The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 71

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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 71

“Their relationship isn’t good?”
“That’s right. They weren’t openly quarreling, but… they certainly didn’t seem particularly close.”
“It seems their temperaments didn’t mesh well.”
That was certainly a plausible possibility.
Gye Wol-hyang went without saying, and Dang Ye-rin, as the celebrated daughter of the Sichuan Dang Family, possessed a temperament that was far from ordinary.
She simply hadn’t shown it openly because of her connection with me.
If the two of them had clashed for some reason, it was understandable that they would emanate a cold atmosphere toward each other.
“Well, I’ll do my best to mediate between them. Father and Great-Uncle, please focus on cultivating the Bukcheon Divine Art for now.”
“Understood.”
“Hehe, so it shall be.”
Both of them readily accepted my words.
I bowed respectfully and left the Administrative Office.
‘First, I need to arrange accommodations for Hye-rim.’
I led So Hye-rim, whom I had left in the Reception Room earlier, to the guest quarters where the household retainers stayed.
On the surface, So Hye-rim was not my disciple but a new retainer of the Bukcheon Sword Family.
But that was when I arrived at that place.
“Oh my, Young Master Jin! You’ve finally returned?”
“Miss Dang.”
Dang Ye-rin appeared from the guest quarters with a radiant smile.
I greeted her with a slight smile, having not seen her in some time.
But Dang Ye-rin paused slightly upon seeing So Hye-rim walking beside me.
“Young Master. Who is this person?”
“This is So Hye-rim from the Jinwon Sect. She has come to stay as a guest of the main family this time.”
“I’m So Hye-rim.”
“…Dang Ye-rin. So you’re the famous Beauty of Sanseo that everyone speaks of? The one all the men in Sak Province coveted.”
“Pardon?”
Beauty of Sanseo?
“Oh, you didn’t know? Word of what Young Master Jin did in Sak Province has already spread far and wide. I heard that he confronted numerous Evil Faction members to protect a suffering young lady there…”
“Such an incident did occur.”
“I thought it was quite admirable. You risked making all the Evil Faction scoundrels in that region your enemies to protect a young lady in peril, didn’t you? But I never expected you’d bring her to the family like this.”
“That was… because I thought it would be dangerous to leave her there. There are also circumstances that haven’t been revealed to others on this end.”
“Hmm.”
Dang Ye-rin’s expression turned disapproving.
But it was only momentary.
She brightened again and spoke.
“Well, if that’s what you say, then so be it. I look forward to working with you going forward, Miss So.”
“Yes, Miss Dang.”
Dang Ye-rin exchanged greetings with So Hye-rim and broke into a cheerful smile once more.
I approached her cautiously with a question.
“But what brings you to the main family? I heard you’ve been staying here quite a while waiting for me…”
“Ah, Grandmother wished to see Young Master Jin. So I came to escort you there personally.”
“You mean me? The First Sword of Sichuan, the great hero?”
“Yes. Because of that matter. You know what I’m referring to, don’t you?”
Of course I couldn’t help but understand.
The fact that Dang So-hye, the First Sword of Sichuan, was seeking me out could only be related to Black Night Fortress.
But I never expected her to send her most cherished granddaughter all this way to extend a personal invitation, rather than simply leaving word for me to visit.
“I suppose I’ll need to depart for Sichuan soon.”
“Yes. Hehe, I’m already excited at the thought of traveling to Sichuan with you, Young Master.”
“I feel the same. However, I’m afraid I cannot depart immediately.”
“What? Why not?”
I politely requested her understanding.
“There are matters concerning Miss So, and there are a few things I must settle here. Would you be able to wait just a bit longer?”
“Hmm…”
Dang Ye-rin frowned as if displeased, but soon nodded cheerfully.
“If that’s what you say, Young Master, I suppose there’s no help for it! I’ll wait a little longer.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Miss.”
“Hehe. What need is there between us?”
Dang Ye-rin said with a sly grin.
I expressed my gratitude to her once more.
That was the moment.
“Those matters you need to settle surely include business with me as well, don’t they?”
“Miss Gye.”
It was Gye Wol-hyang who had appeared.
She glanced at Dang Ye-rin and So Hye-rim before offering a warm greeting with a smile.
“It hasn’t been long since we parted, yet here we are meeting again. Young Master.”
“Indeed it has.”
“Father appointed me as the director of this horse trade. It’s an important matter, and I have gratitude to express as well as things to discuss, so I came in person.”
“Things you must discuss with Young Master? What could they be?”
“It’s nothing that concerns Miss Dang. It’s a secret between the two of us.”
“Ha.”
Dang Ye-rin laughed as if amused.
“Speaking as if secrets are only yours to keep. I have a secret or two shared with Young Master Jin as well, you know?”
“I don’t know what yours might be, but mine is far more important. It’s a matter of great significance to me.”
“Ha. How amusing. Speaking as if you know everything…”
“…Why are you both quarreling?”
The escalating tension sent a chill down my spine, and I asked carefully.
At that, both women let out a scoff simultaneously.
“I’m not fighting with her. I’m simply awakening her to the truth.”
“It seems the young lady over there has misunderstood something. Whatever it may be, surely nothing could be more important than the matters between Jin Gongja and myself, could it?”
“Could those important matters perhaps be….”
[Related to Black Night Fortress?]
I trailed off and sent a simultaneous transmission to both of them.
Both nodded brightly in response.
“Exactly that.”
“I see you haven’t forgotten after all.”
“Ha ha….”
How was I supposed to describe this situation?
I was truly at a loss.
In truth, it seemed both of them wanted to discuss the same topic with me.
I exhaled lightly and spoke.
“I don’t know why you’re both doing this, but there’s no need for either of you to dance around the subject.”
“Pardon?”
“All four people here share the same secret.”
“…?”
The two who had been about to continue their argument blinked in confusion at my words.

