Chapter 199: Courage To Face The Typhoon (5)
Chapter 198 – Courage To Face The Typhoon (5)
Jo Geom-myeong, who had been growling as if he would draw his sword immediately just a moment ago, swallowed hard and took a step back.
Namgung Geom’s momentum was just that fierce.
Although he was well over seventy years old, a solemn energy that was hard to face seemed to rage from his Daoist-like build.
“N-Namgung Clan Leader…”
Jo Geom-myeong let out a voice like a groan. Yet, his trailing words blurred so much that they were hard to understand.
And indeed, although they held the same status as clan leaders, Namgung Geom’s generation had to be considered one level higher than theirs.
There might have been the reason that there was no suitable talent to succeed him, but above all, it was also because Namgung Geom himself was so healthy and possessed strong leadership.
Twenty years.
It was a period during which the landscape would change twice.
There was also a public assessment that the reason the Namgung Clan endured this much for that long time, even though the Martial World thoroughly ignored them and the world completely turned its back on them, was because Namgung Geom had held his ground like an iron pillar.
Namgung Geom was just that difficult of an opponent.
“Clan Leader Namgung Geom, it has been a long time since I last saw you.”
When Tang Go-ryun approached politely, Namgung Geom cast his usual cold glance once and walked over.
“You are all late.”
“It seems there was a mistake by the messenger. I apologize.”
“Making someone wait for a double-hour and then brushing it off with a single apology. How easy.”
Namgung Geom’s sharp gaze directed toward Jo Geom-myeong this time.
At that fierce glare, Jo Geom-myeong swallowed hard without realizing it and averted his eyes.
Namgung Geom stared at Jo Geom-myeong with eyes as cool as a blade and continued.
“Though I believe someone suggested imposing a severe punishment.”
“Haha. That must have been said in shock because it was such an unexpected situation when he arrived. By the way, where were you?”
Tang Go-ryun quickly changed the subject to defuse the situation.
Only then did Namgung Geom look back at Tang Go-ryun and reply.
“I assumed the meeting was canceled and was having a meal with my family downstairs.”
“Ah, I see. Then, since this matter is also our mistake, we shall treat even your family members to their meal. Of course, this is strictly as an apology.”
When Tang Go-ryun spoke politely, Namgung Geom did not press further either.
Instead, he looked at some of the Azure Eagle Squad members who occupied the largest table and spoke bluntly.
“You all go downstairs and enjoy the rest. There must be empty seats.”
“Yes, Patriarch.”
The Azure Eagle Squad members, who had not cast a single glance even when the Seven Great Clans’ leaders came up and swarmed the place, answered in unison and descended the stairs in an orderly fashion.
Although it was a simple process, loyalty and respect seemed to emanate from that series of actions.
Of course, despite that, the Azure Eagle Squad members sitting at other tables still did not rise from their seats. It seemed they intended to hold their ground until separate orders were given.
Moreover, the seats they vacated were messy with empty plates and leftover dishes, as if a typhoon had swept through once.
Namgung Geom naturally walked to the head seat and pointed at the seats with an indifferent hand.
“Everyone, take a seat.”
Somehow, the roles of host and guest were completely reversed.
Namgung Geom glanced at Namgung Cheon.
It was almost as if he was asking with his eyes, ‘This is your way, right?’
‘Yes. That is precisely it.’
Namgung Cheon smirked, walked over to where the table was, and sat down.
As this happened, the other clan leaders and the rising generation also sat down in spite of themselves.
For Jo Geom-myeong, his stomach was turning. The plan to humiliate them by deliberately informing them of the wrong time was completely twisted.
Rather, did it not seem like a situation where the Seven Great Clans were being humiliated by a single family?
While he covertly checked the reactions, Murong Hwan smiled coldly and spoke.
“It has been a while, Namgung Clan Leader.”
“It has been a while, Murong Clan Leader.”
“By the way, you said you were having a meal with your family.”
“That is correct.”
“Then, since you have come up here anyway, call your family members here as well.”
“How could we do that? Strictly speaking, if it is the Seven Great Clans Conference, only the Clan Leader and the Young Patriarch should attend…”
“No. This time, as Clan Leader Tang said, there was a mistake on our side, so we shall make an exception. I wish to treat your family members directly. Is that not so, Clan Leader Jo?”
Murong Hwan cast a sharp gaze at Jo Geom-myeong, unlike someone offering a favor.
That gaze seemed to contain rebuke, or perhaps it forced an answer.
Jo Geom-myeong immediately saw through Murong Hwan’s inner thoughts.
Murong Hwan was by no means a person of Tang Go-ryun’s sort. If one had to distinguish, he was someone whose grain resembled his own.
