Chapter 112: Testing is About Tearing Apart (1)
Chapter 111 – Testing is About Tearing Apart (1)
For the first time in a while, the people of the Namgung Clan gathered in one place.
Normally, a gathering of relatives would involve asking and answering questions about each other’s lives in a bustling atmosphere, but the mood in the conference room was as cold as if cold water had been poured over it.
Not only had they stopped visiting each other since the clan’s fortunes declined, but they also thoroughly disliked the fact that the person who saved the clan’s face happened to be Namgung Cheon.
Who was Namgung Cheon?
Was he not a bastard child who inherited the blood of the Great Killing Star?
Was it not all because of that Great Killing Star that the Namgung Clan, which once ruled the world, had fallen into such a state of decline?
Therefore, no matter how kindly they tried to look at him, they could not see him in a favorable light at all.
Yet, of all things, that child had won the Joint Conference.
It was truly a situation where they could neither rejoice nor grieve.
Under these circumstances, everyone’s minds were running in complex, useless circles.
‘Sigh, how did the atmosphere of the main family end up like this?’
Namgung Hyo, the Lord of the Golden Cauldron Pavilion, examined the faces of those sitting in the conference room with a worried expression.
The elderly elders were not present.
They did not participate in the family council. This was a custom observed to prevent them from excessively influencing the family head’s decision-making.
As a result, the seats of honor were occupied by the siblings of the Family Head, Namgung Geom.
First, Namgung Pyo, who had settled in Wuhan, and his son, Namgung Pil, sat side by side, while opposite them, the Family Head’s younger sister, Namgung Seol-hui, kept her mouth tightly shut with a stubborn expression.
Although she was already over seventy years old, she was so healthy that at a glance, she looked like a middle-aged woman.
Beside her sat the fourth sibling, Namgung Won, and his son, Namgung Hyeon-do; it was said that Namgung Won’s grandson, Namgung Jin, had been beaten up somewhere and was currently bedridden in the guest house.
‘Tsk tsk. As if we aren’t already being pointed at by the world, he had to go and get beaten up so carelessly.’
Namgung Hyo clicked his tongue and shifted his gaze to Jang Won-sik sitting opposite him.
He was a relative from a cadet branch who had married Namgung Geom’s youngest sister, and since the youngest sister had died of illness, he attended in place of his wife along with his son, Jang Son-deok.
In addition, various distant and close relatives had gathered, and the few remaining high-ranking figures of the clan occupied their seats.
Even so, they numbered fewer than twenty.
‘In the past, when we held a family council, fifty seats were barely enough, but now, even if we scrape everyone together, we don’t even reach twenty.’
This was because many key positions within the clan had disappeared as its fortunes declined.
A sigh filled with worry naturally escaped him.
Just then, the door opened, and Namgung Hwa and Namgung Cheon walked in.
In an instant, the people widened their eyes and stared at Namgung Cheon.
‘No, why is that child in this place?’
First of all, Namgung Won spoke up with a highly displeased expression.
“It has been a long time, Hwa-ya.”
“Have you been well, Uncle?”
“Yes, but why did you bring that child along?”
A blatant hostility was evident in Namgung Won’s eyes.
Namgung Hwa replied as if she had not noticed the atmosphere.
“It is the Family Head’s will.”
“My brother’s?”
Namgung Won furrowed his brow even deeper.
At that moment, Namgung Seol-hui, who had only been watching, narrowed her eyes and asked Namgung Cheon in a shrill voice.
“Is it true that you won the Joint Conference?”
“It is true, of course.”
When Namgung Cheon replied stiffly, Namgung Seol-hui frowned.
“Do you not know any manners? How can you not even greet me when you see me?”
“Who is this grandmother?”
“W-What?”
As the situation began to turn strange, Namgung Hwa quickly stepped in.
“Aunt, this child is currently in a state of having lost his memories.”
“Lost his memories?”
“Yes, ever since he hovered between life and death recently…”
“Ha! Come to think of it, there was indeed such an incident. What a pathetic fellow.”
Namgung Seol-hui sneered coldly.
Because she only now recalled hearing the story of how he had attempted to take his own life.
Yet, for the child who had attempted suicide to win the Joint Conference.
She shook her head in disbelief.
“The world is truly a spectacle. I have no idea how things are running anymore.”
“Haha, there is no need to look at him so sharply, sister. Still, because that child won the Joint Conference, our family was able to save a bit of face.”
