What Takes Precedence Over Family Law (4)
“Phew, brother. That was nerve-wracking.”
“Huh? What was?”
Yeon Jipyeong let out a groan.
“I was so worried Father would get mad.”
He must have been on edge watching his brother speak so freely to their father.
Yeon Hojeong chuckled without realizing it.
“Hey, you think Father's some soldier? Our commanding officer or something?”
“Well, no, but...”
“No matter what anyone says, Father's our father, and we're his sons. If we want to be close to him, who's gonna complain?”
“Heh.”
Yeon Jipyeong stared blankly at Yeon Hojeong. It was as if he'd never thought of it that way before.
Yeon Hojeong pinched his brother's cheek.
“You little punk.”
“Ow ow ow! That hurts!”
“Don't be so scared of Father.”
“Huh?”
The smile Yeon Hojeong gave his brother was incredibly gentle—nothing like the terror of the Black Dark Emperor feared throughout the White Path Martial World.
“You think Father wants to stay all stiff and formal in front of his kids? With the family laws and rules in place, he's just trying to set an example.”
“Ah...”
“Sure, even I think he goes a bit overboard sometimes.”
“Guh!”
“Father's lived his whole life like that, and he probably will forever. But his love for his sons? That won't change.”
Yeon Hojeong turned away.
“Don't wait around for affection. Don't expect rewards, either. It'll be tough, but it's better for your mental health.”
“I-is that so?”
“It's not like only parents have to wait for their kids, right?”
Watching his brother walk far ahead, Yeon Jipyeong smiled.
“Yeah, when you put it that way...”
His brother had been the first to let go of his hatred toward him. But confirming the result had taken his own courage.
Their relationship with Father was a little different, but on the whole, it wasn't.
“...Still scary, though.”
The next day, at dawn.
“We greet the eldest young master.”
Unlike before, the gate guards saluted sharply.
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“I'm here to see Father.”
“Understood.”
They must have been informed ahead of time. The sword and blade guards opened the door to the family head's quarters.
The sight beyond the wide-open door felt strangely fresh.
“The family head is currently at the training ground. Head there, and you'll find him.”
“Got it.”
Passing the modest bamboo grove behind the family head's quarters led to the open training ground.
Whooo.
As Yeon Hojeong headed to the training ground, he suddenly felt a strange resonance rising from his dantian.
His true energy writhed without him even focusing his intent on his inner power.
Resonance.
The Bi-yeon Qi seemed at a loss, terrified yet excited.
It was because of Yeon Wi.
Hwoooo.
At the center of the training ground, Yeon Wi sat cross-legged, a beautiful aura rising from his body.
Yeon Hojeong had never learned it, but he knew what martial art it was.
Amid the pressure dominating the entire training ground, the sharp and lofty atmosphere was overwhelming.
Geomgeuk Sagi.
Geomgeuk Sagi was one of the Five Divine Arts.
Incredible.
It wasn't just about reaching great accomplishment or not.
The qi, honed countless times, had surpassed saturation, compressed, then expanded again to fill his entire body.
His understanding of true energy was on another level from ordinary martial artists.
It screamed, This is the Yeon family head.
Woooong.
Wung.
The emanating qi slowly receded.
“You've come.”
He spoke even during energy circulation. The most vulnerable moment for a martial artist was during the start or end of circulation.
Requiring extreme focus, one became insensitive to external qi, and even a minor shock could lead to irreversible disaster.
Yet Yeon Wi was free even from that risk.
Such was the realm of the Yeon family head.
At least above the Namgung family head.
Having clashed with the White Path Martial World, he knew the levels of the Nine Great Sects and Seven Great Families better than anyone.
In Yeon Hojeong's eyes, his father's martial prowess rivaled the top among the Seven Great Families.
“Are you prepared?”
“Yes.”
“Sit here.”
Yeon Hojeong stepped onto the training ground. Though only slightly elevated, it felt like climbing impossibly high stairs.
He sat at the center where Yeon Wi had just been circulating energy, assuming the cross-legged position.
“Recite the incantation for Bi-ra Jin-gyeol.”
Yeon Hojeong recited it calmly.
Yeon Wi's eyes gleamed.
“You've memorized it perfectly.”
“Yes.”
He sat behind Yeon Hojeong, placing a hand on his Mingmen acupoint.
“Move the Bi-yeon Qi according to the Bi-ra Jin-gyeol incantation. I'll assist with the true energy transformation.”
Woooong.
No sooner had Yeon Wi spoken than Yeon Hojeong drew up his Bi-yeon Qi.
Yeon Wi's eyebrows twitched.
Too hasty, as expected.
He understood the impatience. Bound by the Bi-yeon Simbeop for ten years, he must have been eager for advanced martial arts.
But rushing wouldn't lead to great accomplishment in supreme arts.
He'd mentioned it yesterday, yet it seemed not fully accepted.
Yeon Wi gently guided the boiling Bi-yeon Qi.
Once circulation ends, a stern reminder...
Then it happened.
Weeeeeeng!
In an instant, the Bi-yeon Qi surged at full power.
Yeon Wi had only guided one full heavenly circuit.
Yet the Bi-yeon Qi boiled madly.
Danger!
Kururung!
Startled as he tried to control it, Yeon Wi watched in shock.
The Bi-yeon Qi raced through meridians at an unbelievable speed—faster and more ferocious than any he'd seen.
Yet it was soft. Natural, splendid. Like a fierce river flowing along its channel.
Weeeeeng!!
After several heavenly circuits in storm-like momentum, the Bi-yeon Qi began to change.
In color, like pale green waves turning to cloudless blue sky.
The color of azure heavens—a blue net.
It changed.
The true energy.
