Unshaken (2)
The sound of rushing water echoed sharply.
After finishing his bath in steaming hot water, the young man poured another bucket of cold water over his head and shook it vigorously.
When a person becomes deeply immersed, they forget even to eat or sleep. There was no need to mention washing.
The young man had spent more than half a day in the bath, scrubbing away layers of accumulated filth. He trimmed his fingernails and toenails completely and cut away his tangled hair with clean strokes.
What emerged was his characteristically bright skin and gentle, amiable eyes. The madness-soaked, blade-sharp glint that once filled his gaze had vanished. In its place was an endlessly deep and clear look that was remarkably pleasant to behold.
“Hmm.”
Having dressed and stepped into the training ground, the young man—Yeon Ji-pyeong—turned his head.
Kang Liang stood there.
“Ah, Brother.”
Kang Liang let out a short laugh.
“Did you achieve some kind of enlightenment? Or did you finally realize it? That your appearance had become so wretched even the Beggars’ Sect would hesitate to take you in.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong scratched his head with an embarrassed expression.
“Was it that bad?”
“Beyond what words can describe. Still, it’s fine. At least you didn’t smell.”
“……”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s true. It really was fascinating.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong simply smiled.
Kang Liang’s eyes sparkled as he watched him. He’s changed. Yeon Ji-pyeong’s eyes, his posture, even the aura surrounding him.
This was not the same Yeon Ji-pyeong he had seen just days ago. It wasn’t merely that his body and clothes were clean. He’s different. Not just his eyes—the sword energy that used to surge uncontrollably in every direction has been completely reined in.
The density of Yeon Ji-pyeong’s sword energy was now beyond compare. It hadn’t been like this at first, but as he trained here the concentration grew deeper and deeper. Eventually, each individual strand began to feel like a tangible, real sword.
Yet no matter how magnificent the sword energy, it was useless if it could not be wielded freely. Even a person born with divine strength swinging a treasured blade would produce no more power than a master wielding a mere tree branch.
That had been Yeon Ji-pyeong’s previous state. But not anymore. He’s stabilized it perfectly. It’s almost impossible to detect even a single stray thread of energy.
The wild bundles of sword energy that had once rampaged in every direction were now nowhere to be found, no matter how hard one searched.
Kang Liang, who had been quietly observing him, suddenly grinned.
“Ji-pyeong.”
“Yes, Brother.”
Clang!
The sword drawn in an instant shot toward Yeon Ji-pyeong’s throat like a spike. It was a strike as swift as lightning. It seemed Kang Liang had not been idle; the entire sequence from drawing the blade to the lightning-fast thrust was chillingly flawless.
“……”
Kang Liang’s sword stopped just short of Yeon Ji-pyeong’s neck.
Yeon Ji-pyeong continued to gaze at him with those deep, tranquil eyes.
Kang Liang stared at him for a long moment before withdrawing his sword.
“Why didn’t you dodge?”
“I didn’t sense any killing intent.”
“I released killing intent. Don’t tell me you’ve already seen through its true nature and deception?”
Yeon Ji-pyeong shook his head.
“Before even considering true and false, I know you would never cut my throat, Brother.”
Kang Liang burst into laughter before he could stop himself.
“That’s not something you can be certain of. Who knows? We might end up drawing swords against each other someday over a woman.”
“Then I’ll be sure to dodge when that time comes.”
Oh?
He had only meant to prod him a little, but the response was remarkably smooth. It was not an answer that could be forced. It meant his mind had grown that stable and composed. Beyond the qualitative leap in his martial arts, he has completely straightened out the chaos that once filled his heart.
Swish. Clack.
Kang Liang sheathed his sword and spoke casually.
“It looks good on you.”
It was a very typical remark from him.
Yeon Ji-pyeong opened his mouth.
“Your sword force has also advanced tremendously, Brother.”
“Can you see it?”
“Yes, I can.”
“How did it look?”
