Beast Path (6)
Yeon Jipyeong was the one who greeted Yeon Hojeong upon his return to the residence.
“Big brother.”
“Oh? You're up?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
“You little punk, that's why I keep telling you to get proper sleep. Staying up all night rolling around in bed is why you're still shorter than me.”
No one knew better than Yeon Hojeong how hard Yeon Jipyeong had pushed himself or the profound shock he'd endured from the first chase and the real battle that followed. That's why he could take the words as a joke.
Yeon Jipyeong shook his head.
“You're as iron-willed as ever, brother.”
“Iron-willed, my ass.”
“Anyway...”
Yeon Jipyeong's face hardened.
“What about those wounds?”
He'd already stopped by the infirmary and gotten himself fully bandaged. But the blade of the iron fan had been too jagged—even after staunching the bleeding, blood was seeping through here and there.
Yeon Hojeong waved it off.
“Had a fierce spar. Don't worry about it.”
He didn't seem to have any serious internal injuries or to have exhausted his stamina much.
Relief washed over Yeon Jipyeong's face.
“Seems like you're still living that rough life, brother.”
“Martial arts gained just by swinging a sword alone—how could that be true martial arts? And holing up in a room reading books—how could that let you master the world?”
Yeon Hojeong shrugged.
“People grow through clashes. Whether fierce or gentle.”
It was sound advice. Yeon Jipyeong especially agreed with his brother.
He'd fought his first life-or-death battle in a place he never expected. And he felt he'd barely shown half of the martial arts he'd honed over time.
Knowledge without experience to back it up was just empty shell. There was much to learn from his brother's philosophy.
“Speaking of which.”
Yeon Hojeong patted Yeon Jipyeong's shoulder.
“You look so composed now. You've grown a ton, kid.”
“Have I?”
“Yeah. You're a proper man now.”
As his body had grown, so had his personality—vastly different from before. Far more composed, even quieter in speech.
But it wasn't that Yeon Jipyeong had grown darker. It was the caution he'd learned handling family affairs firsthand. In a way, it was a tougher fight than battles where life hung in the balance.
Beyond his skills, his temperament had no choice but to change dramatically.
“You're incredible too, brother.”
“Me? What'd I do?”
“The fame of the Bisan Lake Lord is spreading across the land. When I heard you'd broken through Mujongjibyeok and been called the greatest late-stage talent under heaven, I can't even tell you how happy I was.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“Greatest late-stage talent under heaven, huh.”
He was a man who'd already reached the pinnacle of the black path. Moreover, he'd been one of the absolute powerhouses—counted among the top three in the vast central plains—who struck terror into hearts.
Maybe that's why. Titles like “greatest late-stage talent” barely moved him.
To someone who'd summited Mount Tai, a low hill was just another mound.
But reality differed. Though he himself didn't feel it, Yeon Hojeong's name was sweeping the central plains. He even boasted higher fame than Moyong Woo, with whom he was often paired as twin guardians.
It made sense on reflection. Moyong Woo was a genius who'd popped up out of nowhere, but Yeon Hojeong was a hot-blooded fighter who'd made his presence known to the world by clashing with prestigious families for years.
He was younger than Moyong Woo too, and from the Yeon family—masters of orthodox swordsmanship—yet wielded an axe bigger than a man as his main weapon. An oddity bound to stand out.
As Jegal Munho had predicted, Yeon Hojeong's reputation was already on par with—or beyond—a major sect leader.
“What's there to get excited about over 'greatest late-stage talent'? Now, greatest under heaven—that's something.”
“Is it?”
“The world is full of powerhouses, like grains of sand on the beach. Sure, I'm called the top late-stage talent, but that's just among late-stage folks. If you really hunted them down, hundreds stronger than me would pop up in the martial world.”
“Still impressive is impressive.”
“Impressive my ass. I've got a long way to go. Besides, even the greatest under heaven dies if outnumbered. No individual can beat a group's power.”
Of course, at the Seongcheon Thirteen Seats level, it was different. But that was just a difference in realm—the truth remained.
Could one Seongcheon Thirteen Seats master handle three others of the same caliber?
“In the end, others' evaluations are just veils clouding your own eyes—nothing more, nothing less. Thanks for being happy for me, but don't sweat that stuff from now on.”
Sincere advice from the heart.
Yeon Jipyeong bowed his head.
“I'll keep that in mind, brother.”
Yeon Hojeong smirked.
“No need to take it that seriously. Just saying. Not like fame's all a martial artist has without it.”
“R-really?”
“Everyone values different things.”
Even in this, his brother wasn't purely extreme. He had firm convictions but clearly understood others' differences.
