Part 1

Episode 26. Namgung Clan Head

Namgung Jin remained silent.

The Clan Head had mentioned it first, so he could have shifted the blame, but Namgung Jin instead kept his mouth shut, wearing an expression as if he knew nothing.

Namgung An, who had been listening to the long silence, let out a bitter laugh.

‘Fine. If that is your choice.’

He placed the letter down on the window frame as if putting it away and said,

“I know that you are neither that arrogant nor that hasty. If you doubted the Tang Clan, I believe there must have been a reason for it. However.”

Namgung An suddenly emphasized the end of his sentence.

“You lost.”

His dark eyes, buried in the backlight, rebuked him.

“The fact that you failed to protect either Namgung’s interests or its honor was not because of a wrong judgment or mistake, but because you entered a board you could never win from the beginning.”

The Clan Head’s voice gradually filled with anger.

“There are countless martial sects in the world, but none dare think of standing against Namgung alone. No one can deny that Namgung is the greatest clan in the world and one of the leading powers in the Central Plains. However, that does not mean you are the best in the world.”

“…….”

“You are the Young Lord of the greatest clan, but it does not mean that you, the Young Lord of Namgung, are the greatest in the world.”

He suddenly let out a hollow laugh.

“Zhuge Cheon-hwi—no, we don’t even have to go that far.Tang Hak, Liran Iran, and Hwangbo Rim.”

The Clan Head recited the names of the Young Lords of the Five Noble Clans one by one.

“I’m not saying this just because you’re the Young Lord of the clan, but even if you are compared side by side with them, you are not lacking. No, I can assert that you are superior. However, the matters of the Alliance are different from duels. You can’t simply apply a life-and-death duel to them. Rather, it is closer to a chaotic battle. Since the enemies are not just one.”

Namgung An spoke longer than usual. It was surprising enough that he spoke his thoughts so plainly, and even more that he explained them in case they were not understood.

“Even if you defeat Zhuge Cheon-hwi, Liran Iran could spring out from an unexpected place, and just when you think you have subdued Tang Hak, Hwangbo Rim could strike your back. Isn’t that a chaotic battle in itself? You cannot recognize every move pouring in from all directions, and while blocking the false attacks of enemies, you could fall prey to the real mistakes of allies. Even a retainer who is supposed to watch your back could stab you with a concealed weapon hidden in their sleeve. Then what should you do?”

Namgung Jin waited for the answer the Clan Head would give.

However, Namgung An said something unexpected.

“Do nothing.”

Namgung Jin furrowed his brows, unable to understand. Namgung An spoke again.

“If someone has set the board, the wise thing to do is not to enter it. If you observe from outside as the foolish ones fight, the victory will naturally come to you.”

“…….”

“But you entered the board that the Tang Clan set up and were completely defeated. Look, the Tang Clan you suspected has received the greatest reward, and even those who merely watched from outside gained benefits, didn’t they?”

The Clan Head looked at the Young Lord, who had bowed his head.

“The Tang Clan did nothing. They merely pushed you into a chaotic battle.”

Namgung An asked in a voice filled with regret.

“I know there was consultation in your decision. But Jin-ah, you fought risking your life—what did you gain? Did you avenge Cheong-hae? Did you find the root of the Blood Sect? Was your honor acknowledged?”

Namgung Jin silently listened to the Clan Head’s rebukes that pierced him like arrows.

The Clan Head, who swallowed a sigh, asked again.

“Do you know why I called you here?”

Although it sounded like he was scolding him, it did not seem like he had summoned him just to lecture him.

After organizing his thoughts, Namgung Jin honestly revealed his ignorance.

“I apologize, but I do not understand the deep meaning of the Clan Head’s words.”

Namgung An let out a hollow laugh at that answer.

“It is to etch into your memory your first defeat that drove the clan into crisis.”

Namgung Jin slowly raised his head. Then, the face of the Clan Head, wearing a bitter expression, came into view.

The Clan Head’s voice flowed out deeply, like a sigh.

“From now on, you will make countless choices with the future of Namgung on the line. Each time, the memory of this day will hold you back.”

The Clan Head was smiling. However, it was not a pleasant smile. It was a sorrowful look, as if comforting a crying child.

“One day, you will be forced to ponder what you must abandon to protect Namgung. It will be such a difficult choice that you might even think it would be easier to simply give up your life. Yet, even then, you must make a choice. Even if the day comes when you are forced to surrender everything just to minimize the damage, you will not be able to run away.”

