Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: The Namgung Clan
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The two guards replied with awkward expressions.
"Anyway, you're a physician, right? We can't leave our posts, so please speak to them directly inside."
"Fine. No helping it."
They must have been guarding the entrance in case someone from the Demonic Cult or an unorthodox martial artist tried to barge in.
Dang Mujin and Yi Chung passed by the guards and entered through the main gate.
Perhaps because it was a banquet hosted by the renowned sword clan, nine out of ten people in the courtyard looked like martial artists.
Quite a few of them recognized Yi Chung, and their reactions varied wildly.
Some approached with friendly greetings, while others turned away hurriedly as if they'd spotted someone they shouldn't have met.
"What the hell did you do to make people react like that?"
"As I told you before, a mad dog is better than a sucker."
"Even mad dogs have their own ways... Oh, someone's waving over there."
"That's Eagle Brain Sword Nangong Jinyao. He's the younger brother of the Namgung Clan Leader, Nangong Jincheon. A peak realm expert."
"Oh, you even know the clan leader's brother? Impressive connections, old man."
"Whether good ties or bad blood, few have as wide a network as I do. That's what wandering the world means."
Dang Mujin examined Nangong Jinyao.
He was missing his left arm, but he had a sturdy build, thick eyebrows, and gentle eyes. Anyone could see he was a fine gentleman.
Nangong Jinyao strode over to Yi Chung.
"Long time no see, Yi Chung."
"Almost ten years, right, Nangong Jinyao? How's that left arm I lopped off? Still itch when it rains?"
For a moment, Dang Mujin nearly cursed out loud.
He'd severed the clan leader's brother's arm and still walked into the Namgung Clan bold as brass? Dang Mujin immediately stepped five paces away from Yi Chung.
Seeing this, Nangong Jinyao burst into hearty laughter.
"You still have that weird habit of phrasing things. Can't you see the young fellow over there is tense as a bowstring?"
"Heh heh."
"Young friend, no need to worry. Yi Chung didn't cut off my left arm—it was an assassin called the Shadowless Guest."
"Oh, so it was just a joke? You really know how to act your age, old man..."
"Not entirely a joke. The Shadowless Guest's dagger was poisoned, and my left upper arm was rotting away, so this guy amputated it and treated me. He did slice off about three inches of my left arm— that's true enough."
Yi Chung cackled with laughter. Nangong Jinyao, accustomed to his antics, smiled softly. A warm, generous smile uncharacteristic of a martial artist.
"Anyway, it's the first time I've seen you traveling with someone else. Who's the young man?"
"He's a physician I ended up journeying with. He also has business with the Namgung Clan."
"Business?"
"You know Nangong Myeong, right?"
"Of course. How could I not know my eldest nephew?"
As expected, Nangong Myeong was the firstborn son of Clan Leader Nangong Jincheon.
Dang Mujin perked up his ears, wondering how Yi Chung would explain the situation. But Yi Chung didn't beat around the bush and spoke bluntly.
"That kid brought a sword, right? A plain-looking one with a crudely made wooden hilt and a boring scabbard."
"Yeah. That's why we're even having this banquet."
"That sword belongs to this fellow. Nangong Myeong stole it and ran off."
Nangong Jinyao's expression hardened.
"Look, everyone knows you're a joker, but some things aren't for joking about."
"Nangong Jinyao. You think I don't know that?"
Silence.
Yi Chung and Nangong Jinyao stared at each other for a time.
"...Not a joke, then. What happened?"
"Simple. We were sailing down the Yangtze when Nangong Myeong grabbed the sword and fled."
Nangong Jinyao closed his eyes and sighed.
"Myeong-ah. Even if your worldly experience is limited... you shouldn't have done such a thing..."
"Seems you trust my word more than your nephew's?"
"That kid might just do something like that. He grew up without a mother or siblings, constantly whipped to push forward. He tried desperately, but never earned his father's approval."
"Hmm."
"Believe it or not, this is the first time I've seen him praised by his father—and the first time looking that happy."
