[Chapter 35]
"So, you want me to hit him?"
"Essentially, yes."
"You're crazy. You're using me to get rid of that bastard, but anyone can see that it's a case of killing someone with a borrowed knife, right?"
"So you're going to let him go?"
"..."
"He's trash. As you said."
"You're the same, trash. If it weren't for you…"
"If it weren't for me, you'd still be soaking in defeat and biting your clothes."
"Shut up."
"Your family is said to have a clear grudge. You have a hatred for him. And I'm going to give you some information. Isn't it simple?"
"..."
"What are you going to do?"
"...Get lost."
"I'll take that as acceptance."
"Let me ask you one thing."
"What is it?"
"What do you have against him?"
"Nothing like that."
"That's a lie that even a dog wouldn't believe. I can see the killing intent in your eyes. You clearly hate him. Intensely."
"Contact me when he leaves. It's your choice whether you do it or not. Do as you please."
"Hmph! What do you trust me to say? To me, he and you are the same idiots."
"Your family's pride is the best in the world, they say."
"Sinister bastard."
"Don't forget. You only realize how good an opportunity is after it passes."
* * *
"Ugh! This is not a joke, right?"
Yeon Ji-pyeong was almost dying.
He was experiencing a hangover for the first time in his life. He looked so wobbly that it seemed hard for him to get up.
Yeon Ho-jeong bit his tongue.
"Practice your breathing. You'll feel better soon."
If his inner power reached a certain level, he could expel the alcohol (酒精) from his body on the spot. However, that was still too difficult for Yeon Ji-pyeong.
"Yesterday, Daeho hyung said that controlling your stomach with inner power is not something that a drunkard should do, right?"
"So are you a coward or a drunkard?"
"I'll practice my breathing."
"Good."
After half an hour of breathing practice, Yeon Ji-pyeong's face looked somewhat lively.
"I feel much better."
"Do you want to have a hangover cure?"
"I want to, but… I can't eat anything yet."
"Then let's get ready."
"Ready? For what?"
"We have to go home."
Then he noticed that Yeon Ho-jeong was dressed in neat clothes. He seemed to have finished all his preparations.
Yeon Ji-pyeong's eyes widened.
"You're not going to leave together?"
"We've had enough friendship. Now we have to go back to our own lives and do what we're supposed to do. If you're hungry on the way, we'll stop by a suitable place."
"Ah…"
"The Changyeongdae is ready too."
"Then, let me say goodbye for a moment."
"That's right."
Yeon Ji-pyeong quickly changed his clothes. He didn't know he would leave so soon. He looked very regretful.
Normally, he would have given Yeon Ji-pyeong some time, but this time, Yeon Ho-jeong was firm.
'I found a clue.'
He didn't need to stick with Myeong Ho-rim anymore. The martial arts of the Myeong family were the same as those of the attackers.
'When will he contact me?'
Gadeuksang's ability was excellent. He was the same in the Yongdubangju era and in the later period. Rather, he had less responsibility and could handle things faster.
Until then, he would go back to his family and prepare for everything. He had a lot to deal with, especially his martial arts.
'I hope he comes soon.'
That's how Yeon Ho-jeong led the Changyeongdae and headed to the outer circle.
"Huh! Yeon hyung! You're leaving already? No, let's have breakfast together!"
He became close with Yeon Ji-pyeong and now he was friendly with Yeon Ho-jeong too.
But the regret on Paeng Daeho's face was real. It was the same for Paeng Manho. He seemed to have a very honest personality.
Yeon Ho-jeong said.
"We'll meet again someday if we're connected, right?"
"Sniff! You're so disappointing. Don't say that and let's have a drink at a nearby bar after it's over. Yeon hyung said it, right? He'll buy us a drink each!"
"I'm sorry. I'm busy."
"Huh."
Paeng Daeho lost his appetite. He couldn't hold on to someone who was busy.
Paeng Manho made a serious face and shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm still not over it. Please give me a chance to get revenge later."
"Of course."
"Huh."
