The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 28

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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 28

The Feng Shen Martial Art.
It was, quite literally, a martial lineage created by Feng Shen himself.
In other words, the very source of the Bukcheon Sword Family’s martial techniques.
Even the Swift Wind Consecutive Sword technique I favored was merely a derivative branch of the Feng Shen Martial Art.
“Indeed, that is true… but the trial is formidable. Even I, in my youth, failed to recover the Feng Shen Martial Art.”
My father spoke with a frustrated expression.
Hearing him speak in such a manner only confirmed how difficult the trial truly was.
I had already steeled myself for it.
In my previous life, my father had said the very same thing.
However, at that time, I had never actually participated in the trial.
Why not?
‘Because when I arrived, the Sacred Ground had already been destroyed.’
This was a matter from roughly ten years in the future.
At that time, still unwilling to abandon the family, I had desperately tried to restore it and made my way to the Sacred Ground that my father had revealed to me before his passing.
But that place was no longer in a state suitable for conducting trials.
The Great-Uncle who was supposed to be guarding it was nowhere to be found, and the entrance to Feng Shen Valley had collapsed.
I didn’t know it then, but could it have been the work of those Black Night City dogs?
‘It seems quite likely.’
I had heard that the Great-Uncle had reached the Celestial Martial Realm, just as my grandfather before him had done.
And the Celestial Martial Realm was another name for the Transcendent Realm.
In a sense, he could be considered the greatest master among the Bukcheon Sword Family. Only those dogs would have the power to kill such a man and destroy the Sacred Ground.
‘The problem is, I don’t know exactly when or how it happened.’
In my previous life, even knowing of that place’s existence, I hadn’t rushed to find it immediately.
I had been so busy that I forgot about it, and I thought I wasn’t yet prepared.
But now things were different.
Knowing that time was limited, I had to go there as quickly as possible.
The same tragedy might unfold again at any moment.
In the worst case, the Sacred Ground might already be half-destroyed.
So I had to verify it. The condition of the Sacred Ground.
“Hmm. Your resolve seems already firm.”
My father exhaled lightly and spoke.
“Then go to Hang Mountain. You will find what you seek there. The Great-Uncle should be at Feng Shen Valley, located halfway up that mountain.”
Hang Mountain was one of the Five Sacred Peaks of the Central Plains, also known as the Northern Peak.
It was a place I had visited in my previous life to search for the Great-Uncle.
“Yes. Thank you.”
I bowed respectfully to my father and stepped outside. Sa Gong-cheon followed behind me.
“Have you decided on your destination?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and answered.
“We’re heading to Hang Mountain.”

