Chapter 21 Whirlwind (1)
Yeon Ho-jeong spotted Je Gal-ah-yeon and rolled his eyes, turning away as if he couldn't be bothered.
Most people would have been embarrassed, but Je Gal-ah-yeon didn't bat an eye. Instead, her face was full of delight.
"How have you been?"
"It's only been two days."
"I'm just glad to see you."
It's anyone's guess what kind of bond they have that makes her so thrilled to see him.
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke to Paeng Dae-ho.
"Sorry to interrupt."
"Huh? Oh! Uh, no worries! It's not like you're, you know, damaging anything."
"Alright, then."
"Y-you're heading out?"
"Yep."
"...Uh, okay, see ya around. Catch you later."
With that, Yeon Ho-jeong headed inside.
Just as Je Gal-ah-yeon was about to call after him again...
"Miss."
"Yes?"
"We should find accommodations, Miss."
"Oh, but Jun has all the bags. I was just going to grab some tea with a friend..."
"Miss."
"......"
"......"
"Okay, okay."
The older warrior bowed respectfully.
"My apologies, Miss. I overstepped."
"No worries! I haven't forgotten what Father said. Hey, Jun! Go scout out a good place for us, pronto!"
"You got it."
"Eek!"
"Ow! Hey! What gives? You're messing up my hair!"
"It's all 'cause I love ya, ya little punk."
"Love, my butt! You're just being mean! Seriously, what's with the attitude?"
"......"
"......Alright! Let's go get lodgings! Let's go, let's go!"
Just as the Je Gal siblings were heading off,
Je Gal-ah-yeon suddenly spotted Namgung-hyeon.
"Oh? Big brother?"
Namgung-hyeon, looking a little uncomfortable, said, "Long time no see."
Je Gal-ah-yeon gave a graceful bow, a complete 180 from how she acted with Yeon Ho-jeong or Je Gal-jun.
"How have you been?"
"I'm good. And you?"
"Good."
"..."
"Well, I'll see you later, then."
Je Gal-ah-yeon was the picture of perfect etiquette. You could definitely see why she was known as the brilliant daughter of a noble house.
But there was this weird, awkward vibe. It was like she wasn't used to all the formality, as if it didn't come naturally to her.
And with that, the Je Gal siblings headed inside to find a place to stay.
Namgung-hyeon watched Je Gal-ah-yeon go, his expression turning thoughtful.
Back at his rooms, Yeon Ji-pyeong was already there.
"Hyung?"
"You're back?"
"I knocked, but you didn't hear me, so I just let myself in."
"Good, that's fine."
"Hey, did Je Gal Noona and Jun come too? I thought I heard them from far away."
Yeon Ji-pyeong had sharp ears. You wouldn't normally be able to hear voices from the front gate all the way back there.
"Yes."
"It's kind of a relief to have some familiar faces around."
"Nervous?"
"...Maybe a bit?"
"At least you're honest."
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and jerked his chin toward the window. "Looks like they're in the west building. Go on, have some tea with them."
"What about you, Hyung?"
"I'm good."
Yeon Ji-pyeong scratched his head. "Hyung, can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"Do you not like Je Gal Noona?"
Yeon Ho-jeong cocked his head. "Nah. Why would I?"
"Oh, okay."
"What is it?"
"Nothing, really. It's just... you always seem to keep Je Gal Noona at arm's length."
"I mean, I don't dislike her, but it's not like we're best buds or anything, right?"
It was a weird way to put it, but it kind of made sense. Still, he'd never heard anyone draw a line in the sand like that when it came to people.
"R-right, I'll head over then!"
"Have fun."
Yeon Ji-pyeong took off, and Yeon Ho-jeong sat by the window.
He seemed genuinely glad to see them. Looking down, he could already see Yeon Ji-pyeong heading over.
'He looks happy.'
A flicker of something that looked like regret crossed Yeon Ho-jeong's face.
