Tigers and Lions Are Different (6)
They must have met by now.
“They should have.”
Yeon Wi’s face as he sipped his tea was utterly expressionless.
Though he had shown a more relaxed side lately, Yeon Wi had always been a rather blunt and stoic man by nature. The fact that such a person was drinking tea without any expression made the atmosphere in the room incredibly heavy.
Even the great Dang Gwan found himself clearing his throat awkwardly while looking at Yeon Wi’s face. Anyone of lesser caliber would have found it difficult to even breathe.
Jegal Mun-ho spoke up.
“The eldest young master’s abilities are truly outstanding, which is why he often steps forward himself. Every time that happens, this one tells the family head the same thing. I tell him not to worry.”
“……”
“I know full well that those words offer no real comfort to you, a parent. Still, this time as well, we have no choice but to trust the eldest young master. As you know, he does not throw himself into fights he cannot win.”
Yeon Wi remained silent.
Jegal Mun-ho glanced at Dang Gwan with a troubled look, as if asking for some support.
Dang Gwan clicked his tongue.
“A parent worrying about their child is unavoidable. But the eldest young master is all grown up now, isn’t he? At his age, he’s more than capable of carrying his own weight. You raised him well and he grew up strong, so now all you can do is watch over him.”
Normally, he would have called Yeon Hojeong a rude brat or a crazy bastard without hesitation. But Yeon Wi’s expression was so grave that even Dang Gwan had to carefully choose his words.
Unfortunately, given his personality, comforting words did not come easily. Jegal Mun-ho’s face immediately turned awkward.
At that moment, Yeon Wi spoke.
“I have always been prepared.”
The two men looked at him.
Still staring at the teacup until the end, Yeon Wi continued.
“As the Tang family head said, Hojeong has grown up. Even Ji-pyeong has begun to carry his own share of responsibility. And it is not only my children. The children of the Tang family head and the Jegal family head have also grown enough to fulfill their roles.”
“……”
“I thought about it. What more can a parent do for children who are already fully grown? No matter how much I considered it, there was nothing left I could give them. I could take care of small things, but anything beyond that would simply be a parent’s greed.”
“Family Head Yeon.”
“Then, as a parent and as a martial artist, what more can I do for my children?”
Yeon Wi’s eyes grew cold.
“Revenge.”
“……!”
“My children are martial artists. So am I. In that case, if my child dies somewhere, the only thing left for me to do is take revenge. There is nothing else I can offer.”
Jegal Mun-ho and Dang Gwan were taken aback. They had never expected such words to come from Yeon Wi, a man praised as a gentleman.
Yeon Wi calmly drank his tea.
With that single sip, much of the complicated emotions in his heart settled down.
“When a fledgling begins to flap its wings, the mother bird no longer brings it food. The same is true for people. However, there is a clear difference between humans and beasts. The only thing I can still do for my child is this.”
“……”
“I apologize for ruining the mood. Even though I said all that, just as the Jegal family head said, my worries have not disappeared. From now on, I will carry this worry alone, so there is no need for you to watch my expression.”
Yeon Wi let out a sigh.
“I simply hope that the day never comes when I must fulfill this final role left to a parent.”
Jegal Mun-ho nodded heavily.
“This one will do everything possible to ensure that the family head never has to exercise that final right.”
“Thank you.”
Dang Gwan clicked his tongue again.
“Well, what the family head said is right. If a martial artist’s child has grown enough to carry their own weight, then all that remains is revenge.”
Revenge. Retribution.
For someone from the Tang family, there were few words that carried such weight. Dang Gwan’s face grew extremely serious as he mulled over Yeon Wi’s words.
Jegal Mun-ho said, “In any case, if it is the eldest young master we are talking about, and considering Yang Cheon’s personality, he will absolutely not harm him. He cannot afford to. He may be the King of Combat, but he is also the leader of the dark factions commanding tens of thousands of subordinates. He cannot act recklessly.”
