The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 88

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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 88

Chung In.
He was the swordmaster representing the Blue Star Sect, the designated successor to the sect leader and recognized as the Blue Star’s finest blade.
Yet for the past year, he had remained in complete seclusion.
He had severed all external activities, confining himself within Qingcheng Mountain.
Of course, the Blue Star Sect claimed he had entered closed-door cultivation, but….
‘I know the truth.’
Chung In had suffered severe internal injuries after battling an unidentified enemy.
This would later be revealed when the Blue Star Sect, unable to treat him, finally disclosed the facts.
Regardless, momentum was what mattered now.
Dang Ye-rin and I addressed Pung Yang Jin-in directly.
“Surely the sect leader is recovering from demonic qi poisoning. If you accept our request, we shall provide an elixir capable of restoring him completely.”
“What… what is it?”
I withdrew a carefully wrapped medicinal pill from my robes.
“The Medicine King’s Divine Pill.”
“…!”
Pung Yang Jin-in’s eyes widened.
The Medicine King’s Divine Pill was a legendary elixir from the Medicine King’s secret treasury—something impossible to obtain even with hundreds of silver taels.
Its effects neutralized all manner of toxins and stabilized the body’s condition.
‘I must thank the Medicine King later.’
This was a precious item I had received from the Medicine King when I returned after meeting the Phantom God in the Northern Region.
Without it, this situation would have required a different approach entirely.
Pung Yang Jin-in regarded us with a serious expression.
“Might you grant me some time to consider?”
“Of course. Though I fear we cannot offer much.”
“No matter. I shall give you my answer shortly. For now, I’ll have a place prepared for you to rest.”
“Understood.”
Pung Yang Jin-in stepped outside and summoned a nearby disciple.
“Escort these honored guests to the Baiyun Pavilion.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
As Dang Ye-rin and I were led away, we communicated through sound transmission.
[Do you think the sect leader will accept our proposal?]
[Most likely. Chung In’s injuries are severe enough that they cannot be healed by any other means.]
[How did you come to know such things, sir?]
[The Bukcheon Sword Family’s intelligence network is surprisingly extensive.]
[Hehe. That is most reassuring indeed.]
As we exchanged these words through sound transmission, we arrived at a pavilion.
The Blue Star Sect disciple escorting us glanced at me and spoke.
“This is it. This is Baiyun Pavilion.”
“Thank you for guiding us, Daoist Master.”
“Think nothing of it. It was the Sect Leader’s orders. But… are you Wind God Dragon and the Sichuan Sword Peak, correct?”
Word of our arrival had already spread.
I nodded without hesitation.
The second-generation disciple of the Blue Star Sect showed a hint of excitement.
“My name is Baek Sang. I have long admired the Dragon and Phoenix of the martial world, as they are called the future of the realm.”
“Ah, the future of the martial world? We’re hardly worthy of such praise.”
Dang Ye-rin spoke with a pleased twist to her lips.
Her expression betrayed everything her words denied.
“If I may be so bold, might I request instruction from both of you? There is a particular wall I’ve been struggling to overcome lately.”
“Of course. I will help however I am able.”
I smiled warmly as I spoke.
It was important to leave a favorable impression on the Blue Star Sect.
Besides, there was little else to occupy my time.
‘This Baek Sang fellow is quite personable.’
Usually, when a Sect Leader gives such orders, disciples rarely strike up conversation.
With that thought, I unpacked my belongings lightly and made my way to the Training Grounds within Baiyun Pavilion.
“Isn’t that Baek Sang? What’s he doing here?”
“Who’s with him?”
“Oh, I just heard—the Wind God Dragon of the Bukcheon Sword Family and the Sichuan Sword Peak of the Sichuan Dang Family have come visiting?”
“What? Are those the people we’ve been hearing about?”
Disciples passing by whispered as they watched us.
Baek Sang paid them no mind and guided us to the Training Grounds.
He stood opposite me, wooden sword in hand.
We faced each other, indifferent to the onlookers’ gazes.
“Then shall I begin?”
“Please, come whenever you wish.”
“Yes! Haaah!”
The Clear Wind Sword Technique unfolded from his hands.
It was the fundamental sword art that any member of the Blue Star Sect would learn.
Yet, was he truly a disciple of such a renowned sect?
‘Quite skilled.’
Despite his light demeanor, the incoming blade carried considerable weight.
It seemed he had reached the upper echelon of first-rate cultivators.
“Indeed, a true member of the Blue Star Sect.”
With that assessment, I swung my wooden sword in a wide arc.
Crack!
The blades collided with a resounding impact.
Baek Sang’s stance wavered under the force, and I pressed forward without losing momentum.
Crack! Snap! Crack!
“…!”
As I advanced, Baek Sang retreated in alarm.
He attempted a reversal, displaying every technique at his disposal, but to no avail.
‘Because I can see the flow of wind so clearly.’
That meant I could anticipate his attacks regardless of how he executed them.
Before long, inevitably.
Crack!
Baek Sang’s wooden sword flew skyward.
Victory was mine.
“Uwaaaaaa!”
The other Blue Star Sect Taoists who had been watching erupted in cheers.
Baek Sang gazed regretfully at the airborne wooden sword for a moment, then bowed his head and clasped his fists in salute.
“Thank you for your instruction, Young Master Xiao.”
“Not at all. I learned much from the Blue Star sword techniques as well.”
After offering them this small praise, I noticed smiles blooming on the faces of the Blue Star Sect members.
They were pleased that someone of my growing reputation would speak so graciously of them.
It also gave them the sense that their sect master was being respected.
While I was conversing with Baek Sang.
“Young Master Xiao, might I also request instruction?”
This time, a second-generation disciple wearing a hero’s crown approached and asked.
I nodded at him.
“Of course. Your name?”
“I am Baek O. Though it is shameful to say, I am counted among the Seven Swords of Blue Star.”
-What are the Seven Swords of Blue Star?
‘They refer to the seven most outstanding second-generation disciples of the Blue Star Sect. You could say they are the strongest among the hundred martial artists of the Baek clan.’
I had heard that the greatest among them was a second-generation disciple yet possessed transcendent mastery.
I pondered briefly, then smiled.
“By all means. A match with one of the Seven Swords of Blue Star—I should be the one requesting it.”
It was to leave the best possible impression on the Blue Star Sect members.
I accepted Baek O’s challenge and emerged victorious from the match.
“Indeed, the Blue Star sword techniques are remarkable. I learned much once again.”
And I did not forget to praise their martial arts.
“Waaaaaaaa!”
“Wind God Dragon Young Master Xiao is truly extraordinary.”
“Only Baek Hyeon could match him.”
After that, several more challengers came forward.
Dang Ye-rin and I took turns facing them.
The result was our complete victory.
“So that is the famous Green Cloud Crimson Blade. Now I understand.”
“Had it been a real blade, I couldn’t have guaranteed victory.”
Yet their reaction wasn’t unfavorable.
Normally they should have shown hostility toward me for crushing them, but my constant verbal sparring had worked in my favor.
In the end.
“Waaaaaah!”
“Wind God Dragon!”
The second disciples of the Blue Star Sect seemed to have developed considerable affection toward us.
My initial objective had been achieved.
It was then.
“Ahem. Young Master Jin. Young Lady Dang.”
A Taoist Master, presumed to be a first-generation disciple, called out to us.
“The Sect Master summons you.”