* * *

A moment later.
“What? Is that truly the case?”
“Dang Ye-rin also knew about Black Night Fortress?”
The two in the Reception Room, with refreshments laid before them, wore expressions of disbelief.
This was because I had told them about Black Night Fortress.
“Yes. To be precise, everyone present here is connected to Black Night Fortress.”
“Then the young lady there as well?”
“Yes. In fact, the incident where So Hye-rim nearly got kidnapped was related to Black Night Fortress’s schemes. I cannot provide the details, however.”
“Sigh.”
At my words, Dang Ye-rin exhaled in exasperation.
“What exactly are those people? It wasn’t enough that they targeted our grandmother—they’ve gotten their hands into all sorts of affairs.”
“Black Night Fortress was targeting your grandmother?”
“Yes. The reason I came to the Bukcheon Sword Family was because of that matter. How did you become entangled with them?”
“My mother was poisoned by one of Black Night Fortress’s spies. If not for the cooperation of the Bukcheon Sword Family, we would have fallen completely into their trap.”
“Such… but fortunately, we were able to meet Jin Gongja before it was too late.”
“Yes. That’s why I came to repay that debt. And I also intended to inform you of what happened afterward.”
My eyes brightened at Gye Wol-hyang’s words.
“It seems there’s been progress in the investigation.”
“I’ll tell you the results first. We’ve captured the culprit who used the poison. The Central Plains person who supplied it noticed and fled midway… but we were able to root out the collaborators within our clan.”
“Oh… well, that’s a relief. So what happened?”
“After interrogating him, we discovered he’d received a substantial sum from Black Night Fortress to carry out this scheme. But beyond that, he seemed to know nothing—no matter how many times we questioned him, he just repeated the same story.”
“That makes sense. He was likely just a hired collaborator, not an actual member of Black Night Fortress. In any case, we’re fortunate to have apprehended the culprit.”
“Yes. You saved my mother from the poison, and you helped us capture the spy. I came here today to repay that debt of gratitude.”
Gye Wol-hyang spoke while fixing me with an intense gaze.
Dang Ye-rin quickly added her own words.
“I-I came to repay my debt as well, and to deliver my grandmother’s message to you, Master Jin. You saved my life from Dok-an-gwi, and you warned me of the dangers to come. Oh! I nearly forgot to mention—the protective breastplate made from the Inface Demon’s carapace has been completed, and I wanted to present it to you.”
“Oh, already?”
“Hehe. I drove the craftsmen relentlessly to finish it quickly. Please wait just a moment.”
Dang Ye-rin left briefly and returned with a box.
Inside lay a black breastplate.
“It’s a chest protector made from the Inface Demon’s carapace. If you wear the protective undergarment I gave you last time beneath it, then put this on, and finally dress over it all, you should be well-protected from most injuries.”
“May I examine it?”
“Of course. It’s for you, Master Jin—feel free. You can even try it on here if you’d like.”
“Thank you.”
I carefully accepted the breastplate and held it against my chest over my clothes.
‘Thin, yet remarkably sturdy.’
Combined with the protective undergarment, this breastplate would certainly withstand most attacks aimed at my torso.
It would take considerable effort to shatter this and deliver a fatal blow to me.
-And it’s thinner than expected, making it comfortable to move in. So this is the craftsmanship of the Sichuan Dang Family? Their armorers’ skill truly is unmatched, then and now.
