The Youngest Prince of the Zhou Family - Chapter 37

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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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Youngest Master of the Zhu Family (37)

Fighting King’s Legacy

When was it?

When my family was annihilated, and after hiding away on Jade Flower Mountain holding my breath, I finally couldn’t stand it anymore and came back out into the world.

When the Nine Great Sects were falling into decline, and the Five Great Families were desperately struggling against the Demonic Cult’s invasion.

I began wandering the world aimlessly.

At first, I had no purpose.

I was just relieved to have survived.

That’s right.

I was originally such a fool.

But then I came to meet him.

An old man who looked down at me with dying eyes.

His face was deeply wrinkled and his entire body was covered with hideous scars.

That old man was none other than Fighting King Yelu, a master from two generations ago in the Dark Path.

When the old man introduced himself as Fighting King, I initially thought he was insane.

But it didn’t take long for me to realize he truly was Fighting King.

The Demon People had already devoured every region of the country.

They soon entered even the village where I was hiding, and only then did the dying old man rise up.

And he showed me.

True killing intent.

That desperate mindset of absolutely killing one’s opponent no matter what.

The old man, no, Fighting King spoke.

“Do you want to live?”

“…”

“If you want to live… just kill them, that’s all.”

Fighting King extended his hand to me, the same hand that had torn apart the Demon People.

​

* * *

​

The first step resonated throughout the entire training ground.

With the second step, the air pressure was torn apart.

The energy waves spreading from my toes gave the assembled heroes a fresh shock.

“Wh-what is this…”

“That’s tremendous killing intent, isn’t it?”

What dominated the entire training ground was unmistakable killing intent.

The expressions of the Elders sitting in the upper seats hardened stiffly.

‘They’ve noticed.’

They had read the thick killing intent contained within this body technique, Black King Assault Body.

“The Zhu Family’s martial arts… to think it would be so filled with killing intent…”

Namgung Yeom was surprised, and Zhuge Jun, the Family Head of the Zhuge Family, examined my movements with a serious expression.

From the first technique Zhu Destruction Ring Strike to the final sixth technique Overlord Forbidden Blood.

Even though I performed them without channeling internal energy, the body techniques themselves had tremendous destructive power.

Enough to be etched into everyone’s memory.

After demonstrating all the techniques, I clasped my fists and bowed to everyone while maintaining my stance.

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere among the audience was quiet.

No, it was even cold.

I knew why they were silent.

‘They don’t understand. They probably think it’s just some low-level miscellaneous technique.’

As I expected, the assembled heroes had no idea of the true value of the martial arts I had shown.

​

However, unlike the heroes, the expressions of the adults sitting in the upper seats were somewhat subtle.

The Elders looked deep in thought.

The other Family Heads looked quite surprised.

‘Interesting.’

I enjoyed their reactions as I took my seat.

​

* * *

​

After me, Ju Sang-jin and finally Eldest Brother all demonstrated their martial arts.

Naturally, the heroes cheered properly at Sword Dragon’s appearance in the martial competition after so long, and began praising this All Under Heaven Festival as the greatest ever.

A brief rest period was given, and we now prepared for the duels.

The direct lineage martial competition was conducted by having direct descendants step onto the training ground and designate their opponents.

Duels between direct descendants were possible, as were matches between direct and branch family members.

With Chief Steward Ju Yu-kyung’s shout announcing the start of the direct lineage martial competition, Elder Sister Seung-kyung stepped onto the platform.

‘Who did Elder Sister call again?’

True to her fiery personality, she was someone who never backed down.

Since I hadn’t paid much attention to this All Under Heaven Festival in my previous life, it was difficult to remember everything.

That’s when it happened.

“Woo Jin.”

“…”

Huh? Me?

“Yes?”

“Woo Jin, I would like to spar with the Youngest Master.”

It was unexpected, but I understood.

‘She must still be upset about losing to me once…’

I nodded and rose from my seat.

In martial competitions, the one doing the designating is usually the challenger.