In other words, the current proposal could not be pure goodwill. Jo Geom-myeong cupped his fists in salute and replied.
“Of course. Clan Leader Namgung, please do so. This time, it was strictly my mistake in sending the messenger. Since things have turned out this way, let us meet your family members together.”
At that, Namgung Geom let out a low groan and looked back at Namgung Cheon, who sat beside him.
“What do you think?”
“…!”
The other clan leaders, as well as the rising generation, flinched and looked at Namgung Geom.
To ask for the Young Patriarch’s opinion in front of everyone?
Was he, who was reportedly so stubborn and upright that he was even called dogmatic, seeking the Young Patriarch’s opinion in such a place?
Perhaps conscious of people’s gazes, Namgung Geom spoke calmly.
“Ah, in this place today, the Young Patriarch here will be the main speaker rather than me. As you all know, it is about time for me to gradually step back from the front line. And for you all, that would be more comfortable than dealing with me, who has a difference in generation.”
At those words, the gathered people put on bewildered expressions.
However, since it was a matter of the clan and there had often been such cases in the Seven Great Clans Conference until now, no one could step forward and say anything.
The only problem was that the Young Patriarch’s age was too young.
Usually, when a Young Patriarch stepped to the forefront, it was around the time they entered middle age or shed their youth.
Yet, to place a child who was barely entering the age of twenty at the forefront.
As the situation turned out like this, a strange atmosphere was formed where the majesty of the Seven Great Clans’ leaders suddenly appeared to be on a similar level as Namgung Cheon’s.
At this rate, did it not seem as if Namgung Geom sat in the head seat, maintaining majesty like a Retired Sovereign, while Namgung Cheon rose to the same level as them to converse?
‘To reverse the atmosphere in that short span of time. As expected of the Namgung Clan.’
Tang Go-ryun narrowed his eyes and fell into thought.
On the other hand, the other clan leaders whispered among themselves with completely displeased expressions.
In the meantime, Namgung Cheon nodded and spoke.
“I think that is a good idea. Since they have come, it would also be good to exchange greetings with the people here.”
“Indeed.”
When Namgung Geom silently accepted, Namgung Cheon winked at Son U-gon. At this, Son U-gon quickly went down and brought up Namgung Pyo, Namgung Hyo, and Namgung Hwa.
“It is an honor to meet the various clan leaders.”
When the family members including Namgung Pyo offered greetings, the clan leaders returned the salute with somewhat awkward expressions.
“Welcome.”
As the Namgung Clan members sat mixed in like that, it looked as if the Seven Great Clans had received an invitation from the Namgung Clan.
Furthermore, Namgung Cheon played the host perfectly.
“Now, now, what we have prepared is lacking, but please eat.”
“…”
The clan leaders frowned heavily and swept their gaze over the table. Here and there, half-eaten foods lay scattered carelessly on the plates.
Jo Geom-myeong, unable to overcome his hot temper, suddenly spoke.
“Even so, how can you treat people so poorly? Half-eaten food…”
“Ah, do you think it is poor treatment?”
“Then what is this if not poor treatment!”
“Hmm. The Seven Great Clans Conference treats people poorly.”
“What do you mean? Are you not treating us poorly right now!”
“? ? ? ? ?”
“Huh? Was I the one paying for this? Did the words change again in the meantime? Was this place not the Seven Great Clans Conference? Is this not a place where you invited our clan?”
Every single word was correct.
Only then did Jo Geom-myeong opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish with an ‘oh no’ expression.
His mind had become tangled up due to the suddenly twisted situation.
“So what I mean is…”
While Jo Geom-myeong stammered in panic, Murong Hwan shouted in a cold voice.
“Hey! What are you doing not quickly clearing the table and bringing out new food?”
Only then did the servers swarm up the stairs.
“We are sorry, sirs.”
“We shall bring out new ones shortly!”
While the servers hurriedly cleared the table, Murong Hwan wore a cool smile and looked back at Namgung Cheon.
“Though late, congratulations on winning the Joint Conference. Your reputation seems to rise day by day.”
“Thank you.”
“It seems the Namgung Clan is also stretching its limbs now.”
At that, Jo Geom-myeong, who was only listening, smirked and jeered.
“It is only a pity that they stretched their limbs only after the sun reached the middle of the sky.”
At those words, the other clan leaders let out chuckles.
In short, it must have been a statement indirectly expressing that they missed the timing to rise.
Although it was clearly an insulting remark, Namgung Geom kept his mouth shut and did not say a word.
Instead, he quietly watched Namgung Cheon.
‘Whatever it is, do it your way. Today, I shall only watch.’
