Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 172

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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 172】

172. Time (2)

—When will Father arrive?
Kwon Cheon muttered while glancing around. Lee Da-hae’s face brightened at his words.
—Would you like me to ask the others?
—I’d appreciate it, but won’t that be difficult for you?
Lee Da-hae shook her head vigorously. She didn’t want to miss an opportunity to be of help to Kwon Cheon.
—Brother Kwon Cheon!
At that moment, a youthful voice rang out, followed by the sound of quick footsteps.
Kwon Cheon turned toward the source of the sound. In that instant, someone rushed toward him.
Kwon Cheon showed no surprise, simply opening his arms to embrace them.
—Mi. It’s been a while.
—Yes! It’s nice to see you again!
Kwon Mi answered while nestled in Kwon Cheon’s embrace, only lifting her head to speak.
—I’m relieved to see you looking so well!
Kwon Mi’s bright face radiated the pure innocence unique to children.
—Thank you for worrying about me.
—Of course I’d worry! Brother Cheon, I have to be the one to defeat you!
What she said was entirely different from what she meant.
Kwon Cheon didn’t even furrow his brow at Kwon Mi’s words. He simply pinched her nose gently, as if amused.
—I told you not to use rough language. Say you’ll win, not that you’ll kill. What’s that about?
—But saying I’ll kill sounds more impressive than saying I’ll win!
Kwon Mi slipped out of Kwon Cheon’s embrace. Standing on the ground, she spoke with sudden seriousness.
—I can’t fight my two brothers yet because I’m still young, but just wait ten years! I’ll become just as strong as you both!
—Yes, I’m looking forward to it.
Kwon Cheon answered with a smile. Kwon Mi also grinned widely and clung to one of his arms.
—That’s why I like Brother Cheon! Brother Hyuk just ignores me when I say things like that. He says not to speak such nonsense.
—He’s just worried about you.
—Worried? Absolutely not. Brother Hyuk would never do that.
Unlike when she spoke with Kwon Cheon, Kwon Mi’s expression hardened the moment Kwon Hyuk was mentioned.
—Oh, that’s right! Father’s helicopter will be arriving soon!
Kwon Mi grabbed Kwon Cheon and pulled him along. Kwon Cheon pretended to be helpless and let himself be dragged by her.
Lee Da-hae followed behind the two of them.

