Chapter 15
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Shattering Rock to Powder
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Yi Ho-chang, who had not only shattered the boulder but ground it into powder, looked around with a satisfied expression.
Everyone wore faces of shock.
Mo Gun-hyeong showed the most astonishment, while Dam Hu and So Man-geuk were so stunned their faces had flushed bright red.
Those bastards.
Their faces are as red as red bean porridge now?
Yi Ho-chang shifted his gaze to Bok Jung-ho and quietly offered a fist salute. Bok Jung-ho grinned, curling up the corner of his mouth as he spoke.
"You pass."
At those words, Mo Gun-hyeong quickly shouted.
"Squad 6 Leader passes! With this, Squad 1 Leader Mu Cheol-gae and Squad 6 Leader Yi Ho-chang will represent us at the Famous Name Assembly! Any objections?!"
None.
How could there be?
They had all witnessed Yi Ho-chang's feat with their own eyes.
And perhaps because of that...
The atmosphere in the hall split dramatically at Mo Gun-hyeong's declaration.
It was only natural.
Until just moments ago, everyone had assumed Mu Cheol-gae and Dam Hu would be the ones heading to the Famous Name Assembly.
But the promising candidate Dam Hu had been eliminated, and Yi Ho-chang was going in his place. The mood around the Azure East Pavilion turned to thin ice.
To be precise, only Dam Hu and So Man-geuk's side felt that way.
Mu Cheol-gae was genuinely delighted, congratulating Yi Ho-chang on his victory.
Dam Hu was the most furious of all.
So much so that So Man-geuk beside him was glancing nervously at him.
'A mere Squad 2 punk dares...!'
He was enraged.
He never imagined a Squad 2 nobody, good only as his sidekick, would outperform even Mu Cheol-gae.
Anger and humiliation surged through him at once.
"Heh, living long enough, you see even riffraff from Squad 2 stirring up a storm like this. Kahahat!"
Even Mu Cheol-gae's attitude only fueled Dam Hu's rage further.
As Dam Hu glared at Yi Ho-chang with murderous intent, So Man-geuk sensed the killing aura and hurriedly tried to console him.
"Brother Dam Hu, calm down first..."
"Shut your trap! What makes you any different from those Squad 2 beggars when you couldn't even smash a rock?"
So Man-geuk bowed his head silently at Dam Hu's venomous tone.
At that moment, Dam Hu and So Man-geuk's squad members, who hadn't been seen until now, appeared in the Azure East Pavilion.
Seeing them, So Man-geuk glared as if he wanted to tear them apart and snapped.
"Where the hell have you been slacking off until now?"
"W-Well, that is..."
"You got excuses? Do you even know what day this is?"
"W-We were roughing up those Squad 6 pigs when that guy suddenly showed up and..."
One of the squad members pointed at Yi Ho-chang.
At the gesture, Dam Hu narrowed his eyes and demanded.
"What did that punk do?"
"He appeared out of nowhere and paralyzed us with acupoint strikes. So..."
"You worthless idiots!"
Unable to hold back after hearing the explanation, Dam Hu grabbed the squad member's collar and slammed him to the ground.
At the same time, he bared intense hostility toward Yi Ho-chang.
'What a humiliating disgrace!'
Not only had he lost in the evaluation, but his underlings had been humiliated too.
No humiliation could top this.
That was when it happened.
"That's enough."
It was Mu Cheol-gae.
A reminder that this was a public gathering and no more disturbances should be made.
But Dam Hu was already in a state of extreme fury.
"Don't interfere with me."
"Interfere...? Don't let your inferiority complex make you lash out recklessly. Just stay put, yeah? Or do you not realize what kind of occasion this is?"
Mu Cheol-gae's warning.
Dam Hu ground his teeth, glared at Mu Cheol-gae, and stormed out of the Azure East Pavilion.
'Inferiority complex?'
Dam Hu mulled over Mu Cheol-gae's words, biting his lip so hard that blood trickled down.
