Childhood Friend of the Zenith - Chapter 238

Chapter 238: Battlefront (8)

The Hwangbo Clan, affiliated with the Murim Alliance, was a prestigious Orthodox Clan considered to be one of the top clans, just below the Four Noble Clans.

The martial artists of Hwangbo Clan were known for having resilient bodies akin to the Peng Clan, and they specialized in close combat, much like the Dishonored Venerable Bijuu's clan.

Their reputation in close combat couldn't be underestimated, especially considering that some of their members inherited the title of “Lord of the Fist” from Yeon Il-Cheon, the Zenith who had stopped the Blood Fiend's Blood disaster in the past.

However, their pride in their clan had led them to arrogance, making the Hwangbo Clan no different from other clans consumed by self-importance.

It was to be expected, really.

The Hwangbo Clan had made a name for itself in the Central Plains in the past, and boasted renowned masters blessed with exceptional physique. As long as they weren't in the presence of the Four Noble Clans or the Ten Sect Alliance, they had no reason to downplay themselves.

Their inherent talent and blessings from their clan alone were enough to hold their heads high, their pride soaring to the heavens.

Like with other noble clans, this was often the fate of martial artists of the direct lineage of the clan.

It was actually rarer to see one staying humble and respectful.

Hwangbo Seon, who belonged to a collateral line of the clan, particularly resonated with this notion.

Because he wasn't from the direct lineage, but a collateral one.

Being from a collateral line meant he didn't possess the Hwangbo blood that granted the clan's distinctive large physique, subjecting him to a life of contempt and disdain from others.VIssịT n0(v)eL/b(i)(n).com for the best novel reading experience

His frail bones and small stature made it difficult for him to learn the martial arts of the Hwangbo Clan, making him an easy target for the predators of the clan due to his weakness.

For Hwangbo Seon, a talentless member of a collateral line, life felt like a living hell.

To him, the Hwangbo Clan was a place infested with monsters who toyed with him, a place filled with arrogant people hiding behind the noble clan's title.

Yet, despite it all, Hwangbo Seon couldn't escape from the grasp of the clan solely because he bore the Hwangbo surname.

That single fact bound him to the clan for life.

He would likely live his life as a slave to others, suffering in an eternal hell.

How could he dare to revolt against the main clan, especially when they held such noble status?

He had no choice but to submit to it and endure.

That was the bleak future that Hwangbo Seon foresaw.

It was inevitable.

What in the world...

However, what he witnessed before his eyes filled him with shock, making him forget about all the pain he felt from his battered and bruised body. It shattered all his preconceptions.

Crack-!

“Agghhh!”

The sound of bones breaking and agonized screams reverberated through the air.

The ones clad in dark yellow garments collapsed, one after another, their condition far from fine.

Each of them had broken bones or were vomiting blood.

Crack-!

“Ugh...!”

Another figure fell to the ground, writhing in pain and vomiting blood, soon losing consciousness.

Hwangbo Seon couldn't help but be surprised when he recognized the fallen figure.

“...Gasp!”

It was none other than the Vice Captain of the guards, who was in charge of escorting the blood relatives of the main clan.

From what Hwangbo Seon knew, this martial artist had overcome his wall despite being middle-aged, yet he succumbed so easily.

“...Unbelievable...”

It was inconceivable for all these people to end up in such a state simply because they couldn't defeat one person.

“...Just who is that person?”

Clutching his chest in pain, Hwangbo Seon glanced at the lone martial artist standing nearby.

He couldn't bring himself to meet the fierce gaze in his eyes. Surprisingly, the martial artist appeared to be around the same age as himself.

The martial artist didn't even have a big physique like the others on the ground.

It was actually on the smaller side, possibly even smaller than him.

But how can someone like him...

Hwangbo Seon couldn't comprehend it, especially when he saw who was in the young man's grasp.

The Young Master ...lost?

In the martial artist's hand was Hwangbo Cheok, the future Young Lord of the Hwangbo Clan, and the one who would lead their clan in the future.

The martial artist's small hand gripped Hwangbo Cheok's thick neck tightly.

Despite Hwangbo Cheok's imposing physique,the martial artist effortlessly held him aloft. It was as if Hwangbo Cheok's massive frame meant nothing to the young man.

Hwangbo Seon saw it with his own two eyes.

The fear-inducing Hwangbo Cheok, who had always instilled terror in him, was now being pummeled without being able to fight back.

The young man shattered Hwangbo Cheok's fist, despite the significant size difference, and brought him down to his knees as easily as snapping a tree branch.

How was this even possible?

What's more, even when the other martial artists of the Hwangbo Clan joined forces to help, the young man effortlessly dealt with them despite the difference in numbers.

I couldn't even follow...

Hwangbo Seon didn't know what happened at all.

He couldn't even see the young man's movement with his own eyes.

As Hwangbo Seon was being conflicted with shock and shame,

“Tsk.”

As Hwangbo Seon grappled with shock and shame, he heard the mysterious martial artist click his tongue in annoyance after defeating everyone around him.

“...Ugh, I beat them all up because they were getting on my nerves... I'm fucked.”

