The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 106

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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 106

“Conditions? What do you mean?”
Mak Ri-hyeon asked, a glimmer of caution flickering across his face.
I nodded as I regarded him.
“Yes. If possible, I would appreciate it if you could agree to these terms.”
“Let me hear them first.”
“The first is that whenever Sadoryean dispatches masters or military forces, you inform the Bukcheon Sword Family first.”
From our perspective, it would be troublesome if powerful experts suddenly arrived without our knowledge.
Even if they harbored no hostility toward the Bukcheon Sword Family.
So I intended to ensure we always received such information.
“Hmm. That shouldn’t be difficult.”
“And please refrain from causing trouble here. When expanding influence or exercising Sadoryean’s power, I would appreciate it if you consulted with the Main House first.”
“In other places, perhaps not… but this branch was created specifically to establish an alliance against Black Night Fortress. Very well. I agree to those terms.”
Mak Ri-hyeon accepted my proposal readily.
Did he possess more authority than I initially thought?
The fact that he could promise such things so readily suggested that Mak Ri-hyeon himself enjoyed considerable trust from the Sadoryean Master.
I filed that information away and presented my final proposal.
“And I would like to expand economic exchanges between the Main House and Sadoryean.”
“How specifically?”
“For example, the Tianxia Trading Company under Sadoryean sells high-quality iron, does it not? The Main House wishes to conduct trade for it.”
“Hmm. That would require some discussion.”
“Of course, we will present a fair price that satisfies both parties. Furthermore, if we proceed this way, we will supply thirty percent of the horses imported from the Northern Region to Sadoryean.”
“Is that truly the case?”
Mak Ri-hyeon’s eyes widened in an instant.
The terms I had proposed were remarkably generous.
“Yes. Would it not strengthen the alliance between the Main House and Sadoryean?”
I spoke with a gentle smile.
In truth, I was making a calculated concession.
Northern horses had few trading partners, but iron could be obtained from many sources.
However, in exchange for obtaining high-quality iron and earning Sadoryean’s goodwill, it was a profitable arrangement.
By presenting them with an irrefutable offer, I would bind them economically so they could not easily withdraw.
“I will have a letter sent to headquarters immediately. I expect a response soon.”
Mak Ri-hyeon spoke with excitement in his voice.
From Sadoryean’s perspective, this was undoubtedly an opportunity they could not afford to miss.
“Excellent. Then we can say this matter is essentially concluded.”
“It will be. We have been needing quality horses to develop our cavalry unit. If the Bukcheon Sword Family supplies horses in this situation, it will be a tremendous asset.”
“Are you referring to Sadoryean’s iron cavalry when you mention the cavalry unit?”
“Yes. Though we cannot expand beyond a certain size due to our relations with the authorities, the unit possesses power and destructive capability exceeding that number.”
There was no way around it.
If iron cavalry trained in mounted martial arts were to ride fine horses, their power would be doubled.
Moreover, they would possess superior mobility compared to any military force of the Sadoryean, making them a reliable asset in times of need.
“In any case, we should return to the banquet soon. I must inform the Family Head of this matter as well.”
“Understood.”
We concluded our brief discussion and returned to the banquet hall.
With the atmosphere already heated and drinking games underway, few noticed our absence.
[Father. I have something to report.]
I immediately conveyed the matter to him through sound transmission.
Father listened to my words with an impassive expression, then nodded in acknowledgment.
[Well done. Act as your heart dictates. A strengthened alliance with the Sadoryean benefits us greatly.]
[Thank you.]
[Moreover, you are the Young Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family. You will become the Family Head in the not-too-distant future. Therefore, you need not seek permission for every decision. I trust you completely.]
My heart warmed at Father’s words.
They carried a profound trust in me.
Knowing they were genuine words of respect, not mere flattery, I could not help but feel pleased.
‘Father aside.’
I turned my gaze toward Hong Yeon and Mak Ri-hyeon.
They were looking back at me with meaningful smiles, suggesting the conversation had concluded.
[I look forward to our cooperation, Young Master.]
[The pleasure is mine.]
We exchanged brief greetings through sound transmission and continued the banquet as if nothing had happened.
The banquet ended half a day later.

