Episode 158

Through this event, Sunwoo Joong had managed to clear Sunwoo Jin’s name in front of everyone in the Sunwoo clan and successfully push back the influence of the Woon family.

But not all matters were settled yet.

After watching the warm embrace between Sunwoo Jin and the eldest son of the Dang family, Dan Ha-seon, Sunwoo Joong spoke again.

“And one more thing!”

All eyes turned back to him.

“As you all know, I recently declared that the successor of the Sunwoo clan would be decided through a martial duel!”

His words stunned everyone once more.

A succession issue? It was clear this announcement was another bombshell.

Especially the eldest son, Sunwoo Seong, and the fourth son, Sunwoo Gi, exchanged sharp glances, their eyes wide with anticipation.

They believed only the two of them remained as candidates.

Then Sunwoo Joong continued.

“I intend to hold that duel right here, right now! It’s much sooner than originally planned, but given everything that’s happened, I think it’s necessary to decide the successor quickly!”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Considering the major conflicts with the Ha family and the Blood Sect, it made sense to settle the matter swiftly to prepare for any eventuality.

Sunwoo Joong looked at his sons.

“Now, the three candidates for clan head, step forward!”

At those words, the fourth son, Sunwoo Gi, was about to step forward but paused, frowning in confusion.

“Huh? Why three candidates?”

“Huh? Three?”

Sunwoo Seong, realizing the meaning of that, also looked around in surprise.

And then they saw it.

The third son, Sunwoo Jin, was slowly stepping forward.

Sunwoo Gi’s expression twisted in disbelief.

“What? Third brother? You’re going to duel for the succession? Are you out of your mind?”

Sunwoo Seong chuckled.

“So it’s three candidates, including Jin? Haha! Jin, I get that you’re happy to clear your name, but this is a bit much, isn’t it?”

Sunwoo Jin smiled faintly and asked them.

“Brothers, now that my name’s cleared, don’t you have anything to say to me?”

Sunwoo Seong’s expression shifted slightly.

He recalled the harsh words he had thrown at Sunwoo Jin when he was still under suspicion.

Clearing his throat, he avoided Jin’s gaze and said, “Hmm, what are you talking about?”

Sunwoo Gi was even harsher.

He sneered, “You got lucky, brother. How clueless do you have to be to get framed like that?”

Sunwoo Jin gave a bitter smile and nodded.

“Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

Then Sunwoo Joong asked, “Is there anyone who wants to duel first?”

Sunwoo Gi eagerly raised his hand.

“I do! I want to face the third brother first! Please give me the chance, Father!”

In truth, Sunwoo Gi had almost given up on the succession.

He had no confidence in beating his eldest brother, Sunwoo Seong.

He was just hoping not to embarrass himself.

So the fact that the third brother, Sunwoo Jin, was also a candidate was a relief.

Finally, someone else to take the fall instead of him.

Sunwoo Joong smiled mysteriously and asked again.

“So, Gi, you want to duel Jin first?”

Sunwoo Gi, excited at the thought of beating up Sunwoo Jin, had no idea what that smile really meant.

Nor did he understand why the clan’s warriors were staring at him in shock.

He confidently answered, “Yes! That’s right!”

Sunwoo Joong nodded with a smile.

“Very well, so be it.”

---

Elder Jegal Jiyong of the Jegal clan watched the scene unfolding before him with a complicated expression.

Sunwoo Joong had finally succeeded in wiping out all external forces from the Sunwoo clan.

They had taken over the Ha family, crushed the Blood Sect’s influence over Gaeyangmun, and now pushed back the Woon family’s power.

Though the fourth son’s maternal family, the Seogidang, remained, it was clear they couldn’t wield much influence without an alliance with the Woon family.

Everything had proceeded so smoothly and cleanly.

Even Jegal Jiyong wanted to applaud.

But this current situation—holding the succession duel immediately afterward—he simply couldn’t understand.

“What’s the real motive here?”

If he were Sunwoo Joong, he would have dragged things out with excuses.

No matter who became successor, it was clear the Sunwoo heirs couldn’t defeat Jegal Seoryul.

So even if they chose a successor, it would be done quietly.

He couldn’t grasp what Sunwoo Joong was aiming for now.

But he couldn’t dismiss it as a simple miscalculation either.

Given Sunwoo Joong’s cunning, there had to be another hidden agenda.

Lost in thought, Jegal Jiyong suddenly looked at Sunwoo Gi.

“Could it be that there’s something about the fourth son? That’s why Seogidang was left untouched?”

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.

Not only that, but it was possible Sunwoo Joong had already secretly made a pact with Seogidang.

With that in mind, Jegal Jiyong began to watch Sunwoo Gi with renewed interest.

Until now, he had no expectations for the fourth son.

But if Sunwoo Joong had named him as a successor candidate, there had to be something he hadn’t seen yet.

As Jegal Jiyong observed carefully, Sunwoo Gi was taunting Sunwoo Jin.

“Third brother, just bear the pain and humiliation. People who are lacking need to get hit a bit to mature and grow up, right? So why did you even come here? You should’ve just stayed hidden like usual. Oh, now you don’t even have a younger brother to hide behind, huh?”

