Chapter 64
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Seniority Showdown
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“Ah, no, Young Hero Yu. Even so, that’s a bit……”
“Young Hero Yu?!”
“Pardon?”
“You should refrain from such lowly titles when addressing your uncle, shouldn’t you?”
“……”
What kind of guy is this?
He arbitrarily decides who’s senior and switches to casual speech right away.
I haven’t even acknowledged it yet…… And to begin with, it’s an absurd claim that doesn’t make any sense……
Chewing it over, Ge Dushin felt his anger slowly rising, but deeming the timing wrong, he forced an awkward smile and tried to persuade him again.
“Haha, ha. Y-Yu…… Young Hero Yu. That hasn’t been decided yet.”
“Calling me Young Hero Yu to the end means you won’t acknowledge the hierarchy? From what I know, even the Beggars’ Sect Leader is a generation below Uncle Sword King.”
“It’s not about that…… Sigh, Young Hero Yu. One could see it that way in a broad sense, but the Nangong Clan and Beggars’ Sect are independent of each other to begin with. And our Sect Leader and Sword King aren’t sworn brothers, so how could you and I become uncle and nephew? That won’t do.”
“Won’t dooo?”
Yu Hyun’s eyes, sunny throughout the lengthy refusal, suddenly darkened with ominous clouds.
A kid even younger than me, making people tense……
“It’s not exactly a hard no…… Age aside, your martial prowess to begin with……”
Feeling oddly intimidated, Ge Dushin trailed off in a mutter. Yu Hyun, who had closed his eyes briefly as if deep in thought, soon opened them and nodded.
“Hmm, fair enough. Among martial artists, martial skill trumps hierarchy. As the saying goes, in the jianghu, the strongest takes all.”
“R-Right?”
“So, how about a match? If I win, you acknowledge it.”
“……Pardon?”
“Let’s keep it clean. Forget uncle—use your best technique. If I win, I’m older brother; if you win, younger brother. Deal?”
“……”
“I’m the one conceding a lot here, being so much higher in rank.”
“No, that’s……”
Ge Dushin shot a troubled glance at Nangong Seong, his face the picture of embarrassment at Yu Hyun’s bluster, all while preaching concessions.
But Nangong Seong had no intention of joining this ridiculous hierarchy spat, standing there with arms crossed and a sly grin.
“H-Hey. Say something.”
“Haha, why me?”
“Huh?”
“Look, Dushin. Handle your own business. You’re not a kid.”
“……”
Ge Dushin’s face twisted at the curt line-drawing, venting his frustration inwardly.
You have to have dealt with this kind of bullshit before to respond properly. Even us beggars, who live off scraps, don’t act without thinking.
Fine, I admit it.
Yu Hyun—the guy who wiped out the Black Mirror Branch and even had a private audience with the Water Dragon King, suddenly thrust into the spotlight.
But was that all his doing?
Nangong Seong was with him, that bastard Seong.
In the end, he even unleashed his qi, so it’s obvious that punk handled most of it!
Ge Dushin had already investigated Yu Hyun before coming to the infirmary.
Yu Hyun, son of the Yu Clan Manor in Anpyeong County.
He’d pored over a thick stack of documents, but nothing special stood out.
A few months ago, he was so fat it made people gasp and suffocate just looking at him, then suddenly slimmed down into a new man—that was his most notable history?
And it was just months ago he got knocked out by Nangong Seong’s fist, yet now he wants a match……
It felt like handing over a begging bowl full to the brim, only for another beggar to snatch it clean.
“What, scared? Then just call me younger brother.”
“……”
Ge Dushin’s eye twitched at Yu Hyun’s cheeky grin and taunting chin-jut.
Sigh, what to do with this worldly fool?
He checked again just in case, but no presence or trace of inner energy emanated from Yu Hyun as there should be from any martial artist.
After much deliberation, Ge Dushin decided.
He’d treat this pretty little brother he’d gained as a chance to teach this clueless punk a slice of the world’s harshness.
Yeah, everyone must’ve been tiptoeing around him till now. With a dad who’s a government bigwig, they’d cut him slack even if he rampaged blindly.