* * *

As agreed, Sadoryean purchased an empty manor located in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.
They renovated it and began using it as a Sadoryean branch.
However, since the manor’s scale was not particularly large, the number of martial artists stationed there was not substantial.
‘Still, those who come will surely be elite.’
Even if their numbers were small, wouldn’t they become a source of strength for us?
After all, Sadoryean was expected to take the same hardline stance as we did regarding the Black Night Fortress issue.
They would likely dispatch some of their elite martial forces.
‘Of course, they’ll share information with us, so there’s no need to worry about betrayal.’
With that thought, I headed toward the Training Grounds, which only blood relatives could use.
But there were already visitors there.
‘Hmm?’
It was Great-Uncle and Jin Cheon-hui.
“Haaaaaah!”
Jin Cheon-hui was charging at Great-Uncle with a battle cry.
Whoosh! Thud!
The momentum of his attack was quite sharp.
But Great-Uncle blocked it with a pleased smile.
“You’ve improved considerably. Hehe, but it’s still not enough.”
Thud!
With those words, Great-Uncle lightly struck Jin Cheon-hui’s shoulder.
Jin Cheon-hui stumbled back a few steps and ground his teeth.
“Again.”
“Hraaaaah!”
Jin Cheon-hui charged at Great-Uncle once more with all his might.
But just like before, his attack was blocked far too easily.
In truth, it was hardly surprising.
How could Jin Cheon-hui, who had only just entered the threshold of the Transcendent Realm, wound Great-Uncle, a master of the Heavenly Martial Realm?
It would be impossible without a miracle.
Eventually, after struggling several times, Jin Cheon-hui collapsed from exhaustion.
“Huff, huff, gasp.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Great-Uncle handed Jin Cheon-hui a drink of water mixed with a touch of honey and salt.
Upon drinking it, Jin Cheon-hui’s expression immediately brightened.
Only then did I approach the two of them.
“Oh, brother!? Were you watching?”
“Yes. I’ve been here the whole time.”
“You could have at least made your presence known….”
“I did. Great-Uncle noticed long ago.”
Indeed, he showed little surprise at my arrival.
He simply offered a gentle smile.
“You’ve arrived?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard the news. You’ve made an agreement with the Sadoryean?”
“…!”
Upon hearing Great-Uncle’s words, Jin Cheon-hui’s expression shifted to one of surprise.
However, I offered no explanation to him and simply nodded.
“That is correct.”
“I see. Since it was your choice, I trust your judgment. But be cautious. The Evil Faction are a breed obsessed solely with their own gain. If you keep them close while pursuing great ambitions, you may well receive a knife in the back.”
“Of course, I do not place complete trust in them. I merely believed that some degree of cooperation was necessary to confront the threats our family currently faces.”
“I see.”
“Were you instructing Jin Cheon-hui?”
I redirected the conversation, looking toward Jin Cheon-hui as I asked.
“Indeed. Jin Cheon-hui is my great-grandchild just as you are, is he not? I felt I had neglected him until now, so I’ve been overseeing his martial training.”
“He shows considerable promise, does he not?”
“Don’t mention it—I never expected two individuals with talent like yours to appear in a single generation.”
“G-Great-Uncle….”
Jin Cheon-hui’s face flushed with embarrassment.
I smiled warmly and ruffled his hair.
“This boy’s talent places him on a higher tier than myself. Perhaps one day he will become the greatest swordmaster of our clan.”
“How could I possibly surpass you, brother…!”
“I speak only the truth. So there’s no need for such false modesty.”
I spoke to Jin Cheon-hui with a serious expression.
I meant every word.
The only reason I could be stronger than Jin Cheon-hui now was purely due to my regression.
‘Had it not been for the heights I reached in my first life and all the fortunate encounters I gained in my second, I might well have been weaker than Jin Cheon-hui.’
In fact, in my first life, Jin Cheon-hui surpassed me and earned the title of greatest swordmaster of our clan.
That meant his potential was higher than mine.
I had no intention of denying this.
And so….
“Great-Uncle.”
“Is there something you wish to say?”
“Would you be willing to continue teaching Jin Cheon-hui going forward?”
“Are you asking me to take this boy as my successor?”
“In other words, yes.”
I spoke with a serious expression.
“Jin Cheon-hui will one day become a pillar of strength for our bloodline. But for him to grow swiftly, he requires your guidance.”
“Hmm.”
“I will spare no resources at the family’s disposal for his sake. You need only focus on teaching him. Everything else he requires, I will procure.”
“Brother….”
Jin Cheon-hui’s eyes widened.
He hadn’t expected me to view myself in such a light—his expression made that plain.
But Great-Uncle’s expression grew somber.
He regarded me with an inscrutable look and asked a question.
“Then what of you?”
“Me, sir?”
“Do you not require my teachings?”
There was a hint of disappointment in his gaze.
I answered as calmly as I could manage.
“Of course I require your teachings, Great-Uncle. But I believed it was more fitting that Jin Cheon-hui receive that opportunity instead.”
“I see. Is that so….”
“However.”
I paused briefly and offered a gentle smile.
“Should I encounter an obstacle I cannot overcome, I will visit you without hesitation. I ask for your guidance at that time.”
“Ah. Of course. Whenever you feel the need, come to me.”
Great-Uncle’s expression brightened at last.
“I will help with whatever I am able. And remember—my aid is not limited to martial arts alone.”
“Not limited to martial arts, sir?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
“What do you mean by that?”
Great-Uncle smiled warmly and answered my question.
“Mu-yeol. We are family.”
“…!”
“I never married and have no direct descendants. Yet I regard you and your siblings as my own grandchildren. This sentiment is nothing but sincere truth.”
“Great-Uncle….”
“That is why I wish to do whatever I can for you all. This is not because I doubt you. Of course, you are the one who lifted our declining clan to this height at such a young age. Perhaps because of this, it seems to me that you bear far too heavy a burden alone.”
“….”
“You need not shoulder the clan’s crisis by yourself. We are family. We share both joy and hardship together. So remember this one thing.”
Great-Uncle spoke thus while looking at both me and Jin Cheon-hui.
“The Bukcheon Sword Family will always stand with you.”

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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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