Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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I paced around the living room, lost in various thoughts, when the door opened.
I turned, expecting Geom Mojam, but an unexpected figure appeared.
What is this, some drama? Why is everyone coming here?
Standing before me was Yeon Namsan. He was Yeon Gaesomun's third son and the main culprit, alongside his older brother Yeon Nam-geon, who had driven Yeon Namsaeng away.
Behind him stood Geom Mojam, wearing a troubled expression.
"What brings you here?"
Yeon Namsan glanced back at my calm question.
I could see Geom Mojam poised to charge at my slightest word.
"I came to speak with you alone, brother. But now even your retainer is barring my way."
"Family requires the most caution of all."
"What do you mean?"
I answered Yeon Namsan's raised gaze without hesitation.
"Sharing blood doesn't mean we're friends."
"You've changed a lot, brother."
"I've just stopped hiding it. There was a reason before."
Even I thought it sounded cool, so I bared my teeth in a grin.
"So you mean there's no need to hide anymore?"
His probing questions grated on me, but I held back to learn why he'd come.
"You know it well enough. There's no need now."
We exchanged tense lines dripping with drama-like suspense.
After a long silence, Yeon Namsan spoke with his hands tucked into his sleeves.
"Do you plan to keep propping up the youngest?"
"I'll decide whether to keep him or not. Don't interfere. Get to your point."
I caught Geom Mojam behind him shooting me looks of admiration and respect. Yeon Namsan swallowed hard and continued.
"I heard you're heading to the Central Administration Bureau."
"Rumors spread fast. Father mentioned it."
"Congratulations."
"On working there? Or on Father sending me?"
Yeon Gaesomun hadn't sent me to the Central Administration Bureau just to earn a living.
It was to learn the ropes and see how the kingdom operated.
That meant he'd officially acknowledged me as heir. Yeon Namsan's visit confirmed my suspicions.
This is getting exciting.
It felt like watching the tense rivalries from a drama or movie. If I returned to the modern world, I'd have confidence writing web novels.
As I pondered, Yeon Namsan pulled his hands from his sleeves. Geom Mojam behind him reached for his sword at his waist.
Fortunately, Yeon Namsan was empty-handed. I signaled Geom Mojam it was fine.
"It's been a while since my little brother visited. Shall I teach you some martial arts?"
"An excellent idea."
Yeon Namsan turned to Geom Mojam, who was clapping like a seal, and asked,
"What martial art?"
"Jujutsu, a new one I created. I used it last time at the market when assassins attacked."
"The one where you broke the attacker's arm and subdued him in an instant?"
"Exactly. You never know, so I should teach you one at least."
"You're teaching me?"
I grabbed his sleeve instead of answering. Luckily, his robes had wide sleeves perfect for gripping, like training garb.
Time to try the Kimura lock.
Without a word, I closed in, seized his arm, and wrenched it behind his back. Yeon Namsan flailed in surprise, but I hooked his leg to pin him immobile.
"B-brother."
"Relax. Mess up, and that arm breaks."
I spoke coldly on purpose and secured the grip. Left hand on his right wrist, elbow trapped, then lifted high overhead.
Usually done lying sideways, but this would scare him properly. Yeon Namsan cried out in shock.
"It hurts! Brother!"
"Life is pain, little brother."
I flipped him backward, rolled him sideways, and tightened the hold.
"Agh!"
His scream erupted, so I released immediately.
"How was that?"
"I've never seen a martial art like this. When did you create it?"
Inwardly, I replied it was from a hundred years in the future by Carlos Gracie. But that'd knock him out, so I said something else.
"I contemplated the energies of the universe and the earth, and man at their center. The technique's name is..."
Kimura lock would've gotten a weird reaction.
"Yeon Namsaeng Lock. Rock-solid lock."
I nearly burst out laughing watching Geom Mojam and Yeon Namsan take it seriously. Yeon Namsan, sweating profusely, stood and shook his trapped arm.
"That was close to breaking."
"A broken heart hurts more than a broken arm."
I gestured for Geom Mojam to leave. He bowed and exited.