When Namgung Pyo offered an uncharacteristic compliment, Namgung Seol-hui replied with an exasperated expression.
“You certainly are easygoing. Just whose fault is it that our family has ended up in this state?”
“Well, that is true, but…”
No, what do you mean by that is true?
Unable to bear it any longer, Namgung Hwa interjected abruptly.
“It is not because of Cheon-ie that our family has ended up in this state.”
“What?”
Namgung Seol-hui raised her eyebrows sharply.
However, Namgung Hwa did not back down this time.
“Was it not because our family lacked the strength to stand against a despicable world that we became distressed?”
“You, what on earth are you saying right now…!”
“Aunt, what wrong did this child commit? Was it a crime for him to be born?”
“That…!”
“If we had possessed the strength to endure steadfastly even when the world condemned and pointed fingers at our family, would we have fallen this far?”
“Hwa-ya. You are young. You are far too young. Do you know of any clan that can fight and win against the world? Even an emperor is deposed if he makes an enemy of the world.”
“Even so…!”
“Silence! In the first place, if your older sister had not fallen for that disgusting bastard of a Great Killing Star whose name is too repulsive to even mention, our family would never have declined like this!”
“Aunt!”
Namgung Hwa bit her lip hard, tears welling up in her eyes.
Namgung Seol-hui closed her eyes and turned her head away sharply, looking like someone who had nothing more to say.
Namgung Hwa glared at her and spat out the words.
“Does that make you feel better then?”
“…?”
“Does it make you feel better to blame everything on a single person like that?”
“How dare you…”
“If we were swayed to this extent by just one person, did our family not have its own problems as well?”
“Do you not know the fact that this single person shook the entire world!”
“Then our family should have simply been greater than that one person!”
“What on earth are you saying right now…”
“I know I am being somewhat unreasonable. However, Cheon-ie is a child who has not even reached the age of twenty yet. Furthermore, does this child bear any responsibility for our family ending up in this state? Therefore, I…”
It was then.
“Stop it.”
As a heavy voice rang out, an atmosphere that felt as if the entire room had sunk underwater was created.
It was just a single sentence, but an irresistible power could be felt within it.
It was the Family Head, Namgung Geom.
Walking with steady steps, Namgung Geom sat in the seat of honor and stared blankly at Namgung Hwa.
“Hearing your words, it is indeed a matter for a father who failed to build the clan’s strength to self-reflect upon.”
“Father, I did not mean it like that…”
Namgung Hwa turned pale and tried to offer an excuse, but Namgung Geom quietly raised his hand to stop her.
He scanned the assembly with eyes that gleamed brightly.
It felt as if sharp shards of ice were embedded in them instead of eyes.
Even Namgung Seol-hui, who had been shouting fiercely, did not dare to utter a single squeak in front of Namgung Geom.
Namgung Geom spoke to Namgung Hwa and Namgung Cheon in a blunt voice.
“Sit down.”
“Yes, Father.”
“…”
Once Namgung Hwa and Namgung Cheon sat down, Namgung Geom briefly looked around the assembly before speaking.
“I intend to appoint the Young Patriarch.”
At the sudden declaration that cut straight to the point, the clan members flinched and looked at one another.
Although they had roughly expected it due to his blunt nature, they had never imagined he would bring up the main point so abruptly.
The first person to show a reaction was Namgung Pyo.
“Brother… no, Family Head, surely you are not speaking with that child in mind, are you? Even if he is the winner of the Joint Conference, this is not right.”
At that, the room instantly fell into a stir.
Once again, Namgung Seol-hui stepped forward abruptly.
“Wait, does ‘that child’ refer to Namgung Cheon? What on earth are you thinking to spout such nonsense? No matter how difficult it is to guess my brother’s inner thoughts, such an absurd…”
“Pyo is correct. I have Namgung Cheon in mind as the Young Patriarch.”
“…!”
In an instant, the room was once again trapped in an icy atmosphere.
It felt as if even the sound of a needle dropping could be heard.
While shock was written on everyone’s faces, only Namgung Cheon wore a calm smile.
‘Old man, you really are refreshingly straightforward at times like this.’
Slam!
In the end, Namgung Seol-hui slammed the table as if she were going to break it and jumped up.
“Brother! What do you mean by that? That bastard of the Great Killing Star is to be the Young Patriarch to succeed our family! Are you speaking with a sane mind right now…”
Namgung Seol-hui, who was spitting out harsh words, flinched and drew her neck back like a turtle upon receiving Namgung Geom’s cold gaze.
