Chapter 12
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Stage is Set
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12.
This will be the signal that officially kicks off the competition for the Family Head position.
But hasnt the Sword Family Assembly become a mere formality?
Even if its become a formality, one cannot deny it is the grandest event in the Namgung family.
That may be true, but with the next generation participating, it will inevitably draw a great deal of attention.
Indeed, theyll have no time to focus on anything else. After all, its a chance to get an early look at the next Family Head.
Though the meeting presided over by the Family Head had ended, the elders real discussion was just beginning.
Is there any need to worry? Young Lord Hyeok is leagues above the other young lords.
The Second Elder, Namgung Bon, curled his lips into a smile. Namgung Hyeok, whom he ardently supported, not only possessed talent but also had the backing of a powerful maternal family. Namgung Hyeoks mother was none other than a member of the Sichuan Tang Family, a clan that rivaled the Namgung family among the Six Great Families.
Considering his backing was far superior to that of the Great Young Lord or the Third Young Lord, the Second Elder, Namgung Bon, had no doubt that the Second Young Lord, Namgung Hyeok, would become the next Family Head. If that came to pass, he, who had supported Namgung Hyeok from early on, would secure a prominent position within the Namgung family.
He could even aim for the position of First Elder, or perhaps the unprecedented title of Great Elder. Having finished his thoughts, Namgung Bon turned his head. The Third Elder, Namgung Hwamin, and the Fifth Elder, Namgung Deok, who met his gaze, also sported sly smiles. It seemed the future they all envisioned was a bright one.
There you go again. Getting ahead of yourself, Second Elder.
That is, if a sharp remark hadn't shattered the mood.
Youve forgotten Young Lord Gal. How far ahead are you looking?
The Fourth Elder, Namgung Gun, glanced at the Sixth Elder, Namgung Gil, and the Seventh Elder, Namgung Je, before continuing.
Have you not heard the public opinion that Young Lord Gal, who is a full two years younger, already possesses talent that surpasses the Second Young Lord?
Hmph! Public opinion? Dont you think everyone knows those are just baseless rumors you spread for your own political gain, Fourth Elder?
My word! Political gain! Baseless rumors! What an utterly outrageous thing to say.
The fingers pointed between the Second and Fourth Elders spread to the other elders, who began praising the young lords they supported while disparaging the others.
In that moment, as the hall devolved into a noisy marketplace, there were those who simply watched.
They were the ones who had declared neutrality and were present only to observe. The Ninth Elder, Namgung Su, and the Tenth Elder, Namgung Ho, shook their heads with weary expressions.
What is to become of the Namgung family?
What more is there to say?
Even as they spoke, the eyes of Namgung Su and Namgung Ho did not rest.
...You two should hurry and grab a lifeline as well. If you keep testing the waters like that, youll find yourselves unwelcome anywhere.
At the sound of a sharp voice, the Ninth Elder, Namgung Su, and the Tenth Elder, Namgung Ho, turned their heads. There stood a middle-aged man who had stepped away from the squabble to observe the situation. His graying white hair and the fine wrinkles around his eyes spoke of his age, but his gaze was that of a seasoned veteran, showing his spirit was far from broken.
...Ah, no, First Elder.
We are merely concerned for the future of the Namgung family.
Enough. I am not here to reprimand you.
The First Elder, Namgung Yeoul, shook his head. When no further words followed, the Ninth Elder, Namgung Su, feeling awkward, cautiously spoke up.
What are your thoughts, First Elder?
About what?
In the end, no matter what is said, one of the five young lords must become the Family Head, correct?
At the Ninth Elder Namgung Sus words, the Tenth Elder Namgung Ho chimed in as if on cue.
Thats right. It is only natural that we must endorse the most suitable candidate as Family Head for the prosperity and harmony of the Namgung family.
At those words, the First Elder, Namgung Yeoul, looked at the two men, then turned his gaze toward the bickering elders with a faint smile.
What meaning is there? Prosperity and harmony with those who only seek to fill their own pockets. It will not be easy.
But...
But if the prosperity and harmony you speak of aligns with my own thinking, and if such a person appears, then should I not also offer my full support?
At those words, the faces of both the Ninth and Tenth Elders brightened. The First Elders words seemed to imply that he, too, intended to support someone and would accept the natural course of events.
Passing the two men, the First Elder, Namgung Yeoul, gazed at the clear sky visible through the window.
How is it that the sky is so endlessly clear? As if it doesnt know that someones heart is being torn to shreds.
A blue sky, the very picture of the azure heavens.
A sky that was cruelly at odds with his own suffocating heart.
Immediately after the Sword Family Assembly was announced, the Namgung family and the entire province of Anhui became a hive of activity. Although it was an annual event and thus somewhat expected, there was a different air about it this year.
They say all the young lords of the Namgung family are participating, dont they?
Its going to be the event that decides the next Young Family Head, I reckon.
Oh, what are you all talking about? Its just a regular event, dont read too much into it.
Good heavens, dont read too much into it? Cant you see? The whole of Anhui is bustling!
The people in the marketplace couldn't help but turn their heads and let out a collective gasp.
Isnt that the mark of the Moyong Family?
And that thats the Sichuan Tang Family!
