Chapter 84. The Wind Does Not Cease (2)

“Grunn.”

He was surprised by the sound that came from his own mouth. He thought, I make such sounds too?

‘Damn.’

It had been half a month since he fought Ming Chuan to the death.

For someone who hadn’t practiced martial arts, it would have been a fatal wound. But for him, who had gone through countless battles, it was nothing special.

‘I thought I would be able to move around in ten days.’

Whoosh.

When he used his inner energy, strength flowed into his limbs.

The inner energy he had consumed had recovered to about eighty percent, and the Three Divine Qi (三神氣) was also thriving.

Yet, he was in this state. The wound was healing abnormally slowly.

‘Why is that?’

He had more than enough strength and had regained his physical power.

If the wound hadn’t healed within the expected time, it must be entirely due to the problem with his Qi (氣).

Yeon Ho-jung, who was sitting in a lotus position, delved deep into his inner self.

After a while.

Whoosh!

Red fire, the Vermilion Bird Qi, flared up.

It was the last Qi he obtained, yet it was the most vigorous among the Three Divine Qi.

Yeon Ho-jung found the reason in his own temperament.

‘If the Black Tortoise is a shield and the White Tiger is a spear, the Vermilion Bird is the ultimate form itself.’

It was a powerful Qi that he hesitated to even bring out unless he intended to kill.

In other words, the Vermilion Bird Qi had grown so large because his heart was filled with the intent to kill. Moreover, after his return, he hadn’t felt the same sense of death as when he fought Ming Chuan.

The Vermilion Bird Qi grows with the degree of crisis. It seemed that his own intent to kill and the extreme sense of crisis had made the Vermilion Bird Qi grow to this extent.

Yeon Ho-jung also checked the White Tiger Qi and the Black Tortoise Qi.

‘There’s nothing wrong with them…’

The three Qis—White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—were all fine. Although their natures differed, they were all stably established.

After a long time of examining his body, Yeon Ho-jung finally untied his lotus position.

“Don’t try to find an answer that won’t come.”

Anyway, his body was recovering. That was enough.

Just as he was about to get up from his seat.

“Great Young Master.”

“Eh, Shin Da-ju.”

“...A guest has come.”

Yeon Ho-jung sighed.

‘Again?’

Currently, Yeon Ho-jung was being treated in a clinic far from the Ming family’s territory.

Although it was quite a distance away, it was still within the Ming family’s domain. Perhaps because of this, many martial artists came to visit. It was natural for them to be curious since the Ming family had received the judgment of the martial world.

So far, nearly a hundred people had come to visit Yeon Ho-jung.

He had sent them all away, saying he couldn’t meet them while being treated, but some of them were so persistent that Shin Mo had to draw his sword a few times.

“I want to be alone. Please send them away.”

“That...”

Yeon Ho-jung tilted his head.

Thinking about it, Shin Mo would have sent them away if it wasn’t someone important.

“Who is it?”

At that moment, a resounding voice burst out like thunder.

“It’s me!”

It seemed she had pushed her way in. A woman’s head poked out from behind Shin Mo.

Yeon Ho-jung’s eyes widened.

“You...?!”

“Hehe, surprised?”

“...”

“Oh, you’re that surprised? He, this is quite unexpected.”

Yeon Ho-jung frowned.

“Zhuge Ayan.”

“Hey!”

Zhuge Ayan shouted.

“Did you already forget my name? Is that it? That’s so disappointing!”

Yeon Ho-jung chuckled.

Now he understood why Shin Mo was in a difficult position. Still, Zhuge Ayan was one of the people he had gotten along with the best during the gathering.

“What brings you here?”

“What brings me here? The martial world is in chaos because of you, so I came as a friend!”

Yeon Ho-jung shook his head.

“It’s not because of me, but because of the Ming family.”

“Trying to dodge it, huh? The starting point was you.”

Yeon Ho-jung said indifferently.

“It was a personal conflict. There wasn’t such a grand reason from the beginning.”

Zhuge Ayan smiled.

“There wasn’t from the beginning, but it became one later, right?”

“There was no way to win alone. So, I had to bury everything.”

Though he said it calmly, it was a statement that sent shivers down the spine of the listener.

