The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 24

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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 24

A short while later.

The training ground attached to Namgung Hyeok’s quarters.

“You’ve returned. Jeon Wook.”

“Yes. My lord, I’ve just returned.”

“You’ve worked hard. Are you injured anywhere?”

“No. Thank you for your concern.”

Jeon Wook, who had just returned and was giving his report, bowed his head slightly toward Namgung Hyeok.

Namgung Hyeok gave Jeon Wook a faint smile.

“I should be grateful. I’m more grateful to you. I’m sorry for always leaving you to handle the aftermath.”

“Aftermath? Not at all. I only did what needed to be done.”

Jeon Wook had received Namgung Hyeok’s orders through a messenger pigeon and had just returned from the Evil Path Alliance’s Seonju Branch.

The purpose was to teach a lesson to the Evil Path Alliance bastards who had lost their leader.

And that mission had succeeded spectacularly.

Jeon Wook had literally swept through the Evil Path Alliance’s Seonju Branch.

“Was there any pursuit?”

“Yes. The bastards nearby followed me. But I dealt with all of them, so please be at ease.”

“Excellent. You really worked hard.”

Namgung Hyeok praised him once more and patted his shoulder.

“Now go rest. You must be tired after causing such a commotion.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll take my leave.”

Jeon Wook bowed lightly and left.

And there was someone watching this scene with his mouth agape.

“The one who annihilated the Evil Path Alliance’s Seonju Branch was… your subordinate, my lord?”

It was Jang Huiwon, who had followed Namgung Hyeok.

The two had just met for the first time today.

So his surprise was even greater.

“That’s right. He’s a friend named Jeon Wook. He’s one of the reliable guys I’ve been with since the battlefield. He’ll also be your superior, so remember him well.”

“Ah, understood.”

“Also, his trip to Xuanzhou is a secret. You understand, right?”

“Of course.”

Jang Huiwon nodded his head.

If it became known that Namgung Hyeok’s subordinate had destroyed the Evil Path Alliance’s Seonju Branch, it would cause various troubles.

However, some of the family members seemed to already suspect it. As evidence, the gazes of the senior members looking at Namgung Hyeok were unusual.

‘Phew. Rather than worrying about such things, let me focus on what I need to do.’

Jang Huiwon thought this way and demonstrated his swordsmanship in front of Namgung Hyeok.

It was the secret sword technique passed down through generations in the Jang Family.

Namgung Hyeok watched as if evaluating it.

Finally, having seen the entire process, Namgung Hyeok gave a brief assessment.

“Terrible.”

“…!”

Jang Huiwon’s eyes widened upon hearing those words.

In a way, these words could sound like a statement dismissing the swordsmanship of the Jang Family with its long history.

But that wasn’t Namgung Hyeok’s intention.

“The swordsmanship itself has no problems, but there’s a problem with you using it. How much real combat experience do you have?”

“…I’m ashamed to say, not many times.”

“Even those were probably against local thugs. The rest would have been just swinging your sword endlessly in the training ground.”

“Yes.”

“Your sword is too focused on maintaining form. In other words… it’s too rigid.”

Namgung Hyeok lightly stroked his chin as he pondered.

“You need to internalize this enough to use it in real combat. For that, you’ll need experience equivalent to actual battle.”

“Just give me orders. I’ll gladly accept any training.”

“Good attitude. Then starting tomorrow, you’ll take turns sparring with the Wind Cloud Unit members who are organized in teams.”

“Sparring, you mean?”

“That’s right. It won’t be easy. Those guys have also gone through several real battles and are seasoned in one-on-one combat. You’ll probably have a high chance of losing.”

“Understood.”

Jang Huiwon readily accepted.

It wasn’t right to rebel since he had followed Namgung Hyeok of his own accord and sworn loyalty…

‘Besides, it’s true that I’m lacking.’

Namgung Hyeok was clearly presenting an alternative. Then it was right for him to follow it.

