Chapter 243: I Learned Magic From Books (1)
Chapter 242 – I Learned Magic From Books (1)
“Aaaargh!”
The Demonic Cultist who was tightly bound in iron chains screamed like a fit, and soon his face turned bright red as if it would explode…
Pop!
“…It exploded.”
Namgung Cheon, who had stepped far back, let out a deep sigh and looked down at the man in black who had become a gruesome corpse.
“It really exploded.”
The last prisoner had exploded too. The previous prisoners had quietly bitten poison pills to commit suicide, but only this fellow’s face exploded like gunpowder.
Had he not sensed something strange and stepped far back, Namgung Cheon would have suffered damage from that explosion too.
“Geez, scaring people like that. Tch.”
Namgung Cheon, who did not even look particularly surprised, grumbled as he walked over to the blood-stained corpse.
Now there were no prisoners left.
“Ah, this is why I tried to end things on a good note.”
Namgung Cheon shook his head in regret and looked around.
The Namgung Clan was busy reorganizing.
They were fully occupied with taking the injured to physicians, clearing corpses, and setting up collapsed walls.
Looking at that scene, his anger flared up again.
“No, why won’t they listen? When I told them to make a rational choice like that!”
When Namgung Cheon beat the Black Heaven Demon Guest to death, the men in black’s eyes rolled back, and they began to charge.
The brutal aura he exuded while beating up just one guy seemed to have little meaning once that one guy died.
The Demonic Cultists began to fight with the determination to die, and in the end, Namgung Cheon and the Namgung Clan’s martial artists also fought back.
As a result, they caught a few prisoners, but they all committed suicide.
Ultimately, a rational choice went out the window, and they had to fight to the death until the sun rose high in the sky.
“Sigh, the world doesn’t help me become a good person.”
Although he had tried to mimic a prestigious orthodox sect, which did not suit him, to think the world was so unappreciative.
Namgung Cheon, getting annoyed for no reason, muttered to himself.
“No, when I tell them exactly, ‘Make a rational choice and leave now!’ If they went saying, ‘Thank you for showing consideration! Let’s postpone the match to next time!’ how beautiful would that be? What is better about dragging it out to a dogfight until the very end and all of them dying?”
“What are you doing by yourself?”
At the clear voice suddenly heard, Namgung Cheon winced and turned around to find Jin So-hong standing there holding the reins of her horse.
On the saddle, the Hefei Branch Leader sat with a blank face, constantly looking around.
The corpses and injured scattered everywhere spoke in place of the carnage that had taken place here.
“Did… did the unorthodox paths really… the Namgung Clan…?”
As he muttered with a dazed expression, Namgung Cheon approached him and clasped his hands.
“Thanks to the Hefei Branch Leader lending us horses, we were able to arrive quickly. Thank you once again.”
“Lending horses? Me?”
The Branch Leader had a puzzled look for a moment, and then, suddenly feeling pain in the crown of his head, knitted his brow deeply.
“Come to think of it… you… to me…!”
“As you can see, because it was such an urgent matter at the time, there was no other way…”
“Shut up! Even so, how dare a mere Martial Alliance cadet strike a Branch Leader? I will definitely report you to the higher-ups…”
It was then.
Namgung Geom walked over from a distance and spoke to them.
“What is the commotion there?”
The Branch Leader, who could not finish his words, reflexively turned his head and, seeing Namgung Geom boasting the appearance of a Daoist immortal, shut his mouth.
‘Clan Leader Namgung Geom…!’
Although he had met him several times already, he was indeed a person who made him feel somewhat uneasy every time they met.
Meeting eyes with Namgung Geom, the Branch Leader jumped off his horse quickly before he knew it and clasped his hands.
“Clan Leader Namgung Geom, it has been a long time.”
“Are you not the Hefei Branch Leader? Long time no see. But what brings you here?”
“Well, that is…”
As the Hefei Branch Leader rolled his eyes, Namgung Cheon spoke with a bright smile.
“The Branch Leader lent us cadets horses. Thanks to that, we were able to return more quickly and help our clan.”
“I see. So such a thing happened. Thank you, Branch Leader.”
“Ah… well… that is…”
As the Branch Leader hesitated and glossed it over in embarrassment, Namgung Geom’s eyes turned sharp.
