Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 54

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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 54

 

The inn where Namgung Cheon was staying.

 

From morning, the area outside the window was unusually noisy.

 

“Waaaaah!”

 

“Long live the Cheoncheon Sword Hero!”

 

Endless cheers and murmuring voices.

 

Mujin, who was packing his belongings in the guest room, slightly opened the window and looked outside.

 

The street in front of the inn was already packed with people.

 

Men and women, young and old had gathered, seemingly waiting eagerly for someone.

 

“The crowd is enormous.”

 

Mujin clicked his tongue and closed the window.

 

He showed a mischievous smile toward Namgung Cheon, who was sitting at the table drinking tea.

 

“Can you hear that outside? The sound of them calling you Cheoncheon Sword Hero.”

 

Namgung Cheon put down his teacup without answering.

 

But the unfamiliar title of Cheoncheon Sword Hero was clearly reaching his ears as well.

 

“Do you remember those beggars lurking around the riverbank last night?”

 

Mujin continued with a laugh.

 

“Those guys must have been spreading the word all night throughout the neighborhood. It’s obvious without even looking.”

 

The scene from last night’s riverbank flashed through Namgung Cheon’s mind.

 

The countless gazes hidden in the darkness, watching their every move.

 

They were the eyes and ears of the Gae Sect.

 

‘The Gae Sect…’

 

Their intention to portray him as a hero was clear.

 

‘It’s probably a political move to keep the Sable Alliance in check.’

 

They wanted to create a narrative where the Orthodox Faction eliminated Gwimyeon-gye instead, despite the main branch being in Honam.

 

‘There’s no weapon more fearsome than rumors spread through people’s mouths.’

 

The Gae Sect had skillfully exploited this point.

 

Beyond a simple tale of martial prowess, their clear intention was to use him as material to shake the public sentiment of Honam.

 

As Namgung Cheon remained quietly lost in thought, Mujin spoke up.

 

“It’s not a bad thing, is it? Thanks to this, you’ve gained fame while sitting still, and it’s helped the local sects too.”

 

Mujin continued, resting his chin on his hand.

 

“By the way, Cheoncheon Sword Hero… it sounds much better than Sword Demon. Hero, though it’s not exactly a title that suits you, young master.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

Sword Hero instead of Sword Demon.

 

Namgung Cheon chuckled and stood up from his seat.

 

“We should head out now.”

 

“Let’s do that.”

 

Namgung Cheon, Mujin, and Baekheun left the guest room with the children.

 

When they went down to the first floor of the inn, the innkeeper and staff, who had already heard the news, bowed deeply to see them off.

 

“Travel safely, great hero! Please visit us again!”

 

Namgung Cheon simply nodded lightly and opened the inn’s door.

 

Creak—

 

The door opened and sunlight poured in.

 

At the same time, the gazes of the crowd filling the street all focused on Namgung Cheon at once.

 

“He’s come out!”

 

“That’s him! The Cheoncheon Sword Hero!”

 

Waaaaah!

 

Cheers shook the street.

 

People pushed against each other, trying to get even a little closer to see him.

 

Merchants stopped their work to applaud, and passersby halted their steps to bow their heads.

 

Their eyes held sincere respect and gratitude.

 

It was a sense of liberation from the disappearance of Gwimyeon-gye, the terrifying existence that had long threatened their children.

 

Mujin scratched his head sheepishly.

 

“Well, this is really hero treatment. Young master, how do you feel?”

 

“I don’t think much of it.”

 

Namgung Cheon was indifferent.

 

After all, he hadn’t done this to receive such praise.

 

Namgung Cheon silently moved forward, pushing through the crowd.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Young master! Young master!”

 

A group of people came running through the crowd.

 

Women holding children’s hands, men in rough clothing.

 

Their faces were all covered in tears.

 

Namgung Cheon’s eyes narrowed.

 

The woman who ran out first was the mother of the child who had given him the pebble at the riverbank a few days ago.

 

‘Then those behind her must be…’

 

The parents of the children he had rescued at the riverbank before heading to Monghwando.

 

“You are our benefactor!”

 

As soon as the woman reached Namgung Cheon, she dropped to her knees.

 

“I will never forget this kindness until the day I die!”

 

She wailed, pressing her forehead to the ground.

 

The parents following behind her also rushed to kneel and bow.

 

As if kneeling on the rough dirt ground meant nothing to them, they lowered their heads in the most humble posture.

 

Could there be anything more heartfelt in this world than the feelings of parents who had gotten their children back?

 

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

 

“We will never forget the great hero’s kindness, even when we become bones!”

 

The onlookers also teared up and applauded.

 

Mujin looked at Namgung Cheon, not knowing what to do.

 

Then Namgung Cheon spoke to the woman at the front.

 

“Stand up.”

 

His voice was calm and dry as usual.

 

“You don’t need to do this.”

 

“But still…”

 

As the woman spoke through her tears, Namgung Cheon shook his head.

 

“I didn’t do this to receive gratitude.”

 

It was sincere.

 

He hadn’t moved to become a hero or to receive praise.

 

He had simply moved to repay the gesture of a small pebble while investigating the Sable Alliance’s secrets.

 

Namgung Cheon briefly looked at the children nestled in their parents’ arms.

 

Having escaped from hell, he hoped they would live ordinary lives.

 

‘Live well.’

 

Namgung Cheon turned around, leaving his brief wish behind.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

The group moved away, pushing through the crowd.

