Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: How Strong Are You? (3)
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"What is it, old man? You giving up?"
Cheol Woo asked with a disappointed look in his eyes.
"Don't worry about useless things and come at me. I'll show you just how fragile that body you think is so tough really is."
Hahu Gok, who had let the tree branch droop at a slant, crooked his finger toward Cheol Woo.
Cheol Woo reacted to the provocation without hesitation.
Just as he wrapped his body in Overlord Blood Victory Aura and was about to move, a single transmission of inner energy flew in. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ink Gang Asura Qi. Cheol Woo paused, his gaze turning toward Sima Geon.
Sima Geon was watching him and Hahu Gok with an impassive expression.
'That much?'
Doubt flickered in his mind, but he didn't ignore Sima Geon's advice.
Instead of Overlord Blood Victory Aura, he protected his body with Ink Gang Asura Qi and charged at Hahu Gok. His movement didn't match his massive bulk at all.
Approaching like the wind, Cheol Woo spun his body like a top and unleashed a ferocious punch.
Brilliant energy followed the motion of his fist, streaking forward at terrifying speed along a vicious arc.
'Fist... energy!'
Startled, Hahu Gok gritted his teeth and thrust out his arm.
The tree branch had already transformed into a flame-shaped blade, shooting straight toward the fist energy.
But it wasn't just one.
As if returning the favor for how Cheol Woo had blanketed the area with fist shadows using Overlord Sixteen Fists moments ago, flames now filled every space in sight. Moreover, the flames moved with frightening speed and sharpness.
Sima Geon, who had been watching their clash, hardened his gaze sharply just before the energies they emitted collided.
He had sensed something odd in Hahu Gok's aura and advised Cheol Woo to use Ink Gang Asura Qi. Now, he realized that Hahu Gok's attack incorporated the subtleties of the Internal Weight Palm Technique.
For Cheol Woo, who had reached the realm of Diamond Indestructibility through extreme external arts training, the Internal Weight Palm Technique was his one true weakness.
Ordinary versions could be ignored, but Hahu Gok's was different.
Sima Geon's mind flashed back to the Internal Weight Palm Technique of the Poison Eagle Ghost Hound, which had once inflicted a mortal wound on Cheol Woo. Of course, Cheol Woo was far stronger now than he'd been in that fight, so Sima Geon wasn't worried about him losing his life.
However, with Cheol Woo's eyes rolled back in battle fury, he would strike with full power to crush Hahu Gok. And the rebound energy from peak Ink Gang Asura Qi wouldn't leave Hahu Gok unscathed either.
Hahu Gok, whose sure-kill strike had been blocked, likely wouldn't withstand Cheol Woo's counterattack. He could suffer severe injuries—or in the worst case, lose his life.
If such a thing happened in a place no different from the front courtyard of the Hahu Clan, no excuse would suffice.
Sima Geon didn't fear the Hahu Clan, but he couldn't tolerate the disruption of their peaceful daily life.
Cheol Woo's fist energy and Hahu Gok's sword energy clashed violently.
A dazzling flash erupted, countless fragments sweeping through the surrounding ten-odd jang, and rising flames adorning the world in brilliant splendor.
When the remnants of the collision that had shrouded heaven and earth finally cleared, an astonishing sight revealed itself.
Cheol Woo's fist and Hahu Gok's tree branch were locked in midair, half a chi apart.
Hahu Gok and Cheol Woo both widened their eyes as if by prior agreement.
Their gazes then turned toward Sima Geon, who had moved using the Shifting Form Substitution Step to block their clash.
"Hoo!"
Sima Geon exhaled roughly and shoved aside Cheol Woo's captured fist. Cheol Woo, who had been staring blankly, retreated powerlessly.
Turning his head to the left, Sima Geon flicked the tree branch that was touching his finger.
The branch, barely holding its shape, crumbled into a handful of ash and scattered in the air.
Even as the branch in his hand turned to ash and vanished, Hahu Gok showed no reaction.
He still couldn't comprehend what had just happened before his eyes.
"Urk!"
