Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 101

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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【Bloodline is a Thug Chapter 101】

101. Naming Ceremony (2)

“Ahahaha! It’s been so long! How have you been?”
Kwon Myung-woo laughed loudly and slapped Kwon Han-ul’s back repeatedly.
Though it was meant as a gesture of affection, each impact sent waves of pain through Kwon Han-ul’s entire body.
“I’m relieved to see you’re well, Great-Uncle.”
“Drop the formalities! By the way, your skills have improved tremendously since we last met! I never expected you to react to all of my strikes!”
Kwon Han-ul could only manage a bitter smile.
In truth, he hadn’t properly defended against Kwon Myung-woo’s strikes. His Dragon Horse Qi had even shattered under the bare-knuckled assault.
The gap between them remained impossibly vast—a chasm he could never hope to bridge.
“And here’s Kwon Hu-don. It’s been a while.”
“Y-yes! Ah, hello, sir!”
Kwon Hu-don replied with a visibly tense expression.
Kwon Myung-woo was the First Fist of Heukcheon and wielded influence second only to Kwon Seon-woo himself.
No matter how close the blood relation, one couldn’t help but feel apprehensive.
“And this must be Mei Hong? The one who sided with Heukcheon during the war with the Mei Family, correct?”
“It’s an honor to see you again, sir.”
Mei Hong spoke with uncharacteristic politeness. This was a side of her one would never normally witness.
Even someone like Mei Hong had no choice but to observe proper courtesy before Kwon Myung-woo.
“I heard there was one more person. Where are they?”
“They’re still undergoing interrogation.”
Given the unclear origins, there was no avoiding the questioning process.
“Mmm, that’s troublesome. I’ll need to contact the interrogators directly and have them finish up and send them over immediately.”
“Troublesome, you say?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Kwon Myung-woo, sir?”
Joo Ha-yeon’s voice came from a short distance away. Upon spotting Kwon Myung-woo, her eyes widened in surprise.
“Ha-yeon! It’s been so long! Good to see you!”
“What brings you here?”
“I had some business to attend to. Is that food you’re carrying?”
Kwon Myung-woo gestured toward the basket in Joo Ha-yeon’s hands.
Joo Ha-yeon always brought simple refreshments once Kwon Han-ul’s training sessions ended.
“Yes, though…”
“I’m hungry. Let’s eat while we talk.”
Kwon Myung-woo swallowed hard as he spoke.

