Chapter 312
Chapter 312
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 312
Chapter Title: Sword King
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A subtle tension permeated the Namgung Clan.
It wasn't because Namgung Hyeon had tarnished the family's reputation at the Muchang Tournament and received a confinement punishment.
It stemmed from the subtle tension that had flowed between Namgung Myeong and Namgung Jincheon when Namgung Myeong returned with his group.
The exchange between father and the son returning to the clan after a long absence had felt less like a greeting and more like the prelude to a battle.
Witnessing that scene, all sorts of speculations leaked from people's mouths, swiftly enveloping the entire Namgung Clan.
However, the warriors of the Namgung Clan who hadn't been present couldn't easily believe the tales.
In their memories, Namgung Myeong was a mere twenty-year-old novice, while Namgung Jincheon was the iron-blooded clan leader who had ruled the Namgung Clan for a long time. The gap between Namgung Myeong and Namgung Jincheon was simply too vast for any tension to arise.
Yet, since it wasn't a rumor they could lightly dismiss, a few warriors with exceptional achievements stepped forward. They subtly probed Namgung Myeong's level on behalf of the others.
"...It seems Myeong has reached the next realm?"
"Most likely."
"He's grown beyond recognition. Well, a young man in his prime changes every day... but this is truly beyond expectations. At what age did the clan leader surpass the Absolute Peak wall?"
"It wasn't before thirty. And I don't think it was after thirty-five."
The elders of the clan marveled and rejoiced at Namgung Myeong's achievements.
However, there were also many who felt regret while watching his outstanding prowess.
For instance, the young men who had subtly harbored ambitions for the next clan leader position.
The position of clan leader in the Namgung Clan was passed based on ability, not bloodline.
It could go from father to son, or to a younger brother. It didn't even have to go to a man; it could pass to a niece.
There were only two conditions to become clan leader.
The surname Namgung, and prowess befitting a clan leader.
Yet, making such rules seem irrelevant, the Namgung Clan's leadership had already passed from parents to children for four generations straight.
No one harbored complaints. It wasn't that a child lacking in skill inherited the position by leveraging blood ties; rather, the most skilled individual happened to be one of the clan leader's children.
Just as the Namgung Clan's members observed Namgung Myeong,
Namgung Myeong was also subtly observing the Namgung Clan.
The slight difference was that Namgung Myeong knew he was being observed, while the clan members were unaware they were being watched.
When Namgung Myeong secretly slipped out and returned,
Dang Mujin asked,
"Did you find out anything?"
"Quite a bit. The atmosphere feels off, for starters."
"The atmosphere?"
This wasn't the first time Dang Mujin had visited the Namgung Clan.
However, on previous visits, a grand banquet had been in full swing, so he didn't know the clan's usual atmosphere.
"No matter how I look at it, things feel rigid. Even with an exciting diversion like me here, it's like this. Normally, it must be even stiffer."
"Not because of Namgung Hyeon's punishment?"
"No, that's not it. No one's paying attention to him. Besides, the people themselves don't seem to notice how the atmosphere has changed. This stiffness must be their daily norm."
Since it was purely Namgung Myeong's subjective assessment, Dang Mujin let it go in one ear and out the other.
He had said he'd learned quite a bit, so there must be more concrete information.
"And?"
"I went to see Uncle Jinya and asked about any changes in the clan over the past few years."
"...Won't your uncle tell Father about that?"
"No, Uncle isn't the type. Anyway, I heard a few things. Like how the clan has more money now, or conversely, they've stockpiled quite a few spirit elixirs."
If it were anyone else, it might be dubious, but Namgung Jinya's word was trustworthy.
The Namgung Jinya in Dang Mujin's memory was a man of utmost reliability.
"More money... Did they do something shady?"
"Doesn't seem like it. Apparently, they collected quite a few debts owed to the clan."
Hyeon-gong and Hong Geolgae didn't fully grasp the implications.
However, as someone who led the Dang Clan, Dang Mujin understood the meaning perfectly.
As a clan grows, financial relationships inevitably become complex. The clan might lend money, or many might owe the clan.
