STBS 03

chapter 03

As he entered the family council hall, various gazes of different reactions focused on Namgung Hyuk.

Under those stares, Namgung Hyuk calmly and confidently took his seat.

Soon, Namgung Jangcheon, the host of the meeting, appeared.

“I didn’t expect you to attend the family council.”

“I am also a rightful member of the Namgung family. Is there any reason I cannot participate?”

“No, there isn’t. Rather, I should say I’m glad you’ve joined.”

Namgung Jangcheon shook his head and smiled meaningfully.

At that expression, swallowing sounds could be heard from all around.

They were the senior members of the family, observing how the situation would unfold.

“Now then, it seems everyone who needed to be here has gathered. Let’s begin the meeting. I, Namgung Jangcheon, acting as the family head’s proxy, will preside.”

No one objected. Namgung Jangcheon seemed to expect this and continued.

“First agenda: the Geum-O Merchant Guild. They’ve requested that we send martial escorts to protect their convoy. What do you all think?”

“Of course we should send them. The Geum-O Merchant Guild is one of the Ten Great Merchant Houses of the world; maintaining good relations is important.”

“I agree as well. Rather than debating whether to send people or not, we should decide who to send.”

“How about the Changpung Unit? They would complete the mission excellently and return without issue.”

“Wait, aren’t you all being too hasty? If the Geum-O Merchant Guild has requested help from our main house, it must not be a trivial matter.”

“That’s right. If they went so far as to ask the main house, it must be serious. I think we should investigate first.”

The meeting began in earnest. Namgung Jangcheon listened to the various opinions and subtly glanced toward Namgung Hyuk.

As expected, Namgung Hyuk simply sat silently, saying nothing.

‘Hah. Just as I thought.’

Hyuk had only recently returned, so he likely didn’t even know what was happening within the family.

So even if he attended the council, he wouldn’t know what to say.

‘Stay quiet like that.’

If Namgung Hyuk continued to remain passive, it would benefit him.

After several agenda items were processed, another matter came up.

“Next is about the Huainan branch of the main house. Recently, it was attacked by an evil sect called the Geumseong Sect.”

“What!”

“They dare attack the main house!”

The senior members erupted in anger.

Even if it was a branch, the fact that the Namgung family had been attacked was serious.

In the past, this would have been unimaginable.

But now the Namgung family was in a precarious state—the family head position was vacant, and the heir was bedridden with illness.

Because of this weakness, factions seeking to exploit the Namgung family had begun to appear.

“Send the Changcheon Unit immediately to punish them!”

“Correct! If we do not set an example, others will mock the Namgung name!”

“Everyone calm down. Of course we will respond. But we must first find out what gave the Geumseong Sect the courage to act like this. Even if the main house is shaken, it is not normal for them to strike us directly.”

“Hm…”

The elders nodded.

Although the Geumseong Sect was a sizable faction, it could not compare to the Namgung family.

For them to act so boldly meant they must have backing.

“Not only must they be punished, but we also need someone to investigate. Who would be suitable?”

“I will go.”

At that moment—

Namgung Hyuk, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

Everyone looked at him in shock.

They had never expected him to volunteer.

“You?”

“Yes.”

“Think carefully. This is not a simple errand.”

“I never thought it was. I have also considered the risks.”

“And still you volunteer?”

“I was unable to contribute to the family for ten years. Shouldn’t I start helping properly now?”

“……”

The reaction of the elders split.

Some looked impressed, while others seemed uncomfortable with his participation.

Others had ambiguous expressions—these were mostly those who were not aligned with Namgung Jangcheon’s faction but also did not fully trust Hyuk.

“Hoho. Why not let the Third Young Master handle it?”

At that moment, the Elder Council Leader spoke.

“This could be a good opportunity to observe the changes in the Third Young Master that we have not yet confirmed. I also want to see whether he can handle this task well.”

“Hmm…”

“If the Council Leader says so…”

Since his influence in the council was on par with Namgung Jangcheon, many changed their stance.

Namgung Jangcheon, reading the atmosphere, asked Hyuk:

“Are you truly sure?”

“Yes. Please entrust it to me.”

As Hyuk answered confidently, Namgung Jangcheon nodded.

“Very well. I will leave this matter to you. Show us what you can do.”

‘If you can.’

