Chapter 13: The Four Divine Arts Activated (3)

When Je Gal Ahyeon and Je Gal Jun arrived near the rear courtyard of the Ancient Voices Pavilion—

Bwooom! Kaaaang!

A heavy sound shook the air, the resonance of iron striking iron filling the courtyard.

“Khuek!”

A stifled groan escaped. Short as it was, it carried the will to endure.

“Ha! Your lower guard’s wide open!”

“Tch!”

Yang Heum, his whole body wrapped in bandages, hastily lifted his left leg.

But the heavy iron staff did not strike low—it drove into his abdomen.

Thump!

“Urk!”

Groaning, Yang Heum staggered and collapsed. He had tried to endure, but the shock spreading through his abdomen made his legs give way.

“Hm.”

A look of satisfaction—one no one had seen before—appeared on Yeon Hojeong’s face.

As I thought.

From the hands gripping the iron staff, a faint shimmer of heat rose.

With my clan’s inner method, it grows even stronger.

He had trained in the Yeon Clan’s martial arts since childhood. But after the clan’s annihilation, he met a master and learned new martial ways, glimpsing an entirely different world.

That is—the inner method that gave him the name of the Dark Emperor was one thing, but he had chosen boldly to train his clan’s arts.

He recalled his master’s words.

“Frankly, if your level had been higher when we met, I would never have passed you the Vast Heaven Qi. With it, you can draw out the True Force of the Four Spirit Arts, but see no further. Of course, with Vast Heaven Qi and the Four Spirit Arts, you could still dominate a generation.”

Vast Heaven Qi was an inner method stripped of enlightenment, focused solely on amplifying internal energy. For one who began martial arts late, it was the best.

But the world held inner methods beyond Vast Heaven Qi.

Naturally, the Yeon Clan’s Divine Arts were of higher level. Especially the clan’s supreme art—attainable only by mastering all Five Divine Arts to the limit—said to mark a new era in martial history.

That was why Hojeong told Yeon Wi he had memorized all the formulas of the Five Divine Arts. He would be ready to touch them the moment the chance came.

This is already better than Vast Heaven Qi.

Even the surge of released force alone showed that the Jade Wave True Formula stood a level above Vast Heaven Qi.

Once my attainment rises further, I can start on the Four Spirit Arts.

As he loosened his stance with satisfaction, Yang Heum’s voice reached his ear.

“Th-this trickery...”

Hojeong frowned.

“Trickery? Watch your tongue.”

Clutching his stomach, Yang Heum tried to rise, unable even to find proper form. The blow wasn’t fatal, but the shock had been heavy.

“You said the lower guard was open.”

“So am I obliged to strike only low just because it’s open?”

“B-but!”

“If I had driven explosive force into that strike, you wouldn’t even be standing. Would you whine about unfairness from the grave?”

Yang Heum bit his lip.

He knew Hojeong was right. As a member of the Azure Hawk Squad, calling an opponent’s move a trick was beneath him.

But he burned with frustration. Since yesterday, they had fought twenty-three bouts, and he hadn’t won even once.

He could hardly believe it.

The First Young Master’s skill was no secret in the Yeon Clan. Even if he had defeated a Namgung daughter, the clan’s warriors had not called that a fair fight.

And yet, in so many bouts, Yang Heum had not managed a single victory. Considering the quantity and quality of his own True Qi, it was absurd.

“Well, it was fun. Thanks to you, I’ve figured out exactly how to wield the staff against a living opponent.”

Words that crushed his pride.

Yang Heum’s throat tightened /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ as he was about to demand another bout—

“Yang Heum.”

“...Yes, Captain.”

“That will do. Step back.”

Grinding his teeth, Yang Heum bowed.

“Thank you for your instruction, First Young Master.”

“My thanks as well.”

Hojeong turned to Shin Mo.

“I’ll wash up. I leave the rest to you.”

Shin Mo’s eyes gleamed.

“You already knew?”

“What is there not to know?”

“...Understood. Rest well.”

“Mm. Good work.”

With that, Hojeong headed toward his quarters.

Yeon Jipyeong, who had been watching the bout, scampered after him.

“Brother! That was amazing!”

“What was?”

“You didn’t yield even a single match against an Azure Hawk! Incredible! More than that—when did you train staff techniques?”

“While you were playing.”

“Argh!”

The brothers bickered their way inside.

Once they disappeared, Shin Mo turned his head.

“You two, come out.”

Ssshhk.

The Je Gal siblings stepped out, looking awkward.

Shin Mo’s voice was stern.

“You seem to be children of a noble house. Do you not know it is discourteous to spy on another’s training and bouts?”

Je Gal Jun bowed respectfully.

“The spectacle overwhelmed us, and we stared without realizing. It was inexcusable. I apologize.”

A clean apology.

Regardless of right or wrong, Shin Mo admired Je Gal Jun’s bearing. Younger than the First Young Master, yet composed as an adult.

