Chapter 86. The Wind Does Not Cease (4)
Clang!
“Kuh!”
Yeon Jipyeong staggered back.
“Again.”
Yeon Wi stood like a single stalk of bamboo. His left hand was clasped behind his back, his right gripping his sword in a low guard. His posture was ramrod straight, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
Yeon Jipyeong felt a deep despair.
There are no openings.
It seemed like he could strike anywhere, yet nowhere was truly vulnerable. His father’s martial arts were an iron fortress. The sword force that cleaved the air was as powerful as crashing waves, while the sword principles that deflected attacks flowed as flexibly as the wind.
Staring intently at Yeon Wi, Yeon Jipyeong caught his breath for a moment before relaxing his stance.
Yeon Wi’s eyes gleamed.
The spar wasn’t over, yet he was dropping his guard?
He hasn’t given up.
His stance had relaxed, but the aura radiating from him hadn’t diminished. No, it had grown even sharper than before.
Yeon Jipyeong tapped the ground lightly with his toes.
Thud!
After loosening his entire body, he suddenly tensed his muscles, accelerating his forward dash.
Thump-thump-thump!
He seemed to charge straight ahead at first, but that wasn’t the case. Drawing a zigzag pattern with terrifying elasticity, Yeon Jipyeong’s footwork was both swift and supple.
It was an impressive approach, but Yeon Wi’s expression remained cold.
He knows it won’t work.
That was when it happened.
The moment Yeon Jipyeong, who had closed to ten paces on the left, shifted to seven paces on the right.
Whoosh.
A light palm strike shot toward Yeon Wi’s chest.
Slash!
Yeon Wi’s sword coldly bisected the palm force. At that instant, Yeon Jipyeong lunged from the left center line.
His speed was half again as fast as before. Nor was he fully committing to the left. It was a feint in his footwork—a sharp psychological ploy.
Lure the opponent into expecting your approach direction, then unleash an explosive strike from an unanticipated angle at the critical moment.
Yeon Wi’s sword soared upward.
Craaang!
Yeon Jipyeong’s body jerked to a halt.
He had struck with great power, but it had failed again. Of course, with his current level of martial arts, Yeon Jipyeong couldn’t even scratch his father’s skin. But he had thought he could at least force a hasty reaction—and even that had failed.
Yeon Wi spoke.
“Enough……”
Flash!
In that instant, Yeon Jipyeong’s sword shot out like lightning.
Not a slash, but a thrust.
A flicker of surprise crossed Yeon Wi’s face.
Kaching!
Father and son’s swords clashed and halted.
Looking down at his son with cool eyes, Yeon Wi nodded.
“That’s enough.”
“Hoo!”
Yeon Jipyeong staggered back. It had been a strike with all his might. But as expected, it was blocked. His pelvis, knees, and entire right arm were numb. Still, he couldn’t show it.
Sheathing his sword, Yeon Jipyeong bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
“Not bad.”
Yeon Jipyeong looked up at Yeon Wi in surprise.
As Yeon Wi sheathed his sword, he continued.
“Shaking your opponent’s psyche and unleashing a swift strike at the decisive moment—it was impressive.”
“Ah…… Th-thank you.”
He had never received such praise from his father before. Yeon Jipyeong’s face flushed red.
Yeon Wi was inwardly amazed.
This child is using such tactics too.
In real combat, all sorts of variables flood in. Martial arts trained only straightforwardly may build strong roots but are hard to apply in actual battles.
Until now, Yeon Jipyeong had built firm roots as a martial artist. Roots so thick and solid they wouldn’t be uprooted even after a hundred years.
He had been thinking it was time to teach irregular techniques, and here his son had already researched and demonstrated them on his own. That change surprised Yeon Wi.
And crucially.
“That final strike.”
“Ah, that one?”
“How did you execute that sword?”
Yeon Jipyeong rubbed under his nose sheepishly.
