Chapter 31

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 31: The Bloodline’s Suspicion (Part 3)

Everyone was shocked by Kwon Myung-woo’s response.

Kwon Hanul was no exception. Upon hearing it, he recalled the conversation they had earlier.

"Take what you want, crush what you don’t like—that’s what it means to be the strongest."

Easier said than done. Acting on those words, especially when facing an entire clan, was no small feat.

“Why the long face, kid?”

When Hanul looked up, he met Myung-woo’s gaze. Misunderstanding his expression, Myung-woo tried to reassure him.

“Relax. As long as you stick with me, you won’t die at the very least!”

Hanul let out a small laugh. He couldn't let that misunderstanding slide.

“That’d be a problem.”

“What’s that now?”

“If I rely on you, Uncle, how will I take my revenge on the Mei Clan with my own hands?”

Myung-woo’s eyes widened at Hanul’s spirited reply.

“Now that’s the spirit of Hyukcheon! Hahaha!”

While Myung-woo laughed heartily, the head of the Mei Clan finally spoke.

“…Truly the audacity befitting Hyukcheon’s Strongest Fist.”

Oddly enough, despite holding the upper hand, the Mei Clan’s leader looked distinctly troubled.

Hanul easily saw through his true intentions.

‘He wants to avoid war.’

Despite his bravado, the Mei Clan surely knew—though they were a prestigious clan, they couldn’t compare to Hyukcheon.

If war broke out, the losing side would almost certainly be the Mei Clan.

“But I can’t say the other members feel the same.”

He gestured toward the figures behind Kwon Myung-woo—Kwon Jiseok, Kwon Hudon, and Kwon Mi—each wearing different expressions.

“Was your name Kwon Jiseok? What do you think?”

Jiseok wore his usual scowl, not bothering to hide his displeasure with the situation.

“To be honest, I’ve got no desire to fight for that bastard…”

The Mei Clan leader smiled slightly.

Seeing this, Hanul clicked his tongue. To think he’d try to manipulate them into internal strife to escape the situation.

‘Unworthy of being clan head.’

But then Jiseok continued.

“Still, we can’t just sit by when a nobody like the Mei Clan lays a hand on our bloodline.”

Neither Hanul nor the Mei Clan’s leader expected that answer.

Flustered, the clan head quickly changed his target.

“Wait! I can’t ask just one! What about you?”

“M-me?”

Hudon looked up in alarm, nervously biting his thumbnail.

“Do you want to go to war with the Mei Clan?”

“F-fighting is scary…”

The Mei Clan leader’s face brightened with hope.

“B-but mom said… Anyone who threatens our clan’s honor, I should… bash their heads in.”

Hudon exuded killing intent. The murderous aura was so thick it suffocated the surroundings.

“S-so I’ll kill them all… every single one of them.”

With Hudon now resolved to fight, the Mei Clan head’s face grew desperate.

“Th-then! Representative Kwon Mi!”

Hanul instinctively turned toward Kwon Mi, who stood calmly, arms crossed.

“Do you feel the same? Are you really going to start a war with the Mei Clan right here?”

Kwon Mi let out a long sigh.

“That would be problematic.”

Color returned to the Mei Clan head’s face, betraying his lack of composure.

Hanul wasn’t surprised—he had expected this reaction from Kwon Mi, who had made her dislike of him clear during the entire team battle.

“We came here for the team match, not to declare war.”

“Yes, yes, of course.”

“If war breaks out now, neither Hyukcheon nor the Mei Clan will gain anything.”

The Mei Clan head nodded enthusiastically.

“You really understand what’s important. Then let’s part here and talk again another—”

“Shut up, you damned old bastard.”

The atmosphere froze.

“W-what did you just say…?”

He couldn’t finish. Kwon Mi stomped on the ground with all her strength.

The earth trembled like waves. Pavement cracked and flipped, and nearby buildings crumbled.

“How dare the likes of the Mei Clan touch Hyukcheon’s members? Did you think I’d sit back and do nothing?”

They had forgotten.

Kwon Mi was also a direct descendant of Kwon Seonwoo and one of Hyukcheon’s top warriors.

‘…Am I seeing this right?’

Even if Hudon was a wild card, Jiseok and Mi both disliked Hanul.

Yet when an outsider attacked Hanul, they didn’t hesitate to retaliate.

His chest felt tight—an emotion he’d never experienced before.

Hanul realized it.

‘This is… relief.’

He chuckled dryly. Born an orphan, he’d lived over 20 years without once feeling this kind of reassurance.

That he’d experience it in Hyukcheon, from people who seemingly couldn’t stand him—it was surreal.

‘So this is Hyukcheon…’

Now, he truly understood what it meant to be part of this clan.

‘Basically, only we can mess with this bastard. Outsiders? No way.’

Despite their usual hostility, they united now—it was clear.

“Hahaha! You guys never disappoint!”

Myung-woo’s sudden laughter snapped Hanul from his thoughts.