Sunwoo Jin just smiled faintly in response.

Nearby, the elders, clan heads, and ordinary warriors all turned pale.

How could someone beg to be beaten like that?

It seemed like they’d have to pray for Sunwoo Gi’s well-being today.

Then Sunwoo Gi finally took his stance.

With a bright expression, he shouted, “Here I go!”

Whoosh!

His right fist split into four strikes.

It was the “Gale Thirteen Blows” technique he had used recently when beating Sunwoo Jin.

But unfortunately for him, the outcome was not the same.

Smack!

Suddenly, a sharp pain exploded across his cheek, and a flash of light appeared before his eyes.

He instinctively touched his face and staggered backward.

He had no idea why it hurt so much or what had just happened.

“?!”

He stared blankly at Sunwoo Jin.

Sunwoo Jin smiled gently and stepped closer.

“You’re right. People who are lacking do need to get hit to mature.”

“…Huh?”

Before Sunwoo Gi could understand, another lightning-fast slap landed on his other cheek.

Smack!

“!”

Sunwoo Gi saw the flash again.

The pain was so intense he couldn’t even scream.

Only now did he realize Sunwoo Jin had slapped him—twice.

Shame and anger surged through him.

To be slapped by his third brother in front of all these people was unbearable.

Clenching his fists, he tried to strike back despite the pain.

“How dare you!”

But—

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Sunwoo Jin’s hands didn’t stop.

Before Sunwoo Gi could even raise his arms, Sunwoo Jin was striking his cheeks at incredible speed.

No matter how much he swung, he couldn’t block or counterattack.

Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

“Uwaaaah!”

Sunwoo Gi finally began to wail.

Forget shame—he was in too much pain.

Tears streamed down his face, blurring his vision.

Still, Sunwoo Jin’s slaps didn’t cease.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Eventually, Sunwoo Gi collapsed, lying flat on the ground, begging.

“Stop! Stop! Please, stop!”

But Sunwoo Jin murmured softly.

“Hmm, this reminds me of something. When I begged you to stop, what did you do?”

At that moment, Sunwoo Gi’s mind flashed back to that time.

When he had kicked Sunwoo Jin mercilessly as he writhed on the floor.

Instinctively, Sunwoo Gi cried out.

“I was wrong! I’m really sorry, third brother! Please stop! I’m truly sorry! Please… please stop now…”

As he pleaded, he began to sob uncontrollably.

It was a pitiful, disgraceful sight—hardly befitting a warrior.

The Sunwoo clan’s warriors all frowned as they watched.

And Gong Do-kyung, the third elder who had originally supported Sunwoo Gi, realized this from the warriors’ expressions.

As a warrior, Sunwoo Gi’s life was effectively over…

Unless he could pull off a dramatic turnaround like Sunwoo Jin, Sunwoo Gi was destined to be remembered only as a disgrace to the Sunwoo family.

Sunwoo Jin glanced briefly at Sunwoo Gi, who was sobbing pitifully, then turned his gaze away.

There, Sunwoo Seong—the family’s most likely heir—was staring at Sunwoo Jin in shock.

With a flustered voice, he stammered, “Y-you… how did you—?”

Sunwoo Jin smiled faintly and replied, “You have to be like this to survive on the front lines. So, brother, what will you choose? The spear? Or the sword?”

It wasn’t Sunwoo Seong who felt as if he’d been struck hard on the back of the head by those words.

It was Je Gal Ji-yong, whose eyes had been vacant since Sunwoo Gi was attacked.

‘The front lines…’

Yes.

Je Gal Ji-yong knew all too well the dangers of the front.

Yet, he hadn’t even considered that Sunwoo Jin, who had safely returned on leave, had survived there. Now that he knew the truth, he was utterly stunned.

He had been blinded by the long-held prejudice that Sunwoo Jin was a disgrace to the family, unable to see the reality before him.

Momentarily dazed, Je Gal Ji-yong hurried to steady his mind.

‘No matter what, he can’t be a match for Seo-yul.’

That had to be the case.

No, it absolutely had to be.

Je Gal Ji-yong fixed his gaze intently on Sunwoo Jin, who stood before him.

At that moment, Sunwoo Seong, who had been glaring at Sunwoo Jin, drew his sword and said, “I’ve underestimated you all this time. Now, I’ll face you properly.”

A shimmering sword aura, like heat waves, rose from his blade.

It was the sword energy a first-rate mid-level warrior could manifest.

Sunwoo Jin chuckled softly.

Then he shook his head and said, “No, brother. You’re still underestimating me.”

“What did you say?”

Sunwoo Seong frowned, but Sunwoo Jin silently drew his sword.

Shrrrk!

The pitch-black Mukrang Sword revealed its gleaming white blade to the world.

Then, with a sharp shout, Sunwoo Jin called out, “Hap!”

Sunwoo Seong’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“How—how is this possible?”

He couldn’t believe it.

From Sunwoo Jin’s sword, a far clearer and broader sword aura rose like mist.

