The Eldest Son of Bi-san (5)
“Hm, good enough.”
Yeon Hojeong clenched his fist.
Tzzzzzt.
White Tiger Qi naturally enveloped it.
He wanted to thrust out that tightly gripped fist right away. If he swung it at a rock, the rock would split; if at a tree, the tree would shatter. Of course, it was something he could do with the progressively deepening Bi-ra Jin-gyeol as well.
But there was a difference in raw destructive power between striking with Bi-ra Jin-gyeol as the foundation and wielding White Tiger Qi on top of it.
Now I can wield it properly.
White Tiger Qi was ferocious. It wasn’t the heavy, static energy like Black Tortoise Qi. That was why it always strained to burst forth.
If he couldn’t properly rein in the White Tiger Qi, even his martial arts would spiral out of control.
And if his martial arts went out of control?
Then it was self-destruction.
Even the finest sword in the world shone with value only when used at the right moment.
Indiscriminately unleashing uncontrolled White Tiger Qi would shatter his body before his inner energy ran dry.
Still.
A satisfied smile crossed Yeon Hojeong’s face.
With White Tiger in the mix, it feels solid.
It had been eight days since he acquired the White Tiger Qi.
In that time, he had refined his true energy and molded it to his body.
He hadn’t swung his axe or practiced footwork, but he could feel his martial arts had advanced significantly.
No matter how extreme a martial path one pursued, a minimum balance was essential.
Yeon Hojeong picked up his axe and stood.
His beard had grown thick from days in the forest, but his skin seemed clearer.
“Alright then.”
He stomped forward with vigorous force.
Boom!
The earth-shaking step announced the mountain’s master.
Yeon Hojeong’s body scattered like smoke.
Bam!
The instant he vanished, he reappeared ten paces away, slicing a tree diagonally in half.
His movement technique hadn’t been particularly fast to begin with. Even now, its attainment hadn’t changed much from before gaining the White Tiger Qi.
But his footwork was different.
He had always been quick to close short distances. But now, he was even faster.
Lightning-fast.
That was the White Tiger Overlord Step.
The stride of the Western Sovereign ruling over blood-and-flesh-splattered battlefields.
A footwork technique that could handle any foe entering his domain. Specialized for combat.
Yeon Hojeong swung his axe again.
Whoosh!
He swung with such ferocity that the shaft seemed ready to bend.
Similar to beast spear arts, yet utterly different.
Now, the essence of one-strike-kill was truly taking shape.
An ultimate art that shattered the enemy’s momentum before the strike even landed: the Tiger King Nine Thunder Strikes.
After swinging the axe dozens of times, he smashed the base of a boulder with the axe in his right hand.
Kaboom!
Rumble!
A fairly large boulder rolled five zhang before stopping against a massive tree.
Explosive power sent the rock flying. No superhuman strength could match this.
Thud!
Releasing the axe, Yeon Hojeong looked down at his hands.
His fingertips trembled faintly.
The qi is perfect, but my body can’t keep up.
With White Tiger Qi infused in the axe, the rock should have shattered.
Instead, Yeon Hojeong had blasted it away with that destructive force.
Proof that he could freely supply and control his true energy.
Proof of perfect control over the White Tiger Qi.
But his muscles, tendons, and joints couldn’t withstand that destructive technique.
It’s fine for now. But if I don’t loosen it up in advance, it’ll break eventually.
Yeon Hojeong wasn’t worried.
White Tiger Qi was wild. But it would strengthen his muscles and bones.
In other words, as long as he properly cultivated the White Tiger Qi alongside physical training, the issue would resolve itself in time.
Yeon Hojeong took a deep breath.
Woooong.
Centering on Bi-ra Jin-gyeol, he recovered his true energy with White Tiger Qi, then expelled the excess with Black Tortoise Qi.
Recovery was remarkably swift. His fatigued body brimmed with vitality in an instant.
“Alright, then.”
Slinging the axe over his shoulder, he gazed at the towering tavern in the distance.
His stomach growled.
“Time to oil up this belly for once.”
Yeon Hojeong had arrived in Jeongju, the capital of Henan Province.
Kaifeng was Kaifeng, but Jeongju’s crowds were something else.
The streets were more glamorous than Kaifeng’s, the buildings grander and taller.
Entering one particularly large and ornate tavern, Yeon Hojeong immediately booked a room.
He hadn’t properly bathed in days. He soaked for over half a shichen, then changed clothes.
The pre-requested outfit was martial robes. Black ones that didn’t stain easily.
Changing into the martial robes, he grabbed his axe and headed to the restaurant.
It was rowdy.
The tavern buzzed even before sunset, with many already drinking.
He sat in a quiet corner on the top floor and ordered food.
Of course, liquor came with it.
“Smells good.”
Three dishes arrived as ordered.
Yeon Hojeong devoured them like a man possessed.
But he wasn’t Hwajincheon, after all. After two dishes, he was comfortably full.
Perfect for snacks with drinks.
Luck struck—he raised a glass of liquor.
He felt sidelong glances from the crowd. But he ignored them.
He wasn’t the type to mind others’ stares, and he was used to it anyway.
He drained one bottle and was ordering another when—
“You drink with such gusto.”
Yeon Hojeong looked up.
A woman with a radiant beauty stood there. Her cheeks flushed from drink.
An alluring face. Her outfit seemed deliberate, accentuating her curves.
A woman no man could easily ignore.
