Beastly and Fearlessly - Chapter 49
Only Noblemtl
Episode 49
Namcheon Damdong Dongjujeon.
I faced my father.
The hands holding the sword became tattered.
The price paid for enduring just seven attacks.
What a ridiculous power this is.
It is different from the Gyeongcheon Sword Hae that my uncle, Dammugun, showed me.
Rough, rugged and wild.
The untamed power of the wild.
As if the front paws of a giant bear were tearing the world apart.
“It exceeded my expectations.”
Could there be a higher compliment than this?
“What I showed you today was just the path I walked. It was just one of many paths.”
My uncle said it was a mountain, and my father said it was a road.
What does it matter what you call it?
Eventually, I have to walk and walk to reach my own end.
“That power… … the power of the Red Dragon is not yet yours.”
“I think so too.”
While everyone else’s eyes were focused on the blazing flames, only my father saw through them accurately.
As he said, this power is not mine yet.
The great power contained in my small vessel simply overflowed.
“I don’t know the power of the Red Dragon. But I clearly remember the flames burning in his hands.”
He continued speaking with his eyes closed as if reminiscing about the past.
“The flame was darker and deeper.”
The power of the Red Dragon that I am drawing out now is unrefined.
It just spews fire in all directions.
Like overflowing water.
If I can create a darker and deeper flame, as my father put it, then only then can I say that this power is mine.
“But the first Beast King’s flame was just like yours now. And it took ten long years to awaken its power. So you will soon be there too.”
Ten years… … .
The day after receiving the Dragon’s Seal at the Beast Palace, he clashed with the Heavenly Pearl and Red Cloud Armor.
It only took me a day since the red fog first started flowing out.
“I received a letter from your uncle regarding the Yongbong branch. He wanted to send you.”
“I heard.”
“Go to the Central Plains. The world you will live in is not just for others. Go and see the wider world.”
Instead of answering, he nodded.
His eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions.
What does Jungwon mean to your father?
It’s a place where I found the woman I love, but on the other hand, it’s also a place where I gave up on my dreams.
“Do you understand what I said?”
That’s what he said to me before the match started.
I want to convey what I want to say through the sword.
I understood it overflowingly.
A father’s words to his son who is going out into the world as a warrior.
If you didn’t understand when I shouted so loudly, you’re an idiot.
I nodded with sincerity.
My father urged me once more.
Maybe a promise.
“I am strong.”
He says with his own mouth that he is strong.
But it’s not just pride.
“And… … . Namcheon Damdong and Yasugung are stronger.”
The plain truth.
He is a warrior who is qualified to speak like that.
It was a show and a tell.
“So go your way.”
A calm, yet warm voice.
“I will always be behind you… … .”
To me, he is the strongest person in the world.
father.
No matter what path I take, you will follow the same path… … .
Could there be a more solid statement than this?
I was moved.
* * *
There is winter in Namman too.
Even so, the temperature will only drop a little.
For a while, I just focused on training.
Today too, Tofu is dozing off with his small face buried in his front legs.
Sometimes when he disappeared, he would catch a large wild animal and bring it back.
You’ll never go hungry with this guy by your side.
Knock, knock.
I’m running now.
I climbed to the top of Mujangbong Peak via Mt. Porangsan in one breath.
“Phew.”
The cold wind cools the sweat.
It was quite a distance to run for practice, but I didn’t even feel out of breath.
Compared to usual, that time has been shortened by more than three-tenths.
It’s thanks to the Thousand Islands of Magic that I learned from Dumunrang.
Of course, it’s not comparable to that yet.
I walked slowly back to the garden.
Even if you receive the Dragon’s Seal and obtain the title of Warrior, nothing will change.
In the end, the only way to make me stronger is through training.
“Your Majesty, please come to Dongjujeon.”
All the way to Dongjujeon, everyone was looking at me.
A changed perspective after the fight with his father.
Now I feel like I’m finally being recognized as a true Namcheon Damdong Sodongju.
Of course.
This is a place where only power rules.
Now, So Dong-ju, who had only received the title of warrior, had a fight on equal terms with the best warrior in Namcheon Dam-dong.
