The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 168

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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 168

 

‘Marriage.’

 

He had roughly expected this kind of conversation to come up.

 

Though it was a bit awkward to say with his own mouth, Namgung Hyeok was a perfect match.

 

He was the leader of a faction while possessing martial prowess powerful enough to be recognized by masters of the present realm.

 

His personal character was also quite decent.

 

On top of that, he possessed a large number of loyal subordinates who would give their lives at a single word.

 

Most importantly, he had a devoted personality.

 

He was someone with enough loyalty to come from far away, risking danger for the alliance.

 

From the Bukhaebinggung Master’s perspective, such a personality must have felt very appealing.

 

The smile currently on his face was proof of that.

 

“I can trust and entrust my daughter to you. No, I think you’re the only one.”

 

“Are you asking about your daughter’s opinion before saying this?”

 

“I tested the waters somewhat before coming to you. When I brought up your name, she seemed quite pleased. She’ll probably accept.”

 

“She probably would.”

 

He had developed a personal friendship with Bing Seolhye, Bing Yohwi’s daughter, while treating her Nine Yin Severed Meridians.

 

From what he could tell, Bing Seolhye had favorable feelings toward him, and Namgung Hyeok also thought well of her.

 

However…

 

“I’m deeply grateful for the proposal, but I must respectfully decline.”

 

“May I hear the reason?”

 

“Because the Young Lady is someone who will become the next master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”

 

“…!”

 

Bing Yohwi showed a slightly surprised expression.

 

“Wouldn’t that be even better? You could stand at the pinnacle of two organizations: the Northern Sea Ice Palace and the Sacred Fire Gate.”

 

“Yes. That’s how it would appear on the surface.”

 

“On the surface?”

 

“Palace Master. What do you consider responsibility to be?”

 

“That’s suddenly a difficult topic.”

 

“I’m just asking casually, so please speak freely.”

 

At Namgung Hyeok’s serious attitude, Bing Yohwi also pondered for a moment before giving his answer.

 

“Hmm, wouldn’t it be carrying through to the end with what you’ve determined to be yours? Whether that’s a faction or whatever else.”

 

“I think similarly. To be more precise, among the many things one must do, prioritizing and acting on specific matters—I consider that taking responsibility.”

 

“Does that relate to the current topic?”

 

“Yes. It’s related. Because as someone responsible for the Sacred Fire Gate, I cannot become the master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”

 

It was purely a matter of priorities.

 

The Sacred Fire Gate and Northern Sea Ice Palace were different organizations.

 

But if he became the husband of the Northern Sea Ice Palace master, he would have to care for the Northern Sea Ice Palace equally with the Sacred Fire Gate.

 

Couldn’t he just suck out the sweet benefits?

 

Of course not. That would violate his principles.

 

“Currently, the Seonghwa Sect is growing at a rapid pace. There are many things to take care of. But if I were to take charge from here to the Northern Sea, I really wouldn’t be able to do anything properly.”

 

“Hooo….”

 

Bing Yohwi showed an expression of interest.

 

“So in the end, you’re refusing the proposal to take responsibility for your own sect.”

 

“Well, that’s right.”

 

“But what should I do? That answer just made me like you even more.”

 

“Even if you say that, my answer won’t change.”

 

“Hehe. Yes. But don’t be too definitive about it. You never know what might happen in this world, right? Who knows? You might fall for my daughter and start courting her.”

 

“Then I suppose I’d have no choice.”

 

However, such a thing would not happen.

 

Though he respected Bing Seolhye, those were feelings as a friend, nothing more.

 

Even at such an answer, Bing Yohwi smiled brightly.

 

He seemed satisfied just knowing that Namgung Hyeok wasn’t saying such things because he disliked him.

 

“Since you put it that way, I won’t press further. What remains depends on what my daughter decides to do. But I’d like to ask – even if marriage doesn’t come to pass, won’t you remain on friendly terms with us?”

 

“That’s only natural. The Northern Sea and Seonghwa Sect are allies, after all.”

