Chapter 47

Chapter 47 - The Wind Blows (2)

Papapapang!

His vigorously clenched fists repeatedly burst through the empty air.

This was not martial arts training without internal energy. The fists, imbued with strong internal power, were themselves no different from lethal weapons. It was the fist technique of a peak master, with the power to pierce through logs and shatter rocks with a single punch.

Despite being drenched in sweat, his ruthless fist technique training did not stop. Rather, as time passed, his fist speed became even faster, as if gaining more momentum.

Tiiing!

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been practicing fist techniques for a while, hooked up a spear that had fallen to the ground with his foot.

Gripping the spear with a natural movement, he swung it with terrifying momentum.

Pupu-pung!

The long spear emitted fire.

A spear is a heavy weapon and a long weapon. It is easy to strike with a powerful single blow, but difficult to perform continuous linked techniques.

However, Yeon Ho-jeong’s spear techniques were different. He unleashed an explosive flurry of countless strikes, and the gap between each attack was extremely narrow.

After swinging the spear for quite some time, Yeon Ho-jeong gripped the shaft backward and threw it just like that.

Puh-uh-uhk!

The spear pierced through a thick log and embedded itself in the ground.

It was a terrifying power.

“Huff, huff.”

It was such an intense training session that his breathing was broken. A deep blue energy flickered on the body of Yeon Ho-jeong, who was repeatedly gasping for breath.

His ragged breathing quickly returned to normal. Even if he had facilitated oxygen supply through his True Qi, it was an excessively fast speed.

“Phew.”

Yeon Ho-jeong sat down on the flat ground.

To him, a heavy voice reached his ears.

“Is the training finished?”

Yeon Ho-jeong raised his head.

In the distance, his father stood with his hands behind his back.

“Have you come?”

“It looks more like venting anger than training.”

“…….”

“It is very difficult to return such ragged breathing to normal so quickly. It seems your extreme physical training is effective.”

“I see.”

It was a night with a good moon.

On a night when bright moonlight was pouring down, Yeon Wi went and sat next to Yeon Ho-jeong.

“You are now a proper master. You wouldn't be out of place being called a peak master.”

“Thank you.”

His voice did not contain sincerity. Because the upcoming future was far too terrible to be happy with just this much.

However, Yeon Wi expressed pure surprise at his son’s realm.

At the age of nineteen, a realm higher than the leader of the family’s martial force organization.

It was an incomprehensible growth speed, no matter how high-level the martial arts he had learned. Among the rising stars of the current Seven Great Clans, would there even exist anyone of the same age as Yeon Ho-jeong who had accumulated this much martial power?

Excluding Shaolin, Wudang, or Mount Hua, it would not be easy to find such a person even among the Nine Sects One Gang. Thinking of his skill from half a year ago, such a growth speed would be difficult to find even if one searched through the history of Murim.

Despite achieving such an amazing feat, his son was not satisfied. Rather, he seemed to think he was still a long way off.

Even though he surely knew how outstanding the realm, growth, and skill he had achieved were.

Yeon Wi spoke in a passing tone.

“Is there something on your mind?”

Yeon Ho-jeong could not answer.

He could have said there was no such thing, that it was merely part of his training. However, in this mood, he did not want to lie to his father.

“It was excessive.”

“Pardon?”

“I mean your bloodlust.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes wavered.

“Did you feel it?”

“If I couldn't even feel that, how could I be called the Head of the Yeon Clan?”

Yeon Ho-jeong was constantly controlling his bloodlust. It meant that even if he unconsciously leaked it, he did not emit it indiscriminately.

However, Yeon Wi was Yeon Wi. Considering the distance from the Clan Head's office to the Guest Hall, the sensitivity of his Qi perception transcended imagination.

“Just what is it that makes you so angry?”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Yeon Wi.

Under the moonlight, Yeon Wi’s face looked a bit more benevolent than usual.

For a moment, Yeon Ho-jeong was choked with emotion.

‘There are fellows targeting the family.’

He wanted to say it. At least at this moment, he wanted to tell his father all the facts.

But he couldn't.

