The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 18

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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 18

As soon as Namgung Hyeok returned, he first sought out the Pungwoon Unit.

“Has everyone been training well?”

“Yes!”

The Pungwoon Unit’s discipline was tight after training under Jeon Wook and So Yeon during Namgung Hyeok’s absence.

Namgung Hyeok looked at them with a pleased expression.

‘They’ve become quite useful.’

The momentum they felt as a group was stronger than when they had faced Yeolhwagui before.

This meant the results of their training had been considerable.

Moreover, thanks to this, each individual’s martial prowess had grown significantly as well.

While the training itself focused mainly on group combat, individual capabilities had also grown in the process.

‘At this level, it would be embarrassing to even call them a Third-Class Battle Unit.’

Namgung Hyeok sparred with them as a test.

Though the sparring was intense enough to remind one of real combat, no one backed down.

Namgung Hyeok confirmed the Pungwoon Unit’s achievements with his body and showed a satisfied expression.

He pulled out a pile of silver coins from his money pouch and handed them to the squad leaders.

“Everyone rest well today and go have a drink.”

“We receive your command!”

The squad leaders took the silver coins with excited faces.

Soon, all thirty Wind Cloud Unit Members headed to a nearby inn with cheerful laughter.

“Shall we have a drink too?”

Namgung Hyeok took out precious wine he had brought from the Family Dining Hall and shared it with Ho Young, Jeon Wook, and So Yeon.

Ho Young burst into hearty laughter and said,

“Captain. Won’t that bastard So Geomlip feel left out if it’s just us like this?”

“Since hyung-nim has recovered, we should gradually call him back too. So Yeon, what do you think?”

“Hoho. He would welcome it anytime if it’s big brother.”

“Have you ever heard any complaints or anything like that?”

So Yeon was So Geomlip’s younger sister.

So the two of them opened up to each other more than other household members.

That’s why Namgung Hyeok often heard each other’s thoughts through the two of them.

“There haven’t been any. He seemed to have gotten somewhat close to the First Young Master too… Above all, you know, don’t you? Big brother is someone who would gladly jump into a fire pit if his lord commanded it.”

“We’re all like that.”

Jeon Wook said quietly.

So Yeon just smiled sweetly without denying it. Even the person who brought it up had the same thought.

Namgung Hyeok spoke with a serious expression.

“I’m always grateful to you all. Thank you for following me.”

“Haha. We’re people with eyes to see too. If the captain wasn’t worth it, we wouldn’t have followed.”

“That’s right. The reason we follow our lord isn’t just because he was our former superior.”

“We pledge loyalty because he’s worth pledging loyalty to, isn’t that right?”

The three people spoke with one heart as if they had made a promise.

Namgung Hyeok smiled and poured wine for them.

“Anyway, being grateful is being grateful. So everyone take a cup.”

“It’s been a while since we shared cups with our lord.”

“Uhaha! I drank plenty when I went to the Martial Alliance.”

The four people continued their conversation in a harmonious atmosphere.

When they had drunk somewhat, Ho Young spoke with a serious expression.

“Captain. By the way, what will you do from now on? Honestly, if we put our minds to it, it seems like we could overturn things even now.”

He was talking about Namgung Jangcheon.

At this, Jeon Wook and So Yeon fell silent. Certainly, with Namgung Hyeok and his retainers’ power, they could replace the leadership without much difficulty.

“Now the Family Estate people’s support is also turning toward this side. If you just give the order…”

“As you say, we could overturn it. But I won’t do that.”

“…”

“If that happened, there’s a concern it might look like we’re usurping power by force. No matter how much public opinion favors our side now, who knows what might happen then. So I forbid it.”

“Hmm. Then you’re saying you’ll just keep watching quietly?”

“If things continue like this, we can stably get power in our hands anyway, so what’s the need to rush?”

“Well, that’s true too.”

Ho Young answered with a chuckle.

Namgung Hyeok tilted his wine cup and made a serious expression.

“And you all know, don’t you? That my goal doesn’t end with just gaining power over the Namgung Family Estate.”

At Namgung Hyeok’s words, the three people made strange smiles.

That was a dream known only to them who had been together on the battlefield, including Namgung Hyeok’s unit members who weren’t present.

“Everyone remember. The Namgung Family Estate is an extremely important place to me, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end.”

Namgung Hyeok said this and raised his wine cup.

The four people lightly clinked cups and drank simultaneously.

* * *

Meanwhile, Namgung Cheon was swinging his sword at the Training Ground.

Swish! Swoosh! Swish!

The wooden sword cut through the air and struck the wooden training dummy, with the impact transmitted from his fingertips.

Sweat was flowing enough to thoroughly soak his clothes, and his muscles were screaming for him to stop.

But he was focused on swinging his sword without knowing how to stop.

He had no choice.

Even if others saw it as difficult hardship, until now it had been something he wanted to do but couldn’t.

‘How much I wished I could train like others.’

All of this was thanks to his younger brother, Namgung Hyeok.

If he hadn’t returned from war and treated him?

He wouldn’t have been able to swing a sword at the training ground like this.

That’s why he felt great gratitude toward his younger brother.

To the extent that he thought he should do anything he could for him.

‘I need to quickly become strong too and be of help to him.’

The current Namgung Cheon was weak.

In his childhood, he had surpassed others with outstanding talent, but…

After being poisoned at some point, he had been bedridden and unable to do any training.

As a result, he was far inferior to not only his younger brother but also late bloomers of similar age.

So from now on, he had to continue training day and night to fill that gap.

It was for his younger brother, and also for himself who would someday become the head of the Namgung Family Estate.

It was when he had been continuing his training for quite a while.

“First Young Master. A guest has arrived.”

So Geomlip, who had been guarding outside the Training Ground, came in bringing someone.

“External Hall Master!”

He was Namgung Hyeonlip, the person responsible for the Namgung Family Estate’s External Hall.

He was one of the figures who had quite high rank even among the Branch Family and maintained Namgung Cheon’s faction rather than Namgung Jangcheon’s faction.

“Hehe. First Young Master. Have you been well?”

Namgung Hyeonlip greeted with a good-natured smile.

Namgung Cheon guided him to the Reception Room inside the Main Hall where he stayed.

“I’ll step out for a moment. Please have your conversation.”

So Geomlip, who had called a maid to bring tea, tactfully left the room.

Namgung Hyeonlip looked toward where he had gone and spoke in a strange voice.

“Is that man a subordinate of the Third Young Master? He seems quite extraordinary.”

“He was protecting me at Hyeok’s request. He’s a grateful friend.”

“Protecting you…”

Namgung Hyeonlip’s eyes narrowed.

“Wasn’t he perhaps monitoring you?”

“Pardon?”

Namgung Cheon was momentarily flustered.

Monitoring?

Why would he suddenly say such a thing?

But before he could follow the conversation, Namgung Hyeonlip spoke carefully.

“Actually, there’s been a rumor going around lately. That the Third Young Master intends to become the heir of the Namgung Family instead of the First Young Master.”

“…!”

“So I’m quite concerned. After all, isn’t it true? Right now, the family’s support for the Third Young Master is higher than ever. Conversely, your influence is extremely minimal. If the Third Young Master truly reveals his ambition for the family head position in this situation…”

“External Hall Master.”

But before Namgung Hyeonlip could finish speaking.

Namgung Cheon firmly cut off his words.

“Please don’t speak ill of my younger brother when he’s not here. I ask this of you.”

“…”

“If that child truly had such ambitions, would he have treated me when I was bedridden? He could have just let me die and seized power for himself. That fact alone allows me to trust that child.”

“F-First Young Master…”

“Let’s pretend I didn’t hear what the External Hall Master said. Please leave for today.”

It was an attitude as sharp as a blade.

An atmosphere that suggested no rebuttal would be allowed.

Overwhelmed by that momentum, Namgung Hyeonlip let out a groan.

He nodded as if understanding and rose from his seat.

“…I was rude. I’ve disturbed the First Young Master’s peace with unnecessary concerns.”

“It’s fine. But please abandon such thoughts from now on.”

“If the First Young Master says so, I understand. However, please remember that I am always on your side.”

Namgung Hyeonlip left after saying those words.

Left alone, Namgung Cheon let out a light sigh and looked up at the sky.

‘Hyeok would reveal his ambitions?’

He briefly imagined the Namgung Family led by Namgung Hyeok.

It would surely be transformed into a much more prosperous and powerful force than now.

Namgung Cheon’s eyes trembled as he had that thought.

‘If Hyeok truly wanted the family head position, I would…’

* * *

Several days had passed since Namgung Hyeok returned from the Murim Alliance Leader’s sixtieth birthday celebration.

He was spending peaceful time after a long while, guiding the Pungwoon Unit and doing personal training.

But during this time, Namgung Cheon came to see him.

“You’ve come, elder brother.”

Namgung Hyeok served tea at his residence.

“…”

But something was strange.

Namgung Cheon’s expression was hardened unlike usual.

An expression as if he had resolved something.

Namgung Hyeok sent him a puzzled look.

He had no idea why Namgung Cheon was acting this way.

“Is there something wrong?”

“It’s not that.”

Namgung Cheon answered in a deliberately calm voice.

“But I have something I want to say to you.”

“Please speak.”

“Would you consider becoming the young family head of the Namgung Family in my place?”

“Pardon?”

Namgung Hyeok looked at Namgung Cheon as if asking what he was talking about.

But Namgung Cheon continued speaking with an expression that showed he had already made up his mind.

“Unlike you, I have weak martial arts, no achievements, and don’t receive support from the family members because I was bedridden for so long. In contrast, you’re a war hero, have strong martial power, and received recognition from the Murim Alliance Leader.”

“…”

“No matter how I look at it, the Namgung Family led by you would be better than one led by me or uncle. For the future of the Main House, I want to yield the heir’s position to you.”

Namgung Hyeok hardened his expression and asked.

“Elder brother. Are you speaking sincerely right now? You’re not saying this because someone threatened you?”

“Yes. This is the answer I reached after thinking for several days. So please become the next family head of the Namgung Family in my place.”

“…Ha.”

That’s when it happened.

Namgung Hyeok burst into laughter.

“Haha. Hahahaha!”

He laughed loudly as if something was extremely funny.

Namgung Cheon looked at his younger brother with a slightly surprised expression.

Since returning from the battlefield, this was the first time he had seen Namgung Hyeok laugh so joyfully.

Namgung Hyeok stopped laughing and answered.

“I’m sorry, but elder brother… I must decline that proposal.”

“…!”

He smiled brightly and said.

“My goal lies in a much more distant place.”

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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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