The Divine Eye of the Hundred Weapons (3)
Ma Won was taken aback. And he made no effort to hide his surprise. ‘What a bold young man.’
His life had been one of constant training. He had spent far more time honing his martial arts in solitude than interacting with others.
Still, by his age, one naturally came to understand the ways of the world. Ma Won had devoted most of his energy to martial cultivation, but he had also helped many people in need. Through those experiences, he had seen more than his share of humanity.
Yet none of the young men—or anyone, for that matter—he had ever met were as unique and unconventional as Yeon Hojeong.
“So what you’re saying is, you want me to help this Pointy Sword Sect elder refine his martial arts?”
“Is that not possible?”
The way he tossed the question back so casually left Ma Won momentarily speechless.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“From what I’ve heard, Hero Ma Won is also someone who knows how to act for the sake of the world.”
“You flatter me.”
“Senior Pae Yul here is a battle maniac. A man who has staked his entire life on fighting the strong. But if there’s a joyous battle right in front of him and someone in trouble at the same time, he will unhesitatingly help the person first. He is a true hero of righteousness.”
Pae Yul made a show of retching.
Yeon Hojeong shrugged.
“I don’t know if the entire Pointy Sword Sect is a den of such people, but at the very least, there’s no harm in taking a look at Senior’s martial arts.”
Ma Won listened to Yeon Hojeong in silence.
In truth, he already knew quite a bit about Pae Yul. Though they had only met a few days ago, the man’s words and actions had been more than enough to reveal his character.
After observing the two men for a moment, Ma Won finally smiled.
“A man who does not reveal himself is truly worthy of being called a great hero. If I can lend a hand to such a person’s martial growth, it would be an honor for me as well.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned. Pae Yul, on the other hand, looked flustered.
It wasn’t just the high praise directed at him—the man had agreed to examine his martial arts far too easily. He truly hadn’t expected things to turn out this way.
“However.”
Ma Won’s eyes gleamed.
“Before we break a sweat, I’d like to clear up a few questions.”
“Questions?”
“We had quite a long conversation during the day. About why I was being chased by the Shinwha Sect, and how you two were able to come to my aid so quickly.”
“We did.”
“Yet there are still many unanswered questions. I want those cleared up first.”
In other words, he still found it difficult to trust them completely.
It wasn’t something one should say to their savior. That was why he was phrasing it indirectly.
Both Yeon Hojeong and Pae Yul understood Ma Won’s feelings.
“Let me ask one thing.”
Ma Won’s eyes shone brightly.
“The greatest prodigy of the current generation and the leader of the Martial Alliance’s Yu Army. The eldest son of the Byeoksan Yeon Family—one of the Six Great Families of the orthodox sects. Why is someone like you working under the Black Dragon Department?”
Yeon Hojeong simply smiled without answering.
But his eyes were not smiling.
Ma Won shook his head.
“That part, you must explain clearly. This isn’t merely about whether I’ll look at Elder Pae Yul’s martial arts or not.”
“I understand.”
“The righteous and the unorthodox factions have bared their fangs at each other for countless years. On several occasions, we nearly destroyed one another completely.”
“……”
“The rift between the orthodox and unorthodox runs incredibly deep. Yet here is a high-ranking figure from the righteous alliance holding a position akin to a core executive in the dark faction alliance. It leaves me quite bewildered.”
“I can understand that completely.”
“I will ask you directly.”
Ma Won’s expression grew icy.
“Have you betrayed the Martial Alliance? Or were you dispatched as a spy to the Black Dragon Department?”
It was a peculiar question.
Under normal circumstances, the question should have ended at whether he had betrayed the Martial Alliance. That would have been appropriate given Ma Won’s situation and personality.
Yet he had also asked if Yeon Hojeong had been sent as a spy. The subtle tremor in his voice suggested he found the latter possibility even more problematic.
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“I have neither betrayed the Martial Alliance nor come to the Black Dragon Department as a spy.”
“Then?”
“The Martial Alliance and the Black Dragon Department have formed a temporary alliance. I have been dispatched to the Black Dragon Department as the representative of the Martial Alliance.”
“Is that the truth?”
“It is.”
“As I said, the rift between the orthodox and unorthodox is deep. You people would know that better than anyone.”
“So you’re asking how two such groups could possibly join hands?”
“Exactly.”
“It seems you already have some idea.”
“I want a clear answer. Moreover, even if there is a common enemy, the Black Dragon Department is not the kind of force that would easily join hands unless it directly benefited them, correct?”
Yeon Hojeong let out a small chuckle.
“The answer lies in what you just said, Hero. We joined hands to face a common enemy—the Three Sects.”
“That is no easy thing. Truly, it is not easy at all.”
“Are you asking me to explain the process?”
“I am.”
“Then you must make a promise as well, Hero.”
“A promise?”
Yeon Hojeong’s face grew serious.
“If you hear what I am about to say, Hero Ma Won, you will have no choice but to stand against the Three Sects alongside either the Martial Alliance or the Black Dragon Department.”
“……”
“There are many ways I could convince you. But I have no desire to test someone who could become a comrade in arms for nothing more than a ‘what if.’”
“In other words, you are willing to share secrets with us.”
“That is correct.”
The Yeon Family Divine Elixir began to rotate gently, stimulating the Four Gods Qi. The four-colored true energy flowed out softly and merged into one, making Yeon Hojeong appear as a figure of profound dignity.