* * *

Hang Mountain was one of the most renowned peaks in the Central Plains.
Though its elevation was considerable and the paths treacherous, its majestic grandeur drew an endless stream of visitors each year.
Moreover, its formidable terrain made it a crucial military stronghold, ensuring the mountain perpetually teemed with people.
‘But Feng Shen Valley, where I’m headed, lies somewhat removed from the well-trodden routes.’
Ordinarily, one would need to inquire repeatedly with locals to find the way, but I had no such need.
I had walked this path before. Sa Gong-cheon and I ascended swiftly, arriving at a ravine nestled halfway up the mountainside.
“So this is Feng Shen Valley.”
I gazed upon it with admiration, murmuring to myself.
Feng Shen Valley remained intact, unchanged from my memory.
In other words, the calamity I had feared had not yet occurred.
Moreover, the subtle sensation of wind flowing through the air…
‘I’m certain. This is a formation.’
Feng Shen Valley was protected entirely by some kind of formation.
Its purpose was likely to bar human approach and distort the surrounding terrain from view.
Yet somehow, the formation’s entrance was crystal clear to me.
It seemed to resonate with the Northern Wind Heart Method within my body.
‘This formation was designed to permit entry only to those of the Shanxi Yu Clan who have cultivated the Northern Wind Heart Method.’
I turned to Sa Gong-cheon and issued a firm warning.
“You may lose your way due to the formation, so follow closely behind me. Try to step exactly where I step.”
“Yes, understood.”
We proceeded slowly along the path guided by the Northern Wind Heart Method, moving inward.
Then the landscape of Feng Shen Valley, which had appeared distant, transformed.
From the outside, it seemed small and unremarkable, obscured by mist, but upon entering, it revealed itself to be far vaster and more magnificent.
It was then.
[Who goes there.]
Suddenly, a resonant sound echoed from all directions.
I recognized what this was.
The technique known as Six Harmonies Transmission Voice.
A sophisticated sound transmission method that only those at the Harmony Realm could even attempt to replicate.
That was Six Harmonies Transmission Voice. Thus, my opponent was at minimum a master of the Harmony Realm.
Unperturbed, I cupped my fist toward the front and spoke.
“I am Jin Muyeol, Young Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family, paying respects to the First Sword of the Shanxi Yu Clan of this generation.”
[Young Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family, you say? You?]
A voice of astonishment returned.
At that same moment, there was a loud boom!
Someone leaped down from a nearby cliff.
It was a sturdy old man whose entire body was corded with muscle.
A worn sword hung at his waist, and a long scar ran across his face.
Surely any timid child would burst into tears at the sight of him.
“So you’re saying you’re my great-grandson?”
“Yes, Great-Uncle.”
I gazed at him, overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of emotion.
The supreme elder of the Bukcheon Sword Family, Jin Ho-geon.
This man was said to have once dominated the martial world under the name of the Swift Wind Divine Sword.
Until now, I had only heard of him through stories others had told me.
To finally meet my great-grandfather in the flesh filled me with profound gratitude.
“Thanks to my father’s guidance, I was able to find you. It is an honor to meet you.”
“Your father—you mean Yuguang, then. Ha! Hehehehe! The last I heard, his health had taken a turn for the worse, but it seems he’s doing well after all. What a relief that is.”
My great-grandfather lowered his guard and spoke with genuine joy.
He looked at me and spoke in a warmer tone.
“So your name is Muyeol? As you know, I am your great-uncle, Jin Ho-geon. And this one here…?”
“My trusted aide and personal guard.”
“I am Sa Gong-cheon. It is an honor to meet the Swift Wind Divine Sword.”
“Ah yes, delighted. Both the young clan leader and his guard have achieved remarkable feats despite your youth. You are a blessing to our house.”
It seemed my great-uncle had instantly discerned our martial levels.
‘Of course he would.’
He was a master of the Heavenly Martial Realm—a true pinnacle expert.
He could easily perceive the cultivation stages of mere novices like us, who had only reached the peak of the lower realms.
My great-uncle asked with a gentle expression.
“The heir of our Bukcheon Sword Family coming all this way surely means you wish to challenge the Founder’s Trial?”
“Yes. But I also came to bring you back with me.”
Based on the memories of my past life, if he remained here, my great-uncle would surely pass away.
But I had no intention of allowing that to happen.
Emotionally, I could not bear to lose the supreme elder of my family in such a manner. Practically speaking, it would be an enormous waste to let such a powerful force simply perish.
Yet my great-uncle’s expression grew troubled.
“I’m sorry, my boy. I cannot abandon this place and return to the family.”
“Pardon? Could you tell me why?”
“Because there are those who covet Feng Shen Valley.”
…!
This was information I had never heard before.
In my previous life, I had learned nothing of this place.
But there were those targeting this valley?
“What sort of people are they?”
“I do not know their true identities. But I know they are a hidden force shrouded in the darkness of the martial world. They covet our ancestor’s legacy and constantly threaten this place.”
“I see….”
“That’s also why I withdrew from the martial world and secluded myself here. I’ve already repelled those prowling bastards twice in this vicinity. I never know when they might return.”
“A hidden force, you say….”
A single name flashed through my mind.
Black Night Fortress.
It was too early to be certain, but could it be them?
I ventured to speak carefully.
“Great-Uncle, I believe I may know the identity of those people.”
“What? Is that truly so?”
“Yes. They are the Black Night Fortress.”
I began my explanation calmly.
How the Bukcheon Sword Family had begun to decline at some point.
And how behind that decline lay my father’s addiction and the elders’ rampage—all orchestrated by the Black Night Fortress.
“Audacious!”
After hearing my full explanation, Great-Uncle’s voice rang out with a resonant shout.
The very sound seemed to shake the entire cliff. The cry of a master at the Heavenly Martial Realm possessed such formidable power.
“They dared to scheme against the Bukcheon Sword Family? Those wretches deserve death….”
“Please, Great-Uncle. Calm yourself. We’ve already resolved much of it.”
“What?”
“The Family Head’s condition has improved. Through fortunate circumstance, I obtained martial techniques and used the Medicine King Divine Elixir to purge the poison. Moreover, I’ve already corrected the elders’ recklessness to a considerable degree. A certain incident served as the catalyst to restore discipline.”
I also told him about the Shanxi Yu Clan and the Wang Jin incident.
As Great-Uncle listened to my account, his eyes widened in astonishment.
“Extraordinary! Is this truly so? You accomplished such feats?”
“It is the truth, Gale Wind Divine Sword Master. I stake everything in assuring you of its veracity.”
Sa Gong-cheon opportunely corroborated my words, and Great-Uncle broke into a broad smile.
“Ha, hahahaha! The Bukcheon Sword Family has indeed produced a remarkable prodigy! A blessing upon our house! Truly glorious. Had your grandfather lived to see this, he would have been immensely proud.”
“Yes. However, we cannot afford complacency. The Black Night Fortress faction orchestrating all of this remains unscathed.”
“Hmm.”
“That is precisely why I wish to invite you back to the main residence. Should any crisis arise, having an elder of your caliber present would make resolving matters far more manageable.”
“You flatter this old man. But I understand what you’re truly asking.”
Great-Uncle spoke to me with a composed expression.
“I must give this some thought. The family’s security is paramount, but the defense of this place is equally vital.”
“Of course. I would never presume to pressure you, Great-Uncle.”
“Heh. I appreciate your understanding. Then for now, allow me to guide you to the Ancestor’s Trial Ground.”
Great-Uncle led us to a small cave entrance, cunningly concealed within the cliff’s crevices.
“Our Founding Ancestor rests deep within this place. But to reach him, you must overcome numerous trials. Are you prepared?”
“Yes.”
“A special technique governs this place—the trials can only be attempted once before the age of thirty. Your father’s brothers and my own siblings, myself included, all failed to reach the end.”
“But I will be different.”
“What? Hahahaha! Excellent confidence! Yes, a man of Bukcheon should be nothing less.”
Great-Uncle burst into hearty laughter and opened the cunningly concealed entrance to the cave.
“I shall offer one final warning.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do not perish in there.”
Thud-thud-thud.
As I stepped inside, the stone door sealed shut behind me once more.
I gazed into the suffocating darkness that now enveloped me.
The air here was utterly unlike that of the world beyond.
Whoosh!
And then arrows came hurtling toward me with ferocious intent.
Clang!
In a heartbeat, I drew my blade and sliced through the projectiles.
The arrows vanished as though they had never existed at all.
Witnessing this, I could sense it with absolute clarity.
The ordeal had already begun.

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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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