Discovery of Fire (1)
“Deputy Leader. The guest sent from the Moyong family has arrived.”
Yang Cheon, sitting on the raised dais with his eyes closed, opened his mouth.
“Bring them in.”
“Yes.”
Kugugung!
The door opened with a heavy rumble, followed by small, light footsteps.
Yang Cheon’s lips curved upward.
‘Not bad.’
He had heard she was still young. Considering her age, she had accumulated considerable martial prowess.
She wasn’t some peerless genius or battle-hardened veteran, but as expected from a prestigious family, her personal skills were quite impressive.
Sapak.
A faint tension seeped from the sound of her robes brushing the stairs.
It was only natural.
This was a meeting between a young later-generation talent and one of the legendary figures of the current era—one of the Thirteen Seats of the Heavenly Star.
She couldn’t help but feel tense.
‘They’re different, after all.’
A trace of bitterness crossed Yang Cheon’s face.
‘Jeong... there was no one else quite like him.’
Jeong’s footsteps had a different ring to them from the start. He had been tense, but he exuded a majestic aura bolder than anyone under heaven—like he himself was another absolute being, striding forth like a giant en route to meet a foreign king. An intense sense of pride had emanated from him.
It was truly remarkable confidence.
No matter how great one’s personal strength, few in the world could display such magnanimity when facing one of the Thirteen Seats of the Heavenly Star.
Thinking about it, it felt like a bad deal that didn’t add up.
Jeong was a genius who would undoubtedly grow into a giant capable of contending for supremacy over the world within a decade if properly nurtured.
But this girl climbing the stairs? Forget a decade—even after thirty years of training, it was questionable if she could reach that level.
‘No helping it.’
She was just a bridge to connect with Moyong Gun from the start.
She wasn’t truly his own person, so there was no real disappointment.
Yet the lingering regret meant Jeong’s impression had been that profound.
“Moyong Yeonhwa of the Moyong family pays her respects to the Emperor of the Black Path.”
Yang Cheon opened his eyes.
Below the dais, on the red carpet, a slender girl was prostrating herself in greeting.
‘Still...’
Her voice carried composure.
She was tense, but she knew how to control herself well enough.
Jeong had been so exceptional that it overshadowed her, but objectively, she was talented enough to earn praise.
Yang Cheon, who had been silently gazing down at Moyong Yeonhwa, finally spoke.
“Raise your head.”
Moyong Yeonhwa lifted her upper body.
Yang Cheon’s eyes gleamed.
‘Hm.’
Her beauty was secondary.
The gaze of the girl looking up at him was quite bold.
In her clear black-and-white eyes lingered even a hint of anticipation.
‘...No wonder he called her an exceptional child himself.’
You can’t know a person until you see them in the flesh.
Her eyes were better than expected.
The regret over Jeong had amplified it, but seeing her now made him nod involuntarily.
“I assume you’ve heard the circumstances from your father.”
Moyong Yeonhwa bowed her head.
“Yes. Though my abilities are lacking, I will devote myself to Muk Ryong Bu.”
Yang Cheon’s lips curved again.
A mischievous urge suddenly stirred.
“Did you hear this too? If your father acts even slightly suspicious, you’ll die the most miserable death in the world.”
These were the words of Tu Wang Yang Cheon, sovereign of the world.
They didn’t sound like empty threats.
“I am aware of that as well.”
“Is that so?”
“Though I have many shortcomings, I am a later-generation talent of the White Path martial world who has received some recognition. I know such things without being told.”
“Hoo.”
Moyong Yeonhwa raised her head again to meet Yang Cheon’s gaze.
She was suppressing it as best she could, but Yang Cheon’s presence wasn’t something one could simply block out.
Yet Moyong Yeonhwa stared straight into his eyes with dignity.
“I don’t know how the Deputy Leader sees me, but I have come staking my life for my family. I’m not fool enough to come to a place that might become my grave without considering the worst case.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“I’m curious. How did your father convince you?”
“No convincing was needed. Father needed me, and I simply didn’t want to betray his expectations.”
“As you say, this place might become your grave. Weren’t you afraid?”
“Since I’ve staked my life, I’ll learn much in return.”
“Oh ho?”
Moyong Yeonhwa smiled.
A forced smile. Beads of cold sweat dotted her forehead.
But for some reason, Yang Cheon found her clumsy smile appealing.
Yang Cheon nodded.
“You must have had a hard journey. Rest in your quarters until I summon you again.”
“Thank you.”
“What was your name again?”
“Yeonhwa. Moyong Yeonhwa.”
“I see. You may withdraw.”
Moyong Yeonhwa bowed politely and retreated with quick steps.
Yang Cheon rested his chin on his hand.
“...The White Path is full of talent.”
* * *
Bi-san Yeon Family Estate.
A prestigious martial family that had appeared like a comet fifty years ago. Though its forces were small, it was evaluated as worthy of contending for supremacy over the world due to its martial prowess and chivalrous spirit.
The martial world, whether White or Black Path, was inherently conservative and stingy with praise for others.
For it to rise to the pinnacle of the strong in less than half a century was truly remarkable.
Naturally, the Black Path had no choice but to keep an eye on Bi-san Yeon Family.
A rising power of the White Path meant a new enemy for the Black Path.
And Gang Ryang was the successor to that top Black Path sword sect.
He naturally knew much about the Yeon family.
‘I’d heard, but...’
