Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan

Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan – 161

Pyeong Hwi-rang, who led the Third Martial Force under the Yongmu Sect’s External Martial Division, was a top-tier swordsman capable of freely wielding sword energy, having achieved the unity of body and sword.
The aura he exuded from the forefront of the group was as sharp and cold as a blade crafted by a master artisan.
Known for mercilessly cutting down monsters in the Yangpyeong Province area, especially feline-type monsters with exceptional hunting skills, he had earned the nickname “Tiger-Slaying Ghost Sword.”
For someone like him, the mission to subdue the mysterious master who had humiliated Hwang Cheol was a welcome relief.
He had grown tired of hunting monsters day in and day out and had longed for real combat experience against a martial artist of similar skill.
‘Is it him?’
A young man, looking world-weary, walked out of the ornate front gate of Unha Pavilion, a place famous for its delicious food.
Pyeong Hwi-rang tried to gauge the young man’s level by extending his senses, but strangely, it was as if the man’s inner energy was shrouded in mist, appearing and disappearing.
This meant the young man was at least as skilled as he was.
‘But he’s just one man.’
The Yongmu Sect was a massive faction that controlled half of Yangpyeong Province.
The martial arts of an unknown rural wanderer couldn’t possibly compare to the advanced techniques of the Yongmu Sect.
Many so-called mysterious masters, claiming to have inherited supreme martial arts from reclusive hermits, had attempted to challenge the sect, only to kneel before its formidable strength.
With determination in his eyes, Pyeong Hwi-rang shouted imposingly.
“The criminal, receive your summons!”
“……”
“You dared to insult this noble young master with your vile tongue and inflicted an indelible wound on his chest. The enraged sect leader has ordered that your legs be broken and you be brought in alive! Will you come quietly, or will you be dragged away as a cripple?”
His shout, imbued with inner energy, startled the bustling commoners, who quickly hid inside shops or hurriedly left the plaza area.
The young man, who had been calmly observing Pyeong Hwi-rang and the martial force of the External Martial Division, exuded an air that was hard to pin down—whether it was relaxed or simply indifferent.
His voice matched his demeanor, calm and composed.
“This is troubling. However, I prefer to avoid violence. Even if your sect leader comes, he won’t be able to subdue me. So, let’s not escalate this further and go back while we can still talk peacefully.”
“You insolent wretch! How dare you!”
Such arrogance and disrespect.
To belittle the great sect leader of the Yongmu Sect! The sect leader was a legendary figure in Yangpyeong Province. How could this arrogant, mysterious master not know the prestige of Hwang Gyu, the Supreme Sword of Martial Extremes, who could bring down even a flying bird?
This arrogant master clearly knew nothing of the world’s realities.
“You’ve just crossed a line you shouldn’t have. Listen up, men! Subdue the criminal and bring him to his knees before me. You may cripple his limbs, but keep him alive!”
“Yes, sir!”
The martial force, all of whom were at least second-rate martial artists, moved like the wind, forming the Yongmu Sect’s proud Dragon Light Sword Formation.
The Dragon Light Sword Formation was a tactical sword formation designed for pinnacle-level masters, integrating the inner energy of the martial artists into a single, formidable force that allowed the vanguard to exhibit immense power.
Whirr.
Just as the indifferent mysterious master and the sword formation were about to clash, a veiled woman suddenly flew in and positioned herself between them.
“Stop! How can the heroes of the Yongmu Sect gang up on one person? Is this truly the chivalry of the great Yongmu Sect?!”
Pyeong Hwi-rang quickly surveyed his surroundings at the woman’s bold accusation. They were in a busy plaza with a high flow of people.
Women from respectable families were watching with frightened faces, and children and elderly people were peeking out from shops, keeping a close eye on the plaza.
The sight of the renowned and valiant martial force of the Yongmu Sect using a sword formation to publicly beat a single person would not look good.
‘I almost fell for his provocation.’
