The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 108

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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 108

Following my declaration to open the family’s martial arts repository,
the morale of the Bukcheon Sword Family’s warriors reached unprecedented heights.
It was the anticipation that they could learn advanced martial techniques if they simply earned merit.
“If I could just master the Gale Cyclone Sword, I could become a peak master!”
“The footwork techniques those Wind Cloud Unit members use look impressive….”
“Couldn’t we learn them too?”
Thus, they strived desperately to earn merit in any way possible.
To catch my eye and earn the right to enter the martial arts repository.
Of course….
“From today onward, I will personally oversee your training.”
I too scrutinized and evaluated them thoroughly.
I made time to supervise not only the Wind Cloud Unit under my direct command but the training of all other martial squads, so no resistance emerged.
Everyone in the family already knew that I had reached the Johwa Realm.
Among the captains, there were few who could match me.
Perhaps only the Iron Blood Sword Captain could manage it?
Thus, I leveraged both my authority and strength to elevate the abilities of the family’s warriors.
Solely for the purpose of strengthening the family.
Yet there were those who viewed my actions unfavorably.
Specifically, some of the elders.

* * *

A dark chamber.
“This cannot continue!”
Boom!
Someone slammed their fist against the floor, their voice thundering through the room.
The man was none other than Jo Chil, an elder who had once belonged to Lee Tae-gyeom’s faction.
He swept his gaze across the gathered elders, his fury unmistakable.
“How dare he grant our Bukcheon Sword Family’s martial techniques to those lowborn commoners? This is nothing short of an insult to us who have earned our positions through service to the clan!”
His appeal was directed at the other elders who also held significant responsibilities within the family.
What they shared in common was their deep connection to Lee Tae-gyeom, the former Elder Council Leader.
These were the men Jin Muyeol had deliberately left untouched, fearing internal strife within the family.
“Elder Jo speaks the truth.”
“What family in this world would ever expose their secret martial arts like this?”
“The Young Family Head clearly lacks the qualifications to lead this clan. A mere child who happened to gain the legacy of Pungsin and grew stronger—what could he possibly understand? He must be blinded by some misguided idealism! How else could he commit such folly?”
Fervent agreement erupted from the gathered elders.
The meeting had transformed into a forum condemning Jin Muyeol.
They unleashed not only grievances about this current matter, but dredged up every complaint they had harbored against him.
“From the beginning, hasn’t he been trying to exploit the sacred Elder Council for his own purposes? The Elder Council exists to prevent the family from straying down a wrong path, yet he uses the Elder Council Leader as if we were his personal military force!”
“If this continues, the authority of the Elder Council will crumble to nothing. No, the entire Bukcheon Sword Family will be ruined. We need to take action.”
“I agree completely. We must stop his rampage by any means necessary.”
“But how do we accomplish this?”
“That is….”
The heated atmosphere suddenly cooled.
Objectively speaking, the Elder Council’s power was far from formidable.
Perhaps it would have been different when Lee Tae-gyeom was alive?
After his betrayal was exposed, the Elder Council’s authority had plummeted.
Now even ordinary martial artists looked down upon them.
Moreover, those gathered here did not represent the entire Elder Council—they were merely one faction within it.
In other words, they possessed no power to overturn the family.
But then, at that moment.
“There is precisely one method available to us.”
“Elder Jo, what is it?”
“Replace the Family Head, the Elder Council Leader, and the Young Family Head entirely.”
“…!”
A suffocating silence descended upon the chamber.
For Jo Chil’s words carried a singular implication.
One elder let out a strained groan, finally voicing that possibility aloud.
“Surely you don’t mean to kill them all? But how could we possibly….”
“Even if we borrowed the power of Black Night Fortress, wouldn’t it still be difficult?”
It was a reasonable concern.
Their military strength was simply insufficient to overturn the family.
Even with elite martial artists sent by Black Night Fortress, there was no guarantee I could defeat Jin Ho-geon, the Elder Council member who had reached the Heavenly Martial Realm.
What if the rebellion attempt failed?
It would be the end.
With my limbs severed, I’d be thrown into Thunder Prison to spend my life in darkness, or executed outright to become carrion for the crows.
Yet Jo Chil remained resolute.
“Of course, if we faced him directly, that would be true. But what if we used poison?”
“Poison?”
“As you know, in a fortnight, a banquet will be held. The Family Head’s birthday celebration. On that day, whether it’s the Family Head, the Young Family Head, or the Elder Council member, they will surely let their guard down and enjoy the festivities.”
“Surely you don’t mean…!”
“Yes. We poison the food those three will eat and eliminate them. Then we make it appear to be Black Night Fortress’s doing, allowing us to seize control of the situation.”
“But… do you think we’ll have the chance? The other elders won’t sit idle either…”
“Don’t we have a secret weapon? Among the Jin bloodline, aside from those three, the most legitimate and capable one?”
Jo Chil spoke thus, then looked toward someone as he continued.
“Isn’t that right, Great Master Jin?”
Jin Yu-seong, who had been listening silently until now, paused before responding.
“An excellent plan.”
He smiled with a bloodthirsty edge.
“With this opportunity, I can finally dispose of these tiresome obstacles.”
“…!”

