Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: The Returned Prodigal (5)
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The verification assembly convened by the clan assembly was, in purpose alone, a stage for gaining the elders' recognition.
Pure River Hall, Pure Victory Hall, Pure Origin Hall, Pure Yang Hall, Pure Peace Hall, Pure Blue Hall.
Among the Pearl Eon Family's branch halls qualified to hold elder status, there were a total of six families, including the Pure River Hall's elder, Eon Gilhoe, from the branch council.
Crack!!!
Starting with the Pure Victory Hall Master whose nose was broken, the Pure Origin Hall Master and Pure Yang Hall Master who had stepped up onto the training ground one after another lay sprawled there as bloody messes.
Thwack!!!!!!!!!
With three of the six elders thus acknowledging(?) me by being carried off on stretchers, various voices arose from the surroundings.
"...He's a born fighter."
"Tell me about it. I thought Pure Yang Hall Master's final punch would land without fail, but he blocked it by clamping his knee and elbow together, then immediately pressed the attack."
"...But can you really call that the Eon Family Fist?"
"It can't exactly be called the Eon Family Fist. However, wasn't this verification assembly originally held under the pretext of checking whether one remembers the Eon Family's spirit? In that case, isn't demonstrating just Crushing White Mountain enough?"
"He's right. The initial technique used on Pure Victory Hall Master was Crushing White Mountain, and the blow that just spun Pure Yang Hall Master's jaw was definitely Jawbone Crusher. For someone renowned as a sword appraiser in the martial world, that's... Oh? Pure Peace Hall Master is stepping up."
As the assembly buzzed, Pure Peace Hall Master Eon Jeong-gyun ascended to the training ground.
'...Pure Peace Hall.'
Eon Yong-myeong had said that branch halls usually focused on commerce and thus neglected martial arts, but Pure Peace Hall had steadily refined the Eon Family Fist, carving out their own path.
'Peng So-jin said Pure Peace Hall Master Eon Jeong-gyun reached the transcendent realm long ago.'
Facing an opponent I couldn't afford to underestimate, I quietly regulated my breathing.
"Hoo."
In the meantime, Pure Peace Hall Master Eon Jeong-gyun spoke up.
"Have you finished regulating your breathing?"
"Yes."
"You've been fighting back-to-back without rest, so I'll give you half a breath more and come at you."
With that, he stomped the ground and unleashed his fist aura.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
I hurriedly shifted my footwork to dodge the pouring fist aura.
I evaded what I could, but for the unavoidable ones, I had to move my hands to deflect them.
'...He's definitely different from the three elders I faced before.'
It felt somewhat similar to facing Father, at first glance.
Of course, compared to Father's, Pure Peace Hall Master's fists were much lighter.
'If Father's single punch felt like a thousand catties, Pure Peace Hall Master's punches weigh less than a third of that.'
Fundamentally, Father's level of martial prowess was several tiers higher.
But it wasn't something that could be explained simply by difference in power.
The very essence of his fists felt different.
'...They carved out their own path, huh.'
Eon Jeong-gyun's fists were fast.
The punches he unleashed lacked the characteristic heaviness of the Eon Family Fist but possessed sharpness instead.
Swish! Swish! Swish swish! Swish! Swish!
Eon Jeong-gyun's fist aura rained down like a downpour.
To counter it, I unleashed my own fist aura and palm strikes.
As our internal energies clashed from both sides, thunderous roars assaulted the ears, and dust from the training ground scattered.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boomboomboom!
Through the billowing dirt, Eon Jeong-gyun burst forward, exploiting the gap.
Shrieeeek!
In an instant, he closed the distance and thrust his right fist like lightning.
Thud!
I raised my arms in an X to block Eon Jeong-gyun's right fist.
Then, he swung his right leg to sweep mine aside.
Swish!
I hurriedly lifted my right leg.
And blocked his shin with my sole.
Paak!
Thus, Eon Jeong-gyun's right arm crossed with my left arm.
And his right shin clashed with my right sole.
Just as I wondered if this would turn into a contest of strength.
An unexpected remark came from Eon Jeong-gyun's mouth.
"...I acknowledge you."
With those words, Eon Jeong-gyun truly withdrew his hands.
He turned his body and cupped his fists toward Father.
"Pure Peace Hall's Eon Jeong-gyun seeks to speak frankly to the Family Head on this stage."
"Speak."
Thus opening, Pure Peace Hall Master pointed to the seats where the elders sat and spoke.
"The elders of our house should limit themselves to the role of advisors. Until now, the Family Head has turned a blind eye to the elders' council."
Eon Jeong-gyun was right.
An elder in a sect manages the organization's affairs.
