Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 205

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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 205】

205. The Absolute (4)

【The ability ‘Composite Manifestation’ has been deactivated.】
【The manifestation of the Semi-Divine Form has ceased.】
The moment the Semi-Divine Form dissolved, the vast power that had surged through me vanished in an instant.
Not only were my stamina and mana completely drained, but all the other bloodlines had fallen dormant as well.
“Ugh.”
Kwon Han-ul sprawled across the ground in a spread-eagle position.
When I manifested only a single Semi-Divine Form, recovery came quickly. But Composite Manifestation was different.
Just as when I first used the Semi-Divine Form, all strength had drained from my body. It would take considerable time to recover.
“Still, it was worth it.”
The composite use of the Semi-Divine Form.
The power I could obtain through it far exceeded my expectations.
Originally, I hadn’t believed I could simultaneously fight both Mei Xiao and the Dragon Slayer and emerge victorious.
I had stepped forward merely to buy time until Kwon Myung-woo recovered. I had simply bluffed a little to keep my true intentions hidden.
But the moment I activated Composite Manifestation, the situation reversed entirely. I faced two Absolutes simultaneously and achieved an overwhelming victory.
“At this rate… it seems comparable to a true Divine Form.”
I compared Kwon Seon-woo’s Divine Form that I had witnessed long ago with my Composite Manifestation.
However, at that time, Kwon Seon-woo had exhausted all his strength traveling from the Kwon Family to China in the shortest time possible. Therefore, I couldn’t make an accurate comparison.
“Still… isn’t anyone coming…”
Right now, I didn’t have the strength to move even a single finger. Without someone’s help, I would have to remain lying here helplessly.
Then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from somewhere.
“Han-ul!”
I heard Kwon Myung-woo’s voice. As I barely managed to turn my head, I could see Kwon Myung-woo and the Heukcheon Team rushing toward me in the distance.
But Kwon Myung-woo suddenly stopped in his tracks mid-run. He looked around with a dazed expression.
Then he spotted the lifeless Dragon Slayer and Mei Xiao, and his jaw dropped.
“…Good heavens.”
Kwon Myung-woo walked over and stood beside me. Looking down at me, he asked.
“Did you really… defeat both of them alone?”
“I can’t believe it either, but it seems that’s what happened.”
I spoke casually and attempted to shrug, though my body had no strength to move as I intended.
“Huh…”
Kwon Myung-woo collapsed beside me. He wiped his face with a dry hand and let out a deep sigh.
“Really… you truly… sigh…”
Kwon Myung-woo couldn’t form his words properly. Then he suddenly struck my forehead with his fist.
“Ow! Why are you suddenly doing this!”
“That’s your punishment for knocking me unconscious. You dare shield me in that situation? Thirty years is too soon! You reckless fool!”
Kwon Myung-woo shouted in fury.
“Try that again! Next time, I’ll crush you to pieces first!”
“Are you really that angry?”
“Of course! Sacrifice is something for an old man like me to do, not you! Remember that from now on!”
Kwon Myung-woo huffed indignantly for a long while.
Then he let out a soft laugh and spoke.
“But… you’ve really been through a lot. You magnificent bastard.”
Kwon Myung-woo ruffled Kwon Han-ul’s hair vigorously with his massive, cauldron-lid-like hand.
That was when it happened.
Without warning, the wall exploded. Someone walked through the gaping hole.
“Phew… I still don’t understand why the Treasure Vault’s layout is so complicated.”
The intruder’s gaze met Kwon Myung-woo’s.
Kwon Myung-woo’s expression darkened. The intruder, by contrast, flashed a brilliant smile.
“You?”
“Fortunately, I found my way here.”
“Byeok Ryok-gwon! What are you doing here!”
Kwon Myung-woo erupted in fury. At his reaction, Byeok Ryok-gwon’s smile turned enigmatic.
“Well, that’s the question, isn’t it? Why do you think I’ve come?”
Kwon Myung-woo’s face went rigid.
Kwon Han-ul had exhausted all his strength, and Kwon Myung-woo hadn’t yet recovered from his injuries.
