Chapter 196

The King of Power: A Different Level of Intimidation 1

When the head of the Bunil Sect spoke disrespectfully to his father…

Lee Shin-woo said this to the head of the Bunil Gate.

“A man doesn’t need to laugh as often as if he had air in his lungs, but he did say to smile often in front of those you like.”

The head of the Bunil Clan retorted.

“Who?”

Lee Shin-woo continued speaking without paying any attention.

“A man shouldn’t get angry often, but when he does get angry…”

Lee Shin-woo pointed at the head of the Bunil Sect as if singling him out.

“He said it’s better to rage like fire. Sit down.”

Byeon Il-mun-ju sat down as if joining the gathering.

“Thanks for welcoming me, youngster of the Baekryongdae. By the way, whose bastard’s teaching is that? Your father’s?”

Lee Shin-woo said.

Upon hearing those words, the Reverend Master Gwangshin replied thus: “Shinwoo, a man need not smile from the start. All he needs is the skill to strike the faces of those who smile rashly. What importance could a man’s expression possibly hold?” Hearing this, the Chief of the Cheolmyeongho Guard said: Master, your words are always right. The words of that self-important leader aren’t always correct. I always consider your words to be the truth. When he said this, do you know what Grand Master Gwangshin replied?”

The head of the Bunil Sect, who had been listening intently, asked curiously.

“Yeah. What did that fanatic who won’t even die say?”

Lee Shin-woo retorted, staring straight at the head of the Bunil Sect.

“Shut up.”

“What?”

When the head of the Bunil Sect frowned, Lee Shin-woo gave a sly smile.

“…That’s how he answered.”

Then, father and son both burst out laughing simultaneously.

“Hahahahahaha…”

Then Danwooseong and Shinwoo burst into laughter and clinked their cups together.

Byeon Il-mun, the only one not laughing, let out a slight sigh before saying to Lee Shin-woo.

“This crazy youngster has lost his fear. You should know better than anyone that I didn’t run away back then.”

At that moment, the innkeeper, who had been disturbed by the commotion and noise on the second floor, turned his head slightly and bellowed.

“Shut up!”

At his command, wine cups and dishes shattered everywhere. People toppled from their chairs or jumped up in fright. Realizing the rowdy martial artist had arrived, the crowd began clamoring and rushing down the stairs.

In an instant, the floor was completely deserted.

Only then did the head of the Bunil Sect, his mood somewhat lifted, speak to Lee Shin-woo.

“Cut the nonsense. So… have you mastered it? You must have. Those who master martial arts are all the same. They inevitably become obsessed with manuals, treasure swords, and divine techniques. Was there any part you couldn’t grasp?”

Lee Shin-woo answered.

“None.”

“So this is the bloodline of the world’s greatest after all.”

Lee Shin-woo shook his head.

“But since this is not the way of man, I have no intention of learning it. I have already burned the secret manual. These so-called Blue Jade Demon Bodies and Blood Jade Demon Bodies are not the deeds of a man. I have no need for such demonic arts. When I asked Father, I heard that even those who had mastered the Sun-Moon Art were all mercilessly defeated and killed by him. I have absolutely no reason to learn it.”

The head of the Fengyi Sect sighed and clutched the wine bottle.

You foolish child, when did I ever tell you to master martial arts to kill your father? Or to place the martial world beneath your feet? Even if you train your entire life, you will never be able to defeat your father. That is reality. Born a man, you intend to live in hiding until your father dies? I truly misjudged you. Even given the chance to become a martial god, you don’t recognize it. The Sun-Moon Technique is merely a martial art. Depending on who wields it, it can become demonic energy or divine energy. You foolish boy.”

Torrr…

The commander of the First Division poured himself a drink and drank alone, then pointed at Danwooseong with his cup and said.

“Who’s that fool with that outdated hairstyle? His uniform’s from the White Dragon Corps, but he looks older than you—must be a squad leader or something.”