Paeng Daeho patted Paeng Manho's shoulder. Paeng Manho screamed and rolled around.
"Oh, sorry."
A cheerful brotherhood.
Then, from afar, the Jegal siblings came running with Yeon Ji-pyeong.
"Huff! What, what? You're leaving already?"
"Yes."
"Why?! Stay until lunch and go together!"
"We're going different ways with Jegal Se-ga anyway."
What a cold-hearted guy.
Jegal A-yeon's face showed regret. It was the same for Jegal Jun.
"Yeon hyung-nim. Then, can you stay for an hour and go together? Let's have lunch together."
Jegal Jun, who didn't talk much, rarely spoke.
Jegal Jun was strangely intimidated by Yeon Ho-jeong. But he also admired him after seeing him fight a few times. His personal regret was as big as Jegal A-yeon's.
Yeon Ho-jeong stroked Jegal Jun's head.
Jegal Jun's eyes widened.
"Come to Gangso sometime. I'll show you around."
"Yes, yes?"
"Except for your sister."
Jegal A-yeon shrieked.
"Why am I excluded?!"
"You're noisy."
"Ugh."
Jegal A-yeon, who was shivering, said in a sad voice.
"Do you have to go?"
"I have something to do."
He still had an indifferent face. But Jegal A-yeon read the seriousness and urgency behind his expression.
"…Well, I can't help it."
After hesitating for a moment, Jegal A-yeon sighed and took out a silk pouch from her bosom.
"Here, take this."
"What is it?"
"Just take it if I tell you to."
Yeon Ho-jeong took the pouch with a reluctant face. Anyone would think he was receiving trash.
"It's the Myeongma-pae (明磨牌) of the main house."
"Myeongma-pae?"
Jegal A-yeon whispered.
"The main house started a business related to weapons (兵器) a while ago. There's also a branch in the southeast of Anhwi. There's a map inside, so if you ever have to go there, check it out."
Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes sparkled.
"Why are you giving me this?"
"Do you think I have a hole in my eye? Changbong-sul is not your real martial art, right?"
He somehow figured it out. He definitely had more than average sense
"I don't know what your main weapon is, but go and see it when you have time. They said that all the weapons they brought in this summer are in good condition."
"Can you give me something like this?"
"Thanks to you, the eldest daughter and son of the Jegal family survived. This is rather a profitable deal. If my father knew, he would give you a fortune."
Yeon Ho-jeong put the pouch in his bosom.
"Thank you."
Jegal A-yeon smiled.
"Let's see each other again."
"No problem."
"Try to change your tone a bit when we meet again."
That was when.
"Yeon hyung! Have a good trip!"
"Pyeong-ah! I'll visit Gangso later! See you again!"
"Come to our house. I'll give you a whole barrel of liquor."
Behind the Paeng brothers and the Jegal siblings, countless junior disciples waved their hands.
There were few people who looked at Yeon Ho-jeong. Most of them were sorry that Yeon Ji-pyeong was leaving. They seemed to have been impressed by him at the drinking party yesterday.
Yeon Ji-pyeong waved his hand with a bright face.
"See you later!"
He was regretful, but he didn't show it. He had made friends, so he could see them anytime.
Yeon Ho-jeong's face smiled.
'Good.'
Yeon Ji-pyeong had charm. Those proud junior disciples wouldn't have just found him cute because he was young.
Yeon Ho-jeong sincerely hoped that he would cultivate his charm as a person.
The Yeon brothers turned their backs.
Jegal A-yeon looked at Yeon Ho-jeong's back with a regretful face. He said so, but he kept seeing him in his eyes when he really left.
That was when.
"He was a great person, right, sister?"
Jegal A-yeon turned her head.
"Oh, Yeon-hwa."
It was Moyong Yeon-hwa. She had a different calm atmosphere than Jegal A-yeon.
"I think I know how the Byeoksan Yeon family became one of the seven great families in such a short time."
"That's right."
Moyong Yeon-hwa also looked at the Yeon brothers, who were getting farther away.