His father, while appearing indifferent to others, was delicate enough to examine every move. He would try to find out everything, from how he knew to why he hadn't spoken until now, and whether it was truly the truth.

Unfortunately, he couldn't do that. According to history, the Myeong Clan’s attack was less than a year away. Perhaps it would become even faster.

“It is just that I feel stifled.”

“In what way?”

“In many ways.”

Yeon Wi was silent for a moment.

There were things he wanted to say to his son. But seeing his son now, it seemed like words that didn't need to be brought up.

Yeon Wi took out a book from his robe and handed it to Yeon Ho-jeong.

“What is this?”

“Take it.”

There were no characters written on the cover of the book.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who opened the book out of curiosity, widened his eyes.

Yeon Wi spoke.

“It is a manuscript. Once you have learned it all, burn it to ashes.”

“Why are you giving this to me……?”

“Watching your martial arts, I thought about what you were lacking.”

He said he had thought about his martial arts. Hearing that a person who seemed like he would never do such a thing had done so, his heart felt strange.

“Your martial arts is a single-strike kill that does not assume a follow-up strike. At least your momentum is like that. Although there is still room for refinement, your strong physical strength has become the nourishment that creates that explosive offensive power.”

“…….”

“However, look. Just a moment ago, your breathing was severely broken. The reason is that the martial arts you perform consume far too much physical strength.”

“That is true.”

“You will surely improve much more in the future. However, the problem is until you improve. I thought about giving you a footwork technique that excels in evasion, but given your personality, you would never step back.”

He had seen it correctly.

Yeon Ho-jeong could do anything if necessary: flee, conceal himself, or evade. However, if he thought there was no need to do so, he would somehow push forward and try to strike down the enemy.

It meant his nature itself did not allow for stepping back. Martial arts of the battlefield where one kills to survive before being killed... that was Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts.

“So I prepared that.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at the three characters written on the first page.

Counter-Dragon Palm.

It was the counter-attack type martial art his father had used during their duel half a month ago. The power of a single strike was also great, but it was one of the Yeon Clan's mainstay martial arts that showed its true value during a counter-attack.

“The martial world is terrifying. They do not fight while considering the opponent's condition. I'm sure you'll do well on your own, but isn't the Murim a place where even a first-rate can die to the blade of a third-rate?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes wavered.

“Did you know?”

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“I didn't know. Until just now.”

“…….”

“I was contemplating when to give it to you. It seems a bit late, but with your talent, you should be able to use it in actual combat in a short time.”

Strength entered the hand of Yeon Ho-jeong as he held the manual.

In truth, Yeon Wi’s concern was a needless worry. Because Yeon Ho-jeong had the Four Gods Martial Arts.

If the Black Tortoise was responsible for perfect defense and the White Tiger was responsible for an unyielding attack, then the Azure Dragon was responsible for evasion and counter-attacks.

The Black Tortoise was not used much unless it was an extreme situation, but it was not so for the Azure Dragon. The techniques of the Azure Dragon were a highly useful martial art that solidly supported Yeon Ho-jeong’s extreme tendencies.

‘…….’

However, no matter how outstanding a secret technique the Four Gods Martial Arts was, could it be more precious than the heart his father had handed over?

“I shall receive it with gratitude.”

Yeon Wi stood up.

“When do you intend to leave?”

That's right.

Yeon Ho-jeong intended to leave the family.

If he only stayed with the family, it would be difficult to stop the Myeong Clan’s invasion. To see and confirm everything personally before fighting... that was the method of fighting Yeon Ho-jeong had acquired through living.

“If nothing happens, I intend to leave tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow…… tomorrow, I see.”

Yeon Wi closed his eyes.

Yeon Ho-jeong did not know what his father was thinking.

A moment later, Yeon Wi said.

“Follow me.”

* * *

To Yeon Ho-jeong’s surprise, Yeon Wi took him outside the family estate.

The marketplace was quiet. It was natural since it was well past midnight. Except for a few taverns selling liquor until late, it was only dark.

The father and son, who turned around the Goyang Tower and headed to a place quite far from the river, arrived at a small blacksmith shop.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

It seemed he was beating a hammer even past midnight. The heat transmitted was great even from five zhang away.

Yeon Wi spoke.

