Obtaining Darkness (5)
Yeon Wi’s eyes gleamed with interest.
Sssssss.
In the direction he was looking, a young man sat cross-legged in meditation. ‘Who is that young man?’ The youth wore pure white martial robes and had rather short hair. Yet his appearance did not come across as particularly masculine or sharp-featured.
Rather, he gave off a gentle impression. With his eyes closed and breathing slowly, the sight was incredibly peaceful.
On the young man’s lap rested a single sword. Still sheathed, it was an ordinary long sword that could be seen anywhere. ‘……Hmm.’
Moyong Woo’s gaze as he looked at the blade was deeply meaningful. ‘This is no ordinary sword.’
At first glance, it appeared to be a common long sword. In truth, it probably had been one. But not anymore.
Something even Yeon Hojeong had failed to notice. Something only fellow swordsmen could sense. ‘To me it may be ordinary, but in its master’s hand, it would rival any treasured blade.’
Moyong Woo could not help but admire it. ‘He has infused an ordinary sword with soul. That is not something one can simply decide to do. It must have absorbed spiritual energy naturally after sharing countless life-and-death struggles with its owner.’
It was then.
“Who are you?”
The young man asked without opening his eyes.
Moyong Woo cleared his throat.
“My apologies. It seems I have disturbed your meditation.”
Srrrrk.
The young man—Yeon Ji-pyeong—opened his eyes and rose with a smile.
“I wasn’t truly meditating. If I had been, I wouldn’t have noticed even when the Army Commander arrived.”
“Is that so?”
Yeon Ji-pyeong, sword now tucked at his waist, offered a polite fist salute toward Moyong Woo.
“I am Yeon Ji-pyeong.”
“I know. Haven’t we spoken a few times before?”
“We have.”
A subtle grace could be felt in the calm tone of his voice.
A hint of surprise flickered across Moyong Woo’s face. ‘He’s different from his brother.’ The temperament he sensed was so vastly different from Yeon Hojeong’s that saying they were polar opposites would still be an understatement.
Then again, who could possibly share a similar disposition to Yeon Hojeong? Considering Yeon Wi’s own dignity and presence, it was actually Hojeong who was the odd one out.
“Do you happen to know what kind of relationship exists between Dae-su and me?”
Yeon Ji-pyeong nodded.
“I heard that my elder brother treats you as a sworn brother in private.”
Moyong Woo clicked his tongue.
“Well, we do call each other brothers, but it’s not quite what most people imagine. In truth, I practically begged him to form the bond.”
“I see.”
“So feel free to treat me comfortably. If you are Hojeong’s younger brother, then you are my younger brother as well.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong bowed his head.
“Then I will address you as Elder Brother from now on.”
Moyong Woo waved his hand.
“There’s no need to be so formal. I simply meant to speak casually.”
“Understood.”
His tone remained plain and straightforward.
Moyong Woo looked at Yeon Ji-pyeong with renewed interest. ‘So this is what he’s like?’
The first time he had truly taken notice of Yeon Ji-pyeong was during the campaign to Guangdong. Although he had seen him several times before, at that time Ji-pyeong had given off the impression of someone nearly insane. Unwashed, constantly muttering incomprehensible words while riding, his entire presence had been utterly alien. ‘It must have been a form of ascetic training to gain enlightenment.’
He had known the reason behind Yeon Ji-pyeong’s condition. He simply hadn’t paid it much mind. Any martial artist, especially a swordsman, was bound to go through such a phase. Overcoming that trial was entirely one’s own responsibility; it was not something others could solve by offering help.
But seeing him now, it seemed that arduous training had granted Yeon Ji-pyeong a tremendous realization. Even beyond martial arts, the person himself appeared far greater than before.
Moyong Woo smiled and said,
“The Yeon family truly is remarkable.”
“Pardon?”
“Both Hojeong and you, Ji-pyeong, show qualities far beyond what one would expect at your age.”
“You flatter me. I cannot even reach my brother’s feet.”
“Don’t think that way. We live in the martial world, but martial arts are not everything. From what I can see, you have realized the state of the Quiet Sword. That is a realm even Hojeong has yet to reach.”
“My brother has no need to pursue the Quiet Sword.”
“That is true. What I mean is, since each of you pursues different paths, there is no need to compare who is superior.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong smiled.
“I will keep that in mind.”
He probably already understood it himself. The words had simply been spoken out of humility.
Moyong Woo recognized Yeon Ji-pyeong’s modesty. He merely wanted to warn the young man that excessive humility could sometimes become a problem in this harsh world.
“By the way, that sword of yours is no ordinary blade.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s eyes sparkled.
“You can tell?”
“It carries a soul. In my hands it would be nothing more than an ordinary sword, but in yours, it would rival any treasured blade.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong spoke with a surprised expression.
“You recognized it right away.”
Moyong Woo lightly tapped the Tangma Greatsword at his side.
“I am a swordsman as well.”
“Though we walk different paths of enlightenment, it seems Elder Brother Moyong has realized a great many things.”
“You flatter me. I still have a very long way to go.”
Moyong Woo, who had been smiling quietly, stroked his chin.
“I have sparred with Hojeong many times. However, since the martial arts we learned are different, I have never properly experienced the Yeon family’s sword studies.”
Moyong Woo gripped the hilt of his sword.
“What do you say? It seems neither of us can sleep. Shall we exchange a few light moves?”
Yeon Ji-pyeong bowed his head.
“It would be an honor.”
“Good. Shall we begin right away?”
“However, I have not yet fully refined my sword. It is not that I fear you would be unable to handle it, but since we are sparring anyway, I would like to show you my true ability. Would it be acceptable to postpone this match for three days?”
