Chapter 36

Chapter 36
Chapter: 36

Chapter Title: How Strong Are You? (2)

—

“You mean me?”

Hahou Yeon inquired, his eyes widening in surprise. His expression was one of clear provocation, as if he were listening to utter madness.

“Is there someone else standing here? Stop with the backtalk—just follow your instructions and keep your mouth shut.”

As Hahou Song fixed him with a sharp, aggressive glare, Hahou Yeon countered with a look of pure skepticism.

“What is the reason for me going out there?”

“What was that?”

Heavy lines of irritation carved themselves into Hahou Song’s forehead.

“I am aware the martial competition is happening, and I know it is the custom for a direct heir of the primary bloodline to represent the host family. Even with my time away, I lived here long enough to grasp the basics.”

Hahou Yeon spoke without the slightest tremor of doubt.

“But why must it be me? Normally, the clan chooses one of the celebrated young talents to compete—not a pathetic outcast like me whose name is barely scrawled at the very edge of the family tree. That was the case two years ago. Furthermore, this isn’t even the grand decennial assembly. I fail to see why a direct descendant needs to step forward for a simple celebration of Grandfather’s seventieth year.”

Hahou Song found himself unable to provide a quick answer to his son’s grounded reasoning.

In truth, his own reaction had been identical when his father first gave the order to enter Hahou Yeon into the lists.

He understood the scandal that would erupt if a son born to a woman who lacked even the status of a concubine were chosen to stand for the clan’s honor.

Nevertheless, he had bowed to his father’s will for a single motive.

‘I cannot allow him to remain hidden in the dark forever.’

He was painfully conscious of the fact that Hahou Yeon was despised not only by his half-siblings but also by his extended family and the bulk of the domestic staff.

If the boy could demonstrate his martial prowess in the arena, perhaps his status would rise, even if only by a fraction.

“Whether you like it or not, there is no choice. This is not an invitation—it is a directive from your father. More importantly, the clan head himself gave the order for your participation.”

Hahou Yeon was visibly shaken at the mention of the patriarch’s personal command.

“Grand… Father gave that order?”

“Indeed. So make the necessary arrangements.”

“……”

As Hahou Yeon’s face twisted in silent frustration, Hahou Song—misinterpreting the silence as nerves regarding the fight—softened his voice in an attempt to comfort him.

“Do not place too much weight on the final standings. You understand the protocol, don’t you? Direct heirs of the main house have always stepped aside at a respectable point in the brackets.”

“But they have always done so after being completely superior. To the point where everyone knows they were the true victors. And if the winner dared, they would even accept final challenges, wouldn’t they? I am well aware they never dropped a single match.”

“That is the case, but…”

Hahou Yeon couldn’t suppress a mocking grin at the sight of his father’s obvious agitation.

“I refuse to go.”

“What?! How dare you…”

Just as Hahou Song’s temper flared at this rebellion against the clan head’s decree, Hahou Yeon interrupted him with a calm voice.

“It seems you have overlooked whose servant I actually am.”

“Ah!”

A sharp breath escaped Hahou Song as he remembered the one individual in the family who held more reverence than any other—yet was also a figure of dread and isolation. Even without official titles or political backing, his position was absolute.

Hahou Gok.

“Who can say? If Great-Grandfather orders me to join the fray, I might. So instead of wasting breath on me, why don’t you try to convince him?”

“That is…”

“I am leaving.”

Without offering another look at the speechless Hahou Song, Hahou Yeon turned and walked out of the chamber.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Hahou Gok snapped a firm branch from a nearby tree and weighed it in his hand. To an outsider, it might look like he was mocking his foe, but for a warrior of his standing, the quality of a tool mattered little.

Sima Geon moved to grab a branch of his own, but Cheol Woo caught his arm.

“This isn’t right.”

“What are you doing?”

Sima Geon frowned, but Cheol Woo remained resolute.

“There are tiers to these things. I can’t just stand back and let some minor annoyance challenge the leader.”

“Are you serious? There haven’t been many in our past who could rival this old man’s level of skill.”

A broad, confident smile spread across Cheol Woo’s face. He had already sized up Hahou Gok’s strength.

