The Returning Prodigal (3)
The wind was quite chilly. But even the cold autumn breeze couldn't dampen the lively bustle of the marketplace. Countless vendors were calling out to passersby, urging them into their shops.
It's been a while.
Once he stepped outside, thoughts of the Bi-ra Jin-gyeol vanished from Yeon Hojeong's mind. This was the first time he'd come to the market since regressing to the past. The nostalgia hit him fresh and new.
Still the same.
This street was one he'd wandered endlessly in his childhood. But after the Yeon family was wiped out, he'd never returned. He hadn't wanted the memories of his lost family to resurface every time he came here.
"This is great."
"Hehe, right?"
Yeon Jipyeong's face was flushed with excitement. It was his first time out in the market alone with his older brother.
"Brother, are you feeling okay?"
"Hm?"
"Your walk seems a bit off."
"Ah, it's nothing."
His internal energy's quality had suddenly jumped two whole levels. On top of that, many of his blocked meridians had opened up. As true energy flowed through them repeatedly, his body naturally tensed with power. The mismatch between his body and energy made it so that even when he tried to walk slowly, his pace quickened on its own. It was a discrepancy born from his bones and muscles not yet being perfectly tempered.
This is going to be a pain.
A robust physique was just as crucial as internal energy. Tempering his still-immature body to the level of the Black Dark Emperor would require hellish training.
As Yeon Hojeong rolled his shoulders repeatedly,
"Ah, over there! Let's go there!"
The place Yeon Jipyeong pointed to was a neat-looking tavern.
"Go-yang-ru, huh."
Go-yang-ru was quite famous even in the southern part of Jiangsu Province. The prices were steep, but it was renowned for its delicious food and scenic views.
"Ah, have you been there before, Brother?"
"A few times."
It wasn't a place with particularly fond memories. About half a year before the Yeon family fell? In a fit of self-abandonment, he'd drunk heavily. Go-yang-ru had been one of his frequent haunts.
I lived like such an idiot back then.
He'd smashed up furniture in drunken stupors and gotten beaten black and blue after picking fights with courtesans. It was a place where both his body and mind had been left in ruins.
"They say the fish dishes here are amazing. Let's get some fish, fish!"
"Sounds good."
"Eh? But don't you dislike fish, Brother?"
Yeon Hojeong shrugged.
"Eat it while you can. Anyway, is this your first time?"
"Hehe, actually, I've been once. With friends."
"Friends, huh... From Cheong-gang Seowon?"
"Yes! They're all great guys."
The Bi-san Yeon Family Estate emphasized both literary and martial pursuits more than other martial clans. They didn't expect their scions to become great scholars, but they had to be at least a cut above the rest—that was their ancestors' philosophy. And it held true even now, as one of the Seven Great Families.
That was why Yeon Jipyeong attended Cheong-gang Seowon to study literature.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"Study hard. Knowledge never hurts."
Yeon Jipyeong asked with an innocent expression.
"But Brother, you're not going back anymore?"
"To Cheong-gang Seowon?"
"Yes!"
"Nah."
Yeon Hojeong had attended first, but two years ago, he'd dropped literature to focus on martial arts.
A faint shadow of disappointment crossed Yeon Jipyeong's face.
"I... I see."
What an honest kid.
Yeon Hojeong felt a pang of pity, but he still had no intention of going. It wasn't that he hated studying; he just didn't need to learn more.
"You get along well with your friends?"
"Of course! Oh, speaking of which, some short-term auditors came to the seowon recently!"
"Short-term auditors?"
"Yeah! From famous martial families in Anhui. One of them's even from the Namgung family!"
His face lit up as if the disappointment had never been there.
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
"Namgung?"
"Yes! Surprising, right?"
Was it? He didn't remember that detail. Back then, he'd only cared about himself.
Namgung... The Namgung family.
Anhui's top prestigious house, right next to Jiangsu. One of the Seven Great Families alongside the Yeons, but with far deeper history.
Namgung meant swords. Past and present, they were the supreme sword family—even after the Moyong family produced an unparalleled swordmaster.
"Brother?"
"Hm?"
"What's wrong? Your face looks off."
"It's nothing. Let's go."
"Okay!"
The two finally entered Go-yang-ru.
It was quieter than expected. The four-story tavern seemed to have fewer than ten patrons total.
"We're lucky, Brother. Let's go to the fourth floor!"
"Sure."
The view from the fourth floor was spectacular. With the windows wide open, the breeze was refreshing rather than cold.
"Nice, right? Nice?"
"Yeah, good choice."
He'd come here often in the past, but it felt new, like his first time.
They sat by the window, and Yeon Jipyeong excitedly ordered. One fish dish and a couple vegetable stir-fries—the bill wasn't cheap.
"Isn't this too pricey?"
"I've saved up plenty of pocket money!"
"You're paying?"
"Of course! I said I'd treat you!"
Right—he hadn't brought any money.
Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips.
"Thanks for the meal, then."
"Anytime!"
He seemed ready to buy out the whole menu. His eyes sparkled like an excited puppy's.
Yeon Hojeong found his little brother adorable. But it also weighed on him.
Such a bright kid.
Yet he'd envied and mistreated him. No verbal abuse or beatings, but neglect could be far crueler.
That's why, burdensome as it was, he made an extra effort to smile around Yeon Jipyeong. The regret from his past mistakes ran that deep.
Yeon Jipyeong, beaming at him, asked cautiously,
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
"You're not upset or anything, right?"
