Chapter 42
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Thunderbolt Fist Hegemon Hwangbo Tae-seong
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Thunderbolt Fist Hegemon Hwangbo Tae-seong.
He was the younger brother of Hwangbo Tae-neung, the Heavenly Kings Brigade Leader and head of the Hwangbo Family.
When Hwangbo Tae-neung became family head, Hwangbo Tae-seong had competed fiercely for the position right up to the end, a man of exceptional talent.
The decisive reason he failed to claim the seat was his fiery temper.
While Hwangbo Tae-neung was outstanding, the gap between them wasn't vast. In the end, his lack of the composure befitting a family head was the greatest disqualification.
These days, with age mellowing his disposition somewhat, people said his nature had softened—but his innate temperament remained unchanged.
Hwangbo Tae-seong swept his piercing gaze over Seol Hwa-un.
"Not bad. Well-honed."
The subtle aura emanating from him was impressive, enough to justify his brother Hwangbo Tae-neung's effusive praise in the letter.
"But I don't trust anything I haven't seen with my own eyes."
"Pleased to meet you. I am Hwangbo Tae-seong, Leader of the Heavenly Kings Brigade."
Seol Hwa-un could tell at a glance.
"A fist master who has reached his own realm."
In terms of pure fist technique, he seemed a match for Hwangbo Tae-neung.
"They say you broke the Earth Dragon's sword. Is that true?"
The defining incident that had earned Seol Hwa-un his fame as the North Heaven Dragon was his spar with Earth Dragon Peng Ga-ho.
At the time, Seol Hwa-un had unleashed the Ice White Divine Palm in rapid succession, snapping the man's blade in just three exchanges.
He had also wiped out three of the Green Forest Eighteen Bandits' strongholds, but that hadn't been a solo effort, and facing mere bandits drew less attention.
Seol Hwa-un answered honestly.
"I got lucky."
Had the Earth Dragon been even slightly wary of yin cold arts, breaking his sword wouldn't have been so easy.
In a way, it was the immaturity befitting a young expert. Of course, even with full caution, the outcome wouldn't have changed.
"Luck, you say? No need for false modesty. Results speak for themselves. Would you tell a defeated foe dying in real combat that you were just unlucky?"
"I agree with that."
"......"
Hwangbo Tae-seong's expression betrayed a hint of surprise. Anyone would bristle at his curt tone, yet Seol Hwa-un remained utterly composed.
"Definitely not your average young expert."
Among those wielding fists, there was likely no equal.
He found himself agreeing once more with his brother's lavish praise.
"...I want to test him myself."
The twins might make fine opponents in a few more years, but they weren't ready yet.
Of course, the Hwangbo Family's lesser young experts wouldn't even be a challenge. That left only one option.
A sly smile crept across Hwangbo Tae-seong's face as he spoke.
"It's rare to see such a promising young fist master. Little Palace Lord, care to spar with me?"
His words stunned Hwangbo Young and the twins.
"U-Uncle?"
"Even so, you challenging him to a spar is a bit..."
With such a vast age gap, it was unheard of in the martial world for the senior to propose a match first.
"Aren't you curious? About the North Heaven Dragon's true strength."
Hwangbo Seon-hye spoke up.
"Then let us take him on instead."
"Absurd. Can you two draw out the North Heaven Dragon's full power? Even together, you'd be outmatched."
The twins flushed red at his words. Their pride in their martial prowess ran deep, making the reaction inevitable. But they couldn't openly defy him.
It wasn't just his temper—his assessments of martial skill were cold and precise.
"What do you say? North Heaven Dragon."
Seol Hwa-un's eyes sharpened.
"You're serious?"
"Of course. I've never joked about martial arts in my life."
The corner of Seol Hwa-un's mouth curved upward.
"A fine chance to witness the Hwangbo Family's fist arts. No reason to refuse."
'Perfect timing. I was wondering how much they've changed in two hundred years.'
Someone of Hwangbo Tae-seong's caliber would surely demonstrate the true Hwangbo Family fist methods.
"Excellent!"
Hwangbo Tae-seong bellowed toward the Heavenly Kings Brigade.
"All eyes on me!"
The hundred-odd members halted their training and focused on him.
