Chereads / Dark and Light Martial Emperor / Chapter 85 - The Wind Does Not Cease (3)

Chapter 85 - The Wind Does Not Cease (3)

[Chapter 85]

The first words spoken were rather rough.

Yeon Hojeong tilted his head in curiosity.

"Have rumors branded me a mongrel?"

He took the comment in stride, with a good-natured chuckle. Hwajin Cheon burst into hearty laughter.

"Did you think such tales wouldn't spread? They say your axe skills are a work of art. Using the nobles' heads as kindling, were you?"

"They're hardly fit to stoke a fire."

"Filled with nothing but dung in their skulls, that's why."

"Indeed."

"They say you even tried to kill Myeong Cheon?"

"Is that so surprising?"

"Not really. To spare an enemy who seeks your life? It might sound noble in theory, but to those in the thick of battle, it's nothing but a fool's dream."

Hwajin Cheon tilted his head, pondering.

"The issue is this. You went on a rampage, seeking to sever limbs even after the fight was decided."

Jegal Ayeon looked at Yeon Hojeong in shock.

Yeon Hojeong calmly admitted it.

"That's right. I collapsed before I could achieve my goal."

"Why would you do that? The fight was over, the dust had settled. Why add insult to injury?"

"You jest too harshly."

"Jest?"

"I don't insult my opponents unless necessary."

"And chopping people up isn't an insult?"

"I was told they'd chop off my limbs, behead me, and pickle my head in salt to present to my father."

"…"

"I can usually hold back, but not then."

Hwajin Cheon watched Yeon Hojeong with an ambiguous gaze, then shrugged.

"It seems one should not provoke you lightly."

Yeon Hojeong smiled faintly.

"Have you seen enough?"

Hwajin Cheon's eyes sparkled.

"Did you know?"

"A disciple often mirrors their master. It was just like this when I first met Huga."

"To think you resemble that louse. I still have much to learn."

Though he spoke lightly, Hwajin Cheon was inwardly surprised.

'So astute.'

Those who handle information prioritize understanding the nature of the people at the heart of events before delving into the cause and effect.

It was something he always emphasized to his disciple. After all, people are the ones who cause incidents, so understanding them is key to grasping the essence of any matter.

And it seemed this young successor knew it too.

'He's no ordinary man. He wasn't even startled by my arrival. He might not have predicted it, but he knew it wouldn't be strange if I did come.'

Hwajin Cheon sighed.

"I wonder what will become of the Open Sect."

"Pardon?"

"When a tiger learns to think like a man, hell ensues. My disciple has befriended a tiger with human intelligence, so it seems unlikely it will meet its end anytime soon."

Yeon Hojeong grinned.

"Don't worry. I'm not the type to bite and kill just anyone."

"If you were, you wouldn't have been able to form such bonds."

"Indeed, that's true."

Hwajin Cheon turned to Jegal Ayeon with a smirk.

"Are you the eldest daughter of the Je Gal family?"

Jegal Ayeon bowed respectfully.

"I apologize for interrupting your conversation. I am Jegal Ayeon of the Je Gal clan, greeting the leader of Yongdu."

Hwajin Cheon scratched his head.

At least he seemed to have less dandruff than his disciple.

"Should you even be here?"

"Me? I…"

"Yes, you."

Jegal Ayeon looked embarrassed.

Hwajin Cheon chuckled.

"Did the Namgung family send a matchmaker?"

"!"

"I'm not sure if the marriage will happen, but at least until then, shouldn't you conduct yourself properly? Even if you're not of age, a man is still a man, and the Namgung side might not take kindly to it."

Jegal Ayeon's face stiffened.

She hadn't expected a mention of such a significant family matter out of the blue. She was too flustered to speak.

Hwajin Cheon laughed heartily.

"Ah, perhaps I've spoken out of turn?"

"…"

"My apologies. Even at my age, I can't seem to manage my tongue. Just take it as idle curiosity and forgive me this once."

"It's alright…"

Hwajin Cheon raised his hands in a gesture of peace.

"An old beggar has come and spoiled the mood. I'll take my leave now. Sorry for intruding without permission."

Yeon Hojeong performed a formal bow.

"Take care on your way."

"Let's meet again if fate allows."

As Hwajin Cheon walked away, he paused.

"Ah! But do you know this?"

His gaze settled on Jegal Ayeon.

Jegal Ayeon's eyes widened.

"Did your father not know?"

"What?"

"Sending his daughter to the eldest son of the Yeon family, how would that look to the Namgung family?"

"!!"

"As you know, your father is considered one of the wisest in the martial world. The owner of the Divine Strategist Zhuge."

Shock registered on Jegal Ayeon's face.

Hwajin Cheon grinned.

"The bond between parent and child is a beautiful thing, don't you think?"

With that, he left.

Yeon Hojeong wore a troubled expression.

"This might become troublesome."

Shinmo asked curiously.