Better this way.
Since we’re in the same boat now, the pecking order needs to be crystal clear.
That’ll make things smoother ahead, right?
“Heh heh, look here, Seong. No take-backs later.”
His words carried the meaning of bearing witness to this lesson. Nangong Seong replied with an odd smile.
“Haha, why keep asking me, you idiot.”
“……Heh heh, you rascal. Aren’t you his guardian?”
“Guardian my ass. Hahaha.”
What a clueless moron.
Well, he passed out early to the Water Dragon King’s guards that day, so he didn’t see Yu Hyun’s skills properly. If he had, he wouldn’t pull this crap.
Anyway, no need to explain the situation back then.
He’ll learn once he gets hit. Only then.
Nangong Seong glanced at Yu Hyun, then shook his head.
It was clear he meant to go through with it, and the outcome was obvious.
Guess I’d better clear the bed. For Ge Dushin’s sake……
As Nangong Seong stepped aside from the bed, Ge Dushin took it as permission and spoke gently to Yu Hyun.
“Alright then, Young Hero Yu. Shall we head outside the infirmary? It’s cramped here, and there are things you might hurt yourself on……”
“Sure.”
Yu Hyun flashed a bright smile, showing even teeth, and strode out first. Ge Dushin shook his head and followed.
Nangong Seong, now the witness, trailed to the door with a grin, leaning crookedly against a pillar.
But this wasn’t his previous forced smile—it was one relishing what was to come.
Can’t suffer alone, so you get fucked too, right?
As Nangong Seong watched with keen interest, Ge Dushin faced Yu Hyun and asked,
“So, what shall we use?”
“You pick. I’m fine with anything.”
“Any…… Ha! Overconfidence much?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“……”
Ge Dushin found himself shaking his head repeatedly.
“Very well.”
With a short sigh and a nod, he drew the staff from his waist.
Scraaaape.
Dragging the staff tip on the ground, he traced a circle, then twisted his body slightly, placing his other hand on his hip.
“Like this. I won’t move from this spot. I’ll yield three moves—push me outside this circle within them, and it’s your win, Young Hero Yu.”
“……”
Yu Hyun, arms crossed, cocked his head at the display.
“What’re you doing?”
“Pardon?”
“You trying to go easy on me or something?”
“No, not that.”
“Sigh…… A Beggars’ Sect beggar acting all high and mighty.”
“Pardon?”
Yu Hyun sneered coldly, eyeing him disdainfully.
Tsk tsk, this mangy dog’s got his guts hanging out.
What does this green kid know about life-or-death?
Three moves? Yielding?
His brother-in-law Dam Cheon-u was the same—why do they all delude themselves like this?
Normally, he’d lap it up. Easier the better for everyone.
But not now.
Ge Dushin needed to be crushed thoroughly, without mercy, for the future—like Nangong Seong.
“Sigh, Dushin. You’re misunderstanding something. Even at your best, you can’t beat me.”
“……”
“So no regrets later—use your strongest stuff. Lightness skill or staff, whatever.”
“……”
Ge Dushin’s face flushed at the bottomless confidence.
Now he couldn’t hold back even if he wanted to.
Whatever upbringing led to such abysmal manners, he’d have to beat sense into him.
As the saying goes, seniors must teach juniors, whether seas unite or not.
But he can’t get hurt……
“Fine. If you insist, I’ll meet you with the Beggars’ Sect’s lightness skill and Golden Crow Hand’s Twelve Dragon Chants.”
Ge Dushin uncrossed his arms behind his back, his upturned eyes filled with sincerity.
But that wasn’t enough.
Chattering about what to use meant he still thought to go easy.
Yu Hyun clicked his tongue and straightened.
Tsk tsk, no helping it.
If words won’t work, gotta shock him……
“Alright, then…… Begin!”
No sooner had the word left his mouth than Yu Hyun lifted one foot.
Then, light as a falling feather, he touched down……
Baaang!
Bang?
Ge Dushin’s eyes bulged.
The instant his foot hit the ground, Yu Hyun’s body shot forward, and as it landed again, he covered a zhang in one breath……
Whoooosh!