The mysterious master had dared to treat the revered sect leader as a mere subordinate. His psychological tactics were impressive. Despite years of mental and physical training, Pyeong Hwi-rang had almost let his emotions get the better of him in a mere verbal exchange.
Pyeong Hwi-rang thought that this situation had arisen due to his lack of real combat experience against other martial artists.
“The young lady has a point. However, we are here to hold this outsider accountable for daring to insult the name of the Yongmu Sect. If you interfere again, you will also be considered an accomplice and severely punished!”
“…I understand.”
The veiled woman hesitated and stepped back at Pyeong Hwi-rang’s stern warning.
However, this was merely an act to make the enemy lower their guard. She used a secret voice transmission technique to share her plan with the young man in blue robes.
—I will set off a Shadow Bomb. Use the opportunity to escape. Let’s meet at the auction house across from Jiyoungak’s tavern at the hour of the ox (1-3 AM).
The young man in blue, Hero Isaac, subtly nodded at her plan. However, he only agreed to part of it.
—I will go to the auction house by the hour of the ox. Save the Shadow Bomb. This is not your fight.
The veiled woman shuddered at Isaac’s response.
He told her not to use the Shadow Bomb. Did he intend to face the Yongmu Sect’s martial force alone?
She wanted to dissuade him, but Pyeong Hwi-rang’s sword was already in motion.
“Draw your weapon, criminal! I, the Tiger-Slaying Ghost Sword Pyeong Hwi-rang, will personally teach you a lesson!”
Boom—
Slash!
His silver sword, imbued with the essence of his powerful step, slashed diagonally. His sword was swift and precise.
Ping!
A strange repulsive force pushed the sword back. Pyeong Hwi-rang’s eyes changed as he infused his sword with inner energy, raising a white sword aura.
The sword aura, which seemed capable of cutting through anything, extended the killing range of his sword by one cheok (30 cm).
Having achieved complete unity of body and sword, Pyeong Hwi-rang had reached the level of a top-tier master, capable of wielding sword energy as if it were part of his body—a state known as “sword energy harming others.”
Swish!
His sword, enveloped in a radiant light, slashed horizontally.
Clang!
“Ugh, what is this!?”
Pyeong Hwi-rang nearly lost his sword due to the repulsive force and quickly retreated. The mysterious master who had harmed the young lord had blocked his sword aura with just his fingers.
‘Immune to swords and? Could he be from the Buddhist sects?’
For a moment, it seemed as if the opponent’s fingers had transformed into a hard, gray substance.
Several external martial arts techniques from the Buddhist sects that drastically increased physical toughness flashed through his mind.
But even if he had reached the pinnacle of external martial arts, how could sharp sword energy not penetrate even a single inch? Could he have achieved the legendary indestructible body (金剛不壞)?
“Haap!”
As if to dispel his unease, Pyeong Hwi-rang raised his sword high above his head and brought it down vertically, slicing through the air.
Dragon Roar Sword
Seventh Form
Mount Tai
Boom!
The sharp sword struck down, but it felt like hitting a sturdy rock with a blunt iron club.
As the mysterious master’s palm struck the sword aura, his skin once again transformed into a gray mineral-like substance.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
‘Is he truly immune to swords and blades?’
Despite launching a series of fierce attacks, Pyeong Hwi-rang couldn’t inflict even a shallow wound on the mysterious master’s body.
The sword energy that could slice through even boulders like tofu was ineffective. How could he possibly deal with such an opponent?
‘In that case…’
The pride of a martial artist and the prestige of the Yongmu Sect were at stake. How could he hold his head high if he couldn’t subdue a single mysterious master from another region, even with his men?
Realizing the gap between them after several exchanges, Pyeong Hwi-rang commanded his men once more.
“You! You’ve mastered a sinister martial art. All units, form the Dragon Light Sword Formation!”
“Yes, sir!”
Rumble.
