Chapter 197
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 197.
Yoo Tae-rang ascended to the acting family head position in place of Ja-yeon and immediately began his activities.
There was no awkwardness in his actions.
Having been educated since childhood under the assumption that he would one day become the family head, the role of acting family head was not difficult for him.
“Not bad.”
In fact, it filled him with excitement and anticipation.
If he could continue to hold this position—just the thought of it brought a slight sense of ease to Yoo Tae-rang’s impatient heart.
And along with it, greed.
“Yes, once I become the family head…”
A sinister smile crept onto Yoo Tae-rang’s face.
Around the same time, Yoo Baek-jun was…
“What should I buy?”
—Mya?
He was reading the Book of the Martial God.
Pushing away Seol-yeong, who was playfully bothering him, he fell deep into thought.
‘What should I learn?’
Thanks to the large-scale event he had experienced earlier, he now possessed an enormous amount of points.
The total was a staggering 5,500P.
Enough to learn even an S-rank trait.
‘Traits… I don’t really need to learn one right now.’
This time, he planned to learn a skill.
Because to overcome the turmoil Yoo Tae-rang was about to unleash, he needed a skill.
So, which skill should he learn?
“…….”
There were two conditions.
1. It must be capable of subduing enemies.
2. It must be a skill that prevents subdued enemies from returning to combat for a while.
“There’s exactly one.”
There was indeed one skill that satisfied both conditions.
Yoo Baek-jun flipped through the Book of the Martial God until he reached the very last page.
There, a single skill was written.
—Blood Mist Absorption (貪血霧散).
“Ooh……”
The inclusion of ‘blood‘ in the name felt ominous.
Blood Mist Absorption.
A skill that creates a blood-red mist that absorbs the magical power of opponents.
The thick, blood-red mist absorbs the magical power of nearby enemies and transfers it to the user, but…
‘The penalty is a bit…’
First, the mist itself is problematic.
This blood-red mist is created using the user’s own blood, and after just one use, the drain on one’s stamina is noticeable.
Moreover, while it can absorb magical power, it cannot be converted into the user’s own.
It’s literally disposable magical power.
‘And that’s not all.’
If the absorbed magical power isn’t used quickly, it backfires on the user.
Holding onto another’s magical power for too long causes it to clash with one’s own.
“…….”
Yoo Baek-jun stared silently at the Book of the Martial God. The flashy letters spelling ‘Blood Mist Absorption’. somehow looked pitiful.
“…Is this trash?”
The thought came unbidden.
Well, focusing only on the penalties makes it seem that way, but it’s undeniably a powerful skill.
Originally, this was a skill used by Blood Demon.
‘It’s like taking a skill meant to complement the Blood Demon's other skills and using it in isolation.’
Of course, the penalties would stand out.
But it’s worth enduring.
‘Above all, the fact that there are ways to compensate for these side effects later is also appealing.’
Either by clearing related events or learning other skills to mitigate the drawbacks.
Plus, for an S-rank skill, it’s cheap.
—Blood Mist Absorption.
—3,000P
Considering he could learn another powerful skill with the remaining 2,500P…
There was no reason to hesitate.
“Alright, I’ll learn it.”
—Kyawng?
Yoo Baek-jun slowly extended his finger.
His finger trembled as it approached the Book of the Martial God.
“My hand’s shaking.”
—Myaoou…?
After all the effort to gather these points.
The thought of spending them all made his finger shake uncontrollably.
Yoo Baek-jun learned Blood Mist Absorption.
Ding!
A cheerful sound accompanied the appearance of the skill description window.
He set it aside for now.
Yoo Baek-jun immediately learned the next skill.
This one was much simpler.
—Plum Blossom Fragrance Across Ten Thousand Miles(A+).
—2,000P
One of the skills of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.
The fragrance of plum blossoms travels ten thousand miles. A skill that scatters plum blossoms in all directions while attacking.
The unique aspect is that each plum blossom is as sharp as a blade, giving it lethal potential.
‘If I control the power, I can subdue without killing. Not bad.’
Moreover, using it with an elemental attribute can produce interesting effects.
There’s no reason not to learn it.
