The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 116

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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 116

It was inevitable.
So Yeon-u, the Dark Emperor, was one of the Thirteen Venerables—a name known to every martial artist in the realm.
For such a person to appear in person and offer thanks was no ordinary matter.
Yet not everyone accepted the situation gracefully.
“That brat is the Dark Emperor?”
“Shh! You fool! Can’t you watch your tongue?”
“B-but he looks so young to be the Dark Emperor…”
“Perhaps he used Reverse Aging Technique. Didn’t you see how he subdued that terrifying spear wielder in a single move?”
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
They likely thought they were speaking quietly, but with my mastery of Wind God’s Technique, I heard every word distinctly.
If I could hear them, the Dark Emperor certainly could as well.
A faint smile crossed his lips.
Yet he seemed unbothered by it all.
As evidence, he didn’t even glance toward the source of the voices.
The Dark Emperor’s gaze remained fixed solely on me.
I had no choice but to meet his eyes and clasp my fist in salute.
“I merely did what was necessary.”
“Heh heh. How humble of you, Sohyeop.”
The Dark Emperor smiled widely at that.
“But it’s also true that you minimized the damage. Those who would have died lived because of your intervention. In a sense, everyone here owes you a debt.”
“…!”
“With that in mind, I’d like to offer you a reward. Is there anything from tonight’s auction that you desire?”
It was an extraordinary proposition.
Asking if I desired something.
Did that mean he would simply give it to me without any compensation?
As if answering my unspoken question, the Dark Emperor elaborated.
“Of course, this is compensation for tonight’s work, so feel no burden. Ah, would you like to know what’s available?”
“…No. There was only one thing I sought.”
I paused briefly before answering.
“Please give me the Ten Thousand Waters Commanding Flute. That is all I desire.”
“The Ten Thousand Waters Commanding Flute… Very well. Go Chief Manager!”
“Yes, yes!”
“Present the Ten Thousand Waters Commanding Flute to Sohyeop here.”
“Understood.”
Go Chief Manager issued orders to his subordinates, who brought forth a small horn flute nestled in an elegant box.
The Ten Thousand Waters Commanding Flute.
I received it and clasped my fist in gratitude.
I never imagined I would obtain the item so easily in this manner.
“I am grateful for your consideration, Dark Emperor.”
“Think nothing of it. As I mentioned, I was merely repaying a debt owed to you. Besides, while it is a precious item, it is not extraordinarily expensive.”
The Dark Emperor smiled broadly as he spoke.
It was at that moment.
“Ah, Dark Emperor! Please wait a moment!”
An urgent voice called out from a man.
He was a man dressed in elaborate robes.
The Dark Emperor tilted his head and asked.
“Who are you?”
“I am Jo Yeo-ryeong, master of Leisheng Valley in Yunnan. Dark Emperor, is it not excessive to simply give the auction item to that fellow?”
“Excessive?”
The Dark Emperor’s voice dropped slightly.
But Jo Yeo-ryeong did not seem to notice, launching into an impassioned speech.
“Yes. Consider this—that man was able to act without being poisoned by the mountain toxin, but did not everyone here fight against the attackers? Yet I believe it is unfair that only the Wind God Dragon receives a reward.”
“That, that is true!”
“We agree!”
Perhaps due to the collective psychology of those who cannot bear to see others prosper.
Those who would normally not dare utter a sound before the name Dark Emperor began to voice their opinions, however timidly.
The Dark Emperor smiled faintly at this.
He regarded Jo Yeo-ryeong directly and asked.
“You said you are the master of Leisheng Valley?”
“Yes, yes. That is correct.”
“Then how many accomplishments did you achieve in the battle just now?”
“….”
Jo Yeo-ryeong’s mouth fell silent.
All he had done was passive defense to protect himself and his companions.
There was nothing he could boast of as an accomplishment.
Thus, he could only fall silent.
The Dark Emperor turned to address the others who had agreed with Jo Yeo-ryeong.
“The same applies to you all. You all fought—so what? In the end, only Jin So-hyeop here actually achieved something. Why should I reward you simply for trying hard?”
Everyone fell silent at the Dark Emperor’s words.
What he said was the truth.
Yet there was one person who raised an objection.
“But… the security of the Black Market was breached and we were attacked, was it not…”
“Young master!”
It was Peng Seo-ho.
The bodyguard beside him gasped in alarm and covered Peng Seo-ho’s mouth, while everyone stared at him in shock.
To contradict the words of one of the Thirteen Venerables.
No, beyond that—to attempt to assign blame to him. It was something no sane person would do.
In fact, Peng Seo-ho seemed to regret his words the moment they left his mouth, his face draining of all color.
However, the Dark Emperor surprisingly did not grow angry.
“Hmm. That’s a fair point. Very well. I’ll acknowledge my mistake in that regard.”
He clapped his palms together sharply and focused his gaze intently.
“To all those who participated in this battle, I shall refund the entrance fees for the Black Market and the auction as an apology and compensation. I’ll provide medical treatment for the injured, and for those who wish to continue participating in the auction, I’ll offer a ten percent discount on the final hammer price. What do you think?”
“V-very generous!”
“Thank you for your magnanimity!”
Many voices erupted in delight at the mention of refunds.
Yet several faces remained unconvinced.
-Tsk, tsk. Foolish creatures. A ten percent discount on the final hammer price? That means nothing in an auction format where prices aren’t fixed. If the price were set, perhaps, but this is meaningless.
