Bloodline is Everything - Chapter 78

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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 78】

Chapter 78: Conditional (1)

After completing the mission, Kwon Han-ul returned to the Hukcheon Estate.
He had intended to rest for a while, but unfortunately, that wasn’t to be.
“Kwon Han-ul, the Chairman has asked that you make time at 12 PM.”
Just as he was about to settle in for some proper rest at the Mansion, Joo Ha-yeon delivered the news abruptly.
It was an order, not a request—truly characteristic of Kwon Seon-woo.
“The Chairman?”
“Yes, he said he’d like to share a meal with you.”
Kwon Han-ul’s eyes blinked repeatedly.
He had met the Chairman many times before, but he had never once shared a meal with him.
“I wonder why he’s calling for me.”
“It seems he has much to discuss regarding this recent matter.”
Kwon Han-ul checked his watch. About an hour remained until the appointed time.
“He said you’re welcome to decline if you’re busy.”
“What kind of hollow courtesy is that?”
Who would dare refuse a summons from Kwon Seon-woo, Chairman of the Heukcheon Group and head of the Kwon Family?
“Even starting now, I’ll be cutting it close.”
Since he was already within the Main House, the travel time wouldn’t be long. Still, one couldn’t simply dress carelessly when summoned by the Chairman.
Kwon Han-ul immediately called for an attendant to prepare himself.
He dressed in proper formal attire and headed to where the Chairman had summoned him.

