Reversal (6)
Thud!
Only after the massive greatsword slammed into the ground did Gang Ryang's training finally come to an end.
"Huff... huff..."
It had been a grueling session, pouring every ounce of his strength into it. Yet for some reason, Gang Ryang's face was shadowed with dissatisfaction.
Yeon Hojeong smiled. "What's wrong? Not satisfied?"
"Pardon? Oh, no, it's nothing."
"Then what's the problem? From where I'm standing, you did great."
Gang Ryang sheathed his sword with a smooth draw. "I don't think there's any particular issue. It's just... I'm a bit disappointed in myself."
"Disappointed? In what way?"
Gang Ryang gave a wry smile. "I don't expect my martial arts to improve overnight. I pursue the extremes, but if sheer effort alone could get anyone there, the world would be full of masters."
"True enough."
"But... I can't see the path forward."
Yeon Hojeong nodded. "People who know their strengths and weaknesses—and where they need to head—progress faster with the same effort."
"Yes. But I can't see it."
"I was the same."
"Pardon?"
"You think I always knew where to step next? I can confidently say no genius in the world does."
"..."
"So what do you do then? It varies from person to person."
A look of curiosity crossed Gang Ryang's face. "Then, in those moments, what did you do, brother?"
"Me?" Yeon Hojeong gazed up at the sky. "Who knows."
Gang Ryang's question had been about martial arts alone. But hearing it, Yeon Hojeong's mind drifted beyond, to the life he had lived thus far.
It was truly daunting.
He had gained experience and power, clawing his way through hellish battlefields to reach the pinnacle. Many things seemed simple now, but he had lost just as much.
What did I gain, and what did I discard? When the path was lost to me, what conviction drove me forward?
The darkest moment had been right after his clan was annihilated. By heavenly fortune, he met his master, allowing him to live as a true martial artist. Without that encounter, Yeon Hojeong might have ended up as just another unremarkable wanderer.
But his master had only opened his eyes to the world—he hadn't pointed out the right path. There were countless roads and methods in the world. Choosing one was his alone.
That was when he learned: responsibility for choices lay solely with oneself. Following someone else's path meant bearing the consequences of their decisions too. And when no one was left to help, surviving the world grew harder.
That the subject of one's life was always oneself. That life could be profoundly lonely. Thus, one must grow accustomed to solitude and cherish every moment shared with others.
Yeon Hojeong closed his eyes.
"You can't stop walking just because the path is hidden. Even more hopeless is knowing you could rest, or even turn back—but it won't reveal the light."
"..."
"You've had plenty of advisors. But now that they're gone, all you have left are your two fists and that sword."
"...You're right."
Opening his eyes, Yeon Hojeong smiled. "We'll take it step by step. I asked Father to pause your training for another reason. You need to grow on your own at least once, from nothing."
"..."
"At least you have the Black Path Supreme Sword Sect's arts with you. That's enough. But I want you traveling with me to broaden your horizons."
"Horizons."
"Exactly. Martial arts aren't some narrow discipline that grows just from tormenting the body."
Yeon Hojeong clapped Gang Ryang on the shoulder.
"Father told you before: swinging a fierce sword in ignorance won't make you stronger. That's not 'rest'—it's 'change your perspective.'"
"R-right."
"Good work today. Go wash up and rest. If you're feeling lonely, have a drink alone. In this utterly solitary life, you need that touch of melancholy."
Gang Ryang smiled. He claimed he couldn't see ahead, but he was far calmer than when they'd first met.
"Sometimes, brother, you seem decades older than you are."
"Do I?"
"Yes. I envy you at times. I want to be like you."
Yeon Hojeong grinned. "Admiring maturity is a privilege of youth. But your age has its own joys. Before idolizing others, grasp what's around you."
"See? That's what makes you mature."
"You punk. It's past the Hour of the Ox already. Go rest."
Gang Ryang bowed. "Thank you for overseeing my practice today. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
With that, Gang Ryang returned to his quarters. Yeon Hojeong sat on a small rock, gazing at the sky.
The moon shone brightly. Stars filled the night. The cold wind cooled his reflective mind.
After a long while, he sighed. "Can't see ahead... Even at this height, the veil of darkness doesn't part."
Words swirled in his mind: succession, Three Sects, preparations, court, growth, expulsion, unity... A tangled mess.
Perhaps he felt even more lost than Gang Ryang.
Regressing two or three times doesn't make life easier. The more you see, the harder it gets.
Hummm.
Then, his Divine Pellet Qi caught a faint presence. It wasn't stealthy—the owner had simply refined their energy so well it converged naturally.
Brother.
Moments later, Mo Yong Woo appeared. "I didn't find you at your quarters, so I wandered nearby. I sensed a surge of sword qi—Gang swordsman's energy. Thought you might know where he was, but now he's gone, and only you remain."
"What brings you here in the dead of night?"
Mo Yong Woo studied Yeon Hojeong's face quietly.
He's different.