“I realized it while fusing Flying Swallow Eight Swords and Wave Nine Swords. It’s a bit crude, but mixing the swift sword of Flying Swallow with the linked sword chain of Wave produced a thunderbolt-like powerful strike.”
“……”
“It’s not complete yet, but to use it in combat, it needs a lot of refinement. That’s why I haven’t shown it until now, but I thought I could manage it today……”
“No, you can complete it.”
“Pardon?”
Yeon Wi spoke in his characteristically blunt tone.
“Fusing the traits of Flying Swallow Eight Swords, Wave Nine Swords, and Illustrious Great Sword to embody profound martial principles—that is precisely the Iron Sword Great Derivation Thirty-Six Forms.”
“What?!”
Yeon Jipyeong was stunned.
The Iron Sword Great Derivation Thirty-Six Forms was one of the Yeon family’s three great sword arts. Among them, it had the lowest raw sword force, but it was a martial art that flawlessly manifested every characteristic of the sword. Thus, Iron Sword Great Derivation was both a sword art and a divine technique.
Yeon Wi himself had first mastered the Iron Sword Great Derivation Thirty-Six Forms among the three great sword arts.
“Mastering Iron Sword Great Derivation grants you a sword of the balanced middle path, unswayed by any extreme. The move you just executed is the Lightning Flash One Breath from the latter twelve forms of Iron Sword Great Derivation.”
“Ah……!”
“You manifested an untaught martial art through your self-refined sword principles.”
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Well done.”
Genuine joy bloomed on Yeon Jipyeong’s face. More than having awakened an untaught technique on his own, he was thrilled by his father’s praise. Now he truly felt recognized as a swordsman.
“Thank you.”
“Variations and fused swords. No need to cling to basics any longer. While we’re on the topic, starting tomorrow, I’ll teach you Sword Extreme Thought Qi and Iron Sword Great Derivation.”
The Yeon family’s representative divine arts and sword techniques, all to be passed down.
Yeon Jipyeong bowed deeply.
“I’ll train diligently.”
“I trust you.”
I’ve always trusted you.
Yeon Wi didn’t voice the thought that surfaced in his mind.
Was it because they clashed over so many things? He occasionally revealed his inner thoughts to his eldest son. But with his second, it was still hard.
Fast.
Whatever the reason, Yeon Jipyeong’s pace of martial mastery was terrifyingly swift. He himself had been acknowledged for outstanding talent in his generation, but Yeon Jipyeong far surpassed that.
Five years faster.
He had begun mastering Sword Extreme Thought Qi at seventeen, but Iron Sword Great Derivation not until well past twenty. Moreover, he had never even thought to fuse mid-level sword arts.
It was exceptional talent in every way. Not resting on it, diligently training day by day—his future was truly promising.
And his second son hadn’t even fully blossomed his talent yet.
Yeon Jipyeong was innately kind and pure. A temperament unsuited to a swordsman whose duels were decided in a flash.
The moment that nature was honed and polished into a fine jade—that would be the true beginning.
……
Yet Yeon Wi didn’t think his son’s gentle nature was a flaw. No, he selfishly wished that purity would endure as long as possible.
He himself went without saying, and his eldest had been too stained by the world’s filth. Was that why? Yeon Hojeong harbored an excessively ruthless temperament in a corner of his heart.
Yeon Wi hoped Yeon Jipyeong would never acquire such ruthlessness.
It was the fate of a murim warrior, but he wanted his second son to escape that fate. Yeon Wi truly wished it so.
“Let’s end today’s training here.”
“Yes! You worked hard!”
“Mm.”
As father and son placed their swords on the rack.
“Family head!”
I Baekhyeon came running breathlessly.
“A letter! From the young master!”
Yeon Jipyeong’s face lit up.
“B-Brother?”
Yeon Wi took the letter from I Baekhyeon’s hand. He practically snatched it, but didn’t notice.
He unfolded it.
As Yeon Wi opened the letter, Yeon Jipyeong cleared his throat and sidled up next to him unobtrusively.
I apologize for not contacting you often due to being so busy.
