The Journey to Find the Truth (3)
Yang Cheon’s eyes gleamed.
“That fellow is coming?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Hmm.”
Yang Cheon stroked his chin at Baek Seo’s report.
“Has his training already ended?”
Baek Seo spoke with careful deliberation.
“The third young master’s talent is comparable to the eldest young master’s, or perhaps even surpasses it. Therefore, we cannot rule out the possibility that he finished earlier than expected.”
“Of course that’s possible.”
A strange light flickered across Yang Cheon’s face.
“It is possible, yet…”
Baek Seo’s report concerned none other than Yang Cheon’s third disciple, Jeon Hong, who had just entered Hunan.
“That boy has possessed a fierce competitive spirit since childhood. He knew his own talent well. Because of that, he would often resort to rather childish acts to suppress the first and second.”
Yang Cheon’s assessment of Jeon Hong was simple and unwavering.
A bear that believes itself a fox.
Even so, Yang Cheon had not raised his third disciple without restraint. At least when it came to nurturing his disciples, he had always upheld a measure of fairness.
It was only later that he realized the problem. Disciples were human too; their personalities and talents varied wildly, and each required a different approach. He had only come to understand this much later.
Of course, even after realizing it, Yang Cheon felt no regret. If he were raising them now, he would have done it exactly the same.
If they still strayed or broke despite receiving the same attitude and the same teachings, then so be it. Only after they became warriors worthy of recognition would he bestow proper affection.
That was Yang Cheon’s philosophy of education. One had to claw their way upward, grow ruthless, and attain enlightenment on their own.
The Dark Faction was precisely such a world.
“Then the reason my lord believes the third young master returned early is…”
“Because of the second, obviously.”
Bu Seon’s recent growth had been dazzling. She had not yet overcome her inner turmoil, but the very fact that she had fallen so deeply into heart demons proved just how extraordinary her tenacity was.
That was why Yang Cheon cherished Bu Seon. At least by his standards, she had now become someone capable of inheriting his legacy.
Jealousy, is it.
Jeon Hong had always looked upon him with awe.
Not because he was his master. It was because he was a powerhouse capable of discussing the entire world.
Rumors had begun to spread that such a powerhouse had acknowledged other disciples besides himself. It was enough to drive one’s eyes wild with jealousy and rage.
Yang Cheon clicked his tongue.
I hope it isn’t for that reason, but if it truly is, then you too are a failure who will never amount to much.
The world was not one where having an earlier starting point guaranteed you would cross the finish line first. He could only hope the current Jeon Hong had come to realize that.
“When he returns, have him come straight to me.”
“Understood. Ah, and…”
“Yes?”
Baek Seo spoke cautiously.
“A guest from Bota wishes to have an audience with my lord.”
Yang Cheon laughed coldly.
“The child must be growing quite impatient.”
“His words and actions have been rather aggressive of late. I considered issuing him a single warning.”
The Dark Faction did not issue warnings with words.
Yang Cheon shook his head.
“No need. Tell them we will meet in three days.”
“Understood.”
“Anything else to report?”
“There is nothing else.”
“Very well. You may go. Ah!”
“Does my lord have a question?”
Yang Cheon asked with a sly expression.
“How does it feel to have turned from a rat into a boulder?”
It was a question without apparent meaning. Yet Baek Seo understood Yang Cheon’s words instantly.
Baek Seo bowed his head as though overwhelmed by the honor.
“Thanks to my lord’s boundless grace, each day feels extraordinary.”
They were not empty words. Even in Baek Seo’s characteristically rigid voice, one could sense deep emotion stirring.
Yang Cheon burst into hearty laughter.
“For a gift given to someone who has silently run for me all this time, it feels embarrassingly insignificant.”
“How can my lord speak such overly gracious words? The divine art you have bestowed upon me is an absolute technique worthy of glimpsing the entire world. If you grant me just a little more time, I shall become a wall of steel and serve as my lord’s impregnable fortress.”
“Hahaha, what a man.”
