The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 84

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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 84

The Sichuan First Sword regarded me with eyes that gleamed with intrigue.
She was likely wondering how I had discovered her identity.
“….”
I did not avert my gaze from hers.
Though the pressure was nearly unbearable, I clenched my fists and endured it.
If I carelessly looked away now, I feared I would lose her interest entirely.
I answered with deliberate composure.
“I sensed an incongruity.”
“An incongruity?”
“You are deliberately suppressing your presence right now. However, I have keen instincts. When someone attempts to conceal something, I tend to notice immediately.”
“Ho.”
The Sichuan First Sword smiled faintly.
“Your perception is quite sharp. I was confident I could deceive even masters of the Heavenly Martial Realm.”
“Mother, I told you not to do this.”
The Sichuan Dang Family Head sighed and spoke.
He turned to me with an apologetic expression.
“I am Dang Geuk, the Family Head of the Sichuan Dang Family. Please forgive her. She is quite mischievous and wanted to play a prank.”
“Not at all. Rather, I am honored by such a welcome. I never expected to be greeted simultaneously by both the Poison King Senior and the Sichuan First Sword.”
This was sincere.
I had anticipated that Dang Geuk, the Poison King, would appear….
But I had not expected to see Dang So-hye here at the Dang Family rather than at the Sichuan Sword Gate.
It seemed fortune had smiled upon me, allowing me to arrive when she was present.
Upon hearing my response, Dang So-hye laughed heartily.
“Our dear granddaughter has taken a fancy to a young man even younger than herself, so I wanted to see for myself. And now that I see him directly, I understand. He has a handsome face befitting a man, and his martial prowess exceeds what one would expect for his age.”
“Thank you for the praise.”
“But you employ a peculiar martial technique. A faint wisp of wind encircles you as if protecting you—a remarkable energy indeed. It appears connected to the Upper Dantian… Hmm, how curious. A cultivator who has not even achieved unity of spirit and qi, yet wields a technique drawing from the Upper Dantian?”
“…!”
I was momentarily stunned.
‘She has discerned my Wind God Technique?’
The wind Dang So-hye spoke of was the exploratory wind I habitually dispersed around myself.
Its purpose was to defend against unexpected ambushes or concealed projectiles.
My sensing of her incongruity had been precisely because of this.
Yet she had in turn identified its nature and questioned me about it.
‘Neither Dok-an-gwi nor Great-Uncle noticed this.’
Could she truly be one of the Thirteen Venerables?
Her observational prowess was truly extraordinary.
But as I faltered, Dang So-hye laughed heartily and ceased her deductions.
“Well, I suppose it’s not proper to pry too deeply into another’s martial techniques. My apologies. It’s just so fascinating, you see. That must be a secret art of the Bukcheon Sword Family, yes? Hehe. It seems that even those renowned clans, despite their outward appearances, all have hidden trump cards up their sleeves.”
“Mother, please….”
“Ah, very well. I understand. Must you really silence your mother so desperately?”
“You’re making Jin So-hyeop uncomfortable. Please stop.”
“Tch.”
Dang So-hye clicked her tongue and withdrew with a sulk.
Dang Geuk sighed and clasped his fists in apology.
“I apologize on behalf of my mother’s rudeness. I had no intention of interrogating you.”
“Not at all. I simply chose not to reveal it, but it was never truly a secret.”
“See? I told you it was fine!”
“…Thank you for saying so. Please, sit. Moyong, you should sit as well. Let me have tea brought for us.”
“Much obliged.”
We settled at the table prepared within, savoring the tea the attendants brought.
Dang Geuk exhaled softly and spoke.
“First, I must express my gratitude. You’ve helped my daughter in countless ways.”
“Not at all. I too have received considerable assistance from Dang So-hye. Since fate has brought us together, isn’t it natural that we help one another?”
“Even so, we’ve received far too much from you. You rescued my daughter from Dok-an-gwi’s grasp, and this time you protected her from Black Night Fortress’s schemes, did you not?”
Dang Geuk regarded me with a solemn expression.
“As her father and as the Family Head of the Sichuan Dang Family, I must properly express my gratitude. Truly, I am indebted to you.”
“….”
I said nothing in response.
A strange feeling had suddenly washed over me.
‘To receive such direct gratitude from the Family Head of the Sichuan Dang Family, no less.’
In my first life, I could never have imagined such a thing.
Back then, the Sichuan Dang Family and I were nothing short of mortal enemies.
The reality that I had altered history in this second life struck me anew.
“As recompense—though that hardly seems adequate—if there is anything you desire, I shall do my utmost to provide it. Is there anything you require?”
Anything I require.
As the Young Master of the Bukcheon Sword Family, my answer was predetermined.
“Then I ask that the Bukcheon Sword Family and the Sichuan Dang Family establish a strong alliance.”
“You wish for us to formally declare ourselves allies?”
“Yes.”
As befitted a Family Head, his perception was sharp.
“Our main family is currently preparing for extraordinary circumstances. We are gradually expanding our clan’s strength by crushing the Evil Sect Alliance in the Sanseo region and confronting the threat of Black Night Fortress. In such times, the Dang Family’s support would prove invaluable.”
“A reasonable request. Very well, we shall do so. Let us create opportunities for personnel exchange between our families, and establish trade between our merchant guilds and escort agencies. This way, both sides shall benefit, no?”
The Sichuan Dang Family would gain access to Sichuan’s markets, while the Bukcheon Sword Family would secure new opportunities in Sanseo.
