The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 91

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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 91

Inside the barracks of the Namgung Family Estate’s command center.

“….”

A suffocating atmosphere had settled over the place.

This was because Namgung Hyeok and a messenger from Sa Doryeon were facing each other.

“First, let me ask you one thing.”

Namgung Hyeok looked into the messenger’s eyes and asked.

“Are you certain this proposal comes from the Evil Path Alliance Leader’s will?”

“Yes. I am certain.”

The messenger bowed his head as he spoke.

“This fight originally occurred due to our subordinates’ impulsive actions, contrary to Ryeonju’s wishes. Ryeonju never desired conflict with the Namgung Family Estate.”

“Ho.”

Namgung Hyeok laughed as if he found those words amusing.

It was an obvious lie that anyone could see through.

“Fine. Let’s say that’s true. But you’re not planning to avoid responsibility for what has already happened, are you? At least if you’re the leader of a faction.”

“Of course not. That’s why I came here following Ryeonju’s orders, isn’t it?”

Sa Doryeon’s messenger said this while skillfully bowing his head.

He seemed like someone quite experienced in such matters.

“Good. Then I’ll state our conditions.”

“Please speak.”

“As you initially promised, we will be guaranteed complete rights over Anhui Province. Sa Doryeon can no longer exert influence over Anhui Province, and if this is violated, we won’t hesitate to go to war.”

“….”

The messenger bit his lips as if frustrated, but soon nodded.

Namgung Hyeok continued speaking.

“Additionally, as an apology for this incident, Sa Doryeon will pay ten thousand taels of silver just like last time. The deadline is two weeks from today. Whether you bring the silver directly or through promissory notes doesn’t matter, just bring the money within that time.”

“W-wait a moment please!”

The messenger shouted with a shocked expression.

“Ten thousand taels of silver! That’s far too much!”

“You’re not saying my life is worth less than ten thousand taels of silver, are you?”

“No, that’s not what I mean….”

He continued speaking while cold sweat dripped from his forehead.

“Our main force suffered great losses in this battle. Many elite members we carefully trained died, and their weapons and funds were taken. In such circumstances, ten thousand taels of silver is too harsh.”

“Harsh, you say.”

Namgung Hyeok twisted his lips.

“Anyone listening would think we started the war. Do you truly not remember who sent the Black Sword Ghost Unit to kill me?”

“Th-that’s….”

“If you don’t want to accept this proposal, that’s fine. We’ll advance beyond Anhui Province to your heartland. You’d better understand that what I’m saying isn’t a bluff.”

“If you do such a thing, the Namgung Family Estate won’t remain unharmed either!”

“Of course we’ll suffer some damage. But I’m confident we can finish you before we’re finished.”

Namgung Hyeok spoke with fierce eyes.

“So choose. Will you quietly hand over ten thousand taels and disappear from our sight, or will you wage another bloody war?”

“This…!”

The messenger glared at Namgung Hyeok with a reddened face.

However, Namgung Hyeok wasn’t intimidated by his gaze at all. Eventually, the messenger bowed his head as if resigned and said.

“Please give me time to… report. This isn’t something I can decide.”

“I’ll give you ten days’ grace. Go and get the Evil Path Alliance Leader’s answer.”

“I will do so.”

The messenger answered thus and immediately rode away. Namgung Hyeok asked Ho Young, who was beside him.

“Ho Young. Do you think the Evil Path Alliance Leader will accept our proposal?”

“Hmm. I think he will accept it. An organization the size of Sa Doryeon can produce ten thousand silver coins anytime, can’t they?”

“But it’s also a matter of pride. Perhaps he’ll think he’s been humiliated and try to fight more.”

“What do you think, Lord?”

Baek Yeonhu asked respectfully.

Namgung Hyeok, who had been sitting in his chair thinking deeply, answered.

“I’ll prepare for both scenarios. For that, it would be better to prepare for battle first. After all, it’s better to be ready to fight than to be caught off guard.”

“That’s certainly true.”

“Send messengers to gather all forces in the border regions here. With our affiliated sects participating and support from the main family house, our numbers should reach about fifteen hundred, right?”

“That should be about right.”

“That should be enough to apply pressure. Above all, we’ve defeated enemies several times our number not once but twice. Even with just fifteen hundred men, we can create the pressure of more than three thousand.”

“I will follow Lord’s command.”

Baek Yeonhu bowed his head and left to inform the other executives of this decision.

A few days later, a large force from the Namgung Family Estate gathered near Tianmu Mountain.

They celebrated Namgung Hyeok’s victory and waited according to his orders.

And a few more days passed.

The Evil Path Alliance Leader’s envoy returned.

This time he didn’t return empty-handed. Among the items he brought were five thousand taels of silver and promissory notes worth five thousand taels.

“Ryeonju has accepted Flame Dragon Young Hero’s proposal.”

The messenger said this while bowing respectfully.

Namgung Hyeok smiled broadly and welcomed them. It was the moment when the second war between the Namgung Family Estate and Sa Doryeon ended in victory.

* * *

Rumors about the war between the two forces, the Namgung Family Estate and Sa Doryeon, spread incredibly fast.

The surrounding forces who witnessed the results couldn’t help but be amazed.

It was unexpected that the mighty Sa Doryeon would surrender so quickly.

The payment of compensation amounting to ten thousand taels was particularly surprising.

Even though they had been defeated in the opening battle, everyone expected it to end with ceasefire negotiations at most, but accepting Namgung Hyeok’s proposal was tantamount to admitting they were being pushed back.

But there was a reason for this.