‘Indeed.’
This was effectively like being granted an extra life in a life-or-death duel.
I thanked Dang Ye-rin once more.
“I’ll use it well. Thank you, Miss Dang.”
“Hehe. I’m delighted you’re satisfied. If you ever find any special materials, just let me know. Our clan can process anything you bring.”
Dang Ye-rin smiled, clearly pleased.
Gye Wol-hyang spoke as if unwilling to be outdone.
“Master Jin, our tribe has decided to begin horse trading with the Bukcheon Sword Family. We’re thinking of offering prices thirty percent below market rate—what do you think?”
“My, can you make such decisions on your own?”
“I’m presenting this proposal with my father the tribe leader’s approval. Besides, you saved my mother’s life—you’re our greatest benefactor. This is the least we can do.”
“…Well, I suppose that’s true.”
Dang Ye-rin and Gye Wol-hyang conversed with improved warmth compared to before.
Watching them, So Hye-rim looked at me apologetically.
“I’m sorry… unlike those two, I have nothing to offer you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t do this expecting anything in return.”
I spoke in a gentle voice.
After all, I had saved So Hye-rim not for personal gain, but to rescue her and many others from danger.
So Hye-rim’s expression filled with emotion upon hearing my words.
“I’ll never forget this kindness. Master. No matter how long it takes, I will repay it.”
“…Wait, did you just call me Master?”
Dang Ye-rin, who had been listening to our conversation with a peculiar expression, asked as if surprised.
Though she said nothing, Gye Wol-hyang’s face also bore an expression of astonishment.
“Ah, I haven’t explained, have I? The truth is, I became So Hye-rim’s martial arts master due to certain circumstances.”
I explained as briefly as possible.
Despite not delving into details, both women seemed to arrive at some understanding.
“Indeed, I did wonder why you two seemed excessively intimate…”
“If they are master and disciple, that would explain it.”
“Would you keep this matter confidential? After all, if word spreads that I’ve taken on a disciple with barely any age difference, it would be rather awkward.”
“Of course. We will.”
Both women readily accepted my request. I nodded and rose from my seat.
“Well then, we should be going. I need to show So Hye-rim around the main residence.”
“Young Master Jin, may I accompany you as well? I had nothing else to do anyway.”
“Ah, then I shall as well.”
“It’s fine, but…So Hye-rim, are you comfortable with this?”
“Yes. It’s fine.”
“Very well then. Let us all go together.”
I nodded and led the three of them out of the room.
My plan was to give them a comprehensive tour of the Bukcheon Sword Family first, then assign them quarters for their stay.
However.
“Ah! Young Master So. You’ve returned. I was looking for you, and this is perfect timing.”
“Iron Blood Sword Captain.”
Jin Seo-hong found me as I was strolling through the family grounds with the three of them.
Upon seeing me with the three women, he smiled with amusement and spoke.
“Heh heh, you’re having quite the time, aren’t you? I’m envious.”
“We’re not in that sort of relationship. But what brings you here?”
“There’s something I’d like to consult with you about, Young Master So.”
“Consult with me?”
“Yes.”
Jin Seo-hong dropped his playful smile and spoke with a serious expression.
“Would you perhaps be interested in establishing a new martial force?”

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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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