Chapter 155: Waging War Against the Hwangbo Clan-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 155: Waging War Against the Hwangbo Clan-2
Yin-Yang Harmony Qi, thick with toxic energy, began to undulate around Sun-woo.
The poison was so potent that the marble beneath his feet began to dissolve.
"Hooh."
Seeing this, Hwangbo Gang let out an exclamation of genuine admiration.
"Listen, Hwangbo Gang," Sun-woo said, fixing his gaze on the man. "Do you really think a coordinated pincer attack means anything against a master of poison arts like me?"
It was the truth.
To a Poison King, being outnumbered was irrelevant. A master who had reached the Transcendent Realm exuded poison qi that a mere Peak Realm martial artist could never hope to withstand.
Of course, Sun-woo didn't possess as much poison qi as the original Poison King, but after absorbing vast quantities of various toxins, his reserves were at least comparable to Tang Seo-yoon’s.
Unless they were at the Super-Peak Realm or higher, everyone present would be helplessly paralyzed by his venom.
"In ordinary circumstances, you’d be right," Hwangbo Gang replied with a smirk. "Do you think I haven't considered that?"
Screeeech—
Taut. Taut.
It was then.
A strange, discordant sound echoed from behind. Sun-woo slowly turned his head.
Looking back, he saw the martial artists of the Heavenly King Unit drawing their bows.
"Bows?"
Sun-woo let out a hollow laugh at the sight. How could the family of the Fist King be wielding bows and arrows?
"Poison qi is formidable, but it’s meaningless if it doesn't reach its target," Hwangbo Gang noted.
"Have you no pride? The Fist King’s family used to boast that with two fists, they feared nothing in this world. What is this nonsense about bows?" Sun-woo sneered, glaring at Hwangbo Gang.
"Did I not tell you from the start? This isn't a duel; it’s a hunt. What foolish hunter tries to catch his prey with his bare hands?"
Despite Sun-woo’s mockery, Hwangbo Gang maintained a nonchalant smile. Sun-woo gave a bitter grin in return. It seemed the man had indeed come prepared.
Poison arts were certainly specialized for mass slaughter and were devastating in personal combat. Those of lower cultivation were inevitably poisoned.
However, it wasn't an all-powerful solution. Poison qi was lethal, but it was useless if it didn't make contact. The further the qi traveled from the user, the more its concentration dissipated. Therefore, it was standard practice to deploy archers when dealing with masters of poison.
"You’ve certainly done your homework," Sun-woo remarked, sounding impressed.
"You are the world-renowned Poison King, after all! I must treat you with the respect you deserve."
"Can you handle it, though?"
"What?"
"I’m asking if you can handle me with those pathetic toys," Sun-woo said calmly.
The Blood Bow Unit, who specialized in archery, hadn't been able to stop him. There was no way arrows fired by Hwangbo martial artists—who were used to throwing punches—could pose a real threat to him.
"It doesn't matter. I’m the one who will be facing you head-on anyway," Hwangbo Gang said with a repulsive smile. "A single opening is all I need. Just enough time to turn your face into a bloody pulp."
Having finished his piece, Hwangbo Gang strode toward Sun-woo and stopped right in front of him.
"I’ll say it one more time. Hand over the million nyang. If you do, I’ll forgive you at the cost of a single arm."
"And I’ll say it one more time. Can you handle it?"
Vroooooom—
A terrifying pressure erupted around the two absolute masters.
Crackle! Spark!
As their energies collided, the sound of violent friction began to burst forth.
Whoosh!
Hwangbo Gang moved first. A fist larger than a human head swung toward Sun-woo. It was packed with such ferocious power that the very air seemed to tremble.
The head!
Sun-woo perceived the strike aimed at his skull. Despite his massive frame, Hwangbo Gang’s punch was incredibly swift. Sun-woo quickly twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the blow by a hair’s breadth.
Boom!
A sonic boom erupted where Hwangbo Gang’s fist had passed. Hearing the sound, Sun-woo realized just how much raw, violent power was contained in that punch.
While he felt a thrill at the sheer force, Sun-woo quickly prepared his counterattack. He intended to drive a Poison Palm straight into the man's chest.
But then, a sudden chill ran through his entire body. Sun-woo quickly shifted his gaze downward.
A second strike?!
Hwangbo Gang’s other fist was already lunging forward.
Thwack!
The boulder-like fist slammed into Sun-woo’s torso.