"Are you referring to the leader of Yongdu?"

"Yes."

"Why so?"

Yeon Hojeong fell into deep thought, then shook his head.

"No, it's nothing. I'm probably just worrying too much."

The look Hwajin Cheon gave him was far from ordinary.

It had been some time since he'd stepped back from the front lines, and rumors said he would soon pass on the leadership to his disciple.

But that didn't mean the leader of Yongdu's divine sight was dead. In just a few conversations, he had seen through to who Yeon Hojeong truly was.

The essence of Yeon Hojeong, which Gadeuksang had taken months to understand piece by piece, Hwajin Cheon had pierced through in mere moments.

'Indeed.'

He saw in Hwajin Cheon the image of Gadeuksang.

Yet, the Gadeuksang of the Black Darkness era was similar yet different from him. Perhaps due to his personality, he was more open and sincere.

In other words, he had a human charm. However, Hwajin Cheon's caution might be more suited to running an organization like the Open Sect.

Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips thoughtfully.

The initial words exchanged were rather brusque.

Yeon Hojeong raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Rumors have it that I'm a mongrel?"

He took the comment in stride, chuckling good-naturedly. Hwajin Cheon burst into hearty laughter.

"So, the word is out about the 'Axe Master'?"

"Indeed. They say your axe skills are a form of art. Using noble heads as kindling, were you?"

"They're hardly fit for stoking a fire."

"Filled with nothing but dung in their skulls, that's why."

"Indeed."

"They say you even tried to kill Myeong Cheon?"

"Is that so surprising?"

"Not really. To spare an enemy who seeks your life? It might sound noble in theory, but to those in the thick of battle, it's nothing but a fool's dream."

Hwajin Cheon tilted his head, pondering.

"The issue is this. You went on a rampage, seeking to sever limbs even after the fight was decided."

Jegal Ayeon looked at Yeon Hojeong in shock.

Yeon Hojeong calmly admitted it.

"That's right. I collapsed before I could achieve my goal."

"Why would you do that? The fight was over, and the dust had settled. Why add insult to injury?"

"You jest too harshly."

"Jest?"

"I don't insult my opponents unless necessary."

"And chopping people up isn't an insult?"

"I was told they'd chop off my limbs, behead me, and pickle my head in salt to present to my father."

"…"

"I can usually hold back, but not then."

Hwajin Cheon watched Yeon Hojeong with an ambiguous gaze, then shrugged.

"It seems one should not provoke you lightly."

Yeon Hojeong smiled faintly.

"Have you seen enough?"

Hwajin Cheon's eyes sparkled.

"Did you know?"

"A disciple often mirrors their master. It was just like this when I first met Huga."

"To think you resemble that louse. I still have much to learn."

Though he spoke lightly, Hwajin Cheon was inwardly surprised.

'So astute.'

Those who handle information prioritize understanding the nature of the people at the heart of events before delving into the cause and effect.

It was something he always emphasized to his disciple. After all, people are the ones who cause incidents, so understanding them is key to grasping the essence of any matter.

And it seemed this young successor knew it too.

'No ordinary man. Even though I've come, he wasn't startled at all. He might not have predicted it, but he knew it wouldn't be strange if I did come.'

Hwajin Cheon sighed.

"Let's meet again if fate allows."

As Hwajin Cheon walked away, he paused.

"Ah! But do you know this?"

His gaze settled on Jegal Ayeon.

Jegal Ayeon's eyes widened.

"Did your father not know?"

"What?"

"Sending his daughter to the eldest son of the Yeon family, how would that look to the Namgong family?"

"!!"

"As you know, your father is considered one of the wisest in the martial world. The owner of the Divine Strategist Zhuge."

Shock registered on Jegal Ayeon's face.

Hwajin Cheon grinned.

"The bond between parent and child is a beautiful thing, don't you think?"

With that, he left.

Yeon Hojeong wore a troubled expression.

"This might become troublesome."

Shinmo asked curiously.

"Are you referring to the leader of Yongdu?"

"Yes."

"Why so?"

Yeon Hojeong fell into deep thought, then shook his head.

"No, it's nothing. I'm probably just worrying too much."

The look Hwajin Cheon gave him was far from ordinary.

It had been some time since he'd stepped back from the front lines, and rumors said he would soon pass on the leadership to his disciple.

But that didn't mean the leader of Yongdu's divine sight was dead. In just a few conversations, he had seen through to who Yeon Hojeong truly was.

The essence of Yeon Hojeong, which Gadeuksang had taken months to understand piece by piece, Hwajin Cheon had pierced through in mere moments.

'Indeed.'

He saw in Hwajin Cheon the image of Gadeuksang.

Yet, the Gadeuksang of the Black Darkness era was similar yet different from him. Perhaps due to his personality, he was more open and sincere.

In other words, he had a human charm. However, Hwajin Cheon's caution might be more suited to running an organization like the Open Sect.

Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips thoughtfully.