Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 130

Namgung Clan

Namgung Clan

Hwa-Rin led his group toward the Namgung Clan, the main family of Namgung Soo-yeon.

He intended to apologize for the misunderstandings he’d caused, which might have placed the Namgung Clan in a difficult position.

“As expected of the most prestigious family in the world, the scale is something else, Senior,” Dong-Chun said, looking at the expansive grounds and buildings of the Namgung Clan with envy.

“It’s not mine, so what’s the point of being envious? Let’s go in, Senior,” Namgung Soo-yeon replied. As she and her group approached the entrance, they were stopped.

“This is the territory of the Namgung Clan. Do you have an appointment?”

“No, why would I need an appointment to enter my own home?”

The martial artists guarding the entrance didn’t recognize Namgung Soo-yeon and exchanged confused glances.

“It seems these people don’t know me. Judging by the fact that they’re guarding the main family’s entrance, they must be part of the Royal Guard,” Namgung Soo-yeon observed. She inquired, and they confirmed her suspicion.

“Then tell Namgung-Rim, the leader of the Royal Guard, or Song Deok-jin, the deputy leader, that Namgung Soo-yeon has arrived.”

“Are you Namgung Soo-yeon?”

“Yes. Hurry and let them know inside.”

One of the guards quickly went inside to deliver the message. Soon, Namgung Bu-yeong, the head of the Namgung Clan’s outer branch, emerged.

“Hey, Namgung Soo-yeon!” he shouted as soon as he saw her. The Namgung Clan had been in a difficult situation because of her actions.

“Uncle Bu-yeong, how have you been?”

“Well? What have you been doing out there to cause such a commotion in the martial world?”

“I’ve just been minding my own business, but the Blood Demon Alliance wouldn’t leave me alone.”

“You little rascal, do you even know how much trouble you’re causing your uncle and brothers? Jin-i and Yeon-a are currently…”

Namgung Bu-yeong launched into a tirade, making Dong-Chun, who was listening nearby, feel dizzy.

“But Uncle, how long are you going to keep us standing here like this? We have guests with us.”

“Hey, I’m currently…” Namgung Bu-yeong’s gaze finally shifted to the people behind Namgung Soo-yeon.

“Who are you?”

“This person is the Nine Dragons Clan Leader, whom you were just speaking ill of. And you know Head Instructor Hyuk Ji-seok, right? I heard he was in the Black Tortoise Unit of the Righteous Heaven Alliance.”

Namgung Bu-yeong nodded.

“And the others…” Namgung Soo-yeon introduced each member of the Nine Dragons Legion by name.

—Why are you leaving me out?

Dong-Chun sent a telepathic message to Namgung Soo-yeon, feeling slighted. She chuckled and then said, “And this person is my junior, who is now the head of the Nine Dragons Escort Agency.”

After Namgung Soo-yeon’s introduction, Namgung Bu-yeong’s gaze settled on Hwa-Rin.

‘At least he’s not someone I can easily assess,’ Namgung Bu-yeong thought. That was his first impression of Hwa-Rin.

His martial arts were impressive, but the aura emanating from his entire being was also different from that of ordinary people.

His gaze returned to Namgung Soo-yeon, and Namgung Bu-yeong nodded with a satisfied expression.

“This rascal has been causing so much trouble that I haven’t been able to pay attention to the guests. Please forgive my rudeness. Come inside.”

Namgung Bu-yeong, the head of the outer clan, led them inside. The majesty of the Namgung Clan, as seen from within, was on a completely different level compared to what they saw from the outside.

‘So this is why they’re called the most prestigious family in the world,’ Hwa-Rin mused.

The tall buildings and the wide training grounds, where the warriors of the Azure Sky Unit and the Boundless Love Unit were training diligently, felt like well-honed swords.

The Nine Dragons Legion members were inwardly surprised by the sight of the Namgung Clan’s warriors, and they began to understand.

‘We’re not the only ones training to the point of exhaustion. There are many who train even harder than us.’ They realized that their time in the Black Tortoise Unit of the Martial Alliance had been relatively easy.

—Everyone puts in this much effort. If you can’t even do this much, don’t live as a martial artist in the martial world; become a merchant or a scholar!

Namgung Soo-yeon’s words from when she trained them resonated with new clarity as they observed the Namgung Clan’s warriors.

