The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 79

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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 79

 

 

“This insolent bastard…!”

Jeon Wook was the first to react to that provocation.

He glared at Baek Yeonhu without hiding his sharp killing intent.

Baek Yeonhu flinched at the unexpectedly intense killing intent and glared back at him.

“How dare a mere nobody like you try to test our Lord? You should know your place!”

Sring!

He drew his sword and pointed it at Baek Yeonhu while shouting.

“Lord. Just give the command. I’ll fix that bastard’s attitude in an instant.”

“That’s enough. I appreciate you standing up for me, but calm down.”

Namgung Hyeok revealed his aura to neutralize Jeon Wook’s killing intent.

Jeon Wook hesitated for a moment, then sheathed his sword again.

However, he didn’t forget to keep glaring at Baek Yeonhu. It wasn’t just Jeon Wook—the other three were the same.

“Your subordinates are quite… exceptional. I almost couldn’t resist the killing intent and attacked first.”

“They’re not ordinary subordinates. They’re comrades.”

“I’ve heard about them. They’re the colleagues you’ve been with since the Northern Front, right?”

“They’re precious people I can stake my life on. More importantly, you want to test me?”

Namgung Hyeok chuckled and stood up from his seat.

“Fine. Bring your sword and follow me.”

Namgung Hyeok asked Baek Yeonhu, who looked surprised.

“What’s wrong? Did you think I wouldn’t accept?”

“To be honest, yes. You’re someone who has a lot to lose.”

“Certainly, if I lose, it would be troublesome in many ways. But I have no intention of missing this opportunity to bring the Fire Sword Faction under me. Besides…”

Namgung Hyeok’s cold eyes swept over Baek Yeonhu.

“I don’t think I’ll lose to you.”

“…!”

Baek Yeonhu’s eyes widened at those confident words, then he burst into laughter.

He spoke as if pleased.

“Your confidence certainly makes you worthy of calling yourself a lord. I hope your skills are at that level too.”

“You must be quite confident in your abilities to act like this against me?”

“If I weren’t, I wouldn’t have stepped forward as the Fire Sword Faction’s representative.”

“That’s certainly true.”

Namgung Hyeok stopped at the training ground assigned to him.

Behind him, his four comrades stood at a distance.

He spoke to Baek Yeonhu in a leisurely voice.

“Let’s begin. I’ll give you a three-second head start.”

“Are you serious?”

“I try to keep my word once I’ve spoken it.”

“Ha! Don’t regret it. Since this is a test, I won’t refuse.”

Baek Yeonhu snorted and drew up the energy of the Purifying Fire Mental Technique.

Whoosh!

The power of purifying fire, similar to Namgung Hyeok’s Sacred Fire, blazed along his sword blade. He stepped forward forcefully and swung his sword.

Kwang!

It was an attack with such powerful force that one might think he had staked everything on a single strike.

It was so powerful that the family retainers in the distance were startled, wondering if gunpowder had exploded.

“What!?”

But the face of Baek Yeonhu, who had launched the attack, was twisted with shock.

Despite unleashing such a powerful attack, Namgung Hyeok stood tall like a great tree, not retreating even a single step.

“This!”

Baek Yeonhu frowned and immediately switched to his next attack.

This time it was an attack of extreme speed rather than extreme strength.

Sword strikes that split into dozens while creating afterimages.

Each one mixed feints with real attacks, making them difficult to respond to easily.

However, Namgung Hyeok wasn’t flustered at all.

“At least you seem to have enough skill to back up your words.”

“…!”

Kagagagagakang!

At that moment, Namgung Hyeok’s Azure Heaven Blade moved at terrifying speed and began blocking all the sword strikes.

Namgung Hyeok avoided or deflected the feints and blocked only the real attacks with frightening precision.

Baek Yeonhu eventually stopped mid-exchange and retreated.

He had already consumed two of the three seconds Namgung Hyeok had given him with this technique form, yet Namgung Hyeok hadn’t taken any damage whatsoever.

‘He’s beyond the rumors.’