Suddenly, Sima Geon doubled over and spat out a clump of bright red blood.
Shocked, Cheol Woo rushed over and grabbed his arm.
"You okay?"
"Does it look like I am? But it's not enough to kill me, so don't worry. Anyway, seems your skills have improved a bit. Even after I dispersed it with Transplanting Flowers and Grafting Branches, it wasn't easy."
"Heh heh heh! Yeah? The boss chewed me out for getting rusty, so I put in some effort."
As Cheol Woo snickered, Hahu Gok finally regained his composure and glared at Sima Geon with angry eyes.
"What is the meaning of this?"
He couldn't tolerate Sima Geon interfering in a duel tied to a warrior's pride.
"It was too dangerous, so I had no choice but to step in."
"Too dangerous to step in? Are there duels that aren't dangerous?"
"When you can just gauge each other's skill, is there any need to turn it into a fight to the death?"
"The duel with that brat isn't over yet."
"The result is already out."
Hahu Gok paused, as if about to bellow, and stared at Sima Geon.
"You must have felt it already, sir."
"Nonsense! A tough body like that can be neutralized with my Internal Weight Palm Technique."
"That's true, but this guy's body is tougher than you think. And he has that fearsome protective energy to boot. Much stronger than the first clash. Can you pierce both?"
At Sima Geon's words, Hahu Gok was at a loss for a long moment before speaking.
"Are you saying this old man loses?"
"Probably. It's just that his body is so damn tough."
He said it with a smile, but Sima Geon's point was clear.
Hahu Gok let out a groan, unwilling to accept it.
He knew Sima Geon was right.
In a fight, stopping it is always harder than starting it—especially when two fighters are clashing at full power. Intervening at that moment required nothing short of overwhelming martial prowess.
How could he deny the words of the man who had accomplished the impossible?
"We've seen plenty of each other's skills by now, and your curiosity should be sated, sir. We've had our fun—do we really need to obsess over a win?"
"Obsess...? Ha ha ha!"
Hahu Gok let out a hollow laugh and suddenly looked up at the sky.
On this clear, cloudless day, the dazzlingly beautiful sunlight illuminated the world.
It had been just such a day when he'd secretly left the clan with a single sword.
Memories of dominating the martial world flashed by like a lantern show.
Not all were glories. There had been bitter defeats and countless frustrations. But never had he felt as pathetic as he did now.
Something hot surged from deep in his chest.
His mind, cluttered with stray thoughts, emptied completely.
Hahu Gok slowly closed his eyes and unknowingly slipped into a trance.
"What the hell kind of ridiculous situation is this...?"
"Shh!"
Sima Geon hurriedly clamped Cheol Woo's mouth shut.
A master like Hahu Gok could gain enlightenment from the slightest trigger. This was likely that moment. No matter how things turned out, no warrior would dream of interrupting such an opportunity, even in sleep.
How much time passed? Hahu Gok, who had kept his eyes gently closed, slowly opened them.
"You've done me a great favor."
Sensing from Hahu Gok's deepened gaze that he had broken through a blocked wall, Sima Geon offered sincere congratulations.
"Congratulations."
Unlike Sima Geon, whose congratulations held not a shred of ulterior motive, Cheol Woo’s lips were pursed in a three-inch pout.
"Damn it! I did all the work, and the serendipity goes to the wrong guy. Just don't forget it."
"How could I?"
Hahu Gok burst into hearty laughter and looked at Sima Geon with subtle eyes.
"Absolutely not."
As Sima Geon turned away coldly, Hahu Gok smacked his lips.
He desperately wanted to grab him and test his skills right then, but he couldn't after receiving such a huge favor. Watching Hahu Gok, Cheol Woo clicked his tongue with an incredulous expression.
"Tsk tsk, when you're dying to fight, what won't you do?"
"What do you mean?"
"Get a grip. I don't know what you got, but that epiphany won't make you able to take him on."
Hahu Gok didn't get angry at Cheol Woo's words. Instead, his eyes sparkled as he asked,
"That strong, huh?"
