Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 56

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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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#056

 

Jinan, Shandong Province.

 

Time had stopped for the Hwangbo Clan due to the Lord’s death.

 

With even the Young Lord taken hostage, the clan’s chain of command had completely disappeared.

 

The Jangno-hoe, which existed for times like these, had also lost two members, throwing the clan into utter chaos.

 

Since it was a death no one had anticipated, it took time to get things under control.

 

This wasn’t simply about selecting the next Lord.

 

It was the process of the Hwangbo Clan transitioning to the next generation.

 

Fortunately, there was already someone designated to sit at the eye of that storm.

 

Initially, there were those who coveted the position of the new Lord under the pretext of being adults, but the Jangno-hoe quickly endorsed the next Lord.

 

Hwangbo Baek’s second son, Hwangbo Taejin.

 

Since the two elders who had supported the eldest son Hwangbo Taesan were dead, there was no opposition.

 

The Jangno-hoe convinced Hwangbo Taejin, who had been in secluded training, and finally declared him interim Lord in the presence of the main direct lineage members.

 

-I will accept this position only until I finish avenging Father.

 

He drew a clear line to prevent any opposition. But everyone knew this wasn’t his true intention.

 

-Anyway, if the eldest Hwangbo Taesan dies, that position will naturally become Hwangbo Taejin’s. If he succeeds in avenging the Lord, he’ll have even fewer competitors.

 

He would probably try to step down, but the Jangno-hoe and key adults would go and persuade him.

 

If he became the new Lord in such a graceful manner, the Hwangbo Clan could maintain everything they had enjoyed until now.

 

“Now it’s time to start moving.”

 

Hwangbo Taejin, who had busily finished organizing internal affairs, was holding a meeting with ten retainers including the three elders.

 

In this gathering of only key figures, the youngest person was interim Lord Hwangbo Taejin.

 

But as the meeting neared its end, a report came that shattered their composure.

 

“Lord. The main branch of Shandong Trade Guild has been attacked.”

 

“Are you saying Deungmyeong Manor moved first?”

 

“The Lord of Deungmyeong Manor appeared together with Ak-pung-jin.”

 

“Ak-pung-jin?”

 

The people gathered in the meeting hall reacted more sensitively to the name Ak-pung-jin than to Ja-gang-cheon.

 

“Not only Ak-pung-jin, but Seok O-chil from Palseongjeon Ironworks and Jin Hyeon-pil from Jinjuk Martial Arts School were also there.”

 

Hwangbo Taejin stroked his chin at those words.

 

His narrow eyes moved busily beneath his thin eyebrows.

 

He knew who had to take control in this situation.

 

This was absolutely necessary work for an interim Lord to become a real Lord.

 

“We must hurry our plans. Anyway, once we move, they can’t just keep attacking. By the authority of the Great Hwangbo Clan Lord, I order the formation of the Hundred Heroes.”

 

One hundred masters selected from the Hwangbo Clan.

 

Their target was solely Deungmyeong Manor.

 

Since the Hwangbo Clan possessed power, there was no need to devise complicated plans.

 

They just needed to mobilize enough people with the strongest force to eliminate any variables.

 

“Before this matter becomes noisy, we will settle it with our own hands.”

 

He didn’t bother to steel his resolve.

 

He organized everything calmly as if doing something completely natural.

 

-A snake born in a tiger’s household.

 

Someone had described him this way.

 

This was the reason he couldn’t become Lord despite surpassing his eldest brother in martial arts.

 

‘Now I’ve finally come to my rightful place.’

 

Even thinking about it now, the reason he couldn’t become the successor was because of his appearance.

 

They judged that compared to his brother, not only his martial arts but also his personality suited a Lord.

 

He resented his father and cursed his older brother.

 

He didn’t want to share anything with them, so he chose secluded training himself, but now he had caught an unexpected opportunity.

 

‘I’ll show them. Why I should be the Lord.’

 

He continued his work with his narrow eyes.

 

“What you need to keep in mind is the Poison Hand Song Ja-in. Don’t worry about appearances and deal with her immediately through joint attacks. This is not a duel but revenge. Don’t consider anything other than killing the opponent. What’s important is that our people don’t die.”