“And I crushed most of those. The boss only dealt with the true monsters—like that old man—and a few others. Actually, speaking of that old man, I still have a score to settle. I wonder if the stubborn bastard is still drawing breath.”

The “old man” he referred to was the North Heaven Sword Demon. A murderous spark lit up in Cheol Woo’s eyes at the memory.

After inheriting the Great Demon Lord’s art, Ink Gang Asura Qi, from Sima Geon and achieving the Diamond Indestructible realm, the only person to ever hand him a loss was the North Heaven Sword Demon.

“He isn’t the type to die easily. He’s likely hiding away, nursing his wounds and dreaming of vengeance.”

“I hope he is. That way, I can be the one to light his funeral pyre. On that note, let me take care of this old-timer as well.”

“How did the conversation lead to this?”

“You only sharpen yourself against the best. It keeps the edges keen. Lately, everything has started to feel a bit too easy.”

Sima Geon went quiet for a moment, studying Cheol Woo’s serious expression.

He wasn’t wrong. The Cheol Woo who thrived in daily life-or-death struggles was different from the man standing there now. Of course, his power hadn’t faded.

He felt his instincts were dulling, but compared to his younger self who charged recklessly into danger, he was much more controlled and lethal now.

“That old man won’t be pleased with the swap.”

“I’ll give him a reason to be pleased.”

As Sima Geon pulled back, Cheol Woo grinned and let his joints pop.

“Hey, old man. Did you follow our little chat?”

“I heard enough. I never expected to be dismissed in such a manner. It is quite insulting.”

“Don’t take it to heart. If we didn’t think you were worth it, we wouldn’t bother fighting you at all.”

“Hah! I am truly honored.”

Despite the sarcasm, Hahou Gok bit back his rising temper, feeling deeply slighted.

Cheol Woo stepped into the space Sima Geon had vacated and held up three fingers toward Hahou Gok.

“What is the meaning of that?”

“I’ll grant you three free openings. Don’t hold anything back.”

“……”

He couldn’t even manage a laugh.

Ever since he earned the title of “Sword Fiend”—and even long before that—he had never been spoken to with such condescension.

“Very well. I shall take you up on that, as a courtesy to this old man.”

Checking his anger and regulating his breathing, Hahou Gok began to flow his Heaven and Earth Blazing Fire Divine Art.

Vital energy radiated from his frame, seizing control of the air in the clearing, and orange flames began to dance along the length of the wooden branch.

‘Intense yang power. It puts me in mind of the Red Flame Clan.’

Despite the crushing pressure attempting to weigh him down, Cheol Woo stood his ground firmly.

He did not take the threat lightly.

Hahou Gok was the first legitimate grandmaster they had crossed paths with since departing the Heavenly Demon Cult with Sima Geon.

He appeared far more formidable than the bandits or the Alliance members they had brushed aside—even more so than the experts from the Nangong Clan at the Golden Fox Bandit Lair.

A slight heat rose in Cheol Woo’s cheeks.

The chilling sensation of bloodlust brought a surge of tension, burning excitement, and high expectations.

‘Yes! This is what I needed! Heh heh heh! My apologies, boss.’

Cheol Woo wore a predatory smile, relishing the thrill he had hungered for.

Hahou Gok’s brow twitched at the expression. He interpreted it as Cheol Woo laughing at him.

‘The audacity!’

He reached his limit. It was time to show this arrogant brat his place.

Hahou Gok’s frame propelled forward like a released coil.

In a single heartbeat, he crossed over thirty feet.

The branch, vibrating with crimson energy, whipped toward Cheol Woo’s torso.

‘He’s fast.’

A glimmer of admiration touched Sima Geon’s eyes as he observed the strike.

Hahou Gok’s motions were perfectly streamlined and incredibly swift, devoid of any wasted effort.

Cheol Woo aimed his fist at the approaching sword light—which looked like a falling star cutting through the dark—but then abruptly withdrew. Instead, he simply walked forward, exposing himself.

“You lunatic!”

Hahou Gok, who had braced for a block or a counter, was stunned by Cheol Woo’s recklessness.

It was too late to pull the blow.

Attempting to stop or change direction mid-swing would leave him completely vulnerable.

The massive wave of sword energy slammed directly into Cheol Woo’s chest.