To a higher dimension, prouder qi.
Bi-ra True Qi!
The transformation speed was beyond imagination.
Chiiiik!
Even the dantian's form and size shifted. Like a spacious house expanding into a palace.
Unprecedented astonishment.
Even Yeon Wi, transitioning from Bi-yeon Simbeop to Geomgeuk Sagi, had spent a full fortnight on true energy change alone—and that was fast, earning rare praise from his father.
His son was different. In less than half a shichen of circulation, he'd converted nearly all Bi-yeon Qi to Bi-ra True Qi.
How is this possible?
A moment later.
“Hup.”
Regulating his breath, Yeon Hojeong slowly withdrew his qi.
Yeon Wi was shocked again.
Withdrawing qi so skillfully. As if he's done it his whole life.
Just a single nudge, and the cart had already descended the mountain to its destination.
Impressive.
Flick!
Yeon Hojeong opened his eyes. A fierce light dwelled in them, different from before.
His pupils, faintly blue, slowly returned to normal.
“It's done.”
“I see.”
“Thank you for the guidance.”
Yeon Wi gazed silently at his son.
The boy showed no joy. Just endless calm.
As if he'd known it would happen.
“You didn't need my help.”
“Yes.”
An honest answer.
“But feeling Father's qi made it meaningful.”
For once, Yeon Wi couldn't grasp the meaning.
Silence fell again. Half a gak later, he spoke.
“You said you know the incantations for all Five Divine Arts?”
“Yes.”
“You chose Bi-ra Jin-gyeol for its stability, I presume?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Exactly.”
All Five Divine Arts were perfectly balanced, without excess or deficiency.
Yet each had distinct character.
Among them, Bi-ra Jin-gyeol was the most majestic and stable.
Even aggressive true energy operation burdened the body less than other divine arts.
Yet its output rivaled the other four.
Considering Yeon Hojeong's nature, it was the right choice.
Yeon Wi hesitated rarely.
Something to say to his son had arisen.
But he didn't know what.
A moment later, he nodded.
“If you hit a wall, come find me then.”
“Understood.”
“Good work.”
No lengthy talk like yesterday.
Yet father and son had shared far more.
As Yeon Hojeong bowed and descended the training ground, his gaze lingered on the weapon rack.
Weapons of all kinds were displayed there.
“You train with many weapons?”
“A true martial artist must wield even a mere tree branch with full prowess. That requires understanding many weapons.”
True enough.
The world of rivers and lakes was unpredictable—who, when death might come.
In the worst moments, one needed the best martial arts.
Yeon Hojeong had learned it in battle; Yeon Wi through self-cultivation.
“Mind if I take a few?”
“Hm?”
Yeon Wi grew curious what this astonishing son would ask next.
“No matter. Which ones?”
“An iron staff first.”
“Iron staff?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
Yeon Hojeong's lips curved in a smile, but his eyes darkened with unknown ferocity.
“An axe.”
“...So, full recovery will take about six months.”
A middle-aged man looked down at the young woman splinted all over as he spoke.
“Internal injuries?”
“Not as severe as expected. The real issue is mental trauma over physical.”
“Mental trauma?”
“Yes. She seems to have suffered a great shock. Internal and external injuries will heal in half a year, but the psychological damage is beyond treatment.”
“I see.”
The middle-aged man, Namgung In, seemed far calmer than expected.
He patted the physician's shoulder.
“She was a wild one growing up, but she's still a Namgung. She'll overcome a little heart wound. Please give it your all.”
The physician bowed as if honored.
“Of course. Half a year at most—likely sooner.”
“I trust you.”
Patting the physician repeatedly, Namgung In left the infirmary.
He gazed at the sky briefly.
A young man approached him.
“Father.”
“Hyeon.”
A strikingly handsome man, his elegance reaching the heavens, yet his build commanding, creating a mystical aura.
Namgung In's second son, Namgung Hyeon.
“How's Sanghwa?”
“Beat pretty badly.”
Father never exaggerated or boasted. If he said badly, it was bad.
Namgung In shook his head.
“From what I've heard, Sanghwa was at fault. I sent her out to learn and grow, but she got worse.”
“She's always been vain and arrogant. If she uses this as a lesson, she'll grow.”
“I think so too.”
“But.”
Namgung Hyeon's eyes chilled.
“Learning life's value from bandits doesn't mean forgiving the bastards.”
“The opponent is the Yeon family.”
“A house with only fifty years of history.”
“A family that turned the Six Great Families into Seven in fifty years. Martial artists aren't fools. Without the qualifications, they wouldn't dare stand alongside the Six.”
“No matter how great, they touched the Namgung.”
“The justification lies with the Yeon.”
Namgung Hyeon fell silent.
Namgung In spoke calmly.
“Your uncle already apologized.”
“Apologized?”
“Yes.”
Namgung Hyeon's lips curled.
“Then the Yeon will let it slide?”
“They would even without it.”
“But the apology lets them relax.”
“Likely.”
“Uncle erred, but handled the aftermath swiftly.”
“If we were to harass the Yeon, yes.”
Namgung In looked at his son.
Even seeing the cold gaze, his expression remained serene.
Similar to Yeon Wi's unchanging face, but different in essence.
“Will you endure it, Father?”
“Of course. Risking conflict with such power over one ruined child would be folly.”
His kind, calm face delivered ruthless words.
Namgung Hyeon smiled at his father's words.
“As expected. A clan head can't act rashly on this.”
Namgung In gave a subtle smile.
“Planning a visit to Jiangsu?”
“No way. With justification on their side, haste gains nothing.”
“Then?”
Namgung Hyeon asked meaningfully.
“When's the gathering of the Seven Great Families' later-generation talents this year?”