The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 121
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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 121
“The Martial Alliance.”
Namgung Hyeok’s eyes sharpened.
At first glance, he seemed to be trying to gauge their intentions.
“Did they reveal what business they have?”
“They just said they stopped by to congratulate you on becoming the ruler of Jiangsu Province.”
“Hmm.”
After pondering for a moment, he spoke to his subordinate.
“Guide them to the reception room. I’ll wait there as well.”
“Yes.”
A short while later.
The warrior who had come to report brought along a tall young man.
The young man politely performed a cupped fist salute and greeted Namgung Hyeok.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Seonghwa Gate Master. I am called Jeon Soyeop.”
“Pleased to meet you, Leader Jeon.”
“You know of me?”
“I’ve heard plenty about the reputation of the Martial Alliance’s Iron Sword Unit. I’ve heard your name several times as well.”
Namgung Hyeok nodded as he replied.
Iron Sword Unit Leader Jeon Soyeop was quite a famous figure among the Martial Alliance’s young late-stage experts.
But for such a person to come personally meant…
‘The Alliance Leader must have business with me.’
It was likely on Dokgo Ryong’s orders.
Having thought that far, Namgung Hyeok smiled warmly and asked.
“How is the Alliance Leader doing?”
“Yes. Even now, he continues to support the alliance as firmly as an unshakeable rock.”
“That’s natural for someone like him. Now then, may I ask what business brings you here?”
“Since you seem to dislike formalities, I’ll ask directly.”
Jeon Soyeop asked in a voice that was polite yet resolute.
“Would you consider joining the Martial Alliance?”
“You’re asking me to join the alliance.”
“That’s correct. If you join the Martial Alliance, things could become much better than they are now.”
“What’s the basis for saying that?”
“First, joining the Martial Alliance would give Seonghwa Sect many more allies. That way, Seonghwa Sect’s enemies wouldn’t be able to touch Seonghwa Sect carelessly.”
“And next?”
“Also, you could gain advantages in trade. If the Martial Alliance’s trade network were added to Seonghwa Sect’s existing trade routes, it could create quite a synergistic effect.”
“Oh.”
“Lastly, the Martial Alliance is a gathering of chivalrous warriors with strong sense of justice. Seonghwa Sect’s foundation was surely to uphold righteousness and illuminate the world brightly, wasn’t it? If so, it aligns with our Martial Alliance’s intentions.”
Jeon Soyeop listed his reasons without a single mistake, as if he had prepared beforehand.
Namgung Hyeok was slightly impressed.
“I’ll provide you with lodging, so could you give me some time?”
“Yes. I’ll be waiting for a positive response.”
Jeon Soyeop said that, then bowed his head and departed.
Namgung Hyeok immediately summoned all the executives.
It was to decide whether to join the Martial Alliance or not.
“I’m in favor. It doesn’t look bad to join.”
The first to voice his opinion was Jeon Wook.
He pointed out the practical aspects.
“First of all, the benefits we could gain by becoming one with the Martial Alliance are quite substantial. Not just money, but we could also gain allies when needed. So I think joining would be good.”
“I’m opposed.”
This time, surprisingly, it was Baek Ya who answered.
He exchanged glances with fellow unit leader Maeng Seungji, then nodded.
“You may not know this, but Seonghwa Sect from decades ago was also a member of the Martial Alliance. But do you know what the Martial Alliance did when the Evil Sect War broke out?”
He gritted his teeth and continued.
“They ignored our requests for help! That was no different from encouraging the destruction of Seonghwa Sect, which was facing the Blood Heaven Cult and Four Directions Divine Cult alone. So we don’t trust the Martial Alliance. They’re the kind of people who think nothing of others’ sacrifices just to monopolize power for themselves.”
“Hmm.”
Namgung Hyeok nodded with a serious expression.
Baek Ya’s words also made sense.
The meeting hall soon erupted with heated debate over people’s opinions.
