What Takes Precedence Over Family Law (3)
“Family Head, the eldest young master has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
The door opened, and Yeon Hojeong and Yeon Jipyeong entered. As the two stepped inside, the temperature in the family head's chamber seemed to rise. A fierce wave of heat emanated from Yeon Hojeong's body.
“Father.”
“Sit.”
Two cups of steaming tea were already waiting on the table. The fragrant aroma rising with the white vapor was truly inviting.
Yeon Wi glanced briefly at Yeon Jipyeong. It was a look that said, I called for the eldest—why are you here too?
Yeon Jipyeong scratched his head awkwardly and said, “I couldn't pay my morning respects today.”
It was a lame excuse.
“Sit together, then.”
Yeon Jipyeong let out a sigh of relief and took a seat beside Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Wi pushed a teacup toward Yeon Jipyeong. The distracted boy didn't even notice.
Yeon Wi scanned Yeon Hojeong from head to toe and nodded. “Looks like you did it properly.”
“My legs are still shaking.”
It was said half in jest, but Yeon Wi's expression didn't change.
“If you train hard and one day unite your essence, qi, and spirit, you'll be able to horse-ride for three days and nights straight.”
“If I reach that level, I won't waste time on horse-riding.”
Yeon Jipyeong subtly elbowed Yeon Hojeong's side. Isn't that too rude to Father?
But Yeon Wi didn't take issue with his son's words.
“So, why did you summon me? To check my homework?”
“Let me be clear: that wasn't homework—it was punishment. I thought you'd reflected properly, but you've only tortured your body.”
“Seems my nature won't change, even in death.”
It was said with utter sincerity. Coming from someone who had died once, it was only natural.
Punishment only held meaning after true remorse. But a penalty once given couldn't be lightened, so Yeon Wi let the remark slide.
“I couldn't ask earlier because of the Namgung incident. You're going to learn Bi-ra Jin-gyeol?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Jipyeong looked at his brother in surprise. He hadn't known he'd mentioned that to Father. But it made sense—having achieved great accomplishment in Bi-yeon Simbeop, it was time for the true family arts.
Yeon Wi spoke in a stiff tone. “Bi-ra Jin-gyeol is one of the family's Five Divine Arts. Without a solid foundation, learning it is pointless. You know that, yes?”
“Of course.”
Yeon Wi sensed strong confidence in his son's reply.
“Have you truly mastered Bi-yeon Simbeop to the ninth seong?”
Yeon Hojeong silently extended his wrist. Better to confirm directly than with words.
Yeon Wi, watching his son quietly, placed a hand on the pulse.
Hm?
Yeon Wi's eyes flickered. Vigorous true qi flowed strongly. Most meridians in the head and limbs were open.
“When?”
“The morning I left Josa-dang.”
Yeon Wi checked his son's internals once more. And realized something.
“The qi flow feels unfamiliar. You didn't gradually adapt it to your body—you comprehended it in one go.”
This time, Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed. As expected of him.
Reading the qi flow, meridian paths, and traces to discern the path to great accomplishment. No easy feat. Even a peak master might overlook it without keen senses.
Yeon Hojeong glanced at Yeon Jipyeong. Confusion clouded his brother's face. Why bother checking the pulse when it was obvious?
Jipyeong's senses must come from Father.
Compared to them, his own talent was clearly lacking. His sharp instincts had blossomed only after endless asura fields and constant threats to survival.
He was different from his father and brother.
“You've escaped the confusion of qi. Did you approach the heart method analytically?”
“It just clicked for me.”
“Digging deep into one path is vital, but seeking alternatives when stuck is wise too. Well done.”
“……!”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes widened like saucers. Yeon Jipyeong's jaw dropped.
First time hearing “well done” from Father.
Even Yeon Jipyeong, the family's greatest prodigy, had never earned such praise. Yeon Wi was stingy with compliments, heavy on criticism.
A momentous word for the brothers.
“Good. I permit you to cultivate the Five Divine Arts.”
“Thank you.”
“But why choose Bi-ra Jin-gyeol specifically?”
Yeon Hojeong nodded. “It suits me best.”
The Yeon Family's Five Divine Arts each had unique traits. Their levels and difficulties were comparable. Ultimately, the choice was personal.
Yeon Wi stared silently at Yeon Hojeong before speaking again. “I have a question.”
“Yes.”
“I've only now permitted you the Five Divine Arts. Without the family head's approval, no one in the household may learn them.”
“I know.”
“Yet you told the gate guards you'd learn Bi-ra Jin-gyeol in advance.”
Yeon Wi wasn't scolding his son's insolence.
“Did you know the incantations for Bi-ra Jin-gyeol?”