“What is it? Is the truth different? Surely you wouldn’t have hesitated even after knowing the urgent state of our clan. Yes, you wouldn’t have done that.”
Was it just his imagination?
For some reason, it felt as if a subtle anger was underlying Namgung Geom’s voice.
Hic.
Having hiccuped involuntarily, the Branch Leader sweated coldly and quickly replied.
“H-How could that be? Clan Leader. It is only what the Hefei branch ought to do, yet hearing your gratitude makes me feel unworthy. Is there anything more the Hefei branch can do to help?”
“To help. How does our clan’s condition look in your eyes?”
The Branch Leader swept a glance around following Namgung Geom’s gaze and spoke.
“Many casualties have occurred, and there seem to be many broken and collapsed parts.”
“Indeed. I heard recently that the Martial Alliance selected the Jinzhou Eon Clan and the Hebei Paeng Clan as Special Disaster Clans.”
“Y-Yes, that is so.”
The Branch Leader bowed his head while sweating profusely.
Actually, that part was something the Martial Alliance had also done with a heavy heart.
Of all things, since the Beggars’ Sect arrived early at the Jinzhou Eon Clan and trumpeted the achievements of the two clans to the whole world, and even reported the extent of the damage in detail, the Martial Alliance could not just stand by.
Because Alliance Leader Mok Cheon-ak valued public opinion and put justification above all else, he designated the two clans as Special Disaster Clans for all to see.
Once designated as a Special Disaster Clan, they would receive various benefits, including a large amount of support funds.
Accordingly, it meant a much better environment had been created for the Hebei Paeng Clan and the Jinzhou Eon Clan.
Namgung Geom asked with gleaming eyes.
“How does it look in your opinion? If you compare the damage here to those places?”
“W-Well. Since I have not personally verified the scale of the Jinzhou Eon Clan’s damage…”
At that, Namgung Cheon stepped in abruptly.
“I know well. Since I came from there.”
“I see. Then how does it look in your opinion?”
“It is almost similar. Or rather, it seems our clan suffered even more damage…”
At that, the Branch Leader quickly stepped in.
“Clan Leader. This kind of matter is not a problem that can be judged by listening to only one person’s words. Moreover, from the position of the Young Patriarch of the Namgung Clan, it might look even more so…”
“I am of the same opinion as Namgung Cheon.”
Jin So-hong, who had only been listening, cut in abruptly.
Then, as if they had approached before they knew it, Paeng Su-hyeok, Yun Jong-seung, and even Yu Hyeon, who gathered around, nodded in agreement.
“We also believe it is of a similar scale.”
“…So they say.”
Namgung Geom cast a cold gaze at the Branch Leader.
‘I’m in deep trouble!’
The Branch Leader, feeling restless, tried to avoid Namgung Geom’s gaze and said in a crawling voice.
“Clan Leader. Special Disaster Clans are a matter beyond my authority. I am simply…”
“Of course, I am not such a shameless person. I am simply asking for the Branch Leader’s opinion. As far as I know, in cases that are not ‘Special,’ the Branch Leader has the authority to select them.”
“Th-That is true, but…”
“Well, how is it? In your view, does it look like our clan has passed a major crisis of our own? Or… does it look like I am making a fuss and playing up a minor thing?”
No, why are the choices so extreme!
The Branch Leader, unable to bring himself to spit out the thoughts rising to his throat, groaned and barely answered.
“I believe it should be designated as a Disaster Clan.”
At that, Namgung Geom nodded, wearing a warm smile as if he had never cast a killing gaze.
“I see. Since that is indeed your thought, our clan will not reject the branch’s help. Lord of the Golden Cauldron!”
“Yes, Clan Leader.”
Namgung Hyo ran over with a beaming face.
“The Branch Leader here says he wishes to help our clan. He says he will designate our clan and the Mount Huang Yun Clan as Disaster Clans to support them.”
“Huh? The Mount Huang Yun Clan?”
When the Branch Leader asked back with an incredulous expression, Namgung Geom knit his brow slightly.
“Why? Should we exclude them?”
“No, well…”
“They suffered quite heavy damage while rushing over for our clan. If you are truly dissatisfied, I will exclude them. If you tell our clan to compensate them separately on our own, there is nothing we can do.”
No, why must you put it that way again.
Ultimately, the Branch Leader nodded reluctantly.
