The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 61

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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 61

I couldn’t help but be astonished.
I had never imagined that Phantom God would possess a token plate from Overwhelming Force Divine Fist.
Perhaps sensing my confusion, he immediately offered an explanation.
“In the past, I once visited the Central Plains. There I met Overwhelming Force Divine Fist. We became acquainted through testing our martial prowess against each other.”
“I believe I’ve heard of that incident.”
That was indeed the event through which Phantom God had made his name known throughout the Central Plains.
However, I hadn’t known that Overwhelming Force Divine Fist had given him a token plate at that time.
“I received this then. Since I’m not from the Central Plains, I didn’t possess a token plate myself, but instead I gifted him a treasure from the Northern Steppes. In exchange, we promised to aid each other should either of us face difficulties.”
“But is it truly acceptable for you to give such a treasure to me?”
A token plate was typically treated as a debt-repayment token among martial artists.
Possessing one granted the right to request a single favor from the token’s owner.
Therefore, martial artists rarely surrendered their token plates to others.
To do so without fulfilling the request would tarnish one’s reputation.
Yet here I was, receiving a token plate from one of the Thirteen Venerables themselves.
It was a far greater reward than I had anticipated.
“It matters not. He told me to use it when needed, so using it now is perfectly acceptable. Besides, isn’t this the least I can do for the benefactor of my wife?”
Phantom God spoke with genuine indifference, his tone matter-of-fact.
I ceased my protests and offered my gratitude.
“I accept this gift with deep appreciation. I promise to use such a precious item only for worthy purposes.”
“That’s all I ask. When you meet him later, convey my regards as well.”
“Of course.”
“More than that, your martial depth for your age is quite remarkable.”
Phantom God spoke with evident interest.
As a martial master comparable to the Thirteen Venerables, he had apparently discerned my level of attainment at a glance.
“My daughter also possesses talent that doesn’t fall short anywhere, or so I believed. But you surpass even that. Is this truly the power of being the young master of the Bukcheon Sword Family?”
“Are you familiar with our family?”
“Among the families bordering the Northern Steppes, yours is the most renowned. I know the basics.”
That made sense.
Just as we monitored the movements of the Northern Steppes, they surely monitored ours in turn.
“Hmm.”
Phantom God regarded me with a contemplative expression.
To be honest, being stared at so intently made me somewhat uncomfortable.
What could he be thinking?
I would soon find out.
“Have you no interest in taking a wife from the Northern Steppes?”
“Pardon?”
It was a bewildering question, but Phantom God continued without hesitation.
“I think my daughter would suit you well. Now, I’m not saying this just because she’s my daughter, but that girl has exceptional beauty and considerable martial prowess, doesn’t she? Her personality is refreshingly straightforward, so she’d manage a household admirably as the lady of a clan. And given that she’s my own flesh and blood, her family background is quite respectable as well.”
“….”
“Is it because she’s from the Northern Steppes that you dislike her? I heard from her guards that you don’t harbor any prejudice against steppe people.”
“Whether someone is from the Northern Steppes or the Central Plains, they’re all people. I don’t discriminate based on such things.”
“Then why do you seem so reluctant?”
“To be honest… it’s not that I dislike her. But I find myself hesitating.”
I spoke with genuine sincerity.
