The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 167

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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 167

 

“Kugh!”

 

Eom Donghyeon immediately drew up his sword qi.

 

Crackle!

 

Frost formed around his sword.

 

It was the manifestation of Glacier Sword Qi, a martial art of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

 

Bang!

 

However, the sword qi he had drawn up was shattered to pieces in just one strike.

 

Eom Donghyeon’s eyes wavered.

 

Just from clashing swords once, his entire body seemed to tremble.

 

‘What kind of power does this young brat have!?’

 

There was no time to be shocked.

 

Because attacks poured down relentlessly.

 

Bang! Crash! Bang!

 

Eom Donghyeon’s body was continuously pushed back.

 

He broke out in cold sweat as he took a defensive stance and shouted loudly.

 

“What are you all doing! Help me! Push inside immediately!”

 

“S-save the Elder!”

 

Whether they came to their senses at that cry, the Eom Family warriors pushed through the destroyed entrance.

 

But what greeted them were the blades of the Sacred Fire Sect disciples.

 

The Eom Family warriors who had no choice but to enter through the narrow entrance were quickly surrounded and couldn’t push inside.

 

“Over the wooden palisade, kyaaaah!”

 

Those who tried to climb the wall beside them to move inside fell victim to traps set around the wooden palisade.

 

The stakes and various traps there cut off the mobility of one-third of those who tried to enter by crossing the wooden palisade.

 

The follow-up troops who heard the terrible screams realized there was something inside the wooden palisade and no longer attempted to enter that way.

 

The battlefield was confined to the village entrance, just as Namgung Hyeok intended.

 

“Unit Leader Baek. Take care of those who entered inside.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Baek Doryang led the Ice Wheel Group and dealt with those who had entered inside without falling into traps.

 

The sound of clashing metal and screams echoed from all around.

 

Meanwhile, the number of troops pushing inside gradually decreased.

 

Because they realized that once inside, this place was a death trap they couldn’t escape from.

 

“Retreat!”

 

In the midst of this, the commander’s judgment was swift.

 

Without Eom Donghyeon, it was Seong Pilho who commanded them.

 

He ordered a retreat to prevent further casualties.

 

“W-what are you saying! Retreat! Come back! Help me!”

 

Eom Donghyeon, who heard that sound from afar, screamed almost like having a seizure.

 

But his voice didn’t reach Seong Pilho. More precisely, it reached him but was ignored.

 

After all, it was crystal clear that Eom Donghyeon would die here anyway.

 

There was no need to waste precious troops on someone who would soon be dead.

 

“Jeon Wook. Lee Cheolgun. Obstruct their retreat.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Hehe. I was getting restless wondering when I’d get to act, so this works out perfectly.”

 

However, Namgung Hyeok had no intention of just letting Seong Pilho go.

 

The remaining forces he had prepared in advance struck the rear of the enemies trying to retreat under the command of the two executives.

 

“Block them!”

 

Desperate voices rang out, but the orders weren’t properly transmitted.

 

Those in charge of the rear guard here knew that even if they tried to block, they would only serve as meat shields buying time for others to retreat.

 

So they tried to flee without fighting.

 

Of course, such behavior only looked like delicious prey to the pursuers.

 

Swish!

 

“Kugh!”

 

“Urk!”

 

Screams and groans echoed from all directions.

 

There were occasionally those who raised weapons to fight back, but their skills weren’t enough to stop Jeon Wook and Lee Cheolgun.

 

The two swept through the enemy camp like tigers entering a flock of sheep. The more they did so, the more the formation collapsed, and the heads of mid-level executives trying to maintain discipline flew through the air.

 

“Damn it!”

 

In the midst of this chaos, what Seong Pilho chose was flight.

 

If it had been just one of them, either Jeon Wook or Lee Cheolgun, perhaps?

 

He had no confidence in handling two masters simultaneously.

 

Fighting would mean certain defeat.

 

So he increased his speed to save at least his own life. His speed as he ran with full power far exceeded that of his subordinates.

