Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 51

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#051

 

Hwangbo Baek felt his patience reaching its limit.

 

Initially, he had no intention of coming to Deungmyeong Manor directly. But recently, things felt like they were getting complicated, so he wanted to resolve everything at once.

 

-The Third Young Master has gone missing. We found the bodies of the Yeongho Unit, but we couldn’t find the Third Young Master.

 

Though unsatisfactory, he was still his son. But before he could even find his son’s whereabouts, another incident occurred.

 

-The Shandong Merchant Guild Leader has been captured by Deungmyeong Manor.

 

During his time as Lord, not once had such a thing happened.

 

-Everything started from Deungmyeong Manor.

 

So he decided to come personally.

 

To restore everything with his own power. But the response of the mere seventeen-year-old Jangju was absurd.

 

‘Doesn’t he seem like someone desperate to fight?’

 

Hwangbo Baek was displeased.

 

‘Does even this little brat dare to look down on me?’

 

People called him Gwonseong.

 

It was the greatest honor for a martial artist who used fist techniques. But it was laughable.

 

Gangho’s Greatest Fist.

 

If you were to pick the best fist fighter in the martial arts world, no one would mention Hwangbo Baek’s name.

 

Then what about the Three Great Fists of the Martial Arts World?

 

Unfortunately, even here, not many people would mention his name.

 

If you picked about five people, he would barely be mentioned at the bottom.

 

This meant that most of the title Gwonseong came from the glory of his father, who was Gwonjun.

 

Was that why?

 

Hwangbo Baek greatly disliked gazes that looked down on him.

 

Conversely, he liked situations where he overwhelmed his opponents.

 

That’s why after becoming Lord, he continued his rough course and rose to the position of absolute ruler of Shandong Province. But even that didn’t give him satisfaction.

 

Yet here was a mere seventeen-year-old brat, nothing but a little thing, sneering at him while calling himself Jangju.

 

It was like showing off with a white neck exposed in front of a hungry tiger, so there was no reason to tolerate it.

 

“I’ll give you one last chance. If you hand over my younger brother, I’ll withdraw the branches of the merchant guild and caravan in Jiao-nan. Will you accept?”

 

“The merchant guild and caravan withdraw, and the next day Hwangbo Clan might attack our manor?”

 

“I have no such intention, but Jangju seems to want that.”

 

“I don’t like being attacked. I prefer the opposite.”

 

“I like your guts, but you chose the wrong opponent.”

 

Hwangbo Baek asked with beast-like eyes gleaming.

 

“Decide. Will you accept?”

 

It was when Ja-gang-cheon was about to speak.

 

“Jangju-nim. These conditions show that Hwangbo Clan has made many concessions. Please consider my reputation.”

 

Yeon-hee knew this was the last chance.

 

‘Crazy bastards. They’re really going to fight right here.’

 

Would a tiger and lion meeting at the forest’s edge be like this?

 

However, compared to the man already recognized as a tiger, Ja-gang-cheon’s actions as merely a lion cub were too reckless.

 

“Jangju-nim. You chose me as mediator. Please trust me.”

 

Yeon-hee had to push through her opinion, even if it was to save Ja-gang-cheon.

 

‘Hwangbo Baek has bared his fangs. This isn’t a situation I can control.’

 

Hao-mun was, after all, a group skilled in indirect restraint. They weren’t strong in situations where swords were immediately drawn.

 

Right now, like this, when Hwangbo Baek had resolved to face future troubles, there was no way to stop him.

 

Moreover, Hwangbo Clan had plenty of things to offer in negotiations with Hao-mun.

 

‘Absorbing Deungmyeong Manor and sharing those profits would also be a method.’

 

If Deungmyeong Manor was eliminated immediately, Jiao-nan would lose its master.

 

What would happen if Hwangbo Clan, becoming the new master, divided what the manor possessed and lifted the restrictions on the black market?

 

The Shandong Province branch leader of Hao-mun would naturally accept it.

 

‘That’s what power is.’

 

Those with power are always given selfish choices.

 

“Jangju-nim. Please, I beg you.”

 

Yeon-hee, having finished her calculations, spoke with sincerity. This appearance seemed unexpected to Ja-gang-cheon as well.

 

“I didn’t know you would go this far, sister.”

 

“I just judged this to be right.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon eventually nodded.

 

“I’ll accept.”

 

At that sight, Yeon-hee let out a long breath.

 

“Then I, Yeon-hee, Dan-ju of Hao-mun’s Fifth Division, guarantee as mediator the agreement reached by both parties.”

 

Even as Yeon-hee quickly finalized the agreement, Hwangbo Baek and Ja-gang-cheon were staring at each other.