Even as he apologized sincerely, he held his dignity. That alone eased Shin Mo’s guard.

He was about to reply when—

Smack!

“Urk!”

Je Gal Jun staggered.

“You dolt!”

“Why again!”

“Do you even know who that man is?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Are you truly of the Je Gal line? With that head, how will you lead the clan? I recognize him clearly.”

“...Huh?”

Je Gal Ahyeon coughed a few times, then bowed gracefully.

“It’s been a while, Captain Shin.”

Shin Mo’s eyes widened.

“Je Gal...? Then you are...”

“Heh, five years, wasn’t it? In Hubei?”

“Ah!”

Indeed—Shin Mo had met them before.

Five years ago, a villain had terrorized Hubei. Skilled, cunning, beyond capture.

It was the Je Gal Clan that put him down, and Shin Mo had taken part by chance. That was when he had forged ties with them.

Je Gal Jun realized as well, looking shocked.

“Wait—you’re the Gale-Sword hero?!”

Shin Mo cleared his throat.

“I’d rather you not mention that embarrassing nickname.”

“Then the one wielding the staff was—?”

“The First Young Master of the Yeon Clan.”

“Ah!”

Je Gal Jun turned with new awe toward the Yeon brothers’ quarters.

The name of the Yeon Clan was burning hot even among the Seven Great Clans. In less than fifty years it had risen to the very top.

Je Gal Ahyeon smiled.

“I heard you entered the Yeon Clan’s service, Captain Shin. With Green Mountain Yeon, the world praises them as the model martial family. Congratulations.”

“My thanks.”

Though they had spent only a few days together and five years had passed, there was no awkwardness between Shin Mo and the Je Gal siblings.

Such was the martial world—shallow ties, well kept, could serve greatly. Both sides knew it.

“So, you’ve come for the younger-generation gathering?”

“Yes!”

“To think the children from back then have grown so much.”

Je Gal Ahyeon whispered slyly.

“Do you have time? By chance, would you share a drink?”

“Sis!”

Shin Mo chuckled and shook his head.

“I do have ties with you both, but now I serve as Captain of the Azure Hawk Squad. My duty is to guard this place. Drinks must wait.”

“Then how about this? You’re headed to Hefei as well?”

“That I am.”

“Then travel with us!”

“With you?”

“Yes! The Yeon brothers will be there too, won’t they?”

“...True enough.”

Shin Mo glanced toward Hojeong’s quarters.

“First, I must ask the First Young Master.”

“Heh, understood!”

“By the way—you came only with each other? No escorts?”

Je Gal Ahyeon muttered sourly.

“Well, that stiff-necked old—”

At once, Je Gal Jun clamped a hand over her mouth.

“Ahaha! Captain Shin! We’ll call again tonight. A pleasure to see you!”

“Mmph!”

“Come, Sis, let’s go!”

“Pffah! You brat, your filthy hand—!”

“Oh, enough!”

Je Gal Jun dragged her off, even using inner energy. He must have been desperate.

Shin Mo shook his head as they vanished.

“They’ve grown into a lively pair.”

****

“I’ll convey it so.”

“Good.”

After Shin Mo left, Yeon Jipyeong scratched his head.

“Are you really fine with this?”

“With what?”

“Going together with the Je Gal siblings.”

Hojeong tilted his head.

“Why not? We’ll see them at the gathering anyway.”

“That’s true, but still...”

“Besides, Captain Shin has ties with them. That means less chance of betrayal. Having one more expert with us is better.”

“Brother, they’re of the Je Gal Clan. Of course they wouldn’t stab us in the back.”

“And yet the Namgung bitch—did she not disgrace her collapsing house with her antics?”

“...That’s different.”

“In this world, monasteries birth killers and alleys birth saints. Drop those fixed notions quickly.”

“Yes...”

Chastened, Jipyeong lowered his gaze.

Hojeong ruffled his hair mercilessly.

“Argh!”

“I mean—remember that. Go rest now.”

“Huh? Aren’t you eating? It’s almost time.”

“I’ll rest first. If I can’t rise, eat without me.”

“Ah!”

After training since morning without rest, fatigue was natural.

Awkwardly, Jipyeong stood.

“Rest well. I’ll come back later.”

“Mm.”

The smile faded from Hojeong’s face, leaving it cold.

“Je Gal...”

During the bout, he had felt the siblings’ qi.

Completely different. Both the nature of their True Qi, and their inner energy control.

He had sensed the quality of their qi when he first noticed them, and their control when Je Gal Jun dragged Ahyeon out.

Not like the attackers. But... I’ll watch them on the road to Hefei.

He disliked needless company, but allowed it for that very reason. His instincts were sharp, but now he forced himself to analyze.

If possible, I’d like to see their martial arts for real.

That wish came sooner than expected.

That night, as the Ancient Voices Pavilion bustled with guests—

Kwahhhm!

One of the outer gates collapsed in a crash.

“You Yeon dogs! So this is where you’ve been hiding? Get out here at once!”