The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 16

—————
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 16

“Fl, Flame Dragon?”

“It’s the first time I’ve heard that title…”

Murmuring sounds could be heard from various places.

However, neither Namgung Hyeok nor Dokgo Ryong paid much attention and only looked at each other.

Namgung Hyeok smiled brightly and answered.

“I’ve returned this time. Since the war has ended, I thought I should gradually return to my family.”

“Did the Great General just let you go? How surprising.”

“That’s why I came out almost like I was running away. If he finds out, I might get dragged back again.”

“Haha! That would be the case. The Great General made quite an effort to bring you into the military.”

A conversation that the surrounding people couldn’t understand took place.

But there was one thing that was certain.

Sword Emperor Dokgo Ryong, one of the Ten Greatest Masters Under Heaven and the Murim Alliance Leader, and Namgung Hyeok knew each other.

And Namgung Hyeok was a figure who had been active in the war against the foreign tribes that occurred in the Northern Region until just recently.

Otherwise, the talk about the Great General and that respect couldn’t be explained.

“Co, come to think of it, I’ve heard of it before.”

“What are you talking about?”

“They say there’s a warrior called Flame Dragon on the northern front that all the foreign tribes fear. I thought it was just a simple rumor…”

“The Third Young Master of the Namgung Family is that Flame Dragon?”

Everyone wore expressions of disbelief.

Among those gathered there, some people knew Namgung Hyeok to some extent.

Namgung Hyeok, the third son of the Namgung Family and an illegitimate child.

He was famous for his timid and cowardly personality. Even within the family, hardly anyone liked him, so he always lived as a loner.

But to think such a person was the Flame Dragon, the hero of the northern front.

“Anyway, it’s good to see you after such a long time. Thank you for coming to my sixtieth birthday celebration.”

“Not at all. I’m also glad to see your face after such a long time, Alliance Leader. This is a gift prepared by the Main House.”

Namgung Hyeok took out the Four Treasures of the Study from his bosom and offered them.

“What is this? Oh, a brush and inkstone. They don’t seem to be made from ordinary materials…”

“They were specially prepared for you, Alliance Leader. I hope you like them.”

“Haha! How could I not like something given by you? I’ll gratefully accept this. If my heart were the same, I’d want to have a long conversation since we met after such a long time, but…”

Dokgo Ryong glanced somewhere and sighed.

“The other people won’t leave me alone. I have to go now, so enjoy the banquet to your heart’s content.”

“Yes. It was an honor to meet you. I’ll visit you again when I have the chance.”

“Please do. Or you could stay here longer.”

“Haha. I’ll think about that.”

Dokgo Ryong smiled at Namgung Hyeok’s words.

“I’ll go back now. I apologize once more for my great-grandson’s rudeness.”

“It’s fine. Take care.”

Dokgo Ryong disappeared back into the inner part of the main hall.

A moment of silence fell over the banquet hall after he disappeared.

Everyone had expressions showing they didn’t know how to react.

However.

“Hy, hyung-nim. What’s going on!? Did you really have a friendship with the Alliance Leader!?”

“He came to deal with masters from the Northern Region before, and we worked together on several operations. That’s where our connection comes from.”

Ho Young added as if showing off.

“The Alliance Leader really liked our captain. He didn’t hesitate to say he would have arranged a marriage if he had a granddaughter.”

“…!”

Namgung Pyo was shocked.

He never thought there would be such a connection.

After all, what kind of person was Sword Emperor Dokgo Ryong?

He was one of the Ten Greatest Masters Under Heaven and famous for thoroughly ignoring anyone who wasn’t a warrior he acknowledged.

But to think such a person would treat him so intimately…

It was even bewildering, honestly.

If he felt this way, the emotions others felt would be even stronger.

Indeed, the guests who were at the same place were confused about how to treat Namgung Hyeok.

But that was only for a moment.

“You said Flame Dragon Young Hero, right? I’d like to hear tales of your martial exploits from the Northern Region. May I join you for a moment?”

Someone quickly approached.

“I don’t have anything worth calling martial exploits. Who might you be?”

“Ah, I’m late with introductions. I’m Zhuge Xian from the Zhuge Family.”

“Wisdom Dragon!”

The sound of people murmuring could be heard.

Wisdom Dragon Zhuge Xian.

He was one of the outstanding rising talents counted among the best in the Central Plains and the successor of the Zhuge Family, one of the Ten Great Families.

Such a person had approached Namgung Hyeok first to build a friendship.

“I’m Namgung Hyeok. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m pleased to meet you too. It’s fortunate that you welcome me like this.”

“There’s no reason to treat someone who came to meet me first poorly.”

“Haha. That’s true as well. Since this is also fate, won’t you have a drink with me?”

At Zhuge Xian’s words, people who had been hesitating hurriedly came over to greet him.

“Me, me too! I’m Hwangbo Jin from the Hwangbo Family!”

“I’m Tang Soryeong from the Sichuan Tang Family. I’d like to join too.”

“I’m Jin Hye from the Wudang Sect. If it’s alright, may I participate as well?”

Starting with Zhuge Xian, various rising talents approached.

All of them were trying to build friendships with Namgung Hyeok, a talent directly acknowledged by Dokgo Ryong.

Among them, there were often big names who were making their mark in Jianghu. Especially disciples from the Nine Sects One Gang and children from the Ten Great Families.

“This…!”

Conversely, there were also those who viewed this scene unfavorably.

Jo Jiwon, who had been slapped by his great-grandfather in front of everyone, was one such case.

Moreover, people from the Ha Family and Murong Family, who didn’t have good relations with the Namgung Family, openly showed uncomfortable expressions.

