Chapter 200
Chapter 200
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 200
Chapter Title: You'll Do For Dessert
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Yang Chibaek led the way, unable to hide his troubled expression.
"Um, Young Master. Shouldn't we report to the family head before making a move? He doesn't even know the situation is over yet..."
Hwangboyeop scoffed.
"You think he doesn't know?"
Yang Chibaek fell silent. Of course, he would know.
It was just that Hwangboyeop's expression was so grim, he wanted to stop him.
If they continued like this, he was sure to cause some serious trouble.
"Don't worry. Do you think I'd cause trouble before even becoming the heir? I'm just going to deal with some brat from a trading company. What could possibly happen?"
"But, Young Master, some of the rumors circulating about them are unsettling. They seem to have quite a few experts, and even a famous physician..."
"Hmph. At best, he's just a wastrel who runs around with women. Anyway, stop nagging and hurry up."
"Yes."
Yang Chibaek had no choice but to pick up the pace.
They were currently heading to the inn where Byeok Taesan's group was staying.
Following behind Hwangboyeop was a throng of warriors from the Hwangbo family, his usual entourage.
He had sent all the injured or severely exhausted men back to the family estate, handpicking only ten from those who remained.
That was more than enough.
When Hwangboyeop chose his subordinates, he picked them based on skill alone.
The ten warriors he brought with him were the strongest among them.
With them, he was confident he could overcome any situation.
In fact, they had played a crucial role in the recent battle with Nameless.
Before long, Hwangboyeop arrived at the inn where Byeok Taesan's group was staying.
"This is the place."
At Yang Chibaek's words, Hwangboyeop carefully surveyed the inn.
"It's quite large. You say those bastards are in the annex here?"
"Yes. I'll go inside and announce our arrival."
Hwangboyeop smirked and pushed Yang Chibaek aside.
"Forget it. Announce our arrival? In times like these, it's more effective to just barge in."
Hwangboyeop strode confidently into the inn and headed for the annex.
There was only one path from the main building to the annex, so he couldn't get lost.
The inn's staff appeared belatedly, but none dared to stop Hwangboyeop.
Faced with the intimidating aura of the Hwangbo family warriors silently following him, they could only tremble.
The members of the Underworld Sect and the Secret Heaven Group didn't intervene.
If they stepped in and a fight broke out, the inn could lose its usefulness.
Entering the annex, Hwangboyeop let out a quiet sound of admiration.
"Hoh. It has quite the atmosphere. How did I not know about a place like this?"
Hwangboyeop glanced around before heading deeper inside.
A wide clearing appeared, where he saw people training.
Hwangboyeop's eyes flashed at the sight.
And as soon as he entered, they all stopped training as if on cue.
"It's a shame. I would have liked to watch you train a little longer."
From what he had seen in that brief moment, their skill level was considerable. But to gauge it accurately, he would have needed to watch more.
Of course, watching others train was a great discourtesy, but Hwangboyeop didn't give it much thought.
No matter what they were training in, it couldn't possibly be better than the martial arts of the Hwangbo family.
If he watched and offered a word of advice, it would be a fortunate encounter for them.
Hwangboyeop genuinely believed this.
In any case, as Hwangboyeop carefully scanned the trainees again, his eyes widened.
"Incredible."
There were too many beauties.
Hwangboyeop's gaze moved from one of Byeok Taesan's handmaidens to the next, but when he finally saw Yeon Harin, he felt a shock so profound it was as if the world had stopped.
She was, without a doubt, more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen.
No, it was the same for Byeok Taesan's handmaidens. They were so beautiful that any other beauty Hwangboyeop had seen before would not dare show their face in comparison.
But Yeon Harin was even more so.
Hwangboyeop strode towards Yeon Harin.
Yu Seoyeon stepped forward to block his path.
Hwangboyeop stopped and glared at Yu Seoyeon. She too was quite beautiful.
However, the rough and powerful aura she exuded slightly overshadowed her beauty.
"Move."
At Hwangboyeop's firm and intimidating command, Yu Seoyeon sharpened her presence.
"What is your business here? This is a private space. Uninvited guests are not welcome. Please leave."
Hwangboyeop smirked at Yu Seoyeon's words.
"I am Hwangboyeop. Surely you're not so ignorant as to not know of the Hwangbo family... Are you prepared to take responsibility for your actions?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Hwangbo warriors spread out behind him, unleashing their formidable aura.
A violent energy, as if they would charge at any moment, swept chillingly across the clearing.
Yang Chibaek stood a step back, carefully observing the unfolding situation.
In truth, his martial arts were mediocre, so he wasn't capable of intervening.
When the Hwangbo warriors had just unleashed their aura, a chill ran down his spine.
And yet, he felt a sense of unease.
'What... is this?'
That aura was so violent and intense that an ordinary person would find it difficult to withstand.
But it seemed no one in the clearing was fazed by it.
In fact, their eyes were sparkling as if in anticipation.
