A Warrior's Values (4)
The Tang family of Sichuan. A unique martial house renowned across the Central Plains for its mastery of poison and hidden weapons.
Given the White Path's pursuit of upright justice and morality, poisons and hidden weapons were weapons that were hard to accept. They were tools specialized for assassination rather than fair and square combat.
The first family to shatter that preconception was the Tang family. Their primary weapons were as vicious and ruthless as poison itself, but they never crossed the bare minimum line of decency.
Of course, none of that history mattered to Yeon Hojeong. Unconsciously, he rubbed his solar plexus.
The unpleasant sensation of the ox-hair needles embedded in his dying chest was still vivid.
'Dang Gwan.'
Dang Gwan, the vice-leader of the Martial Alliance. The viper-like bastard who had sent his body, already bound for the Yellow Springs, straight to the afterlife.
He flinched! His grip tightened involuntarily on the iron staff.
The instinct of the Black Dark Emperor, who never forgot a grudge, was awakening.
'......'
Yeon Hojeong steadied his mind. His opponent wasn't Dang Gwan. Even if it were, he couldn't attack just because of a grudge.
Right now, he wasn't the lord of Heukje-seong—he was the eldest young master of the Yeon family.
At least as long as they didn't provoke him first, rash actions were off-limits.
"By the way, who might these gentlemen be...?"
"This is Young Master Yeon Hojeong of the main family, and Young Master Yeon Jipyeong."
Han Homyeong smiled and greeted them.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Han Homyeong."
It was a greeting so plain it bordered on curt.
Sin Mo's face stiffened slightly. To Han Homyeong, they might just be sons of another family, but this was a gathering of the Seven Great Families' young successors.
His tone might be excused, but standing with hands behind his back like he was lording over inferiors was unacceptable.
As Sin Mo was about to speak up—
"Greetings to Sir Han. I am Yeon Jipyeong, second young master of the Yeon family."
Yeon Jipyeong performed a crisp cupped-fist salute. Unlike Han Homyeong's arrogance, his greeting was polite and proper.
Han Homyeong burst into hearty laughter.
"Young master Yeon, eh? I've heard the Yeon family's second son from Bi-san is a martial prodigy overflowing with talent. Seeing you in person, the rumors seem true enough."
Yeon Jipyeong smiled modestly.
"You're too kind. I lack such talent, and compared to my brother, I'm nothing."
All eyes naturally turned to Yeon Hojeong.
Interest flickered across Han Homyeong's face.
"Young master..."
"Captain Sin."
Sin Mo bowed his head.
"Yes, Young Master."
"I'm hungry. Let's find seats and eat first."
"Understood."
"Set watches in rotation. No need for guards here, so let the rest rest."
"As you command."
Sin Mo spoke to Han Homyeong in a stiff tone.
"We'll head in first. Rest well."
With that, the Yeon brothers entered the manor with Chaeng-eungdae.
Han Homyeong's eyes darkened. His affable smile had vanished.
"Even blunt fangs can still bite, eh?"
At that moment—
"Sir Han."
"Yes, Young Master."
The young man who had received Han Homyeong's deferential greeting—Dang Yangseon—tilted his head.
"That arrogant punk—is he really the Yeon family's eldest young master?"
"Seems so."
"Hmm? Is he sick or something?"
"Pardon?"
"He looks sturdy enough, but his energy feels too ordinary? His level's nothing special."
Han Homyeong stated flatly.
"Street rumors say the Yeon family's eldest is the classic case of a tiger father, dog son."
"Oh ho?"
"In contrast, the second son is said to have talent surpassing even the current family head."
"Same blood, but talents poles apart? That's interesting."
Han Homyeong bowed his head.
"From what I've seen, Young Master, there's no need to pay him any mind. Best to ignore him."
"Eh?"
"Pardon?"
Dang Yangseon shrugged.
"At least he's got some guts? Showing that attitude in front of a Tang family member— that's not easy."
There was a saying in the martial world: Prepare for the Tang family's poisons and hidden weapons, and you'll live ten years longer.
Earning the Martial Alliance's grudge meant sleepless nights from worry, but crossing the Tang family meant ending your life right then.
