Chapter 194
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: Ultimate Fist Gang Clash
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Boom!
Their knees collided.
Crack!
In that instant, Seol Hwa-un's elbow smashed into Kwon Ma's chin, and Kwon Ma recoiled, throwing his head back before slamming it down.
Thud!
Seol Hwa-un staggered briefly from the blow to the crown of his head, then immediately thrust his shoulder forward.
Thump!
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Thud!
Chilling impact sounds echoed in all directions.
“……!”
The dull noises made the spectators flinch as if they themselves were taking the hits.
It was a brutal exchange without mercy.
Of course, their attacks carried substantial internal energy, but they also dispersed the shock using their own internal energy when blocking or taking hits.
Even so, perfect defense was impossible. Exchanges happened in the blink of an eye, too fast to counter every one.
Soon, both men's faces were bloodied. Yet neither yielded an inch.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Thud! Thud! Thump!
The spectators held their breath, watching the duel intently.
“Whoa, what an intense fight……!”
“Man, they could beat me to death and I still couldn't do that.”
“If they let their guard down even a little and take a solid hit…… that's it, they're done.”
“Ugh! It's suffocating!”
Even as they fiercely traded blows, Seol Hwa-un's expression grew darker bit by bit.
‘My misjudgment. Who would've thought Kwon Ma was this skilled in close-quarters brawling.’
They had clashed at close range in their duel three years ago too, but not this extremely up-close.
Meanwhile, Kwon Ma was equally astonished.
‘Unbelievable. A late-stage disciple handling close-quarters brawling this proficiently?’
This kind of pure close-quarters fisticuffs, where they were completely pressed together unleashing barrages, required not just body techniques but above all, vast combat experience.
‘A guy proficient in not just fist arts but sword arts and miscellaneous martial arts, and now fisticuffs too? How can someone not even in their twenties pull this off?’
Kwon Ma couldn't comprehend it.
‘This isn't just superior talent. No matter how genius you are, experience can't transcend age.’
Until now, he'd chalked up Seol Hwa-un's seasoned movements to quick improvisation.
But now, there were too many incomprehensible parts.
‘Unless he's lived his life at several times the density of others, it doesn't add up.’
Even then, he couldn't have spent every waking hour—day and night—solely on training and sparring.
‘Inexplicable.’
A faint smile curled on Kwon Ma's lips.
‘Fine, North Heaven Dragon. Let's see when your bottom finally shows.’
Slam!!
Their shoulders collided once more with tremendous force, and finally, some distance opened between them.
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un no longer charged in, instead staring silently at Kwon Ma.
Kwon Ma smiled leisurely.
“Is the close-quarters brawl over now?”
“…….”
They had fought on nearly equal terms, but Seol Hwa-un had taken the worse of the damage.
Even setting aside the power of the attacks, the difference in their physical durability was significant.
Seol Hwa-un had never neglected body conditioning for even a moment, but he couldn't compare to Kwon Ma, who had devoted his entire life—far longer—to such efforts.
‘Even this doesn't work.’
He had tried every viable method, yet failed to bring Kwon Ma down.
Defeat.
The heavy word floated in his mind.
‘No.’
Seol Hwa-un gritted his teeth.
‘I was the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor in my past life, and in this one, the Young Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace and Leader of the North Heaven Branch!’
He clenched his fists tightly. Pains from external and internal wounds cried out, but he ignored them.
‘If I can't even defeat Kwon Ma, how dare I challenge the Nine Heavens Martial Emperor!’
He channeled the Ice White Divine Art to its maximum, and a pure white light emanated from his entire body.
‘I won't lose to Kwon Ma—or anyone!’
Kwon Ma smiled as Seol Hwa-un charged with ferocious momentum.
“Come. Show me everything you've got.”
Boom!!
Fist Gang clashed against Fist Gang.
Seol Hwa-un unleashed every fist art he knew in his onslaught, while Kwon Ma freely displayed the techniques honed over a lifetime.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!
The shockwaves from their colliding fists were immense, shaking the ground around them like an earthquake.
Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!
“Ahh!”
“What an astonishing duel!”
“It’s like a tournament for the world’s greatest fist master!”
Bing Cho-pung approached the North Wind Brigade Leader, who watched the fight with a grave expression.
“Impressive. Such a fierce exchange.”
“…….”
“What do you think, Vice Leader?”
The North Wind Brigade Leader spoke in a low voice.
“Not good.”
“……Pardon?!”
“From the previous clashes, the Branch Leader has already sustained serious injuries. He seems to be holding on for now, but he could collapse at any moment.”
“……!”
“The Branch Leader has certainly grown stronger. Utterly incomparable to three years ago. ……But even so, Kwon Ma still seems slightly superior.”
Seol Hwa-un was giving his all from start to finish, but Kwon Ma showed a hint of leeway.
Bing Cho-pung's pupils trembled.
“Then…….”
“Don’t judge prematurely. The Branch Leader isn’t just strong in martial arts—he is strong as a person. He’ll surely show something.”
Even as the North Wind Brigade Leader said this, he unconsciously bit his lip.
Meanwhile, Shin Wol, sitting in the referee seat with arms crossed, remarked.
“He's putting up more of a fight than expected, but he still falls short of Master.”
Go Jin-cheon nodded slowly in agreement.
“Indeed. Uncle's martial arts are astonishing. I misjudged him.”
“Not just you—most people thought the same. What do you think? At that level, he could even take on your father, the Heaven-Rending Army, right?”
“I'm not sure. I haven't seen Father much.”
“True, what business would the Divine Wind Hero have with the demonic overlord Heaven-Rending Army?”
Go Jin-cheon frowned.
“Brother.”