Yoo Baek-jun learned both skills and checked their descriptions.
[Blood Mist Absorption(S, 1★)]
—A secret martial art of the Blood Demon, creating a blood-red mist that absorbs the magical power of opponents.
—The thick, blood-red mist absorbs magical power and transfers it to the user.
—In exchange, it consumes the user’s life force.
[Plum Blossom Fragrance Across Ten Thousand Miles (A+, 1★)]
—Attacks enemies by scattering plum blossoms as sharp as blades in all directions.
—The dazzling and beautiful swordplay is enough to confuse enemies.
Yoo Baek-jun took out a Skill Upgrade Ticket.
He also had an Artifact Selection Ticket and a Skill Selection Ticket, but he wasn’t planning to use them yet.
[A-rank Skill Upgrade Ticket]
A ticket imbued with the power to upgrade an A or A+ rank skill by one level.
From the beginning, he had planned to invest the A-rank Skill Upgrade Ticket in movement or footwork techniques.
Ghost Phantom Step is A-rank, and Transcendent Lightness is A+ rank. Both fell within the scope of the Skill Upgrade Ticket.
“Then I’ll upgrade Transcendent Lightness, I guess.”
The conclusion was to upgrade the footwork technique.
With much running around the family compound ahead, a better movement technique would be necessary.
And so, he upgraded Transcendent Lightness.
—Using the A-rank Skill Upgrade Ticket. Transcendent Lightness (A+) has become Flash steps (S)!
A welcome message appeared.
[Flash Steps (S)]
—Moves at meteor-like speeds, creating the illusion of folding space.
—Using more magical power can generate shockwaves with each step.
The description was simple, but the effect was outstanding.
With this, he could move swiftly.
“Good, I’ve learned everything I needed.”
Yoo Baek-jun nodded in satisfaction as he checked his status window.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
“Young Master.”
It was Han Seong-ah.
Unusually, she wore a tense expression.
“…Yoo Tae-rang is summoning you.”
“Is that so?”
He replied.
Unlike her, Yoo Baek-jun’s expression was utterly indifferent.
He closed the Book of the Martial God and slowly rose from his seat.
“If he’s summoning me, I should go.”
There was no reason to refuse.
This was the moment he had been waiting for.
* * *
Yoo Tae-rang was in the audience hall.
Originally a place used by Yoo Moo-hak, he now sat at the head of the room, greeting people as if he were a king.
“You’ve come.”
“…….”
Yoo Tae-rang noticed Yoo Baek-jun’s entrance. Yoo Baek-jun stood before him.
“I heard you summoned me, Brother.”
“…That’s right.”
Yoo Tae-rang’s eyebrow twitched.
Others had knelt before him, the acting family head, to show respect.
But Yoo Baek-jun did not.
‘Arrogant bastard.’
Swallowing his irritation, Yoo Tae-rang got to the point.
“As you know, Grandmaster Ja-yeon has fallen ill and is recuperating. That’s why I’ve taken on the role of acting family head.”
“I’m aware.”
“Does it displease you?”
“What do you mean?”
“The fact that Grandmaster Ja-yeon entrusted the acting family head position to me, not you.”
Their eyes met.
Yoo Baek-jun sensed a gloomy sense of superiority in his gaze.
‘How childish.’
Yoo Baek-jun smirked.
“Who knows?”
“Hmm……”
Yoo Tae-rang gestured, and a servant beside him projected a large map into the air.
A holographic map.
A marker was placed on one location.
“According to the intelligence division, a high-rank gate has appeared here. They say it’s an emission-type gate at a level we can’t ignore.”
“I see. Why are you telling me this?”
“I want you to conquer it.”
Silence filled the audience chamber.
Yoo Baek-jun’s expression remained unchanged. He stared at the map with a blank face.
“Me?”
“Who else would I be talking to?”
“Someone else could handle it just fine. Don’t you have plenty of subordinates, Brother?”
“I did.”
Yoo Tae-rang clicked his tongue.
“But as you know… the casualties from the recent Busan incident were severe. Many of my subordinates are dead or injured. It’s not a situation where I can spare people for gate conquests.”