People feared the Tang family's martial arts and ruthless nature that much.
"Anyway, we got here too early. Let's unpack and sightsee Hefei."
"Understood."
The Yeon family was already erased from their minds.
Having arrived early, they could choose any room they wanted. Servants who had come ahead to prepare guided them.
Yeon Jipyeong glanced at Yeon Hojeong.
"Um..."
"Hm? What? Something to say?"
"Is that okay?"
"What?"
"The Tang family."
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"Why them?"
Yeon Jipyeong swallowed involuntarily. 'Them?' If a Tang subordinate had heard his brother, they'd be furious.
"Did we do something wrong?"
"Pardon? Oh, no! I mean..."
"Hey, Captain Sin. Did I mess up anywhere?"
Sin Mo replied deferentially.
"Absolutely not."
Absolutely not. The words were amusing, but Yeon Jipyeong couldn't laugh. Sin Mo's face was grave.
It wasn't about Yeon Hojeong. He was angry at Han Homyeong's arrogance.
Visibly furious, Sin Mo added,
"On the contrary, I think you handled it well."
"Did I?"
"Yes. 'You can't know a man's heart even if you dive ten fathoms into water, but sometimes you can know ten from one glance.'"
"So, best not to deal with them?"
"This is a gathering of the Seven Great Families' successors. Even if not your own house, basic courtesy toward other families' heirs is proper."
Yeon Hojeong said with an amused expression.
"Sure, his posture was off, but it wasn't a big mistake."
"If it had been unintentional, I wouldn't say this much."
"You knew?"
Sin Mo bowed silently.
Yeon Jipyeong asked, puzzled.
"Knew what?"
"Han Homyeong, was it? That punk didn't act like that on his own."
"Then?"
"The Tang guy put him up to it."
"What?!"
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"Curious, but too proud to step forward himself. So he sends a subordinate to provoke and fish for info."
"......!"
"Classic move. Boring as yawning."
"Then, brother ignoring them was...?"
"Never wanted to talk from the start. Why get dragged in?"
Yeon Jipyeong let out an exclamation. And felt ashamed. He'd worried needlessly without realizing.
Yeon Hojeong ruffled his hair.
"In that sense, you're growing up straight and true."
"Me?"
"Yeah. I ignored them, but you treated them with the courtesy our house taught. Not everyone can do that just because they're taught. Especially at your age."
Yeon Jipyeong blushed.
"I-I'm not..."
"Father said it: Enduring insults isn't patience—it's cowardice. But don't bark back at a dog's bark."
Yeon Jipyeong coughed awkwardly.
"I didn't mean the Tang people are... dogs or anything."
"Just a figure of speech. Sin here and I have twisted hearts—we can't live by the book like Father or you."
Yeon Hojeong turned to Sin Mo.
"Right, Captain Sin?"
Sin Mo smiled faintly.
"Seems so."
"See? Ignoring them is easier. The straight path's always the hard one."
Confusion crossed Yeon Jipyeong's face.
"I don't get it."
"Simple. Live as you've been taught, as you've always done. I wish you'd be more flexible, but don't abandon who you are now."
"......Am I not wrong?"
"Never. You're upright, ideal. Plenty of fools will mock it as unrealistic, but those idiots will never grasp that the world's foundation is built on ideals, dead or alive."
"And you, brother?"
"Me?"
"Yes."
Yeon Hojeong smiled bitterly.
"A blockhead who can't tell dogs from men."
* * *
Two days passed in a flash.
Yeon Hojeong secluded himself until the gathering day. Yeon Jipyeong did the same.
Yeon Hojeong reviewed his martial arts and planned ahead; Yeon Jipyeong pondered his identity.
The other families' young successors didn't arrive until the night before. They were probably touring Hefei's markets.
No further clashes with the Tang side, who had traded barbs on arrival—their lodgings were far apart.
Thus, the two days passed peacefully.
The morning of the gathering day.
As Yeon Hojeong circulated his energy in his room, Sin Mo's transmission reached him.
[Young Master.]
[Speak.]
[The Namgung and Paeng successors have arrived.]
Flash! Yeon Hojeong's eyes snapped open.