There were opinions like Jeon Wook’s that they should join the Martial Alliance, and opinions like Baek Ya’s that they should refuse.
Namgung Hyeok didn’t stop the meeting until he had heard everyone’s opinion once.
“What will you do?”
Now only Namgung Hyeok’s own opinion remained.
Everyone fell silent and watched for Namgung Hyeok’s decision.
It was obvious that Seonghwa Sect would move according to whatever he decided.
“Bring the Martial Alliance’s messenger.”
Instead of answering, Namgung Hyeok called Jeon Soyeop to the meeting hall.
He was startled to see the executives gathered, but soon managed his expression and bowed his head.
“Gate Master. Have you thought about our proposal?”
“Yes. I’ve given it some thought.”
“Then you can give me an answer.”
Expectation filled Jeon Soyeop’s voice.
In fact, his tone suggested he was somewhat guessing the answer.
Namgung Hyeok looked at such Jeon Soyeop, chuckled, and said.
“I’m sorry, but I must decline the proposal for Seonghwa Sect to come under the Martial Alliance.”
“…!”
Jeon Soyeop’s expression instantly hardened.
He never thought Namgung Hyeok would utter a refusal.
“Could you tell me why?”
“There are various reasons, but fundamentally because there’s absolutely no reason for us to bow our heads and join.”
“I see. That’s how it is.”
“Instead, I have one proposal to make. Would you like to hear it?”
“A proposal?”
“That’s right.”
Namgung Hyeok looked at Jeon Soyeop and spoke in a serious voice.
“Seonghwa Sect formally requests an equal alliance with the Martial Alliance.”
“…!”
At the unexpected proposal, Jeon Soyeop’s pupils shook violently.
* * *
Several days later.
Martial Alliance Leader Dokgo Ryong’s office.
“An alliance…”
He listened to the story his subordinate brought and laughed as if it were interesting.
Not becoming a sect under the Martial Alliance’s command, but becoming an alliance.
That meant they wanted their relationship to be on equal terms.
Did they make such a proposal simply because they didn’t want to bow their heads?
‘No, that wouldn’t be it.’
The Flame Dragon Namgung Hyeok that he knew was someone who didn’t care much about such things.
A person who could bow his head anytime if there was profit to be gained.
That was exactly who Namgung Hyeok was. This wasn’t because he lacked principles, but rather due to his practical nature.
‘However, the reason he rejected our proposal this time is probably….’
He could roughly guess the reason.
It was probably because of the historical incident that occurred long ago when the old Seonghwa Sect was still alive.
At that time, Seonghwa Sect had requested support from the Martial Alliance when facing the allied forces of two evil sects.
But the Martial Alliance didn’t support Seonghwa Sect, using the excuse that the Heavenly Demon Sect’s threat was nearby.
Accordingly, the Nine Great Sects and Ten Great Noble Houses also ignored Seonghwa Sect, and eventually Seonghwa Sect fought alone against the two evil sects and perished together with them.
‘With such history, it would naturally be difficult for them to come under us again.’
That’s why he proposed an alliance.
Since it would be concluded on equal terms, it would give him something to say to any subordinates who might have complaints, and he could also secure practical benefits.
Dokgo Ryong fell into thought for a moment.
Watching him, Third Military Advisor Sama Cheong carefully asked.
“Alliance Leader. What will you do?”
“What do you think would be best?”
“Honestly, I think they’re being arrogant. You should reject the alliance proposal and apply pressure to humble them once.”
“Hmm.”
Dokgo Ryong laughed as if amused.
“Would you really do that? From my perspective, that would be a poor choice.”
“A poor choice?”
“Think about it. Seonghwa Sect is no longer simply a sect that influences just Jiangsu Province. They have the symbolism of having blocked two evil sects in the past, while also possessing tremendous actual power.”
Dokgo Ryong said this and took a sip of tea.
“Even now they have at least a thousand troops, all of them elite. They’re also accumulating great wealth through trade. Given this, they’re quite valuable to let slip away.”
