The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 105

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

Spear Heaven Martial Emperor Episode 105

Evil Path Alliance Leader Lee Cheolgun had been an enemy who had constantly opposed him ever since Namgung Hyeok returned from the battlefield.

But now such a person was trying to entrust himself to him.

Naturally, the reaction was not good.

Especially Ho Young and Jeon Wook narrowed their eyes and released killing intent.

Lee Cheolgun, hit by that killing intent, broke out in cold sweat but still grinned.

“Truly terrifying. To think there’s an aura that makes even me flinch.”

“Enough.”

Namgung Hyeok raised his hand to restrain them.

Then the killing intent pouring toward Lee Cheolgun disappeared as if washed away.

“Ho. Are you stepping forward to take my side?”

“I’m not taking your side. I just want to hear the story in more detail.”

“If you listen to the story, will you accept me as a retainer?”

“That’s something to decide after hearing the story. It’s not something to argue about now.”

“Hehe. I suppose that’s how it would be. We’re not exactly on intimate terms.”

Lee Cheolgun said this and nodded his head.

“Ask me anything. If there’s something I can tell you, I’ll let you know everything.”

“What’s the current situation in Sado Region?”

“It’s a complete mess.”

Lee Cheolgun summarized it in one phrase.

“After the Sado Region’s defeat in the battle against the Namgung Family Estate, it has been divided into three factions fighting each other. The Ryeonju faction centered around me, the Red Demon Gate faction that had entrenched itself in Fujian Province, and the Eight Swords Gate faction in the east. But in the beginning, my faction was overwhelmingly dominant. After all, I was the current Evil Path Alliance Leader.”

“But something must have happened?”

“The Blood Heaven Cult bastards who had been dealing with us suddenly started supporting the Eight Swords Gate. Not satisfied with that, the Four Directions Divine Cult that had been supporting me chose the Red Demon Gate. I went to the battlefield to kill all those traitor bastards, but I was defeated and barely managed to preserve my life and escape alone.”

“A master like you was defeated?”

Namgung Hyeok said with a frown.

Objectively, Evil Path Alliance Leader Lee Cheolgun’s martial prowess was sufficiently outstanding.

To the extent that he could be called the hegemon of Zhejiang Province.

But he couldn’t understand how such a person had been defeated.

“Did you face a combined attack?”

“Yes. But I overcame it. The Eight Swords Gate Master and Red Demon Gate Master are decent fighters, but they weren’t a match for me. But then… a monster appeared.”

“A monster?”

“Suzaku.”

Namgung Hyeok’s eyes narrowed.

“Who is that?”

“One of the Four Divine Messengers of the Four Directions Divine Cult. Though we had joined hands, she was also a martial artist I had been constantly wary of. The moment that woman entered the war, everything ended.”

Lee Cheolgun continued speaking with blazing flames burning in his eyes.

“All my close associates died, and I nearly died too. If a master from the Blood Heaven Cult hadn’t appeared at that moment to strike Suzaku from behind, I would have died. I quickly escaped while the two of them fought.”

“To think there were two opponents that even a master like you couldn’t handle…”

“Hard to believe? But it’s reality. Whether it’s the Four Directions Divine Cult or the Blood Heaven Cult, they’re hiding terrifying power. It’s just that they’re projecting their forces across the entire Central Plains, so it doesn’t show.”

“Fine. I’ll believe you.”

“…!”

The executives’ eyes widened at Namgung Hyeok’s unexpectedly ready acceptance.

But Namgung Hyeok’s words didn’t end there.

“I thought you had no particular reason to lie. But believing your words and accepting you as a retainer are different matters. Moreover, we’re people who have tried to kill each other several times, aren’t we?”

“Of course that would be the case. So I want to make one proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“Make me the master of Sado Region again. Until then, I’ll be your faithful dog.”

“How can I trust you?”

“If you want, you can place a prohibition technique on me. As a descendant of Seonghwa Sect, you should be able to do that, right?”

“Ho.”

Prohibition techniques were evil arts used by assassin organizations and secret societies, having the effect of forcing the target’s actions.

As Lee Cheolgun said, Namgung Hyeok knew how to apply prohibition techniques.

