The Moment of Resolve (5)
“Family head. A letter has arrived from the provisional Murim Alliance.”
“Hand it over.”
Yeon Wi’s eyes flickered as he unfolded the letter. I Baekhyeon asked curiously.
“What is it...”
“It’s from the Shaolin abbot.”
“...!”
“He proposes holding a meeting next year at the New Year to decide on establishing the Murim Alliance. And to make the decision within three days.”
Yeon Wi let out a sigh.
The Murim Alliance.
The Murim Alliance had to be established. With unknown calamities looming in the future, the orthodox martial world needed a central hub and a position of authority.
But for now, Yeon Wi thought it unnecessary. Creating the alliance would multiply maintenance costs several times over, altering the flow of funds across the Central Plains. The Yeon family wouldn’t mind, of course. They earned unimaginable sums each month, with more than half going toward stabilizing the lives of the common folk. Tightening their belts a bit more wouldn’t change much.
The problem lay with the minor sects. The orthodox world wasn’t spotless. To gather funds, they’d overreach, and the ones to suffer would be the innocent civilians.
However...
He recalled his eldest son’s words.
I believe it’s time for you, Father, to spread your wings as never before.
The alliance leader’s seat should be left vacant for the right person. But we need like-minded patriots to join that leader in dominating the world.
Yeon Wi pondered his son’s words seriously.
Hojeong wouldn’t say such things lightly.
He recognized his eldest son as a fully mature adult. Beyond being his child, Yeon Hojeong was a rivers-and-lakes figure with keen insight, someone worth learning from.
He must know the repercussions of establishing the alliance. Yet he urged a vote in favor. He’s seen something I haven’t.
What could it be?
Hojeong.
He pictured his son’s face from that moment. Clear, deep eyes. But his expression had been different from usual—urgent, burning with determination to see his will through.
What exactly did you see?
It frustrated him. He’d told his son to leave such matters to him, but now that reality pressed in, the dilemma weighed heavily.
His son’s voice echoed in his mind once more.
When things get tough, don’t try to handle it alone. Call for me.
Yeon Wi smiled wryly.
I said I’d carry you, yet here I am, already needing your help.
No helping it. His son was right. Two heads were better than one. With such exceptional talent, there was no need to shoulder it alone.
Suddenly, Yeon Wi frowned.
That said, the boy still hasn’t sent a letter.
It didn’t anger him. No need for anger. But he worried. Had something happened out there? Was he eating properly?
It’s about time he returned.
At that moment, a murmur rose outside the family head’s chamber. Yeon Wi’s eyes sharpened.
“F-Family head! The young master has returned! But...!”
Paak!
Yeon Wi flung open the office door and strode out. In moments, he crossed the inner courtyard to the outer one, where Yeon Hojeong finally came into view.
“...?!”
Yeon Wi’s expression changed drastically.
“I’m back, Father.”
“What the hell happened to you?”
Yeon Hojeong’s body was caked in blood. The scabs on his wounds suggested they were several days old.
“Lock this bastard in the dungeon first.”
Thud!
What hit the ground was a middle-aged man who appeared in his forties. Yeon Wi’s eyes turned icy.
“What are you waiting for? Drag him to the dungeon now.”
“Yes, sir!”
The warriors hurried over and hauled away the unconscious Mong Ui.
“What happened?”
“It’s a long story.”
Yeon Hojeong glanced at Muk Bi.
“How’s your stamina holding up?”
“I’m fine. You’re the one who’s a mess, Young Master Yeon.”
Yeon Wi shook his head.
“Forget this. Let’s get you to the infirmary. No— I’ll summon the physician. Just hold on a bit.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“I appreciate the physician, but I’m not badly hurt. Don’t worry.”
“Hah.”
Even the Judge Sword Yeon Wi struggled to keep calm seeing his son wounded. He had to admit this was the most flustered he’d been lately.
“I’ll wash up and change first. Muk Bi.”
“Yes.”
“Explain to Father first.”
“Ah, got it!”
It wasn’t something Yeon Wi could brush off. Muk Bi bowed to him.
Yeon Wi watched his departing son, then turned to comfort Muk Bi.
“Let’s head to the family head’s chamber.”
Half a shichen later.
Yeon Hojeong entered the chamber, ignoring Muk Bi’s relieved face.
“You’re here.”
“Yes.”
“How are the wounds? Your qi feels unstable, and your face is pale— signs of internal injury.”
“Ah, I burned through my inner energy rushing back. No actual injuries, so don’t worry too much.”
“I see...”
Yeon Wi nodded.
“I heard the situation from Bi-a. Assassins ambushed you?”
“That’s right.”
Yeon Wi’s gaze chilled momentarily.
“Was it the Moyong family?”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“I can’t be sure. I tried interrogating them, but they came at us so fiercely I had to wipe them out.”
