Power and the Wall (7)
Anyone from the Orthodox Faction would take those words as a provocation.
In truth, it was a provocation. Yet Yeon Hojeong’s brand of provocation—neither quite a provocation nor entirely not one—was something the Dark Faction took for granted, as natural as breathing.
The corner of Hwang Seok-tae’s mouth lifted ever so slightly. For a man whose expression rarely changed, even that small movement transformed his entire face.
“I was curious how the Orthodox milksop managed to win over the Vice Lord. Seems he possesses a rather convincing boldness after all.”
“Jealous?”
Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes turned cold.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“They say a woman’s grudge can bring frost even in midsummer. But a man’s jealousy is so vicious it could melt the snows of midwinter.”
“……”
“I’m sick of men’s jealousy. Instead of wasting time resenting someone, try wagging your tail in front of your master for once.”
This provocation was far sharper than the first. Even Pae Yul let out a low whistle.
Yet Hwang Seok-tae’s expression remained unchanged.
“Your skill at running your mouth alone is worthy of the Holy Thirteen Seats.”
“If that’s meant as a compliment, I’ll take it as one.”
Yeon Hojeong remained utterly at ease.
Hwang Seok-tae found that composure distasteful.
“You once deceived the Vice Lord.”
Hwang Seok-tae remembered. In fact, every high-ranking member of the Black Dragon Department knew. Yeon Hojeong had come to the Black Dragon Department as a spy. In other words, he was not to be trusted.
Especially to Hwang Seok-tae, whose loyalty to Yang Cheon ran deep, Yeon Hojeong was like pus leaking from a festering wound.
“Whether the Vice Lord forgives you or not is none of my concern. I do not acknowledge you.”
“Do as you please. That aside……”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
“Won’t you accept my spear? Or do you intend to have your subordinates test my martial prowess instead?”
“……”
“If not, go fetch one of those weapons stuck over there. This is your chance to avoid humiliating yourself in front of your men.”
The provocation had crossed the line.
Tsutsutsut.
Killing intent erupted from Hwang Seok-tae’s body.
A glint flashed in Yeon Hojeong’s eyes. ‘Not bad.’ It was a thoroughly bestial killing intent, yet perfectly refined.
Just from the killing intent, he could tell. Hwang Seok-tae was a powerful martial artist and a capable unit commander. Regardless of raw strength, anyone who could refine killing intent to this degree would maintain composure no matter the situation.
Composure was a virtue for martial artists. Hwang Seok-tae would be strong.
“I’d rather smash that ridiculous arrogance of yours myself.”
“Does that mean you won’t fight?”
“Whatever the case, you’ll be staying with us for a while. Whether I acknowledge you is another matter. Prove yourself in front of my subordinates.”
Yeon Hojeong wore a peculiar expression. ‘An unusual fellow.’ He was clearly the type to strictly manage his subordinates. Rather than a gentle, approachable superior, he was the rigid sort who valued discipline and enforced clear rewards and punishments.
Usually, such people were weak to provocation and stingy with insults. Yet Hwang Seok-tae was different.
Since they would be living together, he demanded Yeon Hojeong prove himself before those he would live with.
It was not an easy mindset to adopt.
“Whatever works. But you’re wrong about one thing.”
“……?”
“I have no intention of training alongside you.”
Hwang Seok-tae frowned.
“What?”
“My position is Special Adjutant. It sounds impressive, but in the end there isn’t much to it. However, one of the few authorities I do have is overseeing your training.”
“What?!”
“From now on, I will be in charge of the Dragon Fang Iron Cavalry’s training schedule and curriculum.”
Hwaaaak!
A terrifying aura burst from Hwang Seok-tae’s body.
“Nonsense.”
His voice was forcibly suppressed, yet it was thick with fury that sent chills down the spine.
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Didn’t Baek Seo tell you?”
“I am the commander of the Iron Cavalry. Training the main force falls to me and the vice commander. That is my authority.”
“Do as you wish. However, as long as I hold the position of Special Adjutant, your authority belongs to me.”
Yeon Hojeong gestured toward the Black Dragon Department with his chin.