“Oh?”
Moyong Woo smiled.
“That sounds good as well. I, too, would prefer to see the full extent of your learning.”
“Thank you for waiting.”
“No need for thanks. If this is also a form of learning, then I should be the one thanking you for accepting the spar.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong could tell that Moyong Woo’s words were sincere.
That was why he was impressed. It was never easy for the strong to willingly learn from those beneath them.
At least when it came to the attitude toward martial arts, this was a man worth learning from. That was what Yeon Ji-pyeong thought.
Perhaps because of that, a question suddenly occurred to him.
“By the way…”
“Hm?”
“You mentioned that you used to spar with my brother quite often…”
“That’s right. Though I never won, haha.”
“Did his martial arts ever give off an excessive amount of killing intent?”
Moyong Woo’s eyes shone.
“So that’s what you wanted to ask?”
Yeon Ji-pyeong let out a soft sigh.
“I don’t think it’s a major issue. It’s just a bit of worry and curiosity.”
“Worry and curiosity, you say.”
“After realizing the Quiet Sword and taking one more step into the realm of Sword Intent, the world looked different to me. At least, I now believe I finally understand what kind of sword I wish to pursue.”
“That is quite an impressive achievement. Especially considering your age.”
“As you said earlier, each person’s enlightenment is different. However, in my opinion, my brother Hojeong’s martial arts are excessively destructive and steeped in killing intent.”
“It is understandable that you would feel that way.”
What surfaced on Yeon Ji-pyeong’s face was honest concern.
“After realizing Sword Intent, I came to understand something. Martial arts thick with killing intent are difficult to resist, even with strong mental fortitude. If one continues to wield such destructive and murderous techniques, no matter how strong their will, there is a risk they will eventually fall into mental collapse.”
Moyong Woo nodded.
“Your eyes are sharp. That is precisely why many sects train the mind first before passing down high-level martial arts.”
“In your view, Elder Brother Moyong, do you think my brother will be all right?”
“Well… that is something no one can know. Not just me—nobody can predict Hojeong’s martial path or his future.”
“……I see.”
“However, there is one thing I know for certain.”
Moyong Woo smiled.
“If he were the kind of person who would crumble from mere killing intent, the Hojeong we see today would never have existed.”
“R-really?”
“Trust your brother. In the past, I too had similar worries about the old Hojeong, but not anymore. Thanks to your father and many others who guided him, the current Hojeong has established a clear line that no evil can break.”
Moyong Woo looked up at the sky.
The northern sky above humid Guangdong seemed to dim even the starlight.
“Hojeong has a line. A line that allows him to see the world correctly without being tainted by killing intent. I don’t know if he realizes it himself, but at least in my eyes, I can see that he is gradually walking the right path.”
“……”
“He will do better than anyone. I believe that.”p>
Flash!
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes blazed with fierce light.
From the very beginning, he had radiated killing intent so intensely that his previously relaxed muscles now felt pleasantly taut. It was clearly different from yesterday, when he had spoken with Yang Cheon.
Yang Cheon had said,
“Given the occasion, let us save the drinking for later. If you make a decision that satisfies me, I will treat you to the finest liquor.”
“Then let’s do that.”
“Good.”
“Before that.”
Yeon Hojeong glanced at Jeok-yeon and Yeon Sim.
“If you had guests, you should have said so. As you know, our relationship is rather awkward.”
He pointed at Jeong-an as he spoke.
Yang Cheon nodded.
“I am aware. However, I don’t think there’s any need to create a separate meeting.”
Liar.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
Perhaps because he had achieved the right balance of tension and composure, he could now detect the emotions hidden in Yang Cheon’s voice far more sharply than yesterday.
“I’m realizing it anew—Lord Yang, you really are a greedy man.”
“Truly a new realization, indeed.”
“Even though you already possess vast wealth and countless subordinates, you still wish to seize a divine sword with those hands?”
Yang Cheon shrugged.
“Because I’m greedy?”
“It is truly regrettable how different our ideologies are.”
For a moment, Yang Cheon’s face hardened.
“Are you planning to reject my proposal?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Whether I reject it or accept it depends entirely on you, Lord Yang.”
“What do you mean?”
“I will speak plainly.”
Yeon Hojeong pointed at Jeok-yeon and Yeon Sim with his index finger.
“Give up on Bota.”
“……”
“Let’s start from there. That would be correct.”
“……Hmm.”
Yang Cheon clicked his tongue.
“That may be right for you, but not for me. And while we’re on the subject, no matter how things turned out, I was not the one who called them. They came to me first.”
It was the truth. He had long planned to destroy Bota and had even caused conflict, but even Yang Cheon had not expected them to come seeking him first.
Yeon Hojeong’s smile gradually grew colder.
“Is that so?”
“It is.”
“Then I will help you make your decision easier.”
“Hm?”
“Them, or me?”
“……What do you mean?”
Yeon Hojeong lifted his chin.
“You want Bota’s divine sword? Very well, take it. But if you wish to wield that divine sword, you will have to give up one excellent long-term piece.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes widened.
Yeon Hojeong continued.
“At the very least, I do not consider myself inferior to Bota. What is your opinion, Lord Yang?”
“……”
“If you want to use me, abandon Bota. If you want to obtain Bota? Then do so. I will simply focus on taking care of my own household first.”
“Are you truly going to act like this?”
“That is what I should be asking you.”
Yeon Hojeong’s face grew even icier.
“Exercise your greed with consideration for the current situation. This time, Lord Yang, you have gone too far. Even so, I am still offering you a talent like myself. Is this not an exceptionally generous treatment?”
“……”
“The axe? Or the sword? Choose.”