Chapter 233: The Namgung Clan Is in My Hands (3)
Chapter 232 – The Namgung Clan Is in My Hands (3)
In the meeting room of the Namgung Clan’s Patriarch’s Pavilion, the leading figures, including the elders, gathered after a long time.
It had been a long time since such a large-scale meeting was held after the clan’s fortune declined. Of course, a meeting had been conducted previously regarding the agenda of deciding the Young Patriarch, but the elders were excluded.
However, since even the elders residing in the detached villa gathered today, the scale was incomparable to what had been.
The leading figures, who were chatting in low voices, fell silent and gathered their gazes as Namgung Geom appeared at the seat of honor.
Scanning the assembly once, Namgung Geom opened his heavy mouth.
“The reason I have gathered you today is to organize the recent changes in our clan.”
Then, Namgung Heon-sang, the Lord of the Elders’ Court, slapped the table and spoke.
“Even if you didn’t say so, I had something to say to the Patriarch regarding that matter.”
Namgung Geom’s gaze turned toward Namgung Heon-sang. Facing that sharp gaze, Namgung Heon-sang flinched for a moment and narrowed his eyes.
“I have already heard the news that the Young Patriarch was decided.”
“Yes. The Young Patriarch is Namgung Cheon…”
“Why did you make that important decision without a single word of notice to the Elders’ Court…!”
“The authority to decide the Young Patriarch lies solely with the Patriarch. Therefore, the elders do not participate in the decision of the Young Patriarch.”
Namgung Geom continued his words with his characteristically cold expression, without a single trace of wavering.
Although Namgung Heon-sang flinched, he did not back down easily and countered.
“Of course I know that. However, according to custom, before deciding the Young Patriarch, wasn’t there at least some consultation with the Elders’ Court…”
“Custom is merely custom. There is no problem with not following custom.”
“Patriarch…!”
When Namgung Heon-sang pressed with a grave expression, Namgung Geom faced him with a deeply sunken gaze.
While the two held a suffocating staring contest, Namgung Hyo cautiously stepped forward.
“Ahem, Lord of the Elders’ Court. First, please receive this.”
“What is this?”
Namgung Heon-sang glanced at the wooden box Namgung Hyo was handing over and asked bluntly.
“Please open it.”
As Namgung Hyo gestured, Namgung Heon-sang opened the cover of the wooden box with a half-hearted expression.
In the next moment, a clear fragrance drifted into the room. Even Namgung Heon-sang, who had been wearing a cold expression throughout, could not help but turn his eyes.
“Th-This is…?”
“It is Shaolin’s Great Returning Pill.”
“Great… Great Returning Pill!”
“There is also (Taiqing Pill of Wudang). Besides that, there are many like the Lesser Returning Pill, Superior Clarity Elixir, and Purple Cloud Pill.”(Wait, let’s write it in English: “There is also Wudang’s Taiqing Pill. Besides that, there are many like the Lesser Returning Pill, Superior Clarity Elixir, and Purple Cloud Pill.”)
“Gosh! How could such precious things…?”
“For your information, what I have just given is allocated to the Elders’ Court.”
Namgung Heon-sang wore an increasingly incomprehensible expression and turned a blank gaze to Namgung Geom.
He seemed to want an explanation.
Even if it is a fearsome tiger, if it is starving and prey falls in front of its eyes, wouldn’t it lick its lips rather than growl?
Just then, Namgung Hwa smiled faintly and said.
“The Young Patriarch obtained them.”
“The Young Patriarch…?”
“Yes. He found the Demonic Pill Valley elixirs.”
“The Demonic Pill Valley elixirs…!”
Namgung Heon-sang now wore an expression that said he was too tired to even be surprised.
Namgung Hwa briefly organized and delivered the situation in the meantime.
Hearing the story, Namgung Heon-sang’s sharp demeanor had already vanished without a trace.
“Such a thing…”
He had intended to properly drag out the matter of making the Great Killing Star’s illegitimate child the Young Patriarch.
Furthermore, since the estate was being expanded recently and the clan’s fortune was improving, he could not understand why on earth they chose Namgung Cheon as the Young Patriarch.
Yet, to think all of that was achieved thanks to Namgung Cheon instead.