“If you doubt it, go ask the Vice Lord yourself.”
Hwang Seok-tae’s cheek twitched.
No matter how untrustworthy the man was, he wouldn’t lie about something like this. It was a matter of intelligence, not character. The Vice Lord would never trust someone foolish enough to tell a lie that would be exposed immediately.
Still, he couldn’t believe it. Or rather, he didn’t want to.
“Someone who knows nothing about the Iron Cavalry is going to oversee our training? Do you think that makes sense?”
“That’s why I’ll show you.”
“……?!”
“I’ll prove my martial prowess to you. In return, you’ll prove the strength of the Iron Cavalry to me.”
“……You bastard.”
For a moment, he nearly exploded. Hwang Seok-tae was genuinely enraged.
What stopped his outburst was Yeon Hojeong’s presence.
Yeon Hojeong’s face had turned expressionless at some point, and an ominous aura began radiating from his body.
Whoosh!
If Hwang Seok-tae’s presence was a cold wave, Yeon Hojeong’s was red-hot steel.
That terrifying presence soon became an overwhelming majesty that dominated the surroundings and began to bind Hwang Seok-tae. ‘……!!’ Hwang Seok-tae’s expression changed drastically.
Just from the presence, he could tell. The man before him was a true powerhouse. His martial realm alone far surpassed his own.
He had known the opponent was strong, but not to this extent. He had assumed the reputation was inflated by the usual boasts of Orthodox milksops.
But he was wrong. The presence Yeon Hojeong displayed before his eyes was so immense that the rumors seemed understated.
Yeon Hojeong laughed coldly.
“This is an order from above. Defiance means death.”
“……”
“If you’re willing to risk death to stop me, run to the Vice Lord right now.”
Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes wavered.
Yeon Hojeong looked east.
“By the way, I heard the Iron Cavalry numbers a thousand. Did you only call a hundred?”
In the distance, a group approached, kicking up clouds of dust.
A hundred cavalrymen shaking the earth. Even from afar, one could feel the powerful divine strength of the horses pounding the ground. ‘Impressive.’ Looking at the Dragon Fang Iron Cavalry, he couldn’t help but compare them to the Uijeong Army—specifically, the Tangma Army. ‘At least in terms of supplies, the Iron Cavalry wins decisively.’ Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
Even from a distance, he could see the horse armor and the members clad in light armor.
If the armor were heavy, even the finest breeds couldn’t gallop at such speed. In other words, it was an alloy made from high-grade iron rendered as light as possible.
The Tangma Army’s alloy was excellent, but it couldn’t compare. Even the horses’ vitality was different.
A moment later.
Hihihihihihng!
The lead cavalryman yanked the reins. The horse let out a ferocious neigh and reared up.
Pababak!
With ghostly, exquisite horsemanship, they halted their mounts in unison and dismounted, bowing their heads.
“Iron Cavalry First Unit greets the Commander!”
“We greet the Commander!”
Their resounding voices carried remarkable spirit.
Hwang Seok-tae nodded.
“You’ve worked hard coming here.”
Yeon Hojeong looked at Hwang Seok-tae.
Having regained his composure, Hwang Seok-tae spoke in a blunt voice.
“The other units are training two days’ ride from here. The only unit training nearby is the First Unit.”
“I see.”
Yeon Hojeong was genuinely impressed.
“Remarkable. They’re properly disciplined.”
Even though they had received a recall order in the middle of training, there was no wavering in their presence. If anything, they had been engaged in intense training, and the unified aura they emitted was terrifyingly fierce.
Hwang Seok-tae spoke.
“First Unit Commander.”
“Yes, Commander.”
“Test this man’s martial prowess. If necessary, the entire unit may engage.”
The First Unit Commander bowed.
“Understood.”
He didn’t question who Yeon Hojeong was or why such an order had been given.
Orders were obeyed immediately. This was the true face of a military unit—living and dying by command—unlike the freer atmosphere of the Myeolsa Army.
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“So it comes to this after all.”
Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes turned cold.
“Among the ten units of the Iron Cavalry, the First Unit boasts the most aggressive martial prowess. Naturally, it is considered the best even within the Black Dragon Department.”
