Chapter 3. The Prodigal Returns (2)

"Really?"

"Yes."

With his upper body bare, he crossed his left arm behind his back and raised his right hand to hold a sword, aiming it at the middle section. He stood in that posture for so long that his upper body was drenched in sweat.

The cold autumn wind created a translucent mist around his body. His breathing was somewhat rough, but not loud.

"How did it look?"

"Excuse me?"

"I asked how it looked between the two of them."

Jang Yun spoke frankly about what he had felt.

"It was only for a moment, so I couldn't tell in detail. However, it didn't seem like a bad atmosphere."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

After an hour of staring at the tip of the sword, Yeonwei finally relaxed his stance.

Swish.

The sound of the sword returning to its scabbard was smooth, like a single note of a song.

'He did it on his own?'

Hearing Jang Yun's report, Yeonwei was inwardly puzzled.

The eldest son hated the second son to the point of loathing. To the extent that he treated him as if he didn't exist.

And Yeonwei knew why the eldest son hated the second son.

But he confessed that he did it on his own? Why bother?

"Any other unusual matters?"

"No."

"I see."

Jang Yun bowed gracefully.

"I will call the Master of the Law Blade Pavilion."

"No need."

"Excuse me?"

"I said there's no need to call him."

Jang Yun's face, which had been as stiff as a wooden doll, now showed a genuine look of confusion.

"Are you not going to hold the second son accountable?"

Yeonwei silently stared at Jang Yun.

Jang Yun's face turned pale. Meeting the gaze of the head of the family felt like being pierced by hundreds of swords.

"Head Jang."

"Yes, yes!"

"Do not forget your duties."

"I apologize!"

"That will be all."

Jang Yun bowed and retreated respectfully.

Yeonwei looked up at the sky.

The sky was clear, the wind was cool, and the sunlight was just right.

'It's not a big deal.'

When he saw the eldest son suddenly embrace the second son during the ceremony, he was genuinely surprised.

People's tongues can easily be filled with lies, but actions are hard to fake. The eldest son's embrace and the deep emotion he showed were clearly genuine.

And it was genuine for himself as well.

Seeing the eldest son, who had never approached his father like that before, Yeonwei felt an indescribable sense of bewilderment.

'Is he having some strange thoughts?'

At eighteen, one is fully grown. If he weren't the son of a martial family, he would have been old enough to marry.

However, the eldest son had never shown a mature demeanor. Even his father didn't know what he was thinking.

Yeonwei pulled out his sword and threw it onto the weapon rack.

Thud!

The rack shook violently. Though it looked like any other long sword, this specially made sword was a heavy sword weighing twenty kilograms.

"Wang Dian."

"Yes, Master."

A faint voice came from the empty air.

"When will the Nan Gong family arrive?"

"They said it will take about four days."

"Is the heir of the Nan Gong family also coming?"

"Yes, it's the youngest daughter of the Nan Gong family. She came to audit the academy where the second son is studying. She arrived a few days ago."

"Is that so?"

He had no particular interest in the daughter of the head of the family. However, one of the leaders of the Nan Gong family was visiting the Yeon family. It would be a rare visit from an important guest.

"Tell the head of the guest hall to prepare to receive the guest within two days."

"Understood."

A faint sense of fatigue could be seen in Yeonwei's stern eyes, but it didn't seem to be due to his sons.

* * *

Three days passed very quickly.

There were many things to think about and many things to organize. Though it was a punishment, it was a very precious time for Yeon Hojeong.

Entering his room, Yeon Hojeong organized his thoughts.

"Ultimately, what I need to do is this. Prepare and prevent."

The Yeon family will be exterminated in one year and five months.

Furthermore, twenty years later, the Evil Lust Sect will turn the Central Plains into a hell.

Neither of these issues can be taken lightly. The Yeon family was his clan, and the chaos caused by the Evil Lust Sect burned the entire Central Plains. If the Evil Lust Sect is not stopped, the clan will also be in danger.

Moreover, the first place the Evil Lust Sect made its first cut was in Jiangsu Province, where the Yeon family was located.

'Besides the Evil Lust Sect, there are two more formidable enemies. To block their attacks in advance, it's not too early to start preparing now.'

His head felt like it was overheating.

After a few deep breaths to calm himself, Yeon Hojeong made a decision.

'Forget it. Whether it's the Evil Lust Sect or anything else, that's not the most important thing right now. The most important thing is the main family.'

Since he had returned to the past, he could do many things he couldn't do before.

However, Yeon Hojeong did not set too many unnecessary goals. He was quick to judge what was most important in any situation and what needed to be done first to achieve his goals.

The most important thing now is the family.

To protect the family?

Yeon Hojeong lightly slapped his cheek.

"Let's start with my body."

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he examined his body.

'As expected.'

He had checked a few times at the investigation office, but it was still disappointing.

'I don't know where to start.'

Compared to his peers, his internal energy was at a considerable level. Even Yeon Jipyeong, who overwhelmed Yeon Hojeong, was inferior in terms of internal energy.

However, as with everything in the world, quality was more important than quantity.

'The Flying Swallow Heart Method is at the seventh level?'

The Flying Swallow Heart Method was the basic heart method of the Wall Mountain Yeon family. It was neither particularly advanced nor powerful in terms of energy emission.

It was just a basic method, yet at eighteen, he could only reach the seventh level.

Yeon Hojeong felt a bit bitter.

'Clearly, I didn't have good talent.'

To switch to the next martial art, the Flying Swallow Heart Method needed to reach at least the ninth level.

Yeon Hojeong only mastered the ninth level a few days before the family's extermination. However, Yeon Jipyeong had perfected the Flying Swallow Heart Method at sixteen.

