The Patriarch of the Northern Heavens - Chapter 92

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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 92

Prince Jun.
One of the current emperor’s younger brothers, he wielded tremendous power and influence throughout the Sichuan region.
In my previous life, I had no connection with him whatsoever.
“How did you know?”
Prince Jun’s eyes gleamed with intrigue as he posed the question.
“Did the Family Head of the Dang Family tell you about me? No, he wouldn’t do such a thing.”
“I merely made an educated guess, Your Highness.”
“A guess?”
“When addressing Your Highness, the Family Head used honorifics. His standing in the martial world is hardly insignificant. That someone as young as Your Highness would be addressed so respectfully by him suggests Your Highness holds an exceptionally high position.”
“Interesting.”
“Moreover, there are few people in Sichuan with whom one would meet so discreetly. Then it suddenly occurred to me—Your Highness. All the conditions would be satisfied if it were you.”
“Ha! Hahahaha!”
Prince Jun burst into laughter.
It was the reaction of someone genuinely delighted.
He studied me anew, his gaze piercing.
“Impressive. I knew of your martial prowess by reputation, but I didn’t expect you to possess such keen intellect.”
“You honor me too greatly, Your Highness.”
“Indeed, a prodigy who has reached such heights at so young an age. Tell me—do you also understand why I sought you out?”
“I’m afraid I cannot say, Your Highness.”
By common reasoning, if someone of Prince Jun’s stature sought me out, it would suggest he had some request. Yet…
Conversely, someone of such rank might simply have become curious and summoned me on a whim.
When I did not commit to an answer, Prince Jun smiled knowingly.
“I see. I sought you out because I have need of you.”
“Please speak freely, Your Highness.”
“But first, I must ask—the martial art you employ belongs to Esoteric Buddhism’s protector techniques, does it not?”
“…!”
I could not help but be startled.
I had never imagined that Prince Jun, who was not a martial artist, would know of the Vajra Yaksha Divine Art.
But my shock was brief.
“Yes, Your Highness, that is correct.”
I nodded readily, as if to confirm without reservation.
There was no point in concealing it from someone who had come knowing this much.
“As expected.”
“How did Your Highness come to know of it?”
“You dare speak so rudely to His Highness!”
At my question, one of the guards beside him widened his eyes and cried out.
But Prince Jun raised his hand, forestalling the guard’s interference.
He spoke with a cold expression.
“Do not interrupt the flow of our conversation. It is for me to decide whether his question was disrespectful or not.”
“I-I apologize, Your Highness.”
At Prince Jun’s words, the guard bowed deeply and retreated.
Prince Jun exhaled lightly and spoke.
“I apologize for my guard’s rudeness. It stems from his strong loyalty to me, so I would appreciate your understanding.”
“It is no trouble. Then might I hear the answer to my earlier question?”
“Of course. You are deserving of an answer. Allow me to explain in detail.”
He nodded and took a sip of tea before continuing.
“Originally, the imperial court maintained a certain relationship with Esoteric Buddhism.”
“…!”
“I do not know the full details, but it was to oppose some common enemy. However, at some point, both that enemy and Esoteric Buddhism vanished, or so I have heard.”
“Do you mean the Esoteric Buddhism sect was annihilated?”
“That much remains uncertain. I only know that they suddenly disappeared from sight.”
“I see.”
“Thus, I and several others received orders from His Majesty to investigate their whereabouts. But after years of fruitless effort, I heard rumors about you.”
“….”
“A golden radiance that subdues enemies through the power of Buddhist dharma. While that is characteristic of the techniques used by Shaolin monks, what you wield carries far greater killing intent. Moreover, there were no reports of you receiving instruction from Shaolin.”
“That is correct. The Vajra Yaksha Divine Art I use was not taught to me by Shaolin.”
“I appreciate your forthright answer. That is why I sought you out. I believed that one who has mastered the protective techniques of Esoteric Buddhism would know of their whereabouts. If you know anything, I would be grateful to hear it.”
“I must first tell you this: I do not know much about Esoteric Buddhism.”
“Hmm?”
“I merely discovered a ruin they left behind and gained fortune from it. This Vajra Yaksha Divine Art was obtained through that discovery.”
“A ruin of Esoteric Buddhism… Tell me more details about it.”
“When I visited, it was surrounded by formation arrays, making it difficult to approach easily. Had it not been for chance, I would have passed by without finding it.”
This was the truth.
In my first life.
Discovering the ruin of Esoteric Buddhism and obtaining the Vajra Yaksha Divine Art was purely coincidental.
That is why I was so shocked when I encountered Sura Do.
‘I never imagined there would be another inheritor of Esoteric Buddhism’s protective techniques besides myself.’
Perhaps he truly knew what had become of the Esoteric Buddhism people.
But I chose not to mention Sura Do.
Unless the imperial court’s purpose in seeking Esoteric Buddhism was clear, there seemed little benefit in discussing it further.
“Where is this place?”
“It is a mountain valley located in Jeyuan, Henan Province. If you go halfway up the mountain there, you will find an abandoned village. That is the ruin of Esoteric Buddhism.”
“Jeyuan, I see. Very well.”
Prince Jun nodded and signaled to his guards.
One of them quickly retrieved brush and inkstone and began recording the information.
Prince Jun pressed further, as though he needed more details.
“How exactly can one find it?”
“It’s simple. Ask the villagers nearby about a mountain where people frequently get lost, and climb it—that’s where the Esoteric Buddhism ruins are located. The reason people lose their way is because of the formation arrays installed there.”
“I see.”
“However, even if you visit, there won’t be much to find. When I went, there were no other records—only the Vajra Yaksha Divine Art left behind.”
