The Westward Wind (4)
The black dragon axe swept horizontally and vertically, unleashing a barrage of chilling slashes.
The white dragon axe connected to the Flood Dragon Chain writhed like a living thing, forming a colossal cage in the air.
It was an extraordinary feat. Very few people in the world could wield two completely different styles of movement with each hand as naturally as breathing. Hmm.
After slicing through the empty air thousands of times in a frenzied display of axe work, Yeon Hojeong retrieved the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes.
He gazed down at the pair of axes in his hands. It's starting to stick a little.
The Mad Dragon Axe had begun to feel strangely foreign to him. The Black and White Twin Dragon Axes had not been quite as bad, yet at some point they too had started to feel distant, just like the Mad Dragon Axe.
But now, the movements of the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes were gradually becoming familiar once more.
Strange.
A warrior's primary weapons feeling unfamiliar was not something to dismiss lightly. The higher one's cultivation, the closer one stood to a major breakthrough, the more attention had to be paid to such signs.
Yet he still could not find the answer. This had never happened during his days as the Black Dark Emperor.
The weapons became unfamiliar, then familiar again. Unfamiliarity and familiarity are matters of the heart, and matters of the heart are ultimately matters of qi. If so, it means my true qi is gradually changing.
The same principle applied to his senses.
Even when he focused intensely on a single situation, he had always been able to perceive exactly what was happening around him.
And that was only natural. For a master of Yeon Hojeong's caliber, lacking such awareness would have been the true problem.
Yet lately, whenever he concentrated on one thing, he lost track of his surroundings.
It was the same even now. However, just as the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes were becoming familiar again, his senses were slowly returning to their former sharpness.
This too must be a matter of true qi. Qi is will, and will is the heart. Because my true qi constantly cries out for change, both my martial arts and my condition are transforming…
Yeon Hojeong's expression darkened. That's what I thought.
His insight into martial studies was equal to that of any of the Holy Thirteen Seats. Having already reached such heights in his previous life, it was only to be expected.
But he had never experienced a situation like this. As far as he could remember, no one else had gone through anything quite so bizarre either.
Yang Cheon was different.
Yes. Yang Cheon had been different.
In the past, when Yang Cheon had noticed the changes within him, he had said he knew what was happening but saw no need to explain it. That Yeon Hojeong had to realize it himself.
Yeon Hojeong had not taken it as mere bravado. Yang Cheon was not a man of such small caliber.
In other words, Yang Cheon had already experienced the very phenomenon Yeon Hojeong was now facing.
Just what is it?
Even if he understood what this situation signified, it did not seem as though his realm would rise because of it.
Still, he needed to figure it out. If he remained ignorant of his own condition and let it pass, it would inevitably lead to catastrophe later. Not only in his martial arts, but in his mind and body as well.
The reason Yang Cheon didn't tell me must be because telling me would have been useless. But if I had truly been in a dangerous state, he wouldn't have turned a blind eye. Which means that even if I cannot yet see through the current situation, it will not immediately cause any major abnormalities in my body or martial arts.
After pondering for a long time, Yeon Hojeong finally let out a sigh.
"Damn it. Maybe I really do lack talent."
Despite his lack of talent, he had forced his way through life-and-death battles and the Sasinmu to obtain strength worthy of contending for the title of the strongest under heaven.
Yet in moments like these, the limit was clearly visible. Anyone who heard him would click their tongues and call it nonsense, but Yeon Hojeong could not deny that his talent was lacking.
Can't be helped. This is no time to lament my lack of talent.
After storing away the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes, he returned to his quarters.
Pae Yul, Kang Liang, and Hwang Seok-tae were already waiting in front of his residence.
Pae Yul frowned deeply.
"Didn't sleep? Or did you wake up early and go train?"
Yeon Hojeong smiled faintly.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"I figured you'd show up tomorrow at the earliest."
"My apologies. I had quite a bit on my mind."
"Must've been something serious."
"Did you meet Senior Mak Won?"
"He's in the middle of treatment, isn't he? We shouldn't disturb him."
"Even if it's treatment, it's the Western Region Goddess doing all the work. It's not as if Senior Mak Won has anything to worry about."
"Whatever the case."
Yeon Hojeong turned to Kang Liang.
"Are you ready?"
"Of course."
"This mission is especially dangerous. Make sure you don't die."
"If I die, then that was the extent of my capacity."
"Always with the jokes."
Yeon Hojeong looked at Hwang Seok-tae. The man still wore light martial attire and held his red spear tightly in his arms.
"Have you said your farewells to the Iron Cavalry Unit?"
"Anyone listening would think we were heading to our deaths."
"This may turn out to be more difficult than any mission you've undertaken before."
"Don't worry. If it gets too dangerous, I'll just run."
It was a statement uncharacteristic of him. At least, that was how it sounded to Kang Liang.
Kang Liang spoke in a sly tone.
"Even someone like the Iron Cavalry Commander fears death?"
Hwang Seok-tae replied in a rigid voice.
"This mission is one I undertake as the warrior Hwang Seok-tae, not as the unit commander. If it is not an honorable death befitting the Iron Cavalry Commander, then I am prepared to flee at any time."
"That's quite the pride you've got there."
"I know it well."
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
"In any case, it seems we're all prepared. Let's get going."
Pae Yul asked.
"So where are we hitting first? The Tang Family? Or the Music Empress?"
Yeon Hojeong picked up the iron spear he had left leaning against the wall of his quarters and answered.
"The Tang Family, naturally."
* * *
Rumble.
The wall opened, and Baek Seo stepped inside.
"My lord."
"Speak."