The Jegal Family is here too.
Looks like all of the Six Great Families are gathering.
Is it just the Six Great Families? Look over there. Seeing those beggars arriving in droves, the Beggars Sect must have caught the scent of something, too.
Judging by the Taiji symbol, it seems the noble Taoist masters have also made the long journey, and with monks spotted here and there, it looks like Shaolin is present as well.
Anhui was, for all intents and purposes, in the palm of the Namgung Familys hand. The residents of Anhui, who had lived their entire lives alongside the Namgung, watched with sparkling eyes.
It was, quite literally, a war of stars.
For people who rarely saw members of other clans, the sight of martial artists from the Six Great Families and the Nine Sects One Unioncountless stars in their own rightpassing by was enough to leave them both bewildered and amazed. It was the moment they realized this year was truly different.
The Namgung family has really pulled out all the stops.
I wonder if the scale is going to get even bigger.
My friend, what is the Sword Family Assembly? It is a tournament to show that the power of the Namgung family remains strong. Do you think they would suddenly change the direction of an event that has been held this way for over twenty years? Not a chance.
The merchants and people of Anhui, their needless worries instantly dispelled, nodded in agreement and raised their expectations. At the same time, however, worried expressions began to appear on faces here and there.
Power is one thing, but isnt that damn scoundrel participating as a representative?
...Hush, watch your mouth. Hes still the Great Young Lord.
Hmph! Let them drag me away if they want! They say you can even curse the king behind his back, so how can he not be cursed after causing such a ruckus!
Grr. Youre right! My blood still boils just thinking about how he turned the marketplace upside down!
Tell me about it! If the Namgung family hadnt been so desperate to silence everyone, how many people would have stormed their gates by now?
I just hope that good-for-nothing doesnt participate and bring shame upon the Namgung family!
Sigh, the Family Head must have his reasons! The good-for-nothing is a problem, but at least the Second and Third Young Lords are better, arent they?
They say a tiger father wont have a dog for a son, but that saying isnt always true, it seems. Lets just pin our hopes on the other young lords.
Oh! Speaking of which, shouldnt we place some bets?
The people who had been cursing the Great Young Lords character spat crudely on the ground and quickly changed the subject.
The people of the marketplace, and everyone else.
No one held any expectations for the Great Young Lord of the Namgung family.
Not a single soul.
...Im aware.
Heh heh, indeed. No one has any expectations for you. What a predicament.
I just cant get a read on this mans mood. Does he really enjoy teasing me this much?
Why dont you just go drink some wine instead? Stop coming to your nephew just to spout demoralizing nonsense.
If Id known there was something more enjoyable than drinking, I would have started doing this long ago. But its not too late. Im sure there are more than a few people chomping at the bit to crush your face at the Sword Family Assembly. Its going to be quite a show.
I gave my uncle an incredulous look as he grinned in anticipation.
If that happens, this whole guardianship thing youre on about will be over. Whats there to be so happy about?
Youre gravely mistaken. If you prove to be unworthy, it means youve lost our bet, which means youll have to obey my every word, even more so than before. Ill be sure to get back every second of my time youve wasted, so dont you worry.
Remembering the fact I had forgotten made me shudder.
The moment I had to prove the bold claims Id made was just around the corner. In the end, if I failed to prove myself at the Sword Family Assembly, I would lose the bet. My uncle knew this all too well.
...I guess Ill have to risk my life for this.
Heh heh.
After letting out a hearty laugh, An Baek left. I glared at his retreating back and sighed deeply. To knock that man down a peg, Ill have to put my life on the line.
Not only that.
In many ways, the Sword Family Assembly would be my first major move since gaining this new life, the first time I would reveal myself to the outside world.
To get what you want, you must prove your strength.
To show your power and gain more powerthat was the logic of the martial world.
Anyway, why are you just standing there like that?
I glanced at the maid who had been standing beside me, tense and nervous, since before my little spat with my uncle began.
P-please disrobe.
...Disrobe?
At her unexpected words, I turned my head blankly.
What in the world was she talking about?
You mean what Im wearing now?
Y-yes. That is correct.
I hastily straightened my clothes and eyed the maid with suspicion. For someone who had never so much as held a womans hand in my past or present life, this was a bewildering turn of events.
Even if I had lost weight and become more handsome, how could a maid make a pass at me so easily?
What what are you trying to do?
My voice was on edge, my posture extremely defensive, like a cat with its claws out. The maids face contorted. Her eyes seemed to hold a thousand words she wanted to say, but she clenched her teeth, holding them back.
...You seem angry.
...This isnt right.
Then why are you telling me to take my clothes off?
I was instructed to have you change into a martial uniform befitting your participation in the Sword Family Assembly.
One word at a time.
A cold fury laced her voice as she enunciated each syllable. Her eyes were welling up with tears, yet her words were frigid, as if she thought she had just been harassed.
She could have just said so from the start. Ahem. I thought
I scratched my head, embarrassed by my misunderstanding, but the maids expression remained sour.
Well of course. A lout will always be a lout.
I overheard the maids mutter as she helped me into the new clothes after I had disrobed.
Hah.
I knew it wouldnt be easy to shed the identity of a scoundrel.
I still have a long way to go. Dammit.