Such things existed among Seonghwa Sect’s secret transmissions.

But to think he would ask for a prohibition technique to be placed on himself…

“You could die if something goes wrong, you know?”

“Of course that would be the case. But if I don’t go this far, it’s clear I won’t be able to reclaim my position, isn’t it?”

“You’ve become more composed than before. You used to be more emotional, I think.”

“My subordinates were massacred.”

Lee Cheolgun’s eyes sharpened.

“Of course they weren’t particularly useful, but they were guys who had been with me long before I became the Evil Path Alliance Leader. But all those guys died. Haha. Going through this situation, my emotions actually calmed down and became serene.”

“Do you want revenge?”

“At least I should resolve the grievances of the dead guys, shouldn’t I? That way I can smile and have a drink when I meet them again later. But I can’t do it alone. An individual can’t seek revenge or anything else against a massive force.”

“So you chose me.”

“Yes. You’re going to clash with the newly born Sado Region anyway, even if it’s not through me.”

Namgung Hyeok didn’t answer, but his silence was like affirmation.

As Lee Cheolgun said, the Blood Heaven Cult and Four Directions Divine Cult would surely target Seonghwa Sect someday.

‘When that happens, I’ll have to fight another battle staking the sect’s fate.’

At that time, a master like former Evil Path Alliance Leader Lee Cheolgun would be of great help. Though he didn’t like him, his martial power was real.

“Fine.”

After a moment’s consideration, Namgung Hyeok accepted Lee Cheolgun’s proposal.

Lee Cheolgun spoke as if surprised.

“I didn’t expect you to accept so readily.”

“As you said, I can use prohibition techniques. I’m thinking of embedding a prohibition in your head that you cannot harm Seonghwa Sect and its blood allies.”

“That sounds good. If that allows you to trust me, then by all means.”

“Of course, trusting only the prohibition technique and accepting you would be foolish. So you’ll have to move with me for a while.”

“Lord!”

“To act together with the Evil Path Alliance Leader! It’s too dangerous!”

Jeon Wook and So Baek were horrified and tried to stop Namgung Hyeok.

But Namgung Hyeok looked at them and asked.

“Don’t you trust me?”

“…!”

The two flinched and then bowed their heads.

“We’re sorry. We misspoke.”

“It’s not really something to call a misstep. It would be natural worry for you two to have. But please trust me a bit more.”

Namgung Hyeok made this request and then looked at Lee Cheolgun.

“Then I’ll engrave the prohibition technique right now. You have no complaints, right?”

“Please make it not hurt if possible.”

“It won’t hurt. It’s just that if you violate the prohibition, your body’s energy and blood will twist and you’ll die in agony.”

“How frightening.”

Lee Cheolgun answered with a bright smile.

But contrary to his words, he didn’t decline.

Namgung Hyeok looked at Lee Cheolgun and said.

“Follow me.”

The two headed to the most secluded place in Makriseoga.

Other executives followed behind them to prepare for any possible situation.

* * *

About two weeks had passed since Namgung Hyeok accepted Lee Cheolgun’s surrender.

In the meantime, the results of the Sado Region civil war were becoming increasingly clear.

The northern Eight Swords Gate receiving support from the Blood Heaven Sect.

And the southern Red Demon Gate receiving support from the Four Directions Divine Sect.

The two forces faced each other in a stalemate, with neither able to gain the upper hand.

Naturally, both forces focused on defending their own territories rather than coveting each other’s lands.

What emerged from this was the Northern Sado Region in Zhejiang Province and the Southern Sado Region in Fujian Province.

These forces, with the Eight Swords Gate Master and Red Demon Gate Master as their respective lords, showed that the power structure of the Murim had changed once again.

“In the end, it’s not a bad thing. The Sado Region splitting in two means the force itself has been greatly weakened.”

Namgung Hyeok, who had returned to Seonghwa Sect, spoke to the gathered executives.

“They know this too, so for several years they’ll try to maintain a defensive stance rather than going on the offensive. If they’re not careful, there’s a high chance they’ll devour each other.”

“Then what do you plan to do, Lord?”

“We’ll also take this opportunity to stabilize the political situation. Since we’ve absorbed Makriseoga, one of the three great powers of Jiangsu, we need time to digest it, don’t we?”

