Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: Clan Meeting (4)
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I have never once hidden the fact that I am Master Bukgung’s disciple.
That is why most people around me are aware of it.
The high-ranking officials of the Nine Dragons Fortress would know as well.
But a rumor spreading is another matter entirely.
In an age where pigeons are considered the high-speed internet, let alone social media, it’s absurd to think rumors could spread quickly.
Even if a word without feet travels a thousand miles, it doesn’t mean it gets there fast.
The hall stirred at my declaration that I was the field manager responsible for the reconstruction of the Bukgung Clan.
Fortunately, everyone seemed to be aware that Master Bukgung was the legitimate heir of their main family.
In any case, the reactions to my statement were largely divided into two camps.
“Wh-what is this?! I’ve never heard that he took a disciple!”
“He’s in charge of the Bukgung Clan’s reconstruction? I can’t believe it!”
“We must confirm this with him…!”
“Is anyone there?! Find a carrier pigeon to the Nine Dragons Fortress at once!”
“If you are an impostor, you will not leave here in one piece.”
There were those who couldn’t believe it.
“So that’s why the War King Gate, established so recently, was able to take down the Taemo Mountain Fortress and the Hainan Sword Sect… His hand was guiding them, indeed.”
“True. No one but him could raise such a young peerless master.”
“…So he entered the tournament with his sights on Hanzhong. To reclaim the Bukgung Clan’s land.”
“Ho ho, is that so.”
“By the way, if what he says is true, shouldn’t he change his surname from Jin to Bukgung?”
“That is for him to decide. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.”
“Indeed.”
And there were those who thought it might be true.
The problem was…
“Don’t lie! To think Gate Master Jin is his direct disciple. Living in Hanzhong, I have never once heard such a rumor!”
“…”
…that Bukgung Jang-hwan, who had come with me, was stubbornly refusing to believe it.
‘Seriously, how can you do this when you came with me…?’
He seemed to have a serious side at first, but it felt like he was losing his mind more and more as the days went by.
He even looked like a greedy merchant.
This chaos was quelled by the Black Snake Sect Leader.
“Everyone, be quiet! We can determine the truth of the matter from now on, can’t we?”
“…”
Having silenced the hall, he spoke.
“Is it true?”
A simple question.
“Kugh.”
“Umm.”
But groans erupted from all around.
It was because his voice was laced with a tremendous amount of internal energy.
“Yes.”
“If it is a lie, you will not leave here alive.”
“If it’s true, can I take your right arm?”
“So you do possess the heart of the Bukgung Clan.”
“I’ll prove it.”
*CRASH!*
I fired a Battle Lord Arrow, shattering the doors of the banquet hall.
Through the wide-open entrance, numerous martial artists could be seen eating.
“Follow me out.”
*Smirk.*
“This should be perfect for digestion.”
A smile formed on the Black Snake Sect Leader’s lips.
*Thud, thud.*
He walked slowly.
The eyes of everyone in the banquet hall followed the Black Snake Sect Leader and me.
“How about we take this completely outside? We wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“You’re quite considerate for a member of the Unorthodox Faction.”
“We’re people too.”
“Fine. Let’s take it outside. I saw earlier the riverbank was empty, so it should be fine.”
“Let’s.”
He turned back and spoke softly.
“If you wish to watch, follow us out.”
Everyone rose from their chairs and followed us.
As we walked side by side, he spoke in a low voice.
“I know it’s true. I haven’t missed a single move he’s made.”
“…?”
As I stared at him, bewildered, he chuckled and continued.
“However, acknowledging you as the heir to the Bukgung Clan is a different story. So show me. Show me that you are worthy.”
“…”
He was right. The simple fact that I was Master Bukgung’s disciple wasn’t the important part.
The martial arts of the Bukgung Clan, and my own abilities.
I had to display both to make people truly follow me.
Considering that, the Black Snake Sect Leader’s consideration was a perfect hundred out of a hundred.
He had set up a proper stage for me.
We walked for a short while and arrived at the bank of the great river.
A large full moon reflected off the water, illuminating the surroundings.
*Squelch.*
The water-soaked mud clung to my shoes.