Dan Wooseong pointed at himself with his finger.

‘Me?’

Byeon Il-mun-ju nodded.

“Yes, you. You pathetic fool. You’re that old and yet you serve a superior younger than you. Isn’t the world unfair? Some guy, just because he’s the son of the leader, is already a company commander at that age, while you’ll be a squad leader your whole life… What do you think?”

Boon Il-mun looked like a man who lived for the thrill of sowing discord among people.

Dan Woo-sung, mistakenly assuming he was under Lee Shin-woo’s command, was showing interest.

Dan Woo-sung retorted.

“What do you mean, ‘how do you think’? Life is inherently unfair.”

Byeon Il-mun-ju asked.

“By the way, what did this brat eat wrong? Why are you talking to me like that?”

Dan Woo-sung looked directly into Beon Il-mun-ju’s eyes and retorted.

“Then why are you using informal speech?”

“You’re out of your mind.”

Just as Bunil Munju raised his hand to slap Dan Woo-sung across the face, a sharp crack echoed, and Bunil Munju’s head whipped around.

So flustered was he that the head of the Bunil clan let out a sound of bewilderment.

“Huh?”

The head of the Bunilmun Sect, who had been raising his hand, lowered it and touched his own cheek.

“Huh?”

His expression was one of utter shock, as if he had just witnessed the heavens and earth being torn apart.

His pupils were dilating as if an earthquake had struck.

Moreover, he hadn’t even registered whether he’d been struck by the man before him or by Lee Shin-woo.

He hadn’t even seen the strike itself.

After a moment’s thought, he couldn’t even tell if he’d been slapped or if he’d just been dreaming.

There was no way someone of his caliber in this era would be slapped. Yet what was this lingering pain still faintly radiating through his cheek?

The unfamiliar man, presumably the head of the unit, was already holding chopsticks and eating the side dish.

No matter how he looked at it, this was not the attitude or expression of someone who had struck another person.

Boonilmunju glared at Lee Shin-woo, his hand still clutching his cheek.

“……?”

Lee Shin-woo, picking up a piece of tangchori chop while eating with his chopsticks, spoke with feigned innocence, as if he knew nothing.

“I told you I have no desire to learn. Since we didn’t settle the score last time, let’s have a proper go after I finish this. We’ll see who really ran away. Wait a moment.”

Danwooseong gave his son a sly smile while holding his wine cup.

‘Well done, son.’

Boon Il-mun muttered.

“Huh, fuck…”

Lee Shin-woo deliberately poured liquor into his father’s cup with one hand, then with an utterly casual motion, poured into his own cup as he continued speaking.

“The Lord said that you must be either a disciple or a successor of the Gentleman. He warned me to be cautious, as your martial arts skills must be exceptionally high.”

Only then did the head of the Bunil Sect come to his senses.

“So you did notice. Is the leader well?”

“He’s always so busy that even I find it difficult to see him.”

“I suppose so.”

The head of the Bunil Sect suddenly let out a sigh of relief.

Lee Shin-woo asked.

“I was wondering about that too. Were you a disciple of the gentleman?”

“Why should I tell you that?”

“If you don’t want to, then don’t. It’s not that important anyway.”

Byeon Il-mun-ju asked.

“Who just slapped my cheek?”

Lee Shin-woo retorted.

“A slap? Did you come here after drinking in the daytime? No, we were the ones drinking in the daytime.”

Father and son laughed simultaneously.

“Hahaha.”

In that instant, the enraged head of the Bunil clan grabbed the edge of the table, intending to flip it over and hurl it. But the table didn’t fly; only his clumsy, violent motion to throw it unfolded awkwardly.

It hadn’t budged an inch, as if glued to the floor.

Its immobility was understandable.

What was more astonishing was that the wood hadn’t even splintered from the infused internal energy.

This time, the head of the Bunil Gate remained silent, his eyes fixed on the positions of Lee Shin-woo and Dan Woo-sung’s arms.