Whoosh—
Taking the hit directly, Sun-woo’s body was lifted off the ground.
Crash!
He was sent flying into a corner, smashing into the wall. A massive roar echoed through the area.
Seeing this, the members of the Heavenly King Unit let out shouts of admiration. They knew better than anyone how strong Hwangbo Gang was, but they hadn't imagined he would land such a clean blow on the Poison King so easily.
According to public reputation, the two were supposed to be on the same level. Yet, the reality unfolding before them was entirely different.
Their hearts began to swell with pride. Witnessing the overwhelming strength of the lord they served, a deep sense of respect surged within them.
However, whether he was aware of their feelings or not, Hwangbo Gang wore an uncharacteristically grim expression. He looked down at the fist he had used for the second strike.
He was confused.
He had clearly landed a direct hit on the Poison King’s torso. He had intended to punch a hole right through him. But strangely, the moment his fist made contact, the flow of his internal energy had twisted, and a portion of it had simply dissipated.
The power of the blow had been significantly reduced.
I intended to kill him.
Hwangbo Gang was baffled. How could this have happened?
Rumble, crumble.
Just then, Sun-woo emerged from the debris of the wall.
"Ptooey."
He spat the blood from his mouth onto the floor. Even though he had drastically reduced the impact using the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, it was still a punch from the Heavenly King Divine Fist. There was no way he hadn't suffered internal injury.
Sun-woo looked up at Hwangbo Gang. The man was glaring at him, radiating a murderous aura.
He’s strong.
Sun-woo felt his initial dismissive attitude shift. Even if the man used underhanded tactics like a pincer attack, it didn't change the fact that he was a master who had reached the Transcendent Realm.
He was powerful. Powerful enough that Sun-woo wouldn't stand a chance unless he gave it his all.
"Tell me, Poison King. Has your cultivation regressed? How could you fall for such a simple trick?" Hwangbo Gang asked with a sneer.
"It seems your skills have dulled as well. I gave you an opening on purpose, yet you couldn't even capitalize on the opportunity," Sun-woo shot back, refusing to back down.
"Hmph, you’re all talk!" Hwangbo Gang snorted.
Even if the power had been diminished, it was still a punch thrown by a Transcendent Realm master like himself. There was no way Sun-woo could be perfectly fine after taking it head-on.
"Whether I’m all talk or the real deal, see for yourself."
Sun-woo unwound the Dragon Tail Soft Sword from his waist.
Chring—
The Dragon Tail Soft Sword revealed its beautiful form. Sun-woo surged his internal energy and channeled it into the blade.
Taut!
The limp soft sword suddenly stood rigid. Soon, deep blue energies began to ripple and then condense along the blade, forming a solid shape.
It was Sword Astral.
"It won't be like before."
Bang!
With those words, Sun-woo kicked off the ground and lunged toward Hwangbo Gang. His speed was so great that even Hwangbo Gang was startled.
Seeing this, Hwangbo Gang also quickly concentrated his internal energy to form Fist Force. He threw a punch directly at the charging Sun-woo.
K-Boom!
Sun-woo’s Sword Astral and Hwangbo Gang’s Fist Force collided, letting out a thunderous roar.
Then, it happened.
Slide...
As if unable to withstand Sun-woo’s immense power, Hwangbo Gang’s body began to be pushed back.
"Urgh!"
Hwangbo Gang let out an involuntary groan. A dull pain began to creep up his arm. Unable to bear it any longer, he gave up on holding his ground and deflected the sword.
Clang!
As the sword was parried by his fist, both Sun-woo and Hwangbo Gang were pushed back. Sun-woo slid back about three paces, while Hwangbo Gang was forced back five.
It was the result of a pure contest of strength.
In an instant, Hwangbo Gang’s face flushed red. He had been overpowered in a clash of force.
Who was he? He was an absolute master who had pushed not only his internal energy but also his external cultivation to the limit through bone-breaking training, all based on his innate divine strength.
And yet, he had been pushed back in terms of power. To say his pride wasn't wounded would be a lie.
Meanwhile, Sun-woo was inwardly impressed by Hwangbo Gang. Through practicing the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, Sun-woo had learned how to maximize his internal energy. He could draw out the full inherent power of his energy without any loss.
Because of this, he took pride in the fact that he wouldn't lose to anyone in a contest of strength. Yet, Hwangbo Gang had withstood that difference in power through sheer physical resilience.
It was truly surprising. The man’s body was trained to a terrifying degree.
"You son of a bitch!"
