Chapter 27
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: A Calculated Move
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What do you mean, youll take his punishment for him?!
He must have swallowed a cannon.
I covered both my ears. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if I had made a mistake bringing him along. I had expected it, but now I had another nag on my hands.
After being locked up for a few days, he came out looking half his size, but his voice was as lively as ever. It seemed I could have starved him a bit longer.
I already told you.
Did you think I would just say, Oh, wonderful! and accept it if you did that for me, Great Young Lord? How could you be so reckless? You should be looking to the future, drawing up blueprints, inheriting the will of the Namgung, and thinking about rising to a higher position! How could you let someone like him hold you back?
To think there was someone else who could get as fired up as my maternal uncle. I made a mental note never to let the two of them be in the same room.
Watch your words. Why would you call Black Tiger someone like him?
No, but still.
Its all because Black Tiger is clueless.
Pardon?
Black Tiger was visibly flustered.
Just because I saved his life, he goes and pledges such loyalty. What am I supposed to do with that?
At those words, Black Tigers mouth hung open for a moment before he quickly lowered his head.
Dont hang your head. Im not talking about right and wrong.
In my past life, I was lonely and solitary. I wandered the world without a single person to trust, a perpetual drifter.
To rise to the rank of Commander of a Thousand, I had to endure countless instances of hazing, gritting my teeth to prove I could withstand it.
The world was far too harsh an environment for me to consider it warm.
I lost my mother early on, my family treated me as insignificant, and everyone watched from a distance, never daring to lend a hand for fear of getting caught in the crossfire.
In this chaotic world, I needed a friend, someone I could trust. Over time, I did find such people, but the dark memories of the past were seared into me like an afterimage, like a brand.
Thats why I
I thought that you, more foolish than anyone, would be a good match for me, who stubbornly ignores everyone elses words.
I was certain that the Black Tiger before me was someone I could trust, someone to whom I could entrust my back. The foolish path he had taken was exactly to my liking, and it ignited a spark in my heart.
So.
I extended my hand and looked at Black Tiger.
In this life, lend me your strength.
Black Tiger stared blankly, first at me, then at my outstretched hand for a long time.
Great Young Lord.
Yes.
You say such things so easily. After youve already made it so.
What do you mean?
In response to my bewildered words, Black Tiger reached out his hand and smiled faintly.
I meant that, one way or another, I have nowhere else to go if not for you, Great Young Lord.
And I happen to be good at taking care of vagrants like you.
Wasnt I a vagrant myself, in a way? I grinned and clasped Black Tigers hand.
Then which front will we be assigned to?
Itll probably be decided today. Seeing as youre out, Black Tiger.
Turning my gaze toward the office where the family heads meeting was taking place, I thought of my uncle and the First Elder, Namgung Yeoul.
As you all know, the Imperial Court requires martial artists in three main areas: against the Red Turban bandits; against the Japanese pirates and foreign tribes; and finally, on the fronts with the Green Forest, waterway bandits, and the great desert. For convenience, well refer to the Red Turbans as High, the foreign tribes and Japanese pirates as Medium, and the Green Forest, waterway bandits, and the desert as Low.
The Ninth Elder, Namgung Su, pointed to a large map, marking the three locations.
If we are to accept the Great Young Lords will to participate on the front lines, I believe we must discuss and select a suitable location from among these three.
After the Ninth Elder, Namgung Su, finished speaking, the Tenth Elder, Namgung Ho, raised his head. Namgung Ho wore an incredibly grave expression.
Before that, are we truly planning to send the Great Young Lord to the battlefield? I believe its right to discuss that matter first. No matter what anyone says, the Great Young Lord is the Great Young Lord. He is also the winner of the Sword Family Assembly and on top of that.
On top of that? What is it you want to say, Tenth Elder?
The Fourth Elder, Namgung Gun, cut Namgung Ho off. The Fourth Elders eyes did not hide his displeasure; the sentiment was plain to see.
Are you trying to say the Great Young Lord did a good thing?
Well, of course
Regardless of all the talk, we must clearly separate public and private matters. We must consider what is best for our Namgung Family. This wasn't just any event; it was the Sword Family Assembly. The Assembly is an indicator, a milestone that points to the future. The Great Young Lords remarks at such a place were more than problematic.
At the Fourth Elder Namgung Guns words, Namgung Ho was left speechless. He hadnt expected such a fierce expression of animosity.
The Nine Sects One Union were there. At a time when their movements are already considered suspicious, weve essentially thrown them a tasty piece of bait. A very easy one to tear into.
Though they couldnt discuss the details of the incident with Lady Pyeon at length, the Fourth Elder, Namgung Gun, looked around at the other elders and gestured with his head as if to ask if he wasnt right. The Sixth Elder, Namgung Gil, and the Seventh Elder, Namgung Je, nodded in agreement, as if it were only natural.
Faced with the forming consensus, Namgung Ho opened his mouth to speak several times, but ended up sighing instead.
Just then.
I think differently.
The Second Elder, Namgung Bon, stepped forward. He shook his head, directly refuting Namgung Guns words.
If, as the Fourth Elder says, we must separate public and private matters, then it is right to think of them separately.
At those words, the Fourth Elder Namgung Gun's expression twisted. He was hardly pleased to have his words so openly contradicted.
