Chapter 18. The Value of a Solitary Person (2)

"Huh, I feel so stifled."

Yeon Jipyeong, hugging his knees, looked extremely depressed.

"Am I wrong?"

Yeon Jipyeong felt stifled.

He had lived his entire life according to the principles and teachings of the Yeon family, and he was greatly shocked by his brother's actions at Chosung Tower two days ago.

'Brother.'

Yeon Jipyeong recalled that day at Yeonho Pavilion.

A gaze so cold that even the north wind and snow would be startled and flee. His brother's indifference, showing no signs of distress even when a villain he was fighting was in danger.

In the end, his brother did go to help the Zhuge siblings, but until then, he had not shown any actions worthy of a righteous person.

Some people say that the result is what matters, not the process. But to Yeon Jipyeong, the process was just as important as the result.

He didn't know what his brother was thinking, but his actions at that time were clearly wrong.

Thus, Yeon Jipyeong was confused. Although his brother had once made his life difficult, he had never thought of him as a bad person.

On the contrary, he thought his brother was kind and weak. He also regretted his thoughtless actions that had disappointed his brother.

'Yes, there must have been a reason. Even though he was being attacked by a villain... if there was no reason, his brother wouldn't have acted that way.'

That's right. Although he was confused, he could somehow understand up to that point.

But his brother's appearance when he killed the arsonist and the mage was truly shocking.

'It was too terrifying.'

Thinking about it, Yeon Jipyeong felt a chill run down his spine again.

After overpowering his opponent with incredible martial arts, his brother grabbed him by the collar and dragged him to the fire. Then, with a blank expression, he threw the villain into the flames.

'Alive... alive...'

His brother didn't seem to be affected by the cruelty of the act at all.

If he had shown any sign of satisfaction, it might have been different. But the look in his brother's eyes as he watched the mage die was completely numb.

He couldn't look at a stone on the street with such coldness. His actions, his gaze, his demeanor were a huge shock to Yeon Jipyeong.

'Brother. Is this really the brother I know?'

Now, he couldn't tell what was what.

After a long time, Yeon Jipyeong, who had buried his face in his knees, sighed and stood up.

"What a fool I am."

If there were questions, he could ask them. If there were misunderstandings, he could clear them up. Worrying wouldn't solve anything. Yeon Jipyeong wanted to go to Yeonho Pavilion and have a conversation.

As he walked towards where the group was, he suddenly noticed two people walking away.

'Huh? Brother?'

His brother and the Zhuge family's child.

'Where are they going?'

After hesitating for a moment, Yeon Jipyeong followed them.

How long had it been?

"This should be enough."

"..."

"I have a question."

"Oh, yes!"

A question?

Curiosity filled Yeon Jipyeong's face. Normally, he would have felt uncomfortable eavesdropping on others' conversations, but now he was somehow drawn to it.

"How much do you know about your family?"

"Huh?"

Yeonho's eyes sparkled.

In the dark forest, his eyes shone a piercing blue, like phosphorescence. Zhuge Ayan couldn't help but gasp.

"The martial arts you used when fighting the arsonist were truly extraordinary."

"That, that's..."

"From the level of martial arts, it could be considered a secret technique of a sect. Your cultivation level was low, but the completeness of the martial arts was very high."

"..."

"Unless you are the next family head or a close relative, it's unlikely that such martial arts would be easily passed down."

Zhuge Ayan's neck turned slightly red.

"Are you saying that I stole and learned the martial arts?"

"That's not what I'm saying."

"Then...?"

"Are the Zhuge family's martial arts so diverse that they can pass down secret techniques to non-heirs?"

Zhuge Ayan tilted her head.

It was hard to grasp the intent of the question. Having hundreds of martial arts was a given for a family like the Zhuge.

"Let me put it more simply. Does your family possess martial arts of different origins?"

"Of different origins...?"

"Do you have martial arts that are orthodox but have never been shown in the Central Plains?"

Even if he asked such questions, it wouldn't matter if the person didn't answer honestly. But Yeonho didn't expect the other party to tell the truth from the beginning.

He was only looking at one thing.

The other person's eyes.

His discernment, honed from countless betrayals and near-death experiences in the black path, was unparalleled. For those who had survived for a long time in the black path, such discernment was almost a basic skill.

The sharpness to see through a person's nature with just a few words and a glance.

The meticulousness and stubbornness to reconfirm even after confirming.

This was why Yeonho could be called the Black Shadow and why he could survive for a long time at the peak of the black path.

"I don't know why you're asking this, but... even if I know, I can't tell you about the main family's affairs."

Zhuge Ayan answered calmly.

Although she had never had a private conversation with him, she already recognized Yeonho as a dangerous person. She shouldn't reveal even the smallest detail to him.

Yeonho's eyes deepened.

Zhuge Ayan couldn't help but swallow.

'What is this person's true identity?'

Is he really the eldest son of the Beksan Yeon family?

