Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: A New Competition
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40.
...So.
The woman took a sip of the fragrant tea and set down her cup. After watching the ripples on its surface for a moment, she looked at the woman sitting across from her.
In the end, isn't this all your fault, Lady Dang?
The woman seated opposite her was none other than Dang Miyeon. Dang Miyeon shook her head.
What a hurtful thing to say, Lady Moyong.
The woman called Lady Moyong was Moyong Yeryeo, the mother of the third young lord, Namgung Gal, and the current third wife of Namgung Mubaek.
Moyong Yeryeo shrugged.
If Im wrong, Im wrong. No need to glare at me like that.
As women from the Sichuan Dang and Moyong families, two of the Six Great Families that vied for supremacy, and as martial artists in their own right, they now found themselves connected by a single man.
...In any case, the Family Head is unusually furious, so it's a fact that you should do nothing.
But its also a fact that you colluded with Elder Sa, Lady Moyong.
Collusion. ...Ha, such a vulgar choice of words.
Moyong Yeryeos and Dang Miyeons gazes clashed in mid-air, each reflecting a refusal to acknowledge the other.
And that, in turn, led to this.
Hmph, I hear the third young lord has just reached the fourth level of the Azure Sky Unhindered Divine Art.
Oh my, and I heard the second young lord is still stuck at the third level of the Heavenly Wind Sword Art. Some things never change.
This led to a comparison of their sons. For them, life as a mother outweighed their lives as women or as martial artists.
...Pardon me for interrupting, but if you two intend to bicker like this, I will take my leave.
It was Lady Baek, the mother of Namgung Byeok and the current fifth wife of Namgung Mubaek. At her words, the two women fell silent.
Their eyes turned to Lady Baek.
Their expressions showed their disbelief that she, a woman with a humble background and no voice, was now mediating between them.
However.
...Lady Baek is right.
At the First Elders words, the fire in the two womens eyes died down. Behind the First Elder stood the Ninth and Tenth Elders.
While the other elders had lost their power, these three, who had remained neutral, had kept their positions by standing behind the Family Head.
And now, these three elders stood behind Lady Baek. Naturally, her words carried more weight.
Since the fifth young lord, Namgung Byeok, was still just a child and couldn't properly participate in the succession contest, Dang Miyeon and Moyong Yeryeo could only swallow their discontent.
They reassured themselves that there was nothing she could do anyway.
First Elder, please speak.
Yes, Lady Baek.
The First Elder, Namgung Yeoul, gave Lady Baek a slight nod and took the floor.
You have all seen the problems a divided Namgung Family can cause.
Namgung Yeoul cleared his throat and spoke in a low voice.
...There was an incident that is hard to believe was aimed at the familys young lords.
He was referring to Lady Pyeon.
There was one who, blinded by greed, crossed a line that should never have been crossed.
He was referring to the Eighth Elder, Namgung Sun.
A family that cannot overcome its internal divisions and greed will inevitably go through such a process and, in the end, meet its ruin. Do you remember the Danmok Family?
The Six Great Families were once the Seven Great Families.
The Namgung Family.
The Sichuan Dang Family.
The Moyong Family.
The Hebei Paeng Family.
The Jegal Family.
The Hwangbo Family.
And the Danmok Family.
Among the Seven Great Families, only two vied for supremacy with the sword alone.
Namgung and Danmok were the only two.
As a result, the rivalry between Namgung and Danmok burned fiercer than any other, but the Danmok Family
Unable to overcome their greed, the other young lords conspired to kill the Great Young Lord. Enraged, the Danmok Family Head ended up killing all his other sons.
That was the problem with a family connected only by blood. Things that would never happen in a sect were confined within the tight-knit bonds of family.
Will hating each other solve anything?
At First Elder Namgung Yeouls words, everyone wore a solemn expression. A few who had witnessed the fall of the Danmok Family shuddered as if recalling something horrifying.
Who would object to fair competition, to honing oneself without overconfidence? On the contrary, it would serve as a catalyst to ignite one's sense of purpose.
Namgung Yeouls gaze fell upon Dang Miyeon, then Moyong Yeryeo. Unable to meet his deep, brilliant eyes, they turned their heads away.
Though his tone was full of benevolence, his words felt like a reprimand.
The Family Head has spoken. The second young lord, and the third young lord.
Namgung Yeoul looked at Dang Miyeon as he mentioned the second young lord, and then at Moyong Yeryeo as he mentioned the third.
There are three places where fierce battles are fought in the name of Namgung. Excluding the military, they are the Green Forest, the river pirates, and the great desert.
For some reason, Dang Miyeon and Moyong Yeryeo felt a sense of dread about what the First Elder was about to say, their faces showing their apprehension.
...The Family Head has ordered the second young lord to the Yangtze River front to face the river pirates, and the third young lord to the Yunnan front to face the great desert. As the Great Young Lord has gone to the Green Forest, the other young lords are to compete in a manner befitting their station.
At those words, Dang Miyeon and Moyong Yeryeo wore expressions of utter disbelief. Was this not an order to send mere boys of thirteen and fourteen into a deathtrap?
As they were about to object, Namgung Yeoul calmly continued.
