Chapter 975
Chapter 975
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 975
Chapter Title: Radiant Ascension Path
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“Yujin... I’m gonna fuck the moms of those bastards...”
Seong Ji-gon’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
Harsh as it sounded, Seong Ji-gon was a decent guy overall if you ignored his thing with women. He had a mild temperament and didn’t strut around with bravado. On top of that, he had real talent as a martial artist. For him to be this furious was incredibly rare.
“No time to fuck all their moms.”
“Later... I’ll track them down later and fuck them.”
Seong Ji-gon seemed dead set on it. I shrugged. This was his business, not mine. No reason to meddle in everything he did.
Seong Ji-gon kept glaring at the ronin, then pulled something from his pocket and held it to his nose. Sniff. Sniff. He was inhaling deeply.
‘A talisman?’
I narrowed my eyes for a closer look at what he held. Not a talisman—just some curly pubic hair tied with string.
I remembered his habit. I’d forgotten for a moment, but Seong Ji-gon collected women’s pubic hair as a hobby.
“You crazy bastard. Whose pubes are those?”
“Oh, this? Grandma’s pubes. The scent’s faded a bit now, but if you sniff it, you get her pussy smell. Pretty addictive. Wanna try?”
“...No thanks. You enjoy it.”
“Sniff. Sniff.”
Seong Ji-gon sniffed the pubes over and over. Once calmed, he carefully tucked them back into his pocket. I glimpsed others inside—plenty of bundles.
“Why do you have so many?”
“This one’s Mom’s, this is from Lady Cow last time, and this is the dying old hag’s final gift...”
“Final gift? You didn’t kill the old hag, did you?”
“Nah, she was sick. Gave me her pussy instead of money for her kid. A pussy full of maternal love...”
“Just checking—her son didn’t suggest it?”
“I suggested it first. She and her son agreed. The son was thrilled for one gold nyang.”
I could picture it. This wasn’t the modern world. Most people were poor. Even in cities, you’d see kids dying on streets all the time.
“So, what about those bastards? Take them down now?”
I asked. Seong Ji-gon would nod right now.
“...Nah.”
“What? Aren’t you pissed at them? You said you’d kill their moms too.”
“Yeah, that’s true. No changing that. I’ll hire Haomen if I have to and fuck their moms.”
“Then? You wanna let them slide? We can eat a crappy ronin band like this.”
The Iron Fifth Squad had no backing. We could shove pure power logic down their throats and take over.
“A true xia has a broad heart.”
“You bastard. Where’d you pick up that crap now?”
Seong Ji-gon had always been weak to the word “xia.” Becoming one was his dream.
“Listen, Yujin. A xia forgives one mistake. Everyone screws up sometimes, right? Even I might...”
“So, give those bastards another chance?”
“Yeah. Give Woo-hyung... no, Woo Young-tae another shot.”
I glanced at Woo Young-tae. He was still goofing off with his crew. Another chance wouldn’t change him.
“If that’s what you want, go for it. But you’re no xia, got it? Xia don’t rape.”
“I know. I can’t be a xia unless I quit raping... But Yujin, I can’t be one, but I can fake it.”
“What’s stopping you? Do what you want.”
Seong Ji-gon nodded firmly.
???
Seong Ji-gon and Woo Young-tae met behind a tree. I hid nearby, masking my presence to eavesdrop.
“Woo-hyung.”
“Calling me out here... and that serious face. What’s up? No trouble, right?”
“I know your true feelings. You’ve been playing me.”
“...Ha.”
Woo Young-tae’s eyes widened. Then he sighed, scratching his head.
“Figured it out? Who told you? ...Eh. It’s been a while, so no surprise.”
Woo Young-tae’s vibe shifted—sharper now. The worn ronin aura poured out.
“So? Haven’t I treated you well? No harm came to you, right? Just to clear it up, newbies doing chores isn’t a lie—it’s tradition.”
“Woo-hyung, apologize to me. You toyed with me, facts are facts. And from now on, rotate chores, don’t dump them just on us. Before Yujin and I joined, you rotated them, right?”
Woo Young-tae’s eyebrow twitched.
“You’re crossing the line. I can apologize if you want. But I won’t let you equate yourselves to us. The captain took you in for one reason: you do chores. Don’t forget your place.”
Woo Young-tae growled. Killing intent leaked out—a warning not to push or he’d strike.
Seong Ji-gon’s face twisted.
“We don’t want much. We’ve done plenty of chores. Recognize us as full Iron Fifth members. Not hard.”
“No.”
Woo Young-tae cut him off.