* * *

Kwon Seon-woo had summoned Kwon Han-ul to the summit of Oga Mountain, located near the Main House.
The entire peak had been carved flat, and a small tower erected upon it.
Kwon Han-ul stood at the tower’s highest level, gazing out through the window.
“Wow… I had no idea such a place existed.”
The azure sky stretched endlessly before him, and beneath his feet, mountain ranges unfolded in a magnificent panorama.
Then came the sound of a door opening. Kwon Seon-woo entered with his security detail.
The moment Kwon Seon-woo laid eyes on Kwon Han-ul, his expression darkened as he spoke.
“Conduct yourself with dignity.”
Hearing such a rebuke out of nowhere, Kwon Han-ul felt an inexplicable sense of injustice.
“What have I done, sir?”
“Obviously, you were gawking out the window like some fool.”
The accuracy of the accusation left Kwon Han-ul unable to protest further.
“Sit.”
Kwon Seon-woo gestured toward a table.
It was the only table on this vast floor. In an ordinary restaurant, such an arrangement would have been absurdly inefficient, but here it posed no problem.
This space existed solely for Kwon Seon-woo’s use.
Kwon Han-ul took his seat. After a brief wait, servants brought out the meal.
Prepared befitting the Chairman, the aroma alone was enough to set one’s stomach churning with anticipation.
Yet Kwon Han-ul could not properly savor the flavors. This was, after all, an audience with the Chairman.
“The clams have plumped up nicely.”
However, the Chairman himself remained silent, methodically bringing food to his lips.
“Why did you wish to see me, sir?”
Unable to contain himself any longer, Kwon Han-ul finally asked. The Chairman raised an eyebrow, regarding him coolly.
“Have you always been so impatient by nature?”
“Ordinarily I’m quite patient. But circumstances have made me anxious now.”
“Fool. One must sit quietly while others dine—that is proper conduct.”
Even as he chastised, the Chairman set down his utensils.
“You performed well in this matter.”
Kwon Han-ul doubted his own ears. Had praise truly escaped the Chairman’s lips so readily?
“Forgive me, but… are you truly the Chairman? You’re not someone in disguise, are you?”
“Is this fool mad? Spouting such nonsense.”
The casual vulgarity that tumbled forth suggested the Chairman was indeed himself.
Kwon Han-ul found himself increasingly bewildered. So the Chairman had truly praised him?
“You protected Takamine Ryoko safely, eliminated Mark Griffin—that traitor to the Group—and achieved victory against Ferdrans… Frankly, the results exceeded expectations.”
The Chairman began tapping his fingers rhythmically against the table.
“Or rather, it would be more accurate to call them unforeseen results. I never anticipated you would actually kill Ferdrans.”
The Chairman’s gaze grew slightly distant.
“It is impressive, yet it raises questions. Can such an outcome truly be achieved through what is called Bloodline alone?”
Kwon Han-ul felt a pang of unease in his chest.
“What are your thoughts on this?”
Kwon Seon-woo’s gaze fixed intently upon Kwon Han-ul. Kwon Han-ul carefully concealed his true thoughts as he spoke.
“You said the Kwon Family stands at the pinnacle of the world. How could I, a true bloodline member, fail to accomplish even this much?”
Recognizing the logic in his words, Kwon Seon-woo gave a small nod.
“A fair point.”
“You don’t intend to leave it at mere words, do you?”
At Kwon Han-ul’s brazen demand for compensation, the Chairman let out a hollow laugh.
“True, you’re right. You deserve proper compensation.”
“Thank you.”
“I shall open the Treasure Vault for you.”
At those words, Kwon Han-ul’s eyes widened.
“Enter with your team and each of you may take one item of your choosing.”
“…Are you serious?”
“You’ve defeated a villain from Pandemonium. You’ve earned such a reward.”
The Heukcheon Vault holds all the treasures the Kwon Family has ever acquired.
That not only Kwon Han-ul but his entire team could access such a place was extraordinary.
It was undoubtedly an immense privilege.
“Is there anything else you wish to ask of me?”
Kwon Seon-woo didn’t even end the reward at vault access—he offered to hear further requests.
“Yes, there is.”
“Speak.”
As if he’d been waiting for this moment, Kwon Han-ul produced a sheet of paper and handed it to Kwon Seon-woo.
“What is this?”
“I would appreciate it if you could procure the medicinal ingredients listed there.”
Kwon Seon-woo began reading the contents. As time passed, his brow furrowed deeper.
“The root of solar pepper, petals of frost-white flower… the fruit of mandrake…”
Kwon Seon-woo lifted his gaze from the paper to Kwon Han-ul.
“Have you lost your mind?”
It was the reaction Kwon Han-ul had anticipated, so he remained unshaken.
The medicinal ingredients listed didn’t enhance one’s stats.
But they possessed extraordinarily rare properties—rejuvenating the body, restoring damaged brains, and more.
Because of these effects, they commanded astronomical prices in trade.
The combined cost would strain even the Heukcheon Group’s resources.
“Do you intend to request a complete metamorphosis from the Takamine Family?”
“How did you know that?”
“If I didn’t possess such information, how could I possibly sit in this position?”
Though Kwon Seon-woo spoke casually, Kwon Han-ul felt a chill run through him.
The metamorphosis technique was something the Takamine Family had only recently developed. Few within the family itself knew of it.
Yet Kwon Seon-woo spoke as if he naturally understood even the ingredient list.
“A complete metamorphosis… not a bad choice. Not all masters have experienced it, but all who have experienced metamorphosis have become masters.”
After careful consideration, Kwon Seon-woo spoke.
“There’s nothing I can’t help you with.”
“Really?”
“However, there is a condition. Hand over all the poison you obtained from Ferdrans.”
“What do you intend to use it for?”
“Do you think it’s easy to acquire poison this potent? Having it on hand proves useful in many ways.”
Such a condition wasn’t difficult. After all, even if Kwon Han-ul kept it, it would serve no purpose.
“And finally, elevate the reputation of Heukcheon. Then I’ll hand it over.”
“Pardon?”
Kwon Han-ul furrowed his brow and asked again. The condition was far too vague. Elevate its reputation?
Perhaps noticing Kwon Han-ul’s confusion, a subtle smile crossed Kwon Seon-woo’s face.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already found the method.”
Just then, one of the bodyguards whispered something to Kwon Seon-woo. Kwon Seon-woo nodded and spoke.
“They’ve arrived at just the right time. Tell them I’ll be there shortly.”
“Understood.”
Despite food still remaining on the table, Kwon Seon-woo rose from his seat.
“Let’s go. There’s someone I need to meet.”

