Chapter 86: The Wind Does Not Cease (4)

Swoosh!

“Thud!”

Yeon Jipyeong staggered back.

“Again.”

Yeon Wei stood like a bamboo tree.

His left hand was behind his back, and his right hand held the sword pointing downward. His posture was straight, and his eyes focused ahead.

Yeon Jipyeong felt a sense of despair.

‘There’s no opening.’

It seemed like he could attack anywhere, but there was no place to strike.

His father’s martial arts were like an iron wall. The sword force that cut through the air was as powerful as waves, and the sword techniques that deflected attacks were as flexible as the wind.

Yeon Jipyeong, who had been staring at Yeon Wei, took a deep breath and relaxed his stance.

Yeon Wei’s eyes gleamed.

The match wasn’t over, yet he relaxed his stance?

‘He hasn’t given up.’

Although his stance was relaxed, the aura he emitted did not diminish. In fact, it became even sharper.

Yeon Jipyeong tapped the ground with his toes.

Boom!

After making his body supple, he instantly tightened his muscles to increase his forward speed.

Crack!

It seemed like he was charging straight ahead, but that wasn’t the case. Yeon Jipyeong’s footwork, which approached in a zigzag pattern with terrifying elasticity, was both fast and flexible.

Impressive as the approach was, Yeon Wei’s expression remained cold.

‘He must know it won’t work.’

At that moment.

As Yeon Jipyeong, who had approached from the left side, suddenly moved to the right side.

Whoosh.

A brisk palm force shot toward Yeon Wei’s chest.

Swish!

Yeon Wei’s sword calmly split the palm force.

At that moment, Yeon Jipyeong attacked from the left center.

The speed was twice as fast as before. He didn’t completely move to the left.

In other words, it was a feint in his footwork, a sharp psychological tactic. After making his opponent familiar with his approach, he delivered a powerful blow from an unexpected direction at the decisive moment.

Yeon Wei’s sword shot upward.

Swoosh!

Yeon Jipyeong’s body came to an abrupt stop.

He struck with great force, but it was another failure.

Of course, with his current martial arts, Yeon Jipyeong couldn’t even scratch Yeon Wei. But he thought he could at least make him flinch, and even that didn’t work.

Yeon Wei spoke.

“Enough...”

Flash!

Suddenly, Yeon Jipyeong’s sword shot out like lightning.

It was a thrust, not a slash. A hint of surprise appeared on Yeon Wei’s face.

Clang!

The swords of father and son clashed and stopped.

Yeon Wei, who had been looking at his son with a cold gaze, nodded.

“Stop.”

“Phew!”

Yeon Jipyeong staggered back.

It was a full-force strike, but it was blocked again.

His hips, knees, and entire right arm were numb, but he couldn’t show it.

Yeon Jipyeong, who had sheathed his sword, bowed.

“Thank you.”

“You’ve done well.”

Yeon Jipyeong, surprised by the praise, looked at Yeon Wei.

Yeon Wei, sheathing his sword, continued.

“Your ability to shake your opponent’s psychology and deliver a swift strike at the decisive moment was impressive.”

“Ah... T-thank you.”

He had never received such praise from his father before. Yeon Jipyeong’s face turned red.

Yeon Wei was inwardly impressed.

‘This child can use such tactics.’

In actual combat, countless variables abound. Martial arts learned honestly can make the foundation strong, but they are difficult to apply in real combat.

Over the years, Yeon Jipyeong had built a solid foundation as a martial artist. It was a thick and sturdy foundation that wouldn’t be uprooted even after a hundred years.

He was about to start teaching unconventional martial arts, but the child had already studied and demonstrated them on his own. This change surprised Yeon Wei.

And most importantly.

“The last strike.”

“Ah, that one?”

“How did you execute that strike?”

Yeon Jipyeong, looking embarrassed, wiped his nose.

“It’s a sword technique I realized while practicing the Flying Swallow Eight Swords and the Wave Nine Swords. It’s a bit crude, but when I combined the swift sword of the Flying Swallow and the continuous sword of the Wave, it turned into a powerful sword like lightning.”

“...”

