Inevitability Born from Coincidence (5)
Yeon Hojeong bowed deeply.
“I’m back, Father.”
“Mm.”
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Rise.”
“Yes.”
Yeon Hojeong straightened up and adjusted his disheveled clothes. His rugged appearance hadn’t changed. It seemed he’d kept training even on the journey home—his garments were torn in places and caked with dirt.
A guest was present, but Yeon Wi couldn’t help asking.
“Did you train again on the way back?”
“Yes.”
His tone was utterly matter-of-fact.
Yeon Wi was pleased by his son’s straightforward answer, devoid of any pretense. A martial artist must maintain peak condition at all times, no matter the circumstance. And day by day, they ought to strive to elevate that peak higher. Most in the martial world neglected this basic discipline and endurance.
But not his son. He adhered to the fundamentals and followed the true path. His son was destined for greatness. No—in fact, he had already become a great man.
Impressive.
Words he couldn’t voice aloud with others watching. Genuine surprise flickered in Yeon Wi’s eyes as he gazed at Yeon Hojeong.
When did he grow so much?
His true energy felt unstable from the grueling training. It was as if he’d wrung every last drop from his inner power. And yet, he was still like this.
Yeon Wi had sensed it the moment he approached with that fluid gait, like flowing water: a boulder solid to the core. His true energy might waver, but the vital force piercing through his body’s center stood unshaken.
At a glance, nothing seemed different from before. But Yeon Wi could glimpse the terrifying explosive power emanating from his son’s flesh. And those eyes. Even before leaving the household, his gaze had held steady, but now it evoked forged steel. It meant not a shred of doubt on the path he pursued.
Heart, energy, body. He’s cultivated them all without flaw.
Yeon Wi spoke.
“They say a man becomes an adult only after venturing into the world. It seems this journey to the Central Plains has greatly benefited you.”
A roundabout praise.
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“I’m still far from it. I can’t settle for this much.”
Everything else might change, but that temperament remained. No—it seemed even fiercer now.
Yeon Hojeong’s martial arts had long surpassed talk of age or seniority. Even among peak masters, there were grades. Judging by the outward energy he exuded, astonishingly, it rivaled the elders of the Nine Great Sects and Six Great Families.
His own son, yet the growth rate was hard to fathom. Unprecedented.
But that energy…?
The culmination of Bi-ra Jin-gyeol had already reached nine seong. Impressive in itself, but the true marvel was the unique auras enveloping the Bi-ra Jin-ki. Not one, but three distinct ones.
Each brimming with character, yet harmoniously unified without conflict—a single vein of inner power.
Yeon Wi examined his son’s body closely before asking.
“Did you encounter some fateful opportunity?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled as he replied.
“Every encounter and clash with people is a fateful opportunity. Compared to that, this is nothing.”
“Well said.”
There was much to note about Yeon Hojeong’s inner power and martial arts. Yeon Wi decided to discuss it later.
“And…”
Yeon Wi turned to Muk Bi.
For a woman, she was remarkably tall. Slender and long-limbed, her body screamed flexibility at first glance. Sun-kissed skin, tawny and flawless. A beauty with striking, well-defined features radiating healthy allure.
But appearances meant little. A gleam of energy lit Yeon Wi’s eyes.
A master?
Astonishingly, the woman his son had brought was a master as well. No ordinary one. Her inner power surpassed even Yeon Hojeong’s—enough to deem her a near-transcendent master.
How she’d acquired such vast reserves was a mystery. But over half seemed scattered through her twelve meridians, unusable for now.
Outstanding inner power. But her skill…
Her unstable true energy suggested similar grueling training alongside his son, yet overall, she gave a dull impression.
Below Hojeong.
Her inner power exceeded his, but actual prowess fell short. At Yeon Wi’s level, he could pierce an opponent’s strength with a mere glance. To him, this woman sorely lacked the razor-sharp spirit of a true warrior.
Still impressive. Especially considering her age.
Yeon Hojeong nudged Muk Bi with his elbow. She snapped to attention and bowed.
“Baek… no, Muk Bi.”
“Muk Bi?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Wi tilted his head.
An unusual name.
Whatever. The world was full of odd names, especially in the martial world.
“A friend of Hojeong’s?”
Muk Bi hesitated. Yeon Hojeong jumped in.
“She’s a friend.”
“Is that so?”
No inflection as before, but a hint of weariness crept in. It passed quickly.
“Pleased to meet you, Lady Muk. I’m Hojeong’s father.”
“P-Pleased to meet you.”
Muk Bi couldn’t collect her wits.
Incredible!
She’d never encountered a master like Yeon Wi. No energy leaked out, but that was mere surface. Beneath lurked a divine sword as towering as a mountain peak.
A master of truly shocking caliber. The moment she sensed his immense presence, her body froze—she couldn’t twitch a finger.
Even Brother Gongcheon or the Bow Lord wouldn’t last ten exchanges!