But in a family, the household matters—great or small—are handled by the Family Head and his wife.
The elders were originally meant only to advise.
Pure Peace Hall Master was pointing this out despite holding elder qualifications himself.
"This was fulfilling filial duty to the late previous Family Head and upholding propriety toward the elders. However, the result is this very situation."
In other words, be a resolute Family Head, not a polite nephew.
"These are tumultuous times. Please take today's outcome as a milestone in your heart and lead the clan. I beg you."
"...I take Pure Peace Hall Master's advice to heart."
"Pure Peace Hall will follow the Family Head's will."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Three elders had been beaten into bloody pulps by Eon Yong-un's hands.
And Pure Peace Hall Master had criticized the elders' council while acknowledging Eon Yong-un.
"Pure Blue Hall will not step forward. Respecting the Family Head's will, we acknowledge Eon Yong-un's reinstatement."
Pure Blue Hall Master, next in line, acknowledged Eon Yong-un without even fighting.
It was effectively a forfeit.
Thus, it was Pure River Hall's turn.
Eon Yong-muk, chosen as Pure River Hall's representative, thought as he stepped onto the training ground.
'He's completely changed. To the point where you could say he's a different person.'
The man before him was absolutely not the Eon Yong-un he once knew.
But he couldn't back down now.
'Pure Peace Hall Master publicly criticized the elders' council, and Pure Blue Hall Master forfeited.'
If Eon Yong-muk himself forfeited here too, not only would Pure River Hall's influence in the Pearl Eon Family vanish completely.
It would be as if he were helping bury his own great-uncle, Eon Gilhoe.
'That would leave me without a place even within Pure River Hall.'
He had to step onto the training ground no matter what.
And even if he lost, he couldn't lose disgracefully.
With no path of retreat, Eon Yong-muk scanned for other options.
'He seems tired from the fight with Pure Peace Hall Master...'
Eon Yong-un, assuming a fist stance toward him, was panting as if on the verge of collapse.
"Hoo. Hooo. Haa."
That was the only thing he could rely on.
Eon Yong-muk bit his lip.
'Even if Pure Peace Hall Master is that kind of person, if Pure Blue Hall Master had just done his part, Eon Yong-un would be more exhausted! Just you wait, Pure Peace Hall Master! Pure Blue Hall Master!'
And he thought.
'If I overcome this hurdle and one day seize control of the Eon Family, I absolutely won't let today's events slide.'
Eon Yong-muk vowed to get revenge for today someday.
To do that, he had to defeat Eon Yong-un before him.
Eon Yong-muk clenched his fist and assumed his stance.
Toward him, Eon Yong-un kicked off the ground and charged.
Shrieeeek!
But unlike the previous four fights, Eon Yong-un's form was clearly visible.
'He's definitely tired.'
Eon Yong-muk smirked confidently and unleashed a punch.
But the moment their stances crossed at close range, his heart sank.
"?!"
Eon Yong-un's speed suddenly accelerated.
Pop!
As a result, Eon Yong-muk's fist glanced off without landing solidly on Eon Yong-un's body.
"?!"
In that interval, Eon Yong-un's fist struck Eon Yong-muk's abdomen squarely.
Thump!!!
"Guh?!"
Eon Yong-muk thought that was the end.
His own punch had missed, while Eon Yong-un's landed with enough force to shake his form.
The rest would be a barrage.
But at that moment.
Eon Yong-un stopped his fist, groaned, and retreated.
"Kuh!"
"......?"
Only then did Eon Yong-muk realize.
'...This bastard is toying with me?'
Even the exhaustion was an act.
The reason was obvious.
'To vent on me longer...?'
He knew Eon Yong-muk couldn't forfeit in this situation.
And sure enough.
Eon Yong-un mouthed the words and sent a transmission.
[Yong-muk, just in case, but...]
'......'
[You can't forfeit just because the previous elders did, right?]
'......!'
[If you do, your grandpa's gonna dig his own grave big time.]
[He's already digging plenty.]
[But if you forfeit too, it'll be like smearing shit on it. I believe you've got enough brains not to do that.]
"Kuuk."
[Good. Yeah, that's it. Grit your teeth and hold on somehow.]
His teeth chattered, his stomach churning with rage.
But what infuriated him more was that there was nothing Eon Yong-muk could do right now.
Even knowing it was pointless, he hurled a question at the situation before him.
'How the hell did that worm become...?'
But he had no time to dwell on it.
Shrieeeek!
Eon Yong-un, having said his piece, charged like lightning.
Thud! Boomboomboom!
Boomboom! Thwack!!!
In an instant, over a dozen exchanges passed.
"It's evenly matched."