“It’s not perfect, but if I want to use it in a match, I need to refine it a lot. That’s why I didn’t show it until now, but I thought it might be possible now...”

“No, you can perfect it.”

“Huh?”

Yeon Wei, with his usual gruff voice, said.

“The Flying Swallow Eight Swords, the Wave Nine Swords, and the Radiant Great Sword, combined to create the Iron Sword Great Derivation Thirty-Six Forms, which embodies advanced martial principles.”

“Eh?!”

Yeon Jipyeong was surprised.

The Iron Sword Great Derivation Thirty-Six Forms was one of the three great sword techniques of the Yeon family. Among the three great sword techniques, it had the lowest sword power, but it was a martial art that perfectly manifested every characteristic of the sword.

Therefore, the Iron Sword Great Derivation was both a sword technique and a divine skill. Yeon Wei had also cultivated the Iron Sword Great Derivation Thirty-Six Forms first among the three great sword techniques.

“By cultivating the Iron Sword Great Derivation, you can obtain a balanced sword that does not lean to any side. The move you just executed is the Lightning Flash, one of the twelve forms in the latter part of the Iron Sword Great Derivation.”

“Ah...!”

“You have refined a sword principle on your own and manifested a technique that I haven’t taught you.”

Yeon Wei nodded.

“Good job.”

Yeon Jipyeong’s face showed genuine joy.

He was more pleased by the praise from his father than by the fact that he had independently mastered an untaught technique. It felt like he was finally recognized as a swordsman.

“Thank you.”

“Feints and combined sword techniques. There’s no need to focus on the basics anymore. Since we’re on the topic, I will start teaching you the Sword Extreme Thought and the Iron Sword Great Derivation from tomorrow.”

The meaning was that he would teach both the representative divine skill and sword technique of the Yeon family. Yeon Jipyeong bowed deeply.

“I will work hard.”

“I believe in you.”

I always believe in you.

Yeon Wei didn’t say the words that came to his mind.

Perhaps because they had clashed so often over various matters, he occasionally revealed his true feelings to his eldest son. But it was still difficult to do so with his second son.

‘Fast.’

For whatever reason, Yeon Jipyeong’s cultivation speed was terrifyingly fast. Although he himself had been recognized for his outstanding talent in the previous generation, Yeon Jipyeong far surpassed him.

‘Five years faster.’

He started cultivating the Sword Extreme Thought at the age of seventeen, but he didn’t start the Iron Sword Great Derivation until he was well into his twenties.

Moreover, he never even considered combining the principles of intermediate sword techniques.

It was a remarkable talent in many ways. Not content to rest on his talent, he diligently practiced every day, making his future truly promising.

Moreover, the second son had not yet fully blossomed his talent.

Yeon Jipyeong had a gentle and kind nature. It was a disposition that didn’t suit a swordsman, who decides battles in a split second.

The moment he polishes and refines this disposition into a single gem, that’s when the real journey begins.

‘...’

However, Yeon Wei thought that Yeon Jipyeong’s gentle nature wasn’t bad. In fact, he wished that he could retain that purity for a long time.

He himself, and his eldest son, had been too tainted by the world. Perhaps that’s why Yeon Hojeong had a cold and ruthless disposition in his heart.

Yeon Wei wished that Yeon Jipyeong wouldn’t have such ruthlessness. It was a fate for martial artists in the Jianghu, but he hoped that the second son could escape that fate.

Yeon Wei sincerely wished for it.

“Let’s end today’s training here.”

“Yes! Thank you for the hard work!”

“Alright.”

As father and son placed their swords on the rack, a voice called out.

“Head of the family!”

Lee Baekhyeon ran up breathlessly.

“A letter! I received a message from the eldest son!”

Yeon Jipyeong’s face brightened.

“B-brother?”

Yeon Wei took the letter from Lee Baekhyeon’s hand. He almost snatched it, but he didn’t notice.

He unfolded the letter.

As Yeon Wei unfolded the letter, Yeon Jipyeong cleared his throat and subtly moved to stand beside him.

I’m sorry for not contacting you often. I heard that I sent a separate message to the Kai Bang. Everything went well, and I’m fine.