“Don’t scowl like that. It’s a joke. Still, witnessing such incredible martial arts must have helped your own skills greatly?”
“Any high-level expert would benefit from this.”
“That’s not what I mean. Your specialty.”
Go Jin-cheon chuckled.
“Ah, that. But even I can’t easily replicate such advanced martial arts.”
“Hoh. Can’t replicate easily? Sounds like you could roughly mimic them.”
“…….”
“You truly are a monster.”
“To me, the North Heaven Dragon seems more impressive? Fighting on equal footing with Uncle despite inferior arts.”
“Impressive, yes. But Master isn’t going all out. Once he’s had his fill of fun…….”
Shin Wol’s gaze turned icy.
“He’ll snap the North Heaven Dragon’s neck.”
The Shanxi Sword Sect Leader and Yu Gong-seon sitting nearby couldn’t help overhearing.
“…….”
The Shanxi Sword Sect Leader remained silent with a heavy expression, while Yu Gong-seon struggled to maintain composure.
His fist was clenched so tightly that blood dripped from it.
‘Branch Leader, please defeat Kwon Ma decisively!’
Seol Hwa-un was pouring out everything he had.
Not only fist arts like Broad Cold Fist, Full Snow Flow Fist, Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist, Blazing Flower Fist, North Sea Wind God Fist, but he even executed forms from Cold Ice Sword Method and Snow Flower Heavenly Flow Sword with his hands.
He was mobilizing every possible technique to counter Kwon Ma.
Amid the fierce duel, fresh blood trickled from Seol Hwa-un’s mouth once more.
Proof that his internal injuries were worsening.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A massive explosion rang out as both men retreated simultaneously.
They charged at each other again, but Seol Hwa-un’s movements were a beat slower.
Kwon Ma’s eyebrow twitched as he noticed.
‘Reaching his limit now.’
He hadn’t seen Thunderbolt Three Fists yet, but felt no regret.
‘Even if he uses it, he knows it won’t work on me. Seems three years wasn’t enough to perfect the Heavenly Wind Fist Emperor’s arts.’
No regrets, though. More time wouldn’t change much.
‘Your luck ends here. Time to finish this.’
The Fist Gang gathered in his fist grew clearer, soon tinged with red light.
Whoooosh!
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes widened at the sight.
“……!”
“This is my true Fist Gang, North Heaven Dragon.”
Boom!!
Their Fist Gangs clashed again. But the result differed from before.
Seol Hwa-un’s Fist Gang shattered, sending his body flying back.
‘Kuh!’
The Fist Gang of the Heavenly Martial Scripture and the Martial Soul Scripture were distinctly different. The outcome proved it.
Kwon Ma said coldly.
“Thanks for the enjoyable bout. Now, let’s end it.”
“…….”
His Fist Gang flew forth again.
Whoosh!
Seol Hwa-un didn’t dare block it, instead stepping into the Heaven-Earth Shadowless Dance.
Kwon Ma smirked, noticing.
‘Even that footwork won’t save him.’
Boom!
“Kuh!”
Though Seol Hwa-un clearly evaded, a heavy shock pierced his lungs like a stab.
‘Incredible shockwave. Even Heaven-Earth Shadowless Dance can’t fully escape its vast range.’
His body trembled everywhere, aching without relief. Moving a step was arduous. Standing was a miracle.
He truly had no means left to oppose Kwon Ma.
“…….”
Kwon Ma approached, exuding thick killing intent. Red Fist Gang blazed vividly on both hands.
‘So that’s Kwon Ma’s Fist Gang.’
From the Heavenly Martial Scripture onward, martial arts develop one’s unique ‘individuality.’ Like Kwon Ma’s red Fist Gang.
In other words, this was Kwon Ma at full power.
Seol Hwa-un pondered as the menacing Kwon Ma closed in.
‘Destructive and savage red Fist Gang. That’s Kwon Ma’s individuality. Then mine?’
Nothing came to mind immediately.
His fist arts came from North Sea Ice Palace and Mixed Origin Sect. His divine arts paradoxically used Yang Gang Qi in his past life and Yin Cold Qi in this one.
‘And now, I’ve finally harmonized Yin and Yang.’
But Yin-Yang harmony wasn’t a unique individuality. It was the principle of the Middle Path.
Even in this perilous moment, lost in deep reflection, Seol Hwa-un suddenly realized.
‘My individuality is…….’
He lightly clenched his fist, facing the oncoming Kwon Ma.
‘This!’
From somewhere, strength surged. Seol Hwa-un stepped forward powerfully, thrusting his fist.
It was an ordinary straight punch, devoid of momentum or aura.
Having poured out all his power, it was almost expected.
Yet, a thin layer of pure white Fist Gang gleamed on Seol Hwa-un’s fist.
For him, it was the best he could muster, squeezing every last drop—a final strike.
Kwon Ma frowned at the sight.
‘Just that level? Definitely at his limit.’
His movements grew lighter.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
‘I’ll give him a proper finale.’
Kwon Ma’s red Fist Gang expanded, soon enveloping both arms.
‘Great Diamond Divine Fist. Diamond Surge Wave!’
Boom!!
A monstrous wave of Fist Gang surged toward Seol Hwa-un.
“…….”
Yet even facing this overwhelming sight, Seol Hwa-un kept his fist extended.
Whoooosh!
A sound like swarming bees rang out. His fist was subtly vibrating.
And then.
Finally, Seol Hwa-un’s Fist Gang met Kwon Ma’s. In that instant, Kwon Ma sensed something off.
‘This is…….’
Boom!!
Seol Hwa-un’s Fist Gang expanded explosively in an instant.
BOOOOM!!
A deafening roar shook the earth.