Chapter 40: The Difference in Caliber (6)
“Father.”
“Come in.”
Yeon Hojeong stepped into the family head's chamber.
Whoosh.
As soon as Yeon Hojeong entered, a thick stench of sweat filled the air.
Yeon Wi's eyes gleamed.
“Were you training?”
“It's fine. I was thinking of wrapping up for the day anyway.”
Yeon Wi scanned Yeon Hojeong's body from top to bottom. He wasn't wearing his usual flowing robe but a tight-fitting training uniform that clung to his skin. Soaked in sweat, it revealed every contour of his physique.
He's grown.
Yeon Hojeong's body had transformed beyond recognition. His once lanky legs were now appropriately muscled, solid as iron pillars. Still slender overall, his shoulders, chest, and arms were far more toned than before, the quality of his muscles sharply defined. It was hard to believe this was just four months of change.
It was thanks to extreme training, ample nutrition, proper rest, and above all, the inner energy that enabled superhuman recovery.
Of course, that was easier said than done—no one could pull it off easily. Just sticking to training that pushed him to collapse in the first place showed extraordinary mental fortitude.
“I remember you looking even gaunter a couple months ago.”
“I thought I was gonna die.”
“That's why I didn't stop you.”
“If I'd listened, would I have grown this much?”
In truth, it had been nearly eighty days since the father and son last saw each other. Yeon Wi had deliberately not summoned Yeon Hojeong.
Even so, not showing his face once? For a son, it was ruthlessly harsh.
“Looks like you've got a solid foundation now.”
“Yes. I think it's time to start making some changes.”
Yeon Wi turned his gaze to the documents and said, “Drop by occasionally for a cup of tea.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled and replied, “Got it.”
“Sit.”
“Yes.”
Once seated, Yeon Hojeong asked, “So, what did you call me for?”
Did he really need a reason to summon his son? That was Yeon Wi's sentiment, but in reality, there was business to discuss.
Yeon Wi quickly reviewed a few documents, then handed over a letter from the side.
“It's addressed to you.”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head. A letter just for him?
Oh?
Thinking about it, there was one possibility. Yeon Hojeong hastily tore open the letter.
His eyes soon sparkled.
Hand over the commission fee, you thief.
Damn it! I thought I'd wrap up the investigation quick, but it took way more effort than expected! You knew, didn't you? Yeah, you knew. Shit, I shouldn't have taken your damn request—lost a fortune because of it!
What money does a beggar have? Looks like this guy's forgotten he's Huigae of the Beggar Sect.
Anyway, most of the investigation's done. Was gonna come in a couple months, but sorry for the delay. I'll drop by in half a month, so whip up something tasty. If it doesn't satisfy my palate, I'll trash the place.
Seeing how bluntly he put it, Gadeuksang must have suffered quite a bit. But Yeon Hojeong knew: the harder the process, the greater the reward.
The investigation's complete.
He could've just sent the details in the letter, but no—he's coming in person.
One of two things. Either it's top secret, or the info's too vast. Or both.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes deepened.
Half a month... might be tight.
If Gadeuksang brought solid intel, that would be Yeon Hojeong's cue to move. Until then, he needed to tune his body to peak condition. The martial world was unpredictable—trouble could strike anytime.
He needed at least one more step up from here.
“There's a name on the letter—Gadeuksang.”
Yeon Hojeong looked at Yeon Wi. Still focused on his documents, Yeon Wi asked, “The Huigae of the Beggar Sect, by any chance?”
“That's right.”
“When did you forge ties with the Huigae?”
“During the conference.”
A faint smile tugged at Yeon Wi's lips—so subtle it might go unnoticed.
“Well done.”
Yeon Wi knew how the younger generation viewed the Beggar Sect. But sending a letter like this? It meant Yeon Hojeong had built a decent rapport.
“There's a reason the Beggar Sect stands alongside the Nine Great Sects. Maintaining good relations with the heir of such a faction is crucial.”
“I didn't approach him strategically—he's just a decent guy.”
“Of course. Who else would put up with your stubborn streak?”
Yeon Hojeong cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Anyway, he's coming in half a month. I'd appreciate treating him as a guest.”
“The Huigae of the Hundred Thousand Beggars, and a friend of my son? Naturally welcome.”
Yeon Hojeong tucked the letter into his bosom. Yeon Wi didn't pry into its contents, figuring there was a reason his son wasn't sharing.
“Then I'll be going...”
“Ending your training there today?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes.”
Yeon Wi rose from his seat. Having pored over the documents to the end—something evidently unsatisfying—he shed his robe.
“Follow me.”
Behind the family head's chamber. The place where he'd stopped by when converting Bi-yeon Simbeop to Bi-ra Jin-gyeol.
Felt it back then, but this is prime.
The training hall was excellent, but its simplicity appealed—no clutter.
Standing in the center with hands behind his back, Yeon Wi asked, “Still practicing spear arts?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Wi gestured to the weapon rack with his hand.
“Pick one.”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes lit up. Pick a weapon? That meant one thing.
A spar with Father?
For a moment, his heart raced.
He'd never sparred with his father before. He vaguely recalled guidance from his very young days, but only the grueling pain stuck in memory.