Yeon Wei, who had been reading the letter, spoke.

“Jipyeong.”

“Huh?!”

Yeon Jipyeong, startled, took an involuntary step back.

Yeon Wei spoke calmly.

“When you go out into the Jianghu in the future, don’t act with your brother.”

“...Huh?”

Yeon Wei closed his mouth.

‘Heartless guy.’

What, he’s so busy he can’t even send a letter on time?

This is also a form of filial impiety. If he had written a few words, would I scold him for lacking sincerity? The important thing is whether he’s safe.

The eldest son is good in every other way, but he has this problem.

What a frustrating guy.

I have to be investigated as a reference in this matter. It will be over soon, but it might take some time to return. It’s nothing serious; I just want to see the world, so don’t worry.

Even more frustrating.

When the matter is over, he should come back, greet everyone, and then leave again. It seems I’ve discovered another flaw in the eldest son.

I wonder if the family business is over. I hope Jipyeong is doing well. I’m already looking forward to how much he has grown.

Yeon Jipyeong smiled.

Yeon Wei glanced at the second son. Yeon Jipyeong quickly composed his expression.

He turned his gaze back to the letter.

And, please send me the evidence of the illegal salt field taxes that the Ming family coerced from the Donghai traders. I would also appreciate it if you could include the documents of the Western Region merchants who were kidnapped and sold as slaves in the black market.

Yeon Wei said to Lee Baekhyeon.

“There’s a ledger marked ‘Red Sandalwood Book’ in the archive. Hand the thickest document to the Iron Staff Gang branch leader. Send it to the temporary martial alliance.”

“Understood, Head of the family.”

Lee Baekhyeon ran off.

I’m sorry for not informing you in advance and causing trouble. I will accept the punishment when I return. It’s very hot. Please take care of your health.

At the bottom of the letter, it read, “Filial Impiety: Hojeong.”

“...He knows.”

Yeon Jipyeong blinked.

Yeon Wei, folding the letter, looked up at the sky.

The clouds were scattered, but the sky was clear. Summer had truly arrived.

‘Since you’re out in the world, grow bigger and come back.’

* * *

“Huh? What? Where are you going?”

Gadeuk-sang looked at Yeon Hojeong with a puzzled expression.

Yeon Hojeong, wearing freshly laundered martial robes and holding an axe, looked ready to leave at any moment.

“I’m heading to Henan.”

“What? Now?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Well... no, there’s no problem, but.”

The investigation as a reference was over. After a few days, he had regained his freedom, so there was no need to stay in Henan anymore.

“If I hadn’t come to find you, you would have left without a word, right?”

“Probably?”

“What a heartless guy!”

Yeon Hojeong chuckled.

“Anyway, Hugai has to return to his main job, right? We’ll meet again when we run into each other.”

“My main job is to keep an eye on you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“My master said, ‘This guy is dangerous, so if he becomes a disciple, cut off his head.’ In other words, I have a special mission.”

Yeon Hojeong frowned.

“Is the Hugai position so relaxed? Aren’t you busy?”

Gadeuk-sang laughed weakly.

“I’m a bit busy. So I can’t go with you right away.”

“Even if we went together, it would only be tiring.”

“What a cold-hearted guy.”

“We’ll see each other later.”

“Wait.”

Gadeuk-sang took a dirty-looking pouch from his pocket and handed it to Yeon Hojeong.

Yeon Hojeong’s expression was priceless.

“Take it.”

“...”

“What? Is it dirty?”

“I’ll take it. But what is it?”

“It’s a Filth Essence Token.”

“What a great name.”

Gadeuk-sang shrugged.

“I don’t know what you’ll do, but if something happens, take this to any branch. You can get the information you need.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“Thanks.”

“Alright. I’m doing it to keep an eye on you, so use it as much as possible.”

“Got it.”

Yeon Hojeong headed for the door.

“I’ll go first.”

“Yeon Gongzi.”

“Hmm?”

Gadeuk-sang made a bow.

“I wish you good luck.”

Yeon Hojeong didn’t take the greeting lightly.

Putting down his axe, he returned the bow.

“We’ll see each other later.”