Bisan's Eldest Son (2)
Myeong Chi-san was quite astonished.
Huh.
The wind rustling through the bamboo grove tugged at Yeon Hojeong's collar. He looked as if he might scatter away with that breeze. An ethereal aura filled his entire body.
He's something special.
Word had it he was still shy of thirty. Yet his presence was utterly peculiar. Ten masters stood before him, but he showed no sign of agitation whatsoever.
And that stance?
So free.
He simply stood there, yet it felt like he could dash in any direction at a moment's notice. Even though his lightness skill didn't seem particularly advanced.
He was a young man with a mysterious quality. Myeong Chi-san openly admired him.
"The Yeon family has finally produced a monster. To raise a talent like this."
Yeon Hojeong asked calmly.
"You're from the Myeong family?"
His voice was lower and softer than expected. Rumors painted him as hot-tempered, but there was no trace of that from his tone alone.
"That's right."
"You're later than I thought."
"Later...? You mean you knew we were coming?"
"Hard not to. Is there any place in Henan beyond the Myeong family's eyes?"
"What? Haha!"
Myeong Chi-san burst out laughing despite himself. Bold bastard. Arrogant bastard. But that confidence wasn't unpleasant. The Myeong family lacked warriors with such spark.
Suppressing his smile, Myeong Chi-san said,
"To stay so composed before the warriors dispatched by the Myeong family—your guts impress me."
"I don't like guys."
"Sharp tongue too. I've spent my life swinging a blade, so I envy a silver-tongued one like you."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed.
Strong.
Peak master. But not your average one. Forget Brain Fiend Chu-seong; even Dark Assassination Squad Leader Myeong Onji paled in comparison.
Lived swinging a sword his whole life? He believed it. No anger at a junior's jab. That leisure was the mark of true strength.
This could get dicey if I'm not careful.
Which made it all the better. What luck to face such a man first.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Myeong Chi-san of the Clear White Martial Corps."
Clear White Martial Corps. A group in the Nine Provinces Myeong family dedicated solely to martial cultivation, holding no official posts. Not part of any combat unit, nor household duties. They took no titles their whole lives, but deployed on missions when ordered. Problem-solvers, in other words. But far from ordinary ones. Drawn from countless Myeong bloodlines, mostly collaterals.
"And these are from the Protecting Clarity Hall."
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"No idea what that is."
"Haha, no need to know. You don't have to."
Worth guarding against, even if no need to know. Myeong Chi-san was strong. But the nine he brought were formidable too. Unknown in actual combat, but each outclassed Dark Assassination Squad members by two or three levels of skill.
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"So, what's the occasion?"
"Didn't you say you knew we'd come? There must be a reason for that."
"Dark Assassination Squad?"
Myeong Chi-san's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Dark Assassination Squad... Did Myeong Onji spill even the unit name?"
"Spilled it before I even asked."
"No way. She's not half-trained."
"Chopped at her relentlessly with an axe—guess she didn't want to die."
Myeong Chi-san's face hardened. He read the truth in Yeon Hojeong's words. No lie here.
No way?
And that axe bit stuck with him. His voice sank slightly.
"Straight to the point: Where's the Dark Assassination Squad?"
"You think I'd let killers walk away alive?"
Killers who came to kill?
"Nonsense. They had no intent to kill you."
"How sure are you, when you weren't even there?"
"Enough games. Where's the Dark Assassination Squad?"
"Myeong folk all have shit comprehension. That bitch too."
Yeon Hojeong grinned. The ethereal aura vanished, replaced by a pale blue haze radiating murderous intent.
"It was a life-or-death battle. No reason to hold back."
"...You killed them all?"
"Or should I have died?"
"You bastard! Speak straight! Did you really kill the Dark Assassination Squad?!"
Thung!
Yeon Hojeong lifted the axe at his feet, his gaze turning icy.
"Killed 'em."
Hwaak!
Vicious killing intent erupted from Myeong Chi-san. Not just him—the Protecting Clarity Hall warriors surged with lethal hostility too. Dead serious. Ready to tear Yeon Hojeong apart on the spot.
Myeong Chi-san spoke in a sunken tone.
"Ordered to bring you alive, but nothing about your state."
"..."
"Might lose a limb or two."
Tzztz.
The taut hostility shifted to pure killing intent. Yeon Hojeong flashed a colorless smile.
"Think soft vows like that will cut it?"
Myeong Chi-san bellowed,
"Seize and kneel him!"
The rearmost warrior instantly drew a horn bow. Shiiik! Tiiing! Nocking and drawing in a blur of lightning speed.
Flash!
The arrow was already loosed. Aimed at Yeon Hojeong's thigh—to seal his movement first.
Tung!
The archer's eyes wavered.
"Good arrow. Must be loaded."
The arrow clutched in Yeon Hojeong's hand. Caught it as if he'd known it was thigh-bound all along—utterly natural.
His eyes chilled.
"Ruined my meal, you fucker."
Kung!
Stamping hard, he hurled the arrow back. Piiing! Puck!
"Kuh!"
The archer clutched his shoulder, staggering. Arrow buried in his left one. Faster than a bow shot. Like a hidden weapon master.
Myeong Chi-san's eyes blazed.
Fast!
Archery masters were swift of foot—had to be, to create distance. Yet this one couldn't even react. Hadn't instinctively leaned, it'd be his chest.
"Full power!"
Tadadak!
