Chapter 238: Battlefront (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 238: Battlefront (8)
The Hwangbo Clan, a prominent Orthodox Clan under the Murim Alliance, stood just below the legendary Four Noble Clans in prestige.
Renowned for their exceptionally resilient bodies, the Hwangbo martial artists were specialists in close-quarters combat, much like the infamous Dishonored Venerable Bijuu’s clan. Their reputation in hand-to-hand fighting was formidable, bolstered by the fact that some of their members had inherited the title of “Lord of the Fist” from Yeon Il-Cheon, the Zenith who had once quelled the Blood Demon’s disaster.
However, such renown had bred arrogance, reducing the Hwangbo Clan to little more than another group bloated with self-importance. This was hardly surprising. Having carved a mighty name for themselves in the Central Plains, and blessed with masters of exceptional physique, they saw no reason to humble themselves before anyone except the Four Noble Clans or the Ten Sect Alliance. Their innate talent and clan's stature were enough to make their pride soar to the heavens. This was the common fate of direct lineage martial artists in such noble clans; finding one who remained humble was a rarity.
Hwangbo Seon, a member of a collateral branch, understood this reality all too well.
Not being of the direct line meant he lacked the pure Hwangbo blood that granted the clan's signature large and powerful physique. This subjected him to a life of contempt and disdain. His frail bones and small stature made learning the clan's martial arts a struggle, marking him as an easy target for the predators within his own family. For a talentless collateral descendant like Hwangbo Seon, life was a living hell. The Hwangbo Clan was a den of monsters who toyed with him, a gathering of arrogant people hiding behind a noble name.
Yet, despite it all, Hwangbo Seon could not escape the clan's grasp. The burden of his surname bound him to them for life. He was doomed to live as a slave to others, suffering in an eternal hell. How could he possibly revolt against the main clan of such noble status? His only choice was to submit and endure. That was the bleak future he foresaw.
It seemed inevitable.
What in the world…
But the scene unfolding before his eyes shattered all his preconceptions, the shock so profound it made him forget the pain of his battered body.
Crack-!
“Agghhh!”
The sound of shattering bone and agonized screams filled the air. One after another, figures clad in dark yellow garments collapsed, their conditions far from fine. Bones were broken; blood was vomited.
Crack-!
“Ugh…!”
Another figure fell, writhing in pain before vomiting blood and losing consciousness. Hwangbo Seon gasped when he recognized the fallen man.
It was the Vice Captain of the guards, tasked with escorting the main clan's blood relatives. From what Hwangbo Seon knew, this was a martial artist who had broken through his limits despite being middle-aged. Yet he had been defeated so easily.
“…Unbelievable…”
It was inconceivable that all these people could be reduced to such a state by a single opponent.
“…Just who is that person?”
Clutching his aching chest, Hwangbo Seon risked a glance at the lone martial artist standing amidst the carnage. He couldn't bring himself to meet the fierce gaze. Surprisingly, the martial artist appeared to be around his own age. He didn't possess the large physique common to the men lying on the ground; if anything, he was slightly built, possibly even smaller than Hwangbo Seon himself.
But how can someone like him…
His confusion deepened when he saw who was caught in the young man's grasp.
The Young Master …lost?
The martial artist's small hand was clamped tightly around the thick neck of Hwangbo Cheok, the future Young Lord destined to lead the Hwangbo Clan. Despite Hwangbo Cheok's imposing frame, the young man held him aloft with effortless ease, as if the massive physique meant nothing. Hwangbo Seon saw it with his own eyes: the fearsome Hwangbo Cheok, who had always terrorized him, was being pummeled without being able to fight back.
The young man had shattered Hwangbo Cheok's fist despite the size difference and brought him to his knees as easily as snapping a twig. How was this possible? Even when other Hwangbo Clan martial artists joined the fray, the young man had dealt with them effortlessly despite being outnumbered.
I couldn’t even follow…
Hwangbo Seon hadn't even been able to see the young man's movements.
As he wrestled with shock and shame, a sound broke his stupor.
“Tsk.”
The mysterious martial artist clicked his tongue in annoyance after defeating everyone around him.
“…Ugh, I beat them all up because they were getting on my nerves… I’m fucked.”
His words were a stark contrast to the noble image his incredible martial prowess suggested.
