Chapter 154: Waging War Against the Hwangbo Clan-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 154: Waging War Against the Hwangbo Clan-1
Step. Step.
Sun-woo walked with measured steps.
Before long, he entered the Cheongpung Inn, which was connected to the annex. Upon arrival, he slowly turned his head to scan his surroundings. It didn't take long for him to spot a group of men dressed in yellow martial arts uniforms.
Every one of them possessed a rugged, intimidating physique, and the character for 'Hwang' (皇) was embroidered on their chests. One look was all Sun-woo needed to realize their identity. There was only one place that radiated such a distinct, overbearing personality.
"The Hwangbo Clan," Sun-woo muttered as he looked at them.
Swish.
As if they had heard him, the warriors of the Hwangbo Clan turned their heads in unison to stare at Sun-woo.
Thud. Thud.
The man at the front of the group began walking toward him.
"I greet the Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan. I am Hwangbo Gyeol, the Unit Leader of the Heavenly King Unit."
Stopping right in front of Sun-woo, he offered a fist-and-palm salute. His manner was exceptionally polite.
`He’s quite strong.`
Sun-woo was inwardly impressed. Judging by his remarkably stable aura, the man was clearly a formidable martial artist.
"I see. And why were you looking for me?" Sun-woo asked, calmly accepting the polite greeting and getting straight to the point.
"We heard the news that the Tang Clan Head had visited Jining, so I came here personally to escort you."
"Is this an order from the Hwangbo Clan Head?"
"It is."
"Hmm."
Sun-woo found Hwangbo Gyeol's words unexpected. If the rumors about Hwangbo Gang’s fiery temperament were true, he should have been furious at Tang Jin-cheol for causing a scene in his territory. Sun-woo had expected the man to barge in and demand a duel to the death. Being politely invited instead felt out of character.
"And what if I refuse?"
"If you refuse, there is nothing we can do. However, I fear that if the Clan Head declines our company, it might bring dishonor to your name."
Hwangbo Gyeol continued, wearing a look of feigned regret.
"What do you mean by that?" Sun-woo asked, pretending not to understand.
"I mean that I would hate for rumors to spread that the Clan Head—a man hailed as a hero of the Great War of Righteousness and Demons—avoided the meeting because he felt pressured by the Hwangbo Clan, even if our influence has waned."
Hwangbo Gyeol spoke with a sly, oily tone as he watched Sun-woo.
"Is that not just your own opinion?" Sun-woo countered.
"How could that be? Everyone knows the Tang Clan and the Hwangbo Clan share a bond deeper than anyone else's. However, in the eyes of ignorant country bumpkins, it might look as though the Tang Clan Head is intentionally avoiding us."
Smirk.
A small smile played on Sun-woo's lips. It was a silent threat: if he didn't follow, they would spread rumors that he had fled out of fear. The tactic was so shallow it was almost laughable.
`I suppose they are different from the Geumcheol Sect.`
Sun-woo was slightly impressed by their approach, which was entirely different from the thugs at the Geumcheol Sect. Maintaining a facade of etiquette while layering in subtle intimidation was a high-level move.
"Let us go, then," Sun-woo said, looking at them.
He had intended to go there anyway. There was no reason to turn away those who had come to fetch him.
"Then, allow me to lead the way."
Hwangbo Gyeol bowed deeply. His attitude remained impeccably polite.
*
"Kwahahaha! Welcome, Tang Clan Head!"
As soon as Sun-woo entered the estate, he was greeted by a man of massive proportions. He stood well over seven feet tall, with bulging muscles visible even through his clothes, and fists the size of stone blocks—each as large as a man's head.
This was Hwangbo Gang, the Head of the Hwangbo Clan. He let out a booming laugh as he welcomed his guest.
"You've worked hard traveling such a long way. I was so worried you might reject my invitation."
He spoke with an incredibly friendly demeanor, acting as if he were greeting a friend of several decades. Sun-woo found the display suspicious. If the Hwangbo Clan had eyes, they knew about the havoc he had wreaked at the Geumcheol Sect. The Hwangbo Clan was undoubtedly protecting them.
And yet, they were giving a warm welcome to the man who had just crushed their subordinates? They clearly had a scheme in mind.
