The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 16

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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 16

After my sword technique demonstration concluded.
“Why?”
That was the first word he spoke.
The final three moves of the Heaven and Earth Thirteen Swords that I had displayed.
They took on a form considerably different from what he had shown me.
Yet Moyong Hyun-rak did not dismiss it as merely different.
True to his genius nature, he had grasped something from my demonstration.
“Why did you execute the moves in that manner?”
“Are you curious?”
“I am.”
“If you are curious, then grant me a request in return.”
“…!”
At my playful words, Moyong Hyun-rak’s eyes widened.
“Are you asking me to become a member of the Bukcheon Sword Family?”
“No. That is not what I wish for.”
“Then what?”
“Remain as my personal guest, not as a member of the Bukcheon Sword Family. You need not uphold any loyalty to the Bukcheon Sword Family. Simply assist me when I have a request for you.”
“Hmm.”
He furrowed his brow as he spoke.
“Now that I think about it, you seem to be searching for a hunting dog skilled with the blade.”
“Rest assured. I have no intention of treating you like a hunting dog. Even after becoming my guest, if you believe a request is unreasonable, you may refuse at any time.”
“Well then, I accept.”
“…!”
I wore an expression of surprise at his refreshingly swift agreement.
His answer came without a moment’s hesitation, leaving me somewhat taken aback.
“Why do you look so astonished?”
“I thought you would deliberate further.”
“You said that if I believe a request is unreasonable, I can refuse. Given such conditions, why would I decline?”
Moyong Hyun-rak’s lips curved upward.
“And I simply thought that someone who would propose such terms would not make strange requests.”
Indeed.
It was a rational judgment.
I nodded and spoke to Moyong Hyun-rak.
“Very well. Then let us consider the contract established.”
“Now explain why you executed those final three moves in that manner.”
“I believed that each move had a different application.”
“A different application.”
Moyong Hyun-rak fell into deep contemplation.
I offered him a more detailed explanation.
“For instance, the first technique of the three final moves I demonstrated was designed to handle one against many. Considering the flow of the preceding techniques, I believed we would need a move that could sweep through a wide area and eliminate multiple threats.”
“I see. And the second one?”
“The second technique, by contrast, is intended for one-on-one combat. That’s why I showed you a move specialized in facing a single opponent.”
“What about the third technique?”
“It’s my trump card. A final, desperate move to be used when facing an opponent you cannot overcome—a technique prepared with the resolve for mutual destruction.”
In other words, the ultimate move to deploy against an adversary too formidable to handle normally.
Personally, I find it far too dangerous, but…
“Excellent.”
It seemed to align perfectly with Moyong Hyun-rak’s preferences.
Of course it would.
I had learned the explanation of these martial techniques directly from Moyong Hyun-rak himself.
He could hardly be displeased with the fruits of his own years of contemplation and creation.
That’s why he viewed my demonstration favorably as well.
“I appreciate that the three final techniques don’t flow into one another and each serves a distinct purpose. Especially the objective of that third technique—I’m quite pleased with it.”
“I’m glad it met with your approval.”
“Of course, refining the form you’ve shown and integrating it into my martial arts will require considerable trial and error… but I can already see a path forward. Thank you.”
Moyong Hyun-rak offered his sincere gratitude.
Now he would complete his Qiankun Thirteen Swords several years sooner.
Being a man of unexpected depth, he would regard himself as indebted to me.
Indeed, his demeanor toward us had transformed completely from our first meeting.
“Then, might I impose a request upon you now?”
“What is it?”
“Please investigate a righteous sect called the Wuzhu Sect in Yangquan, Shanxi Province. Of course, as I mentioned before, you’re under no obligation to accept.”
“The Wuzhu Sect? I’ve never heard of them. Besides, what do you intend to do with information about a righteous sect?”
“They wear the guise of a righteous sect, but they conduct illicit activities behind closed doors. However, one of our family’s elders is implicated in their corruption, so we cannot move against them directly.”
“Ah, I see. So you’re asking me to bring you information that could pressure this elder?”
“Precisely.”
Moyong Hyun-rak grasped the situation immediately.
He pondered briefly before responding.
“I accept. Normally I would have refused, but the final techniques you demonstrated have been invaluable to me. I should repay what I’ve received.”
“Thank you. Please, take care of yourself.”
“Ha. What’s so difficult about investigating some nameless sect that you feel compelled to warn me?”
“They may wear the mask of a third-rate righteous sect, but they have powerful backers. I cannot speak of it now, but they’re connected to an enormous force. Even the great hero Moyong could find himself in grave danger.”
“Now that’s intriguing. It seems there’s a grand conspiracy at work here, doesn’t there? I’ll be careful, as you say.”
After hearing my explanation, Moyong Hyun-rak seemed even more motivated.
Had he reacted to the revelation that the Wuzhu Sect was backed by some mysterious, massive power?
Either way, it was favorable. Since he was willing to help, there was no reason to refuse.
“Then I entrust this matter to you.”
“Indeed. However, I won’t begin the investigation immediately. I need time to contemplate the clues we’ve gathered today.”
“Of course. Please just ensure you begin before it grows too late.”
“I’ll contact you once I’m ready to move. For now, I’m afraid I must take my leave.”
“Until we meet again.”
We exchanged farewells and descended the mountain.
As we made our way down, Sa Gong-cheon asked with curiosity in his voice.
“The Wuzhu Sect—is it perhaps another sect connected to Black Night City?”
“Sharp as always. You’re right.”
To be precise, the Wuzhu Sect was merely one of the countless subordinate sects that Black Night City had scattered throughout the martial world.
And years from now, they would join hands with one of the elders from the main family, inflicting great damage upon us.
I had made this request to Moyong Hyun-rak precisely to prevent that from happening.
‘Of course, if the full truth of this matter comes to light, I may fall under suspicion….’
Moyong Hyun-rak was quite a thorough person, despite appearances.
Once he took on a task, he would see it through properly.
So I had no need to worry about my identity being exposed.
Besides, even if suspicion fell upon me, I had already prepared a way to deflect it.
“If Elder Won-ju asks where we went together, tell him honestly that I came to recruit the Blue-Eyed Sword Demon. Only mention that he’s so eccentric the attempt failed.”
“Understood. I shall do so.”
“Then Elder Won-ju will think I’m merely trying to expand my influence by reaching out in various directions. Let him misunderstand freely.”
Yet that very misunderstanding would one day tighten around Elder Won-ju’s throat.
I could hardly contain my anticipation for that moment.
“Now then, let us return with haste.”
“Yes.”
We descended the mountain, mounted our horses, and headed back toward the family estate.
The journey back did not take long.

