Chapter 1200
How on earth did you survive this? (5)
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“Listen, Young Lord.”
Tang Gunak sighed deeply before speaking.
“Going to Hainan in Gangnam is far more dangerous than you might think. Even if the goal is to go unnoticed with a small group.”
“I understand, Lord.”
“But still, Young Lord… Are you really planning to go to Haenam yourself, even though you are essentially the lord of Namgung clan?”
Tang Gunak raised his voice a bit as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Is it not because you really don’t know what will happen if something happens to you in Namgung’s current situation, right?”
Although it was a rational point, Namgung Dowi simply smiled calmly.
“I am well aware of that.”
“Yet, you still intend to go to Haenam?”
“Yes.”
Seeing his resolute answer without a hint of hesitation, Tang Gunak closed his eyes tightly.
‘Namgung Hwang was probably better.’
Namgung Hwang also had his flaws, but it was more related to his inability to control his emotions rather than lacking in foresight.
But this young man, unlike Namgung Hwang, considers every aspect without letting emotions interfere and still arrives at the same conclusion as his father.
If the process is different but the result is the same, wouldn’t it be easier to deal with the one whose process is flawed?
“Young Lord…”
“Acting Leader.”
At that moment, Namgung Dowi turned his head to look at Baek Cheon.
“Yes, Young Lord.”
“What are your thoughts, Acting Leader? Since you’ve taken on the role of Hwasan’s Sect Leader, will you stay behind and send your disciples to Haenam?”
Baek Cheon shrugged in response.
“There is no such thing as an Acting Leader staying behind in Hwasan. Hwasan’s Acting Leader is the one who acts first and foremost. Naturally, I will be the one to go to Haenam myself.”
Namgung Dowi looked at Tang Gunak as if to say, ‘There you have it.’
“…”
“Hwasan’s Acting Leader will personally go to Haenam. Why would Namgung’s Young Lord withdraw? Although Namgung clan may not match Hwasan in terms of power now, at least we won’t yield in terms of determination.”
“No… it’s not about feeling competitive over such trivial matters…”
“That’s not all. As Lord Tang mentioned, Namgung clan is not in its best condition right now. Most of the prominent figures who represented Namgung in the past lost their lives at Mehwado. As a result, there are not many individuals left in Namgung who can represent the clan solely based on their name.”
“… “
“So…”
Namgung Dowi straightened his shoulders as he began to speak.
“As someone who directly experienced the events caused by Gupailbang and knows how cruel Sapaeryon can be, as a member of Namgung clan who represents the clan’s position and can harmonize well with those heading to Haenam to ensure the success of all missions.”
“…”
“In Namgung clan, there is no one else who fits this role besides me.”
Tang Gunak shut his mouth like a clam. He tried to find some rebuttal, but he couldn’t come up with anything. The argument was almost flawless in its logic.
Therefore, Tang Gunak had no choice but to say the words that were unlike him.
“Young Lord…”
“Yes, Lord Tang.”
“As you know, your father and I had a friendly relationship. While we couldn’t say we were friends, it wasn’t difficult for us to share a drink together.”
“I understand. If our circumstances were different, perhaps you and my father would have been even closer.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
Tang Gunak let out a deep sigh.
“So, shouldn’t you also consider my position a bit? If something goes wrong with this expedition, how will I face that friend of mine?”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Namgung Dowi smiled softly.
“I know my father well enough to know that he wouldn’t blame me for going to Haenam. Instead, he’d blame me for not going. That’s the kind of person he was.”
“…”
Tang Gunak was left speechless. Indeed, Namgung Hwang was truly that kind of person.
“Well, don’t you have an uncle?”
“My uncle suffered deep wounds in the past incident, making it difficult for him to endure long journeys. How could I, as his nephew, ask such a favor from my injured uncle?”
“Uh…”
If it were Namgung Myeong, he would have immediately responded with something like, ‘What? I’m perfectly fine,’ but unfortunately, Namgung Myeong wasn’t present.
“Um, well…”
As Tang Gunak struggled to find his words, Maeng So nudged him and opened his mouth to speak.
“It seems even Lord Tang finds himself in a difficult position.”
Upon hearing this, Tang Gunak let out a deep sigh.
In truth, Tang Gunak wasn’t someone who would typically hinder or interfere with others’ matters, or come up with various reasons to hold someone back. He tended to observe things around him calmly, almost with an indifferent attitude.
However, now that he found himself in a position to lead Cheonumaeng’s meeting, he realized that if he behaved as he usually did, everyone would fall into chaos in less than three days.
‘Alliance Leader…’
Suddenly, Tang Gunak keenly felt the weight of Hyun Jong’s responsibilities as the head of Cheonumaeng.
There were times when he felt frustrated by why he had to intervene in every little matter when things could simply go as the children wished…
‘But these children are the kind who would even go to Xiyu [Western Regions] if you didn’t intervene.’
So, even if he couldn’t change the outcome, there was significance in intervening itself.
“Fine. I suppose there’s no changing your mind… Of course, there isn’t. I understand for now.”
After letting out a deep sigh, Tang Gunak spoke again.
“No, but my initial question was whether you agreed with Hwasan’s opinion…”
“From the Ice Palace I will go myself!”