“Then the one in the dungeon?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled wryly.
“Tried threatening him on the way, but his lips are sealed tight.”
“...”
“Not trained silence. It’s in his nature. He won’t crack easily. But I couldn’t just leave him, so I brought him.”
“Damn it...”
“I pushed hard in case more were targeting me.”
“Good call. Smart judgment.”
His son’s situational awareness was exceptional. Setting aside the hardships he’d endured, making such swift decisions in bloody combat was commendable.
“What do you think?”
“Can’t say for sure, but Moyong Gun seems the most likely.”
Yeon Hojeong deliberately said Moyong Gun, not the Moyong family.
Tzutzutsu.
Killing intent finally rose from Yeon Wi’s body.
“That bastard really...”
Muk Bi paled. Yeon Wi’s killing intent wasn’t flashy. It was quiet and chilling, seeping into the body like it would shred the heart meridians.
Yeon Hojeong cleared his throat.
“Father.”
“Hm? Ah...”
Yeon Wi immediately suppressed it and sighed.
“Bi-a, sorry about that.”
“N-No, Family Head.”
“You’ve been through a lot too, and I showed you my ugly side. You’ve truly suffered.”
Muk Bi shook her head.
“I didn’t do anything. Young Master Yeon handled it all.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“Don’t make me laugh. Without your ruthless archery, we’d have been done for. I owe you my life.”
“Ah, no. Really not.”
“Why not rest inside? You must be exhausted.”
Muk Bi subtly checked Yeon Wi’s reaction. He nodded.
“Yes, I’ve kept you too long. Go rest.”
“Ah, then I will?”
As Muk Bi rose awkwardly, Yeon Wi spoke again.
“Bi-a.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“Thank you again.”
Muk Bi smiled. Yeon Wi was still intimidating, but she appreciated an elder who thanked her like this.
“No need, Family Head. I’ll head in first.”
“Go on.”
As Muk Bi left, Yeon Hojeong sat.
Yeon Wi’s eyes turned fierce again.
“High chance it’s Moyong Gun?”
From Yeon Wi, who valued propriety, the name Moyong Gun emerged—not the family head’s title. It showed his fury.
“As I said, not certain. Threats like this can come anytime, anywhere. High probability it’s him, but we can’t assume.”
“...”
“The problem is the assassins. They were highly trained killers. The kind a group could use as disposable tools, even elite black path assassins.”
Yeon Wi’s eyes widened. Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Their movements and unique killing arts mixed southern and northern styles. Likely an assassin group operating in Hubei, with its many waterways...”
Yeon Hojeong flinched mid-sentence. His father’s gaze was peculiar.
He hurried on.
“Anyway, hard to pinpoint their organization now. Even asking the Beggar Sect would be tough.”
“...How do you know so much about them?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Just picked up bits here and there.”
Most who’d made names in the black path knew assassins well. Especially Yeon Hojeong, at its pinnacle. He’d even modeled organizations under Heukje-seong after them.
“But if it’s the Yeon family they’re after, not me, that’s worse.”
“What?”
“If it’s personal hate toward me, fine. But hating the Yeon family changes things. I was going to bring Jipyeong, but didn’t want assassin traces leading there, so I rushed back alone.”
“Then?”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Yes. We need to send people there. To prepare for any attack.”
He’d sent a few Bi-eungdae squads with Yeon Jipyeong. But it might not be enough.
“I can’t go myself. If I’m the sole target, it’d drag Jipyeong in needlessly.”
“You’re right.”
“Given the situation, release the Chaeng-eungdae captain’s seal. Or better, deploy the Bi-cheon Swordsmen.”
The Bi-cheon Swordsmen were the Yeon family’s peak experts. Sword ghosts living ten li from the main house, armed with the family’s secret ultimate arts.
“That works, but the Bi-cheon Swordsmen are overcoming a major hurdle now. No need to disturb them at this critical moment.”
“But Father.”
“I’ll go myself.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes widened.
“You, Father?”
“Better I go alone than with a group.”
Yeon Wi’s martial arts rivaled the top among the six great families’ heads. He could crush most assassin groups effortlessly or evade them in a blink.
“Then the family...”
“You handle it.”
“Pardon?”
Yeon Wi rose, drew the longsword from the wall, and strapped it on.
“When father’s away, you’re the head. Protect the home until I return.”
Yeon Wi turned.
“I’ll be back in three days.”
Yeon Wi kept his word. Three days later, carrying Yeon Jipyeong on his back, he returned to the Yeon family estate unchanged from departure. Not a speck of dust on his fluttering robes.
But Yeon Hojeong knew. How desperately his father had rushed. The Judge Sword, Judge Hero, the strongest in Gangdong’s Bi-san Yeon Family. The soles of his shoes, unable to withstand his transcendent lightness skill, were worn clean through.