Chapter 308. Reversal (2)
“A storm's brewing like no other.”
Dang Gwan said this out of the blue as he tilted his cup. Yeon Wi cocked his head.
“What's that supposed to mean all of a sudden?”
“Just the mood in the alliance.” Dang Gwan gazed out the window. Whether it was winter's final chill or not, a fierce blizzard whipped through on biting winds.
“Ever since that Muk Ryong Bu spy got killed, the Martial Alliance has felt pretty tense. Outwardly, it looks calm as ever.”
“True enough.”
“Oh, right.” The corner of Dang Gwan's mouth curled up. “That thing I mentioned a few days ago—was it true?”
“Hm?”
“About your son causing a stir.”
Yeon Wi sighed. “Yes.”
The incident where Yeon Hojeong had disguised Jam Yeong-il-ho as a Muk Ryong Bu spy and killed him. Yeon Hojeong hadn't just confessed it to Gadeuksang—he'd also told Yeon Wi and Jegal Munho.
Jegal Munho had been shocked, but surprisingly calm about it. He knew Yeon Hojeong had crossed a line, but with the election right around the corner, he'd said something like he'd smooth it over as a matter of military discretion. He probably would've buried it no matter who did it.
To Jegal Munho, stabilizing the alliance took precedence over strict principles—at least for now.
But not Yeon Wi.
“I gave him hell for it.”
It had been ages since Yeon Wi last scolded Yeon Hojeong. But Yeon Hojeong knew he'd gone too far, so he didn't make excuses or push back hard.
Deep down, Yeon Wi understood his son. Beyond the wrongdoing, he got the intent: checking Moyong Gun. And he was one of the few who knew Yeon Hojeong's past, along with Muk Bi.
Still, wrong was wrong. Even if he'd been called the Black Dark Emperor and conquered the black path, the white path had its ways.
More than that, Yeon Wi didn't want his son slipping back into black path brutality. So he'd laid into him, and Yeon Hojeong had promised to reflect on it.
“I was planning to bring it up at the Bonggong Council.”
Dang Gwan's eyebrows shot up. “The council?”
“Yes.”
“You're mad? That'd just hand Moyong Gun a win.”
“Even if it gives him an opening, a wrong is a wrong. If you've done wrong, you take the punishment and the responsibility.”
“You're so rigid. Sure, your boy did something ruthless, but it wasn't worth going that far over.”
“It's not going overboard. To me, that's the right path.”
They were never going to see eye to eye on this. Dang Gwan had no interest in pointless arguments.
“So why didn't you tell them?”
“The strategist stopped me.”
Dang Gwan chuckled. “Moyong Gun was right.”
“About what?”
“He said Jegal family head puts the alliance first, above all else. No matter who becomes alliance leader, as long as it's not someone who'd plunge the world into chaos, he'd support them to set things right.”
“……”
“But I agree with him this time. You might be disappointed as the father, but if we treat now like wartime, it's a pretty bold move—worthy of praise.”
Yeon Wi's eyebrow twitched. “A bold move? Nonsense.”
“It makes perfect sense. Think about it. We're out here with just swords and shields, and the enemy's rolling up cannons and blasting away.”
It was a striking analogy—and spot on. Moyong Gun excelled at schemes; when he committed, he pulled off plots no white path fighter could dream up to get what he wanted.
“In that mess, your son sneaks into enemy lines and soaks their powder. No firing for a while. Instead of praise, you chew him out?”
“……”
“I don't want to meddle in your father-son stuff, but pat him on the back when you get home. Honestly, it felt damn good to me.”
Pure Dang Gwan. Yeon Wi sighed.
“I don't know. Your point has merit, but I can't agree.”
“That's up to you. I won't push.”
Dang Gwan wet his throat with another cup and asked again. “Anyway, how's it going?”
“What's that?”
“Didn't I make you my backer? Election's still ways off, but the central plains are vast. Time to start fanning the flames, no?”
“No clue where to even begin.”
Dang Gwan clicked his tongue. “Figures. I know you're no good at that stuff.”
Yeon Wi couldn't help but laugh. “You knew that and still picked me?”
“Yeah, starting to regret it.”
“Ha ha ha!”
“Talk to your boy before you start anything. That stunt aside, the kid's a genius at scheming.”
“Got it. I'll get on it soon.”
“Good.”
Clang!
Just then, the raging wind rattled the window frame hard. Dang Gwan smiled.
“This year's gonna be a brutal one.”
“Ha ha.”
“Why the laugh?”
“My son said that once.”
“And?”
“Just popped into my head.”
“Lame.”