It looked at least like a first-rate upper-level, maybe even top-tier.

He was so shocked his hands trembled uncontrollably.

Then, without warning, Sunwoo Jin charged forward, swinging his sword.

“Hap!”

Shuak!

Sunwoo Jin’s sword shadow spread wide like wings.

It was the first move of the Sunwoo Thirteen Sword Technique—Shin Eung Bi Sang—that Sunwoo Seong knew well.

Gritting his teeth, Sunwoo Seong swung his sword to meet the attack.

He refused to lose to the Sunwoo Thirteen Sword Technique.

“Eek!”

Shuak!

But the wings of sword energy he created were small and crude by any standard.

As the two sword shadows clashed, Sunwoo Jin’s wings flared as if alive, enveloping Sunwoo Seong completely.

Fwaaak!

Sunwoo Seong, overwhelmed by the sword energy closing in from all sides, could only wildly swing his sword.

Though the moves were familiar, Sunwoo Jin’s Shin Eung Bi Sang looked utterly alien to him.

“Ugh!”

Then, in an instant, the wings of sword energy vanished as if washed away.

Only the Mukrang Sword remained, stopped just inches from Sunwoo Seong’s throat.

Staring fearfully at the blade aimed at his neck, Sunwoo Seong muttered, “Th-this can’t be…”

He was utterly defeated.

Now, he knew for certain.

He was no match for his third brother, whom he had always looked down on.

Sunwoo Jin slowly sheathed his sword and sent a message through a private channel.

“Brother, unlike the others, you tried not to cross the line of humanity. Remember, that’s what saved you and Mother.”

Sunwoo Seong’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.

He was kneeling before the disgraceful younger brother he had always scorned.

At that moment, the true heir of the Sunwoo family was decided.

Sunwoo Joong, the family head, smiled warmly and raised his voice before the gathered crowd.

“With this, the heir of the Sunwoo family, the next family head, is decided to be the third son, Jin!”

A roar of cheers erupted instantly.

“Wooooah!”

“Sunwoo Jin!”

“Congratulations, young master!”

Watching the scene, Je Gal Ji-yong realized something else.

No one objected to Sunwoo Jin becoming the family head.

To the warriors of the Sunwoo family, the next head was already Sunwoo Jin.

It was astonishing.

Just days ago, Je Gal Ji-yong knew exactly how Sunwoo Jin had been treated by the family’s warriors.

His sharp mind quickly deduced the reason for this sudden change in perception.

There could be only one explanation.

‘Blood Sect! When the Blood Sect’s demon beasts attacked, Sunwoo Jin must have shown something.’

But his sharp mind soon concluded that was impossible.

‘The Blood Sect’s demon beasts attacked Gaeyangmun and the Sunwoo family almost simultaneously. So it makes no sense that Sunwoo Jin, who was at Gaeyangmun, could have returned to the Sunwoo family and fought the beasts in that short time. Then what is it?’

Before Je Gal Ji-yong could sort out his swirling questions, the family head, Sunwoo Joong, suddenly spoke to him.

“Je Gal Daehyup.”

Je Gal Ji-yong was slightly surprised but masked it with a smile.

“Yes, Master Sunwoo. Please, go ahead.”

Sunwoo Joong looked somewhat apologetic as he said, “Previously, we agreed that once the heir was decided, our children would be betrothed through a martial contest, remember?”

Je Gal Ji-yong tensed inwardly.

Finally, Sunwoo Joong was bringing up the promise.

Now he would learn the true intentions Sunwoo Joong had been hiding.

But despite his inner tension, Je Gal Ji-yong smiled calmly and replied, “Yes, I remember. But why bring it up now?”

Sunwoo Joong hesitated briefly before speaking with difficulty.

“As you see, the heir of the Sunwoo family has been decided as the third son, Jin. But as you know, Jin is currently serving on the front lines. He must return soon and remain there for about three more years. So, I’m sorry, but how about postponing our agreement until after that?”

Je Gal Ji-yong’s eyes flashed.

Now he understood Sunwoo Joong’s plan.

Using Jin’s service on the front as an excuse to delay the promise for three years.

‘Three years is a long time. A lot can happen. Sunwoo Jin’s martial prowess could grow far beyond what it is now. And it’s unreasonable to expect Seo-yul to wait for him all that time—she might find someone else first. If that happens, they could use this as an excuse to cancel the promise altogether!’

From the Sunwoo family’s perspective, it was a clever move.

It had both justification and practical benefit.

But the problem was, Je Gal Ji-yong had no intention of letting it slide.

Now that he was the true ruler of the exile and likely to become the top among the Gui family’s eight elders, he couldn’t so easily let the Sunwoo family off the hook.

He chuckled and said, “Then why not hold the martial contest now?”

Sunwoo Joong’s expression stiffened.

“…Now?”

“Yes. At this joyous moment when the heir has been decided, wouldn’t it be even better if the marriage between the Je Gal and Sunwoo families were also decided in front of all the warriors?”

Je Gal Ji-yong smiled brightly.

He couldn’t have felt better seeing Sunwoo Joong’s face harden like that.