Dang Gwan shook his head.
“That man is the King of Combat. It is not because he belongs to the dark path, but precisely because he is the King of Combat that he will not let this pass easily.”
“Of course that is true. However, the eldest young master said he had something to trade with Yang Cheon. For the deal to be completed, Yang Cheon will have no choice but to spare him.”
It was related to the Shadow Emperor Divine Palm. Jegal Mun-ho and Dang Gwan did not know the details, but Yeon Wi had already heard about it from Yeon Hojeong.
Even so, the worry could not be helped.
“News will come soon.”
Jegal Mun-ho’s eyes gleamed.
“If it is the eldest young master, he will surely bring about the best possible outcome.”
Pa-pa-pa-pang! Boom!
The battle between the two supreme experts was growing increasingly intense.
‘Incredible.’
Shock spread across Bu Seon’s face.
‘This is actually turning into a real fight?!’
What was certain was that her master was not using his full strength.
She had seen her master fight with true seriousness before. It was a very long time ago, but even using only the level of power he had displayed back then, the young man called Yeon Hojeong would have been defeated long ago.
However.
‘That doesn’t mean he is fighting half-heartedly either.’
Pa-ba-ba-bak! Thud!
Blood sprayed from Yeon Hojeong’s mouth.
Bang!
White smoke rose from Yang Cheon’s forearm as he blocked Yeon Hojeong’s elbow strike.
The accumulated shock was on a different level. The more Yeon Hojeong defended against Yang Cheon’s attacks, the more violently his aura shook. In contrast, Yang Cheon’s aura as he blocked Yeon Hojeong’s strikes remained as stable as it had been from the beginning.
Even so, they were still exchanging blows.
Although Yang Cheon was not using his full power, a true hand-to-hand combat battle was unfolding.
It was literally a fight. Not the bloody, life-or-death struggle of warriors on a battlefield, but the contest of two fighters standing on a stage of martial arts.
Of course, even in a spar, a single mistake could still lead to death. But calling it a true life-or-death duel felt somewhat awkward.
It was like watching the leaders of back-alley gangs step forward as representatives to settle a score in their childhood.
The fight between Yeon Hojeong and Yang Cheon was astonishingly thrilling.
“……”
“Amazing.”
Bu Seon looked to the side in surprise.
The young swordsman who had arrived with the world’s greatest late-stage genius—the one she had thought was an arrogant fool who didn’t know his place, yet whose actual skill far surpassed her own—was clicking his tongue in awe.
“I knew my brother was strong, but I never imagined he could have a hand-to-hand battle with the King of Combat.”
While moving to avoid the clash between the two supreme experts, they had unknowingly drawn closer.
Bu Seon’s eyes sharpened.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Hm?”
Kang Liang glanced at her and spoke indifferently.
“It was just a mutter. Pay it no mind.”
“You said he can have a hand-to-hand battle with Master?”
Kang Liang jerked his chin toward the two combatants.
“Can’t you see it with your own eyes? They’re fighting well, aren’t they?”
“What nonsense! Anyone can see that Master is holding back his power. If Master truly went all out, that guy would be finished in three moves…!”
“Then is what’s happening right now not a fight?”
“……!”
“Do you have the confidence to exchange blows with the King of Combat at that level?”
For a moment, Bu Seon was at a loss for words.
Kang Liang shook his head.
“Words like ‘he’s holding back’ or ‘he’s just playing around’ are ultimately nothing but empty theories. What matters is this very moment.”
“He is simply toying with him. The moment Master feels bored, that man will die.”
“We don’t know that. It hasn’t happened yet.”
“You’re playing with words…!”
“And look.”
Kang Liang smiled.
It was a strange smile—somewhere between amusement and bitterness—and Bu Seon felt an unexpected pang in her chest.
“Where on your master’s face do you see boredom? Far from being bored, he looks like he’s enjoying this real fight more than my brother.”
