Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 80

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 80

Eunuigye.

The moment he heard those words, Namgung Cheon felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

And soon, a single word came to mind.

‘Was it called Cheongungye?’

The strategy of Nambyeok Trading Guild that he had encountered in relation to Baekcheon Trading Company’s affairs.

It was a method of supporting talented but poor scholars, later making them into their own solid fortress.

At the time, he had been quite impressed by their insight and skill.

For merchants, it was quite a meaningful investment to gain people by bestowing favors.

‘But this is different.’

Namgung Cheon’s eyes narrowed.

Though it appeared similar on the surface, the true nature was completely opposite.

If Cheongungye was a method of watering the sprouts of barren land to grow them into great trees, then this Eunuigye that Joja Geon was now presenting was.

‘Like injecting poison into already rotting roots.’

It wasn’t meant to save.

It was meant to make them wither faster and more certainly, to devour even the stumps.

Then, when Namgung Seon said nothing, Joja Geon continued his explanation with a gentle smile.

“This must be your first time hearing about it. But don’t think of it as complicated—just think of it as support. It’s a good deed of helping ‘colleagues’ like the branch manager who are in difficult circumstances but have a bright future.”

“…What do you mean by support?”

At Namgung Seon’s words, Joja Geon extended his fingers one by one as he continued.

“Let me explain why I put it that way. First, there’s no interest. It’s not the way of commerce to fill one’s belly with a colleague’s tears of blood.”

At those words, Namgung Seon’s eyes widened.

“Is that true?”

“How could that be all? Second, there’s also no repayment deadline. When you succeed in making a comeback, you can return it then. Even if you fail again, we won’t demand anything. We’ll simply share in your pain.”

It was an absurd condition.

A contract that couldn’t exist in this world.

A look of suspicion crossed Namgung Seon’s face.

“What exactly do you trust to conduct such business?”

As if he had been waiting for that question, Joja Geon’s smile deepened even more.

“What we desire is just one thing.”

He lifted his teacup and looked at Namgung Seon over it.

“That you don’t forget the favor we bestow today, and when we need help in the future, you show us that loyalty. That’s all.”

The moment he heard those words, Namgung Cheon under his bamboo hat grasped the structure of this cunning trap.

‘As expected.’

Cheongungye and Eunuigye were different.

If Cheongungye was an investment in nurturing promising sprouts, Eunuigye took the form of salvation, extending a hand to those driven to the edge of a cliff.

And the moment one grasped that hand, they would owe a great debt to their savior, Taeju Trading Guild.

Loyalty? What a ridiculous word.

‘What they want isn’t loyalty, but submission.’

Instead of tangible shackles of money, they were putting on intangible leashes of favor and loyalty.

A sneer formed at the corner of Namgung Cheon’s mouth.

‘A scheme befitting the Orthodox Faction.’

He immediately sent a telepathic message to Namgung Seon.

―Refuse it. But you must refuse like a warrior.

Receiving the telepathic message, Namgung Seon closed his eyes for a moment.

Then, as if he had made up his mind about something, he opened his eyes wide and spoke.

“The chief manager’s proposal is truly extraordinary. I express my gratitude for the hand extended when this Namgung Seon was in his most difficult time.”

He politely cupped his fists.

“However, I am not a merchant, but a warrior. For warriors, favor and righteousness are truly given and received without price. To give and receive something along with a contract like this can no longer be considered favor and righteousness.”

“….”

Joja Geon’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

It was a situation where the fish he thought he had caught was using its last strength to spit out the hook.

But instead, a smile bloomed on his face.

“Hehe, the Namgung clan is indeed different. I understand. I had no intention of forcing you.”

He continued leisurely, as if he had anticipated every situation.

“However….”

Joja Geon set down his teacup.

“You might change your mind. Money that didn’t exist can’t just suddenly fall from the sky.”

He took out a small black wooden plaque from his bosom and placed it on the table.

“Tonight, there’s an Eunuigye gathering at the Sangdan Byeolchae. It’s a meeting presided over by the guild’s general manager.”

Joja Geon’s sharp eyes quietly gazed at Namgung Seon.

“If you happen to change your mind… bring this plaque and come. You’ll probably be able to see some people there who might interest the branch manager.”

With those words, Joja Geon rose from his seat.

He turned as if to leave the reception room, then stopped abruptly as if something had occurred to him.

“Ah, and.”

He slightly turned his head to look at Namgung Seon.

“Let’s consider the investment matter you mentioned earlier as if it never happened.”

One corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

“We’ve decided to share this good opportunity only with those who share our intentions.”

Thud.

The door of the reception room closed.

Only heavy silence lingered in the room.

Namgung Seon’s face turned red with humiliation as he trembled with clenched fists.

Soon, as if he had given up on everything, he hung his head low.

“…I’m sorry. I’ll gladly accept whatever punishment you give.”

But Namgung Cheon didn’t respond to his apology.

He simply stared quietly down at the black wooden plaque Joja Geon had left behind.

‘Eunuigye.’

The name sounded plausible, but in reality it was a massive trap that bound people with debt.

And he had learned that this trap wasn’t cast only over the Namgung clan.

Under his bamboo hat, a cold smile crossed Namgung Cheon’s lips.

Those who share their intentions, indeed.

“I’ll need to confirm it.”

