The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 31

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Spear Heaven Martial Emperor Episode 31

It couldn’t be helped.

What kind of person was Ak Biho?

He was a supreme master with outstanding reputation and respect that few in all of Murim could match.

Yet such a person was politely bowing and offering greetings.

And to someone who was like a nephew to him.

This was something hard to believe by common sense.

“Senior Ak. Please speak comfortably.”

But the people there hadn’t seen wrong.

As evidence, Namgung Hyeok responded as if slightly troubled.

At Namgung Hyeok’s words, Ak Biho smiled slightly and nodded as he spoke.

“I understand. If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll lower my speech. But know that the respect I showed was sincere.”

“Of course. I’m grateful you say that.”

“Grateful? Rather, I’m more thankful. I’ve heard many stories about you through Yeonhu. You saved this fellow’s life several times?”

“Hehe.”

Ak Yeonhu laughed heartily.

Namgung Hyeok smiled faintly and said.

“Saving and being saved are everyday occurrences on the battlefield, aren’t they? I also received just as much help from Yeonhu.”

“But still, a debt is a debt. Besides, I heard about your activities on the battlefield. It wouldn’t be enough to call them heroic.”

“You flatter me.”

“It’s not flattery. Anyone who knows the situation would think the same as me. I heard the Great General also has his eye on you?”

“Haha.”

Namgung Hyeok let out an awkward laugh.

A light-hearted conversation.

But the content was anything but light. Those listening felt like they were about to lose their minds.

‘The Great General has his eye on him?’

‘The Great General? The one I’m thinking of?’

‘No, what exactly did the Third Young Master do on the battlefield…?’

Even those who hadn’t been curious about Namgung Hyeok’s activities were all shocked.

They already knew he had returned after distinguishing himself on the battlefield, but they never imagined he had achieved such outstanding military merits.

Especially the Senior Members of Namgung Jangcheon’s faction were so surprised their eyes widened. They were dying to investigate Namgung Hyeok’s activities immediately.

“While it’s nice to chat here, shouldn’t we go inside first?”

“Who are you?”

“My introduction is late. I am Namgung Cheon, the Young Family Head of the Namgung Family.”

Then, Namgung Cheon appropriately interjected.

Namgung Jangcheon, who had been waiting for an opportunity, widened his eyes.

The distinguished guests from the Shandong Ak Family that he had originally invited were being stolen away by the Namgung Hyeok brothers while he watched with blazing eyes.

“Cheon is right. I’ll escort you inside.”

Therefore, he hurriedly spoke toward Ak Biho.

Ak Biho seemed to grasp the situation from the atmosphere and smiled mysteriously.

“You must be Namgung Jangcheon, the Acting Family Head of the Namgung Family. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Today I’m meeting many distinguished people, including Young Hero Flame Dragon.”

“I’m grateful that you accepted our invitation.”

“Haha. How could I not come when none other than the Flame Dragon’s family requested help?”

“…!”

Namgung Jangcheon’s eyebrows twitched.

That meant he wouldn’t have come if not for Namgung Hyeok.

And that implication seemed to reach the other Senior Members as well, as they all made renewed expressions. It was a moment that only confirmed Namgung Hyeok’s influence again.

“…I’ll escort you inside.”

Namgung Jangcheon hid his stiffened attitude and tried to guide Ak Biho inside.

Then Ak Yeonhu spoke to his uncle.

“Uncle. May I act separately for a while? Since I met Elder Brother after so long, I’d like to catch up.”

“Do so. Flame Dragon. I’ll entrust my nephew to you.”

“I will. Come, let’s go. There are others who came with me, so they’ll be happy to see you.”

“Oh, really? I’ll be seeing everyone after so long!”

Namgung Hyeok left for his quarters, taking Ak Yeonhu with him.

Seeing him disappear, Namgung Jangcheon sighed inwardly.

He had been worried that he might follow even to the alliance meeting.

‘Fortunately, that won’t happen.’

“Then I’ll escort you inside again.”

“Please lead the way.”

However, Namgung Jangcheon had no choice but to frown while heading to the reception room.

“I’m curious what kind of person Flame Dragon usually is. Could you explain?”

“To me, he’s a kind and trustworthy younger brother. When Hyeok first returned, I was poisoned with an unknown toxin…”

It was because Namgung Cheon had accompanied them to the reception room where originally only he should have gone, using the justification of being the Young Family Head.

Moreover, he was already engaging in various conversations using the justification of being Namgung Hyeok’s closest blood relative.

Since the atmosphere was good, Namgung Jangcheon couldn’t easily join in.

‘These damn bastards…!’

Namgung Jangcheon had no choice but to hurry the guidance while forcibly swallowing the curses rising within him.

He was beginning to think that contacting the Shandong Ak Family might have been a mistake.

* * *

At the same time.

“Oh, Elder Brother Yeong and Elder Brother Uk! Elder Brother Geomlip and Sister Yeon are here too!”

“Hoho. We hurriedly gathered after hearing news that the Young Master had come.”

“Isn’t this the young master of the Ak Family! It’s been a while! Ahahat!”

“It’s been a while. Young Master Yeonhu.”

Comrades who had once fought together on the same battlefield gathered in one place.

Namgung Hyeok had servants prepare a drinking table and sat facing them.

“Have you been well?”

“We’ve been well. Didn’t you return almost half a year earlier than us Elder Brothers?”