Unlike the junior disciples, who had pure goodwill and regret, there was a meaningful light in her eyes.
'Will we meet again?'
Although she was young, she participated in the major events of the family without fail.
It wasn't because she was the daughter of the main house. It was because she proved that she had the ability.
'Anyway, the main house has to swallow the family, so there's no need to be attached.'
She knew that her father had proposed a business to the Yeon family.
If the Yeon family head accepted it, he would see him again. But if he refused… he might not see him again.
'Whether they work together or not, the future of the Yeon family is decided.'
Moyong Yeon-hwa glanced at the high building of the inner circle in the distance.
It was Myeong Ho-rim's residence.
"He's leaving."
Namgung Hyun, who was looking down at the outer circle from the window, had only cold eyes.
"Jingok."
"Yes, sir."
"Send a letter."
"…I will obey."
Namgung Hyun twisted his smile. It was a bizarre smile that he had never shown to anyone, not even his family.
"You messed with the wrong person, Yeon Ho-jeong."
That was when Yeon Ho-jeong turned his back.
'…?!'
Namgung Hyun gasped.
It was hard to identify the expression from a distance. But he could tell that Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes were exactly facing this way.
Namgung Hyun's face twisted.
"I hate the sight of you!"
He left his seat roughly.
* * *
The group left Habpi and headed to Soho (巢湖). They planned to have a meal there and then take a boat to Gangso right away.
The way to Soho was not very far.
To be exact, it felt not very far.
"Ugh! Ugh!"
"Whew, are you okay?"
"No, I'm not okay."
Yeon Ji-pyeong gasped for breath. He was almost collapsing, even though he had trained his breathing thoroughly by learning the inner power technique.
That was not all. Most of the Changyeong members, who followed him as if they were escorting the great prince, also turned pale. The only person who looked fine was Shinmo.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and helped Yeon Ji-pyeong up.
"You still have a long way to go."
"Ugh. It's harder because of the hangover."
"Still? It should have gone away by now."
"It's gone now. I'm so hungry I could die."
It was amazing that he felt hungry in this situation. The Changyeong members looked like they wanted to eat, sleep, and just fall asleep.
Shinmo narrowed his eyes sharply.
"Can't you keep the formation properly?"
Yeon Ho-jeong chimed in.
"That's right. At this rate, the name of Changyeong will be disgraced."
Shinmo's face turned fierce. He had to hear such words from the great prince, and his neck was sore.
The Changyeong members looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with a blank face. How could he be so evil?
Shinmo shouted.
"How dare you be rude to the great prince! You can't even lower your eyes!"
It was a terrifying scolding. The Changyeong members, who were about to collapse from exhaustion, stood stiffly in a fixed posture.
Yeon Ho-jeong said to Shinmo,
"Don't be too harsh. This kind of training must be their first time."
"It's the individual's fault that they are tired from the hard training. But the fact that their mental strength is like this is my fault. I will apologize on behalf of the members."
"It's okay. A martial artist should have that much spirit. Anyway, there's no one left behind, right?"
He meant to comfort them, but Shinmo's face twisted even more. The members' faces turned dark.
Yeon Ho-jeong realized that he had made a mistake. But why? He didn't feel sorry.
"It seems hard to move. Just rest here. I'll get some food for you."
"Gr, great prince. I…"
"Shin leader, take care of the members' bodies. We have to leave right after we eat."
With that, Yeon Ho-jeong headed to the restaurant. Behind him, Shinmo's loud scolding was heard.
"Hmm, this looks good."
There were not many people around the restaurant that surrounded the huge lake. Even though it was the only restaurant in the area.
Anyway, he thought he could digest the order quickly. Yeon Ho-jeong entered the restaurant without hesitation.
Creak.
As Yeon Ho-jeong opened the door of the restaurant, he stopped for a moment.
A streak of unmistakable aura hit his head.
"Only two days?"
The first floor of the restaurant was empty.
There was a young man sitting in the corner by the window. His right arm was broken, and he had a splint on it.
It was Dang Yang-seon.