Chapter 230

The reaction of the Sakoonpa members was cold.

Especially Wei Zihong at the forefront literally glared and sharply threw out a warning.

“That is a very dangerous statement. Can you take responsibility for those words?”

“…….”

If they were others unaware of the circumstances, they would have obediently withdrawn and stepped back by now.

However, at least Hwang Jincheol and I were convinced that all of this was their own staged act.

“Isn’t the responsibility something you should bear? I’m sorry, but I cannot understand what crime we have committed in this current conversation.”

“What kind of insolence…!”

Wei Zihong emitted anger and raged, but Hwang Jincheol, ignoring it, subtly gestured and called me to the front of everyone.

And from now on, it was precisely my turn to step forward.

“What exactly are you trying to do?”

“I heard that there are no remaining videos or evidence whatsoever regarding the friction that occurred at the time.”

Perhaps the Sakoonpa side had taken measures in advance to manipulate the situation as they pleased.

In other words, the only thing that could be called evidence was the condition of the victims as claimed by their side.

In reality, because there were even fatalities, the Hwang Family members could hardly argue back, but I am different.

This would be the part we need to dig into.

“Tell us exactly what you saw.”

Following Hwang Jincheol’s words, everyone’s gaze focused, and I stood boldly in the very center and began to speak.

“It is truly a curious coincidence, but I witnessed a clash between two groups at the location when the incident occurred.”

At those words, the murmuring grew louder, and on the Sakoonpa side, the brows of several executives furrowed.

Because they knew the truth, they couldn’t help but react sensitively to my statement.

“…What on earth does that mean?”

“It means that due to personal circumstances, I happened to be at that place on that day.”

It was a statement hard to believe easily, but if it were true, it would be no different from a huge variable for the Sakoonpa side.

Perhaps because of that, the changing expressions on their faces were all too clearly visible.

“Continue speaking.”

“As I mentioned, I witnessed the moment the friction occurred, and naturally, I also confirmed the outcome. And from what I saw, there was no one from either group who used such extreme measures.”

“Nonsense!”

Naturally, vehement denials flew from the Sakoonpa side.

“Do you think that makes sense when there were even fatalities?”

“Looking at it calmly, it’s crossing the line!”

“Wasn’t he originally from the same family? The words of such a person cannot be trusted.”

At that point, Hwang Jincheol gradually began to provide supporting fire.

“This child is not a member of the main family. He is merely a guest who came due to personal connections. Moreover, speaking off the record, this child and Hwang Sejin over there are on such bad terms they could be called archenemies. Wouldn’t there be no reason for him to take his side?”

At those words, this time, the murmuring grew louder on the Hwang Family side. In fact, the information that Hwang Sejin and I had dueled had spread quietly within the family.

Of course, from the perspective of the external force Sakoonpa, it was all the same to them, but it was a significant achievement in that it properly sowed doubt within the Hwang Family side.

Seizing that opening, I began to continue the flow.

“Of course, as I heard earlier, the side that clearly suffered damage was the Sakoonpa members, and the side that won the friction was Hwang Sejin and his colleagues. However, that was literally nothing more than a light scuffle.”

“Then that means…”

“Yes. It means that in reality, the Sakoonpa members also walked out of the place on their own two feet after the friction occurred.”

Seeing my words, Hwang Sejin, who seemed to think ‘now’s the time,’ quickly caught on and joined in.

“Th-that’s right. It’s all as he says. We did not use our hands so viciously as to cause problems like this!”

A slight momentum returned to the Hwang Family side, which had been flustered all along.

Seeing this, Wei Zihong and Wang Long exchanged a discreet glance and attempted to counterattack again.

“Even if not from the same affiliation, aren’t you ultimately indirectly acquainted? From our perspective, it has no value…”

“However, I found something strange.”

Having his words taken right at the moment he needed to turn the atmosphere back, Wei Zihong’s brow twitched as he began to glare at me.

But I also knew. To properly shake the situation, I had to press the opponent right now.

And ironically, the people most captivated by my words in this space right now were precisely the Sakoonpa executives.

‘Well, for them who already know the truth, my words would only feel like facts.’

And from now on, I will precisely target that point.

“Truly strangely, from what I saw, the side with the higher level among the two groups was the Sakoonpa party. The difference was truly considerable, to the point that if they fought properly, they would undoubtedly win overwhelmingly.”

“…….”

The meaning of those words was simple.

I was suggesting the suspicion that they deliberately provoked Hwang Sejin’s group and created the seeds of discord.

The Sakoonpa side, having had the parts they tried to conceal pointed out in succession, hastily rolled their eyes, and the Hwang Family Elders gradually began to show suspicious glances.

Ultimately, what burst out at the end was the rather frantic roar of Wei Zihong.

Bang!

“Know your limits! There is a limit to patience! And you, do you truly have the confidence to take responsibility for the words you’ve spat out so far?”

Wei Zihong, glaring with wide eyes and exuding killing intent.

