The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 204

I thought it would take years.

Jae-Hyeok had prepared a long-term plan: Although Lion’s Castle was troubled waters, it still offered overt protection—so after becoming a student, Jae-Hyeok had intended to spend the next three years planning and building his strength, only moving against the Association after graduation.

However, the training foundation he had built over the last eight years proved greater than he’d expected. Only four months had passed since awakening his Initial Skill, but there he was—the center of a national event.

More than anything, it was the attempts on his life, both at home and at Lion’s Castle, that had driven him to seek power with greater urgency.

In a way, his enemies were the catalyst for his growth.

An opportunity came sooner than expected.

Of course, this opportunity had also been created by Ji Cheon-Myeong himself. While trying to push others, the man had ended up dangling from a cliff.

Staring at his family’s enemy, Jae-Hyeok’s eyes glittered darkly.

“Mr. President, didn’t you hear me? If you need to verify my strength, then please, come and do so.”

“You...!” Ji Cheon-Myeong nearly lost it seeing Jae-Hyeok’s arrogant attitude. But amid his anger, some final thread of logic brought him back.

Registering the pensive audience, the cameras, and the sinister look in Jae-Hyeok’s eyes—a chill went down Ji Cheon-Myeong’s back, and he abruptly shut his mouth.

He had a hunch that he would definitely regret it if he spoke carelessly.

***

Everyone has a story.

The Thunder Emperor let out an empty laugh. He had experienced so much in his life, yet he had rarely seen such killing intent, anger, and sorrow.

Well, I understand his position.

He had investigated Jae-Hyeok immediately after returning from Reinhardt. It wasn’t hard for him to learn what type of life the boy had lived with his brain-dead father.

He could roughly understand Jae-Hyeok’s feelings, and he could understand Jae-Hyeok’s desire to inflict revenge. But this was also the time Jae-Hyeok had to be the most careful.

People are most vulnerable when on the verge of getting what they want. The Thunder Emperor knew this well. He had witnessed the truth of this fact many times.

Not to mention... the president of a country’s Association isn’t an easy opponent.

Jae-Hyeok was moving too quickly, swept up in his resentment and killing intent. After dealing with Ji Cheon-Myeong, how could the aftermath be simple? The Thunder Emperor clicked his tongue.

“If you’re so worried, why don’t you help him?”

His colleague in the air interrupted his thoughts, her tone a little too lively. She had been yawning the whole time; only now was her interest piqued.

“Come on. There’s nothing to worry about in this small country, right?”

The Thunder Emperor replied, “Bah. Even if this were China or Japan, do you think I’d care about watching my actions?” The Thunder Emperor’s eyes followed the boy on the stage. “I don’t have the right to help that kid. No matter what he does, it is none of my business.”

“You made me use Mass Teleport to drag you out here. Don’t you know how busy I am? Yet now you say it isn’t your business...”

“When it comes to revenge, it’s best taken with your own hands.”

“I sympathize with that. But in this case, it looks like that’ll be tough.”

The killing intent exuding from Jae-Hyeok grew thicker, and the sword demons were starting to move.

“The woman over there is called Jin Seo-Yeon. She has a different type of strength compared to that Chinese bootlicker that Kang Jae-Hyeok just cut down. Also...” The girl floating above the Thunder Emperor shifted her gaze toward Ji Cheon-Myeong’s secretary. “That uncle is unusual.”

“Yes.”

What would happen next? Not even the Thunder Emperor could predict the outcome. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

“......”

The stadium was quiet.

As many as a hundred thousand spectators whispered pensively. Based on the situation and the content of the conversation, many people were having doubts about Ji Cheon-Myeong.

“Kim Byeok-Jae tried to kill him first... And wasn’t it the president of the Association who recruited him as the examiner?”

“That’s right. The Association was advertising Kim Byeok-Jae as the examiner for days leading up to the event.”

“So, the Association president, who’s been monitoring Kang Jae-Hyeok since the Yaksha’s ordeal eight years ago, also appointed Kim Byeok-Jae as the examiner? And I’m supposed to believe that Kim Byeok-Jae coincidentally tried to kill Kang Jae-Hyeok?”

With how things had progressed, speculation was bound to occur. Many people concluded that Ji Cheon-Myeong had been secretly instigating Jae-Hyeok’s death. And that begged a question:

Did Jae-Hyeok deserve it?