More refined Bi-ra Jin-gyeol qi gathered in his eyes. A clear blue light flickered briefly in his once-faint pupils before fading.
He rose and walked to the wide-open window. Fine view, perfect sight of the manor.
A group entered through the main gate.
'Namgung.'
A tall, strikingly handsome man. An extraordinary sword at his waist, confident expression.
Even from afar, his refined aura was palpable. Undoubtedly a Namgung successor.
His bearing resembled Namgung Sanghwa's, even before his looks.
But Yeon Hojeong ignored him. His gaze shifted to two young men.
Similar height to the Namgung heir, but far more imposing builds.
'Paeng!'
Yeon Hojeong's eyes deepened.
Woooom. The Bi-ra Jin-gyeol in his dantian surged through his meridians.
Sublime Black Tortoise Qi rose from his lower back, cooling his head.
Tzztztzt. His senses sharpened.
Birds chirping afar, wood incense in the room, even a speck of dust on his skin—he felt it all.
'......'
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
'What's this? Their auras are completely different.'
To judge precisely, he'd need their energy circulation methods. Their inner energy's nuance too.
But their auras were so unique it made that pointless.
The Paeng aura had zero overlap with the attackers'—not even a speck.
'No good.'
Confirming from the window had limits.
Yeon Hojeong swiftly left his quarters and headed to the outer gate.
"Hm? Who's that?"
"Dunno... not a servant?"
The Paeng successors muttered. Trying to be quiet, but their massive frames boomed.
All eyes turned to Yeon Hojeong.
He ignored them, arms crossed by a tree, scrutinizing the Paeng heirs.
'As I thought.'
His expression soured.
'Need more confirmation, but...'
No matter how he looked, they weren't it. His gut said so, though he'd keep watching.
Paeng leadership might differ? Head said possible, heart said no.
As Sin Mo said, Paeng seemed a house where one glance revealed ten truths.
'......'
What to do? He decided.
'Wait till the Myeong. Plenty of time. No rush.'
Then—
"......Can't you hear?"
A sharp voice drew Yeon Hojeong's gaze. Namgung Hyeon.
"Whoever you are, staring like that on first sight is rude, no?"
The Paeng successors roared with laughter.
"Haha! No need, Brother Namgung. We're fine. Right, little bro?"
"Not like it wears out."
"See?"
Rough speech, but an odd innocence shone through. Hard to fake.
Yeon Hojeong cupped his fists, steam deflated.
"My apologies. You resemble someone I know."
"Hahaha! Another brute like me? World's wide indeed!"
"Brother. Maybe me?"
"Don't be ridiculous. If he resembled you, he'd run—madman. You'd make a fine bandit."
"Forgot? We're twins."
"Twins don't have to look alike."
"......What does that even mean?"
Now he saw—their personalities matched their builds: lively.
Impossible to fabricate.
"Anyway, who might you be, young master?"
"Yeon Hojeong."
"Yeon Hojeong?"
"From Bi-san Yeon family."
"Whoa! Bi-san Yeon!"
In that instant, Yeon Hojeong saw it. Namgung Hyeon's eyes change.
Paeng Daeho, Paeng young master, rushed over and grabbed Yeon Hojeong's hand.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed. His fingers naturally probed toward Paeng Daeho's pulse.
"Kahaha! A Yeon man! Nice to meet you! Always wanted to!"
"Hm?"
"Haha! Just personal curiosity! I'm Paeng Daeho! That bandit behind me's my lacking brother, Paeng Manho!"
Shaking wildly, no focus for pulse check.
But he analyzed their energy clearer through contact.
'Paeng last for now.'
Then—the gate opened again.
"Oh! More arrivals! Who?"
Clunk! A sibling pair entered with escorts.
Namgung Hyeon's eyes widened. Paeng brothers froze.
The youth was fine, but the woman's beauty was stunning. Not lavish clothes, yet she lit up the surroundings.
Namgung Hyeon muttered unwittingly.
"A-yeon?"
"Eh?!"
Jegal A-yeon pointed at the group.
As Namgung Hyeon smiled and raised his hand—
"Jeong-ah!"