The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 44

—————
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 44

At that moment, the four people who had come as escorts exuded an extraordinary atmosphere.

However, Namgung Hyeok remained calm.

He lightly poured and drank the alcohol placed before him, then answered.

“For having sent assassins just recently, you’re quite shameless.”

“Unfortunately, that wasn’t the will of all of us. It was merely an individual’s transgression. I’ll apologize for that.”

“Just with words?”

“Of course not. I’ll also hand over the person responsible to you.”

“Hmm.”

“Bring him.”

Lee Cheolgun flicked his palm.

Snap.

Then two martial artists from the Evil Path Alliance who appeared well-trained emerged.

They dragged in a man who was in tatters from severe beatings, and Namgung Hyeok could recognize the man’s identity.

“It’s the bastard who tried to attack us last time. The one So Yeon chased away.”

“That’s right. I remember his face.”

So Yeon said while looking at the man’s swollen face.

Lee Cheolgun smiled upon hearing that conversation.

“Then this will be quick. This bastard is the very one who sent assassins after you. His name is Jang Hyeok. If I give you this guy as a gift, will your anger subside somewhat?”

“A gift.”

“You can take him and use him as a slave, or behead him right here. You could even drag him through the marketplace as an example. How about it, seems quite good.”

“L-Lord… please spare me…!”

The man called Jang Hyeok barely managed to open his mouth to beg for his life.

However, neither Namgung Hyeok nor Lee Cheolgun paid attention to his words.

“I refuse.”

“Hmm. Why is that?”

“I don’t care what happens to that bastard, but even if I took him and paraded him around, it would only damage my reputation. He seems to have suffered enough at your hands already, so handle the rest yourself.”

“Ho, unexpected.”

“Is that so?”

“From the reports I’ve heard about your personality, I thought you’d behead him immediately even if you didn’t take him. Do you have an unexpectedly soft side?”

“Ha.”

Namgung Hyeok laughed as if it wasn’t even worth considering.

“If I had captured him myself, I would have beheaded him without hesitation. But if I kill him in the form of you handing him over to me, then I would be indebted to you. That cannot happen.”

“Hmm. I didn’t intend to put you in debt.”

“Even so, it doesn’t sit well with me.”

“Fine. If that’s how you feel, then so be it. Take him away.”

The two martial artists who brought Jang Hyeok bowed their heads and then dragged him out again.

Lee Cheolgun laughed lightly and tilted his wine cup.

“Oh dear. I tried to give you a surprise gift but failed. It can’t be helped. So, can you give me an answer to the question I asked earlier?”

“About joining the Evil Path Alliance?”

“Yes.”

“I refuse.”

Namgung Hyeok answered without a moment’s hesitation.

Lee Cheolgun’s eyebrows rose slightly.

“The reason?”

“Do I need a reason to refuse such an absurd proposal?”

“I’d still like to hear it.”

“First, the Main House and the Evil Path Alliance are hostile to each other. In such a situation, it would be absurd for me to go over to the Evil Path Alliance.”

“But just because we’ve been hostile until now, is there a guarantee we’ll remain hostile in the future?”

“Then will you acknowledge and apologize for all the schemes the Evil Path Alliance has pulled on us until now?”

“…”

Lee Cheolgun was left speechless.

Because that was something that must not happen.

“If not, then there’s no negotiation. Otherwise, I’d be branded a traitor to my family.”

“Fine. Let’s say that’s the case. Then what’s the other reason?”

“Second, the Evil Path Alliance would be of no help whatsoever for my goals. Unless I were to become the Evil Path Alliance’s successor.”

“Ho. What kind of goal is it?”

“Sorry, but I can’t tell you that.”

“Unfortunately, making you the successor isn’t possible. The Main Force already has a designated successor.”

“I know. That’s why I refused.”

“Hmm.”

Lee Cheolgun frowned as if displeased.

“So you’re saying you refuse.”

“That’s right.”

“Even if your refusal could deepen the rift between the Namgung Family and the Evil Path Alliance, will you still refuse?”

“Is there room for our relationship to get worse than this?”

“There is. We’re not waging war yet, are we?”

“So you’re threatening to start a war if I refuse.”

“I’m not just saying this casually. Even if I don’t guide it that way, things will naturally flow in that direction.”

It was a voice full of conviction.

It seemed Lee Cheolgun believed that would happen.

“When that time comes, I won’t think to stop the subjugation of the Namgung Family. Wouldn’t that be troublesome for you all?”

“Certainly.”

Namgung Hyeok readily acknowledged it.

“The Evil Path Alliance is stronger than the Namgung Family. As single force versus single force, there’s no comparison. The Main House isn’t yet at the level to face you.”

“Then…”

“But there’s no guarantee it will remain so in the future. And do you know this? Even if we can’t win, we can still deal critical damage.”

“…!”

“Moreover, if we borrow the power of allies like the Shandong Ak Family or the Murim Alliance, defeating you would be entirely possible. You’re not in a position to act leisurely.”

At Namgung Hyeok’s confident explanation, Lee Cheolgun made a displeased expression.

“That’s only if things go well. Even so, do you intend to wage war against us?”

“If necessary, we’ll do so without hesitation. Why, are you afraid?”

Namgung Hyeok smirked and provoked Lee Cheolgun.

Lee Cheolgun’s expression hardened further.

“You’re trying to take the difficult path when there’s an easy one available.”

“If we were to submit to you, it would be like entrusting our family’s future entirely to you. That cannot happen.”

“You’re misunderstanding something. We had no intention of taking away the Namgung Family’s autonomy.”

