Chapter 29: The Reason for the Fight (4)
Murmurs rippled through the air. The training ground was packed with late-generation disciples and escort warriors who had heard the rumors. Naturally, the Chaeng-eungdae were there too, their faces a picture of utter devastation.
"Young Master Hojeong!"
"Ah, Captain Sin."
"W-what in the world is going on here?"
Yeon Hojeong shrugged his shoulders.
"It's complicated to explain. Anyway, that's how it turned out."
Sin Mo's expression hardened.
"This won't do. You must cancel this spar right now."
"Can't do that."
"Young Master! That beast..."
"I know that animal's skill well enough. His temperament's shit, but that solid aura of his was impressive. Looks like he's fought some fierce battles in his time."
He was sensing the opponent's power purely through instinct. Normally, they'd marvel at his exceptional senses first, but this wasn't the time.
"I'll go myself and cancel this spar."
"Captain Sin."
"Young Master!"
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"If you cause a scene trying to cancel this spar, it'll only tarnish the family's honor."
"...!"
"That's why I said the situation's complicated. Since it's already happened, trust me and wait. Blind worrying isn't a subordinate's virtue."
Sin Mo bit his lip. How could he not understand Yeon Hojeong's intent? But the opponent was far too vicious. Chuseong was a master Sin Mo himself couldn't handle easily. Sure, if he unleashed his seal, he could overwhelm him in three exchanges, but even with the power the world knew of the Chaeng-eungdae captain, it would be a razor-close fight.
He knew Yeon Hojeong's martial arts from seeing them firsthand, but against Chuseong, it would be tough. And Chuseong wouldn't hold back against the Yeon family's eldest young master.
"By the way, what about the thing I asked for?"
"Pardon? Ah, yes! I have it in safekeeping."
"You didn't bring it. Whatever."
Yeon Hojeong picked up the spear leaning against the side. It was a long spear just over six ja in length, procured from a nearby smithy.
"You're... using a spear? Not facing him with staff techniques?"
"Spear's better."
At that moment, he spotted the Jegal siblings and Yeon Jipyeong running over from afar. Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue.
"Gotta get up there before they make a fuss."
Thwack!
He leaped onto the training ground. Covering a distance of over ten jang in a single step. And not with brute force, but a light, soaring footwork as if floating up.
Chuseong, already on the platform with arms crossed, eyed Yeon Hojeong.
"Ready?"
"You?"
Chuseong smirked. As if he needed any preparation to face trash like you.
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
"No need to drag this out. Shall we start?"
"Fine. But spear arts?"
"Yeah."
Chuseong frowned.
"I heard the Yeon family of Bisan favors swords and blades."
"You think I need those to put a punk like you in his place?"
Provocation didn't come more blatant than that.
Tsssss.
A murderous aura rose from Chuseong's body. The murmuring crowd fell instantly silent. Stunned by the unnatural pressure he exuded. It wasn't just power—his feral nature was overwhelming, like a carnivore eyeing prey.
Yeon Hojeong, by contrast?
Whoooosh.
Whirrr.
He spun the long spear effortlessly with his fingers, and fallen leaves swirled along the blade.
'Not bad.'
The balance felt subtly different from an iron rod. Recognizing that subtlety was enough. His hands sensing it meant half the spear arts were already ingrained in his body.
Whiiir!
Tak!
The increasingly rapid spin halted with elastic precision. Yeon Hojeong slung the spear over his shoulder and lowered his stance slightly.
Hummmm.
A faint azure glow flickered in his pupils. Chuseong's eyes gleamed.
'Impressive.'
The stability of his true energy was remarkable. Easily first-rate. But that was it.
Power like that at his age was expected of a late-generation disciple from one of the Seven Great Families.
'Just that level, after all.'
A faint disappointment crossed Chuseong's face. He'd hoped for something more, but it stopped there. At least his stance looked decent.
"Shall we begin?"
"Fine. I'll yield three forms."
"Three forms?"
Chuseong chuckled derisively.
"You're facing the leader of the newly formed War Sword Unit of the great Namgung family. You said you'd hold me accountable, so you should accept three forms, right?"
Arrogance dripped from every word. But he had the qualifications to say it. Everyone who heard acknowledged as much.
Yeon Hojeong, staring silently at Chuseong, relaxed his stance. Chuseong tilted his head.
"What's that?"
"Three forms?"
"Yes."
The flickering azure in Yeon Hojeong's eyes gradually dulled to indifference. He'd discarded the Bi-ra Jin-gyeol.
"What are you doing? Not sparring?"
"Changed my mind."
"What do you mean?"
Yeon Hojeong flashed a hazy smile. Chuseong frowned. It felt unsettling somehow.
Slither.
Gripping the middle of the shaft, Yeon Hojeong slowly raised the spear, blade pointed at Chuseong.