And clans tend to let those debts slide without pressing too hard. Whether lending or forgiving, it all serves to maintain relationships.
By not pressing debts excessively, they win favor; by holding the debt, they ensure the debtor maintains ties, like it or not.
No, setting aside all those convoluted reasons, pressing for debt repayment is inherently awkward.
As a result, a clan's financial ties often drag on for years, even decades.
Suddenly collecting such debts inevitably provokes backlash. It might benefit the clan, but at the very least, it would damage Namgung Jincheon, who had taken on this unwanted role.
"People must hate that."
"Fewer entanglements than expected, it seems. And they didn't collect everything. Just from merchants or high officials in stable positions."
In other words, they only collected from those with their own power, from whom demanding repayment would be awkward.
Dang Mujin pondered why Namgung Jincheon had made that call, but no clear reason emerged.
"What about the stockpiled spirit elixirs?"
"Seems they cut back on the elixirs distributed at the Sword Meet. Income's up, but giveaways are down, so surplus elixirs piled up."
Namgung Myeong answered readily, but Dang Mujin didn't understand from the first word.
"Wait. What's the Sword Meet?"
"A simple sparring tournament held within the clan every three months."
"The clan holds a sparring tournament?"
"It's different from the Muchang one. Not about crowning a single ultimate winner; more like public matches between those of similar skill. The Namgung Clan's warriors must constantly hone themselves to issue or accept challenges. And those who clearly demonstrate their prowess get elixirs."
He'd heard Shaolin Temple hosted similar events annually, so it was somewhat understandable.
In positive terms, it's motivation; in negative, a culture baiting the entire clan with elixirs and honor to keep everyone scrambling endlessly.
"If they're giving fewer elixirs, the clan's warriors' skills will lag. Why would your father decide that?"
When Dang Mujin asked, Namgung Myeong shook his head.
"No. Uncle said the opposite: the Namgung warriors' martial prowess has actually risen. The Sword Meet's atmosphere has grown more serious, enough to compensate for the lack of elixirs."
Money piling up in the clan, elixirs stockpiling, and martial skills improving simultaneously.
It seemed like a hugely positive change, but something felt off. How many changes in the world are purely good?
Hyeon-gong interjected into the conversation.
"Can outsiders join the Sword Meet?"
He was clearly eyeing the elixirs. Namgung Myeong looked dubious.
"Sometimes wandering warriors staying with the clan have joined. But don't get your hopes up too high. They're not handing out incredible elixirs."
"What level of elixirs?"
"Sometimes better ones come in, but mostly high-grade stuff you could buy with money."
Hyeon-gong looked a bit deflated.
Minor elixirs are a huge boon for low-skill folk, but for someone like Hyeon-gong with solid achievements, only exceptional ones make a real difference.
"Still, if you want to join the Sword Meet, let me know ahead. It's happening in just a few days."
"...I'll pass."
"Then you'll just watch."
Namgung Myeong said this with a meaningful smile.
From that smile, Dang Mujin's group could guess his intent. Namgung Myeong planned to challenge Namgung Jincheon at the Sword Meet.
"Not settling it quietly in private, but facing off in front of everyone?"
"Yeah. For something like this, it's better to end it clearly before all. That way, no rumors linger."
"If you lose, it'll be embarrassingly humiliating."
"It's fine. Embarrassment fades quick. Wander a few more years and come back, done."
He spoke casually, but Namgung Myeong showed clear signs of tension.
The stern clan leader of the Namgung Clan. Yet to Namgung Myeong, Namgung Jincheon had been especially harsh and cold.
Stepping into his father's domain couldn't have been an easy decision for Namgung Myeong either.
*
Four days later, the Sword Meet commenced.
The Sword Meet's setup resembled the Namgung Clan's banquets in Dang Mujin's memory.
A long table seating over a dozen sat before the clan leader's hall, with the clan's elders seated there.
At the center: Clan Leader Namgung Jincheon, with those of relatively lower skill toward the ends.
The Namgung Clan's members sat facing the table. A wide open space for sparring lay between the table and most members.
Contrary to the solemn, serious atmosphere, the Sword Meet began in an oddly quaint fashion. The first sparring pair were children just over ten years old.