‘Precisely.’
I was among those who saw through it.
This was pure wordplay.
‘In an auction without a predetermined fair price, even if someone tries to bid low, the hidden shill bidders will simply drive the price up anyway.’
In the end, customers would pay the same amount—or perhaps even more, swept up in the excitement and bidding against each other.
Those who failed to see through this trick would be tempted by the promise of a ten percent discount and invest even more of their own funds.
‘Well, it’s none of my concern.’
I had already obtained what I wanted.
Without spending a single coin, no less.
It felt like my decision to fight had been the right choice after all.
Both So Hye-rim and I had obtained the Eternal Spirit Horn without suffering any losses.
‘Hmm.’
Yet I noticed something odd—several people’s gazes had been fixed on me since earlier.
Among them was Jo Yeo-ryeong, who had challenged the Dark Emperor.
Could it be that they coveted the Eternal Spirit Horn I had won?
‘I wonder why they desire it so intensely.’
I paid them no mind and fastened the Eternal Spirit Horn to my waist.
Fortunately, the horn flute was small enough that it didn’t hinder my movements.
“Now then, while our people collect the bodies and escort the prisoners, let us take a brief respite before resuming the auction. Please, honored guests, rest at your leisure. I guarantee you, on the name of the Dark Emperor, that there shall be no more such attacks.”
The Dark Emperor smiled broadly as he spoke.
Before departing, he turned to look at me one final time.
“Jin Muyeol. Your performance today was most impressive. I do hope you survive and that I might hear your name spoken of for many years to come.”
It was a loaded statement.
He likely meant it knowing that more than one or two people were after my life.
I nodded and answered calmly.
“I shall do my best.”
“Ha ha. Then until next time.”
He left the cleanup to his subordinates and departed elsewhere.
“Phew.”
“That was an overwhelming pressure.”
As I let out a sigh, So Hye-rim approached and spoke.
“Still, I’m glad you were able to obtain what you desired.”
“Indeed. Thanks to you, my mind is considerably at ease now.”
[Master, are you still determined to maintain your role as a bodyguard?]
[I have no such intention, but now that my identity is revealed, there’s no need to expose yours as well. If I simply present you as a distinguished young lady traveling with me, it will spare us unnecessary complications later. Or perhaps you wish to gain renown from this affair?]
[No, that’s not it… I will follow your wishes, Master.]
So Hye-rim, being the perceptive girl she was, understood my words and complied.
In truth, if it became known that we shared a master-disciple relationship, it would invite considerable trouble.
She had once been suspected of being Cheon Sal-seong.
But I had taken measures to transform that rumor into mere hearsay.
Yet if such a person were to be revealed as my disciple?
‘Black Night Fortress would begin to suspect again.’
That would complicate matters considerably.
All manner of schemes would be set in motion to obtain her.
It was far better to let things pass as they were now.
While we were thus occupied with such thoughts.
“Are you truly Jin Muyeol, the Wanderer?”
Someone approached from the side and addressed me.
It was Peng Seo-ho.
Upon seeing my face, he murmured with evident bewilderment.
“This wasn’t the face you had before…”
“I was wearing a face mask for a time. Well, now that it’s been revealed, there’s little point to it anymore.”
*Rip.*
I removed the face mask adhered to my face and greeted him.
“It has been a long time, Wanderer Peng.”
“You truly are Wanderer Jin. It’s been ages. And…”
“And?”
“I’m grateful you saved my life just now. Like before, I find myself indebted to you once again for my very existence.”
He spoke with a bittersweet smile.
“The Peng Family and I will never forget this debt of gratitude. I am truly thankful.”
“I merely did what was necessary. I cannot stand idle while innocent lives perish before my eyes.”
“Ha, you are truly an exemplar of the wanderer’s code.”
Peng Seo-ho laughed awkwardly as he spoke.
But it was at that moment.
“Wind God Dragon Jin Muyeol, the Wanderer. Am I correct?”
Another voice called out to me besides Peng Seo-ho.
It was Jo Yeo-ryeong, Master of Leisheng Valley.
I had already anticipated his approach beforehand, so I greeted him without undue alarm.
“That is correct. Then you must be the Master of Leisheng Valley.”
“I have already heard tales of your heroic deeds in Sichuan. Is it true you exposed the false Feng Shen’s Tomb and prevented a bloodbath between the Orthodox and Evil Factions?”
“That incident did occur.”
“Seeing your heroic conduct this time around, it seems the reputation of the Central Plains’ greatest rising talent is well-deserved. Truly remarkable.”
“Thank you. But what business do you have with me?”
I watched him heap praise upon me with every flowery word he could muster, then cut straight to the point.
He exhaled softly and moved to the heart of the matter.
“I wish to purchase the Ten Thousand Waters Fish Spirit Horn that you obtained. I’ll pay handsomely—won’t you hand it over?”
“You wish to purchase the Ten Thousand Waters Fish Spirit Horn…”
My confusion only deepened.
In my first life, why had Leisheng Valley refused even the Wild Beast Palace’s request to buy and return the Ten Thousand Waters Fish Spirit Horn?
There had to be a reason.
So I asked directly.
“What is your reason?”
“That is…”
“If you won’t tell me the reason, then I have no reason to consider it.”
At my words, Jo Yeo-ryeong hesitated before sighing and answering.
“Because of a certain spiritual entity.”
A spiritual entity?

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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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