Chapter 179
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 179
Chapter Title: Fist King (2)
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Song Calf Inn.
Compared to larger inns, it seemed small, but it was built like a painting worthy of its name. The care of the carpenter was evident not only in the surrounding trees but in the building itself. Or perhaps it was the owner's meticulous personality at work.
As they entered the inn, there were men dressed in familiar martial robes. The high-quality fabric bore an embroidered crane perched on a bamboo stalk.
Tsk!
Contempt filled their eyes upon seeing Mujin's group. They deemed it unseemly for people like that to enter the renowned inn of Jeonam alongside them.
"So much for it being famous—even riffraff shows up."
Namgung Yeon-hwa's expression hardened at the mocking tone. She knew exactly who they were, which made it all the worse.
'These bastards!'
No matter how shabby their appearance, it wasn't right to humiliate strangers on first sight.
Swoosh!
Mujin stepped in front of the fuming Namgung Yeon-hwa. Though his blackened face hid it well, his aura was shifting. Mujin slipped in before the opponents could sense that subtle change.
-What's the big deal?
-No need to fight over something trivial.
-How is this trivial?! Didn't you hear what those bastards said?!
-We do look a bit off.
-And whose fault is it that we look like this?!
-In the martial world or not, treatment varies by status, background, and appearance. Can't be helped. You gonna fight every time?
-So you're okay with it?
-Yeah.
Namgung Yeon-hwa was stunned by Mujin's attitude in the transmission. He'd make a huge fuss over nonsense sometimes, yet stay oddly calm now.
-Doesn't it bother you?
-Nah, nothing's happened yet. Let's be efficient. And why do you keep trash-talking your brother-in-law? Wanna die?
-...You lunatic!
He brushed it off as nothing, then picked a fight over something equally trivial.
After calming Namgung Yeon-hwa, Mujin showed courtesy to the others as well.
"We apologize for the unintended disturbance. We have our circumstances, so please overlook it with magnanimity, great hero."
"Apology accepted. But fail to discipline your servants properly, and next time it won't end with words."
"Of course."
The inn was crowded. Being orthodox faction, they didn't push further. Clinging after a polite apology would invite rumors. With their goals in mind, they avoided escalating.
'Still sore about Divine Spear, huh?'
-He remembers you as the guy he stepped on.
'Can't blame him.'
-You let him off out of pity?
Before Mujin hit his peak fame, Divine Spear was the first foe that put his name on the map. Stepping on that guy built his reputation. As one of the top hundred masters then, his skills weren't bad.
'His fame's less than I thought.'
-Or he's hiding it.
Coming to Jeonam for his son's wedding, they wouldn't stir trouble in House Hwangbo's front yard. Taejin's marriage was at stake—they had to be cautious.
'Yujin can't find out.'
-Exactly.
He didn't care about much else. Having told his wife, any weird rumors would complicate things. At minimum, he needed to plant the image of a father doing his utmost for his son's wedding.
Mujin booked a annex at Song Calf Inn and requested bathwater. Cost was no issue. It was a drop compared to profits from Guo Manor and So Manor spars. Plus, using So Uncheon's hidden emergency funds and ledgers wisely could even negotiate fairly with Hubei Paeng Clan. The ledgers held amusing dirt. With internal allies, it was pure gain.
They rested deeply in the annex.
Namgung Yeon-hwa stopped complaining, soothed by the inn's top-tier hospitality. She'd surged with emotion, but friction gained nothing.
After bathing and eating, they crashed into bed and slept soundly. They woke late morning, groomed as needed, then left the inn.
Exiting, Namgung Yeon-hwa and Taejin looked like new people. Even the innkeeper and staff stared in surprise. Both had beauty that could earn "handsome" labels, drawing eyes naturally. Mujin had changed too, but his rugged beggar style stayed unrefined.
"Nervous?"
"No."
'This is awkward.'
It was an unforeseen crisis for Ak Jung-pil.
Until arriving at House Hwangbo, rejection hadn't crossed his mind. Black Dragon Fortress was expanding in Shandong then. They needed ties to check the unorthodox and bolster control.