“Good attitude. Now go ahead.”

“Yes. Have a peaceful night.”

Jang Huiwon bowed his head and left.

So Yeon, who had been watching like a shadow from the side, smiled broadly.

“He seems quite promising? Are you thinking of nurturing him?”

“I can’t depend only on you guys forever.”

“How disappointing. I’d like you to depend on us forever.”

“Of course I’ll continue to receive your help. But the more cards I can use, the better, right?”

“That’s true too. We’re also short on numbers since the other guys following you haven’t joined us yet.”

“What are they all doing now?”

“Excluding the guys still remaining in the Northern Region, they’ve probably returned to their respective positions. But they’d all come running with just one call from you, right?”

So Yeon said this and laughed cheerfully.

Namgung Hyeok nodded calmly.

“Probably so. But there’s no need to call guys who are doing well on their own. They just returned from the battlefield, so there’s no need to call them to a new battlefield.”

At those words, So Yeon grumbled with a smile.

“Really, my lord is so soft-hearted.”

“I’m just not doing unnecessary actions. More importantly, how’s the current situation?”

“The senior members have started watching us. They’ve probably figured out that this incident was something you orchestrated, my lord.”

“That’s natural since we leaked the information. Anything else?”

“The families under the Namgung Family are in turmoil. They were slowly trying to distance themselves from us, but now they’re afraid to do so since you magnificently resolved the Jang Family’s matter.”

“What about the Evil Path Alliance’s reaction?”

“No major reaction yet. But they’ll probably do something soon, right? From their perspective, you’re an obstacle to their plans, my lord.”

“Assassins might come. You should also be sufficiently careful about your own safety.”

“Haha! Shouldn’t you be the most careful one, my lord?”

“Well, that’s true. But we can’t rule out the possibility they might target those around me first.”

A cruel smile appeared on So Yeon’s lips.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve dealt with assassins so much on the battlefield that I’m used to them. We all are, right?”

“Martial world assassins might be different though. There’s no harm in being careful.”

“That’s true too. I’ll pass the word to everyone for now.”

“Good. Please do. And is there anything else to tell me?”

“Hmm. Something to report…”

So Yeon pondered for a moment, then clapped her hands together.

“Come to think of it, I heard the Acting Family Head’s eldest son will return soon after finishing his training.”

“Oh.”

A smile appeared on Namgung Hyeok’s lips.

“Namgung Hwan, you mean?”

* * *

Namgung Hwan.

He was Namgung Jangcheon’s eldest son and a Late-Stage Expert who was highly regarded as the Namgung Family’s greatest talent.

Currently, he was said to be out on a journey to gain experience in the jianghu.

Rumors that he would be returning spread throughout the estate.

The retainers waited for his return with excited hearts.

A few days later.

“Father. I have completed my jianghu journey and returned.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Namgung Hwan had returned to the Namgung Family Estate.

He was accompanied by several Late-Stage Experts who appeared to be friends he had made during his jianghu journey.

Namgung Jangcheon looked at his son with a pleased expression.

‘His energy has become much more profound than before he left for his jianghu journey.’

Though it had been a long time since he’d seen his son, he was showing surprisingly remarkable growth.

At this level, he would be comparable to the Second-Class Squad leaders within the Namgung Family Estate.

Considering his age, it was truly an outstanding achievement.

However, Namgung Jangcheon couldn’t purely rejoice.

‘Namgung Hyeok. If only that bastard wasn’t here…!’

Namgung Hwan’s growth could be considered quite excellent, but Namgung Hyeok’s existence made his light fade.

Not only was there a tremendous difference in achievements between the two, but Namgung Hyeok’s martial prowess was so high that even he couldn’t gauge it.

So he couldn’t help but be unable to purely rejoice in his son’s growth.

However, Namgung Jangcheon didn’t show this.

He didn’t want to burden his eldest son who had returned after so long. Also, objectively speaking, this level of growth was indeed excellent.

