Chapter 30 - Bloodline is Everything

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter 30: The Bloodline’s Suspicion(2)

The Shura King transformed into crimson smoke and was absorbed into Kwon Hanul’s body.

For having just absorbed a being as powerful as the Shura King, the system messages seemed rather underwhelming.

But Kwon Hanul could feel it—the sheer terrifying presence of the Shura King now residing within him.

To truly understand its power, he had to infuse it into a weapon. Otherwise, it would remain sealed, as if nothing had changed.

‘But what exactly is Shura Soul?’

Without hesitation, he decided to test it firsthand.

He retrieved a dagger from his subspace and infused it with Shura Soul.

The moment it absorbed the Shura Soul, the dagger floated into the air, whizzing chaotically around him.

When he opened his palm, the dagger returned to his hand.

‘...This could be useful.’

As a martial artist, Kwon Hanul rarely used weapons. Instead, he considered a different application.

‘If I infuse Shura Soul into debris during battle…’

He could control scattered remnants mid-fight, launching surprise attacks at his enemies.

Or, he could even imbue it into his clothes, manipulating them at will.

Various possibilities crossed his mind, and he nodded in satisfaction as he stowed the dagger away.

‘Time to head out.’

He turned toward the shrine’s entrance—then suddenly, a faint scent reached his nose.

If not for the heightened senses granted by his Dragon Physique, he would have missed it entirely.

What is this?

A slightly sweet yet sour odor.

He sniffed again, trying to pinpoint it.

<“Healthy Bloodline (健康血)” detects a deadly toxin!>

<“Genius Bloodline” detects a supreme curse!>

Kwon Hanul swiftly pulled out the Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel and placed it in his mouth.

<Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel blocks harmful substances!>

<Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel purifies toxins and curses within the body!>

This was why the Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel was considered a top-tier legendary artifact.

Unlike ordinary antidote pearls, which only counteracted poison, this one could neutralize all harmful substances.

The Mei Clan must have pulled some tricks.

He hadn’t expected them to act so soon after Kwon Myung-woo’s warning.

‘Did they really want me dead that badly?’

To the Mei Clan—who harbored an inferiority complex toward Hyukcheon—Kwon Hanul’s very existence was a threat.

But why? If they kill me so openly, it would start a war with Hyukcheon.

Would they really risk an all-out conflict just to eliminate him? It didn’t make sense.

As he pondered, another message appeared.

Knew my bloodline had some tricks, but this…

Kwon Hanul carefully read the details.

Once infected, he would die within a week—168 hours, to be exact.

A memory resurfaced. Something Mei Rong had said, "There are relics that can kill a person without leaving a trace."

Looking back, that wasn’t a mere comment—it was a warning. A preemptive declaration.

Had it not been for his Healthy Bloodline, Genius Bloodline, and the Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel, he would have been helpless.

What should I do now?

The Mei Clan had just attempted to assassinate him.

The realization ignited something within his chest.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t fear—it was rage.

‘The Mei Clan tried to kill me? And not through combat, but with poison?’

His blood boiled. His teeth clenched.

He couldn’t let this go unpunished. The Mei Clan would be held accountable.

‘But this isn’t something I can decide alone.’

This wasn’t just a random incident—it had occurred while Hyukcheon was visiting the Mei Clan.

If handled poorly, it could escalate into full-scale war.

‘I need to inform Granduncle first.’

With that, Kwon Hanul stepped out of the shrine.

Waiting outside, as if expecting him, was Mei Rong.

“Did you have a valuable experience?”

Despite orchestrating this entire scheme, Mei Rong’s expression remained unchanged.

Kwon Hanul’s lips curled into a smirk.

What a wretched bastard.

Brazen. Shameless. Utterly detestable.

“Yes. It made me curious about what kind of person the Mei Clan’s ancestor was.”

“Perhaps you’ll meet him sooner than you think.”

“How would I meet someone who’s already dead?”

Mei Rong simply smiled—a cryptic, knowing smile.

“Just a thought.”

He started walking again, but someone approached him.

It was Mei Hong—one of the representatives of the Mei Clan.

“Lord Mei Rong, the Patriarch has summoned you.”

“The Patriarch? For what reason?”

“How should I know?”

Despite addressing one of the highest-ranking elders, Mei Hong’s tone was flat and indifferent.

Mei Rong clicked his tongue in irritation before turning to Kwon Hanul.

“My apologies. I must step away.”

“It’s fine. I’ve seen everything I needed to.”

“Appreciate your understanding. Mei Hong, guide the Hyukcheon representative to his kin.”

With that, Mei Rong quickly disappeared.

