The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 159

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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 159

 

“Hmm.”

 

Namgung Hyeok looked at Ha Jinseong with a puzzled expression.

 

“Why do you want to follow me out?”

 

“I think I could experience real combat if I follow my benefactor.”

 

“You want to come along knowing that fighting will break out?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Ha Jinseong nodded his head.

 

“I believe that to become strong, practice is important, but I must also experience real combat to that same extent. Therefore, I want to become stronger by your side, benefactor.”

 

“Haha.”

 

Namgung Hyeok burst into laughter upon hearing the answer.

 

He gazed at Ha Jinseong with eyes full of interest.

 

“As you say, the place you want to go together is a battlefield. If I’m in a position to lead reinforcements, I cannot carelessly show you favoritism either. In other words, you won’t be guaranteed safety in the Northern Sea.”

 

“….”

 

“Do you still want to go together? If things go wrong, you might die in a foreign land before you can even achieve your revenge against the Ha Family. Are you truly prepared for such a future?”

 

“If that is my fate, then I will accept it.”

 

“Oh ho.”

 

“But I will struggle desperately not to die. Only then can I grow, and avoid being a burden to my benefactor. So please accept me into the Northern Sea reinforcements.”

 

“Good. I grant permission.”

 

“Lord?”

 

Several senior members looked at Namgung Hyeok with bewildered expressions.

 

This was because Ha Jinseong’s skills still fell far short of even the average level of the executives.

 

They hadn’t expected him to agree to take someone along just because they threw a tantrum.

 

However, Namgung Hyeok remained calm.

 

“As you said, if you die there, that’s simply the end of it. If you understand that, there’s no need to say anything more. You will receive the same treatment as other warriors and perform the same duties.”

 

“Thank you, benefactor.”

 

“Since we’re on the topic, I should inform you of other matters as well. Geomlip.”

 

“Yes, Lord.”

 

“Provide quality weapons and armor, as well as special allowances, to those joining this Ice Palace support mission. Also, let them know that spiritual medicine will be given as rewards for those who achieve merit.”

 

“Understood. How shall we select the personnel?”

 

“Since it’s a long journey, it would be best to recruit volunteers first. That would ensure the highest morale. When the number of volunteers doesn’t meet the two hundred we need, we’ll discuss it again then.”

 

“Yes.”

 

So Geomlip received Namgung Hyeok’s orders and selected personnel to join the Northern Sea Ice Palace mission.

 

No additional discussion was needed.

 

More than twice the planned two hundred volunteers had applied for this expedition.

 

“I suppose everyone was pleased with the special allowances?”

 

“It seemed more like they had a strong desire to carry out missions together with you, Lord. Until now, you have successfully completed whatever tasks you’ve undertaken.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

“Some have even begun to view your track record as legendary. It’s understandable for warriors to want to become part of that legend.”

 

“A myth, huh. At this rate, I wonder if we shouldn’t change our name from Seonghwa Sect to Seonghwa Cult.”

 

Namgung Hyeok chuckled as he made the joke.

 

“From what I can see, it seems like things would still roll along well though?”

 

The one who answered was former Evil Path Alliance Leader Lee Cheolgun.

 

He chuckled as he spoke to Namgung Hyeok.

 

“The situation of Seonghwa Sect has some connection to religious groups. Especially in that there’s an object of worship. There are quite a lot of people who worship you and the Sacred Fire you wield.”

 

“Is it that much?”

 

“That’s right. It’s similar to how the followers in the Heavenly Demon Sect worship their sect leader. If you put your mind to it, you could do the same thing.”

 

“If I did such a thing, the allies would be horrified and all fall away.”

 

“Well, that would probably be the case. New religious groups are usually always considered evil cults. The Central Plains Martial World wouldn’t recognize it. But then what of it? If you reign after gaining overwhelming power, it wouldn’t matter if others complain.”

 

“Enough. I have no intention of changing Seonghwa Sect into a religious group.”

 

Namgung Hyeok cut off Lee Cheolgun’s words, which were coming across unexpectedly seriously.

 

Lee Cheolgun laughed softly.

 

“That is like you. However, keep in mind that you never know what might happen later. Sometimes there comes a time when you must make choices even when you don’t want to.”

 

“What a blatant prophecy. You’re not trying to guide me in that direction, are you?”

 

“What would I gain from that? Whether you go from sect leader to cult leader has nothing to do with me. I’m just letting you know based on the disciples’ reactions I happened to overhear.”

 

“Well, I understand. I’ll keep that in mind. More importantly, how are the expedition preparations?”

 

“They’ve been finished for a while. For me, I just need to bring my body like some servant of yours, don’t I?”

 

“Where in the world would there be a servant like you? You’re already treated as a senior member of the main gate, so stop with the self-deprecation.”

 

As he said, Lee Cheolgun had already completely melted into Seonghwa Sect.

 

To the extent that he had now built some friendship even with those who had been wary of him at first.

 

Not only that, but even he himself seemed to have forgotten his plan to use Seonghwa Sect to conquer the Northern Four Islands Alliance and reclaim his Sa Doryeon.

 

To be precise, his interest in that direction was gradually fading.

 

“One way or another, you’re also getting used to your new environment.”

 

“Heh. How many times have I fought alongside you? How could I not get used to it? Look even now. As a member of Seonghwa Sect, I’m obediently saying I’ll follow you all the way to the distant Northern Sea.”

 

“I’m grateful for that. When we return, I’ll make sure to reward you generously.”

 

“That sounds promising.”

 

Namgung Hyeok and Lee Cheolgun looked at each other and chuckled.