Once the selections were made, the Dragon Pearl Meeting wrapped up quickly.
There wasn't much of an agenda to begin with, so with the Famous Name Assembly participants decided, everyone naturally dispersed.
On the way back from the meeting...
Baek Hwi congratulated Yi Ho-chang as if it were his own achievement.
"Brother, congratulations for real!"
"Thanks."
"By the way, when did you learn martial arts? I had no idea."
"Picked it up bit by bit at the White Go Hall. Jealous?"
"Of course I'm jealous! But not just anyone can learn martial arts. It's because you're you that they taught you."
Yi Ho-chang couldn't help but chuckle at that.
Baek Hwi was gilding his face, but it didn't feel bad.
No, it was probably sincere rather than flattery.
That was the kind of guy Baek Hwi was, in Yi Ho-chang's eyes.
So Yi Ho-chang asked lightly.
"Don't hype me up too much. I tried it myself, and it seems anyone could learn martial arts."
"Nah, no way. Martial arts are super tough."
"You say that even without trying? Why not give it a shot yourself?"
"...Me?"
"What's stopping you? You need to learn to protect yourself at least. Better yet, look out for your brothers too."
"...You're serious?"
"When have I ever bullshitted you?"
He hadn't.
Even when he said he'd earn money, he actually did.
At the unexpected offer, Baek Hwi swallowed dryly. Yi Ho-chang smiled and said.
"I'll ask around separately, so head back first. I've got some business."
"Got it! I'll go on ahead then!"
Excited at the prospect of learning martial arts, Baek Hwi hurried off with light steps.
Once Baek Hwi was completely out of sight, Yi Ho-chang finally spoke.
"Wouldn't it be best if you all came out now?"
Familiar faces emerged from nearby.
Gang Leader Bok Jung-ho and Squad 1 Leader Mu Cheol-gae.
"Wow, Squad 6 Leader really is something else. How'd you know?"
Mu Cheol-gae boomed with laughter as he greeted him.
But Yi Ho-chang didn't return the warmth, instead turning to Bok Jung-ho.
"Gang Leader, what brings you here?"
"Sharp aura sense. You sent Baek Hwi ahead on purpose, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Hoo..."
Bok Jung-ho marveled again at the admission.
Mu Cheol-gae stepped forward.
"We followed because we have something to discuss, so ease up."
Yi Ho-chang knew that much.
If they meant harm, they'd have radiated thick killing intent.
Yi Ho-chang replied.
"So, what is it?"
Bok Jung-ho scattered his qi to confirm no one else was around before speaking.
"Squad Leader Yi."
"Yes, Gang Leader."
"Would you consider becoming my man?"
Yi Ho-chang's brow furrowed at the question.
What was this now?
His man?
Seeing Yi Ho-chang's reaction, Bok Jung-ho smiled affably and continued.
"No need to overthink it. Simply put, I'm inviting you to join my sect as a member."
"What do you..."
Yi Ho-chang couldn't comprehend.
Wasn't Bok Jung-ho already the established Gang Leader of the Dragon Pearl Gang?
Whether his confusion showed, Bok Jung-ho chuckled and explained.
"Truth is, I've long dreamed of forming my own sect and breaking away from the Great Benevolence Gang. That ambition grew stronger when I reached the peak of Peak Realm a few years ago."
"Then Squad Leader Mu Cheol-gae too...?"
"Spot on. He's been in deep talks with me for a while."
"I see. But if you form a sect, what happens to the current Dragon Pearl Gang?"
"Naturally, I'd incorporate it into the sect. It'd just change form, but remain the same as before."
"I see. But why offer this to someone like me, who's nothing special?"
"Come now, don't say that. I'm captivated by the power and talent you showed at this Dragon Pearl Meeting. In that vein, how about it? Join me, and I'll put you to great use."
Yi Ho-chang could understand Bok Jung-ho's persistence.
No, anyone would covet him.
But this kind of approach was completely unexpected.
Thus, Yi Ho-chang had no intention of going under Bok Jung-ho.