 

“You, you damned bastard! Lowly bandit scum! Where do you think you’re going!”

 

Eom Donghyeon, seeing this from afar, screamed frantically.

 

With Seong Pilho having fled, there was no one left to help him.

 

He now realized that no allies remained around him.

 

Fear was etched in his trembling eyes. Eom Donghyeon looked at Namgung Hyeok slowly approaching him and shouted.

 

“Surrender! I surrender! I request prisoner treatment befitting an elder of the Eom Family!”

 

At his desperate voice, several nearby Sacred Fire Sect disciples chuckled.

 

But Namgung Hyeok didn’t laugh. He stared at Eom Donghyeon with chillingly cold eyes.

 

“You want to surrender?”

 

“Y-yes. So please, spare my life at least…”

 

“Good. I accept.”

 

At Namgung Hyeok’s permission, a look of relief momentarily crossed Eom Donghyeon’s face.

 

But at that moment.

 

Thud!

 

“Kyaaaaaaah!”

 

He screamed with all his might at the intense impact he felt in his lower abdomen.

 

Namgung Hyeok’s single fist had shattered Eom Donghyeon’s dantian.

 

“Wh-why…!”

 

“I spared your life as you wished. What’s the problem?”

 

“You bastard…! Kugh…!”

 

Unable to endure the pain, Eom Donghyeon rolled his eyes back and fainted.

 

Namgung Hyeok ordered his subordinates to tie up him and the other prisoners.

 

“We won!”

 

“Waaaaaaah!”

 

As the battle ended, joyful cheers echoed from all directions.

 

Namgung Hyeok watched the disciples returning after finishing their pursuit.

 

Everyone was covered in blood, but it didn’t seem to be their own.

 

It was truly a great victory.

 

* * *

 

When the morning sun rose, the exact situation became clear.

 

The number of enemies who had attacked the village was roughly four hundred.

 

Half of them had met their end here.

 

Eom Donghyeon, the enemy leader, was captured with his dantian shattered, while Seong Pilho had fled, abandoning his subordinates.

 

Once that fact became known, Seong Pilho’s standing among the enemies would plummet to rock bottom.

 

Politically, it was as good as finished.

 

He might avoid punishment for being valuable military strength, but he probably wouldn’t be able to command troops anymore.

 

“This area will be safe for a while.”

 

Having made that judgment, Namgung Hyeok gathered the Sacred Fire Sect disciples who had been scattered everywhere.

 

He left the nearby defense to the Ice Wheel Corps and Bing Hyeon’s forces who had joined late, then returned to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

 

The Northern Sea Ice Palace side was ecstatic upon hearing the victory report.

 

“The Seonghwa Gate Master achieved victory in the south?”

 

“I heard he captured dozens of prisoners, including an elder from the Eom family.”

 

“Thanks to that, the pressure on the main front line will be reduced. Those rebel bastards will have to send troops to fill the gap again.”

 

“Huh, I heard he’s still young, but he’s truly remarkable.”

 

The common people and ordinary warriors residing in the Ice Palace spoke this way, amplifying the rumors.

 

The actual person involved, Namgung Hyeok, remained calm.

 

He had reported to the Bukhaebinggung Master and was taking a brief rest.

 

He had refused visits from most guests.

 

“So you were here.”

 

However, the Bukhaebinggung Master was not included among those ordinary guests.

 

Bing Yohwi visited Namgung Hyeok with a bright smile.

 

“Are you experiencing any discomfort in your stay?”

 

“Thanks to your consideration, there’s nothing like that.”

 

His status as the alliance leader, plus the merit of defeating enemy forces and capturing an executive as prisoner – all of this was added together.

 

Naturally, Namgung Hyeok’s lodging was of the highest grade.

 

Not only were the meals excellent and the servants courteous, but it even came with a private training ground so he could practice alone.

 

At least in terms of material comforts, there was no way he could feel any inconvenience.