Each had one hand resting on the table, making it impossible to tell who was blocking whom.

The leader of the Bunil Sect nodded.

“Very well. Baekryong Danju, it seems you’ve brought quite the expert.”

In an instant, something dawned on the head of the Bunil Sect, his face turning pale as he addressed Dan Woo-sung.

“Could it be… Senior Gwangshin?”

Rumors had been spreading throughout the martial world that Gwangshin had recently undergone rejuvenation. Moreover, wasn’t Gwangshin that madman rumored to always tear his enemies apart with his bare hands?

Dan Woo-sung raised his hand and casually patted Bun Il-mun’s shoulder.

“It’s not Senior Gwangshin, so relax.”

“Then who is it…?”

SMACK!

A crisp smack echoed as Bunil Munju’s head whipped around again. This time, the sting was sharp, like sparks had exploded before his eyes.

But once again, he couldn’t see where the blow came from.

Danwooseong spoke.

“What’s got you so curious? You go on and on like you know everything under the sun. Guess there are things even you don’t know.”

Red finger marks were imprinted on both sides of Bun Il-mun-ju’s cheeks.

Lee Shin-woo found it both fascinating and amusing that a master like the head of the Bunil Sect couldn’t move an inch in front of his father. Yet, unable to even follow his father’s speed with his eyes, he couldn’t simply laugh happily. What his father had shown him while teaching him all this time could be said to have been deliberately slowed down for easier understanding.

In martial arts, he was a being of a completely different caliber.

The reason Bun Il-mun-ju couldn’t even think of escaping easily and was stuck in place was because he had realized Dan Woo-seong’s speed was far superior.

He was now a captive forced to watch the father and son’s drinking session.

Dan Woo-seong asked his son.

“Where were we just now?”

Shinwoo replied.

“No matter how strong you become, never become a man like Master Gunja. That’s what he said.”

“Right. That’s what he said. What about this guy?”

When Danwooseong pointed at the head of the Bunil Sect, Shinwoo replied.

“Seems he wants to be a man like Master Junja after all.”

Danwooseong glanced sideways at the head of the Bunil Sect and said.

“That must not be. One must not follow the path of such trashy, worthless, useless, good-for-nothing, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic

The leader of the Burning Sun Sect’s eyes darted relentlessly from left to right, right to left. The appearance of the Martial Alliance leader, confirmed by facial features, was tall with a thick, bushy black beard. A white long sword hung at his waist, and a single white dragon was painted on his robes. Thus, in the eyes of the Burning Sun Sect leader, Dan Woo-sung could not possibly be a fanatic, nor could he be the Martial Alliance leader.

Then who the hell was he?

Lee Shin-woo replied.

“I’ll keep that in mind. But what should we do with this master of the Bunil Sect who came here so bravely on his own?”

“What crime has the Bunil Sect committed?”

Like the old Odu-mi sect, they collect wealth upon joining. Using the logic of “burning the sun” (燔), they preach the transience of material possessions, demanding greater wealth be offered the higher one ascends within the sect. The sect’s leadership lives in luxury off these offerings. This absurd doctrine spread because they united to plunder wealth. Yet when I raided the branches, the offerings remained untouched deep within each one. It’s a bizarre cult created to steal from the foolish and extort from the wealthy.”

Dan Woo-sung retorted.

“Did these men also commit murder, plunder, arson, or rape?”

“Indeed. The number was so incalculable that it was impossible to report each incident to the Alliance. Particularly, the leader of the Bunil Sect possessed exceptional martial prowess, repeatedly defeating the leaders of sects that attacked from various regions, growing ever more formidable. That is why the Martial Arts Alliance stepped forward to resolve it.”

Dan Woosung tapped his fingers on the table before looking at the head of the Bunil Sect.

“Then…”

Dan Woosung glared at the head of the Bunil Sect as he continued.

“Summary execution.”