“If that lunatic catches me, I’ll be in deep trouble… What should I do? Maybe I should just bury them all so there are no witnesses…”
Hwangbo Seon thought he must have misheard. The words were far too brutal.
Bury them in the ground… How terrifying…!
“But there is a witness who can attest to that…”
“Gasp…!”
The young man’s gaze turned toward him. Hwangbo Seon stifled a scream as he met those fiery red eyes. The intense gaze, coupled with the young man’s fierce demeanor, sent chills down his spine.
How can a person look that scary…?
An unexpected sound from behind caught his attention.
“Pff…”
It seemed he wasn't the only one who felt that way. Hwangbo Seon turned toward the sound.
“Huh…?”
To his astonishment, another person was standing there.
“S-Second Young Master…?”
“…”
It was Hwangbo Cheolwi, the second son of the Hwangbo Clan. Hwangbo Cheolwi had always looked down on him, much like Hwangbo Cheok, but had stopped such behavior at some point.
…Did the Second Young Master not join in on the fight?
Why had he chosen not to? Granted, no one would willingly involve themselves in such a one-sided battle. But Hwangbo Cheolwi's decision to merely observe while his brother was beaten seemed strange.
His confusion was short-lived.
“Hey, you over there.”
“…!”
The young man who had laid waste to his surroundings was now approaching them. Hwangbo Seon desperately wanted to run away, but his legs refused to move.
“I’ve been wondering who you were.”
The young man smiled as he saw Hwangbo Cheolwi. To Hwangbo Seon, that smile was utterly terrifying, sending a shiver down his spine.
…I-I think I’ve wet myself.
He prayed he hadn't, but he couldn't be sure, as he had no sensation in his lower body.
The young man approached with a smile.
“You came here too?”
Who is he speaking to?
Hwangbo Seon briefly wondered, but then a response came from beside him.
“…It has been a while.”
To his surprise, the young man was speaking to Hwangbo Cheolwi, and judging by the response, they were acquainted.
“Nice to meet you. It’s been a year, hasn’t it?”
“That’s… right.”
Hwangbo Cheolwi took a step back as the young man approached.
“I heard that the Hwangbo Clan came to the frontlines, but they sent two whole blood relatives of the main clan?”
“…”
“T-That’s right…! I couldn’t attend last time, so we came here together.”
Hearing Hwangbo Cheolwi’s panicked response, the young man turned his gaze to the person standing behind him.
“So, that’s your older brother?”
“…Yes, he’s the one who’ll become the Young Lord of the Hwangbo Clan.”
“…”
The young man’s silence seemed to mock the very idea of someone like Hwangbo Cheok becoming the Young Lord. Even after learning the identity of the man he'd defeated, the young man appeared unfazed. If anything, he seemed more displeased. Hwangbo Seon found that strange.
“I should’ve known when he spoke so annoyingly… I would’ve beaten him up even more if I had known.”
“Wait… perhaps I should do it, now that I’ve said it.”
As the young man started to approach the unconscious Hwangbo Cheok, he glanced back at Hwangbo Cheolwi.
“Oh, right.”
“…?”
“Do you want revenge?”
“Pardon…? W-What did you just say?”
“Your brother, I beat him up. So I’m asking if you’re going to fight me now.”
“…”
The young man’s blunt banter made him seem annoying and repulsive to Hwangbo Seon, but his earlier display of skill proved he was more than a mere bully. At the same time, he was curious how Hwangbo Cheolwi would respond. Despite the strange phrasing, it was undeniable that the young man had defeated Hwangbo Cheolwi's brother right before his eyes.
“…Um… about that.”
Hwangbo Cheolwi hesitated, his eyes darting around as he contemplated. From a distance, Hwangbo Seon could sense the depth of his deliberation. Would Hwangbo Cheolwi do nothing? Or would he stand and fight for his clan's and brother's honor?
In a brief moment, Hwangbo Cheolwi’s decision became clear. He looked at the young man with a resolute expression. Even Hwangbo Seon could see his iron will. Hwangbo Cheolwi’s thick muscles tensed, and an air of mystery surrounded him. It seemed he had decided to fight.
Crack-!
