Confession (3)
Thud!
“That’s it for today.”
The soldiers scattered across the training ground jumped to their feet and bowed their heads.
“Thank you for your hard work!”
“Yeah, you too.”
As Yeon Hojeong slung the Gwangryongbu over his shoulder, he pointed at Paeng Manho.
“Manho.”
“Yes, brother.”
“You should pay more attention to your footwork.”
“My footwork?”
“Your blade art is all about power. It’s gotten much lighter and faster, so now you need to learn how to put weight behind it. To pressure and crush your opponent, the force has to come from your lower body. Focus on that.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
Next, Yeon Hojeong called out to Yeoguk.
“Feeling under the weather lately? Your sword speed’s a bit off.”
“I’ve been immersed in blunt sword training recently. That’s probably why.”
“It’s your call what principle you pursue, but you can’t let your combat ability slip. It’s just a slight slowdown now, but give it time, and it’ll turn into a glaring weakness.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“If you want to delve deeper into blunt sword, I recommend pairing it with hand techniques. If that’s too tough, treat the hand not holding the sword like another blade. Just that awareness alone will help a lot.”
“Thank you.”
“Good.”
The last one he called was Song Yeon-gyeong.
“Yeon-gyeong.”
“Yes, Army Lord.”
“Your spearwork’s power is impressive. You could move to the next stage soon.”
“R-Really?”
“But more power inevitably means losing finesse. Ami Sect spear arts focus on straight, majestic strikes, so you need to be extra careful. Your skill’s deepened, but if you can’t control that power, you might hurt the ally next to you.”
“Ah……!”
“When true energy alone isn’t enough for control, single-arm training works wonders. Practice wielding with one hand what you used to swing with two. Your true energy will naturally adjust in strength.”
“Thank you.”
“Just watch your joints—they’ll take a beating controlling a heavy weapon one-handed. Circulate your energy morning and night to soothe them properly.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Alright, good work.”
Yeon Hojeong’s insight was sharp and precise. Conversely, his advice was remarkably flexible. He treated all the soldiers equally, but tailored his counsel to each individual’s personality. A subtle difference, but one that built deeper trust.
Even Yeon Hojeong, once steeped solely in the brutal ways of the black path, had now internalized this finesse.
“Whew.”
Jegal A-yeon let out a low whistle.
“What’s with you today?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re extra gentle. Something up?”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“I’m always gentle.”
“Yeah, right, you vicious bastard.”
“Watch your manners.”
“Yeah, right, you vicious sir.”
“Agh!”
Yeon Hojeong threw up his hands in mock exasperation and walked off.
Jegal A-yeon shouted after him.
“Hey, where you going? You promised to check the new offensive formation!”
“I already did.”
“When?!”
“While you were napping. It was fine. I noted fixes on the tactical map—check it out.”
“What?!”
“I’m heading out first. Oh, and Muk Bi, be back by early You hour. Father’s waiting.”
With that, Yeon Hojeong left the training ground.
Jegal A-yeon stared sullenly at his retreating back.
“What’s really up with him?”
She turned to Muk Bi.
Muk Bi, who’d been sitting and resting, blinked at her like a cow.
“Why?”
“Sis.”
“Yeah?”
“Is that guy celebrating his birthday or something today?”
“Nah, he didn’t say anything like that.”
“Then why’s he in such a rush?”
“He said Father called us all for a talk. That’s all I know.”
“A talk?”
Jegal A-yeon scratched her head. Sounded like family business. No matter how close they were, prying into that would be rude.
Hmm.
She glanced back at Muk Bi, who shrank her neck for no reason.
“What’s wrong, little sis?”
“You’re totally family now, sis. Family.”
“Me? What family?”
“His family.”
“Yeah, Father took me in as one of his own.”
“I know that.”
Jegal A-yeon shook her head.
“Anyway, that house is one big research subject.”
She’d long heard how Muk Bi had joined the Yeon family. It wasn’t her skills that earned her a spot—Yeon Wi had accepted her simply because she was his son’s friend with no roots. Rare trust in the harsh martial world.
And Muk Bi’s changed demeanor alone showed how much the Yeon family cherished her.
That’s why they’re so strong.
Most martial factions were insular. But not the Yeons. Unlike typical sects, they showed remarkable openness.
You couldn’t display that breadth without strength. And that openness made them even stronger.
“Alright, let’s drill the formation in an hour. You’ll help too, right sis?”
“Of course.”
Back at his quarters, Yeon Hojeong washed up and changed into casual clothes.
Whooooosh.
The wind was fiercer than during training—still hours from sunset, yet the darkening sky promised snow.
“Damn, it’s biting.”
He’d roamed every corner of the Central Plains, but as the Black Emperor, his base had been in the south. Snow was rare there.
