Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: S3. Learning from History -7
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The reception room was neatly arranged overall, but the area around the head seat where Namgung Chaegong sat was chaotically cluttered. Brushes lay scattered about, books were placed at odd angles.
Envers quickly grasped the reason. Namgung Chaegong, restless with idle hands, had been picking up brushes, twirling them idly, and dropping them in a frenzy.
The Namgung clan's servants hurriedly tidied up after him, but it seemed the lord himself kept messing things anew.
Propping his chin on his hand, he quietly observed Envers before speaking casually, as if peering into his very thoughts.
"So, you saw it all, did you? I saw you getting along splendidly with Myeong-i, and even caught you ogling my daughter's figure from head to toe."
"That's..."
"Haha, young Daoist, your cultivation must be quite shallow. To get flustered over something like that."
"......"
It seemed like a jest on his part. He didn't seem to mind it much at all—whether it was Envers seeing Seung-ah or teaching his children unorthodox techniques without permission.
Instead, he pointed out something else.
"Though back in my youth, my wandering eyes led me to close my doors... my reputation in the martial world isn't the best. Still, I keep in touch warmly with a few old friends. That's how I heard about this strange wind blowing through the jianghu."
"A strange wind?"
"Some among those who faced the Heavenly Demon have started imitating his martial arts. They've lost their humanity, you might say... focusing more on the form than the intent of the techniques. Just like your movements."
"...You saw that in my movements?"
Namgung Chaegong nodded.
"It showed up now and then while you played blindfolded dodge with Seung-ah. Parts where you moved like a wooden puppet—eerie, inhuman. Quite fascinating."
"Strictly speaking, I didn't learn it by watching the Heavenly Demon himself..."
Even if the order was reversed, it wasn't far off. Envers had learned from Luna, but her movements pointed in the same direction as the Heavenly Demon's.
"You seem connected to the Heavenly Demon somehow. Directly or indirectly, bridging thirty years' gap. Most intriguing."
"...Are you suspicious?"
"No. If Myeong-i trusts you, that's good enough for me."
"That quack Daoist's words were rambling enough. But you... you even read the Heavenly Demon's traces in my movements. Plenty of reason to suspect. So why trust me?"
"Because this is the Namgung clan."
Namgung Chaegong raised an index finger, pointing to a potted plant in the corner. A single orchid bloomed within.
"Sometimes, grand purpose matters more than any goal. A plant without roots can't survive, even if one without fruit might."
"...I don't quite follow."
"Simple enough. If I offered you a million gold right now, would you kill Myeong-i?"
"...?!"
At the sudden chilling remark, Envers looked up at him in shock. The lord merely smiled faintly, as if urging a reply.
A million gold. As if slaying that young boy for mere coin could ever be justified.
His hesitation was brief. Envers shook his head firmly, and Namgung Chaegong nodded as if that confirmed it.
"Then the you who took that million gold to kill Myeong-i... wouldn't be the you now. Someone like that wouldn't have saved Myeong-i from the Demonic Cult's pursuit in the first place."
"...Probably."
"Choose gain over conviction time and again, eyes blinded by immediate profit... and in the end, nothing remains. Even clutching riches and fame, what you truly wanted at the start will be gone."
Images of the Beggars' Sect flashed through Envers's mind. Sect Leader Hee Yeonghyeon had sacrificed everything for the sect's survival, her face hollow with emptiness.
The current Beggars' Sect was surely not what she had envisioned.
To Envers, lost in thought, Namgung Chaegong said,
"Your little dojo seems adrift—heart unmoored. Or perhaps tethered somewhere."
"What do you mean?"
"Just that. Your actions are far too passive for your abilities. We have no intent to bind guests, let alone friends."
Move freely as you please. With that, Namgung Chaegong sent Envers out.
Tethered...
Stepping outside and gazing at the vast blue sky, he wondered why the human heart sank like an anchor when the heavens soared so free.
"......"
A child who yearns to be her brother's right hand.
He couldn't help but see the parallels.
On his way back, Namgung So stood blocking the path, as if waiting for Envers. He tugged his lips into a smile, offering an apology.
But it didn't feel like one.
"My apologies. I heard you were a Daoist skilled at reading heavenly secrets, but who could have foreseen such a commotion?"
"No matter. In the end, he was chased off, so I'm fine."
"As expected of a profound Daoist—such magnanimity. That Daoist... I'll track him down and punish him myself, so don't worry."
"...Do you have business with me?"
Conversing with Namgung So felt uncomfortable somehow. Envers wanted to end it quickly.
He spoke politely to everyone, with impeccable manners—compared to Roderus, who had dismissed him as lowly riffraff from the start... he should be a good person.
Yet the warmth felt from Roderus was absent here. Though they'd met only twice, it wasn't pleasant.
Envers couldn't hide his unease, but Namgung So seemed utterly unconcerned. He spoke nonchalantly.
"Do you know what day it is a month from now?"
"No."
"The day the next clan head of the Namgung clan is nominated. Father plans to announce his successor early, to avoid unrest in the family."
"......"
Bragging, was he?
By all appearances, Namgung So was the frontrunner. He was far older than his younger brother and had racked up numerous achievements, by all accounts.
Yet peering closely at his expression, that smile didn't seem boastful. It looked... unstable.
"That's why... I called the Daoist. Father's birthday and the heir nomination—both crucial days. Thought a blessing from you would be fitting."
"What are you getting at?"
"One Daoist flees, leaving only the one who rolled in. Must ask the remaining one, no? Daoist Cheonghwi... bless my ascension as clan head."
"...You're likely the frontrunner. But blessing something unannounced yet feels premature."
At Envers's reasonable objection, Namgung So simply stared.
Quietly.
Then, as if it were nothing,
"Daoist Cheonghwi is right. I misspoke."
"......"
"Did you meet Father? A man as free-spirited as drifting clouds. Since it's his birthday banquet, please offer congratulations. I trust even you won't refuse."
"Of course. I'll do just th..."
Before Envers could finish, Namgung So turned and left.
Ominous. But what could be done? Chasing after that man, shadowed by echoes of the Redburn estate—what would it achieve?
No, he could.
Envers had the mysterious scrolls from his friends, budding connections, and martial prowess more than sufficient.
Yet in that moment, he didn't move—because the trusting gaze of Namgung Myeong, who followed his brother devotedly, lingered in his mind.
Aren't they harmonious siblings?
Not twisted by a brother's betrayal, lost in hatred amid chaos, ignorant of each other's whereabouts.
But warm, trusting, harmonious siblings who leaned on one another. So...
"...How could I suspect and shatter that?"
Envers couldn't bring himself to.
In the darkness, a huddled figure peered into a single book, murmuring to itself.
The secrets of the Demonic Descent Divine Technique truly shine when the moon waxes full.
The full moon rises. Once it passes, even opportunity vanishes.
Now is the time.
Even with that wildcard Daoist, there's no choice but to proceed.
To claim what you desire, all must be forsaken.
On the banquet's final day... the one who must die will perish.
A jiangshi empowered by the Heavenly Demon's strength will surely achieve the goal.
In the shadows, crimson glows flickered wildly.