Chapter 156 – The Successor is Confirmed (7)

Kang Hyeon-woo couldn’t believe it. The mist protecting his pavilion was the Sea of Clouds Flowing Mist Formation, created by Sa Do-un, one of the world’s most renowned formation masters.

A powerful formation that distorted space and concealed terrifying mechanisms within that distorted space, leading all intruders to their doom.

The traps within its mechanisms included a host of weapons powerful enough to pierce even the protective energy of a Transformation Realm master.

Yet, Yu-jin had passed through the Sea of Clouds Flowing Mist Formation so easily, without a single scratch.

‘How in the world does he possess such power…?’

As someone whose maternal family owned one of the most prominent merchant guilds in the world, Kang Hyeon-woo had consumed many rare elixirs since childhood to enhance his martial arts.

He too, as a direct descendant of the True Dragon Sword Clan, had shown great progress, but unfortunately, he did not possess the overwhelming talent of Yu-jin or Yong-hoon.

To compensate, he had tried various ways to make his presence known since he was young, but unfortunately, the world he lived in was not one of ordinary people, but the world of martial artists—the Martial World.

A world where, no matter how brilliant one’s business acumen was to build a massive merchant guild in a short time, or how outstanding one’s academic achievements were to pass the state examination with top honors, one could never gain true recognition. That was the Martial World.

Of course, this didn’t mean these abilities were despised. Such talents were undoubtedly essential for a great clan like the True Dragon Sword Clan or other large sects.

However, such talents were never enough to become the leader of a great power.

“I believe you know full well why I am here.”

As Yu-jin sat in the chair in front of Kang Hyeon-woo and spoke, Kang Hyeon-woo unconsciously gritted his teeth.

Yu-jin, who had suddenly surpassed his other brothers. Just a few months ago, people had condemned his debauched behavior, but now, no one remembered that past.

If anyone dared to speak of it, they would simply disappear without a trace.

“Are you telling me to give up my claim to the succession?”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t, but wouldn’t it be better than feeling humiliated at the Grand Assembly?”

“You’re quite confident.”

As Kang Hyeon-woo spoke through gritted teeth, Yu-jin gave him a smile that would have been infuriating to anyone.

“I’m not being confident; I’m simply stating the obvious. Do you really think you can turn this situation around at this point?”

*Kuuuuuooooo!*

As Yu-jin spoke, an immense aura erupted from his entire body. It wasn’t the aura of a martial artist, but the colossal presence of the man named Yu-jin. That great aura was nothing short of a king’s.

Facing Yu-jin’s aura, Kang Hyeon-woo felt his breath catch in his throat. With martial skills weaker than his other brothers, there was no way he could withstand Yu-jin’s presence.

“You know it yourself, don’t you? That you are not a man fit for the position of Clan Head.”

Kang Hyeon-woo couldn’t deny it. The True Dragon Sword Clan was strictly a clan of martial artists. It was no exaggeration to say that his chances of becoming the Clan Head, with his talent for business and academics, were nonexistent from the start.

He had gathered people with his wealth, but they alone were not enough. Being wiser than anyone, Kang Hyeon-woo realized this, but that only made him resist reality even more.

‘But my resistance was futile.’

He watched as Yu-jin, despite his past misdeeds, gained a reputation far exceeding his own in an instant by earning high renown and proving his formidable power.

Seeing that, Kang Hyeon-woo completely gave up his lingering attachment to the position of Clan Head. In truth, Yu-jin’s attitude, as if he expected the world to bend to his will, was infuriating. But whatever he tried, it was meaningless against Yu-jin.

‘He’s even powerful enough to destroy the Sea of Clouds Flowing Mist Formation I set up in anticipation of his visit. I have no power left to do anything.’

Finally, letting go of all attachments, Kang Hyeon-woo bowed his head to Yu-jin, showing his complete submission.

“A wise choice.”

As soon as Yu-jin finished speaking, the formless energy that had been on Kang Hyeon-woo’s neck vanished.

‘When did he…?’

Kang Hyeon-woo trembled, realizing his choice had not been wrong. If he had tried any tricks here, Yu-jin would have surely cut off his head.

The Yu-jin he knew possessed the temperament to kill even his own kin.

“Now, my dear brother. You have many things to do for the clan, so please take care of yourself.”

Yu-jin lightly patted Kang Hyeon-woo’s shoulder before leaving his room.

The next day, Kang Hyeon-woo announced his withdrawal from the succession race.

Kang Yu-jin, Kang Yong-hoon, Kang Hyeon-woo, Kang Cheon-woo. Of these four, everyone except Yu-jin had withdrawn from the succession race, leaving only Yu-jin.

And a few days later, at the Grand Assembly, Yu-jin was naturally recognized as the successor.

All that remained was for him to formally ascend to the position of Clan Head on an auspicious day.

***

Yong-hoon still lay unconscious, yet his mind was a realm of pure chaos.