Only then could Baek Yeonhu properly see Namgung Hyeok.

He hadn’t been careless from the start.

The rumors surrounding him were so amazing they seemed exaggerated, and just from the aura he felt, it was clear he wasn’t an ordinary person.

But once they crossed swords, it seemed like all the scenarios he had anticipated were erased.

Honestly, Baek Yeonhu couldn’t help but be surprised.

‘There’s absolutely no opening to exploit.’

That meant it was impossible to draw out a proper reaction with ordinary techniques.

In that case…

‘I have no choice but to use my full power!’

Kwang!

Baek Yeonhu stepped forward with a powerful True Step.

Soon he began wielding his sword in a fierce swordsmanship style, swinging it in a large arc.

At the same time, a flaming tiger appeared.

For a moment, Namgung Hyeok felt the illusion of a tiger made of flames thrusting its massive claws at him.

Baek Yeonhu’s strike contained that much power.

‘I can’t just block this normally.’

If he blocked it like before, his sword might be damaged.

He couldn’t carelessly waste the precious sword he had received from his comrades.

Therefore, Namgung Hyeok drew up the energy of the Sacred Fire Divine Art. The wave patterns of Azure Heaven glowed as the blade was covered in Sacred Fire.

What followed was the Fire Dragon Ascending Heaven technique form.

“…!”

The descending tiger’s claws clashed with the ascending dragon.

Kukwakwakwakwakwang!

A massive explosion erupted, sending energy waves bursting in all directions.

Crack!

The shockwave was so intense that the ground where they stood cracked.

Those who came running late to see what was happening struggled not to fall over.

“Keueuuk!”

Meanwhile, Baek Yeonhu struggled desperately not to be pushed back.

But that was only momentary—he eventually couldn’t overcome the power of the ascending dragon and was sent flying backward.

Kudangtang!

As Baek Yeonhu rolled on the ground several times and got up, a blue blade was already touching his neck.

“My victory.”

“…”

Everyone who saw this scene couldn’t close their mouths.

Even those who had just arrived could clearly sense through the recent collision that an tremendous exchange of offense and defense had taken place.

Especially the Four Guardians, who had been watching their martial duel from the beginning, couldn’t help but be amazed.

“Hehehe! The captain seems to have become even stronger than before.”

“That’s right. That fellow facing our lord also seems to possess considerable skill….”

“Three technique forms. Truly terrifying.”

“This is how our lord should be.”

They each noisily shared their observations of the martial duel.

Baek Yeonhu looked down at the sword blade touching his neck with trembling eyes.

Soon.

“Whew.”

He sighed and raised both hands.

“I have lost.”

“Waaaaaaah!”

A small exclamation burst out at Baek Yeonhu’s declaration of defeat.

Namgung Hyeok smiled broadly and withdrew his sword, sheathing it.

He looked around and confirmed that spectators had gathered.

“Hy, Hyeok. What on earth is this about?”

There, all the family’s strongest members had gathered, including the family head Namgung Cheon, as well as Namgung Jangcheon, Namgung Jihak, and the Elder Council Head.

Since they all possessed considerable skill, everyone had stiffened their faces after witnessing the clash just shown. Namgung Hyeok spoke to Namgung Cheon without concern.

“A guest came looking for me, so I was simply entertaining the guest for a moment.”

“You call what just happened that?”

“Yes. This friend was curious about my skills, so I just—”

At his words, spoken as if it truly was nothing significant, Namgung Cheon made an expression as if he was at a loss for words.

Namgung Hyeok chuckled and looked at Baek Yeonhu as he spoke.

“So, would you say I’m qualified enough now?”

“More than sufficient.”

Baek Yeonhu nodded and declared firmly.

It wasn’t simply about winning….

To defeat him in just three technique forms.

At this level, his father, who led the Fire Sword Sect, would need to come to be a worthy opponent.

No, in fact, even he probably couldn’t guarantee victory.

“Flame Dragon. I acknowledge you as the true successor of Sacred Fire.”

Baek Yeonhu knelt on one knee and paid his respects.

