This Body Has Plans for Everything
Whoosh—the blade whistled perilously close under Yi Jinpyeong's chin. If he had a beard, it would have been neatly shaved off.
"Young master. Are you really planning to accept the Dongbeonhoe's invitation?"
"Yeah, I am. Got a problem with that?"
Whoosh—another ferocious swing of the sword. Yi Jinpyeong simply stepped back half a pace and leaned his upper body slightly to effortlessly dodge the attack.
"Won't you just end up as their figurehead? And with so many sects participating, there's a good chance of pointless clashes breaking out there too."
"Chief Steward Gwak. Are you seriously worried about me right now?"
"No, of course not. I'm just afraid you'll go beating up some other sect again and elevate Dongjeong Lake's status right in front of the Nine Great Sects and Beggar Clan..."
Gwak Yeonyong's words carried real weight. Chuckles erupted from all around.
Undeterred, the attacks on Yi Jinpyeong grew fiercer. Amid the raging sword winds and flashing blades, Yi Jinpyeong slipped in and threw a light punch.
Thwack!
"There, that's another death. Your thirty-third."
The one struck by his playful fist was Seo Dal, the short-statured mercenary once hired by Dang Sobaek. His face flushed beet red with rage as he let out a bellow. "Raaargh!"
"Huh. Looks like you're immortal after all."
Grinning, Yi Jinpyeong retreated, but Seo Dal relentlessly chopped down with his sword. It seemed like straight-line strikes slicing between heaven and earth, only to suddenly pivot into an irregular assault by slamming his elbow down—a killing move he'd once unleashed against Gwak Sung of the Dongbeonhoe's council.
But it was useless against Yi Jinpyeong. At the exact moment Seo Dal's irregular attack began, Yi Jinpyeong circled his hand along the elbow's joint. With that simple motion, Seo Dal's arm twisted backward, lifting his body half a chi off the ground.
Yi Jinpyeong didn't miss the opening. His leg swept the earth, spinning the squat Seo Dal like a top. Snatching his collar mid-air as he flipped upside down, Yi Jinpyeong this time slammed him mercilessly into the ground.
BOOM!!!!!
A massive thud echoed. Seo Dal lay utterly still. A newcomer might mistake him for dead, but the Yi Family warriors, having witnessed this dozens of times, showed no reaction. Everyone knew his durability rivaled Gang Ryong's.
"Alright, Gang Ryong. See that? The strongest-looking spot often hides the biggest gap. To master the Gu Hwan Nan Gyeok, you need to be even bolder than now. Not just mindless charging—reduce your two-step retreat to one, and turn your one-step advance into two. That's how you steal your opponent's rhythm."
"Got it! Two steps forward when advancing one... one step back when retreating two..."
"...It's the opposite."
"Yes, sir!"
Yi Jinpyeong felt a twinge of doubt as he headed to the shaded hall.
"Excellent display!"
Nak Pung-hyeon, the Chwi Hwa Bang leader, sat primly sipping his liquor and clapped approvingly.
"That short guy's got real grit. That tenacity, that toughness... pure wild instinct you don't see much these days! Polish him a bit more, and he'll soar."
Yi Jinpyeong dusted off his hands and shot back at Nak Pung-hyeon. "And why are you lounging here all day like it's nothing? Does Chwi Hwa Bang have no work?"
"Who called me here in the first place? Don't complain now."
"Didn't expect you'd come running like a lackey."
"Lackey? Harsh words. That's the spirit of alliance for you. And what does a night-business outfit have to do during the day? Occasionally some rude fool barges in without a care for the hour..."
"Not rude—strategic."
"Eh, from what I heard, it was just impulse."
"Who spilled all those details to you?"
Gang Ryong and Chief Steward Gwak suddenly stared at distant mountains, faces burning.
Nak Pung-hyeon guffawed and took another swig.
"Anyway, Chief Steward Gwak's got a point. It's not just about clashes there. If you leave for the event and we get hit like last time while the house is empty, that's real trouble."
"Who the hell would dare target our manor again?"
Hwang Sabang, who'd once eyed Yi Gajang, had been fully absorbed. Jang Gapae's leader was dead, and the survivors captured. The minor spat with Dongbeonhoe lingered, but they were busy with their big event—no time for Yi Gajang.
"What about the Dang Family? They'd be trouble."
Hmm. True, the Dang Family was an issue. But the attackers weren't the whole clan—just Dang Sobaek, the outcast not recognized as heir.
"We cleaned up the battle traces thoroughly. He wouldn't go blabbing to his family anyway, so linking it back to us won't be easy."
After things settled, Yi Jinpyeong had revisited the site, personally disposing of and burying the bodies. Tedious, but necessary—the dozens of poison-rotted corpses reeked horribly.
Bonus: he'd pocketed a tidy sum from Dang Sobaek's pouch. Tracable vouchers tossed, only cash kept—ample reward for the effort.