'No prior connection, and suddenly join? More importantly...'
No real merit.
He already had two places where he could have settled if he wanted.
'Less appealing than the Sima Family or White Go Hall. No reason to join.'
Of course, he appreciated the offer.
It showed they thought highly of him.
But shifting to a sect leader-member relationship would bind his feet tight.
There were vast differences between a mere 'gang' and a 'sect'.
Even if refusing soured relations for a while, no need to shackle himself voluntarily.
His ultimate goal was finding Immortal Assembly Valley, the only clue to returning home. For that, he needed freedom of movement.
After brief deliberation, Yi Ho-chang smiled and said.
"Gang Leader."
"Thought about it positively?"
"Sorry, but I'm still too young to be of much help to your grand vision."
"No, age isn't an issue..."
As Bok Jung-ho pressed on, Yi Ho-chang bowed quickly.
"My apologies. See you at the Famous Name Assembly in a month."
Yi Ho-chang turned firmly and left.
Watching him go, Mu Cheol-gae laughed boisterously once he was out of sight.
"Kuhuhu, Gang Leader, told you so. To claim this squad leader, you'd need Buddha's palm at least."
"Then I'll become Buddha's palm."
"What?"
"Have you ever seen Bok Jung-ho give up on anything?"
"So what'll you do?"
"There's a saying about visiting three times with sincerity. Think I can't?"
"This guy won't budge even after ten tries..."
"We'll see when we try."
Bok Jung-ho was dead serious.
The day after the Dragon Pearl Meeting ended.
Yi Ho-chang entered the White Go Hall with Baek Hwi.
He'd promised to teach martial arts, so best to ask Jo Jung-seon to have Mae Hyang instruct him.
But the annex was empty, so he grabbed a passing attendant to ask.
"If you're looking for the Hall Master, he left urgently the evening before last for pressing business. Haven't seen him back this morning, so probably not returned yet."
If Jo Jung-seon was gone, Mae Hyang must have accompanied him as guard.
That explained her absence.
Yi Ho-chang considered sending Baek Hwi back empty-handed but, seeing his disappointment, decided to treat him to candy in the bustling streets.
"Good?"
"Yes, Brother."
Seeing his mood lift eased Yi Ho-chang's guilt.
Come to think of it, properly sightseeing around here is a first.
As Shengxiang County's busiest district, it teemed with people and noise.
Yi Ho-chang wasn't fond of crowded streets, but since he'd come to cheer him up, he decided to show him around properly.
Then, a booming voice, like a boiled chestnut vendor, caught his ear.
"Come check this out! Scholars, warriors, men, women, old, young—everyone, take a look!"
The loud voice drew Yi Ho-chang and Baek Hwi's gazes naturally.
In the man's hand was a pair of gauntlets. He continued.
"These gauntlets? Used by a warrior called Fist Star a century ago!"
One onlooker asked at his shout.
"Fist Star? How'd a gem like that end up with you? Fake, right?"
"Heh! Don't believe me? Watch this!"
Slipping the gauntlets onto his arms, a clear immortal aura emanated.
Qi shimmered like heat haze, drawing even those behind forward.
"See? Real deal, huh?"
"Looks genuine—that haze rising."
"So, how much?"
"Heh, want these gauntlets?"
Everyone nodded.
The man pointed to the building behind.
"Then join the Go Battle at the Collection Pavilion behind us! Entry fee? Just 50 coppers!"
The crowd surged into the Collection Pavilion like a tide.
Seeing it, Baek Hwi asked Yi Ho-chang.
"You gonna enter, Brother?"
It did look extraordinary to Yi Ho-chang too.
Plus, a Go Battle was Go, regardless of rules—his specialty.
Curious, and since martial arts involved hands, gauntlets would be handy.
Yi Ho-chang grinned at Baek Hwi's question.
"Want me to?"
"Yes!"
"Then I will."
Yi Ho-chang jingled his bulging money pouch and entered the Collection Pavilion.