Phantom God tilted his head, looking even more bewildered.
“Could you explain why?”
“First, because I don’t know Gye Wol-hyang’s true feelings. If someone suddenly told you to marry a man you barely know, what would you think?”
“Ah. So you’re being considerate of my daughter. Then if she agrees, there would be no problem, correct?”
“The second reason is that I’m honestly quite anxious.”
“Anxious?”
“As I mentioned earlier, I’m currently in conflict with an organization called Black Night City. To be frank, it wouldn’t be strange if I died at any moment.”
They were constantly scheming to end my life.
I’d managed to defend against their attempts so far, but there was no telling what might happen in the future.
And yet, to marry under such circumstances?
“If I were to father children and then die, I would leave my wife and children alone in this world—and I find that prospect more unbearable than death itself. Moreover, I’m uncertain whether my family would even be safe after my passing.”
This resembled the reason I hadn’t married in my previous life.
Then, it was to spare my children from the same suffering; now, it was that I couldn’t bear to see my children endangered.
“Therefore, I must hesitate about marrying immediately. I don’t believe I could do so unless I first eliminate the threat they pose.”
“….”
After hearing my explanation, Phantom God regarded me with an expression far more serious than before.
“You’re quite an admirable person.”
“Pardon?”
“You haven’t even married yet, and you already possess such a sense of responsibility. Is it because you’re the young master of a great clan? You seem far more mature than your years would suggest.”
He smiled warmly at that.
“If that’s your intention, I won’t force the matter. But I must confess, I find myself quite taken with you. Hearing what you have to say only makes me desire this union more.”
“….”
“So then, we shall lend our strength in subjugating this Black Night City you speak of. Once their threat is eliminated, wouldn’t one of your reasons for hesitation disappear?”
“…!”
Phantom God clearly held me in high regard.
Perhaps this conversation had made quite an impression on him.
I bowed my head in gratitude.
“Then I understand.”
There was no reason to refuse when someone of Phantom God’s stature offered to help.
“Of course, as a steppe person, I cannot remain in the Central Plains to aid you directly. So I shall send someone to support you in the future.”
“Someone to support me?”
“Hehe. They certainly won’t be a burden. And spending time together, you’ll naturally grow closer.”
Why did that smile feel so ominous?
I let out a hollow laugh and tasted the delicacies of the Northern Steppes.
The refreshments were delicious enough to earn anyone’s praise.
“Then shall we get up and leave? By now, my wife’s treatment should be finished.”
“What do you intend to do about investigating the traitor? We must discover who poisoned the food, or incidents like this will happen again.”
“Do you wish to help?”
“Yes.”
At my words, Phantom God smiled faintly.
“I appreciate the offer, but I must decline. If someone from the Central Plains is involved in the investigation, it will create suspicion and make it harder to identify the culprit. There’s a risk the perpetrator might notice and either cease their actions or flee.”
“I see.”
“I will handle that matter myself. Once I have results, I’ll inform you, so don’t worry.”
I nodded at Phantom God’s words.
Indeed, if I as an outsider were to openly pursue the culprit, it could lead to far worse consequences.
After finishing our conversation, we rose from our seats.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“I apologize, but I cannot see you off. If the culprit sees me escorting you and that elder, they will grow suspicious.”
“I understand. I will inform the elder myself.”
“I would appreciate that.”
I bowed to him and stepped outside.
It was time to return to the Central Plains.

