Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 85

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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 85

Late dawn.

“Huuu…”

Namgung Cheon sat cross-legged in the middle of the guest room with his eyes quietly closed.

Wooong—.

A tremendous energy pulsed like breathing within his dantian.

A simple verification followed.

‘Gwanwon, Hapgok, Gokji. Joksamnri.’

The moment he recalled the acupuncture points.

Swoosh—.

Before he could even be conscious of it, his internal energy flowed gracefully through the meridians.

A realm where it gathered at his fingertips the moment he thought, and condensed at his sword tip the moment he willed it.

‘Yes, this was the great achievement of mental cultivation.’

A realm that even martial artists could not reach despite dedicating their entire lives.

‘However, what I desire is not this level.’

Certainly, the Cheonggung Daeyeon Simbeop he had transformed was a peerless martial art.

Having completed it by adding Cheonma’s memories to the essence of Namgung, it would be worthy anywhere in the world.

Even so.

‘Cheonma Divine Art.’

It could not compare to the Cheonma Divine Art he had learned in his previous life.

The martial learning that had established a new order called Ma (Demon) in the world.

He needed martial learning equivalent to that.

‘My own divine art that will reestablish the principles of the world.’

There was no need to be impatient.

His understanding and enlightenment of martial learning were already sufficient.

Having organized his thoughts, Namgung Cheon slowly opened his eyes.

Then he picked up the plaque placed on the table.

The red-carved character ‘Meng (Alliance)’ gleamed in the dawn light.

‘Acting representative of the Alliance…’

On the surface, a plausible justification to carry out justice in the Alliance’s name.

With the promise of enormous profits, the benefits were also sufficient.

But what caught Namgung Cheon’s interest was the real value hidden beneath.

‘First strike, then report?’

Cut first, inform later.

Absolute authority where whoever he cut down, whatever he destroyed, would become the Alliance’s official business.

‘In Gangho, the more outstanding one is, the more enemies one makes.’

In such situations, the status of being Namgung Clan’s young master was both a solid backing and a heavy shackle.

‘It’s not like before when I could just duel…’

Every time he swung his sword, he had to consider Namgung’s honor, and every time he judged right from wrong, he had to consider chivalry.

But with this plaque, the story would be different.

‘No need to hide behind the family name, no need to be bound by justifications.’

The freedom to traverse the world with only his own judgment and sword.

That was what he truly desired.

That’s why he accepted it.

Of course, having this plaque didn’t mean he would cut down anyone indiscriminately.

His sword would only be directed at those who blocked his path and those worth cutting.

Namgung Cheon smiled lightly and tucked the black plaque into his robes.

Half of the deal was satisfactory.

But Jegal Hyeon’s other proposal that followed was something he couldn’t accept even upon reconsideration.

‘Bringing Jinquanpa into the Orthodox Faction, or more precisely, into the Alliance.’

A proposal that others would have readily accepted.

It meant legitimizing them as an Orthodox Faction trading company and removing the Heterodox Faction label.

But the moment Namgung Cheon heard that proposal, he felt an instinctive rejection.

Becoming part of the Alliance meant becoming transparent.

They would have to disclose their ledgers to the Alliance and place every move under the Alliance’s surveillance.

That’s why he refused.

‘The appropriate position for Jinquanpa is the boundary between Orthodox and Heterodox.’

That ambiguous gap called the space between Orthodox and Heterodox.

Neutrality that neither the Alliance nor Sable Alliance could carelessly touch was the position Namgung Cheon envisioned for Jinquanpa.

‘Anyway, I’ve given Sable Alliance money through the Nambyeok Trading Guild matter, so they won’t bark for a while.’

In that gap, he had to grow Jinquanpa’s size.

To the point where they wouldn’t receive interference from anyone.

For that, simple money games like before would be insufficient.

That’s why he demanded the advance payment.

‘Pyoguk.’

Namgung Cheon took out a document from his robes and read through it.

It was content related to Cheonri Pyeonguk that he had obtained from Jegal Hyeon.

‘Baekdwang… There must be chaos by now.’

Namgung Cheon put the document back in his robes.

Growing Jinquanpa into an independent force.