 

Breaking that tense atmosphere was also Yeon-hee’s responsibility.

 

“The Shandong Merchant Guild Leader must be waiting.”

 

Hearing his younger brother’s name, Hwangbo Baek rose from his seat.

 

Looking down at Ja-gang-cheon as if pressing him down, he suddenly turned around.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“I also have one question.”

 

Remaining seated, Ja-gang-cheon asked.

 

“Do you know about Jangpung Pyohyeon?”

 

All members of Hwangbo Clan glared at Ja-gang-cheon as if they had seen a ghost.

 

“I’m interested in the Evil Song Technique.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon smiled.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Hwangbo Baek deliberately ignored Ja-gang-cheon and led his group with a calm voice.

 

A moment later,

 

Shandong Merchant Guild Leader Hwangbo Jeong stood before Hwangbo Baek with a haggard appearance.

 

“Hyeongnim. I have no face to show you.”

 

“Are there no serious injuries?”

 

“No. They’re not wounds that will last long.”

 

Among the brothers, they were the only ones who were close.

 

This was because Hwangbo Jeong had quickly given up being Lord and sided with Hwangbo Baek.

 

“Let’s go outside and talk.”

 

With his usual personality, Hwangbo Baek would have been furious seeing his younger brother with scabs still attached. But now he looked with an expressionless face at Ja-gang-cheon, who was seeing them off.

 

“We’ll meet again.”

 

“I’ll wait for that day.”

 

Receiving Ja-gang-cheon’s farewell, Hwangbo Baek’s group departed.

 

“Whew.”

 

As the gate they had exited closed, Yeon-hee was the first to exhale.

 

“Today, Jangju-nim’s behavior was too dangerous.”

 

“Were you worried about me?”

 

“I don’t know how close I am with Jangju-nim, but I’m not the type to just leave someone who wants to kill themselves alone.”

 

“I’ll admit that I’ve become somewhat close with you, sister.”

 

“That’s not what I want to hear right now. Hwangbo Baek is truly a dangerous person.”

 

“I know. That’s why now is the opportunity.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Hwangbo Baek doesn’t know what I can do.”

 

“What on earth…”

 

Ja-gang-cheon cut off Yeon-hee’s worry and said.

 

“It’s too late to stop. Those bastards will attack us first.”

 

Yeon-hee recalled the words she hadn’t understood.

 

“It’s Jangpung Pyohyeon.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon nodded and spoke to her.

 

“This is my answer to the sincerity you showed me, sister. Now go back to Hao-mun and do what you need to do. But don’t spy directly. I don’t want to kill the Ha-o-mun-do as well.”

 

Yeon-hee knew she couldn’t persuade him.

 

“Is there nothing I can help with?”

 

“There might be plenty in the future. But today is enough.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon issued a pleasant dismissal.

 

“I hope to see you again safely.”

 

“I will.”

 

Yeon-hee left the manor, leaving behind Ja-gang-cheon who was smiling.

 

***

 

On the road not far from Deungmyeong Manor.

 

When Hwangbo Baek stopped walking, figures who had been waiting in the forest approached him.

 

It was Maeng-ho Daejoo, who led the Maeng-ho Guard that protected the Lord.

 

Even while staying at the manor, he had been waiting outside the walls.

 

When Maeng-ho Daejoo, who always followed like a shadow, came to his side, Hwangbo Baek stopped walking.

 

“When we were pursuing Ak-pung-jin, you said an uninvited guest interfered and we lost him?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

Maeng-ho Daejoo remembered most of the reports Hwangbo Baek had received. This was also part of his duties.

 

“How does the appearance and clothing from that time compare to Deungmyeong Jangju?”

 

Maeng-ho Daejoo thought for a moment before answering.

 

“They’re similar.”

 

Those who had lost Ak-pung-jin at the time hadn’t clearly seen Ja-gang-cheon’s face. However, they remembered his build and physique, but that wasn’t enough to identify someone specifically.

 

But when compared to Ja-gang-cheon, there were many similarities.

 

“If that bastard met Ak-pung-jin, we must assume the worst-case scenario. If the information they have falls into Hao-mun’s hands, they’ll try to shake the roots of Hwangbo Sega.”

 

The Jangpung Pyohyeon incident had many reckless moves during its progression. Compared to that incident, what happened in Jiao-nan was nothing.

 

If Jangpung Pyohyeon’s dirt on Hwangbo Sega were revealed to the world, they would face criticism from all of the Central Plains.

 

Since Hwangbo Baek himself had led that affair, it could end up handing Hao-mun a leash around their necks.

 

“We’ll deal with it tonight before leaving.”

 

“Even if we succeed, Hao-mun won’t stay quiet.”

