The Invincible Commander – Chapter 18

—————————————————-

HwasanSect

[Translator: Chyluck]

[Proofreader: Chyluck]

—————————————————-

Chapter 18

He nearly slipped off the wall.

It was dusk, and the Seoga manor, located on the outskirts away from the city center, had few passersby.

Even a mountain bandit fears ghosts, no different from others.

Focused on spying, Bang Chun-man was startled by a woman’s voice, his spine chilling.

“Fuck, you scared me, bitch!”

Jumping down, Bang Chun-man roared at Sohyang, who’d spoken.

Fuck? Bitch?

Cheon Sinwoo wasn’t one to let that slide.

If someone spoke to another’s wife like that, it was a life-or-death duel.

“You…”

As Cheon Sinwoo stepped forward, Sohyang blocked him, calmly asking, “Who are you, peeking into someone’s home?”

“Who? Phew, thought my heart would stop.”

Catching his breath, Bang Chun-man glared at her.

Oh, really?

Cursing wasn’t enough, now glaring?

What kind of guy was this?

Not only acting guilty but… those eyes!

If Sohyang hadn’t stopped him, Cheon Sinwoo would’ve torn his mouth and gouged his eyes.

“Move! Scaring people for no reason.”

Shoving Sohyang aside, Bang Chun-man stormed off.

Though on the outskirts, the city was close.

He figured causing trouble before gauging Young Master Cheon’s strength was unwise.

“What kind of person…”

Sohyang, steadied by Cheon Sinwoo, frowned.

But she didn’t want to dwell on it.

Her mind was already troubled.

Yunhak Academy.

It was as good as rumored.

But the fees were outrageous.

Separate charges for education and meals.

She’d had hopes for a place built by a renowned scholar, but the cost was daunting.

“My head hurts. I’ll rest.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Sohyang pressed her temple and returned to her quarters.

Smiling as he saw her off, Cheon Sinwoo’s eyes turned cold.

“Fuck, bitch, glaring, shoving?”

A guy needing a lesson in manners couldn’t be ignored.

He slipped out of the manor.

Leaving the Seoga manor, Bang Chun-man headed to the tavern district at the road’s end to gather information.

Where drunks gathered, stories flowed.

Grabbing a few would yield Seoga manor details quickly.

“Let’s see. That one looks good.”

Choosing a brightly lit tavern bustling with customers, Bang Chun-man lifted the entrance curtain and scanned inside.

“Welcome!”

The tavern boy, Wang Sam, greeted cheerfully, but Bang ignored him.

His eyes locked on the noisiest spot.

A table of boisterous drunks.

Heading there without guidance, Wang Sam called out, puzzled, “Sir, there’s no seat there…”

“Move, kid!”

How could a boy withstand that force?

Wang Sam flew back, crashing into a table.

Crash!

The commotion silenced the tavern, like cold water doused over it.

All eyes on Bang Chun-man, he smirked, approaching the drunks’ table and drawing his broadsword.

Thud!

The blade sank deep into the table.

Propping a leg on it, he addressed the drunks, “Who wants to talk about the Seoga manor? I need to know about this Young Master Cheon…”

Menacing eyes brimming with killing intent.

An intimidating stance.

Enough to make them spill everything about the manor.

“Young Master Cheon?”

“Yeah, the guy you call that. Speak.”

“Well, Young Master Cheon is now…”

“What, drunk already? I said talk!”

Pressing harder, the drunks didn’t answer but stood.

“Are these guys crazy?”

His threats failing, Bang’s brows twisted.

Ready to swing fists, he noticed their gazes were off.

“What are these bastards looking at?”

Following their line of sight, he turned.

And saw a foot.

Crack!

Struck square in the face, Bang Chun-man rolled across the floor, slamming into the tavern wall.

“This fucking guy, not enough to mess with the Seoga manor, now bothering honest folks?”

The foot’s owner, Cheon Sinwoo, was fuming.

“Making me hunt you down, bastard.”

Panting, he called the tavern owner.

“Owner!”

“Yes, Young Master Cheon!”

“Clear the guests and lock the door!”

“What?”

“Hurry…”

“B-But fighting here?”

“Why?”

“If you wreck the place…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll cover damages.”

Cracking his knuckles, Cheon Sinwoo spoke, and the owner nodded with a knowing look.

True merchant.

Even in danger, calculating profit and loss.

Compensation?

Sure.

By that guy.

“Get up, bastard. You won’t walk straight today.”

“You… you cowardly fuck, attacking from behind?”

“That’s my specialty.”

“What?”

“In life-or-death fights, winning’s all that matters, not fairness!”

“What’s that?”

Baffled, Bang had no time to ask more.

Grinning, Cheon Sinwoo leaped, stepping off a table.

