The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 43

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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 43

Thirty days had passed since Dang Ye-rin’s departure.
A letter arrived at the family estate.
It was an invitation to send our Bukcheon Sword Family’s rising talents to the Dragon Phoenix Conference.
‘At last, it’s here.’
I examined the invitation with that thought.
The Dragon Phoenix Conference.
Literally a gathering where dragons and phoenixes congregated—a social assembly for the rising talents of orthodox sects.
It was a grand event that virtually every rising talent from any respectable martial faction attended.
If one belonged to the Martial Alliance or had connections, they would send an invitation like this, urging participation.
‘But in my previous life, I never attended.’
The reason was simple: I bore responsibility for the Dang Ye-rin incident.
Relations with the Sichuan Dang Family had deteriorated catastrophically, making it impossible to send me to such an event.
‘Looking back now, it was probably caution against me building external connections.’
Regardless, I had no way to resist at that time.
It was true that Dang Ye-rin had been injured because of me. Back then, I was consumed by overwhelming guilt, unable to do anything.
‘But not now.’
The pursuit of Dok-an-gwi had concluded successfully, and I had built a good relationship with Dang Ye-rin.
Lee Tae-gyeom, the Elder who would have obstructed me, was gone, and all the other elders were watching Great-Uncle’s lead.
This meant no one could prevent me from participating in the Dragon Phoenix Conference.
Upon realizing this, I immediately began preparing to depart.
First, I needed to select who would accompany me.
“Me? You want me to go as well?”
“Of course. You’re one of our Bukcheon Sword Family’s rising talents. Naturally, you should come with us.”
The first person I brought in was Jin Cheon-hui.
My cousin with the potential to become the greatest swordsman of the Jin Family in the future.
In my first life, he was the one who represented the Bukcheon Sword Family at the Dragon Phoenix Conference in my stead.
Jin Cheon-hui wore a surprised expression, as if he hadn’t expected such a proposal.
“Are you certain I’m suitable for this?”
“Why wouldn’t you be? If anything, I’d really like you to come with me.”
To elevate the family’s overall strength, I needed to draw out Jin Cheon-hui’s potential to its limits.
And what was necessary for that was experience.
The Dragon Phoenix Conference, where peers gathered, would provide excellent stimulation for him. Thus, I was determined to bring him along.
“Let’s bring some of the other family members too. We’ll select a reasonable number, nothing excessive.”
In total, I gathered about ten rising talents of similar age.
All of them were destined to become the future of the Bukcheon Sword Family. Moreover, most were people my original self had never grown close to.
“Travel safely, all of you. You are the pillars who will lead the Bukcheon Sword Family forward.”
Father personally distributed travel expenses and spending money to each of them as he spoke.
At that, all the children’s faces lit up with emotion.
I could understand it for Jin Cheon-hui and myself, who carried the blood of the Jin Family, but they were even looking after the children of the household servants….
Everyone marveled at Father’s thoughtfulness.
They all answered spiritedly.
“We will surely assist the Young Master and make the name of the Bukcheon Sword Family known!”
“Ha ha. There’s no need to go that far. Just return safely without any trouble.”
Father laughed heartily and waved his hand.
In truth, he wasn’t expecting any particular achievements from us—he simply wanted us to gain experience by attending the Dragon Phoenix Conference.
But my thoughts were different.
I intended to make the Bukcheon Sword Family’s name widely known by handling the incidents that would occur at the Dragon Phoenix Conference.
‘And investigate the Pungsin Sword as a bonus.’
The last to have their participation confirmed were none other than Iron Blood Sword Captain Jin Seo-hong and the members of the Iron Blood Sword Squad.
To be precise, they weren’t so much participating as serving as our escort.
“The Dragon Phoenix Conference. How nostalgic. I participated in it during my youth as well.”
“We look forward to your assistance. It’s reassuring to have the Captain with us.”
“Is it because of those people?”
There was no need to ask who “those people” referred to.
The Iron Blood Sword Captain was someone who knew about Black Night Fortress.
I nodded as if it were obvious.
“If someone wanted to kill us, wouldn’t traveling like this be the easiest opportunity? Especially since aside from the Iron Blood Sword Squad, we’re only late-stage cultivators.”
If we were to encounter the elite forces of Black Night Fortress with this strength?
We would all die.
Only I and Sa Gong-cheon’s escort might barely escape with our lives.
Of course, I had no intention of allowing that.
That’s why I summoned the Iron Blood Sword Captain.
“But with the Captain present, I feel assured. You are among the finest masters of the Bukcheon Sword Family.”
“To hear such words from the Bukcheon Sword Family’s greatest genius—it’s quite flattering. In any case, we appreciate your trust.”
“We look forward to working with you.”
We bowed to each other and immediately finished our preparations for departure.
The next day.
A group of approximately twenty people departed from Taiyuan.
Our destination was Wuhan, Hubei Province.
Where the Martial Alliance was located.

* * *

“He’s departed, they say.”
“How many in his party?”
“About twenty, from what I hear. Ten post-transcendence cultivators and ten guards.”
“Quite a number. It won’t be easy to make a move.”
“What shall we do?”
“Among those with idle hands right now, who’s worth deploying?”
“The Blood Hand Demon Lord is available.”
“Isn’t that using a sword meant for cattle to slaughter a chicken?”
“But surely certainty is better than uncertainty, is it not? Besides, his growth rate is remarkable. I believe we should crush him before he becomes a true threat.”
“True enough. And if the Blood Hand Demon Lord acts, we can pin it on the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
“Then I shall send him word. Kill the Young Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family.”
“Yes. Tell him to ignore everyone else, but that one must die.”
“As you command.”
A shadow dissolved into the darkness.
The black-robed man who remained gleamed with anticipation as he mused.
“Until now, he’s been fortunate enough to survive…”
The Black-Robed Figure’s lips twisted into a cruel smile.
“But this time will be different. Jin Muyeol.”