"From this moment, a spar between your Brigade Leader and the North Heaven Dragon! A prime chance to observe North Sea Ice Palace fist arts—halt training and watch!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Heavenly Kings Brigade members retreated to the edges of the training ground, clearing space for the match.
Seol Hwa-un and Hwangbo Tae-seong faced off in the center, three paces apart.
Eom Mu-hwi and Dong Ho-won couldn't hide their bewilderment at the sudden turn.
"What's going on? A spar out of nowhere?"
"Against the Heavenly Kings Brigade Leader, no less. The strongest unit in the Hwangbo Family's forces."
"So he's incredibly strong, right?"
Eom Mu-hwi nodded.
"From what I know, he's a master who rivals even the Hwangbo Family Head."
"That strong?"
"No pushover, that's for sure. We might witness the Little Palace Lord's first defeat."
It was a reasonable prediction. Seol Hwa-un had risen to fame as the North Heaven Dragon recently, but Hwangbo Tae-seong had been a renowned Hwangbo Family master for decades.
The weight of their reputations wasn't even comparable.
Yet Dong Ho-won thought differently.
"Maybe. But I trust the Little Palace Lord. He accepted because he's confident."
"Hmm."
'It's true—it's hard to imagine him losing one-on-one to anyone.'
Hwangbo Tae-seong smiled at Seol Hwa-un.
'Heh heh heh. Nothing beats confirming with your own eyes.'
It was different. Just facing off for a spar, and already an indescribable, intense fighting spirit emanated from him.
'Impressive.'
Delighted, Hwangbo Tae-seong unleashed his own aura.
Kuuung.
Everyone in the hall felt his heavy presence clearly.
'As expected of the Brigade Leader!'
Hwangbo Young fidgeted anxiously.
'Trouble! Uncle's not holding back at all.'
He had witnessed Seol Hwa-un's astonishing martial prowess several times and knew he stood head and shoulders above other young experts.
But Hwangbo Tae-seong was on another level entirely. No comparing him to a young expert.
'W-What do I do?'
The timid Young could only stamp his feet in distress.
Seol Hwa-un slowly assumed his stance and spoke.
"I'll use my palace's Full Snow Flow Fist."
"Then I'll meet you with my family's Mount Tai Divine Fist."
Seol Hwa-un nodded inwardly at Hwangbo Tae-seong's words.
'As expected.'
Judging by his aura, he had anticipated heavy fist techniques—and he was right.
The Mount Tai Divine Fist was the Hwangbo Family's signature art, heavy as the mountain itself, true to its name.
Paak!
Defying expectations, Hwangbo Tae-seong struck first. He had no intention of yielding even the initiative to this junior, let alone three exchanges.
'Topple any foe you face—that's priority!'
Closing the distance in an instant, he unleashed a heavy blow wreathed in bluish fist qi. It was the Mount Tai Divine Fist's One Fist Collapse Strike.
Shuwaaak!
Seeing the punch coming, Seol Hwa-un gave a wry smile.
'Too heavy for a first strike?'
He stepped back and countered with the Full Snow Flow Fist's third form, Jade Dust Falling Scatter.
Paaang!
Hwangbo Tae-seong's fist clashed against the qi barrier from Jade Dust Falling Scatter, erupting in a massive blast of air.
Hwangbo Tae-seong's eyes widened slightly.
'Three-tenths of my power... and he blocks it this easily?'
Seol Hwa-un hadn't seemed to invest much internal energy either.
'His internal energy has surpassed young expert level too.'
A satisfied smile touched his lips.
As Hwangbo Tae-seong's strike faltered, Seol Hwa-un's counter followed.
Striding forward, he unleashed the Full Snow Flow Fist once more.
'Full Snow Roaming Strike!'
Buwoong!
His fist traced a bizarre arc as it flew in. Not particularly fast, but its trajectory was hard to predict.
'Hmph!'
A lesser master might flounder dodging it and get hit, but it posed little threat to Hwangbo Tae-seong's superior skill.
Reading the path precisely, he casually tilted his head to deflect the strike.
Paang!
'As if this fist could land on me...'
But in that instant, the fist he thought he'd evaded whipped back at terrifying speed.
