TL: FoodieMonster007
Namgung Su's rain-soaked hair swayed in the wind as he surveyed the martial artists with a grim expression. Even though his face was still pale from his injuries and some lingering poison, he had a more commanding presence than anyone else.
"Please follow my instructions until the situation is resolved. If you do so, I will ensure that no more blood is shed in our Namgung Clan!"
A hush fell over the crowd.
"...Please," Namgung Su added, his tone dry and flat, yet filled with earnest sincerity.
For a while, no one spoke. Some of the martial artists, overwhelmed with emotion, clenched their teeth and lowered their heads. The Third Young Master of the Namgung Clan was bowing to them, his eyes reflecting apology and regret for the bloodshed they had been forced to commit.
However, all silence was bound to be broken eventually.
"Follow your instructions?"
"Hah! You're finally revealing your true colors!"
Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok scoffed in unison. For over a decade, they had painstakingly worked to win over the Storm Wind Corps and the Endless Sky Corps. They had secured the commanders' loyalty through countless private meetings, gained the support of the rank and file through frequent bribes, and promised even greater rewards when they ascended to the position of Patriarch.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Insolent bastard. Don't you think you're begging the wrong people for help?"
At present, the Storm Wind Corps and the Endless Sky Corps were practically the two brothers' private organizations, and since the Namgung Patriarch had not said anything about it until now, they naturally assumed that he considered winning people over as part of the succession war.
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What a moron. Do you seriously think that just because you bowed your head, they would suddenly listen to you?
You want to take command? Don't make me laugh.
The reaction of the two corps, however, differed from the brothers' expectations.
The Storm Wind Commander nodded. "We will follow you for now."
"Commander! What are you saying?" Namgung Hak shouted, glaring at the Storm Wind Commander.
"I think it would be good if the chain of command was unified until the chaos is resolved."
"Then I, the eldest son, should be the one in charge. How can someone with no ability..."
"The Third Young Master subdued the deranged martial artists without spilling a single drop of blood. Isn't that qualification enough?" The Storm Wind Commander cut in, fixing Namgung Hak with a disapproving scowl.
Namgung Hak was astounded. The Storm Wind Commander had never looked at him like that before. Caught off guard, he stuttered, "T-That's not because of Su's ability, but because of that flute. If I had that..."
"What were you doing when the Third Young Master was looking for that flute?" the Storm Wind Commander scolded.
"Do you think I will tolerate this insult?" Namgung Hak bellowed, his face flushed red in embarrassment and anger. How dare he shame me in public?
However, the Storm Wind Commander's gaze towards the eldest son of the Namgung Clan only grew colder. "So what if you won't tolerate it?"
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"W-What?"
"The Storm Wind Corps is not your private organization. Similarly, the Namgung Clan's martial artists are not disposables to be used and discarded carelessly."
"When did I treat the Storm Wind Corps as disposables? I, for the greater good...!"
"You stabbed my nephew in the heart."
Namgung Hak froze. He had no idea that the Storm Wind Commander's nephew was among those he had killed.
Seeing Namgung Hak's reaction, the Storm Wind Commander coldly said, "At first, I tried my best to believe your words about killing the ghouls for the greater good and followed you without even closing my dead nephew's eyes. Halfway here, though, I realized that your eyes were filled with nothing but selfish greed and ambition."
"Commander... I'm sorry about your nephew, but the situation then was..."
"It's not just me. Everyone here feels the same way."
Namgung Hak met the eyes of the Storm Wind warriors, only to find them filled with anger, disappointment, and contempt.
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"Why..."
Even now, he can't understand why we're upset with him. Shaking his head, the Storm Wind Commander drove the final nail into the coffin. "From this moment on, the Storm Wind Corps withdraws its support for Namgung Hak."
Namgung Hak paled. The public withdrawal of support, especially from the Storm Wind Corps Commander, was a devastating blow.
The Endless Sky Commander stepped forward. "The Endless Sky Corps shares the same opinion as the Storm Wind Corps. Until this crisis is resolved, we believe it is best that the Third Young Master take command of our forces."
"Uncle..." Namgung Heok groaned, glaring at the Endless Sky Commander. Having just witnessed his brother's public shaming, though, he knew better than to argue and quickly shut his mouth.
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The Endless Sky Commander continued, "You have greatly disappointed us, Second Young Master. I will not withdraw my personal support for you, but I cannot control the hearts of my subordinates."
Namgung Heok hung his head. Although his situation was slightly less dire than his elder brother's, the Endless Sky Corps had effectively abandoned him.
What the hell...!?
Damn it...
