Chapter 43
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Clash of Fist Masters
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Seol Hwa-un and Hwangbo Tae-seong—their auras were completely different from before.
Boom!!
Fist met fist precisely. A massive explosion rang out as both men staggered back two steps.
Thud!
The impact was so great that clear footprints were imprinted where their retreating feet had landed.
“……!”
But as if it had never happened, the two clashed again in an instant.
Kwa-kwa-boom!!!
Their fists, wrapped in vivid fist auras, crossed chaotically. Each collision cratered the ground with immense shockwaves.
Puk! Puk!
The aftermath alone was that severe; it was impossible to even imagine the shock the two were directly enduring.
Kwa-boom!!
‘As expected of the Hwangbo Family’s fist techniques.’
Seol Hwa-un was deliberately matching Hwangbo Tae-seong’s mid-range fists in a head-on contest.
Considerable shock transmitted into his body each time, but he circulated his internal energy to swiftly dissipate it.
However, the techniques were so powerful, and with frequent clashes, some shock inevitably accumulated bit by bit.
Hwangbo Tae-seong was likely in a similar situation, yet from the outside, there was no visible difference.
‘In that case.’
Whoosh!
Seol Hwa-un’s form shot into the air. A look of puzzlement appeared on Hwangbo Tae-seong’s face.
‘Leaping into the air mid-battle?’
It was common enough to naturally leap into the air during intense combat, but suddenly launching one’s form high into the air like that was extremely rare. It created too many openings.
‘A simple mistake? Or a trap? Either way, fine by me.’
“Haaap!”
Hwangbo Tae-seong unleashed a barrage of fists like lightning.
Shuu-shuu-shuu-shuk!!
Each strike sent out thick fist auras. In an instant, dozens of them shot toward Seol Hwa-un.
Unless one had mastered the Kunlun Cloud Dragon Eight Forms, movement in midair was nearly impossible.
“Ah!”
The onlookers thought Seol Hwa-un was done for.
But suddenly, Seol Hwa-un’s eyes flashed. He then spread wide the fingers of his clenched fist.
Tszz-tszz-tszz!
A pure white energy gathered in his palm.
“Haaap!”
Seol Hwa-un thrust his hand forward like lightning.
Paaaang!
A massive sword aura burst from his palm.
Puk-puk-puk-pung!
The fist auras that touched it disintegrated harmlessly in midair.
‘Ice White Divine Palm?!”
Hwangbo Tae-seong’s pupils shook. The sword aura came crashing down over his head.
Kwaaaaang!
A huge explosion rang out, kicking up thick clouds of dust.
Plip-plop!
The training ground floor was shattered, sending stone fragments flying.
“No way…….”
“Did the Deputy Leader get hit?!”
“No chance!”
Whoosh.
Seol Hwa-un landed on the ground.
“…….”
His eyes widened as he peered into the dust.
‘Hm?’
Rumble!
A blue sword aura pierced through the dust, flying straight at him.
Seol Hwa-un swiftly swung a fist wrapped in fist aura.
Boom!
“Ugh!”
The sword aura’s power far exceeded his expectations. His form was flung backward dramatically.
‘This is…… a Fist Ring?!”
At that moment, the dust cleared, revealing Hwangbo Tae-seong.
His clothes were torn in places and caked with dust, but he didn’t appear seriously injured.
“To block that as well. Truly impressive.”
Everywhere except where he stood, the training ground floor was utterly destroyed, exposing the bare earth beneath.
It was the mark left by Seol Hwa-un’s Ice White Divine Palm.
“To force me to use Thunderbolt Divine Fist.”
The signature technique that had earned him the moniker Thunderbolt Fist Tyrant was none other than the Thunderbolt Divine Fist.
Even two hundred years ago, Seol Hwa-un had experienced the Hwangbo Family’s Thunderbolt Divine Fist. But this move was something he’d never seen before.
Thus, Seol Hwa-un asked with a puzzled expression.
“Was that technique that shot out the Fist Ring just now part of the Thunderbolt Divine Fist?”
Beyond fist aura and fist sword aura, compressing energy even further formed a ring shape—that was the Fist Ring, which could then be projected.
Similar examples included Sword Ring and Blade Ring, techniques possible only after surpassing the Martial Harmony Realm and reaching the Heavenly Martial Realm.