* * *

Kwon Seon-woo arrived at Baekdu Mountain with his unit.
The mere appearance of his forces brought silence across the entire mountain. Each member radiated tremendous magical power.
The attendants who had arrived at Baekdu Mountain beforehand greeted the Chairman with tense expressions.
-Have Hyuk and Cheon arrived?
At Kwon Seon-woo’s words, Kwon Hyuk and Kwon Cheon stepped forward as if they had been waiting.
Kwon Mi also positioned herself behind Kwon Cheon. In that moment, Kwon Seon-woo’s gaze turned toward Kwon Mi.
-I never called for you.
-Y-yes? But….
Kwon Mi stammered nervously. Kwon Hyuk glanced at her with disdain.
-It seems Mi simply wished to greet Father after such a long time.
Kwon Cheon spoke while wrapping his arms around Kwon Mi’s shoulders. As warmth enveloped her, her expression softened slightly, as if reassured.
-I would be grateful if you could overlook this with generosity.
-Y-yes! I, I simply wanted to greet Father….
-Silence.
Kwon Seon-woo spoke in a curt tone. He turned away without even glancing at Kwon Mi.
-Only Hyuk and Cheon are to follow me. The rest of you will remain here and wait.
Kwon Seon-woo led only Kwon Hyuk and Kwon Cheon into the forest of Baekdu Mountain.
-Father, I am overjoyed to see you in such excellent health.
Throughout the walk, Kwon Hyuk spoke to Kwon Seon-woo.
-I have strived daily, taking you as my goal.
At first glance, it seemed like flattery. Yet his eyes overflowed with admiration that words could not contain.
-To become a Family Head like you….
-You talk too much.
However, Kwon Seon-woo appeared indifferent. At his father’s firm words, Kwon Hyuk’s expression immediately fell.
Soon, Kwon Seon-woo’s footsteps came to a halt.
The place Kwon Seon-woo had brought the two to was a shabby hermitage built in the forest of Baekdu Mountain.
It was far too filthy and dilapidated for the Heukcheon Bloodline to inhabit, yet neither the Family Head nor his two sons gave such thoughts a moment’s consideration.
This hermitage was the place where Kwon Hyun-moon, the founder of Heukcheon, had built and dwelt in his final years.
-In one year, I will test the two of you to determine my successor.
Kwon Seon-woo spoke with emotionless eyes. The gaze of a father looking upon his children was impossibly cold.
-The reason I am granting you one year is so that you may prove your worth through your utmost efforts. Do you understand?
Kwon Cheon and Kwon Hyuk answered by lowering their heads.
-Do not grow complacent simply because you are my sons. Though I call it a competition, I have no intention of necessarily choosing one of you. If you lack the qualifications, I will disqualify both of you from consideration as successors.
At that moment, Kwon Cheon raised his hand. Kwon Seon-woo frowned and asked.
-Do you have a question?
-Yes, Father. I am curious about what will become of Kwon Mi.
-I would like to include her as well, but she lacks the age for it. I have decided to exclude her.
-Thank you for clarifying.
Relief washed over Kwon Cheon’s face. Recognizing this, Kwon Seon-woo suddenly erupted.
-Fool! Instead of worrying about your sister, think of your own survival! To pass the successor trial, you may have to stake your very life!
Kwon Seon-woo’s fury was formidable.
-To display such foolishness before we’ve even begun! How disappointing!
Kwon Cheon simply bowed his head in silence. Kwon Hyuk, standing beside him, shot his younger brother a look of accusation.
“Then both of you withdraw.”
At Kwon Seon-woo’s command to leave, Kwon Cheon and Kwon Hyuk exited the Hermitage.
Outside was quiet. Kwon Seon-woo had dismissed everyone else.
-So it begins in one year.
Kwon Hyuk turned to face Kwon Cheon and spoke.
-I have no intention of losing to you. I will pass the examination with superior results and earn Father’s recognition.
-Brother, as I mentioned before, I have no ambitions regarding the position of Family Head.
-Not this again.
Irritation colored Kwon Hyuk’s voice. He clearly still believed Kwon Cheon was speaking nonsense.
-Then why didn’t you tell Father you would forfeit the examination?
-That’s because….
-No need to explain. The truth is, you harbor lingering attachments to the position of Family Head as well.
Kwon Hyuk’s eyes sharpened.
-For one year, I will regard you as my brother. But after that, there is no such consideration. I will see you not as a sibling, but as a rival.
With those words, Kwon Hyuk departed. Kwon Cheon exhaled a deep sigh.
Kwon Cheon descended the mountainside as well, returning to where his attendants awaited below.
As he walked along the path, Lee Da-hae emerged from behind a tree.
-You’ve been waiting this whole time?
Lee Da-hae simply nodded. Kwon Cheon spoke with concern.
-Why would you do that? I told you to rest down below.
-It’s more uncomfortable when there’s no one I’m close to.
In truth, Lee Da-hae was being subtly ostracized within the Kwon Family.
Unlike others who had been formally hired, Lee Da-hae worked for the Kwon Family because of Kwon Cheon, and this distinction was not lost on anyone.
In essence, she was treated as an incompetent who had secured her position through nepotism.
-I should have been more attentive. I’m sorry.
-No, please don’t say that. If you do, I’m the one who should apologize.
Truthfully, there was nothing Kwon Cheon could do about the situation.
Besides, Lee Da-hae preferred being with Kwon Cheon like this rather than mingling with others.
-Let’s head down.
Just as Kwon Cheon was about to descend the mountain path with Lee Da-hae, he sensed a presence nearby. Kwon Seon-woo was watching the two of them.
-…Father?
Kwon Cheon was startled and immediately knelt. Kwon Seon-woo waved his hand dismissively.
-So you were with a maidservant.
Kwon Seon-woo’s gaze turned toward Lee Da-hae. His eyes were so cold and barren, as though he were observing an object rather than a person, that she felt a chill run down her spine.
Kwon Seon-woo did not regard her as an equal being.
-Is this the girl you rescued from Aion? How strange to see her in person for the first time.
Is this the girl you rescued from Aion? This is the first time I’m seeing her in person like this.
Kwon Seon-woo turned his gaze away as if uninterested. Lee Da-hae could finally release a breath of relief.
-I understand giving affection when you have nowhere else to go, but you should exercise restraint. Getting too close to something lowborn invites unsavory rumors.
Lowborn.
At those words, Lee Da-hae’s chest tightened with anguish.
-Don’t forget. You are Heukcheon. Conduct yourself accordingly.