Not so at Dae Byeol Mountain, home of the Martial Alliance. Snow fell almost daily, piling knee-deep once it started.
“That’s why I avoided winter as much as possible.”
Even battling the White Path as lord of Heukje-seong, he’d sidestepped winter campaigns. Defending a formation was fine, but offense? The north’s chill hobbled soldiers.
Cultivating inner energy didn’t make you immune to cold. Sure, masters at the “unaffected by heat or frost” realm existed, but most weren’t.
For them, winter war was brutal.
“Now, though……”
Yeon Hojeong closed his eyes.
“I’m sick of fighting. Wonder when this endless brawl will end.”
As long as humans walked the earth, conflict wouldn’t cease.
But at least I can end mine.
His eyes gleamed coldly.
Yang Cheon will start hitting back in earnest soon.
He’d branded Heuk Yang a traitor and confined him. Yang Cheon must suspect Saneumgyo—the whole Three Sects.
Saneumgyo planned to use Muk Ryong Bu as a Central Plains foothold. But Yang Cheon sniffed it out, so I’ve indirectly blocked their advance.
Fwoosh.
Thinking of Saneumgyo ignited his Vermilion Bird Qi unbidden. His heart blazed, blood racing. His clear, deep pupils flushed red.
Yeon Hojeong shut his eyes.
Hoo.
The flames subsided.
His rage at them wouldn’t fade until they were gone. But he could control it.
This directionless fury? I’ll hoard it and unleash it when I face them.
Opening his eyes again, his face was utterly calm.
Whooooosh.
The wind howled fiercer. Soon, thin flakes rode it, signaling the storm.
Yeon Hojeong lit the candle on the table.
Flicker.
The flame danced perilously in the rattling window gusts.
Gazing at it, he closed his eyes again. Sitting ramrod straight, he resembled a stone Buddha, serene and unyielding even after a millennium.
And time passed.
“Did I come too early?”
Yeon Hojeong opened his eyes. Yeon Wi had entered unnoticed.
“You’re here.”
“I am.”
Yeon Wi brushed snow from his shoulders.
“Snowing again. Seems heavier than last year.”
“I’ll clear around the quarters at dawn.”
“Good, thanks. Meeting’s at first light.”
Yeon Wi sat opposite. He asked curiously,
“Where’s Bi-a?”
“Told her early You hour. She’ll be here soon.”
“I see.”
Silence fell. Father and son sat wordless across the candle, eyes locked.
Yeon Wi’s gaze on his son held no tremor—just pure depth.
Yeon Hojeong’s on his father was equally deep, yet rippling endlessly.
How much time passed? Yeon Wi smiled and spoke.
“Letter from Jipyeong.”
“Oh?”
“Says he’ll visit the Alliance soon.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Long way—hope he’s okay alone.”
“Time flies unnoticed. He’ll be eighteen next birthday.”
“Already?”
Yeon Wi clicked his tongue.
“Forget my age if you want, but remember your brother’s.”
“He’ll grow fine on his own.”
“Growing well and looking after him are different. When I’m gone, you two must lean on each other.”
“……”
“That’s what brothers are for. Don’t regret later—cherish him while you can.”
“I’ll remember.”
“Good.”
Gazing at Yeon Wi, Yeon Hojeong spoke.
“Father.”
“Speak.”
“Don’t talk like you’re leaving us tomorrow.”
Yeon Wi smiled.
“With you two so capable, where would I go? I’ll stick around at least till my grandkids wed.”
“Yes, see that much, then go.”
“You brat.”
“Haha.”
A presence approached.
“Bi-a’s here.”
“Seems so.”
As Yeon Hojeong finished, the door opened, and Muk Bi entered.
“Whew, it’s freezing…… Gah! F-Father?!”
“You’re here.”
“S-Sorry, I’m late, right?”
“Late? I came early. And so what if you were? Duty calls sometimes.”
Yeon Hojeong muttered,
“She wasn’t busy.”
Muk Bi glared daggers at him.
He turned away, whistling innocently.
Yeon Wi chuckled.
“Sit.”
“Y-Yes!”
Muk Bi plopped into a chair. Yeon Wi and Yeon Hojeong brushed snow from her shoulders in unison.
Her face flushed.
“I’m fine……”
Yeon Wi said nothing. Yeon Hojeong tsked.
“At least shake it off properly. So sloppy.”
Muk Bi shot him another lethal glare—fiercer than the Gwangryongbu could muster.
Yeon Hojeong whipped his head away.
Yeon Wi eyed his son.
“Everyone’s here. Jegal the strategist said you called for one hour from now?”
“Yes.”
“Something just for us, then.”
“Yes.”
“Probably to reveal the secret you’ve kept till now?”
“Not a secret anymore.”
Yeon Hojeong took a light breath.
“No more hiding. Starting today.”