Fighting Byeok Ryok-gwon in such a state would mean annihilation.
“Commander!”
The Heukcheon Team surrounded Kwon Myung-woo. Even seeing them, Byeok Ryok-gwon remained composed.
“Myung-woo, your condition doesn’t look good. The Heukcheon Team’s numbers have dwindled considerably.”
As Byeok Ryok-gwon released his aura, a strange oppressive force bore down on Kwon Myung-woo and the Heukcheon Team.
That was when it happened.
“Ah! Commander!”
A woman burst out from behind Byeok Ryok-gwon.
The moment Kwon Myung-woo and all the Heukcheon Team members saw her face, their eyes went wide.
“Why are you in such a shameful state? Are you hurt?”
The woman, Mei Hong, hurried over and knelt beside Kwon Han-ul.
“Pardon me for a moment.”
Soon another familiar face appeared from behind Byeok Ryok-gwon.
Joo Ha-yeon, who had been about to pass Byeok Ryok-gwon, spotted Kwon Myung-woo and gasped in alarm.
“Director? There’s a wound on your chest… Did Mei Xiao attack you?”
“No… it’s not that…”
“Kwon Han-ul! Why are you lying in a place like this!”
Joo Ha-yeon rushed frantically to Kwon Han-ul’s side.
Kwon Han-ul looked at the two women with utter bewilderment and asked.
“Mei Hong? Ha-yeon? Why are you all with Byeok Ryok-gwon?”
“He saved us.”
“That’s right! He took care of the Plum Blossom Seven Swords in one go. It was truly incredible!”
At the women’s words, everyone’s gaze converged on Byeok Ryok-gwon.
Byeok Ryok-gwon laughed heartily as he spoke.
“I was bored and thought I’d have a little fun. I didn’t expect such a sensitive reaction! Myung-woo, hasn’t your nerve grown a bit too thin?”
“You crazy bastard?”
Kwon Myung-woo’s face twisted in fury. Byeok Ryok-gwon’s laughter only grew louder.
“I heard the Treasure Vault had opened and came to take a look. The situation seemed dire, so I simply lent a hand. Surely you’re not blaming me for that?”
“You… helped us?”
“Of course. Isn’t saving lives the priority?”
It was then.
Light flashed from the ceiling, and a bolt of lightning descended.
Standing where the lightning struck was Raishin, Byeok Ryok-gwon’s disciple.
“Master, I greet you again.”
“Ah, good. Did you complete the task I assigned?”
“Yes, they should be coming down shortly.”
Raishin pointed toward the ceiling. Moments later, two men dropped down with a thud.
“Ahhhhh… I thought I was going to die from the height…”
“If you struggle this much, how will we manage?”
It was Kwon Hu-don and Gael Garsian.
The two exchanged words before suddenly noticing the gazes directed at them.
“G-Grandfather? Han-ul?”
“Captain, you’re here!”
Kwon Hu-don and Gael Garsian rushed toward Kwon Han-ul. Han-ul regarded them with an exasperated expression and asked.
“What happened to you two?”
“W-Well, you see. We were attacked by the Plum Blossom Seven Swords!”
“That lady over there saved us. We nearly met a terrible fate.”
Kwon Han-ul looked at Raishin. Raishin turned away with a displeased expression.
Her resentment toward Ruin Aspadam had not yet dissipated.
Yet she could not ignore the debt of gratitude for saving Kwon Hu-don and Gael Garsian. Kwon Han-ul bowed his head slightly in thanks.
“My, my. The Heukcheon First Fist Master has truly fallen from grace. Needing others’ help to handle family matters.”
“Tch, tsk.”
“Don’t worry—I have no intention of spreading word of this elsewhere. Otherwise, wouldn’t the Heukcheon First Fist Master’s reputation crumble to dust?”
“Y-You senile fool…!”
On one side, Kwon Myung-woo was left speechless by Byeok Ryok-gwon’s mockery.
His pride was too strong to withstand such humiliation.
Leaving him as he was seemed pitiful to Kwon Han-ul. He raised his voice and called out to Kwon Myung-woo.
“Uncle!”
At those words, Kwon Myung-woo quickly approached Kwon Han-ul.
“Why are you doing this?”
“It’s not yet time to lower your guard. There are still remnants of the Mei Family and Ion Mages in the Treasure Vault.”
At those words, Kwon Myung-woo’s expression shifted. The cold, ruthless visage of a hunter emerged.
“…You’re right. I nearly made another mistake.”
Kwon Myung-woo issued orders to the Heukcheon Team.
“Search the Dungeon immediately. Capture every last one of them without exception!”