"You've heard the marriage talks with Pine Tiger Sect."
"So the rumors are true?"
"Yes."
"It'll hurt in the future clash with Black Dragon Fortress."
"Can't break trust over that."
House Hwangbo's patriarch cited a prior promise he couldn't break. Honorable, perhaps. But Shandong Ak Clan and Pine Tiger Sect weren't comparable. Even if blamed, they should've chosen Shandong Ak over Pine Tiger.
"Uncle, we just back off?"
"Can't force it."
"How can House Hwangbo act like this? We've conceded much."
"True."
Ak Hyo-sang couldn't hide his frustration.
For the clan, they'd set aside grudges to show goodwill. Competition with House Hwangbo simmered unspoken. Amid unorthodox revival, they chose unity over rivalry for the greater good.
Even if minor public scorn, House Hwangbo should've picked the clan.
"If they act like this, we can't stand it."
"Don't act rashly. This is House Hwangbo."
House Hwangbo was a proud great five family. Shandong Ak thought equal, but with Fist King alive, rash moves were unwise.
"Comparing that sect to our clan! Infuriating, Uncle!"
Hm.
Ak Jung-pil knew his nephew's anger wasn't just from comparison. At House Hwangbo's main gate, he met Hwangbo Se-ryeong. Young but brilliant and stunningly beautiful.
How could a man not desire such a smart, lovely woman? Losing her to an inferior sect must sting. Unattained longing grows fiercer.
'But he must endure.'
For the clan's greater good and future, antagonizing House Hwangbo gained nothing.
Hm?
Hwangbo Se-ryeong walked with someone, coquettishly twisting sulkily. Utterly unlike her calm demeanor before. Who knew her expressions varied so much.
"Jin lang, why so late? Do you know how anxiously I waited?!"
"Sorry. I wanted to come, but training dragged."
"Any later and I'd have come for you. You know what then, right?"
"Yeah. Really sorry."
Hwangbo Se-ryeong took Taejin's hand, leading to her room. She craved the pent-up talk. Especially tales of Father's exploits.
"Can't you let go of that hand?!"
Before Ak Jung-pil could act.
Ak Hyo-sang shot forward like lightning. Ignored by Hwangbo Se-ryeong before, her affection flipped his eyes. Boiling youth forgot even this was House Hwangbo.
"Such insolence!"
Charging recklessly, Ak Hyo-sang drew the clan technique Blood Hawk Claw. Spear arts primary, but Shandong Ak excelled in claw too. Reddened by Red Dragon Divine Art, his fingertips targeted Taejin's collarbone.
Thud, whoosh!
Ak Hyo-sang, yanking to snap the collarbone, lost balance. In that "Eh!" moment, Blood Hawk Claw flew, sky and earth swapped.
Thud!
Neck grabbed, slammed down, stomped once more. In a blink, Ak Hyo-sang lay crumpled, neck twisted, solar plexus shocked into unconsciousness.
Swish!
Taejin scratched his head, eyeing the unsightly fainted Ak Hyo-sang. The guy from the inn suddenly attacked, so he overreacted a bit.
From Father's harsh training, the combo flowed naturally. He controlled power at end, or it'd have snapped his neck.
"Ryeong mae, trouble?"
"Not your fault, Jin lang."
"We good?"
"None of our business."
Hwangbo Se-ryeong was slightly shocked by Taejin's strengthened control. Opponent was Shandong Ak's prodigy, using Blood Hawk Claw. Inspired by hungry hawk's dive, swift and sharp.
Flicked away with fingers, seized pulse, slammed down. Flow too clean, too potent.
"Think you can run after that?! Can't escape after assaulting clan direct bloodline!"
Ak Jung-pil, dazed by nephew's pathetic defeat, snapped to fury. Letting him go stained Shandong Ak's face. Dare touch direct lineage—pay dearly.
Unlike roaring Ak Jung-pil, Taejin calmly shifted blame to the fallen.
"As you saw, justified self-defense."
