Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: How Strong Are You? (2)
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"Me?"
Hahou Yeon asked, his eyes widening round. His gaze was provocative, as if questioning what nonsense this was.
"Who else is there besides you? Don't talk back this time—just do as you're told and shut up."
As Hahou Song glared at him with upturned axe-like eyes, Hahou Yeon shot back with a look of utter disbelief.
"Why do I have to go out there?"
"What did you say?"
Deep wrinkles furrowed across Hahou Song's brow.
"I know the martial tournament is underway, and it's tradition for a direct descendant of the main family to participate as the host clan. Even if I've been away for a while, I've lived here long enough to know that much."
There was no hesitation in Hahou Yeon's words.
"But why me? Usually, it's one of the recognized later-generation disciples from the clan who participates—not some pathetic guy like me whose name is barely on the family register at the very end. It was the same at the tournament two years ago. And this isn't even the regular decennial martial gathering. I don't see why a direct bloodline needs to step up just for this. It's nothing more than a tournament to celebrate Grandfather's seventieth birthday."
Hahou Song had no rebuttal to his son's logical retort.
In truth, when his own father had instructed him to put Hahou Yeon forward in the tournament, he'd reacted no differently.
He knew all too well the backlash that would come if a son born to a woman not even acknowledged as a concubine—let alone a proper wife—were to represent the clan in the tournament.
Yet he'd obeyed his father's command for one simple reason.
'I can't keep him hidden in the shadows forever.'
He was well aware that Hahou Yeon was shunned not only by his half-brothers but by his cousins and most of the household servants.
If he could prove his strength in the tournament, perhaps his situation might improve, even if just a little.
"Like it or not, you have no choice. This isn't a request—it's an order from your father. No, to be precise, the clan head himself commanded you to participate."
Hahou Yeon was visibly startled at the mention of the clan head's command.
"Grand... Father said that?"
"Yes. So prepare accordingly."
"......"
As Hahou Yeon grimaced and fell silent, Hahou Song—assuming it was anxiety over the tournament—spoke in a gentler tone, trying to soothe him.
"Don't stress too much about the rankings. You know the tradition, right? Direct descendants from the main family have always withdrawn at an appropriate point."
"But they've always been overwhelmingly dominant. So much so that anyone would think they were the winner. And if the champion wanted, they'd even allow challenges, right? Of course, I know full well they never lost a single one."
"That's true, but..."
Hahou Yeon couldn't help but smirk at his father's clearly flustered expression.
"I'm not going."
"What?! You dare..."
As Hahou Song's fury erupted at his son's defiance of even the clan head's order, Hahou Yeon continued calmly.
"Looks like you've forgotten whose attendant I am."
"Ah!"
A sigh escaped Hahou Song's lips as he recalled the one man in the clan who commanded more respect than anyone—yet was also an object of fear and avoidance. Even without the clan head's authority or prestige backing him, everyone simply accepted it.
Hahou Gok.
"Who knows? If Great-Grandfather tells me to participate, maybe I will. So instead of trying to convince me, why don't you go persuade him?"
"That's..."
"I'll take my leave."
Without so much as a backward glance at the stunned Hahou Song, Hahou Yeon strode out of the room.
Hahou Gok snapped off a suitable tree branch and gripped it in his hand. To some, it might seem like an insult to his opponent, but for a master of his caliber, the presence or absence of a proper weapon meant little.
Sima Geon reached for a branch as well, but Cheol Woo grabbed his arm.
"This won't do."
"What do you mean?"
Sima Geon scowled, but Cheol Woo's attitude was firm.
"There's such a thing as levels. I can't just stand by and watch some third-rate punk challenge the boss."
"You joking? There weren't many among our past opponents who matched that old man's skill."
A thick smile crept across Cheol Woo's lips at Sima Geon's words. He'd already gauged Hahou Gok's prowess to some extent.
"And I smashed most of those. The boss only faced the real deals—like that old geezer—and a handful of others. Oh, right, speaking of that old geezer, I owe him payback. Wonder if the tough bastard's still clinging to life."
The "old geezer" was the North Heaven Sword Demon. A murderous glint flashed in Cheol Woo's eyes at the mention.
After acquiring the Great Demon Lord's martial art, Ink Gang Asura Qi, from Sima Geon and reaching the Diamond Indestructible realm, the one man who'd handed him his sole defeat was none other than the North Heaven Sword Demon.
"Not the type to go down easy. He's probably plotting his comeback somewhere, vowing revenge."
"I hope so. That way, I can light the incense for him myself. On that note, let me handle this old-timer too."
"How'd the conversation turn that way?"
"You only grow stronger fighting tough opponents. Keeps you on your toes. Lately, everything feels a bit duller than before."
Sima Geon fell silent for a moment, observing Cheol Woo's earnest demeanor.
He had a point. The Cheol Woo who fought battles every day back then was a far cry from the man now. Of course, his skills hadn't declined.
He claimed his senses were dulling, but compared to the past when he charged ahead without a glance back, he was far more refined now.
"That old man won't want it."
"I'll make him want it."
As Sima Geon stepped back, Cheol Woo grinned and cracked his knuckles.
"Hey, old-timer. You catch our talk?"
"More or less. I never imagined I'd be treated like this. Quite unpleasant."
"Don't overthink it. If we didn't respect your skills, we wouldn't bother facing you."
"Ho! What an honor."
Despite his words, Hahou Gok swallowed his rising anger, feeling thoroughly disrespected.
Cheol Woo stepped forward in Sima Geon's place and held up three fingers toward Hahou Gok.
"What's that mean?"
"I'll give you three free moves. Give it your all."
"......"
Not even a laugh escaped him.