'He wouldn't have been like that back then.'
It was so long ago, the memories were fuzzy. But the last time he'd been at the Gathering of the Future Generations, he'd been full of hate for his younger brother. Ji-pyeong probably hadn't made any friends, too worried about what he might do.
'That's never happening again.'
That's why he kept Je Gal-ah-yeon at a distance. Je Gal-jun was cautious around him, but Je Gal-ah-yeon seemed determined to break through his walls.
Honestly, he was grateful. Even though he'd saved her life, it was a big deal to have someone be so friendly and open with him.
That's why Yeon Ho-jeong kept people at arm's length. Or, more accurately, he kept himself at arm's length.
'I won't fail this time.'
Yeon Ji-pyeong ran off, practically bouncing with excitement.
He didn't want to crush that energy with fear and despair. He wouldn't let his brother – or any of his family – face that kind of awful future.
...At least until the Three Teachings Rebellion, he'd protect them. And if he could, even after that.
'Enemies are everywhere.'
He couldn't let his guard down, not when he had no idea who was a threat. Come to think of it, he'd probably jumped the gun judging the Paeng family.
Yeon Ho-jeong sat on the floor in a lotus position.
His half-opened eyes looked as hard and dark as steel.
"Hopefully, it won't spread to the Nine Great Sects."
An hour later.
"Young Master, the gathering's starting. Everyone's supposed to head to the inner courtyard banquet hall."
"What about the Murim and Myeong families?"
"They just got here."
"Long time no see, Hyung-deul!"
"Wahahaha! It has been a while! A year, is it?"
"Just about."
"Wow! Only a year, and you've gotten even more beautiful!"
"And you guys have gotten even bigger!"
"Gotta eat well, you know?"
"Hahaha!"
"We put away a lot."
"...Yeah, I didn't need to know that."
Stepping into the outdoor banquet area, the first thing you noticed were the Paeng brothers. Their huge frames and booming laughter – you couldn't miss them – drew everyone's attention.
But Yeon Ho-jeong wasn't looking at Paeng Dae-ho or Paeng Man-ho. His gaze was fixed on the woman chatting with them.
'Murim!'
She was a delicate, beautiful woman, looked barely twenty. But the power coiled inside her was something else.
She had even more potential than the Paeng brothers. And Yeon Ho-jeong knew exactly what that power was, and who she was.
'Murim-gun's daughter, huh.'
Murim Yeon-hwa.
She was a legend in her own time, the one who'd led the Murim clan while the Martial Alliance Leader, Murim-gun, was away. Whatever you thought of her personality, her skills were undeniable – even Murim-gun said so.
Yeon Ho-jeong looked away. He'd crossed swords with her plenty of times back when he led the Black Demon Fortress. But none of that mattered now.
'First, the Myeong family...'
Just then.
"Looking for somebody?"
Yeon Ho-jeong turned around.
Je Gal-ah-yeon was standing there smiling.
"There you are."
"...I think I've told you before, you sound like a total grandpa."
"Whatever."
"Seriously."
Yeon Ho-jeong looked Je Gal-ah-yeon up and down.
"What's with the getup?"
Je Gal-ah-yeon smiled.
There was a hint of something sad in her smile, even though she usually seemed so cheerful.
"Pretty fancy, huh?"
Back at Choseong Tower, and when she first arrived at the manor, Je Gal-ah-yeon had been dressed simply. She was so gorgeous that even plain clothes looked amazing on her, but they'd really just been practical, if high-quality, workout clothes.
This was different.
She looked absolutely stunning in the elaborate court dress. The light green silk, embroidered with red plum blossoms, was top-notch and matched her bright, delicate beauty perfectly.
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded. "Looks good."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it suits you."
Je Gal-ah-yeon searched Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes.
His eyes were like clear glass – so empty of emotion that it was almost unnerving.
But Je Gal-ah-yeon's face remained bright.
