The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 48

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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 48

Eon Pyung-un’s eyes widened like lanterns at my proposal.
“Are you serious?”
“Why would I lie?”
He seemed to hesitate for a moment.
My unwavering confidence must have unsettled him.
But backing down now would cost him his honor.
He’d been insisting all along that I was bluffing—retreating would be far from easy.
In the end.
“F-fine! I accept your proposal!”
Eon Pyung-un had crossed a bridge he could never return from.
At his answer, Vice-Master Yu Jung-hak laughed heartily and declared:
“Youth truly knows no bounds! Splendid. Let’s prepare the Martial Arts Arena!”
“The Martial Arts Arena, sir?”
“The Dragon Phoenix Conference has always traditionally been an event where we enjoy food and drink, engage in martial contests, and deepen our bonds. We would have set up the arena regardless of your circumstances.”
Though I’d already known this, I nodded as if surprised.
Glancing sideways at Eon Pyung-un, I saw his fists clenched with grim determination.
He was clearly resolved to crush me with everything he had.
It was almost laughable.
I waited with my arms crossed while the Martial Arts Arena was being prepared.
Then Chung Yun approached me with concern in his voice.
“Jin Muyeol, are you truly certain about this? It hasn’t been long since that incident….”
“Brother, wouldn’t it be better to hold the martial contest after your body has fully recovered?”
It seemed both Chung Yun and Jin Cheon-hui mistakenly believed I wasn’t in peak condition.
Their concern was understandable.
Not many days had passed since that event.
But I had consumed the Gongcheong Stone Oil and not only fully recovered—I’d undergone a transformation akin to being reborn.
In fact, my current strength exceeded what it had been before.
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t have stepped forward if I lacked confidence.”
“But….”
“Is he stronger than the Blood Hand Demon Lord? Or as formidable as the Red-Robed Swordsman? I survived their pursuit. This is nothing.”
“…I understand.”
Chung Yun stepped back, recognizing my resolve was unshakeable.
“What’s happening?”
“It seems the martial contest is finally beginning.”
“What? Wasn’t that supposed to start tomorrow?”
“Well, apparently the Swift Wind Divine Dragon and the eldest young master of the Eon Family have had a dispute. They’ve decided to settle it through martial combat.”
“Swift Wind Divine Dragon? Ah, you mean the young master of the Bukcheon Sword Family?”
In the meantime, spectators streamed into the arena in droves.
People from the Central Plains were the sort who never missed a chance to witness a spectacle.
The area surrounding the Martial Arts Arena filled with people in an instant.
I noticed Eon Pyung-un’s complexion grow noticeably pale at the sight.
I sent him one final transmission of inner energy.
[Why not concede and withdraw now? If you admit defeat first, I’ll let you leave without any humiliation.]
[Concede? That’s absurd! I’ll make you remember what happened three years ago.]
Unfortunately, he showed no inclination to accept my proposal.
“Both of you, come up to the Martial Arts Arena.”
And just then, the preparations were complete.
We took our positions at opposite ends of the surprisingly spacious Martial Arts Arena, facing each other.
Yu Jung-hak, standing in the middle, explained the rules.
“The match is decided when one person declares defeat, loses consciousness, or is thrown outside the arena. Attacking a surrendered opponent is forbidden, and likewise, lethal techniques are prohibited—so refrain from using them if possible.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
We nodded and assumed our stances.
Yu Jung-hak confirmed we were ready and gave the signal to begin.
“Then let us commence.”
“Gyaaaaaaah!”
Eon Pyung-un roared and charged toward me.
What unfolded was the Eon Family’s pride—the Eon Family Fist Technique.
The spectators gasped at the formidable momentum.
“Truly worthy of the Eon Family’s eldest son.”
“Even the Storm Dragon couldn’t simply defend against that.”
“How will he block it?”
I heard all those voices at once as I planted my feet firmly.
Crack!
Simultaneously, the ground of the Martial Arts Arena solidified beneath me.
In that moment, I drew upon the Vajra Demon God Technique with all my power.
The gathered Vajra Demon God Technique converged in my right hand, forming a subtle golden vortex.
What followed was the opening move of the Divine Wind Palm.
Boom!
With a thunderous roar, Eon Pyung-un’s body was sent flying backward.
Crash, crash, crash!
He tumbled across the ground several times before being thrown completely outside the arena, flying straight toward the spectators.
“Ugh…”
Simultaneously, foam frothed at his mouth as he lost consciousness.
“What in the…!”
The spectators gasped in shock at the sight.
A single attack.
It was only natural—I had sent the heir of the Eon family flying with a single strike.
A brief silence fell over the arena.
“Uwaaaaaaaaa!”
Then an enormous roar erupted from the crowd.
“Gale Divine Dragon! Gale Divine Dragon! Gale Divine Dragon!”
“A title well-earned by such skill!”
“Not even his specialty in fist techniques, yet such devastating power with palm strikes!”
“With strength like that, he truly could have survived a fall from the Cliff itself!”
Everyone cheered and rushed to praise me.
The display I had shown was truly overwhelming.
Had I exchanged several tedious blows, such roars would never have erupted.
Subduing him in a single strike had created a far greater visual impact.
“Take Eon Pyung-un to the Medical Chamber.”
“Yes, Deputy Alliance Leader.”
Yu Jung-hak ordered one of the nearby disciples to carry Eon Pyung-un to the Medical Chamber.
Then he gazed at me with an amused murmur.
“Truly extraordinary. Even accounting for your lineage from the Bukcheon Sword Family, masters of wind—this is remarkable. I was genuinely startled. And at the end, you deliberately reduced your power, didn’t you?”
“You noticed?”
“Ha! These eyes are not blind holes, my friend. In any case, having proven yourself so thoroughly, no one will dare question your abilities anymore. Should anyone try, I’ll personally discipline them.”