He was steadily approaching this primary goal.

However, this too was ultimately just a foundation stone for the grand picture he had unconsciously conceived.

Namgung Cheon rose from his seat and approached the window, opening the door.

Whoosh—.

The cold dawn air rushed into the room.

Under the pouring moonlight, the entire view of the massive Murim Alliance headquarters came into sight.

The heart of Orthodox martial arts where countless heroes and champions had passed through.

Several faces came to mind simultaneously.

Starting from Jeoncheon Jeonju Namgung Dan to Cheonui Daejoo Wunhak.

Those who in his previous life were merely pebbles beneath his feet.

But to his current self, they were still those he couldn’t completely surpass.

Just thinking of them made an energy stir within his dantian.

An instinct awakened by the great achievement of mental cultivation.

‘Fighting spirit.’

The pleasure of ultimately breaking strong opponents and reigning above all.

Because that instinct had been reawakened, he could no longer be satisfied.

Not with merely dreaming of the pinnacle of Orthodox.

Namgung Cheon’s gaze turned toward the night sky.

His eyes reflected the infinitely high heavens.

The Four Hegemons of the World.

Orthodox, Heterodox, Demon, Commerce.

The one and only heaven that always reigned alone and loftily above all of that.

One Heaven.

‘This shall be my new goal…’

For obtaining a second life.

* * *

Late afternoon, in a private room of a tavern in Kaifeng.

“Young Master, really… are we truly allowed to devour Cheonri Pyeonguk?”

Baekdwang swallowed his saliva as he asked Namgung Cheon, who sat across from him.

“Yes, but let me ask you one thing first.”

“Yes, please ask me anything.”

Namgung Cheon remained silent for a moment before throwing out his question.

“The escort business. Are you confident you can handle it? No, that’s the wrong question. Have you ever done it before?”

“…”

At those words, a subtle emotion flickered in Baekdwang’s eyes.

However, Baekdwang quickly composed himself and nodded as if he had made some decision.

“Didn’t I tell you before that I worked in water transport? Of course, it was quite different from proper escort business.”

“How so?”

“While normal escort agencies take guarantees for their cargo and only transport reliable goods, we did the opposite. We never asked any questions about what the goods were or who the clients were.”

Baekdwang clicked his tongue bitterly.

“Because of that, if we were unlucky, getting stabbed before we could even unpack the cargo was just part of daily life. We just ran like hell without knowing what was inside – that was our way.”

Baekdwang let out a small sigh.

“Some of the guys I worked with ended up buried in nameless forests like that.”

Those days of keeping his spine rigid against blades that could come flying from anywhere at any time.

Recalling those times, Baekdwang added with a bitter expression.

“Well, running an escort agency is a completely different story, but I’m telling you this to say that I’m not completely without experience.”

“I see.”

Namgung Cheon spoke briefly and quietly observed Baekdwang.

Though he didn’t know much and his conduct was rough, he had that beast-like instinct gained from surviving such battlefields.

‘This kind of survival instinct would be the most necessary virtue in the coming turbulent times.’

Moreover, even though Baekdwang spoke as if he hadn’t accomplished much, he was someone with considerable experience leading and growing an organization.

Furthermore, with Naengcheolsan, who served as something of a strategist.

“Alright, let’s give it a try.”

Namgung Cheon answered briefly and pulled out a document from his chest, sliding it across the table.

“This is related to Cheonri Pyeonguk.”

Baekdwang checked the document with trembling hands.

Naengcheolsan, sitting beside him, also read through the contents together.

Soon after confirming all the contents, Baekdwang scratched his head, and Naengcheolsan spoke on his behalf.

“To summarize, you’re saying that Cheonri Pyeonguk, having lost its financial backer, will fall apart, so we should absorb it. But Young Master, moving under the name of Jinquanpa is dangerous.”

Naengcheolsan tapped the table with his finger as he voiced his thoughts.

“Jinquanpa is still publicly considered a heterodox faction. If we openly devour Cheonri Pyeonguk, the merchant circles and orthodox factions in Hannam will resist.”

“Then what?”

At Namgung Cheon’s question, Naengcheolsan pondered before providing an answer.