But Namgung Hwan threw out an unexpected remark.

“I heard that Brother Cheonyi recovered from his illness, and that Hyeok returned from the battlefield.”

“You’ve already heard that news?”

“Haha. Father. I’m a person with ears too. Especially the story about Hyeok being personally acknowledged by the Murim Alliance Leader – there’s no one in the jianghu who doesn’t know about it now.”

Among martial artists, Namgung Hyeok’s nickname had already solidified as Flame Dragon.

The Murim Alliance Leader personally acknowledging the nickname ‘Dragon’ held greater significance than expected.

“I’d like to meet him right away. I wonder how that Hyeok has changed to cause such rumors…”

“Then you can meet him right now.”

That’s when it happened.

Namgung Hyeok strode forward with his retainers.

At that sight, Namgung Jangcheon’s expression hardened, but conversely, a smile appeared on Namgung Hwan’s face.

He greeted Namgung Hyeok warmly.

“It’s been a long time, Hyeok.”

“It has been a long time. Have you been well?”

“Haha. I’ve been well. It’s good to see you looking healthy too.”

At a glance, it looked like a friendly greeting between cousins.

However, the retainers watching could tell that wasn’t the case.

Namgung Hwan had been one of the people who looked down on Namgung Hyeok the most before he left for the battlefield.

Of course, he hadn’t directly bullied him, but…

He had originally treated Namgung Hyeok as if he didn’t exist or talked behind his back about him being the family’s disgrace.

So there was no way they could have a good relationship.

“I heard you changed a lot after going through the battlefield. As your older brother, I’m happy about such changes in you.”

“You’ve certainly changed a lot too. Originally, the complete opposite reaction would have come out.”

“Haha. I also learned things while traveling the jianghu. I have no intention of treating you with the same immature heart as before.”

Namgung Hwan said this with a sly smile.

“Anyway, let’s get along well from now on. Since we’re going to lead the family together, we should get along nicely.”

“Well, I understand. If that’s how you think.”

Namgung Hyeok spoke calmly. It was as if he didn’t care how the other person approached him.

“By the way, I heard you recently established a new Third-Class Battle Unit called the Pungwoon Unit and are making great achievements?”

“You know quite a lot for someone who was away from the family.”

“Haha. Anyway, I always had to keep my ears open to news from the Main House. I’m also scheduled to take charge of a Second-Class Squad soon, so let’s do well together.”

“Don’t you think that’s a rather dramatic appointment right after returning?”

“Well, it was decided before I left for my jianghu journey. The timing was just pushed back a little.”

Namgung Hwan said this and then sent a telepathic communication.

[From now on, I won’t let you monopolize achievements alone.]

It was a cold tone, different from the warm manner he showed outwardly.

Namgung Hyeok heard that telepathic communication and smiled slightly.

[Go ahead and try. If you can, that is.]

[You’ve become quite arrogant while I was away.]

[Because I’ve earned the right to be.]

[Ha. I’ll see just how long you can keep up that arrogance.]

“Well then, let me go inside. Father, I’ll go in first…”

Namgung Hwan, who had been speaking, stopped.

One of the Late-Stage Experts who had come with him was trembling and sweating profusely like rain. Namgung Hwan asked with a puzzled expression.

“Brother Jin. Is something wrong?”

“N-no. Nothing happened.”

The Late-Stage Expert with the surname Jin shook his head frantically as if flustered.

However, his gaze was still directed somewhere. And that target was none other than Ho Young.

“L-let’s go quickly.”

He gulped and urged Namgung Hwan.

In the end, their group had no choice but to quickly disappear into the Inner Namgung Estate.

Namgung Hyeok glanced at Ho Young and asked.

[What happened?]

[Haha. He was subtly sending fighting spirit my way, so I gave him a lesson in return. He probably wet his pants a little.]

Namgung Hyeok chuckled and sent a telepathic communication.

[Well done.]

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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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