In other words, Elder Sister Seung-kyung was now challenging me from the challenger’s position.

‘I’ll go easy.’

I slowly stepped onto the training ground and loosened up my body.

“Give it your all.”

I nodded at Elder Sister Seung-kyung’s words.

I hadn’t planned to hold back anyway, even without her saying so.

That would absolutely not be proper etiquette toward an opponent in a duel.

“But why me?”

I asked.

“Why? Is there a problem with you?”

“I thought Elder Sister would call for a stronger opponent than me.”

“I’ll break you first.”

She said that while smiling brightly.

Soon the signal to begin was given, and Elder Sister Seung-kyung immediately charged at me.

As if she wouldn’t hold back at all, she deployed her swordsmanship with full power.

“Indeed.”

Unlike watching from a distance, the moment I actually faced her, the intimidating presence was no joke.

Who would have thought she had improved this much in such a short time.

Her sword force was fast and sharp.

From the first thrust that cut through the air, I could already tell.

‘She’s completed it.’

It shines even brighter in real combat.

Flying Heaven Responding Flame Sword Technique.

She had already completely absorbed and made the insights I gave her entirely her own.

Swish!

The sword tip grazed past my side, tearing my collar.

The reaction of the assembled heroes watching that speed was pure astonishment.

“How did he dodge that…?”

“Are you sure she’s not using internal energy? How can such speed be possible without internal energy?”

“It’s completely different from before!”

Of course, I couldn’t just stand still either.

Thud!

I lightly pushed my body into Elder Sister’s sword force.

It wasn’t a reckless charge.

It was a move possible because I completely understood her sword technique.

Though she had made remarkable progress, her weaknesses were still clearly visible to my eyes.

Clang!

My elbow, striking upward with my upper arm, lightly deflected her sword strike.

In that instant, Elder Sister’s eyes widened.

“Such a technique…”

“…”

I twisted my waist as is, grasped the sword blade with my palm, and lightly applied weight to pull it toward me.

Then I extended my other hand to grip Elder Sister’s pressure point.

Black King Assault Body, Second Form.

A technique from Bone-Breaking Black Chain.

If I had used internal energy, it would be a destructive move capable of completely shattering the collarbone.

The assembled heroes just blinked their eyes, not understanding what had happened, while conversely the elders in the upper seats were so startled they jumped up from their seats.

“End.”

“…Tch.”

As I dusted off my hands, Elder Sister clicked her tongue and nodded.

I couldn’t call it anticlimactic.

It’s just that rather than Elder Sister becoming stronger, I had become much… stronger.

As I was giving courtesy bows to everyone and descending from the platform.

“Wait.”

A very irritating voice came from behind.

“You don’t seem to have worked up much of a sweat… How about it? Want to have a match with this big brother?”

“…”

The opponent gesturing at me with an irritatingly smug smile plastered across his face.

It was Ju Sang-jin.

‘Idiot.’

He clearly hadn’t grasped the true meaning of the body techniques I had displayed.

He probably dismissed it as just some trivial technique, judging that he could easily overwhelm me.

“If he had any sense, he would have noticed something strange from the adults’ reactions…”

“What are you muttering about? Don’t tell me… you’re scared? Haha.”

Sigh, let’s not bother with words.

I glanced toward the upper seats.

Father silently nodded, approving the consecutive duel.

“How annoying.”

I grumbled as I climbed back onto the training ground.

“Don’t be too scared. There are many watching eyes, so I’ll go easy on you for the sake of your dignity. Keke.”

“Feel free to give it your all.”

Yes, well caught.

I knew he would challenge me eventually, but to step forward so directly like this.

Sang Jin immediately took his basic stance.

However, that posture was slightly different from what I knew.

‘That’s… Namgung?’

The Namgung Family’s sword technique.

That idiot really had no sense at all.

To bring out Namgung Family martial arts at the All Under Heaven festival held by the Zhu Family… Ha.

I frowned and took my basic stance.

Well, now I understand how Namgung Yeom thinks of Ju Sang-jin.

