Chapter 19. A Warrior's Values (3)
"Family head."
"What is it?"
Even after years as the Yeon family chief steward, Taekyeong remained not just deferential but cautious around Yeon Wi.
"A letter has arrived from the Moyong family."
"From the Moyong family?"
"Yes."
A flicker of puzzlement crossed Yeon Wi's impassive face. The Moyong family was one of the Seven Great Families, just like the Yeon family. Unlike the upstart Bi-san Yeon family with its short history, the Moyong boasted over five hundred years of tradition in the martial world. Perhaps because of that, the Yeon family had little to do with them. They'd exchanged greetings a few times at the White Path Martial Alliance, but that was the extent of their connection.
"Hand it over."
"Here it is."
Yeon Wi's eyebrows twitched as he read the letter. Taekyeong asked carefully, "What does it say?"
"A business proposal."
"Business?"
Yeon Wi set the letter on the table and drummed his index finger against it.
'Join forces?'
Jiangsu Province, home to the Yeon family, was a hub for maritime trade alongside Zhejiang Province. Prestigious sects often established branch halls in Jiangsu and Zhejiang to conduct trade. The Yeon family, rooted in Jiangsu, was involved in it too.
'So the Moyong family wants in on this as well?'
In the past, the Moyong family had been based in Liaoning Province on the distant frontier of the central plains. But after the Blood Sect Uprising three hundred years ago, they'd relocated to the heartland in Hunan Province. Settled inland, Yeon Wi had assumed they had no interest in sea trade.
Apparently not.
After a moment's thought, Yeon Wi shook his head. "No, that won't do. Chief steward."
"Yes."
"Prepare writing materials."
"Ah, yes!"
Yeon Wi dashed off a reply in moments and let it dry. His brushwork was elegant, befitting a swordsman renowned for his literary and martial prowess.
"Deliver this to the Moyong family."
"Understood!"
"You may go."
Taekyeong bowed deeply and left the family head's chamber. As Yeon Wi turned back to his work, his gaze drifted to the window. A faint shadow of worry clouded his stoic eyes.
"...It must be cold there too."
"Whoa!"
Yeon Jipyeong's face lit up with uncontainable awe.
"Amazing, brother!"
As they entered Hapbi, the streets teemed with people. But it was more than that—the city's splendor was breathtaking. It rivaled Suzhou, which shared heaven's praise with Hangzhou.
Yeon Jipyeong gawked at everything around him. It felt worlds away from coastal Jiangsu. From the buildings to people's clothes, every sight burst with vibrant colors that delighted the eyes.
Jegal A-yeon, watching the excited boy, nudged Yeon Hojeong. "Your little brother's riding a high tide right now. Last night he looked like he was carrying the world's burdens, but now? Must be the sea air from growing up by the coast."
"..."
"Does he always get like this?"
"Shut it."
"Even when you talk, you're all prickly."
Yeon Jipyeong bounded over to Yeon Hojeong, face flushed with excitement. "Brother! Brother! Wanna hit that market over there? Come on!"
Embarrassment crossed Yeon Hojeong's features. "How about we secure lodging first?"
"Lodging can be anywhere! Right?"
Well, true enough.
"They look fine, but rest comes first."
Yeon Hojeong nodded toward Jegal A-yeon and Jegal Jun. Yeon Jipyeong winced. "Ah! S-sorry. I got too carried away..."
Jegal A-yeon waved it off with a goofy grin. "Pfft, no worries. Don't mind us—go have fun. We'll handle the inn."
Jegal Jun chimed in. "Yeah. We've got two days anyway, so we can relax nearby."
The Jegal siblings turned to Sin Mo in unison. "Right?"
Sin Mo cleared his throat. "Young master, what do you say?"
All eyes turned to Yeon Hojeong. He glanced around and nodded. "I'll head to the meeting hall first. Anyone who wants to play around, go ahead."
"Ahem!"
"Oh..."
A cough and a disappointed groan sounded at once. Yeon Hojeong scratched his head. He'd spoken without thinking, and it felt like it sowed misunderstanding.
"No, really, I don't mind."
"Hey, still, that's not cool."
Yeon Hojeong shot Jegal A-yeon a glare. She shrank back like a turtle but pressed on. "We're here together, so we should stick together. Ahem!"
"Don't you two have your own stuff to do?"
"Huh? Like what?"
"Shouldn't you start by finding those escorts from your family? The ones you probably ditched?"
"Eek?!"
Jegal Jun stiffened his limping leg straight. Yeon Hojeong scowled. "Figures. If you don't find them before the meeting starts, those poor escorts will head back home and get flogged."
"Nooo!"
Whoosh!
Jegal A-yeon hoisted Jegal Jun onto her back in a flash. No time for protests.
"We're outta here! Sin swordsman! See you at the hall! Little Jeong! Catch you later!"
"Gaaah! Sis! Put me down! A real man...!"
"Shut it, you weakling!"
Thud-thud-thud!
The Jegal siblings vanished in an instant. Everyone stared blankly at the spot they'd left.
