Make the Namgung Family Great Again – Chapter 44

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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After confirming Li Zi-long’s death, Namgung-Woo let his arm fall limply to his side and a wave of exhaustion washed over him.

Exhaustion from having erased the only lead he had.

Exhaustion from completely depleting his lower and middle dantians.

And the shock of taking a human life, even one as monstrous as Li Zi-long’s.

But he didn’t dwell on the gloom.

Behind him, the Ghost Domain receded, revealing the sky tinged with the first light of dawn.

It was as if the world was offering him a glimmer of hope and he smiled.

His hand felt light, not just from emotional release, but physically.

His sword, fractured and broken, crumbled into dust, scattering in the early morning breeze.

The battle had taken its toll.

He’d unleashed the full force of his Yang-aligned True Qi, repeatedly using the aggressive, energy-intensive secret arts of the Thirteen Lightning Sword Techniques.

It was a miracle his sword had lasted as long as it did.

Swords were consumable, after all. No matter how cherished, they eventually wore down, their edges dulled, their lifespans finite.

Only legendary weapons, those that transcended the ordinary, were called divine blades or treasured swords.

‘Even such a fine sword couldn’t withstand it. Li Zi-long’s sorcery must have been incredibly potent.’

He was grateful it had lasted this long.

If the Peng Family hadn’t provided him with a sword, he would have been in serious trouble.

The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

His True Qi depleted, Namgung-Woo watched as Guo Duan and the newcomer dealt with the aftermath.

There was nothing left for him to do.

Despite grievous injuries, Guo Duan had finished off the Sky-Gazing Howler.

The newcomer, taking over for the incapacitated Guo Duan, had effortlessly slaughtered the remaining Hou pouring from the Ghost Gate.

Finally, the newcomer unleashed a torrent of Sword Qi, shattering the Ghost Gate.

Namgung-Woo felt the Ghost Domain recede.

“It’s over…”

Li Zi-long was dead. The Gate was closed.

Having recovered a sliver of True Qi, thanks to his reconstituted Dao Lord-level body, Namgung-Woo walked towards Guo Duan.

He didn’t use the Infinite Steps, just a normal, steady gait.

“Hey, young friend, you were impressive!”

Guo Duan, practically leaning against the Sky-Gazing Howler’s corpse, raised a hand in greeting.

“You don’t look so good yourself.”

“Well, things happened.”

Namgung-Woo pushed his throbbing head to use his Ever-Clear Vision one last time.

A bluish-white light flickered in his eyes as he examined Guo Duan’s condition.

‘His lower dantian is completely shattered, and his middle dantian is half-gone.’

His golden Embroidered Uniform Guard robes were torn and revealed dark, festering wounds beneath it.

Namgung-Woo retrieved a small wooden box from his pocket. The restorative pills the Peng Family had given him.

“These are Heaven and Earth Restoration Pills from the Peng Family.”

“Oh… those are precious. Hey, Saber Sovereign, did you put in a bid for this young friend already? Tsk, I was hoping to recruit him for the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

“You’re still joking in this condition?”

There was someone else on Longevity Hill besides Namgung-Woo and Guo Duan.

Saber Sovereign Peng Hou-sang had joined them after confirming the Ghost Gate was completely gone.

He looked exhausted.

Even a superhuman like him couldn’t mask the fatigue from rushing to Beijing and joining the fight immediately.

But more than physical exhaustion, it was the sight of his old friend’s demise that weighed heavily on his heart.

“It’s a pity. If I’d taken this young friend as my successor, it would have been perfect. The Peng Family has a keen eye for talent. How did they find such a promising youngster?”

“…I wasn’t involved. Ha-ryeong said he was her benefactor, but I haven’t heard the details.”

“Is that so? Then… hmm, you might be in for some trouble.”

Guo Duan chuckled, remembering Namgung-Woo’s mention of the Martial Consort of Haedong.

Blood trickled down his chin with each laugh.

“Young friend, save those pills. They won’t work on me.”

“…Then…”

“Even a Grand Restoration Pill wouldn’t do much. Well, it might keep me alive, but you saw it yourself, my martial arts career is over.”

“You’re accepting death?”

“Yes. I have no regrets. No wife, no children. My life was dedicated to martial arts and the Imperial Family. I’ve lived a full life. I’ve always waited for a glorious death. This is it.”

Guo Duan accepted his fate with surprising serenity.

He’d dedicated his life to martial arts and the Imperial Family.

He’d forsaken family, treating his fellow Embroidered Uniform Guards as his own.

He had no regrets, no sadness.

To die fulfilling his duty.

It was a fitting end for an Embroidered Uniform Guard.

“Take this.”

He pressed something into Namgung-Woo’s hand.

The horn from the Sky-Gazing Howler’s forehead, ripped from its skull.

A gruesome trophy.

“What is this?”

“I took it when I killed the beast. It’s from a yokai on the verge of White-level. It’s a priceless treasure. Since you saved the capital, this is the least I can do.”

As Namgung-Woo accepted the horn, Guo Duan smiled with a look of contentment on his face.

“Saber Sovereign, I’m sorry, but I have nothing to give you.”

“Consider it a debt owed to the Imperial Family.”

“Then, I’m glad.”

Guo Duan’s breathing grew shallower.

His time was near.

The final flicker of his life force was fading,he dropped his playful facade, and began speaking earnestly.

“…Young friend, if you don’t want to get involved, leave now. If you stay, the Imperial Family will never let you go.”