It was truly strange.
But there was nothing Yang Chibaek could do. He could only watch with a nervous heart.
Hwangboyeop's aura was formidable.
A heavy wave of energy swirled around his body.
"I'm not trying to do anything untoward, I just want to talk. Are you going to stop me to the very end?"
Just as Yu Seoyeon was about to respond, Yeon Harin, who was behind her, stepped forward.
"My lady?"
Yu Seoyeon looked at Yeon Harin in alarm. Yeon Harin smiled gently and nodded.
"It's alright. He said he just wants to talk."
Yeon Harin stood beside Yu Seoyeon and looked at Hwangboyeop.
"If you have something to say, then say it. Why have you come here?"
At Yeon Harin's question, Hwangboyeop's eyes wavered uncontrollably. Seeing her up close like this shook his heart even more.
"May I ask which family you are from? I will speak to my family head and have a matchmaker formally sent."
Yeon Harin let out a small laugh.
"I am already betrothed. If your business is concluded, please leave."
Yeon Harin turned away coldly.
But Hwangboyeop had no intention of ending things here.
So what if she had a fiancé?
"Doesn't that mean you haven't held the wedding ceremony yet? If so, doesn't that mean I still have a chance?"
Yeon Harin slowly turned back. And in a cold, firm tone that cut like a knife, she said.
"There is no such thing. Whether the ceremony has been held or not is unimportant. My heart already belongs to him. So please, leave."
With those words, Yeon Harin spun around and walked away.
Hwangboyeop's eyes twitched.
"Fine. Since my personal business is finished, I'll move on to official matters. I've come because I know the man who insulted our Hwangbo family is here. Come out and kneel peacefully."
A wave of energy erupted from Hwangboyeop's body.
And from the bodies of the Hwangbo warriors behind him, an immense aura surged forth.
It's always easier if you crush their spirit first.
Yeon Harin sighed deeply and turned back again.
Just as she was about to speak, Byeok Taesan's voice came from the direction of the pavilion.
"It's too noisy to train."
Everyone's gaze turned to Byeok Taesan.
Byeok Taesan, who seemed to have just emerged from the pavilion, was standing at the entrance before slowly walking over.
Hwangboyeop only glanced at Byeok Taesan. His eyes barely left Yeon Harin.
But Yeon Harin's expression, as she looked at Byeok Taesan, suddenly brightened as if a flower had bloomed.
Only then did Hwangboyeop's gaze return to Byeok Taesan.
'So that's the pretty boy Yang Chibaek was talking about.'
Hwangboyeop glared at Byeok Taesan with burning eyes.
"It seems that is the man the young lady was speaking of."
Hwangboyeop's lips twisted into a vicious sneer.
"I'll show you just how insignificant he is. It wouldn't be a bad idea to see how you change once his true colors are revealed."
Yeon Harin's face showed utter disbelief at his words.
Seeing her expression change, Hwangboyeop grinned.
"People always reveal their true selves in the face of unbearable suffering."
With those words, Hwangboyeop strode towards Byeok Taesan.
Everyone just watched him. A few of Byeok Taesan's people, in particular, shook their heads.
There's no stopping a man who's digging his own grave.
Hwangboyeop stood before Byeok Taesan.
Byeok Taesan's expression remained calm, while Hwangboyeop's was so menacing he looked ready to kill someone.
Byeok Taesan watched him for a moment, then nodded.
"You'll do for dessert."
"What? Dessert? What does that mean?"
Hwangboyeop scowled.
Byeok Taesan ignored him and turned his head, scanning the surroundings.
Byeok Taesan's gaze finally rested on Cheon Gyeongwan.
As soon as their eyes met, Cheon Gyeongwan reflexively hurried over and bowed his head slightly to Byeok Taesan.
"Young Master, did you call for me?"
Byeok Taesan gestured at Hwangboyeop with his chin.
"He seems like a good match. Go fight him."
"Pardon?"
Without another word, Byeok Taesan turned his head again. This time, he looked over the handmaidens.
The handmaidens also moved as soon as they met Byeok Taesan's gaze.
"You take those."
As the handmaidens started to approach, Byeok Taesan gestured with his chin towards the Hwangbo warriors.
With Hwaok absent, there were nine handmaidens.
And there were ten Hwangbo warriors.
Byeok Taesan's gaze then fell on Yu Seoyeon.
Yu Seoyeon flinched, then quickly joined the handmaidens.
Seeing this, Byeok Taesan nodded and muttered.
"This should be interesting."
Byeok Taesan casually stepped back.
Hwangboyeop's eyes widened, and he tried to go after Byeok Taesan, but Cheon Gyeongwan had already blocked his path.
"Do you have a death wish?"
Hwangboyeop's knuckles turned white.
Cheon Gyeongwan placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and composed his aura.
At that moment, Hwangboyeop's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Cheon Gyeongwan.
"Well, look at this."
He thought this was just some nobody, but seeing him gather his aura, he didn't seem like an easy opponent.