‘What in the world is this…’

Incredible martial arts and spells he had never seen before swirled in his mind. A consciousness within a consciousness, perhaps?

[It is not so grand. While there are some important things, it is also true that much has been lost.]

Hearing another voice within his consciousness, Yong-hoon was not alarmed. Though it was a different consciousness, its origin was within his own body.

Two souls in one body. Under normal circumstances, they should have clashed, shattering the physical form.

However, Yong-hoon’s soul had partially crumbled after his devastating defeat at Yu-jin’s hands, and the new soul that had taken root in his body was incomplete from the start.

In other words, because both souls were incomplete, Kang Yong-hoon had neither gone mad nor lost his body. In a way, it was a stroke of fortune.

‘I think this is already incredible, but you’re saying there’s something even more so?’

When Yong-hoon asked in astonishment, the mysterious voice replied as if it were obvious.

[Of course. If you truly cannot believe it, why not try using your body? It must have already fully assimilated with you.]

‘I’m waking up?’

[Yes. All preparations are complete. All you need to do now is awaken. You no longer need to fear anything. Open your eyes and see the new world with your own two eyes!]

At the mysterious entity’s cry, Yong-hoon made up his mind. The entity’s soul then receded back into him, and Yong-hoon exited the space of his consciousness.

At that moment, an immense power began to swirl within Yong-hoon’s physical body. This colossal energy, like a waterfall, spiraled around him, threatening to engulf him.

With each progression of the process, Yong-hoon’s bones and muscles twisted. His thick hair fell out, and his fingernails detached. He looked almost like a dead man.

But this state did not last long. Soon, the twisted bones and muscles settled into a form suitable for martial arts, and new hair and nails grew in.

And Yong-hoon’s dantian became capable of holding an amount of internal energy incomparably greater than when he had reached the Transformation Realm.

When the moment of awakening ended, Yong-hoon opened his eyes while still lying down.

“Am I back?”

Opening his eyes, Yong-hoon lifted his arm and looked at it. The pain that had tormented him before was no longer there.

*Wooooong!*

When Yong-hoon gathered his energy, a force so immense it shook the entire room converged. Before, it would have taken him a considerable amount of time to gather such energy, but now he could do it as naturally as breathing.

“It seems it wasn’t a lie.”

Although Yong-hoon had felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding about the mysterious entity, now that it seemed to have completely merged with his soul, it caused no problems.

Releasing his energy, Yong-hoon sat up. He reached out for the Sky Piercing Sword, and it levitated into the air, naturally settling into his hand.

“Is this the world my brother saw?”

Having reached a new realm, his perception of the world had completely changed. It felt as if he had grasped the origin of the world.

He finally understood how Yu-jin had been able to dismantle his martial arts so easily, almost to the point of futility.

“I no longer have any attachment to the position of Clan Head. I will become a new absolute being.”

As Yong-hoon infused his energy into the Sky Piercing Sword, the form of a new sword appeared above it. It was the legendary technique commonly known as the Heart Sword.

***

Rough breaths raced toward pleasure, and a sweet scent seemed to drift from glistening sweat.

But it was fleeting. As their pleasure reached its peak, the man and woman shuddered, and their union came to an end.

Straightening her disheveled hair, the woman snuggled into the man’s chest.

To her eyes, the man’s firm body seemed broader and more reliable than any other man in the world. Even if that man had killed her husband and family.

“Your son is sleeping in the next room. Should you be crying out so loudly?”

The man, Yu-jin, calmed his ragged breathing and raised a hand to stroke the woman’s hair as he spoke. The woman blushed.

The gentle, meticulous touch sent another shiver through her. But without showing her feelings, the woman pressed her chest against Yu-jin’s and spoke.

“You blocked the sound with an energy barrier anyway, didn’t you? I already know you’re a considerate man, my new husband.”

At the woman’s words, Yu-jin smiled faintly and caressed her body, causing her face to flush.

It was not the first time she had been with a man, yet her face turned as red as the rouge on her lips.

The woman’s name was Baek Un-hye. A tragic figure who had lost her sect and husband to Yu-jin, she had tried to seek revenge, only to be captured by him and lose her chastity.

But Yu-jin had made her his woman and even taught martial arts to her son. In that respect, it was no exaggeration to say that Baek Un-hye had found good fortune.

“Thank you.”

Baek Un-hye knew well how fortunate she was.

From Yu-jin’s perspective, he had simply taught her son some random martial art, but the teachings bestowed by an absolute master like him could never be called ‘random’. For that, she was grateful to him.

“I told you, it’s nothing special. More importantly, I must admire your beautiful naked form.”

Yu-jin boldly threw off the covers. Baek Un-hye quickly tried to cover her breasts with her hands, but Yu-jin did not allow it.

With both her hands held by Yu-jin, Baek Un-hye’s gaze fell upon his member, standing erect and proud.