No way to win alone? That means he had intended to win alone from the beginning. Regardless of whether it was possible, just having such a thought was impressive.

Moreover, after realizing he couldn’t win alone, he buried the Ming family as a whole.

Whether by force or strategy, burying a group like the Nine Great Families in a short time was something no one could easily do.

Zhuge Ayan sighed.

“How did you become such a monster at your age?”

“Calling someone a monster is harsh.”

“I know it’s harsh.”

“It’s fine.”

“Again, again. Fix your tone of voice.”

“Why is my tone of voice old?”

“Ah, I suddenly feel tired.”

“Go away.”

Zhuge Ayan snorted and walked over, sitting next to Yeon Ho-jung.

Yeon Ho-jung frowned.

“It’s hot. Move away.”

“You’re lying.”

“Can’t you see the weather? Move away.”

“No! Be grateful that I’m guarding you.”

“I’ve already finished my meditation. You’ll freeze to death.”

“Rude.”

Zhuge Ayan pulled out a small golden pouch from her sleeve.

“Here, take this.”

Yeon Ho-jung blinked like an idiot.

“What is this?”

“Do you think it’s poisoned or something? Just take it.”

Yeon Ho-jung took the golden pouch.

Zhuge Ayan turned her head away.

“Oh, my father is such a fool. What’s so good about this guy that he even gave him a pill?”

“A pill?”

“It’s called Xiaotianji Pill (小天机丹). Eat it.”

Her tone had become a bit rough.

Yeon Ho-jung tilted his head.

“What’s a Xiaotianji Pill?”

Zhuge Ayan opened her mouth wide.

“You don’t know the Xiaotianji Pill?”

“I don’t.”

“The Xiaotianji Pill? The Xiaotianji Pill? It’s the Xiaotianji Pill?”

“I don’t know, man.”

“Hey! Even though we’re from the Seven Great Families, you should at least memorize the famous pills of each school!”

“Why should I know? I can’t even steal and eat them.”

“Give it back.”

“Don’t take back what you’ve given.”

Zhuge Ayan huffed. She seemed to be getting angry.

At that moment, Shin Mo said cautiously.

“The Tianji Pill is a famous pill of the Zhuge family. It is divided into the Datianji Pill (大天机丹) and the Xiaotianji Pill. Even the Xiaotianji Pill is a great treasure that greatly helps in cultivating inner energy.”

Yeon Ho-jung’s ears perked up.

He had a sense of expectation from the moment he heard the word ‘famous pill.’ Now, it seemed to be even better than he thought.

“Really? Eating this will increase my inner energy?”

“The famous pills cultivated by major sects are all treasures that condense their medicinal power to the extreme. They are different from ordinary pills floating around in the martial world.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. This will greatly help in increasing your inner energy, which was damaged in the battle.”

Yeon Ho-jung looked at Zhuge Ayan.

Zhuge Ayan looked back at him with a smug expression, as if to say, “See?”

Yeon Ho-jung nudged her arm with his elbow.

“Don’t you have the Datianji Pill?”

“...Wow, you held it in. I almost hit you just now.”

“Well, thanks anyway.”

Zhuge Ayan was speechless.

What kind of treasure is the Xiaotianji Pill? Although it might be inferior to the Xiaowan Pill (小丸丹) in terms of increasing inner energy, it has a special effect in stabilizing the body and is a treasure among treasures that enhances inner strength without considering the nature of the inner energy.

Yeon Ho-jung smiled awkwardly.

Seeing Zhuge Ayan staring at him blankly, it seemed to be a truly great treasure. In fact, he should be grateful for her coming such a long way to give him this gift.

Zhuge Ayan shook her head.

“Father, even if he’s a benefactor, this is too much.”

“Benefactor?”

“Ah, forget it! Eat it, quickly!”

“I’ll eat it after I have a meal.”

“Eek!”

Her ability to make people angry seemed to be the best in the current era. After a long time of huffing, Zhuge Ayan finally turned her back.

Shin Mo smiled and said.

“Since a friend has come, why don’t we have a meal together?”

“With her?”

“Yes. If it weren’t for the Zhuge family’s help, Great Young Master wouldn’t have recovered so quickly.”

It was slow.

“What do you mean?”