"Shut it! Filth dares touch clan blood and expect mercy?!"
Step by step, Taejin's calm irked Ak Jung-pil. Brat eyeing him as equal.
"What do you think you're doing?! Jin lang's House Hwangbo's guest. Even Shandong Ak has no right to act freely here!"
"Quiet! I'm judging this scum now!"
Indeed, this punk was Pine Tiger Sect's betrothed to House Hwangbo. Pride blocked retreat. Harsh lesson, punish coveting forbidden fruit.
'Unavoidable accident.'
Ak Jung-pil invoked strongman's rights. Though brat downed nephew instantly, he didn't underestimate. Drew waist tri-section spear.
Screeech!
Stormwind Shadow Step.
Closed distance instantly. Spear bent flexibly, tracing arc with momentum.
Claaaang!
Clash erupted.
Ear-piercing waves spread. Center: Taejin and Ak Jung-pil crossed sword and spear, chaining next moves.
'He blocked?'
Not just blocked—countered. Double thrust forming spear shadow. Plan: block expected, late follow-up catches. Youngsters without experience fall to speed often.
Seeing through, counter disrupted Ak Jung-pil's balance momentarily. Unlike nephew, he parried sword strike unflinching.
Clang clang clang, boom!
Sword and spear trajectories tangled wildly. Sounds before eyes caught up.
'Damn it!'
Ak Jung-pil needed distance. This was sword range. Yet brat denied it easily. Swordplay more—no, far more seasoned than thought.
'This punk dares!'
Pride wounded, Ak Jung-pil used tri-spear trait. Half-folded, disrupted sword zone. In gained spear range, unleashed Ak Clan Spear Art's essence.
Stop~~~!
Roooaaar!
Before essence, fearsome roar laden with qi repelled Ak Jung-pil backward.
Unintended.
Urk!
Qi vein shock nearly induced blood vomit. But beyond fury—terror etched. Arrival of utterly superior being.
...Fist King!
Recognizing, Ak Jung-pil's reason cooled. Punish brat? Gone. Must resolve. Escalation to House Hwangbo feud? Clan wouldn't stand idle.
Thud!
Fist King Hwangbo Gwan-hyuk.
Undisputed strongest, power unchallenged. Twilight years, yet body firm, spirit unbreakable.
"Explain what happened."
"...A misunderstanding!"
"I'll judge after hearing—speak!"
Ak Jung-pil tread carefully, knowing Fist King's gruff temper. Unpredictable.
"Grandfather! They attacked Jin lang unprovoked. I told him to stop, but he ignored 'cause his nephew got hurt!"
Damn!
Hwangbo Se-ryeong's intervention panicked Ak Jung-pil. Can't let it go this way. But couldn't deny nephew started it.
"Minor misunderstanding! Worth feuding our clan over?!"
"Assault my granddaughter's future husband and call it 'minor'? Ak Clan's lost its mind!"
"Insulting my clan... Ack!"
"Quiet, I said! Own your sin. I'll take it to Ak Clan later."
Ak Jung-pil ground teeth inwardly at humiliating fold without retort. Shouldn't end like this. Equating Shandong Ak honor to that minor sect—unbearable, even from Fist King.
But position weak now. Words bounced off Fist King. Ak Jung-pil swallowed rage.
Then a voice from somewhere.
"Yeah, why poke a guy minding his business? Hilarious bunch."
Whirl!
Turning, Ak Jung-pil memorized the face.
"You from the inn!"
"What're you staring at?"
"You dare insult me?!"
"Elder! He's not reflecting."
Mujin openly needled.
Fuming Ak Jung-pil chilled spine-ward. Behind, glaring Fist King furrowed brows.
"Shandong Ak wants feud with main house? Fine by me."
Fist King's hardline forced Ak Jung-pil's apology despite gritted teeth.
"Forgive my nephew and me for rashness."
"Only 'cause it's you. Live humbly."
Were it not Fist King, this nobody wouldn't last a punch, yet baring fangs.
"Elder, he's glaring."
"In-law, no worries. I'll handle it!"