While We're All Gathered
Yi Jinpyeong had just subdued the Tang Clan punk when, with no time to even catch his breath, he bolted off like a madman. His mind was that of the world's greatest, but his body hadn't caught up yet. He'd only just broken through to the second stage, after all. And since morning, he'd burned through every last drop of his inner energy. Every time he pushed his lightness skill, his true qi hit empty in no time flat. He'd pause then, scrape together the bare minimum to recover, and sprint again. At this rate, he'd arrive completely drained. He might not have a scrap of fight left in him.
But he didn't dwell on it. He'd worry about the aftermath later—what mattered now was moving fast. No day in the world had ever felt this hectic.
"Wha—what the...!"
People pointed and gawked as he passed. Only then did Jinpyeong realize he was running around half-naked, shirtless from the waist up. Still scrawny and pathetic, a kid's body. When the hell will this thing grow?Will this body be the world's greatest by the time it's fully grown?
Damn. Not the time for that.
Praying that the ones left at Yi Gajang—second brother Jinun, Gang Ryong, Chief Steward Gwak Yeonyong, and the rest of the warriors—were holding out against Jang Gapae as best they could, he ran and ran.
Yi Gajang's territory loomed closer.
"!!!"
Black smoke billowed into the sky. His mind snapped alert. Were they burning Yi Gajang down? Had it all ended already? What about the others?
His heart outpaced his feet. He misstepped, nearly face-planting, but rolled at the last second and kicked off again, surging forward. He poured every ounce of inner energy into it, oblivious to the lake water drying up behind him like his qi reserves.
By the time he finally reached Yi Gajang's walls, he was little more than a dry twig.
Yi Jinpyeong scaled the wall. The sight before him left him stunned.
Warriors littered the ground everywhere. But they weren't Yi Gajang's—they were Jang Gapae's. Yi Gajang's men bore wounds large and small but stood tall regardless. They hustled tirelessly to keep the fire from the front hall from spreading.
There was Chief Steward Gwak Yeonyong, eyes wide as saucers, and Gang Ryong, swollen head to toe with blood still oozing from his wounds. They shouted joyfully.
"Young master!!!"
Jinpyeong's sweeping gaze locked on one spot. An unexpected figure stood there, hands behind his back, watching him.
"Hey, you're pretty late."
A man in gray robes, sword at his side without any markings. Chwi Hwa Bang's leader, Nak Pung-hyeon.
"And what's with that getup? Running around half-naked like some fool."
Jinpyeong couldn't muster a word. Not because the man was unexpected. Not because he had no comeback. Because the one person he'd desperately sought was nowhere in sight.
His brother, Yi Jinun.
But then—
"Jinpyeong—!"
A bright, cheerful voice rang out from across the yard. Second brother Jinun, waving his arms wildly and hopping over, closing the distance.
"It actually worked! Totally badass!"
Jinpyeong finally relaxed, throwing his head back and belting out a hearty laugh—hahaha!
His utterly spent body swayed. As he tumbled from the wall, Yi Gajang's warriors rushed forward, cupping their hands to catch him. Dozens of palms bore him up.
***
Jinpyeong's consciousness flickered back dimly. He felt a large, warm palm pressed to his bare back. A deep, resonant inner energy flowed in—pure and clear.
Not quite on par with the qi he'd built through Gwi Hwa Yeon Cheon Gong, but a close cousin, maybe. In depth or clarity, only one man could transmit energy like this.
Chwi Hwa Bang's leader, Nak Pung-hyeon, master of the martial art left by the world's greatest, Yi Gyeol—Cloud Sword Three Absolutes.
His presence here, his aid to Yi Gajang, his help restoring Jinpyeong's qi—it was all a shock. Hadn't Jinpyeong brutally rejected his alliance offer? Mocked his past, insulted his origins?
Sensing Jinpyeong awake, Nak Pung-hyeon spoke softly.
"Wondering why I'm here?"
Jinpyeong said nothing.
"Truth be told, I came back to have it out with you. Couldn't shake the anger no matter how I tried. Who the hell treats me like that? Sends me packing like some dog? Figured we'd throw down fair and square. But when I got here, black smoke's rising from the manor, and your ragtag crew's tangling with some gang."
"......"
"Saw their getup—Jang Gapae. You were nowhere, and your men were fighting tooth and nail, shitting blood to hold on. Sure, you gave me the cold shoulder, but I'm not that petty. Didn't sit right watching outsiders bully Yi Gajang. So I lent a hand. What, got nothing to say?"
"......"
"Eh, no need to thank me. Wasn't a big deal."
"Good to hear it wasn't much trouble."
Not even a single word of thanks to the end. Nak Pung-hyeon stared blankly.
"You're one hell of a guy..."
"Why pull your hand away now? Since you're at it, how about pumping a bit more qi in?"
"Wasting good inner energy."
Nak Pung-hyeon withdrew his hand and stepped back, turning away.
"Young master! You alright?"
