The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 76

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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 76

CRASH!
Someone’s fist came down hard on the table in the council chamber.
That someone was Ho Won-mun.
His lips trembled with barely contained fury as he demanded confirmation from the subordinate who had brought the news.
“Is that truly the case?”
“Yes, yes!”
“The Gui Chuang Sect was completely annihilated in a single night?”
“It is the truth. The Marketplace District is already rife with gossip about it.”
“Haah….”
Ho Won-mun exhaled heavily.
“Such incompetence is beyond belief. They couldn’t even hold out for a single day.”
He clicked his tongue, thinking of the now-dead Gui Chang Sect Master.
There had been only one thing he’d demanded of him.
To stall for several days and pin down the Bukcheon Sword Family’s forces.
Yet those fools couldn’t even manage a single proper battle before being annihilated in a day.
A devastating defeat so complete that even their sect master and headquarters were utterly destroyed.
‘Is Jin Muyeol truly that powerful? There’s no other explanation.’
Though the loss came suddenly, the Gui Chang Sect Master had been a master of the Johwa Realm.
Moreover, the Gui Chuang Sect under his command was hardly insignificant in scale.
It wasn’t for nothing that they held a seat in the Shanxi Heterodox Alliance.
Yet such a force had been unable to even mount a proper defense.
This suggested that the enemy’s strength exceeded all expectations.
The subordinate who had brought the report spoke carefully.
“Because of this, the other sects have become cautious. They were originally planning to attack simultaneously with the Gui Chuang Sect as the vanguard, but now they’re making excuses and delaying.”
“Of course they would. No one wants to end up like the Gui Chuang Sect.”
Ho Won-mun himself had no desire to be the vanguard and be torn apart like them.
What more could be said of the others?
Everyone was watching each other, hoping the other would sacrifice themselves first.
It was an inevitable consequence of the Evil Faction’s nature.
“What am I to do about this….”
Ho Won-mun was lost in thought, tapping the armrest, when—
“It seems things are not progressing smoothly.”
Creak.
The door opened, and an elderly man with nothing but bones entered the chamber.
The subordinate who had been present jumped back in fright and bowed his head.
Ho Won-mun himself started in surprise and rose to greet him.
“M-Master!”
“So the Gui Chuang Sect’s misfortune has made the others too frightened to move?”
His true identity was none other than the White Bone Old Demon, who had been elevated to the position of Alliance Leader of the Shanxi Heterodox Alliance.
On the surface, he was posing as a guest of Ho Won-mun, and that was where he currently resided.
The White Bone Old Demon spoke in an ominous tone, as if he had already heard the news.
“Fools. Pressure must be applied simultaneously to be effective.”
“Alliance Leader, what is your assessment of this situation?”
“I believe it is decidedly unfavorable. It is clear that as the others have grown fearful, the plan will not proceed as intended.”
“Then should we suspend the strategy of simultaneously attacking the Bukcheon Sword Family to isolate them for now?”
“That is impossible.”
Ho Won-mun shared this sentiment in his heart as well.
If the plan were halted here, it could never be resumed.
The plan would fail, and the Shanxi Heterodox Alliance would naturally dissolve.
If that happened, it would be the same as erasing the very reason they had gathered for that conference.
Therefore, the plan must continue without fail.
“However, as long as Jin Muyeol and the Wind Cloud Unit remain strong, our cowardly allies will never be willing to move.”
“So those bastards are the problem. Hmm.”
The White Bone Old Demon pondered for a moment before speaking.
“There is no choice. We must resolve this directly.”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“I shall formally hold the founding ceremony of the Shanxi Heterodox Martial Alliance.”
“…!”
“And I intend to invite not only the nearby Evil Faction sects, but also those fools from the Bukcheon Sword Family. Especially that young whelp, the Wind God Dragon.”
Ho Won-mun’s expression turned to shock at the White Bone Old Demon’s words.
“Will they truly accept your invitation?”
“If they do not come, that is fine as well. We can use it as an opportunity to strengthen our unity. But if they do come, we can eliminate him.”
“You may face criticism from the entire martial world.”
To invite a key figure from an opposing faction and then attempt to kill him outright?
It would not be surprising if the Bukcheon Sword Family’s allies rose up in arms immediately.
Yet the White Bone Old Demon was now attempting to execute this very plan.
“It matters not. Once I kill him and destroy the Bukcheon Sword Family, will the other factions dare to interfere? They will merely raise their voices; none will dare to intervene directly.”
“I see.”
“Simply do as I command.”
Ho Won-mun’s expression remained anxious, but he soon lowered his head in compliance.
“Understood. I shall announce the founding ceremony and lure them in.”
“Prepare quickly.”
“Yes, I shall take my leave.”
Ho Won-mun bowed respectfully as he left his own Administrative Office.
Left alone, the White Bone Old Demon furrowed his brow for a moment.
‘Those Bukcheon Sword Family bastards are blocking my path again.’
In truth, he harbored a bitter grudge against the Bukcheon Sword Family.
Ten years ago, White Bone Old Demon had vanished from the martial world as if fleeing—and it was all connected to the Bukcheon Sword Family.
The previous Bukcheon Sword Family Master, Jin Ho-young.
Fifteen years prior, in a clash with White Bone Old Demon, he had inflicted grievous wounds upon him.
Those injuries had festered and worsened until, a decade ago, White Bone Old Demon had grown so enfeebled that he declared his withdrawal from the world.
‘I’ve only just recovered from the wounds that wretch inflicted upon me, and now his grandson dares to obstruct my path.’
The affront was unbearable.
Yet simultaneously, I recognized this as an opportunity.
A chance for vengeance against Jin Ho-young, who had nearly killed me.
He dwells in the afterlife now, but what if his grandson were to follow me there before long?
Perhaps in the underworld, he would beat his breast in regret for having opposed me.
‘This time, I shall extinguish the Bukcheon Sword Family line entirely.’
White Bone Old Demon’s eyes blazed with that vow.
A terrifying killing intent suffused the chamber.