No, not even close. Every archer from the Divine Bow Assembly combined couldn’t win. Until she perfected Nine Dragon Heaven Breaking Bow, even drawing her bowstring would be impossible before him.
Yeon Wi eyed the bow and quiver at her waist.
“You wield archery, it seems.”
“...Yes? Ah, yes! That’s right!”
An uncharacteristically booming response from Muk Bi.
Yeon Hojeong frowned. What’s wrong with her?
Yeon Wi nodded.
“A remarkable talent. As my son’s friend, make yourself at home.”
“Yes!”
“...?”
“...”
“Ahem.”
Yeon Wi cleared his throat, dispelling the awkward air, and turned to Yeon Hojeong.
“Why did you bring your friend all this way?”
“I have one request for you, Father.”
“A request?”
Yeon Hojeong pointed at Muk Bi.
“Can she stay here at the main house from now on?”
Yeon Wi’s eyes flashed. Muk Bi paled instantly. That mere shift in gaze chilled her to the bone.
“You mean to take her in as family?”
“Yes. If that’s too much, at least let her stay in the guest quarters…”
“Nonsense.”
Yeon Wi shook his head firmly.
“I don’t know the details, but as your friend, she must be treated as an honored guest.”
“Ah, yes.”
Yeon Wi addressed Muk Bi.
“Do you have no other ties, Lady?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes!”
A potentially depressing question for her, but from Yeon Wi, it felt natural. His presence was that commanding.
“If you’ve nowhere else, treat the Yeon estate as your own home.”
“...Pardon?”
“You’re the first friend Hojeong’s brought. For that heartless boy to suggest taking you in as family, you must mean a great deal to him.”
“...?!”
“Rest easy. No need to worry about food or shelter.”
Muk Bi stared at Yeon Wi in shock. His gaze remained intimidating. Piercingly clear like a child’s, yet brimming with a master swordsman’s edge.
But it held more than a warrior’s sharpness. Having always lived on guard, Muk Bi read genuine fondness in his eyes.
Kindness without strings. His son’s friend was family, plain and simple. A pure faith that even worldly-ignorant Muk Bi found startling.
Ah…
Muk Bi’s eyes reddened. Emotion welled up unbidden.
She bowed hastily.
“Th-Thank you.”
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Steward I.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“The annex next to Hojeong’s quarters, Yeon Ryeo Won, will be her residence. Show her there.”
“Understood.”
I Baekhyeon smiled at Muk Bi.
“Follow me, please.”
“Yes.”
Before leaving with him, Muk Bi bowed to Yeon Wi once more.
“I look forward to your care. Thank you, Father.”
“You’ve had a long journey. Rest well.”
“Yes.”
And so Muk Bi departed with I Baekhyeon.
Yeon Wi shook his head.
“She’s amassed astonishing martial arts beyond her years, yet her heart is fragile as porcelain.”
“That’s the issue. She needs to toughen up.”
“Not everyone can become like you. It’s not something to force.”
“It’s not like forcing makes it happen anyway. If she feels the need, she’ll harden on her own.”
“It’s more than that. She seems to bear a deep heart wound.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled bitterly.
“Yes. And she has good reason.”
“Physical scars heal with treatment, but heart wounds don’t mend just because someone helps. Still, it’s better than being alone—comfort her when you have time.”
“Yes.”
Yeon Wi nodded repeatedly.
“That aside.”
His gaze toward Yeon Hojeong turned icy in an instant. He seemed a different man. Had Muk Bi seen this, she might have fainted on the spot.
Even the unflappable Yeon Hojeong flinched at his father’s shift. Sensing the darkening mood, he desperately changed the subject.
“Ah! Speaking of which, where’s Jipyeong? My little brother hasn’t even shown a single hair since his big brother returned…”
“I knew you were indifferent, but this exceeds imagination.”
His throat felt parched. Yeon Hojeong swallowed unconsciously.
Yeon Wi’s voice turned ruthlessly cold.
“Heavenly bonds refer to the duties between parents and children, kin by blood. These duties aren’t grandiose. They’re simple, obvious courtesies any person should uphold.”
“Cough!”
“I’ve never thought my son an utter scoundrel ignorant of such bonds. I didn’t expect daily letters from a boy learning the world, but too busy for a single note saying you’re well?”
“Father, it’s… here’s what happened…”
“Silence!”
His ears rang. Yeon Hojeong shrank like a turtle.
Yeon Wi turned.
“No excuses about travel fatigue. Follow me.”
Yeon Hojeong sighed inwardly. Lamentable to be scolded by his father at this age, and he couldn’t blame anyone—reflecting, the fault was his own. Resigned as a lamb to slaughter, he trailed behind.
That day, Yeon Hojeong had to recite the filial piety chapter of the Myeongsim Bogam—a text so forgotten he barely remembered reading it—until he knew it by heart.