“Enough small talk—let’s get started.”

Quickly, Kwon Mi opened her subspace and retrieved equipment.

It was the personal gear of Kwon Jiseok and Kwon Hudon, which she had prepared beforehand.

“Here, take it.”

She tossed the equipment to them.

“You can handle yourself, right?”

Hanul nodded, opening his own subspace and equipping Aryongtae.

“…So we’re really drawing blood.”

The Mei Clan leader’s eyes darkened.

“There’s no turning back now. But remember this—you refused the peaceful drink and chose the bitter one yourselves!”

He raised his arms and shouted.

“Draw your weapons!”

The Mei Clan’s members all unsheathed their weapons, staining them with their blood to summon Shura.

Vicious demon weapons, said to pierce even dragon scales, were aimed squarely at Hyukcheon’s warriors.

“Seven Hands of Plum Blossom, step forward!”

From among the many bloodline members, seven clearly distinguished warriors stepped forth.

Seven Hands of Plum Blossom

Seven elite warriors who guarded the Mei Clan’s main household.

Though not at the level of Greatest Sword, they were renowned masters of exceptional skill.

Dozens of Mei Clan warriors and the Seven Hands of Plum Blossom.

But it didn’t stop there—the clan head shouted again.

“Activate the artifacts!”

At his cry, a massive pillar of light surged from the Mei Clan’s central estate.

The light burst into waves, radiating in all directions.

As the shockwaves hit, Kwon Myung-woo felt his body grow heavy.

You are exposed to ‘Light of Shura.’ All attributes reduced by 20%.

‘Fragrance of Eculus’ spreads. Mana control impaired.

Affected by ‘Battlefield’s Narrowness.’ Willpower, fighting spirit, and morale suppressed.

‘Cursed Eye’ gazes upon you. Curse resistance drastically reduced.

‘Black Hatred’ seeps into your limbs. All senses dulled.

Clenching his fists, Myung-woo realized his movements were sluggish.

“How do you like it? These artifacts were prepared for a future Mei Clan war.”

The Mei Clan head spoke proudly.

“They bring agony to intruders and strength to our bloodline.”

As the wave spread, the Mei Clan warriors’ power visibly surged.

“You won’t call this unfair, will you? You came to our domain to make trouble—this is the least you can expect.”

In response, Myung-woo casually threw out a remark.

“So what?”

“…What?”

“Is that all?”

“Do you not grasp the situation?”

“If that’s it, then let’s get started.”

Myung-woo’s voice boomed, echoing across the entire area.

“Listen well! I’ll take care of the Greatest Sword and the Mei Clan head myself!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Mi! I’m leaving those so-called Plum Blossom Seven Hands and Plum Blossom Seven Idiots to you!”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“As for the remaining three, crush the Mei clan however you see fit!”

“Yes, sir!”

As soon as the order was given, Kwon Myung-woo stomped the ground and launched forward. At the same time, Mei Rong also sprang into action.

“Black Dragon Bloodline’s Greatest Fist! Your arrogance pierces the sky! One such as you is not worth more than me alone!”

Kwon Myung-woo sneered at his words and shouted mockingly.

“Still don’t know your place, do you?”

Kwon Myung-woo threw a punch. Mei Rong swung his sword.

For the second time today, Black Dragon Bloodline’s Supreme Fist and Greatest Sword of Central Plains clashed.

The result was completely different from the first encounter.

The Dragon Aura consumed the Shura Aura completely. Mei Rong was blown back and slammed into the ground.

“Rong!”

“Is now the time to be distracted?!”

Kwon Myung-woo’s fist smashed into the Mei Clan Leader’s abdomen. The Clan Leader hastily summoned a shield to block the blow.

The shield shattered, and the Mei Clan Leader’s body was sent skidding backwards.

A trickle of blood ran down the corner of his mouth — clear evidence of internal injury from the recent strike.

“You monster… Just how much stronger have you become?!”

“Why act surprised? Shall we continue?”

Under Kwon Myung-woo’s killing intent, the faces of Mei Clan Leader and Mei Rong stiffened.

At that moment—

Suddenly, something came flying and crashed beside Mei Rong. To their shock, it was one of the Plum Blossom Seven Hands.

“What the hell is going on?!”

Mei Rong shook the fallen man, but he was already dead — his breath long ceased.

Mei Rong looked up and surveyed the battlefield. Only then did he see the situation clearly.

A mere four members of the Black Dragon Bloodline were completely overwhelming the Mei Clan.

“You pathetic bastards!” Kwon Jiseok shouted scornfully and unleashed a strike.

True to his status as a direct bloodline member, his attack was ferocious and unrelenting, cutting down the Mei Clan’s warriors without mercy.

“D-Don’t come near me!”

Kwon Hudon, despite his delicate appearance, fought with brutal, reckless tactics. Covered head-to-toe in Dragon Aura, he charged forward like a battering ram.

“Gyaaah!”

