Chapter 15

Name：Absolute Dominion Author：
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Chapter 15

Just as the Pig Emperor was about to obliterate the hunchbacked man, Jeok Lee-Gun, who had leaped through the air, blocked his path like a thunderbolt.

As the playfulness disappeared, Jeok Lee-Gun’s face became terrifying.

“Shall we end this now? Let’s do it.”

Jeok Lee-Gun mercilessly swung his right fist towards the Pig Emperor.

Swoooosh!

It was a punch delivered with his full strength.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Pig Emperor’s body was pulverized and fixed firmly in place by the rotating force like a whirlwind.

Normally, his body would have bounced back with its rubber-like resilience, but it continued to be crushed. As the Pig Emperor’s flesh was torn and scattered everywhere, he continuously coughed up blood.

“Aaaaargh!”

With a blood-curdling scream, the Pig Emperor crashed through the wall.

Bang! Crash!

Dust rose up in clouds.

Jeok Lee-Gun slowly walked towards him. The Pig Emperor, drenched in blood, clung to life as he still managed to keep breathing.

Jeok Lee-Gun’s gaze remained icy and devoid of mercy or sympathy as he stared down at the Pig Emperor.

Jeok Lee-Gun stretched out one of his hands.

Boom!

In the distance, the Pig Emperor’s massive mansion was obliterated.

Crash!

Gold bars, hidden beneath his throne, poured out. It was the wealth he had amassed throughout his life.

“At the end, my sister informed me through a sound transmission. She said she left a gift beneath the mansion.”

The Pig Emperor’s face twisted as he stared at the gleaming gold. Even in his final moments, he clung to his obsession with wealth.

Blood gushed from the Pig Emperor’s mouth. He asked with difficulty.

“...Why did you do it? You could have taken him quietly. If you had just done that...”

Jeok Lee-Gun faintly smiled.

“Because I needed a reason to kill you.”

“What?”

At that moment, the Pig Emperor realized.

“...From the beginning, you intended to kill me. You’re worse than me.”

“Perhaps. But people who are truly good-natured never succumb to my temptations.”

“...Bullshit.”

The Pig Emperor spoke with difficulty, filled with resentment.

“In this martial world... there’s no such thing as a good person, is there?”

Jeok Lee-Gun’s gaze intensified.

“I will create it. A martial world bustling with such individuals.”

The Pig Emperor mustered his last strength to sneer at Jeok Lee-Gun.

“...What about the stench of blood on your hands?”

Jeok Lee-Gun remained silent.

The Pig Emperor’s eyes gradually dimmed as he uttered his final words.

“...Don’t be ridiculous... kid.”

With those words, the Pig Emperor’s massive body convulsed violently before becoming still.

Jeok Lee-Gun stood in silence for a moment.

He looked down at his own hands without speaking a word.

“...That’s why I need good adults. I can’t achieve everything alone.”

Clap–

Jeok Lee-Gun clapped his hands. Then he turned away without hesitation.

Now, only Jeok Lee-Gun and the hunchbacked man remained in the hall.

The hunchback stood motionless, as if he had lost his soul.

Jeok Lee-Gun called out to him.

“Master Hwa.”

Flinch.

The hunchbacked man reacted. Jeok Lee-Gun called out once more.

“Hwa Mu-Cheol.”

After a prolonged silence, the hunchbacked man finally spoke.

“...That’s a nostalgic name.”

It was not the same voice that had been laughing foolishly.

Jeok Lee-Gun spoke again.

“The Sixth Generation Leader of the Ghost Iron Clan.”

Ghost Iron Clan.

Until ten years ago, the Ghost Iron Clan was famous for its formations and mechanical techniques. The previous head, Hwa Young-Jin, greatly contributed to the Great War of the Orthodox and the Demonic with his unparalleled mechanical skills.

The Ghost Iron Clan, which made significant contributions during the Great War of the Orthodox and the Demonic, gained even greater fame after the war. Many people requested formations and sought their expertise in mechanical techniques, leading to the accumulation of vast wealth.

The once-flourishing Ghost Iron Clan suddenly disappeared from the martial world a decade ago. Numerous rumors circulated, but the exact details remained unknown.

No one would believe that the current master of the Ghost Iron Clan had become the hunchback standing in front of him.

Hwa Mu-Cheol spoke in a hushed tone.

“How did you know I was here?”

“I searched for a long time. It was difficult to locate you.”

His previously dim eyes had regained their clarity.

“Why?”

“To buy you.”

“Who are you?”

“If you agree, I will be your new master.”

“What if I decline?”

“You don’t need to know since we are strangers anyway.”