"Kwahahaha! Let us move to a better spot. I've prepared a magnificent spread of liquor in a place with a wonderful atmosphere."
With that, Hwangbo Gang grabbed Sun-woo with a rough hand and began pulling him along. Sun-woo allowed himself to be led. Whether they had a scheme or not didn't matter.
Thump. Thump.
Despite his massive frame, Hwangbo Gang walked with surprisingly quick steps. The main hall vibrated with every stride he took. Sun-woo followed closely behind.
After walking for some time, a massive iron door appeared before them.
"Hmph!"
Reaching the door, Hwangbo Gang grabbed the heavy stone frame and began to pull it open.
Rumble!
As if unable to withstand his immense strength, the iron door groaned and slid open, revealing a large entrance. Hwangbo Gang turned back and spoke.
"It is in here."
Sun-woo let out a short laugh. The trap was so blatant it was almost comical.
"Are you certain the drinks are in there?"
"Heh heh... A table is a table. If you're afraid, you're welcome to turn back."
Having said his piece, Hwangbo Gang stepped into the entrance. Sun-woo followed him and vanished into the darkness.
A short while later, another group appeared at the entrance. They were the rugged men in yellow uniforms—the Heavenly King Unit. Their leader, Hwangbo Gyeol, stepped forward and disappeared into the gaping maw of the entrance. One by one, the rest of the unit followed.
Once the last member had entered...
Rumble!
The wide-open iron door began to close with a thunderous roar.
Boom!
The door shut completely, sealing the entrance. The massive iron slab stood firm in its place once more, as if nothing had ever happened.
*
After entering the passage, Sun-woo soon found himself in a large, open clearing. The floor was paved with marble, and the walls were stained with old, splattered blood.
Sun-woo looked ahead. In the center of the clearing, Hwangbo Gang slowly turned around.
"This is the place."
His tone had shifted completely. The warmth that had been as pleasant as a spring breeze was gone, replaced by a coldness that rivaled the Bitter Cold Northern Wind.
"No matter how much I look, I don't see any drinks," Sun-woo remarked, feigning ignorance.
"You've grown quite sly since I last saw you, Tang Jin-cheol."
Hwangbo Gang snorted. The idea of such a cold, stern man making jokes was absurd to him.
"Listen, Tang Jin-cheol. It's not too late."
Hwangbo Gang spoke with a suggestive tone.
"Not too late for what?"
"Hand over the one million Nyang you plundered from the Geumcheol Sect. Do that, and there will be no bloodshed."
Hwangbo Gang radiated an intense, overbearing pressure as he spoke.
"I truly have no idea what you're talking about. My contract with the Geumcheol Sect was strictly between them and the Tang Clan. Why are you interfering?"
"The Hwangbo Clan protects the Geumcheol Sect. They made a request—they want the one million Nyang the Tang Clan plundered to be returned."
"And how much did they promise to pay you for this?"
"Five hundred thousand Nyang."
"Those damn bastards."
Sun-woo let out a hollow laugh. Those people had thrown a fit when he asked for four hundred thousand Nyang, yet they had readily offered five hundred thousand to the Hwangbo Clan. It was ridiculous.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I'll have to collect it by force!"
Hwangbo Gang began to unleash his full martial aura.
"Do you really think you can defeat me?" Sun-woo asked, his gaze filled with genuine curiosity.
Even assuming the Poison King and the Heavenly King Divine Fist were on the same level, the odds of victory would be fifty-fifty. Unlike the Tang Clan, which had lost most of its bloodline and businesses, the Hwangbo Clan still had much to lose. Why would he take such a gamble?
"Who knows? You are the Poison King, after all."
Hwangbo Gang conceded the point. Although he had boasted that he could tear the man apart if they were face-to-face, the truth was that even he couldn't guarantee the outcome. The name of the Poison King was not to be taken lightly.
"But that's only if it were a duel to the death between just you and me."
Hwangbo Gang watched Sun-woo, a smirk spreading across his face.
"The story changes when it's a one-sided hunt."
Tap. Tap. Tap.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps began to echo from behind Sun-woo. He slowly turned his head.
"It is a pleasure to see you again, Tang Clan Head."
There stood Hwangbo Gyeol, the leader of the Heavenly King Unit, wearing a broad grin.