Dang Mujin glanced at the head table. A stern-faced middle-aged man sat there, with Nangong Myeong beside him, beaming like a child.
But Yi Chung didn't look at Nangong Myeong. He focused solely on the conversation.
"Nangong Myeong must lack his father's talent."
"Talent? It's not bad. Reaching the peak of first-rate at his age isn't something to dismiss lightly. But he's not at the forefront of the younger generation."
"So he drives the boy relentlessly because even that's not enough? Nangong Jincheon must have a seriously twisted personality."
"That's the seat of a sword clan leader. You run for your life your whole life, always fearing you'll fall behind."
Nangong Jinyao shook his head ruefully. He seemed relieved not to be the clan leader.
"Anyway, if word like that spreads in front of everyone, it won't end with just a whipping. If he's lucky, his dantian gets crippled. If not, he could end up in the clan's dungeon."
The most shocked by this was Dang Mujin.
"Not even an enemy, and you'd punish your own son like that?"
"A clan's reputation isn't easily earned. The clan leader must treat even his son like an enemy if he sullies the family name. Young physician. What's your name?"
"Dang Mujin."
Nangong Jinyao pondered briefly, then grasped Dang Mujin's hand.
"Physician Dang. I beg you. Can you overlook Myeong's mistake just this once? I'll repay you on his behalf."
At that moment, Yi Chung slapped Nangong Jinyao's hand away with a growl.
"Don't talk nonsense, Nangong Jinyao. That's not a request—it's a threat."
"That wasn't my intent."
"Intent doesn't matter. Besides, asking a martial artist whose sword was stolen to turn a blind eye? Could someone from the sword-worshipping Namgung Clan say such a thing? I can't believe it."
"...Didn't you say he was a physician?"
"This kid's a physician and a martial artist. Like me."
"I see."
Even after Yi Chung's sharp rebuke, Nangong Jinyao pleaded with Dang Mujin again.
"I know it's shameless, but I beg you once more."
The back of Nangong Jinyao, surely ramrod straight his whole life, bent slightly.
With so many eyes watching, he couldn't bow lower, but in private, he might have knelt—the tone was that earnest.
Caught off guard and unable to decide, Dang Mujin hesitated, prompting Yi Chung to snap coldly.
"Don't even suggest something so absurd. Nangong Myeong did wrong, so he should bear the consequences. The guilty face fitting punishment, and the owner reclaims his property. Justice must be served."
"But—"
"But? There's no but. If I hadn't been with Dang Mujin, he'd have lost his sword without even a chance to complain. Nangong Myeong cunningly exploited his clan's prestige. You think a coward like that deserves the clan leader's seat?"
Yi Chung's words rang true, delivered with fierce intensity. Nangong Jinyao stammered, at a loss for reply.
Yi Chung didn't give him a chance to speak again and strode to the center of the crowd.
Then he stomped heavily.
Boom—
A shock foot technique. The courtyard trembled, and a puff of dust rose.
Countless gazes turned to Yi Chung. The noisy courtyard fell silent.
The short silence was broken by Clan Leader Nangong Jincheon.
"Familiar face. Yi Chung the Weirdo. What brings you here?"
"To reclaim a sword."
"Your sword's at your waist. Leave."
Low chuckles rippled through the crowd. But Yi Chung ignored them.
"You think yours is the only sword in the world? The one I need back isn't mine—it's this fellow's."
Yi Chung's finger pointed at Dang Mujin. Every eye in the Namgung Clan fixed on him.
Dang Mujin felt suffocated. These weren't blacksmiths' gazes—the weight was different.
Until recently, the highest expert Dang Mujin had spoken to was Jin Song, chief instructor of the Qingcheng Chengdu Branch and a first-rate master. Even he had seemed lofty.
But among the hundred-plus here, first-rate experts were a dime a dozen. There had to be several at the peak realm like Yi Chung or Nangong Jinyao.
And Sword Ghost Nangong Jincheon was one of the six transcendent experts in the martial world.