Like a hawk on prey… damn, like Beungsin.

But how could a thug’s moves compare to a trained martial artist?

Bang felt lightning strike, rolling across the floor.

Crunch!

Cheon Sinwoo’s kick shattered the tavern floor, then veered.

“Trying a sneak attack? Think I’m that easy?”

Seeing Cheon Sinwoo pursue, Bang grabbed a nearby chair and swung.

Smash!

The chair splintered.

Cheon Sinwoo, blocking with crossed arms, smirked coldly.

Skilled.

Good.

When was the last time he faced such a foe?

Five years in seclusion with Sohyang, then reborn in a young body, only fighting thugs.

Goosebumps rose.

Thrill. Excitement.

And this guy insulted Sohyang.

He wanted to unleash all his power, stir things up.

His Poroegong energy roared, surging through his body, limbs brimming with strength.

His eyes gleamed with killing intent.

A limited revival of Dojon.

“Heh heh.”

Seizing the pause, Bang grabbed his broadsword from the table.

“Bastard, you’re dead. I’m Bang Chun-man, Small Blade of Wutaishan!”

“Wutaishan?”

Cheon Sinwoo tilted his head at the shout.

Wait, Wutaishan… hm…

“Mountain cat?”

“Mountain cat? You bloody bastard! Calling Nokrim that? Fine! I’m from Wutaishan’s Nokrim. What, scared now?”

“Hm.”

Scared… he couldn’t recall when he last felt it.

But Wutaishan…

“Funny. Since when were you Nokrim?”

“What?”

“Let’s see, five years, twelve years… seventeen years, that guy shouldn’t be dead yet.”

“What’re you saying?”

“Did Yang Yugi recognize Wutaishan as Nokrim?”

“…”

“Odd. He wasn’t one to expand so recklessly.”

Bang’s eyes flared at Cheon Sinwoo’s words.

Hey, Yang Yugi?

“You bastard! Daring to speak the Nokrim Grandmaster’s name?”

“Bullshit, I’ll say what I want. What’s it to you?”

Bang, flustered, stammered as Cheon Sinwoo snapped back.

“Whatever. We’ll talk details later. Come at me. I’m pumped.”

“What nonsense!”

“Nonsense? Let’s fight, bastard!”

Grinning, Cheon Sinwoo lunged, and Bang hurriedly drew his broadsword, thrusting.

The blade glowed faintly blue.

Infusing a weapon meant at least Energy Condensation level.

Bandit-tier skill.

…Perfect prey.

Dodging the blade by a hair, Cheon Sinwoo felt his fist connect, swinging hard.

Crack!

His fist dug deep into Bang’s side.

Bang gasped, mouth agape, but was tenacious.

Despite pain, he swung his broadsword horizontally.

Sharp killing intent grazed Cheon Sinwoo’s ducked torso, slicing nearby objects.

His hairs stood on end.

Exhilarating.

The thrill only found on the edge of life and death.

He’d lived for it.

This foe was lacking, but better than thugs.

The broadsword’s killing intent electrified him.

He wanted to play more before breaking his wrist and tearing his mouth.

His Poroegong agreed.

In real combat, energy gathered faster.

Thwack!

Flipping back, his swallow-kick struck Bang’s head, staggering him.

“Idiot! You got hit! That’s all you’ve got? Earned ‘Small Blade’ playing tag? Can’t even cut hair!”

“You bastard!”

Enraged by the taunt, Bang swung wildly.

Crash! Smash!

Dodging narrowly, Cheon Sinwoo turned the tavern into chaos.

Tables splintered, chairs shattered, bottles and dishes were ruined.

“Master, the damage…”

“It’s fine. Young Master Cheon said he’d pay.”

Watching from outside, the cook spoke, and the owner, lips tight, replied.

…But it might collapse. Too much damage could ruin business. Should he ask them to stop?

He couldn’t help fretting.

“Huff, huff, you rat bastard.”

“…”

“I’ll kill you.”

Bang, dragging his broadsword with both hands, panted heavily.

Words didn’t match actions.

Too tired to swing properly.

Bruised face, swollen and blue.

Cheon Sinwoo wanted to play more…

But Bang’s lack of fight doused his excitement.

The blade’s energy was gone.

“Ugh, pathetically weak. I’m the fool for expecting anything from a Nokrim wannabe.”

“Shut up!”

“You shut up.”

“What?”

As Bang frowned, Cheon Sinwoo’s form seemed to stretch forward.

The swung broadsword cut air, and as Bang’s body realigned, Cheon Sinwoo’s fist roared.

Boom!

An unnatural sound erupted from a human body.

As Bang reeled from the face strike, Cheon Sinwoo grabbed his wrist.

“First, the hand that shoved Sohyang.”

Crunch!