“We need to create several appropriately small trading companies and split the acquisition among them. We must make the world believe that various minor trading companies simply divided up the escort agency.”

A gleam appeared in Namgung Cheon’s eyes.

‘That’s similar to the method I was thinking of.’

More precisely, that was always the Demonic Sect’s way.

When it came to the Demonic Sect, people would act as if they’d break out in hives just from touching anything related to it, regardless of orthodox or heterodox affiliations, so the Demonic Sect expanded its influence by hiding its name.

“Good. Proceed that way.”

With Namgung Cheon’s permission, Naengcheolsan made one more suggestion.

“However, Young Master, since the Murim Alliance is turning a blind eye to us, gradually reducing the tribute we pay to the Sable Alliance and aligning with the League would be…”

“That won’t do.”

Baekdwang cut him off from the side.

“There’s no need to invite suspicion over a few coins. If they’ll protect us just for paying money, why create unnecessary trouble? And if we join the League, we won’t be able to do business as freely as we do now.”

Namgung Cheon nodded.

“That’s right. Continue paying the tribute. Compared to the money we’ll earn in the future, that amount won’t be significant anyway.”

Then Namgung Cheon picked up his teacup and added one more thing.

“Lastly, as you operate the escort agency in the future, the escorts and guards will have stories they’ve heard from various places. Record everything, even trivial matters.”

Puzzlement appeared in both men’s eyes at the sudden statement.

Then Namgung Cheon continued quietly.

“The way Haowen Clan and Gae Sect gather information isn’t anything special. They just analyze and reconstruct stories that come in through their people spread across Junghwon. So there’s no reason an escort agency can’t do the same.”

“…!”

Finally understanding the intention, Baekdwang and Naengcheolsan’s eyes widened.

Namgung Cheon sipped his tea and continued.

“And as the scale gradually grows, the amount of incoming information will increase even more. When that happens…”

“…An intelligence organization will be born.”

“Exactly.”

Namgung Cheon nodded.

This was the real reason he had chosen to take over Cheonri Pyeonguk instead of taverns or other profitable ventures.

Establishing an intelligence organization that would collect information along Junghwon’s lifelines.

This was the first beginning of the grand plan Namgung Cheon had conceived.

“…I understand. I’ll gradually establish the system.”

Naengcheolsan bowed his head deeply as he answered.

“Well then, handle any problems that arise from now on by working together.”

With those final words, Namgung Cheon rose from his seat.

Thud.

He left the room in an instant.

“…”

The two men left behind remained lost in thought for a long while.

Eventually, Baekdwang broke the silence by quietly calling to Naengcheolsan.

“…Cheolsan.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Young Master… just how far ahead is he seeing?”

“I dare not even guess.”

Even Naengcheolsan’s voice was trembling faintly.

After being lost in thought for a moment, Baekdwang suddenly sprang up from his seat.

“Enough! We just need to do as we’re told! You’re going to handle the complicated stuff anyway, aren’t you?”

Naengcheolsan chuckled.

“You just don’t want to use your brain, do you?”

“What? Hey, didn’t you see me educating the subordinates last time? I use my brain now too!”

“Yes, yes. You’re absolutely right, Sect Leader.”

“Why is this bastard talking like that? You’re mocking me right now, aren’t you?”

“How could I dare? Let’s go. We have a lot of work to do.”

As Naengcheolsan started walking first, Baekdwang muttered behind him.

“Ah, he definitely mocked me…”

Despite his grumbling voice, his steps were as light as feathers.

And that evening.

At a time when darkness had fallen thick.

Jegal Hyeon suddenly visited Namgung Cheon’s quarters.

“May I suggest a starting point for our work?”

Jegal Hyeon’s voice was infinitely heavy.

“Of course, you’re free to refuse.”

Namgung Cheon remained silent for a moment before answering politely.

“I’ll decide after hearing it. What place are you referring to?”

Jegal Hyeon swallowed dryly.

Then, looking deeply into Namgung Cheon’s eyes, he quietly opened his mouth.

“One of the wings of the Nine Sects….”

Jegal Hyeon paused for a moment before uttering his final words.

“The Conlun Sect of Cheonghae.”

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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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