A Warrior's Values (2)
“Hoo, this is frustrating.”
Yeon Jipyeong's face looked utterly dejected as he hugged his knees to his chest.
“Am I wrong?”
Yeon Jipyeong felt stifled. Having lived his entire life according to the Yeon family's laws and teachings, he had been deeply shocked by his brother's actions at Choseong-ru two days ago.
Big brother.
Yeon Jipyeong recalled Yeon Hojeong from that day. Eyes so cold that even the north wind and snow would flee in fright. His brother had shown no reaction even when someone fighting the villains was in peril. He had remained utterly indifferent.
In the end, his brother had gone to help the Jegal siblings, but up until then, he hadn't acted like a true White Path warrior at all.
Some people say results matter more than the process—what's the problem? But to Yeon Jipyeong, the process was just as important as the outcome.
He didn't know what his brother was thinking, but that behavior had clearly been wrong. So Yeon Jipyeong was confused.
His brother had once made his life difficult, but he'd never thought of him as a bad person. Quite the opposite—he'd seen him as kind and weak.
He'd felt plenty of regret for his own thoughtless actions that had disappointed such a brother.
Yeah, there must have been circumstances. Even though he was under attack from villains... there's no way brother would act like that without reason.
Yes. It was bewildering, but he could understand that much somehow.
But his brother's demeanor when killing the arsonist, Ma Bang—it had been a shock beyond words.
It was too horrific.
Thinking back, Yeon Jipyeong felt chills creeping over him once more.
After subduing the foe with extraordinary martial arts, his brother had grabbed him by the collar and dragged him before the flames. Then, with an expressionless face, he'd hurled the villain into the fire—a ruthless act.
Burning a man alive...
Even after such brutality, his brother hadn't seemed fazed at all. If he'd at least looked satisfied, that might have been one thing. But the way he'd gazed at the dying Ma Bang was the epitome of apathy.
No one could look at a roadside pebble with such heartlessness.
That action, those eyes, that aura—it had been a tremendous shock to Yeon Jipyeong.
Big brother. Are you really the brother I know?
Now he couldn't tell what was what anymore.
After burying his face in his knees for a long while, Yeon Jipyeong sighed and stood up.
“What a fool I am.”
If he had questions, he should just ask. If it was a misunderstanding, he should clear it up. Brooding wouldn't solve anything anyway.
Yeon Jipyeong wanted to go to Yeon Hojeong and talk it out.
As he headed toward where the group was, he suddenly spotted two figures moving away—a man and a woman.
Eh? Big brother?
It was his brother and the Jegal family siblings.
Where are they going?
Yeon Jipyeong hesitated for a moment before following behind them.
How much time passed like that?
“This should do.”
“……”
“I have something to ask.”
“Ah, yes!”
Something to ask? Curiosity flickered across Yeon Jipyeong's face.
Normally, he'd feel repulsed by eavesdropping, but right now, he found himself watching as if entranced.
“How much do you know about your family?”
“Pardon?”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed. In the dark forest, his piercing blue gaze gleamed like beastly phosphorescence, eerie and unsettling.
Jegal A-yeon involuntarily sucked in a sharp breath.
“The martial art you used against that arsonist—it was no ordinary technique.”
“Th-that was…”
“Judging by its level, it could pass for your sect's secret art. Your proficiency was low, but the technique's completion was outstanding.”
“……”
“They wouldn't pass such an art to someone who's not the next family head, even if they were blood kin.”
Jegal A-yeon's neck flushed slightly.
“Does Young Master Yeon mean to say I stole and learned it?”
“That's not what I'm saying.”
“Then…?”
“I'm asking if the Jegal family possesses enough martial arts to teach secret techniques even to non-heirs.”
Jegal A-yeon tilted her head.
She couldn't grasp the intent behind the question.
Possess many martial arts? Of course a great family like the Jegals would have hundreds.
“Let me put it simply. Does your family possess any martial arts?”
Foreign/em> meaning…?”
“Righteous arts that have never been revealed in the Central Plains.”
Even if he asked, she might not answer honestly. But Yeon Hojeong hadn't expected truth from the start.
He was observing just one thing.
Her eyes.
Forged in a life of countless betrayals and near-deaths in the black path, his discerning eye was unmatched.
It wasn't just him—long-surviving black path denizens considered such insight basic.
The sharpness to pierce a person's nature with a glance and a few words. The meticulousness and stubbornness to double- and triple-check even after confirmation.
That was why he'd been called the Black Dark Emperor, surviving at the black path's pinnacle for so long.
“I don't know why you're asking, but… even if I do, I can't reveal my family's secrets to you, Young Master Yeon.”
Jegal A-yeon answered calmly.
She had no prior private talks with him, but she already saw Yeon Hojeong as dangerous. Someone she couldn't tell even the smallest thing.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes deepened.
Jegal A-yeon swallowed unconsciously.
Just who is this man?
Was he really the eldest son of the prestigious Bi-san Yeon family?
