Chapter 112. Only by Lifting Your Head Can You See the Sky (6)
Thud!
It was a single step infused with extra power. In that near-perfect stance, his figure shot forward seven jang.
Though laden with strength, his movement looked incredibly fluid. Even with the over eighty geun Gwangryongbu slung across his shoulder, he dashed like a cat in flight.
As expected!
His speed had grown far faster than before, while his internal energy consumption had dropped to a third. Learning a specialized movement technique had clearly boosted his efficiency in a noticeable way. He was already looking forward to how far he could cover in a single breath once he fully mastered the Cheonjung Unhaengbo.
Yeon Hojeong raced ahead nimbly until his eyes caught a boulder smack in the middle of the distant mountain path.
Whoosh!
His form seemed to flow smoothly, then suddenly veered onto the path. It was astonishing footwork.
Yeon Hojeong swung the Gwangryongbu.
Boom!
With a deafening crash, the boulder rolled aside. He'd struck it with the axe's broad face using White Tiger Qi at full ten seong power. It should have shattered, not merely rolled.
Yet the boulder remained intact. That spoke volumes about his precise control over his internal energy.
I need to refine it a bit more.
He spotted faint cracks on the rolling boulder's surface. He'd thought he'd pushed it perfectly clean, but traces of the impact lingered.
It's the Gwangryongbu's fault.
Weapons of the Gwangryongbu's caliber naturally amplified a warrior's power beyond their skill level. No wonder its might exceeded that of his old iron axe.
Besides, the strength he wielded now dwarfed what he'd had back then.
I need to hone my control until I can wield even a divine weapon's power freely. I'm still far from that.
Power you couldn't fully command wasn't true strength. That was why he'd picked up the eighty-geun axe and swung the tricky iron chain. Master both, and he'd have reached the pinnacle of external martial arts.
The iron chain...
Thinking of it brought back his conversation with Pyeon Il-gang.
"I couldn't find a chain worthy of you. Even a sturdy one would snap if I hung the Gwangryongbu on it. And with your internal energy...
"I see."
"I considered forging one myself, but I had to shelve it. It'd take longer than crafting the Gwangryongbu."
"It's fine. The Gwangryongbu alone is enough."
"No, it won't do. I didn't craft an axe for you—I forged a weapon for the warrior Yeon Hojeong. That means I take responsibility for the chain too."
"Tch."
"Luckily, an acquaintance of mine acquired some Yusang Gwigyeol.
"Pardon?"
"Never heard of it? It's the most mystical iron scattered across the world. Its dense metallic qi shifts form when you channel internal energy. It can stretch or shrink."
"...Such iron exists?"
"I didn't believe it either. Not until I saw it."
"The world is full of wonders."
"Anyway, he owes me a favor, so he's giving me some. I'll alloy it with other metals and craft your chain."
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
He's a true craftsman.
A man who'd devoted his life to forging weapons. He'd received a great boon—and the smith wouldn't even take payment, saying it was joy enough to arm a worthy warrior. That made Yeon Hojeong feel all the more grateful and indebted.
I should pick up a thank-you gift on the way back.
Resolving deep in his heart, he picked up speed.
Whoosh!
Cleaving the air at full tilt felt utterly refreshing. Practicing movement techniques on the fly, he soon spotted Hangzhou. And there, gleaming as the city's grandest and most lavish inn, stood the Hoseon Daehi House.
Thud!
Yeon Hojeong vaulted the wall in just two steps. A wall that high would've required six or seven kicks before he'd learned proper footwork.
"Whew. Running hard all day has me beat."
Today, he'd feast lavishly and crash hard.
Heading to his room, Yeon Hojeong raised a hand to knock on Muk Bi's door—then paused.
Hm?
Focusing his senses, he detected no presence inside.
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"Where's this girl? Already off to eat?"
The sun was setting, after all. After days without a proper meal, she was probably stuffing herself.
Gurgle.
He rubbed his belly.
"Making me jealous. Hold out a bit and eat together."
Ridiculous words. As if she knew when he'd arrive.
Grumbling, Yeon Hojeong climbed to the top floor.
There she is.
He spotted Muk Bi before even reaching the top. He treated her like one of the guys, but objectively, she was a stunning beauty. The kind that turned heads anywhere.
As he raised a hand to wave with a grin, Yeon Hojeong froze.
"Apologize already!"
"Utterly rude. How lowborn must you be?"
"Hey. You think standing there blankly fixes anything?"
A dozen men and women crowded Muk Bi. Some scowled, others raged openly, and some sneered with contempt. Shockingly, they all glared at her.
And Muk Bi stood there, looking somewhat flustered and hesitant.