* * *

Roughly a month had passed since then.
I had been occupied with matters throughout that time.
I attended to my duties as acting family head, devoted my remaining hours to cultivation, and took occasional rest to ensure I didn’t exhaust myself.
During this period, I had received no contact from Moyong Hyun-rak.
He was likely still investing his time in creating something of his own from the techniques I had shown him.
Given his strong sense of responsibility, I harbored no doubt that he would ignore my request.
‘It simply requires time.’
He would fulfill my request, one way or another.
I was lost in such thoughts when it happened.
“Young Master. A letter has arrived for you.”
While I was attending to my duties, Sa Gong-cheon delivered a sealed letter into my hands.
“It’s from the Shanxi Liu Family. Why would they be contacting you now, Young Master?”
“I’m not certain.”
I gave an evasive answer, though in truth, I already knew the reason.
Contact from them had come around this time in my previous life as well.
And as expected.
“They’re requesting assistance. Someone is apparently threatening the Shanxi Liu Family. They’re asking us to dispatch guards for several days while they produce a precious medicinal elixir from their family’s secret arts.”
The Shanxi Liu Family was a renowned medical clan in Shanxi Province, where the Bukcheon Sword Family was located.
They were the ancestral home of the Medicine King, one of the Five Greatest Physicians under Heaven.
Yet as a medical family, they lacked any considerable martial strength of their own.
Thus, when martial sects applied pressure, they had no choice but to seek aid from their neighbors.
And the one they had chosen was our Bukcheon Sword Family.
‘Even if we are in decline, we remain the dominant force in this region.’
There was no martial sect in Shanxi Province stronger than the Bukcheon Sword Family.
So it made sense that the Shanxi Liu Family would turn to us for help.
But I knew how this matter would unfold.
The Bukcheon Sword Family would send reinforcements, yet fail utterly in providing actual assistance.
‘In that process, the Medicine King’s granddaughter would suffer grave injuries. Relations between the Shanxi Liu Family and us would deteriorate catastrophically.’
Fortunately, she did not perish, but the incident was sufficient to drag our family’s reputation through the mud across Shanxi Province.
Indeed, after this incident, the influence of our main family had declined sharply.
I was determined to set things right.
“I should convene a family council immediately.”
At my summons, the senior members of the family gathered in one place.
The topic was naturally how to support the Shanxi Liu Family.
There, I boldly voiced my opinion.
“I wish to go myself.”
“Young Master!?”
“What do you mean by such words?”
The senior members were taken aback.
They had not expected me to step forward so proactively.
It made sense, after all—it was rare for the Family Head to personally undertake such a request.
But I had sound reasons for doing so.
“The Shanxi Liu Family is the ancestral home of the Medicine King. As such, they command the respect of countless people. In terms of influence, they rank among the most prominent great families in this region.”
“So we must send someone carefully selected….”
“Precisely why I must go myself. If the ancestral family dispatches me as Family Head, what will the Shanxi Liu Family think? They will surely believe we genuinely value them and feel deeply grateful.”
By placing the Shanxi Liu Family in my debt, the probability of receiving the Medicine King’s aid in the future would increase substantially.
Therefore, it was better to send someone of high rank so they could never dismiss us, should circumstances demand it.
The elders wore expressions of contemplation at my words.
“Your reasoning is sound, certainly… but are you confident?”
“Should this matter go awry, it would become a grave problem.”
“I am confident.”
I spoke with unwavering assurance.
The elders exchanged brief words among themselves, then regarded me with meaningful gazes.
“Then we shall entrust this matter to you, Family Head.”
“Understood. I shall prepare to depart at once.”
With those words, I immediately began preparations to set out for the Shanxi Liu Family.
It was then that it happened.
“Elder brother. Do you have a moment?”
As I gathered various supplies, someone came to find me.
I could not help but be quite startled upon seeing him.
An entirely unexpected person had come to visit.
“Cheon-hui.”
His name was Jin Cheon-hui.
My cousin and the man who would one day be called the First Sword of the Jin Family.

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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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