The heir of one of the Seven Great Families should be different, no matter what.
But Yeon Hojeong exceeded that by far.
It wasn't about his martial prowess.
Those eyes and that aura—they belonged to a battle-hardened warrior who'd seen it all.
Like a savage fighter striding leisurely across the wilderness after crushing countless foes.
He reminds me of Uncle Hwang.
Not in strength, but in temperament. Uncle Hwang was the roughest, sharpest, and most terrifying person she knew.
Yeon Hojeong, who had been staring silently at Jegal A-yeon, nodded.
“I see.”
“Yes.”
“……”
“Pardon?”
“I said I see. You can go now.”
Jegal A-yeon was flustered once more.
What the hell?
He'd called her out with eyes like he might devour her any second. Now he looked bored with the world, dismissing her like an afterthought.
…It hurt her pride. Why was she getting this treatment?
“Um, excuse me.”
“What?”
She'd asked, but no words came to mind. Jegal A-yeon faltered for the third time, hesitating before him.
She was always bold anywhere, but strangely, she shrank around Yeon Hojeong.
What did I ever do to this guy to keep getting...
Suddenly, Jegal A-yeon's expression hardened. She bowed her head deeply.
“I'm sorry.”
“For what?”
“It was because of us siblings—actually, because of me. You got dragged into needless danger on my account. I sincerely apologize.”
She clasped her hands in a formal salute and bowed at the waist. It brimmed with genuine remorse.
Though her face was hidden, one could imagine the self-reproach etched there.
“Were they your enemies?”
“Not enemies, exactly, but…”
Jegal A-yeon briefly explained the situation.
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“Then no need to apologize.”
“Pardon?”
“It happened because you helped someone out of goodwill. The ones who deserve punishment are those who chased you to the end—not you. It wasn't your fault, so no need to apologize.”
“B-but still…”
“If it really bothers you, go compensate the inn and the people who suffered losses materially. That's what you should do.”
Jegal A-yeon couldn't respond easily.
No crime in helping out of goodwill? It was true.
She'd have said the same even to Yeon Hojeong.
But it was surprising coming from him. The Yeon Hojeong she knew seemed like a cold pragmatist.
“Well… yes, of course.”
“Good.”
“……”
“What? Not going?”
“Can I ask one thing?”
“What?”
“Not prying or anything. I have no right to interrogate you, Young Master Yeon. I'm just curious, so please don't take it the wrong way.”
“So what is it?”
“Don't you think it was a bit cruel?”
“Hm?”
“That guy who burned to death. The one who called himself the Reohwabang leader.”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
“Why would that be cruel?”
“To ordinary eyes, it could seem plenty cruel. Everyone who saw it was shocked, I'm sure.”
“Over that?”
“…It's not 'just that.' Even for an enemy, burning someone alive?”
“Well, one could think that way.”
He brushed it off lightly.
Jegal A-yeon was astounded by his nonchalance.
“He was a villain who set fires to kill innocents, but it felt excessive. Not a normal method, at least?”
“Then is cleanly beheading him normal?”
“…No, but at least there's no suffering.”
“Exactly why that won't do. That bastard deserved to die in agony.”
Jegal A-yeon's eyes widened.
“If he'd targeted just you siblings, fine. But he needlessly set fires, trying to kill countless innocents. That's a capital crime, obviously.”
“True, but…”
“Death is equal for all—villain or hero. So my view is, the path to it should at least be torment.”
“Do you see yourself as a judge?”
“If I were, I wouldn't kill him—I'd lock him in purgatory.”
She'd never met such an outrageous person.
Jegal A-yeon was shocked by Yeon Hojeong's words, yet felt a strange envy too.
She didn't know the depth of his reflection, but he had conviction. His own firm standards.
Sometimes, living simply is harder than complicating things. His philosophy was straightforward, yet born of unimaginable anguish.
Now it was even harder to believe.
How old is this guy, really?
Speech, ideology, decisiveness, martial arts—nothing matched his age.
Gazing at Yeon Hojeong, Jegal A-yeon let out a pfft of laughter.
“Thank you.”
“How many greetings is that?”
“Didn't you treat my wounds and draw out my little brother's poison?”
Yeon Hojeong didn't reply.
Jegal A-yeon bowed once more.
“You're our siblings' benefactor. I'll repay this favor somehow.”
“No need.”
“You know, your speech sounds like an old man's.”
“Shut it.”
“Tch, so stiff.”
Jegal A-yeon grumbled as she turned.
“Talking so much right after waking up made me hungry. Gotta grab something. Wanna come?”
Yeon Hojeong glanced at the bushes.
Shhh. The rustling faded into the distance—like a mole burrowing away.
“Sure.”
“Hehe.”
“Don't stick to my side.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“……”
“Hey, how old are you really?”
“Forty-six.”
“Don't lie, old man.”
“Eighteen.”
“Eek?! What?! I'm your noona then! Hey! I'm a year older than you!”
“……”
“Wanna be friends?”
“No need.”