Reflections and the Road Ahead
Yeon Wi’s voice was calmer than ever.
“Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if I had never stepped into the martial world at all. If I had simply used the family’s martial arts and wealth for the people instead.”
“You’re already doing that, Father.”
“True, yet I still have one foot in the martial world. If I truly wished to serve them, there was no need to involve myself with the Martial Alliance.”
“You’re not wrong.”
“I agreed to the founding of the Martial Alliance and remained here to attend countless meetings because I wanted to lend my strength to the world in my own way.”
“……”
“That intention will never change. However……”
“……?”
A self-deprecating smile appeared on Yeon Wi’s face as he gazed at the sky.
“It has been a long time since I felt my own desires so vividly.”
“Pardon?”
“You met the Lord of the Black Dragon Department, did you not?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“How was he?”
“A man I could not hope to match.”
Yeon Wi shook his head.
“I always thought the Sacred Heavens masters were on another level, but I never truly understood the difference.”
“You had never seen one before.”
“Exactly. Now I understand clearly why the Holy Thirteen Seats are called the strongest.”
Yeon Wi clicked his tongue.
“He was completely different. He wasn’t even human. The moment I faced him, I felt myself being crushed. His martial arts truly belonged to another dimension.”
Admitting such feelings in front of his son was no ordinary matter. Yeon Hojeong thought his father was remarkable in many ways.
“At the same time, my goal became crystal clear. That realm I had only looked up to now felt within reach. I also wondered whether I could ever set foot in such an exalted domain.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“You will definitely reach it, Father. I guarantee it.”
“You think so?”
“Have you forgotten? I once stood in that realm myself.”
Yeon Wi smiled.
“Now that you mention it, you did.”
He fully believed his son’s words about his time as the Black Dark Emperor.
Yet he sometimes forgot that fact. He had heard the stories, but he had never witnessed it. He trusted his son’s words, yet it was difficult to vividly recall the reality.
Now, hearing those words again, he truly felt how extraordinary his son was.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“You have built your martial arts with more honesty than anyone. You are nothing like me, always looking for shortcuts and tricks.”
“There is no need to put it that way.”
“I simply want you to know that my words are not meant to comfort you. You will reach that realm of light in the near future. I am certain of it.”
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Hearing you say that gives me confidence.”
“I am glad.”
“That aside.”
Yeon Wi changed the subject.
“I now understand why you hold the Lord of the Black Dragon Department in such high regard, beyond his martial arts.”
“Is that so?”
“He is a rare hero with undeniable personal charm. However……”
“He is dangerous.”
“Yes.”
Yeon Wi sighed.
“He is a man of great ambition. He would sacrifice those around him if it served his purpose.”
“You saw him clearly.”
“I heard him speak of you. He does not merely think well of you—he covets you greatly.”
Yeon Hojeong gave a bitter smile.
“People always desire what they cannot have.”
It was a clear declaration of boundaries. No matter what happened, he had no intention of truly serving under Yang Cheon.
Yeon Wi patted his son’s shoulder.
“I believe you will handle things well there as well.”
“Do not worry.”
“I have always told you to return safely, even if you fail your mission.”
“……”
“My heart remains the same. Work for the world, but do not get hurt. Return in one piece.”
Yeon Hojeong bowed on the spot.
“I will return safely.”
* * *
Kugugugung!
The southern gate of the Martial Alliance, the Vermilion Bird Fire Gate, opened with a majestic sound.
Jegal Mun-ho personally came to see them off at the gate.
“This is travel money I prepared separately.”
“There is no need for that……”
“Take it. A man without money becomes unsightly. You are going to the Black Dragon Department as the Martial Alliance’s representative. You have done well so far, but from now on you must be even more careful.”
Yeon Hojeong gave a faint smile.
“Since you insist, I will gratefully accept it.”
“By the way, where did you put your usual axes? Will those two hand axes be enough?”
“They will do. In fact, I may not even be able to use axes once I am in the Black Dragon Department.”
“Hmm.”
There must be a reason. Jegal Mun-ho nodded.
“Pae Yul, I leave him in your care.”
Pae Yul spoke with a nonchalant expression.
“Do not worry. Even if I cause trouble, I am the type to check where I will land first.”
“Haha, I did not say that because I fear you will cause trouble.”
“I will serve the Martial Alliance’s representative well.”
Jegal Mun-ho clicked his tongue. Pae Yul’s blunt personality was truly difficult to deal with.
“Understood. And Inspector Kang, take care of yourself as well.”
“Yes.”
His reply was almost cheerful. Jegal Mun-ho chuckled, then suddenly looked at Kang Liang’s eyes with a puzzled expression.
“By the way, what happened to your eyes? They are bruised blue.”
“Ah, this……”
Kang Liang coughed awkwardly and turned his head.
Pae Yul sneered.
“The result of a senior in the martial world giving affectionate guidance to his junior.”
Calling it guidance was generous; it looked more like one-sided violence.
Jegal Mun-ho clicked his tongue.
“Do not be too harsh. You are still his senior.”