Ak Yeonhu was the person among them who had joined the battlefield latest and returned earliest.

But even so, no one among them looked down on Ak Yeonhu.

He was one of the comrades who had faithfully done his part even in the blood-reeking Northern Region.

“I’m glad Elder Brothers and Sisters seem to be doing well too.”

“Hahat! Of course we’re doing well. Compared to the battlefield, it’s like heaven.”

“Though there are still troublesome matters.”

“Is it still that? Power struggles?”

Ak Yeonhu smiled meaningfully.

Namgung Hyeok chuckled and tilted his wine cup.

“You’re still quick to catch on.”

“Well, I figured it out in an instant. Just looking at the structure, it’s obvious, isn’t it?”

Ak Yeonhu said that and giggled.

“How about it, shall I help a little? If you want, I could provide sufficient support.”

“It’s fine. You’ve already been a great help.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Didn’t you and the Invincible Iron Spear clearly imprint my name on the family members? Just that alone should be seen as greatly raising my position.”

“Aw, that was only natural. Elder Brother’s battlefield activities were fact, saving my life several times was all fact – we only spoke the truth.”

Ak Yeonhu’s eyes gleamed as if he truly meant what he said.

“However, the very fact that you spoke such truth in that situation was a great help to me.”

“Haha. If you wish, I could do even more than that.”

“That’s fine. Taking control of the Namgung Family is just a matter of time anyway.”

Namgung Hyeok set down his wine cup with a thud.

“Uncle is fighting hard not to lose power to me and Elder Brother, but… as time passes, the family’s sentiment is already turning toward us. All Uncle has left is support from those who still don’t understand the situation well or are too deeply entangled.”

“But isn’t even that sufficiently bothersome?”

“Yes, it’s bothersome. But it’s merely bothersome, nothing more. It doesn’t pose a decisive threat. Uncle’s faction has essentially collapsed.”

“If Elder Brother says so.”

Ak Yeonhu shrugged his shoulders.

“More importantly, tell me how you’ve been. Have you been well?”

“I’ve been doing well. Since returning to the family, I’ve been focusing on successor training.”

“And then you came along when talk of the Namgung Family came up?”

“Something like that. I thought it was a chance to see Elder Brother after a long time.”

“Well done. I was just curious about how you and the others were doing.”

Everyone added their own words to Namgung Hyeok’s statement.

“Wouldn’t we all feel the same?”

“Except for us who followed our Lord, everyone went back to their respective places.”

“Hoho. Of course, a single call from our Lord would bring us all together again.”

“That’s right. I was prepared to come running anytime Elder Brother called.”

“I can’t call people who are living earnestly when there’s no immediate need. Besides, our current numbers are sufficient for the Namgung Family matter.”

Indeed, hadn’t this group alone brought about tremendous change in such a short time?

Namgung Hyeok truly thought so.

“More importantly, I heard the Namgung Family wants to form an alliance with the Main House.”

“That’s right. The conflict with the Evil Path Alliance is intensifying.”

“Hmm. You’re fighting troublesome ones. They’re certainly enemies that can’t be ignored.”

The current Evil Path Alliance Leader, while not among the Ten Greatest Masters Under Heaven, could confidently be said to belong to the tier just below them.

Moreover, the force he had gathered was so massive that it would be difficult for any single power to face.

Given this situation, it was natural for the Namgung Family to seek an alliance.

“Good. I might not know about other places, but if it’s Elder Brother’s family, we should naturally form an alliance. The Shandong Ak Family is on Elder Brother’s side.”

“You speak too easily. Isn’t the decision made by the Invincible Iron Spear Master?”

“Uncle probably came here intending to accept. If not, he wouldn’t have come here in the first place.”

“That’s true as well.”

“The problem would be what to give and take in the alliance. What the Namgung Family can provide to the Main House and what the Main House can provide to the Namgung Family – these two must be balanced for a smooth alliance.”

Indeed, despite appearing innocent, it was insight befitting the Young Family Head of the Shandong Ak Family.

Namgung Hyeok nodded and asked.

“Then what does the Ak Family want from the Main House?”

“There are various things. First would be strengthening influence over Murim by forming ties with the Namgung Family, one of the Ten Great Families, and they also want to arrange exchanges between subordinate trading companies and business enterprises to move in mutually beneficial directions.”

“And?”

“Haha. Actually, the Ak Family also wants to use the Namgung Family to keep the Evil Path Alliance in check. Since they’re a nearby power, they’ve been bothersome in many ways. Those guys have been causing direct and indirect damage to us.”

“Causing damage, you say. Has the Evil Path Alliance actually attacked the Ak Family?”

“Of course they weren’t crazy enough to directly strike the Ak Family. But the sects under our family have suffered damage. Those guys are stirring up southern Shandong while commanding a bandit group under them.”

“A bandit group…”

“Yes. Have you heard of the Red Wolf Gang?”

“No, I haven’t heard of them.”

Namgung Hyeok shook his head.

Seeing this, Ak Yeonhu smiled brightly.

“You’ll probably hear about them soon. Uncle will suggest jointly subjugating the Red Wolf Gang as a condition for forming an alliance with the Namgung Family.”

“I see.”

“Most importantly, Elder Brother is here. When you think about it, it’s only natural.”

Ak Yeonhu spoke with gleaming eyes as if he truly meant it.

“When it comes to dealing with mounted opponents, there’s no one like Elder Brother, right?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————