“……”

“You may even have to sacrifice all those you cherish. Even so, there will be no gain left to you.”

Heavy words were carried in a calm voice.

“Right now, you have made the worst possible choice you could make. Because of your choice, Namgung has turned the Tang Clan, Emei Sect, the Zhuge Clan, Wudang Sect, Mount Hua Sect, and Mount Zhongnan Sect all into enemies. Although it is not a conflict involving life and death, it has still created a miserable situation where Namgung must give up its assets and beg for their forgiveness. Moreover, you have insulted the household members who have sacrificed their entire lives for the clan.”

Because there was no anger felt in his words, they were all the more frightening.

“If another had brought such harm to Namgung, they would not have been forgiven merely by forfeiting their life. The Murim Alliance bastards would have clamored, demanding that you be handed over to them for punishment. However, now, you are forgiven with just compensation, without receiving any punishment from the Murim Alliance. No one in Namgung dares to ask for you to be punished, and I, too, have no intention of lowering your prestige by punishing you, my son and successor. In reality, you have lost nothing and been absolved of your mistake.”

Absolution.

That word weighed heavily on Namgung Jin’s chest.

An even heavier voice pierced Namgung Jin’s ears.

“Remember this day, Jin-ah.”

“……”

“As long as the name Namgung stands before you, even when you make a grave mistake that puts lives at risk, you will be given a second chance.”

Namgung An emphasized it once more, as if to carve it into him.

“You will always be given another chance.”

Could the word “chance” feel so terrifying?

Neither the one who spoke it nor the one who heard it had any joy on their faces.

Namgung An slowly closed and opened his eyes. The emotions that had filled his gaze were now completely emptied.

“Therefore, do not be mired in your mistakes. You must prepare for the next opportunity. The reason Namgung protects you is because you must continue to bear those difficult choices as the one who will lead Namgung.”

Only now did he seem to understand why his father had called him here.

This was not a private meeting between the Clan Head and the Young Lord.

It was advice from a father who had become the head of the clan just a little earlier.

A kind piece of advice to teach him the weight of choice.

Because the Clan Head’s decisions were no longer just his own, but the choices of the entire clan.

His father had given him cowardly advice to avoid, as much as possible, situations where he would have to make a choice. It was a shameful piece of advice, something a Clan Head should not say.

A weak piece of advice that said the price of choice would not be his own life, but the sacrifice of the clan.

Since prioritizing agreement would mean putting the lives of those who protected him on the line, it sounded to Namgung Jin like a warning not to prioritize agreement.

Suddenly, a faint laughter crept into the Clan Head’s voice.

“Fortunately, you are not yet the one leading the clan. You are still merely my son, hiding under my protection.”

Namgung An straightened his posture and placed both hands on the windowsill. Then, with sunken eyes, he looked down at Namgung Jin.

“I will not punish you for this matter. When you become the Clan Head, even if you make a mistake, there will be no one to punish you. Today, I simply wanted to show you that.”

Those words felt heavier than any scolding or punishment.

Responsibility.

Though he had not yet properly shouldered it, just gauging its weight was suffocating.

As Namgung Jin looked up at the Clan Head, he was struck by how far away that place seemed.

He had always thought he was preparing well, but he realized he was wrong.

The day he would ascend to that seat still felt very distant. No, it needed to be distant.

As he quietly knelt, Namgung Jin suddenly opened his mouth.

“Though it may be presumptuous, this child wishes to be punished.”

At the unexpected words, the Clan Head furrowed his brows.

Namgung Jin straightened his back properly. The sunlight that poured in split Namgung Jin’s face diagonally. His expression, cast aside as sharply as a blade, stared directly at the Clan Head.

“I still find responsibility burdensome. I am not yet prepared to understand the feelings of the Clan Head. I feel I still have a long way to go. No, I am far from it.”

His dry tone was filled with earnestness.

Namgung Jin continued to speak his thoughts steadfastly, even as the Clan Head remained silent.

“As I am now, I am not strong enough to ponder the next opportunity.”

“And?”

Namgung Jin bowed his head as if pleading.

“If you would permit it, I would like to enter seclusion training. I will train diligently so that I may fully understand your teachings.”

Namgung Jin could not see the Clan Head’s expression, but the Clan Head’s lips curved slightly.

However, he asked in a subdued voice, like a man suppressing his anger.

