Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 57

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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 57】

Chapter 57: Steel (1)

An Imoogi that cultivates for over a thousand years can ascend to become a dragon upon obtaining the Yeouiju. However, not all Imoogis can achieve this transformation. Some fail due to insufficient training, accumulated karma during their journey, or countless other reasons.
An Imoogi that fails to become a dragon becomes consumed by bitter rage and hatred. When these malevolent emotions reach their peak, corruption follows.
From that moment onward, the Imoogi is called by a different name.
Gangcheol.
An Imoogi transformed into Gangcheol descends upon the earth to unleash all manner of calamity and destruction.
It sets fields ablaze and swallows mountains whole. Cannibalism is merely routine.
The Gangtaedae, known as the Heukcheon Group’s executioners, took their name from this very monster.
They gather those deemed “useful” from among the Kwon Family’s criminals, force them into absolute obedience, and deploy them to “necessary locations.”
That is the Gangtaedae’s purpose.
“Gu Eon, there are no criminals here. Surely you’ll withdraw the Gangtaedae now.”
Joo Ha-yeon spoke to the man before her. Her tension was plainly visible.
The man, Gu Eon, turned slowly to face Joo Ha-yeon.
“Joo Ha-yeon, it seems you’ve forgotten. The Gangtaedae doesn’t exist solely to house criminals.”
“What do you mean—”
“Our mission is to bring in anyone who poses even the slightest threat to the family and group, then transform them into useful tools.”
Gu Eon’s gaze shifted to Mei Hong.
“Mei Hong. A traitor to the Mei Family. The interrogators seem to have deemed you trustworthy, but I disagree.”
Gu Eon’s eyes darkened with sinister intent.
“There’s no guarantee that one who betrayed her own family won’t betray again. More importantly, I cannot allow another bloodline to roam freely within our ranks.”
At that moment, Kwon Han-ul stepped forward.
“Mei Hong has already agreed to join my team.”
“The Gangtaedae has the authority to arrest anyone deemed a threat, regardless of which unit they belong to.”
This was precisely why the Gangtaedae earned the title of executioners.
Their authority was second only to the Chairman. Everyone feared them because capture could come at any moment.
“What possible grounds do you have for considering Mei Hong a threat?”
“Intuition.”
For a moment, Kwon Han-ul thought Gu Eon was joking. But his expression remained utterly serious.
“It may be difficult to believe, but Gu Eon’s intuition is accurate enough that even the Chairman trusts it.”
Joo Ha-yeon quickly added her explanation.
“To date, Gu Eon has apprehended over ten individuals based on his ‘intuition.’ And every single one of them was engaged in dangerous activities unknown to others.”
“Dangerous activities?”
“Unregistered Dungeon Gate trafficking, illegal monster smuggling, or… even rebellion. This is why Gu Eon has been exceptionally granted the authority to make arrests without prior authorization—an abuse of power that has been officially sanctioned.”
First, arrest them. Then, find the evidence.
First arrest them, then find the evidence.
By modern law, this would be an absurdly unjust act beyond imagination.
But this is the Kwon Family. Not a modern courtroom. Moreover, because Gu Eon has a track record, such coercion becomes possible.
Still, Kwon Han-ul couldn’t simply back down. He spoke to Gu Eon once more.
“Mei Hong is neither an enemy nor a dangerous person. She has never harmed the Kwon Family. If anything, we fought together.”
“True blood. There’s a flaw in that reasoning.”
Gu Eon cut him off sharply.
“Strictly speaking, we fought together only because the enemy of my enemy was her. She cannot be called an ally and could become an enemy at any moment.”
