Reincarnation of the Fist King Chapter 38

<Meet the King of Fists, the Leader>

Naturally, Danwoo-seong arrived first.

It wasn't a full-on speed. They were just keeping enough distance to make sure the two were keeping up.

A little later, Baek Han-gyeong, whose complexion was pale, and So Ga-ju, who looked to be in better condition than him, arrived almost simultaneously.

Baek Han-gyeong was curious about the outcome of the match, even though his legs were trembling and his breathing was extremely rough.

Baek Han-kyung asked with a puzzled expression as Dan Woo-seong stared at the two of them with his arms crossed.

"Your Highness, who won? I think I won by a narrow margin."

The autumn leaves fell, and Sogaju looked at Danwoo Seong as if telling him to speak straight.

"Hey, martial arts fan. Are you squinting? Anyone can see I was here first."

Dan Woo-seong, who had become the judge, spoke to the two people.

“What does that mean?”

“······.”

"I won anyway. If you want to see the result, run back there one more time and then we'll have a winner. Are you two up for it?"

The autumn leaves fell, and Sogaju coughed in vain.

"Go in. I'll go in later with the rest of the family. I'm planning to find lodging outside. Let's just call it a draw."

Baek Han-kyung looked back and asked.

"Autumn… No, it's Baek Han-gyeong of the Murim Alliance. Let's at least introduce ourselves properly. I apologize again for my slip of the tongue earlier."

The autumn leaves fell, and Sogaju took the ticket while folding his fan and introduced himself.

"My name is Hwa Eun-wol (華銀月). I'm a country bumpkin, so you've probably never heard of me. Please take good care of me."

Although introduced as a country bumpkin, Hwa Eun-wol's family was the Hwa clan. It was a martial family rumored to have more hidden truths than were known.

Baek Han-kyung replied.

“You gave me a cow from the Hwa family. I didn’t recognize you.”

Hwa Eun-wol said while looking at Dan Woo-seong carefully.

“Don’t mention it… I wonder if the person here is the Grand Duke of the Galaxy who beat up the head of the Gu Yang Saeng family.”

Danwoo Seong also took the lottery.

“Nice to meet you, Master Hwa.”

Hwa Eun-wol said while looking at Dan Woo-seong.

"It turns out the rumors about the Guyang family losing one-on-one were true. I'll see you again soon."

Still, Hwa-eun-gyeol didn't seem to harbor ill feelings toward Dan-woo-seong. She seemed confident that they would meet again at the Yongbongdaeyeon.

Danwoo-seong, who had been watching Hwa-eun-gyeol walk away with her fan fluttering, smiled faintly.

Baek Han-kyung asked.

“Your Highness, why are you laughing?”

Any slight change in this gruff man's face meant there was definitely a reason for it.

Danwoo Seong replied.

“Are you participating in the Baekmuindo Yongbongdaeyeon?”

"That's not true. I participated before. I'm not qualified."

Danwoo Seong made another judgment after observing Hwa Eun-gyeol's steady gait.

"It looks like you came in last, Kyung-gong. Let's go in."

Baek Han-gyeong followed Dan Woo-seong, who was entering the Murim Alliance with a startled expression.

“We definitely came almost at the same time. Why am I last?”

"Hwa Gongja came to participate in the Dragon and Phoenix Festival. Gyeonggong ran alongside Baek Martial Artist the entire time. He could have won, but he matched his pace. He deliberately concealed his strength, not revealing it. It's a common occurrence. Winning in a competition like this doesn't yield any elixirs. He probably thought Baek Martial Artist and I would participate in the Dragon and Phoenix Festival, so he chased after us to test our skills. He needed to lose to Gyeonggong so he wouldn't let his guard down. However, he ran alongside Baek Martial Artist because he didn't want to lose to him."

Baek Han-kyung turned around with a look of annoyance. Hwa-eun-gyeol had already disappeared.

“Is that true? You’re a man who uses tricks for nothing.”

"What's there to be upset about? It's only natural for someone facing a battle to hide their strength. It's only natural."

Baek Han-kyung looked back at Dan Woo-seong.

'By the way, what does this guy think······.'

He looked like someone who had been in the martial arts world for a long time, not someone new to it. As Danwoo-seong embraced the Murim Alliance as if it were his own home, Baek Han-gyeong followed him.