And then there were the two hundred or so spectators watching me and the Black Snake Sect Leader.
The atmosphere was like something straight out of Street Fighter.
*Shk.*
The Black Snake Sect Leader took his stance.
Just as his title, the Black Killing Fist Demon, suggested, a black aura erupted from his entire body like a storm.
It was the presence of a true powerhouse hiding his strength.
“Let me ask one thing.”
“Ask away.”
“If I defeat you, will I have proven my worth?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He turned his gaze to the members of the bogus clan meeting.
“Because none of them can defeat me.”
“Simple enough.”
*BOOM.*
I stomped the ground with the full force of the War King Step, signaling the start of the duel.
*SWOOSH!*
With the sound of an explosion of wind, a fist wrapped in black aura flew toward me.
I could feel a formidable power that seemed like it would send me to the afterlife with a single graze.
I quickly added the Flying Heavenly Wind to increase my speed.
The fist’s energy grazed right past my body.
*CRUUUNCH.*
The ground trembled with a sound like a bowling ball being dropped.
‘Damn.’
Maybe I should have suggested we go easy.
Of course, it was too late for that now.
“Hup!”
As always, I started with the War King Thirteen Strikes.
*POW!*
Thirteen strikes filled with force.
“Khm…”
Although blocked by the black aura surrounding his body, the attack wasn’t without effect, as a frustrated groan escaped his lips.
‘As I thought.’
Just as the saying went, *the more you move, the stronger you become; the more you fight, the stronger you become*, the power of my force grew with the continuing battle.
Of course, my opponent was also a peerless master, so this much wouldn’t be enough to take him down.
*SWOOSH!*
Another heavy blow came flying.
Having entered close combat, there was no way to dodge.
I could only block.
*KWAAAAA.*
The War King Arts’ protective aura, the War Dragon Aura, burst forth and devoured the black fist’s energy.
“Huk!”
The Black Snake Sect Leader retreated in astonishment.
He had good instincts, just as one would expect from a scoundrel of the Unorthodox Faction.
I had been about to unleash the Explosive Death Force.
*KABOOOOM!*
The river water shot high into the sky, as if a grenade had exploded underwater.
The Black Snake Sect Leader, who had narrowly avoided it, had a look of bewilderment on his face.
*BOOM!*
I stomped with all my might, a true stomp of the War King Step.
Simultaneously, I unfurled the Flying Heavenly Wind.
With the Heavenly King Step, a combination of the two, I instantly moved behind him.
A body-flickering movement.
The Black Snake Sect Leader, shocked by the speed that was like Goku’s Instant Transmission, turned his body, but…
*WHOOOSH.*
*KABOOOOM!*
…the Explosive Death Force struck his protective aura first.
The Black Snake Sect Leader was sent skipping across the water’s surface like a skipping stone.
It was a blow that even the fearsome Killing Demon Mad Ghost, Hyeon San-wol, wouldn’t have escaped unscathed from, but the sensation from my fist told me the fight wasn’t over.
“Is he made of steel or something…?”
The Black Snake Sect Leader’s form shot up from the water.
To be that unscathed after taking a direct hit from the Explosive Death Force.
I had no idea what kind of martial art it was.
“Is it sorcery?”
No matter how I looked at it, it didn’t seem to be a martial art based on the principles of the Orthodox Faction.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense for me, Jin Mujeon, a representative of the Orthodox Faction, not to recognize it.
*Thud.*
As the Black Snake Sect Leader landed on the riverbank, the air trembled.
*Saaaaa.*
Seeing the black energy spreading through the moonlight, I was certain.
He was definitely a villain.
“What martial art is that? No, what demonic art is it?”
“It is not a demonic art, but the Black Dragon Iron Arts. A martial art practiced by the warriors of the Bukgung Clan in the past.”
“…The name sounds similar to the Black Dragon Hand.”
“It is a branch that stemmed from the Black Dragon Hand, so of course it would be similar.”
“I knew it.”
No wonder my master had such a foul personality.
It was only natural, having learned the origin of such a demonic art.
*Thump.*
*Crackle. Crackle.*
War King Ki exploded from my solar plexus, spreading force throughout my body.