Hwangboyeop threw a surprise punch.
*Clang!*
Cheon Gyeongwan had already half-drawn his sword to block the fist.
*Shhhk!*
The moment he blocked the punch, Cheon Gyeongwan drew his sword and swung it rapidly.
Hwangboyeop fluidly dodged all the attacks.
Then, he unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks.
*Clang-clang-clang-clang!*
Cheon Gyeongwan blocked the punches with his sword and used his legs to parry the kicks.
Just because he used a sword didn't mean he tried to solve everything with it alone.
He had learned the hard way, time and again, that he had to be able to use anything depending on the situation, and so he had trained that way.
And real combat was no different.
Cheon Gyeongwan's sword glowed with a bluish light as it shot straight towards Hwangboyeop's chest.
Hwangboyeop deflected the sword as if swatting it away with his forearm.
*Bang!*
A loud crash erupted, and at the same time, Cheon Gyeongwan's foot whipped out like a lash, aiming for Hwangboyeop's calf.
*Thwack!*
Hwangboyeop raised his own foot to block it.
But his expression was not good. With each impact, the blow penetrated deep inside him.
If the fight dragged on like this, he would be at a disadvantage.
'Where did a guy like this come from...!'
Hwangboyeop fought frantically, dodging and parrying the sword, using his legs and throwing punches.
Then, he suddenly caught sight of the Hwangbo warriors.
They were fighting too, and something unbelievable was happening.
Ten Hwangbo warriors were locked in a fierce battle against a mere ten women.
Neither side was giving way; it was a tense stalemate.
This was ridiculous. Who were these men? They were fighters handpicked from the best of the best among the Hwangbo family's warriors.
Even Hwangboyeop himself couldn't guarantee victory if five of them attacked him at once.
Yet how could a mere ten women, nobodies he had never even heard of, fight them on equal terms?
No, it wasn't even equal. Shockingly, the Hwangbo warriors were gradually being pushed back.
The fact that he was noticing another fight meant his concentration was wavering.
And Cheon Gyeongwan had frequently undergone training where a momentary lapse in concentration would cost him his life.
As such, he never missed an opponent's opening.
Cheon Gyeongwan thrust his sword and closed in on Hwangboyeop.
Normally, one should keep their distance from a fist fighter, but Cheon Gyeongwan did not.
He got in close and drove his elbow upwards.
*Thwack!*
Hwangboyeop hastily blocked it. But the momentum had already shifted against him.
Cheon Gyeongwan no longer used his sword. With the sword still in his hand, he relentlessly struck Hwangboyeop with his elbows and knees.
*Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!*
It was ultra-close combat, supposedly Hwangboyeop's specialty, but he couldn't seem to gain the upper hand and was constantly pushed back.
He was too busy defending to mount a proper attack.
He couldn't believe this situation.
The future head of the Hwangbo family being pushed back in a brawl by a swordsman—did that even make sense?
Hwangboyeop forced his internal energy and twisted his body.
A tremendous force, originating from the soles of his feet, spiraled up through his ankles, calves, thighs, and waist.
To execute this while simultaneously exchanging elbow and knee strikes was no easy feat.
It was power generated by forcing his internal energy. Naturally, he braced himself for internal injuries.
*Rumble!*
The power that flowed from his waist to his arm created a lightning-fast strike.
The intense rotation sent Cheon Gyeongwan's elbow flying. And through the opening created, Hwangboyeop's fist shot forward.
*Craaaack!*
Hwangboyeop's eyes shot open.
Cheon Gyeongwan had dropped his sword and blocked his fist with his palm.
"Kuaaack!"
Hwangboyeop screamed involuntarily at the strange power that penetrated his forearm through his fist.
It was unbelievable.
It was astonishing enough that he had blocked a full-force strike—one that risked internal injury—with a single palm, but he was also counterattacking at the same time.
That strange power traveled up Hwangboyeop's arm and severely damaged his internal organs.
"Cough!"
Hwangboyeop coughed up blood and staggered back.
Cheon Gyeongwan picked up the sword he had dropped and strode towards Hwangboyeop.
Hwangboyeop waved his arm with a desperate expression.
With indifferent eyes, Cheon Gyeongwan brought his sword down.
*Thwack!*
After striking the crown of Hwangboyeop's head with the flat of his blade, Cheon Gyeongwan slowly stepped back, sheathed his sword, and looked at Byeok Taesan.
Hwangboyeop's eyes rolled back as he collapsed, unconscious.
Cheon Gyeongwan's expression was calm, but his insides were anything but.
His heart was pounding like crazy.
He had actually defeated the first young master of the great Hwangbo family.
He knew he had grown stronger through his training. But to see the results so clearly filled his chest with overwhelming emotion.
Byeok Taesan looked at Cheon Gyeongwan and gave a slight nod.
"You know how to fight."
The corners of Cheon Gyeongwan's mouth lifted into a wide grin.