Chapter 38. The Difference in Rank (4)

Yeon Ho-jeong and his group were able to arrive at their family estate after twenty-one days.

Surprisingly, their appearance was far from presentable. This was because they had used the journey back as a time for martial arts training and physical conditioning.

Naturally, the one who led this unbelievable journey was Yeon Ho-jeong. Shin Mo took on the role of instructor.

When the group finally arrived at the family estate, they were all on the verge of collapsing.

However, they could not rest. Yeon Ho-jeong and Yeon Ji-pyeong were summoned to the family head's office, and the Chang-eung Team had to immediately start training as it happened to be their training time.

Normally, after returning from an external mission, all schedules would be canceled, but Shin Mo did not show any leniency. He even said it was a good thing, as he had been planning to increase the training intensity, and he did not hesitate to push them hard.

That day, the Chang-eung Team, who had returned from Hefei, experienced hell.

* * *

Yeon Wei's eyes widened when he saw his sons enter the family head's office.

Phew.

Despite the cool weather, a strong smell of sweat hit him.

It was not the smell of sweat that had dried but the fresh, just-sweated smell. Moreover, from the state of their clothes, it seemed they had been like this for more than a day or two.

"We have returned."

"We have returned, Father."

Yeon Wei was momentarily speechless.

He was at a loss for words at the sight of his sons. It felt like greeting children who had returned from a battlefield.

After a moment, Yeon Wei spoke.

"Stand up."

The two stood up.

Yeon Wei's eyes sparkled.

Yeon Ho-jeong's face was calm, while Yeon Ji-pyeong's face was gaunt. He had always been lean, but it was clear that he had suffered greatly.

"I will hear the details from your brother, so Ji-pyeong, go and rest for now."

"Ah... Thank you."

Thank you. Given Yeon Ji-pyeong's usual personality, this response was almost laughable.

As Yeon Ji-pyeong left, only the father and son remained in the family head's office.

"Sit down."

"Yes."

Yeon Ho-jeong sat down.

There was silence between them until the steward, Tae-kyung, brought in tea.

"Have a drink to quench your thirst."

"Yes."

Yeon Ho-jeong picked up the teacup.

Yeon Wei's eyes gleamed. He noticed that Yeon Ho-jeong's hands were trembling slightly as he held the teacup.

After drinking the tea several times, Yeon Ho-jeong finally looked like he was coming back to life.

Yeon Wei asked.

"What is this state you're in?"

"We did some training on the way back."

"Training? What kind?"

Yeon Ho-jeong calmly explained the training they had done on the way back.

Yeon Wei's eyes widened.

"Did you do such intense training with Ji-pyeong?"

"No."

"Then who?"

"Shin Mo and the entire Chang-eung Team did it together."

"...You led it?"

"Yes."

What a ruthless guy.

Yeon Wei almost said this out loud. The training content was so shocking that even the great Yeon Wei reacted unconsciously.

The training was simple. It was just running.

The problem was how they ran.

Running at a steady pace is not difficult as long as you have enough stamina. It's just a matter of how long you can run, not how difficult running itself is.

But running while changing speed every half hour is a different story.

Run at full speed for half an hour, then run slowly for the next half hour. Then run at full speed again for the next half hour, and slow down for the following half hour.

This was how the first day of training went. Each day, the time spent running at full speed increased by half an hour.

They did this all the way back home. And they didn't just take the main road; they took the mountain path.

'For ten days without using inner energy?'

Even with breaks during meals and at least four hours of sleep each day, wasn't this training too harsh?

Fortunately, they had been trained since childhood and had mastered inner energy, or it could have been dangerous for anyone to follow.

"I made sure to get enough rest and nutrition."

"Even your joints could have been damaged."

"I don't think I'm at a level where I can't monitor my own body condition."

"Excessive training can cause internal injuries."

"That's why I left time for cultivating my energy."

No one could be this ruthless. In fact, Yeon Wei had also experienced such training, but he had never sustained it for twenty-one days.

'Still...'

Yeon Wei read the energy flowing from Yeon Ho-jeong's body.

The energy that was once perfectly contained now flowed out uncontrollably, indicating that his physical and inner energy reserves were at their limits.

'After twenty days, to this extent. You must have gained a lot.'

While he was surprised by the excessive training, Yeon Wei believed his son.

He had no choice but to believe him. His son had proven that it was proper training.

The quality of his inner energy had become much clearer and more majestic compared to when he left home. The change was so significant that it was hard to believe it was the same person's energy.

This could not have been achieved by simple meditation. The intense physical training had even altered the nature of the energy within his body.

'Energy constantly regenerates the body. After pushing the body to its limits, the intake of large amounts of nutrients, rest, and the transformation into true energy promoted this change.'

Yeon Wei nodded.

"Regardless, you've worked hard."

"No, this is just the beginning."

"......Hm?"

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

Exhaustion was evident, but there was a sense of fulfillment in his face.

"I will continue this training until I feel the limits of my mind, body, and energy. Of course, I will also make sure to rest properly."

"You've made up your mind."

"Even if I risk my life in training, I don't know when I'll reach the ultimate level. I still have a long way to go."

"......Is that so?"

Yeon Wei nodded.

"I see."

Finally.

Only now could Yeon Wei accept his son's transformation without bias.

Before leaving for Hefei, his son's transformation had a strong sense of alienation. It felt like his son had suddenly become someone else, which was a source of concern.