Who would have thought he’d teach Namgung Family sword techniques to his grandson.

‘Azure Sky Unhindered Sword Technique.’

What Ju Sang-jin was clumsily executing in his basic stance was definitely Namgung Family sword technique.

Moreover, it was the Azure Sky Unhindered Sword Technique, which could be called their fundamental sword technique.

Though it’s called a fundamental sword technique, the Azure Sky Unhindered Sword Technique is actually the origin of all martial arts that exist in the Namgung Family.

This means the level of completion and the martial art itself is extremely high.

But since the practitioner is Ju Sang-jin, there’s nothing to fear.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t that monster-like guy come?’

There’s one crazy bastard in the Namgung Noble Family.

An unprecedented lunatic obsessed with martial arts.

Honestly, among peers, that guy might be the most monstrous.

Even in my previous life, I had received quite a shock from him.

“What are you thinking about? How dare you with me in front of you!”

Lost in thought, I missed the steward’s starting signal.

Soon Ju Sang-jin rushed at me quickly.

The Azure Sky Unhindered Sword Technique consists of a total of thirty-six forms.

It was a sword technique with many variations, many feints, and incredible balance and harmony containing both the mysteries of speed and weight.

Swoosh!

The sound of air being cut past my ear made me feel good.

When fighting, I strangely get a floating sensation.

Why?

Crack!

Because crushing an opponent drunk on arrogance like this brought tremendous pleasure.

“Ugh!”

I quickly waved my hand, disrupting his vision and creating a blind spot in his sight.

An unnecessary space that the subconscious erases even while looking at it.

I occupied that space and grabbed Ju Sang-jin’s wrist, twisting it in the opposite direction.

I didn’t twist it severely, just enough that it would heal quickly.

Sang Jin flailed desperately, wildly swinging his sword at me.

‘What? He loses his reason to this extent from just one move?’

I was dumbfounded.

Don’t tell me I lost so miserably in my previous life to this level of skill?

While the Azure Sky Unhindered Sword Technique was certainly an excellent swordsmanship, Sang Jin’s mastery was ridiculously low.

Moreover, his understanding of the sword itself was completely rock bottom.

Even so, I never thought he would be this pathetic.

Sang Jin’s lips trembled.

The reaction of the assembled heroes watching this was properly frozen.

They must have expected me to get beaten one-sidedly, but the opposite had happened instead.

Crash!

I kicked the charging Sang Jin right in the face.

Sang Jin was enraged, and unable to regain his composure, he continued to charge at me.

“Tsk.”

After clicking my tongue lightly, I tripped the charging Sang Jin’s foot, grabbed his waist, spun him around, and knocked him down.

For a warrior to roll around on the ground several times.

This already meant the gap in skill was clear, but as if unwilling to accept it, he kept getting up and attacking.

Namgung Yeom, watching his grandson make a fool of himself, also seemed displeased.

Namgung Yi-hwa, who observed his expression, sent a signal with her eyes to the White Dragon Captain hidden among the crowd of heroes.

The White Dragon Captain nodded and took out a long blowgun from his chest, putting it to his mouth.

And he shot it straight at me.

“….”

I lightly caught whatever was flying toward me.

It was an invisible thread needle.

The glistening whitish liquid at its tip was definitely paralysis poison.

‘So this is it.’

The reason I was miserably beaten in my previous life.

Back then, I had tried to resist, but ended up collapsing just like that.

I thought it was because I had stupidly drunk too much and was paralyzed with fear….

“Interesting?”

When I caught the needle, flames blazed in the eyes of Ju Tae-seong, who was sitting in the upper seats.

“How dare they.”

A rumbling thunder sound burst from his mouth.

Anger.

How dare they use petty tricks in front of the Sword Master.

“…This is really interesting?”

I found that scene amusing again.

In my previous life… why didn’t he step forward?

Was it ultimately because I was a pathetic son?

Then what about this life?

Is he expecting something from me?

“Haha.”

Without realizing it, a twisted laugh escaped me.

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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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