He said he will look forward to seeing the young lords in seven yearsexactly seven years from nowand that the true competition for the position of Young Family Head will begin then.
Hearing this, they both froze, their bodies trembling.
If they accepted Namgung Mubaeks words, it meant that not sending them to the front lines would be the same as automatically disqualifying them from the succession contest.
As they stood speechless, Namgung Yeoul looked around as if asking if there was anything else to say.
If there is nothing more, we will conclude todays meeting here.
With that, First Elder Namgung Yeoul and Lady Baek rose to their feet. The Ninth and Tenth Elders, along with the others, reluctantly left their seats, leaving only the frozen Dang Miyeon and Moyong Yeryeo behind in the desolate room.
...It seems the Family Head has made up his mind.
At Moyong Yeryeos words, Dang Miyeons face contorted like a shattered mirror.
Thats not it. Thats not it at all!
Moyong Yeryeo started in surprise at Dang Miyeons venomous shriek, looking at her as if she were a madwoman.
...The Family Head just saved the Great Young Lord. He sided with him!
What are you talking about? Explain yourself.
Moyong Yeryeo stared at Dang Miyeon, unable to comprehend. What did she mean, he had sided with the Great Young Lord?
The Great Young Lord was going to the front lines to atone for his sins. By making the other young lords mission the same as his, he has turned it from a punishment into an equal starting line for the position of Young Family Head.
Only then did Moyong Yeryeos hands and feet begin to tremble as she stared at Dang Miyeon. If what she said was true, wouldn't their children be like sitting ducks on the Yangtze River?
...Fair competition? How can he call this fair competition after doing that?
Moyong Yeryeo looked at Dang Miyeon.
The two women, who had been growling at each other just moments before, calmed their agitated hearts and became composed.
Enemies in the same boat.
Yesterdays enemy was todays ally.
The light in the office they shared did not go out until the sun rose the next day.
I stretched and shuddered.
Is someone talking about me? Why are my ears so itchy?
Unable to stand the itch, I scratched my ear. My uncle, watching me, finally spoke up.
It wouldnt be just one or two. There must be many who wish to speak ill of you.
Why are you picking a fight again?
Picking a fight? Look over there. The boys are coming.
Where my uncle pointed, I saw familiar faces approaching with a carriage and three horses. It was Gang Umun and Dong Hwi. They must have rushed here without proper rest, their faces covered in dust.
Whats the big hurry?
You fool. Youre on your way to atone for your sins. Did you think you were going on a trip?
Geez, I told him he should have a drink.
When hes sober, his words flow like a river. After clearing my throat a few times, I waved to Gang Umun and Dong Hwi.
Youre all here?
Great Young Lord! Are you feeling better?
Yeah, I barely made it out alive. But maybe its because I ate well. I got better in no time.
After more than seven days and nights of rest and recovery, my body healed quickly. Moreover, the enlightenment I gained from the life-and-death duel deepened my mastery of the Heavenly Thunder Imperial Divine Art, and my body grew much stronger.
I guess eating and resting well is the key. You guys look more like youre at deaths door than I am.
You looked to be in real danger back then, Great Young Lord...
It is because of my shortcomings that you suffered, Great Young Lord.
As Gang Umun and Dong Hwis voices trailed off, I scratched my head.
Ah, so thats why.
The reason they had journeyed so desperately to and from Jiangsu Province was because of me.
A strange feeling welled up inside me.
Dont be so dramatic. Whats all the fuss?
You seem to be the one making the most fuss. Are those tears welling up in your eyes?
Tears? What are you talking about!
Its just from yawning. Honestly.
I shrugged, then tilted my head when I saw Gang Umun and Dong Hwi grinning.
Are you guys making fun of me too?
...Hehe, thats not it, Great Young Lord.
We have good news.
At that, Gang Umun and Dong Hwi looked back and forth between me and Black Tiger.
What is it?
I wonder what has these two young heroes so excited.
Black Tiger, too, looked at the two young men, unable to contain his curiosity.
Great Young Lord and Great Warrior Black Tiger are no longer going to the front lines to atone for your sins.
Huh?
What was that supposed to mean?
We heard this when we stopped by the Namgung Familys branch in Jiangsu. They insisted we deliver the message. ...For bravely helping to capture the Eighth Elder, who nearly tarnished the Namgung name, and for annihilating the Seven Evils of Guangdong, your past sins will be absolved.
Gang Umun, who had unfolded a crumpled piece of paper, raised his voice and proclaimed its contents.
The official succession contest will begin in exactly seven years, just after all three young lords come of age. It also says that the Great Young Lord is heading to the Green Forest, the second young lord to the Yangtze River, and the third young lord to Yunnan, each to a different front line.
I let out a dry laugh at his words.
Seven years from now, an official succession contest.
So this was the picture Namgung Mubaek had painted.
Without missing the brief opening, Namgung Mubaek had laid out his plans exactly as he had envisioned them.
He was not a man to be taken lightly.
Even so.
I was confident.
Confident that I could drive out all the sickness lingering in the Namgung Family and make it a strong and powerful clan, a place where those who stood with me could find happiness.