Gang Ryong and Chief Steward Gwak Yeonyong, hovering anxiously nearby, rushed over with fresh clothes and draped them over him noisily.
Jinpyeong surveyed them—Gang Ryong, Gwak Yeonyong, the rest of Yi Gajang's warriors, all covered in wounds. He noted a few missing but didn't ask.
"You all did great."
"No, sir! What about the eldest young master...?"
"He's fine. He'll be back soon."
Everyone sighed in relief—whoosh.
Oddly, his brothers Jingang and Jinun were popular with the men. Despite offering nothing special, just pushing strict fake Byeokgok pills on them.
He turned to Nak Pung-hyeon, who sulked staring at distant mountains.
"No Jang Gapae boss among the enemy? Must've been a tough one."
"Hmph. Tough for you, maybe. None lasted even one exchange with me."
"Doubt that."
"What're you—"
"The Jang Gapae boss? Second young master handled him. Quite the sight!"
"Brother Jinun?!"
Their voices rose in shock. Jinun grinned sheepishly under Jinpyeong's gaze.
"Haha. Didn't I tell you? He was a monster—deep inner energy, tons of experience. But I stuck to the footwork you taught me and dragged it out pretty good."
Jinun had real talent for footwork. But evasion alone didn't explain victory.
"He was too strong for footwork alone. Had limits. So I lured him inside the manor to buy time. Then this gentleman appeared out of nowhere..."
Another figure stepped out from behind Jinun. Jinpyeong let out a hollow laugh despite himself.
A woman in a sheer black veil over her face—a Dongbeonhoe affiliate versed in demonic arts, the enigmatic Un Sa-nang. She sat casually behind Yi Jinun as if nothing had happened.
At her level, subduing Jang Gapae's boss would've been child's play.
"...Didn't you leave?"
"Why would I, when you made a promise?"
The promise: freeing her from the demonic art consuming her body.
"Untied the ropes and vanished without a word. Figured you'd just bailed."
"Hmph. Think some cheap rope could hold me? My bones healed ages ago—I just needed time to sort my head."
"Then where the hell were you?"
"...You didn't seriously think I'd use that crappy chamber pot, did you?"
Oof. Major misunderstanding.
Nak Pung-hyeon, still eyeing distant peaks, shot a curious glance.
"Who's the lady? Yi Gajang hiding a VIP?"
A breeze tugged her veil aside. Nak Pung-hyeon's hawk eyes caught the glimpse. Interest faded instantly; he turned back to the mountains.
"......"
No need to mention the hideous skin mask.
Then—bang!—someone kicked open the annex's doors. A short, stout man with eldest brother Yi Jingang on his back.
"Goddamn it. Dump a guy who can't even walk on me and run off? What the hell?"
"Brother!!!"
Yi Jinun dashed over joyfully and took Jingang.
Jingang beamed, hugging him tight.
"Jinun, you're safe!"
"Brother, get this—you won't believe it, but I..."
Jinun spilled the footwork tale without pause. Gang Ryong eyed the dwarf suspiciously.
"Young master. Ain't that the bastard from Jang Gapae? Why's he carrying the eldest...?"
"Long story."
The dwarf drew his blade and bellowed.
"Brought your guy like promised—now fight me!"
Jinpyeong pointed at Nak Pung-hyeon.
"Beat him first, then I'll spar you."
"Gah—stalling again!"
"Why drag me into this? Who's the guy?"
Un Sa-nang sidled up, arms crossed.
"Keep your promise to me first. When do I get treated?"
"......"
What a mess. His brothers, Yi Gajang's warriors, Chwi Hwa Bang's leader, Un Sa-nang, the dwarf. All yapping at once, each with their quirks.
Yi Gajang buzzing with life was great, but for Jinpyeong, freshly conscious, it was overwhelming. He squeezed his eyes shut, hand to forehead.
Swatting the air, he yelled at Gwak Yeonyong.
"Chief steward! Booze—bring booze!"
"Pardon? Booze? It's not even a feast day."
"Doesn't matter. We're all here—let's drink!"
Nak Pung-hyeon nodded.
"First decent idea from you."
"Gotta fight soon, but one drink won't hurt."
"Count me in for booze. Think you can handle it?"
"Little brother, heavy drinking stunts growth..."
Why's everyone so damn chatty?
Head throbbing worse, Jinpyeong waved again—then noticed another arrival at Yi Gajang. A man clutching a large folded paper gaped at them, eyes bulging.
Smoke still curled here and there, bound Jang Gapae thugs groaned on the ground, colorful characters bickered noisily. He scanned it all with baffled eyes.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Jinpyeong snapped irritably. The man snapped to, bowing deeply.
"From Dongbeonhoe—with an invitation!"
"Dongbeonhoe?"
Jinpyeong glanced at Un Sa-nang. She'd ghosted behind the warriors.
"Yes! The Nine Great Clans' luminaries are visiting our Dongbeonhoe, so we're inviting Dongjeong Lake's major powers as well..."