 

Hwangbo Taejin, who showed consideration following practicality, checked each face in the assembly one by one.

 

The retainers who met his eyes slightly lowered their gazes, fulfilling their duty as subordinates.

 

This pleased Hwangbo Taejin.

 

‘This was originally where I should have been. I’m the only one suited for this position.’

 

When the meeting ended, the retainers moved busily to carry out their orders.

 

However, the three elders remained in place.

 

They were the people Hwangbo Taejin trusted most, who had supported him from the succession competition.

 

“I owe the three of you a great debt. You know I have a personality that always repays what I receive several times over.”

 

Four remained in the Jangno-hoe after two had died.

 

Since one was practically in retirement, securing these three meant gaining the support of the Jangno-hoe.

 

And Hwangbo Taejin knew well what they wanted.

 

“If I become Lord, there’s something I’d like to ask of the three of you for the clan’s quick stabilization.”

 

“What might that be?”

 

“The Thunder God Fist that only the Lord can learn should originally be transmitted to me by Father. But unfortunately, things have turned out this way, so I have no choice but to study it alone. I’m afraid the interpretation of the technique might go wrong and not be properly passed down to future generations. So how about the three of you studying it together with me?”

 

“But since it’s only permitted to the Lord, even looking at the manual would violate clan law.”

 

“This is a special situation. If the Lord gives special permission for the preservation of the Thunder God Fist, who would object?”

 

The three elders looked at each other’s faces and nodded.

 

They had never been greedy for wealth to begin with. Since the Jangno-hoe was their final destination for power anyway, only martial arts remained.

 

In this situation, the Thunder God Fist was the best gift for them.

 

Though they could access all of the Hwangbo Clan’s martial arts, the Thunder God Fist was the only one whose manual they had never even heard of.

 

“Having the Lord change again would not be right for the clan. We will assist you well.”

 

Hwangbo Taejin skillfully concluded the negotiation. And he thought to himself.

 

‘Deungmyeong Manor has set up the stage well for me.’

 

Then there was only one thing left to do.

 

“I will completely erase Deungmyeong Manor from this land.”

 

A bitter smile crossed Hwangbo Taejin’s lips.

 

***

 

-The Hwangbo Clan has ordered the formation of the Hundred Heroes. The destination is Jeseong, west of Jiao-nan.

 

At a gathering point one day’s distance from Jiao-nan, one hundred members of the Hwangbo Clan were assembling. They were the strongest hundred among five thousand warriors.

 

It was safe to say they were the Hwangbo Clan’s real military strength.

 

“The expected assembly time is ten days from now.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon nodded after hearing Miho’s information.

 

“As expected.”

 

“How do you plan to deal with this?”

 

“We have to fight.”

 

“That’s reckless. A fight between small numbers might be one thing, but one hundred masters are military strength of a different dimension.”

 

Miho’s assessment was the most common opinion.

 

It was natural that the more people involved in a fight, the fewer variables there would be.

 

“Ten days is enough.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon called Ak-pung-jin.

 

“From now on, stop the raids and focus on gathering forces. Since a full-scale fight has begun, they’ll also be thorough in preparing against raids.”

 

“What do you plan to do, benefactor?”

 

“I have a plan. Don’t worry.”

 

The relaxed answer gave confidence to the listener. It didn’t seem like he would deliver news of death with such a tone and expression.

 

“I’ll also lend my strength.”

 

“No. That won’t do.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon spoke decisively.

 

“From now on, it’s my time.”

 

Having finished his greeting, Ja-gang-cheon left that place.

 

Jeonghung, a village located east of Taesan.

 

In Jeonghung, there was an Iron Foundry that supplied weapons for the Hwangbo Clan as well as iron tools needed for construction.

 

In the massive Iron Foundry where dozens of blacksmiths worked together, skilled warriors naturally established themselves.

 

Not only did they need to protect the craftsmen, but since rough men gathered there from the beginning, it created a good environment for training.

 

So many warriors lived here that they even had a separate Iron Academy, a martial arts training institute for Iron Foundry members.

 

The Iron Academy had many excellent instructors, and among them, three masters in their fifties boasted such outstanding skills that they were called the Three Tigers of the Iron Foundry.