Baek Seo’s martial arts had stagnated for a long time. To him, Yang Cheon had passed on one of his own absolute techniques.
Baek Seo had absorbed it as if he had been waiting for it and was advancing at a tremendous pace. Even in Yang Cheon’s eyes, his growth was remarkably swift.
Considering his age, it would not be an exaggeration to call it explosive.
“Go and train. It is by no means an easy art, so it will not lack for depth even if you devote your entire life to it.”
“Thank you.”
Baek Seo bowed deeply and left the grand hall with quick, light steps.
Once alone, Yang Cheon leaned back against the grand master’s chair.
His eyes, fixed on the ceiling, turned ice-cold for a single moment.
“It is time for me as well to climb one step higher.”
The inside of the tavern was raucous and lively.
This establishment bore the unique name of Inhwaru. It was famous for lighting colorful lanterns the moment night fell, and ever since opening its doors more than ten years ago, it had remained popular among the young.
Of course, a merely flashy exterior could not have sustained it for nearly a decade. The food at this tavern was renowned as some of the finest in all of Hunan.
“Oh?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“There isn’t the slightest trace of gaminess in this meat. And they didn’t even use much spice.”
“Right?”
Kang Liang filled Yeon Hojeong’s cup.
“It’s known as the best kitchen in the area. I’ve visited many places, but in Hunan it’s hard to find anywhere that compares to Inhwaru.”
“You recommended it with such confidence, and it truly lives up to the name.”
“I’m glad it suits your palate.”
Kang Liang glanced at Jeong-an.
She was hesitating, chopsticks in hand. Among the dishes spread across the table, it was difficult to find any without meat.
“Does the food not agree with you?”
“Pardon? Ah, it’s not that…”
Yeon Hojeong waved his hand.
“She’s from the Buddhist order. She would naturally avoid meat.”
“Is that so? But how does a person gain strength without eating meat?”
Jeong-an cleared her throat and answered.
“Before reaching the age of maturity, Bota also permits the consumption of meat. After that, however, it is generally restricted.”
“If it’s not forbidden but merely restricted, then eat it and enjoy. The owner has shown sincerity, after all.”
“Ah… yes.”
Once sincerity was mentioned, she could hardly refuse. Jeong-an picked up a piece of meat and placed it in her mouth.
Kang Liang smiled. He had seen her pupils tremble mercilessly.
“The taste is quite good, isn’t it?”
“It’s incredibly delicious.”
Her voice was shaking.
The reason she had avoided meat during her training was likely because she feared she would succumb to temptation.
Yeon Hojeong let out a soft chuckle.
“Don’t torment her too much. Everyone comes from different circumstances.”
“How is this torment? When something is good, it’s only natural to recommend it. And as I said, this is a matter of sincerity.”
“Sincerity-wrapped coercion, you mean?”
“Can it really be called coercion when Jeong-an Soje’s face looks this happy?”
Jeong-an lowered her head in embarrassment. Yeon Hojeong unknowingly burst into laughter.
The group thus enjoyed a pleasant meal together. They had departed Guangdong rather abruptly, and afterward had spent several days shortening their travel time by camping and surviving on jerky.
Perhaps because of that, although the party—excluding Yeon Hojeong—were not particularly talkative, the atmosphere was remarkably comfortable and lively.
It reminds me of the old days.
Yeon Hojeong was watching Kang Liang.
Having taken a liking to it, Kang Liang was now thoroughly teasing Jeong-an. Since his jokes never crossed the line, Jeong-an would blush yet still let out small bursts of laughter.
This guy had times like this too.
Kang Liang.
During the Black Emperor Castle era, one of the Five Great Warriors and the strongest swordsman known as the Iron-Blood Sword King.
His martial prowess and decisiveness had been so fierce that some even claimed he possessed the qualities of an overlord. If Yeon Hojeong, as the Black Dark Emperor, had stimulated primal human fear and displayed dignity, then Kang Liang had earned the evaluation of being fierce to both the black and white factions with his endlessly strong impression.
