Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: Wall-Smashing Shock
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The young experts' mouths gaped wide open as their eyes darted frantically left and right.
Nangong Hyeok turned his neck in circles with a refreshed expression, a stark contrast to Un Ha-gun, who was embedded in the wall like a specimen.
It was an unbelievable sight.
The young experts gulped repeatedly in shock and astonishment.
The Un Clan Fist they knew was in no way inferior to the Shaolin Temple's or Hwangbo clan's fist techniques.
In terms of speed and unpredictability, some even rated it higher than both.
Jinju Un Clan was the pinnacle of fist mastery, and Un Ha-gun was their eldest son and heir to the Un Clan Fist.
Among Hebei Province's young experts, he was hailed as the best in fist arts and expected to become Hebei's representative fist master in the future.
Naturally, they had never once imagined the Jinju Un Clan's eldest son getting punched and sent flying.
Yet there he was, embedded in the wall.
By the Nangong clan's fist technique, no less!
They replayed the scene in their minds, but the more they did, the greater the mental shock, and they still couldn't comprehend it.
'Is the Nangong clan's fist technique really this ferocious?'
'That's the Thunderclap Fist! I thought it was just the Nangong clan's basic fist technique!'
'Is it really the Thunderclap Fist, or did he use some other technique?'
'No, even so, how could Un Ha-gun not react at all and just get sent flying?'
'What the hell is that guy's deal?!'
The young experts' faces stiffened rigidly.
Some of them, flustered, rushed to the wall to help the embedded Un Ha-gun, only to flinch in horror.
Drool was streaming from his mouth, and the front of his white pants was stained yellow....
"Eek, eek! H-he pissed himself!"
"W-what the...?!"
"What?!"
Those supporting him cried out in dismay.
Realizing he had wet himself, the young experts recoiled in shock from Un Ha-gun.
Nangong Hyeok clenched and unclenched his fist while clicking his tongue.
"These days' kids just have big mouths. Tsk tsk tsk!"
From his thug days, one of the most pointless things was empty talk.
If you're competing in martial arts, why exchange words?
Settle it with your body—arguing with words would make scholars the world's best.
Those who insist on a proper duel always end up with veins bulging in their necks, turning it into an emotional brawl.
"What do you think you're doing right now!"
Yeah, just like this.
Nangong Hyeok looked at Paeng Jung-hyeok with a sullen face.
"What?"
Paeng Jung-hyeok's jaw muscle twitched once.
His face flushed with embarrassment.
"W-what the hell did you do!"
Nangong Hyeok twirled his wrist and glanced at Paeng Jung-hyeok with a sly grin.
"We sparred."
"Y-you, how did you...."
"He was so scrawny, he flew real nice."
What? Scrawny? Flew nice?
Un Ha-gun?
Could you really call this just "flying off"?
Paeng Jung-hyeok stared at Nangong Hyeok with a blank face.
But soon his eyebrows shot up as he bellowed.
"I clearly said this was a gathering for camaraderie! Do my words sound like a joke to you!"
His voice boomed through the room, startling the young experts.
Nangong Hyeok dug in his ear, meeting Paeng Jung-hyeok's furious glare.
Why's he so pissed?
Nangong Hyeok chuckled softly, mumbling to himself.
"Then you should've stopped it. Now that it's over, you complain."
But the room was so quiet that his voice rang out clearly.
"W-what?!"
"He's fine, so don't worry. See."
"How is that fine!"
Paeng Jung-hyeok roared, glaring at Nangong Hyeok.
So Cheon-pung from behind pointed accusingly at Nangong Hyeok.
"Are you proud of ambushing a careless opponent? And using such excessive force!"
"Hmm."
"Young Master! Don't listen to this fool! He's only arrogant because you're indulging him!"
So Cheon-pung glared at Nangong Hyeok with fury, raising his voice.
"What are you waiting for? Apologize!"
"Apologize?"
"You ambushed Young Master Un and used a killing blow!"
"Killing blow? Ambush?"
Nangong Hyeok let out an incredulous laugh.
Did "killing blow" and "ambush" mean something else?
Seeing Nangong Hyeok smirking, So Cheon-pung's neck veins bulged.
"Y-you! How can you laugh right now?! Don't you know how serious this is!"
"No clue."
"Y-you bastard! Young Master, look! He shows no sign of remorse. We can't overlook this! He has no idea how grave it is to harm Jinju Un Clan's young master!"
Paeng Jung-hyeok glared at Nangong Hyeok with fiercely twisted eyes.
"This right now...."
As Paeng Jung-hyeok opened his mouth, Nangong Hyeok beckoned with his hand.
"Come on. I'll tell you exactly where I'll hit, so block it. I'll show you what a killing blow is."
Flinch!
Paeng Jung-hyeok clamped his mouth shut, So Cheon-pung stiffened, and his eyes darted around.
"Come on?"
Nangong Hyeok grinned and crooked his finger.
So Cheon-pung's gaze shook following that finger.
Thinking that slender little hand had sent Un Ha-gun flying sent chills down his spine.
A brief silence fell, and So Cheon-pung, flustered, turned to Paeng Jung-hyeok.
"Y-Young Master! Look at him. He shows not even a hint of regret!"
Even if he was Nangong clan's second young master, he'd have to yield if Paeng Jung-hyeok stepped up.
Sure, Nangong Hyeok seemed half-mad from what he'd shown so far, but if Paeng Jung-hyeok intervened properly, it'd be different!
Paeng Jung-hyeok responded to So Cheon-pung's desperate gaze.
His eyebrows twitched as he spoke.
"Young Master Nangong Hyeok. Can you bear the consequences? For ambushing and using a killing blow on Un clan's young master...."
