The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 104

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Spear Heaven Martial Emperor Episode 104

A while later.

The three hundred or so warriors led by Namgung Hyeok were able to occupy Makriseoga without difficulty.

Though he had wondered if there might be resistance, there was none. They were able to achieve what could literally be called a bloodless victory.

“It seems So Baek’s unit did well for us.”

“It appears so. Ah, speak of the tiger and it appears.”

As they were talking about So Baek, a cavalry unit of about a hundred men appeared from the distance.

It was the troops of Yeomhwa Trading Company led by So Baek.

Upon seeing Namgung Hyeok, they immediately dismounted from their horses and paid their respects.

“We greet our Lord.”

“You must be busy, yet you came out like this. Thank you. How did the task you went on turn out?”

“Mission completed. Here are the severed heads of those bastards.”

So Baek handed over a sack whose contents couldn’t be seen.

Namgung Hyeok nodded after checking the contents. Inside were not only the head of the target Makri Jesin, but also the heads of Makriseoga’s Senior Members.

“You’ve worked hard. Your contribution is great.”

“Not at all. If you hadn’t achieved a great victory, Lord, this would have been impossible.”

“Still, you’ve worked hard. If you hadn’t captured these people, it would have been troublesome.”

There was a possibility that Makri Jesin, with support from the Branch Offices, might have aimed for a comeback.

Preventing that in advance was truly a great contribution.

After commending So Baek and the people of Yeomhwa Trading Company, Namgung Hyeok began the next task.

That was dismantling Makriseoga.

“Ugh!”

“Kyaaaah!”

The warriors there, regardless of gender or age, had their dantians destroyed.

The massive wealth they had accumulated over the years fell into Namgung Hyeok’s hands, and Namgung Hyeok disposed of it through Yeomhwa Trading Company.

And he even drove out all the surviving family members of Makri Jesin.

“Destroying their dantians and driving them out, isn’t this too cruel?”

“It’s fine. It’s better than killing them all.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Having dismantled Makriseoga in an instant, he began swallowing up the big chunks first.

Now the site that had been Makriseoga’s Main Family House became Seonghwa Sect’s Suzhou Branch.

All the businesses they had been managing also came under Seonghwa Sect, and since he said he would reduce the Tribute Money, there was almost no resistance.

In less than a few days, he had completely absorbed Makriseoga.

The surrounding sects that witnessed this were shocked and watched Seonghwa Sect’s movements.

They had never dreamed that Makriseoga would collapse so futilely.

However, Namgung Hyeok didn’t care.

Since Makriseoga had disappeared, they no longer posed a great threat.

Of course, if they joined forces, the story would be different…

So far, no force with such courage had emerged yet.

Rather, most forces were sending gifts to curry favor with Seonghwa Sect.

‘Not bad.’

Suzhou had been a treasure trove of resources since ancient times, with developed canal industries and fertile land.

What was especially famous here was silk.

Namgung Hyeok worked to have Yeomhwa Trading Company absorb that silk trade.

If they could control Suzhou’s silk trade following Northern Sea Ice Palace’s Cold Iron, Yeomhwa Trading Company’s financial power would surely grow even stronger.

But it was then.

“Lord. A guest has come from Jiangsu Salt Association.”

A guest came to see Namgung Hyeok while he was busy handling affairs.

* * *

When he went to the Reception Room where the guest was said to be waiting, a familiar face was waiting.

“It’s good to see you. Seonghwa Sect Leader. You may not remember, but I’m Sau from Jiangsu Salt Association.”

“Of course I remember. Come here and sit.”

Namgung Hyeok welcomed Sau warmly and personally poured Tea for him.

Sau expressed his gratitude and took the Tea.

The two men chatted briefly to break the ice.

But that was only for a moment.

“Now, can you tell me why Jiangsu Salt Association came to see us?”

Namgung Hyeok returned to the main point.

Since he roughly knew what would be said, there was no need to speak in roundabout ways.

As if he had the same thought, Sau showed a subtle smile.

“Our association congratulates Seonghwa Sect on its victory in the war against Makriseoga.”

“Thank you.”

“But at the same time, there are those who express concern. Wondering what would happen if Seonghwa Sect doesn’t stop its conquest wars like this.”

“That’s a reasonable worry.”

Namgung Hyeok nodded without getting angry.

“But such worries can be considered useless. Because we went to war with Makriseoga because they launched a preemptive attack.”

“…”

“Unless they do foolish things against our sect, or like Makriseoga, bring in other forces to attack us, we have no intention of waging more wars. Is this answer sufficient?”

“Of course. Thank you for your answer.”

Sau immediately bowed his head.

Simply put, he had received the message that as long as they didn’t provoke first, this side would also remain still.

“And regarding the Salt Fields that Makriseoga owned…”

“Ah, there was such a thing.”

Makriseoga was operating various businesses, but among them, the most profitable were the liquor business and salt field business.

From Jiangsu Salt Association’s standpoint, they would be attracted to the salt field business, which could be called their specialty.

“Do you have any intention of selling the Salt Fields to us? We’ll pay a generous price.”

“Sorry, but that won’t work.”

“…!”

“We’re also aiming for diversification of profits. It’s good for us if there are more places for money to come in.”

“Hmm.”

“Instead, how about this? We don’t know well how to operate these Salt Fields. So you could dispatch experts to help with our work.”

“What benefit would there be for us?”

