To the Hometown (1)
“What?!”
Muk Bi’s eyes went wide.
“The overall leader for this mission?”
“More precisely, the hidden powerhouse behind the scenes,” Yeon Hojeong said with an awkward grin.
“I’ll handle the practical command as the strategist, but since Huigae’s coming along too, the top title will probably go to him.”
“That’s not the issue right now!”
“Then what is, you punk?”
Worry clouded Muk Bi’s face.
“Isn’t Tu Wang Yang Cheon a monster even Father can’t handle?”
She knew plenty about the martial world by now. Even so, imagining the full might of a master she’d never seen was no easy task. Among the top experts she knew of, even Yeon Wi struggled against him—that alone was enough to spark dread.
But her real concern lay elsewhere.
“We still have to go.”
“Fine, going is one thing. But Moyong Gun’s commanding the strategy?”
That was it. That was what worried Muk Bi.
She’d witnessed Moyong Gun’s schemes countless times at Yeon Hojeong’s side. She might not match Yeon Hojeong’s cunning, but the man was dangerous enough.
“If Moyong Gun gets serious……”
“Not this time.”
“Huh?”
“He won’t target me this time. He might pull some pranks, sure.”
“You’re certain?”
“I think so.”
In other words, no full certainty.
Even the great Yeon Hojeong couldn’t peer straight into Moyong Gun’s heart. It was only natural.
Distress settled over Muk Bi’s features.
“If he just promises not to……”
“I’m the one who volunteered.”
“Huh?”
“The plan didn’t originally include me. I asked Moyong Gun directly. Said I’d go there.”
“……Why?”
“Plenty of reasons. Cuts down on needless sacrifices, lets us move more flexibly.”
“That’s really all?”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Of course not.”
Muk Bi didn’t press further. If there was more to tell, he’d have said it already.
But one thing she needed clear.
“I’m coming too.”
“No.”
“……”
“Can’t bring you on this op. Rest up for now.”
“Why?”
“You and I—we’re both too distinctive. Word about you’s probably spread all over after wiping out those Black Path sects.”
“Same goes for you, Young Master Yeon.”
“I can manage without my axe.”
“……”
“Your hand-to-hand’s decent enough for a pinch, but not life-or-death. One slip, and you’re done.”
“Every battle we’ve fought so far was dangerous too.”
“Different scale. Putting out a village fire versus charging into a wildfire.”
He was dead serious—must be that risky.
Yeon Hojeong’s face grew solemn.
“But there is a role I want you for.”
“……What?”
“No telling how long it’ll take. Too many variables.”
“……”
“But at the end, we’ll need to break out of Yang Cheon’s turf. Odds are low for a clean escape or stealthy slip-away.”
“……”
“Once things wrap up, I’ll call for backup right away. Join that force.”
Muk Bi’s eyes wavered.
She got it. She didn’t have to be in the support unit.
Yeon Hojeong was persuading her. The guy who’d bluntly nail painful truths without hesitation was asking her to stay back.
Staring at him, Muk Bi sighed.
“When do we leave?”
“Not set yet. Soonest a week, latest two at most.”
“A week to two……”
Muk Bi nodded.
“Got it.”
“Sorry.”
“What’re you sorry for, Young Master Yeon?”
Yeon Hojeong looked genuinely regretful.
“Asking the world’s top demon—who’s gotten a taste for lopping off heads—to hold back……”
Thwack!
“Guh!”
Yeon Hojeong staggered.
She’d nailed him square in the gut.
“Y-you little shit, you hit me?!”
Muk Bi snorted loudly.
“Go die out there!”
“You damn brat!”
She stomped off to her quarters, furious at his rotten joke.
Rubbing his belly, Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“Heh, guess she worries after all.”
Suddenly, he winced.
“Damn, when’d she train her fists like that? Ow, fuck, that hurts. Nearly hurled.”
Hand-to-hand aside, her punch packed real power. Casual hit like that, and if she went all-out, she’d crack boulders.
Sitting on the bench, he let out a deep sigh.
“Hoo, no rest for the weary.”
And that was the truth.
With the Mad Faith Three Sects eyeing the Central Plains, constant motion was key. Bolster forces, tighten defenses—prep for invasion.
Yeon Hojeong steadied his mind.