Did he commit some mortal sin?

No.

Apart from being part of the Kang family, Jae-Hyeok was exemplary in so many ways.

“Come to think of it, isn’t it ridiculous to discriminate against him just because he’s from the Kang family?”

“That’s right. It’s not like our legal system practices hereditary punishment...”

Having witnessed the brilliant talent of the beautiful boy on stage, more and more people started to feel that the boy’s background was a trivial matter. Here was someone with a talent worthy of becoming South Korea’s next National Treasure. It was a talent that shouldn’t be missed—that couldn’t be missed.

The girl chuckled when she sensed the rapidly changing atmosphere.

“My magic is pretty useful. Isn’t that right?

“Yes, yes. I admit it.”

Using magic to replay the exam duel had exonerated Jae-Hyeok from Ji Cheon-Myeong’s accusations and shed light on Ji Cheon-Myeong’s lies. This was a huge advantage from Jae-Hyeok’s perspective. If he could fight against Ji Cheon-Myeong, either winning or achieving a draw, he would instantly gain the public’s support.

The problem was...

He has to keep his composure to win.

With only one last step to get his revenge, Jae-Hyeok’s killing intent was soaring, and he was far from rational. He needed to rein it in, to collect himself, if he was to stand a chance against a peak S-class like Ji Cheon-Myeong.

Could Jae-Hyeok do it?

The Thunder Emperor doubted it. He calculated that it was more likely the boy would falter at the crucial moment.

***

Stupid kid.

Ji Cheon-Myeong was intimidated by Jae-Hyeok’s pressure for a while, but he soon regained his composure and laughed.

“I will do so.”

He gladly accepted the cheeky brat’s request to come onto the stage.

“I still need more verification.”

Ji Cheon-Myeong considered it coldly: Jae-Hyeok’s skills were indeed amazing for his age. But he wasn’t his match.

Moreover, Jae-Hyeok was clearly agitated, his killing intent unrestrained. He was in no state to think tactically.

This is why elders should be respected.

What was the point of great talent without matching experience? Even if Jae-Hyeok were stronger, he would still meet a miserable end today.

Ji Cheon-Myeong walked toward the stage.

Based on the current situation, shifting public sentiment would be difficult. And no matter what excuse he gave, suspicion and doubt would follow him for the rest of his life.

Since it’s come to this, I have fewer worries. I’ll kill Jae-Hyeok openly and be done with it.

Public criticism?

So what.

The public could weaken his position, but they couldn’t threaten his life. On the other hand, Jae-Hyeok was the real danger, and the day’s events had only further solidified that truth.

If he didn’t kill the boy now, Jae-Hyeok would eventually threaten his life.

Jii Cheon-Myeong adjusted his tie before descending the stairs, his polished brown shoes clicking with each step. When he reached the dead space separating the stage and the VIP seating, Jii Cheon-Myeong took a long, comfortable breath, as if smelling something sweet in the air. Then he continued with a subtle smile.

Thump, thump, thump!

Being an S-class, Ji Cheon-Myeong’s heightened senses picked up on Jae-Hyeok’s quickened heartbeat. Clearly, the boy was excited, deluded by the thought of killing him.

Just when he reached within three steps of the stage, Ji Cheon-Myeong unclasped his hands from behind his back and gave a secret signal.

The sword demons who’d been silently staring at the back of Jae-Hyeok’s head instantly rushed him.

All types of weapons flew out—everything from throwing daggers to greatswords, to even laser cutters, which specialized in parting bone like butter.

“Such a despicable bastard!”

“What are you doing?!”

Those at the scene and those watching the broadcast—the majority of South Korea had witnessed it: The boy aiming to become a National Treasure candidate had just challenged the Association’s president to a duel, and the president had accepted, only for the Association’s elite sword demons to launch a joint surprise attack.

In front of the entire nation, the Association had actually done something so despicable. Even a third-rate movie villain wouldn’t have been so slimy.

Boo! Booooo!

“......”

Insults and accusations rained down, but the sword demons were unfazed, entirely focused on the mission at hand, killing Jae-Hyeok.

As members of the elite Enforcement Department, they were all trained killers with rich experience. Since they were given the order, they would kill.

“As I said, we still need to verify your ability.” While speaking, Ji Cheon-Myeong unhurriedly climbed the last three steps. He listened to the sound of blades clashing and smiled as if listening to good music.