I nodded eagerly, my eyes gleaming.
“Our main family currently maintains extensive trade with the northern tribes and possesses many fine horses. These would hold considerable value in Sichuan.”
“Sichuan indeed lacks quality horses. Then we shall supply fine medicines and weapons in return. Our family’s medicines and arms are without peer in all the realm, so they should prove most useful.”
Thus we pledged our cooperation on a grand scale.
Trade flowed naturally between us—Sichuan lacked certain goods while Sanseo needed medicinal herbs and weapons in abundance.
“Well then, shall we set that matter aside and move on to something else?”
“Something else?”
“The story you asked me to convey to you.”
Dang So-hye opened her mouth once the conversation had reached a natural conclusion.
She regarded me with a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.
“You warned us of the threat posed by Black Night Fortress without asking for anything in return.”
“I wouldn’t say I asked for nothing. I simply hoped there would be more forces capable of standing against them.”
“Regardless, we were able to properly identify an enemy we had only understood abstractly until now. For that, I offer my gratitude.”
“It is my honor.”
I bowed my head briefly.
“So, I have been quietly investigating the enemies threatening us. In doing so, I noticed exactly what you said—a massive organization operating in the shadows of the martial world. We already knew such forces existed, but now we’ve finally grasped their tail.”
“Have you discovered anything about them?”
“Not much, I’m afraid. Only that they’re scattered throughout the Central Plains and deploy an enormous number of spies. However—”
Dang So-hye flicked her finger through the air.
The subtle principles of grasping emptiness unfolded as a map of the Chengdu region flew before her. She pointed to a specific location on the unrolled map.
“I’ve identified what appears to be a subordinate sect of theirs. And I intend to strike them soon.”
“…!”
My expression shifted to one of shock.
Her words amounted to nothing less than a direct challenge to Black Night Fortress itself.
At my reaction, Dang So-hye chuckled softly.
“Why are you so surprised? I’ve been planning this since they attacked Ye-rin.”
“But if that’s the case, Black Night Fortress will surely focus their attention on us….”
“Our family’s principle is to repay kindness twofold and enmity tenfold. I cannot simply ignore those who dared target my daughter.”
Dang Geuk spoke with emotion thick in his voice.
He seemed deeply angered by the fact that his daughter had nearly been kidnapped.
Dang So-hye appeared to share that fury.
“And what does it matter if they grow angry? We are the rulers of Sichuan. When the Sichuan Dang Family and Sichuan Sword Gate combine their strength, we can demonstrate power surpassing even the union of Emei and Qingcheng. Even if they seek revenge, they won’t dare act rashly.”
“That is certainly true.”
“The reason I’m telling you this now is precisely because of that. If they cannot touch the Sichuan Dang Family, their gaze will inevitably turn toward the Bukcheon Sword Family. You’ve already been marked by Black Night Fortress, after all. So, what do you say to making our alliance public and preventing them from acting?”
“You’re asking us to participate in the subjugation campaign.”
“Exactly. You catch on quickly—I appreciate that.”
I briefly exchanged a telepathic message with Moyong Hyun-rak.
[What do you think?]
[I believe there are clear advantages. Aren’t we already one of Black Night Fortress’s primary targets, as they said? Isn’t that why you’ve been forming alliances in various places?]
[Yes. That’s precisely why I brought in the Namgung Clan and the Martial Alliance.]
A threat that if they attacked us, those two powers would not stand idle.
That was the reason I had been actively forging alliances.
The Bukcheon Sword Family alone would struggle to stand against Black Night Fortress, after all.
[So I believe this proposal carries similar merit. If you gain the backing of two of the Five Great Families, it will help you achieve your objectives and offer numerous advantages.]
Moyong Hyun-rak’s words were reasonable.
I paused briefly in thought before nodding in agreement.
“Very well. I shall participate, along with the Moyong Elder present here.”
“A wise choice. True blood brotherhood is forged when you stand back-to-back on the battlefield. You are now bound by blood oath to the Sichuan Dang Family and our sect.”
Dang So-hye smiled brightly as she spoke.
She drained the tea before her in one swift gulp, then rose from her seat.
“Come then, follow me.”
“Follow you?”
“Since you’ve accepted our proposal, it’s only proper that we offer you a reward. Looking at you two now, I’ve thought of something quite fitting.”
“What might that be?”
Moyong Hyun-rak spoke with unusual formality.
It seemed even he grew respectful in the presence of one of the Thirteen Venerables.
Dang So-hye smiled like a mischievous girl. She pointed first at Moyong Hyun-rak and spoke.
“I hear you’ve created your own martial technique independent of the Moyong Clan’s swordsmanship. Quite impressive, they say.”
“It’s hardly worthy of praise from the Sichuan First Sword.”
“Well then, I shall observe it myself. Since it’s not a technique I created, I can’t offer exhaustive guidance, but I can certainly offer some pointers from the sidelines.”
“…!”
Astonishment bloomed across Moyong Hyun-rak’s face.
This was truly a reward beyond measure.
Seeing his reaction, Dang So-hye giggled and turned her gaze to me.
“And you… you haven’t yet achieved complete unity of spirit, energy, and form. You seem blocked by a wall, so I’ll help you break through it.”
“…!”
My eyes widened at this unexpected reward.

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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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