The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 77

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family – Chapter 77

My Great-Uncle was the eldest and most formidable master of the Bukcheon Sword Family.
He also held the position of Elder Council Chamber director.
Yet such a person was accompanying me as my escort.
Even I found myself slightly taken aback.
However….
“It is certainly reassuring to have Elder accompany us.”
“While White Bone Old Demon is known to be a master of the Heavenly Martial Realm, Elder is also a master of that same realm.”
“With the Elder Council Chamber director at our side, the Young Master’s safety is all but guaranteed.”
Several senior members murmured in astonishment.
They were those who remembered the exploits of the Windgod Sword, who once dominated the martial world with unparalleled freedom.
Father still wore an expression of concern.
“Uncle, are you truly certain about this?”
“Hehe. Family Head. Though I have lived in seclusion for a long time, my body has not yet grown rusty.”
“Of course not. You are the finest swordsman of our generation, Uncle. Yet you have so many responsibilities….”
“There is no task more important than ensuring the safety of Muyeol, the future of this main house.”
Great-Uncle gazed at me as he spoke these words.
His eyes shone with deep affection and trust.
I felt my heart grow warm.
It was because I sensed the bonds of kinship from Great-Uncle.
“Then I shall also accompany you as an escort.”
This time, it was Iron Blood Sword Captain Jin Seo-hong who stepped forward.
He smiled faintly as he looked at the astonished senior members.
“To deal with Evil Faction scoundrels, seizing the initiative is paramount. I myself gained considerable experience clashing with the Evil Faction ruffians of the Sanseo region in my youth, so many of them likely know who I am.”
Jin Seo-hong was a renowned figure, counted among the top five masters of the family.
Having him join us would be an invaluable asset.
Just as everyone was marveling at the participants of this delegation,
“I shall accompany you as well.”
“Moyong Elder too?!”
Finally, Moyong Hyun-rak raised his hand.
He explained to Father with an untroubled expression.
“I’ve been coming here as a guest elder all this time without earning my keep. I should at least justify my presence this once.”
“It would be most reassuring to have Elder Moyong accompany us.”
Moyong Hyun-rak was a master ranked among the highest of the Johwa Realm.
Thus it was decided: one master of the Heavenly Martial Realm, two masters of the Johwa Realm, and myself—essentially at the Johwa Realm level—making four of us in total.
“Ha, haha…!”
Someone burst into laughter at the absurdity of it all.
The members participating in this delegation were far from ordinary.
‘To be honest, it seems like half of our family’s forces are mobilizing.’
-Indeed. At this rate, it feels like we’re marching off to war, doesn’t it?
The delegation wasn’t large in numbers, but its military strength far exceeded that of ordinary armed forces.
In fact, it seemed superior even to when I led the Wind Cloud Unit to strike the Gui Chuang Sect. Just looking at Great-Uncle alone proved that.
‘And now that the Iron Blood Sword Captain and Elder Moyong have joined us.’
There could be no more magnificent escort than this.
By this point, even the senior members who had worried initially seemed to have relaxed their tension.
“We could even wipe out the entire Shanxi Heterodox Alliance and return, couldn’t we?”
Someone had even joked to that effect.
Many agreed with the sentiment. Even I found it plausible.
-But don’t forget. One careless moment and you could fall. Don’t grow complacent just because you have sufficient forces. It’s better to maintain some level of vigilance.
‘I understand that, Senior.’
-Hehe. Then that’s settled. I’m curious to see how delicious the food tastes that those heretical dogs eat.
The Sword Spirit laughed as he said this.
After that, everything proceeded smoothly.
More volunteers came forward, but their applications were rejected on the grounds that too many departing would weaken the Bukcheon Sword Family’s main base defenses.
In the end, only the four of us would participate in the sect elimination operation.
That news quickly spread throughout the entire family.

* * *

Half a day later.
“Young Master. I’m coming with you.”
Dang Ye-rin, who had sought me out, spoke without preamble.
Asking where she was going with us would have been pointless.
We both already knew.
“Have you discussed this with the Sichuan Dang Family’s main branch? Can you make such a decision without consulting them?”
“Why would I worry when I’m going with you? Besides, having me there will be helpful.”
“No matter how reckless these villains are, they wouldn’t dare lay a hand on the Granddaughter of Sichuan’s First Sword. But that’s precisely why I can’t drag you into a dangerous situation just because of that.”
“Come now, dangerous? I’ve heard everything. The Windgod Sword Spirit, the Iron Blood Sword Captain, and the Blue-Eyed Sword Demon are all going together, aren’t they? Going with them would be no different from a leisurely outing.”
“Regardless, enemy territory is enemy territory. And there are masters of the Heavenly Void Realm there as well.”
“If things go wrong, we simply retreat. I’ll bring my own guards, so I won’t be a burden.”
At Dang Ye-rin’s words, I had to deliberate.
Should I grant her request?
The answer came not from me, but from Great-Uncle.
“You’re always welcome. Child of the Dang Family. Thank you so much for stepping forward like this for my Muyeol.”
Great-Uncle spoke thus, smiling warmly.
It seemed Dang Ye-rin had won his favor.
Dang Ye-rin smiled in return and bowed her head respectfully.
“Thank you. I promise I won’t be a burden.”
“Don’t worry about luggage or anything else. No matter what happens, I’ll ensure both of you return safely.”
Thus, the number of people participating in the sect opening ceremony grew.
Gye Wol-hyang, who learned the news late, expressed her desire to join, but unfortunately her duties remained unfinished.
She had to continue managing the Bukcheon Sword Family’s transactions to ensure they proceeded smoothly.
As for So Hye-rim, her situation mirrored what had happened with the Gui Chuang Sect.
I advised her to first perfect the Vajra Yaksha Divine Art.
Thus, our final party consisted of seven people in total.
This number included Dang Ye-rin’s two escorts.
A few days later, we packed our belongings and set out toward the location where the invitation had originated.
Our destination was Ho Won-mun.
It was where the Shanxi Heterodox Alliance’s sect opening ceremony would be held.