* * *

“A Naming Tournament is scheduled to take place soon,” Kwon Myung-woo said, biting into the scone Joo Ha-yeon had baked.
Kwon Han-ul couldn’t help but ask about the unfamiliar term.
“A Naming Tournament?”
“Ah, right—you wouldn’t know about this. It’s a competition where the Unnamed Units face off, and the victors are promoted to Named Unit status.”
The forces of Heukcheon were divided into two broad categories: Named Units with official designations, and Unnamed Units referred to only by numbers.
Naturally, the former held significantly higher rank and authority.
“Sir, I have a question,” Joo Ha-yeon said, pouring tea.
“Why is a Naming Tournament being held all of a sudden? From what I understand, such tournaments aren’t held without a compelling reason.”
“Because of that one,” Kwon Myung-woo said, gesturing toward Kwon Han-ul, who merely blinked.
“Me?”
“Yes. The elders are in an uproar over what you did in the South American Region. They’re calling it an overreach of authority.”
“An overreach of authority? What do you mean by—”
“No, wait!”
Suddenly, Kwon Hu-don, who had been sitting quietly beside them, burst out.
“H-Han-ul didn’t do anything like that! Our mother—”
“I know. Not just I, but the elders understand as well. This wasn’t Han-ul’s independent action—it was Kwon Mi’s decision.”
“Then why—”
“Because the truth matters far less than the pretext.”
Kwon Myung-woo took a sip of tea. Despite his usual rough and blunt demeanor, there was an elegance in the way he savored it.
“The elders intend to use this incident as justification to restrict your actions, Han-ul.”
“Because I’m of pure bloodline,” Kwon Han-ul said.
Kwon Myung-woo nodded at his words.
“Those fools, for all their talk of being Heukcheon Bloodline, have no intention of readily acknowledging you.”
Originally, the Kwon Family’s hierarchy was determined by bloodline purity. By law alone, all should bow to Kwon Han-ul as pure blood. Yet the purebloods had no intention of submitting willingly.
“So my brother proposed this: if they refuse to acknowledge pure blood, then let them be subdued by force instead. That’s why the Naming Tournament will be held.”
Through a Naming Tournament, he could send his subordinate units to face Kwon Han-ul in proper procedure, thereby establishing hierarchy through combat.
“This is quite the situation,” Kwon Han-ul said, unable to hide his reluctance. They had orchestrated all this without consulting him?
“This is an opportunity!” Mei Hong suddenly exclaimed.
“No one who comes could possibly match Kwon Han-ul! To be promoted so quickly! Where else could such fortune be found?”
“Y-you’re right! If we’re promoted to Named Unit status, we’ll have so much more we can do!”
“That’s why my older brother suggested it. He said if you don’t want to acknowledge defeat like that, then instead of using your head, try subduing them with force. That’s why he decided to hold the duel.”
If it were a formal challenge, he could send his subordinate troops to have them face off against Kwon Han-ul according to proper procedures. It would mean to establish the hierarchy through this.
“Good grief…”
Kwon Han-ul couldn’t help but wear a displeased expression. Was she really saying she’d done such a thing without even consulting him?
“This is an opportunity!”
Mei Hong suddenly let out a scream.
“Whoever comes, there’s no way they could be a match for Mr. Kwon Han-ul! To be promoted so quickly! Where does such luck come from?”
“Right, that’s true! If we get promoted to a famous unit, there will be a lot more we can do!”
The Unnamed Unit must follow the orders of the Kwon Family or other named units.
But named units are different.
Not only do they gain the authority to conduct operations independently, but they also receive far greater support from the Kwon Family.
“Winning in the Succession Battle won’t be easy.”
At that moment, Kwon Myung-woo spoke bluntly.
“Because a formidable opponent is participating in this Succession Battle.”
“W-who are you referring to?”
Kwon Hu-don asked cautiously.
Kwon Myung-woo turned his head sharply, his eyes blazing with intensity as he spoke.
“Vain Hope.”
For Kwon Han-ul, it was a name he’d never heard before. But Joo Ha-yeon and Kwon Hu-don reacted differently.
“He’s participating?”
“N-no matter what! Even if it’s Han-ul, that person… that person alone…”
Joo Ha-yeon and Kwon Hu-don weren’t just surprised—they were shocked.
Unable to contain himself any longer, Kwon Han-ul asked the two of them.
“Who exactly is he that everyone’s reacting like this?”
“He’s the successor to the European Branch and was once the right hand of Kwon Chan-seong—a member of the Heukcheon Bloodline.”
“They call him a right hand, but he supposedly possessed nearly equal strength back then. …In the old days.”
The accomplishments he built alongside Kwon Chan-seong alone are extraordinary. He’s even single-handedly resolved every Dungeon that appeared in an entire nation.”
Just from the explanation, I could grasp what kind of person he was.
An exceptional powerhouse even among the Heukcheon Bloodline.
Undoubtedly a monster among monsters.
“H-Han-ul, no matter how strong you are, that person is dangerous. L-let’s just skip this one…”
“I don’t particularly want to fight that person either… but it’s not a situation I can avoid, is it?”
“W-what?”
“If I don’t participate in the Succession Battle, I’ll become a laughingstock.”
Kwon Myung-woo nodded.
“Exactly. The Succession Battle itself is the stage for you to subjugate Han-ul. If you run away, all the Heukcheon Bloodline will look down on you.”
“That would be problematic.”
Kwon Han-ul had the goal of reaching the pinnacle of Heukcheon.
But what good would it do to become a laughingstock to all the bloodline members?
“This works out well.”
At Kwon Han-ul’s words, Kwon Myung-woo’s expression shifted to one of surprise.
“Works out well?”
“I needed to show the bloodline members what kind of person I am eventually anyway.”
An opportunity had come to clash not with an individual, but with the collective force of the purebloods.
“I’ll use this chance to break the spirit of those purebloods once and for all.”
At the bold declaration, Kwon Myung-woo burst into hearty laughter.