"About what?"
"Just... something bothering you?"
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"Dunno? Nothing like that."
"I see."
"Why? Do I look that bad?"
"No! Just checking."
"Boring kid."
Yeon Hojeong turned to the window, wanting to take in the view.
Watching his brother, Yeon Jipyeong inwardly sighed in relief.
He's okay, then.
Captain Gang Yun's response had been understandable as a Yeon clansman. But it happened in front of his little brother. Anyone would feel embarrassed. Fortunately, his brother didn't seem too bothered. If anything, Yeon Jipyeong felt guilty for dragging him into it.
Grinning at Yeon Hojeong, he suddenly tilted his head.
"But Brother."
"Yeah?"
"Um... not sure if I should say this."
"What?"
"Your Bi-yeon Qi feels more vibrant."
Ho?
"You can tell?"
"Yes? I wasn't sure at first, but it definitely feels different from before."
Yeon Hojeong looked at him with renewed interest.
He sensed that?
His dantian was active, and he'd achieved great accomplishment in the Bi-yeon Simbeop, but those changes were hard to detect without taking the pulse. Yeon Hojeong was adept at concealing his energy. Plus, the Bi-yeon Simbeop wasn't a high-level art, so the shift wasn't dramatic. Outwardly, it was nearly impossible to notice the true energy's change.
Yet his brother had seen right through it. Despite not even being first-rate yet.
"I achieved great accomplishment in the Bi-yeon Simbeop."
Yeon Jipyeong shot to his feet without thinking.
"R-really?!"
"Yeah."
Too sudden to believe?
"Congratulations! Really, congrats, Brother!"
He believed it. Yeon Jipyeong celebrated like it was his own achievement, fists clenched and shaking with excitement. He looked thrilled.
Yeon Hojeong appreciated it, but surprise outweighed gratitude.
I knew he was talented, but...
A subtle admiration dawned on Yeon Hojeong's face.
This guy's a total monster, isn't he?
Talent in martial arts usually fell into two categories: superior physique or sharp mind.
But Yeon Jipyeong's went beyond.
His intuition is sharp.
More rare than physical prowess or insight was sense—the instinct that overrode logic and reason. An innate gift.
In martial arts, at least, Yeon Jipyeong's senses were unmatched. And his physical talent was already called the best in the Yeon family.
If he trains properly, he'll make a name for himself soon enough.
Yeon Jipyeong, face flushed with excitement, said,
"You'll get strong fast, Brother! Definitely!"
"Yeah, I have to."
It was a moment of mutual surprise.
Soon, the food arrived. They ate while laughing and chatting. Yeon Jipyeong did most of the talking, but Yeon Hojeong wasn't silent either.
They finished quickly and ordered tea. Steam rose with a pleasant aroma.
"Brother, now that your heart method's at great accomplishment, let's train together!"
"No."
The refusal was firmer than expected.
Yeon Jipyeong shrank back.
"Why?"
"Our training styles are different. Maybe later, but for now, we should each— Hm?"
Yeon Hojeong glanced at the stairs.
"What's up, Brother?"
"..."
"Brother?"
"Impressive."
Impressive? What?
Yeon Jipyeong tilted his head, then sensed a faint energy rising from the first floor.
His eyes widened.
"An expert?!"
No, not quite. A true expert could unleash their realm's power several times over in real combat. Only then did they earn the title.
By that measure, none of the people coming up from the first floor were experts. At least, that's what Yeon Hojeong thought.
But their cultivation was considerable.
For their age, that is.
The vitality emanating from their qi felt incredibly fresh. They were surely under twenty.
"Ah!"
Yeon Jipyeong let out an exclamation.
"What? Someone you know?"
"Yes! I don't know who the expert is, but the energy feels familiar. Probably a friend from the seowon."
A seowon friend?
"Go say hi, then."
"Ah?! Can I?"
"If you didn't know, fine, but you do. Can't just ignore them. Go on."
Yeon Jipyeong stood stealthily.
"Okay, Brother. I'll be right back. Wait just a sec."
"Take your time chatting."
Yeon Jipyeong dashed down the stairs.
Yeon Hojeong smiled, propping his chin on his hand.
Lively one.
Maybe because he'd grown up so darkly. Uniting the black path had taught him some social graces, but not to Yeon Jipyeong's sunny level. Talking to people often felt like a chore.
That's why he liked his brother's energy. It was what he himself lacked.
Grow up bright. The world's harsh, but you don't need to be serious every second.
He wanted him to grow into the coolest guy around. That was Yeon Hojeong's sole wish for his brother now.
Sipping tea and gazing out the window. He knew this wasn't the time for leisure, but what could he do? It was his first outing for a meal with his brother.
Preparing for the clan's doom was priority, but some things couldn't be missed.
As Yeon Hojeong savored this brief respite,
"This the place?"
"Whoa! Even the third floor's way better!"
Murmurs rose from the third floor. Followed by Yeon Jipyeong's flustered voice.
"W-wait a sec. Let me at least tell my brother..."
"Hey now! We're just saying hi. Besides, you didn't rent out the fourth floor. Let us check the view too."
"Uh..."
Yeon Jipyeong's voice carried an inexplicable embarrassment.
Moments later.
"Whoa, killer view!"
"Good call coming up!"
Yeon Hojeong turned his gaze there. Yeon Jipyeong, sandwiched between two young men and a girl he'd never seen, looked utterly mortified.