Bathed in moonlight, Yeon Hojeong looked transcendent. That expression, those eyes—they eased Mo Yong Woo's tangled heart. Even his inexplicable anger and bitterness melted away.
Mo Yong Woo drew a gourd from his belt. "No cups, but shall we share sips under the moon?"
"You know elegance. Sure, it's been a while since my brother offered a drink."
"No cups, I said."
"Just a figure of speech, you stiff."
"Hahaha."
Mo Yong Woo's laughter rang clear and refreshing. They drank in silence.
Half the gourd empty, Yeon Hojeong asked casually, "So, what's it this time?"
"Harsh. Must I always have a reason to visit my brother?"
"Fine words. But that frustration in your eyes says otherwise."
"Haha, that obvious?"
"Too easy to read. That's the worry."
Smiling at Yeon Hojeong, Mo Yong Woo said calmly, "It's true—you joined hands with Muk Ryong Bu."
Was it the moon's magic? Or Yeon Hojeong's low, relaxed voice? Mo Yong Woo unburdened himself about Mo Yong Gun more steadily than expected.
"Mo Yong Yeonhwa?"
"Yes."
Yeon Hojeong grinned, piecing together the past instantly from the tale.
"So that's how he survived."
"Pardon?"
"Mo Yong Gun. By my guess, he should've died to Yang Cheon or been stripped bare. But he returned unscathed."
"...He did."
"He must've said: 'Help me become Alliance Leader, and I'll aid you greatly as Leader.'"
"Likely."
"Deals are cash, not promises. Yang Cheon knows that. So why accept? What would make a man like him take Mo Yong Gun's IOU?"
Mo Yong Woo's face hardened. "You mean he sent Yeonhwa as a hostage?"
"Or hostage and ally. Maybe even a bridge."
"..."
"Otherwise, no reason Yang Cheon lets him go easy."
Mo Yong Woo's eyes twitched. But only briefly.
"Hoo."
Sighing softly, he drowned the frustration with a swig. "Yes, you'd see that."
Yeon Hojeong chuckled. "Separate from familial love, you view Mo Yong Gun coldly."
"That's the problem. What I told you today came from the heart, not reason."
Mo Yong Woo smiled wryly. "I swore to reform the family with you and contribute to the White Path's peace, yet this shakes me. Guess I'm no great vessel."
"That's normal."
"But..."
"I told you when we met: Brother walks the righteous path. I'll handle the twisted world."
Mo Yong Woo shook his head. "I don't grasp this 'twisted world,' but shoving the asura path on you and pretending ignorance is too harsh."
"Can't ignore it."
"What?"
Yeon Hojeong patted his shoulder. "You have to know. What I do, how hard I try. Understand, listen, embrace it."
"..."
"That's a leader's virtue. Or rather, a White Path leader's."
"Hyunje."
"I know. Just saying."
Yeon Hojeong drew a deep breath. "Must be turmoil. But you expected it, right? If it's hard to discard, accept it—turn it into drive."
Mo Yong Woo gazed at him, then smiled warmly. "Useless fool of a brother, can't even help."
"Lack of ability isn't sin. What matters is the will to advance, the effort to change your flawed self."
"Hahaha."
Yeon Hojeong shrugged. "Hearing you eases it now."
"Hm?"
"Mo Yong Gun. Strip-search Mo Yong Yeonhwa, and this fight might flow easy."
"Don't."
"Huh?"
Mo Yong Woo shook his head. "I said don't."
"Suddenly what? Mo Yong Gun is..."
"Yes, Father's a villain. But don't you have enough to worry about besides him?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes deepened.
Mo Yong Woo sighed skyward. "Grip the twisted world tight... If that's your path, who am I to stop you? But if so, at least let me hold the righteous one."
"..."
Draining the gourd, Mo Yong Woo stood. Smiling down at Yeon Hojeong, he said, "Good I came tonight. Simple talk, but great insight."
"What're you planning?"
"When it's tough, I'll ask help. Until then, you do your part."
"Brother."
"Listen, Hyunje."
"..."
"Don't forget. I still have no such intent, but the me you saw was a decent vessel for Alliance Leader."
Yeon Hojeong smiled. "Overflowing."
"If truly, prove your eyes weren't wrong."
Mo Yong Woo turned. "Rest. I'll visit soon."
The next day.
Majestic.
Mo Yong Yeonhwa's face lit with awe entering the Martial Alliance.
This is the Martial Alliance...!
The fully realized alliance dwarfed Muk Ryong Bu in scale and system. The gap was obvious at a glance.
Mo Yong Yeonhwa took a deep breath.
Do it right. If I do, we all live. Tense but not rigid, relaxed but not careless.
Reaching the inner castle with her entourage—
"It's been a while."
Startled, she turned. There stood Mo Yong Woo, arms crossed, expression stern.
Fire blazed in Mo Yong Yeonhwa's eyes.
"...Mo Yong Woo."
A faint smile touched Mo Yong Woo's lips.
"Your discipline's lacking, niece."