“Ah, that doesn’t matter. What we need isn’t martial arts, but information about their whereabouts. Besides, the Imperial martial arts repository already contains all of Esoteric Buddhism’s protective techniques.”
I couldn’t help but be considerably shocked at this point.
All of Esoteric Buddhism’s protective techniques were stored there.
It made me acutely aware of just how formidable the Imperial power truly was.
They likely hadn’t just collected Esoteric Buddhism’s techniques—they’d gathered martial arts from across the entire Central Plains.
“Hmm. That was valuable information. Thank you for your cooperation.”
“Not at all.”
“It’s not much of a reward, but tell me what you desire. I’ll ensure the price for this information is paid in full.”
“Then please tell me the reason.”
“The reason?”
Prince Jun tilted his head curiously.
“The reason you’re searching for Esoteric Buddhism. That way, if I happen to discover their traces in the future, I’ll be able to inform you properly, won’t I?”
“Heh heh. So that’s what you’re curious about.”
He nodded knowingly and spoke.
“There is a special existence within Esoteric Buddhism. I’m searching for that existence.”
“A special existence?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t explain why he was searching for this special existence.
Perhaps he thought there was no need to.
I didn’t press further either.
There was a possibility it might plant seeds of suspicion in him.
‘This is enough. I’ll need to ask Sura Do about the rest.’
With that thought, I continued speaking.
“Also, I hope Your Highness will look favorably upon the Bukcheon Sword Family’s development.”
“Hmm. The Imperial Court has no intention of interfering in the martial world. You should know that.”
“I’m not asking for active support, but rather permission for us to expand our influence. I intend to develop the Bukcheon Sword Family into a major power on par with the Sichuan Dang Family.”
“If such a family were to emerge in Sanseo, the Imperial Court wouldn’t be pleased. Yet you’re asking me to overlook it.”
“Yes. However, I promise Your Highness that it will never become a burden to you.”
“Heh heh. I understand. That much isn’t difficult. I grant it.”
Prince Jun nodded with a pleased smile.
Soon after, he looked at me with interest.
“You must love your family greatly. To make such a request of me.”
“I do.”
“But you should understand that your family is in danger. You know the reason without me saying it, don’t you?”
“Is it because of Black Night Fortress…?”
“I don’t know much about that organization. But this incident has revealed quite a bit. From what I hear, it seems to be quite well-organized.”
“They’re those who have been operating in the shadows of the martial world for a long time.”
“If such ruffians continue their rampage, the Imperial Court will hardly be pleased either. Thus, I hope that you and other martial artists will be able to subjugate them.”
Prince Jun rose from his seat after speaking.
Before departing, he looked at me and extended something.
“Take this.”
“What is this?”
“It is a credential tablet of the Prince’s Retinue that I command.”
“…!”
I couldn’t help but wear an expression of shock.
A credential tablet of the Prince’s Retinue was literally an identity token that only those closest to the royal family could receive.
Yet for him to give me such a thing….
“Are you suggesting that I join the Prince’s Retinue, Your Highness?”
“What? Haha. No. My giving you this is purely a personal gesture of goodwill.”
Prince Jun spoke with a gentle smile.
“Is it not the nature of people to wish to nurture a promising sapling when they see one? And by my standards, you are a sapling worth cultivating a connection with. Thus, I have shown you this favor.”
“Thank you.”
“Huh. You don’t refuse.”
“How could I refuse something given directly by Your Highness?”
“Indeed.”
Prince Jun nodded as he looked at me.
“In the future, when dealing with imperial administrators or encountering imperial personnel, presenting this will elicit a far more favorable response. Moreover, if word spreads that you possess this, other martial artists will find it difficult to lay hands upon you.”
If someone were to attack me, who possessed a credential tablet of the Prince’s Retinue?
It would be regarded as an attack upon Prince Jun himself.
Thus, everyone would inevitably become cautious.
I bowed respectfully in gratitude and placed the tablet within my robes.
“Then I shall take my leave now. There may be watching eyes, so do not see me off.”
“Safe travels, Your Highness.”
“Should opportunity arise, we shall meet again. Until then, I wish you good fortune.”
Prince Jun departed, leaving his blessing behind.
I fingered the two tablets within my robes and smiled widely.
‘An unexpected windfall.’
The credential tablet from Overwhelming Force Divine Fist, followed by the tablet Prince Jun had prepared.
This alone elevated my value considerably.
The more entangled I became with powerful figures, the higher my standing rose.
‘Of course, those from Black Night Fortress won’t care much about this.’
That was fine.
After all, my purpose extended beyond merely avenging myself against them—I also aimed to make the Bukcheon Sword Family the greatest clan under heaven.
And the gains I obtained this time would surely serve as a stepping stone toward that goal.
With the backing of a prince, I need not fear friction with local officials in the Sanseo region.
It was when I returned to the Sichuan Dang Family after some time had passed.
‘What is this?’
The atmosphere of the Sichuan Dang Family seemed unsettled.
When I had left earlier, everything appeared normal, but now the martial artists were bustling about with purpose.
As if something significant had occurred.
I was about to stop someone passing by and inquire about the situation.
Moyong Hyun-rak appeared, fully armed, and spoke.
“You’ve arrived.”
“What is the matter?”
“It seems you haven’t heard yet. A problem has arisen. It concerns you as well.”
“A problem that concerns me?”
“Yes.”
I could not help but be startled by what Moyong Hyun-rak said next.
“The tomb of the Wind God has been discovered.”
“…!”

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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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