As I entered Dongjujeon, I saw a welcoming face.
Uncle Dammugun.
He is the best warrior in the Beast Palace, and is currently leading the palace in place of the Beast King.
He was having a face-to-face conversation with his father.
I called them over, but neither of them even glanced at me.
I sat at the end of the table and waited for their conversation to end.
The story that started with the palace’s state of affairs ended with the death of Yonghomun Dongju.
All serious stories.
The last topic brought up was something that concerned me.
“The incense burner? That thing was in Yonghomun-dong? You’re such a sly old man.”
My uncle, who was always expressionless, showed a surprised expression for the first time.
“I’m reacting to that guy. I haven’t been able to unleash his power yet.”
After hearing my father’s explanation, Dammu finally turned his gaze towards me.
“Hmm. If that guy is Myeong… … . But that’s an old story that I don’t know much about. She’s probably the only one who knows the most about the incense burner. Since I have to stop by the palace sometime, I can bring it over and show it to you then.”
A request to show the incense burner to the priestess.
“Okay, but what you mean by I have to stop by the palace… …”
“We should stop by before we leave for the Central Plains. Although it is an invitation from the Murim Alliance, they are not officially sending a delegation. Since we do not know their intentions yet, we cannot follow them as they wish. Therefore, only a small number of people, including you, will be going.”
“It’s what I wanted.”
I had no intention of going out and making a fuss anyway.
Showing off your power by having dozens of escorts is something only the most powerful people in the political world do.
When there are a lot of people, things get more troublesome.
“It will be organized with a minimal number of people. I will assign some of the best players from the Beast Palace.”
“There’s no need to do that. It’s just a gathering to get together and get to know each other, so what could go wrong?”
Of course, since we’ve gathered a bunch of energetic reviewers, it’s unlikely that they’ll only be trying to get to know each other.
“Oh, by the way, there’s someone I’d like to go with.”
The Green Book of Byeonnokdong.
A guy who is both skilled and quick-witted.
Since you have many talents, it will be of great help in many ways.
Even without words, our hearts are connected, so the journey won’t be boring.
Of course, the biggest reason is to prevent foolish people from pointing their swords at their own family.
“That kid is impressive to me too. However, Bi-eung-nok-dong is one of the eight Dongs. I can’t just ask him to send it. Anyway, I’ll keep in touch.”
* * *
Non-responsive green dong.
“This is a letter from the palace. They want to send the young warrior of Biungnokdong to the Yongbongjihoe in the Central Plains.”
Dongju Nok Ye-geuk (綠冶克) was holding a letter from the palace in his hand.
Gathered around a long table in front of him are his wife, two sons, and several shareholders.
At the end of the table, Nok Seung-seo is also sitting quietly.
“Why is the Beast Palace attending the meeting of the Jeongpa’s later indices? And why is it in our family… ?”
The wife of the green play, Yan Lihong, asked.
If it’s Yongbongjihoe, it’s an official event of the political party.
And Bi-eung-nok-dong is a family that raises the wild beasts of the palace.
Of course it doesn’t match.
“I don’t know why, but somehow only our family was contacted. And I think it’s a good opportunity.”
The contribution of Bi-eung-nok-dong to the current Beast Palace was significant.
But it is also true that it did not receive the recognition it deserved.
Because of the nature of the mission, which required moving covertly in the dark, there were many things that were not revealed to the public.
This opportunity will allow you to solidify your position in the palace.
“Who else is going?”
“Hmm. I guess Sodongju from Namcheon Damdong will be going.”
Damyeong.
A guy with the dragon’s imprint.
There have been various opinions about the fact that the color is black rather than red, but in any case, he is currently the most notable figure in Namman.
A guy who might just take the throne as the next Beast King.
“Who should I send… … .”
He slowly looked at his two sons sitting next to him.
The faint shape of Nokseungseo was also visible in the distance.
A guy who is always dark and gloomy.
Every time I see that child, I am reminded of my past mistakes.
A family that should never have been born into shame.
‘Of all people, the Songgol imprint was given to that guy. Why did the imprint I longed for so badly end up on that guy…?’
