Chapter 06

Namgung Cheon strode into the council hall without seeking anyone’s permission.

His footsteps were not loud, yet strangely, they silenced every other sound in the chamber.

He stopped beside the empty seat that belonged to him at the far end of where the elders sat.

Then he respectfully bowed toward Zhuge Hwa, who sat at the head of the hall.

“Greetings, Acting Patriarch.”

The moment he raised his head, Seventh Elder Namgung Do spoke as if he had been waiting for this opportunity.

“Ahem. Third Young Master, what took you so long? The meeting has been underway for quite some time.”

It was an obvious attempt to seize the initiative.

But Namgung Cheon showed no sign of flusteredness as he calmly replied,

“I was never summoned.”

“…”

A flicker of surprise crossed Namgung Do’s face.

Slowly sweeping his gaze across the hall, Namgung Cheon spoke once more.

“Was I summoned to this meeting by anyone? Was there perhaps a message that failed to reach me?”

A heavy silence immediately descended.

Several elders stiffened as though their shameful intentions had been exposed.

After confirming their silence, Namgung Cheon looked directly at the Seventh Elder and continued.

“You never called for me, yet you speak so casually of me being late.”

“…”

Namgung Do’s face flushed red with humiliation and anger.

Meanwhile, a clear smile appeared on Zhuge Hwa’s lips.

Breaking the silence, she spoke.

“That is enough. The Seventh Elder misspoke. You are correct. Since you were not summoned, you cannot be considered late. Take your seat.”

With the Acting Patriarch personally settling the matter, Namgung Do could do nothing but tremble with frustration.

His dignity had been thoroughly trampled from the very beginning.

Namgung Cheon sat down as if to emphasize the point.

The atmosphere in the hall changed noticeably because of his confident demeanor.

His gaze swept over the elders once more.

In his previous life, they were people he would have executed without hesitation.

And amusingly enough, even after awakening in the body of a Namgung, they still treated him like an enemy.

Just a bunch of trash that knows only how to wag their tongues.

He would never allow himself to be swayed by them.

Without delay, Namgung Cheon moved to the main topic.

“Grant me the Jacheon Pavilion.”

The Jacheon Pavilion.

Located at the very heart of the clan, it was a place where generations of patriarchs had handled state affairs and received heroes from across the world.

It was where the history of the Namgung Clan began and where it was recorded.

At the same time, it was the largest and most magnificent building in the clan, used to host distinguished guests and important banquets.

It was the very face of the Namgung Clan.

For that reason, it was second in importance only to the Patriarch’s Residence and could be occupied solely by the Patriarch or the Young Patriarch.

To possess the Jacheon Pavilion was tantamount to declaring that one would soon hold the Namgung Clan in their hands.

“…Have you lost your mind?”

“He’s insane! Getting a Sword Blessing must have driven him mad!”

Cries of shock and outrage erupted among the elders.

Namgung Do immediately leapt to his feet.

“Acting Patriarch! What sort of absurd request is this? This is not merely greed—it is arrogance! Such words shake the very foundations of the clan!”

The moment he spoke, the other elders joined in.

“That’s right! The Jacheon Pavilion? Even the Eldest Young Master was satisfied with receiving the Flying Dragon Pavilion!”

The Flying Dragon Pavilion.

A respectable residence by ordinary standards.

But compared to the Jacheon Pavilion, it was little better than a stable.

“This is a clear case of someone forgetting his place and disregarding the hierarchy of the clan!”

The meeting hall instantly descended into chaos.

Yet Namgung Cheon paid them no attention.

His gaze remained fixed solely on Zhuge Hwa.

When the uproar eventually died down, he finally spoke.

His eyes still rested on the only person in the room with the authority to decide.

“I was not asking the elders.”

His mother.

The Acting Patriarch.

Not a figurehead, but the true holder of power within the clan.

“I was speaking to the Acting Patriarch. Therefore, the answer…”

The eyes of Namgung Cheon and Zhuge Hwa met in midair.

“Should come from the Acting Patriarch herself.”

The moment his words ended, silence filled the chamber.

Every gaze turned toward a single person.

Zhuge Hwa.

* * *

Zhuge Hwa watched everything unfold while resting her chin on her hand.

A woman of the Zhuge Clan serving as Acting Patriarch of the world’s greatest sword clan was unprecedented.

Yet no one dared question her qualifications.

She was a supreme expert who had reached the peak of the Transcendent Realm.

Even within the Namgung Clan, her martial prowess ranked among the very best.

Nor was that all.

Long ago, during the Great War between the Orthodox and Demonic factions that had drenched the world in blood, she had remained at Patriarch Namgung Mugang’s side like a shadow.

Time and time again, she had altered the course of battlefields.

People often said that her intellect was sharper than the Namgung Clan’s swords.

Thus, when the Patriarch left the clan and entrusted all authority to her, the elders had no choice but to accept it.

Now, that same Zhuge Hwa quietly observed her youngest son as he boldly demanded the Jacheon Pavilion.

Even if a Sword Blessing can change a person’s temperament, this is far too drastic.

Just yesterday, he had been weak and unremarkable.

Yet after only a single night, he was fearlessly overturning the board against seasoned elders.

A possibility crossed her mind.

What if this child had been hiding his claws all along?

What if he had endured years of humiliation and neglect while patiently waiting for an opportunity like this?

If so, then his patience and cunning are truly frightening.

Either way, it did not matter.

The fact remained that her son was extraordinary.

As she thought this, Namgung Cheon’s gaze met hers precisely.

“The answer should come from the Acting Patriarch herself.”

