The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 6

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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 6

“What do you mean all of a sudden? A military force that follows only us…”

“You know it too, don’t you, brother? Right now, most of the Main House’s military force is under uncle’s influence. They all pretend to maintain neutrality, but they’re all aligned with his side.”

Those words were true.

Until just recently, most people expected that Namgung Jangcheon would become the next head of the Namgung Family.

This was because Namgung Cheon had collapsed from illness and couldn’t be active for a long time. So everyone tried to curry favor with the next family head.

“The forces supporting you, brother, are honestly weak. At most, there are only a few key figures faithful to principles, or people who still have deep loyalty to father. In this situation, competing with uncle’s forces would only result in a crushing defeat.”

“Hmm…”

“So we need to create our own force. A force that will support you and me in any situation. The military force is the first step.”

“But how do we form a military force? It would be quite difficult to win over those who already have their hearts set on uncle’s side.”

“Of course it would be. But wouldn’t it be different if we’re talking about the marginalized ones?”

“The marginalized ones?”

Namgung Hyeok nodded.

“Yes. Uncle currently has the largest force in the Namgung Family, but that doesn’t mean he’s taking care of everyone. He’s only focusing on managing those who can be helpful to him.”

“You want to target those who are outside of that.”

“Yes. And we need to target those who still have loyalty to father. They would be the people who could become your greatest strength, brother. If those two forces combine, we’ll have a quite decent force.”

“How do you plan to gather them? If there’s anything I can do, I’ll help however I can.”

“First, please let me know the list of those who don’t get along well with uncle, or those who have goodwill toward you, brother. I’ll handle creating the military force myself.”

“Understood. Let’s do that.”

“And one more thing, quietly spread the fact that you were almost poisoned to death to them. Then their anger will be directed toward uncle.”

“Hmm, if we’re going that route, wouldn’t it be better to make this issue public?”

“That won’t do. There’s no clear evidence that the poisoning attempt itself was uncle’s doing. We might face backlash, so we must only use this behind the scenes. At least until decisive evidence emerges.”

Namgung Cheon nodded with a stern face.

Namgung Hyeok drank the remaining tea in front of him and stood up from his seat.

“Then please take good care of your health. So Geomlip, I’m counting on you to take good care of my brother.”

“Leave it to me, my lord.”

So Geomlip nodded.

Namgung Hyeok was finally satisfied and left the room.

* * *

After meeting with Namgung Cheon, Namgung Hyeok immediately headed to the Elder Council.

“Third Young Master?”

The gate guards protecting the Elder Council called out to him with slightly puzzled expressions.

Namgung Hyeok’s appearance was unexpected for them as well.

“What brings you here?”

“I’ve come to see the Council Head. Could you send word inside?”

“Yes. I’ll go right away.”

One of the gate guards went inside and returned shortly after.

He bowed politely and guided Namgung Hyeok inside.

“Please follow me.”

The interior of the Elder Council was quiet.

Since it was a place where those who had been respected in the martial world and then retired stayed, it sometimes looked like a place where neighborhood elders gathered to play Go.

But Namgung Hyeok knew.

This place was also a den of demons no different from the outside world.

The Elder Council was a place where cunning old foxes who had experienced all kinds of trials and tribulations gathered in droves.

So even though they seemed removed from family politics, their actual influence was never weak.

“This is the place.”

Namgung Hyeok opened the door following the guard’s guidance, entered, and offered his greetings.

“I pay my respects to the Elder Council Head.”

“Welcome, Third Young Master. Did you come all this way to chat with this old man because you were worried he might be bored?”

“Something like that. It will be an interesting story for you as well, Council Head.”

The Elder Council Head nodded with an intrigued expression.

“Tell me.”

“Please help me create a military force.”

“Ho.”

At the direct request, the Elder Council Head half-closed his eyes.

“A military force? Why are you making such a request?”

“Don’t you know the reason well too, Council Head?”

“Hehe. Of course I have my guesses. I just didn’t know the Third Young Master’s feelings for his brother ran so deep.”

“I simply wish for the family’s laws to be properly upheld. Isn’t that the same for you, Council Head?”

“Of course it is. But powerless laws are always pushed aside in the face of practicality, aren’t they?”

“I’m making this request to you, Council Head, in order to gain that power. From your position too, it would be better for my brother to become the family head rather than uncle.”

This was exactly why Namgung Hyeok had come to find the Elder Council Head.

The Elder Council was the representative force that had been marginalized by Namgung Jangcheon.

They had strong political power, but precisely because of that, they were being kept in check by Namgung Jangcheon, who wanted to monopolize power.

So Namgung Hyeok was trying to join hands with them first.

If he could get their backing, Namgung Cheon would also be able to build a force capable of having a proper confrontation with his uncle.

“I won’t deny it. But we can’t make reckless gambles either. Are you confident you can make the First Young Master the family head?”

“Of course. If I wasn’t confident, I wouldn’t have made such a proposal.”

At the answer full of conviction, the Elder Council Head burst into hearty laughter.

“Hehe. Third Young Master, you’ve really changed a lot from ten years ago. It’s as if you’ve become a different person.”

“I had no choice but to change to survive on the brutal battlefield. So, will you give me your answer?”

“Very well.”

The deliberation wasn’t very long.

The Elder Council Head answered refreshingly, as if he had already anticipated this situation.

“Let’s try forming public opinion to create a military force under the Third Young Master’s command. However, I can’t guarantee whether it will work or not.”