After passing through the outer garden and the middle gate in the wall, they arrived at the inner garden, where the residents were already waiting, having been informed of their arrival.

“You little rascal!” The reaction in the inner garden was no different from Namgung Bu-yeong’s.

“Have you been well, Father?”

“Well? You’ve been causing all sorts of trouble, and you ask if I’ve been well? How can the word ‘well’ even come out of your mouth so easily?”

“What kind of trouble have I been causing?”

“The martial world is full of rumors that you’ve fallen for the Nine Dragons Clan Leader and are wiping out heretical sects. Are you saying those are false rumors?”

Namgung Soo-yeon gave an awkward smile to Hwa-Rin, who was beside her, and then said to her father, Namgung Baek-ya,

“No, should I just die then? Should I die for those who are coming at me with knives in their mouths to kill me?”

“You should do it moderately. How many sects have already been destroyed? If the fighting continues, either you will die, or more sects will be destroyed, right?”

“But I can’t just die. What kind of child dies before their parents? I may not be good to my parents, but I can’t commit such disloyalty.”

Dong-Chun thought that Namgung Soo-yeon was indeed true to herself, seeing her not backing down from a single word.

Namgung Baek-ya looked at Namgung Soo-yeon disapprovingly and then turned his gaze to Hwa-Rin, who was standing beside her.

Hwa-Rin slightly bowed his head when his eyes met Namgung Baek-ya’s and then introduced himself. “I am Joo Hwa-Rin, the leader of the Nine Dragons Clan.”

Namgung Baek-ya narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Hwa-Rin, his expression conveying displeasure.

“I see that you are the one who has stolen this child’s heart.”

Namgung Baek-ya was much older than Hwa-Rin, but he treated him with respect as the leader of a clan.

“I did not expect that this incident would lead to such a situation. I am sorry for causing concern and worry to the family.”

“Then how about ending it here? The fight with the Blood Demon Alliance doesn’t seem like a good thing for the Nine Dragons Clan either.”

“As Soo-yeon said, I can’t just die, can I? Someone with power is trying to take what is mine, but I can’t just stand by and let them take it, can I?”

“That’s true, but I’m saying that the way the clan leader has handled it is wrong.”

“I know that I have used my hands excessively because I still have the habits of a soldier, as I haven’t been discharged from the military for long. However, if I were to back down now, I would have too much to lose, wouldn’t I?”

Namgung Baek-ya looked into Hwa-Rin’s calm but confident eyes and realized that he was not someone who would easily change his mind.

“How about this family mediating? I understand the Nine Dragons Clan Leader’s thoughts, but this family is also in a difficult situation because of Soo-yeon, so I hope we can resolve this matter amicably through mediation.”

“Is that possible? Would the Blood Demon Alliance compensate this clan for the damage it has suffered?”

“Damage compensation?” Namgung Baek-ya asked again, wondering if he had misheard.

“Yes. They started the trouble with this clan first. They tried to take away the clan’s business, they invaded the clan to take my life, and they burned down this clan. It was all the heretics.”

“Hmm…”

“If they had just left me alone to do business, none of this would have happened. It has come to this point because of their greed. And do you know how much loss my business has suffered since fighting the Blood Demon Alliance?”

“So you’re saying you have to receive all that compensation?”

“Of course. That way, they’ll think about this much loss before causing trouble for me, won’t they?”

“It sounds like it.”

“Father, we’ve come a long way, so can we take a break and talk again? I’m hungry, so I’d like to eat something.”

When Namgung Soo-yeon spoke, Namgung Baek-ya glared at her with a displeased expression, then sighed as if giving up and shook his head from side to side.

“Let’s go inside for now. The cleaning of the detached palace should be finished by now. Soo-yeon, you guide the guests to the detached palace and come to my room.”

“Yes.”

Namgung Baek-ya turned around and walked toward the inner quarters of the inner garden, and Namgung Soo-yeon smiled brightly at Hwa-Rin and said, “Let’s go, Senior. The detached palace is that way.”

Namgung Soo-yeon led her group to the detached palace. The group envied the several detached palaces on the large property.

“Young lady, I have been told to give this detached palace to the guests.”

“Really?”