Indeed. The Five Divine Arts were forbidden to all, even blood kin, without the family head's permission. Meaning their incantations never leaked outside.
Yet the eldest son had declared he'd learn it ahead of time.
After a pause, Yeon Hojeong spoke. “Not just that.”
“Hm?”
“I know all the incantations for the Five Divine Arts.”
This time, even Yeon Wi was stunned. His slightly widened eyes betrayed it.
Yeon Jipyeong looked ready to faint.
“You know the incantations for all five divine arts?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
Because you taught me, Father.
During the clan's desperate assault by some force. While valiant Yeon warriors bled on the front lines, Yeon Wi had passed all Five Divine Arts incantations to his two sons.
No time to memorize them fully. He'd given Yeon Hojeong the true five manuals, Yeon Jipyeong the copies, and tried to send them to safety.
But Yeon Jipyeong's luck ran out. He died battling peak masters blocking the escape.
Yeon Hojeong fled in tears of blood. He wanted revenge then, but harsh reality and the clan's revival weighed him down, driving him into the woods.
Three months later, he met his master and conquered the black path.
“Did you enter the Mu-in Seogo?”
The Mu-in Seogo housed the Yeon clan's martial manuals. Guarded by the elite.
“I've never entered without permission.”
“Then?”
Yeon Hojeong gazed steadily at Yeon Wi. “You showed me, Father.”
“What?”
He wanted to spill everything. That he was Yeon Hojeong returned from the past. How the future would change, his life story—all of it.
He truly longed to tell his father everything.
Yeon Hojeong's fists clenched. Not yet.
He might not believe it, and even if he did, now wasn't the time.
So he thought.
“You showed me the Five Divine Arts manuals? When?”
“When I was young, you took me in and out of the Mu-in Seogo many times.”
Yeon Wi furrowed his brows. “When you were young... right after starting martial arts?”
“Yes.”
“You still remember the incantations from back then?”
“Yes.”
He had no choice but to deflect like that. His memory was far sharper now than in childhood, thanks to deep upper dantian cultivation.
Sorry for deceiving Father, but it couldn't be helped. For the future, this is best.
The clan's ultimate art wasn't the Five Divine Arts. Mastering all five unlocked the true pinnacle.
Declaring knowledge of them was a seed for later. After perfecting Bi-ra Jin-gyeol, he'd learn the secret arts too.
Only then could he reach the top.
“Remembering incantations from over ten years ago...”
Yeon Wi shook his head. “Why not mention it sooner?”
“What use are the Five Divine Arts to someone struggling with basics?”
“Now that you've mastered the heart method, it's time?”
“Yes.”
A bit awkward, sure.
“Even one art's incantation exceeds twelve hundred characters.”
Yeon Wi shook his head again. “Your memory is impressive.”
Oddly, he didn't demand proof.
“Knowing all Five Divine Arts incantations—did you need to rush learning them? If not to boast your memory, there's no urgency.”
There is. A silent cry in his heart.
But Yeon Hojeong couldn't say it.
“I just wanted to learn it as soon as possible.”
“Divine arts demand calm mind and cautious approach. Remember that.”
“Understood.”
Yeon Wi leaned back slightly in his chair. “Good. I permit your Bi-ra Jin-gyeol training.”
“Thank you.”
“Come here before breakfast tomorrow. I'll guide the heart method basics and convert your Bi-yeon Qi to Bi-ra True Qi.”
“Understood.”
Self-cultivation would be faster, but he obeyed. Some things must be upheld, no matter the haste—promises and love to kin.
Just get the initial help, then I'll handle the rest.
That brief aid meant more words with Father. Step by step, drawing closer.
This life, no regrets toward family.
“Go tend to your duties.”
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“Any word from the Namgung side?”
He asked just in case. The answer shocked him.
“Yes.”
Yeon Hojeong frowned. “They contacted us? An apology, perhaps?”
“Not from the family head.”
“Of course. Too far to Anhui. Impossible in time.”
“But a letter came from the household head personally. Apologizing for his nephew's rudeness and the midnight disturbance.”
A personal apology letter overnight? Yeon Hojeong's eyes chilled. This is bad.
Hot-tempered folk apologize quick? Possible. But Namgung Daesan was the Namgung head and the family head's brother. No matter the lack of justification, such haste was unlikely.
“They're after something?”
Yeon Hojeong muttered unwittingly.
Yeon Wi's gaze on him held not just sternness anymore.
“I'll handle this. Withdraw.”
“Yes.”
Yeon Hojeong and Yeon Jipyeong bowed politely and left.
Staring at the cold tea, Yeon Wi drained Yeon Hojeong's cup too.
Leaning back comfortably, his face remained impassive.
“Didn't even take twenty years.”