Boom!

A thunderous detonation rattled the trees.

Cheol Woo’s large frame, with arms crossed in a defensive X, skidded backward as a low grunt escaped his throat.

However, his expression showed no genuine distress.

Even after that massive collision, his body appeared to be largely unscathed.

“Hah! Are you made of tempered steel?”

Hahou Gok asked in pure disbelief.

That strike had been backed by more than ninety percent of his internal reserves.

It was enough to shatter a massive stone into dust—yet it couldn’t even bruise a human body.

‘Is he a master of external cultivation? Even so, how could…’

Hahou Gok could not mask his shock at Cheol Woo’s monstrous durability.

“That made my head spin a bit, old-timer. But it wasn’t quite the show I was hoping for. If that’s the best you can do, I’m going to be let down.”

Lowering his arms, Cheol Woo brushed off his shoulders as if clearing away dust and gave a short laugh.

Hahou Gok remained silent.

Regardless of whether he had held back, the outcome was undeniable.

His strike had been shrugged off—that was a cold fact.

Something began to stir deep within him.

It wasn’t just irritation.

It was the pride of a warrior, the spark of competition that only ignites when facing a true peer.

Slowing his racing heart, Hahou Gok’s face became a mask of absolute focus.

He channeled the Heaven and Earth Blazing Fire Divine Art to its absolute peak, the crimson light around his branch growing broader and more violent.

“Haat!”

With a harsh cry that sounded like grinding metal, the burning branch cut a diagonal path through the air.

Nine distinct beams of energy shot toward Cheol Woo’s pressure points.

This was the pinnacle art of the Nine Dragons Sword Method that had built the Hahou Clan’s legacy: Nine Dragons Blood.

Cheol Woo considered tanking the hit again but decided to trigger his Overlord Blood Victory Aura.

He could likely survive the impact, but there was no sense in taking unnecessary damage.

Cheol Woo’s heavy fist tore through the air.

The Overlord Sixteen Fists—sixteen distinct impacts delivered in a single breath.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Through a series of explosions, Hahou Gok’s precision strikes were neutralized.

Cheol Woo’s fists then turned to target Hahou Gok in a counter-offensive.

Giving a small groan as he met the counter, Hahou Gok shifted his weight to parry, then whipped the branch around once more.

Nine Dragons Slash.

Nine waves of sword force burst out like a hurricane.

It looked similar to the previous move, but the intent was vastly different. The destructive power was on another level.

Feeling the weight of the attack, Cheol Woo pushed his Overlord Blood Victory Aura to its maximum and unleashed a storm of punches.

Putting his total strength into the Overlord Sixteen Fists, shadows of his strikes filled a twenty-foot radius. But even with that, perfectly stopping Hahou Gok’s fluid, serpent-like attacks proved impossible.

The sword beams found the gaps in his defense and bit into his body.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sounds of the impacts—which sounded nothing like wood hitting skin—forced Cheol Woo to stumble back.

His skin tore where the energy landed, and dark blood began to seep out.

Yet the injuries were far less critical than they should have been.

Cheol Woo coughed up a bit of blood and smirked, showing he was still in the fight.

Hahou Gok’s expression darkened.

He had managed to land a clean hit by bypassing the wall of fists, but he had paid a price for it.

Even with his frantic parrying and his own internal shield, a fist had slammed into his ribs.

It wasn’t a standard punch.

An agonizing pain radiated from his side through his entire nervous system—it was enough to make a lesser man collapse.

“You’re the real deal, old-timer. It’s been a long time since anyone made me bleed.”

Cheol Woo wiped some blood from his arm onto a finger, tasted it, and his face shifted into a savage, demonic grin.

‘I couldn’t put everything into that last exchange, but it was still full power. And he only has a scratch? Has he truly attained the Diamond Indestructible realm?’

Hahou Gok was shaken to his core that his best effort hadn’t caused a disabling wound. But he refused to accept the possibility of losing.

‘Being durable doesn’t make you immortal.’

The Diamond Indestructible realm was a legendary feat in the martial world, but it wasn’t without flaws. There had to be a point of failure.

Suddenly, as if it had never been there, Hahou Gok’s fiery aura vanished into nothingness.