The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 36
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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 36
“A place to stop by…”
Im Hogyeong wore a puzzled expression for a moment but soon nodded his head.
He thought it wasn’t his place to get involved.
He gathered the Pungwoon Unit together with Lee Seonmin, another unit commander.
Both men and all the Pungwoon Unit members offered their respects.
“Then we hope you have a safe journey. We’ll head back first.”
“Right. You all be careful on your way back too.”
Namgung Hyeok said this and sent off the Pungwoon Unit.
They returned to the family estate at a quick pace as if they had been waiting.
What remained now were only Namgung Hyeok’s Special Forces and the Shandong Ak Family members.
“Hyo. You should also gather the Storm Wind Unit and return to the family estate.”
“What? But…”
“I’ll escort the Young Family Head. Moving around as a group in the current situation would rather draw attention.”
Ak Hyo seemed to contemplate for a moment, but eventually accepted Ak Biho’s words.
If it were someone else it might be different, but the words of Ak Biho, the Invincible Iron Spear, carried such authority.
If he would serve as escort for Young Family Head Ak Yeonhu, they could entrust him with peace of mind.
“Then I’ll see you later. Please have a safe journey.”
Ak Hyo offered a cupped fist salute then left with the Storm Wind Unit.
Ak Biho, now left alone with Ak Yeonhu, looked at Namgung Hyeok and spoke.
“So where are we going now?”
“You volunteered to escort Yeonhu without even knowing that?”
“Either way, I can’t let this child go alone. He’s the heir of the main house.”
“That’s certainly true. We’re thinking of going to Henan.”
“To Henan?”
“Yes. There’s a place we need to visit there.”
Namgung Hyeok said this and brought horses seized from the bandits according to the number of people.
“It’s probably not far from here, so it shouldn’t take many days. Let’s go then.”
“Good.”
Ak Biho readily agreed and grabbed the horse’s reins.
Though he was dying to ask more questions, he would gradually learn everything as time passed anyway.
There was no benefit in rushing.
Thus they departed toward Kaifeng in Henan Province.
* * *
Riding the horses as fast as possible, they could quickly travel to Kaifeng.
Namgung Hyeok took in the sight of Kaifeng, a great metropolis.
‘So this is Kaifeng.’
Kaifeng was a historic city counted among the three great ancient capitals of the Central Plains along with Xi’an and Luoyang.
Having served as the capital for distant ancient dynasties, Kaifeng’s appearance was extremely splendid and vibrant.
“It’s been a long time since I came here too. But what business do you have here?”
“There are people to meet.”
“Ho.”
People to meet in a great city like Kaifeng?
Ak Biho wore an expression full of interest.
And for good reason, as this place was a den of demons where various Murim forces were entangled.
Meeting someone in such a place was quite an intriguing story in itself.
“Yeonhu. You seem to know who it is.”
Ak Biho spoke while looking at Ak Yeonhu, who seemed slightly excited.
He nodded with a smile.
“Yes. They’re people I’m meeting after a long time too.”
“Meeting after a long time? Then could it be…”
“We’ve arrived.”
Before Ak Biho could voice his speculation, that voice was heard.
Namgung Hyeok had arrived and stopped in front of a magnificent mansion.
He knocked on the tightly closed door several times.
Then.
Creeeeak.
“Who is… wait, who is this!”
A man with an eye patch over one eye irritably opened the door, then immediately widened his eyes.
He looked at Namgung Hyeok with his one remaining eye and shouted loudly.
“Unit Leader!”
“Hahou Yeon. Have you been well?”
“Uhahahat! Of course I’ve been well! What brings you here, Unit Leader?”
“What brings me here? I came to see you all.”
Namgung Hyeok smiled broadly while looking at Hahou Yeon.
Hahou Yeon belatedly saw those who came with him and broke into a wide grin.
“Now I see you all came to visit together. Everyone, how long has it been!”
“Haha! It’s been a long time!”
“Long time indeed.”
