Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 49

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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 49

 

Dongjeongho, where the waterways of Tianxia converge and all manner of desires intertwine.

 

The position of branch leader of the Haowen Dongjeongho Branch, which controlled the information of this massive turbulent flow, wielded power that could be said to exceed even the sect leaders of most martial factions.

 

And Hong Yeon had staked everything she had to rise to that position.

 

Living as a courtesan, she had accepted contempt and mockery with laughter, while behind the scenes she had cut down her competitors’ throats in bloody power struggles.

 

She had spent countless nights gathering information and desperately crawled up one step at a time, catering to the whims of influential figures.

 

When she finally reached this position after ten years had passed, she was certain.

 

The solid fortress she had built would not be shaken by any external force.

 

But now.

 

Hong Yeon felt her entire fortress trembling.

 

‘Going to find the sect master?’

 

Namgung Cheon’s quiet voice pierced her heart.

 

The Haowen sect master was someone who thoroughly considered only the sect’s principles and interests.

 

The moment word reached him that she had neglected a Red-class honored guest, the tower she had painstakingly built over ten years would crumble like a sandcastle.

 

Furthermore, if something were to happen to him, the son of the Sword Emperor?

 

‘It’s over.’

 

It wouldn’t end with just a reprimand.

 

All of Haowen would be reduced to ashes by the Sword Emperor’s wrath.

 

Hong Yeon’s gaze fixed on Namgung Cheon’s back as he grasped the door handle.

 

That confident back without hesitation.

 

He knew.

 

What she feared most, what she wanted to protect.

 

Her shallow scheme to control him by moderately manipulating information had been helplessly shattered before his cunning calculations.

 

‘I can’t believe it.’

 

What was this seasoned experience felt from a young master barely past his coming of age?

 

It was a clear defeat. Hers, for needlessly overthinking.

 

Just as Namgung Cheon was about to open the door.

 

“…Please wait.”

 

At Hong Yeon’s trembling voice, Namgung Cheon’s hand stopped.

 

“I made a mistake, Young Master.”

 

At those words, Namgung Cheon turned his head.

 

Cool eyes that conveyed indifference.

 

Meeting his gaze, Hong Yeon bowed her head deeply.

 

“Please withdraw your anger and sit down again. I will tell you about Gwimyeon-gye.”

 

At those words, Namgung Cheon walked back and sat down.

 

“There should be nothing hidden.”

 

“How could there be?”

 

After taking a deep breath, Hong Yeon pulled out a map from under the table and spread it out.

 

Then she traced Dongjeongho on the map with her finger.

 

“Gwimyeon-gye. They appeared suddenly a few years ago. Despite their short history, they are strangely organized and the martial prowess of their members is extraordinary. But the strangest thing is not their level.”

 

“Strange thing?”

 

Hong Yeon’s voice dropped low.

 

“The Sable Alliance’s silence. Do you happen to know about the Biseokgmun annihilation incident from two years ago?”

 

Namgung Cheon shook his head.

 

“I don’t know. I hadn’t entered Gangho yet at that time.”

 

Hong Yeon nodded lightly and pointed to Akyang with her finger.

 

“Biseokgmun in Akyang was quite a prominent sect under the Sable Alliance. However, when the sect master’s grandson was kidnapped one day, the sect master identified Gwimyeon-gye as the culprit and declared he would annihilate them.”

 

Hong Yeon smiled bitterly.

 

“Everyone thought it was the end for Gwimyeon-gye. But the result was the complete opposite. In the end, it wasn’t Gwimyeon-gye that disappeared, but Biseokgmun.”

 

Namgung Cheon narrowed his eyes and spoke.

 

“You’re saying that even after such an incident, the Sable Alliance remained silent.”

 

At Namgung Cheon’s words, Hong Yeon nodded.

 

“Yes, the Sable Alliance covered it up without even conducting a proper investigation. Normally, they would have eliminated them to establish the alliance’s authority.”

 

Namgung Cheon fell into thought for a moment.

 

He didn’t know much about the current Sable Alliance, but he knew clearly about one person.

 

‘The Sable Alliance Master, Blood Flame Blade Emperor Hyeok Gwigwang.’

 

Someone who had reigned as the sky of the Heterodox Faction from early on.

 

Considering his fiery temperament.

 

‘Something like Gwimyeon-gye should have already become a handful of blood.’

 

Such a person remaining silent?

 

Something was strange.

 

“The Sable Alliance Master wouldn’t leave them alone.”

 

At Namgung Cheon’s words, Hong Yeon nodded.

 

“Yes, but coincidentally, the timing when the Sable Alliance Master stopped showing himself and when Gwimyeon-gye began running rampant match exactly. Even so, we don’t know the details. It concerns the Sable Alliance Master, after all.”

 

Namgung Cheon nodded.

 

In the end, it meant either internal upheaval within the Sable Alliance or intentional silence.

 

That was becoming the nourishment that fed the monster called Gwimyeon-gye.

 

“So the bigger problem is that if you touch them, we can’t know how the Sable Alliance will react.”

 

Hong Yeon leaned forward slightly and asked quietly.

 

“Do you still intend to interfere with Gwimyeon-gye?”

 

At those words, Namgung Cheon raised one corner of his mouth.

 

“If the Sable Alliance comes forward because we eliminated those who traffic in human beings…”

 

Namgung Cheon’s eyes sank coldly.

 

“That would mean they too are ones who deserve to disappear.”

 

Hong Yeon was momentarily speechless.

 

But on one hand, she understood Namgung Cheon’s words.

 

This matter was about Gangho’s fundamental principles before it was about conflict between Heterodox and Orthodox Factions.

 

The inviolable pact between officials and martial artists.