His gaze pierced Dang Mujin's heart like a blade. If anyone could crush a man to death with sheer presence, it was Nangong Jincheon.
Nangong Jincheon asked.
"What's the story?"
Dang Mujin gathered himself and looked around.
Yi Chung gave a small nod. Handle the aftermath yourself—just tell the truth.
"Nangong Myeong, the young master—"
Mid-sentence, Dang Mujin caught sight of Nangong Myeong's face.
It was the look of someone plummeting from paradise to hell in an instant. Pale as death, eyes trembling wildly.
Yi Chung's words on inevitable justice. Nangong Jinyao's plea for mercy.
And Nangong Myeong's shaking eyes.
Dang Mujin wavered.
Could he reclaim one sword—remakeable anytime—by hurling Nangong Myeong into hell? Did justice allow no shred of compassion?
No time to deliberate. No clear answer.
Just that young physician Dang Mujin wasn't ruthless enough.
After a couple of coughs, Dang Mujin spun a slightly altered tale.
"I'm Dang Mujin. Not long ago, a sword heading to my family was stolen from me. I searched far and wide, and it seems to have ended up in Young Master Nangong Myeong's hands after passing through several owners."
Nangong Myeong's eyes still shook, unsettled. But thinking he hadn't plunged fully into hell, his color improved slightly.
Yet mere claims wouldn't resolve this.
Nangong Jincheon rose. A mountain-like pressure bore down on Dang Mujin.
"Can you prove that? If not, you'll answer for it."
Dang Mujin racked his brain desperately. A way to prove the Soulsever Sword was his?
None. Other smiths engraved signatures on the guard or tang, but Dang Mujin had left no marks.
The only idea was forging a similar sword to show—but that contradicted his story. Who makes their own family heirloom sword?
'But I have to dodge the fire somehow—'
Then, a thought flashed through Dang Mujin's mind.
It might not work, but worth a shot.
Dang Mujin lowered his voice to a whisper.
"...That sword, the Soulsever Sword, has a secret."
All eyes locked on his mouth. Nangong Jincheon asked with keen interest.
"A secret?"
"Don't be shocked. The Soulsever Sword gives birth to offspring."
The listeners burst into roaring laughter.
"A sword giving birth? Preposterous!"
"Is he a con artist or an utter fool? Probably both!"
The crowd mocked Dang Mujin.
Yi Chung looked mildly surprised but soon grinned at him.
'You had a plan, so you spouted that nonsense. Handle it yourself.'
Nangong Jincheon eyed Dang Mujin inscrutably.
Dang Mujin's heart pounded wildly. But his expression stayed calm. He continued with utmost nonchalance and audacity.
"No joke. In a place with hot fire and no people, use the secret family technique passed down, and the Soulsever Sword will bear offspring. It's nearly time— in five days, it'll give birth."
Perhaps due to Dang Mujin's brazen attitude, the laughter mixed with doubt.
Especially since the eccentric Yi Chung had brought him.
Nangong Jincheon asked Yi Chung.
"Is that true?"
"Of course."
"You're certain?"
"Yi Chung. I joke plenty, but I don't lie."
Yi Chung grinned more shamelessly than Dang Mujin, his face mixing mischief with faint scorn.
His expression said: 'You brats haven't seen a sword give birth? I have.'
With the claim out and Yi Chung vouching, Nangong Jincheon couldn't dismiss it publicly.
He nodded and tossed the Soulsever Sword to Dang Mujin.
"Head south from here—there's a hill, and an abandoned forge at its base. That should suffice for hot fire."
"Plenty."
"If you don't bring the offspring in five days, you and Dang Mujin forfeit your heads."
"As if. Just keep the gawkers away."
Yi Chung sauntered ahead, and Dang Mujin followed.
Dang Mujin glanced back. Countless gazes stabbed his back.
Sneers, anticipation, immense curiosity from the martial artists.
Nangong Jinyao's worried look at them.
And Nangong Myeong, bewildered at the turn of events.
Dang Mujin found his dazed expression amusing and smirked.
Nangong Myeong. You owe me big now.