Namgung Cheon said quietly.

At that voice, Namgung Rin asked back.

“…What?”

Namgung Cheon picked up the black wooden plaque from the table.

“Who fell for this scheme….”

A red energy rippled in his eyes.

“And what kind of bastard this general manager is.”

* * *

When darkness began to devour the streets of Kaifeng, Namgung Cheon stood alone on the roof of a tavern across from Taeju Trading Guild.

The cold night wind carelessly scattered his black robes.

His gaze was directed toward Taeju Trading Guild, submerged in vast darkness.

Most of the pavilions were plunged in deep darkness, but only one pavilion in the deepest part of the guild was emitting bright light like broad daylight.

‘That must be the Byeolchae.’

He had confirmed his target, but he couldn’t approach rashly.

This was due to the formation enveloping the entire upper district, the Eight Trigrams Soul Confusion Array .

It was a basic formation that caused people to lose their way and see illusions, but its scale and the energy contained within it was beyond imagination.

The warriors positioned throughout the formation, especially around Saengmun , were also troublesome obstacles.

They moved at regular intervals, complementing each other’s weaknesses in the formation, protecting the upper district like a giant net.

Neither entering nor leaving would be easy.

‘Going through the main gate would be foolish.’

Not only was the formation’s energy strongest there, but the security was also tight.

Namgung Cheon’s gaze naturally turned toward the rear garden of the upper district.

The place where the formation’s power was weakest and there were fewer warriors, making security appear most lax.

But he soon shook his head.

‘It’s a trap.’

The formation had no gaps whatsoever.

‘They never intended to leave any path for entry or exit.’

Then there was only one remaining path.

His gaze turned to the eastern wall of the upper district, the darkest and most inconspicuous corner.

The point where the Wisa patrol routes intersected.

Perhaps because of this, there existed a minute gap in the formation.

If he could perfectly deceive the Wisa’s eyes, it would be an ideal infiltration route.

‘Then…’

Namgung Cheon closed his eyes and recalled the mysteries of countless stealth techniques he had learned in his previous life.

Among them, the absolute best was the Shadowless Stealth Technique used by Makyō’s elite assassination unit, the Black Shadow Unit .

‘Since it’s not a stealth technique based on demonic energy, I can use it sufficiently.’

Namgung Cheon slowly recited the incantation of the Shadowless Stealth Technique.

“One step without self , all things become shadows .”

In one step I erase myself, so all things in the world become my shadow.

The moment he recited the incantation, Namgung Cheon’s energy began to fade.

And soon.

‘This should be sufficient.’

His presence and energy completely disappeared.

Swoosh.

At the same time, his body silently kicked off the roof and soared into midair.

A single streak of shadow cutting through the pitch-black night sky.

He flew toward the eastern wall of the upper district in an instant.

And.

‘Now.’

The moment four Wisa passed by below the wall.

Namgung Cheon’s form leisurely passed over their heads.

Having entered the interior of the upper district, Namgung Cheon moved silently across the rooftops toward the byeolchae.

Though formations were spread throughout the area.

‘One step to the left.’

Tap.

‘This time, three steps to the right.’

Tap tap.

He lightly found and followed Saengmun as if he had been there before.

After carefully advancing for quite some time.

‘Is this the place.’

Namgung Cheon’s steps stopped atop the byeolchae roof.

Then he carefully lifted a roof tile and peered inside through the gap.

And the strange scene that met his eyes.

Inside the lavish room, about a dozen figures sat in their respective places.

At a banquet, there should naturally be bustling conversation and the sound of clinking wine cups.

But what filled the room was only heavy silence; they were simply drinking their wine in silence.

Namgung Cheon’s gaze swept over their attire.

He noticed familiar clothing – robes embroidered with pine trees, golden martial uniforms, and such.

‘Mudang Sect, Hwangbo Clan… even the Jegal Clan is here.’

It was strange.

For a secret meeting, it would be proper to either cover their faces or disguise themselves in plain clothes.

But they were brazenly wearing the clothes of their sects and clans, openly revealing their affiliations.

‘…Don’t tell me.’

Deep wrinkles formed on Namgung Cheon’s brow.

‘Are they making each other hold weaknesses over one another.’

Accomplices.

There was no more certain shackle than this.

Each clearly revealing their identity.

This was both a silent threat that none present could withdraw, and like holding knives to each other’s throats.

‘Vicious bastards.’

The moment Namgung Cheon shook his head at their cruelty.

Whooom—.

“…!”

Suddenly, all his senses stood on end, and the energy of Taeheohosimgong began moving on its own.

At the same time.

Thump. Thump.

Footsteps that seemed to shake the earth came from the other end of the corridor.

It was clearly one person’s footsteps.

But each footstep shook the pillars of the byeolchae and sent chills through Namgung Cheon’s entire body as he held his breath on the roof.

An act of blatantly showing off one’s martial prowess.

This was usually nothing more than the clumsy bravado of third-rate warriors.

But the intimidating presence contained in these footsteps was on a different level.

‘At minimum… Transcendent Realm.’

No, perhaps.

‘The same level as me.’

And.

Creak—.

With the sound of the door opening, everyone in the room rose from their seats in unison as if by prior arrangement.

Then they bowed deeply toward the door and shouted in one voice with great vigor.

“We greet the Director!”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————