It was the Chain Ring Force.
It was an awakening skill that, while no longer knocking me out for a day after one use, would still seal about half of my internal energy for a day or two.
But I had no choice.
The more overwhelmingly I finished this, the greater the propaganda effect would be.
*BAM.*
Sensing something was amiss, the Black Snake Sect Leader charged, spewing black aura.
It felt immense, like a rhinoceros charging.
“Hup.”
I didn’t avoid him.
After all, we both wanted a close-quarters fight.
*SWOOSH.*
A black fist flew toward my chin.
*KWAAAAA.*
The War Dragon Aura instantly devoured the fist energy contained in the black fist.
But the Black Snake Sect Leader, having anticipated this, didn’t flinch and relentlessly threw punches.
*Thud. Thud.*
The impact was like large boulders falling on my body.
The Black Snake Sect Leader’s stamina was also formidable. He continued to hammer away with fast, powerful punches without any sign of fatigue.
However.
“Kuaaap!”
*GROOOWL!*
*KWAAAAA!*
The War Dragon Aura was solid.
It was perhaps an obvious result.
My War King Arts had advanced even further through the battles I had fought.
I pulled my arm far back and then unleashed the Explosive Death Force.
He swung his fist to meet it head-on.
*KABOOOOM!*
A shockwave erupted, momentarily pushing back the river’s current.
And.
*Crack.*
“Kup.”
The Black Snake Sect Leader clutched his hand and stepped back.
The force, enhanced by the Chain Ring Force, had pierced through his fist’s energy and broken his finger bones.
But he didn’t give up.
*BOOOOM.*
He launched an even stronger blow than before, attempting to engage in close combat.
*POW!*
The War King Thirteen Strikes, laden with force, clashed with his attack.
*POW! BANG.*
A fist’s energy broke through the net of the Thirteen Strikes and struck my chest with the force of steel.
*Drip.*
The force was so strong that I was pushed back five steps.
*Smirk.*
A smile unconsciously formed on my lips.
“What is it?”
The Black Snake Sect Leader asked, looking dumbfounded.
“It’s fun.”
“From now on, it won’t be.”
His entire body turned black.
It was a different feeling from before.
And.
“…!”
*BOOOOOOM.*
He charged at an insane speed and shot right past me.
‘A body slam?’
I managed to block it, but I was bewildered by the unexpected method of attack.
*Shudder.*
Moreover, its power was not to be underestimated.
‘Is he a truck?’
It seemed to be the ultimate technique of the Black Dragon Iron Arts.
‘Hmm.’
I fell into deep thought.
Winning wouldn’t be difficult, but since I had already broken his hand, I didn’t want to injure him any further.
After all, he was the leader of this bogus clan meeting.
If things went sour with him, it could create complications for my future plans.
‘I’ll just show him. He’ll give up on his own.’
*BOOOOM!*
*KWAAAAA.*
Just in time, the charging truck… no, the Black Snake Sect Leader was blocked by the War Dragon Aura.
The momentary pressure was immense, but it was different from before.
“Guuhp.”
I had endured his charge because I was drawing out all my power, including the force from the Chain Ring Force.
And.
*KWAAAAAAA!*
The War Dragon Aura, which had been blocking the Black Snake Sect Leader’s attacks until now, spewed out a terrifying force.
Faced with overwhelming destructive power, the Black Snake Sect Leader quickly dodged.
The riverbank was instantly devastated.
I unleashed the Explosive Death Force with all my might toward that spot.
*KABOOOOOOOM!*
The impact was like a 155mm artillery shell exploding.
Simultaneously, a massive gravitational pull was created, forming a large vortex.
*SWOOOOOSH.*
At that sight, everyone on the riverbank held their breath.
And the Black Snake Sect Leader was no different.
The man who had been flying around just moments ago stood with his mouth agape, watching the scene.
“I have lost… No.”
He turned his body and slowly knelt before me.
“The Black Dragon Head, Bukgung Chang, greets the Dragon’s Form!”
As his words fell, everyone on the riverbank knelt.
“We greet the Dragon’s Form!”
“…”
What the heck is a Dragon’s Form?