“But you were still thinking of using us as a bridgehead to advance into the Central Plains Martial World, weren’t you? From the perspective of other Orthodox Faction forces, that would look no different from the Namgung Family’s downfall.”

“I see. I understand your position well.”

Lee Cheolgun heartily lifted the wine bottle and gulped it down.

Thunk.

He set the bottle down forcefully.

A cold gaze swept over Namgung Hyeok.

“That courage could be called admirable. To be able to refuse my direct proposal so firmly.”

“It would be ridiculous to say yes to something that can’t be done just because I’m afraid of you.”

“Even if you suffer harm as a result?”

“Why don’t you just openly threaten to kill me?”

At Namgung Hyeok’s sarcasm, Lee Cheolgun nodded with a deep smile.

“That’s not wrong. If you keep refusing my proposals, I’ll have no choice but to express my regret. And in the main alliance, there are several loyal subordinates who would tear you apart just on my word.”

“How frightening.”

“Do I look like I’m joking right now?”

“Conversely, do I look scared to you?”

“Huhuhuh…”

The two men looked at each other and laughed.

“It seems I underestimated you as a person. I apologize.”

“I’ll accept that. Then is what you had to say finished now?”

“Yes. I have no further business, so feel free to enjoy your meal before leaving.”

“That’s fine. I think I’ve enjoyed enough. I’ll take my leave now.”

Namgung Hyeok and his guards stopped eating and rose from their seats, then spoke toward Lee Cheolgun.

“Next time we meet, we might not be able to meet with such smiles.”

“Hahahat. That’s needless worry. Perhaps this might be our last meeting anyway.”

“That’s true enough. We might not have occasion to meet again.”

“I’d like to see you again if possible. If you change your mind, feel free to let me know anytime.”

Lee Cheolgun spoke with a meaningful expression.

“Before it’s too late.”

Namgung Hyeok chuckled softly.

“Understood.”

“Since it’s getting late, I’ll arrange a place for you to stay. Even if the meal ends here, you should rest and recover from your journey.”

“I’ll gratefully accept that kindness.”

Lee Cheolgun called his subordinates and ordered them to guide Namgung Hyeok’s party to their rooms.

After they left, one person appeared beside Lee Cheolgun.

It was the Hell Blade Demon who had brought Namgung Hyeok.

“Alliance Leader. What do you intend to do? That bastard has a high possibility of becoming a threat that blocks the main alliance in the future. Shouldn’t we eliminate him when the opportunity comes?”

“We can’t do that when we invited him as a guest first. How unsightly would it look if we directly killed him here ourselves?”

“Then?”

“First, we should send him off with a gift. Then observe his reaction.”

“A gift? Why give that bastard a gift?”

“Huhu. He’s someone who came to meet me at the Evil Path Alliance despite his family’s attempts to dissuade him. But if such a person returns with gifts, what would the Namgung Family people think?”

“…!”

“They’ll surely be suspicious. Perhaps some will even think he’s gone over to our side.”

“You intend to plant seeds of discord within the Namgung Family.”

The Hell Blade Demon smiled broadly as if he finally understood.

“Exactly. So prepare a proper gift.”

“Understood.”

The Hell Blade Demon nodded and disappeared.

Left alone, Lee Cheolgun tilted his wine cup this way and that, lost in thought.

‘But this much isn’t enough.’

To bring down Namgung Hyeok, he needed one decisive move. But what could that move be?

‘I need to think about this.’

Lee Cheolgun pondered while pouring alcohol down his throat.

The heated alcohol warmed his esophagus.

* * *

The next day, Namgung Hyeok received gifts of fine horses, a carriage, and several precious items.

“What’s this?”

“It’s the Alliance Leader’s goodwill toward you all. If you won’t disregard his dignity, please accept them.”

“Oho.”

Namgung Hyeok laughed as if amused and nodded.

“Very well. Please tell the Evil Path Alliance Leader I’m grateful.”

“Understood. Then travel safely on your way back.”

The Evil Path Alliance warrior who delivered the gifts turned away with a stoic expression.

Only five people remained, including Namgung Hyeok. Among them, Ho Young tilted his head and asked.

“Sudden gifts? Captain, do you have any idea what this is about?”

“Yes. This is probably a trap.”

“A trap?”

“I came here of my own will despite the Namgung Family people’s concerns, didn’t I? So they’re giving these gifts to confuse the Namgung Family people.”

“Ah. Making them think the captain might have cooperated with this side to receive gifts?”

“Something like that. Anyone with a suspicious nature would surely doubt me.”

“Then shouldn’t you have refused to accept them?”

At Ho Young’s question, Namgung Hyeok chuckled.

“When they’re giving expensive items, what reason would there be not to accept them? I should gratefully receive them.”

“But Captain, you said this was a trap.”

“So what if it’s a trap? It’s just a shallow trap anyway. If they’re the type to be shaken by something like this, they’d be the ones who didn’t look favorably on me normally anyway.”

“That’s true too.”

“Besides, there’s a way to completely cast off suspicion.”

“What’s that?”

“As soon as I return, I’ll incorporate all the treasures I received this time entirely into the family’s assets. It’s perfect timing since we were short on funds to expand the Military Force.”

That way, even if they were personal gifts, it would create the impression that he used them for the family.

Ho Young burst into laughter hearing this.

“The Evil Path Alliance Leader will beat the ground in regret later.”

He tried to play tricks only to end up losing money.

Namgung Hyeok chuckled and started the carriage.

It was time to return to the Namgung Family Estate.

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