Bu Seon turned her gaze toward Yang Cheon.
‘……!!’
He was right.
Yang Cheon’s face as he responded to Yeon Hojeong’s punches and kicks was completely expressionless.
But Bu Seon knew. Anyone would have been able to tell.
Yang Cheon’s cheeks were faintly flushed. His eyes sparkled brighter than ever, and while his aura remained stable in response to his opponent’s movements, it was subtly drenched in excitement.
Kang Liang was correct. Yang Cheon was enjoying this fight.
“If he went all out, my brother would lose? That’s true. The probability is overwhelmingly high. But the important thing is that the King of Combat is not using his full strength.”
Even as he spoke, Kang Liang’s eyes followed every single one of their ferocious movements.
He would not let even a single motion or clash go to waste. His gaze burned with that determination.
“Giving the King of Combat enjoyment. Making him want to prolong this fight. Forcing the King of Combat to refrain from using his full power. That is exactly why my brother is incredible.”
“……”
“Did he approach with that goal in mind from the beginning?”
“That is something only the person involved would know. However, the brother I know is not the kind of person who would throw himself into enemy territory without any preparation. He must have been confident.”
Kang Liang’s smile deepened.
“Confident that he could prevent the King of Combat from killing him, and confident that he could use this as a foundation to advance his own martial arts.”
Booooooom!
With a tremendous explosion, Yeon Hojeong was sent flying over five zhang and rolled across the ground.
“Cough!”
Yeon Hojeong, who had been holding back his blood, spat it out and looked at Yang Cheon with reddened eyes.
Yang Cheon’s stance had lowered even further. It was the exact posture of a lion about to pounce on its prey.
After staring at Yang Cheon for a moment, Yeon Hojeong suddenly grinned.
“I lost.”
“……?”
“Let’s stop here.”
Yang Cheon’s eyebrows twitched.
“Stop here?”
Shhhhh.
Yeon Hojeong steadily withdrew the inner energy he had raised to its limit. It was a clear declaration that he would not fight any longer.
“What are you doing? The fight is still…”
“It’s over. I’ve reached my limit now.”
“……?”
“However, if you want to enjoy another fight like today, I will visit you again on the way back after this mission is complete.”
“What?”
“How was it? Fighting with me?”
Yang Cheon, who had been silently glaring at him, finally relaxed his stance.
His expression turned strange.
“It was good. More than good. After immersing my body in the Limitless starlight, this is the first time I’ve had such an exhilarating spar.”
“It is an honor.”
Yang Cheon remained silent for a moment before asking bluntly.
“Was this what you were aiming for?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“It is difficult to kill a wicked friend worth exchanging blows with, even if he is an enemy. Thanks to you, I had fun. But while it was an interesting game for me, for you it must have been a battle of wits where your life was on the line.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“I did start with that mindset. But as the fight continued, such thoughts disappeared from my head. It wasn’t the kind of fight where I had the luxury to entertain idle thoughts.”
“……”
“Still, if you think I am a wicked friend worth keeping alive, then help me now. Let us destroy the Three Sects together. Of course, only if you also feel you still have a debt to repay them.”
Yang Cheon let out a short laugh.
‘What a truly impossible-to-hate bastard.’
He had not expected things to unfold this way. Of course, he had never intended to kill Yeon Hojeong from the start, but he had not expected such a refreshing conclusion either.
“A clever enemy is always the top priority for elimination. But right now, you are a guy too valuable to kill.”
Yang Cheon turned around.
“Follow me. At least for this occasion, I will treat you as a guest.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.
“You are inviting me to the Black Dragon Department?”
“Why? Are you scared? Worried I’ll take you there to kill you?”
“That’s impossible. If you were going to kill me, you would have done it already. Rather, it is an honor. However, I have a mission, so I won’t be able to stay long.”
“Just fix my body and leave. I will only receive the information regarding the Red Crown after my body has fully recovered.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
“Now that’s a deal I like.”