“S-Someone stop him!”

But his speed and power were overwhelming — even a glancing blow would shatter bones. No one could stop Kwon Hudon.

“What are the Plum Blossom Seven Hands doing?!”

A Mei Clan warrior shouted. But their situation was even more dire.

“Maintain the formation!”

“Even if we hold, we’re getting overpowered… Urgh!”

The seven elite warriors defending the Mei Clan couldn’t even handle a single Kwon Mi.

Worse yet, one of them had just been killed, leaving only six.

‘Impressive.’

Kwon Hanul watched the scene unfold from behind.

Though affiliated with Black Dragon Bloodline, Kwon Hanul had only recently joined and was considered an outsider.

He had heard much about Black Dragon Bloodline’s fearsome reputation, but this was his first time witnessing their true strength.

And what he saw was terrifying.

‘Maybe these people really are special.’

There’s no way they would send just anyone to a battle that risked the family’s honor and pride.

In fact, Kwon Jiseok was a direct bloodline, and Kwon Hudon was skilled enough to be acknowledged by Joo Hayun herself.

‘Time for me to move, too.’

He had stepped back to assess Kwon Mi, Kwon Jiseok, and Kwon Hudon’s capabilities.

But his blood had been boiling for some time now — it was hard to restrain himself.

He wanted to unleash his power and crush his enemies.

“Kwon Hanul!”

Two Mei Clan warriors appeared before him — Mei Chau and Mei Feng.

They were the clan’s vanguard and captain — prominent representatives.

“Didn’t think I’d get a chance to avenge my humiliation so soon!”

“Right here, I’ll take your head and settle the score!”

Kwon Hanul scoffed.

“You losers have the nerve to come crawling back?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! That match wasn’t real combat!”

“Exactly! Let’s decide this for real right here!”

Kwon Hanul clicked his tongue in disdain.

Both were charging him together, and even resorting to weakening his body using clan artifacts — yet that’s all they had to say?

In truth, Kwon Hanul wasn’t bothered by their approach.

[System Notification]

You’ve been exposed to the “Light of Shura.” Your Shura Bloodline is further strengthened! All abilities increase by 20%!

‘Fragrance of Eculus’ spreads.Shura Bloodline strengthens further! Magic manipulation becomes smoother!

Affected by “Battlefield’s Narrowness.’ Your will and fighting spirit blaze!

“Cursed Eye” gazes upon you. Shura Bloodline strengthens further! Curse resistance greatly increases!

“Black Hatred” aids you! Shura Bloodline strengthens further! All senses sharpen!

Kwon Hanul was receiving the full benefits meant for Mei Clan warriors.

“Wow, didn’t see that coming.”

The system was designed to weaken outsiders and strengthen Mei Clan.

The criterion was possession of the Shura Bloodline.

And since only the Mei Clan was thought to have it, the setup made perfect sense.

“Die!”

Mei Chau and Mei Feng charged simultaneously. Kwon Hanul clenched his fist.

Black Dragon Ascension Art – Basic Form

Instant Strike – Projectile Blow

Kwon Hanul’s fist blurred. In the next moment, it pierced through Mei Chau’s chest.

“...Wha?”

A look of confusion crossed Mei Chau’s face.

Instant Strike – Projectile Blow

A rapid striking technique, akin to drawing a sword.

The already large power gap widened further due to the buffs. Mei Chau couldn’t even perceive Kwon Hanul’s punch.

Mei Chau’s body slowly tilted over.

Before he could comprehend what had happened, he was dead.

“Mei Chau!”

Mei Feng screamed and lunged at Kwon Hanul with his spear.

A weapon imbued with Shura Energy couldn’t be taken lightly, even by Kwon Hanul.

He activated the Monarch’s Authority. A violent gust blew him backward.

“You killed Mei Chau!”

Unable to control his rage, Mei Feng wildly swung his spear, leaving himself wide open.

Kwon Hanul redirected the wind and surged forward.

Black Dragon Ascension Art – Basic Form

Crushing Strike – Spiral Wave

Dragon Demon Aura converged into his fist.

During the team battle, he had to hold back to avoid killing. Now, there was no need for restraint.

He threw his punch with full force, amplified by the buffs on his body.

The strike slammed into Mei Feng’s abdomen.

“Urk?”

The compressed Dragon Demon Aura exploded.

Not just Mei Feng, but the Mei Clan warriors behind him were blown away entirely.

The overwhelming power turned all eyes toward Kwon Hanul.

“Hahaha!”

Kwon Hanul laughed loudly, the exhilaration of unshackled power flooding his body.

“Why is everyone just standing there? Shouldn’t someone hurry up and kill me?”

The Mei Clan warriors exchanged glances — then five of them charged at once.

Even under their murderous intent, sharp as razors, Kwon Hanul grinned ferociously.

[Synchronization Rate 19% → 20%]

[Reached a multiple of 10.]

[Second Authority unlocked.]

At that moment, a new message appeared.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]