Chapter 18. A Warrior's Values (2)
"Ugh, this is so frustrating."
Yeon Ji-pyeong, hugging his knees, looked deeply depressed.
"Was I wrong?"
Yeon Ji-pyeong was frustrated.
Having lived his whole life according to the rules and teachings of the Yeon family, he was greatly shocked by his older brother's actions at Choseong Pavilion two days prior.
'Brother.'
Yeon Ji-pyeong recalled Yeon Ho-jeong from that day.
Eyes so cold they'd scare off a blizzard. His brother's indifference, showing no reaction even when someone fighting evil was in danger.
In the end, his brother did go to help the Jegal siblings, but until then, he had not shown any behavior befitting a righteous man.
Some people say that only the result matters, so what's the problem? But for Yeon Ji-pyeong, the process was as important as the result.
He didn't know what his brother was thinking, but his brother's actions back then were clearly wrong.
That's why Yeon Ji-pyeong was confused. Although his brother had troubled him at times, he had never thought of his brother as a bad person.
Rather, he thought of him as kind and weak. He had also regretted his thoughtless actions that had frustrated such a brother.
'Yes, there must have been a reason. Even though he was being attacked by villains… Brother wouldn't have done that if there wasn't a reason of his own.'
Yes. He was taken aback, but he could somehow understand up to that point.
However, his brother's demeanor when killing the arsonist, Ma Bang, was truly shocking.
'It was too gruesome.'
Thinking back to that time, Yeon Ji-pyeong felt goosebumps again.
His brother, after subduing his opponent with incredible martial arts, grabbed him by the collar and dragged him to the flames.
The ruthless act of throwing the villain into the fire with a blank face.
'Burning a man alive...'
Even after killing him so cruelly, his brother didn't seem shocked at all.
He would have understood if he had shown even a hint of relief. But his brother's eyes as he watched Ma Bang die were the epitome of indifference.
He wouldn't look at a roaming stone with such coldness. That action, those eyes, that atmosphere were a huge shock to Yeon Ji-pyeong.
'Brother. Are you really the brother I know?'
Now he couldn't make heads or tails of it.
Yeon Ji-pyeong, who had been burying his face in his knees for a long time, sighed and stood up.
"I'm such an idiot."
If there were questions, he just needed to ask, and if there were misunderstandings, he just needed to clear them up. Worrying about it wouldn't solve anything anyway. Yeon Ji-pyeong wanted to go to Yeon Ho-jeong and have a conversation.
As Yeon Ji-pyeong was walking towards where the group was, he suddenly noticed a man and a woman walking away.
'Huh? Brother?'
It was his brother and the daughter of the Jegal family.
'Where are they going?'
After hesitating for a moment, Yeon Ji-pyeong followed them.
How long had it been?
"This is far enough."
"......"
"I have something to ask you."
"Oh, right!"
Something to ask?
Curiosity settled on Yeon Ji-pyeong's face. Normally, he would have felt uncomfortable eavesdropping on other people's conversations, but now he was watching as if he were possessed.
"How much do you know about your family?"
"Yes?"
Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes flashed.
Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes, shining blue in the dark forest, were eerie, like will-o'-the-wisps. Jegal Ah-yeon gasped without realizing it.
"The martial arts you used when fighting the arsonist back then were truly extraordinary."
"Th, that's just..."
"The martial art itself was top-notch, like a secret technique. Your skill level was low, but the technique was incredibly advanced."
"......"
"Unless you are the next family head, even a blood relative wouldn't just hand over such martial arts."
Jegal Ah-yeon's neck flushed slightly.
"Are you saying I stole the martial arts?"
"I'm not saying that."
"Then...?"
"Are you saying the Jegal family is so rich in martial arts that they share secret techniques even with non-heirs?"
Jegal Ah-yeon tilted her head.
It was hard to grasp the intention of the question. Do they have many martial arts? Of course, a family like the Jegal family has hundreds of martial arts.
"Let me put it more simply. Does your family also possess a different kind of martial arts?"
"What do you mean by 'different kind'?"
"Do you have any secret, orthodox martial arts that haven't been seen in the Central Plains?"
Even if he asked such a question, the other person could simply not answer truthfully. But Yeon Ho-jeong did not expect the other person to tell the truth in the first place.
The only thing he was looking at was one thing.
The other person's eyes.
His insight, honed in the life of the Black Path where he had been betrayed countless times and nearly died countless times, was second to none. Not only Yeon Ho-jeong, but also for those who had survived in the Black Path for a long time, such insight was close to a basic skill.
The sharpness to see through the other person's disposition just by looking at their eyes and exchanging a few words.
The meticulousness and stubbornness to reconfirm even after confirmation was already given.
This was the reason why Yeon Ho-jeong could be called the Black Demonic Emperor, and why he could survive for so long even at the pinnacle of the Black Path.
"I don't know why you're asking, but even if I knew, I couldn't tell you about my family's business."
Jegal Ah-yeon replied calmly.
Although they had never had a private conversation, she already recognized Yeon Ho-jeong as a dangerous person. He was someone she shouldn't tell even the smallest thing to.
Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes deepened.
Jegal Ah-yeon swallowed without realizing it.
