Grudges and Origins (1)
The world was full of incidents and accidents. People simply didn't know it, but thousands of crimes occurred every single day. And of those, fewer than half would ever see their perpetrators caught and the cases closed.
It was the same everywhere. Both the government offices and the martial world trained specialized investigators, but there weren't enough of them, and the Central Plains were simply too vast. Countless cases ended up buried in the shadows.
Unsolved crimes. Major offenses that neither the authorities nor the martial world could resolve. Among them, the unresolved cases from Jiangsu Province finally surfaced around the time the warm spring weather began to heat up.
The shocking rumors started in Henan and spread to neighboring regions. And the protagonist of those rumors was none other than Yeon Hojeong, the eldest son of the Bi-san Yeon Family Estate.
Five years ago, the arsonist in the Huishan fire in Jiangsu Province: Yeon Hojeong.
Five years ago, the culprit behind the mass suicide of the Haemin family in Jiangsu Province: Yeon Hojeong.
Three years ago, the murderer of the courtesan in Shangju, Jiangsu Province: Yeon Hojeong.
Two years ago, the arsonist in the Taeho Bonru fire in Jiangsu Province: Yeon Hojeong.
And thick suspicions of involvement in numerous other arsons, murders, rapes, and similar crimes.
Yeon Hojeong. Eldest son of the Bi-san Yeon Family Estate. Once mocked as a good-for-nothing son of a tiger father, but recently a promising young talent who had earned the fame of the Windstorm Lion through his exceptional martial prowess.
The heir of that prestigious house had committed countless crimes in Jiangsu Province. And every one of those cases had gone unsolved.
The shock from the rumors was tremendous. Not just in the martial world, but even among the officials, people whispered that they needed to investigate the truth.
No one knew where the rumors had originated. Rumors without a source didn't spread this quickly. Many people looked at Yeon Hojeong with eyes full of loathing, but those with deeper insight immediately recognized that something about the situation wasn't right.
People cursing Yeon Hojeong, others wanting to watch the situation unfold, and those who sensed the abnormality—chaos reigned in Henan. Finally, Yeon Hojeong made his appearance.
* * *
Thud. Thud.
Yeon Hojeong's steps were light and brisk. And the steps of the Chaeng-eungdae following behind him showed not the slightest tremor.
People parted to either side to avoid them. There was no murmuring.
Crossing the wide official road toward Xuchang, Yeon Hojeong's group moved with tremendous dignity.
Flutter!
Surprisingly, over a dozen Chaeng-eungdae warriors carried flagpoles more than fifteen feet long. The flags bore the massive characters for Bi-san and Yeon in bold, elegant brushstrokes.
It was the procession of the Bi-san Yeon Family Estate, one of the Seven Great Families, hailed as a house of great heroes. The majestic parade was fit for a triumphant general.
And at the forefront was Yeon Hojeong.
He wore loose white robes that reached below his calves over spotless new white martial attire, obtained from who-knows-where. His slender build, handsome features, and unblemished white garments made him look utterly noble.
That was why people couldn't bring themselves to openly condemn Yeon Hojeong's group despite seeing them.
Because they were one of the Seven Great Families? Or because of the group of swordsmen moving with razor-sharp auras?
No. Most eyes were fixed on Yeon Hojeong himself.
They weren't intimidated by the bloodstained axe he carried.
Hummm.
With every step, a mysterious deep cyan haze rose from the ground beneath his feet.
Yeon Hojeong himself was extraordinary. That was what people thought.
Whether he carried an axe or not, the unyielding dignity of a resolute scholar, straight as bamboo, sealed their lips.
It was an overwhelming presence.
The brutally savage and ferocious Black Dark Emperor had this side to him as well. Depending on the moment, he knew how to captivate the crowd with a mysterious aura.
'Impressive.'
From the top of a towering tavern like a castle turret, I Cheolgyeong watched Yeon Hojeong and clicked his tongue in admiration.
'Henan is considered the center of the Central Plains martial world thanks to Shaolin and the great families. Even against martial artists, an enraged mob doesn't consider the opponent's strength or prestige.'
In other words, it would be normal for powerless commoners to jeer openly.
But look at this scene. It was so quiet you could hear an ant pass by—no one dared open their mouth. Not even a whisper.
They were overwhelmed. Yeon Hojeong's very existence, the mysterious aura he exuded, had completely sealed the crowd's lips.
'What an extraordinary young man.'
Such a thing might come naturally, but otherwise, it was impossible without commanding countless people. Yet he hadn't even reached thirty—there was no way he had that experience.
In other words, his innate dignity was that formidable.
'At least from this vantage, he doesn't look like a criminal.'
I Cheolgyeong shook his head.
'Don't jump to conclusions.'
Most who accumulated evil karma looked nothing like they could.
By that logic, Yeon Hojeong couldn't be entirely free from these vicious rumors either.
As Yeon Hojeong moved, I Cheolgyeong shifted to another building.
Swish.
It was astonishing lightness skill. Kicking off the roof with just his ankles, his body was already atop the target building.
Before achievement, the lightness skill itself was exceptional. Peak lightness skill with no tremor in his entire body.
People called this the Immovable Diamond Body Technique and revered it.
'Still, he's slower than I expected. At this rate, it'll be night before he... Hm?'
I Cheolgyeong turned his gaze south. Surprise flickered across his face.
'The Myeong family?!'
A group was ascending the official road from the distant south. It was the Myeong family.