Mei Hong, now left with Kwon Hanul, spoke in a polite tone, “Allow me to escort you.”

As she passed him, she subtly pressed something into his palm.

His instinct was to check what it was, but before he could, she whispered, “Don’t lower your head.”

Kwon Hanul immediately froze.

“There are too many watchers. If you act suspiciously, they’ll notice.”

Keeping her eyes forward, Mei Hong continued walking. Kwon Hanul followed in silence.

“…You may find this hard to believe, but right now, your body—”

“Is poisoned, correct?”

Mei Hong’s expression stiffened slightly.

“How did you—?”

“I also know its effects. If left untreated, I’ll die within a week.”

He spoke just loud enough for only Mei Hong to hear. Her face hardened further.

“…They wanted to kill you without provoking Hyukcheon.”

“And this is the antidote, I presume?”

“…Yes.”

“What exactly is this poison?”

“It’s called Dreamshade Venom—a synthetic toxin crafted from relic-based poisons. Once infected, you die in your sleep, as if you merely drifted off.”

“Relic-based poison… Sounds expensive.”

“You could sell an entire mid-sized city and still not afford the materials.”

“Must be an honor to have something that valuable used on me.”

A cold laugh escaped his lips.

Just how desperate were they to kill him?

“But why are you telling me this? You’re part of the Mei Clan.”

A faint grinding of teeth.

Mei Hong’s gaze remained forward, but the hatred in her eyes was undeniable.

“I want revenge on the Mei Clan.”

A chill ran down his spine. He could feel the raw intensity of her hatred.

“I want them annihilated. I want the Patriarch’s head. And I want to tear out Mei Rong’s heart with my own teeth.”

“…And how does that involve helping me?”

"Please accept me into the Hyukcheon Clan."

Kwon Hanul's eyes widened.

"I want to stand with the Hyukcheon Clan and fight against the Mei Clan."

What could have possibly happened to make her hate her own family so much?

He wanted to ask, but Kwon Hanul chose not to press further.

They weren’t close enough for that, and he wasn’t sure how much he could trust her.

‘She wanted to join the Hyukcheon Clan for revenge. That’s why she helped me.’

It sounded reasonable. But what if that wasn’t the case? What if this was just another scheme by the Mei Clan’s leader?

"I'm sorry, but I can't trust you."

Kwon Hanul handed the antidote back to Mei Hong.

"This is a matter between me and the Mei Clan. Stay out of it."

Mei Hong bit her lip in frustration.

Meanwhile, Kwon Hanul reached the place where the Hyukcheon bloodline members were waiting.

* * *

"There he is!"

The first to greet him was Kwon Myung-woo.

"So, how did it feel to see the Mei Clan with your own eyes?"

"They are nothing compared to the Hyukcheon Clan."

"Ha! Of course, they aren’t!"

Kwon Myung-woo burst into laughter.

Kwon Hanul stepped closer and whispered, "Great-Uncle, the Mei Clan tried to poison me."

The laughter vanished from Kwon Myung-woo's face.

"…What did you just say?"

Kwon Hanul held out the Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel. The pearl, once shimmering with rainbow hues, had turned black.

A sign that the poison and curse had been purified.

"…Did you identify the poison?"

"They called it Dreamshade Venom. It's an airborne toxin—once inhaled, the victim dies peacefully in their sleep after seven days."

"Where did you get this information?"

"I heard it from Mei Hong. She claimed she wanted to side with us for revenge."

"Can she be trusted?"

"I'm not certain."

Kwon Myung-woo's expression darkened as he fell into deep thought.

At that moment, a presence approached.

"It seems our time together is coming to an end."

The Mei Clan’s leader had drawn near and addressed Kwon Myung-woo.

"It would be a shame to part ways like this. What do you say to sharing a drink before we go?"

"A drink, huh? The Mei Clan’s plum wine is quite something."

"You have good taste. As it happens, we have a batch that’s been aged to perfection. Why not come in for a glass?"

A broad grin spread across Kwon Myung-woo’s face as the Mei Clan’s leader offered him the drink.

And with that same smile, Kwon Myung-woo swung his fist straight at the Mei Clan leader’s head.

Just before the fist connected, Mei Rong intervened.

Drawing his sword, he blocked Kwon Myung-woo’s strike.

The moment fist met blade, the air trembled.

With their weapons locked, Kwon Myung-woo and Mei Rong glared at each other.

"Hyukcheon’s Fist of the Black Dragon! Have you gone mad?!"

"Spare me the nonsense. My mind is perfectly clear."

"Then what the hell are you doing?! You dare attack our clan leader? This won't be overlooked!"

At Mei Rong’s outburst, Kwon Myung-woo scoffed.