'Who the heck is this guy?'
Is he really the eldest son of the Byeoksan Yeon family?
If he's the heir to one of the Seven Great Clans, he should be, you know, different.
It wasn't about martial arts. His eyes and bearing... they screamed of a battle-hardened warrior.
He looked like some barbarian warrior, strolling through the wilderness after conquering all his enemies.
'He's like Uncle Hwang.'
It wasn't his strength, but his disposition. Uncle Hwang was the toughest, most ruthless, and scariest person she knew.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been looking at Jegal Ah-yeon silently, nodded.
"Okay, I get it. You can go."
"Yes."
"......"
"Yes?"
"I said I understand. You can go now."
Jegal Ah-yeon was taken aback once again.
'What's his deal?'
At first, he looked like he was going to eat her alive. Now, he just looked bored, telling her to leave like he couldn't care less.
...This is hurting my pride. Why is he treating me like this?
"Excuse me."
"Why?"
When she actually asked, she couldn't think of anything to say.
Jegal Ah-yeon was embarrassed for the third time at her own hesitation. She was always confident anywhere, but strangely, she felt intimidated in front of Yeon Ho-jeong.
'What did I ever do to him...?'
Suddenly, Jegal Ah-yeon's expression hardened.
She bowed her head slightly.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"It was all because of me and my brother. I dragged you into danger because of my problems. I'm really sorry."
She bowed deeply, clasping her hands.
It was an action that showed sincerity. Even though her head was bowed, you could tell she was kicking herself.
"Were they people who had a grudge against you?"
"It wasn't really a grudge..."
Jegal Ah-yeon briefly explained the situation.
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
"Then you don't need to apologize."
"Yes?"
"You were just trying to help. Those guys who kept chasing you are the ones to blame, not you. It's not your fault, so don't apologize."
"St-still, I..."
"If it's really eating at you, go to the tavern and help the people who got hurt. Pay for the damages. That's what you should do."
Jegal Ah-yeon couldn't speak easily.
It's not a sin because you helped someone out of good will?
He was right. Even if Jegal Ah-yeon were Yeon Ho-jeong, she would have said the same thing.
But it was weird hearing him say that. He seemed like such a cold-blooded pragmatist.
"That's... absolutely what I'll do."
"Yes."
"......"
"Well? Are you going or aren't you?"
"Can I ask you just one thing?"
"What is it?"
"Look, I'm not trying to grill you. I don't have any right to do that. I'm just really curious, so please don't get offended."
"So spit it out."
"Don't you think it was a bit cruel?"
"Hmm?"
"That guy who burned to death. The one who called himself the Lightning Flame Lord or whatever."
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
"Why is that cruel?"
"Most people would think that's pretty messed up. Everyone who saw it was probably horrified, right?"
"Just that?"
"...It's not just that. I mean, sure, he was the enemy, but you burned a man alive!"
"Yeah, I suppose some people might see it that way."
He dismissed it lightly. Jegal Ah-yeon clicked her tongue at Yeon Ho-jeong's indifference.
"He was a bad guy trying to burn innocent people alive, but that's still going too far. It's not exactly normal, is it?"
"Then is beheading him with a single strike a normal method?"
"...Well, no, but at least it's quick."
"Then that won't do. That bastard had to die in pain."
Jegal Ah-yeon's eyes widened.
"If he'd just gone after you and your brother, that'd be one thing. But he went out of his way to set that fire and try to kill a bunch of innocent people. That's a death sentence right there."
"That's true, but still."
"Death comes for everyone, good or bad. So, I figure, at least the bad guys should suffer on their way out."
"Do you think of yourself as a judge?"
"If I were a judge, I'd lock him up. Since I'm not, I killed him."
'This guy's insane.'
Jegal Ah-yeon was surprised by Yeon Ho-jeong's words, but at the same time, she felt a strange sense of envy.
She didn't know how much thought he'd put into it, but he clearly had his own code. His own set of rules.
Sometimes, keeping things simple is the hardest thing to do. His beliefs were simple, but you could tell they came from a lot of deep thinking.
The more she thought about it, the less it made sense.
'How old is this person anyway?'
His words, his actions, his beliefs, his skills... none of it added up for someone his age.
Jegal Ah-yeon, who had been staring at Yeon Ho-jeong, burst out laughing.
"Thank you."
"Why are you saying thank you so many times?"
"Didn't you heal my internal injuries and save my brother from the poison?"
Yeon Ho-jeong did not answer.
Jegal Ah-yeon bowed her head once again.
"You're our savior. I'll find a way to repay you."
"No need."
"You know, you talk like an old man."
"Shut up."
"Jeez, you're so uptight."
Jegal Ah-yeon turned around, grumbling.
"All that talking made me hungry. I'm going to grab some food. Wanna come?"
Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at the bushes.
Rustle, rustle.
The movement in the bushes was gradually moving away. It was a mole-like movement.
"Sure."
"Hehe."
"Don't crowd me."
"Oh, sorry."
"......"
"But, how old are you?"
"Forty-six."
"Don't lie, mister."
"Eighteen."
"What?! No way! I'm older! Hey! I'm a year older than you!"
"......"
"Want to be friends?"
"No need."