But Kang Liang had been human too. Even in those days, in private he had been fond of jokes and conversation, possessing rather good social skills.
Of course, after losing countless subordinates in the war against the Three Sects, he had gradually grown darker.
Yeon Hojeong, who had been quietly observing him, asked abruptly.
“How is it?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked how it is.”
“One of your shortcomings, brother, is that your questions are often sudden and difficult to grasp.”
“It’s been quite some time since we returned to Hunan. It doesn’t feel bad, does it?”
It was a question that could instantly shatter the warm atmosphere. Anyone who knew Kang Liang’s past would have shot Yeon Hojeong a warning glance.
Even setting that aside, it was not a question one casually asked in such a comfortable setting.
Yet Kang Liang’s expression neither hardened nor darkened.
“I suppose this is what they call homesickness. It feels good.”
“Does it?”
“Of course. It’s my hometown.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
Kang Liang’s heart had grown even more than his martial arts. Knowing that, he had been able to ask the question.
“You’ve become strong.”
“In a world this harsh, you have to become strong just to survive.”
“Even after becoming strong, it remains harsh.”
Yeon Hojeong filled Kang Liang’s cup as he spoke.
“It won’t be long for you either. You’ll break through that wall soon.”
Kang Liang chuckled.
“Sudden words of encouragement?”
“Encouragement based on fact.”
“Do you truly see it that way?”
“I only say it because you’ve grown strong enough not to be swayed by praise. The path you walk is not wrong. Before long, the sun beyond the shattered wall will guide you into a new world.”
“I sometimes think your expressions are quite poetic, brother.”
“There simply isn’t any other way to explain it.”
Yeon Hojeong turned to Jeong-an.
“Don’t you agree?”
Jeong-an nodded.
“If you are referring to the Wall of Transcendence, then it is truly an accurate description.”
It seemed Bota referred to the Wall of Martial Limits as the Wall of Transcendence.
Whatever the name, it was clear that Kang Liang’s sword studies had reached their limit. The only difference was whether he would gather more before breaking through or shatter the wall in a single strike. Either way, Kang Liang had grown beyond recognition.
Only then did Kang Liang’s face grow slightly serious.
“Do you really feel that way?”
“In truth, the preparation to escape those limits was completed long ago.”
“Is that so?”
“Breaking the wall is ultimately up to you. There may be many reasons why the wall has not broken even after reaching the limit. However, the most important factor is the heart.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“I don’t know what you’re hesitating over, but do not look back. Advance without hesitation. The moment you shatter your limits, the heart of chivalry and the sense of justice become nothing more than distracting thoughts.”
Kang Liang once again felt the sharpness of Yeon Hojeong’s gaze.
He had seen through his hesitation at a glance. Truly, there seemed to be nothing he could hide before this man.
Of course, even Yeon Hojeong would not know exactly what kind of hesitation it was.
“Thank you for the advice. Though I must say, it feels a bit heavy for such an enjoyable meal.”
“Your stomach is full, you rascal.”
“That’s what I mean.”
Smiling as he leaned back in his chair, Yeon Hojeong looked around the tavern.
“Still, it seems the Black Dragon Department is controlling the area quite well.”
“Indeed.”
The power of the Dark Faction currently dominated Hunan.
Yet there were no unruly groups inside the tavern. Even on the road here, they had not seen a single common thug.
Kang Liang shook his head.
“They are not half-hearted fellows. Neither the Black Dragon Department nor its lord.”
Jeong-an flinched unconsciously.
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“That is true.”
“Enough of that. Let’s have another drink. It’s been a while, so it tastes especially good.”
“It’s empty. Pour.”
“Yes, sir.”
The group continued drinking happily, cups passing back and forth.
How much time had passed?
Thud.
The first-floor door burst open violently, and the surroundings fell silent in an instant.
Yeon Hojeong, Jeong-an, and Kang Liang’s eyes flashed simultaneously.