“Understood. It is naturally what the Hefei branch ought to do.”
“Thank you.”
Once the discussion concluded, Namgung Hyo smiled brightly and guided him.
“Now, come this way. Since we must write a contract first, I will escort you to a quiet place.”
“Ah… yes…”
The Branch Leader, who had never imagined such a thing would happen when he was struck on the crown of his head by Namgung Cheon, was dragged away in a daze.
Watching his retreating back, Namgung Geom muttered in a low voice to Namgung Cheon.
“Is it done?”
“Yes, Clan Leader.”
“I did as you said, but I am not very pleased with it.”
Namgung Cheon smiled silently.
It would surely be so.
Because Namgung Geom was not of a personality to ask others for favors, even if he were to die soon.
However, Namgung Geom was now preparing for a generation change.
Since before long, the pillar of the Namgung Clan would become Namgung Cheon.
He was adjusting his steps to that method little by little in advance.
And Namgung Cheon’s method was like this.
Utilizing the surrounding environment to the maximum.
Especially sucking those who were unfavorable to him dry to their very bones!
“We will hold a Clan Meeting this evening. Make sure to attend.”
“Yes, Clan Leader.”
Once Namgung Geom left, Jin So-hong approached and asked.
“By the way, money will overflow anyway. You could raise funds just with the plaque my father gave you, so why go to such lengths?”
“Well… because stealing tastes better than being fed.”
“Ah…”
As Jin So-hong nodded reflexively, Paeng Su-hyeok standing beside her wore an incredulous expression.
‘Why are you understanding that? Have you also been corrupted by that fellow!’
Paeng Su-hyeok shook his head and looked at Namgung Cheon.
Namgung Cheon was staring intently at the corpses of the men in black as if lost in thought.
‘Just what on earth is that fellow thinking?’
Truly, Namgung Cheon’s mind was incomprehensible.
Sometimes he was extremely simple, yet at other times, didn’t he look like a person overflowing with wisdom?
It was so even last time at the Jinzhou Eon Clan.
The red pouch and the blue pouch.
‘Acting like an annoying tactician. Come to think of it… what was in the blue pouch back then?’
* * *
“By the way, what was in the blue pouch back then?”
At Eon Yang-geol’s question, Paeng Jeok-ho paused in the middle of drinking tea. He looked as if asking what he meant.
Eon Yang-geol spoke with a gentle smile.
“You know, that thing. The one Young Hero Namgung Cheon gave. He said to open the red pouch when our clan was in danger, and the blue pouch when Clan Leader Paeng failed to realize the profound truth.”
“Ah! Come to think of it, I had completely forgotten!”
Paeng Jeok-ho rummaged through his chest and quickly pulled out the blue pouch.
Because it was such an urgent situation at the time, he did not think to open it, and after everything was resolved, he did not pay attention to it and had completely forgotten.
The blue pouch Namgung Cheon left behind!
‘He said to open this if I failed to realize the profound truth, right?’
For some reason, his heart pounded.
He was already looking forward to what kind of resonance would be contained here.
‘Indeed, that child Namgung Cheon was always a fellow who defied expectations.’
Just what words would be written here?
Paeng Jeok-ho opened the blue pouch slowly with anticipation.
Watching him, Eon Yang-geol also swallowed hard, showing signs of anticipation.
Finally, Paeng Jeok-ho took out the small folded paper and read it.
The next moment, his pupils shook violently. Immediately after, didn’t he shed tears while drawing a Buddha-like smile?
“Ah. This is…”
“This is…?”
“…I shouldn’t have opened it.”
“Why do you say that? Just what deep meaning is contained that you are even shedding tears of emotion like that?”
The frustrated Eon Yang-geol quickly snatched the paper in Paeng Jeok-ho’s hand despite the rudeness.
He unfolded the paper and read it.
“Clan Leader Paeng. In the end, you failed to realize the profound truth… even though I gave you so much time… while the vassals and your child fought risking their lives outside… to think you couldn’t even master a mere martial art… how did you intend to become a martial artist with such a stone head… sheesh… you poop-head… you might as well plow a field… why did you make a fuss and dig your own grave trying to master martial arts… even dog shit would be more useful than you… ahem, cough!”
Eon Yang-geol murmured with a warm smile.
“Indeed, it would have been better not to open it.”