The young man at the group's front sneered.
"No answer? If you've done wrong, shouldn't you at least apologize?"
Muk Bi stammered, "I already apologized."
"Apologized? That's it? Just a 'sorry' and done?"
Ha Seok arrogantly thrust out his chin.
"For such a grave offense, kneel and kowtow. That's a proper apology."
Fluster clouded Muk Bi's face. Raised in the isolated Gwanil Valley, she'd learned basic etiquette but lived cut off from society—mostly shooting arrows alone as a child. Real conflict left her mind blank.
It had nothing to do with her martial prowess.
"You want me to bow?"
"Why? Pride too precious? If you hurt someone, take responsibility fittingly. Don't you know that?"
Muk Bi's neck flushed red.
"Hurt? Besides, you were rude first."
"Rude...? She's completely deranged."
Crude words. Even Muk Bi couldn't stay calm.
Her face burning, she shot back, "I apologized even though I didn't need to. You should apologize to me."
She usually yielded first. Her indignation said it all.
Ha Seok snickered.
"I won't bicker with trash anymore. Kneel and apologize to Dong Sojeo—or offer something equivalent."
"...What?"
"We're heirs to Zhejang's finest clans. Not for riffraff like you to trifle with. We've held back only because of your companions' status."
Muk Bi's face hardened. "Companions" meant Yeon Hojeong. They knew him too.
"But since you erred, you take responsibility."
"Of course. But..."
"If you won't apologize, lick Dong Sojeo's feet. That's manners."
His cronies burst into laughter.
Muk Bi was dumbfounded. Inexperienced as she was, she knew this wasn't normal. The atmosphere around them felt off too.
They're avoiding it.
Some twenty diners occupied the top floor. Astonishingly, none intervened. A few seemed indifferent, but most deliberately ignored it.
Is this the jianghu?
Anger surged, but disappointment cut deeper. Caution followed.
Young Master Yeon.
They knew Yeon Hojeong. If he had ties to them, she couldn't act rashly. Even without, she couldn't cause trouble. Though unspoken, she saw him as her benefactor. She mustn't burden him.
That was her way.
"Then..."
As Ha Seok opened his mouth—
"Young Master Ha."
The group turned. At a window seat some distance away, Moyong Yeonhwa sipped tea.
"Her fault is great, but you've been too harsh, Young Master Ha."
"H-Have I? Haha!"
Ha Seok scratched his head awkwardly. Cocky with Muk Bi, he treaded carefully around Moyong Yeonhwa. Power dynamics laid bare.
"Even if she's at fault, getting dragged into this could tarnish your reputations, no? Best to let it drop here."
Moyong Yeonhwa asked the girl behind Ha Seok—Dong Sobang.
"What do you think, little sister Sobang? All right now?"
Dong Sobang pouted, rubbing her hand.
"Still stings a bit... but whatever. Like getting bit by a mutt."
"Naughty girl. Still, thanks for understanding."
To Muk Bi, Moyong Yeonhwa said, "They must've been shocked. As you see, they're Zhejang nobles—unaccustomed to worldly squabbles."
"..."
"You were startled too. Let me apologize on her behalf."
Muk Bi stared silently at Moyong Yeonhwa.
Ha Seok clicked his tongue.
"No manners at all."
"Young Master Ha."
"But it's too much. She should at least thank Miss Moyong."
Moyong Yeonhwa smiled.
"She's not used to worldly fights either. Understand, everyone."
"Ahem!"
Then Muk Bi spoke.
"Is it always like this?"
Moyong Yeonhwa looked puzzled.
"To me?"
"Yes."
"What did you say?"
"I asked if it's always like this."
"What is?"
"Is the jianghu always this petty?"
Ha Seok's eyes flashed murderously.
"You bitch!"
"Young Master Ha."
Moyong Yeonhwa's voice shut him up. But fury boiled; he panted heavily. His companions glared daggers too.
Moyong Yeonhwa's tone grew serious.
"Dangerous words. As I said, they're Zhejang nobles. But to answer..."
"..."
"Who knows? I don't think it's petty. If you'd apologized sincerely, would they be this angry?"
"I did apologize sincerely."
"Apologies aren't just words and faces. Sometimes posture matters by status."
Moyong Yeonhwa ended with a smile.
"She seems naive, so I kept it small. But remember: if they'd pushed, it'd have snowballed endlessly."
"..."
"Hope that's answer enough. Now, back to your meals."
Then—
"No need for that, is there?"
Moyong Yeonhwa's face stiffened.
Muk Bi turned toward the voice. Yeon Hojeong stood there.
In a calm tone, he said, "Trouble's started—finish it. Why cut it short? Make it bigger."