"The eldest young master was renowned as a sword appraiser, but evenly matched? He's probably going easy from the start!"
The clueless retainers chattered as if it were a brawl between equals.
But in reality, Eon Yong-muk's punches kept missing.
Swish! Swish! Whishwhish!
Eon Yong-un's landed every time.
Crack! Thwack!!!
There were those who understood the fight's dynamics, but even they couldn't intervene.
This spar was not just a fight but a contest of strength between the main house and Pure River Hall.
And it even looked like Eon Yong-un was holding back.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thwack!!
Eon Yong-muk could only take the beating.
In the process, amid his aching body and dizzying mind, Eon Yong-un loomed ever larger.
He was terrified.
'...Kuuh.'
Perhaps because of the slight curl at the corner of that bastard's mouth.
The sight of him grinning like a malevolent ghost sent chills down his spine.
Eon Yong-muk felt shame at being terrified of Eon Yong-un, whom he'd once deemed beneath him.
"Y-You worm."
To escape that shame, Eon Yong-muk opened his mouth.
"Don't look down on me, you worm!"
And thrust his fist.
But once again, it didn't connect properly.
Eon Yong-un casually twisted, dodging the punch aimed at his chest.
Swish!
And simultaneously struck Eon Yong-muk's forearm with the back of his left hand.
"It's been a while since I've seen a guy who doesn't come to his senses even after taking hits like this."
With that, Eon Yong-muk's hand smack! bounced away.
"You're hopeless."
Eon Yong-un didn't let the rebounding arm go but swiftly tucked it under his armpit.
"Time for punishment. Take it sweet."
And without mercy, snapped it.
Snap!!!!!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Gaaaaahhh!!"
Having twisted Eon Yong-muk's right arm in a direction it shouldn't bend.
Eon Gilhoe, seated in the highest elder seat, shot into the training ground like an arrow.
"You damned wastrel of the world!"
Simultaneously, fists poured in like lightning.
White Mountain Fist—its moniker of "fist that scatters the soul" was well-earned.
Old ginger is spicy, but this was beyond spicy; one wrong move and it could kill.
I urgently executed Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step backward.
And unleashed Anti-Dragon Palms indiscriminately.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Shrieeeek!
Eon Gilhoe chased me relentlessly, his face twisted in demonic rage as he thrust his fists.
"I've taught Yong-muk imperial studies since childhood! Tolerance arts! He's the one to make Pearl Eon Family the foremost house north of the Han! Who gave you the right to lay hands on him?!"
At that moment, as a fist wrapped in fist strength flashed toward me.
I sensed presences both front and back.
Boom!!!!
Someone who had hurriedly leaped onto the platform wedged between me and Eon Gilhoe, blocking it.
"...Father?"
The one who thrust the fist was my father, Eon Jeong-ung.
Confirming that, my unbalanced body swayed greatly.
But my younger siblings who followed caught and supported me.
"Eon young hero!"
"Big brother Eon!"
"Brother!!"
"We shouldn't meddle in family affairs, but since Peng family and Eon family aren't exactly outsiders, I'll say my piece."
"Do it!"
"...Pure River Hall Master, you've crossed the line big time."
"Ehe. Shouldn't have followed this brother after all. Yong-un bro, you okay?"
Confirming the scene, Father turned his hardened face toward Eon Gilhoe.
"The previous Family Head was too sentimental and left Pure River Hall Master be, and I respected that legacy by staying silent until now, but no longer."
And with a stern expression, he began unleashing fist strikes.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Shrieeeek!!
Thud! Thud! Thudthudthud!
Eon Gilhoe seemed to deflect Father's pouring fists well at first, but it was only momentary.
"!"
At some point, Eon Gilhoe's hands and feet began to falter.
Thwack!!!!
Before thirty exchanges, his chest was struck, and blood foam spewed from Eon Gilhoe's mouth.
The white beard he'd proudly stroked before was now dyed red.
"...Cough!"
Father grabbed Eon Gilhoe's collar, forcing him to his knees, and bellowed with blazing eyes.
"Foremost house north of the Han, was it? Stirring strife, splitting factions, making blood kin see blood? Pure River Hall Master's greed broke Yong-muk's arm today, so if you seek someone to blame, blame yourself. The verification assembly is over. Pearl Eon Family officially recognizes Yong-un's reinstatement."
Leaving Eon Gilhoe collapsed like a dry withered tree, Father addressed the surroundings.
"Moreover, beyond convening this clan assembly, Pure River Hall is suspected of aiding the enemy. We strip Pure River Hall of its Pearl Eon Family elder qualifications and commence investigation immediately. Non-Speech Unit, by the Family Head's command, search Pure River Hall!"