The difference in talent between the two was that great.

Yeon Hojeong closed his eyes.

'Now, the Flying Swallow Heart Method should be easy. It's better to finish it now.'

Even after twenty-six years, he still vividly remembered the incantations of the heart method.

He recited the incantations of the heart method.

Sss.

A faint mist rose from his cross-legged body.

It was not yet the stage where true energy manifested in a visible form. He had enough internal energy, but his body was not yet accustomed to emitting it.

But that was only for a moment.

Whirr.

A signal came from his dantian.

Compared to the Black Emperor era, his dantian, meridians, blood vessels, and bones were all in a clumsy state. However, his mind had completely broken down the Flying Swallow Heart Method. It should be possible to make it work in his body.

A short while later.

Whirr! Whirr!

A faint emerald glow emerged from the mist rising from his shoulders.

It was still a dim, flickering color, not very bright.

Cold sweat formed on Yeon Hojeong's forehead.

'It's not easy.'

But it wasn't impossible.

Snap!

His shoulder twitched.

Thud! Thud!

From the upper body to the lower body, his arms twitched uncontrollably.

The same was true for his cross-legged legs. As the true energy spread to his limbs, it gradually broke through the blocked meridians.

Another half an hour passed.

A thud came from Yeon Hojeong's nose, drenched in sweat.

Drip.

Dark red blood flowed from his nose. The true energy had reached his head, where many acupoints were concentrated.

'Enough.'

A small smile appeared on Yeon Hojeong's lips.

'One more circulation of the energy, and it will be done.'

Whirr! Whirr!

A slightly brighter emerald mist emerged from his entire body.

"Hmm."

Yeon Hojeong exhaled deeply, opened his eyes, and unfolded his cross-legged position.

"I thought it would be easier, but it's more difficult than I expected."

He got up from his seat.

Yeon Hojeong, who repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists, nodded.

"It's not bad."

His body was the same, but the nature of his internal energy had changed, and many more meridians were open. Now he had the foundation to learn proper internal energy.

The speed of his cultivation was terrifying.

"The important part is from now on."

After a moment of thought, Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

"I've already made my decision. No need to waste time thinking."

After a clean bath and a change of clothes, he headed straight for the head of the family's room.

On the way, many people greeted Yeon Hojeong.

"Greetings, Eldest Son."

"Greetings, Eldest Son."

Polite and formal greetings, never lacking in etiquette.

However, there was no respect or difficulty in dealing with superiors in their greetings. Of course, there was no mocking look either.

They were so rigid and stern that they seemed cold at first glance. No matter what they thought inside, their words and actions seemed to be strictly regulated.

'Rule of law without flexibility.'

The atmosphere of the family felt new to him.

Naturally, he compared it to the atmosphere of the Black Emperor City.

'Probably better than the Black Emperor City.'

In the long term, the atmosphere of the Yeon family seemed better. It might seem lacking in emotion, but at least it was thorough in hierarchy.

However, it was too rigid, and this atmosphere was likely to cause problems in some form in the future.

'Not my problem to worry about.'

A short while later, he stood in front of the building of the head of the family.

Two gate guards were standing at the entrance. They were middle-aged warriors, each carrying a sword and a saber.

"Greetings, Eldest Son. What brings you here?"

"To see Father."

The eyes of the sword guard sparkled.

The eldest son had never come to see the head of the family on his own initiative before.

"Or, did the head of the family give you a separate instruction without our knowledge?"

"No, that's not it."

"Then you cannot enter."

Yeon Hojeong frowned.

"It's a bit urgent. Can you inform him inside?"

"I'm sorry, but the head of the family has strictly ordered that no one be allowed in before noon."

Strict orders?

"I picked the wrong time. Then, would it be okay to relay my message later?"

"Of course."

"Good, then just relay my message."

"Please speak."

"Tell him I will start learning the Jade Green True Technique in advance."

The gate guards' eyes widened in surprise.

"Excuse me?"

"Didn't you hear? Tell him I will start learning the Jade Green True Technique in advance."

Yeon Hojeong turned around.

"Then, good luck."

"Wait, wait!"

"What?"

"Did you say the Jade Green True Technique?"

"What about it?"

The gate guards hesitated.

Yeon Hojeong frowned.

"Don't tell me you're really hard of hearing?"

"..."

"Make sure to relay it. So there are no issues later."

As Yeon Hojeong walked away, a boy suddenly caught his eye.

"Jipyeong?"

"Ah? Brother, you're here?!"

"Ah, I came to see Father."

Yeon Jipyeong looked at Yeon Hojeong with surprise.

In a family where everyone wore a rigid mask, Yeon Jipyeong was showing the most honest and human reaction. Yeon Hojeong couldn't help but smile.

"Ah, why are you here?"

"Just some things. What are you doing here? Are you here to see Father too?"

Yeon Jipyeong pouted.

"I was looking for you because you weren't in your quarters."

"Me? Why?"

"I said I would treat you to a meal. I even found a good inn."

"Ah?"

Yeon Hojeong coughed, as if remembering something.

"Is it really necessary to eat outside? We can have enough inside..."

Yeon Hojeong couldn't finish his sentence. He saw the pleading look in Yeon Jipyeong's eyes.

His mouth felt dry.

"Then, let's go outside for a meal and enjoy the breeze?"

Yeon Jipyeong's face lit up.

"Yes!"

The excited Yeon Jipyeong led Yeon Hojeong towards the gate, walking with a proud gait that made him look like a victorious general.

Yeon Hojeong sighed inwardly.

'Wait for me, Jade Green True Technique.'