“Of course. If we can properly utilize the assets they possessed, we’ll gain tremendous benefits. We could immediately develop trade routes through the Grand Canal.”

“Now that Nanjing and Suzhou are in our hands, we can say Jiangsu Province has already fallen into our grasp. Of course, Gwichang Gate in the north is bothersome…”

“Hahaha! They’re just cowering in fear. Under normal circumstances, they won’t try to fight us.”

“No, you never know. Next to Gwichang Gate is the Hwangbo Family. The Hwangbo Family might look unfavorably upon us and support Gwichang Gate.”

“But the Namgung Family Estate and Shandong Ak Family are also adjacent to us, aren’t they? If they’re in their right minds, they probably won’t think of attacking.”

“In the end, we can’t know for sure.”

Various opinions were exchanged.

Namgung Hyeok tapped the table as if to organize the opinions.

“Anyway, for the time being, we’ll focus on internal affairs and concentrate on building the sect’s capabilities. Baek Ilpajang and Maeng Ilpajang. How are the preparations for recruiting new disciples coming along?”

“We’ve just finished preparing for the examination.”

“We can start anytime if you give your approval, Lord.”

“Good. Then let’s start right away. It’s fine if their current martial arts level is a bit low, so focus on selecting those with potential.”

“Yes!”

The current military strength of Seonghwa Sect, including both the Fire Sword Division and Flame Blade Division, was at the level of several hundred.

While this wasn’t a small number, now that they had taken over Makriseoga’s territory, there was an undeniable sense of shortage. So they intended to recruit additional forces.

‘Even if they’re a bit weak initially, I’m confident I can turn them into elites through training.’

Namgung Hyeok thought this way and looked at the map of the Central Plains.

‘The urgent matters have mostly been resolved now. What remains is finding the two factions I haven’t located yet.’

It was while he was deep in such thoughts.

“What? Is that really true?”

Baek Ya, who had received a whispered report from a subordinate, stood up from his seat.

All eyes in the meeting hall turned to him.

But Baek Ya didn’t mind and shouted in a joyful voice.

“Lord! They say traces of the Fire Crystal Division have been discovered!”

“Oh.”

Namgung Hyeok said with a slight smile.

“Is that really true?”

“Yes. However, those who brought the information don’t seem completely certain either. They say it’s in a considerably distant place…”

“A distant place. Where exactly?”

“Yunnan. They say the traces were discovered in Kunming, Yunnan Province.”

“…!”

Everyone showed surprised expressions at those words.

Yunnan was a frontier region in the southwest of the Central Plains, a place so distant that some would treat it as beyond civilization.

Yet the Fire Crystal Division was in such a place.

“Is this reliable information?”

“Honestly, I can’t say that. It’s merely rumors about those presumed to be the Fire Crystal Division…”

“Well, that’s to be expected. But it’s certainly worth investigating.”

Namgung Hyeok said this and stood up from his seat.

“I’ll go to Yunnan personally. If it’s true that the Fire Crystal Division is there, the probability of persuading them would be higher if I go rather than sending subordinates.”

“Then I’ll escort the leader.”

Ho Young quickly interjected. Namgung Hyeok nodded.

While the others would be busy handling Seonghwa Sect’s affairs, he thought it would be better for Ho Young, who was field-oriented, to accompany him rather than handle paperwork here.

Namgung Hyeok said this and looked at someone sitting in a corner of the meeting hall.

Lee Cheolgun, receiving that gaze, asked with a somewhat bewildered expression.

“Don’t tell me I’m going too?”

“Of course.”

Sorry to Lee Cheolgun, but he had no intention of leaving him alone for a while.

No matter how much he had implanted the prohibition technique, one could never be too careful.

Lee Cheolgun laughed helplessly.

“I’m going on a trip to Yunnan that wasn’t in my destiny.”

“You’d better prepare right now. We’ll depart early tomorrow morning.”

Namgung Hyeok said this and dismissed the meeting.

And the next day.

The party consisting of Namgung Hyeok, Ho Young, and Lee Cheolgun departed for Yunnan Province.

It was to find the Fire Crystal Division that might be there.

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