"The Dang Clan has a tenacious streak. If they dig in seriously, they'll eventually connect his death to Yi Gajang."
"They started it. No reason for this body to fear their revenge."
"Confidence is good. But clan vs. clan? You're overreaching without you. Your subordinates need to toughen up way more. Right now, they'd have to stick to the manor like guard dogs. The event lasts days, even over ten—can you really attend carefree?"
Nak Pung-hyeon's critique stung with truth. Gang Ryong and the others bristled but stayed silent. Chief Steward Gwak nodded grimly, having voiced concerns before about the power gap between Yi Jinpyeong and the rest.
"No worries. This body has plans for everything."
"What plans?"
"First, plenty of time till the Dongbeonhoe event. Train the subordinates to hell—they'll get stronger."
The listening subordinates shuddered. Already drilled mercilessly—how much worse?
"Sure, a few with potential could grow fast short-term. But that's got clear limits—"
"Second plan ties to this guy."
Yi Jinpyeong pointed at the frog-like sprawl on the ground—Seo Dal.
"He was with Dang Clan and Jang Gapae attacking you lot, right? Keeps charging at you like he wants to die."
"He ain't dead yet."
"...Right."
"Simple, no grudges—perfect fit for our manor. Likes people, not disposable. That's why he was more popular than their boss in Jang Gapae. With him joining, integrating the captured Jang Gapae guys gets easier."
"So that's why you've just beaten him bloody all day without killing him. Not some blind fool."
"Thought he'd quit after seven KOs. Guy doesn't know the word."
"That's all for plans?"
"No, one more. Ties to why I called you."
"Me?"
Nak Pung-hyeon looked flustered.
"Hey, helping an allied sect is natural. I can rush if trouble hits. But I can't abandon Chwi Hwa Bang to camp here. You didn't expect that, right?"
"Of course not. Remember those three at Pung Gaekru? Dual swords, whip, foot swordplay. Impressed me."
"......"
"Don't look troubled. Not asking to borrow them."
Phew. Nak Pung-hyeon sighed in relief, brightening.
"Mae Cheongju, Chwi Go-gae, Jeok An-ho. We call 'em the Flower Wine Three Guests."
"Yeah. Liked their combined techniques. You taught them?"
"Yep. Fruit of my long agonies."
Praise lit Nak Pung-hyeon's voice higher.
"Each has clear strengths—and weaknesses. Undefeatable against rabble, but crumble against real experts. I obsessed, then grouped them: train together, eat together, sleep together. Turned them into a force against any master. Though they couldn't touch you..."
"Exactly. Want you to teach that method to our warriors."
"To all of Yi Gajang's?"
"Yes."
Nak Pung-hyeon blinked wide, tilting his head.
"Scaling combined techniques to every warrior... not easy. They had specialties and above-average martial insight—that's why it worked."
"Can't copy Flower Wine Three Guests exactly. Needs tweaks, simplification. Won't dump it all on you—let's brainstorm. Your experience plus this body's genius? We'll find the optimal way."
Reincarnated world's greatest, Yi Gyeol. Unrivaled, but ignored family warriors' power and organization. Clan born from his supremacy; even blood heirs got little attention...
This life differed. Both he and clan must grow. Yi Jinpyeong knew systematizing combined techniques was key to sharpening family martial prowess fast.
Alone, possible with time—but time tight focusing on self and brothers. Chwi Hwa Bang leader's organization savvy would save heaps.
Musing, Nak Pung-hyeon muttered, "Takes tons of time. Chwi Hwa Bang guys have businesses—couldn't specialize like Flower Wine Three Guests."
"Our Yi Gajang warriors? Nothing but training. Roll 'em day and night."
Yi Gajang warriors shivered again.
Decision made, Nak Pung-hyeon grinned. "Deal. Once systematized, easy to apply to my crew too. Fine with that?"
"What's alliance for? Grow together."
"One more. I rushed here leisurely today, but my sacrifice ain't small. What's my gift?"
"Promised to rush if Chwi Hwa Bang's in trouble, right?"
"Old deal. Need something more balanced now."
Yi Jinpyeong smirked. Savoring the fine liquor Nak Pung-hyeon brought, he downed it and rose slowly.
"Spar with this body. Regularly."
".....!"
"Solo talent got you this far without help. This body will help those wings spread wide."
Not just for him, of course. Among experts since awakening, Nak Pung-hyeon was tops. Sparring would hone Yi Jinpyeong too.
Nak Pung-hyeon beamed, as if expecting it.
"Knew it. You had plans for everything."
"Indeed. This body has plans for everything."
Focused solely on training, three months flew by. Unlike Yi Gajang's stormy recent weeks, outsiders saw only eerie calm.
Finally dawned the day of the Dongbeonhoe-hosted banquet, graced by Nine Great Sects and Beggar Clan VIPs.
Yi Gajang's firmly shut gates creaked open.