[Chapter 99]
Yeon Hojeong bowed deeply in respect.
"I have returned, Father."
"Hmm."
Yeon Wi nodded his head in acknowledgment.
"Rise."
"Yes."
Yeon Hojeong stood up, straightening his attire meticulously.
His appearance was still rugged. It seemed he continued his training during his journey, as his clothes were torn and stained in places.
Despite the presence of a guest, the question had to be asked.
"Did you train on your way here?"
"Yes."
His tone was matter-of-fact.
Yeon Wi was satisfied with his son's unremarkable response.
A warrior must always maintain peak physical condition, and it is only right to hone oneself daily to raise one's pinnacle of strength.
Many in the martial world neglect this essential training and perseverance. But his son was different.
He adhered to the basics and followed the truth. The son would surely achieve greatness.
No, he had already become a significant figure.
'Impressive.'
Words unspoken in the presence of others.
Yeon Wi's eyes revealed genuine surprise as he observed Yeon Hojeong.
'When did he grow so much?'
The rough training had left his internal energy unstable, as if he had pushed his inner strength to its limits.
Yet, this was the extent of it.
His walk was as natural as flowing water, but Yeon Wi felt as if he was looking at a rock filled to the brim. Though the internal energy was unstable, there was no tremor in the core energy that coursed through his body.
At first glance, he seemed unchanged, but Yeon Wi could sense the terrifying explosive power emanating from Yeon Hojeong's physique.
And those eyes.
Even before leaving the clan, there was no wavering in his gaze, but now it was as resolute as steel. It signified an unwavering commitment to his chosen path.
'Heart, Energy, Body. He has cultivated each without lacking.'
Yeon Wi spoke.
"They say a man becomes an adult when he ventures into the world, and it seems your journey to the Central Plains has been greatly beneficial."
It was praise in a roundabout way. Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"I still have a long way to go. I cannot be satisfied with just this."
His character remained the same. If anything, it had become even more resolute.
Yeon Hojeong's martial skills were no longer a matter of age.
There are levels even among the peak masters. Judging by the external energy Yeon Hojeong exuded, it was astonishingly on par with the elders of the Six Great Clans of the Nine Schools Alliance.
His growth rate was difficult to comprehend, unprecedented.
'But what about this energy?'
The refinement of the Byukrajin technique was already at ninety percent completion.
That was surprising, but what truly astonished him was the unique energy wrapped around the Byukrajin energy – not one, but three distinct energies.
Each was characteristic and harmonious, not interfering with the others, all part of a single vein of internal strength.
Yeon Wi quietly examined his son's body and asked.
"Have you encountered a fortuitous opportunity?"
Yeon Hojeong answered with a smile.
"Every encounter and clash with others is an opportunity. Compared to that, this is nothing significant."
"Fine words."
There was much to note about Yeon Hojeong's internal strength and martial skills. Yeon Wi decided to discuss this further later.
"And…"
Yeon Wi turned his gaze to Mokbi.
She was quite tall for a woman. Her body was slender, and her limbs were long. At a glance, her physique was incredibly flexible.
Sun-kissed and dusky, her skin was flawless. A beauty with striking features and a vibrant appearance.
But appearances were not what mattered.
A glint of recognition flashed in Yeon Wi's eyes.
'A master?'
Remarkably, the woman his son had brought was also a master.
Not just any master. The internal strength she possessed was, in fact, almost at the level of a supreme master, perhaps even surpassing Yeon Hojeong.
How she acquired such tremendous internal strength was a mystery. However, more than half of her internal strength seemed scattered throughout her meridians, rendering it currently unusable.
'Exceptional internal strength. But the skill is…'
Her unstable energy suggested she had undergone similar training, but overall, it seemed dull.
'She is below Yeon Hojeong.'
While her internal strength surpassed Yeon Hojeong's, her actual skill did not.
At Yeon Wi's level, one could discern another's skill level with just a glance. To him, this woman lacked the sharp edge required of a warrior.
'Still, it's impressive. Even more so considering her age.'
Yeon Hojeong nudged Mokbi with his elbow.
Mokbi quickly bowed her head, realizing her mistake.
"I am… Mokbi."
"Mokbi?"
"Yes."
Yeon Wi tilted his head curiously.
'An unusual name.'
Well, what of it? The world is full of people with unusual names, especially in the martial world.
"Are you Yeon Hojeong's friend?"
Mokbi hesitated.
Yeon Hojeong promptly replied.
"She is a friend."
"Is that so?"
His voice was even, though it seemed to lose a bit of strength.
But that was momentary.
"Welcome, Miss Mok. I am Yeon Hojeong's father."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
Mokbi was overwhelmed.
'Incredible!'
She had never seen a master like Yeon Wi.
He displayed no outward show of force, but that was merely the surface. Hidden within was a divine sword as vast as the peak of a great mountain.
It was a shockingly formidable master. The moment she sensed his tremendous energy, she felt as if her entire body had frozen, unable to even twitch a finger.
'Not even my brother Gungcheon or the valley master could match this in ten lifetimes!'