“We’ll dispose of the salt from those Salt Fields only through you.”

“…!”

Simply put, he was giving them exclusive sales rights for the Salt Fields.

If done well, they could collect massive commissions.

Sau immediately smiled brightly and nodded.

“We’ll do that. Sect Leader.”

“Good, that’s refreshing. I’ll understand it that way too.”

Namgung Hyeok showed an ambiguous smile.

In fact, he hadn’t made the choice to hand over exclusive sales rights for the Salt Fields for no reason.

First, it would actually be difficult to operate the Salt Fields since all the expert personnel had fled…

‘It was true that there was no proper place to sell anyway.’

Salt trading was a business where rights were restricted by national law so that only certain trading companies could do it.

It seemed Makriseoga had accumulated wealth by selling salt illegally…

Seonghwa Sect had no intention of taking on such risks.

So they handed it over to the Jiangsu Salt Association, which could legally handle salt.

‘Besides, doing it this way could also prevent interference from the Jiangsu Salt Association in advance.’

They had turned those with similar power to the Makri Family into allies rather than enemies.

And while joining hands with them, they would gradually encroach upon the Murim sects in Jiangsu Province one by one.

If that happened….

‘In the end, only a few would remain.’

Completely taking control of the Jiangsu Salt Association would be sufficient even then.

By that time, the Sacred Fire Gate’s size would be incomparable to the Jiangsu Salt Association.

So the Sacred Fire Gate only needed to wait until then.

Then they would naturally come under their control.

“I will quickly inform the association of this matter.”

“Take care on your way. The answer can be a bit delayed, so I’ll look forward to a good response.”

“Yes. Our association will not forget the Sect Leader’s goodwill.”

Sau headed to the Jiangsu Salt Association with the contract they had drafted after several negotiations.

Namgung Hyeok watched Sau’s departing figure.

He sipped his tea a bit more and lightly stretched his body. It was to tackle the mountain of work that had piled up again.

But at that moment.

“…!”

He felt someone with tremendous energy approaching from afar.

Namgung Hyeok jumped up and moved toward the direction where that energy was approaching.

Had they felt the same energy?

The other executives who had remained in Suzhou all hardened their expressions and were on guard against the approaching master.

A moment later.

“…!”

They couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Indeed. The rumor that you defeated the Makri Family was true. Haha. Life must be enjoyable these days?”

“You are….”

“It’s been a long time, Flame Dragon.”

Namgung Hyeok quietly looked at his opponent and answered.

“It’s been a long time. Evil Path Alliance Leader.”

The man, Evil Path Alliance Leader Lee Cheolgun, smiled faintly.

* * *

Namgung Hyeok did not invite Lee Cheolgun inside.

If such a master caused a disturbance, they would surely suffer considerable damage.

Instead, they maintained a standoff in front of the main gate.

It was like gunpowder that could explode at any moment.

“A guest has come, but you won’t offer a warm cup of tea?”

“It’s unclear whether you’re a guest or not.”

“Huhu. Certainly from your position, it would feel that way.”

“Why are you here when you should be in Hangzhou? And without even a single attendant?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to hear it here.”

“How petty. Well, fine.”

Lee Cheolgun spoke with an indescribable expression.

“I was abandoned by the Evil Path Alliance.”

“…!”

“To be precise, it would be better to say I was betrayed. I am no longer the Evil Path Alliance Leader. I’m just a martial artist who was driven from his position.”

“Someone like you was driven out of the Evil Path Alliance?”

Namgung Hyeok asked with an expression of disbelief.

In fact, he had been guessing that the Evil Path Alliance’s internal war would end with Lee Cheolgun’s victory.

But such a Lee Cheolgun had been defeated and become a fugitive.

It didn’t make sense logically.

“How did a strong person like you end up in such a state?”

“Four Directions Divine Cult.”

Lee Cheolgun spoke with grinding anger.

“Those bastards betrayed me. They tried to put more obedient and stupid bastards in the Evil Path Alliance Leader position so they could manipulate them more easily. So I was defeated at the crucial moment during the internal war and became a fugitive.”

“Four Directions Divine Cult… Those bastards were behind the Evil Path Alliance?”

“Didn’t you know? Well, that’s understandable. They were bastards who didn’t easily reveal themselves.”

Namgung Hyeok’s expression became serious.

The Four Directions Divine Cult was an organization that played an important role in the Sacred Fire Cult’s downfall along with the Blood Heaven Cult.

But they had continued their lineage until now.

‘And they were hiding behind the Evil Path Alliance. There are more reasons to be careful of the Evil Path Alliance.’

Namgung Hyeok thought this as he looked at Lee Cheolgun.

He could roughly guess the reason for coming to find him while revealing such important information.

But just in case, Namgung Hyeok first probed his intentions.

“Evil Path Alliance Leader… No, I should call you by name now. Lee Cheolgun, why did you come to find us?”

“Kuhuh. You’re already guessing that, aren’t you?”

“….”

“What you’re thinking is probably right. I just came to the most suitable person after considering various candidates.”

“That means… you want to entrust yourself to us?”

“That’s right.”

Lee Cheolgun looked at Namgung Hyeok with serious eyes and said.

“I, Lee Cheolgun, formally request personal protection from Sacred Fire Gate Leader Namgung Hyeok.”

“…!”

The gathering became noisy at Lee Cheolgun’s declaration.

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