Eight masters charged Yeon Hojeong. Faster, more aggressive steps than the Dark Assassination Squad. Closing in instantly, weapons swinging in flawless joint assault—no gaps.
Yeon Hojeong swung his axe. Chejjejejeong!
Seven weapons rebounded. But one blade cleaved the wind pressure, grazing his shoulder.
His body spun like a whirlwind. Ppakak!
The blade user flew, crashing down. Struck by Yeon family's High Empty Kick.
"Cough!"
The man spewed blood trying to rise, collapsing on the spot.
Surprise flickered on Myeong Chi-san's face.
One strike?!
Protecting Clarity Hall warriors trained external arts as rigorously as internal. Had to throw their bodies to block enemy blades in peril. Yet this ironclad body crumpled to a single kick.
Penetrating realm!
Paak!
Yeon Hojeong lunged. The remaining seven swung in perfect sync, pressing him.
Different.
Worlds apart from Dark Assassination Squad. Hyenas vs. wolves. Each held precise sectors and trajectories. One hit could cripple power. A formation built for that.
No choice—full throttle from the start.
Kwaang!
Stronger stamp than the arrow toss. Axe whirled like a windmill. Chejjejejeong! Kwaang!
Overwhelming might. Weapons nicked or snapped on the blade. No matching that weight. Especially tempered by his internal energy.
Paak! Peureok!
Fist-struck warrior spewed blood, down. Tiiing! Kwang!
Axe flat smashed weapon and chest. Man flew, shattering a dozen bamboos.
Kang! Kagagang!
One shone with elegant swordplay. Blocked swift, light strikes with his spear shaft. Unceasing chain sword met upward kick.
Ppakak!
Temple-hit swordsman crumpled.
Myeong Chi-san's eyes shook.
Strong!
Yeon Hojeong was a powerhouse. Skill aside, raw combat prowess.
Flow...? No.
Peureok!
Another warrior down. Not even clashing—rebounded spear tip caught him mid-approach.
Reads weaknesses.
Piercing the formation's flaws at a glance. Vulnerabilities, targets, next moves—all known.
Myeong Chi-san exclaimed unwittingly.
Innate genius. Not brute force—systematically exploits weak points.
No martial bone. Frame unfit for arts. Yet fought better than any. Seen countless warriors, none this efficient. Strikes weak spots mercilessly, but frontal assaults like a savage beast.
Not a martial artist. Not a fighter. A warrior. Fights only to win, knows how.
Myeong Chi-san stomped. Thuoong!
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed. Tripped the last warrior's foot, then axe-flat uppercut. Peureok!
Jaw, teeth, ribs shattered as he flew—straight toward Myeong Chi-san.
Whoosh.
Myeong Chi-san grabbed the collar, spun him behind. And there—Yeon Hojeong already arrived.
"Waited for you."
"You bastard!"
A heavy drew from Myeong Chi-san's belt. Cheeeeoong!
Steel clashing resonated through the bamboo grove. Full power from the outset.
Yeon Hojeong staggered three-four steps under explosive blade strikes. Murderous light in Myeong Chi-san's eyes.
Admired the foe, but admiration wasn't forgiveness. Killed the Dark Assassination Squad—nay, his niece Myeong Onji. Unforgivable.
Taak!
Closing steps tongue-twistingly swift. Springy full-body elasticity. Leagues beyond his hall warriors.
Yeon Hojeong swung. Chejjejeong! Cheeong!
Awesome arts. Deflecting an eighty-catty axe strike after strike, blade unscratched. Internal energy guarded it sharper than the axe.
Weapons clashed spectacularly. Chejjejejejeong!
Insane speed. Unyielding head-on clash.
Seok!
Blood sprayed from Yeon Hojeong's chest. Rebounded the heavy blade, spun for a split-second slash.
Shallow wound, but mind-sharpening strike.
Peopung!
Upward Yeon Thirteen Fists blocked at the knee. Defense as fierce as offense. Integrated offense-defense arts.
Tough nut to crack.
Right.
Peureok!
Couldn't dodge the kick—blood from Yeon Hojeong's mouth. Eyes tracked Myeong Chi-san relentlessly.
This guy's the one.
Buwoong! Ppakak!
Myeong Chi-san faltered. Elastic kick wrenched his torso. Focus peaked instantly.
One slip, and he'd fall. Yeon Hojeong's will sharpened to a blade.
With this guy, I can.
Wooooung!
Within pale blue true energy, northern darkness rippled. Black Tortoise Qi.
But not for North Heaven Twelve Walls. A prepared technique. Prepared energy. Under Black Tortoise guidance, it slowly emerged.
With this guy, I can summon it.
Myeong Chi-san's blade mercilessly swung. Buwoong! Kwaeaek!
Fearsome blade gale shot across distance. Block or lose axe and right arm whole.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes whitened for a flash.
Wind.
Then, the world slowed. Swaying bamboo leaves waved lazily. Myeong Chi-san's moves slogged like in mud.
And amid it, the invisible blade wind gleamed stark white.
Thigh muscles bulged. Kwaaang!
Earth-stomping advance roared like a tiger. Axe-grip arms swelled like raging bulls.
Come out!
Hwaaak!
White wind surged into his lungs. Chill, keen white energy shot through nerves like light.
Yeon Hojeong's mouth opened wide.
Krraaaah!!
With the mountain king's roar, his axe began an uncanny dance.