 

At Young Lord Hwangbo Taesan’s opinion, Hwangbo Baek raised one corner of his mouth.

 

“We can hand over Jiao-nan’s interests. If we tell them they can operate the black market freely, they won’t make it an issue anymore.”

 

“Looking at Dan-ju Cheon-o’s behavior earlier…”

 

“Negotiations are better when done with higher-ranking people. There’s no need to deal with someone at the Dan-ju level.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“We just need to deal with the lone wolf. Tonight we’ll bury everything. Deungmyeong Jangju won’t see tomorrow’s dawn.”

 

Everyone was agreeing and silently accepting when.

 

“Hyeongnim. I’ll join as well.”

 

“This isn’t something you need to step forward for.”

 

“There’s someone I must kill with my own hands.”

 

Hwangbo Jeong spoke with demonic eyes.

 

“It would be good to settle all grudges before leaving.”

 

Hwangbo Baek decided on that method.

 

***

 

It was night after the sunset had passed.

 

Having left the village, by this time the surroundings of Deungmyeong Manor were so quiet that one could hear the sound of wind brushing through grass.

 

After the somewhat noisy dinner ended, the entire manor fell into silence as if hidden in darkness.

 

The one who broke that silence entered boldly through the main gate.

 

Ten people in total.

 

Behind Hwangbo Baek at the front, Maeng-ho Daejoo and four Maeng-ho Guards followed, and behind them stood Hwangbo Cheonju and Hwangbo Homyeong from the Jangno-hoe known as the clan’s greatest masters, along with Young Lord Hwangbo Taesan and Shandong Trading Guild Leader Hwangbo Jeong.

 

Excluding the Vice Commander who had come as a working-level official, everyone had crossed the manor’s gates.

 

As they stood in the front courtyard with bold steps, not hiding their killing intent, a voice greeted them.

 

“A night raid. How fitting for Hwangbo Sega.”

 

The one standing with a relaxed smile was Ja-gang-cheon.

 

“I know from experience that attacks are better done in the morning.”

 

“Tigers are naturally nocturnal.”

 

“From what I’ve heard of your actions, you’re closer to a crow.”

 

“What?”

 

“You’ve only lived by picking at corpses.”

 

Veins bulged on Hwangbo Baek’s forehead.

 

“You will never die peacefully.”

 

“You must be quite cowardly. You talk a lot.”

 

“Shut up! Today, because of your tongue, even the innocent household members will all die.”

 

At those words, Ja-gang-cheon showed obvious mockery.

 

“You’re as cowardly as I heard. Everyone who died because of you was killed by you. Don’t blame others.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon looked Hwangbo Baek in the eyes and said.

 

“I’ll make you stop. Die and repent.”

 

“You bastard!”

 

Hwangbo Baek couldn’t hold back and rushed forward. He had returned to the manor for this moment in the first place.

 

“Don’t leave a single one alive, kill them all!”

 

After giving that cruel order, he stepped with Hwangbo Sega’s characteristic heavy footwork and threw a punch.

 

It was Hwangbo Sega’s pride, the Thunderbolt Divine Fist.

 

Tremendous force like a rock crushing down covered Ja-gang-cheon.

 

At that moment, Ja-gang-cheon didn’t dodge but extended his hands that had been clasped behind his back.

 

‘How dare he?’

 

The Thunderbolt Divine Fist was known as a fist technique with the greatest destructive power of emitted internal energy.

 

Though it was regrettable to end it with a single strike, there was no reason to refuse.

 

Eventually, two fists carrying all their force collided in mid-air.

 

Craaack!

 

The collision of internal energy burst the surrounding air, creating a deafening roar that rang in their ears.

 

But something was strange.

 

The extended internal energy wasn’t covering the opponent but was splitting like water blocked by a rock and spreading in all directions.

 

‘Why?’

 

At that moment, Hwangbo Baek felt a stinging pain in his extended fist. With an ominous feeling, he quickly withdrew his fist, which had dozens of red dots on it.

 

He had been pierced by thin needles.

 

‘Needles penetrated through a fist emitting internal energy?’

 

The Thunderbolt Divine Fist, with its internal energy, was no different from being wrapped in protective energy.

 

For needles to penetrate such a barrier!

 

‘Impossible.’

 

The moment he had that thought, one possible condition came to mind.

 

“Flying Phoenix Gauntlets…”

 

The divine artifact passed down only to the Lords of Hwangbo Sega.

 

Though he had used them directly through his father in childhood, he hadn’t inherited them when he became Lord.

 

But now he could see the Flying Phoenix Gauntlets before his eyes.

 

“You’ll die soon, so you won’t have time to be surprised.”

 

As soon as Ja-gang-cheon finished speaking, excruciating pain struck.

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