Maybe this’ll unite the White Path under one banner.
If solid proof linked Yang Cheon to the Mad Faith Three Sects.
Then, no need for his words—they’d all turn eyes outward.
If only.
Of course, the Black Path needed uniting too. No small task.
Deep in thought, Yeon Hojeong scratched his head.
“Damn it, shelve the big-picture stuff. Focus on what’s now.”
A gruff voice cut in.
“Didn’t expect ‘now’ to mean that.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled wryly. He’d sensed his father already.
“You’re here.”
“Yes.”
Yeon Wi got straight to it.
“You’ve wedged yourself into the heart of this op?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Wi fell silent a moment.
Yeon Hojeong tensed inwardly. Father had changed much, but core nature didn’t shift easy. A scolding wouldn’t surprise.
Half an incense stick’s time passed.
“Gave one, so take one back, you said. But now? Not taking—you’ve leaped right into the enemy’s jaws.”
“No such thing.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll use those jaws to rip chunks from the enemy. Anyone else? They’d be devoured before baring teeth.”
“……”
“And beyond that, I’ve got something else to bring.”
“What?”
“A Tang man.”
Yeon Wi’s eyes gleamed.
“Tang man?”
“One of the Tang riding with Moyong Gun. Planning to snag him.”
“Possible?”
“Of course. Won’t flip him overnight, mind you.”
Unthought-of words. Son’s mind was sharp, no doubt. Feasibility aside, the angle differed from his own.
Yeon Wi sighed.
“Could’ve said something first.”
Yeon Hojeong bowed his head slightly.
“Sorry. No excuse on this.”
“Hoo.”
Frustrating, surely. First detached force leader of the Martial Alliance? Worth celebrating.
But glory or not, combat units meant endless battles. Some say more experience gladdens a martial artist’s heart.
Yeon Wi agreed. Yet parental worry wasn’t so rational.
Yeon Hojeong was his son. Beyond growth, constant mortal peril wasn’t welcome. And now, riskier ops plus potential betrayal? Unbearable.
“Huigae’s with you, I hear.”
“Yes. Didn’t expect that.”
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Talked much with Huigae lately. Frivolous at times, but deep-hearted, loyal sort. Skills go without saying.”
“True.”
“Good man at your side—silver lining.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“I’ll return safe. No worries.”
“As if I can’t worry.”
Yeon Wi gazed skyward. Sun neared zenith. Time before meeting.
Danger… danger.
He closed his eyes. Son heading to death’s door, nothing to give? Skills top-notch, but parents always want more.
“Leaving the axe?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Wi turned.
“Follow me.”
Father and son headed to the clearing where he’d sparred Gong Gong-daesa.
Yeon Hojeong scanned around.
Changed.
Someone had trained hard here. Landscape utterly different. Ground leveled, broken trees cleared—but battle scars lingered.
Hm?
Light flashed in Yeon Hojeong’s eyes.
That…?
A severed tree stump bore eerie marks. Dozens of stab wounds, fragile to the touch.
Nothing special in the traces, but the qi penetration? Terrifying.
Infiltration Sword Force… masterful. Single strike left those marks.
On a human body?
Sword force through wounds shreds nerves, pulverizes organs.
Chilling art. More shocking: the familiar feel in those traces.
“I did it.”
Reading his mind, Yeon Wi spoke.
“Training Iron Sword Great Chain, honing sword’s lethality.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes shook.
“Not like you, Father.”
“It is. And it isn’t.”
“Pardon?”
“I seek the Middle Path in martial arts. Middle Path touches all ten thousand. Master elegant living sword? Then wield world’s cruelest killing sword too.”
“……!”
“I’ll embrace that savage path I’ve shunned.”
“……I see.”
Incredible. Mindset shift alone birthed such fearsome swordplay. Beyond family style, a swordsman ascending to peak.
Yeon Wi’s face hardened.
“We’ve had brutal spars lately, right? Even killing blows.”
“Yes. You used them.”
“True. But never true killing intent on you.”
“……”
“Today, I will.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes shook again.
Hummmm.
A verdant glow bloomed from Yeon Wi’s fingertips.
“Won’t draw sword. But for this bout, I’ll see you as a foe deserving death.”
“……!”
“Prepare. I’ll go all-out.”