An age better suited to showing off tricks than wielding swords, yet the children naturally pointed at opponents and clashed with utmost seriousness in their own way.
Winners rejoiced, losers grieved. Some, frustrated, clenched fists and shed tears. Through this, the Namgung Clan's young grew accustomed to competition from an early age.
Soon, the participants' skill levels rose bit by bit.
After the children came youths with darkening beards, followed by high-ranking figures clashing.
Even division leaders or hall masters issued and accepted challenges without hesitation.
Dang Mujin muttered softly.
"Surprising. I thought higher-ups would hold back."
"Anyone who practices martial arts must face at least one challenger per year obligatorily. Only the clan leader's exempt. He's the one receiving challenges, not issuing them."
Even one challenge per person wasn't the rule.
Namgung Myeong's uncle, Lone Eagle Sword Namgung Jinya, faced three in a row. He won the first two with ease, but the last left him drained, nearly losing.
Once challenges to Namgung Jinya—counted as the clan's second-in-command—ended, he shook his head.
"Whew. I planned to challenge the clan leader this Sword Meet, but I'm too spent to even hold my sword. Guess it'll have to wait."
Laughter rippled softly through the seats at Namgung Jinya's jest.
Normally, the Sword Meet would end around then, but no one rose; all stayed seated. Eyes shifted from Namgung Jinya to Namgung Myeong.
As Namgung Myeong stood,
the Namgung Clan held their breath in tension.
The rumor of Namgung Myeong challenging his father was about to prove true.
Namgung Myeong strode confidently to the front of the platform, stopping precisely before his father.
The crowd hushed even their breaths, ears straining for his words.
"Father."
Once again, Namgung Myeong called Namgung Jincheon not clan leader, but Father.
Namgung Jincheon nodded unperturbed.
"Speak."
"There's something I've wondered since childhood."
"What is it?"
"Do you remember what title Great-Great-Grandfather Namgung Hyowoon held?"
"He was the Sword King."
"And Great-Grandfather Namgung Wol?"
"The Sword King."
"Great-Great-Granduncle Namgung Chojin?"
"The Sword King."
"And as I recall, Grandfather Namgung Unyang was also called the Sword King."
"Correct."
"Then why are you, Father, the only one called Sword Ghost?"
The surroundings grew even quieter.
But Namgung Jincheon offered no reply.
"As a child, I thought it was because Je Yeonbaekga's Sword King claimed the title first in your generation, so you couldn't have it. Two can't share the same, after all. And when I heard Je Yeonbaekga's Sword King died, I figured you'd soon be called Sword King."
Namgung Myeong paused for breath, then continued.
"Yet twenty years have passed since the Sword King's death. You remain Sword Ghost Namgung Jincheon, and no Sword King graces the world."
Namgung Jincheon still said nothing, merely gazing at Namgung Myeong with leisure.
"I didn't know the reason. But eventually, one thought occurred: perhaps you weren't called Sword King simply because you didn't suit the title."
Namgung Myeong stepped closer to Namgung Jincheon. Now, fewer than ten paces separated them.
"And recently, in Kaifeng, I gained certainty. The so-called Namgung Clan reinforcements numbered fewer than ten. No key experts. The excuse was feeble."
Some Namgung warriors bowed their heads in shame. They knew the truth of that situation.
Conviction filled Namgung Myeong's voice.
"To be called king, one must walk the king's path. One who drags others down to claim the top can't be king, even seated there. People only call king those who ascend to the highest alone."
Namgung Myeong indirectly rebuked Namgung Jincheon for withholding proper support to topple Shaolin Temple.
Namgung Jincheon still gave no response.
Yet Dang Mujin thought Namgung Jincheon looked somehow immensely pleased.
"Father. While sharing hardships with friends, they earned titles: Dragon Physician, Hemp Dog, Jeong... whatever. But no one gave me one. It stung once, but not anymore. I know why. My title was set long ago."
Namgung Myeong gripped his sword hilt.
"Father. Draw your sword. From tomorrow, I will be the Namgung Clan's clan leader, Sword King Namgung Myeong."