* * *

Following that guidance to Shangqing Palace, I found quite a few people gathered there.
Warriors under the command of Pung Yang Jin-in, who could be called the leadership of the Blue Star Sect, and a single Taoist Master who appeared younger and frailer than them, lying unconscious.
I could instinctively sense that this frail Taoist Master was Chung In.
A subtle demonic energy emanated from him.
“I’ll speak plainly. We have decided to accept your proposal.”
Pung Yang Jin-in said this and hardened his expression.
“However, there is something I wish to request first.”
“What might that be?”
“Can you treat Chung In immediately in this very place?”
His voice was desperate.
He was anxious to save Chung In by any means necessary.
I glanced around briefly.
Everyone present here were pillars of the Blue Star Sect.
“Of course. However, please promise on behalf of the Blue Star Sect that you will honor the agreement. Everyone here will serve as witnesses.”
“I promise.”
Pung Yang Jin-in answered without hesitation, as if this had been arranged beforehand.
I withdrew the Medicine King Divine Pill from my possession, placed it in a vessel, crushed it finely, and put it into Chung In’s mouth.
Then I leaned forward and gradually poured water in, allowing the medicine to enter his body.
“Sect Master, please perform the True Qi Guidance on Chung In. I could do it, but it would be better for you to do it directly rather than an outsider like myself.”
“Thank you for your consideration. Very well.”
Pung Yang Jin-in lifted Chung In’s body from a lying position to a seated one, then immediately performed the True Qi Guidance.
How much time had passed?
Whoooosh!
“Cough, cough!”
Chung In, who had been unconscious, opened his eyes while coughing.
“Ugh!”
Blood mixed with that cough—dark, coagulated blood.
The blackened essence of death.
From it, I could sense the demonic energy that had clung to Chung In.
It seemed the Medicine King’s elixir had succeeded in expelling the demonic qi.
“Master…?”
“Chung In! My disciple!”
Pung Yang Jin-in embraced Chung In without concern for the blood staining his robes.
Tears streamed down his weathered face.
After holding Chung In for a moment, he turned to the elders with a request.
“Elders. Please move Chung In to the Medical Hall.”
“Understood, Sect Master.”
Two of the elders carefully supported Chung In, who had yet to fully regain consciousness, and escorted him outside.
Pung Yang Jin-in, his eyes still red-rimmed, spoke to us.
“Thank you. Truly, I cannot express my gratitude enough. Because of you, that boy’s life has been saved.”
“We are relieved, Sect Master.”
“The Blue Star Sect shall never forget this debt.”
How could we forget?
We had essentially preserved the future of the Blue Star Sect itself.
Yet a question nagged at me even now.
-What is it?
‘Chung In is a master of the Celestial Realm. It’s strange that he fell to such a fate.’
So I asked directly.
“Sect Master, who exactly defeated Chung In?”
“I only know what I’ve heard, so the details elude me.”
“Even that much would suffice. Please tell us.”
Pung Yang Jin-in nodded and continued.
“A demon wielding a massive blade, they said. We thought him a demon of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but his epithet was one we’d never heard before.”
“What was this epithet?”
“Hellblade Demon, they called him… Hmm? Are you well?”
My expression hardened like stone.
‘Hellblade Demon.’
That monster was my sworn enemy—the one who annihilated the Bukcheon Sword Family in my first life and took my very existence.

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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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