 

“That’s fortunate. If there’s anything else you need, please let me know.”

 

“Yes. But what brings you here today?”

 

Namgung Hyeok asked directly without beating around the bush.

 

Right now, the Bukhaebinggung Master was incredibly busy commanding the forces on battlefronts that had sprung up throughout the Northern Sea.

 

But if such a person had come to see him, there must be some reason for it.

 

Perhaps sensing that intention, Bing Yohwi smiled bitterly.

 

“I just wanted to have a chat with you. And while I’m at it, I should also inform you about how the current situation is unfolding.”

 

He spoke while walking through the lodging’s garden with Namgung Hyeok.

 

“First, we’ve obtained a lot of information from the Eom Family elder you captured. We were able to learn quite a lot of new things about the enemies’ current situation, positions, military strength, and power structure.”

 

“Since you mention power structure, I take it they’re not completely united either.”

 

“Of course not. The Five Great Families never got along that well to begin with. Even though they temporarily joined hands to oppose our Bing Family, their deep-seated grudges can’t be easily resolved.”

 

“I see.”

 

“As a result, each family is acting separately. Their unity is at a level where we can’t expect much, and at best they’ve barely managed to join hands against us as a common enemy. And most importantly.”

 

Bing Yohwi’s eyes sparkled.

 

“It seems there’s considerable conflict between the Heavenly Demon Sect, which originally had no ties to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, and the Four Great Families. While the Heavenly Demon Sect claims to be accommodating the Four Great Families, everyone knows it’s just pretense. They’re probably preparing to abandon each other at the first opportunity.”

 

“That’s good news for the Ice Palace.”

 

“Indeed. So we’ve secretly thrown bait to the other families, excluding the Seol Family who are completely tied up with the Heavenly Demon Sect. We told them that if they betray them and return to us even now, we’ll allow their families to continue existing.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Hehe. We’ll let their families continue to exist as promised. However, all the leadership currently sitting at the top will have to be replaced. There’s no reason to spare those who betrayed the Ice Palace once, is there?”

 

Namgung Hyeok nodded as if he understood.

 

If a similar situation occurred at the Seonghwa Sect, he would make a similar choice.

 

Of course, if they had simply left due to disagreements, he could understand that…

 

But the Four Great Families of the Northern Sea hadn’t simply become independent – they had joined hands with the Heavenly Demon Sect, a heretical cult, and pointed their swords at them.

 

While he might overlook their departure, he couldn’t tolerate acts of treason.

 

“Well, they probably expect as much, so the chances of them coming over to our side are slim. They won’t surrender knowing full well they’ll die.”

 

“So you were just testing the waters.”

 

“That’s right. It would be wonderful if they surrendered, but even if they don’t, it won’t be much different from now. It was a proposal with nothing to lose.”

 

Bing Yohwi said this while smiling brightly.

 

“Anyway, I wanted to let you know that the current situation isn’t too bad. Even though they have greater numbers, their unity and morale can’t compare to ours.”

 

“I see.”

 

Namgung Hyeok nodded and looked at Bing Yohwi.

 

His black eyes shone calmly.

 

It was a look that said it was time to bring up the main topic.

 

Bing Yohwi also wore a serious expression.

 

“So I’ve started thinking about the Ice Palace’s future after the war ends. Even if we win, it’s inevitable that the Ice Palace’s strength will be reduced. The turbulent atmosphere will probably continue for a while.”

 

“That would be the case.”

 

“So for the Ice Palace’s future, I’ve made a decision. To establish a leader powerful enough to firmly stabilize the Ice Palace’s shaking balance. But my daughter hasn’t grown enough yet to become a pillar of the Northern Sea. That’s why I’m looking for someone who will support that child and help her from the side.”

 

“That means….”

 

“It’s probably what you’re thinking.”

 

The Bukhaebinggung Master asked with an expression devoid of any trace of laughter.

 

“Seonghwa Gate Master, would you perhaps consider marrying my daughter?”

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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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