Finally seeing their mistake, the Namgung brothers were overcome with a deep sense of shame. As direct descendants of the Namgung Clan, they had always assumed that the clan's martial artists would naturally follow their commands. As a result, blinded by their ambition to surpass their rival, they had alienated the very martial artists who followed them.
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"Have the two of you ever considered how we would feel cutting down our family, friends, and colleagues?" someone whispered.
""......""
Unlike his impulsive brothers, who had considered rushing to the Patriarch's aid earlier, Namgung Su's innate composure shone through during this crisis, allowing him to assess the situation with a lucidity they lacked.
"That is a life-and-death battle between supreme masters. If we intervene rashly, we might be taken hostage and hinder the Patriarch. Our priority is to deal with the remaining enemies."
"...Are you saying we should just watch until it's over?"
"No. By taking care of the cannon fodder, we are actually helping him."
"What do you mean?"
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"With the keen senses of a supreme master, it's impossible for those two not to sense that the situation has reversed. Haven't you noticed that the Asura Demon Sword's aura is gradually weakening? He must be getting anxious."
Some masters nodded, acknowledging the shift in the battle within the Patriarch's quarters. They could sense that despite the ongoing clash of monstrous energies, Namgung Cheon had clearly gained the upper hand.
"The Asura Demon Sword will soon fall to the Patriarch's sword or attempt to flee. Please have a sword formation ready in preparation for that."
"...Yes, sir!"
Namgung Su looked up at the cloudy sky, where two dragons were still intertwined and fighting savagely.
The real problem is the Night Emperor.
RUMBLE!
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The ongoing stalemate between the Blue Sky Sword King and the Night Emperor filled Namgung Su with unease. If neither side had gained an advantage after so long, then it must be a deliberate ploy on the Night Emperor's part.
Is he stalling for time? ...No, I'm worrying too much. That isn't something I can resolve with my power anyway.
Namgung Su shook his head to clear away the ominous thoughts and focused on what he could do—deal with the remnants of the Blood Cult.
"Tighten the sword formation. I suspect that the Asura Demon Sword will try to escape soon..."
BOOOOOM!
An earsplitting roar erupted from the Patriarch's quarters as a blinding light shot skyward.
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In the next instant, a figure launched himself over the wall with incredible speed.
"It's the Asura Demon Sword!"
"Attack!"
The martial artists maintaining the sword formation instantly raised their weapons, unleashing a barrage of sword qi at the Asura Demon Sword. However, as if he had anticipated their attack, he nimbly dodged the incoming sword qi and took advantage of a gap in the encirclement to disappear into the distance.
Namgung Su narrowed his eyes. The Asura Demon Sword's right arm has been severed! The elders should be able to defeat him now!
He immediately gave an order, "Elders, chase after the Asura Demon Sword!"
"Understood!"
"You damned son of a bitch! Where do you think you're going after causing this disaster?!"
"I will chase you to the ends of hell and grind your bones to dust!"
The Namgung Clan's elders, filled with rage, chased after the Asura Demon Sword. Meanwhile, Namgung Su headed towards the Patriarch's quarters with his brothers, who quickly ran ahead of him.
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They soon found the Namgung Patriarch, the Ironblood Swordsman Namgung Cheon, standing amidst the ruins of his quarters. Blood flowed freely from his right eye, a grim testament to the battle's ferocity.
He had lost an eye in exchange for the Asura Demon Sword's arm, and his pale face betrayed the severity of his internal injuries.
Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok immediately panicked and rushed in to support their father.
"Father! Is your eye alright?"
"Physician! Bring a physician immediately!"
"...There's no need to fuss," Namgung Cheon groaned, shaking off his eldest and second son's hands. Despite losing an eye, he was the Namgung Patriarch and a transcendent martial master. He could not afford to show weakness and alarm the Namgung martial artists during this period of uncertainty.
TAP, TAP!
Carrying himself with a dignified air, Namgung Cheon emerged from the Patriarch's quarters and came to a halt before Namgung Su.
The moment the father and son faced each other, a strange silence fell over the area.
"I heard your voice while I was fighting."
"......"
The Namgung Patriarch smiled. "I wondered who the remarkable fellow was who was doing my job for me was... and the answer took me by surprise. Well done, Su. You saved our family.
"I simply did what I should as a son of the Namgung Clan Patriarch," the Namgung Clan's Third Young Master replied respectfully.
The Patriarch's eyebrows twitched. "As a son of the Namgung Clan Patriarch, you say?"
The question hung heavy in the air, its implications sending shockwaves through the brothers' rivalry for succession.
GULP!
Namgung Hak and Namgung Heok watched Namgung Su with tense expressions, and they were not alone. Every eye in the central training grounds was fixed on him.
Meeting the Patriarch's gaze confidently, the Third Young Master of the Namgung Clan replied, "Yes."