“So it seems.”
“The Vice Lord’s orders are absolute. However, we have our own ways.”
Thud!
Hwang Seok-tae stomped the ground.
Tiiing!
One of the many spears stuck in the distance flew into his hand.
He tossed it to Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong caught it lightly and gave it a smooth swing. ‘A fine spear.’ It wasn’t quite at the level of a divine weapon, but it was clearly the work of a master. The iron was excellent, the strength and elasticity balanced, and the weight distribution superb.
“Forget the Orthodox way. In the Dark Faction, sparring disregards life and death. If you don’t come at me with killing intent, you’ll die.”
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“I like that.”
“Then……”
“I’ll take it to mean you won’t care if your subordinates die on my spear.”
Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes flashed.
Yet his voice remained rigid and controlled.
“Those who don’t understand the weight of victory and defeat have no place in the Iron Cavalry. From the moment I and they joined, we all staked our lives.”
“Good.”
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Yeon Hojeong spun the spear shaft in his grip and pointed it at the First Unit Commander.
Tsutsutsutsut.
The First Unit Commander lowered his stance and gripped his spear with both hands.
Pae Yul and Kang Liang stepped aside. The match had already begun.
The atmosphere grew tense.
A feast of chilling, burning killing intent. The energy of the Yeon Family Divine Elixir swirled at the tip of Yeon Hojeong’s spear.
Some time passed.
Drip. Drip.
Sweat from the First Unit Commander’s forehead soaked the ground.
Hwang Seok-tae’s eyebrows twitched. ‘What?’ Yeon Hojeong’s killing intent was certainly formidable. But the First Unit Commander wasn’t so weak as to be frightened by this level. ‘He’s sweating?’ That wasn’t all.
Slide.
The hands gripping the spear shaft were sweating, and he had to readjust his grip several times.
It was a sight Hwang Seok-tae had never seen from the First Unit Commander before. He was the most battle-hardened fighter among the Iron Cavalry’s unit commanders.
Hwang Seok-tae turned his gaze to Yeon Hojeong. ‘What did he……?’
At that moment, Yeon Hojeong smirked.
“I’ve changed my mind.”
The already heated atmosphere instantly cooled.
“Proving my strength against a single unit…… that’s not it.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“That unit commander already feels my strength. So do his men.”
Hwang Seok-tae turned his head.
Yeon Hojeong was right. The hundred horses were already stepping back without even neighing. They had been overwhelmed by Yeon Hojeong’s fighting spirit. ‘What?!’ Hwang Seok-tae couldn’t comprehend it.
Without him even noticing, the man had pressured all of them with his presence? How?!
Yeon Hojeong lowered his spear.
“I’ve proven my strength. Now I’ll see the strength of your Iron Cavalry.”
Not the First Unit’s strength—the entire Iron Cavalry’s.
Hwang Seok-tae’s face twisted.
“What nonsense……!”
Just then.
Kwaaaang!
With a tremendous explosion, Yeon Hojeong charged at Hwang Seok-tae.
Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes widened as if they would tear. ‘This!’ He quickly drew the military saber at his waist.
But. ‘……?!’ The flying spear shaft writhed like a snake in an instant and slid over the blade.
Puh-eong!
A burst of internal force exploded from the spear tip. Hwang Seok-tae unwittingly dropped his saber.
Yeon Hojeong lowered his stance.
Crack!
Hwang Seok-tae’s face contorted. His knees buckled as strength left his legs.
The moment he tried to rise and respond to the attack—
Puhbuhbuhbuhk!
He didn’t even know how or with what he had been struck.
Hwang Seok-tae nearly screamed without realizing it. His body, struck across the entire upper half, instinctively bent forward.
And then.
Thud!
The cold spear tip touched the nape of Hwang Seok-tae’s neck as he pitched forward.
Yeon Hojeong spoke to the First Unit Commander.
“I’ll give you twenty-four hours. Gather the remaining units.”
In an instant, the positions had reversed.
From now on, it was Yeon Hojeong’s turn to witness the strength of the Iron Cavalry.