It was beyond that.
Even if all the renowned archers from the Grand Archery Tournament attacked, they would not prevail. It seemed impossible to even draw a bowstring before the might of the Nine Dragons Heavenly Bow was fully mastered.
Yeon Wi noticed the bow and quiver strapped to Mokbi's waist.
"It appears you practice archery."
"…Yes? Oh, yes! I do!"
Mokbi's response was uncharacteristically loud and clear.
Yeon Hojeong frowned, wondering why she was acting out of character.
Yeon Wi nodded.
"Quite the skilled one, I see. Since you're a friend of my son, you shall be treated with ease here."
"Yes!"
"…?"
"…"
"Cough."
With a strategic cough to clear the awkward air, Yeon Wi turned to Yeon Hojeong.
"What brings your friend here?"
"I have a favor to ask of you, Father."
"A favor?"
Pointing at Mokbi, Yeon Hojeong said,
"May she stay with us at our home from now on?"
Yeon Wi's eyes sparkled with intrigue.
At the same time, Mokbi turned pale, feeling a chill down her spine just from his gaze.
"Are you suggesting we take her in as family?"
"Yes. If it's too much trouble, perhaps she could stay in the guest quarters…"
"Nonsense."
Yeon Wi shook his head firmly.
"I don't know her story, but as a friend of my son, it's only proper to treat her as an honored guest."
"Ah, yes."
Yeon Wi addressed Mokbi.
"Do you have no other ties?"
"Me? Oh, yes!"
Though the topic could be disheartening, Mokbi accepted it as natural, given Yeon Wi's imposing presence.
"If you have nowhere else to go, consider the Yeon household your home."
"…What?"
"You're the first friend Yeon Hojeong has brought home. He must hold you in high regard to suggest making you part of the family."
"…?!"
"Make yourself comfortable. Don't worry about food or shelter."
Mokbi looked at Yeon Wi in astonishment.
His gaze was still intimidating. Within those clear eyes, filled with the aura of a legendary sword, there was more than just the spirit of a warrior. Mokbi, who had always been cautious, could read genuine fondness in Yeon Wi's eyes.
It was a favor without expectation of return. To Yeon Wi, a friend of his son was naturally family—a pure trust that even the naive Mokbi found astonishing.
"Ah…"
Tears welled up in Mokbi's eyes.
Overwhelmed, she quickly bowed her head.
"Th-thank you."
Yeon Wi nodded.
"Lee Bugwan."
"Yes, Clan Leader."
"Arrange for her to stay in Yeonryewon, next to Yeon Hojeong's quarters. Show her the way."
"Understood."
Lee Baekhyeon said to Mokbi with a smile,
"Please follow me."
"Yes."
Before following Lee Baekhyeon, Mokbi gave Yeon Wi another bow.
"I will be in your care. Thank you, Father."
"You've traveled far. Rest well."
"Yes."
And so, Mokbi followed Lee Baekhyeon to her new quarters.
Yeon Wi shook his head.
"She has amassed incredible martial skills for her age, yet her heart is as fragile as porcelain."
"That's the problem. She needs to toughen up."
"It's not easy to become like you. It's not something to force."
"It's not about forcing. When she feels the need, she'll toughen up on her own."
"It's not just that. It seems she has a deep emotional wound."
Yeon Hojeong smiled bitterly.
"Yes. That's understandable."
"Physical wounds heal with treatment, but emotional wounds don't heal just because someone helps. Still, it's better to have someone by your side than to be alone. Take good care of her when you have the time."
"Yes."
Yeon Wi continued nodding.
"And another thing."
Yeon Wi's gaze turned cold as he looked at Yeon Hojeong.
In an instant, he seemed like a different person. If Mokbi had seen Yeon Wi at that moment, she might have fainted on the spot.
Even Yeon Hojeong, known for his stoicism, couldn't help but flinch at his father's transformation.
He tried to change the subject to lighten the mood.
"Ah! By the way, where did Jihyeong go? My brother's here, and not a hair…"
"I knew you were inattentive, but this is beyond imagination."
Yeon Hojeong swallowed nervously.
Yeon Wi spoke in a chilling tone.
"Family bonds mean fulfilling the duties between parents and children, kin. It's not something grandiose. It's the simple, necessary etiquette that every person should naturally possess."
"Cough!"
"I've never thought of my children as vile creatures who don't understand family bonds. I didn't expect daily letters from a son learning about the world, but were you too busy to send even a simple note to say you were well?"
"Well, Father, there was a reason…"
"Silence!"
Yeon Hojeong shrank like a turtle retracting into its shell.
Yeon Wi turned away.
"I won't accept excuses of travel weariness. Follow me."
Yeon Hojeong sighed without realizing it.
He lamented the reality of being scolded by his father at his age, and the fact that he had no one to blame but himself made him feel even more dejected.
In the end, he followed his father like a lamb to the slaughter.
That day, Yeon Hojeong had to recite the filial piety section of the "Mingshin Treasure Mirror," which he barely remembered reading.