Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: An Eye for an Eye, A Tooth for a Tooth (2)
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"Step back. It's beyond your level."
Thunderclap grabbed Cheol Woo as he tried to charge ahead first. Then he thrust his fist toward the wall pierced by the sword.
Boom boom boom!
A whirlwind of qi blasted forth, obliterating one wall of Cheonnak Pavilion without a trace.
"Let's see that ugly mug of yours."
Cheol Woo cracked his neck side to side as he advanced.
Debris flew everywhere from the shattered wall, and billowing dust clouded the air, but he moved without hesitation. His opponent showed no fear either.
Before Cheol Woo could take a few steps, a sharp whistling cut through the air.
The sword's trajectory sliced through the dust, dazzlingly brilliant.
Even as the enemy's assault sealed off every possible evasion route in the blink of an eye, Cheol Woo remained unfazed. Instead, a feral grin spread across his face as he swung his fist along the sword's path.
Bam!
The clash between sword and fist produced a thunderous impact unlike any mere collision, kicking up the settling dust once more to engulf the surroundings.
"Are you alright?"
Thunderclap, who had leaped back, waved away the dust rushing at his face and asked.
"Shut it."
Cheol Woo, forced back three steps by the shockwave, snapped irritably.
He had known the foe was a master capable of wielding Intent Sword, but their skill exceeded expectations. Still, being pushed back at all ignited his fury.
As Cheol Woo channeled Ink Gang Asura Qi to its peak, a storm raged around him. The choking dust vanished in an instant.
His gaze locked onto the old man behind the crumbled wall.
"Not bad, old timer. Try blocking this."
Cheol Woo twisted his body and stepped forward.
Rumble rumble boom!
The ground quaked, and nearby buildings groaned.
Twisting his waist ferociously, he unleashed his fist, generating massive swirling currents in its wake.
It was the second strike of Collapsing Heaven Three Strikes, derived from the compressed Overlord Sixteen Punches: Collapsing Heaven Thunder.
As everyone shuddered at the overwhelming power, the old man's sword moved fluidly against Cheol Woo.
Hummm!
The sword hummed.
Shhhk!
Nine strands of sword qi erupted from the tip, announcing their presence.
The old man of House Ha Hu, Ha Hu Je, unleashed his clan's ultimate technique with brimming confidence.
The foe before him had effortlessly blocked Intent Sword, proving his exceptional martial prowess, but Ha Hu Je harbored no doubt that the Nine Dragon Sword Art—House Ha Hu's beginning and end—would prevail.
The two ferocious energies collided violently.
Boom boom boom boom!
A deafening roar echoed as pale mist rose like fog, and countless fragments scattered everywhere.
Screams of pain erupted here and there as shards struck flesh.
Unlike the previous evenly matched clash, this bout's victor was clear.
While Cheol Woo advanced boldly with a cold smirk, Ha Hu Je—who had been utterly convinced of his own triumph—stumbled back repeatedly, his face etched in disbelief.
His pristine robes hung in tatters, his hair a wild mess. His once navel-length beard was half torn out, matted with dust and dirt in a pitiful state.
Glancing at his left shoulder, Ha Hu Je's expression darkened gravely.
A jagged bone protruded from grotesquely swollen flesh. Agonizing pain surged from the joint. Sensation below the shoulder had vanished. Though he hadn't fully assessed the injury, he feared his left arm might be unusable.
'Heh! Was I arrogant? Or is he simply that strong?'
The hollow thought yielded a stark reality.
'The Nine Dragon Sword Art I just executed was flawless. Its power was nothing to be ashamed of anywhere. Yet not only did I fail to seize the advantage—I was utterly overwhelmed. That means he's on another level.'
As Ha Hu Je coolly analyzed, Cheol Woo closed in.
"Hey, old man. That all you got?"
Though his tone was mocking, the beastly glint in Cheol Woo's eyes reignited Ha Hu Je's fighting spirit.