Namgung Hyo added:
“Therefore, we intend to bring the Elders’ Court back into the estate. We intend to divide the area into four sections—north, south, east, and west—centered on the Deep Green Courtyard where the Patriarch’s Pavilion is currently located, and place the Elders’ Court in the North Green Courtyard. Would that be alright?”
“Hmm. There is nothing bad about it.”
“Then I will take it that you have approved.”
When Namgung Hyo said with a bright smile, Namgung Heon-sang did not voice any more complaints.
Indeed, how could he have complaints?
In the meantime, the elders had been staying separately in the detached villa because there was no place to step in the tiny estate.
Yet, since they were building the Elders’ Court inside the estate, any complaints they had would vanish.
Furthermore, they had even obtained precious spiritual pills as a bonus.
Thinking that the general situation was organized, Namgung Geom slowly opened his mouth.
“As you can see, the merit the Young Patriarch has established is not small. Thus, today, I think it would be good to acknowledge the Young Patriarch’s merit and grant an appropriate reward, but what do you think?”
“Hmm. Well… the Young Patriarch seems to have better capability than he looks.”
When Namgung Heon-sang showed a somewhat ambiguous reaction, Namgung Pyo subtly stepped forward and asked.
“So what kind of reward do you intend to grant, Patriarch?”
“For now, the Young Patriarch is temporarily using the Emerald Silk Sword, which is our clan’s treasure sword. We have not formally granted the sword. Thus, I am thinking of formally granting that Emerald Silk Sword to the Young Patriarch.”
“We cannot do that!”
Thud!
Suddenly, Namgung Pyo slapped the table roughly.
Namgung Hyo let out a bitter smile.
Indeed, this reaction of Namgung Pyo was expected to some extent.
Previously, because of Namgung Cheon, hadn’t he fallen under unnecessary suspicion and even undergone the family’s investigation for a while?
Although he had cleared his name now, the resentment from that time would inevitably remain.
Perhaps, if the opportunity arose even now, he would try to replace the Young Patriarch…
“What kind of reward is it to merely grant the Emerald Silk Sword?”
‘Huh?’
Namgung Hyo stopped his thoughts and turned to look at Namgung Pyo.
Namgung Pyo continued speaking with a frustrated expression.
“He is the Young Patriarch of our clan. Is the work Namgung Cheon has accomplished so far just one or two? Not only did he reclaim the commercial rights of Yixian, but he also obtained the Demonic Pill Valley elixirs! Furthermore, at the last Seven Great Clans Conference, he gave those obnoxious Seven Great Clans a proper blow! Where does it end with that? You must have all heard the news that he saved the Paeng Clan and the Eon Clan this time! And what about receiving the Gold King’s plaque!”
As Namgung Pyo poured out his words like a rapid-fire cannon, the people in the assembly looked at him with blank expressions.
Panting for breath, Namgung Pyo barely calmed himself and finished his words.
“Look. Since Namgung Cheon became the Young Patriarch, our clan is soaring! Yet, merely the Emerald Silk Sword? Patriarch! Brother! Is your magnanimity only at that level? What is the reward in formally giving the Emerald Silk Sword that he is already carrying?”
“Ahem, Uncle… please calm down first…”
Namgung Hwa subtly stepped in to stop him, but Namgung Pyo raised his voice even higher.
“You also should have said something to your father when he made such a decision! Building a separate Young Patriarch’s pavilion wouldn’t even be enough! No, on this occasion, let us build a house for the Young Patriarch in Wuhan. That fellow… no, the Young Patriarch is a dragon! Do you understand? He is a fellow who accomplishes all the things we cannot! And give him plenty of silver! When I think of the sorrow I received from the Martial Alliance in the meantime… ugh…!”
Finally, Namgung Pyo could not continue his words, his eyes reddening.
Namgung Geom stared blankly and clicked his tongue.
‘Is he crying…?’
It did feel pitiful.
Wasn’t Namgung Pyo the one who had tried everything to raise the clan by moving near the Martial Alliance?
Perhaps for that reason, the reactions of the others also became somewhat solemn.
Just then, Namgung Seol-hui nodded and said.