I heard the Beggar Union delivered separate word. Things went well, and I’m safe.
Yeon Wi, eyes fixed on the letter, spoke.
“Jipyeong-ah.”
“Yes?!”
Yeon Jipyeong startled and unwittingly stepped back.
Yeon Wi said calmly.
“When you later venture into the jianghu, you must not act together with your brother.”
“……Pardon?”
Yeon Wi fell silent.
Heartless brat.
How busy could he be not to send a letter on time? If this was filial impiety, it was that. Would he scold him for lack of sincerity even if it was just a few words? What mattered wasn’t the content, but that there was no harm to his well-being.
His eldest was fine in every other way, but this was a flaw. Infuriating brat.
I’ll have to undergo some investigation as a reference in this incident. It should end quickly. But it seems it’ll take time to return.
It’s nothing major; I just want to see the world a bit, so rest easy.
Even more infuriating. Finish the matter, return to pay respects, then go out again. Another of his eldest’s flaws revealed.
I wonder if family affairs are settled. Jipyeong must be well? I’m already looking forward to how much he’s grown.
Yeon Jipyeong grinned.
Yeon Wi glanced at his second son. Yeon Jipyeong hurriedly schooled his expression.
He returned his gaze to the letter.
Ah, and please send separately the documentary evidence of the Myeong family threatening East Sea traders to illegally acquire salt field taxes. It would be appreciated if you enclose documents of them kidnapping West Region merchants and selling them as slaves on the black market.
Yeon Wi said to I Baekhyeon.
“There’s a ledger in the library marked Red Sandalwood Records. Hand the thickest bound document among them to Division Head Cheolgon-gae. Send it to the interim Martial Alliance.”
“Understood, family head.”
I Baekhyeon dashed off.
I apologize for starting this on my own without prior notice. I’ll accept punishment upon return.
The days are very hot. Please take care of your health.
At the bottom: Unfilial Son, Hojeong.
“……He knows well enough.”
Yeon Jipyeong blinked.
Folding the letter, Yeon Wi looked up at the sky. The clouds had scattered quite a bit, but it was clear. Summer had truly arrived.
Since you’ve gone out into the world, return even greater.
* * *
“Huh? What’s this? Where are you going?”
Gadeuksang looked at Yeon Hojeong with puzzlement.
Dressed in neatly laundered martial robes, axe in hand, Yeon Hojeong looked ready to depart at any moment.
“Thinking of leaving Henan.”
“What? Now?”
“Any issue?”
“Well…… No, no issue, but.”
The investigation as a reference witness was done. A few days had passed, and he could move freely now. No need to stay in Henan longer.
“If I hadn’t come, you’d have left without a word?”
“Probably?”
“You heartless bastard!”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“Anyway, Huigae has to return to your duties too, right? We’ll meet again if fate allows.”
“My duty is watching you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“My master said so. You’re dangerous, so if you slip my watch, off with your head. Special orders, you see.”
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
“Was your Huigae position that leisurely? Not busy?”
Gadeuksang smiled weakly.
“A bit busy. So I can’t follow you right now.”
“Traveling together would just be tiring anyway.”
“Cruel man. Cold man.”
“See you later.”
“Wait.”
Gadeuksang pulled a grimy pouch from his bosom and handed it over.
Yeon Hojeong’s expression was priceless.
“Take it.”
“……”
“What? Too dirty?”
“I’ll take it. But what is it?”
“Filth Badge.”
“What a masterpiece of a name.”
Gadeuksang shrugged.
“Don’t know what you’re up to wherever, but if something comes up, show that at any branch. You’ll get what info you want.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Thanks.”
“Whatever. I’m using it to track you, so use it a lot.”
“Got it.”
Yeon Hojeong headed for the door.
“I’ll go first then.”
“Young Master Yeon.”
“Hm?”
Gadeuksang cupped his fists in salute.
“I wish you good fortune in battle.”
Yeon Hojeong didn’t take the greeting lightly. Setting down his axe, he returned the fist salute.
“See you later.”