Nearly a hundred warriors marched in perfect formation, moving at impressive speed. Just like Yeon Hojeong's group, they carried flags emblazoned with the characters for Guizhou Myeong Family.
I Cheolgyeong focused his inner sight.
Hummm!
Majestic true energy surged from his dantian, rapidly enhancing his vision.
'Qingse Tang?'
The Myeong family had numerous martial organizations under its umbrella. Among them was the Five Elements Hall, divided into five groups: Red, Blue, Black, White, and Yellow.
The Qingse Tang of the Five Elements Hall symbolized Wood and consisted entirely of spear-wielding spearmen.
'They must have known of Yeon Hojeong's appearance. But...'
I Cheolgyeong felt inwardly puzzled.
'Why send the Qingse Tang specifically?'
He had only learned yesterday that the Myeong family had dispatched forces to capture Yeon Hojeong. They had certainly sent peak experts from the Qingbing Martial Hall and warriors from the Homyung Hall.
And Yeon Hojeong had repelled them single-handedly.
Even more astonishing was the battle with the Blue Wolf Ghosts. It wasn't confirmed if they belonged to the Myeong family, but Yeon Hojeong had reportedly slain seventy of them.
I Cheolgyeong couldn't believe it. He still struggled to.
The Blue Wolf Ghosts were murder specialists, regardless of their martial strength. For a youth not yet thirty to annihilate those blood-soaked killers alone?
'There must have been numbers on their side. But...'
Whatever the reason, the Myeong family surely knew Yeon Hojeong's power. Yet they sent the Qingse Tang.
To put it bluntly, if battle erupted, the Qingse Tang wouldn't stand a chance against Yeon Hojeong and the Chaeng-eungdae.
So why send them specifically?
Thud!
O Gok slammed his spear into the ground. The entire Qingse Tang halted.
By now, Yeon Hojeong's group had closed to within about sixty feet.
O Gok shouted, "Yeon Hojeong, eldest son of the Yeon family and prime suspect in Jiangsu Province's unsolved crimes, hear me! Drop your weapon immediately and come quietly to the Myeong family...!"
O Gok couldn't finish.
Yeon Hojeong didn't stop walking. Even seeing the Qingse Tang squarely in his path.
"Arrogant bastard."
Killing intent flared in O Gok's eyes. He didn't even falter once. He completely ignored the Qingse Tang's presence.
Yeon Hojeong's group narrowed the gap to thirty feet.
O Gok shouted again. "If you don't stop there, we'll take you by force!"
Still no halt. Their pace remained steady, their sharp auras unshaken.
Fifteen feet.
Glare locked on Yeon Hojeong, O Gok bellowed, "Spears at the ready!"
Hummmm.
The hundred Qingse Tang members leveled their spears forward.
O Gok raised his spear and yelled, "The Qingse Tang will seize the suspect Yeon Hojeong...!"
That was when it happened.
Bam!
O Gok's eyes bulged wide. One powerful step forward, and suddenly he was right in front.
Behind the fluttering hem of his robes, an axe the size of a man's torso soared high into the sky.
Startled, O Gok raised his spear shaft.
Yeon Hojeong brought the axe down coldly.
Crack!
Splurt!
The axe split the spear shaft and cleaved O Gok vertically in two.
Splatter!
Blood sprayed like red dye dropped on a drawing. Droplets stained the pristine white robes Yeon Hojeong wore.
"L-Lord Tang!"
"You bastard!"
That was when it happened.
Whoooosh!
A small, pure white whirlwind formed around the bloodied axe. The White Tiger Qi, ignited by killing intent, took the form of the Tiger King's wrath.
Bam!
Yeon Hojeong advanced another step and swung the axe wide.
Crack!
Boom!
"Argh!"
"Uwaaak!"
One sweep cleared them. The overwhelming shockwave from the axe sent fifteen spearmen flying.
The spears they held snapped. Their hands were mangled or outright severed.
The formation crumbled in an instant. With a single exchange, Yeon Hojeong had disrupted the entire Qingse Tang.
In a calm voice, he said, "Annihilate the enemy."
"Yes, sir!"
Clang!
Yeon Hojeong slung the axe on his shoulder pauldron. Chaeng-eungdae swordsmen leaped over him, unleashing merciless killing blows.
Slash!
Clang!
"Aaaah!"
"R-Raise your spears!"
Chaos erupted in moments. The wide official road turned into a field of carnage.
The commoners watching Yeon Hojeong's advance screamed and fled in all directions.
Splat!
Splatter!
"Block them! Block!"
"You fucking dogs! You dare touch us and... Aak!"
The Chaeng-eungdae's swords were cold. Killing blades swung without a shred of mercy.
Having witnessed their young master's overwhelming martial arts, the Chaeng-eungdae wielded sword techniques that did him proud.
The Qingse Tang collapsed in an instant. Their leader dead, formation broken, momentum crushed. Moreover, the Chaeng-eungdae's prowess was incomparable.
This wasn't a fight—it was a one-sided massacre. The Chaeng-eungdae methodically exploited weaknesses, swiftly executing Qingse Tang members.
In the midst of the battlefield, Yeon Hojeong crossed it leisurely, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Enraged spearmen attacked him, but the Chaeng-eungdae swordsmen didn't allow it.
Thus, a quarter-hour passed.
Without a single casualty, the Chaeng-eungdae annihilated the Qingse Tang and fell in behind Yeon Hojeong.
Flutter!
Ten grim-faced warriors raised the flagpoles again. They proceeded leisurely south along the official road.
Terror etched the faces of the commoners.