“Ryeonju. Bad rumors about you are spreading everywhere.”

“There are even impudent stories circulating that you’re unqualified for the position of alliance leader. What should we do?”

This was due to Sa Doryeon’s characteristics.

Sa Doryeon was not a single unified force, but rather an alliance of various evil path sects centered around Zhejiang Province.

Although they had built up the alliance’s own forces under the name of branches, the main body consisted of individual evil path sects.

Originally, the leader of the strongest among these forces would become the Evil Path Alliance Leader.

Normally, these individual forces would obey the Evil Path Alliance Leader’s commands well, but….

“The Red Demon Sect is showing signs of breaking away from the main force?”

“Yes. It’s not just the Red Demon Sect. The sects near them, and also the Eight Sword Sect to the east are showing suspicious movements. We haven’t fully investigated yet, but other sects are reportedly acting strangely too.”

“Damn it!”

As soon as the Evil Path Alliance Leader’s power weakened, they began acting independently.

Each began acting to either become the master of Sa Doryeon themselves, or to escape from its influence.

At this rate, Sa Doryeon might completely fall apart.

So the Evil Path Alliance Leader had to make a decision.

Even if it damaged his pride and caused losses, he decided to abandon the two-front war and focus on governing Sa Doryeon’s internal affairs.

This was the result.

“This is good news for us.”

Namgung Hyeok said this in a conference room with only Namgung Cheon, Namgung Jangcheon, Namgung Jihak, and the Elder Council Head present.

This was to prevent any possible spies from overhearing.

He spread out a map of the area around Anhui Province and spoke.

“The Evil Path Alliance will be embroiled in civil war for the next few years. We must use this opportunity to weaken their power.”

“Weaken them? How do you mean?”

Namgung Jangcheon asked.

Namgung Hyeok smiled and answered.

“That work has already begun. The mere fact that we achieved victory against them has planted the impression that the Evil Path Alliance is vulnerable.”

“…!”

“If that happens, both the Hwangbo Family in the north and the Ha Family in the south will persistently target the Evil Path Alliance’s territory. Moreover, if the Evil Path Alliance’s civil war drags on….”

Namgung Hyeok drew his finger across the Evil Path Alliance’s territory on the map.

“When things go well, we might be able to tear them apart completely. If that happens, Zhejiang Province will become nothing more than a region where various evil faction sects run rampant.”

“Indeed.”

Everyone gathered there nodded their heads.

Namgung Hyeok’s scheme was proceeding secretly even at this very moment.

Namgung Jangcheon let out a hollow laugh.

“The Evil Path Alliance Leader is pitiful. To encounter someone like you as an enemy.”

“He brought it upon himself. We must gain maximum benefit from this situation. To do that, we first need to prevent other forces from entering Anhui.”

“To prevent other forces from entering….”

The Elder Council Head looked at Namgung Hyeok with a mysterious expression.

“Third Young Master. Does that include your Sacred Fire Gate as well?”

“…!”

The assembly showed surprised expressions at the Elder Council Head’s words.

Namgung Cheon’s face turned particularly pale.

“Elder Council Head. Those words….”

“The fact that the Third Young Master is the successor of the Sacred Fire Gate that existed in the previous generation is now known to everyone. And the descendants of that Sacred Fire Gate participated in this battle at your call and contributed to our victory. I was honestly thinking that you might use that as an excuse to reestablish the Sacred Fire Gate in Anhui.”

“Hmm.”

Namgung Hyeok only looked at the Elder Council Head with apparent interest, not giving any answer.

Rather, he smiled as if telling him to say more.

“However, if a powerful sect called the Sacred Fire Gate appears, the Namgung Family’s dominion over Anhui will be greatly shaken. Although the Namgung Family’s power has grown considerably compared to before, the Sacred Fire Gate’s power will certainly grow to an extent that cannot be ignored. If that happens, the Namgung Family’s growth will be constrained.”

Namgung Cheon cautiously tried to dissuade him.

“B-but Elder Council Head. Hyeok has served the Namgung Family and made great contributions until now. Aren’t your current words pushing this child too hard?”

“Of course, I also know that the Third Young Master’s feelings toward the Namgung Family are genuine goodwill. But don’t you also know, Family Head? That everything I’m saying is ultimately all true. You wouldn’t be unaware of this.”

“Hmm….”

Namgung Cheon closed his mouth as if he had nothing to say.

Indeed, if the Sacred Fire Gate entered as the Elder Council Head said, Anhui’s power structure would certainly be reorganized around it.

This was clearly an unfavorable situation for the Namgung Family.

However, he couldn’t refuse to make concessions to Namgung Hyeok, who had worked for the Namgung Family’s growth until now.

Not only did he personally not want to do so, but if Namgung Hyeok harbored resentment and left the Namgung Family….

‘There would be no greater disaster than that.’

Namgung Cheon thought this as he looked at Namgung Hyeok.

Namgung Hyeok appeared calm despite hearing words that could be perceived as an interrogation.

“I fully understand the Elder Council Head’s thoughts. I had the same concerns as you, Elder Council Head, and tried to establish a foundation in a direction that wouldn’t harm the Namgung Family. So you don’t need to worry.”

“Don’t need to worry? Then you’ve already decided where the Sacred Fire Gate will establish itself, I see.”

“Yes. I’ve actually found a suitable location.”

“Where is that place?”

“Nanjing in Jiangsu Province.”

Namgung Hyeok paused briefly before continuing.

“It’s a city that was the capital of six dynasties that existed in the past.”

“…!”

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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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