“Gah!”
No time to think.
In one breath.
In that split second, the charging Yu Hyun swung a fist at his face.
……And what’s this killing intent?
“Hah!”
Startled by the unexpected speed, but Ge Dushin hadn’t earned his sect leader disciple spot on scraps alone.
He instantly read the attack path, leaning back to snatch the wrist with rigid fingers.
But…… suddenly, the fist arced in a curve?
“Eek!”
Ge Dushin, who’d grabbed air, quickly kicked back to steady his balance and jerked his head aside.
Sizzle.
A sharp sting by his ear made him grimace unwittingly.
If he’d dodged a fraction slower, his nose bridge would’ve shattered—that punch packed a wallop.
But he couldn’t space out.
Swoosh!
Yu Hyun spun midair, his foot aiming for his face again.
Baaang!
The extended leg whipped the air, and Ge Dushin……
Tumbled head over heels.
“……”
Halting at last, he scrambled up, waving his hand in flustered defense for the next attack.
But……
“What’re you doing?”
“……”
Yu Hyun had stopped, legs spread wide, staring in bewilderment.
“Pfft, heh heh heh.”
“……”
Even Nangong Seong covered his mouth, laughing genuinely. Ge Dushin’s face burned with shame.
Not only had he panicked into a misstep, but he’d flailed uselessly too……
“Ahem. N-Not bad, that was decent.”
“……”
Yu Hyun shook his head with a laugh as Ge Dushin shot up, pretending nonchalance while dusting his clothes.
“Showed you two moves—if I’d gone all out, you’d be in a hole.”
“……”
“So drop the arrogance and come at me seriously. Skimp again, and it won’t end at just a threat.”
“……”
Rage flickered in Ge Dushin’s eyes at the words.
Threat? Just a threat?
He knew I wasn’t trying my best?
This punk’s spoiled rotten, reaching for the heavens……
He’d tried wrapping it up nicely, but couldn’t smile anymore.
Crunch.
“Fine. I acknowledge it. But this time’ll be different—best stay sharp.”
“……”
His expression shifted, speech turning formal.
Killing intent rose from the now-fiercer-eyed Ge Dushin.
Yu Hyun smiled faintly at the aura reaching far.
My mangy pup’s finally getting serious.
“I yielded the first move—now my turn!”
Baaang!
Ge Dushin planted his stance and shot forward, shifting his center.
A single step so fast no shadow formed: Shadowless Heaven-Treading Step.
The Beggars’ Sect’s pride…… and Yu Hyun’s favorite.
“Hah!”
Yu Hyun’s lips curved faintly as he watched the rapidly incoming form with mouth agape.
Good momentum closing the gap in one go, but still far off.
You’re not Drunken Fire yet.
Whish-crack!
As Ge Dushin reached him, slashing like a dragon’s claw……
Paak!
Yu Hyun stepped back, swiftly repositioning.
“Huh?”
Shock filled Ge Dushin’s eyes.
If his eyes weren’t wrong, Yu Hyun’s retreat was unmistakably……
“Shadowless Heaven-Treading?!”
Crack-boom, baaang!
Seizing his stunned pause, Yu Hyun stomped and reversed course.
And before he could evade, a swung fist smashed his dazed face.
Bam-crack!
“Gaaack!”
With a short scream, Ge Dushin flipped backward half a turn, crashing to the ground.
Splat.
“Guh……”
Seeing Yu Hyun approach, Ge Dushin thrashed with all his might but couldn’t rise.
That single solid hit had numbed his limbs.
Defeat……?
Fine, credit where due.
But how does he know the Beggars’ Sect’s Shadowless Heaven-Treading……?
Even as consciousness faded, he had to ask.
“Y-Yu……”
Ge Dushin barely lifted his head, staring up in confusion. Yu Hyun, now right before him, grabbed his collar and hauled him up.
Ah, helping me up?
Good match, something like that?
Still clueless, Ge Dushin thought so, but Yu Hyun beamed and said,
“A match always sees it through to the end.”
“……”
Huh?
Come to think of it, the fist?
Crack-bam!