That's why Yeon Jipyeong admired Yeon Hojeong. He knew how hard it was to hold such straight principles.
“Anyway, you eat yet?”
“Yes. Breakfast with Father.”
Yeon Hojeong's expression turned sly.
“Bet you didn't even know if the food went in your mouth or your nose.”
Yeon Jipyeong looked awkward.
“A bit... yeah.”
“Kekekeke.”
“But I was surprised. Whatever happened, Father seemed much softer.”
“Softer... yeah, spot on.”
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“Father hasn't changed. He's always been that way. He just didn't show it because the family name weighed heavy.”
“I see.”
“Whatever the case, spend as much time with him as you can while you're at the alliance. He'll like that.”
“Got it, brother.”
“Good.”
Yeon Hojeong patted his back.
“Rest up—you must be wiped. If you're bored, wander the alliance.”
“What about you?”
“Got some thinking to do. Catch you later.”
“Huh? Oh, sure.”
A tinge of disappointment flickered in Yeon Jipyeong's eyes as he watched Yeon Hojeong dash up to his room.
For brothers, this chat was enough to ease the longing. But Yeon Jipyeong wanted more talk, more exchange.
Yet a brother was a brother. Always busy, always passionate. He cared well for his own but turned blind to the world when focused.
“...Tch. Maybe ask him to buy me a drink tonight. I can hold my liquor now.”
Once in his residence, Yeon Hojeong hopped onto the bed and crossed his legs.
Not to cultivate—just the pose best for pondering.
Yeah, this is definitely the limit.
He recalled the spar with Dang Gwan.
Of course, like Dang Gwan, he hadn't gone all out either. To be precise, he hadn't fought with true life-or-death resolve.
Just the innate killing intent of Vermilion Bird Qi leaked out. If he'd truly meant to kill, he'd have lopped off at least one limb—even if it cost him his life or turned him to shreds.
Not a match of full power, but clear enough to gauge each other's limits.
Yeon Hojeong had read nearly all of Dang Gwan's skill from his movements.
On par with Father. Maybe half a step below, but in real combat, Father might lose more often.
Not about whose martial art was stronger. Personal temperament and art compatibility.
Even I— if it turned into a true deathmatch—would probably lose overwhelmingly.
His skills below Father's, so obvious.
Though against poison and hidden weapons, he might surpass Father.
That wasn't the issue.
Waiting like this is fine. Steady refinement, and in a few years, I'll reach the pinnacle of this realm.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes deepened.
But no need to drag it out.
Without awakening the Yellow Dragon, his Four Gods Martial Arts was honed near its limit. The Four Gods Qi in perfect balance.
Room to deepen remained, but no explosive growth expected.
That was Four Gods Martial Arts.
Then...
The time had come.
Time to touch the Five Divine Arts.
Bi-ra Jin-gyeol suited perfectly as the foundation for Four Gods Martial Arts. It matched his nature too.
Most stable of the Five Divine Arts, it complemented his ferocious style, creating mutual prosperity.
Bi-ra Jin-gyeol at great accomplishment. Mutual prosperity path maxed out.
Qi, body, mind—all balanced as one.
Time to shift from art of strengths and fixes to one maximizing his unique advantages.
“...Dragon Embrace Divine Art it is.”
Dragon Embrace Divine Art. Or Dragon Embrace Qi for short—one of Yeon family's Five Divine Arts. Mastered explosive force projection to extremes.
Most destructive of Yeon arts. Heavy inner energy drain; get swept up, and temperament turns wild, extreme.
One reason Yeon family so strict. Each Divine Art's nature stark—only upright heart unleashes full power.
My style: no second chances, one strike kills. Crush foes with momentum, shatter with raw destruction.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
Switch foundation from Bi-ra Jin-gyeol to Dragon Embrace True Qi?
Destruction maximized. Not just Four Gods Martial Arts power up—his force projection and power density itself surges.
“Hoo.”
Light deep breath, eyes closed.
Yes, time for change.
It'd be a brutal year. To survive it, his stagnant martial arts must evolve massively.
This year, resolve most internal Martial Alliance conflicts. Only then can I fight them.
Wuuuuuum.
A clear, deep blue aura rose from Yeon Hojeong's body.
Bi-ra Jin-gyeol Qi. At ten seong, it soothed the beholder's heart.
But no more.
Yeon Hojeong's lips moved.
Moments later.
Fuussssh.
The spreading blue Bi-ra Jin-gyeol Qi began losing color.
In its place, a verdant, lush forest-like energy slowly filled.
Thung! Thung!
Heartbeat grew fierce.
At last, Dragon Embrace True Qi revealed itself.