That was impossible.
I had displayed my strength before so many witnesses.
Rumors could not help but spread.
After today, surely no one would dismiss my reputation as mere hearsay?
‘Of course, those who opposed me would grow far more vigilant in response.’
For instance, Black Night Fortress would likely dispatch masters equal to or exceeding the Blood Hand Demon Lord to kill me.
Though their supply of experts was not infinite, they would exercise caution for some time yet…
No one could predict how the world would unfold.
In any case.
Whether my match with Eon Pyung-un had served as a catalyst, the martial arts tournament originally scheduled to begin on the second day started one day early.
I settled into my seat and leisurely observed the matches. During this time, countless people approached me seeking to make my acquaintance.
“It is an honor. I am Jin Muyeol.”
I did not turn them away. After all, these were people who might become valuable connections in my future.
As a result, the seats nearby were completely filled.
Yet still, people came to greet me.
It seemed my performance in this match had left a profound impression on everyone.
“Young Master!”
Then a familiar voice reached my ears.
I turned to identify its owner.
And indeed.
“Miss Dang.”
There stood Dang Ye-rin.
She greeted me with a radiant smile, her joy evident in every gesture.
“That martial exhibition was impressive. Truly remarkable.”
“Thank you. It’s gratifying to see that my sporadic spear technique training has borne fruit.”
“Oh, that’s hardly something one could accomplish through mere sporadic practice. There must have been blood and sweat behind it.”
In truth, it was only possible because I combined the Wind God Technique—which allowed me to manipulate wind itself—with far more inner energy than most could muster.
But Dang Ye-rin seemed to interpret my words as simple modesty.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
If she thought well of me, I had no reason to complain.
“Please don’t call me Family Head here. It might cause confusion with others.”
“Ah, of course! Then I’ll call you Young Master Jin.”
We exchanged pleasantries on the surface while communicating through sound transmission.
[May I ask how that matter I requested has progressed?]
[Don’t worry. I delivered your message properly to Grandmother. Interestingly, she said she had her suspicions about it.]
[Did she already know of Black Night City’s existence?]
This was surprising information indeed.
Yet simultaneously, it made sense.
Someone of the Thirteen Venerables’ caliber would hardly be surprised to know of hidden forces operating in the martial world.
Besides, the First Sword of Sichuan was herself the leader of the Sichuan Sword Gate.
‘Yet she suffered so much at their hands in my previous life.’
Perhaps their danger exceeded my imagination.
The thought sent a chill down my spine.
[She didn’t elaborate, but that seemed to be the case. Oh, and she asked me to convey her gratitude. If you have occasion to visit Sichuan, she hopes you’ll call upon the Sichuan Sword Gate.]
[That would be an honor. I’ll visit soon.]
I had business in Sichuan anyway.
But if I could build connections with someone like the First Sword of Sichuan in the process, it would be all the more reassuring.
I ceased the sound transmission with Dang Ye-rin and engaged in casual conversation.
Mostly about the Inface Demon I’d brought before—apparently, the defensive robe made from its silk had already been completed.
“I brought it intending to give it to you. I left it at my lodgings for now, but I’ll bring it to your quarters later.”
“I’m grateful. I look forward to it.”
“Hehe. It’s a masterpiece crafted with the Dang family’s techniques. With this, you won’t envy even the Heavenly Silkworm Sect’s protective garments.”
Dang Ye-rin spoke with confident pride.
I smiled and nodded in agreement.
How could I not be delighted to hear that a gift awaited me?
“I didn’t know Young Master Jin was acquainted with the young lady of the Sichuan Sword Peak.”
“Ah, Master Chung Yun. How have you been?”
“Quite well, I assure you. And how has Miss Dang been faring?”
“Oh, much the same as always. Ever since Young Master Jin saved me from danger, I’ve been devoted to my training.”
“So such an incident occurred between you two. As you’ve likely heard, I too owe my life to Young Master Jin.”
Chung Yun and Dang Ye-rin, apparently already acquainted, conversed warmly with each other.
It seemed they were blossoming into conversation, using my story as the common thread that connected them.
While listening to their exchange, I kept my focus on the martial contest unfolding in the Martial Arts Arena.
‘It’s about time.’
One of the matters I had resolved to address at the Dragon Phoenix Conference was likely about to unfold.
Originally, it was said to occur on a different day, not the first—but there was every possibility that the future had shifted because of my presence.
That was when it happened.
“I, I shall step forward next.”
A voice lacking in confidence rang out across the arena.
The one who ascended the Martial Arts Arena was a young man with an anxious expression.
He appeared to be in his early twenties.
Though dressed in fine silk garments, his striking appearance made such finery nearly invisible.
I knew his identity.
‘Namgung Seung.’
An illegitimate son of the Namgung Clan and…
The very instigator of this incident.
“Peng Seo-ho, esteemed swordmaster. Will you accept my challenge?”
Namgung Seung singled out a towering giant among those gathered nearby.
“Hahahaha! Splendid!”
At that, the giant called Peng Seo-ho rose from his seat with heavy, deliberate steps.
Up to this point, the progression differed not at all from the ordinary martial contests that had preceded it.
But I knew the truth.
In this bout, Namgung Seung would sever Peng Seo-ho’s neck.
‘I must be ready to leap into action at any moment.’
My eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.

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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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