“I agree as well. That child… our Young Patriarch deserves a greater reward. Formally granting the sword he is already carrying wouldn’t have much meaning.”
“Then what kind of…”
It was then.
A noisy sound was heard outside, and suddenly the meeting room door burst open, and Azure Eagle Squad Captain Son U-gon ran in.
Namgung Heon-sang furrowed his brows and shouted.
“What is the matter? Do you not know we are currently in a meeting…!”
“An unidentified enemy has invaded!”
“What?”
In an instant, the leading figures in the meeting room stood up, regardless of who was first.
* * *
“Where on earth are those guys?”
Bok-seong began to move his tired steps to the estate.
He had searched the vicinity of Mount Huang to the point of searching thoroughly, but the two missing servants were ultimately not seen.
“I should tighten the discipline once. This is unacceptable.”
Now that the clan was gaining strength and about to make a fresh start, how could the servants become so lax from the beginning?
Walking toward the estate while moving his shoulders, Bok-seong suddenly hesitated and tilted his head.
“Why is there no one?”
Of course, the direction he was going was the western entrance of the estate, so it was not the main gate.
However, two gatekeepers should have been standing.
Yet, no martial artist who should be guarding the gate was visible.
‘Could the gatekeepers also be slacking off?’
Furrowing his brows deeply, Bok-seong took large strides.
A mere servant had no right to scold the gate guards.
However, if they were so negligent, he had to report this fact to the superiors to correct it.
Thinking so firmly, as he approached the west gate, really no one was visible.
‘Truly, everyone’s mental state has become too lax! At this rate, our clan…’
Entering while opening the door casually, Bok-seong hesitated.
‘The smell of blood!’
Bok-seong was called a dog’s nose because he normally smelled things so well.
Looking around quickly, weren’t the two gate guards collapsed behind the door, bleeding?
“Gasp!”
Startled, Bok-seong backed away, crashed into the door, and slumped down.
Only then did he hear the faint sound of clashing weapons.
Shouts, curses, and even screams.
“W-What is this…?”
At that moment, someone grabbed Bok-seong’s leg firmly.
“Uwaak!”
Screaming reflexively, Bok-seong looked down and saw one of the collapsed gatekeepers grabbing his ankle firmly.
“M-Martial artist! A-Are you alright?”
As Bok-seong quickly approached and supported him, the gatekeeper vomited blood and spoke with difficulty.
“Go… quickly… help…!”
“First, I will call a physician for treatment…!”
“No! No time! Many… gasp, gasp…! Many enemies! With only our clan’s martial artists, it is far from enough… cough! Quickly help…!”
“Many enemies? Where on earth did those many enemies… no, more than that, where should I go to ask for help…!”
Bok-seong shouted urgently, but the gatekeeper who spoke with difficulty soon dropped his head.
Bok-seong froze on the spot like ice.
It was the first time he had actually seen a person die before his eyes.
His heart throbbed as if it would jump out of his chest.
Perhaps because his hearing became sensitive, the sound of the fight heard in the distance came closer.
“H-Help…! Help…!”
Considering that it had reached this state, all the martial artists of the clan would be participating in the fight.
If so, going himself, who had not even learned martial arts, wouldn’t be of help.
“I must ask for help! Anywhere…!”
Staggering as he stood up, Bok-seong moved his steps blindly out of the estate.
But where on earth should he ask for help?
Since the elders were already gathered, there was no need to go to the detached villa.
Then where? Where…?
Walking blindly, Bok-seong realized that he was unconsciously heading to one clan.
“This road is… Mount Huang Yun Clan!”
Yes.
Currently, the place where he could ask for help the fastest at Mount Huang was only the Mount Huang Yun Clan.
But would the Mount Huang Yun Clan really help the Namgung Clan?
Until not long ago, weren’t they eager to devour them?
Still, he had to do it.
Didn’t the gatekeeper say so?
That the enemies were too many.
Indeed.
Although their fortune had declined, it was the prestigious Namgung Clan. The martial arts of Patriarch Namgung Geom were also known to be intact.
To have attacked such a Namgung Clan meant they had completed thorough preparations.
Even a single martial artist would be precious in this situation!
“I must somehow persuade the Mount Huang Yun Clan to receive help!”
Bok-seong began to run like flying.