Chapter 42. Flaws in Discipline (2)
Yeon Wi entered the family head's chamber and immediately set to work. But the documents refused to register in his mind. His son's words from moments ago lingered inescapably in his thoughts.
'Even if our paths differ, my heart will always be here.'
Yeon Wi's gaze deepened. Different paths meant his son's eyes were truly fixed on the world beyond.
'It's truly difficult, my wife.'
His late wife, who had passed away shortly after giving birth to Jipyeong, came to mind.
'I wanted to raise our two sons splendidly, without bringing shame to you in the afterlife. But under the excuse of being the family head, I only treated them harshly.'
Yeon Wi remembered it vividly. His own image from childhood, bellowing harshly at young Yeon Hojeong. Looking back, the boy had been just six years old then. At an age when he should have been laughing at butterflies on a spring day, he had spent his days enduring his father's scoldings and grueling training.
Back then, Yeon Wi had realized his mistake. Seeing his eldest son grow thinner by the day, he knew his methods were flawed. So with his second son, he never pushed or scolded. Jipyeong feared his taciturn father, but he grew up kind and well-adjusted regardless.
But Hojeong was different. Jealous of his brother's talent, Hojeong had gone astray. He abandoned martial training and started frequenting taverns. Yeon Wi couldn't bring himself to reprimand him. After all, it was his own doing that had raised the boy that way. He should have taught him that martial arts weren't everything, yet he'd narrowed his son's worldview instead.
Time passed, and Yeon Wi realized yet another truth. He should have reined him in the moment the deviance began. In other words, he'd scolded when he should have comforted, and stood by when he should have intervened.
I am a failure.
Yeon Wi truly believed that. That's why he could never face his eldest son squarely.
'But wife, that same Hojeong is growing into a fine man now. He's reached this point all on his own, without anyone's help.'
When his son changed, Yeon Wi couldn't hide his inner joy. Despite giving him nothing, the boy seemed to have suddenly awakened to something. It was a bit extreme, but Yeon Wi lived each day with a pounding heart, thrilled by his son's remarkable growth.
Yet that splendidly grown son had no intention of becoming the head of the Yeon family.
'Now that I think about it, it's understandable.'
Yeon Wi felt bitter.
'Who can I blame? It's all my own shortcomings. If I'd shown him a responsible example, Hojeong wouldn't have turned his gaze outward.'
It was all in the past now. Yeon Wi knew he couldn't change his son's heart.
Yeon Wi gazed out the window. He could see his son's retreating figure heading to his quarters. He looked truly imposing.
"......Well, if your heart remains here, that's enough fortune."
That would suffice. Even raised under a worthless father, if his heart stayed with the family, Yeon Wi felt he should be grateful for that alone.
He stared endlessly out the window for a time.
"Family head. It's the chief steward."
"Come in."
The door opened, and Taekyeong entered.
"My, the days are still quite chilly."
"Indeed."
"How did the spar with the young master go?"
Yeon Wi said nothing. Taekyeong, feeling awkwardly embarrassed, pulled a letter from his bosom.
"Here, I've brought what you asked for earlier."
"Hand it over."
Yeon Wi's eyes deepened as he unfolded the letter.
"Truly tenacious."
"The Moyong family still hasn't given up?"
Yeon Wi eyed Taekyeong. The man was quick on the uptake, indeed. A bit frivolous at times, but his occasional wisdom and swift handling of affairs made him a fitting chief steward for the Yeon family.
A sudden thought struck Yeon Wi, and he asked, "What do you think?"
"About the Moyong family's proposal?"
"Yes."
It was rare for the family head to seek opinions on such major matters. Taekyeong answered promptly.
"I think we should join hands with them."
"Why?"
"The Moyong family is one of the Seven Great Families, just like ours. Partnering with them to expand our business would accumulate far greater wealth."
"......"
"Ah, of course, I know you have little interest in riches, family head. But don't you spend a fortune every year aiding flood victims?"
"More wealth means saving more lives?"
"Precisely. Money is indispensable in this world."
Taekyeong's words held merit. Yeon Wi pondered. His son's matters were one thing; business was another. If it meant greater contributions to the people's welfare, allying with the Moyong family wasn't a bad idea.
But.
"Is it because you suspect the Moyong family harbors other intentions?"
"The Seven Great Families differ from the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Clans. They walk the righteous path but cling fiercely to their status as power brokers. Most are desperate to expand their influence."
"Hm."
Taekyeong clapped his hands after a moment's thought.
"Ah! What about this?"
"......?"
"Have you heard of the current Moyong family head's daughter? They say she's not only a martial prodigy but wise and of gentle character."
"Moyong Yeonhwa, you mean?"
"You knew?"
He naturally knew the names of children from the other Seven Great Families.
"But why bring her up?"
"What if we arrange a marriage between her and the young master?"
Yeon Wi's eyes flashed.
"Marriage?"
"Yes. Pushing a marriage just for business might seem excessive, but the future is unpredictable. If this venture brings our families together, couldn't it benefit the people even more in the long run?"