“Captain told me himself: manage the newbies well. You’ll do chores till Manmu Tower at least. Without you, morale drops, complaints rise. Captain and I don’t want that.”
“Didn’t think we’d run?”
“Run? Haha, try it. But brace yourself. Deserting is betrayal—no ronin band takes that lightly, including us.”
Shing.
Woo Young-tae drew his sword, aiming at Seong Ji-gon’s throat. I stayed put. He was blatantly radiating intent to scare him. No plan to kill here.
‘Needs more use outta him, so no killing. Can’t let him run either. So, rule through fear.’
But Woo Young-tae misjudged one thing.
Seong Ji-gon’s skill. A 7-8 dan stance guy like Woo couldn’t kill a realm-of-exit master.
“Woo Young-tae. I gave you a xia’s chance. Why choose this? We could get along. You even said you wanted to be a xia last time.”
“Did I? Memory’s fuzzy—probably a lie. Still don’t get it? I hold your life. Behave, and you’ll live till Manmu.”
“...And after? Kill us?”
“Dunno. Captain decides. One tip: our captain’s merciful and loyal despite looks. Work hard, show good form... he’ll recognize you. Then others will too.”
A flicker crossed Seong Ji-gon’s face.
Disappointment.
Any hope in Woo Young-tae shattered.
“Trying to fool me again. I gave you a chance... Sigh. So many xia in the jianghu, but true ones are rare—means this?”
Seong Ji-gon unleashed his suppressed aura. His presence spread. Startled, Woo Young-tae swung at him—ronin instinct.
But his blade stopped at Seong Ji-gon’s fingers. Thumb and index gripped it tight—no budge.
“Won’t kill you. Yujin and I planned to take Iron Fifth. Wanted to make it work—had dreams of ronin life. But nah.”
“You... hid your power...!”
Woo Young-tae staggered back.
Not just stance vs. realm gap. Different arts, talent, and Seong trained relentlessly—minus sleeping and fucking. Not like lazy ronin.
“No killing, relax.”
Seong Ji-gon snapped Woo’s blade. Crack. It shattered, clattering down. Woo paled.
“But take a beating. Yujin said make ‘em submit fully.”
“S-sunbae-nim! Sorry! I failed to recognize you and spoke out of turn! Mercy and forgiveness! Please, sunbae-nim!”
Woo Young-tae acted fast—kneeling, head bowed.
Decent survival tactic. Too late. Seong had given the chance; Woo blew it.
Thwack! Pow! Thud! Bam-bam!
Flesh-bursting sounds echoed.
I headed to the captain, Jin Gu-eon—a realm-of-exit 3-dan ronin. Three minutes? Easy.
???
An hour later, Iron Fifth knelt—Captain Jin Gu-eon and all. Only two stood: me and Seong Ji-gon.
Thud! Pow! Thwack!
Seong roamed the kneeling ronin, fists flying to repay past bullshit. They took it silently—no screams. One whine meant worse beatings.
I sat on a rock, facing front. Iron Fifth’s captain, Jin Gu-eon, stared at me. Not normal—face swollen, right eye black. Sweat-drenched fear in his gaze.
“Jin Gu-eon.”
“...Yes! Sung Yu-jin-nim!”
“A beat slow.”
“S-sorry! Forgive me!”
Crackle.
Blue lightning danced on my palm. Jin shuddered—from an hour of electric torture.
Jin bowed his head.
Thump-thump-thump.
Forehead smashed ground. Skin tore, blood flowed.
“One thing I want from you vermin: submission.”
“We offer all loyalty!”
“Not loyalty. Submission.”
“We submit!”
Jin cried desperately. Words said, but he’d run at first chance. Human nature.
“Anyone can say it.”
“Believe me! Sung Yu-jin-nim!”
“Show it in actions.”
Thump-thump-thump. Head again.
“Not that. Kill your favorite subordinate. Prove submission with deeds. Make me believe.”
“...”
Cold wind blew. All froze. Jin’s fave: Kyung Ma-baek. Official sub, but childhood friend.
Everyone knew.
My gaze shifted right. Kyung trembled.
Crackle, crackle.
Lightning sparked in my hand.
Jin shot up.
“...Sorry, Ma-baek.”
“G-Gu-eon! D-don’t. We’re friends!”
Kyung teared up, looking up.
“I’ll atone... in hell.”
Qi-charged fist smashed Kyung’s skull. Burst. Blood and brains soiled ground.
“Sung Yu-jin-nim! I’ve proven my submission!”
Didn’t expect him to kill his sworn brother so quick. Surprised, but nodded coolly.
“Good.”
Now Jin lost his men’s trust. No rallying around him.