“Old man Pyeon. It is I, Yeon Wi.”

Ting!

The sound of the hammer stopped.

A moment later, an old man with a white beard walked out of the blacksmith shop.

He was short but had a very solid build.

Despite the cold weather, he was shirtless. Thanks to that, his sturdy shoulders and thick chest were all revealed.

“Have you come?”

He had expected a fierce tone from the sharp voice, but to his surprise, it was a calm voice.

“I apologize for coming at such a late hour.”

“What is there to apologize for. By the way, the young man next to you?”

“He is my eldest son.”

Yeon Wi said to Yeon Ho-jeong.

“Greet him. He is the Divine Craftsman, Pyeon Il-gang.”

He didn't know who he was, but he didn't seem like an ordinary person. Yeon Ho-jeong clasped his hands in a disciplined manner.

“I am Yeon Ho-jeong. It is an honor to meet you.”

The old man smiled. Even though he had lived his whole life handling fire and iron, his expression was as warm as a spring breeze.

“As if to say he is your son, his gaze is very sharp. It's like seeing you in your younger days.”

“Was I like that?”

“It was so scary I could hardly approach you, fearing I might be cut. Still, you are a gentleman compared to your son. If you were a precious sword, your son is a divine sword. His blade is sharply whetted.”

A hint of a smile, almost invisible, appeared on Yeon Wi’s lips.

Pyeon Il-gang looked at Yeon Wi as if it were unexpected. He had never seen Yeon Wi make an expression even resembling a smile until now.

“It seems you have also aged.”

“It seems so.”

Pyeon Il-gang scanned Yeon Ho-jeong from top to bottom.

“But it is fascinating. The gaze is a carbon copy, but the atmosphere is polar opposite. Despite being your son, he is not static.”

“…….”

“It's not a sword, but an axe, is it?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.

Pyeon Il-gang was not a martial artist. He had learned internal energy, but it was merely a health-preserving technique. Yet, at a glance, he recognized Yeon Ho-jeong’s main weapon.

‘How formidable.’

In any work, if one reaches the level of a master, the perspective for seeing the world is bound to change.

A good craftsman is a friend to a martial artist. Just by recognizing Yeon Ho-jeong’s temperament at a glance, one could guess Pyeon Il-gang’s skill.

“Then, the one ordered half a month ago?”

“It is.”

“Haha, I'm seeing many unexpected sides today. You didn't give a sword to the eldest son who should rightfully inherit the family?”

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“So, is it still far off?”

“No way. It was all finished two days ago. I didn't make a new one, but just touched up the existing one.”

“Give it to me.”

“Wait.”

A moment later, Pyeon Il-gang brought a weapon.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes widened when he saw the weapon.

“It is heavy, indeed. You're saying you'll grip and swing such a thing? It seems you've accumulated a formidable martial art at a young age.”

Thump!

The vibration transmitted to the ground was incredible.

It was an axe. It was an axe, but its size was enormous.

It was a war axe with a thick, six-foot-long handle and a blade as large as an adult man's torso. It was almost identical in shape and size to the axe Yeon Ho-jeong had used in his previous life.

Yeon Wi spoke.

“Try holding it.”

Yeon Ho-jeong gripped the handle as if possessed.

The weight transmitted to his entire arm was incredible.

‘It is heavy. It is heavy, but…….’

The feeling of it wrapping around his hand was very good. Should I call it a sense of unity? It was perfect for gripping and swinging.

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Yeon Wi.

“Generally, heavy weapons are more greatly influenced by the one handling them than any other sword or saber. Since your martial arts is excessively extreme, do not swing it unless it is a moment when you absolutely must use it.”

Yeon Wi bowed slightly to Pyeon Il-gang.

“You worked hard.”

“Haha, it wasn't even hard work. If I had known it was a gift for your son, I would have checked it one more time.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Yeon Wi with trembling eyes.

Yeon Wi turned around.

“Let's go.”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was watching the back of Yeon Wi as he walked ahead, bowed to Pyeon Il-gang.

“Thank you.”

Pyeon Il-gang said with a smile.

“It's a very sturdy fellow, so it won't break easily. Please use it well.”