The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 100

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family – Chapter 100

“Is that truly the case?”
Pungsin had founded the Chukji Society.
It was a story I had never heard before in all my years.
-It is true.
The answer came unexpectedly from the Sword Spirit.
-I never imagined the Chukji Society still existed. I thought it would disband immediately after Pungsin’s death.
“If you cannot believe it, there is nothing I can do.”
The Sword Spirit’s words and Gong Ya-wol’s words overlapped in my ears.
After a moment of contemplation, I maintained my composure and shook my head.
“No, I believe you. But I am curious why someone affiliated with such an organization would attempt to recruit me.”
“Because you are a descendant of Pungsin.”
“That is a lie.”
I regarded him with a cold gaze as I spoke.
“If that were the only reason, you would have come long ago. In fact, you would have approached my Father, who is equally a descendant of Pungsin. Yet you did not, and instead waited for me. This means you desire not merely a descendant of Pungsin, but me as a person.”
In truth, in my first life, I had never heard tales of those calling themselves the Chukji Society.
Had they sought to recruit me merely for being Pungsin’s descendant, I should have known of them by then.
Therefore, there must be another reason beyond bloodline that brought them to seek me out.
“Hmm….”
Upon hearing my words, Gong Ya-wol’s expression grew quite intrigued.
“So there was reason for your renowned reputation. It seems you are not merely skilled at combat.”
“Then would you explain your reason?”
“Heh. You are impatient. Very well. From our perspective, you appeared to possess the necessary qualifications.”
“Qualifications?”
“The qualifications to become a member of the Chukji Society. And there is only one such qualification.”
Gong Ya-wol raised a single finger as he spoke.
“Speed!”
“…!”
“As I mentioned before, the purpose of our Chukji Society is to reach the legendary Chukji technique spoken of in tales. Therefore, we maintain contact with numerous martial prodigies throughout the realm.”
“And I meet your criteria?”
“Indeed. I have long heard of your exceptional lightness skill. With you, we could strengthen our organization.”
Gong Ya-wol spoke with a serious expression.
“What say you? Will you join our Chukji Society?”
“Hmm….”
I pondered briefly before nodding.
“Very well. There is no reason to refuse.”
To be honest, I do not truly trust the Chukji Society as an organization.
After all, it is an organization of which I know nothing except its name and that our ancestor founded it.
During the period when the Bukcheon Sword Family had not been involved, I could not know what had changed or how.
However.
‘Still, it’s worth investigating.’
The reason I thought this was because their combat strength did not seem ordinary.
Considering that they were trying to recruit me, their minimum requirement was likely to be a renowned figure in the martial world.
‘Especially those who stake their lives on speed would be numerous among them.’
Then joining them also seemed favorable.
If the investigation revealed they were not enemies.
It would mean gaining a force that could support my position.
“So from now on, I’m a member of the Chukji Society?”
“Not at all. Not yet. You must pass a test first.”
“A test?”
“From our perspective, we must at least verify whether you meet our minimum requirements, no?”
“Then….”
“Let us see your abilities.”
Gong Ya-wol spoke with a sly smile.
“I request a lightness skill competition with you.”