The young man cracked his neck, his gaze fixed on Hwangbo Cheolwi. Could he really defeat this young man who had toyed with Hwangbo Cheok as if he were a child? With Hwangbo Seon’s pupils trembling in anticipation, Hwangbo Cheolwi growled as he stared the young man down.
“Men can settle things with their fists. It would be unmanly of me to interfere in this situation!”
“…”
“I, Hwangbo Cheolwi, will respect my brother’s will and shall not taint it.”
“…Uh, I see.”
In the end, it was all bark and no bite. A wave of secondhand embarrassment washed over Hwangbo Seon.
Hmm…?
Was I mistaken?
He couldn't shake the feeling that the young man’s gaze was now directed at him, not Hwangbo Cheolwi.
I-I don’t think I’m mistaken…
Unfortunately, the young man’ two fiery red pupils were aimed directly at him. Hwangbo Seon couldn't bring himself to meet that gaze.
…W-Why is he looking at me?
The faint smile on the young man's lips only added to his unease.
Perhaps… he is thinking of beating me up in place of Hwangbo Cheolwi?
Filled with fear and confusion, Hwangbo Seon could only avert his gaze, staring fixedly at the ground.
* * *
After throwing those idiots to the ground, I turned to the fat Hwangbo… What was his name again? Ah, who cares.
I told the other Hwangbo guy to take care of the sorry bunch lying around. He agreed, though his tone suggested otherwise. But he'd probably do it. I was still angry enough to want to beat them all again…
But I’ll hold back since I saw a familiar face.
I let them get away for now.
He may give off a different aura now, but it was definitely him.
The man who had struggled on the ground, bruised and tattered. The weak-looking martial artist with an ordinary physique that didn't match his surname.
The Silent Fist.
In my past life, he was a Demonic Human and a subordinate of mine, the Silent Fist Hwangbo Seon. I was certain of it.
I’d heard about him through the Beggar’s Sect, but I didn’t expect to run into him here.
In my past life, the Silent Fist gained notoriety by hunting Demonic Humans, until some incident within the Hwangbo Clan pushed him into the clutches of the Demonic Cult. He then lived as a Demonic Human.
Though his aura feels completely different now.
The Silent Fist I knew was a man of few words, living up to his title. He carried out orders without question, fighting anyone regardless of their strength. He was far from a weakling.
So he was still like this at this time, huh?
The Hwangbo Seon before me was far weaker than I had expected, his scared demeanor painful to watch.
Interesting.
The martial artist who would master the Hwangbo Clan’s arts was currently reduced to such a pitiful state. It was fascinating. Perhaps he gained some Enlightenment in the near future?
As for the future Young Lord of the Hwangbo Clan, there wasn’t much to think about. He had a strong physique but couldn't utilize it properly. In contrast, Hwangbo Cheolwi, who had been sneakily watching from the sidelines, seemed more promising talent-wise.
Maybe I should’ve beaten him half to death.
Only disappointment awaited a bastard like Hwangbo Cheok—the one responsible for driving the Silent Fist, Hwangbo Seon, to become a Demonic Human. In the past, upon returning from his hunts, Hwangbo Seon discovered a shocking sight within his clan. Driven by jealousy over Seon’s growing reputation, Hwangbo Cheok had murdered Seon’s wife and child, plotting to kill Seon as well.
Although I had considered getting rid of that wretch, I ultimately held back.
Vengeance can’t be done for someone else.
The Silent Fist from my past life would have asked me not to do such a thing. At most, he would have asked for assistance. Recalling the man who once stood beside me, I nodded subtly.
“…I can at least do that much.”
Aiding him would be far more challenging than simply killing Hwangbo Cheok myself, but I was willing to help.
Though I don’t know if the current Hwangbo Seon wants that.
He seemed rather scared.
Why is that, though?
I looked at him with the utmost kindness, appreciating the sight of him.
“Oh.”
Was he scared of the guy standing next to him? Fair enough. Who wouldn't be scared standing beside such a giant? If I were in his shoes, injured like that, I'd be scared shitless too.
“But since I saved him, I must have made a good impression, no?”
I’m sure I did.
In Hwangbo Seon’s eyes, perhaps I appeared as a hero?
Hm, how refreshing.
Doing a good deed was something I wasn't used to, but my exhausted body felt as if it had been fully revitalized.