* * *

After annihilating the Gui Chuang Sect, we returned immediately to the main estate.
We remained vigilant lest other Evil Faction forces launch attacks on our branch families.
But had our thorough decimation of the Gui Chuang Sect as a warning proven effective?
The other major Evil Faction powers had grown cautious, showing no signs of movement whatsoever.
It seemed they cowered, fearing they might be next.
-Things have unfolded as you anticipated.
‘Indeed. It’s fortunate.’
Truthfully, I had harbored considerable anxiety about what would happen if those villains ignored us and attacked outright.
Had that occurred, a true melee between the Bukcheon Sword Family and the remaining Evil Factions would have erupted.
The casualties would have been catastrophic.
‘But it seems that wasn’t the case.’
Fortunately, those Evil Faction dogs knew how to preserve their own lives.
Which meant they would remain still until someone else made the first move.
And the Gui Chuang Sect, having been that first mover, was completely annihilated in a single day.
So now those villains were too terrified to act.
-Still, we cannot afford complacency. We know not when or where their next strike might come.
‘I understand. We must remain vigilant.’
Moreover, I needed to elevate not only my own readiness but also the capabilities of the Wind Cloud Unit and the entire Bukcheon Sword Family.
So that if an incident occurred during my absence, we could respond immediately.
It was while I was contemplating this that—
“Young Master. The Family Master commands your immediate presence in the Council Chamber.”
One of the family’s warriors bowed respectfully as he relayed the message.
‘The Council Chamber?’
Today was not ordinarily scheduled for a regular family council meeting.
Something must have happened, then.
“I understand.”
I nodded and made my way toward the family’s Council Chamber.
Numerous senior members were already gathered there.
All of them wore expressions of bewilderment, clearly uncertain what this was about.
As I entered the Council Chamber, I greeted the senior members.
“It’s good to see everyone. It’s been quite some time since we last met.”
“Ah, Young Master.”
Seo Un-hui, the Master of Jipbepdang, acknowledged me upon seeing my arrival.
Following his lead, several courteous greetings were exchanged.
As I accepted their greetings, I casually inquired.
“But might I ask what brings us together today?”
“Well… we received a summons ourselves, so we’re not entirely certain either.”
Seo Un-hui’s expression betrayed a hint of frustration at his own ignorance.
After a brief wait, Father and Great-Uncle arrived at the Council Chamber.
We all rose from our seats and paid our respects to them both.
Father spoke with a composed expression.
“Please, be seated.”
At his words, we took our seats and waited for what he would say next.
“You must all be wondering why I’ve called you here. The matter was urgent, so I apologize for not explaining beforehand.”
“Not at all. We’ll learn the details here anyway, so there’s no real difference. But what is this about?”
“I’ve summoned you all because there is something everyone must know.”
Father, answering my question, paused for a moment, surveyed those around him, and then spoke with a grave expression.
“The Ho Won-mun, the largest Evil Faction force in Sanseo, along with three other sects, have announced a formal alliance.”
“…!”
“Moreover, they have chosen White Bone Old Demon as their leader and plan to hold a sect-founding ceremony. They clearly intend to make a grand announcement to expand their influence and scale.”
“That’s quite serious. If such people emerge, it will become considerably troublesome.”
“Wasn’t the previous Gui Chuang Sect incident orchestrated by them as well?”
The Council Chamber erupted into commotion.
The news Father had delivered was that shocking.
But his words did not end there.
“And Muyeol, they have specifically invited you to their sect-founding ceremony.”
“Pardon?”
They’re inviting me to their sect-founding ceremony?
“That… that makes no sense!”
“You absolutely must not accept! This is clearly a trap!”
“They are undoubtedly targeting the Young Master with some sinister scheme.”
The senior members exclaimed in alarm.
I agreed with them.
This invitation reeked of a trap.
I could feel a strong intention to eliminate me by any means necessary.
One.
“If I refuse this invitation, rumors will spread that the Bukcheon Sword Family fears the Shanxi Heterodox Alliance. I cannot allow that to happen.”
“But…!”
“I will participate. Since they extended a formal invitation, they won’t be able to do anything to me.”
I gazed at Father and spoke calmly.
He returned a look questioning whether I was serious.
I nodded steadily.
“And I’ve given this considerable thought. Perhaps this could be an opportunity to stop the Shanxi Heterodox Alliance.”
“Y-Young Master….”
“But it’s far too dangerous. There’s no reason the Young Master must go, is there?”
“As the Young Master, I represent the Bukcheon Sword Family when the Family Head is absent. Therefore, I have a duty to show those heterodox scoundrels gathering there that the Bukcheon Sword Family does not fear them.”
“Hmm!”
At my words, Father and several senior members nodded in agreement.
Face and honor were tremendously important in relationships between sects.
Especially for Orthodox Faction forces like ours.
“Hehe. Then it cannot be helped. Family Head, please send Muyeol.”
It was Great-Uncle who spoke thus.
He looked at me with warm eyes and said:
“Muyeol is now a proper martial artist. Among the Bukcheon Sword Family, he would rank within the top five in strength.”
“But we cannot know what dangers may lurk. Especially the White Bone Old Demon, the leader of the enemy forces, is a master of the Heavenly Martial Realm.”
“I am aware. That is precisely why I do not intend to send Muyeol alone.”
Great-Uncle’s eyes gleamed as he spoke.
“I will personally accompany Muyeol as his escort.”
“…!”
Everyone’s expression turned to shock at Great-Uncle’s words.

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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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