* * *

While the Heukcheon Team searched the Treasure Vault, Kwon Han-ul rested on a makeshift bed that Joo Ha-yeon had prepared.
Originally, I wanted to recover my body using medication if necessary and then participate in the search.
-What? You want to move together? If you don’t want your skull cracked by my fist, rest quietly!
Because of Kwon Myung-woo’s threat, I ended up lying obediently on the bed.
“Come on, open your mouth.”
Joo Ha-yeon, sitting beside me, offered a neatly sliced apple on a fork.
Unable to move a single finger, I opened my mouth and bit into the apple she offered. I chewed it slowly while turning my gaze to the side.
There, Kwon Hu-don and Gael Garsian stood with serious expressions, watching their surroundings.
They were positioned there to protect me in case of any emergency.
“What about Mei Hong?”
“She left to search for Mei Xiao’s subordinates.”
“I see.”
Mei Hong was the exception. Harboring a grudge against Mei Xiao, she participated in the Heukcheon Team’s search.
It was to eliminate even one more of Mei Xiao’s subordinates.
“But Kwon Han-ul, you said you used the power of a different bloodline.”
“That’s right.”
“Since you had to fight those on the level of Mei Xiao and the Dragon Slayer, you had no choice but to maximize your bloodline’s power.”
Only then did Kwon Han-ul realize what Joo Ha-yeon was worried about.
She was concerned that Kwon Myung-woo might have noticed my secret.
“I was planning to tell my grandfather about my secret someday.”
I was confident that Kwon Myung-woo would accept my secret.
That’s why I used my power without any hesitation.
“No, that’s not it….”
But contrary to my expectations, Joo Ha-yeon shook her head.
“Byeok Ryok-gwon must have noticed your secret too, didn’t he?”
The moment I heard those words, my mouth fell open involuntarily.
“Oh no….”

* * *

“What are you thinking so hard about?”
At the sudden voice, Kwon Myung-woo turned his head. Byeok Ryok-gwon was walking toward him.
“Hmph, never mind.”
“Are you still sulking because I teased you a bit? How petty.”
“You bastard!”
As Kwon Myung-woo clenched his fists, Byeok Ryok-gwon chuckled and stepped back.
“I think I know what you’re pondering. Kwon Han-ul—you were thinking about that boy, weren’t you?”
The smile faded from Byeok Ryok-gwon’s face.
“Even from a distance, I felt it clearly. That boy definitely wielded not only the Black Dragon Bloodline but also the power of the Superhuman Bloodline and the Asura Bloodline.”
Kwon Myung-woo listened in silence.
“From your reaction, it seems you didn’t know either. He’s truly a remarkable boy. To conceal such an enormous secret so flawlessly without anyone knowing….”
“I’d appreciate it if you kept this matter confidential.”
Then Kwon Myung-woo spoke. The Lightning Sage stared directly at his face and said:
“Your eyes are frightening. It looks like you’d draw a blade if I refused your request.”
“It’s not a request—it’s a demand.”
“Are you still maintaining your pride even in such a state? Your self-respect is exhaustingly excessive….”
“Pride?”
Kwon Myung-woo released his aura.
Rough mana poured forth—unbelievable for someone supposedly bedridden.
“Does this look like pride to you now?”
The Lightning Sage’s mouth fell slightly open. Then he burst into hollow laughter.
“Yes, you’re that kind of man.”
“Give me your answer first.”
“Haven’t I already answered?”
Confusion crossed Kwon Myung-woo’s face.
“I said it before. I have no intention of sharing something this entertaining with anyone else.”
Byeok Ryok-gwon spoke with a mischievous grin.
“Refusing your request would be amusing in its own way, but I can’t end our long-standing rivalry with something so trivial.”
Kwon Myung-woo’s expression shifted subtly. He didn’t know what face to make in this situation.
“Still, I should demand compensation for keeping this secret. I can’t go through such trouble for nothing.”
“What?”
“Did you think I’d keep your secret without any conditions? I can’t do charity work like that.”
Right, exactly.
The Lightning Sage nodded. Kwon Myung-woo had to suppress the urge to strike him.
“By the way, about Kwon Han-ul’s team—this fellow named Gael Garsian possesses the Phantom Beast Bloodline, doesn’t he?”
“You know well. But why are you asking that?”
“Hmm, the Phantom Beast Bloodline… hmmmm.”
Byeok Ryok-gwon stroked his chin in contemplation, then turned to leave.
Kwon Myung-woo frowned and called out, following him:
“Hey, why are you asking that?!”