It was a clever move.

He had shifted the entire decision onto her shoulders.

For the first time in a very long while, Zhuge Hwa found herself genuinely intrigued by her youngest son.

A faint smile appeared on her crimson lips.

“Hah.”

At that small chuckle, everyone in the hall held their breath.

“Among my children, I always believed Lin was the one who resembled me most in intellect. Perhaps I was mistaken.”

She removed her hand from her chin and sat upright.

That simple motion alone altered the atmosphere of the room.

“Very well. Since you have obtained not one but two Sword Blessings, it is only natural that you should be entitled to ask for something.”

At those words, Tenth Elder Namgung Baek’s face brightened.

But her next sentence shattered everyone’s expectations.

“However, I cannot grant you the Jacheon Pavilion.”

She delivered her conclusion firmly.

“Leaving aside its symbolic significance, it is used for clan affairs and for receiving important guests. It is not a building that can be handed over solely for your personal use.”

Looking directly at Namgung Cheon, she continued.

“Ask for something else. Something befitting your achievement and something I can reasonably accept.”

Namgung Baek’s face instantly turned pale.

Meanwhile, smiles spread across the faces of Namgung Do and the opposing faction.

Everyone stared at Namgung Cheon.

Certain he would react with anger or disappointment.

Yet his expression remained unchanged.

As if he had anticipated this outcome from the very beginning.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately offered an alternative.

“Then allow me to revise my request.”

His calm voice silenced the hall once more.

Facing Zhuge Hwa, he continued.

“I will forgo the Jacheon Pavilion. Instead…”

He paused briefly and slowly surveyed everyone present.

After taking in the various emotions on the elders’ faces, he spoke again.

“I ask for two things.”

His first request emerged.

“First, grant me the authority to pursue my own path without interference from anyone.”

“What?!”

Gasps of shock erupted among the elders.

But Namgung Cheon ignored them and continued with his second request.

“Second, I want the clan’s treasured artifact—the Heavenly King Heart-Replenishing Pill.”

“The Heavenly King Heart-Replenishing Pill?!”

The moment its name was spoken, several elders sprang to their feet.

The Heavenly King Heart-Replenishing Pill.

The finest spiritual medicine of the Namgung Clan.

It could only be refined once every several decades, when the spiritual energy of the Daebyeol Mountains reached its purest state.

Even past patriarchs had granted it only rarely, and only to direct descendants who had rendered extraordinary service.

Namgung Do shouted in disbelief.

“What nonsense is this?! Third Young Master, are you in your right mind?”

Yet Namgung Cheon did not even glance at him.

From beginning to end, his eyes remained fixed solely on Zhuge Hwa.

As though no one else in the room even possessed the right to participate in this decision.

“The Heavenly King Heart-Replenishing Pill…”

Zhuge Hwa softly repeated the name.

Her gaze sharpened.

She seemed to be measuring the capacity of the vessel standing before her.

“Can you withstand it?”

It was not a question.

It was a warning.

The pill’s energy was overwhelmingly powerful.

If mishandled, the recipient’s body could collapse before they managed to absorb it.

Yet Namgung Cheon answered without hesitation.

“I know my own limits better than anyone.”

At that arrogant reply, a satisfied smile finally appeared on Zhuge Hwa’s face.

“An interesting proposal.”

Just as she was about to make her decision, Namgung Do hurriedly interjected.

“Acting Patriarch, surely you cannot—!”

But Zhuge Hwa did not even look at him.

Her eyes remained fixed on her son.

“I approve.”

Two simple words.

The entire hall erupted into murmurs.

Yet no one dared object.

They merely waited for her next words.

Zhuge Hwa continued.

“Furthermore, from this day forward, you are under no obligation to report your actions to anyone. Go wherever you wish. Do whatever you desire.”

She paused and swept a cold gaze across the hall.

“However, there is a condition.”

Her eyes sharpened.

“You must protect that freedom with your own strength. Any consequences arising from your actions shall be yours alone to bear. The clan will provide neither assistance nor protection. Do you still accept?”

She was removing the walls around him.

But in exchange, she was casting him into the storm.

Even the schemes and hostility of his own blood relatives would have to be endured alone.

Yet a smile spread across Namgung Cheon’s face.

“Of course. That is exactly what I wanted.”

Zhuge Hwa nodded.

“The Heavenly King Heart-Replenishing Pill will be delivered to your residence tomorrow morning.”

Namgung Cheon rose and bowed deeply.

“Thank you for granting my request.”

Then he turned and walked toward the exit without a trace of hesitation.

Just as his hand touched the door handle, a secret voice entered his ears.

A voice transmission from Zhuge Hwa.

I have released you into the wilderness as you wished. Whether you become a wolf or a lost sheep, prove it yourself. I look forward to seeing the result, my son.

Namgung Cheon did not turn around.

His hand remained steady on the door.

Yet a smile appeared on his lips that no one could see.

Looking forward to it…

He had never expected her to fail to see through his intentions.

Nor was her decision born merely from maternal affection.

It’s a test.

Granting the highest degree of freedom while casting him into the deepest loneliness.

A cruel and twisted form of love.

The parents in this family are all troublesome.

With that brief thought, Namgung Cheon pushed the door open.

Blinding light poured in.

As he stepped toward it, he answered inwardly.

Wait for me.

But that answer was not directed at his mother.

It was meant for the old wolves sitting inside the council hall—the Seventh Elder and all those who stood with him.

He understood perfectly what the freedom he had been granted truly meant.

It was the freedom to pass judgment.

Before long, I will bring every last one of you down.