Yeon Hojeong muttered, "Friendly to the bitter end, those two."
Whether Beggar Clan or Seven Great Families, he had to suspect everyone. Doubts about the Jegal family had mostly faded, but who knew? He'd seen incidents explode from nowhere too many times.
It wasn't time to drop his guard on the Jegals yet.
'To know for sure, I need to see their heavyweights. No room for carelessness.'
Then Yeon Jipyeong spoke up. "Brother."
"Yeah?"
"Let's head to the meeting hall."
"Huh? Didn't you wanna check out the market?"
Yeon Jipyeong smiled brightly. "What's fun without you? I'm good."
"No need to force it. If you insist, maybe just till tonight..."
"No, no. Thinking about it, we're not here to play. It's a gathering, but we can't tarnish the family name. Better to get our heads straight."
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
'Grown up well.'
At this age, boys thought differently. Still pure, but with deeper insight.
"Alright, let's do that."
"Yes!"
The group headed straight for the meeting hall. As they walked, Yeon Hojeong pondered.
'Junior gathering starts in two days. Lasts three. It's a social event more than a meeting, so I need to scope out everything in that time.'
As a gathering of later-generation talents from the Seven Great Families, numbers were small. Even if each sent six or seven, it'd be under fifty. Crucially, he had to gauge every individual's martial arts and inner energy.
At his current level, analyzing others' inner energy just by looking was impossible.
'Not full fights, but spars or physical contact might let me...'
Then—
"Sorry."
"Hm?"
Yeon Hojeong looked at Yeon Jipyeong. "What'd you say?"
"Sorry."
"For what?"
Yeon Jipyeong bowed his head. "I... actually overheard you, brother, and Jegal sis talking in the woods yesterday."
"I know."
"Gasp! Y-you knew?"
Yeon Hojeong chuckled. "You hid your energy so sloppily, how could I not notice?"
"Oh..."
"No need to apologize for that. If it bothered me, I'd have called you out first."
Yeon Jipyeong's face burned red with shame and regret.
"And besides."
"Hm? Did you do something else wrong?"
"...Not really, but still, sorry."
Yeon Hojeong chuckled unwittingly. At first, he hadn't understood his brother's mood. But last night's talk with Jegal A-yeon had revealed why Yeon Jipyeong had been so quiet.
'I was too oblivious.'
He had no intention of changing his ways or views. But he'd neglected his brother, and that stung.
Yeon Hojeong ruffled Yeon Jipyeong's hair wildly. "Eek! B-brother!"
"Kid, you're too young to keep saying sorry. It'll become a habit."
"But...!"
"My views are too sharp and rough, so I don't connect easily with people. Sometimes I don't even try understanding them. Gratitude and guilt don't come naturally."
"..."
"No need to be that extreme like me. But living with thanks and sorry on your lips isn't great either. Different isn't wrong, right?"
"Is that so?"
"That's how I see it."
Yeon Hojeong rarely imposed his thoughts on his brother. He preferred prompting reflection. He wanted him to see broader and deeper—not become someone who mistook others' views for his own.
Sin Mo watched the chatting brothers, a strange light in his eyes.
'Such deep brotherly bonds.'
He'd thought the same on the way to Choseong-ru. It puzzled him. Everyone knew the eldest young master despised the second.
But reality differed. To Sin Mo, the Yeon brothers seemed closer than any.
'And...'
Sin Mo's gaze fixed on Yeon Hojeong's back.
'Incredible.'
The urgency had blinded him then, but reflection brought endless awe. Martial arts aside, his judgment was masterful. Like a veteran of countless crises, his responses were swift and precise.
'Where did he gain such experience?'
Martial prowess could come from private family lessons. But navigating crises with breath-like ease? No manual taught that.
'Not a one-off. Truly unfathomable...'
"Sin captain."
"Yes? Ah, yes!"
"Send one man to stand watch at the meeting hall entrance."
Sin Mo startled and looked around. They'd reached the entrance. It was just a borrowed manor, though vast enough for hundreds.
"Of course."
"And report immediately on anyone entering—who from which family, how many."
"As you command, young master."
"Good."
Yeon Hojeong rolled his shoulders. "Shall we go in?"
Sin Mo knocked on the manor gate.
Thud! Thud!
"Anyone inside?"
A voice replied promptly from within. "Who is it?"
"From Jiangsu's Bi-san Yeon family. Open the gate."
Moments later—
Creeeak!
The doors swung open, revealing the spacious courtyard. And a group nearby.
"Bi-san Yeon family?"
"That's right."
The man at the front bowed. "I'm Han Homyeong of Sichuan. Honored to meet the Yeon warriors."
Sichuan. Han Homyeong. Though they'd never met, Sin Mo knew him instantly.
"Poison Dragon Iron Whip Han Homyeong?!"
"Haha! Honored you know me."
Like Sin Mo, Han Homyeong was a peak master renowned in his region. And they shared another trait: serving the top martial house there.
Lightning flashed in Yeon Hojeong's eyes. Behind Han Homyeong stood a youth of average build but sharp gaze.
"Tang family."