The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 12

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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 12

‘Why are there two roots of this?’
The question nagged at me.
From what I remembered, the herb gatherer had only discovered one root of Moonlight Shadow Grass.
That meant one of these two would disappear within the next two years.
Then who would take it?
‘Or perhaps some passing animal ate it.’
If a person had taken it, they would have claimed both roots, not just one.
In any case.
‘Fortune smiles upon me.’
I hadn’t expected to gain such an unexpected windfall here.
I crouched down and carefully excavated both roots of the Moonlight Shadow Grass.
Sa Gong-cheon beside me asked in a trembling voice.
“Young Master. Is that truly…?”
“Indeed. Moonlight Shadow Grass. Touch it.”
As I handed the Moonlight Shadow Grass to Sa Gong-cheon, he carefully examined it.
His pupils dilated.
Likely from sensing the potent frigid energy emanating from the Moonlight Shadow Grass.
“Here.”
I carefully wrapped it in a pouch I had brought beforehand and handed it to Sa Gong-cheon.
Sa Gong-cheon lowered his head, tears streaming down his face.
“Thank you, Young Master. I shall never forget this grace.”
His voice trembled with gratitude.
Those words were surely sincere.
Given Sa Gong-cheon’s nature, he would never betray me now.
I had gained a steadfast ally who would become a master of the Harmony Realm in the future.
“Then might I ask one favor of you?”
“By all means. If it is your command, I shall stake my life upon it.”
“You needn’t stake your life on my orders. Always remember to prioritize your family above all else. You are the head of a household. Never forget where your priorities lie.”
“Young Master…!”
“Well, what I’m about to ask isn’t anything grandiose. Simply keep watch for a moment while I harvest this one.”
I pointed to the remaining root I had given Sa Gong-cheon and spoke.
Sa Gong-cheon nodded with resolute determination.
“I shall complete this task without fail.”
“I’m counting on you.”
At my response, Sa Gong-cheon left the cave and took up his watch.
Watching his departing figure, I sat in a cross-legged position and brushed away the soil and dust clinging to the Moonlight Shadow Grass.
Then in one gulp—crunch!
‘How frigid.’
It felt as though shards of ice had been shoved into my mouth.
Simultaneously, the essence of the Moonlight Poison Technique flowed into my abdomen.
I focused my mind and unleashed the Vajra Yaksha Divine Art.
Uuuuung.
Golden radiance poured forth from my body.
The Vajra Yaksha energy enveloped my entire form to shield it from any harm the cold might inflict.
Within this protective shell, I executed the Minor Circulation technique.
The tremendous energy that had entered my body seeped through my meridians and resonated with the Vajra Yaksha force.
Thump, thump-thump-thump!
My body transformed once more.
My bones and muscles hardened, my meridians expanded.
The Vajra Yaksha Divine Art was forcibly reconstructing my flesh using the essence of the Moonlight Poison Technique.
What remained after my body became one with this power ultimately settled in my dantian, transforming into my own inner force.
“Exhale.”
Considerable pain followed, but I dismissed it with a single breath.
If growing stronger meant enduring pain of this magnitude, I could do it a hundred times over.
I rose slowly and examined my transformed body.
Boom!
As I thrust my fist into empty air, the sound of wind rupturing echoed forth.
I could likely shatter a practice wooden target in a single strike.
Not long ago, I had been frail and wheezing—yet now I had become this.
Others would surely think I had been hiding my strength like Sa Gong-cheon.
‘If I unleash the Gale Wind Continuous Slash in this state, it will be extraordinary.’
Even if dozens of commanders like Wang Ho attacked me now, they could not bring me down.
A remarkable achievement indeed.
Satisfied with my progress, I approached Sa Gong-cheon, who had been standing guard outside.
Using the Phantom Thief’s Movement Technique, I closed the distance without alerting him.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Master Jin?!”
Sa Gong-cheon seemed startled by my sudden, silent appearance.
I chuckled and patted his shoulder.
Sa Gong-cheon paused briefly, gauging the energy waves emanating from my body, then his expression shifted to one of admiration.
“You have achieved great perfection. My congratulations.”
“It is thanks to you for guarding this place. Let us return now.”
The unexpected consumption of the spirit medicine had caused us to lose track of time.
Most would be asleep, but they may have already noticed our absence and panicked.
I pushed off the ground, applying the Phantom Thief’s Movement Technique.
After consuming the spirit medicine, my body felt as though I had set down a heavy burden—I practically soared.
When we returned to the village, the warriors of the Gale Wind Brigade were patrolling with torches in hand.
They were searching for us, who had disappeared.
“The Family Head!?”
“The Family Head is here!”
Soon they came rushing over to greet us.
First Blade Master So Ho asked with concern.
“Where on earth have you been, sir?”
“My apologies. I was reviewing today’s battle and sparring with Sa Gong-cheon as my escort. I lost track of time.”
I pointed to the dirt clinging to the hem of my trousers and my sleeves as I spoke.
So Ho nodded in understanding.
“I see. We were alarmed, thinking perhaps remnants of those bandits had appeared.”
“Had you been ambushed, it would have been a grave matter.”
“If those dogs valued their lives, they won’t dare return here again.”
“That’s certainly true.”
“Leave only a minimal guard force tonight and have everyone else rest well. We’ll depart early tomorrow morning.”
“Understood!”
The martial artists who had been continuing the search readily accepted the suggestion, exhausted as they were.
Sa Gong-cheon and I returned to our quarters and sought sleep.
And the next day.
We were able to return to the Bukcheon Sword Family.
“The Family Head has returned!”
“Waaaaaaaaa!”
An enormous roar greeted our arrival.