Though those around looked at him in surprise, he showed no concern whatsoever.

“Rise. I think I’ve received enough courtesy now.”

“Yes.”

“Then can I consider that the Fire Sword Sect now follows me?”

“That’s correct. My father entrusted me with full authority.”

“I’d like to meet your father and the rest of your people.”

“Currently, our Fire Sword Sect has established itself on Jade Mountain in Gangseoseong. Our total number is about three hundred people including men, women, and children, and those who can fight number about one hundred fifty.”

“Half and half? That’s an incredibly high ratio.”

“Our sect’s teachings don’t discriminate between men and women. The remaining one hundred fifty also have low martial arts levels, but about one hundred of them have learned martial arts.”

That meant nearly two hundred fifty martial artists were included in the Fire Sword Sect.

“That’s a formidable level.”

“Well, compared to our prime, we’ve fallen to less than half. Originally, our sect’s scale was twice this size.”

“I’ve heard about that too. In the past, when the Sacred Fire Sect was at its peak, it commanded an enormous number of disciples under its banner.”

Of course, after the Sacred Fire Sect’s downfall, they scattered and lived their own lives. It was remarkable that even three hundred people remained to maintain the lineage.

“But Jade Mountain in Gangseoseong….”

Gangseoseong wasn’t very far from Hefei, Anhui Province, where the Namgung Family Estate was located.

If traveling by horse, it would take only a few days to go and return.

Namgung Hyeok looked at Namgung Cheon and spoke.

“Elder Brother. May I go out for a few days and return?”

“Is this related to this guest who came looking for you?”

[Is this related to the great undertaking you’re harboring?]

Both voice and telepathic communication reached him simultaneously.

Namgung Hyeok nodded.

“Yes. It won’t take very long.”

“Then go and return. I can’t stop my younger brother from venturing into Jianghu. However, you must take guards with you. As you know, Jade Mountain is in the territory of the Ha Family and Sado Region. Neither place can be said to be particularly favorable toward us.”

“Of course. This time….”

“May I come along as well?”

Just as he was about to announce which guards would accompany him, such a voice was heard.

Turning his head to look at the voice’s owner, Namgung Jihak was there.

Namgung Hyeok asked with a puzzled expression.

“Uncle, you mean?”

“I’m also interested in this place called the Fire Sword Sect. Would that not be acceptable?”

“There’s nothing wrong with it, but….”

That would mean too many masters on his side. As Namgung Hyeok pondered briefly, So Geomlip stepped forward.

“Then I’ll stay behind instead. I’ll remain here to handle the Pungun Unit Training Ground and Training Hall duties while guarding the family head.”

“Would you do that? I’m grateful.”

Namgung Hyeok nodded and expressed his gratitude.

If not someone else, having So Geomlip stay would be reassuring.

“Then let’s depart as soon as we’re ready.”

Namgung Hyeok said this and dispersed the crowd.

Everyone left to attend to their own business or prepare for departure.

Only Namgung Hyeok, his guards, and Baek Yeonhu remained.

Among them, Baek Yeonhu looked at Namgung Hyeok and asked.

“Lord. May I call you Lord now?”

“If you’ve decided to follow me, call me whatever you wish.”

Namgung Hyeok answered nonchalantly.

At this, Baek Yeonhu bowed his head and spoke.

“Lord. There’s something I must tell you before you depart.”

“What is it?”

“That is….”

Baek Yeonhu hesitated slightly, then continued.

“It would be better to take the land route as much as possible.”

“Why? It seems it would be more convenient to take the Yangtze River downstream to Poyang Lake and then switch to the land route.”

Even if it meant going a bit out of the way, using water transport would be better than just riding horses.

But Baek Yeonhu had his own reasons.

“That… would be somewhat troublesome.”

“What’s the reason?”

“Because the recent movements of the water bandits are unusual. There are even rumors that they’re targeting you, Lord….”

“The water route bandits of the Yangtze River are targeting me?”

Namgung Hyeok asked back with a puzzled tone.

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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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