"Hardly. We're just getting started."
Ha Hu Je channeled Heaven-Earth Blazing Divine Art to its limit, flames of energy rising from his body.
Feeling his dantian fill and the art's power surge through him, he swung his sword.
Whoooosh!
A majestic sword cry rang out, followed by the ultimate Nine Dragon Sword Art techniques: Nine Dragon Blood, Nine Dragon Fang, Nine Dragon Slash.
As if the injury had never happened, Ha Hu Je pressed a fiercer assault than before.
Even amid the devastating barrage that leveled the area, Cheol Woo grinned defiantly—as if daring him to bring it—and leaped straight into the onslaught, cracking his neck.
"Kahahaha!"
His mad laughter shook heaven and earth. Shielded by Ink Gang Asura Qi, he counterattacked aggressively, evoking a savage beast.
Boom boom boom boom!
In the blink of an eye, they exchanged over thirty blows.
Only Sima Geon could fully track their movements. Even Thunderclap only vaguely sensed them.
"That old guy's impressive. Even in the cult, masters like him are rare."
Thunderclap sincerely admired Ha Hu Je's skill.
"Indeed. But not enough to overwhelm Cheol Woo."
Sima Geon was already certain of Cheol Woo's victory.
"What about those rats sneaking in amid the chaos?"
Thunderclap sneered at the shadowy group and asked.
"Scare 'em off. Don't kill them—just rough 'em up."
"Pardon?"
Thunderclap's eyes flickered at the uncharacteristically lenient words from Sima Geon.
"If I'm not wrong, those are House Ha Hu men. Cheol Woo noticed ages ago."
Sima Geon nodded left, then glanced right.
"And the late arrivals seem to be Beggars' Sect disciples."
"House Ha Hu makes sense, but we can't ignore the Beggars' Sect."
Thunderclap chuckled at the ragged, unmistakable beggars.
"Anyway, no bloodshed... Actually, just guard those. I'll handle it."
Sima Geon entrusted Ma Yang and the Hao Gate disciples to Thunderclap and moved slowly.
"Everyone, be careful."
As Sima Geon approached, Mo Uk—leader of the Beggars' Sect Hangzhou branch—warned quietly.
He had rushed over with his beggars at Hao Gate's desperate plea, but initially dismissed it as minor. He figured a few thugs harassing Hao Gate over some brothel girl—laughing inwardly at their incompetence.
But arriving at Hao Gate shattered that illusion. The devastation went beyond mere thuggery to outright massacre. And the clash between Ha Hu Je—a top House Ha Hu master—and the hulking monster was earth-shattering, jaw-dropping.
'This feels off.'
Mo Uk stared at Sima Geon, dismayed.
No overt hostility or killing intent emanated, yet an indescribable unease gnawed at him. At least House Ha Hu warriors were with them.
Mo Uk and Ha Hu Ryong—who led the House Ha Hu men—locked eyes midair.
'We'll strike first.'
Receiving Ha Hu Ryong's silent signal, Mo Uk inwardly rejoiced and gestured.
As Beggars' Sect disciples fell back slyly, Ha Hu Ryong barked orders.
"Attack!"
Assaults poured from all sides at his command.
House Ha Hu elites—rivaling the Five Great Clans—struck swift and sharp. Their movements were precise, concise, without waste, perfectly complementing each other without overlap.
Watching the coordinated assault, Sima Geon recalled the Divine Demon Division he once led.
'Impressive.'
Individually, they paled against Divine Demon Division, but their synergy surpassed it.
Amid the onslaught, Sima Geon remained composed.
Only when swords thrust at his face did he draw his blade.
Clang clang clang!
Crisp metal rang out, followed by screams from the attackers.
Their swords shattered and flew apart.
That was the beginning. Each swing of Sima Geon's sword brought screams; foes clutched wrists or chests and collapsed limply.