As the eldest son of a prestigious family among the seven great families, he should be different. But Yeonho was far from that.

It wasn't about his martial arts. His gaze and demeanor were those of a warrior who had experienced countless battles.

It was like seeing a savage warrior walking calmly through the wilderness after defeating countless enemies.

'Uncle Huang.'

It's not about strength, but about temperament. Uncle Huang was the roughest, sharpest, and most terrifying person she knew.

Yeonho, who had been silently looking at Zhuge Ayan, nodded.

"I understand."

"Yes."

"..."

"Huh?"

"I said I understand. You can go now."

Zhuge Ayan was once again confused.

'What is this person?'

When he first called her to talk, his eyes were so fierce, as if he was about to eat her. But now, he looked like he had lost interest and was telling her to go with a bored expression.

...Is this hurting my pride? Why do I have to be treated like this?

"Hey."

"Why?"

When she actually asked, she couldn't think of what to say.

Zhuge Ayan was surprised for the third time by her hesitation. She was always confident, but for some reason, she felt intimidated in front of Yeonho.

'What did I do wrong to this person to keep...?'

Suddenly, Zhuge Ayan's expression hardened.

She bowed her head.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"It was because of me, my siblings, that this happened. I put you in unnecessary danger. I sincerely apologize."

She bowed deeply, clasping her hands.

It was a sincere action. Although her face was hidden, one could imagine the expression of self-reproach.

"Did you have any grudges against those who attacked you?"

"More like... I'll explain the situation briefly."

Yeonho nodded.

"Then you don't need to apologize."

"Huh?"

"It was a situation that arose from helping someone out of kindness. The ones who should be punished are those who chased you, not you. Since it's not your fault, you don't need to apologize."

"But, still..."

"If it really bothers you, go and provide material support to the Juelu and the people who were harmed. That's what you should do."

Zhuge Ayan couldn't easily continue.

Helping someone out of kindness isn't a sin?

That's true. If Zhuge Ayan were in Yeonho's position, she would have said the same thing.

It was just surprising that Yeonho said such a thing. She had seen him as a cold and pragmatic person.

"That... I must do that."

"Right."

"..."

"What are you doing? Aren't you going?"

"Can I ask one more question?"

"What is it?"

"Let me clarify, I'm not interrogating you. I don't have the right to interrogate you. I'm just really curious, so I hope you don't take it personally."

"So, what is it?"

"Isn't it a bit cruel?"

"Huh?"

"That guy who burned to death. The one who called himself the Fire Lord."

Yeonho tilted his head.

"Why is it cruel?"

"It can be seen as cruel by a normal person. Everyone who saw that scene must have been shocked, right?"

"Is that all?"

"...That's not all. Even if he was an enemy, you burned him alive, right?"

"Well, you could think that."

He brushed it off lightly. Zhuge Ayan was taken aback by his insensitivity.

"He tried to burn civilians, but I think it was a bit excessive. It's not a normal method, right?"

"Is beheading someone with one strike a normal method?"

"Um, that's not it, but at least there's no pain."

"Then it's not right. That guy should die in pain."

Zhuge Ayan's eyes widened.

"If he had only targeted your siblings, it would be different, but he needlessly set fires and tried to kill countless civilians. This is a crime deserving death."

"That's true, but..."

"Death is fair to everyone. To villains and to good people. So, in my opinion, the process leading to death should be painful."

"Do you see yourself as a judge?"

"I'm not a judge, so I don't lock them in prison; I just kill them."

What a ruthless person.

Zhuge Ayan was surprised by Yeonho's words but also felt a strange admiration.

She didn't know how deep his contemplation was, but Yeonho had a firm belief. He had his own solid standards.

Sometimes, living simply is harder than living complexly. Yeonho's ideology was simple, but it was a simplicity accompanied by unimaginable anguish.

By this point, she found it even harder to believe.

'How old is this person?'

His words, thoughts, decisiveness, and martial arts didn't match his age at all.

Zhuge Ayan looked at Yeonho and chuckled.

"Thank you."

"How many times are you going to thank me?"

"Didn't you heal my internal injuries and extract my brother's poison?"

Yeonho didn't answer.

Zhuge Ayan bowed her head again.

"Yeonho is our benefactor. I will repay this kindness somehow."

"It's nothing."

"I know, but your tone sounds like an old man's."

"Shut up."

"Che, so stiff."

Zhuge Ayan grumbled and turned around.

"I'm hungry after talking so much since I woke up. I need to find something to eat. Do you want to come with me?"

Yeonho glanced at the bushes.

Rustle.

The movement of the bushes gradually moved away. It was a movement like a mole.

"Sure."

"Hehe."

"Don't stick to me."

"Oh, sorry."

"..."

"But, how old are you?"

"Forty-six."

"Don't lie, mister."

"Eighteen."

"Wha?! What? I thought you were older! Hey! I'm one year older than you!"

"..."

"Do you want to be friends?"

"It's nothing."