In any case, having safely brought back the Grand Duke of the Galactic Empire, the mission was accomplished. However, rather than feeling the joy of completing the mission, I considered the fact that I'd gotten to know this man more valuable than the mission itself.

After all, Baek Han-gyeong was also a man with ambitions for the world of martial arts.

“Come this way. Let’s go to the conference hall.”

.

.

.

“Will the leader come?”

“I don’t know.”

A sort of hearing was held in the conference hall deep within the Moorim Alliance. However, the only thing Danwoosung had to prove here was his military might.

As soon as Danwoo Seong arrived, the senior members of the executive committee and the elders came into the meeting room.

Danwoo Seong was sitting at the end of the row, with no particular expression on his face.

At that moment, the conference room door burst open and a cheerful-looking old man walked in. Everyone jumped to their feet.

“Your Majesty.”

He was the martial arts leader, Yu Jeong-hong, who was well over seventy years old but looked only about fifty. He was a cheerful and energetic old man with white hair.

Yoo Jeong-hong looked around and said.

“What about Hankyung?”

“I brought the Grand Duke of the Galaxy and didn’t come here.”

“I see. Tell them I said they worked hard.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Yoo Jeong-hong looked around Danwoo-seong with his subordinates and spoke in a friendly tone.

"Gu Yang-saeng, I'll make the decision. He's a member of the Imperial Council, so that's right. Everyone else is out, and the Duke of Sang-dae remains here. I'll just confirm the force and make a decision right away. You'll be busy, so take care of business."

Yoo Jeong-hong waved his hand.

Then, the heads of the executive branch and the elders of the council rose and left the conference room without saying a word.

Danwoo Seong was alone, and Yoo Jeonghong spoke while gesturing.

“Younger juniors, come closer.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Danwoo Seong responded politely.

In any case, even during the days of the King of Kwon, Yoo Jeong-hong was a senior figure in the martial arts world. He enjoys a reputation and respect second only to that of the Heavenly King Samshin Ilseong. Furthermore, it was this man who brought Samshin Ilseong back to the martial arts world, engaged him in a battle with the Demonic Clan, and commanded the entire Baekdo Province.

He is a respectable man.

He was a seasoned veteran, yet also a problematic figure revered by Baekdo. Problematic, for one thing. His personality was eccentric.

He did not even use the words “Emperor” or “Sacred” in his nickname.

Simply called Geomhyeop (劍俠) or Daehyeopgaek (大俠客), as he was often called since his youth, were the words that represented Yu Jeong-hong.

Of course, now, wherever the term 'leader' is used, it refers to Yoo Jeong-hong, so he is a man who does not really need a nickname.

Yoo Jeong-hong said with a smirk.

“I am Yoo Jeong-hong.”

Danwoo Sung felt sick as he revealed his name.

“This is Lee Jin-eon from Galaxy Top.”

"You've got the wrong name. Such a ruthless man named Jin-eon. It's a name fit for a man of letters."

Danwoo Seong replied with a stern expression.

“Yes, it’s just a name.”

Danwoo Sung stared blankly at Yoo Jeonghong. It had been a long time since he'd seen his senior master. His face hadn't changed much, but his wrinkles had deepened considerably.

As Danwoo-seong stared blankly, Yoo Jeong-hong smiled.

"You have quite a gruff expression. Living in the world of martial arts, I often encounter friends like you. In fact, I find myself more comfortable with juniors like you, because they're just as good on the outside as they are on the inside."

Only then did Danwoo Seong's expression soften a little.

Yoo Jeong-hong spoke in a relaxed tone, pointing to the expression with his finger.

“It’s better when you smile.”

He must have been nervous, as he was a man who could only face the full might of the King of Fist. There weren't many undefeated warriors in the martial world, and Yu Jeong-hong was one of them.

Yoo Jeong-hong said.

"You must have suffered a lot because of Gu Yang-saeng. Requesting the Emperor's Association to save him instead of killing him was a display of patience. You held on well. What do you think I would have done?"

Danwoo Seong answered as he knew.

“First, you must have cut off Gu Yang-saeng’s arm.”

Yoo Jeong-hong laughed out loud without a care in the world.