“That is something I cannot just let slide.”
Pae Yul rolled up his sleeve.
For a moment, Jegal Mun-ho was at a loss for words. Blood was still seeping through the tightly wrapped bandages on Pae Yul’s arm.
“Do you know how vicious that madman’s sword is? If I had made one wrong move, my arm would have been sliced to the bone. Damn it, a bruise around the eye is nothing. I thought he was just rude, but he turned out to be completely insane.”
Kang Liang coughed again.
Jegal Mun-ho sighed.
“Show some restraint from now on. Both of you.”
“I told you not to worry.”
Yeon Hojeong spoke with a smile.
“Both of them know how to separate personal matters from official duties. There is no need to worry too much.”
“If you say so.”
Pae Yul muttered under his breath. His words were too quiet for others to hear clearly, but they sounded something like “How pitiful,” “How old do you think I am,” and “At this rate I will end up as a junior’s servant.”
Of course, Jegal Mun-ho ignored the grumbling. He could barely hear it anyway, and he had no intention of responding.
“Then I wish you good fortune.”
With that, the three men set off for the Black Dragon Department in Hunan.
Yeon Hojeong, riding at the front, did not hurry.
Instead, he maintained a leisurely pace that felt almost relaxed. He occasionally looked around and smiled, resembling a young master out for a carefree journey rather than someone on a mission.
Pae Yul asked,
“Should we not move faster?”
“This pace is fine. They will be busy organizing the list of tasks they want me to handle anyway.”
“Is that so.”
“We do not know when we will return. I am not usually one to dwell on memories, but it might be nice to recall these surroundings when I feel lonely.”
“Hmm.”
Pae Yul swept his gaze over the area.
“It is not exactly a memorable landscape.”
“Is that so.”
With those words, Pae Yul fell silent. He rode at a similar pace to Yeon Hojeong and quickly slipped into meditation.
Every day, he devoted every available moment to martial arts training. Even if it was only meditation, Pae Yul poured himself into cultivation.
Kang Liang, who had wanted to chat, also entered meditation after watching Pae Yul. He was a rough man, but this was something worth learning from.
‘A good combination.’
Yeon Hojeong nodded inwardly as he observed the two.
‘They will clash often, but they can provide each other with plenty of help.’
Kang Liang was competitive, and Pae Yul was overflowing with fighting spirit.
Yet neither crossed the line. They would bicker constantly, but through that process both would grow rapidly.
‘Growth, huh.’
Uuuung.
Yeon Hojeong looked inward.
‘The foundation is set. Now all that remains is to expand it.’
The Yeon Family Divine Elixir he had formed currently contained four of the five divine arts merged into one.
The elixir itself could emit an enormous amount of true energy. It could release the energies of the four divine arts at whatever density and momentum the situation required.
When that power flowed into the Sasinmu, its might would become even greater.
‘This is already sufficient, but if I want more, I should balance it once.’
He had cultivated the Biying True Art the longest, followed by the Dragon Robe True Art.
Compared to those two, the Sword Limit Qi and Divine General Qi were still at the beginner stage. His understanding of the divine arts was perfect, but his actual cultivation level was not.
‘Since they have become one through the elixir, there is no need to raise each art’s achievement separately. However, achieving perfect balance will be better for the future.’
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
‘For the time being, I should focus on cultivating the Sword Limit Qi and Divine General Qi through the elixir.’
He had many thoughts, yet his mood was good. His martial arts, which had been stagnant for a while, were finally showing signs of further development.
And where would this development lead?
‘The Sacred Heavens.’
In his past life as the Black Dark Emperor, he had been called the greatest warrior of the dark path thanks to his terrifying combat ability.
He needed to obtain at least that much power again. Only then would the battles ahead become easier.
As he thought about his martial arts and future, his mind naturally turned to the Black Dragon Department and the Holy Thirteen Seats.
‘What will be the first mission the Lord of the Black Dragon Department asks of me? It will not be an easy one, at least.’
During their previous meeting, before parting, he and Yang Cheon had discussed various matters.
Yeon Hojeong recalled that conversation.
‘If you came and worked with us, there would be nothing better. But the headquarters runs fine even without you. In other words, there is no need for you to come to headquarters and manage operations or combat units.’
‘Then there would be no need for me to be dispatched at all.’
‘You could come to headquarters and simply relax. Many people could learn from you, and I would not be bored.’
‘I am starting to not want to go.’
‘But that will not do. In short, you will be handling tasks that are difficult for us, things we could not even attempt.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well…… I will have to think about it, but.’
‘Think about what. It looks like you already have something in mind.’
‘Haha, I have only thought about it lightly. In truth, before the war with the Three Sects, it would be ideal for the dark and orthodox factions to join hands. However, there are many other experts in the martial world besides us.’
‘……Surely not?’
‘It is just a thought. But if we could join hands with some of “them,” would it not benefit both the orthodox faction and us?’
‘……’
‘Think it over. I will do the same.’
Yeon Hojeong sighed.
“The Sacred Heavens…… So it has finally come to that realm. In every sense of the word.”