Have you forgotten what was said after the incident occurred? Did we not declare it to all of Anhui?
We know everyone is curious. However, the matter of the preceding disturbance will be decided upon and dealt with after careful deliberation within the Namgung Family, so we hope you will focus on the original meaning of the Sword Family Assembly and the significance of the matches.
However, we will publicly announce the treatment and the outcome so that all of Anhui and those who have watched may know, so please do not worry and enjoy the Sword Family Assembly to the end.
To say such a thing and then act differently would be to tarnish the Namgung name. We agreed to view the incident regarding Lady Pyeon and the outcome of the Sword Family Assembly as separate matters. Therefore, I believe the winner of the Assembly must receive a fitting reward. And the winner is, indeed, the Great Young Lord.
The Second Elder, Namgung Bon, turned his head to look at the head of the Namgung Family, Namgung Mubaek.
I believe it is right to give the winner a reward and praise befitting a champion, Family Head.
Namgung Mubaek met Namgung Bons gaze, then scanned the elders from First to Tenth, as well as the other leaders including the Iron-Blood Sword Saint, An Baek. His eyes then landed on the Fourth Elder, Namgung Gun, who had just been cornering the Tenth Elder, Namgung Ho.
Meeting the gaze fixed upon him, Namgung Gun chewed on his lower lip before finally lowering his head.
Since everyone seems to be in agreement, it will suffice to provide a suitable elixir.
As you wish.
Lets continue.
About that
The Ninth Elder, Namgung Su, found his gaze unintentionally drifting toward the Iron-Blood Sword Saint, An Baek, before falling away.
The Great Young Lords request, as the winner of the Sword Family Assembly, is to share the punishment of the man called Black Tiger, who is considered the main culprit of this incident. Looking at the charges alone no matter if it was his masters order, the nature of the mission targeting the direct descendants and eldest sons of the Namgung Family is difficult to even speak of.
And if he is to be judged and punished according to Namgung law?
At a minimum, ten years, and at a maximum, thirty years of service on a High level battlefield in the name of the Namgung, where he must achieve merit. If not that, it would not be out of place for him to rot for the rest of his life in the Black Prison. I must inform you that the option to participate on the battlefield is a consideration given only because he once served the Namgung.
Nodding at Namgung Sus clear and concise explanation, Namgung Mubaek fell into thought.
So youre saying a suitable punishment for the crime can be served. What is the duration?
That is correct. The duration would be ten years. As for a suitable location, it would likely be a Medium level
May I add something, Family Head?
Everyone turned their heads toward the person who had cut off the Ninth Elder, Namgung Su, and spoken up. It was the First Elder, Namgung Yeoul, who had remained like a shadow throughout the meeting, not uttering a single word or comment until now.
Speak, First Elder.
A suitable punishment, suitable treatment, a fitting price for the crime, a fitting penalty. These are all fine words, and things that must be done.
The First Elder, Namgung Yeoul, looked directly at Namgung Mubaek and spoke, one clear word at a time.
But before that.
Everyone focused on the sound of Namgung Yeouls voice as he opened his mouth, scanning the room.
Since the Imperial Courts decree, there has not been a single precedent of a direct heir of the Namgung Family heading to the military. Is that not so?
The Fourth Elder, Namgung Gun, furrowed his brow.
What of it, First Elder?
If the Great Young Lord is deployed to the Imperial military, they will welcome it with open arms, but there will surely be those who look upon this situation with displeasure. Am I not right, Fourth Elder?
Who would look upon it that way?
There will be many. Did you not say so yourself, Fourth Elder? The Six Great Families, and even the members of the Nine Sects. If we let the situation unfold that way, we will end up with the ridiculous outcome of sending our direct heir into a death trap and receiving not an ounce of credit for it.
At the First Elder Namgung Yeouls words, the Fourth Elder Namgung Guns face flushed hotly. He had suddenly been painted as a shameless man who would send his own familys heir into a death trap and sell him out. There was no room to refute the First Elders direct words.
However, with an expression that said it was all fine, Namgung Yeoul continued speaking.
But the Great Young Lord has willingly stated he will walk that path. For the sake of the Namgung. And for the sake of his faith in the man called Black Tiger. This allows us to create a situation where we can solidify the Namgungs position with the Imperial Court, while simultaneously setting an example for the other families and sects.
As if mesmerized, the elders listening to his words swallowed. What was this method that would allow the Namgung to move for a just cause and also achieve a greater good?
Send them to the Low level front.
From the moment the Fourth Elder, Namgung Gun, clamped his mouth shut, there was no one who wasn't focused on the First Elder Namgung Yeouls words.
For the Namgung, who are frequently in conflict with the Green Forest, that is justification enough. We can withstand the pressure from the Imperial Court, and the other families and sects will have no choice but to follow our lead. They are people who despise seeing their own families fall behind. Therefore, this should not be treated as someone going to pay for their sins, but as someone going to represent the Namgung. As such, he must be treated accordingly.
With those words, the First Elder, Namgung Yeoul, closed his mouth as if he had said all he needed to say, a smile playing on his lips.
No one could refute his point. The discussion, which had started with crimes and punishment, was now about how the Great Young Lords actions had elevated the familys prestige.
With just a few words, Namgung Yeoul had completely seized control of the room.
His smile deepened.