“A warrior of the jianghu? My goodness, carrying that massive axe? Impressive! You must be strong.”
Yeon Hojeong replied flatly.
“I use just enough strength.”
“Heh, so stiff? That’s charming.”
She outright called him charming. Few had the gall for that.
The woman leaned on the table with her hand. Bold and seductive.
Her parted collar revealed deep cleavage.
“What do you say? I’m alone too—shall we drink together?”
“Is that okay?”
“Oh? Why not? Is there a law against men and women drinking together?”
“Nope.”
“Then let’s drink.”
“No thanks.”
Disappointment flickered across her face.
“Why? Want to be alone?”
Yeon Hojeong nodded toward the surroundings with his chin.
“No one’s looking at me.”
“Huh?”
“I carry such a vicious thing around. They sneak glances while pretending not to. But now, no one’s watching.”
“Oh? Then they’re watching me?”
She glanced around. But no eyes were on them.
Yeon Hojeong smirked.
“Must’ve been plenty of pests bothering you while I was gone. Now they’re ignoring you too?”
She still scanned about.
“True. No one’s looking? Why?”
“Why else? They’re scared of you.”
“Me? Scary? What did I do?”
“Beats me. How many you’ve crippled or how crazy you’ve acted.”
She shut her mouth.
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“You’re all so sloppy. If you want to fool the target, fool the bystanders too. You can’t just fool me alone.”
“Hmm.”
“I’ll play when the time comes. Go wash up and sleep tonight.”
“Oh? That oddly builds anticipation.”
She turned back to Yeon Hojeong. Her face still beamed, but her eyes were icy cold now.
“How’d you know, little brother?”
Her tone shifted.
“Just told you.”
“No, not that. I’m really curious how.”
“Said all I have to. Go.”
“……Ho, so it’s real? You spotted it that easily?”
Of course.
Though there was also an instinct he couldn’t explain logically.
He’d seen too many backstabbers. They reeked from the approach.
Thud.
She plopped down across from him brazenly.
Yeon Hojeong grumbled.
“Let me eat in peace, you lot.”
“Eat. I won’t touch you.”
She meant it. Yeon Hojeong read the sincerity in her words.
Sincerity always stemmed from confidence.
She—no, they—were certain they could take him easily.
Leaning forward with her chin propped, she struck a still-alluring but no longer overtly seductive pose. Her cool, pure eyes sparkled innocently.
“Impressive. You spotted it fastest. Most men go gaga when I approach.”
“Guess you only dealt with idiots.”
“Maybe? But among those we caught, some were decent. Hyeongsan Sword Hero, was it?”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
He knew the title Hyeongsan Sword Hero.
The last master of the declining Hyeongsan Sect.
His prowess mattered. The Hyeongsan Sword Hero matched elders of the Cheongseong Sect among the Nine Great Sects—a peerless master.
Catching such a one meant their group was exceptionally skilled.
“How many of you are there?”
“Who knows? Around seventy? Haven’t counted properly since newbies joined.”
“That’s a lot for one catch.”
“Nah, we’re not that helpless. Only five for the Hyeongsan Sword Hero.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.
That was astonishing. How many groups could take a Cheongseong elder-level warrior with five?
“How many this time?”
“All of us.”
“Ho?”
“That’s why I wondered. Thought maybe the target’s one of the Seongcheon Thirteen Seats. Curiosity got me—I came first.”
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“I guarantee you, no matter who you are, you can’t touch the Seongcheon Thirteen Seats.”
She grinned wickedly, eyes icier.
“So confident? Don’t you know even first-rate masters die to thrown daggers in the jianghu?”
“I know. But not the Seongcheon Thirteen Seats.”
“You know them?”
“Don’t need to see faces. You lot couldn’t even touch my father.”
“Judge Sword Yeon Wi. Heard he’s formidable.”
“Meet him, and you’ll shit yourself.”
“Big talk from daddy’s boy.”
“Visit sometime. Oh, wait—no. You’ll die by me first.”
She shook her head in disbelief.
“Fearless kid.”
Yeon Hojeong waved her off.
“Business done? Go rest. I wanna get drunk tonight.”
She stared, then smiled and rose.
“Drink up. Dead men don’t drink.”
“Got it—now scram.”
“Hee hee ho.”
She left with a flirtatious laugh.
Yeon Hojeong’s gaze deepened.
Impressive.
Thick scent of blood. A woman who’d killed countless.
Her organization’s members likely all the same.
Seventy of those blood-soaked bastards?
This could be fun.
Beings reeking that much of slaughter never joined prestigious clans. Prestigious clans wouldn’t take them.
But not a noble house, apparently.
“Such greedy bastards.”
Then—
[Beggar Sect. Moyong family head has arrived in Jeongju.]
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes flashed.
Finally.
He’d come.
The man himself.
Yeon Hojeong muttered softly.
“Tell them I’ll do one more sweep before leaving.”
[Understood.]
Moyong family head, Moyong Gun.
The peerless master titled Sword God, who became Martial Alliance Leader.
His comrade-in-arms—and enemy—who ascended Cheonjubong with him to subjugate the Saneumgyo Leader.
Finally, he would meet him.
Not as Black Castle Lord, Black Dark Emperor.
But as Bi-san Yeon family’s eldest son, Yeon Hojeong.
Calming his pounding heart, Yeon Hojeong raised a hand.
“Another bottle here.”