Chapter 391
Chapter 391
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 103
>Chapter Title: Dismiss Axe King (1)
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Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang.
He was one of the Five Kings, the upper echelon executives of the Heaven and Earth Society, and a supreme master bearing the title of the Eight Stars.
In the war against the Justice Alliance in Shaanxi Province, he single-handedly shattered the combined assault of experts from the Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect, slaughtering them all and thereby spreading his fame and infamy far and wide.
But he didn't stop there. He crossed the wall of transcendence, beheading the former Mount Hua Sect leader, the Azure Plum Sword Immortal Cheong Wi-su, in just over forty exchanges, earning him the title of the Eight Stars.
Those who faced him all said it felt like battling not a man, but a ferocious beast—such was his savage martial prowess.
-Roooaaar!
His stature was so immense it seemed like two heads had been grafted onto an ordinary adult male.
His muscles were so thick that the sleeves of his robe tore at the shoulders.
He was a man exuding the very atmosphere of a beast.
As Ho Tae-gang approached, radiating overwhelming pressure, Dark Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon couldn't hide his bewilderment.
‘Why is the Dismiss Axe King here?’
He had no idea what business brought him to this place.
However, from the massive axe slung over his shoulder to the armed subordinates following him, it was clear his intentions were far from peaceful.
Pointing at him, one of the Dark Clan warriors who had rushed in said hurriedly,
“H-He knocked out all the gatekeepers of the main sect and barged in without a care...”
“Barged in... It suits his reputation for belligerence, but of all times, why come to the Dark Clan now...”
Dark Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon's gaze naturally turned toward Mok Kyung-un.
It seemed his return was the cause.
‘The Society Leader's orders... That can't be it. Then why?’
Hwan Ya-seon couldn't shake his unease.
Recently, the Dismiss Axe King had clashed with the Bright Blade King after losing his son.
The reason was that the Bright Blade King's senior disciple, Woo Ho-rang, was the prime suspect in his son's death.
Yet for some reason, he hadn't unleashed his full fury, settling for just one of Woo Ho-rang's fingers, or so it was known.
Whatever brought the Dismiss Axe King here now, things couldn't be allowed to escalate.
And,
‘We can't let this be seen.’
In the rear garden, dozens of Dark Clan warriors lay collapsed.
Thus,
“Please wait. I'll go see him myself.”
-Tatata-tak!
Dark Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon hurriedly dashed beyond the hall, cupping his fists in salute toward Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang as he spoke.
“Have you been well? Senior Ho. What brings you to the Dark Clan's residence?”
“Dark Clan Leader. It's been a while.”
“Yes, I'm grateful you remember. But...”
“It's not you I have business with. Though I suppose I have no choice but to make it clear.”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
-Swish!
Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang nodded toward someone faintly visible beyond the hall.
That someone was none other than Mok Kyung-un.
It was as expected, but Hwan Ya-seon feigned ignorance and spoke softly.
“May I ask why Senior seeks my disciple?”
“He's from the righteous faction's hostages anyway, so I doubt you'll have much attachment. Sorry about this, but hand him over. Do that, and I'll withdraw quietly.”
Dark Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon furrowed his brow at the direct demand.
He knew the man wasn't one for beating around the bush, but this was blunt even for him.
Hwan Ya-seon replied, trying his best not to show his displeasure.
“Senior Ho... I'm afraid that's impossible. Whether he's from the righteous faction's hostages or not, that child is my precious disciple. Even for you, Senior, how can you demand that a sect leader hand over his disciple like this? Words of apology won't suffice for...”
“Hoo.”
Before his words could finish.
Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.
-Roooaaar!
When he opened them again, a fierce glint shot from his eyes, accompanied by a surge of energy.
As befitting a supreme master who had crossed the wall of transcendence and earned a title among the Eight Stars, the mere release of his energy whipped up winds around them.
“Then I won't apologize. I'll take him by force.”
“...Will you truly go this far?”
“I warn you now. If you don't want to get hurt, stay out of it. And forgive me, but I can't explain everything to you right now.”
-Pat!
The moment he finished speaking, Ho Tae-gang's fist shot out like lightning on a flint.
It was so fast that Hwan Ya-seon tried to evade with his signature lightness skill, but
-Paak!
‘What?’
-Puk! Kwang!
In an instant, the distance closed, and he took a hit to the chest, crashing into the wall.