Yeon Namsan sighed and sat. I remained standing and asked,
"Why are you here?"
"About Second Brother."
"Nam-geon?"
"Yes. He's been doing things lately that worry me."
I instantly grasped the situation from his sidelong glance but played dumb and listened.
"What things?"
"He's badmouthing you everywhere. Saying lightning struck and drove you mad, and such."
"That's true."
"Pardon?"
To Yeon Namsan, eyes wide in shock, I said,
"I've gained clarity. I can tell enemies from friends, and the future seems visible at times."
I spoke casually on purpose, and his expression grew complicated.
"A-anyway, Second Brother seems to have crossed a line."
"So you're here to warn me?"
"You should know."
"About the slander? Winds blow on mountaintops."
"You call slander wind?"
"You learn of typhoons by enduring breezes. Don't worry. If bored, join in cursing me. No issue."
"Brother."
"But!"
I leaned close to his face.
"If caught, I'll grind your bones to dust."
"I'll help you, brother."
"How?"
"I'll report Second Brother's every word and action, sway his close aides. With proof of disloyalty, it'll aid you greatly later."
Hearing that, I nearly laughed. His eyes had turned red.
They hadn't during the Yeon Namsaeng Lock—er, Kimura lock. Red eyes now meant one thing clearly.
Suspicious before, now confirmed. I pretended to ponder, then faced his red gaze.
"Honestly, we're not close, right?"
"Different mothers, after all."
"You think your life’s at risk if I become Eastern Division Leader."
"Th-that's..."
"And there are agitators whispering in your ear."
"No, brother."
"If I fail to become leader as you wish, what then?"
"P-please refrain, brother."
"Tsk, control your face. Your lip twitched."
Pre-possession Yeon Namsaeng seemed impulsive. But Yeon Taehwan, who survived decades in modern Korea's hell as a dirt-poor fighter, was different.
I've weathered every storm.
"Without me, Nam-geon takes the seat. Safe then?"
His face stiffened at the core jab. I clicked my tongue and pressed on.
"From that day, he'll scheme to remove you, merits or not. Actually, faster then. You won't sit idle."
"Impossible, brother."
"Listen. Even if you want peace, your entourage won't. They crave life and power. That sparks civil war in the family. Like the Third and Fourth Armies."
Yeon Namsan swallowed dryly instead of replying. The red in his eyes faded slowly.
"If our house wars internally, will the royal house or other leaders stay out? They'll fan flames and meddle. Our clan vanishes in an instant."
"Scary, brother."
"You'd go down as the one who doomed the Eastern Yeon Clan. Survivors and heirs slaughtered or shamed."
I paused. He swallowed again.
"Did Nam-geon order this?"
"No. Even if he did, I wouldn't blindly obey."
Dim-witted but prideful. Headache, but easy to handle.
Time to bait him.
"Help me, and I'll guarantee your life and family's."
"Brother."
"But ally with Nam-geon to sow discord or join outsiders? No mercy. Won't kill you first."
"What do you mean?"
"Youngest child first, you last. Or I'll choose for you."
"How?"
"A sword and a sack of gold. Follow family with the blade or flee with gold."
"Too harsh."
"Harsh words beat death."
I grinned wide and patted his shoulder.
"So behave. When aides whisper winds, think: loyalty to me or their ambition?"
"I have no such aides."
"Loyal but dim, then. They didn't stop you coming here."
"J-just my thoughts."
"Don't trust yourself. Think I'd hate Namsan more from your words? I already do; no need. Better..."
"Offer Nam-geon your hand to take you out first."
"Didn't you say brotherly strife dooms the house?"
"Good memory. Eldest purging siblings for succession isn't strife. Proper justification, and all accept."
"You're not like that."
"Before lightning, maybe. But revived, views changed. Won't lose mine. Won't spare those trying."
Survival first over grand plans. History's end might come sooner dazed. Before repelling Tang, becoming hero—secure home first.
Seeing my smirk, flustered Yeon Namsan bowed hastily and left. Watching him, a good idea struck. To Geom Mojam closing the door, I asked,
"Where's Nam-geon now?"