Chapter 40. The Difference in Rank (6)

"Father."

"Come in."

Yan Hozheng entered the family head's room.

Whoosh.

As soon as Yan Hozheng entered, a strong smell of sweat filled the air.

Yan Wei's eyes lit up.

"Were you training?"

"It's fine. I was thinking of stopping for today."

Yan Wei scanned Yan Hozheng's body up and down.

He was not wearing his usual long robe but a tight-fitting martial uniform that clung to his body. The sweat-soaked uniform clearly showed the contours of his body.

'He's grown.'

Yan Hozheng's body had undergone a noticeable transformation.

His previously slender legs had swelled to a solid, tower-like firmness. Although still lean, his shoulders, chest, and arms were much more robust, and his muscle quality had become more defined.

It was hard to believe this was the result of just four months. Intense training, adequate nutrition, proper rest, and the internal energy that enabled super-recovery had all contributed to this.

Of course, it was easier said than done. The fact that he hadn't skipped any training sessions, even those that left him collapsing from exhaustion, spoke volumes about his mental fortitude.

"I remember you being even thinner a couple of months ago."

"I thought I was going to die."

"That's why I didn't stop you."

"If I had listened, would I have grown this much?"

Indeed, it had been almost eighty days since the two of them had seen each other. Yan Wei had deliberately not called Yan Hozheng.

Even so, not showing his face once—what a ruthless son he was.

"It seems you've established a certain system."

"Yes. I think it's time to make some changes."

Yan Wei turned his eyes to the documents.

"Occasionally, come by for a cup of tea."

Yan Hozheng smiled and replied.

"Understood."

"Sit down."

"Yes."

Yan Hozheng, now seated, asked.

"By the way, why did you call me here?"

Do I have to have a specific reason to call you?

Though he thought this, there was indeed a reason. Yan Wei quickly reviewed a few documents and handed over a letter.

"It's for you."

Yan Hozheng tilted his head. Did he have a letter?

'Huh?'

Upon reflection, there was one place.

Yan Hozheng hastily opened the letter. His eyes sparkled as he read.

"Pay up, you thief!"

He almost burst out laughing at the first line.

Damn! I thought I could finish the investigation quickly, but it turned out to be much more difficult than expected! You knew, didn't you? Yes, you did. Damn, I lost a lot of money by listening to you!

What do you mean, money to a beggar? This guy seems to have forgotten he's a beggar.

Anyway, I've mostly finished the investigation. I was planning to visit in a couple of months, but I'm a bit late. I'll come in two weeks, so prepare some good food. If you don't satisfy my taste, I'll cause a scene.

Judging by his words, he must have gone through a lot of trouble.

But Yan Hozheng understood. The more difficult the process, the greater the results.

'The investigation is over.'

He could have sent the results in a letter, but he insisted on coming to talk about it.

'It's one of two things. Either it's confidential, or the content is too extensive. Or both.'

Yan Hozheng's eyes deepened.

'Two weeks... it might be a bit tight.'

If Gadeushang had gathered enough information, that would be the time for Yan Hozheng to act.

Until then, he needed to prepare his body as much as possible. In the martial world, anything could happen at any time. He needed to grow at least one level beyond his current state.

"I saw the name Gadeushang in the letter."

Yan Hozheng looked at Yan Wei.

Yan Wei, still focused on the documents, asked.

"Is he the successor of the Beggar Sect?"

"Yes."

"When did you establish a connection with the successor?"

"During a meeting."

A faint smile appeared on Yan Wei's lips, so subtle that it was almost imperceptible.

"Good job."

Yan Wei knew well how young people viewed the Beggar Sect. But seeing that he had even received a letter, it seemed he had built a decent relationship.

"There's a reason the Beggar Sect is mentioned alongside the Eight Great Sects. Maintaining a good relationship with the successor of such a sect is very important."

"He's a good person, even without such an approach."

"Of course, he is. How many people can handle your ruthless nature?"

Yan Hozheng cleared his throat.

"Anyway, he says he'll come in two weeks. I hope you can receive him as a guest."

"He's the successor of the Ten Thousand Beggar Sect. Not to mention, he's your friend, so of course, he's welcome."

Yan Hozheng put the letter in his pocket.

Yan Wei did not ask about the contents of the letter, thinking there must be a reason his son hadn't mentioned it.

"Then I'll take my leave..."

"Are you ending today's training here?"

"Uh? Ah, yes."

Yan Wei stood up.

He seemed to be reading something that didn't sit well with him and took off his long robe.

"Follow me."

Behind the family head's room.

It was the place he had visited when transforming the Byeon Yeon Heart Method into the Billa Jinji Technique.

'As I felt then, it's very good.'

Not only was the condition of the training ground excellent, but it was also free of distractions.

Yan Wei, standing in the center of the training ground with his hands behind his back, asked.

"Are you still practicing the Spear Technique?"

"Yes."

Yan Wei pointed to the weapon rack.

"Choose one."

Yan Hozheng's eyes lit up.

Choose a weapon? That meant one thing.

'A sparring match with Father?'

Yan Hozheng felt his heart race.

He had never sparred with his father before. He had received guidance from his father when he was very young, but it was a memory of extreme difficulty.

Yan Hozheng, who had gone to the weapon rack, looked at a few spears and asked.

"Is it proper?"

"What do you mean?"

"Will you watch me properly?"

Yan Wei's eyes sparkled.

"Would I have called you if I wasn't going to?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Hozheng picked up a spear.

It wasn't just any long spear. It was a Fangtian Ji, a long weapon with crescent-shaped blades on either side of the spearhead.