The sheer power crumbling the wall made blood well up in Hwan Ya-seon's throat.
‘His reputation is well-earned.’
The power was impressive enough to draw involuntary admiration.
Even after dispersing some of the impact with his Flower-Plum Redirecting Palm, he had suffered internal injuries.
Ho Tae-gang was a being of a different caliber even among the Five Kings.
As one who bore the title of the Eight Stars, a single blow from him made Hwan Ya-seon's legs tremble.
-Drip drip!
Toward Hwan Ya-seon, blood trickling from his mouth, Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang warned.
“Don't interfere further. I'll show mercy only once.”
“Hoo... Hoo... Why target my disciple? He has no connection to you, Senior...”
As he approached, Ho Tae-gang whispered to him.
“For my son, wandering the Nine Heavens. That's all I'll say.”
“Senior...”
Hwan Ya-seon steadied his breathing and straightened his posture.
Shaking his head at him, Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang said,
“When I went to the Bright Blade King, Lady Wi So-yeon's intervention midway left me no choice, but now it's different. If you persist, I won't hold back.”
“Senior... I cannot back down either.”
“Words are pointless now. Further warnings are meaningless, right?”
-Grip!
Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang gripped the handle of the massive axe slung over his shoulder.
He judged it couldn't end mildly.
To fool the one who wouldn't be deceived by a single finger, he needed to show the real thing this time.
He had to injure the Dark Clan Leader to some degree.
‘I’ll repay this debt someday.’
-Paang!
Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang swung the axe straight at the Dark Clan Leader.
He wielded the enormous axe one-handed with monstrous strength.
But then,
-Paaak!
He halted the swing midway.
That was because someone had appeared before the Dark Clan Leader, blocking the axe's path.
That someone was none other than,
“...So you're the boy Mok Kyung-un.”
Ho Tae-gang clicked his tongue at the youth's face, which transcended tall handsomeness.
He'd heard the appearance was extraordinary, but it was indeed more beautiful than most women.
What surprised him more, however, was Mok Kyung-un's audacity.
If he'd stopped the axe even a moment later, Mok Kyung-un would've been cleaved in half mid-interference.
‘This punk?’
Looking into Mok Kyung-un's eyes, a light flickered in Ho Tae-gang's.
The axe had stopped right before him, yet there wasn't the slightest tremor in those pupils.
This went beyond nerve—it was sheer boldness.
“...Setting aside his hostage origins from the righteous faction, I see why the Bright Blade King and so many executives covet him. A true talent.”
“Are you the Dismiss Axe King?”
‘You?’
At Mok Kyung-un's question, one of Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang's eyebrows shot up.
He'd thought the kid had guts to butt into adults' fights, but staring him down and calling him by his nickname was sheer impudence.
Ho Tae-gang's lips twitched before he spoke.
“Good.”
“What do you mean?”
“Though it was for show, I wasn't thrilled about it deep down. Now, it feels a bit better.”
“For show...”
“Let's just take one arm cleanly.”
-Swish!
With that, Ho Tae-gang raised the axe high overhead.
-Chwaaaaak!
He then slammed it down toward Mok Kyung-un's shoulder with tremendous force.
It had enough power to bisect not just the arm, but the body itself.
Yet,
-Pagak!
‘!?’
The expression of Ho Tae-gang, who had swung the axe, froze solid.
Naturally expecting to sever Mok Kyung-un's right shoulder, the axe's blade was caught in Mok Kyung-un's bare hand.
‘This punk?’
He'd moderated his strength deeming him a novice, but few in the Heaven and Earth Society could catch his axe barehanded.
Ho Tae-gang's eyes sharpened.
He'd sensed peak transcendent-level energy, figuring him for at most one of the Five Tigers among late-stage experts.
But apparently not.
“You...”
“Didn't Ho Jong-hyeok tell you anything?”
“What?”
“Ah, I should've told him to at least mention it.”
“...What nonsense are you spouting?”
To his question, Mok Kyung-un smiled faintly and replied.
“I should've had your son say he serves me.”
At those words, Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang's face twisted ferociously.
He himself cared little who became successor, but he'd respected his son's choice to follow the Society Leader's second disciple, Jang Neung-ak.
Who serves whom?
What gave this punk the right to spew such drivel?
-Roooaaar!
Fury boiling, an immense true energy poured from Ho Tae-gang's entire body, stinging the skin as it spread everywhere.
