The Divine Eye of the Hundred Weapons (5)
“Haa!”
Hwang Seok-tae shot upright.
His body reacted before his mind could catch up. He knew this was no time to be lying down.
“Already awake? You really do have the bones of a warrior.”
Startled, Hwang Seok-tae turned his head.
Yeon Hojeong was sitting there, slicing fruit with a small knife and popping the pieces into his mouth.
“Judging by your condition, it looks like you were training in Killing Intent Technique. All night long, no less.”
“……”
“What a reckless way to train. If you keep pushing yourself like that without any regard for limits, you’ll end up throwing your life away.”
Hwang Seok-tae spoke calmly.
“If I want to become stronger, I have to risk my life. Isn’t that right?”
Yeon Hojeong let out a small chuckle.
“The words themselves aren’t wrong. But you should only risk your life where it truly matters. Charging in blindly can be useful sometimes, but before attempting a high-risk training method, you need to think it through carefully and consider every possibility.”
“I…”
“You’re the commander of the Iron Cavalry Unit leading a thousand riders. If you collapse, your subordinates will lose their way.”
Hwang Seok-tae stared at Yeon Hojeong in silence.
Yeon Hojeong shrugged.
“Are you envious of me?”
“What?”
“You said you wanted to emulate my martial arts, didn’t you?”
For a moment, Hwang Seok-tae’s face flushed red.
The moment he heard those words, he remembered what he had blurted out right before losing consciousness. It was as if something had possessed him; the words had slipped out before he could stop them.
But he didn’t deny it. It was embarrassing, but it was the truth.
“Our ideals may overlap. You simply reached that point first.”
It seemed his pride had still taken a hit. Hwang Seok-tae’s words carried a hint of defensiveness.
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“Don’t misunderstand. The ideals behind my martial arts are different from yours.”
“Different?”
“The spearmanship you saw from me is only a small part of my mu.”
“……?!”
“If necessary, I am the kind of man who would commit assassination. For the sake of my goals, I can even act as a spy. But you are not that kind of person.”
“……”
“Martial arts is merely one of the tools I use to achieve my objectives. Of course, it holds tremendous value in my life, but it is not the kind of life where I stake everything on martial arts alone.”
Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes wavered.
This was the first time he had ever heard a martial artist say they would not risk their life for martial arts. Regardless of interests or factions, it must have taken a great deal of contemplation to speak such words aloud.
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“In other words, there is no need for you to try to catch up to my martial arts. You are already strong enough. What matters is creating your own mu.”
“I never intended to catch up to you. It’s just that the spearmanship I saw that day resonated with the ideal I pursue.”
“Then this conversation just got much easier.”
Yeon Hojeong stood up.
“I had the first squad leader send a letter to the Black Dragon Department.”
“What?”
“You have three days. Spend those three days searching for your own martial path. We will depart without fail on the morning of the fourth day.”
“You made that decision without even consulting me…!”
“Let’s not be so petty. In the end, I am the one in charge of this mission. Didn’t you come here to help me?”
Hwang Seok-tae let out a low groan.
“I will have the Iron Cavalry First Squad train separately for the next three days. I’ll make sure it doesn’t disrupt their unique formation, so don’t worry too much. As for you, go seek instruction from the special instructor.”
“Special instructor?”
Yeon Hojeong jerked his thumb toward the window.
Hwang Seok-tae looked in that direction. ‘……!!’ Beyond the window, Mak Won and Pae Yul were engaged in an intense discussion. Pae Yul was mostly asking questions while Mak Won explained.
“Senior Mak Won?!”
“That’s right.”
Hwang Seok-tae looked flustered.
“But I…”
“Why? Do you already have a master? Or did the Black Dragon Department forbid you from learning martial arts from outsiders?”
“…That’s not it.”
“Then stop worrying about pointless interests and factions. What matters right now is how desperately you want this.”
Yeon Hojeong turned away.
“The First Squad’s training will also continue for three days. Keep that in mind.”