“More drink?”
“Haven't even felt it yet. You think I'm done? Pour.”
“Forgot whose house this is?”
“I know. Just fill the cup.”
“Ha ha ha.”
* * *
Whooooosh!
The ferocious blizzard and gale tore at the air. Snow poured down relentlessly that evening.
Yeon Hojeong sat cross-legged in the Pa Gun Pavilion courtyard. Sizzle!
Thick snowflakes pelted down, threatening to bury him, but amazingly, they melted and scattered before even reaching him.
It was the blazing heat radiating from his body—Vermilion Bird Qi burning fiercely, vaporizing the snow on contact.
A terrifying blaze.
From the second-floor window overlooking him, Muk Bi shook her head in awe.
“Insane. The heat's reaching up here.”
Yeon Jipyeong swallowed hard. “That's the Four Gods Martial Art, huh? Like you said, sister—tremendous power.”
“Not like this in my memory. Don't know about the others, but that Vermilion Bird Qi's at least twice as strong as before.”
“Twice?”
“Probably.”
Muk Bi's eyes sparkled. “Since forming the Yeon Family Divine Pellet, his martial arts are hitting another growth spurt.”
Just as she said. Yeon Hojeong had come outside specifically to stabilize the massively amplified Four Gods Qi from the pellet.
Vermilion Bird Qi and White Tiger Qi were especially rampant. The Dragon Embrace Divine Art's savage energy had stirred those two, making them far wilder than Azure Dragon or Black Tortoise Qi.
And this brutal blizzard was perfect for taming them—drawing on the damp yin energy and chill to anchor the boosted Vermilion Bird Qi in his heart.
His session dragged past midnight. Like a statue, he sat there, channeling qi over and over.
By morning, the storm had miraculously cleared. Sunlight from the east bathed the Martial Alliance in golden light.
“Hoo.”
Yeon Hojeong exhaled softly.
'Done.'
He'd balanced Vermilion Bird and White Tiger Qi with Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise.
'Exploded in power so fast. One slip, and the equilibrium I'd built would've shattered.'
That was the Yeon Family Divine Pellet's might—like an inner core. Possessing one meant an endless source of qi.
Endless fuel. And training Dragon Embrace Divine Art had made it wild and fierce, seeping endlessly into his organs.
No wonder Vermilion Bird and White Tiger Qi had rampaged.
'Takes a full day just to control it. No joke.'
Yeon Hojeong marveled inwardly. When he'd mastered Bi-ra Jin-gyeol, the Four Gods Qi had never been overwhelmed—it dominated.
But the pellet's rebound let Dragon Embrace Divine Art run wild over it.
'Worthy of the family's ultimate secret art. Taming Four Gods Qi to mesh with the pellet... gonna be a grind.'
A grind, but exactly what he'd craved. Advancing qi without clashes boosted output massively.
'Good.'
Yeon Hojeong opened his eyes. There stood his father, bathed in the morning sun.
“Finished?”
“Yes.”
He'd sensed him ages ago. Yeon Wi asked flatly, “The pellet's qi is so fierce, controlling it isn't easy.”
“No kidding.”
Yeon Wi's gaze deepened.
'The Dragon Embrace, probably.'
He'd figured it played into Yeon Hojeong's recent extremism. Among the five divine arts, it was the roughest. Even a righteous art could warp temperament.
But at master level, the influence wouldn't be huge.
“Dragon Embrace under control?”
“Fully, now.”
“……Good work.”
Yeon Wi glanced around. “No need to clear snow, thanks to your Vermilion Bird Qi.”
It had melted nonstop—no accumulation.
“Not eaten yet?”
“No.”
“Hungry?”
“Not at all.”
“Figured.”
Yeon Wi reached toward a window at Pa Gun Pavilion—his room. Whoosh. Thud!
His heavy sword flew through and into his hand.
“Checked your brother's skills a few days back. Meant to check yours, but too busy lately.”
“Ah, yes.”
“If you're not hungry, let's do it now. I want to see what you've gained—and where you're headed.”
Not just martial arts. Like Dang Gwan said, Yeon Wi wanted to gauge his son through his skills: his path forward, his mindset.
Moyong Gun? Power struggles? Alliance leader? Vital, but secondary to his son's future.
Secure the son first, then the greater good. If Dang Gwan chose like Dang Gwan, Yeon Wi chose like Yeon Wi.
Yeon Hojeong rose. A test of mettle through martial prowess. Far heavier than facing Dang Gwan.
“Ready?”
“Of course.”
“Come at me.”
Whoosh! Yeon Hojeong drew his hand axe from his belt.