* * *

To be honest, the retainers of the Bukcheon Sword Family harbored considerable doubt.
No matter that I had gone with the Gale Wind Brigade, they worried whether their weak young master could truly subjugate the Red Wolf Gang and return.
But such worries proved needless.
To those who expected my failure, I announced my success with unmistakable proof.
And I returned not only with substantial wealth and iron, but with far more.
In fact, that was merely the beginning.
“Everyone, take your share.”
I distributed portions of the spoils to all those who had fought alongside me.
As the young master, I exercised my authority to allocate a portion of the war gains.
Everyone’s eyes widened in astonishment—they had never expected such a thing.
Yet I merely smiled and spoke thus.
“This victory was earned through the suffering of all, not through me alone. How could I monopolize the glory? It was a pleasure to fight alongside the Gale Wind Brigade.”
Upon hearing this, the retainers could not help but marvel.
Typically, the nobility of great families had no love for sharing credit.
Even when subordinates labored to achieve merit, it was customary for them to claim all the glory for themselves.
But I was different.
I formally expressed my gratitude to Sa Gong-cheon and the Gale Wind Brigade—before a great many witnesses.
For the Gale Wind Brigade, this was truly an honor.
And so many among them were moved to pledge their loyalty to their young master.
“The young master is truly virtuous. Most would grow arrogant after their first success.”
“Was the Gale Wind Brigade’s contribution not overwhelming? They could hardly claim their rightful share in this mission.”
“What are you saying? Have you not heard the reports? The young master himself cut down dozens of enemies and even slew their commander.”
“I’ve heard the tales, but I confess I find them difficult to believe.”
“Surely dozens of brigade members would not all fabricate the same lie. At this point, we must accept it as truth.”
Such conversations circulated among the retainers.
Some praised my decision to share credit with the Gale Wind Brigade.
Others questioned whether I had truly accomplished such deeds myself.
And still others offered rebuttals to these doubts.
Though debate persisted, the consensus ultimately settled upon the undeniable magnitude of my achievements.
As one retainer reasoned, it was inconceivable that dozens of brigade members would all lie.
Some among them even spoke with great enthusiasm of the remarkable exploits they had witnessed.
Amidst all this.
Sa Gong-cheon received a summons from Elder Won-ju.
Naturally, it was to provide a full account of the recent events.
On his way back to the family, he recalled words I had spoken to him.
[If Elder Won-ju Lee Tae-gyeom questions you about this matter, simply tell him the truth.]
[But… is that not dangerous? What if they become wary of you?]
[I’ve already shown my hand, so I cannot hide everything. Besides, they may obtain information through other channels as well.]
[…]
[So simply report what you saw and heard truthfully. You do this with my permission, so it is no betrayal. Do not burden yourself with worry.]
Each word was a gesture of consideration toward me.
He had even tolerated the risk of my information leaking out, concerned that I might face danger if I delivered a false report.
I felt a profound gratitude at that.
‘Not only did he willingly cede the Moonlight Iron Workshop to me, but he shows such consideration for my wellbeing.’
It seemed I had made the right choice in deciding to follow Jin Muyeol again.
After all, it was rare to meet such a person in this world.
Thus, even when summoned before Elder Won-ju Lee Tae-gyeom, I could remain composed.
After hearing the full explanation, Lee Tae-gyeom let out a low whistle.
“How strange.”
The matter concerned Jin Muyeol’s killing of Jeok In-hoe, the leader of the Red Wolf Gang.
Lee Tae-gyeom had believed Jeok In-hoe would be more than capable of killing Jin Muyeol.
But the result was the complete opposite.
Jeok In-hoe hadn’t even lasted ten seconds against Jin Muyeol.
“How could such a result come to pass? Jeok In-hoe was a martial master of considerable standing in his own right.”
Lee Tae-gyeom regarded Sa Gong-cheon with suspicion.
“Surely you didn’t involve yourself in this?”
“No, sir. I followed your orders and withdrew while the Family Head fought.”
“Sa Gong-cheon’s account is accurate. According to witnesses, the Family Head truly fought alone.”
Lee Tae-gyeom’s bodyguard corroborated Sa Gong-cheon’s words.
Sa Gong-cheon felt a chill run through him.
Just as Jin Muyeol had anticipated, they were gathering information through other channels as well.
Had I lied, I would have been in serious trouble.
“So the Family Head was hiding his claws?”
“It appears so.”
“A troublesome fellow. Blood truly cannot be deceived, can it?”
Lee Tae-gyeom pondered for a moment before speaking.
“If that’s the case, there’s no choice. I must take measures.”
“What will you do?”
His bodyguard and trusted aide asked. Lee Tae-gyeom twisted his lips into a smile.
“I’ll make him just like his father.”
…!
Sa Gong-cheon’s spine went cold at what he heard.
Those words meant nothing less than poisoning Jin Muyeol.
‘The Family Head is in danger.’
I resolved to inform him of this discovery as quickly as possible.
It was my way of repaying the debt I owed Jin Muyeol.
And at that very moment.
Jin Muyeol had gone to Sa Gong-cheon’s home.
“So you’re Rin?”
He had come to treat Sa Gong-rin, Sa Gong-cheon’s daughter.

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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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