Chapter 292. The Path of the Beast (2)
“Father.”
Yeon Wi straightened his back as he swept the snow piled in the courtyard.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Wi turned around. His second son stood there, dressed neatly. A smile spread across Yeon Wi's face.
He hadn't been able to visit the family much lately, bogged down by Martial Alliance affairs. In other words, he hadn't properly fulfilled his duties as family head. His second son and the household had shouldered it all in his stead. Of course, they'd exchanged letters to check on things, but leading the family without the final decision-maker must have been incredibly tough.
“You've grown so much.”
Yeon Jipyeong, whom he hadn't seen in ages, had matured beyond recognition. He still had a boyish air, but his distinct features were sharper, his jawline sleek, his forehead straight—strikingly adult. His limbs had stretched long and lean, ideal for sword practice, and the muscles hidden beneath his clothes were well-honed, brimming with strength. And his height had shot up noticeably. Not quite matching him or his eldest, but compared to when he'd left home, he'd grown at least half a head. Anywhere he went, people would say he'd grown well.
And finally.
“Sword Extreme Thought Qi and Iron Sword Grand Chain have already reached perfect mastery. Such proficiency at your age is unprecedented.”
Yeon Wi nodded with a smile.
“You've worked hard.”
“……Thank you.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Yeon Jipyeong's face.
He's softened.
The father Yeon Jipyeong remembered had always been strict and cold. Deeply affectionate inside, but never one to show it. Yet now?
“Is your body alright?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes! I wasn't really injured much.”
Yeon Wi shook his head.
“For a master, qi is entirely different from what ordinary folk perceive. We manipulate it with strong intent to develop our bodies, so a heavy mental blow can damage the flesh more than it would an untrained commoner.”
“Yes.”
“Keep your mind and body strong. It may not have been the battle you wanted, but the martial world is like that. The world itself is. You never know when or where disaster might strike.”
“I've realized that.”
Yeon Wi patted Yeon Jipyeong's shoulder.
“Still, it couldn't have been easy. You overcame it admirably. You've truly become a man.”
Yeon Jipyeong's eyes wavered. He hadn't expected this side of his father. Perhaps that's why—seeing him smile and acknowledge him as an adult stirred an indescribable surge of emotion.
“Th-thank you.”
“Good. Shake it off, and let's finish sweeping the courtyard before breakfast.”
“Pardon? Ah! I-I'll do it.”
“No need. What cleaning from a boy who just came to? Wait beside me.”
No time to protest. Yeon Wi picked up the broom and swept the snow. Swoosh! Swoosh! Each stroke sent heaps flying over the wall like crashing waves. Watching, Yeon Jipyeong realized his father had done this more than once or twice. Surprising in itself. At home, Father was always swamped with work, squeezing training into every spare moment. He'd cleaned his study himself, but seeing him tackle the courtyard like this was bewildering.
And so Father swept, while his son stood by, face conflicted, for quite some time.
“Um……”
“Hm?”
Yeon Jipyeong asked awkwardly.
“Father, you've made progress too, haven't you?”
Yeon Wi's eyes gleamed sharply. Without turning, he replied.
“You can tell?”
“Yes. Not exactly, but……your energy feels much more refined. Like the qi is properly contained.”
Yeon Wi was inwardly startled by his son's insight. No matter how much Yeon Jipyeong had grown, it was impressive for his age—but nothing compared to him or the eldest. Yet sensing a master's advancement across that vast gap was no small feat. Could a climber at the mountain's base spot one on the eighth ridge? His son had. At Yeon Wi's current level, an amateur would mistake it for weakened martial arts.
“Impressive senses.”
“Pardon? No, it's not……”
“But you need to fix that part.”
“……Pardon?”
Yeon Wi spoke calmly.
“You still don't grasp the true nature of your talent. Piercing exactly what you have and what you can do is more vital than mere effort.”
“……”
“Only by distinguishing what you can from what you can't can you decide whether to hone strengths or erase weaknesses.”
Swoosh! With the final sweep clearing the last snow, Yeon Wi leaned the broom against the wall.
“Perfect timing. From what I see, you're entering a transitional phase. While at the Alliance, let's break your limits.”
Yeon Jipyeong bowed hastily.
“Thank you, Father.”
Yeon Wi shook his head.
“Teaching one's son is a father's duty. No need for thanks.”
“……Yes.”
“The Alliance dining hall's food is decent. Let's go eat.”
“Yes!”
Hurrying to Yeon Wi's side, Yeon Jipyeong paused.
“But Father, what about big brother……?”
“Your brother?”
Yeon Wi chuckled.
“He's been dashing about since dawn, sweating buckets. With Bi-a, too.”
* * *
“Good work. Morning training ends here.”