 

Officials and the martial world do not invade each other.

 

But human trafficking, especially kidnapping targeting common people, was a taboo among taboos that broke that tacit agreement.

 

Namgung Cheon’s words were right.

 

If there were forces defending such people, they too should only become public enemies of the martial world.

 

Sigh.

 

Hong Yeon let out a resigned sigh.

 

She had neither justification to stop him nor power to persuade him remaining.

 

“…I understand. Since you speak so firmly, I won’t try to dissuade you anymore.”

 

Then she pointed to an empty space in the middle of the map.

 

“This is their stronghold, Monghwando.”

 

“Monghwando?”

 

“Yes. It’s a natural fortress that fog never lifts from all year round and is surrounded by treacherous reefs, accessible only by boat. We know the location, but…”

 

Hong Yeon trailed off, showing difficulty.

 

“Even with our intelligence network, we cannot know its interior. There have been those who entered, but none who came out alive.”

 

Namgung Cheon stared at Monghwando on the map and furrowed his brow.

 

‘The enemies’ level wasn’t low.’

 

Moreover, if he didn’t even know their scale.

 

‘It won’t be easy.’

 

Deep silence filled the secret room.

 

Just as Namgung Cheon’s deep contemplation continued.

 

Creeeeak―.

 

The heavy iron door began to open.

 

“!”

 

Hong Yeon gasped and rose from her seat.

 

In contrast, Namgung Cheon watched the door with a calm expression.

 

Soon, a man entered his view.

 

Seeing him, Namgung Cheon spoke with a cold smile playing at his lips.

 

“I never expected to meet the Black Wind Division Leader in a place like this.”

 

“I also never expected to see the young master of Namgung again in such a damp place, so we’re even. But more than that….”

 

Thud.

 

A booklet was placed on the table.

 

“I’ll give you that information. About Monghwando.”

 

* * *

 

Thunk.

 

The iron door of the secret room closed firmly.

 

Only Namgung Cheon and Akmugyeol remained inside, just the two of them.

 

Akmugyeol chuckled softly and spoke.

 

“Quick-witted. That fox from Haowen Clan.”

 

Akmugyeol gestured toward the closed door and continued.

 

“She knew it wasn’t a place for her to interfere and left on her own.”

 

Namgung Cheon slowly nodded.

 

Right after Akmugyeol had entered, placed the booklet down, and started speaking.

 

Hong Yeon had looked back and forth between the two men for a moment, then politely bowed and quietly excused herself.

 

‘To grasp it from such a brief conversation.’

 

That he and Akmugyeol were not meeting for the first time.

 

And that some kind of deal she didn’t know about—or shouldn’t know about—was taking place.

 

Moreover, her counterpart was none other than the leader of Black Wind Division, one of the Ten Divisions of the Sable Alliance.

 

Even as a Haowen Clan branch manager, it would be burdensome for her to dare share a seat with Akmugyeol.

 

“Now that the intruder is gone, let’s talk again.”

 

Akmugyeol pointed to the booklet on the table and continued.

 

“Inside this is what you want. The path into Monghwando, its internal structure, and personnel.”

 

Namgung Cheon narrowed his eyes.

 

“There’s no such thing as information without a price.”

 

“Of course.”

 

Akmugyeol nodded.

 

“Likewise, what I want is also information. Information obtained from Monghwando. I need everything you see and hear there.”

 

Namgung Cheon’s gaze turned to the booklet.

 

“If you could create such detailed information, what value would the information I learn there have?”

 

Namgung Cheon’s sharp observation.

 

If Black Wind Division already understood Monghwando’s structure thoroughly, there would be no need to learn about internal affairs through Namgung Cheon.

 

They could move directly themselves.

 

Akmugyeol’s eyes wavered.

 

He picked up his teacup and moistened his lips.

 

Then he answered quietly.

 

“…That’s difficult to answer.”

 

At those words, Namgung Cheon’s mind raced.

 

The depth of information Black Wind Division possessed.

 

There would be no reason to investigate them this thoroughly without harboring hostility toward Gwimyeon-gye.

 

Yet they weren’t moving.

 

‘The Sable Alliance is remaining silent.’

 

Hong Yeon’s words came to mind.

 

A massive force tolerating those running wild in their territory.

 

Then was this act of handing over information the Alliance’s will?

 

‘No.’

 

If the Alliance intended to move, there would be no need to go through him.

 

Black Wind Division could just sweep them away directly.

 

The Sable Alliance that possessed information but wouldn’t move.

 

And a division leader secretly leaking that information to an outsider like himself.

 

The answer was clear.

 

A faint smile crossed Namgung Cheon’s lips.

 

“It wasn’t the Sable Alliance making a move.”

 

His gaze turned to Akmugyeol’s eyes.

 

Unlike before, his eyes were endlessly sunken.

 

“You’re currently acting against the Sable Alliance’s intentions. Isn’t that right?”

 

“….”

 

Akmugyeol didn’t answer.

 

But his silence was a more certain affirmation than any words.

 

Creak—.

 

Akmugyeol slowly rose from his seat.

 

He turned his gaze away from Namgung Cheon and walked toward the map of Dongjeongho that filled the wall.

 

“Acting against….”

 

His voice had sunk deeply.

 

“That’s wrong. I’m not going against the Alliance, but refusing what makes the Alliance sick.”

 

Akmugyeol slowly turned his head to look at Namgung Cheon.

 

Then he continued in a different tone than before.

 

“However, let me make one thing clear.”

 

Akmugyeol murmured quietly.

 

“Just because a wolf is leashed and cannot bark doesn’t mean it becomes a dog.”

 

His eyes flickered like flames.

 

“It’s simply sharpening its teeth.”

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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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