“You wish to enter seclusion?”

“Yes. If you permit, I will enter seclusion training for one year to reflect upon myself.”

“Will a mere year suffice?”

Sensing something was wrong, Namgung Jin raised his head.

The Clan Head quickly wiped the smile from his lips and scowled.

“If you were not the Young Lord of Namgung, you might have been dragged before the Murim Alliance and subjected to who knows what. Hiding the resurgence of the Blood Sect, framing allied clans as Blood Sect collaborators—such crimes. Because of that, you severely damaged Namgung’s finances and tarnished the honor of household members who had elevated the clan’s prestige. And yet you think—a mere, a paltry one year of seclusion can settle such sins?!”

As Namgung An shouted, Namgung Jin immediately corrected himself.

“I will enter seclusion training for three years.”

“Three years is too long. You have countless responsibilities now. Are you planning to leave all your work to others for three whole years? Moreover, because of you, the chief administrator and the treasurer must completely redo the plans they had built over ten years. I just warned you about the clan’s sacrifices—how can you so irresponsibly choose to abandon your duties!”

Namgung Jin did not immediately respond. But the silence did not last long.

After making his decision, Namgung Jin spoke again.

“I will enter seclusion training for two years. I will thoroughly complete all preparations so that my absence causes no disruption to the clan, and then enter seclusion. Also, I will personally visit the Tang Clan, Emei Sect, Zhuge Clan, Wudang Sect, Mount Hua Sect, and Mount Zhongnan Sect to offer reparations and apologize for my mistakes.”

Satisfied with the answer, the Clan Head’s lips once again curved slightly.

“Indeed, a crisis contains both danger and opportunity. Depending on how one faces it, a crisis can become an opportunity. Good. If that is your will, then turn this incident into an opportunity.”

“Yes.”

“Leave now.”

Namgung Jin rose from his seat.

After bowing silently, he closed the door without making a sound and left the Clan Head’s room.

The expression on the Young Lord’s face as he descended the stairs was peculiar.

He had never thought of himself as arrogant, but now he realized that he had indeed been arrogant.

Not only the Clan Head, but even the senior household members seated high above him treated him with respect, and so he had deluded himself into thinking he stood on the same level as they did.

‘Despite being so utterly weak.’

Namgung Jin recalled his conversation with Zhuge In-hwi.

The leader of the Blood Sect members who had survived the hands of the Black Sky Demon—a man even the Lord of the Four Seasons Hall of the main headquarters had deemed dangerous.

The Blood Sect members he had faced on Mount Emei had not been weak. And yet, there were those even stronger than them.

He did not know the structure of the Blood Sect, but seeing how they had leaked the Tang Clan of Sichuan’s poison and infiltrated the main headquarters, it was clear that their scale was by no means small.

Surely, there would be someone even stronger than that leader.

Namgung Jin’s gaze darkened.

‘I must become stronger.’

Fortunately, he still had those who would protect him.

As long as the towering mountain of Namgung stood firm, there was time.

Thus, he had to grow stronger quickly. When the day came that he had to face them again, he did not want to be so weak that he would end up forcing his household members onto a deadly path.

It was not a shabby study, but the place where the most important decisions were made.

Learning the meaning of that space, Namgung Jin’s steps grew heavy, yet at the same time, his heart lightened upon realizing that the towering mountain still stood to support him.

The Clan Head listened to the fading footsteps of the Young Lord and reflected on his own past.

In his days as Young Lord, he had left this room quickly, relieved by the fact that he had been forgiven.

Later, after becoming Clan Head, he returned to this room many times, agonizing over countless decisions.

Just as most of the choices he had made brought him regret, so too did the choice he made as a Young Lord.

He realized too late that even being allowed to receive punishment was a privilege.

If only he had made more mistakes and gained more enlightenment while there were still those to take responsibility for him. If he had, the choices he faced later might have been a little easier. He regretted having spent his younger days merely fearing making mistakes.

Namgung An let out a hollow laugh and turned his gaze toward the window.

Beneath the vast sky, he saw the Young Lord’s back as he departed from the Clan Head’s residence.

His back, seen from behind, looked even more reliable than when they faced each other, and it brought him joy.

Today, his successor has made a different choice.

Watching the successor choose a different path from his own, Namgung An envisioned the future of Namgung alone.

And he wished for one thing.

He quietly prayed to the heavens that there would be no great dangers awaiting that child’s future.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep