The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 198
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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 198
“Where do you think they are?”
“It seems they’ll arrive soon. For now, you should go to meet them…”
“I understand. Seonghwa Gate Master.”
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa quickly turned her head.
“I’m sorry, but could you hide your appearance for now? Since you’re famous, there might be someone who recognizes your face.”
“Ah, that’s fine. This isn’t my real face right now anyway.”
“What? Ah, you must be using a human skin mask.”
“That’s right. Also, this friend who came with me is one of the Four Great Guardians whose face isn’t well known, so the enemies won’t recognize him. But just in case, I’ll suppress my aura.”
With those words, the presence of Namgung Hyeok and So Geomlip became faint.
Even if someone searched precisely through energy, they would only appear to be ordinary warriors.
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa showed a surprised reaction but soon composed her expression.
She moved toward the village entrance with her guard, the middle-aged man, and Song Ha.
[I’ll pretend to be a guard and follow.]
Namgung Hyeok sent telepathic communication to Sa Gong Yeon Hwa and silently followed behind her.
How long had they been moving like that?
‘There they are.’
He could see a group of Seongchang Faction members confronting two masters.
“Ah! Finally, you’re here.”
The one at the front showed delight upon seeing Sa Gong Yeon Hwa.
He looked gaunt like a sick person, but his eyes alone were sharp and gleaming.
Namgung Hyeok instinctively knew he was no ordinary master.
“Young Lady Sa Gong. Have you been well?”
“Hwangpung. What brings you here?”
“Haha. It’s not like I can only visit when there’s some business, right?”
“Just tell me what you want.”
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa’s voice as she spoke was extremely cold.
It felt completely different from when she conversed with Namgung Hyeok.
But the man called Hwangpung didn’t seem to mind.
“Huhu, actually I do have business. I have a proposal for you.”
“A proposal?”
“That’s right. Soon our Master will return from completing his mission in Sichuan. Won’t you come greet him with us?”
“How ridiculous. Why should I do that?”
At Sa Gong Yeon Hwa’s reaction, Hwangpung grinned wickedly.
“Because that’s exactly what Master wants. We’ll soon be fellow disciples, so you could at least grant this much of a request, couldn’t you?”
“I have no intention of doing that, so go back.”
“Haha. How sharp-tongued. But you can’t keep maintaining that attitude.”
“…!”
“You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?”
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa bit her lip.
Naturally, those words were about the hostages they were holding.
A threat that if she didn’t comply with their words, they wouldn’t leave the hostages alone.
That was exactly what Hwangpung was doing.
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa and the people of the Seongchang Faction glared at him with resentment.
But then.
[Accept it.]
Namgung Hyeok’s telepathic communication reached Sa Gong Yeon Hwa.
[There’s no need to answer. I have a plan, so accept the proposal but try demanding they release the hostages.]
“…!”
[Package it like you’re saying you’ll become a hostage instead. Then they won’t be able to refuse either.]
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa hesitated for a moment.
Even if he was the Seonghwa Gate Master, could she trust the words of a man she’d just met?
But soon she thought this was an opportunity.
As Namgung Hyeok said, this proposal was certainly a good chance to rescue the captured hostages.
She steeled her resolve.
“Fine. I’ll accept.”
“Oho!”
Hwangpung grinned wickedly, as if he hadn’t expected Sa Gong Yeon Hwa to accept.
“Have you finally understood our sincerity?”
“But I have a condition.”
“A condition? What is it?”
“I’ll become a hostage instead, so please release the village people you’re holding.”
“Hmm…”
Hwangpung looked at Sa Gong Yeon Hwa with a strange expression.
As if he wanted to check what scheme she might have.
But that was only for a moment, as he chuckled and answered.
“Fine. However, in that case, you’ll have to stay with us until Master arrives.”
“…”
“You don’t need to be too tense, you know? I have no intention of harming someone who will become a fellow disciple. Huhu, rather, I’m grateful that you understand our pure desire for you.”
“Alright. Let’s do that.”
“Ah, Miss!”
“What are you saying!”
The gathered Seongchang Faction members cried out in shock.
However, Sa Gong Yeon Hwa remained calm.
“Everyone, please calm down. It’s not like I’m walking into a death trap.”
“But…”
“And I’ll also take a guard with me just in case. Guard Jang, that’s fine, right?”
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa turned to look at Namgung Hyeok and asked.
Namgung Hyeok bowed and nodded his head.
“Of course. I will protect you with my life, Miss.”
“…”
Hwangpung sent a sticky gaze toward Namgung Hyeok, as if trying to gauge him for a moment.
His energy wave swept over Namgung Hyeok’s entire body.
But soon, thinking he was just an ordinary warrior of no consequence, he chuckled.
“Well, fine. If having one guard makes you feel more at ease, then do so. We’re not so rigid as to not allow that much.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Ah, Miss. Are you really sure about this?”
The Seongchang Faction members who had been reading the situation asked carefully.
It was a question filled with many meanings.
They knew that Namgung Hyeok wasn’t really a member of the Seongchang Faction.
However, Sa Gong Yeon Hwa’s will was firm.
“It’s fine. Since they have their purpose, they can’t harm me.”
She said that and gave Namgung Hyeok a meaningful look.
[I’ll trust you.]
A declaration of will that she had done as he said.
Namgung Hyeok smiled inwardly. Since he had received such trust from someone he’d just met, it was time to repay that trust.
[Trust me.]
He spoke with a resolute voice.
[I will definitely save you and the Sacred Spear faction.]
[…!]
* * *
Namgung Hyeok and Sa Gong Yeon Hwa did not immediately follow Hwangpung.
Instead, they waited for Hwangpung and another man to bring the hostages.
After all, a deal was a deal.
They had threatened not to comply unless the hostages were released immediately.
“Ah, Young Lady!”
“You’ve all suffered so much. I’m sorry everyone went through this because of me.”
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa looked at those who had been freed and bowed her head deeply as if ashamed.
While they were rejoicing in their reunion, Namgung Hyeok was sending telepathic communication to So Geomlip.
[Geomlip. I ask this of you. After we leave and night falls, take the Sacred Spear faction and depart first.]
[Where should we set as our destination?]
[There is a Martial Alliance branch in Qinghai, but it’s on the opposite side from where we’re trying to return. It would be better to head toward the vicinity of Gongdong Faction first. We could request help if necessary.]
[Understood. What about you, Lord?]
[I will observe the situation and then escape with Sa Gong Yeon Hwa.]
[I wish you good fortune in battle.]
There were no worried words or concerns.
So Geomlip completely trusted Namgung Hyeok’s abilities.
So naturally, he thought it was possible.
He accepted his mission without further comment.
“Now, we’ve met all the demands you made. Follow us now.”
Hwangpung said this and looked at Sa Gong Yeon Hwa.
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
She could kill them right now and escape together, but then the Sacred Spear faction wouldn’t have enough time to flee.
“Alright. I’ll follow you.”
“Hehe. Good thinking. Come this way with your escort.”
Hwangpung and another Demon Cult Member guided the two to their stronghold.
It appeared to be a place made by renovating a bandit mountain stronghold.
About a hundred Demon Cult Members were waiting there, each possessing at least first-rate skills.
‘So this is indeed a Demon General’s nest.’
Judging by the state of his subordinates, Baekgol Magoon seemed to be a person of considerably high rank among the Demon Generals.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to command such strong subordinates.
“Young Lady Sa Gong. This is where you’ll be staying.”
Following Hwangpung’s orders, a Demon Cult Member who had been showing them around guided the two to a room in the depths.
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa frowned.
The structure of this room, located in the deepest core of their stronghold, made escape seem almost impossible.
“It would be best to stay quiet. As you can see, there’s no way to escape.”
“….”
“If you’re caught trying to escape before the Demon General returns, we’ll kill the escort who came with you.”
“What did you say?”
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa asked in confusion, but the Demon Cult Member didn’t care.
Instead, he looked at Namgung Hyeok and spoke.
“You, follow me.”
“Didn’t you say the Young Lady’s room was here?”
“Were you planning to share a room with your charge? We won’t allow that, so follow quietly.”
“Wait…!”
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa tried to step forward urgently, but Namgung Hyeok raised one arm to stop her.
It meant to wait without getting excited for now.
[Sect Master. Will you be alright? We don’t even know where they’ll take you…!]
[I’ll be fine. As long as Baekgol Magoon covets you, they won’t harm you immediately, so please wait for now.]
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa’s eyes trembled at Namgung Hyeok’s telepathic communication.
[I plan to attempt an escape within two or three days anyway. I’ll come to get you then, so keep that in mind.]
“Young Lady. It seems better to follow this person’s words here for now.”
“Hmph. The escort is quite wise.”
The Demon Cult Member said with a sneer.
Sa Gong Yeon Hwa didn’t know what to do and eventually bowed her head.
“Please stay safe.”
“Don’t worry. If you stay quiet, we have no intention of harming this fellow either.”
He said this and led Namgung Hyeok somewhere.
Was it a place that had been used as the mountain stronghold’s prison?
It was a place with bars installed inside a cave.
The Demon Cult Member yawned and gestured to Namgung Hyeok.
“Go in.”
“You want me to stay in a place like this? I’m not a criminal.”
“Hmph. You’re just a hostage to keep Sa Gong Yeon Hwa in place. It would be better to go in yourself before you get beaten up and forced in.”
“….”
Namgung Hyeok shrugged and entered the Thunder Prison himself. Satisfied with this, the Demon Cult Member locked the door and spoke.
“Well, don’t think too badly of it. When Baekgol Magoon returns, we plan to release you. By then, that woman Sa Gong Yeon Hwa won’t dare think of escaping either.”
“When will Baekgol Magoon return?”
“He’s already left Sichuan and is coming this way, so it won’t take more than a few days. We’ll bring you food twice a day, so keep that in mind.”
The Demon Cult Member said this and left the Thunder Prison.
Left alone, Namgung Hyeok lay down in a comfortable position and fell into thought.
‘Well then, shall I rest a bit.’
He had no intention of staying in a place like this for more than two days anyway.
He had already ordered So Geomlip to move with the Sacred Spear faction, so he just needed to buy them adequate escape time and then reunite with them later.
‘It would be better to finish this before Baekgol Magoon arrives.’
Then it seemed best to act tomorrow. If he delayed too long trying to buy time, it would become troublesome if the Demon General arrived.
It was when Namgung Hyeok was lost in thought.
“Hey.”
Then a faint voice came from somewhere.
Namgung Hyeok turned his head to look toward the source of the sound.
In the darkness of the Thunder Prison where no light entered.
He could sense a woman at the very edge of it.
This woman had such a strangely absent presence that when he expanded his energy sensing to examine her, she seemed to have her internal energy restricted by some technique and was bound tightly with iron chains.
“Who are you?”
The woman bound in iron chains said this while looking directly at where Namgung Hyeok was.
Namgung Hyeok chuckled and replied.
“Didn’t you learn that when asking someone’s name, you should introduce yourself first?”
“Sorry, but no one ever taught me such things.”
“Then it’s fortunate you learned it now.”
The woman chuckled at Namgung Hyeok’s words.
“You’re arrogant but interesting. You don’t seem like an ordinary person, so how did you end up here?”
“Didn’t we decide to exchange names first?”
“Heh. Fine, I’m called Yeo Hui.”
Namgung Hyeok showed an interested expression at what followed.
“In Murim, I’m known by the name Iron Blood Demon General.”
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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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