Four Gods Activation (3)
By the time Jegal A-yeon and Jegal Jun arrived near the rear garden of Choseong-ru,
Boooom!Kaaang! A heavy sound that shook the air, the resounding clash of metal on metal, filled the garden completely.
“Urk!”
A stifled groan escaped. Even in that short sound, his will to hold on somehow was evident.
“Hey! Your stance is wide open down low!”
“Eek!”
Yang Heum, wrapped head to toe in bandages, hurriedly lifted his left foot. But the massive iron staff didn't target his lower body—it aimed straight for his abdomen.
Thud!
“Guh!”
Yang Heum let out a groan and staggered before collapsing flat. He'd tried to endure, but the shock spreading through his entire gut buckled his legs.
“Hm.”
A satisfied smile that no one else could see flickered across Yeon Hojeong's face.
'As I thought, my hunch was right.'
Faint heat haze rose from the hand gripping the iron staff.
'With the family's heart method, I can get even stronger.'
He had trained in the Yeon family's martial arts since childhood. But after his clan was wiped out, meeting his master and learning new techniques had opened up a whole new world for him.
In other words, there was a separate inner cultivation method that had earned him the title of Black Dark Emperor.
Yet he had boldly decided to pursue the Yeon family's arts.
Yeon Hojeong recalled his master's words.
'Truth be told, if your level had been decent when we met, I wouldn't have passed on Vast Heaven Qi at all. It's enough to draw out the true power of Four Gods Martial Arts, but it can't take you beyond that. Of course, Vast Heaven Qi combined with Four Gods Martial Arts would still be enough to dominate a generation.'
Vast Heaven Qi was a heart method focused purely on amplifying inner strength, excluding any enlightenment aspects. That made it ideal for those starting martial arts late in life.
But the world had heart methods that surpassed Vast Heaven Qi. Naturally, the Yeon family's divine arts were on a higher level.
Especially their supreme divine art, which could only be formed after mastering the Five Divine Arts to their limits—it was said to be a cultivation method worthy of etching a mark in martial history.
That was why Yeon Hojeong had memorized all the formulas of the Five Divine Arts for Yeon Wi. He had to be ready to attempt it at any moment.
'Definitely better than Vast Heaven Qi.'
Just looking at the amplification of his force projection showed that Bi-ra Jin-gyeol outclassed Vast Heaven Qi.
'Once my attainment rises further, I can start on Four Gods Martial Arts right away.'
As Yeon Hojeong relaxed his stance in satisfaction, Yang Heum's voice reached his ears.
“Th-this dirty trickery...”
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
“Trickery? That mouth of yours is really getting on my nerves.”
Yang Heum clutched his belly as he struggled to rise, unable to even maintain a proper stance. It wasn't fatal, but the impact had been substantial.
“You said my lower guard was open, didn't you?”
Yeon Hojeong was dumbfounded.
“Does that mean I have to only attack your lower body if it's open?”
“B-but!”
“If I'd loaded force projection into this iron staff, you wouldn't even be standing right now. You gonna complain it was unfair after you're dead?”
Yang Heum bit his lip. He knew exactly what Yeon Hojeong meant.
In truth, calling it trickery was hardly fair coming from a Chaeng-eungdae member like him.
But he was frustrated.
From yesterday to today, in a total of twenty-three spars, he hadn't won a single one against Yeon Hojeong.
Yang Heum couldn't believe it. Everyone in the Yeon family knew the eldest young master's skill.
They'd heard he'd beaten a Namgung girl recently, but the Yeon warriors didn't consider it a fair fight.
To not claim even a single victory against such an opponent? Considering the difference in inner energy quantity and quality, it was utterly absurd.
“Well, anyway, it was fun. Thanks to you, I got a solid grasp on how to wield this against a real person.”
It was a remark that utterly crushed his opponent's pride.
As Yang Heum opened his mouth to demand a rematch,
“Yang Heum.”
“......Yes, Captain.”
“Withdraw for now.”
Yang Heum gritted his teeth and bowed his head.
“Thank you for your instruction, Young Master.”
“No, thank you.”
Yeon Hojeong glanced at Sin Mo.
“I need to wash up. Handle the rest.”
Sin Mo's eyes sparkled.
“You knew?”
“What was there not to know?”
“......Understood. Rest well.”
“Yeah, you too.”
With that, Yeon Hojeong headed to his quarters.
Yeon Jipyeong, who had been watching the spar from the side, scampered after him.
“Brother! Brother! That was amazing!”
“What was?”
“Taking on a Chaeng-eungdae member without conceding a single round? Incredible! But more than that, when did you train staff techniques?”
“While you were goofing off.”
“Hey!”
The brothers bickered playfully as they entered the quarters.
Sin Mo watched them until they disappeared, then turned his head.
“You two hiding there—come out now.”
Swish.
The Jegal siblings emerged with sheepish expressions.
Sin Mo spoke in a stern tone.
“You seem like scions of a famed orthodox clan, yet you peeped on another's training and spar? Surely you know that's poor etiquette.”
Jegal Jun bowed politely.
“We were overwhelmed by the atmosphere and ended up watching in a daze. It was inexcusable. We apologize.”
It was a clean apology, without excuses.
Regardless of right or wrong, Sin Mo was impressed by Jegal Jun's demeanor. Even giving him the benefit of the doubt for his youth compared to the young master, his conduct was remarkably mature. Even in sincere apology, he maintained composure.
Just from that, Sin Mo felt his wariness toward them fade considerably.
As Sin Mo opened his mouth to speak,
Snap!