The ground seemed to split as the martial artists formed an ideal triangular formation. The body of the vanguard, a second-rate master, turned red as if it was about to burst.
The synchronized movements of the martial artists caught the mysterious master’s eye.
“A sword formation, is it? Come at me.”
“Haaap!”
Woo—
Clang!
The vanguard swung his heavy greatsword as if it were a light kitchen knife. The mysterious master was pushed back two steps.
The Third Martial Force of the External Martial Division continued to rotate the vanguard, each delivering a full-force strike.
With fifty martial artists sharing their inner energy, they were as formidable as a pinnacle-level master. By sequentially rotating the vanguard to prevent their bodies from bursting, they maintained a relentless offensive, gradually pushing back the seemingly invincible mysterious master.
“This ends now!”
After fifty attacks, Pyeong Hwi-rang finally took his place at the apex of the formation.
Dragon Roar Sword
Twelfth Form
Shattering Wave
A suicidal technique focused solely on attack, disregarding defense, shot towards the mysterious master’s chest. Or at least, it was supposed to.
Boom!
Swoosh—
The black smoke, rippling like water, absorbed the explosive force of the Shattering Wave and vanished.
Even for Pyeong Hwi-rang, who had seen countless battles and the sorcery of monsters, this was an unfamiliar phenomenon.
The black smoke seemed more like an extraordinary ability than martial arts.
In that moment, the resolve to present the mysterious master before the sect leader shattered like a thin glass cup.
“An interesting formation. I enjoyed the show.”
Woo—
A soft and serene energy gathered in the mysterious master’s right hand, soon forming a distinct Taiji symbol.
Suddenly, an emotion long forgotten by Pyeong Hwi-rang surfaced in his chest. It was an instinct named fear.
“W-We are the martial force of the External Martial Division of the Yongmu Sect! If you fear the Yongmu Sect’s kill order, you must let us go unharmed…”
“Then you’ll just come back again.”
Whoosh—
Boom!
“Argh!”
The mysterious master’s palm strike landed on Pyeong Hwi-rang’s abdomen. Following the fiercely rotating Taiji symbol, his body began to spin, and soon, all the martial artists forming the sword formation were swept up in the rotational force.
“Ugh!”
“Ahhh!”
Like leaves caught in an autumn breeze, the fifty martial artists were flung across the plaza, crashing into the dirt.
The spectators, who had been watching with bated breath, gaped at the absurd sight.
“A pinnacle master! A pinnacle master has appeared!”
The mysterious master, Isaac, ignored the noisy reactions around him and activated a holographic screen visible only to him. After checking the time, he casually asked the veiled woman who stood dumbfounded.
“We have time until the hour of the ox. Should we wait?”
“Ah… Ah! No, great hero.”
“Let’s change the location.”
Isaac left the plaza with the veiled woman. To avoid any potential pursuers, he used a magitech device to change his appearance and attire before arriving at the auction house on the outskirts.
The auction house was not in operation that day, and the woman skillfully opened a secret passage, leading Isaac to a hidden chamber.
“Why did you want to see me?”
“Well, actually…”
The woman, having removed her veil, spoke cautiously.
She revealed that she was an agent of Jiyoungak, an underground intelligence organization. Having discovered that Isaac was a pinnacle master, she had come to him with a request.
“Forgive my boldness, but I wish to commission an assassination.”
“An assassination? I am not an assassin.”
“I apologize. However, all the assassination organizations in Yangpyeong Province, as well as in the major cities of Hwan—Muanju, Seopo Port, and Baekrim Fortress—have refused my request. That’s why I have come to you, great hero.”
“I will listen to your story. But know that I am inclined to refuse assassination requests, so speak carefully.”
“I have already made up my mind, so there is nothing to hesitate about. It all started 20 years ago. At that time, I had not yet been born…”
As the woman recounted her lengthy tale, Isaac’s indifferent expression remained unchanged.