* * *

I accepted Gong Ya-wol’s request and came out to a mountain outside the family estate.
The terrain was relatively flat, making it easy to run.
“Let us say that whoever reaches the opposite side first by traversing this mountain wins. How is that?”
“Agreed.”
I nodded readily at Gong Ya-wol’s words.
As a descendant of Pungsin, I was not someone who would fall behind in lightness skill.
“Then we shall begin after counting to three. Three, two, one.”
Gong Ya-wol’s eyes gleamed.
“Go!”
Crack-crack-crack!
Boom!
Gong Ya-wol’s stationary form accelerated in an instant.
I felt him advancing at a speed that was invisible to the eye.
And at the same moment, I could discern its true nature.
‘Heavenly Thunder Divine Step!’
It was the exclusive martial art of the Thunder God, one of the Thirteen Venerables, and the technique known as the fastest footwork.
Certainly, it was tremendous speed.
Even ordinary martial artists of the Johwa Realm would be unable to keep pace.
But.
Whoooosh!
A golden wind swept forth.
I transformed into the Yaksha Form and immediately kicked off the ground.
What unfolded was the Wind God Technique.
And it was the Wind God Technique deployed at full power, heedless of inner energy consumption.
A tremendous wind enveloped me and sent my body hurtling forward in an instant.
“Hoh?”
As I caught up in a flash, Gong Ya-wol let out a sound of intrigue.
Crackle!
Even so, his charge did not cease.
It was like a single bolt of lightning racing forward.
In response, I increased the speed of my ground kicks even further.
Whoooosh!
Crackle!
A biting gale and lightning began running nearly side by side.
‘Insufficient.’
At this rate, I would lose by the narrowest of margins.
‘Feel the wind’s flow more deeply!’
I gritted my teeth and unleashed the Wind God Dance to its maximum.
The flow of the incoming wind.
And the path that followed became visible to my eyes.
Without hesitation, I rushed in that direction.
“…!”
It was Gong Ya-wol who was startled.
I, who had been running neck and neck with him, suddenly surged ahead with increased speed, catching him off guard.
He too attempted to match my pace and accelerate.
“Ugh!”
His body would not obey.
Whether from overload or some other cause, he could not increase his speed further.
Boom!
In the end, I arrived at the destination first.
By only the slimmest margin, yet I had achieved victory over the wielder of the Heavenly Thunder Divine Technique, said to be the fastest martial art in the realm.
“Huff, huff, huff.”
I gazed at Gong Ya-wol while catching my ragged breath.
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.”
Gong Ya-wol, having expended his full strength, could only breathe heavily without opening his mouth.
After a moment of composure returned, he smiled with amusement.
“I never expected to lose.”
“Is this level of skill sufficient?”
“More than sufficient. You could be accepted into the Chukji Society immediately without issue.”
With those words, he unfastened the wine bottle at his waist and drank directly from it.
Gulp, gulp!
After quenching my thirst so refreshingly, I spoke with an expression suggesting I might actually survive.
“That was truly remarkable. Honestly, I never thought I’d lose.”
“Gong Ya-wol’s lightness technique was also extraordinary.”
“Of course it was extraordinary. After all, it’s a secret technique my master personally taught me. But it seems my training was still insufficient. My master’s Heavenly Thunder Divine Step is lightning itself.”
“I wish I could witness it someday.”
“An opportunity will come soon enough. My master takes considerable interest in you.”
“In me?”
As I looked at him with a surprised expression, Gong Ya-wol nodded.
“Indeed. You’ve reached the Johwa Realm before even coming of age, and you’re a descendant of the Wind God. How could he not take interest?”
“Then he should visit directly. If the Thunder God himself were to grace the Bukcheon Sword Family with his presence, we would welcome him most warmly.”
“Haha. That would be ideal, but my master is quite busy, you see. There are reasons he sent me instead of coming himself.”
“Reasons?”
“Matters related to you as well. Strange individuals have been causing various disturbances in multiple places lately.”
“Strange individuals, you say….”
“Those Black Night Fortress people, or whatever they call themselves. Not only my master but most of the leaders of major factions have noticed them and are preparing to oppose them.”
…!
I was genuinely shocked.
This was a different development from my first life.
Back then, not many people knew about Black Night Fortress….
Now so many were standing against them.
‘Or was it not?’
I couldn’t be certain.
Perhaps everyone knew about Black Night Fortress back then, but I simply hadn’t known about it.
After all, I was merely a puppet Family Head of a declining clan.
Since the Bukcheon Sword Family had already been infiltrated by Black Night Fortress, there would have been no one to inform me of such matters.
Thinking about it that way, my ignorance made sense.
“You look serious.”
“It’s a serious matter, after all.”
“Well, don’t be too troubled. The Thirteen Venerables have decided to respond together, so that problem will be resolved soon enough.”
Would it really?
I thought I couldn’t be certain, but I chose not to voice my doubts.
In any case, this Gong Ya-wol seemed to have absolute faith in his master.
There was no point in speaking negatively to someone like that.
“What should I do now? Since I’ve joined, shouldn’t I be given some task?”
“Haha. Of course not. Didn’t I mention it beforehand? The Chukji Society is merely a fellowship.”
Gong Ya-wol dismissed my concerns with a grin.
“You are simply a member of our Chukji Society from today onward. Take this.”
“What is this?”
“A token showing you’re a member of the Chukji Society. When you show this to fellow members, you’ll be able to receive their assistance.”
What he handed me was a small, square token with the word Chukji Society engraved upon it.
I nodded and placed it into my robes.
Regardless, this was a credential of membership in an organization that only those at the peak of the Transcendent realm or beyond in the Johwa Realm could belong to.
The thought that I might find use for it someday struck me with considerable force.
As I accepted it without hesitation, Gong Ya-wol broke into a grin.
“Should you ever wish to contact our Chukji Society, reach out to me first through the Hanan Gong Family. Then I shall be of assistance.”
“Understood. I shall do so.”
“I was concerned, but it seems matters have worked out favorably. Truthfully, I worried greatly about what I would do if you refused this proposal.”
“Is there truly some reason I must join the Chukji Society?”
“I cannot say. However, I have heard that Pungsin, the first master of the Chukji Society, left behind a directive that any talented descendant of his bloodline who showed promise should be recruited without fail.”
“The Founding Ancestor himself?”
Gong Ya-wol nodded at my question.
“Indeed. The reason remains unclear, but it is nonetheless a directive left by the first master. For that reason, both the current master of the Chukji Society and my own teacher were determined to recruit you.”
“Hmm.”
I sensed there must be some deeper reason behind this.
Why would Pungsin have commanded his descendants to join the Chukji Society?
‘Could this also be connected to his legacy?’
The thought struck me suddenly.
It was certainly a plausible possibility.
‘Yet I cannot be certain of anything yet.’
There had been no particular changes I could discern.
Contemplating this, I regarded Gong Ya-wol.
“What will you do now, Gong Ya-wol? If you would remain at the main residence as a guest, I would welcome it.”
“That would be pleasant, but… as I mentioned before, my teacher is quite occupied at present. As a disciple, I cannot simply idle away my time eating and resting alone.”
“So you truly came solely to recruit me.”
“Indeed. As I said, should you need to contact us, you need only reach out through the Hanan Gong Family.”
“Before you go, would you not explain the composition of the Chukji Society?”
“Between you, myself, my teacher, and the master, we number fewer than twenty. And our members are scattered throughout the martial world. Only the master knows our exact identities.”
“You called it a fellowship organization, did you not? Yet much of it seems shrouded in secrecy.”
“Hah. In any case, those who know each other’s identities do maintain fellowship. It was not entirely inaccurate.”
I nodded.
“I understand. Please take care on your journey.”
“Perhaps we shall meet again when opportunity allows.”
Lightning crackled brilliantly!
Thunder God’s form vanished into the distance with the flash.
I watched his departing silhouette for a moment before returning to the family residence.
The hour had grown quite late, and I thought it time to bathe and retire.
It was just as I was drifting into sleep.
“Descendant. Have you found my legacy?”
When I came to my senses, I stood in a white void.
There stood a man whose face seemed oddly familiar.
Pungsin, the primordial Wind God in the form of a young man, was present there.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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