On the other hand, Namgung Pyo replied while looking at Jo Geom-myeong, unable to hide his uncomfortable expression.
“Is it not the rule that the rabbit beats the turtle even if the start is late?”
“Does that mean we are the turtles?”
When Jo Geom-myeong asked in a quite sharp tone, Namgung Pyo waved his hand.
“I do not mean that, but rather that our clan will revive diligently.”
He wanted to avoid conflict with the clans as much as possible.
He knew well from long experience that no matter how strong a family was, it was difficult to exist without receiving outside help.
It was for that reason that he left Mount Huang and settled in Wuhan.
With the hope that the clan would revive by building ties with the Martial Alliance.
On the other hand, Namgung Cheon clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched Namgung Pyo.
‘To think he has such a poor eye for judging people.’
By nature, there were people to keep close and people to kick far away. Although he did not know how many of the clans here could be kept close, at least Jo Geom-myeong was not one of them.
At any rate, such a not-very-comfortable conversation continued for a while.
The precarious tightrope walking became even more endangered as Hwangbo Seung made a thoughtless remark.
“By the way, I am young and do not know well, but did the Namgung Clan’s majesty not pierce the heavens at one time? How did it become this difficult?”
“Indeed. They say that even if a rich man goes bankrupt, it lasts three generations. To think they collapsed this completely in a mere twenty years.”
Tang Wu-gi sneered and took over the words.
Although Tang Go-ryun gave his son a stern look, he did not shut his mouth.
For his part, he was also curious about how the Namgung Clan would react to such words.
Jo Geom-myeong continued his words with excitement.
“Haha. Is it not that the affairs of the world are originally unpredictable? Therefore, you all must always be careful too. When you are doing well, it seems like you will soar without limit, but you can go down in an instant.”
“We must use it as a negative example and always be cautious.”
Even Yue Hu joined in.
At this, Murong Hwan chuckled and looked back at Namgung Cheon.
“What does the Young Patriarch of the Namgung Clan think?”
“About what?”
“As you heard, I asked because the people of the world find it strange.”
“So, you mean why we became like this in a mere twenty years?”
Murong Hwan nodded with a faint smile.
On the other hand, Namgung Pyo, Namgung Hyo, and Namgung Hwa flushed red and could not hide their anger.
At the same time, they were on pins and needles, fearing that Namgung Cheon, whose direction was unpredictable, might cause trouble.
However, Namgung Cheon wore a soft smile and brought up unexpected words.
“That is why I think it is amazing.”
“Hmm?”
“If politics are a mess and diplomacy is poor, even a country can collapse before ten years pass. It means it takes only an instant for commoners, who used to live boastfully with their hands behind their backs, to undergo colonial rule and live like dogs and pigs. You surely have not forgotten the memory of suffering at the hands of the Mongols already, have you?”
“Hmm.”
“Has Murong Clan Leader ever gone bankrupt?”
“…”
“Do you know about that wickedness where the world turned its back on you? There are many people who run their mouths based on imagination alone without ever having gone bankrupt. Twenty years. It is a period during which the landscape would change twice. There are no wings for things that plunge. Then what would happen? You just die. The higher you rise, the more terrifyingly you fall. Even so, I think it is truly amazing that we endured this much. We even received an invitation to the Seven Great Clans Conference like this today. Unless they are out of their minds, they would not look down on our clan when we are together with the Seven Great Clans, right?”
“…”
“If every merchant association cuts off trade and does not cooperate at all, no family would survive even a single year. Collapsing? That takes only an instant. Of course, if you collapse due to your own mistake, it might last three generations. But if the world turns its back? If there are no surrounding people to win over? It would be as difficult as making a flower bloom in a sandy desert. Is there anyone here who has fought against the world?”
“…”
Everyone fell silent and only stared at Namgung Cheon.
Namgung Cheon stood up abruptly, turned toward Namgung Geom, and cupped his fists.
“In that sense, I offer my gratitude to the Patriarch in this place. For enduring until the end even after facing such harsh trials. For doing your best even at a time when you wanted to lay everything down. I sincerely thank you.”
This was sincere.
When his daughter was reviled, fell ill, and died, how tattered must the father’s heart have become like a rag?
A strange light shone in Namgung Geom’s icy eyes.
No one in the audience could easily speak. In the somewhat solemn atmosphere, they even held their breath.
The Azure Eagle Squad members also concentrated only on their meal with choked expressions.
However…
‘Why are you crying and making a fuss over there?’
Namgung Pyo was looking at Namgung Cheon while shedding streams of tears.
He controlled his surging emotions and thought.
‘Namgung Cheon…! You were a fellow who would become the hope of our clan… I am ashamed of myself for having rejected you even for a time. Sob!’