It seemed he thought that if he threatened like that, I would hesitate, but of course, it was nonsense.

In response, Wei Zihong, even more indignant, began to continue speaking.

“It doesn’t make sense from the start. You still look young, do you have the capability to grasp such facts just by seeing something once? Do you all think that’s the truth?”

Certainly, since that statement was correct, the momentum of the Hwang Family members, who had been exchanging glances, also subsided for a moment.

Seeing that reaction, Wei Zihong, seemingly thinking ‘now’s the time,’ finally played his trump card.

“If you truly wish to repeat such claims, you must first clearly prove that.”

Hwang Jincheol stroked his beard and looked at me with worried eyes, but my expression was impassive.

No, to be honest, I thought this was quite a windfall.

‘It seems they were quite flustered.’

I thought we would have to argue a bit longer, but Wei Zihong created the flow just in time.

Therefore, I decided to ride along without hesitation.

“Then, how should I prove it?”

“Hmph, is there anything difficult? We will select suitable personnel from our side, and you can show your skills.”

Wang Long, sensing that something was turning strange, grabbed Wei Zihong’s collar, but the already excited Wei Zihong did not heed such restraint.

“Liu Chingwin, go teach that rude brat his proper place.”

“Listen here, Wei Zihong. Causing such an incident within the Hwang Family’s domain is…”

“This is a matter concerning Sakoonpa’s honor! The Hwang Family side should also show at least a minimum of respect!”

Having said that much, even the Hwang Family Elders were in a mood to silently watch the situation for now.

Only the 11th Elder, Hwang Cheolho, was glaring as if he would step in if necessary.

“W-wait a minute, are you really okay?”

Hwang Hyeyeon, who had somehow come to stand behind me, spoke up with a worried expression.

In contrast, Hwang Jihak beside her nodded without any wavering and said.

“Liu Chingwin is a Sorcerer skilled in Binding Arts, though he carries a spear. Especially, I heard the three short spears he possesses are Cursed Tools each inscribed with a different Unique Art.”

Certainly, thanks to having some degree of interaction with Sakoonpa, Hwang Jihak’s information was quite useful.

I nodded in response and moved my steps, bowing my head to Wei Zihong.

“I will follow the elder’s suggestion.”

“…….”

Thus, Liu Chingwin and I moved to the sparring grounds prepared inside the Hwang Family, and only the main personnel from both sides followed behind.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Liu Chingwin】

▶Level 57

He looked to be in his late twenties at most, but he was a considerable powerhouse.

Probably, at this level, he is a top-tier talent being nurtured as a future executive or Branch Office head within Sakoonpa.

He could be said to be too formidable a personnel to bring out in a mere situation like this.

“…….”

“It is my master’s order, do not resent me.”

Liu Chingwin looked down at me with a truly lofty attitude and said that.

Certainly, for a powerhouse of that level, that might be the natural reaction.

However, unfortunately for such Liu Chingwin, I was already confident.

The confidence that if it’s me now, having passed the trial of the Cheonghongyeong, even if two powerhouses of Liu Chingwin’s level gathered, I could suppress them without difficulty.

And that soon revealed itself in reality.

“Huh.”

“H-how could that be.”

Liu Chingwin was pouring out Cursed Techniques with fierce momentum as soon as the match began, but not a single one had reached me so far.

Since I could fully see the flow of Spiritual Power, I could predict the path the Cursed Techniques would take, and even the Binding Arts he was so confident about, their structure was clearly visible.

To be honest, it was so easy to deal with that even I was surprised.

‘This is…’

At first, I thought Liu Chingwin’s skills didn’t live up to his reputation, but looking closely, that wasn’t it.

It was that my abilities had dramatically increased by passing the trial of the Cheonghongyeong.

‘Not just stats, but there was a change in this aspect as well.’

The scenery that looked different from before, as if I had opened my eyes.

Within it, I merely drifted between the flying Cursed Techniques.

Because of that, impatience gradually began to mix into Liu Chingwin’s expression, and Wei Zihong, unable to bear it, shouted angrily.

“What are you doing! Can’t you do it properly!”

Finally, Liu Chingwin, who had been rolling his eyes, drew one of the short spears hanging at his waist.

That is probably the secret weapon Hwang Jihak mentioned.

‘Three short spears inscribed with Art Formulas, I don’t have any particular item in mind.’

Even until Liu Chingwin threw the short spear, formed Hand Seals with his hands, and chanted Incantations, I was merely peacefully lost in such thoughts.

And the moment the Art Formula inherent within it exerted its power, I finally moved my body, which had been standing still.

“Barrier of Taecheong.”

Whoosh.

Zzzzzzzzz─!

Instantly, the short spear was trapped by the Barrier that covered all directions, and I immediately caught Liu Chingwin’s back with a light movement.

With that, the match was over.

At the Talisman pointed sharply at his throat, Liu Chingwin dared not even think of looking back.

Both the Sakoonpa members and the Hwang Family members, at this moment, were all merely looking at the result of the match with surprised expressions.