"I didn't expect we'd meet again so soon."
Behind him, dozens of members of the Heavenly King Unit filed into the clearing. Every one of them wore an expression of grim determination.
*
"Well? Have you changed your mind yet?"
Hwangbo Gang grinned widely at Sun-woo. The man had to be flustered. He surely never imagined that the Heavenly King Unit would be mobilized.
The Heavenly King Unit was an elite group, far superior to any standard strike force. Every single member was a Peak Martial Artist, and the leader, Hwangbo Gyeol, along with the vice-leader, Hwangbo Un-san, were masters at the Super-Peak Realm.
In other words, this was the absolute best fighting force the Hwangbo Clan possessed. Sun-woo might be acting calm, but his insides were likely shriveling with fear.
When masters of the same level clashed, the smallest variable often decided the outcome. But if he had to face an equal master plus the clan's strongest elite unit, he stood no chance. Behind that cold mask, there had to be a terrified rabbit hiding.
"Heh heh heh..."
Hwangbo Gang chuckled. Just imagining it was delightful.
Meanwhile, Sun-woo stared at Hwangbo Gang with a blank expression. He had known there would be a scheme, but he never imagined they would prepare a joint attack.
Generally, martial artists of the Orthodox Faction possessed immense pride. They usually preferred an honorable defeat over a cowardly victory. And yet, a joint attack? It was a move he hadn't even considered.
"Kwahahahaha! Are you that terrified, Tang Clan Head?"
Seeing Sun-woo standing there dazed, Hwangbo Gang burst into boisterous laughter. The sight of him frozen in fear was hilarious.
"Hwangbo Gang, I have something to ask you."
Sun-woo looked directly at him.
"What is it?" Hwangbo Gang asked, curious.
"Do you feel no shame?"
"Shame for what?"
"I'm asking if you feel no shame in launching a joint attack against me."
Sun-woo's voice was calm and steady.
"What does that matter! Unlike the Tang Clan, the Hwangbo Clan has much to lose! Why should I risk a fight with an uncertain outcome against the likes of you?"
Hwangbo Gang shouted back, completely unashamed. He saw nothing wrong with his actions. Unlike the Tang Clan, which had lost its direct bloodline, the Hwangbo Clan was perfect in every way—except for its lack of funds. Why should he gamble against the Tang Clan? It was an absurd notion.
"............"
Sun-woo felt a profound sense of emptiness.
Before ending up inside this novel, Sun-woo had been an ordinary reader—one who was passionate about various genres of fiction. Wuxia, in particular, had captured his heart.
He loved Wuxia. He admired the martial artists who traveled the world freely with nothing but a sword at their hip. He thought they were magnificent for proving their honor through their own martial arts. Their Chivalry—risking their lives for a woman or a child—was romantic. Wuxia was cool, human, and possessed its own unique romance.
To someone who loved Wuxia that much, Hwangbo Gang's attitude caused a massive sense of dissonance and anger. The leader of a prestigious Orthodox Faction like the Hwangbo Clan was resorting to a joint attack? And for nothing more than personal profit?
No matter how poorly a novel was written, there were certain lines that shouldn't be crossed. But it seemed the characters in this world had thrown even the basic principles of Wuxia to the dogs.
It was hollow. He felt like a fool for thinking he could face such a man in a fair, dignified duel. He realized the man wasn't even worth the effort.
In truth, Sun-woo had been looking forward to the fight with Hwangbo Gang. Had he not spent three months nearly killing himself to master the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth just to defeat him? It would be a lie to say he hadn't felt a competitive spirit.
But now that the cards were on the table and it was a joint attack, his excitement had completely cooled.
Sun-woo slowly began to gather his Yin-Yang Harmony Qi. Since the mood was ruined, he had no intention of enjoying this. He would simply crush them utterly.
Woooooom.
Green poisonous qi began to shimmer around him. It was an imitation of the Tang Clan's secret art, the Ten Thousand Streams Return to the Source Divine Art.
Sun-woo's eyes turned cold and indifferent. To be honest, he wasn't certain how the battle would go. While he had mastered the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth to defeat Hwangbo Gang, his plan hadn't accounted for the Heavenly King Unit. He didn't know how that variable would play out.
Sun-woo stared at Hwangbo Gang with icy eyes.