-I will keep it in mind.
Kwon Cheon spoke as he lifted his head.
-But Father. That child… Da-hae is not lowborn.
Kwon Seon-woo’s eyes widened. His expression gradually contorted.
-Are you daring to contradict me?
-I apologize for overstepping.
Kwon Cheon immediately offered his apology. Yet he neither bowed his waist nor wore an apologetic expression.
-However, it was a matter I could not simply let pass, so I humbly spoke my mind.
Kwon Seon-woo’s expression grew increasingly distorted. Even witnessing his father’s anger, Kwon Cheon refused to yield his conviction.
-…I will overlook it this one time.
And surprisingly, it was Kwon Seon-woo who took a step back.
-But I will not forgive a second offense.
-Thank you!
Color flooded back into Kwon Cheon’s face. His attitude shifted as dramatically as a flipped palm, leaving Kwon Seon-woo bewildered.
-As expected, Father is truly compassionate!
-Enough. Stop saying things you don’t mean.
-Pardon? Things I don’t mean?
Kwon Cheon spoke with a confused expression. At that innocent response, Kwon Seon-woo found himself at a loss for words.
-More importantly, aren’t you curious why I came looking for you?
In the end, Kwon Seon-woo had no choice but to deftly change the subject.
-I came to continue the conversation from last time.
The innocence that had appeared on Kwon Cheon’s face vanished instantly. He fixed his gaze on Kwon Seon-woo with a serious expression.
-That day, you said you had no interest in the position of Family Head. Do you still feel the same way?
-Yes, that’s correct. If possible, I wish to withdraw from this trial as well. But you did not permit it, Father.
Competition is necessary to discern a person’s true worth.
And Kwon Cheon was the only one who could properly face Kwon Hyuk. Conversely, Kwon Hyuk was the only one who could face Kwon Cheon.
Though brothers, they were also rivals. Thus, Kwon Seon-woo would not accept Kwon Cheon’s withdrawal.
-Then why did you say nothing today?
Unlike their peaceful conversation now, that day the atmosphere between Kwon Seon-woo and Kwon Cheon had been extremely tense.
Kwon Seon-woo could not understand his son. And Kwon Cheon had no intention of compromising his convictions.
-I still do not desire the position of Family Head. I believe my older brother is the one suited for that seat.
My thoughts on this have not changed.
-But no matter how much I insist, you will not permit it, Father.
-You understand well.
-So I have decided to change my approach. Rather than that, I will prove it to you, Father.
—Proof?
I looked directly at my father and spoke.
—You said there’s no one else who can compete with my brother, and no one else who can draw out his abilities to their fullest. Isn’t that what you told me?
Though the Heukcheon Bloodline was renowned for its abundance of talent, there was not a single person in the present day who could compare to these two.
That was how exceptional Kwon Hyuk and Kwon Cheon’s talents were.
—I will participate in this succession trial as you commanded, Father. And I will prove to you that my brother is the one truly suited to be the Family Head.
At those words, I was left speechless.
—So you’re saying you’ll participate in the trial and push your brother forward?
—Is that how it sounded to you?
—That’s the only way it sounds!
I raised my voice sharply. Then, as if my head ached, I shook it side to side.
—Why do you refuse the position of Family Head so stubbornly?
—Because my brother is more suited for it than I am.
Kwon Cheon replied immediately.
—In character, ability, influence… my brother surpasses me in every way. I would be satisfied if I could merely assist him with one hand.
I gazed at Kwon Cheon in silence. A brief quiet descended between us.
—My thoughts differ.
Breaking that silence, I spoke.
—I believe the person suited to be Family Head is not Kwon Hyuk, but you—Kwon Cheon.
—Thank you for viewing me so favorably.
—I’m not being courteous.
—I am not suited to be Family Head. In ability and temperament, my brother surpasses me in every way…
—That very quality.
I spoke with firm conviction.
—Throughout the history of the Heukcheon Bloodline, you are the only one who has humbled himself. There has never been anyone who looked after the weak.
Some spoke of Kwon Cheon this way: Was this man truly of the Heukcheon Bloodline?
—Since our ancestor founded this clan, Heukcheon has prospered continuously. But there may come a day when Heukcheon’s methods no longer prevail.
Times change. Flowers wither, and stone erodes into dust.
Heukcheon too cannot remain strong forever. That is the way of the world.
—That is why I believe you are the one suited to be Family Head.
Because you are different from the Heukcheon of old.
—I am merely a petty man.
—The vessel of a petty man and that of a ruler are similar yet different. From what I have seen, you lean toward the latter.
Even with my words, Kwon Cheon showed no sign of changing his stance. I exhaled a deep sigh.
—Let us end this troublesome discussion here. It has been a while since we shared a drink. Surely you won’t refuse me this request?
Kwon Cheon turned to look at Lee Da-hae.
Lee Da-hae nodded. She was saying it was fine.
Though it pained her not to accompany Kwon Cheon, she could not intrude upon the Family Head’s time.
—Then let us go.
I disappeared somewhere with Kwon Cheon. Lee Da-hae descended the mountain path, leaving her regret behind.
Yet in that moment, she spotted a man standing in the middle of the street.
The instant Lee Da-hae’s eyes fell upon his face, her body went rigid. Terror seized her.
-Kwon Hyuk…?
Kwon Hyuk stared after the direction Kwon Seon-woo and Kwon Cheon had flown, his gaze murderous. The sight filled Lee Da-hae with dread.
-You… you heard everything, didn’t you?
-Isn’t it pathetic?
Kwon Hyuk laughed bitterly, his voice trembling.
-I’ve worked so desperately to earn Father’s favor. Yet Father never even looked my way.
Ha ha.
Kwon Hyuk’s laughter echoed hollow. Lee Da-hae stood frozen, unable to move.
-That’s right. Father doesn’t want me to become Family Head—he wants that bastard Kwon Cheon instead, doesn’t he?
Suddenly, Kwon Hyuk’s laughter ceased. His eyes, devoid of all light, pierced through Lee Da-hae.
-That cannot be allowed.
Without realizing it, Lee Da-hae collapsed to the ground. When she regained her senses, Kwon Hyuk had already vanished.

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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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