Ma Won was once again impressed. ‘I have no idea what kind of martial art he has cultivated. But he is truly strong. His martial prowess is impressive, yet the man himself is even stronger. It feels as though the person and the martial art have found the perfect harmony.’
Yeon Hojeong spoke.
“I hope you can fully feel the weight of my words.”
Ma Won stared at him quietly before smiling.
“If I take the information and run, you’ll try to kill me, I suppose.”
“That is correct.”
The statement came without hesitation.
More than whether it was actually possible, the sheer confidence that it was only natural carried even greater weight.
Ma Won’s eyes turned cold.
“I must hear your answer, but Deputy Yeon, your words are truly difficult to accept. Now that my body has recovered to some extent, the three of you cannot possibly handle me.”
“I know.”
“You know, yet you still say such things?”
“I do know. But if we all stake our lives, we should be able to take yours as well.”
“Are you certain?”
“Of course.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled again.
“I was planning to dig into your weaknesses. At least in my eyes, I saw seven of them.”
Those were not words a martial artist could easily let slide.
“Weaknesses… I do not like arrogance, but it is hard to believe that someone as inferior as Deputy Yeon claims to know my weaknesses.”
“You don’t need to believe me. You can find out when the time comes.”
“……”
“Besides, even if only one of those weaknesses lands properly, that would be enough. Aren’t we all living while risking our lives? If we can take down one of the Three Lords with a single weakness, that too would be a meaningful death.”
He’s sincere.
Ma Won could sense no trace of falsehood in Yeon Hojeong’s voice. ‘Is this really true?’ To confirm whether these words were real, they would have to fight for real.
Yeon Hojeong continued.
“However, I do not believe you are foolish enough to switch sides over meaningless pride or abandon an organization simply because your feelings are hurt.”
“……”
“There is no need to provoke us any further. I am being sincere. If you must provoke someone, provoke yourself. Don’t you agree?”
Ma Won stared at Yeon Hojeong for a long moment before finally letting out a chuckle.
“I’m simply curious what your heart is made of, Deputy Yeon.”
“It is made of fire. Once the firewood is ready, it burns fiercely.”
Thud.
Yeon Hojeong planted his spear into the ground.
“Give me a clear answer. Even after hearing what we have to say, will you not betray us?”
“Does my word hold any meaning? A verbal promise with no trust behind it?”
“Whether we believe you or not is our judgment and our choice. That is not something for you to worry about, Hero.”
Ma Won gave a bitter smile.
“I am not a man without principles. Especially not toward my savior.”
“Is that so?”
“Setting everything else aside, I have always thought about it. That I wanted to meet another powerhouse among the Holy Thirteen Seats.”
Ma Won nodded.
“I will go meet the Lord of the Black Dragon Department soon. That is the only proof of my sincerity I can offer.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
“That is enough.”
“Now tell me. How did the Martial Alliance and the Black Dragon Department come to join hands? What exactly has happened until now, and what dangers have you faced?”
Yeon Hojeong stared at Ma Won for a moment before finally opening his mouth.
“It began in the Dabie Mountains. There…”
Yeon Hojeong revealed everything he had experienced, everything the Martial Alliance had gone through, and even the gamble he had made against Yang Cheon, the Lord of the Black Dragon Department.
As always, his words contained only the core details. They were neither overly stiff nor did they stray off topic. His eloquence was such that anyone could easily understand.
The more Ma Won listened, the more his eyes filled with astonishment.
“…And for that reason, the Martial Alliance and the Black Dragon Department have formed a temporary alliance.”
“……”
“Do you have any more questions?”
Ma Won could not continue speaking. ‘So many unimaginable things have happened.’
The continent was vast. Among its people, many lived and died in a single region without ever breathing the air of another. One region could be likened to a small country. Most people had no idea what was happening in the neighboring provinces.
Ma Won felt as though he had become one of those ordinary fools.
He had not known about the desperate battles the Martial Alliance had been fighting, nor how the Black Dragon Department had been established.
In places he knew nothing about, events beyond imagination had been unfolding one after another. The saying ‘a frog in a well’ felt painfully real.
“So that’s how it was. That’s how it was.”
Ma Won let out a deep sigh.
“To train in martial arts for the sake of my own completion… I really have been living far too comfortably.”
“Doesn’t everyone live for their own completion? Still, it is fortunate that someone with such power has decided to fight alongside us now.”
Yeon Hojeong grinned.
“You can’t go anywhere now, Hero. You’re ours.”
Ma Won clicked his tongue.
“It’s not wrong, but your choice of words is something else.”
Pae Yul shrugged.
“He’s always been like that. Just understand him.”
“Haha.”
“Also, there’s no need for Senior to help this guy. I’d be grateful if you did, but you should take care of your own body first. You haven’t even fully expelled the poison yet, have you?”
It was the first time he had clearly called him “Senior.” Even Pae Yul, deep down, held great respect for the master known as the Hundred Weapons Divine Lord.
Ma Won let out a hollow laugh and looked up at the sky.
“To live for one’s own completion…”
After quietly gazing at the moonlight, Ma Won suddenly began rolling his shoulders in circles.
“The explosive power at the point of impact is too strong.”
“Hm?”
“Since you called me Senior, I shall think of you as my junior as well.”
“Do as you wish.”
“Now, watch carefully.”
Ma Won took hold of Yeon Hojeong’s spear and assumed a stance.
“In spear technique, the proper way to target the point of impact is through half-rotation and weight shifting alone…”
Under the beautiful moonlight, Ma Won’s lecture began.
The lecture showed no signs of ending even as dawn broke.