* * *

We arrived at Ho Won-mun quickly.
The distance between the Bukcheon Sword Family and Ho Won-mun was shorter than I had anticipated.
The place was already teeming with people.
Evil faction sects from across Sanseo.
They, scattered throughout various regions, knocked upon Ho Won-mun’s gates under the banner of alliance.
All of them were those seeking to be included in a single force and reap its benefits.
“Pathetic.”
Great-Uncle smiled coldly as he observed them.
“Our main family stands firm in its position, yet these wretches bow their heads elsewhere. It’s laughable.”
“Evil faction sects operate differently from Orthodox faction sects, after all.”
“Heh. To show concern even for such vermin—you have a kind heart, Muyeol. But remember this: such insects possess no conviction whatsoever. They merely attach themselves to whoever is stronger and benefits them. If I had my way, I’d sweep them all away without hesitation.”
Great-Uncle seemed to harbor considerable disdain for the Evil Faction.
Well, I couldn’t entirely fault his sentiment. I despised the Evil Faction scoundrels no less than he did.
-Is that so? You don’t usually show it.
‘I simply refrained from displaying it. Do you know how much I suffered at their hands?’
It was from my first life, when the Bukcheon Sword Family faced crisis.
Like jackals, they gradually stripped away our business ventures and assets.
How bitter was it then, lacking the power to sweep them away?
Since that time, I harbored deep hatred for the Evil Faction scoundrels.
Of course, the Orthodox Faction forces were little different, so I simply refrained from expressing it.
‘It wasn’t just the Evil Faction—the Orthodox Faction scoundrels also coveted our territory.’
-So it wasn’t hatred of the Evil Faction, but rather hatred of the martial world itself.
‘I suppose that’s accurate.’
As I exchanged such words with the Sword Spirit, we soon reached the end of the line.
“Where are you coming from, honored guest…”
The expression of the Ho Won-mun gatekeeper, who had been mechanically verifying identities, transformed completely.
He apparently recognized my face.
He immediately bowed and spoke.
“My apologies. You must be the Young Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family. Allow me to escort you inside.”
He led us deeper into the establishment.
Then I heard whispers from those around us.
“The Young Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family?”
“What brings them here?”
“I heard Ho Won-mun invited the Bukcheon Sword Family.”
“What? What?! Is he insane? Why would he invite the Bukcheon Sword Family to form the Evil Sect Alliance?”
“He must be trying to show off his power. Tsk, but it’s quite bold of them to come so openly to such a place.”
“How much nerve does he have to do something like that?”
Everyone’s reaction was one of disbelief.
It was understandable, really.
From the Bukcheon Sword Family’s perspective, this was enemy territory.
Even if we had been invited, it was shocking that we would so readily enter such a place.
But regardless of what they thought, I paid it no mind.
I simply followed the escort deeper inside.
There was a banquet hall where the heterodox sects of Shanxi Province had gathered—the most powerful among them, no less.
Everyone stared at us with stern expressions, clearly having heard about our arrival beforehand.
I approached Ho Won-mun, who sat at the head of the hall, and offered a greeting.
“So you are Ho Won-mun. I am Jin Muyeol, Young Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family.”
“Well… welcome. I must admit, I didn’t expect you to actually come.”
“But you were the one who extended the invitation, were you not?”
I smiled faintly as I regarded Ho Won-mun.
Ho Won-mun sighed deeply and nodded.
“That’s true enough. But are those who came with you your companions? I wasn’t informed beforehand that you’d be bringing anyone.”
“Yes. They are members of my family who traveled with me.”
I proceeded to introduce them one by one.
“This is my great-uncle and Elder of the Bukcheon Sword Family, Jin Ho-geon, known as the Windgod Sword Master. Please pay your respects.”
“The… the Windgod Sword Master?!”
Ho Won-mun’s face paled with shock.
Though considerable time had passed since he last took action, the Windgod Sword Master’s legendary reputation remained vivid in the minds of those who lived in this era.
It was clear he was deeply unsettled by this person’s arrival.
“This is Jin Seo-hong, who oversees the Iron Blood Sword Squad of our main house, and this is Moyong Hyun-rak, a guest elder of our family. And this young lady is Dang Ye-rin, who has been staying as a guest at our residence.”
“Ha… haha…”
He laughed, realizing something had gone terribly wrong.
Clearly, he had plotted some scheme to humiliate or kill me, but bringing along several powerful masters had made that impossible.
But before he could say anything—
“So you’re Ho Won-mun.”
My great-uncle spoke, his voice cold and cutting.
“Where is that bone demon?”
“Y-yes?”
“I’m talking about the White Bone Old Demon’s ghost spirit. Didn’t you say the Shanxi Heterodox Alliance made him their alliance leader?”
“W-well, that is true, but….”
“Yet the one who became alliance leader won’t even show his face when a guest arrives? How arrogant.”
Great-Uncle channeled his inner energy and bellowed toward the interior.
“Come-out!”
A voice so resonant it resembled a sonic attack swept across the entire Ho Won Gate.
The voice of one who had reached the Heavenly Martial Realm was itself a weapon.
“Ugh!”
Everyone nearby except those of us who had braced ourselves in advance clutched their ears in agony.
“….”
From deep within Ho Won Gate, a gaunt old man emerged and walked forward.
Great-Uncle’s lips twisted as he saw him.
“It’s been a long time, you bone-ridden wretch.”
“Jin Ho-geon…!”
Their gazes collided, and the air around them grew taut with tension.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————