Seeing Hahu Gok cling like a child awaiting a gift, Cheol Woo just shook his head.
Hahu Yeon, who had been patrolling the slaughterhouse area, appeared with hands behind his back and charged toward Hahu Gok with a furious face.
"Where have you been?"
"Why so grumpy? Did you hear something?"
At Hahu Gok's retort, Hahu Yeon sighed with a frustrated look.
"Father says to enter the martial tournament."
"Martial tournament? The one at this banquet?"
"Yes."
"Just don't go. Since when do you listen to your old man?"
Seeing Hahu Gok's deeply wrinkled face, Hahu Yeon laughed as if it were absurd.
"Normally, yeah. But it's an order from above."
Hahu Yeon pointed a finger at the sky.
"Above? Above means..."
Hahu Gok tilted his head, then asked with a shocked face.
"The clan head?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"No idea. Anyway, I flat-out refused to go, but it's annoying."
Hahu Yeon looked deeply troubled.
"Hm, if it's the clan head's command, that's tricky. So what'd you say?"
"I said no anyway."
Hahu Gok, expecting submission, widened his eyes.
"Ho! Defying the clan head's order?"
"I used Great-Great-Grandpa as an excuse. If you want to send me out, get his permission first."
"..."
Hahu Gok stared at Hahu Yeon with an incredulous face.
"Am I going?"
"What if you are?"
"What power do I have? I'll have to go. But in return, you'll get to see the one Hahu Clan bloodline in the tournament voluntarily withdraw—no, the one who gets utterly humiliated and eliminated."
He had no intention of winning from the start. At this point, it was blackmail.
"You little punk!"
Hahu Gok glared with axe-like eyes, but Hahu Yeon leisurely blew his nose.
A short distance away, Sima Geon and Cheol Woo, pretending not to listen, exchanged glances and smirked.
"Boss, the old man's not all there, but that kid's no slouch either."
"Yeah. Seems like a fun guy. His skills look pretty solid too."
"Right? We weren't at that level at his age, I think."
"Speak for yourself."
At the sharp reply, Cheol Woo looked sheepish when Hahu Yeon's voice rang out.
"But yeah, it's a martial tournament to celebrate the clan head's seventieth, so the prizes are no joke."
"Figures. They must've opened up some of the gifts from various sects and clans."
"Yeah. Especially the winner's prize—it's insane."
"I remember it was usually a sword, but not this time, huh."
"It is a sword this time too. But there's an extra prize."
"Extra prize?"
"Yeah. On my way back from seeing Father, I ran into Uncle Chief Steward. He was holding this weird bundle of grass, wrapped in white cloth, handling it super carefully. I got curious and asked—it’s the extra prize for the winner."
"Must be some spirit medicine they prepared."
"Not sure if it's spirit medicine, but the name sure sounds suspicious."
"What was it?"
"Fire... something."
Furrowing his brow in thought for a moment, Hahu Yeon clapped as it came to him.
"Fire Spirit Herb. Millennium Fire Spirit Herb."
"Oh! Fire Spirit Herb!"
At Hahu Gok's exclamation, Hahu Yeon brightened and asked,
"You know it?"
"Of course. Great medicinal herb. And a Millennium Fire Spirit Herb is rare enough to call a true spirit medicine..."
Hahu Gok's words cut off. Sima Geon had approached silently and grabbed Hahu Yeon by the collar.
"What did you just say?"
"Wha..."
Hahu Yeon blinked, unable to continue.
Sima Geon's aura was so overwhelming he couldn't even think about when or why he'd been grabbed.
"You said Millennium Fire Spirit Herb, right?"
Before Hahu Yeon could answer, Sima Geon's question continued.
"And that's the prize for the tournament winner?"
Hahu Yeon nodded unconsciously.
"Thanks."
Releasing Hahu Yeon's collar, Sima Geon spun on his heel.
"Why's he like that?"
Hahu Yeon looked at Hahu Gok in confusion, but he was just as baffled. Neither noticed that a stir was beginning in the martial tournament celebrating the Hahu Clan head's seventieth birthday.