“Before the battle, I had the best doctors in Henan on standby just in case. At that time, Great Young Master’s condition was very critical, wasn’t it?”

If left alone, it would have been...

“That’s true.”

“The day Great Young Master lost consciousness, the Heavenly Doctor (通天神醫) came and treated him.”

Yeon Ho-jung’s eyes sparkled.

The Heavenly Doctor was someone he knew. He was the best among the so-called ‘divine doctors,’ one of the top three doctors in the martial world.

Yeon Ho-jung looked at Zhuge Ayan.

Zhuge Ayan was still sitting with her back turned. From the way she had her arms crossed, it seemed she was still upset.

Yeon Ho-jung poked her side.

“A meal?”

“Huh! Hey! Is this guy crazy? What are you touching?!”

“I’ll buy something delicious. Will you eat it?”

Zhuge Ayan cleared her throat. Although her face was a bit red, her ears perked up, indicating she was interested.

“Ahem! You’re buying something delicious?”

Yeon Ho-jung smiled.

“Yeah. I’ll buy you whatever you want to eat.”

Actually, he felt guilty towards Zhuge Ayan in many ways.

Apart from this help, he had been suspicious of her. Not just her, but of all the Seven Great Families.

Because he had a particularly close relationship with Zhuge Ayan, he had treated her more coldly.

“Haha.”

Seeing Zhuge Ayan burst into laughter like a prankster, Shin Mo smiled inwardly.

‘They’re getting along well.’

At that moment, Yeon Ho-jung asked.

“By the way, how is the situation with the Ming family?”

“Ah...”

Shin Mo’s face became awkward.

“Is it okay to tell you?”

I didn’t tell you before because it might have affected your recovery. But seeing you today, I think it’s okay to tell you now.

“I have a rough idea. I’ve heard the doctors talking. I just want to hear more details.”

“Understood. Then...”

At that moment.

“What’s the matter, you brat. It’s almost like a funeral.”

Swoosh!

Shin Mo’s sword drew a flash of light towards the back.

“Wow? I see. You’re called the Gale Sword, and you really have a surprising sword aura.”

Shin Mo’s eyes sharpened.

“Who are you?”

The old man smiled.

He looked to be over seventy, but his teeth were as white as a full moon.

“I’m the leader of the beggars.”

“...?”

“My disciple said his lungs were filled with air because of that wretched guy, so I came to see who he was.”

“...!”

Shin Mo’s eyes wavered.

“Could you be the Dragon Head of the Beggar Sect?”

“That’s right.”

Thud!

Shin Mo immediately sheathed his sword and bowed respectfully.

“I am Shin Mo, the Chief of the Blue Mountain Yeon Family. I greet the Dragon Head of the Beggar Sect.”

The Dragon Head, Hua Zhenquan, burst into laughter.

“They say you come from a noble family, and your subordinates are well-managed. I haven’t had a conversation with the head of the Yeon family, but seeing you, I can tell what kind of person he is.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Haha.”

“Please leave now.”

“...What?!”

The conversation, which had been flowing smoothly, suddenly came to an abrupt end.

Shin Mo said calmly.

“Great Young Master is still recovering. I cannot let anyone in without permission.”

Hua Zhenquan’s eyes sparkled.

The Dragon Head of the world, yet he is told to leave because he hasn’t received permission.

‘He’s strict.’

He has a strict personality. That’s why I like him.

Just as Hua Zhenquan was about to speak with a smile.

“Chief Shin.”

“Yes, Great Young Master.”

“It’s fine. Since he’s already here, what’s the point?”

“...Understood.”

Shin Mo stepped aside.

Hua Zhenquan looked at Yeon Ho-jung.

Sitting in a lotus position, Yeon Ho-jung’s calm and composed figure was like a painting. A mysterious aura surrounded his entire body.

Hua Zhenquan’s lips curled up. His eyes were filled with subtle admiration.

‘He’s the one to sway the world.’

Yeon Ho-jung stood up and bowed.

“I am Yeon Ho-jung of the Yeon family.”

Hua Zhenquan stared intently at Yeon Ho-jung.

A calm and composed demeanor.

“The Dragon Head of the Beggar Sect is famous for being a great rogue, but you look more normal than I expected.”