He'd planned to keep it mild for show.
No longer.
If this punk dared mock him using his dead son, it was unforgivable.
Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang let his boiling rage and killing intent flow freely as he said,
“It could've ended with one arm for the sake of appearances, but foolishly, you're staking your life. This is all on you...”
“You mean for show to the eldest young master Na Yeul-ryang?”
Ho Tae-gang's brow furrowed at the words.
What the hell was this punk?
Even his own master, Dark Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon, only had fragments of info and couldn't grasp his true intent—how did he know?
As he puzzled, Mok Kyung-un spoke casually.
“Why not honor your son's will instead of being swayed by the eldest young master's schemes?”
His son's will?
This punk really wants to die.
His rage peaking, Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang could hold back no longer and swung his axe laced with sword energy at Mok Kyung-un...
-Puk!
“Gurk!”
Before he could, a fist plunged into his abdomen.
His rock-hard abs, unmarred even by hammer blows, seemed meaningless against this power—Ho Tae-gang's eyes bulged.
Even in his fury-blinded state, he hadn't sensed the hand moving.
To him, Mok Kyung-un said in a low voice.
“Ah, my mistake.”
“...”
“Waiting for the axe got boring, so I threw a punch without thinking.”
“...You... punk...”
“You look like it hurts a lot. Shall we continue?”
-Grit!
“Ugh... Haaap!”
-Paaak!
Finally, Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang unleashed a roar-like shout and swung the axe.
-Swish!
Mok Kyung-un tilted his head back, narrowly dodging.
‘Hoo.’
Impressive endurance, enduring the pain.
Fully overcoming it, Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang swung the axe ferociously, regaining momentum.
His movements were like raging ocean waves in a storm.
-Chwachwachwa-chak!
“Krahahaap!”
Watching, Dark Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon couldn't hide his tension.
He knew Mok Kyung-un had grown stronger—the incarnation they'd awaited in the church—but Dismiss Axe King Ho Tae-gang hadn't earned his Eight Stars title for nothing.
He was a monster who, even gravely wounded on the battlefield, howled like a beast and massacred foes.
Even after taking one hit, once he built momentum, he had the power to reverse it in an instant—
-Puk!
In that moment, Ho Tae-gang's jaw jerked upward as he wildly swung the axe, staggering backward.
‘What!?’
Hwan Ya-seon's eyes widened.
He hadn't even seen Mok Kyung-un move his hand, yet the head was flung back.
“W-What?”
“W-Why, Senior?”
Ho Tae-gang's silently watching subordinates also couldn't conceal their shock at the scene.
They'd assumed Ho Tae-gang would unilaterally thrash Mok Kyung-un, a mere late-stage expert.
But the opposite was unfolding.
‘What the hell is this?’
Ho Tae-gang himself was equally bewildered.
Despite protective aura over his body and thick muscles like armor, he couldn't stop his head from snapping back from the jaw impact.
‘Impossible...’
How could this happen?
He prided himself that no one in the Heaven and Earth Society save the Society Leader or fellow Eight Stars bearer could match him.
Yet this kid not even thirty...
-Grit!
Ho Tae-gang ground his teeth, straining his neck against the backward tilt.
No.
He didn't know what was happening, but the punk before him wasn't some late-stage expert.
He had to treat him as a formidable foe...
“Being so tall, looking up annoys me.”
“What?”
-Puk! Thud!
In that instant, his shin buckled, forcing both knees to the ground.
Into the shoulder of his forced-kneeling right arm, fingers dug, numbing the nerves—Mok Kyung-un dropped the massive axe Ho Tae-gang held.
Simultaneously, Mok Kyung-un seized his throat.
-Grip!
“Gek!”
Before his subordinates' eyes, throat-grabbed Ho Tae-gang couldn't bear the humiliation. He summoned energy in his left hand to sever Mok Kyung-un's right arm.
But before it reached, Mok Kyung-un caught that left hand,
-Crack!
“Guhk.”
And twisted it clean off.
It bent backward so severely the elbow bone protruded.
Throat gripped, no scream escaped, but agony turned his veins bulging red-hot.
‘...Ha!’
Dark Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon, watching, felt ecstasy fill his eyes.
He'd wondered the extent of Mok Kyung-un's strength, hard to gauge precisely, but this surpassed imagination.
Overwhelming a transcendent being titled among the Eight Stars.