“Have you been well?”
“We’re here!”
The comrades except for Namgung Hyeok each offered bright greetings.
Hahou Yeon nodded with a bright expression then immediately invited them inside.
“Come now, don’t stand here like this, everyone come in. Hey everyone! Our Unit Leader is here!”
“What? That person has come?”
“Unit Leader! It’s been a long time!”
“Lord. Did you come to see us?”
Then quite a large number of martial artists poured out from inside.
Ak Biho wore a slightly surprised expression upon seeing them.
Because every single one of them appeared to be impaired in some way.
‘Are these people who were injured on the battlefield?’
Someone had one arm completely severed from the elbow, someone else appeared to have trouble with their leg.
Another had a long sword scar on their face, and there was even someone with a severed ear.
But what was certain was that each and every one of them exuded an extraordinary presence.
Even those who appeared physically impaired were emanating aura of at least first-rate to peak level.
Moreover, several possessed skills that were not inferior to Ho Young and other close associates.
‘These aren’t people to be dismissed just because they’re injured. With this level, it’s military strength that surpasses most Murim sects.’
While Ak Biho was thinking with a serious expression.
Namgung Hyeok and his comrades who had gone inside were receiving an enthusiastic welcome from their comrades-in-arms.
Even Namgung Hyeok, usually stiff in atmosphere, smiled gently while conversing with them.
“The distance from the Namgung Family Estate to here is far, when did you arrive?”
“I happened to have business nearby so I stopped by. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen your faces too.”
“Hah. Even so, it hasn’t been two years.”
“That’s true. But it’s still been a long time, hasn’t it?”
“That’s right. I’m glad to be able to see you again, Lord.”
“Come now, instead of this, let’s all have a drink together. Hey! Someone go get alcohol from the warehouse!”
The welcoming ceremony proceeded with great fanfare.
Ak Yeonhu explained to Ak Biho, who was standing somewhat awkwardly as the only person unrelated to the group.
“These are our comrades who fought alongside us on the battlefield.”
“All of these people…?”
“Yes. However, they’re all people who were injured midway and retired from service. Among those who retired, people like me who had somewhere to return went back to our respective sects, but for those who had nowhere to go, Elder Brother obtained this mansion so they could live here.”
“That’s remarkable.”
Ak Biho was genuinely impressed.
There were more superiors who cared for their subordinates in the world than one might think.
However, there were few who would go so far as to purchase a mansion for those who left due to injuries.
From that perspective, Namgung Hyeok was truly exceptional among exceptions.
‘Now I understand a little why his subordinates follow him with such loyalty.’
Just as Ak Biho was thinking this.
They were guided inside the mansion and took seats in the spacious dining hall.
“Come now, everyone take a cup. For our unit commander whom we haven’t seen in so long!”
They poured strong alcohol without any side dishes and gulped it down heartily.
Namgung Hyeok also smiled and matched their atmosphere, introducing Ak Biho who had come with him.
“This is the great hero Ak Biho of the Shandong Ak Family, master of the Invincible Iron Spear. He is Yeonhu’s uncle. Do not be discourteous.”
“I am Ak Biho. I meet the heroes who defended the Northern Front.”
“Haha. You don’t need to be so formal! If you’re Yeonhu’s family, then you’re no different from family to us as well.”
“Besides, if you’re the great hero of the Invincible Iron Spear, aren’t you someone whose reputation resounds throughout all of Jianghu? Please speak comfortably with us.”
They treated Ak Biho, whom they were meeting for the first time today, with warmth and held a drinking session.
When the drinking deepened and everyone was flushed red with alcohol, Namgung Hyeok took something out from his chest.
“This is a gift for you all. Take it and use it to supplement your living expenses.”
“Ah, Unit Commander. Why are you giving us all this?”
It was a bundle of silver coins he had obtained after completing this recent mission.
Hahou Yeon showed reluctance as soon as he saw it.