In moments, half their number fell. Ha Hu Ryong shot Mo Uk a desperate glance.
"Help House Ha Hu!"
Mo Uk ordered an immediate attack to save them.
Beggars' Sect disciples charged with roars and howls.
They relied on numbers, but their opponent was formidable. Their strikes and coordination lagged far behind House Ha Hu—some even tangled in each other's paths, sowing chaos.
Disappointed by the famed Beggars' Sect's mediocrity, Sima Geon struck more harshly.
Another dozen crumpled instantly.
Mostly Beggars' Sect men—no fatalities, but none rose easily, bones likely broken. A few more House Ha Hu disciples fell, but fared better relatively.
"That's enough. Keep coming, and I'll take heads."
Sima Geon's icy voice made survivors flinch. Their eyes turned to Mo Uk and Ha Hu Ryong, who hesitated despite needing to order attacks.
Having crushed their will with overwhelming might, Sima Geon slowly turned.
The fierce battle neared its end.
'A true monster.'
Ha Hu Je's eyes, desperately swinging his sword, first flickered with helplessness.
He'd lost track of time since the fight began, entering a trance and unleashing everything—clan secrets to street-level tricks. All futile. Those casual punches could topple mountains; that iron-hard body was a weapon itself.
'It's over.'
Ha Hu Je lowered his sword as Cheol Woo approached leisurely. Exhausted from the all-out war, not a shred of strength remained.
Ha Hu Je conceded, but Ha Hu Cheong—watching anxiously—refused.
"We'll help too, Uncle."
Led by Ha Hu Cheong, the reserves rushed forward.
Ha Hu Je frowned.
Ha Hu Cheong's skill was exceptional, even by his standards. The accompanying disciples matched any sect's. Yet against Cheol Woo, it meant futile sacrifice.
And not just him—two more threats loomed behind, battle-worn but victorious. The outcome was obvious.
"Fall back."
"We can't, Uncle."
Ha Hu Cheong shook his head firmly.
As Ha Hu Je tried again, a frantic shout interrupted.
"Wait, hold on!"
Ha Hu Yeon stumbled up, blocking Cheol Woo to prevent resumption.
"Please stop, brother."
Ha Hu Yeon's face brimmed with worry that Cheol Woo might refuse.
Glancing at Ha Hu Je, Cheol Woo smirked and nodded.
"Was gonna anyway."
"Thank you."
Ha Hu Yeon bowed sincerely.
"You know these guys?"
Ha Hu Song, following Ha Hu Yeon, scowled at the sprawled House Ha Hu retainers.
"Didn't you just talk with the elders? These are their brothers."
Ha Hu Yeon hinted obliquely. Others missed it, but Ha Hu Song caught on instantly.
'They're the ones!'
His displeased glare shifted—not warmly, but changed.
Ha Hu Song wasn't alone in understanding.
"Tsk tsk, they got thoroughly thrashed."
Ju Yu Geol Gae twirled his gourd and clucked his tongue.
"S-Supreme Elder."
Mo Uk limped in, dragging his broken right leg from Sima Geon, yet beaming. He trusted the elder could avenge them.
"What's all this racket? I rushed here on weird rumors, only to catch up on an old friend's news."
"My shame. Hao Gate begged for aid against thugs. We came to help, but my disciples fell short, tarnishing the sect."
Mo Uk spoke somberly, expecting the hot-tempered, bold Ju Yu Geol Gae to smash the villains mid-sentence.
But nothing happened. He couldn't, even if he wanted.
Witnessing Sima Geon and Cheol Woo's feats at Living Immortal Medical House, Ju Yu Geol Gae knew their caliber best. And hadn't he learned of his friend Ha Hu Gok's ties to them in private? He couldn't act rashly without full context.
Ha Hu Song felt the same. Despite injuries to elders and retainers, antagonizing those two was impossible—especially after Ha Hu Yeon's subtle warning: they'd have died outright if serious.