Hwiric!
'Damn!'
It was the follow-up form to Full Snow Roaming Strike: Full Snow Return Fist.
Hwangbo Tae-seong's face hardened as he swiftly dropped low.
Paaa!
Seol Hwa-un's attack barely grazed past his scalp.
A chill ran down Hwangbo Tae-seong's spine.
'Almost made a fool of myself.'
But Seol Hwa-un's assault wasn't over.
His two fists swept in along a massive arc.
Kwakwakwa!
He had turned the earlier Jade Dust Falling Scatter into an offensive move.
Hwangbo Tae-seong's eyes widened.
"......!!"
Full Snow Roaming Strike into Full Snow Return Fist into Jade Dust Falling Scatter—the Full Snow Flow Fist's most basic combo, notoriously hard to escape once caught.
And a North Sea Ice Palace fist art rarely encountered, making it all the more dangerous.
Hwangbo Tae-seong's gaze deepened.
"Hap!"
With a shout, his massive fist slammed into the ground. It was the Mount Tai Divine Fist's ultimate technique, Mount Tai Collapse Strike.
Kwaaaang!!
Jeojeojeok!!
The training ground floor cracked wide, hurling up a massive qi wall that blocked every bit of qi in the Jade Dust Falling Scatter.
Papapapang!!
Though Hwangbo Tae-seong had defended perfectly, his face remained grim.
"......"
As a brief lull fell, Seol Hwa-un spoke.
"Using the Mount Tai Divine Fist that way... impressive."
"Hmph, mocking me?"
"No such thing. I mean it."
In truth, the Mount Tai Collapse Strike wasn't ideal for defense. It shone when striking foes directly.
Yet he'd used it because no other Mount Tai Divine Fist technique suited blocking Seol Hwa-un's assault.
Of course, with dozens of fist arts at his disposal, he surely had options for the situation.
But Hwangbo Tae-seong had declared he'd use the Mount Tai Divine Fist before the spar, so he honored that informal vow.
Proof of how tricky Seol Hwa-un's combo was to counter casually.
'Amazing.'
Hwangbo Tae-seong's eyes grew more serious. He had no choice but to acknowledge it: Seol Hwa-un had transcended young expert level as a fist master.
'I thought Mount Tai Divine Fist would suffice...'
A smile formed on his lips.
"Good. Shall we get serious? No more holding back."
"Been waiting for that."
Their stances shifted. A signal they would no longer be bound by Full Snow Flow Fist or Mount Tai Divine Fist—time for the real clash.
The spectating Heavenly Kings Brigade members' eyes bulged.
"Incredible!"
"Not called the North Heaven Dragon for nothing. For a moment there, I was tense thinking even the Brigade Leader might take a hit."
"Nah, no way that happens."
"Right?"
Hwangbo Seon-hye, watching tensely, suddenly cried out.
"Ah!"
Hwangbo Eun-hye, puzzled, asked.
"What's wrong?"
"Uncle's eyes changed."
"What? Oh, you're right!"
"Huh? Sisters, what do you mean..."
Hwangbo Young peered closely at Hwangbo Tae-seong's eyes as the girls spoke. His gaze had narrowed into razor sharpness.
"I-It really has!"
Dong Ho-won, who had been baffled by their exchange, asked.
"Young Master Young, what's up?"
"Big trouble."
"Huh?"
"When Uncle's eyes narrow like that, it means he's fighting in earnest. We only see that look against Father or the elders... The Little Palace Lord might get seriously hurt."
Dong Ho-won chuckled.
"Is that all?"
"Huh? Aren't you worried for the Little Palace Lord, Brother Dong?"
"Not at all. No matter how great the opponent, I can't picture the Little Palace Lord losing."
"......"
'That's because Brother Dong doesn't know Uncle's true strength.'
Even for Hwangbo Young, whose world was the Hwangbo Family, Hwangbo Tae-seong ranked among the top masters he'd seen.
In his limited view, a man just past thirty like Seol Hwa-un stood no chance.
'What now? Someone stop them...'
Then, the two clashed again.
Kuuung!
Jeojeok!
A heavy vibration cracked the ground, rippling outward in all directions.