Tying Up Loose Ends (1)
Returning to his residence for some rest, Yeon Wi spotted Muk Bi staggering out into the courtyard. His eyes widened.
“Bi-ah.”
“Gasp! Oh, Father-in-law, you're back?”
“Yes. But...?”
Whoosh.
In an instant, Yeon Wi was right in front of her. His face hardened as he checked her pulse.
“Who did this to you?”
“Pardon?”
“Who the hell did this to you? This internal injury isn't minor.”
“Ah, this is...”
Muk Bi haltingly explained what had happened. Yeon Wi clicked his tongue.
“You attempted a most perilous training.”
“I-is that so?”
“Reversing your qi flow and twisting your established breathing method to launch an attack... It's easy to say, but infusing your soul into a single, killing strike is no simple feat.”
Far from simple—it was practically impossible in everyday life, where one rarely sensed crises on an instinctive level.
“Your focus is truly astonishing.”
Peak masters stabilized their inner energy through unique breathing and optimized their physical movements. In essence, it was the unification of mind, qi, and body—a preparatory stage for the complete harmony of essence, qi, and spirit.
Forcibly distorting that structure to manifest an extreme martial art was bound to wreck the body. If Muk Bi's realm had been higher, it might have been even more dangerous. Of course, at a higher realm, she'd have no need for such training in the first place.
“What is the core heart method that forms the foundation of your inner strength?”
“The Hwalgung Ganghyeon Beop.”
“Right. I hear it's primarily focused on dynamic cultivation.”
“Yes.”
Muk Bi awkwardly took a step. “That's why I came out here to circulate my qi as well.”
Yeon Wi shook his head. “Not good.”
“Pardon?”
“It might have worked before, but with internal injuries, dynamic training isn't efficient. Haven't you learned a heart method suited for static cultivation?”
“Ah! Yes, I have one.”
Hong Cheon Gi. Focused on explosive inner strength amplification, it naturally excelled at controlling the increased power. It was perfect as a supplementary method to the Hwalgung Ganghyeon Beop.
“Then, heal your injuries through static cultivation. I'll summon a physician.”
“Gasp! N-no need for that...”
“Never take internal injuries lightly. Especially warriors like Hojeong or you, who see frequent combat—you must be extra vigilant.”
Behind the stern tone lay subtle concern and affection.
“...”
Why was that? Was it because she'd never suffered such a severe injury before? Her heart felt strangely fluttery.
A question she would never have asked normally slipped out unbidden.
“Father-in-law.”
“What is it?”
With a confused expression, Muk Bi asked, “Why are you so good to me?”
It was a bold question. Yeon Wi answered with a fresh look of surprise.
“You're my son's friend, aren't you? As I said before, you're the first friend Hojeong has ever brought home.”
That was precisely what puzzled her. She now knew the world well enough—especially this martial world, where blindly trusting someone without reason was among the most dangerous acts.
Yet here he was, treating her so well just because she was his son's friend. Yeon Wi was the patriarch of the Yeon family, one of the Seven Great Clans. It didn't sit right that such a great man would do this for such a romantic reason.
“What if I'm a spy? Like the one from the Moyong family before...”
Yeon Wi smiled. He seemed to be smiling more often lately. Seeing it, Muk Bi felt a warmth in her heart.
“What spy in the world is as clumsy as you?”
“...Ugh.”
“Do you know what I learned while rooting out the Moyong spy with Hojeong?”
“...”
“True sincerity can't be faked through training.”
Muk Bi's eyes wavered. Yeon Wi shook his head.
“Spies are hard to detect because we don't try to read their true hearts. At least, that's what I believe.”
“...”
“You find me intimidating, don't you?”
“Pardon? Ah! W-well...”
“I know why. But I have no desire to make you uncomfortable. Nor do I intend to appeal to you or force it.”
“...!”
“Someday, won't you recognize my sincere heart when you call me Father-in-law?”
Muk Bi felt a sudden lump in her throat.
“I... I trust you, Father-in-law.”
“Good. That's enough.”
He called her his son's friend, but by now, Yeon Wi regarded Muk Bi like a daughter. He had only two sons, but more than that, her character appealed to him.
Muk Bi was pure. She'd lost much of it through life's hardships, but her innate nature was gentle. That gentleness was, in a way, even more striking than his second son's.
“Where's Hojeong, by the way?”
“Ah! Young Master Yeon stepped out for a prior engagement.”
Yeon Wi nodded. As the leader of an independent elite unit, he was in a position where such appointments were inevitable.
“Start circulating your qi for now. At your level, you'll be back to using martial arts without issue in four or five days.”
“Yes!”
It was then.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
Yeon Wi turned his head. Someone had arrived at Pa Gun Pavilion.
“Who might you be?”
“A delivery for Yeon Hojeong of the Bi-san Yeon Family at Pa Gun Pavilion in the Martial Alliance inner castle.”
“A delivery?”
“Yes, from Jiangsu Province.”
What could it be? Yeon Wi opened the main gate. A warrior set down a large box.
“Delivery complete. I'll take my leave.”
“You've worked hard.”
