[Chapter 47]
Thump-thump-thump!
With a fierce grip, his fists burst through the empty air in rapid succession.
This was no ordinary martial arts training. His fists, imbued with a robust inner strength, were as lethal as any weapon. It was the martial art of a peak master, capable of punching through logs and shattering rocks with a single blow.
Sweat poured down his face, but the relentless training did not cease. If anything, his punches seemed to gain momentum as time passed, becoming faster and more forceful.
Swish!
Yeon Hojeong, in the midst of his training, kicked up a spear that had fallen to the ground.
With a natural motion, he grasped the spear and swung it with a terrifying force.
Boom-boom-boom!
The long spear spat fire.
A spear is both a heavy and a long weapon. It's easy to thrust a powerful blow, but difficult to execute a series of connected techniques.
However, Yeon Hojeong's spear technique was different. He unleashed explosive strikes in rapid succession, the intervals between each attack incredibly short.
After swinging the spear for what seemed like an eternity, Yeon Hojeong flipped the spear around and hurled it away.
Crash!
The spear pierced through a thick log and embedded itself in the ground.
The power was fearsome.
"Heave, heave."
The training was so intense that it left him gasping for breath. A deep blue energy flickered around Yeon Hojeong as he took ragged breaths.
His breathing, which had been ragged, returned to normal in an instant. Even if the vital energy made oxygen supply easier, the speed of recovery was extraordinarily fast.
Sigh.
Yeon Hojeong sat down on the flat ground.
A heavy voice reached him.
"Is your training complete?"
Yeon Hojeong looked up.
His father stood in the distance, hands clasped behind his back.
"Have you arrived?"
"It looks more like venting than training."
"…"
"To stabilize such disordered breathing so quickly is extremely difficult. It seems that extreme physical training is effective."
"I see."
It was a night with a beautiful moonlight.
On a night bathed in bright moonlight, Yeon Wi sat down beside Yeon Hojeong.
"You've truly become a master now. You're worthy of being called a peak master."
"Thank you."
His voice lacked sincerity. The future that lay ahead was too dreadful to be happy about such accomplishments.
Yet, Yeon Wi expressed pure amazement at his son's realm.
At the age of nineteen, he had reached a higher realm than the head of the family's martial forces.
Even with high-level martial arts, his growth rate was unfathomable. Among the younger generation of the seven great families of the current era, was there anyone who had achieved such martial prowess at his age?
Excluding Shaolin, Wudang, and Huashan, it would be hard to find someone like Yeon Hojeong even among the nine orthodox sects. Considering his skill half a year ago, his growth rate was almost unprecedented in the history of martial arts.
Despite such an incredible feat, the son was not satisfied. On the contrary, he seemed to think he was still far from his goal.
He was well aware of how extraordinary his realm, growth, and skills were.
Yeon Wi spoke in a passing tone.
"Is there something troubling you?"
Yeon Hojeong did not answer.
He could have said it was nothing, just part of his training routine. But he didn't want to lie to his father, not with this feeling.
"It's too much."
"Excuse me?"
"Your murderous intent."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes wavered.
"Did you feel it?"
"If I couldn't even sense that, how could I call myself the head of the Yeon family?"
Yeon Hojeong was constantly adjusting his killing intent. Even if he unconsciously exuded it, he did not let it burst forth indiscriminately.
But Yeon Wi was Yeon Wi. Considering the distance from the family head's office to the guest hall, his sensitivity was beyond imagination.
"What is it that angers you so?"
Yeon Hojeong looked at Yeon Wi.
Yeon Wi's face, bathed in moonlight, looked kinder than usual.
At that moment, Yeon Hojeong felt a surge of emotion.
'There are those who target our main house.'
He wanted to say it. At least in this moment, he wanted to tell his father everything.
But he couldn't.
Father seems indifferent to others, yet he observes every detail with such precision. He would seek to understand how he came to know, why he hadn't spoken until now, and whether it was indeed true.
Regrettably, that cannot be. If history is any guide, the noble house's assault is less than a year away. Perhaps even sooner.
"It's just… suffocating."
"What is?"
"Many things."
Yeon Wi fell silent for a moment.
He had something to say to his son. But looking at him now, it seemed unnecessary to speak those words.
Yeon Wi pulled a manuscript from his robe and handed it to Yeon Hojeong.
"What is this?"
"Take it."
The manuscript's cover bore no inscription.
Curiosity piqued, Yeon Hojeong's eyes widened as he opened the book.
"It's a handwritten copy. Burn it once you've mastered its contents."
"How can you entrust this to me…?"
"I've considered what your martial arts lack as I watched you."
It was strange to think that someone who seemed so unlikely to care had given it thought.
"Your martial arts are about delivering a fatal blow without considering a follow-up. At least, that's the impression. There's room for improvement, but your robust physique has been the nourishment for your explosive power."
"…"
"But look. Your breathing was severely disrupted just now. The reason is that the martial arts you practice consume too much stamina."
"That's true."
"You'll improve significantly in the future. But the journey there is the problem. I thought of giving you a technique for evasion, but it seems against your nature to retreat."
He saw right through him.
Yeon Hojeong could flee, hide, or avoid if necessary. But if he deemed it unnecessary, he would press on and defeat his enemy.
It's in his nature not to back down. His martial arts were about survival on the battlefield, killing before being killed.
"That's why I prepared this."
Yeon Hojeong looked at the three characters written on the first page.
Banryongjang.
It was a counter-attack martial art his father had used during their sparring two weeks ago. Its power was formidable, but its true value shone in a counter-attack, one of the main martial arts of the Yeon family.