"Bold words for someone whose clan just tried to kill a member of the Hyukcheon Clan."

"Don't slander the Mei Clan without proof!"

"Slander? Maybe I should smash that thick skull of yours and check for myself!"

The air between them grew tense with killing intent.

Before the situation could spiral any further, the Mei Clan’s leader shouted, "Mei Rong! Stand down!"

Mei Rong tightened his grip on his sword before stepping back, as if propelled by force.

"Hyukcheon’s Fist of the Black Dragon, I fail to understand your actions."

"Still feigning ignorance, I see."

Kwon Myung-woo raised the now-darkened Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel.

"This was given to my grandnephew. Notice the discoloration?"

One cannot purify a poison without first being poisoned.

The Mei Clan’s leader looked visibly shaken by the undeniable proof that Kwon Hanul had been targeted.

"Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel? Are you saying you gave my late wife’s keepsake to that boy?"

"That’s hardly the point. A member of the Hyukcheon Clan was nearly assassinated within the Mei Clan’s territory. How do you explain that?"

"We had no knowledge of this!"

"Spare me the act before I rip that smug face off."

Kwon Myung-woo’s voice was filled with murderous intent.

"We already know the poison used was Dreamshade. We know it kills in seven days, leaving no visible trace."

The Mei Clan leader’s expression stiffened. He had never expected them to know the poison’s name and effects.

"This is outrageous! We had nothing to do with it! In fact, perhaps the Hyukcheon Clan is framing us—"

"Mei Clan Leader."

Kwon Myung-woo’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Enough with the performance. Whether you’re innocent or not, I have no intention of letting this slide."

Kwon Myung-woo unleashed his Dragon Aura. A black energy surged toward the sky.

The Mei Clan members paled at the overwhelming force.

"Are you really intent on bloodshed?"

"Why ask the obvious?"

The Mei Clan’s leader closed his eyes and sighed heavily, as if exhausted by the situation.

"What a shame," the Mei Clan’s leader mused.

Despite being the perpetrator, he remained composed.

"If things had gone as planned, we could have cut off that young dragon before he had a chance to grow, all while maintaining amicable relations with Hyukcheon."

He turned to Kwon Hanul.

"You, young dragon of Hyukcheon—I must admit, there's something I don’t understand. Dreamshade Venom is subtle, nearly undetectable. That’s why I chose it for this occasion… So how did you realize it?"

"It was thanks to the Seven-Colored Poison Purging Jewel my Great-Uncle gave me."

"You think I didn't account for that? I acknowledge its effectiveness, but at the end of the day, it's still a poison-neutralizing pearl. And poison-neutralizing pearl can detect liquid toxins, but not airborne ones."

Kwon Hanul realized just how meticulous the Mei Clan had been in their preparations.

"Tell me. How did you know?"

"Well… I have pretty sharp instincts,” Kwon Hanul answered nonchalantly.

The Mei Clan’s leader frowned at the response.

"Don’t joke with me."

"I'm being serious."

It was a familiar exchange. Hadn’t Mei Rong asked him the same thing earlier?

"…Could it be that you noticed purely by instinct? Frighteningly perceptive… It seems I wasn’t wrong. As long as you live, the Mei Clan can never surpass Hyukcheon."

A wave of killing intent surged toward Kwon Hanul.

Although not as fearsome as Mei Rong, the Mei Clan’s leader was still a formidable warrior.

The sheer pressure bore down on Kwon Hanul.

"You dare oppress a child? What have you done with all your years?"

Kwon Myung-woo’s voice rang out, instantly shattering the Mei Clan leader’s aura.

The difference in power was undeniable.

"At least you admit the truth. Now, shall we deal with the rest?"

Kwon Myung-woo’s energy flared, stronger than before.

The Mei Clan’s leader looked on in disbelief.

"Don’t tell me… you actually intend to fight us here?"

"And if I do?"

"Hah! Hyukcheon arrogance knows no bounds! Do you realize where you are? This is the Mei Clan’s stronghold—our soldiers, weapons, and masters are all here! You think five of you can take us on?"

The Hyukcheon members numbered only five, while the Mei Clan had hundreds.

But Kwon Myung-woo remained unfazed.

"Why not?"

"…What did you just say?"

"I’ll handle you and that so-called Greatest Sword of yours. My men can deal with the rest."

The Mei Clan leader’s jaw dropped.

"Hyukcheon’s Fist of the Black Dragon… Are you insane?"

"And if I’m not?"

"Even the strongest cannot fight an entire clan alone!"

Kwon Myung-woo took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. His Dragon Aura burned like a raging inferno.

"Watch me."

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]