“What does that imply?”

“I won’t look for you again. Ever. Even I, who desperately searched for you, found it difficult to locate you. No one else will find you. You can finally live quietly.”

Hwa Mu-Cheol’s eyes wavered.

“Do you know why I abandoned the martial world? Do you know why I endured suffering under that bastard?”

Jeok Lee-Gun’s expression brightened. He extended his hand and helped him up.

“From today onwards, don’t kneel to anyone.”

Hwa Mu-Cheol stood up with a smile.

“And from now on, just address me as Young Master. That’s what everyone else does.”

“Understood, Young Master.”

Hwa Mu-Cheol’s attitude was very respectful.

Jeok Lee-Gun observed his hunched posture and spoke.

“You deliberately damaged your body.”

“How did you know?”

Becoming a hunchback was a result of Hwa Mu-Cheol’s will, akin to self-inflicted harm.

There were those who provided advanced techniques to change the body and face for murderers or fugitives in the martial world. He had acquired a technique that modified even the bones and muscles of his body.

“It happened a long time ago.”

“I can restore you to your original state.”

“What?”

Hwa Mu-Cheol’s eyes widened in astonishment.

The idea of returning to normal had never crossed his mind.

“Is that really possible?”

“It is possible. However, it will be quite painful. Are you okay with that?”

Hwa Mu-Cheol was overwhelmed with emotion.

“Enduring pain... is what I do best.”

Jeok Lee-Gun slowly placed his hand on Hwa Mu-Cheol’s back. A surge of powerful internal energy flowed into his body.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap!

With his other hand, he swiftly pressed the acupoints along his spine.

How much time had elapsed?

Crack, crack, crack.

Astonishingly, his hunched spine began to straighten.

“Aaaaargh!”

Hwa Mu-Cheol screamed in agony.

At that moment, he thought of his wife and daughter.

‘I’m sorry.’

The tears streaming from his eyes were not tears of pain.

The two people in his heart were smiling even brighter. Now, he would remember them in a different way.

Eventually, Hwa Mu-Cheol’s back was completely straightened. The hunchbacked man who had been tormented by the Pig Emperor was now gone forever.

“Thank you, sincerely.”

“Thank me? I’ll be working you to the bone from now on. I should be the one thanking you.”

The two of them laughed as they looked at each other.

It hadn’t even been an hour since Jeok Lee-Gun met him, yet it felt as though he had known him for an eternity.

“First, take it easy and give your body some rest. Someone will soon approach you with a task.”

“Understood.”

As Hwa Mu-Cheol was about to leave, he paused and asked.

“Do you truly believe it’s possible?”

“What?”

“Conquering the martial world... no, dominating the entire world.”

“I’ve never considered those who ruled the martial world to be extraordinary. If they achieved it, I believe I can as well. And I’m... not alone, right?”

Hwa Mu-Cheol smiled.

With that, Hwa Mu-Cheol went outside.

As he vanished, a figure emerged from behind the shattered wall.

It was Mu Young.

“You succeeded.”

“Fortunately.”

“I always believed you would.”

“Then why were you hiding and watching me? Afraid I might make a mistake?”

Mu Young scratched his head at that.

Jeok Lee-Gun stared intently at Mu Young.

“Is there something on my face?”

His words were as serious as his gaze.

“If it were for Mu Young, I would have prepared ten times the price for today.”

Mu Young’s expression turned serious as he met Jeok Lee-Gun’s sincere eyes.

“Of course. Not ten times, but twenty times more. But...”

Mu Young’s expression softened into a smile.

“You can always rely on me, for free. I’m your Mu Young, Young Master.”

Jeok Lee-Gun laughed pleasantly.

“Fully support Master Hwa for the time being.”

“Understood. But are you really planning to participate in the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament?”

“Yes.”

Mu Young gave him a slightly mischievous glance.

Jeok Lee-Gun smiled.

“I have a feeling I’ll find a good woman.”

Mu Young’s gaze remained meaningful, urging him to be more sincere.

“...Perhaps I’ve already found her. But you never know what the future holds.”

“That’s what playboys say. ‘You never know what the future holds.’”

“...”

“Of course, it’s a positive silence, right?”

“You’re jealous of my popularity.”

“Having many women doesn’t mean you’re fortunate with women. That’s called being a disaster with women. Ultimately, marrying a good woman is what truly means being fortunate with women.”

“You’re really... scarily jealous.”

“Hahaha!”

The two of them laughed brightly as they looked at each other. Through the hole in the ceiling that the Pig Emperor had made with his body, the gentle starlight of dawn streamed in.