Yeon Wi shook his head.
"Marriage is a matter of profound human bond. I have no intention of forcing it for such reasons."
Marriages for family alliances were common. But Yeon Wi had no desire to go that route.
"But family head, it could be good for the young master too."
"For Hojeong?"
"Yes. He's changed much lately. But when you pass the family to him, won't he need someone reliable by his side?"
"......"
"Moyong Yeonhwa would surely be of great help."
Taekyeong didn't know. That Yeon Hojeong had no interest in the family head position.
Yeon Wi, about to refuse, suddenly thought of his son.
'......Aiming for the world?'
Hojeong's change had been abrupt. Yeon Wi didn't think he'd revert to his old ways. Still, at nineteen, he was young and the world was vast and unknowable.
He didn't know his son's dreams, but having solid support at his side wouldn't hurt.
After deep contemplation, Yeon Wi nodded.
"I'll consider it."
"Since it's come up, the sooner the better."
"I know what you mean."
Taekyeong bowed his head.
"Forgive me. I overstepped."
"I asked. It's fine."
"Ah, yes."
"You may go."
"Yes, then."
After Taekyeong left, Yeon Wi sank into thought.
"Marriage, hmm?"
Yeon Hojeong entered his quarters and flopped onto the bed.
"Young master?"
He hadn't expected his father to consider appointing him as heir apparent.
Yeon Hojeong let out an involuntary chuckle.
'People are truly unpredictable.'
In his previous life, he hadn't wanted the position either. He'd only exploded in inferiority when they chose his brother instead.
Now was different. He knew his limits. Unifying and elite-izing the rough black path factions was feasible, but leading a white path family was beyond him.
He'd assumed they'd naturally give it to his brother. Especially given his own rough demeanor despite the changes.
'I wanted to test your capabilities as family head, but as a father, I'm frustrated knowing your ambitions lie beyond the family.'
Yeon Hojeong closed his eyes.
'I'm sorry.'
His father probably thought: even if extreme, he'd eventually walk the same path. Blood couldn't lie.
But he was wrong. Though of his father's blood, he'd lived a hellish life even severing that bond.
For him to become Yeon family head would bring misfortune to all.
'And I have my own tasks.'
The beasts who exterminated his family. The immediate challenges were overwhelming. Just assessing and preparing for them split his head.
And that was just the start.
'I must stop the Three Sects too.'
Participating in the later-generation summit had revealed much. The world wouldn't follow history's course. Because he was moving differently from the past.
The Three Sects were the same. They might appear later or sooner than expected. Or perhaps they'd already infiltrated the Central Plains.
'The Three Sects, especially Saneumgyo, brook no compromise. Their blind hatred rivals faith. To stop them, black and white paths must unite.'
Deep in thought, Yeon Hojeong scratched his head. Contemplating the future after so long felt like mice gnawing at his skull.
He had plans, of course.
'In half a month, when Huigae arrives, it begins. Until then, focus solely on myself.'
Yeon Hojeong sighed. He really needed rest today.
The next morning, Yeon Hojeong arrived at the grand training ground to witness a peculiar scene.
"Is training a joke to you?"
"No, sir!"
"Then why disobey?"
"We're sorry!"
"I said clearly: from meals to rest, everything is precisely calculated."
"......"
"Planning rebellion?"
"No, sir!"
"Then? Don't you trust me?"
"N-no, sir!"
A man stood with hands behind his back, having lined up the Bi-eungdae squad. Yeon Hojeong's eyes lit up.
'The Bi-eungdae captain?'
It was Gang Yun, who on the first day of his regression had retrieved the rice balls from the ancestral hall where Yeon Jipyeong had sneaked in.
Gang Yun spoke coldly.
"I'm stronger than you. I broke through your current realm over a decade ago. I know exactly how you should train."
"......"
"I made this schedule myself. Why defy it? Don't you want to grow stronger?"
"We're sorry!"
"Wanted to stand out? Or was the sleep too much? Feeling endless energy?"
"No, sir!"
He dismantled them thoroughly. In crude terms, Gang Yun was tearing into his subordinates. But it didn't look good.
"Deviating from a precisely calculated schedule is a grave breach of discipline. You've prepared yourselves, I assume?"
"......"
"No answer? Deaf?"
"No, sir! We're sorry!"
Gang Yun snorted.
"Group responsibility. You'll train in the Bi-eung Sword Method until midnight. No meals, no rest. If you have the stamina to skip sleep for training, this should be manageable."
"......"
"No reply? Don't want to?"
"N-no, sir!"
"Start now. Bring the iron-core wooden training swords."
The Bi-eungdae members paled. Iron-core wooden swords weighed over ten geun. Swinging them all day without rest?
"What are you waiting for? Move!"
That was when it happened.
"Hold."
Gang Yun turned. Yeon Hojeong stood there, frowning deeply.
"What is this? Not even third-rate thugs act like this."