Even after hearing Kwon Han-ul’s words, Kwon Hu-don still spoke with concern.
“B-but Vain Hope is…”
“This brat—I’ve heard plenty about his timidity and lack of nerve, but I never imagined it ran this deep.”
Kwon Myung-woo’s words struck Kwon Hu-don like a thunderbolt.
“So much worry, far too much! How can you call yourself part of the Heukcheon Bloodline with that attitude? And if you’re a man, there are times when you must charge forward—whether it leads to death or triumph!”
“Uncle. Isn’t it a bit easy for you to speak of others’ burdens so lightly?”
Kwon Han-ul clicked his tongue and replied. Kwon Myung-woo chuckled heartily in response.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of sending you into battle unprepared.”
“Really?”
“I’ll take responsibility and train all three of you myself!”
The unexpected offer left Kwon Han-ul stunned.
Who was Kwon Myung-woo? The man known as the First Master of Heukcheon—an absolute powerhouse recognized across the entire world.
And this titan was offering to train him?
“Ah, counting the newcomer, that makes four of you.”
“Are you truly serious about what you just said?”
“Would I lie? Trust me.”
Kwon Myung-woo struck his chest with his fist, punctuating his words.
“The reason I attacked you was to assess your level. How else could I design proper training?”
“You evaluated all three of us in such a short time?”
“Of course! To be honest, you, Han-ul—you need no worries. Left alone, you’ll reach enlightenment regardless.”
Such praise was almost overwhelming.
“However, I noticed that even in critical moments, your advanced forms never manifested. It seems you haven’t fully mastered the basic forms of the Black Dragon Twelve Ascension Technique.”
But the criticism that followed stung.
Kwon Myung-woo was right—Kwon Han-ul’s basic forms were limited in scope.
Of the six fundamental forms, he only used four. The remaining two forms were almost never deployed.
“That’s why you haven’t yet grasped the advanced forms. To wield them, you must first establish the foundation of the entry forms and build your framework through the basics.”
“How did you know I cannot use the advanced forms?”
“I watched the footage of your fight against Jose Dil Pablo. You used nothing but Dragon Star Roar, and even that was incomplete.”
His words were accurate.
Kwon Han-ul could not use the advanced forms. Every time he attempted them, his mana would tangle or his body would fail to endure the strain.
Dragon Star Roar itself was only possible thanks to his semi-incarnate form.
“Given your current level, refining your basic forms should allow you to master the advanced techniques swiftly.”
“Then I could defeat Vain Hope?”
“I don’t know.”
Kwon Myung-woo spoke bluntly.
“Even if you master the advanced forms, defeating Vain Hope… it may be impossible.”
After saying this, Kwon Myung-woo smiled faintly.
“But haven’t you always realized the impossible?”
Kwon Han-ul offered a bitter smile.
“The real problem lies with you two.”
Kwon Myung-woo’s gaze shifted toward Mei Hong and Kwon Hu-don.
Perhaps it was mere imagination, but his eyes seemed to turn glacial.
“The seed of talent is visible, but that’s all it is. Your overall level is far too low.”
Kwon Myung-woo spoke bluntly.
“While Han-ul was defending against my attack, what were you two doing? Not only did you get knocked away with a single strike, but you lost consciousness for a while.”
At those words, Kwon Hu-don hung his head low. Mei Hong bit her lip.
“Pathetic. Subordinates who can’t even reach the commander’s feet. How does Han-ul expect to accomplish anything great with people like you?”
The harshness of his words was severe. Kwon Han-ul tried to stop Kwon Myung-woo.
Then, Joo Ha-yeon held Kwon Han-ul back.
Now was not the time to interfere, she indicated.
“From the perspective of ordinary people, you two might be considered strong. But from the standpoint of the truly exceptional, you fall far short. Both of you need to develop a sharper sense of awareness. Especially you.”
Kwon Myung-woo pointed at Mei Hong. Her eyes widened.
“Are you talking about me?”
“Yes. You carry the blood of the Mei Family yet harbor resentment toward them. But with your current level of skill, you’d struggle to kill even a single remaining member of the Mei Family remnants.”
At those words, Mei Hong’s face hardened like stone.
“Have you… met them?”
“Yes. I encountered a few of them while on a mission recently. Their devotion to evil was so chilling that even I felt my blood run cold.”
“Where are they?”
As her words suddenly cut off, Kwon Myung-woo’s brow furrowed.
But Mei Hong pressed him further.
“Tell me. Where can I find these people?”
“Forget it. You’re nowhere near ready for that.”
“That’s for me to decide! Just tell me where they are—”
Mei Hong’s mouth snapped shut. She had no choice.
At some point, Kwon Myung-woo’s index finger had come to rest against her forehead.
She hadn’t seen it move. She couldn’t even feel the motion.
Mei Hong stared at his finger. It looked less like a finger and more like a gleaming awl, burning white-hot.
A chilling sensation washed over her—as if the slightest contact would vaporize her skin.
“Don’t be insolent.”
Kwon Myung-woo’s voice carried no emotion whatsoever.
Yet the aura he radiated pressed down on Mei Hong with crushing force.
“I’m not here to indulge your whims. Don’t expect me to keep showing you kindness just because you’re not even of my bloodline.”
Mei Hong slowly nodded. Only then did Kwon Myung-woo withdraw his finger.
“Now, let’s depart.”
Then he turned to Kwon Han-ul and spoke. Kwon Han-ul’s brow furrowed.
“Depart? Right now?”
“Look at you. What are you listening with? We need to go train!”
“This very moment?”
“Yes!”
At Kwon Myung-woo’s words, Kwon Han-ul could only be taken aback.
“Even so, shouldn’t we have time to prepare…?”
“Where is there time for that? Even living diligently, we never have enough time!”
Kwon Myung-woo spread both arms wide open to either side.
“Trust only in me! I will absolutely make sure the three of you emerge victorious in the name-bearing battle!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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