He smirked inwardly.

‘A man who just returned from the battlefield won’t be able to handle the affairs of the martial world so easily. And now he’s stepping forward on his own—how fortunate.’

But even then, Namgung Jangcheon did not realize something.

‘How lucky. A chance has come so quickly.’

Namgung Hyuk was thinking exactly the same thing.

After the meeting ended, Namgung Hyuk immediately informed Namgung Cheon of his departure.

Naturally, Cheon was shocked.

His younger brother had just returned from the battlefield, and now he was heading into another fight.

“Cough! No. Do you even know how dangerous that place is?”

“No matter how dangerous it is, it won’t be worse than the battlefield against the northern tribes.”

“But still—”

“This has already been decided in the council. I cannot back out now. If I do, my dignity and standing will fall completely.”

“……”

Hearing that, Cheon could not stop him further.

His brother already had a low standing in the family; if things went wrong, he would be treated as he had been ten years ago.

“Please trust me. I will handle it well.”

“Haah… fine. Who will you be taking?”

“Uncle said I should take the Changcheon Unit.”

“Hm… that is at least reassuring. With them, the mission should be completed safely…”

“But I do not intend to go with them.”

“What?”

Cheon widened his eyes.

Hyuk calmly explained.

“The Changcheon Unit is my uncle’s force. Until recently, he was their commander. If I go with them, even if we succeed, the credit will likely go to him.”

“Then who will you take?”

“Just me and this friend will be enough.”

Hyuk pointed to a large man beside him.

The man laughed loudly when he was pointed at.

“Hahaha! That’s right! With me and the captain, there’s no problem no matter who the enemy is.”

“And this person is?”

“My name is Hoyeong. I met the captain during my time in the northern region. Pleased to meet you.”

Hoyeong greeted them heartily.

But Namgung Cheon still looked uneasy. Only two people going into a battlefield where martial clashes would occur was worrying.

Hyuk looked at him and said quietly:

“Brother.”

“Yes.”

“Please trust me.”

“……”

“I survived even the hellish battlefield. Compared to that, this is nothing.”

A firm voice.

It carried a strange sense of reassurance.

In the end, Namgung Cheon nodded.

“Fine… just be careful.”

“Yes.”

Hyuk stood up.

“I will return.”

A few days later.

The Huainan branch of the Namgung family was under attack again.

“Kill those useless Namgung bastards!”

“Damn it! Don’t give up! Hold the line!”

Namgung I-hyun, the branch master, shouted at his subordinates.

But it had little effect.

The enemy outnumbered them overwhelmingly, and their individual strength was also superior.

“Hahaha! So this is all the great Namgung family amounts to!”

The one shouting was Jeon Ilsang, leader of the Geumseong Sect.

He wielded a massive greatsword while directing the assault.

The branch forces gritted their teeth and tried to resist, but they were steadily being pushed back.

“Damn it! Where is the reinforcement from the main house?!”

I-hyun clenched his eyes shut.

He knew the main house was in poor condition.

With the family head dead and the heir bedridden, there was a power vacuum.

But still—this was this, and that was that.

He had already sent word via carrier pigeon. If no support came, it was no different from being abandoned.

To I-hyun, it was maddening.

The attackers clearly had no intention of sparing anyone.

Even surrender seemed useless.

All they could do was desperately hold on while hoping for reinforcements.

“Damn it all!”

Then—

“B-Branch Master! Reinforcements have arrived!”

“Finally!”

I-hyun opened his eyes wide.

“Where are they? Which unit? The Changcheon Unit? The Destroyer Unit? If not—”

“T-that is…”

The messenger hesitated.

“How many?”

“T-two people. Only two reinforcements have arrived!”

“What?!”

For a moment, I-hyun almost cursed out loud again.

Only two reinforcements?

This was as good as the Namgung family abandoning them.

His vision darkened.

“How can this be…”

Born into a collateral branch, he had devoted his entire life to the family and risen to branch master.

And yet the main house was doing this?

He barely regained his composure and asked:

“Where are those reinforcements now?”

“They said they would join the battle immediately—ah! There they are!”

The messenger pointed somewhere, startled.

I-hyun instinctively followed the direction—and froze.

“What… what is that?!”

An unbelievable scene was unfolding.

Just two reinforcements were breaking through the enemy formation.