, if I can stand on it.”

 

Namgung Cheon took a step forward and continued speaking.

 

“It’s no different.”

 

With those words, Namgung Cheon launched his body into midair.

 

His form cut through the sky like a bird in an instant.

 

Thud.

 

He landed lightly on the ferry boat.

 

Moreover, just as Jang Gwang had done before, the boat didn’t even budge.

 

Seeing this, Jang Gwang’s eyes turned sharp.

 

‘He’s far more of a monster than the rumors suggested.’

 

Jang Gwang smiled as he drew the heavy curved blade he carried on his back.

 

“I hope you know how to swim. This river has quite fierce currents.”

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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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