 

Sighs flowed from among the people watching their retreating figures.

 

“To think he doesn’t boast of his achievements…”

 

“Isn’t he a true hero!”

 

Namgung Cheon’s indifferent words were received completely differently by the people.

 

His truthful statement that he hadn’t done this to receive gratitude appeared to them as infinitely humble.

 

Thus, another misunderstanding about Namgung Cheon was accumulating in the world.

 

* * *

 

The road leaving Akyang and heading toward Imseong, where the White Lotus Sword Sect was located, was quite peaceful.

 

The land route that followed the waterways of Dongjeongho.

 

The path was smooth, and reed fields swaying in the river breeze stretched endlessly.

 

The sound of carriage wheels rolling on the dirt road and horse hooves created a rhythmic beat.

 

The occasional breeze carried a fishy scent, but even that felt peaceful as the sky was clear and high.

 

Perhaps due to the tension and fatigue of the past few days being relieved, the children were leaning against each other, fast asleep.

 

Namgung Cheon looked at the sleeping children before turning his gaze outside the window.

 

Houses scattered sparsely beyond the endless reed fields.

 

The bent backs of farmers plowing fields, children running and playing.

 

Even though this was the Honam region where the Heterodox Faction held sway, it wasn’t particularly different.

 

Everyday scenery that could be seen anywhere in Junghwon.

 

‘Indeed, even the Sect that the people of Junghwon so feared had similar scenery.’

 

The scenery of Siwandaesan that he had seen in his previous life as Cheonma came to mind.

 

People lived there too, and children played there as well.

 

Though it was a place people called the Demonic Sect and trembled at, there was life within it too.

 

The only difference was how much blood had to be shed to protect that ordinary life.

 

Then, Mujin, who sat beside Baekheun who was silently holding the reins, quietly spoke up.

 

“It’s truly peaceful. Just yesterday we were in a hellish place.”

 

Mujin scratched the back of his head and continued.

 

“Speaking of which, the White Lotus Sword Sect…”

 

Mujin glanced back at where the children were sleeping and continued.

 

“I wonder if the children will adapt well. All I know is sharing a drink with that young hero at the Yeongang Martial Arts Assembly, so I don’t know the inner workings. Do you know anything, Young Master?”

 

“No.”

 

Namgung Cheon answered briefly.

 

“Right, this would be Young Master’s first time going to the White Lotus Sword Sect too. I’ve only heard rumors. They say they’re the only stubborn ones in Honam who don’t mind the Heterodox Faction’s mood and say whatever they want.”

 

Mujin chuckled and continued.

 

“That’s why their nickname is Nine Nether Grass. They say they can survive even in hell.”

 

Namgung Cheon nodded.

 

For an Orthodox Faction to survive intact in Honam, where the Sable Alliance’s influence ran deep, was close to miraculous.

 

And that meant they had something that could protect themselves.

 

‘If it’s such a place, it should be fine to entrust these children to them.’

 

Namgung Cheon looked at the sleeping children again.

 

Though they were currently powerless orphans with nowhere to go.

 

‘They possess outstanding martial talent.’

 

If they met proper masters and learned correct martial arts, they were materials that could grow into great trees in the future.

 

If the White Lotus Sword Sect’s perseverance met the children’s talent, the results would be worth anticipating.

 

And as time passed, when the red sunset faded and the sky grew dark.

 

The carriage entered Imseong.

 

Imseong, at the northern end of Honam.

 

It was a quiet town with nothing special except that the White Lotus Sword Sect held its ground there.

 

Lanterns lit one by one, illuminating the narrow streets, and the peaceful late evening scene of people heading home after finishing their day’s work came into the party’s view.

 

Namgung Cheon briefly looked up at the sky and quietly spoke.

 

“We should stay here tonight.”

 

“That’s right. It would take another hour to reach the White Lotus Sword Sect, and it’s too late for that. The children would be tired too.”

 

At Mujin’s words, Namgung Cheon told Baekheun.

 

“If there’s a nearby inn, stop the carriage.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

Soon Baekheun stopped the carriage in front of an inn.

 

Clatter.

 

The carriage stopped, and the party got off one by one.

 

“Wow, the smell of food is overwhelming. They say hunger is the best seasoning…”

 

Just as Mujin was stretching and looking around.

 

His words were cut short.

 

The gazes of people passing through the street were all fixed on them.

 

At the same time, the street that had been somewhat lively grew quiet, and everyone looked at the party with strange eyes.

 

Three men in splendid martial robes, and children in shabby clothes following behind them.

 

It was a combination that didn’t match no matter how you looked at it.

 

People stopped walking and began whispering.

 

“L-look over there.”

 

“Could it be…?”

 

Mujin smiled awkwardly and whispered to Namgung Cheon.

 

“Haha, has the rumor already spread this far?”

 

But at that moment, Baekheun, who had been silently guarding the children, quietly said.

 

“…It doesn’t seem to be that.”

 

Baekheun’s hand quietly moved over his sword hilt.

 

His instincts as a warrior were sending a warning.

 

Those gazes were not friendly.

 

“Hmm?”

 

Mujin examined the people’s expressions again.

 

Baekheun was right.

 

There was no cheering or respect in people’s eyes.

 

Rather, it was a gaze mixed with contempt, suspicion, and fear.

 

Like people who had seen something they shouldn’t have, they glanced around while hurrying to leave the area.

 

“…It’s closer to wariness.”

 

The smile slowly disappeared from Mujin’s face.

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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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