 

“Yes. That’s enough then. Haha. I’ve taken up your time.”

 

“Not at all. I was glad to hear information I hadn’t expected.”

 

“Are you planning to return to the battlefield?”

 

“Once preparations are complete.”

 

At Namgung Hyeok’s words, Bing Yohwi showed a faint smile.

 

“Thank you. For stepping forward like this for our affairs.”

 

“It’s not over yet.”

 

“Objectively speaking, you and your sect could leave the Northern Sea now and no one would have anything to say about it. You’ve already caught a big fish – an elder of the Eom Family.”

 

“But that doesn’t mean the situation has changed dramatically. The enemy forces and the Heavenly Demon Sect’s army are still formidable.”

 

“Hehe. That’s right. Then I’ll shamelessly ask for your continued support.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I won’t just express gratitude with words alone. You and those who came with you will receive proper compensation. First, I’ll give you the exclusive rights to trade Cold Iron for thirty years.”

 

“You’re giving me monopoly rights?”

 

Namgung Hyeok’s eyes sparkled.

 

Cold Iron.

 

It was both a specialty of the Northern Sea Ice Palace and a major trade item.

 

It was also currently being distributed through the Yeomhwa Trading Company.

 

‘But our trading company isn’t the only one here.’

 

Though merchants who came to the Northern Sea were rare, he knew that several major traders had been coming here for some time, forming personal relationships with various Northern Sea families.

 

And they had created their own distribution networks to obtain Cold Iron in their own way. They could be considered competitors to the Yeomhwa Trading Company.

 

‘But to give exclusive trading rights that could eliminate all such competitors.’

 

That alone could be considered tremendous compensation.

 

If so, the profits from existing trade with the Northern Sea would more than double.

 

“Besides that, we’ll provide anything else we can give. However, most of it can only be given after we end the civil war first, so please understand.”

 

“Of course.”

 

Namgung Hyeok nodded his head.

 

Of course, he didn’t think all of this would be free.

 

If he wanted to gain rewards, he would need to do his best to lead them to victory.

 

That was fine with him.

 

After all, Namgung Hyeok had come here to win in the first place.

 

That wasn’t a problem.

 

“Oh my, I’ve stayed too long. I should be going now. I’ll visit again often.”

 

“Take care on your way.”

 

Namgung Hyeok saw off the departing Bing Yohwi.

 

Left alone, he called the three executives who had followed him and explained what had just happened.

 

Their reaction was calm.

 

“I knew such a proposal would come someday. Our Lord is young and attractive, after all.”

 

“I feel a bit bad that you refused because of us. Are you really okay with that?”

 

“Hehe. Despite her words, that Young Lady over there seems secretly pleased, doesn’t she?”

 

“Wh-when did I ever look pleased!”

 

So Yeon shrieked at Lee Cheolgun’s teasing words.

 

But once she became a target for teasing, there was no escaping it.

 

Lee Cheolgun thoroughly teased So Yeon, and even the usually serious Jeon Wook joined in, subtly teasing her.

 

“If you say any more, I’ll shoot an arrow between your eyebrows.”

 

Finally, their conversation calmed down only after So Yeon made a show of force.

 

Namgung Hyeok chuckled and then explained Bing Yohwi’s other proposal as well.

 

“Thirty years of exclusive Cold Iron trading rights…”

 

“If properly honored, it could bring tremendous profits.”

 

“That’s right. There’s nowhere else to consistently supply Cold Iron except the Northern Sea.”

 

“However, Lord, I believe the Ice Palace Master is not in a position to make such promises right now.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

Namgung Hyeok tilted his head and asked.

 

Jeon Wook answered calmly.

 

“It’s information I happened to obtain. The largest mine that produces Cold Iron is currently in the enemies’ hands.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“It seems to be under quite strict guard as well. So much so that they can’t properly touch it.”

 

“Well, that’s natural. Holding the Cold Iron is the same as controlling the money flow.”