"That's a tactic used against Sima Weidao. You can't do that to Gu Yangsaeng. If you cut off Sima Weidao's arm, he'll return to his comrades like a cockroach. If you tracked him down, you could find where Sima Weidao was lurking. Why would I go out of my way to cut off his arm and leave him with trouble? Do you think I'm a kindhearted person? Not at all."

It was a remark steeped in his characteristic stubbornness and venom. Indeed, Yoo Jeong-hong had lived a radical life.

Yoo Jeong-hong, who was staring blankly at Danwoo-seong, said.

"Gu Yang-saeng should be locked up in the brain prison. The decision is made. Oh, and you should rest for a few days before you go. The Yongbong Festival is coming up soon."

Yoo Jeong-hong's tone lowered.

"I shouldn't have revealed this in advance, but the winning prize is Baeknyeonjeonghwasam (白年淨化蔘). It was donated by Amipa. It's a medicinal elixir that not only boosts internal energy but also deepens resistance to poison. Why would I give this away?"

“Because the leader must be invincible.”

"Well, you're right. In any case, for the later generations, this elixir is more important than accumulating internal energy. Actually, those of us of our age can stop growing stronger. Time will soon take us. But it's more important for young people like you to grow stronger quickly. That way, even if something big happens, we can rest in peace underground. Will you join us?"

Danwoo-seong nodded.

“I will do that.”

Yoo Jeong-hong asked.

“How’s your training going? Are there any obstacles?”

“It’s okay for now.”

Yoo Jeong-hong chuckled, leaned back on his chair, and stared blankly at Dan Woo-seong.

“Looking at you reminds me of that junior who used to get into trouble.”

Danwoo Sung didn't ask who it was. No, he wanted Yoo Jeonghong to stop talking.

Yoo Jeong-hong brought up this topic.

“I’m reminded of the Kwon Wang junior. Did you learn a few moves from the Kwon Wang?”

Danwoo-seong coughed in vain.

“How on earth do you know that?”

“Why are you angry?”

“Oh, I’m just asking because I’m really curious.”

Yoo Jeong-hong nodded and answered.

“You, do you use the book?”

"yes."

“Do you handle brainwashing?”

It seemed like it was already figured out, so there was no use denying it.

“Yes.”

"The four major schools that practice brain power in the martial arts world are Seomun, Namgung, Baekri, and Oryo. Of course, there are others I'm not aware of. Brain power is a martial art often practiced in the Mado (魔道) world. In any case, Seomun turned to the Geomga (劍家) school, and Namgung turned to the Doga (刀家). This decision was reached because the brothers and successors were quarreling over elixirs. Baekri had several major failures. Among them, the previous head of the family practiced brain power but fell into a state of obsession, so the next generation gave up in fear. The lineage was broken. That leaves the Oryomun (悟了門), the one-man succession of the Fist King. Calling it a school is a bit of a stretch. Like the Sword Masters, it was more like a mystical force that sought out disciples and passed down the teachings."

Danwoo-seong nodded.

In fact, it was difficult to find someone who knew more about martial arts than the leader of the martial arts world.

Yoo Jeong-hong continued speaking.

"Those who master the Thunder-style martial arts all transform into a ruthless, tyrannical figure. Their eyebrows, eyes, prayers, tone, and even their atmosphere all resemble thunderbolts. Their personalities also change. They find it increasingly difficult to become close to others, and they become isolated, independent, and lonely. That's why they don't even have special memories of the Fist King. He single-handedly aspired to become a lightning bolt capable of tearing apart the heavens… Who could possibly befriend a man who would tear apart the heavens? Whether they were seniors or juniors, they were lucky not to get slapped."

Danwoo Seong, who had been listening to the leader's words with his hands clasped together, let out a long sigh and lowered his head slightly.

Danwoo Sung was helpless against his senior's insight. He had to say something with some truth in it. Now, he had no choice.

Danwoo Seong spoke as if he was declaring to the world.

“I am the successor to the King of Fist.”

Yoo Jeong-hong smiled.

“We’ve reached a point where we’re connected.”

"yes."

Yes, the connection was made. This was the contradictory truth.

<Meet the King of Fist, the Leader> End

ⓒ Eugene Sung

——————————————-