Gu Eon’s gaze shifted back to Mei Hong.
“More than that, the decisiveness and boldness to bring down an entire family—such qualities cannot belong to an ordinary person. She may appear intact on the surface, but her core is surely already rotten and decayed.”
Gu Eon’s voice was filled with certainty.
“From my experience, such malicious individuals inevitably become a plague upon their own family.”
“Are you saying you’ll take her into custody?”
“Precisely. If someone of Mei Hong’s caliber were to oppose the Kwon Family, she would become a troublesome enemy. That’s why I and the Gangtaedae exist—to apprehend her beforehand and reshape her into something useful.”
Gu Eon stepped forward, looking down at Kwon Han-ul as he spoke.
“If you understand, step aside now. I must take Mei Hong with me today.”
Gu Eon gestured with his hand. Those behind him rose to their feet.
Though dressed in different garments, each wore shackles somewhere on their body.
They too were criminals brought here by Gu Eon.
“Bring Mei Hong before me.”
The Gangtaedae’s enforcers approached Mei Hong. Her expression gradually hardened.
But the moment she took a deep breath, her face transformed entirely. Her eyes blazed with murderous intent, as if daring them to come any closer.
“Break all her limbs if she resists.”
Yet Gu Eon issued the command with perfect composure. Still, the Gangtaedae enforcers could not advance further.
“Stop.”
Kwon Han-ul had stepped directly into their path.
“Kwon Han-ul, I told you. The Gangtaedae has the authority to apprehend anyone. You are no exception. Do you wish to be taken into custody right now?”
It was a chilling warning. Kwon Han-ul exhaled softly.
“That would be inconvenient.”
“Then step aside at once.”
“That’s also inconvenient.”
Emotion appeared on Gu Eon’s face for the first time. He spoke to Kwon Han-ul with a hint of displeasure.
“I don’t have the leisure to waste time on word games.”
“Mei Hong is already my person. A dangerous individual? She hasn’t even committed an actual crime. You expect me to hand her over for such nonsensical reasons?”
Kwon Han-ul’s expression darkened as well. Unlike Gu Eon, he made no attempt to hide his displeasure.
“I have no reason to humor such absurd demands.”
Gu Eon’s dark eyes fixed quietly upon Kwon Han-ul.
“So this is what true blood looks like. Unafraid even knowing the Gangtaedae’s reputation.”
An explosive aura erupted from Gu Eon. It felt as though one’s entire body was burning.
“I’ll acknowledge that spirit of yours. Then let’s see if your strength matches that resolve.”
Dragon martial energy surged forth from Gu Eon’s body.
It was nothing like an ordinary martial arts match. A ferocity that seemed to freeze my entire body washed over me.
Watching Gu Eon, Kwon Han-ul raised his hand as well. The corner of Gu Eon’s mouth twitched slightly.
“I’m not saying I want to fight.”
In that instant, the intensity drained from Gu Eon’s eyes. The same happened to everyone else observing the situation.
“…What did you just say?”
“Would I be insane to fight someone like you?”
Gu Eon’s aura was comparable to that of Kwon Seon-woo and Kwon Myung-woo.
That meant Gu Eon had reached a similar level as those two.
How could anyone possibly fight against such a master?
“…Didn’t you just say you’d stand against me?”
“I will stand against you. But I’ll need to use a different method.”
“Kwon Han-ul. My orders cannot be stopped by anyone. Unless it’s the Chairman….”
Kwon Han-ul didn’t even wait for Gu Eon to finish speaking before pulling out his smartphone and making a call.
After several rings, the call connected.
-…You bastard.
An extremely displeased voice came through the smartphone.
It was a low murmur, yet everyone could hear it clearly.
-How dare you call me without even asking permission. Do you have a death wish?
The patriarch of the Kwon Family.
The Chairman of the Heukcheon Group.
It was Kwon Seon-woo’s voice.