'Good.'

The shaft was made entirely of iron, making it incredibly heavy. Yan Hozheng swung the Fangtian Ji around and smiled in satisfaction.

"I'll use this."

"Did you also practice the Ji Dao Technique?"

"It's an extension of the Spear Technique. I think this is the best for now."

Yan Wei thought.

'The best? That means you think you can improve in the future.'

Yan Wei, who had been watching his son, also picked up a sword from the weapon rack.

Yan Hozheng's eyes widened.

"A heavy sword?"

Yan Wei hesitated.

"Do you recognize it?"

"Yes. The weight is extraordinary."

Yan Wei held a sword that looked similar to the typical swords of the Central Plains. However, this sword was a heavy sword, deliberately made heavier by a master craftsman.

Yan Wei was impressed by his son's keen eye.

'He can see through the nature of the weapon.'

Impressive. Even his second son, who had good senses, couldn't see this.

Swish. Thud!

The sheath fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

"Come up."

Yan Hozheng took a deep breath.

'This is nerve-wracking.'

His father was a formidable opponent. Just the aura he had felt in the past made him think his father was the peak of the Seven Great Families.

But Yan Hozheng was nervous not because his father was strong.

Thud.

Yan Hozheng entered the training ground and hung the Fangtian Ji on the weapon rack.

Yan Wei's eyes deepened.

He felt a solid, flawless stance from his son, who had lowered his posture and placed the Fangtian Ji on his shoulder.

"Do you know why I want to see your martial arts?"

Yan Hozheng, whose heart was racing, spoke calmly.

"I don't think there's a big reason to see my martial arts."

"You're right. But there is a clear reason today."

"What is it?"

Yan Wei suddenly fell silent.

Yan Hozheng's face showed confusion.

"Why are you doing this?"

"…I'll tell you after the sparring match."

"Understood."

Yan Wei took his stance.

Whoosh.

The steel sword emitted a faint hum.

Yan Wei's stance was unique. He stood straight with his left hand behind his back. The steel sword in his right hand was lowered to the lower position, and his gaze was on the tip of the sword, not on Yan Hozheng.

It was a stylish stance, but it didn't seem practical for combat.

However, Yan Hozheng could feel the steel-like aura emanating from the gentlemanly appearance.

Whoosh.

The hair on his head stood up from the intense aura.

The highly refined internal energy stabilized his body, and the tip of the sword, lowered to the lower position, held a formidable power that could split the sky in one stroke.

Whoosh.

When did it start?

The无形的气势 from Yan Wei gradually enveloped Yan Hozheng.

It was a bone-chilling, razor-sharp aura. So sharp that it was almost too frightening to touch.

'Sword Extreme Thought Qi!'

One of the Five Great Techniques of the Wall Mountain Yan Family.

It was a supreme technique that concentrated the extreme aura to enhance the qi quality, and then pushed it to the limit again in the enhanced state.

'And that stance... it's the Eight Sword Stances of the Gentleman.'

If Sword Extreme Thought Qi was one of the Five Great Techniques, the Eight Sword Stances of the Gentleman was one of the three great sword techniques of the Yan Family.

In other words, Yan Wei intended to use the best martial arts of the Yan Family. While he would adjust the power, the fact that he was using two supreme techniques at the same time meant he was taking this sparring match seriously.

A blue light flashed in Yan Hozheng's eyes.

Thud!

With a powerful stomp, Yan Hozheng, holding the Fangtian Ji with both hands, lowered his stance even further.

Yan Wei's eyes sparkled.

'That grip method?'

It was a stance that seemed like he was about to chop the base of a tree with an axe.

It was as unique as the Eight Sword Stances of the Gentleman. The only difference was that while the Eight Sword Stances were static, Yan Hozheng's stance was dynamic.

Whoosh.

A gust of wind cooled the heat between the father and son.

"Come."

"I'm coming."

Yan Hozheng lunged at Yan Wei.

Thud!

The sound of his feet hitting the ground was like the beat of a war drum.

Yan Wei's eyes sparkled.

'Fast.'

Yan Hozheng, who had closed the distance in an instant, swung the Fangtian Ji.

Swoosh!

A diagonal strike that split the air!

It was a merciless strike. It felt as if he was attacking an enemy, not a blood relative, with a terrifying power and speed that made his spine shiver.

Yan Wei's sword smoothly rose to the middle position.

Clang!

The Fangtian Ji was deflected.

Yan Hozheng's eyes sparkled.

'Amazing.'

The Fangtian Ji, made entirely of iron, weighed more than three times the sword Yan Wei held.

Yet, it was deflected with ease. The internal energy in the sword was shockingly powerful.

He realized that a light skirmish at the beginning was meaningless. He needed to go all out. Yan Wei's martial arts, the supreme techniques of the Yan Family, were more than enough to challenge all of Yan Hozheng's abilities.

Boom!

Yan Hozheng's stomp shook the entire courtyard.

It was the strongest stomp he had ever made. Using the rebound from the ground, Yan Hozheng unleashed a lightning-fast strike.

Whoosh!

Yan Wei's eyes widened.

The momentum of the Fangtian Ji, which seemed capable of splitting a mountain, was terrifying. Regardless of the power, the momentum alone was worthy of a world-renowned expert.

Yan Wei made a short, swift swing with his sword.

Clang!

The Fangtian Ji was deflected again.

As if he had expected this, Yan Hozheng's body spun on the spot. At the same time, the Lianhuan Palm struck directly at Yan Wei's chest.

It was a strike that caught him off guard.

Surprise flashed in Yan Wei's eyes.

Crack!