“But that doesn’t mean they’re worth forming an alliance with, does it? Rather, you should orchestrate something to make them obediently follow our words….”
“If we did such a thing, the world would come to doubt our alliance’s chivalrous spirit. And don’t you still understand what kind of place Seonghwa Sect is? They are infinitely generous to allies but merciless to enemies. If Seonghwa Sect begins to oppose the Martial Alliance, then Namgung Family Estate, Shandong Ak Family, and Northern Sea Ice Palace will also become hostile to us.”
“Would those sects really want to antagonize us just because some mere Seonghwa Sect opposes us?”
“They definitely would. I can guarantee it.”
Dokgo Ryong recalled Namgung Hyeok whom he had met on the northern battlefield.
He was a real deal who had created forces that followed him even within the army through his unique talent for managing people.
Now that he had become the leader of a sect, such tendencies would have grown even stronger.
‘There’s no need to unnecessarily antagonize such a person.’
And thinking not as the Murim Alliance Leader but of Dokgo Ryong’s personal favorable impression of Namgung Hyeok, he wanted to accept the alliance proposal.
‘That fellow will become great unless he’s broken midway.’
If he maintained a favorable relationship with such a person, it would surely be helpful in the future.
Dokgo Ryong thought this and said to Sama Cheong.
“I’ll draft a document, so bring me a brush and inkstone. I should reply that we accept the alliance.”
“But if you make such a decision, won’t the elders rebel?”
“Hehe. Tell them if they don’t like it, they can come argue with me directly.”
“….”
Naturally, there were few people bold enough to directly confront Dokgo Ryong, who was one of the Ten Greatest Masters Under Heaven and had served as Murim Alliance Leader for a long time.
Dokgo Ryong handed the letter to Sama Cheong and said.
“Then I’ll leave it to you. Please deliver this to the Seonghwa Gate Master.”
* * *
Some time later.
“A reply has come from the Martial Alliance.”
Namgung Hyeok gathered the senior members and showed them the letter sealed with the Murim Alliance Leader’s seal.
Everyone swallowed nervously while waiting for the letter’s contents.
“You haven’t opened the contents yet?”
“I wanted to open it in everyone’s presence.”
“Then let’s open it now.”
“We should.”
Namgung Hyeok applied force to break the letter’s seal and then slowly began reading through it.
He chuckled and said.
“It seems the Alliance Leader views me favorably indeed.”
“Lord. What do you mean?”
“Yes. The negotiation has been concluded. The Martial Alliance has decided to recognize us as allies from today.”
“…!”
Everyone showed shocked expressions.
That proud and arrogant Martial Alliance had accepted an alliance request rather than bringing them under their command.
It was quite a surprising story.
“Instead, they’re asking if they can handle consignment sales for goods transported to the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. What should we do?”
“I think that’s fine. We don’t have connections or sales channels in that area anyway, so it’s better to create immediate cash flow even if we pay some commission.”
Heo Un, who was acting as the Fire Core faction leader and also serving as Seonghwa Sect’s general manager befitting his Upper Realm origins, answered.
Everyone nodded at his words.
Of course it would depend on how much commission they took, but it was certainly a reasonable arrangement.
“Good. But there’s one thing we need to consider here. Let’s hear this and then decide whether to ultimately accept or not.”
“Lord. What is this thing we need to consider?”
Everyone in the meeting hall waited for Namgung Hyeok’s answer.
Namgung Hyeok placed the letter on the table and said.
“If we’re going to form an alliance, they’re asking us to do work befitting that alliance.”
“Befitting work?”
“Yes. You all remember the Black Dragon Society, right? It seems the Martial Alliance side is thinking of drawing their blade against the Black Dragon Society in a big way.”
“Ho.”
“That means….”
“Yes.”
Namgung Hyeok pointed at the map with a serious expression.
“They’re asking us to participate in the Black Dragon Society subjugation.”
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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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