Hwangbo Tae-seong shook his head with a wry smile.
“I haven’t attained that level yet. This is merely a part of the Thunderbolt Divine Fist.”
It was a stance called Thunderbolt Throw Aura, forcibly separating fist sword aura and projecting it like a fist aura.
Hwangbo Tae-seong had used it to block the Ice White Divine Palm and counterattack.
“If it had been a true Fist Ring, even you would have a hard time standing.”
Seol Hwa-un had no choice but to acknowledge it.
‘At my current level, it’s indeed tough to handle.’
Of course, in his previous life, he could unleash them as easily as breathing.
‘Even if it’s not a true Fist Ring, it’s still an impressive technique.’
He gave a subtle smile.
‘It seems he’s borrowed from Blazing Flower Fist.’
The form and method of the sword aura were similar. It was likely developed while studying the Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor’s techniques.
In a way, it was only natural. The Heavenly Collapse Fist Emperor had ascended to the world’s greatest master as a fist user and demonstrated the pinnacle of fist arts.
There was no reason for the Hwangbo Family, who specialized in fist techniques, not to reference him.
‘Indeed. The Hwangbo Family hasn’t been idle these past two hundred years.’
Seol Hwa-un clenched his fist again.
“Shall we continue?”
“Come.”
Taat!
The distance between the two fist masters closed.
Pa-pa-pa-pak!
A fierce exchange of techniques unfolded. Seol Hwa-un linked and unleashed every fist technique in the North Sea Ice Palace arsenal—Full Snow Flow Fist, Broad Cold Fist, Six Harmonies Fist, and more.
Hwangbo Tae-seong likewise mixed in Mt. Tai Divine Fist, Thunderbolt Divine Fist, Five Elements Fist, and others.
While Seol Hwa-un varied between swift fists, mid-range, and ring fists, Hwangbo Tae-seong centered on mid-range.
Yet he blocked all the diverse techniques and even counterattacked.
As if proving that mid-range fists alone could overwhelm any fist art.
Seol Hwa-un couldn’t help but admire it.
‘Truly astonishing. No one in the world can match his understanding of mid-range fists.’
To reach this realm, he must have walked a single path unwaveringly. It reflected the steadfast nature of Hwangbo Tae-seong perfectly.
The two’s concentration peaked. It might look like mere fist swinging and trading blows, but a single mistake could mean a fatal wound from the fist auras—it was a deadly exchange of techniques.
In that instant, Seol Hwa-un’s eyes flashed.
‘Fist Cannon One Split!’
‘Thunderbolt Throw Aura!’
Kwaaang!
Even amid the frenzy, whenever an opening appeared, they unleashed sword aura attacks without hesitation.
Seol Hwa-un freely deployed Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist, while Hwangbo Tae-seong unleashed the Thunderbolt Divine Fist’s ultimate moves.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-boom!
In moments, the training ground became a wasteland.
Moreover, as they gradually raised their internal energy output, the power kept intensifying.
The onlookers had no choice but to retreat further to avoid getting caught in the clashes. But they all shared the same thought.
‘What an incredible duel!’
Overwhelmed by the fight, the onlookers couldn’t even speak, endlessly tracking the two men’s movements.
‘Full Snow Cannon Wave!’
At last, Seol Hwa-un unleashed the third stance of the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist. He had used it to subdue the Heavenly Dragon Namgung Hyo.
Kuaaaa!
Intense Yin cold energy surged toward Hwangbo Tae-seong.
‘Such a fist technique!’
He realized it was a move the Thunderbolt Divine Fist couldn’t handle.
‘……No choice.’
His eyes sank deeply. In that moment, he erupted with explosive energy.
Paat!
The color of the fist aura enveloping his fist turned yellow.
‘Let’s settle this, North Heavenly Dragon.’
Kuaaaa!
The atmosphere trembled from the energy he had condensed.
‘Heavenly King Descent.’
A strike heavier than any fist he’d shown so far extended from his hand.
Wuuuung!
Soon, that mighty force collided with Full Snow Cannon Wave.
……
For a moment, no sound was heard—then suddenly, an enormous explosion erupted.
Kwaaaang!
Rumble-rumble-rumble!
The sound was one thing, but the ground shook violently from the immense clash.
The Heavenly King Corps members’ eyes widened as if tearing.
“Guh!”
“Th-that stance the Deputy Leader just used…….”