“Really… I simply cannot understand. Why on earth are you doing this?”
At her slightly softened voice, Namgung Geom continued speaking while scanning the assembly with his usual blade-like gaze.
“I will ask one thing.”
“…?”
“Has there been anyone who aspired to the position of Young Patriarch all this time?”
“…!”
“Surely, no one here is ignorant of the reason why the position of Young Patriarch has remained vacant to this day.”
Everyone kept their mouths tightly shut and did not move an inch.
After a long silence, Namgung Pyo spoke cautiously.
“But the atmosphere is different now. It is different from the times when people pointed fingers at the mention of the Namgung Clan. In times like these, to deliberately give it to the bastard of the Great Killing Star…”
“He is not a bastard of the Great Killing Star, but clearly a member of this family.”
“Of course, that is true, but…”
“The one who created this changed atmosphere is also that child.”
Naturally, the gazes of the people shifted along with Namgung Geom’s.
When everyone’s eyes focused on him, Namgung Cheon smirked.
Namgung Pyo sighed and shook his head.
“Family Head, please reconsider. No matter what, this is not right. I am not coveting the position of Young Patriarch for myself. Would it not be better to give the opportunity to the youngest instead?”
The youngest referred to none other than Namgung Won. Although he was called the youngest, Namgung Won was also well over sixty years old, so he did not suit the position of Young Patriarch.
Namgung Won coughed dryly and reacted.
“Considering the age, my son or grandson would be better than me. Otherwise, Pil or Hyeok would also be fine.”
“Indeed. If it is now, Hyeok would also show interest.”
Namgung Hyeok referred to Namgung Pyo’s grandson.
Namgung Geom let out a smirk.
At that sneer, the complexions of the clan members, including Namgung Pyo, stiffened noticeably.
It was not good.
For Namgung Geom to wear such a smile.
Sure enough, a bleak voice like a freezing wind flowed from Namgung Geom’s mouth.
“Now that a wolf has caught the prey, a pack of jackals is swarming.”
“Family Head! A pack of jackals! Are you saying Namgung Cheon is a wolf and we are jackals? Your words are too harsh.”
“He is a child recognized as the Divine Dragon by the Martial Alliance. Calling him a wolf is actually putting him down quite a bit.”
Then, once again, the sharp-tongued Namgung Seol-hui stepped forward.
“Brother! Even if he won the Joint Conference by luck, leading a clan is a different matter. The Azure Eagle Squad, which is organized directly under the Young Patriarch, is currently scattered. Can the Azure Eagle Squad be rallied with that child at its head? Will those prideful members truly recognize him as their master? Restoring the commercial rights of Yixian, which the next family head must pursue immediately, is also a difficult challenge. Though that only happened because someone did something foolish there.”
At the very end, Namgung Seol-hui’s gaze turned toward Jang Won-sik.
Jang Won-sik nodded with an apologetic expression and smiled awkwardly.
Because Yixian, which she mentioned, was none other than the jurisdiction of Jang Won-sik, who belonged to the cadet branch.
Namgung Pyo stepped in to support Namgung Seol-hui.
“My sister is correct. There are many areas in being a family head that cannot be solved by luck. No, even if we take a hundred steps back and say it is not luck, but that the child possesses high martial strength, leading the family is still a different matter.”
“I also agree with the thoughts of my brother and sister. The Azure Eagle Squad will not recognize that child right away.”
The room instantly fell into a stir.
Everyone seemed to agree with Namgung Seol-hui’s words.
Namgung Geom narrowed his eyes and looked at Namgung Cheon.
His eyes were saying:
See.
This is the world.
Even inside this small room, such harsh trials and tribulations arise.
How do you intend to navigate through this storm?
Do you have a way to stand against this?
‘Of course. Well, this much is nothing.’
Namgung Cheon curled the corner of his mouth, stood up abruptly, and clasped his hands in greeting.
In an instant, everyone’s gaze focused on him.
Namgung Cheon said with a faint smile.
“Very well. Then, if I resolve the issues you mentioned, will you recognize me as qualified to be the Young Patriarch?”
“Resolve them?”
At Namgung Seol-hui’s question, Namgung Cheon squared his shoulders.
“I will rally the Azure Eagle Squad, lead them to resolve the issue of restoring the commercial rights of Yixian, and return.”