“It was different from mine.”
The corner of Kang Liang’s mouth lifted.
“It has to be. There’s no need to debate which is superior, but if we clashed head-on, I would still hold the advantage for now.”
“Yes, it seems so.”
“Though if you start playing tricks with your hands, I might find myself in danger.”
“That remains to be seen.”
His tone remained perfectly calm. There was not the slightest tremor in his voice. Even when told that his opponent was stronger, his heart showed no disturbance.
Kang Liang let out a soft sigh.
“I truly don’t understand how you and Brother became such monsters.”
“Monsters?”
“Brother is called the greatest genius of the younger generation at his age and has accumulated martial prowess that even the leaders of major sects look up to. And you—with your shallow experience—suffered for a few months and realized the Quiet Sword.”
The Quiet Sword.
It was one of the countless realms of the sword. The realm of the Quiet Sword could not be divided into stages. Someone with lower cultivation than Yeon Ji-pyeong could realize it, while even a powerhouse of the Holy Heavens might never attain it.
It was simply called the Quiet Sword because there was no better term to describe it.
Yet Kang Liang knew. The sword of Yeon Ji-pyeong, who had realized the Quiet Sword, would carry out its master’s will without the slightest tremor in any situation.
Even if rage blinded his eyes or sorrow crushed his heart, his sword would never waver.
“Isn’t that right, Brother?”
At Kang Liang’s question, Yeon Hojeong’s voice drifted over from beyond the training ground wall.
“I’m not sure about monsters, but since Ji-pyeong has stabilized that sword once filled with chaos, I know it’s time to offer praise.”
Yeon Hojeong, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, vaulted over it with a light movement.
He walked straight up to Yeon Ji-pyeong.
“……”
The two stared at each other in silence.
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s height had now grown nearly equal to Yeon Hojeong’s.
Having lived such a harsh life traveling across the Central Plains, Yeon Hojeong’s skin was no longer pale. In contrast, Yeon Ji-pyeong remained pale despite his grueling training beneath the scorching sun.
Though their features were similar, Yeon Hojeong’s impression was sharp like their father Yeon Wi, while Yeon Ji-pyeong’s was gentle and warm like their late mother.
They were so alike, yet so different.
But Kang Liang had never felt they resembled each other as strongly as he did today.
Especially their eyes. Their gazes are practically identical. Despite his rough methods and unconventional behavior, Yeon Hojeong’s eyes were as clear and deep as a lake.
The same was true for Yeon Ji-pyeong. The color differed, but the gaze of one who had realized the Quiet Sword was every bit as clear and profound as Yeon Hojeong’s.
Some time passed in that quiet gaze.
“I wasn’t even able to look after you properly, yet you’ve already reached this height. How admirable.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong smiled.
“Your very existence has been both care and lesson to me, Brother. Without you, I could never have reached this realm.”
“It seems your eloquence has improved along with your enlightenment.”
“Isn’t sincerity more brilliant than any ornament?”
“Hahaha.”
Only then did Yeon Hojeong’s expression soften. He reached out and roughly tousled his brother’s hair.
Yeon Ji-pyeong protested with a yelp.
“I just washed and dried it! You’re messing it up!”
“You rascal, you’re far too neat. It’s fine to get a little messy.”
After playing around for a while, Yeon Hojeong’s gaze suddenly fell on the worn scabbard at Yeon Ji-pyeong’s waist.
“It looks like it’s been used for ten years.”
“Ah, this?”
“Shall I get you a new sword?”
“It’s fine.”
“Really? Isn’t your blade still broken in half?”
Yeon Ji-pyeong drew the sword slightly to show him.
As Yeon Hojeong had said, the blade was snapped cleanly in two. He had been carrying that half-sword all this time.
Yeon Ji-pyeong sheathed it again and spoke.
“To some it may look like a broken sword, but to others it may appear as a companion that overcame hell together—a hell where each day felt like ten years.”