Approaching the rack, Yeon Hojeong eyed a few spears and asked, “For real?”
“What do you mean?”
“You'll go all out?”
Yeon Wi's eyes gleamed.
“Why summon you otherwise?”
With that, Yeon Hojeong snatched a spear. Not just any long spear. A massive polearm with crescent blades flanking the long spearhead on both sides—a bangcheonhwi
Perfect.
Forged entirely from iron, even the shaft, its weight was immense. Yeon Hojeong swung it around experimentally, then flashed a satisfied smile.
“This'll do.”
“You practice halberd arts too?”
“Extension of spear arts. Best choice right now.”
Yeon Wi mused,
Best for now? Means he'll improve further later.
Watching his son calmly, Yeon Wi drew a sword from the rack.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes widened.
“A heavy sword?”
Yeon Wi paused.
“You can tell?”
“Yeah. The weight's no joke.”
It resembled typical Central Plains swords at a glance. But this was a custom heavy sword, commissioned from a master smith.
Yeon Wi was impressed by his son's insight.
He sees right through a weapon's nature.
Impressive. Even perceptive Jipyeong couldn't do that.
Shing.
Thud!
The dropped scabbard hit the ground with a heavy clang.
“Come at me.”
Yeon Hojeong took a deep breath.
Getting tense here.
His father was a powerhouse. The aura he'd sensed before marked him as the pinnacle among the Seven Great Families.
But Yeon Hojeong's tension wasn't from his father's strength.
Thud.
Entering the hall, Yeon Hojeong slung the bangcheonhwi over his shoulder rack.
Yeon Wi's eyes deepened. Lowering his stance gradually, his son carried the weapon on his shoulder without a single opening—pure solidity.
“Do you know why I wanted to see your martial arts?”
Suppressing his pounding heart, Yeon Hojeong replied, “I don't think there's some grand reason to inspect your son's skills.”
“You're right. But today, there is a clear one.”
“What is it?”
Yeon Wi suddenly fell silent.
Puzzled, Yeon Hojeong asked, “What's wrong?”
“...I'll explain after the spar.”
“Understood.”
Yeon Wi assumed his stance.
Hummm.
The steel sword hummed faintly. His posture was unique: back straight, left hand behind, right hand lowering the sword to the bottom. His gaze fixed not on Yeon Hojeong, but the blade tip.
Elegant, refined. Yet no matter how you looked, unsuited for real combat.
But Yeon Hojeong faced the steel-like aura cloaked in that gentlemanly poise.
Shhh.
A chill that made his hair stand on end. Razor-sharp killing intent.
So keen it scared you to even approach.
Geomgeuk Sagi !
One of the Yeon Family's Five Divine Arts. Condensing extreme aura to refine temperament, then pushing that refined state to the limit—an apex technique.
And that stance... the Gentleman Eight Sword Forms.
If Geomgeuk Sagi was one of the Five Divine Arts, the Gentleman Eight Sword Forms was one of the Yeon Family's Three Great Sword Arts.
In other words, Yeon Wi planned to unleash the family's pinnacle techniques.
He'd adjust the power, of course, but drawing two supreme arts meant he was serious about this spar.
Blue light flickered in Yeon Hojeong's eyes.
Thud!
With a powerful stamp, Yeon Hojeong gripped the bangcheonhwi two-handed, sinking lower into stance.
Interest gleamed in Yeon Wi's eyes.
That grip?
Like an axe about to chop a tree trunk. As unique as the Gentleman Eight Sword Forms.
One static, the other dynamic—that was the difference.
Whoosh.
A breeze cooled the heat between father and son.
“Come.”
“Here I go.”
Yeon Hojeong lunged at Yeon Wi.
Boom!
The ground-stomping thud echoed like war drums.
Yeon Wi's eyes sharpened.
Fast.
Closing the gap in an instant, Yeon Hojeong swung the bangcheonhwi.
Screeech!
A diagonal cleave splitting the air! Ruthless, merciless—no holding back, as if striking an enemy, not flesh and blood. The savage power and speed sent chills down the spine.
Yeon Wi's sword rose smoothly to mid-guard.
Clanggg!
The bangcheonhwi bounced off.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed.
Incredible.
The bangcheonhwi, iron-forged from tip to end, weighed over three times his father's sword. Yet it flew away effortlessly.
The inner energy in the blade was shockingly profound.
This strike confirmed it: light probing was pointless. Full power only.
His father's arts—the family's divine arts—were mighty enough to demand everything Yeon Hojeong had.
Bang!
Yeon Hojeong's stamp shook the entire rear garden. Stronger than ever.
Using the rebound from the ground, he unleashed a strike like a beam of light.
Whoosh!
Yeon Wi's eyes widened. The bangcheonhwi's descending momentum could split a mountain—ferocious beyond measure. Power aside, that spirit alone befitted a master of the world.
Yeon Wi swung his sword briefly.
Craaack!
The bangcheonhwi rebounded. As if anticipating it, Yeon Hojeong spun on the spot.
Simultaneously, Chain Flying Swallow Palms poured toward Yeon Wi's chest.
A perfect blind-spot strike.
Surprise flashed in Yeon Wi's eyes.
Splat!