At Yeon Hojeong's vigorous shout, the entire Myeol Sa Army collapsed, groaning.
“Huff huff.”
“I'm dying, for real.”
“My joints ache.”
“This guy's body was smashed not long ago, so why's his stamina insane?”
Despite the complaints, everyone's breathing steadied quickly. Not just Yeon Hojeong and Muk Bi— the whole army honed themselves fiercely every hour. Talents and efforts varied, so progress differed, but none slacked. That's how they endured such grueling stamina drills.
Yeon Hojeong glanced at Muk Bi.
“Feeling better?”
Muk Bi shrugged.
“This much is fine.”
“Good.”
“Why? More training?”
“Nah, if you say so.”
Muk Bi tilted her head.
“Something up?”
“Just this and that.”
“Dodging again, slyly.”
“Hey, watch that mouth with your superior.”
“Whatever. Go if you're going, sir.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“Heart feeling okay? Managing it well?”
Muk Bi nodded.
“Yeah. That Western divine healer's no joke. I didn't even notice when I wasn't paying attention.”
“Not called a divine physician for nothing. Even Central Plains docs banding together to bury her shows her skill.”
“Oh?”
“What?”
Muk Bi's eyes sparkled.
“Planning to take her in?”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Not my call. The Alliance's.”
“But your thoughts matter, Young Master Yeon. Father's and the strategist's views might shift based on what you see and do.”
Not wrong. In that light, Yeon Hojeong's influence was immense. Far beyond his fame as the top later-generation talent—the hidden power in the Alliance was tenfold greater.
Yeon Hojeong waved her off.
“I'll be back after. Watch the kids.”
“Got it.”
Leaving the training ground, Jegal A-yeon soon caught up. She looked disheveled, yawning widely.
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
“Eye boogers.”
“……Ugh, shit.”
Jegal A-yeon quickly wiped them away.
“Hey! First words after ages are eye boogers?!”
“Said you had 'em. Or two baby eyes growing?”
“Same old asshole.”
“Sleep if tired.”
“Not tired!”
She wiped, swung her neck to shake out her hair, tied it up—and poof, back to her usual vibrant self, no fatigue in sight. Magic trick.
“Good trip?”
“Yeah.”
“Heard you got properly wrecked this time?”
“All heard?”
“Ran to your old man, grilled him. Later he got tired, spilled gently?”
Made sense—Jegal Munho wouldn't spill official stuff, even to his daughter.
Jegal A-yeon's face turned serious.
“Even cannons deployed?”
“You know that much, then everything.”
“Cannons are the military's ultimate weapons. Takes serious pull to touch 'em.”
“I know.”
“Just how deep is Divine Physician Society in the bureaucracy? If the Alliance raises it to the palace, the military flips. Means they risked that to lend cannons—so that group……”
“Real nasty bastards.”
“……That's it?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“We'll talk that later. Alliance'll move carefully—no flipping the bureaucracy overnight.”
Patting her shoulder, he turned. Watching his back, she yelled.
“Dinner later if free!”
“Got it! Jipyeong's back— all together.”
“Huh?! What? Jipyeong's here?”
“Missed that, huh?”
“Yeah! When? Grown lots?”
“Tons. See ya!”
“Y-yeah.”
Yeon Hojeong vanished from sight. Jegal A-yeon grinned wide.
“Oho, dying to see how big? My bro's more obnoxious, but Jipyeong won't be.”
Skipping breakfast, Yeon Hojeong headed somewhere surprising: the Tang family residence.
“Intriguing.”
Dang Gwan's voice was still razor-sharp.
“Dawn visit to me, of all people.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Doing well?”
Dang Gwan scowled.
“What?”
“What do you mean?”
“Everyone knows your rudeness passed limits. Don't think politeness now fools me.”
“Not expecting that.”
“Then what? Got a favor?”
“Of course. Why visit this dreary place otherwise?”
Whoosh. Menacing aura rose like smoke from Dang Gwan. Relations with Yeon Wi and his daughter had mellowed him somewhat. But useless against Yeon Hojeong. This damn brat's gall made his vision spin the more he dealt with it. His girl friends with him? Couldn't fathom young folks' minds.
“If ruining my morning mood was the plan, success.”
“Not my intent.”
“Spit it out quick and go.”
Light gleamed in Yeon Hojeong's eyes. He'd heard from Father, but Dang Gwan had changed. That'd make this smoother.
“Straight to it. You asked to arrange a meeting with the Western divine healer?”
“……And?”
“Then grant me one request.”
Dang Gwan laughed coldly.
“Something for something?”
“Isn't that the way?”
“Like it. Better than your old man there.”
“Deal?”
“Hear the demand first.”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sparkled.
“Run as candidate for Alliance Leader.”