"Deputy Yeon and his party left the department just moments ago."
"I see."
Yang Cheon, standing with his arms crossed, looked up at the ceiling.
"I wonder if they'll return safely."
He knew very well how outstanding Yeon Hojeong's abilities were.
What made Yeon Hojeong truly remarkable was not that he accomplished missions through bizarre and unexpected methods.
As he had once told Baek Seo, Yeon Hojeong possessed an almost supernatural sense of when to charge forward and when to pull back.
That was a matter of survival, regardless of whether the mission succeeded or failed. Yeon Hojeong's instincts were sharper than anyone's, which meant that even if he was defeated, he would not die.
That was why he could be trusted. His instincts were excellent, and his capabilities were even better.
If one were to name a subordinate worthy of complete trust, there was truly no one who could compare to Yeon Hojeong.
However, even for someone like Yeon Hojeong, this mission would not be easy.
Yang Cheon's eyes deepened. The line that will determine success or failure in this mission will likely be drawn by his martial prowess rather than his senses or insight.
He had realized it instinctively. For Yeon Hojeong to succeed in this mission, there needed to be growth in his martial arts.
Without it, surviving that deadly chaos would be extremely difficult. Yang Cheon did not believe the situation could be resolved through strategy and tactics alone.
This was especially true regarding the Music Empress.
Contrary to what the world believed, Ha Eun-gyo was a master with a great deal of blood on her hands. He had received that report only yesterday.
Of course, the details were still scarce. The Music Empress was like someone who had fallen from the sky.
Just like Spear King So Hyeon-lip and Hundred Weapons Divine Lord Mak Won.
The Music Empress…
Yang Cheon's eyes grew even deeper. A troublesome one. Perhaps the most troublesome among all the strong experts of the Sacred Heavens.
It was his personal judgment. But something about her gave off a certain scent.
A dangerous, bloody, and savage scent. The kind of mad, bloody smell that suggested if you touched her wrongly, you would be torn to shreds without mercy.
"Did you pass the information regarding the Music Empress to Deputy Yeon?"
"Of course. We will continue delivering information about her as it becomes available."
"Good."
"However… my lord."
"Speak."
Baek Seo asked cautiously.
"This may be an impertinent question, but…"
"You're not usually one to hesitate. Speak your mind."
"Not long ago, did you not say you would send the second young lady along with them?"
Yang Cheon smiled.
"I did."
"Then may I ask why you suddenly changed your mind?"
It did not seem as though he had done so out of fear for Bu Seon's safety. Yang Cheon was not that kind of man.
"It would have been valuable experience for the second young lady as well."
"Experience that might cost her life."
Baek Seo's eyes widened.
Was he truly concerned for the second young lady's life?
Yang Cheon closed his eyes.
"I thought about it. What it is that I lack. Or rather, whether it would be fine to continue as I am, or if change was necessary."
"..."
"I have not yet found the answer. But one thought did occur to me."
Yang Cheon opened his eyes and gave a mischievous smile.
"If the second dies, I would have to raise another disciple. And I have no desire to go through that trouble."
He spoke of something brutal while smiling brightly.
"Well, setting that aside, the second is a fine child. A good 'disciple.' Why would I send her to a place that is clearly a deathtrap in anyone's eyes, unless it were a reasonably dangerous battlefield?"
Yang Cheon glanced downward.
Bound tightly in iron chains, Yeop Seong and Hyo Geuk lay collapsed on the floor.
"..."
Regardless of the process, the second now stood closest to the position of successor. It was not yet finalized, but he planned to officially announce Bu Seon as his successor before long.
"..."
"Once I have decided on a successor, should I not raise her martial arts in earnest?"
Baek Seo bowed his head.
"I failed to understand your heart, my lord. I apologize."
"Haha, what do you have to apologize for? In the end, the image I have shown you all this time was simply that heartless. It is only natural that you would think so."
Yang Cheon looked at Yeop Seong and gave a faint, bitter smile.
"Just as this fellow lived his life trapped in delusion after seeing the heartless and indifferent me of the past."
Baek Seo was flustered. He did not know how to respond.
"Do not misunderstand. I am not being sarcastic. I am sincerely reflecting on my past words, actions, and disorganized beliefs."
"..."
"My lord."
"What has already passed cannot be undone. Even if I regret it, will the rift between me and this fellow ever mend?"
Suddenly, Yang Cheon's eyes turned icy cold.
"Since I have decided to take the second as my successor, I must now eliminate every single obstacle that stands in her path. That is the only thing I can do for my successor."
"..."
"That is why I am here now. To confirm my own resolve and aspirations with my own eyes."
"Pardon?"
Yang Cheon looked back and forth between Yeop Seong and Hyo Geuk.
"Have these two still not provided any useful information?"
"..."
"That is correct."
"Do we really need two mouths?"
Uuuung.
At Yang Cheon's gesture, Yeop Seong's body floated gently into the air.
Srrrk.
Yeop Seong opened his eyes. His powerless pupils were filled with terror.
The instant killing intent formed on Yang Cheon's face—
Crack!
Yeop Seong's neck snapped completely backward.
Yang Cheon lowered his hand.
Clang!
With the sound of rattling chains, Yeop Seong collapsed. He would never rise again.
"There is no need to keep alive a seed who, caught in personal feelings, would only obstruct my successor's future."
"...!"
"Now, I have only the second. If in the past I confused my disciples as an unworthy master, then from now on I must burn my soul as a master worthy of the name for the sake of my precious disciple. Don't you agree?"
Yang Cheon turned around with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Send the criminal back to the prison. Burn the corpse."