 

Namgung Hyeok nodded.

 

His eyes gleamed sharply.

 

“Perhaps mentioning the Cold Iron trading rights was the Ice Palace Master’s roundabout way of asking us to retrieve it.”

 

“Do you think so too?”

 

“Without achieving something like that, there would be no justification to give us exclusive rights. They’d probably want us to handle it if possible.”

 

Namgung Hyeok and the Seonghwa Sect were small in number but elite, and their power far exceeded that of most Northern Sea forces.

 

From the Ice Palace Master’s perspective, it would be great if they could recapture the Cold Iron mine.

 

And for Namgung Hyeok as well, if he could obtain the Cold Iron trading rights, this wasn’t a bad proposal.

 

“Our objective has been decided.”

 

Namgung Hyeok looked at the three people and spoke seriously.

 

“From now on, thoroughly investigate and report what’s happening at Hancheol Mine and its surroundings. Understood?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“We’ll do that.”

 

The three people answered simultaneously.

 

Namgung Hyeok nodded as if satisfied.

 

“I’ll handle coordination with the Ice Palace. You focus on understanding the situation and devising strategies.”

 

He spoke with gleaming eyes.

 

“When all this is over, all the Cold Iron of the Northern Sea will be ours.”

 

* * *

 

At the same time.

 

“You incompetent fool.”

 

Smack!

 

The sound of a fierce slap echoed through the air.

 

Seong Pilho fell from the impact on his cheek, then got back up.

 

He bowed his head deeply as if ashamed.

 

But his opponent seemed displeased even with that gesture.

 

“Even though the Hungry Ghost Gang is just a bunch of riffraff and vermin, each one is precious now when we’re short on troops. And you lost half of them?”

 

Sharp criticism came with a blatantly harsh tone.

 

Seong Pilho silently bowed his head and apologized.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“The Eom Family also raised hell. They said their elder was captured because of your incompetence. Ugh, annoying bastards.”

 

The woman said this and frowned.

 

Her desire to kill them all was clearly conveyed.

 

“I thought you were at least useful, but I need to reconsider my judgment of you. I’m stripping you of command over the remaining forces and assigning you a new mission.”

 

This was what he had expected.

 

The Hungry Ghost Gang had already lost trust in him when he fled alone.

 

Even if he returned, the Hungry Ghost Gang wouldn’t follow his orders again.

 

So a personnel change was inevitable.

 

“What should I do?”

 

“A little distance from here, near the Conflict Zone, there’s a Cold Iron mine that the Seol Family seized when they rebelled. It’s the largest in the Northern Sea.”

 

“…!”

 

“All iron from this place has been decided to be sent as riches belonging to the Main Sect. It’s already well-defended, but you’ll go there to help defend it. Oh, of course you won’t be given command authority.”

 

“You’re telling me to be just an ordinary soldier?”

 

“That’s right. You already have a record of abandoning your subordinates and fleeing once. Any complaints?”

 

“…No.”

 

“Then go ahead and do that.”

 

At the woman’s command, Seong Pilho bowed his head and left the room.

 

Creak.

 

His tightly clenched fist trembled violently.

 

It was due to anger toward his superior who treated him this way over a single mistake, and toward the cause of it all.

 

‘Namgung Hyeok…’

 

He felt unbearable rage especially toward the man who had orchestrated the situation that led to this humiliation.

 

If only Namgung Hyeok and his subordinates hadn’t been there, even if Eom Donghyeon had died, he could have rallied the remaining forces and escaped.

 

‘But I won’t have to meet him again now.’

 

Apart from his anger, he felt a strange sense of relief at that fact.

 

Honestly, Namgung Hyeok felt as terrifying as an Asura risen from Hell.

 

So much so that if he saw him again on the battlefield, he might flee once more.

 

‘There’s no way I’ll encounter that bastard again at Hancheol Mine.’

 

Seong Pilho thought this as he packed his belongings.

 

And…

 

It was a few days later that he realized his thinking had been wrong.

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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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