Yeon Hojeong had said he was the commander of the Muryeong Alliance’s Myeol Sa Army and a scion of Bi-san Yeon Family.
Having entered the Muryeong Alliance, he inevitably had to meet the family head.
But facing the head of that rumored family in person stirred emotions beyond words.
‘Judge Sword Yeon Wi. The strongest swordsman of Gangdong, leader of the Yeon family’s ghostly sword wielders!’
Gang Ryang swallowed hard.
“What are you doing?”
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
“I greeted first. Isn’t it common courtesy for you to do the same?”
Gang Ryang snapped to attention.
He clasped his hands in a crisp salute.
“I am Gang Ryang. I am...”
After a brief hesitation, Gang Ryang closed his eyes and spoke in a calm tone.
“The successor to the Black Path’s foremost sword sect, Gwi Cheol Geom Mun, and the sole surviving bearer of Ghost Blood. It is an honor to meet the head of the Yeon family.”
He hadn’t originally planned to reveal his origins.
But he changed his mind.
Hiding his affiliation in front of such a giant was tantamount to insulting the man.
Moreover, it was a matter of pride.
‘Though my sect was destroyed, my pride remains unbroken.’
How would he respond?
How would the head of Bi-san Yeon Family, symbol of alliance and harmony, treat the successor to the Black Path’s top sword sect?
“You must have had a hard journey.”
Gang Ryang’s eyes flew wide.
He looked up at Yeon Wi.
The expression of Gangdong’s foremost sword expert was utterly serene.
“I’ve heard the rough details.”
“......”
“I can hardly claim to understand the pain of losing parents and siblings. But since fate has connected us through my son, though this isn’t your home, please stay comfortably in our residence.”
Gang Ryang’s eyes wavered.
Yeon Wi smiled.
“That said, your sect leader must have taught you well. I’ve rarely seen a later-generation talent with such solid fundamentals. Even my eldest isn’t quite at your level.”
Yeon Hojeong grumbled.
“That’s a bit hurtful, Father.”
“Quiet. After drowning yourself in liquor like that, how could your basics be solid?”
“Please think of it as ascetic training to forget the sword.”
“You’ve got a way with words.”
Yeon Wi glanced at the splintered tree.
“You seem full of distracting thoughts. Training is good for that, but a good rest can be the answer too.”
“......Pardon? Ah! Yes, sir.”
“Stop tormenting that poor tree and head to your quarters. You haven’t eaten, have you? Let’s fill your stomach first.”
“Ah! I-I’m fine. I’d like to train a bit more...”
“This is advice from a senior in the way of the sword, not as an elder. Your inner energy seems geared toward explosive output over stable flow. Swinging in such an unstable state will only ruin your senses.”
“......!”
Yeon Wi said to Yeon Hojeong.
“I’ll go ahead and inform the head chef. Come along.”
“Understood.”
Yeon Wi turned and headed toward Pa Gun Pavilion.
Gang Ryang stared blankly at his retreating figure.
With hands behind his back, walking leisurely, he resembled a scholar who had mastered the ways of the world.
“What are you doing?”
Startled, Gang Ryang looked at Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong pointed at his sword with a bored expression.
“Sheathe the damn thing. Roughly clean up here and let’s go.”
“......What just happened?”
“What do you mean?”
He still couldn’t shake his shock.
Gang Ryang said with a dazed face.
“How can he be so calm?”
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“He’s a funny guy. So why be nervous? Even if you attacked with your skills, he’d smash you in one exchange.”
“No, that’s not it...”
Gang Ryang shook his head.
“I am the successor to Gwi Cheol Geom Mun.”
“So?”
“The sword sect that claimed to be the Black Path’s best was Gwi Cheol Geom Mun.”
“Ah, so what?!”
“To Bi-san Yeon Family, isn’t Gwi Cheol Geom Mun a clear enemy?”
“Did you stab any Yeon family members behind my back without me knowing?”
“No! That’s not the point! Black and White Paths are sworn enemies! Even if the sect was destroyed, your father’s attitude is too...!”
“Calm?”
“Yes!”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head sideways.
“Is calm a problem?”
“......?!”
“Since we’ll be living together from now on, I’ll tell you ahead of time: my father is pretty inflexible.”
“......Huh?”
“He’s the type who values propriety. If you don’t follow etiquette, he’ll glare with those fierce eyes, and even if his busy son in the martial world can’t send letters, he’ll chew him out.”
“Guhk!”
“But there’s one reason I like my father.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“He doesn’t do false pretenses.”
“......!”
“He always treats people with sincerity. Know what that means? He doesn’t get swayed by rumors—he sees and judges a person’s true nature.”
Gang Ryang felt his fist clench involuntarily.
Not swayed by rumors. Easy to say, but not everyone could do it.
“Father trusts me. And I brought you into the Muryeong Alliance. Black Path or not, that’s reason enough to respect you.”
“......”
“So quit the nonsense and clean up, you punk. Couldn’t hold back and wrecked it already, damn it.”
Yeon Hojeong grumbled as he tossed the uprooted weeds and broken wood into the forest.
Gang Ryang followed Yeon Wi’s retreating figure with trembling eyes.
By now, Yeon Wi was far away.
‘...Sees the essence without being swayed by rumors.’
Yeon Hojeong bellowed.
“What are you doing, man! Clean it up quick!”
“Hup! Ah, got it.”
Gang Ryang scrambled to move as if his butt were on fire.