* * *

A short while later.
Sa Gong-cheon, Medicine King, and I slipped away from Phantom God’s territory without anyone noticing.
We took with us the horses and rewards that Phantom God had given us.
“Hah, he certainly doesn’t skimp on payment.”
Medicine King clicked his tongue as he examined the pouch of silver coins hanging from the saddle.
The money in each of our pouches was indeed substantial.
Even accounting for the treatment of Gye Wol-hyang’s Mother.
“It’s his way of expressing gratitude and apology. After all, he couldn’t even properly see us off while searching for the poisoner.”
“I don’t concern myself with such matters. A physician need only treat patients well and depart—nothing more.”
“In truth, I don’t mind either. Besides, it’s advantageous to have him indebted to us from the start.”
“Hmm, your family’s territory borders the Northern Region. It would certainly be beneficial to maintain good relations with them.”
“Indeed. So please accept this as a token of our appreciation, Elder.”
I handed my share of silver coins to Medicine King.
Medicine King looked at me with a slightly surprised expression.
“Do you truly mean this?”
“You crossed the Great Wall at my request in the first place. I must repay that debt properly.”
“Ahem. I’m grateful, but I’m not sure if I should accept…”
“If you’re hesitant, consider it payment for the Medicine King’s consultation and the Medicine King Elixir you used. Surely the world-renowned Medicine King’s treatment and use of such an elixir warrants this much in fees?”
“If you put it that way, I’ll accept it gratefully.”
Medicine King did not refuse further.
The materials for crafting the Medicine King Elixir were indeed extraordinarily expensive.
To replenish what had been consumed, funds would certainly be necessary.
“I’ll arrange for your family to be escorted. Since we’ve acquired more horses, I should attach another to the carriage.”
“We should sell the original ones. With our current numbers, we can’t take them all.”
We disposed of the original horses and headed southward.
For now, it was to escort Medicine King to the Shanxi Yu Clan.
As we continued our journey for some time.
“Hmm? What’s this?”
My hearing, enhanced by the Diamond Yaksha Divine Art and Pungsin’s Technique, picked up strange sounds.
Clang! Clang! The sound of weapons colliding.
And screams and shouts mixed within.
“It seems a battle has broken out ahead.”
“Shall I go investigate?”
“No, you stay here and protect the Elder. I’ll go and return.”
I dismounted and unfurled Pungsin’s Technique.
The distance closed in an instant, and I arrived at the source of the commotion.
There were escort agents and Green Forest Bandits.
“Haha! Kill them all and seize the cargo!”
The Green Forest Bandits, numbering easily in the dozens, surrounded and assaulted the meager dozen or so escort agents.
With insufficient numbers, even the porters drew their broad sabers to respond, but it was merely a drop in the bucket.
It was only a matter of time before they were completely annihilated.
‘I need to intervene.’
I made that decision immediately.
I couldn’t bear to watch innocent people die before my eyes…
Besides, this was Sanseo—the domain of the Bukcheon Sword Family.
And bandits dared to operate here?
‘As the young master of the Bukcheon Sword Family, I cannot simply stand by.’
With that resolve, I unfurled my Swift Wind technique and rushed forward.
“What, what is this!?”
The Green Forest Bandits were caught off guard by my sudden appearance.
But I offered no response, unleashing blades of wind instead.
Whoooosh!
“Ahhhhhhh!”
More than five Green Forest Bandits screamed and collapsed in a single strike.
Every eye on the battlefield snapped toward me in an instant.
“How dare you!”
Other bandits, enraged, rushed at me.
‘Heavenly Rotation.’
Whoooosh whoooosh whoooosh!
All that awaited them were merciless blades.
More than twenty Green Forest Bandits fell in mere moments.
“This, this madness! Retreat!”
Realizing the overwhelming difference in strength, the bandit leader bellowed the command.
At his word, the Green Forest Bandits scrambled to flee.
None wished to share the fate of their fallen comrades.
I watched them briefly, then turned my gaze toward the escort agency members.
They stared at me blankly, still processing what had happened.
Having narrowly escaped death, their minds were still reeling.
“Is anyone among you injured?”
I asked kindly, hoping to bring them back to their senses.
The escort agency leader snapped to attention, cupped his fist in salute, and bowed deeply.
“We, we are truly grateful. Great hero, we owe you our lives. But might I ask your name…?”
“I am Jin Muyeol of the Bukcheon Sword Family.”
“The Swift Wind Divine Dragon!”
The escort members gasped in astonishment.
So my epithet had spread this far.
The title born from the Martial Alliance had reached even here.
-Hmm, you seem pleased.
‘It’s not unpleasant.’
Unlike the scornful insults hurled at me in my previous life, this was a title of honor and pride.
“Gale Divine Dragon, Small Wanderer. I am Yu Won-hu of the Qingyuan Escort Agency. I shall repay this debt of gratitude without fail….”
“Wait, what escort agency did you say?”
I asked with a grave expression, as though I had misheard. Yu Won-hu stammered in response, startled by my demeanor.
“T-the Qingyuan Escort Agency, sir. Is there perhaps some issue….”
There certainly was.
The Qingyuan Escort Agency.
That place was none other than….
‘One of Black Night City’s subordinate organizations.’

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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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