“No doubt! It’s the Heavenly King Three Fists!”
“Is he trying to kill the North Heavenly Dragon?”
The Heavenly King Three Fists were the essence of Hwangbo Family techniques, on par with the Namgung Family’s Sovereign Sword Form.
Completing the Heavenly King Three Fists was the dream of every Hwangbo Family warrior.
And indeed, the power of the Heavenly King Three Fists was tremendous.
Not only did it nullify Full Snow Cannon Wave’s energy, it even threatened Seol Hwa-un.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
Hwangbo Tae-seong’s eyes gleamed sharply.
‘If he doesn’t block it, he dies.’
Yet a smile curled on Seol Hwa-un’s lips.
‘This is fun.’
Tszz-tszz-tszz!
The pure, chilling energy of the Ice White Divine Art enveloped Seol Hwa-un’s fist.
‘I acknowledge you, Heavenly King Deputy Leader. To make me use this stance.’
Seol Hwa-un lightly extended both fists, tracing a circular path forward.
‘Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist—Third Stance.’
The two fists, laden with immense inner power, trembled and vibrated. They quivered so rapidly that his fists seemed twice their size.
Buuuuung!
‘Wave Heaven True Fist!’
It was the essence of North Sea Ice Palace fist techniques, revealed in the Central Plains after hundreds of years.
Puuuuk!
There was no grand sound. The energy of Heavenly King Descent merely shattered upon touching his fists and scattered emptily.
“……!”
The onlookers—especially the Hwangbo Family warriors—couldn’t close their gaping mouths.
“He…… blocked it?”
“The Heavenly King Three Fists?”
“No…… impossible!”
Hwangbo Young couldn’t believe it.
‘I despaired thinking the Little Palace Lord might fall to the Heavenly King Three Fists…… and he blocked it!’
He had no choice but to look at Seol Hwa-un anew.
‘The Little Palace Lord…… is truly extraordinary!’
Eom Mu-hwi and Dong Ho-won couldn’t hide their astonishment either.
Gulp.
“That stance the Little Palace Lord just used—it was the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist’s final move, Wave Heaven True Fist, right?”
They were still unaware of the incomplete five stances of the Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist, so they believed Wave Heaven True Fist was the last.
Eom Mu-hwi nodded at Dong Ho-won’s question.
“Seems like it. He’s mastered even that.”
As far as he knew, even in the Ice Family, only the Ice Family Head had fully mastered Wave Heaven True Fist.
Dong Ho-won shook his head.
“I expected it, but to plunder the Ice Family’s secrets in a mere five years.”
“……To think I once aimed above the Little Palace Lord—it’s utterly shameful.”
“You’re realizing it now?”
“You bastard…….”
Amid the strange tension, Seol Hwa-un and Hwangbo Tae-seong stood staring at each other.
“…….”
A smile rose to Hwangbo Tae-seong’s lips as he glared at Seol Hwa-un with a stern expression.
‘A warrior who’s mastered fist arts to this degree—I’ve never seen one from another sect. This is truly exhilarating!’
Seol Hwa-un felt much the same.
‘Few sects can showcase fist arts to this level. Well deserving of the name Fist School.’
He wanted to exchange a bit more fist arts with Hwangbo Tae-seong.
“Shall we continue?”
“Of course.”
Hwangbo Tae-seong nodded vigorously with a pleased expression.
“As expected! Let’s go all the way.”
“Exactly what I wanted.”
The two quietly raised their internal energies.
Kugu-gu-gu.
The auras emanating from them completely dominated the surroundings.
“Th-this is bad. Things are about to get serious.”
“You gonna try stopping them? Think you can?”
“No helping it now. We just watch till it’s over.”
The moment of imminent explosion.
Just as Seol Hwa-un and Hwangbo Tae-seong were about to move.
Shuuuaak!!
A massive sword aura sliced between the two from somewhere.
“……!”
They couldn’t help but freeze.
Kwaaaaak!
The sword aura left a thick, long gouge in the ground.
The taut tension vanished like a lie. As if the sword aura had severed the thread of suspense.
“That’s enough.”
The onlookers turned to see an elderly man with white hair dangling his sword.
“That’s……!”
The Hwangbo Family warriors who recognized him bowed their heads in unison and shouted.
“We pay respects to the Grand Elder!”