Since earning his "Sword Fiend" moniker—and even before— he'd never been treated this way.
"Fine. I'll graciously accept, as a show of respect for this elder."
Suppressing his seething rage and steadying his breath, Hahou Gok slowly circulated the Heaven and Earth Blazing Fire Divine Art.
Energy poured from his entire body, dominating the surroundings, and flames now licked along the branch in his hand.
'Extreme yang energy. Reminds me of the Red Flame Clan.'
Despite the oppressive aura bearing down on him, Cheol Woo didn't waver in the slightest.
Nor did he underestimate it.
Hahou Gok was the first true master they'd encountered since leaving the Heavenly Demon Cult with Sima Geon.
He seemed stronger than the few foes from the bandits or the Orthodox Alliance they'd faced before—and even the experts from the Nangong Clan at the Golden Fox Bandit Lair.
A faint flush rose on Cheol Woo's face.
The skin-crawling killing intent brought tension, scorching excitement, and anticipation surging through him.
'Yes! This is it! Heh heh heh! Sorry, boss.'
Cheol Woo flashed a satisfied smile at the thrill he'd missed for so long.
Hahou Gok's temple twitched at the sight. He took it as Cheol Woo mocking him.
'The nerve!'
He could endure no longer. It was time to teach this insolent pup a lesson.
Hahou Gok's body shot forward like a spring.
In a single motion, he closed over ten jang.
The branch surging with red energy flew toward Cheol Woo's body.
'Fast.'
A flicker of surprise lit Sima Geon's eyes as he watched.
Hahou Gok's movements were efficient and lightning-quick, without waste.
Cheol Woo thrust his fist toward the incoming sword energy—like a meteor slicing the night sky—then suddenly pulled back. Instead, he charged forward defenselessly.
"Madman!"
Hahou Gok, expecting defense or counterattack, recoiled in shock at Cheol Woo's action.
It was too late to halt.
Forcing a stop or redirect could leave him open to harm.
The mighty sword energy slammed into Cheol Woo's body.
Boom!
The explosive roar shook the surrounding woods.
Cheol Woo's massive frame, arms crossed diagonally, slid back with a groan escaping his lips.
Yet his face showed no real pain.
Despite the thunderous impact, his body bore no significant injury.
"Hah! Made of iron, are you?"
Hahou Gok asked incredulously.
It was an attack infused with over nine seong of inner power.
Enough to pulverize a several-geun boulder—yet it couldn't dent a mere human body.
'Trained in external arts? Even then, how...'
Hahou Gok couldn't hide his astonishment at Cheol Woo's inhuman resilience.
"Dizzying enough, old-timer. But not quite what I expected. If that's all you've got, I'll be disappointed."
Uncrosing his arms, Cheol Woo brushed off his sleeves as if dusting them and chuckled.
Hahou Gok made no reply.
Whether he'd given his all or not, results spoke for themselves.
His attack had been effortlessly blocked—an undeniable fact.
Something surged within him.
Not mere anger.
A warrior's fighting spirit, the thrill and competitive fire felt only against a true equal.
Calming his pounding heart, Hahou Gok's expression turned deadly serious.
He pushed the Heaven and Earth Blazing Fire Divine Art to its limit, the red aura around the branch swelling thicker and fiercer.
"Haat!"
With a grating shout like scraping metal, the flame-wreathed branch slashed diagonally.
Nine streams of energy lanced toward Cheol Woo's vital points.
The ultimate technique of the Nine Dragons Sword Method that elevated the Hahou Clan: Nine Dragons Blood.
Cheol Woo briefly considered taking it head-on but soon activated Overlord Blood Victory Aura.
He could probably endure, but there was no need to take unnecessary damage.
Cheol Woo's heavy fist cleaved the air.
The Overlord Sixteen Fists—sixteen punches in a single strike.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amid successive blasts, Hahou Gok's assault on his vitals fizzled into nothing.
Cheol Woo's fists now targeted Hahou Gok in turn.
Letting out a low groan at the counter, Hahou Gok swayed left and right to deflect, then swung the branch again.
Nine Dragons Slash.
Nine sword streams erupted like a storm.
Similar to before, yet different. The power was worlds apart.
Sensing the gravity, Cheol Woo maxed out Overlord Blood Victory Aura and unleashed a barrage of punches.
Pouring full power into Overlord Sixteen Fists, fist shadows engulfed a three-jang radius around him. But perfectly blocking Hahou Gok's writhing, life-like strikes proved impossible.
The sword energies slipped past his fists and struck his body.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The clashes—unimaginable from sword on flesh—sent Cheol Woo staggering back.
Skin split where struck, blood trickling down.
Yet the wounds weren't as severe as expected.
Cheol Woo spat a clot of blood from his throat and grinned, proving it.
Hahou Gok's face hardened.
He'd succeeded in landing a blow by evading the enveloping fist shadows, but he'd taken a hit in the exchange.
Despite desperately deflecting and shielding with protective energy, a fist had burrowed into his side.
It wasn't a simple punch.
Unprecedented agony spread from his flank through his body—enough to drop him right there.
"Impressive, old-timer. Been a while since I drew blood."
Cheol Woo smeared blood from his wound on his finger, tasted it, and his face twisted into a ferocious grimace.
'Couldn't put full power into the last one, but still over ten seong. And only that scratch? Has he truly reached the Diamond Indestructible realm?'
Hahou Gok was deeply rattled that his attack hadn't inflicted major damage. But defeat? He didn't entertain it.
'Tough doesn't mean unbreakable.'
The Diamond Indestructible realm was rare and mighty in the martial world, but not invincible. There had to be a weakness.
Like a lie, Hahou Gok's blazing aura vanished.