'...?!'
In that instant, Chuseong felt a stinging in his chest.
'Killing intent?'
No. Not killing intent—this was sharp energy pouring from the blade. From an ordinary iron spear from a smithy, needle-like sharpness emanated.
And the moment Chuseong sensed the spear's energy...
Yeon Hojeong's eyes returned completely to emptiness.
"Can you take responsibility for those words?"
"...!"
"Good. If you draw your sword before three forms pass, I'll kill you."
And with that, Yeon Hojeong's assault began.
Step by step.
Crossing the training ground toward Chuseong, his steps were utterly ordinary. Neither fast nor slow—just normal walking.
But Chuseong's expression grew increasingly rigid.
'What the hell?'
Slowly, agonizingly slow. No particular aura, just approaching—and yet Chuseong felt an inexplicable chill.
'He's plotting something...?'
When the distance shrank to one jang.
Yeon Hojeong raised the spear. Like hoisting a massive blade overhead. Not a spear motion, but wielding a great sword or axe.
What the hell was this? Everyone watching tilted their heads. Why handle a spear like that? Was there spear art like this in the world?
As all eyes focused...
Thud!
Yeon Hojeong's foot slammed the ground. The entire platform seemed to shake. Simultaneously, the six-ja spear plummeted straight toward Chuseong's head.
Chuseong's eyes wavered.
'Wh-what?!'
The spear plunged with terrifying speed. He could dodge easily. Disrupt the pattern with a flick. But he couldn't choose either.
'Gah!!'
In that instant, an illusion engulfed him. In pitch-black void, atop a cliff alone, a mountain-sized axe fell toward him. Its immensity, the air-shattering weight, the earth-rending ferocity—despair crashed over him.
'D-dodge...!'
Then, behind the colossal axe, a pair of eyes glared down. Crescent-shaped in a faint smile.
'Eeeeek!'
Chuseong crossed both arms overhead. The shaft crashed down on them.
Boom!
"Urk!"
Chuseong's knees buckled slightly.
'Heavy!!'
An insanely heavy strike. Not spear art. Nor mere staff. The axe’s savagery, blade’s menace, staff’s flexibility, spear’s sharpness—all fused into a horrifying blow.
'Damn!'
Hummm!
He hastily surged inner energy into his arms. Agonizing pain shot through his forearms, so intense he thought they’d snapped.
But Yeon Hojeong's attack was just beginning.
Bang!
The jin-gak—stomping to harness rebound force from the ground through the lower body. Advancing one step, another jin-gak. This one far grander, resounding louder.
The second strike poured in.
Flash!
After the overhead vertical chop, gripping mid-shaft for a thrusting stab.
'Fast!'
Speed that erased arm pain in an instant. The blade whistled toward his heart, laced with predator's killing intent.
Twitch!
His fingers twitched instinctively, urging to draw the sword. But this was only the second attack—not even a full form.
'Shit!'
Chuseong swiftly shifted footwork. Realizing he couldn't block barehanded.
Pang!
The thrusting spear pierced empty air, slicing toward a distant building wall.
'...!'
A chill grazed his side. No time to check. Instinct told him: he'd failed to fully dodge the blade.
'Slashed.'
Deeply, too. A fraction slower, and it would've gutted him.
'This...!'
His lax mind snapped taut. Back straightened, shoulders tensed. He'd thought he'd dodged, but hadn't. The thrust had been that fast.
Then the third attack came.
Yeon Hojeong's wrist flexed fluidly on the shaft.
Papapapak!
Dozens of spear tips lunged at Chuseong. One-handed spearplay. Incredibly fast—afterimages trailed.
'This...!'
More astonishing: timing and initiative. The erratic rhythm sowed chaos in his perception. Positions exquisitely chosen. Unavoidable directions preempted, like a beast charging with jaws wide.
Chuseong's vision darkened. Couldn't dodge? Then block—but each thrust brimmed with lethal sharpness. Which was real?
'Death?!'
Unfamiliar dread dominated him. The instant he felt it, his hand moved on its own.
Clanggg!
Yeon Hojeong's spear ricocheted right.
"Kuh!"
Chuseong staggered diagonally back. In his hand gleamed a jewel-encrusted blue sword. Sword arts.
Not a block or deflection. He'd countered with his signature technique, nullifying both attacks.
Chuseong's eyes shook.
'Nearly died.'
For real. That strike had been lethal. Without drawing and executing, three or four holes in him.
How long since he'd felt such fear? Such tension?
"Couldn't endure."
Startled, Chuseong looked at Yeon Hojeong. Spear slung over his shoulder, staring coldly.
"Told you. Fail to endure three forms, and you die."
"...!!"
"Even words from a three-chi tongue carry a thousand geun of weight."
Paak!
Yeon Hojeong lunged like a beast.