“Eek!”
Jegal Jun staggered.
“Heavens! You idiot!”
“Ow, why'd you do that again?!”
“Do you even know who she is?”
“Huh? What're you talking about?”
“Seriously, are you really a Jegal? How do you plan to lead the house with that brain? I recognized her the moment I saw her.”
“......Huh?”
After a few coughs, Jegal A-yeon gave Sin Mo a proper greeting.
“Long time no see, Great Hero Sin.”
Sin Mo's eyes widened.
“Jegal? Then you two are...?”
“Hehe, five years, right? We met in Hubei.”
“Ah!”
Surprisingly, Sin Mo had met the Jegal siblings before.
Five years ago in Hubei, there was a villain committing all sorts of crimes. He was highly skilled and cunning, evading capture by all.
The Jegal family had taken him down, and Sin Mo had joined in during his wanderings.
That was how he had forged ties with the Jegal clan.
Jegal Jun seemed to recall it then too, staring at Sin Mo in shock.
“Gasp! The Mad Wind Sword Great Hero?!”
Sin Mo cleared his throat.
“I'd prefer you not mention that embarrassing nickname.”
“Then the one wielding the staff was...?”
“The Yeon family's young master.”
“Ah!”
Jegal Jun looked toward the quarters the Yeon brothers had entered with newfound awe.
The name of the Bi-san Yeon family burned hot even among the Seven Great Families.
It had to—rising to the ranks of the murim's top prestigious clans in less than fifty years since becoming known in the Central Plains.
Jegal A-yeon smiled and asked,
“I heard you joined the Yeon family as a retainer, Great Hero Sin. The Bi-san Yeon are a martial house that draws admiration from all. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Though they'd only spent a few days together five years ago, there was no awkwardness between Sin Mo and the Jegal siblings.
That was life in the jianghu. Even shallow ties were worth maintaining amicably—it helped.
Sin Mo knew it well, as did the Jegal siblings.
“Are you here for the later-generation summit too?”
“Yes!”
“Those kids from back then have grown so much already.”
Jegal A-yeon whispered with a sly expression.
“Got time by any chance? We ran into you like this—how about a drink?”
“S-Sis!”
Sin Mo chuckled and shook his head.
“I do have ties with you, but right now I'm just the Chaeng-eungdae captain of the Yeon family. I have to guard this place, so drinks can wait.”
“Heh, then how about this? Come to Hapbi with us, Great Hero Sin?”
“That's right.”
“Travel with us!”
“With you two?”
“Yes! The Yeon brothers are going to the summit anyway, right?”
“True, but...”
Sin Mo glanced toward Yeon Hojeong's quarters.
“I'll have to ask the young master first.”
“Hehe, got it!”
“By the way, just the two of you? No escorts?”
Jegal A-yeon grumbled.
“Well, that stubborn old fogey...”
Suddenly, Jegal Jun clamped a hand over her mouth from behind.
“Hahaha! Great Hero Sin! We'll come see you tonight! Great to see you!”
“Mmph!”
“Let's go! Come on, sis!”
“Pwah! Y-you little punk, shoving unwashed hands in my mouth...!”
“Jeez!”
Jegal Jun dragged Jegal A-yeon away in a hurry. From the inner energy he was using, it seemed quite urgent.
Sin Mo shook his head as the siblings vanished in an instant.
“They've grown remarkably spirited.”
* * *
“I'll relay it that way.”
“Good.”
As Sin Mo left, Yeon Jipyeong scratched his head.
“You sure it's okay?”
“What?”
“Um... traveling with the Jegal siblings.”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
“What's the problem? We'll see the same people at the summit anyway.”
“True, but still.”
“Plus, Sin-mo-captain has ties with them. Means less chance of a knife in the back. Not much time left, but better to have one more expert along.”
“Aw, brother. They're Jegal clan kids. They wouldn't stab us in the back.”
“That rotten Namgung bitch went nuts 'cause her house is crumbling?”
“......Well, not that, but.”
“Murderers come from temples, saints from back alleys—that's the jianghu. Ditch those stereotypes quick.”
“Yessir.”
Yeon Jipyeong looked a bit deflated, lowering his eyes.
Yeon Hojeong ruffled his hair wildly.
“Agh!”
“Just saying, dummy. Go rest now.”
“Huh? Aren't you eating, brother? Dinner's soon.”
“I'll rest first then eat. My limbs are aching. If I don't get up, just go ahead without me.”
“Oh!”
True, he'd been sparring nonstop since morning without a break—he had to be tired.
Yeon Jipyeong stood with an awkward expression.
“Rest up. I'll come by later.”
“Sure.”
With that, Yeon Jipyeong left the room too.
The smile on Yeon Hojeong's face gradually cooled to ice.
“Jegal, huh?”
He had sensed the Jegal siblings' presence mid-spar.
'Completely different. The nature of their true energy, and how they circulate their inner strength.'
He'd glimpsed the nature of their true energy when he first detected them, and the circulation when Jegal Jun dragged Jegal A-yeon away.
'Definitely not like the attackers'. But... I'll keep an eye on them until Hapbi.'
He hated complications, yet he'd allowed them to travel together for this reason.
His sharp instincts were well-honed, but even without them, he analyzed further.
'Ideally, I'd get a proper look at their martial arts.'
Yeon Hojeong's wish came true sooner than expected.
That night, as Choseong-ru bustled with crowds,
Kwaaaang!
One of the inn's outer gates collapsed entirely.
“You dogshit Yeon bastards! I was wondering where you'd slunk off to—you were hiding here! Get out here now!”