“…”
Tang Gunak turned his head with a soulless expression. He saw Seol Sobaek with a very flushed face.
“Of course, there are many remarkable and outstanding individuals in the Ice Palace. However, our reputation in the Central Plains is not high, so no matter who goes, it would be difficult to make a significant impression.”
“No, Palace Lord, but…”
“That’s why I believe it’s right for me to go. Even though I may be lacking in influence, as the lord of the Ice Palace, I still hold a persuasive power due to my position, don’t you think?”
In that moment, Tang Gunak’s mind flashed with the faces of the elders of the Ice Palace, looking at Seol Sobaek with approving eyes.
‘Our lord will undoubtedly become an outstanding ruler, rewriting the history of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.’
“There’s no disagreement within that sentiment, but…”
Elders. If that was your intention, you shouldn’t have brought that child here… Or at least kept him away from that wretched human being…
Tang Gunak’s gaze shifted to Chung Myung, who was happily looking at Seol Sobaek with eyes that said, ‘Wow, you’ve grown up so well.’
That person is the source of all evil. The source of all evil…
“Palace Lord… My question was whether you agree with Hwasan’s opinion…”
“Agree! Of course, I agree! There’s no disagreement.”
“No, it’s too hasty…”
“The Ice Palace was able to rise again with the help of Hwasan from its isolated and abandoned state. If Hwasan hadn’t come to the Northern Sea, would we be here now?”
Tang Gunak quickly closed his mouth.
“A person must understand their duty to be considered human. How can the Ice Palace, which rose again in such circumstances, turn away from those in a similar situation?”
“Yes, that’s right. Of course.”
If someone else had said these words, Tang Gunak would have immediately responded with ‘It’s just a reality.’ But in front of Seol Sobaek, he couldn’t bring himself to say such things. Advising that child in that manner would have felt like trampling on a growing sprout.
Tang Gunak often keenly felt how even a young age could be a weapon.
“That’s a good idea.”
“Palace Lord!”
Maeng So spoke with a humble expression.
“Just make sure you think of a way to persuade the elders, alright?”
“Oh… Well, that’s…”
Seeing Seol Sobaek’s flustered expression, Maeng So chuckled.
“As a fellow palace lord, let me offer you some advice.”
“Yes! I’ll listen carefully.”
“Sometimes, you need to understand and leverage your position as a lord. There are times when agreement isn’t important, especially when it comes to things that must be done.”
“Oh…”
“After this meeting, come to my place, and I’ll show you what ‘persuasion’ means for a lord.”
“Thank you.”
“What are you teaching the child…”
“As he is the lord of the Ice Palace, you can’t really call him a child anymore, can you?”
Tang Gunak’s eyes wavered.
If he were to disagree here, wouldn’t it be ignoring the position of Ice Palace’s lord? From his perspective, it was an utterly unspeakable thought.
Whether he knew how Tang Gunak felt or not, Seol Sobaek turned to Maeng So with a flushed face.
“And what about you, Palace Lord? Will you go yourself?”
“Beast Palace won’t be participating this time.”
“Why not?”
“Because we’re outsiders.”
Maeng So chuckled.
“Even though Cheonumaeng doesn’t see us that way, people from the Central Plain still have prejudices against outsiders. Even if we both went and tried to persuade them, we wouldn’t leave a good impression on them.”
“…But the members of Haenam sect are also from a remote place.”
“Then it’s decided that the Ice Palace can go, but it’s not ideal for both outer palaces to participate. This decision is for Cheonumaeng.”
“Hmm.”
Seol Sobaek nodded with a firm expression.
“Besides, isn’t the representative of the Beast Palace already decided? And that’s a very important role to undertake.”
“Grrrr!”
“Is this brat showing his teeth to humans? Maybe he needs another beating to come to his senses?”
As Baek Ah growled with a flushed face, he glanced at Chung Myung and upon hearing his voice sullenly scratched the ground.
Observing this scene blankly, Seol Sobaek nodded as if understanding.
“…I see.”
Here, there are people who treat spirit beasts like humans and those who truly treat them as such.
It’s the same words, but the meaning is so… Different. Yeah, really different.
“Then, what about the remaining sect…”
All eyes turned to one place.
And the person who received those gazes immediately responded as if already prepared.
“Beon Chung! Beon Chung will go.”
Im Sobyeong’s expression was desperate.
“Sending a member of Sapa there in the first place would only create a bad impression, not a good one, wouldn’t it? It’s best to avoid our involvement, but if that doesn’t sit well with you, I’ll send Beon Chung. He’s strong, so he’d make a good porter too!”
“….”
“Or if that’s not okay, no problem. I’ll immediately prepare detailed personnel files for Ten Shadows of Nokrim [녹림십영(綠林十影)] and the Nokrim elders! Just pick anyone from there! Whoever you choose, I’ll send them right away…”
“Hey.”
“…”
Chung Myung interrupted him harshly.
“Stop that nonsense and come along.”
“Why does… why does Sapa need to go to Haenam?”
“Enough already. Just come.”
“…If it’s just going to worsen… the perception.”
“I said come.”
“…”
“It’s decided that Nokrim King will go.”
Im Sobyeong’s participation was decided in a moment, regardless of his own wishes.
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