Yeon Wi picked up the box and shook it. Rattle. Clink.
He heard scraping from the box and the faint clash of metal pieces. Internally puzzled—what could it be? It felt like metal, but not a sword or saber.
At that moment, Muk Bi's eyes lit up.
“Could that be...?”
“Hm?”
“Maybe from Grandfather?”
“Grandfather?”
“Ah, Master Pyeon.”
Yeon Wi's eyes gleamed. A strange excitement lit Muk Bi's face.
“Looks like Young Master Yeon's item is finished.”
* * *
It's been a while.
His chest burned with heat, yet his mind remained strangely cool.
It's been ages since I last saw one like this.
Someone brazenly demanding better treatment from the Tang family head or barking for alcohol—it had truly been a long time. No, it was a first.
Everyone who'd faced Dang Gwan so far had been anxious, trembling in fear. Because they'd heard the infamous reputation of the world's most vicious Sichuan Tang family.
Of course, brazenness was brazenness, and rudeness was rudeness. Dang Gwan had no intention of forgiving Yeon Hojeong's arrogant attitude.
“Bring alcohol?”
“Oryang Yeok.”
“You've gone properly mad. Be grateful I don't slap you dead with one palm.”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head. “Why are you so angry?”
“What?”
“If anyone's to get angry, it should be me. No matter your age, you seem to look down on people too easily.”
It was absurd. Murderous intent gathered in Dang Gwan's eyes.
“You'll hear the reason in the afterlife.”
Tzzzzz.
Yeon Hojeong eyed his left hand. The rising energy was impressive even before the poison qi—its density alone was extraordinary.
With that level of inner strength, he rivaled Moyong Gun. No wonder he lorded over Sichuan.
Still the same.
Not his personality—his martial art's opening move.
“Is that Geumgwan Baekdoksu?”
Dang Gwan's eyebrow twitched. Staring silently, he spoke. “You know this art?”
“Weaken combat prowess with Geumgwan Baekdoksu, bind with the hidden Iron Net Divine Web technique, then end with Jeolmyeongjang.”
“...!!”
“Choosing the three-strike chain shows you see me as no pushover. If you did, you'd have gone for Sipjeong Dokjang to finish in one blow. Isn't that right?”
Shock spread across Dang Gwan's face. He hadn't even noticed Yeon Hojeong's subtly shifting tone amid the surprise.
“You...?!”
“How do I know your martial habits?”
Yeon Hojeong grinned coldly. “Why didn't you properly educate your son first?”
“What?!”
“Scared shitless, he spilled every detail without me even asking.”
“...!!”
“I figured I'd clash with you someday after smashing your boy like that. Good thing I memorized it.”
Dang Gwan's gaze wavered.
“Yangseon told you?”
“Who else?”
“Nonsense! Yangseon would never tell you that!”
“Believe it or not, your call. Point is, I'm the guest here, right?”
Yeon Hojeong had somehow righted the fallen chair and sat. Dang Gwan, glaring through his shocked, blotchy face, soon wore a chilling smile.
“You're lying, you bastard.”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head. “You're an interesting one. Do you think I was spying on you?”
“...”
“Anyway, when's the alcohol coming?”
Confusion clouded Dang Gwan's face.
Could it really be?
He looked at Yeon Hojeong again.
“...!”
Incredibly, Dang Gwan couldn't read his eyes. Narrow-minded and venomous he might be, scorned for it, but he ruled the world's most dangerous Tang family. His insight rivaled any old Jianghu master.
Yet even he couldn't pierce the man's true intent. His ability to discern truth from lies at a glance failed against Yeon Hojeong.
Dang Gwan spoke. “...Yangseon really told you?”
“That's not the point right now, is it?”
“Shut up! Answer my question clearly!”
“Why should I?”
“...?”
“I'm here to demand answers from you. Not to be interrogated.”
Yeon Hojeong grumbled lowly. “Your dimwit son pulled the same crap—do all Tangs act like this?”
Dang Gwan was dumbfounded. “Have you truly lost your fear?”
“Hardly.”
“Then how dare you act so insolent before me...!”
“Who the hell are you?”
“...?!”
“You think mighty highly of yourself, but that's just arrogance. Truly great people know how to judge themselves coldly.”
It upended everything. With the situation like this, admiration slipped out behind his boiling rage. No one but his father had ever provoked him this much.
Shhhh.
The killing intent emanating from Dang Gwan thickened exponentially.
“One thing I get now.”
“Hm?”
“Moyong family head misjudged you. If you were a nuisance, just kill you—that's it. No idea why he'd praise you as a monster.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled chillingly. “Moyong family head's smarter than you. He knows to worry about the aftermath.”
Dang Gwan smiled coldly too. “Probably 'cause your poison's weak.”
“You don't seem to think at all.”
“You've got more than enough reasons to die already—no need to get so worked up.”
“That's funny. I've got a move to ruin you too—want to hear it?”
“Don't make me laugh...”
“Why'd you do it?”
“What?”
Fwoosh!
Yeon Hojeong's pupils blazed red. “Why'd you send Hongyo Society to kill us, you son of a bitch?”