“……”
“Let me be clear: don’t waste time on needless worries. If it were me, I would run straight to that man right now and beg for his guidance.”
Yeon Hojeong opened the door.
At that moment, Hwang Seok-tae asked urgently.
“Will I be able to reach it?”
“Hm?”
“Even if I learn from Senior Mak Won instead of you, do you think I can pioneer the martial path I desire? Do you believe I can reach that realm?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“If you want to know how cold the winter wind can be, you must first stand under the scorching summer sun.”
“……”
“No matter what teaching you receive, it is up to you to digest it and make it your own. And this is the Hundred Weapons Divine Lord we’re talking about. If you believe that a giant of his caliber cannot help you reach the path you seek, then that is as far as your own vessel goes.”
Thud.
Yeon Hojeong closed the door and left.
Despite the strangely provocative words, Hwang Seok-tae felt no anger. He knew that Yeon Hojeong’s words came from the heart, spoken with genuine concern for him. ‘No matter what I learn, applying it is ultimately my responsibility…’
A short while later, Hwang Seok-tae approached Mak Won and Pae Yul.
“Do you have a moment?”
“Mm.”
Mak Won glanced at Pae Yul.
Pae Yul stood up from his seat.
“Three days is tight. Especially when it comes to internalizing Senior’s corrections.”
He glanced at Hwang Seok-tae.
“It’ll be tight for Senior too.”
With those words, Pae Yul disappeared into the forest.
Mak Won burst into hearty laughter.
“That guy really knows how to say things he doesn’t mean.”
After laughing for a while, Mak Won turned to Hwang Seok-tae.
“I already heard from Vice Commander Yeon.”
“Will this be alright?”
“What do you mean?”
Hwang Seok-tae spoke hesitantly.
“I respect you, Senior, but becoming your disciple…”
“Listen here, junior. I’m not going to teach you the martial arts of my sect, so why would you think I’d become your master?”
“Pardon?”
Mak Won stood up with a cheerful laugh.
“Pick up your spear and follow me. These three days are going to be so brutal you’ll wish you were dead.”
From that day on, Yeon Hojeong trained the Iron Cavalry First Squad, Mak Won trained Hwang Seok-tae, and Pae Yul trained alone.
It was a strange connection. They had come together because of a mission, but every one of them was a martial artist through and through. That was why such a training gathering was even possible.
The Iron Cavalry First Squad poured sweat and blood into mastering the strategies and tactics taught by Yeon Hojeong. Pae Yul, after discovering unexpected gaps in his Sun-Piercing Art, threw himself into martial correction like a madman.
And Hwang Seok-tae endured training that demanded extreme mental fortitude in order to make the teachings of Mak Won—one of the Holy Thirteen Seats—his own.
Only three days, yet it was enough time for each of them to lay a solid foundation.
They were all stepping onto another level. Every single one of them.
And then ten days passed.
“Lord, the special duty officer Yeon Hojeong and…”
“Let them in.”
Yang Cheon spoke before Baek Seo could even finish.
It was rare to see Yang Cheon display such urgency. There was also a clear hint of excitement in his demeanor.
A moment later.
Rumble.
The great hall’s doors opened, and two men stepped inside.
A look of rapture spread across Yang Cheon’s face. ‘Finally.’
Though he controlled himself perfectly, even he could not completely suppress the natural presence that radiated from his being.
Even the renowned Yeon Hojeong felt as though he were being swallowed by that overwhelming aura. The sharp intent leaking from the restrained presence came in dozens of different varieties.
One man, radiating dozens of distinct intents at every moment.
It was truly a unique presence. It felt as if he carried a hundred weapons hidden within his body, exuding a chilling, spine-tingling coldness.
“It is an honor to meet you.”
Mak Won stood in the center of the red carpet and straightened his back with dignity.
Even when facing Yang Cheon—one of the Holy Thirteen Seats and the Divine Sword Emperor—he neither bowed his head nor bent at the waist.