* * *

“Would it be alright if I stepped away for a moment?”
Mei Hong spoke while searching alongside the Heukcheon Team members.
The Heukcheon Team readily granted her request. Thanks to Kwon Han-ul, the team had grown quite favorable toward Mei Hong.
With her free time secured, Mei Hong made her way to a specific location—the place where Kwon Han-ul had fought Mei Xiao and the Dragon Slayer.
As she surveyed the area, Mei Hong finally found what she sought.
The corpse of Mei Xiao, lying motionless on the ground.
“So she died here.”
Mei Hong gazed quietly down at Mei Xiao’s face.
Though this woman had been an enemy so despised she appeared in my nightmares, strangely, no animosity stirred within me.
Perhaps it was because exacting vengeance upon a corpse served no purpose.
“I wanted to kill her with my own hands.”
I harbored no resentment toward Kwon Han-ul. With my own strength, even decades would have passed before I could achieve vengeance against Mei Xiao.
Still, it troubled me that she met such a peaceful death.
“May you fall into Hell.”
As I turned away with those words, it happened.
“That doesn’t look like a satisfied expression.”
Mei Hong spun around in shock. The woman she thought dead—Mei Xiao—had opened her eyes.
Mei Hong reflexively grasped her sword hilt. At that, Mei Xiao let out a laugh.
“Don’t be so wary. I’m already dead.”
“Liar. You’re standing there perfectly alive.”
“If I weren’t dead, that monster Kwon Han-ul would never have left me alone, would he?”
That was true.
Kwon Myung-woo, the Heukcheon Team, and even Byeok Ryok-gwon were present here.
No matter how hard Mei Xiao tried to feign her death, it would have been exposed.
“I’m already dead. I’ve merely bound my soul to my body for a brief moment.”
“Is that so? How convenient.”
Killing intent blazed in Mei Hong’s eyes. She drew her blade and approached Mei Xiao.
“I wanted to kill you with these hands.”
“Mei Hong.”
“Begging won’t help. No matter what you say, you will die by my….”
“Make me a Ghost Sword.”
At those words, Mei Hong faltered.
“…Are you in your right mind?”
A Ghost Sword was a power that forcibly enslaved a person’s soul.
Once bound in such a state, the soul could never find rest until the user released it.
One would endure endless ages of suffering, oppression, and servitude.
“I’m serious.”
“What are you scheming?”
“Scheming….”
Mei Xiao’s voice trailed off.
“When I first dreamed of reviving the Mei Family, the very first thing I did was acquire every skill and piece of knowledge the Mei Family possessed.”
“Why would you do something like that?”
“I thought that as the Mei Family wandered from place to place, much of our knowledge would be lost. The other bloodline members wanted to simply abandon it, but I believed the family’s future depended on preserving it.”
So Mei Xiao used her skill to pour all the family’s knowledge and techniques into her own soul.
“I thought I would be the safest vessel.”
Who would dare steal knowledge contained within the soul of an Absolute? Who would even dare covet it?
This was how Mei Xiao intended to protect the Mei Family’s knowledge.
“Safe?”
“Yes, feel free to mock me. But who could have known Kwon Han-ul would be such a monster?”
Mei Xiao grumbled softly.
“If I die like this, all the Mei Family’s knowledge and swordsmanship within me will vanish. Isn’t that a terrible waste?”
“Not at all.”
“Don’t speak so coldly. Surely there’s still some affection for the family in your heart….”
“Not a shred.”
Mei Hong spoke with icy finality. Mei Xiao sighed.
“And do you think I’m a fool? You’re trying to use me to somehow preserve that knowledge and pass it on to the remnants of other Mei Family branches.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m making this proposal. Though the chances of success are slim.”
“Slim? There’s no chance at all. I will never make you a Guisword, and even if I did….”
“Then do this instead. You rebuild the Mei Family anew.”
Mei Hong’s words caught in her throat at this unexpected proposal.
“What nonsense are you spouting….”
“You won’t grow old and die alone forever, will you? Bloodline doesn’t dilute just from marrying a commoner, so eventually a new bloodline will form through you.”
Mei Xiao continued.
“Then a new Mei Family will be born. Use my knowledge for that new family.”
“…I don’t understand. What benefit does that bring to the Mei Family that remains now, that you’d say such things to me?”
“Well, it would be nice if the people remaining now could rebuild the family together… but with me dead, the likelihood of that becoming reality is low.”
Mei Xiao sighed.
“So I just want to preserve the Mei Family’s lineage. Not an entirely new Mei Family… but one that inherits from the existing one….”
Only then did Mei Hong begin to understand what kind of person Mei Xiao truly was.
What mattered to Mei Xiao was preserving the family by any means necessary.
That’s why she was making such a proposal to Mei Hong.
“It’s not a bad proposal for you either. If you make me a Guisword, you’ll become far stronger than you are now.”
“I don’t need it. I have no intention of becoming stronger through your power.”
“Is that so? I acknowledge you have talent, but in your current state, you’ll never catch up to Kwon Han-ul.”
Mei Hong’s body trembled slightly.
“Why? Did I strike a nerve?”
“Be quiet.”
“Even with your help, I can’t guarantee I’d stand beside that monster. What could I possibly accomplish alone? One day, I might fail to keep pace with Kwon Han-ul and be cast aside. Could you endure that?”
Mei Hong ground her teeth. Frustrated, yet unable to refute the words.
“Make me your sword. Grow stronger by using me, your enemy. Use me to achieve your goals.”
Mei Hong fell into contemplation. Soon, she reversed her grip and aimed the blade at Mei Xiao’s chest.
“…Damn it.”
At that response, Mei Xiao smiled and spoke.
“I’m counting on you from now on. Just don’t use me too roughly.”
Mei Hong said nothing.
Instead, she brought the blade down.

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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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