But from today on.

Seeing that deep, clear smile and those bright eyes, Yeon Wei could now accept his son's transformation as it was.

'Maybe my stubbornness prevented me from acknowledging my eldest son's transformation.'

His son had grown up.

Not because of his age, but because his way of seeing and feeling the world had matured.

Yeon Wei leaned back in his chair.

"How was the meeting?"

Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes sparkled.

"I found out something significant, Father."

He had a lot to say, but he remained silent. He didn't think it was the right time to tell his father yet.

"It was just okay."

"Did you make many connections?"

"Not deeply."

From his response, it seemed that he had found a few people he liked.

Yeon Wei took out a well-folded letter from his robe and handed it to him.

"What is this?"

"Read it."

Yeon Ho-jeong unfolded the letter.

After a moment, he said in a hesitant voice.

"Um... I don't think it's that big of a deal."

"I would have sent such a letter too. That's the heart of a parent."

"When did it arrive?"

"This morning."

Yeon Ho-jeong cleared his throat.

"That girl sure has a loose tongue."

The letter was from the head of the Zhuge family, personally thanking him.

Considering when the letter arrived, it seemed they had informed the family before the meeting.

Yeon Wei nodded.

"Well done."

"No, it's nothing."

Although he didn't show it, Yeon Wei was proud of his son.

He had saved someone's life but didn't boast about it, thinking it was a matter of course.

While he had become much rougher than before, it seemed he was also becoming more aware of his responsibilities. Yeon Wei was very pleased with this change in his son.

So he asked directly.

"I heard you got quite entangled with the Nangong family."

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

He had expected this conversation.

"Yes."

"I want to hear the details."

Yeon Ho-jeong detailed the events of the meeting.

Of course, he did not mention anything related to Minghao Forest. Even without that, he could provide a complete account of the situation.

"I see."

Yeon Wei knew that Yeon Ho-jeong had tried to be as objective as possible.

"Nangong's young master... did that, you say?"

"Yes."

Yeon Wei's eyes turned cold.

Seeing this, Yeon Ho-jeong involuntarily flinched.

A chill ran down his spine. He had never seen his father with such a cold look in his eyes.

"This is not an easy situation. It's too much for them to have entangled you in such a way, not just as a simple grudge."

"I didn't want to get involved, but teaming up with the eldest son of the Tang family was a bit much."

"Of course, it's too much. I heard he's already past his youth. How could he have learned such despicable tactics?"

Yeon Ho-jeong inwardly wondered.

Was it because he hadn't seen his father in a while? It seemed his father's emotional expressions were more honest than before.

"Well done."

"Excuse me?"

Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes were clear. His usual stern demeanor was still there, but it seemed a layer of ice had melted.

"Sometimes, rumors can be more deadly than a sword. You handled the situation wisely without getting excited and causing a commotion."

"Yes, sir."

Father wouldn't know. He had almost killed the eldest son of the Tang family and his subordinates.

Han Ho-myeong had thoroughly hidden it. If this were to be revealed, it would be like a bomb exploding.

"However, it seems they were also well aware of the power of rumors."

"What do you mean?"

"The Nangong family apologized to our family."

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.

"They apologized?"

"Yes. The head of the family apologized personally."

"There's no way..."

"He even confessed to what his daughter did."

Yeon Ho-jeong gasped.

"What a slippery eel."

Yeon Wei's eyes gleamed.

"Do you understand the situation?"

"By disowning his daughter and saving his son's face, he turned what his son did into a personal matter unrelated to the Nangong family."

Yeon Wei was inwardly impressed.

From just a few words, he had pieced together the situation on the spot.

This was not just a matter of being smart. It required the ability to read the flow of the world.

"Yes."

"Ha, I thought they would keep it hidden, but they cut their losses and sealed the incident. The head of the Nangong family is not an ordinary man."

Yeon Wei nodded.

Now he had to acknowledge it. His son's growth and insight.

"So, what do you think?"

"About what?"

"You haven't responded to the Nangong family's apology. How would you handle it?"

Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

"Is there anything to think about? It's a bit annoying, but it's a waste of time to worry about such a headache."

"Should we accept the apology?"

"Unless we can shake the head of the Nangong family, what can we do? They said it was a personal grudge of the young master, and it was about his younger brother."

"Are you not angry?"

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

"Wouldn't anyone in the martial world face life-threatening situations more than once? It's more beneficial to accept the apology and enhance the reputation of our family."

It was a rational judgment.

Yeon Ho-jeong no longer cared about the Nangong family. He had a mountain of things to do.

However, Yeon Wei, unaware of Yeon Ho-jeong's true thoughts, felt both gratitude and pride at his son's conclusion.

To forgive someone who tried to kill him? It was not an easy thing for a young man not yet twenty.

Not only did he forgive, but he also considered the future of the family. This was both admirable and humbling.

"Good. Let's do as you say."

"Yes, I understand."

Yeon Ho-jeong stood up.

"Then, can I go and wash up now?"

"Go ahead."

Yeon Ho-jeong bowed and turned to leave.

Yeon Wei, without realizing it, called out to his son as he was about to open the door.

"Ho-jeong."

"Yes?"

Yeon Wei was silent for a moment.

When Yeon Ho-jeong's head almost touched his shoulder in confusion,

"You've worked hard."

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

"It's nothing."