 

It was natural for them to be included in this Hundred Heroes selection, and upon receiving orders, they immediately departed for the assembly point with five others who were chosen alongside them.

 

The eight men received their orders around noon, and after moving east without rest, they finally stopped walking when evening came.

 

“We’ll camp outdoors on the way. The fewer people who see us, the better.”

 

“Master. But won’t we arrive too early? The personnel stationed at the western end will take quite some time.”

 

“Going ahead to stand guard and observe Deungmyeong Manor wouldn’t be bad either. We aim to arrive within three days.”

 

It was when the Bald Master was giving his characteristically firm orders.

 

“Danger!”

 

The other two masters beside him turned their bodies to one side and raised their internal energy.

 

Instantly, something burst out like a ghost from the forest where dark shadows had settled.

 

Bang!

 

“Kuk!”

 

The large-built master who had blocked the front was sent flying while coughing up blood. His arms, which he had raised to protect his face, were completely shattered with bones piercing through the flesh.

 

The masters who witnessed their colleague’s defeat chose to counterattack.

 

Seeing that the attacker was younger than expected, they believed they could subdue him.

 

However, the gauntlets he wore on his fists gave them a strange sense of déjà vu.

 

Bang!

 

The slender master’s punch collided with the attacker’s fist.

 

At first glance it seemed like a draw, but the result was stark.

 

“Kuk!”

 

The master’s fist turned black, and soon he collapsed while coughing up blood. A fishy poison scent spread from the blood pouring from his eyes, nose, and ears.

 

“Everyone fall back!”

 

The Bald Master covered his nose with his index finger and pulled back his disciples.

 

“You bastard! Reveal your identity!”

 

“I heard you were coming to kill me, so I came ahead to greet you.”

 

At those words, the Bald Man recalled the physical description he had heard beforehand.

 

“Ja-gang-cheon…”

 

“I heard uninvited guests were coming. I hate uninvited guests, you see.”

 

“You bastard!”

 

The enraged Bald Man’s voice echoed thunderously through the forest.

 

It wasn’t really a shout born from anger.

 

“Ah. No need for that. I already dealt with the three who were nearby.”

 

As Ja-gang-cheon said, the Bald Man’s shout was an attempt to call colleagues who would be moving around the same time.

 

It was an action relying on luck, but right now that was necessary.

 

“Everyone scatter in different directions. At least one of you must survive to report that Ja-gang-cheon attacked us.”

 

“Master…”

 

“Don’t forget to mention that he possesses the Bihuang Fist Technique.”

 

The Bald Master had recognized the Bihuang Fist Technique.

 

At that moment, Ja-gang-cheon leaped toward the warriors who hadn’t managed to leave yet.

 

Just as the Bald Master quickly tried to block his path,

 

Swoosh!

 

Ja-gang-cheon stepped on the ground and bent his direction at a right angle.

 

‘How…’

 

He had never experienced a body moving with such momentum bending like this.

 

‘It was a trap.’

 

Going toward the disciples was a trap to lure out the Bald Man.

 

Bang!

 

In the end, the Bald Man couldn’t avoid Ja-gang-cheon’s fist and blocked it by crossing both arms.

 

The reason why it was called the Devil’s Touch to martial artists became clear.

 

Instantly, a fishy scent rose from his breath, and his whole body’s muscles convulsed without any chance to think of counterattacking.

 

What was even more miserable was watching his disciples die in that state.

 

They tried to scatter belatedly, but Ja-gang-cheon’s movement technique was truly like a ghost’s steps.

 

“Ugh…”

 

Thud!

 

Finally, the Bald Man collapsed forward and glared at Ja-gang-cheon with only his eyes rolled up.

 

Meanwhile, Ja-gang-cheon finished off even the last disciple and turned his gaze to the Bald Man.

 

It was an emotionless look.

 

He was simply looking to confirm the enemy’s death. Even that seemed boring as he approached a few steps and grabbed the Bald Man’s neck to snap it.

 

Crack!

 

The forest that had been briefly noisy became quiet.

 

Swoosh!

 

And Ja-gang-cheon disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared.

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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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