* * *

Kwon Seon-woo brought Kwon Han-ul to a Reception Room reserved for receiving guests.
Two people were already seated inside—an elderly man and a young man.
As Kwon Seon-woo entered, both rose from their seats and bowed their heads.
“Chairman, it’s been a long time.”
Kwon Seon-woo shook hands with the elderly man. They appeared to share a deeply intimate relationship.
“You’ve traveled far. Thank you for the effort.”
“Effort? I’ve already forgotten such trivial matters in my anticipation of sharing this important news.”
Kwon Seon-woo laughed heartily. Then he spoke toward Kwon Han-ul.
“Introduce yourself. This is Abdul Rasad from the Rasad Family.”
“I am Kwon Han-ul.”
Kwon Han-ul said so while bowing respectfully. The elderly man, Abdul Rasad, burst into hearty laughter.
“Though humble, I am Abdul Rasad, a premier Tuner from the Rasad Family.”
Questions continued to surface on Kwon Han-ul’s face. He had never heard of the Rasad Family, nor the title of premier Tuner.
Fortunately, Kwon Seon-woo quickly noticed Kwon Han-ul’s state and offered an explanation.
“The Rasad Family is established in the Middle East and is the only truly neutral family in the entire world.”
“A neutral family?”
“No faction may touch the Rasad Family, and the Rasad Family must not favor any particular family either. Such is the covenant that binds them.”
It was truly a remarkable covenant.
Kwon Han-ul looked at Abdul Rasad again with astonishment. Abdul Rasad smiled silently in response.
“It’s nothing so extraordinary. It’s simply due to the rather unique bloodline our family possesses.”
“Your modesty exceeds reason. Countless Hunters have benefited from the aid of the Rasad Family’s Tuners.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
Abdul Rasad smiled brightly before speaking.
“If you don’t know much about our family, then you wouldn’t know about the Genius Bloodline either.”
“I’m sorry, but… what?”
Kwon Han-ul exclaimed in surprise.
“The Genius Bloodline?”
“Haha, despite its name, it doesn’t actually make you a genius. It’s a bloodline that expands one’s cognition, allowing them to perceive what others cannot.”
I couldn’t help but know. It was one of the bloodlines I currently possessed.
The expansion of cognition, defense against mental attacks, and the ability to discern the structure of objects and break curses—it could be called a universal bloodline.
“With the power of the Genius Bloodline, one can accurately assess the condition of hunters. For example, whether their body has developed in a balanced manner, whether they have any bad habits. Things like that.”
However, the Genius Bloodline that Abdul Rasad described was slightly different from what I knew.
“No matter how exceptional a hunter is, they inevitably develop one or two bad habits. The Rasad Family makes it our business to identify and correct such flaws.”
Correcting flaws.
Hearing it this way, there was an overlap with the True Genius Bloodline I possessed.
To be precise, it was clearly a subordinate ability of the True Genius Bloodline.
As I had already experienced, the True Bloodline possessed powers incomparably greater than subordinate bloodlines.
“Even with an explanation, it won’t truly resonate with you. Let me show you directly.”
Suddenly, Abdul Rasad’s expression grew serious.
His sharp eyes examined my body from every angle. Soon, astonishment spread across his face.
“…This is remarkable.”
“Is there some problem?”
“Quite the opposite. There’s nothing to fault.”
As if he couldn’t quite believe it, Abdul Rasad continued examining my body throughout his words.
“Your bone structure is perfect, and your muscles are evenly developed. I’ve never seen a body this flawless.”
Saying so, Abdul Rasad tilted his head in puzzlement.
“It’s peculiar. Even the most meticulous hunter usually has one or two points where mana becomes disrupted. But I see nothing like that in you, Kwon Han-ul.”
It was the first time I’d heard such a thing. But I could guess the reason.
The Genius Bloodline I possessed was the True Bloodline. Perhaps that’s why my bad habits were corrected without my even knowing it.
“Ah, I’ve been rude. It’s just so astonishing…”
Abdul Rasad couldn’t tear his gaze away from me.
Then, Kwon Seon-woo asked him a question.
“Who is the young man beside you?”
Kwon Seon-woo’s gaze turned toward the youth who had come with Abdul Rasad.
“I greet the master of Heukcheon!”
The youth immediately knelt on the ground and spoke.
“My name is Stephen Babel.”
Though I didn’t know the young man’s name, I had heard the surname Babel mentioned several times before.
The Babel Family.
The family that possessed the dragon bloodline known as the Dragon Heart Blood.
Dragons and dragons.
They were separate creatures, yet identical in being dragon-kin. Naturally, the Kwon Family and the Babel Family became frequent subjects of comparison.
It was said that if the East had the Kwon Family, the West had the Babel Family.
The relationship between the two families could hardly be called favorable.
“Babel?”
Kwon Seon-woo asked with a puzzled expression.
“Why is someone from the Babel Family here?”
“We are escorting them to the Babel Family to request mediation from Abdul Rasad.”
“Hmm.”
Kwon Seon-woo stroked his chin as he spoke.
“I had no intention of allowing the Babel Family into this place.”
Kwon Seon-woo’s single remark cast a heavy shadow over the surroundings. Stephen Babel swallowed hard.
The Kwon Family, who regarded themselves as supreme, could hardly view the Babel Family—their benchmark for comparison—favorably. The Babel Family felt the same way.
In other words, the relationship between the two families was….
“Rather unpleasant.”
Decidedly poor, to the point of hostility.
Stephen Babel broke into a cold sweat. Kwon Seon-woo soon withdrew his killing intent.
“A jest, of course.”
To anyone watching, it was clearly no jest. It was obvious that he had deliberately intimidated the Babel representative.
“In any case, we have an honored guest. Do extend your greetings.”
“A pleasure to meet you.”
Kwon Han-ul greeted him as if he had been waiting for this moment. From the instant he heard the name Babel, he had his sights set on something.
“I am Kwon Han-ul.”
Kwon Han-ul quickly extended his hand. Stephen Babel grasped it while gauging Kwon Seon-woo’s reaction.
【’???’detects ‘Dragon Heart Blood’.】
A message appeared.

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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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