“I understand. I’ll have to accept that much risk.”

“I trust you can handle gathering people on your own.”

“Naturally. All that’s left is waiting.”

At Namgung Hyeok’s words, the Elder Council Head thought for a moment and then carefully spoke.

“Perhaps the opportunity might come sooner than expected.”

“Do you know something?”

“Do you remember the last family meeting?”

“Of course.”

“Then you must also remember the first agenda item that came up there.”

Namgung Hyeok readily nodded.

“Wasn’t it about the Golden Crow Trading Company? I believe the conclusion was to investigate and decide whether to send support.”

“It will probably be decided that we send support.”

“I see.”

Namgung Hyeok wasn’t surprised.

No matter how great a martial family the Namgung Family was, being counted among the Ten Great Families, the Golden Crow Trading Company was also a massive trading company ranking in the top ten in the Central Plains.

Either way, forming a connection wouldn’t be a bad thing.

So he thought they would accept regardless of the reason.

“First, volunteer for that mission and achieve merit. If that happens, creating the military force will become easier.”

“Understood. Then could you tell me the reason the Golden Crow Trading Company requested support?”

“It’s because of some assassin, apparently.”

“An assassin?”

“That’s right. That assassin sent a warning letter saying he would kill the Golden Crow Trading Company’s heir. That’s why they requested our protection.”

“Hmm. I understand.”

Namgung Hyeok made a strange expression.

‘He sent a warning letter?’

The flow of the story felt strange somehow.

Something felt off, like it was catching on something.

But he didn’t dig deeper than that.

For now, this much information was sufficient.

He could check the rest when he got to the scene.

“Then I’ll be going now. Elder Council Head.”

“Take care.”

Namgung Hyeok left the Elder Council with the Elder Council Head’s farewell.

As soon as he returned to his quarters, he immediately called for Ho Young.

“Ho Young.”

“Huh? Captain, what’s wrong?”

“Call Jeon Wook and So Yeon who are waiting outside.”

“Oh. I guess you need those two now?”

“That’s right.”

Ho Young grinned.

“Got it. I’ll go and come back.”

“Tell the gate guards to use my name. Then they won’t stop you from bringing new people.”

“Everyone in the Namgung Family already knows I’m the captain’s close associate anyway, so what’s there to worry about? I’ll be back quickly.”

“Good. Go and come back.”

Ho Young nodded and quickly left the Namgung Family Estate.

He returned the next morning.

* * *

After several discussions, they reached the conclusion to provide support to the Golden Crow Trading Company.

The leadership of the Namgung Family pondered who to send.

Since this was a mission to an important force like the Golden Crow Trading Company, they had to select an outstanding person.

In the midst of this, the Elder Council Head recommended Third Young Master Namgung Hyeok. The reaction to this was sharply divided.

“That’s nonsense! This position is too important to send the Third Young Master!”

“What are you talking about? The Third Young Master proved himself with the Huainan Branch incident. I think he can handle this matter well too.”

The former was a member of the faction supporting Namgung Jangcheon, and the latter was a person under the Elder Council Head’s influence.

Both sides engaged in fierce psychological warfare as they continued their discussion.

But the conclusion gradually leaned toward sending him.

“Hmm.”

This was because the Namgung Family was currently experiencing a severe manpower shortage.

As befitting members of the Ten Great Families, they had their hands in various affairs, and recently, as more places began to challenge them, the forces dispatched externally had rapidly increased.

In other words, there weren’t many capable people among their spare forces.

In such circumstances, the existence of Third Young Master Namgung Hyeok was like welcome rain during a drought for the Namgung Family.

However, even so, Namgung Jangcheon didn’t let Namgung Hyeok carry out the mission alone.

“Since this is an important matter, go with Pyo.”

He forcibly added his second son Namgung Pyo and part of the Changcheon Unit to the mission.

This was both to ensure the mission’s success and to guard against Namgung Hyeok potentially achieving another great feat.

“Very well.”

Namgung Hyeok calmly accepted this fact.

It didn’t matter much to him who he went with.

He prepared to depart for the Golden Crow Trading Company with his newly joined subordinates.

However, seeing this, Namgung Pyo frowned and asked.

“Brother Hyeok. Who are these people?”

“They’re my comrades who have been with me since the battlefield. Is there a problem?”

“There is. We can’t bring outsiders when going to handle family business.”

“They’re all trustworthy friends, so don’t worry about it.”

“But…”

“I said.”

As Namgung Pyo continued to try to argue, Namgung Hyeok cut off his words and spoke coldly.

“They are trustworthy friends. Are you perhaps doubting my comrades-in-arms who shared life and death with me from the Northern Region?”

“N-no, that’s not it!”

The flustered Namgung Pyo shook his head as he answered.

Namgung Hyeok’s voice, as he deliberately hardened his expression, contained a chill reminiscent of northern winds and snow.

But backing down here would hurt his pride.

So Namgung Pyo spoke carefully.

“I’m just worried that something might go wrong. If that happens…”

“That won’t happen, so don’t worry about it. Besides, if something does go wrong, I’ll take responsibility for it myself.”

“If you put it that way, I understand.”

In the end, Namgung Pyo backed down.

Namgung Hyeok saw him retreat and looked around.

“Well then, let’s depart.”

The destination was the Golden Crow Trading Company.

It was the place where their mission awaited.

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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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