It was incredibly bold, yet perfectly natural. He remained completely unaffected by the terrifying presence Yang Cheon emitted.
“I am Mak Won, the Hundred Weapons Divine Lord. It is a pleasure to meet the Lord of the Black Dragon Department.”
Yang Cheon smiled.
“Welcome.”
Though there was a noticeable difference in age, it was customary for strangers to speak to each other with respect.
Yet Yang Cheon did not, and Mak Won did not seem to mind. Though they were meeting for the first time, they interacted like longtime comrades from the same sect.
“I had heard of the King of Combat’s fame for a long time, but you exceed even the rumors.”
“Not bad, is it?”
“It goes far beyond ‘not bad.’ I knew of you, but it seems I still have a long way to go.”
“Haha, such excessive humility. Your martial arts are truly powerful and unique. If I were to face you in combat, I would have to risk my life as well.”
It was an incredibly high evaluation.
Such words could only be spoken because the other party was one of the Three Lords and because they shared the same title among the Holy Thirteen Seats.
Mak Won gave a precise, disciplined fist salute.
“Before we speak, I must thank you for saving my life.”
“My friend, it wasn’t I who saved your life. Isn’t your true benefactor standing right beside you?”
He was referring to Yeon Hojeong.
Mak Won nodded.
“Of course, Vice Commander Yeon is my benefactor. However, it might have been difficult if he had been alone. It was also thanks to the Iron Cavalry Unit and the Lord’s bold decision to grant permission. I do not know how to repay this grace.”
“Don’t you already know?”
Yang Cheon continued with a subtle expression.
“You already know how to repay that grace, don’t you?”
Mak Won smiled bitterly.
“I was told the real benefactor was Vice Commander Yeon, yet now you suddenly demand repayment.”
“Didn’t you say I was also your benefactor? That’s why. Let’s not worry about trivial things, shall we?”
What a strange man.
Mak Won thought that Yang Cheon was far more approachable than he had imagined.
From the rumors, the King of Combat Yang Cheon was said to be the most ferocious man in the Central Plains. Why else would his title be the King of Combat? He was famous for his terrifying martial arts that left not a scrap of flesh on his enemies through his frenzied combat techniques.
Yet seeing him in person, the man was quite different from the rumors. ‘Perhaps he really is the man from the rumors. If he can conceal such a nature so perfectly, it only means his vessel is that much greater.’
Mak Won nodded.
“I have heard everything from Vice Commander Yeon. About how you formed an alliance with the Martial Alliance, and how the Alliance and the Department have been fighting the Three Sects.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
Yang Cheon’s eyes gleamed.
“You came all the way here after hearing all of that… I suppose it’s safe to call you a comrade-in-arms. Or am I wrong?”
As expected of Yang Cheon. He fully understood the weight of what Yeon Hojeong had said.
Mak Won clicked his tongue.
“Comrade-in-arms… Well, call it whatever you like. In the end, I have also become someone who cannot coexist with the Three Sects.”
“Hahaha.”
Yang Cheon rose from the grand seat and strode down the steps, taking both of Mak Won’s hands in his own.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you. I will do everything in my power to prove that your judgment was the correct one.”
Mak Won was inwardly startled. He had not expected Yang Cheon to reveal such a human side.
At that moment, Yeon Hojeong spoke.
“Don’t fall for it, Senior. Our Lord is a con artist with a thousand faces.”
“This guy…”
Yang Cheon grumbled at Yeon Hojeong in a friendly tone he rarely used.
“You shouldn’t say such things in front of the person himself.”
“It’s not even a lie, so what’s the problem?”
“You’re usually so good, but you always have to butt in at the worst moments.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“In any case, I’m sure the two of you have much to discuss. I’ll take my leave and rest first.”
“Go ahead.”
“Then.”
“Vice Commander Yeon.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled and turned away. ‘He’s grinning like an idiot.’
It had been so long since he last saw Yang Cheon smile so broadly that he couldn’t even remember when.
“Well then, I suppose I should go meet those troublemakers of mine.”