They were annoyed that a figure from the Namgung Family, their competitor, was becoming the center of attention like this.

‘What kind of life did hyung-nim live on the battlefield?’

Namgung Pyo, who was receiving various big names next to Namgung Hyeok, had such thoughts.

He had been sent to keep Namgung Hyeok in check, but…

In reality, he couldn’t do any checking or anything.

Rather, if he did something half-hearted like that, he might get scolded by those trying to gain Namgung Hyeok’s favor.

‘I don’t want to do that in the first place anyway.’

In the end, he spent his time staying as close as possible next to Namgung Hyeok.

Namgung Hyeok ultimately didn’t bring up stories about the battlefield much.

However, he would briefly answer questions or immediately respond to conversations on other topics, so the conversation never stopped.

Eventually, that day’s banquet ended successfully.

It ended with the name Flame Dragon Namgung Hyeok firmly imprinted on those gathered there, no, on the martial world.

* * *

The next day.

Namgung Hyeok, who had slept and woken up in the lodging provided by the Murim Alliance, prepared to return.

Although the banquet would continue for several more days, he had already safely delivered the gift and gotten somewhat acquainted with people.

Of course, taking time to build connections would be one good method, but…

‘I can’t help but worry about the Noble House’s situation.’

The current Namgung Family was like a small flame placed before the wind.

If a fierce wind were to blow, it was such a small flame that could be extinguished at any moment.

So he had to protect that flame. That’s why he was trying to return as quickly as possible.

“You’re returning.”

As he was preparing, Zhuge Xian, with whom he had built a friendship yesterday, came to visit.

“That’s how it turned out.”

“If it were up to my heart, I’d like to talk a bit more, which is regrettable. I’d like to accompany you on your return journey, but…”

“Hanzhong, where the Zhuge Family is established, is in the opposite direction from Anhui. It can’t be helped.”

“Indeed. It’s truly regrettable.”

Namgung Hyeok and Zhuge Xian chatted for a while. But that was brief, as it was soon time to depart.

Then, Zhuge Xian offered meaningful words.

“Be careful.”

“Of what?”

“Through yesterday’s events, Brother Namgung has greatly made his existence known. And that will surely reach even those who don’t view Brother Namgung favorably.”

“You’re worried they might harm me.”

“Yes. Right now, isn’t the Namgung Family facing off against the Evil Path Alliance?”

Zhuge Xian continued with a serious expression.

“You might encounter them on your way back to the Namgung Family Estate. From their perspective, Brother Namgung, who has made a name for himself, would look like appetizing prey.”

“Also, there would be personal grudges. Thank you for the advice.”

“Not at all. Please return safely, and I hope we can meet again next time.”

“If the opportunity arises, it will happen. Well then, farewell.”

Namgung Hyeok bid farewell to Zhuge Xian and gave orders to the other companions as well.

The Namgung Family group led by him soon began moving toward Hefei, where the Namgung Family Estate was located. Their pace was faster than imaginable.

* * *

Just like when coming, Namgung Hyeok increased his speed when going as well.

As Zhuge Xian had said, he didn’t know how the Evil Path Alliance might act. Now that his name was known, there was a strong possibility they would become targets of those bastards.

“What a shame. I wanted to drink heavily and have fun for a few more days.”

Ho Young grumbled while clicking his tongue.

But Namgung Hyeok only dismissed his comment by saying it was noisy.

“I’ll let you rest well when we return. Don’t forget that our purpose was ultimately to participate in the Murim Alliance Leader’s 60th birthday celebration.”

“Yes, yes. I know. That’s why we’re returning as soon as we finished our mission, isn’t it?”

“Right. We’ve met everyone we needed to meet, so it’s better to return. It’s not my style to get caught up there and spend time making a big fuss.”

“I wish the captain would make some friends his own age.”

“This much is sufficient for the first time. By subtly letting them know who I am and arousing curiosity is just right. That way, they’ll treat us carefully when we meet next time too.”

“Haha. You were calculating all of that? Well, I’ll be…”

Ho Young, who was speaking, stopped mid-sentence.

He instantly exchanged glances with Namgung Hyeok.

“Captain.”

“I know.”

“What do you mean you know?”

Namgung Pyo, who was beside them, asked urgently.

The atmosphere between the two had suddenly grown heavy.

The Changcheon Unit members who came with them must have felt the same, as they all looked at the two with puzzled expressions.

Sring.

Namgung Hyeok drew his sword and said.

“Enemies. Everyone prepare for battle.”

“…!”

Though flustered, they drew their swords according to Namgung Hyeok’s command.

Then a group of martial artists who had been lying in ambush at the crossroads where they were appeared.

“Sharp instincts, these guys.”

The one who spoke was a man who appeared to be in his early thirties. The man, emanating extraordinary killing intent, looked at Namgung Hyeok and said.

“Are you the Flame Dragon Namgung Hyeok?”

“The rumors spread quickly.”

“We also have informants in the Murim Alliance. We couldn’t fail to recognize the topic of conversation that even the Sword Emperor Dokgo Ryong acknowledged. Especially if he’s the one who killed my junior brother.”

“Junior brother?”

“Do you remember So Yugeum, whom you killed? He was my junior brother.”

“Ah, that guy.”

Namgung Hyeok nodded as if he understood.

Even considering that his name had become known, the reaction seemed fast, but it appeared that someone with a personal grudge had come looking for him.

“I’ll take this opportunity to cut off your head and offer it to my junior brother’s memorial tablet.”

The man said this while raising his sword.

Behind him, dozens of his subordinates emanated a menacing aura.

Namgung Hyeok looked at them and chuckled.

“Perfect.”

Flames erupted from his blade.

“I can bring back a gift on my way home to the family.”

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