 

“Then rest until the expedition. We’ll depart as soon as dawn breaks in four days.”

 

“I shall obey that command.”

 

Lee Cheolgun left the room and disappeared smoothly.

 

Namgung Hyeok gave the same order to So Geomlip, who remained in the room.

 

“Geomlip. You should rest too. You won’t be going together this time, but you’ve been assigned defense duties.”

 

Ho Young and So Geomlip, along with Baek Ya, Maeng Seungji, and Heo Un, had been assigned the mission of protecting the territory while Namgung Hyeok was away.

 

In some ways, this could be seen as an even more important mission than supporting the Northern Sea.

 

So Namgung Hyeok recommended rest to him.

 

However, So Geomlip smiled and shook his head.

 

“I’m getting plenty of rest where you can’t see. Please don’t worry too much.”

 

“Is that so? Then that’s fortunate. I always thought you all seemed to be overexerting yourselves.”

 

“Not at all. Besides, Lord, you know that unless the enemies are insane, they won’t invade our territory, don’t you? Even if you go to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, we probably won’t have anything to do.”

 

“Well, that’s true.”

 

Right now, the balance of power between Seonghwa Sect and North Apostle was clearly tilted toward Seonghwa Sect.

 

Unless the North and South Apostles united to recover their former strength like the old Evil Path Alliance?

 

For North Apostle alone to touch Seonghwa Sect would be suicide.

 

‘Of course, even so, you never know what might happen in this world…’

 

Even considering that, the possibility of them attacking was low.

 

And Seonghwa Sect had enough strength to repel them even if they did attack.

 

“Just in case, it would be good to contact our allies. Tell them I’ll be away for a while.”

 

“That would be better. Then the Namgung Family and Shandong Ak Family could respond immediately if something happens.”

 

“Good. Then I should write letters right away.”

 

Namgung Hyeok immediately kept his word.

 

He wrote several letters and sent message birds to his allies.

 

“Now then…”

 

Namgung Hyeok’s eyes gleamed after finishing all preparations.

 

“Shall we head to the Northern Sea?”

 

* * *

 

Namgung Hyeok headed north with three executives and about two hundred troops.

 

Given their destination, their advance was relentless. They moved quickly without having to watch anyone’s reactions.

 

And the foundation of that mobility was the Yangtze River.

 

‘The Yangtze River downstream connected to Nanjing. And from there, taking a boat upstream against the current leads to Hongze Lake.’

 

Of course, they could have traveled normally on horseback, but traveling by boat saved stamina and was much more time-efficient.

 

Since going to the Northern Sea would take considerable time, they wanted to move as quickly as possible.

 

Eventually, they were able to reach Baoying County, where they could disembark on the way to Hongze Lake.

 

“Now, from here we travel on horseback.”

 

Since they could no longer use the waterway, they rode horses north.

 

Their plan was to continue north on this route, pass through Shandong, and enter Hebei.

 

‘Since the Imperial Capital is in the middle, we’ll have to go around that way.’

 

The Imperial Capital disliked groups of martial artists moving together like this.

 

Also…

 

‘There are plenty of familiar faces there too.’

 

They were people who would try to somehow pull Namgung Hyeok away from Murim and make him belong to the Imperial Palace.

 

Even before leaving the battlefield, they had tempted him with all sorts of official positions and gold and silver treasures.

 

Especially the military officials led by the Great General and people from the Imperial Guard showed strong enthusiasm. But Namgung Hyeok had rejected all their proposals and come down.

 

‘So meeting with them would be awkward.’

 

Therefore, Namgung Hyeok planned to move along trade routes by taking a slight detour through Hebei without passing through the Imperial Palace.

 

Originally, trade with Northern Sea Ice Palace was connected through that route anyway.

 

But just as he was thinking that.

 

Namgung Hyeok, who had been riding his horse diligently, suddenly frowned.

 

“Everyone halt!”

 

Following his words, over two hundred horses stopped in unison.

 

“Jeon Wook! So Yeon! Lee Cheolgun!”

 

Namgung Hyeok shouted as he stepped on his saddle and leaped into the air.

 

A flame barrier formed simultaneously.

 

Thud thud thud thud!

 

And it deflected all the incoming arrows.

 

The arrows coming from other angles were also completely handled by the three executives Namgung Hyeok had just called out.

 

“Enemies! Everyone into defensive formation!”

 

Namgung Hyeok’s eyes flashed as he immediately gave the order.

 

Clatter clatter!

 

The Sacred Fire Gate troops dismounted and immediately took defensive formation.

 

Then hundreds of troops that had been lying in ambush appeared before them.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Namgung Hyeok’s gaze narrowed.

 

The enemy numbers were large, but they didn’t look particularly outstanding.

 

However, if there was one characteristic, it would be that they all carried spears.

 

Given the weapon’s nature, they would likely display considerable power in group combat.

 

‘Bandits… obviously not.’

 

Hundreds of spear-wielding enemies located in northern Jiangsu Province?

 

Namgung Hyeok let out a snicker.

 

Because there was only one candidate.

 

“Did you come from Guichangmun?”

 

“…!”

 

The eyes of the one who appeared to be the enemy leader wavered.

 

He must have been flustered that his identity was discovered immediately.

 

But it didn’t matter.

 

Whether the opponent was truly from Guichangmun or not…

 

Namgung Hyeok had no intention of sparing those who had launched a preemptive attack on them.

 

He raised his Azure Heaven Sword high and shouted.

 

“All forces attack.”

 

Whoosh!

 

“Sweep them all away.”

 

A massive flame slash struck the Guichangmun disciples at the front.

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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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