He had called it hell.
Though it had lasted only a few months, to him it had been ten times harder than all the training of his lifetime combined.
Yeon Hojeong acknowledged his younger brother. Not merely his martial arts, but the fact that he had shattered the wall of despair he felt for the first time, returned as a completely new person, and had truly become a martial artist worthy of the name.
Yeon Hojeong said, “The exact date hasn’t been decided yet. There are still matters to handle in Guangdong, and I must meet those old-timers you don’t know about one more time.”
“……?”
“Still, it seems all those tasks will be wrapped up in the near future.”
Kang Liang was quick to catch on.
“Where are you going?”
“It seems I must return to the Martial Alliance.”
“I see.”
“However, the Uijeong Army will remain here. A power vacuum has formed, so the Martial Alliance’s forces must stay behind to prevent wicked organizations from growing. The mere existence of the Uijeong Army can act as a deterrent that stops the Black Faction from opening their gates.”
Yeon Hojeong looked at Kang Liang.
“We may stop by the Black Dragon Department on the way.”
For an instant, Kang Liang’s eyes changed.
But that was all. He did not reveal his anger or release killing intent.
If Yeon Ji-pyeong had tamed his heart with the sword, Kang Liang had tamed his through life itself. He possessed that kind of depth.
“This time I’d like to make use of you. Are you willing?”
The corner of Kang Liang’s mouth rose.
“Use me whenever you wish. I also need to see that bastard Yang Cheon’s face again.”
“It must be a face that’s hard to forget.”
“At that time, he never even looked at me.”
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
He turned to Yeon Ji-pyeong.
“Ji-pyeong, what will you do?”
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s answer was unexpected.
“I will remain here.”
He had expected him to say he would go along, but this was a surprise.
“While I was trapped in my own thoughts and running wild, many people suffered because of me. I’m not sure if there’s anything I can help with, but it should be better than not being there at all.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“If that’s what you think, I won’t stop you.”
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks.”
In the younger brother who had become a true martial artist, the seeds of a great man—one who could express gratitude even for small kindnesses—were clearly growing.
Kind and upright, yet firmly holding to his own principles.
Seeing this, Yeon Hojeong felt newly certain. That one day Yeon Ji-pyeong would become one of the most outstanding patriarchs in the history of the Yeon family.
“I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now. Before I go, let me see how well your swords have been tempered.”
“Yes.”
“Rest well. And Ji-pyeong.”
“Yes, Brother.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Yeon Hojeong turned away.
The kindness that had filled his eyes had now frozen into cold resolve. The cleanup is finished to this point.
He had already spoken to Moyong Woo and conveyed the message to Muk Bi.
What remained were the matters concerning Botam and meeting the old men of Foshan. Once those were finished, he would head straight to the Alliance. There’s no time. First, I should wake the person who’s been comfortably unconscious.
“……”
When Hwa-un opened her eyes after several days, her face was considerably gaunt.
Yet her eyes were different from before she had collapsed. They were not clear, but neither were they filled with the same greed as before.
The moment consciousness returned, she realized she had been unconscious for a long time.
And why she had fainted. ‘……’
Hwa-un closed her eyes once more.
Her mind was a tangled mess. Sorting out her heart was not easy.
At that moment, a voice reached her.
“If you’re awake, get up.”
Hwa-un flinched. She hadn’t known anyone was in the room.
As she slowly sat up, Yeon Hojeong and Jeong-an came into view.
Jeong-an’s expression brightened.
“Master!”
“……”
“Jeong-an.”
For some reason, she could not bring herself to meet Jeong-an’s eyes.
As Hwa-un lowered her head in shame, Yeon Hojeong’s voice drove into her ears once more.
“You have no right to lower your head. If you think doing so will earn you sympathy, you are greatly mistaken.”
“……!”
“Matters are moving quite urgently. You can organize your thoughts later. For now, let’s talk privately.”