"The martial world is ruthless. They don't fight while considering the opponent's condition. You'll manage, I'm sure, but even a first-rate warrior can fall to a third-rate sword in the martial world."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes wavered.
"Did you know?"
Yeon Wi shook his head.
"I didn't. Not until just now."
"…"
"I was wondering when to give it to you. It seems a bit late, but with your talent, you'll be able to use it in real combat soon."
Yeon Hojeong gripped the secret manual tightly.
In truth, Yeon Wi's worries were unfounded. Yeon Hojeong had the Four Guardians martial arts.
While the Black Tortoise was responsible for absolute defense, and the White Tiger for relentless attack, the Azure Dragon was in charge of evasion and counter-attack.
The Black Tortoise wasn't often needed except in extreme situations, but the Azure Dragon was different. Its techniques were invaluable, supporting Yeon Hojeong's extreme tendencies.
'…'
But could any martial art, no matter how exceptional, be more precious than the sentiment his father had imparted?
"I will receive it with gratitude."
Yeon Wi stood up.
"When do you plan to leave?"
Indeed.
Yeon Hojeong intended to leave the family.
Staying within the family would not stop the noble house's invasion. To see and verify everything firsthand before fighting, that was the way of combat Yeon Hojeong had learned.
"If nothing else arises, I plan to leave tomorrow."
"Tomorrow… tomorrow, you say."
Yeon Wi closed his eyes.
Yeon Hojeong did not know what his father was thinking.
After a moment, Yeon Wi spoke.
"Come with me."
* * *
Unexpectedly, Yeon Wi took his son, Yeon Hojeong, out of the family estate.
The marketplace was quiet, well past midnight, with only a few taverns still selling liquor in the dim light.
They turned around Goyang Tower and headed to a small forge, some distance from the river.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Despite the late hour, the sound of hammering echoed. Even from five 'jang' away, the heat was palpable.
Yeon Wi spoke up.
"Master Pyeon, it's me, Yeon Wi."
Clang!
The hammering stopped.
Soon after, an old man with white whiskers emerged from the forge.
Short in stature but solidly built.
Despite the cold, he was shirtless, revealing his muscular shoulders and broad chest.
"Have you arrived?"
His voice was unexpectedly calm, contrary to the rough tone one might expect.
"I apologize for the late visit."
"What's there to apologize for? But who's this young man with you?"
"This is my eldest son."
Yeon Wi introduced him.
"Pay your respects. This is Master Pyeon Ilgang, the divine craftsman."
Not sure who he was, but he was no ordinary person. Yeon Hojeong bowed respectfully.
"I am Yeon Hojeong. It's an honor to meet you."
The old man smiled warmly, a lifetime of working with fire and iron softening his expression like a spring breeze.
"Your eyes are as fierce as your father's. It's like looking at him in his youth."
"Was I like that?"
"Hard to approach, like a drawn sword. But compared to your son, you're gentle. If you were a treasured sword, your son is a divine blade, sharp and ready."
A faint smile played on Yeon Wi's lips.
Pyeon Ilgang looked at Yeon Wi as if surprised. He had never seen Yeon Wi smile before.
"It seems age has caught up with you."
"It appears so."
Pyeon Ilgang scrutinized Yeon Hojeong.
"But it's curious. His eyes are the spitting image of yours, yet his aura is entirely different. He's your son, but he doesn't have your calmness."
"…"
"Not a sword, but an axe?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes lit up.
Pyeon Ilgang was not a martial artist. He had internal strength, but it was only for self-cultivation. Yet, he recognized Yeon Hojeong's primary weapon at a glance.
'Impressive.'
Reaching the level of a master craftsman changes one's perspective on the world.
A good craftsman is a warrior's ally. Just by recognizing Yeon Hojeong's temperament, one could guess Pyeon Ilgang's skill.
"Is it the order from two weeks ago?"
"Yes."
"Ha, I'm seeing many unexpected things today. You didn't give the heir of the family a sword?"
Yeon Wi shook his head.
"So, is it not ready?"
"Not at all. It finished two days ago. It wasn't a new creation, just a modification of an existing one."
"Let me see it."
"Just a moment."
Shortly after, Pyeon Ilgang returned with a weapon.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes widened at the sight.
"Heavy indeed. To wield such a thing? You must have cultivated remarkable martial arts at a young age."
Thud!
The impact resonated through the ground.
It was an axe. An enormous one.
A six 'cheok' long shaft with an axe blade the size of a grown man's torso, a war axe. It was almost identical in shape and size to the one Yeon Hojeong had used in his lifetime.
Yeon Wi said.
"Try holding it."
Yeon Hojeong grasped the shaft as if entranced.
The weight was immense, spreading through his entire arm.
'Heavy. But…'
The feeling wrapping around his hand was perfect. Was it synergy? It couldn't be better for swinging.
Yeon Hojeong looked at Yeon Wi.
"Heavy weapons influence their wielder more than swords. Your martial arts are too extreme, so don't swing it unless absolutely necessary."
Yeon Wi bowed to Pyeon Ilgang.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Ha, it was no trouble. If I had known it was a gift for your son, I would have checked it one more time."
Yeon Hojeong looked at Yeon Wi with trembling eyes.
Yeon Wi turned away.
"Let's go."
Watching Yeon Wi walk ahead, Yeon Hojeong bowed to Pyeon Ilgang.
"Thank you."
Pyeon Ilgang laughed.
"It's very sturdy. It won't break easily. Use it well."