* * *

The journey to the Martial Alliance proved uneventful.
Not a single bandit attack—how unusual.
Though in truth, it made perfect sense.
Even if bandits roamed these roads, everyone in our party was a martial artist.
Even the younger post-transcendence cultivators among us were formidable.
No sane bandit would dare attempt to rob us.
We numbered twenty, which alone made us a daunting target, and any successful attack would invite blood vengeance.
The danger was incomparable to robbing ordinary travelers or merchant caravans.
“There’s an inn ahead. It might be wise to rest there for a while.”
I nodded in agreement with Jin Seo-hong’s suggestion.
Soon our entire party entered the inn.
The place was quiet.
Located in such a remote spot, the only guests were travelers like ourselves.
The innkeeper attended to us with remarkable courtesy.
“Let’s have a drink each.”
“Young Master, are you certain?”
“We’re staying here tonight anyway. I won’t permit excessive drinking, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying ourselves moderately, is there?”
“That’s our Young Master for you!”
All the post-transcendence cultivators and the Iron Blood Sword Squad warriors traveling with me rejoiced at my decision.
Everyone was exhausted from the long journey, after all.
Taking a brief rest in such circumstances to ease both body and mind was perfectly reasonable.
I too enjoyed drinks and pleasant conversation at the same table as Jin Seo-hong, Jin Cheon-hui, and Sa Gong-cheon.
But then it happened.
A whisper of wind.
The flow of air revealed to me the presence of martial artists outside.
Perhaps a dozen or so in number?
They were all masters of considerable skill.
“Young Master.”
Jin Seo-hong gestured, apparently sensing those outside just as I had.
We paused our drinking and watched those entering. We could not help but be surprised.
‘The Huashan Sect?’
Neatly tailored martial robes with plum blossom embroidery stitched upon them.
These were the distinctive marks of the Huashan Sect, counted among the upper echelon of the Nine Great Sects.
They peered into our interior and seemed slightly flustered.
The inn was cramped, leaving few seats, so they could not all sit down.
“Elder Brother, what shall we do?”
“What else? There are no seats, so we have no choice. Let us depart.”
Their quiet conversation reached us on the wind.
I pondered briefly, then rose from my seat.
Jin Cheon-hui beside me was taken aback, but both Jin Seo-hong and Sa Gong-cheon remained still, understanding my intention.
“Are you perhaps leaving because there are no available seats?”
“Ah, well….”
“If the masters do not mind, why not join us at our table? Though it may be a bit cramped, it should pose no difficulty for us to share.”
“Are you truly certain?”
A young Taoist Master, apparently their leader, spoke with a surprised expression.
I smiled warmly and nodded.
“I am certain. And when else would I have the opportunity to share a meal with the esteemed masters of the Huashan Sect? Forgive me for such a worldly reason, but I hope you understand.”
“Ha ha. Worldly, you say? Not at all. We are simply grateful.”
The young Taoist Master, apparently pleased by my demeanor, bowed respectfully with cupped fists.
“I am Chung Yun of the Huashan Sect. These are my martial brothers.”
“Chung Yun, I see. I am Jin Muyeol, the Young Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family.”
“The Bukcheon Sword Family…!”
They seemed quite startled upon learning our identity.
But I too was startled upon recognizing this Huashan Taoist Master.
‘The Pure Plum Blossom, Chung Yun.’
A martial artist who would later gain renown for his compassionate nature and the formidable martial prowess that contrasted with it.
In other words, a promising prodigy being cultivated by the Huashan Sect.
‘It was wise to suggest the shared table.’
There was nothing to lose in forging a connection with such a person.
If anything, it was helpful.
But then Chung Yun said something that caught my attention.
“I’ve heard much about you. They say the Young Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family possesses excellent character and cannot tolerate injustice—a true righteous swordsman. It seems the rumors are accurate.”
“…Are you speaking of me?”
“Of course. Haven’t you just accomplished something remarkable? My teachers and the elders of our sect were all impressed when we heard that Master Jin defeated the kidnappers and rescued the innocent civilians.”
“Ah.”
I realized he was referring to the incident at the Wuzhu Sect.
The truth was somewhat different, but on the surface, that affair had been recorded as my dismantling of a human trafficking organization masquerading as an orthodox faction.
The rumor must have spread and eventually reached the Huashan Sect.
I felt a bit embarrassed and changed the subject.
“Regardless, it cannot compare to the righteous deeds the Huashan Sect has accumulated over the years. Please, have a seat.”
“I’m grateful for your consideration.”
We shared a table and exchanged various conversations.
I had expected the Taoist Master to be rigid, but Chung Yun was far more amiable than anticipated.
Seeing the warm atmosphere at the other tables, it seemed no major problems would arise if I left things as they were.
‘This is what makes the Dragon Phoenix Conference so valuable.’
The opportunity to meet and build connections with influential figures one would never ordinarily encounter.
I smiled contentedly, watching the two groups converse as I sipped my drink.
But that pleasant mood shattered in an instant.
The wind informed me of approximately fifty auras approaching this place.
And what I sensed at their forefront was….
“Demonic energy?”
An unknown demon cultivator was approaching our location.
My eyes turned cold as I gripped the sword at my waist and shouted with all my strength.
“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

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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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