His pride stung, Hwangbo Gang charged at Sun-woo. He refused to accept that he had been outmatched in strength. A barrage of punches began to rain down on Sun-woo.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Sun-woo, of course, did not back down, swinging his sword to defend against the strikes. Knowing he held the advantage in strength, he had nothing to fear.
However, it didn't take long for him to realize that thought was a mistake. Every time he clashed with the man’s fists, a numbing sensation shot through him.
What is this?
It felt as if an electric current was passing through him. Soon, the tingling sensation grew more intense.
"Guh!"
Sun-woo let out an involuntary groan. As the tingling turned into sharp pain, he realized the true nature of the energy flowing through Hwangbo Gang’s fists.
It was Lightning Qi.
Dammit.
Cursing inwardly, Sun-woo concentrated his internal energy into his Yongcheon Point. If he continued this exchange, the Lightning Qi would surely paralyze his entire body.
Sun-woo detonated the energy concentrated in his Yongcheon Point and used the explosive force to quickly retreat.
Tap.
Fortunately, he managed to back away safely, but the numbing sensation in his body refused to fade. Sun-woo glared at Hwangbo Gang with a scowl. What kind of trick was this?
"Hehehehe..."
Seeing Sun-woo’s reaction, Hwangbo Gang began to chuckle with satisfaction. He seemed to have guessed exactly why Sun-woo had retreated.
"Well, Poison King? How do you like the Heavenly King’s fist?"
"What kind of trick did you use?" Sun-woo asked, bewildered.
"It’s no trick. I simply showed you the fist of the Heavenly King."
Hwangbo Gang continued with a smug smile. "The ultimate technique of the Hwangbo Clan, the Ten Thousand Strength Heavenly Thunder Divine Art, allows one to manipulate Lightning Qi. Thus, since ancient times, the fists of those who carry the Hwangbo name have been imbued with Lightning Qi. It is also why I am called the Heavenly King Divine Fist rather than just the Fist King."
Hwangbo Gang spoke with a voice full of confidence.
"Even if it contains Lightning Qi, it shouldn't be this powerful," Sun-woo countered.
He had heard that the Hwangbo Clan could manipulate Lightning Qi. But the Lightning Qi Hwangbo Gang exuded was beyond imagination. It was powerful enough to cause pain even to someone like him, who had reached the Transcendent Realm.
To possess this much Lightning Qi, one would have to be struck by lightning multiple times. In the case of poison arts, one had to continuously consume toxins to harbor poison qi. The Ten Thousand Strength Heavenly Thunder Divine Art was the same. Since it was generally impossible to convert internal energy into lightning, one had to absorb external lightning into the body.
But where would one find electricity in the Central Plains? Unless one was struck by a literal bolt from the sky, it should be impossible.
Therefore, while the fists of Hwangbo martial artists were imbued with Lightning Qi, it was usually incredibly faint. Yet, the power in Hwangbo Gang’s fists was on an entirely different level.
"To create this power, many of my kinsmen did not hesitate to sacrifice themselves," Hwangbo Gang said calmly, as if it were nothing.
"What?!"
Sun-woo’s eyes widened in shock. That meant he had siphoned the internal energy of his own clan members. Sun-woo’s brow furrowed in disgust.
"Do you really think that’s a forgivable act?!" Sun-woo shouted, his voice rising in anger.
Siphoning internal energy was a deed only a Great Demon would commit, something like the Great Art of Energy Absorption.
"They will be satisfied. Thanks to them, the clan can achieve its former glory, can it not?"
"You’re no different from a Demonic Cultist."
Sun-woo clicked his tongue as he looked at Hwangbo Gang. He felt the man’s character was so depraved it would make a devil weep.
"I don't care what a bastard like you says! I only move for the glory of my clan!"
Having finished his words, Hwangbo Gang began to fully circulate the Ten Thousand Strength Heavenly Thunder Divine Art.
Crackle! Spark!
Soon, Lightning Qi began to ripple around his body. It was so intense it gave the illusion that one would be electrocuted just by touching him.
"The probing is over. I will face you with everything I have! Heavenly King Unit! Aim your arrows at the Poison King! The moment he shows an opening, kill him instantly!"
Hwangbo Gang gave the order to the Heavenly King Unit, who were waiting with their bows drawn. Now that he had tested the waters, he intended to hunt him down in earnest.
Taut.
Taut.
The bows of the Heavenly King Unit were all aimed at Sun-woo simultaneously.