Perhaps it was too late, considering his encounter with the Martial Consort of Haedong, but Peng Hou-sang could probably smooth things over.

Not only was he the head of the Hebei Peng Family, but he’d also earned a significant debt of gratitude from the Imperial Family for his actions in this battle.

He’d even called Namgung-Woo his daughter’s benefactor. So, He would protect him.

“But…”

“I’m dying serving the Emperor and protecting the people. I have no regrets.”

Guo Duan chuckled, seeing Namgung-Woo’s hesitation.

Righteous martial artists. At times frustratingly naive, but also truly good at heart.

He had one last request for his comrade.

“If you feel indebted, do me one favor.”

“Anything.”

“I have a disciple. I taught him my unique martial arts.”

Guo Duan’s martial arts were of two kinds.

Imperial techniques learned through his service.

And his own unique style.

He’d taught many the Imperial techniques. Almost every Guard had been trained by him.

But he’d only passed on his unique style to one disciple.

“He’s obsessed with martial arts, and wandered off into the Jianghu. I don’t know where he is. But if, cough… if you ever meet a man named Song Woo-jeol, look after him.”

Namgung-Woo etched the familiar surname into his memory.

Those were Guo Duan’s last words.

His breathing stopped. He closed his eyes with a peaceful expression on his face.

“…The world is about to become chaotic.”

Two of the four great martial artists protecting the Imperial Family were gone.

The world would soon realize the implications.

The absence of the Unrivaled Martial Artist, the absolute deterrent in the martial world.

The death of the Emperor’s First Sword, the peerless expert who purged rebels from the Jianghu.

The Imperial Family, once considered equal or superior to the entire martial world combined, had lost its absolute authority.

Peng Hou-sang saw the crumbling balance of power, the impending chaos in the Jianghu.

But that was a problem for the future. He focused on the present.

“What will you do now, young friend?”

“I’m not sure.”

“As my friend said, if you don’t want to be entangled with the Imperial Family, return to Tianjin with Ha-ryeong. I’ll handle the aftermath. You won’t be rewarded immediately, but I’ll ensure you receive proper compensation later.”

Peng Hou-sang didn’t know what had transpired between Namgung-Woo and the Hebei Peng Family.

He hadn’t rushed to Beijing because of a message from his family. There had been another reason.

Peng Ha-ryeong, worried that her father’s composure might be affected before the battle, hadn’t explained the situation in detail.

She hadn’t learned Secret Voice Transmission, and there hadn’t been enough time.

But he knew Namgung-Woo was his daughter’s savior, so he intended to treat him favorably.

Those who knew Peng Hou-sang well would be surprised by his attitude, but Namgung-Woo was unaware, and frankly, didn’t care.

In just one night, Namgung-woo felt like he had experienced too much.

And, in reality, he had.

He just wanted to rest.

“…I’ll accept your offer.”

The longest night of Namgung-Woo’s life in this new world had finally ended.

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The historian set down his brush.

The seventh month of the twelfth year of the Hongzhi Emperor’s reign.

The sorcerer Li Zi-long plotted treason on Longevity Hill, but his rebellion was swiftly quelled.

Numerous civil and military officials colluded with Li Zi-long, and the Emperor personally punished those who dared to betray him.

Once the ink dried on the pages of the [History of the Ming Dynasty], the historian retrieved another book and its title was far from ordinary: [Secret History of the Ming Dynasty: Compendium of Martial World Figures].

He opened a blank page and began to write.

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“So, who was this Li Zi-long, anyway?”

Peng Ja-ryeong asked as they sailed down the Grand Canal towards Tianjin.

Namgung-Woo, holding the opal he’d retrieved, replied calmly, “I don’t know.”

Before leaving Longevity Hill, he’d seen that Li Zi-long’s altar was made of opal, and he’d immediately questioned Pyeong Cho-yul.

The item the Yo-Pyeong Escort Agency had transported was also opal.

But Pyeong Cho-yul knew nothing and was terrified that he might be implicated in the treason.

Thanks to Namgung-Woo’s contributions, he likely wouldn’t face execution, but his dreams of expanding his business were put on hold while he underwent investigation.

Peng Ja-ryeong, not expecting a definitive answer, shrugged off his disappointment and changed the subject.

But Namgung-Woo had lied.

He knew who Li Zi-long was.

When Li Zi-long had opened the Gate of Changhe, forcing open Namgung-Woo’s celestial gate, he’d glimpsed Li Zi-long’s memories, if only for a moment.

He wasn’t sure if it was due to his Ever-Clear Vision or the Ethereal Void Divine Art.

And in those memories, Li Zi-long was called by another name.

‘Zhu Jianshen.’

Namgung-Woo knew the Imperial lineage now.

And that name was familiar.

It was the name of the former Crown Prince, the only son of the Jingtai Emperor, who had contested the throne with the Zhengtong Emperor.

But when the Zhengtong Emperor reclaimed the throne, the Jingtai Emperor’s line had fallen, and the Imperial lineage continued through the Zhengtong Emperor’s son, the current Hongzhi Emperor.

But that was strange.

‘I heard the Jingtai Emperor lost because his son, the Crown Prince, died at the age of six…’

This explained why Li Zi-long, or Zhu Jianshen, had called the current Imperial Family imposters and claimed to be the rightful emperor.

But Zhu Jianshen was supposed to be dead.

‘Well, I don’t need to dwell on it now.’

Namgung-Woo let his thoughts drift away, carried by the flowing waters of the canal.

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