“Ah, were you hoping for a duel with me? Perhaps you should’ve been more specific. Oh well.”

The Enforcement Department’s sword demons were all outstanding. Not even a high-level S-class player could battle against dozens of them and win. Moreover, Jin Seo-Yeon was with them. She was an S-class sword demon—a powerful talent the likes of which was rare anywhere in the world.

“Kwae Myeong-Su!”

Just then, Jae-Hyeok cried out, his voice laden with anguish.

Ji Cheon-Myeong thought, Kwae Myeong-Su? Wasn’t that the sword demon we sent to humiliate Kang Jae-Hyeok, only for him to lose? Ji Cheon-Myeong chuckled softly. Well, it sounds like that guy got his revenge... Ah, Kang Jae-Hyeok, you must regret it. Stabbed by the enemy you once spared... Tsk, tsk.

Ji Cheon-Myeong climbed the last step and faced the stage—only for his expression to stiffen. Before him was an unexpected sight. It wasn’t Jae-Hyeok minced by his sword demons; it was Kwae Myeong-Su.

He was standing with his back to Jae-Hyeok, as if protecting him.

“Why?”

“After receiving... your kindness twice... I must repay you... at least once...”

Kwae Myeong-Su answered weakly while gripping Jin Seo-Yeon’s sword blade with his bare hands. The blade had sunk deeply into Kwae Myeong-Su’s shoulder and sternum, splitting ribs, muscles, and organs.

“What are you doing?”

Jin Seo-Yeon frowned and tried to yank her sword back, but Kwae Myeong-Su held on stubbornly, his hands and chest flaring with mana. He was temporarily holding his body together, all to pin down Jin Seo-Yeon’s sword for as long as possible. But it wouldn’t last long. Kwae Myeong-Su’s mana was draining at a terrifying rate.

This was the resolve of someone who’d accepted death.

Kwae Myeong-Su knew this was the end. Under the combined attack of his fellow sword demons, his mana core had been split; his bones, shattered; and his organs, pulped.

He would surely die.

Nevertheless, his expression was bright.

Behind every sword was a will. And he had stayed true to his. Jae-Hyeok had the potential to reach the peak of swordsmanship. If he had to trade his life to guard his future, then so be it. He had no regrets.

“A-a shame. I wanted to... see...”

Kwae Myeong-Su couldn’t even leave his final will. With his lungs punctured and his mana waning, he could manage only those words.

“What did you want to see, you idiot?” The furious Jin Seo-Yeon placed her foot on Kwae Myeong-Su’s abdomen and pulled out her sword.

Jae-Hyeok dropped a hand to his sword hilt and flooded mana through his arm. Had Kwae Myeong-Su not blocked Jin Seo-Yeon’s earlier attack, he would have lost his arm; he owed Kwae Myeong-Su a life.

Now, there was only one way he could repay him.

“Don’t blink.”

Jae-Hyok had only met Kwae Myeong-Su twice, but from one swordsman to another, he sensed the man’s wish.

A Sword Demon...

There was only one thing a sword-obsessed demon could possibly want from him.

Peak Sword Technique: Annihilate.

The Peak Sword Technique was the Kang family’s ultimate technique, passed down through generations. As the name suggested, it wasn’t a Skill but a technique through and through. The sword paths it imparted achieved theoretical perfection—with the blade flowing along the shortest path, achieving the highest speed, and delivering the greatest force.

Jae-Hyeok’s mana erupted. His hand blurred, and a ray of red light passed through Kwae Myeong-Su’s body. He wanted to relieve his benefactor’s pain as soon as possible while also fulfilling his desire.

Jin Seo-Yeon, who was standing in front of Kwae Myeong-Su, was swept through by the red light at the same time that Kwae Myeong-Su was. In an instant, it passed from one side of her waist to the other. Her protective magic barrier and her iron-hard body, tempered over decades of training, were neatly split in half.

“What?”

That was all Jin Seo-Yeon had time to say as she fell apart, the cross-section of her waist mirror-smooth.

Kwae Myeong-Su’s perspective also tilted. As he fell backward, he blissfully replayed Jin Seo-Yeon’s death.

True... swordsmanship...

Kwae Myeong-Su closed his eyes with a faint smile on his face.