Unlike the noble image presented by his incredible martial prowess, his words were nothing like that.

“If that lunatic catches me, I'll be in deep trouble... What should I do? Maybe I should just bury them all so there are no witnesses...”

Hwangbo Seon initially thought he had misheard.

Those words were far too brutal.

Bury them in the ground... How terrifying...!

“But there is a witness who can attest to that...”

“Gasp...!”

The young man's gaze turned toward him.

Hwangbo Seon had to stifle a scream as he met the young man's fiery red eyes.

Could he really defeat the young man who had toyed with Hwangbo Cheok as if he were a child...?

With Hwangbo Seon's pupils trembling with anticipation, Hwangbo Cheolwi growled as he stared at the young man.

“Men can settle things with their fists. It would be unmanly of me to interfere in this situation!”

“...”

“I, Hwangbo Cheolwi, will respect my brother's will and shall not taint it.”

“...Uh, I see.”

"In the end, he was all bark and no bite.

Hwangbo Seon felt a sense of embarrassment wash over him.

Hmm...?

Was I mistaken?

Hwangbo Seon couldn't shake the feeling that the young man's gaze was directed at him rather than Hwangbo Cheolwi.

I-I don't think I'm mistaken...

Unfortunately, the young man's two eyes were fixed on him.

His fiery red pupils were aimed right at him, and Hwangbo Seon couldn't bring himself to meet that gaze.

...W-Why is he looking at me?

His faint smile only added to the unease.

Perhaps... he is thinking of beating me up in place of Hwangbo Cheolwi?

Filled with fear and confusion, Hwangbo Seon could only avert his gaze, staring at the ground.

****************

After throwing those idiots aside to the ground, I turned to the fat Hwangbo... What was his name again? Ah, who cares.

Anyway, I told the Hwangbo guy to take care of the sorry bunch lying on the ground.

He agreed, though his tone suggested otherwise.

But he would probably do it anyway.

I honestly was angry enough to want to beat them up again...

But I'll hold back since I saw a familiar face.

I let them get away for now.

He may give off a different aura now, but it was definitely this guy.

The man who struggled on the ground, bruised and tattered.

The weak-looking martial artist with an ordinary physique that didn't correlate with his surname.

The Silent Fist.

In my past life, he was a Demonic Human and a subordinate of mine, the Silent Fist Hwangbo Seon.

I was certain that it was him.

I heard briefly about him through the Beggar's Sect, but I didn't expect to run into him here.

In my past life, The Silent Fist gained notoriety by hunting down Demonic Humans, until some incident within the Hwangbo Clan pushed him into the clutches of the Demonic Cult. He then lived his life as a Demonic Human.

Though his aura feels too different.

If I thought about the Silent Fist of old, he was a man of few words, living up to his title. He carried out orders without question, fighting against anyone regardless of their strength.

He was far from being a weakling.

So he was still like this at this time, huh?

The Hwangbo Seon before me appeared far weaker than I had expected, his scared demeanor made it hard for me to watch.

Interesting.

The martial artist who mastered the art of Hwangbo Clan's martial arts, was reduced to such a weak state in this time period.

It was very interesting.

Maybe he gained some Enlightenment in the near future?

As for the future Young Lord of the Hwangbo Clan, there wasn't really much to think about it. He possessed a strong physique, but couldn't make good use of it.

In contrast, Hwangbo... Cheolwi, who was sneakily watching from the sidelines, seemed more promising in terms of talent.

Maybe I should've beaten him half to death.

Only disappointment awaited a bastard like him.

Hwangbo Cheok, the one responsible for driving the Silent Fist, Hwangbo Seon, to become a Demonic Human.

In the past, upon returning from his Demonic Human hunts, Hwangbo Seon discovered a shocking sight within his clan.

Driven by jealousy over Hwanbo Seon's growing reputation in the Central Plains, Hwangbo Cheok murdered Seon's wife and child, plotting to end Seon's life as well.

Although I had considered getting rid of that wretched Hwangbo Cheok, I ultimately opted to refrain.

Vengeance can't be done for someone else.

The Silent Fist, in our past life, would have asked me not to do such a thing.

He at most would have asked me for some assistance with his vengeance.

Recalling the man who once stood beside me as a Demonic Human, I nodded subtly.

“...I can at the very least do that much.”

Aiding him would prove far more challenging than simply getting rid of Hwangbo Cheok myself, but I was willing to help him.

Though I don't know if the current Hwangbo Seon wants that.

For he seemed rather scared.

Why is that, though?

I looked at him with the utmost kindness, appreciating the sight of him.

“Oh.”

Was he scared of the guy standing next to him?

Fair, who wouldn't be scared when standing beside such a giant?

If I were in his shoes, I would be scared shitless especially when I'm in pain like that.

“But since I saved him, I must have made a good impression, no?”

I'm sure I did.

In Hwangbo Seon's eyes, perhaps I appeared as a hero?

“Hm, how refreshing.

Doing a good deed was something I wasn't used to, but my exhausted body felt as if it had been fully /genesisforsaken