“And he also asked that you be especially careful with your actions, as there are other guests in the detached palace.”

“There are guests in the guest rooms?”

“They said they are famous figures in the martial world, but I don’t know who’s who, even if I hear their names.”

“Okay. More than that, we’re so hungry. Please bring us some food so we can fill our stomachs.”

“I will do so. Please rest.”

As the servant retreated, Namgung Soo-yeon said to Hwa-Rin, “I’ll go meet Father and come back.”

“Go and unconditionally apologize, and take this opportunity to stay home and be filial.”

Hwa-Rin tried to get rid of Namgung Soo-yeon, thinking it was an opportunity, but it was just a futile wish, like reading scriptures to a cow [a wasted effort].

“There are many people to be filial to besides me. Completing my martial arts is more important to me than being filial. And if I complete my martial arts and become an empress, that would be a better thing and a filial act for the family.”

“If you couldn’t even talk, I wouldn’t hate you. Hurry up and go.”

Namgung Soo-yeon smiled brightly, said she would be back, and left the detached palace.

“No, does Clan Leader not understand Senior’s feelings?” Dong-Chun, feeling frustrated from watching, interjected.

“What do you mean I don’t understand Soo-yeon’s feelings?”

“Ah, this is frustrating. Isn’t Senior following Clan Leader around because he has feelings for Clan Leader?”

Hyuk Ji-seok and the Nine Dragons Legion members nodded at Dong-Chun’s words.

“I know, what don’t I know? I know more about Soo-yeon than you do. Soo-yeon isn’t interested in me; she’s just interested in my martial arts. Know something before you speak.”

“Clan Leader’s martial arts?”

“Yes. She saw hope in my martial arts that she could complete her own martial arts. That’s why she’s always talking about martial arts to me. I’ve already lost two martial arts in this deal.”

As Hwa-Rin grumbled, Dong-Chun glared and said, “Then why don’t you teach me? Is Senior Soo-yeon a person, and I’m not a person?”

“I gave you a martial art to teach the Saemyeong School members, didn’t I?”

Hwa-Rin suddenly raised his voice, and Dong-Chun said as if he was wronged, “That’s for the disciples…” Then he stopped speaking and looked at another detached palace building.

“I’m sorry. I raised my voice while you were resting. I will try not to let this happen again.”

“No, it’s been a while since a guest has come, so I came out to see. Your voice is so loud; it’s really good to hear. The people here are all old folks, so they don’t have any energy, and it’s frustrating. Don’t worry about us and continue your argument.”

Despite his old age, his imposing figure made it clear at a glance that he was no ordinary person.

In the martial world, he was known as Georyeok Singun [Mighty Strength Divine Fist], and as his martial name suggests, he was a naturally strong man.

Georyeok Singun took a seat on the veranda attached to the detached palace and urged them to continue their conversation while looking at them.

“Haa, please raise me a little too.”

“How can I increase your height when you don’t grow even though you eat so much? Should I pull you up?”

“Ah, that’s not what I meant!”

“What do you mean it’s not?”

Hyuk Ji-seok chuckled as he listened to Dong-Chun and Hwa-Rin’s conversation. Their conversations were always like this, but he could feel a subtle bond connecting them.

‘Is this what soldiers call camaraderie?’ he wondered.

There was something different between them than the way martial artists interacted in the martial world, and Hyuk Ji-seok was envious of this camaraderie.

‘Come to think of it, Clan Leader has a strange charm that attracts people.’

Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]

Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]

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Status: Completed Author: Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] In a tempestuous night, amidst the clash of steel and the roar of thunder, a palace estate becomes a battleground. Blood spills as palace guards relentlessly hunt intruders, their mission shrouded in deadly secrecy. A desperate cry pierces the storm—a palace maid's plea for her son, Zhu Hualin, the emperor's hidden ninth child. Born under a veil of scandal, Hualin's very existence is a threat, marked for elimination by the ruthless Empress. Witness a mother's ultimate sacrifice as she ignites a saga of intrigue, resilience, and concealed destinies. Plunge into this captivating prologue, where mercy is a dangerous currency, and the fate of a secret prince hangs precariously in the balance. Years drift by, and the question looms: will Zhu Hualin rise as a tyrannical force, or will he embrace wisdom and justice to become a true ruler?

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