It seemed he felt burdened about receiving money on top of meeting his superior after so long.
“Just don’t feel burdened and take it. Think of it as a gift from a superior you haven’t seen in a while.”
“Take this too. I have no use for it anyway.”
“Please take mine as well. I’ve already taken care of my share properly, so don’t worry.”
Jeon Wook and So Yeon also each took out pouches from their chests and set them down with a thud.
Hahou Yeon made a troubled expression.
“Tsk. Even when you tell me not to feel burdened, it’s still burdensome…”
“Just take it. There may come a time soon when I’ll need to borrow your strength. Think of it as an investment for that time. You can even think of it as military funds for the trading company.”
“Well, alright. I can’t refuse the Unit Commander’s goodwill.”
Since Namgung Hyeok went that far, Hahou Yeon finally collected the three people’s pouches.
Namgung Hyeok smiled slightly and asked.
“Is the work here going well?”
“Yes. At first we received a lot of disrespect, but after demonstrating our skills a few times, that stopped happening. Now everyone is working hard at their assigned tasks under So Baek’s command.”
“Come to think of it, I don’t see that guy So Baek. I don’t see several other guys either.”
“They went on a business trip for work. Trading company business is harder than I thought.”
“But I believe that with So Baek and you all, you’ll be able to handle it well.”
“Haha. Thank you for saying that. Someday we’ll become a trading company counted among the top ten in the Central Plains and repay the Unit Commander’s kindness.”
“I’d prefer if you became the best in the Central Plains. That would be most helpful for assisting me.”
“Hahaha! That’s true. I’ll work hard.”
Namgung Hyeok smiled broadly upon hearing Hahou Yeon’s answer.
After downing another cup of alcohol, Hahou Yeon asked.
“How are things going with the Namgung Family Estate?”
“They’re going well. The guys who went with me are quite capable.”
“Well, those four would more than adequately assist the Unit Commander. All four of them were the most outstanding talents among us.”
“I think you all are no less capable than them. That’s why I entrusted you with the mission of helping So Baek create the trading company.”
“Haha. Thank you for saying that. Honestly, I feel like I might cry.”
“Don’t cry from being moved.”
“Kuhaha. Of course I won’t cry. Tears of joy are sufficient to shed after achieving everything.”
Hahou Yeon said this and laughed heartily.
“Are there any other special matters?”
“These days we’re brawling with those Evil Path Alliance bastards on a family-by-family basis.”
“Oh ho. The Evil Path Alliance.”
A bloodthirsty gleam flashed momentarily in Hahou Yeon’s eyes.
“If the Unit Commander wishes it, I’ll sweep them away immediately.”
“Stop that. We’re not being pushed back to the extent that we need to borrow your strength. Of course, if we borrowed your power, things would become somewhat easier…”
“If it goes against the Unit Commander’s aesthetics, it can’t be helped.”
“Something like that. I’ll call you if truly necessary, so keep that in mind.”
“Understood.”
Ak Biho, who had been secretly eavesdropping on the conversation, couldn’t help but be inwardly shocked.
Sweeping away the Evil Path Alliance.
Of course, it was probably boastful talk mixed with alcohol, but still, it wasn’t something that could be said without some degree of confidence.
Judging by their military strength, perhaps if they set their minds to it, they could inflict considerable damage on the Evil Path Alliance?
While Ak Biho was thinking this.
Telepathic communication was being exchanged between Namgung Hyeok and Hahou Yeon.
[More importantly, when do you plan to begin the great undertaking?]
[It’s not time yet. When I haven’t even completely seized control of the Namgung Family Estate, talking about the great undertaking is far too premature.]
[Haha. That’s true too. Then should we just continue building our strength?]
[Yes. Even if not for the Evil Path Alliance matter, there will come a time when I’ll need your strength.]
Namgung Hyeok looked up at the moon, tilted his wine cup, and sent a telepathic message.
[When that time comes, this Murim will come to know our name clearly.]
The smile on his face deepened.
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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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