"Brother!"
At that moment, a bright, cheerful voice rang through the hall.
All eyes snapped toward the source.
Paeng Yeon-hwa was looking at Paeng Jung-hyeok with a slightly tense face.
Confusion rippled across the faces.
Why was Paeng Yeon-hwa suddenly calling Paeng Jung-hyeok?
Paeng Jung-hyeok furrowed his brow.
"Why are you butting in all of a sudden?"
"Stop it. We're here for camaraderie—why nitpick right and wrong? That's for the Enforcement Hall. We can't treat guests of the main family like this."
"This situation isn't something we can just gloss over!"
"It was just a simple spar."
"He used ambush and a killing blow—that's the problem!"
Paeng Yeon-hwa laughed ha-ha as Paeng Jung-hyeok grumbled.
"Is there such a thing as an ambush where you tell them where you'll hit? Even if it was an ambush, he knew it was a spar. Isn't a spar training to prepare for real combat? Would you blame an opponent for ambushing you in real battle?"
"You right now...."
"If ambush is the issue, do as Young Master Nangong says. Tell them where you'll strike and let them block."
Paeng Yeon-hwa stood her ground without yielding an inch.
Paeng Jung-hyeok's face soured rotten.
"It was an attack after getting consent beforehand and agreement. Calling it an ambush is forcing it."
Paeng Yeon-hwa nailed it down firmly once more.
The young experts watching the siblings' argument flinched.
They couldn't blindly side with Paeng Jung-hyeok without ignoring Paeng Yeon-hwa, and truthfully, there was no room to refute her words.
'Are those two on bad terms?'
'No, why is she siding with the Nangong clan?'
'Ugh! What do we do....'
Embarrassment and doubt appeared on the young experts' faces.
As Paeng Jung-hyeok wrinkled his nose bridge and faltered, So Cheon-pung chimed in from the side.
"B-but, Lady Paeng! Isn't it true his force was excessive?"
"Excessive force?"
"Yes!"
Paeng Yeon-hwa glanced at Un Ha-gun sprawled on the floor and spoke.
"When a swordsman uses his fist instead of his sword, of course he goes all out. And the opponent is Young Master Un, a fist art master, isn't he?"
"T-that's true, but...."
"Young Master Nangong just gave his all, and he was stronger than expected."
Paeng Yeon-hwa stated it flatly and scanned the room.
The young experts averted their gazes with awkward expressions.
There was nothing they could really say.
Standing a step away, Nangong Hyeok watched the scene with keen interest.
It was fun seeing the young experts chew their lips every time Paeng Yeon-hwa spoke and Paeng Jung-hyeok's face twist.
Like dipping rice cakes in honey.
Chewy and sweet.
Then Paeng Yeon-hwa turned to Nangong Hyeok.
"Young master probably didn't intend for the spar to end like this. Right, Young Master Nangong Hyeok?"
Uh... yeah, no intention.
He just flew off from a casual hit—what am I supposed to do?
Nangong Hyeok managed his expression and replied.
"That's right."
Paeng Yeon-hwa nodded and turned to Paeng Jung-hyeok.
"See? Young Master Nangong says so too. Brother, don't make this an issue anymore. It's unreasonable and unfair. Since when did our clan treat guests so aggressively?"
"...."
As Paeng Jung-hyeok hardened his expression silently, Paeng Yeon-hwa spoke to a Fierce Tiger Squad warrior.
"Please take Young Master Un to the physician."
"....Yes, Lady!"
The Fierce Tiger Squad warrior supported the sprawled Un Ha-gun and exited the Wind Soul Pavilion.
Paeng Jung-hyeok's eyelids trembled as he glared at Paeng Yeon-hwa.
"I'll step out for some air."
"Go ahead. I'll handle things here."
Paeng Jung-hyeok whirled around and stormed out.
The Wind Soul Pavilion buzzed like a whirlwind had passed.
Paeng Yeon-hwa calmly addressed the crowd.
"The gathering got disorderly through no fault of our own. Those who want to keep enjoying, do so. Those who want to rest, please go ahead."
Hearing they could leave, Nangong Hyeok brightened.
'She's a straightforward one.'
Graciously dismantling the gathering in one go.
'No reason to stick around then.'
No point lingering where trouble had already spread.
His eyes met Namgung Ryong's, who was forcing his sleepy eyes wide open nearby.
"What're you doing? Let's go."
"....Yeah?"
Nangong Hyeok let out a hollow laugh at the rare smile from Namgung Ryong.
If you'd smile like that, why drag us here?
'Wasted energy for nothing. Gotta circulate qi quick and dig that hole.'
Namgung Ryong would freak if he heard Nangong Hyeok's thoughts, but unfortunately, he had no mind-reading.
Nangong Hyeok and Namgung Ryong dragged their feet out of the Wind Soul Pavilion.
Paeng Yeon-hwa, swiftly tidying the hall, quietly watched Nangong Hyeok's receding back.
A subtle emotion flickered in Paeng Yeon-hwa's large eyes.
'Nangong clan's second young master?'
She thought the Nangong clan only had Sword Dragon Namgung Ryong, but apparently not.
She never dreamed the Nangong clan's fist techniques wielded such power.
Un Ha-gun was light-mouthed and frivolous, but his skills ranked top among Hebei's young experts.
He had subdued such a Un Ha-gun in one blow.
Even after announcing the technique and target in advance.
Her gaze chased the sword hanging at Nangong Hyeok's waist.
The glint in Paeng Yeon-hwa's eyes intensified.
Thus, the chaotic gathering of young experts fizzled out ambiguously.