* * *

“Huh!”
The moment Gu Eon heard Kwon Seon-woo’s voice, he dropped to one knee immediately.
-So this is the voice of… Gu Eon.
-I greet the master of Heukcheon!
-That stiff attitude of yours never changes. But then again… Kwon Han-ul, what exactly have you done to be standing alongside this man?
A brief sigh echoed through the phone.
“Well, about that…”
Kwon Han-ul gave a brief explanation of what had just transpired. After hearing him out completely, Kwon Seon-woo uttered just one phrase.
-You arrogant bastard.
His voice was chillingly saturated with fury.
-You’re not even a child, yet you come running to me because someone’s about to take your possession? Asking me to protect it for you?
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
-Don’t talk nonsense! Do you think I gave you that phone to waste my time on garbage like this?
“You’re quite impatient, aren’t you? I was actually asking for an opportunity.”
-An opportunity?
“Yes, because I figured my words alone wouldn’t carry weight.”
Kwon Han-ul turned to Gu Eon.
“You said Mei Hong is a dangerous element who needs proper education, right?”
“Roughly speaking, yes.”
“But there’s no reason the Gangtaedae has to handle it. I’ll educate Mei Hong myself so she becomes an asset to Heukcheon.”
Convincing someone like Gu Eon that Mei Hong wasn’t a dangerous element would be difficult.
So I had to frame it in a way that aligned with his own logic.
“Of course, words alone won’t suffice. So I’ll prove my qualifications right here and now.”
-How exactly do you plan to prove it?
“By whatever conditions the Gangtaedae sets. That way both sides will be satisfied, won’t they?”
Gu Eon’s brow furrowed slightly. His displeasure was evident.
But he didn’t speak rashly.
-Hmm…
The Chairman responded with intrigue through the smartphone.
-So that’s why you called me.
“Yes.”
-Gu Eon, what do you think? I’m curious whether this fellow is all talk, or if he actually has something to show for it.
“I merely follow your will, sir. However…”
Gu Eon’s eyes, which had been calm, gleamed with an eerie light once more.
“The test will be impossible.”
-That’s up to you. Since I’ve indulged this man’s stubbornness, you should exercise some of your own obstinacy too, shouldn’t you?
Kwon Han-ul felt a wave of regret wash over him. He was beginning to wonder why he’d volunteered in the first place.
“…Kwon Han-ul.”
At that moment, Mei Hong grabbed his sleeve. Her face was filled with worry.
“It’ll be fine. We’re on the same team now, so something like this is…”
“You better win! I don’t want to go to some gloomy unit like that!”
Kwon Han-ul felt slightly deflated by a response that differed from his expectations.
In the meantime, Gu Eon issued an order to the members of the Iron Steel Squad.
“Bae Cheol-min, go bring the criminal we captured yesterday.”
One of the Iron Steel Squad members climbed onto the rooftop of the building. He seemed to have business with the helicopter they’d ridden up in.
Moments later, the Iron Steel Squad members descended carrying an iron cage barely large enough for a small child.
Inside it was a full-grown man, crammed in.
His knees were pressed tight together, his waist bent flush, contorted into the smallest possible position.
Worse still was the man’s physical condition. More than ten iron spikes pierced through his body and were embedded in it.
“…Where is this place?”
Even in such a pitiful state, the man’s voice remained calm.
“Hey! Baldy! Where are you taking me this time!”
He even shouted loudly.
“Noh Ho-min.”
Gu Eon spoke the man’s name.
“He was a highly promising S-rank Hunter in the Heukcheon Group. He ended up like this after his eyes were blinded by dungeon rewards during a mission, causing him to murder his teammates.”
An S-rank Hunter.
Among the ordinary hunters belonging to the Heukcheon Group, only an extremely small number qualify as S-rank Hunters.
Even the Heukcheon Bloodline cannot treat an S-rank Hunter carelessly. They are beings of that magnitude.
Yet such a person was trapped in a cage in such a pathetic state.
“He gave me quite a bit of trouble to capture. That’s why I ended up meeting Mei Hong late.”
To actually release such a man. It was clear Gu Eon really didn’t want to lose Mei Hong.
Or perhaps Kwon Han-ul had wounded his pride too deeply.
“You may use violence or persuasion. I’ll place no restrictions on your methods. By any means necessary, make this man submit and obey. Then I’ll acknowledge that you have the qualification to control Mei Hong.”
Gu Eon snapped his fingers. An Iron Steel Squad member approached with a key.
“I’ll open the cage, and when I give the signal, I’ll release the criminal. That’s when you begin…”
Click—the cage opened. The moment it did, the cage shattered to pieces and the Iron Steel Squad member holding the key flew far away.
“Phew.”
The criminal, Noh Ho-min, straightened his waist and rolled his shoulders lightly.
“I don’t know what happened, but thanks for letting me out!”
Noh Ho-min’s body lifted slightly off the ground. A translucent platform appeared beneath his feet.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way! Hahahaha!”
Noh Ho-min leaped high into the sky. Then he glided through the air as if skating.
“There’s something I forgot to mention. Noh Ho-min was famous among S-rank Hunters for being the fastest. His agility reached S-rank long ago.”
Gu Eon opened his mouth toward Kwon Han-ul.
“If he keeps going like that, he’ll escape completely. Though I suppose when dealing with criminals, such unexpected situations do happen from time to time.”
Even as the criminal was escaping, Gu Eon didn’t appear rushed at all.
It was clear he had deliberately released Noh Ho-min without giving a signal.
“If you let that man get away like this, you won’t escape censure either. This mess happened because of your demands.”
Suddenly, Gu Eon noticed something strange. Kwon Han-ul was simply sitting there in silence.
“Kwon Han-ul?”
Joo Ha-yeon shook Kwon Han-ul’s shoulder. Only then did he snap back to awareness.
“Ah, I was observing something.”
“Observing what?”
“That person’s skill.”
Kwon Han-ul’s gaze drifted back into empty space.
【True Asura Bloodline comprehends the principles of a new skill!】
【True Genius Bloodline accepts new information!】
The fusion of the demonic authorities ‘Monarch’ and ‘Pure Light Protection’ is complete!>
【A new skill is created!】
Celestial Flight Path
-Quality: Legendary (???)
-Description
A skill forged by fusing the authorities ‘Monarch’ and ‘Pure Light Protection’. The subtle essence of lightning merges with the power of wind.
*Growth-type Skill
**Skill inheritance is possible only for the creator ‘Kwon Han-ul’.
**However, the recipient of inheritance must possess wind-attribute mana.
-Initial Forms
First Stage: Solitary Sprint
Second Stage: (Not Yet Generated)
Third Stage: (Not Yet Generated)
All the effort had finally borne fruit.

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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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