At that moment, Nok Seung-seo, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, opened his mouth.
“I will go.”
I made a promise with Damyeong.
He said he would go to the Central Plains together.
Let’s go see the wider world together.
bang.
“Oh, how dare you interfere in family matters. You just stay quiet.”
Yeom Lihong slammed the table and cut off his words.
A guy who makes me sick just by looking at him.
Why don’t you leave the family even though I tormented you so much?
If this continues, I might end up in the same situation as my mother… … .
Nok Ya-geuk, who had been watching the scene silently, opened his mouth towards Nok Jo-pyeong, who was sitting on the left.
“You should go to the Central Plains. It would be right for So Dong-ju, who is supposed to lead the family, to go. Go and see the wide world.”
“All right.”
Nokjo-pyeong nodded and answered.
His face was filled with excitement and anticipation.
Although he was born with average talent, he is still the son of a hermit in Biyungnokdong.
It is right for this child to go.
“But father. We already promised to go together… … .”
From afar, Nok Seung-seo shouted urgently.
Yeom Lihong stood up again and spoke.
“Oh my! How dare you say the word ‘father’? I would be grateful if you could give me a seat at the bottom of the meeting. Is it because of the shallow blood flowing through my body? Tsk tsk.”
Nok Ya-geuk turned his gaze back to the letter in his hand.
Three letters of the name written clearly.
Green Book.
He must have become close with Dammyeong while holding the Mansu ceremony together, and he must have made a promise to go to Jungwon together.
This letter was sent through the uncle, Lady Dammu.
But it is up to the Byeonnok-dong to decide who to send.
Of course, we have to send the owner of the small business, Nokjo-pyeong.
If you travel all the way to the distant Central Plains with Damyeong, a connection will form between the two of you.
It would be good for your family to become close to someone who has received the Dragon’s Seal.
* * *
Beast Palace.
This is my second visit.
This time, I came alone, without Nosado or Deoksam.
Because it is a good opportunity to practice Cheonseombi.
Of course, the incense burner is in my arms.
Tofu is the kind of guy who follows you wherever you go in the world.
It is unknown whether what is inside this small incense burner is a red bead or the energy of a red dragon.
What is certain is that it resonates with me.
Even now, a hazy red mist flows out and seeps into me like fog.
“How have you been?”
A bright smile.
This woman with white face and hair always welcomes me warmly.
“A lot has changed since then.”
During that time, I grew taller and my body became stronger.
The result of consistent practice.
“This is it.”
He took the incense burner out of his bosom and handed it to her.
The priestess’s desk was filled with ancient books that must have been hundreds of years old.
Perhaps you have found information about the enemy’s incense burner.
She looked at the incense burner for a long time.
He closed both eyes and covered them with both hands, and looked inside.
The carved red dragon is too lifelike to have survived hundreds of years.
It looks like it will come to life and move at any moment.
“It says here: ‘Sit on the throne! You will gain the power of the Red Dragon… .’ Of course, it doesn’t mean a real throne. It means qualification.”
Does this mean that only the Beast King can fully harness this power?
Well then, not me yet.
It will become my strength someday.
“This is my first time seeing this incense burner. I’ve only heard about it through word of mouth and read about it.”
“Everyone said so.”
She continued in a calm voice.
“But everything in the world happens for a reason. The fact that it took hundreds of years to show up now, and the fact that you ended up getting it, all had a purpose.”
“What does it mean?”
“… … You are the owner of this power!”
I expected it, but it’s mine.
After a moment of silence, he opened his mouth.
“I don’t know how to pull it out.”
She smiled brightly and then slammed the incense burner in her hand onto the corner of the desk.
Wow!
The incense burner made of fraud shattered into pieces and scattered in all directions.
The sacred waters of the Beast Palace, which had not appeared in hundreds of years, have just disappeared.
That too in the hands of a priestess.
She looked at my frozen face and held out her right hand.
A small thing left on the palm of one’s hand.
A red fog was overflowing from a spot the size of a fingernail.
Red bead.
It’s as if it should be bitten by a dragon.
She whispered to me.
“Swallow it!”