“So, unlike you, I suffered minimal losses, which means I should handle the gate conquest. Is that it?”
“…….”
Yoo Tae-rang’s gaze sharpened.
The blatantly sarcastic remark.
His previously expressionless eyes now burned with deep anger.
“You’re quite the comedian.”
“I wasn’t trying to joke.”
“Hoo……”
Yoo Tae-rang exhaled as if suppressing his rage.
“You seem to be under some misconception, Yoo Baek-jun. I am—”
“The acting family head. Right now, you’re no different from the family head, so I must obey your orders. Is that what you’re saying?”
“…….”
Yoo Baek-jun let out a mocking laugh.
“Then I have no choice. If the acting family head—no, Brother commands it, I’ll comply.”
Yoo Baek-jun turned his back.
“I’ll hear the details from the intelligence division. Unless there’s anything else you’d like to say…”
“Wait.”
Yoo Tae-rang stopped him.
At his words, Yoo Baek-jun paused but didn’t turn around.
“Members of the Sword Saint’s family kneel when receiving orders from the family head. That applies to me as the acting family head as well.”
“What are you saying?”
“Show the proper respect to the family head.”
Yoo Tae-rang leaned back in his chair.
And with an utterly arrogant posture, he looked down at Yoo Baek-jun.
“Before you leave, show respect to the family head, Yoo Baek-jun.”
“…….”
Silence fell.
The watching servants gulped.
The tension was so thick it felt like overwhelming pressure.
After a long silence, Yoo Baek-jun spoke.
“I am willing to kneel before a true family head, not a false one.”
“What?”
“If you want me to kneel, become the family head. Not by borrowing someone else’s authority from a hollow seat.”
He walked away without looking back.
“Then who knows? Maybe I’ll kneel as you wish.”
Yoo Tae-rang didn’t stop him again.
His face showed no expression.
But his hand gripping the armrest trembled violently with rage.
‘How dare he insult me like this…’
He had no intention of showing respect to a fox borrowing a tiger's authority. It was like saying he was nothing more than a fox.
“Fine, good.”
A cold smile formed on Yoo Tae-rang’s lips.
“I’ll become the family head, as you said. And I’ll make sure you kneel before me without fail.”
He called his waiting subordinates.
Ha Yeon-jeong entered the audience hall with other swordsmen.
Yoo Tae-rang’s direct subordinates, active across South Korea.
“Long time no see, Young Master.”
“Huh, Seoraksan Mountain is as cold as ever. Maybe it’s my age, but my bones ache.”
Daejeon Branch Leader, Jeon Dong-heon. Cheonan Branch Leader, And top rankers Ryu Si-young and Lee Jae-im, along with Kim Rae-ho and others who hadn’t arrived yet.
“What about the other swordsmen?”
“On standby. We can call them in as soon as that brat Young Master leaves.”
“Good.”
Yoo Tae-rang nodded.
Listening quietly, Ha Yeon-jeong stepped forward and cautiously spoke.
“There’s just one thing bothering me. The Grandmaster Ja-yeon.”
“What’s the issue?”
“She will remain neutral as always, but many of the swordsmen under her support Yoo Baek-jun.”
Ja-yeon entrusted the acting family head position to Yoo Tae-rang, not Yoo Baek-jun.
If she had supported Yoo Baek-jun, she wouldn’t have taken such a risky move.
That much was trustworthy.
That's how Ha Yeon-jeong assessed it.
“What should we do about them?”
“Yoo Jung-yeon is also a nuisance. Yoo Min, well, will probably stay neutral.”
“Then prepare magic in secret. Magic to separate them… And—“
Yoo Tae-rang’s eyes gleamed.
“Make them an offer. To join us. Kill those who refuse.”
“I-Is that alright? The aftermath—”
“Are you defying my order?”
“…….”
Jeon Dong-han fell silent.
Yoo Tae-rang’s stance was unshakable, leaving no room for dissent.
Watching this, Ha Yeon-jeong grew even more anxious.
“When you return…”
No matter what others thought.
“This place will become your grave.”
Yoo Tae-rang stared at the spot where Yoo Baek-jun had stood just moments ago and uttered those words.