* * *

Another fortnight had passed.
The day of the birthday celebration for Jin Yu-gwang, the sixth Family Head of the Bukcheon Sword Family, was drawing near.
The clan was in a festive atmosphere.
Though it was not a particularly special occasion like a sixtieth birthday, external guests were largely turned away with few exceptions.
Yet within the family itself, this day held profound significance.
‘Today is Father’s first birthday since recovering his health.’
For the past several years, Family Head Jin Yu-gwang had been reduced to an invalid confined to his sickbed due to the schemes of Black Night Fortress.
But now he had regained his strength and was conducting himself with the vigor befitting the master of the clan.
Naturally, the morale of the family had soared to unprecedented heights.
Thus, numerous clan members, including the senior elders, gathered at the manor that had been converted into a banquet hall.
“I am grateful to all of you for gathering here today.”
Once most of the attendees had arrived, Jin Yu-gwang rose from his seat at the head table and greeted them with a warm smile.
“This year has been eventful. There have been unfortunate incidents, certainly, but there have been far more joyous and celebratory occasions. Most of all, my young lord—no, my son—has accomplished much, and as both a father and Family Head, I am truly delighted. My beloved wife, now departed to the heavens, would surely feel the same.”
As he spoke, his expression grew tender and serene.
Naturally, his gaze fell upon Jin Muyeol, who sat beside him.
Jin Muyeol responded with a modest smile of his own.
“Therefore, I intend to spare no effort in supporting Muyeol further. This child has already become the pillar and representative of the Bukcheon Sword Family. And so….”
At that moment, Jin Yu-gwang made a shocking declaration.
“I intend to pass the position of Family Head to him within ten years.”
“…!”
Everyone in the hall gasped and turned their gaze toward Jin Yu-gwang.
Even Jin Muyeol was no exception.
This had not been discussed beforehand.
His expression suggested he might leap to his feet at any moment and demand an explanation.
“Of course, as I said, not immediately. I am not yet fifty, and while this child has grown splendidly, he is still young. But as he matures further, circumstances will change. When that time comes, I shall relinquish the position of Family Head.”
“…Family Head. Are you sincere?”
Jin Ho-geon, the eldest of the Bukcheon Sword Family and the Elder Council’s leader, asked the question.
Jin Yu-gwang nodded with an expression of absolute conviction.
“Of course, Uncle. To restore the glory of the Bukcheon Sword Family, I believe it is best that this child becomes Family Head.”
“Hmm. If that is the Family Head’s will, I shall support it.”
Jin Ho-geon spoke in a measured tone.
Family Head Jin Yu-gwang glanced around at the bewildered faces and grinned widely.
“Well then, I have spoken at length. Let us now begin the banquet. There is ample food and wine, so I hope you all enjoy yourselves.”
He then signaled to the musicians.
Beautiful music befitting the occasion began to play, and after pouring drinks for Jin Ho-geon and Jin Muyeol, they drank together.
And then.
“Cough!”
“Gag!”
“Hack!”
In near-perfect synchronization, the three blood relatives of the Jin clan who had emptied their cups suddenly spewed blood and collapsed.
“What…?”
The musicians’ performance ceased abruptly.
Everyone stared at them with expressions of shock.
A tense moment where no one seemed to know what to do.
“The banquet is suspended.”
Suddenly, someone rose from their seat and made this declaration.
It was Elder Jo Chil.
Seven people in total, including him, stood and drew their weapons.
“What is the meaning of this…?”
“Elder Jo! What are you suddenly saying!”
“Don’t you see? Someone has assassinated the Family Head, the Young Family Head, and Elder Won-ju. This appears to be a premeditated crime, so we must root out the culprits.”
“What do you mean…!”
“What are you all doing! Subdue all the suspects here!”
The moment Jo Chil shouted, dozens of masked martial artists appeared from outside.
They were all dressed as servants or warriors belonging to the Bukcheon Sword Family.
Jo Chil’s lips curved upward in a smirk as the situation unfolded according to his plan.
“Jin Yu-seong. It’s your turn now.”
He spoke quietly, watching Jin Yu-seong rise from his seat.
The senior members who witnessed their actions gnashed their teeth.
“Jin Yu-seong!”
“Did you truly betray the clan!”
“To poison your own blood relatives…!”
“Did you hunger so desperately for the Family Head’s position!”
They burned with rage and tried to rush at Jin Yu-seong, but the dozens of masked figures surrounding the banquet hall prevented them from advancing easily.
Jo Chil laughed heartily at the sight of the senior members’ helplessness.
“How well the losers bark at each other. Jin Yu-seong. We’ll handle the outside situation, so you take command of these people and clean up the matter inside.”
“Very well.”
Jin Yu-seong nodded and drew his blade with a sudden motion.
Shwing!
“…!”
In a single stroke, Jo Chil’s head, which had been smiling moments before, flew through the air.
Everyone present gasped in shock, their mouths falling open.
Neither those who had plotted with Jo Chil nor those who had condemned Jin Yu-seong as a traitor could have imagined such a turn of events.
But Jin Yu-seong paid it little mind and spoke only toward the head seat.
“How much longer will you feign death? Rise.”
“…!”
Everyone turned their astonished gaze toward the head seat.
There, Jin Muyeol could be seen rising with a stiff expression on his face.

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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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