She'd been told she was pretty since she was a kid – so much that it got old fast. And usually, those compliments were laced with jealousy or something else she didn't want.
This was the first time someone outside her family had given her such a genuine, no-strings-attached compliment. Of course, it made her feel good.
"See? I thought it might be a bit much, but..."
"It's not over the top."
"R-really?"
"It's not like you're dripping in gold. There are plenty of people who go way more overboard than this."
He was right.
In the Murim, tons of lowlifes dressed way fancier than their status (or bank accounts) allowed. They were all about showing off, trying to attract followers with their supposed power and wealth. Compared to that, Je Gal-ah-yeon's outfit was practically understated.
A relaxed smile spread across Je Gal-ah-yeon's face. Smart people are usually good at hiding their feelings, but she wore hers on her sleeve.
"There's a spot over there. Let's grab it."
"I'm good."
"Come on, don't be a stick in the mud, not when there are good seats. Let's get a drink."
Yeon Ho-jeong was about to tell her to buzz off, but he stopped himself.
'Hang on.'
If the family plotting against the Yeons was here, their heir would know it.
And they'd definitely be keeping an eye on him and Yeon Ji-pyeong.
'No point in drawing unnecessary attention.'
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded. "Fine."
"Hehe."
"Don't get too close."
"You're such a grump."
"Quiet."
"Don't you get tired of being so uptight?"
"If I got tired of it, I wouldn't be like this."
"Hmm, good point."
"So back off a little. It's hot."
"It's freezing out here, what do you mean 'hot'? And with your level of skill..."
Je Gal-ah-yeon caught herself and coughed.
"Sorry. Shouldn't have said that, huh?"
She was sharp, no doubt about it. She probably didn't think Yeon Ho-jeong was hiding his skills, but she knew he didn't want to show them off.
So they sat down. The food was a little cold since it had been sitting out, but it was still good.
Yeon Ho-jeong readily filled Je Gal-ah-yeon's glass. Je Gal-ah-yeon also smiled and filled his glass.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Is everyone in the Yeon family as strong as you?"
"The Je Gal family's skills are probably just as good as the main branch's."
"Oh, so you're saying it's not the style, it's the person who uses it?"
She got it immediately. Je Gal-ah-yeon was good at reading between the lines.
Je Gal-ah-yeon laughed. "Trying to be all low-key about how awesome you are? I guess you do have the skills to back it up."
"It's nothing to brag about."
"Being humble?"
"I'm serious."
Je Gal-ah-yeon read sincerity in Yeon Ho-jeong's face. He genuinely thought his martial arts were not a big deal.
Je Gal-ah-yeon, who'd been studying his face, asked, "Do you want to get stronger?"
"Every martial artist wants that."
"True. So, is your dream to be, like, the number one fighter in the world?"
The corner of Yeon Ho-jeong's mouth twitched upwards. It was barely a smile, but it held a certain weight.
"If I'm gonna be strong at all, might as well be the best."
"...Right."
Je Gal-ah-yeon, muttering to herself, nodded again. "Yeah. Better to be the best than just okay. Or, I guess, the absolute worst."
Je Gal-ah-yeon smiled brightly.
"You're lucky. To have a dream."
That's not my dream, Yeon Ho-jeong didn't bother correcting her.
"Don't you have a dream?"
"Me? Hmmm!"
Je Gal-ah-yeon pressed her lips together, thinking. Or, at least, pretending to think.
"You're really mature, you know? I haven't even thought about having a dream."
"Does not thinking about dreams make you a kid?"
"Huh, never looked at it that way."
Je Gal-ah-yeon poked Yeon Ho-jeong's arm with her elbow. "Talking to you, I feel like a little kid. And it's not like people call me dumb, you know?"
"Stop talking nonsense and pour me some more."
"Whoa, when did you drink that?"
"Hand over the bottle."
"Okay, okay! I'll pour! What's the rush? You didn't even wait for a toast, you just chugged it down!"
One of them was drinking with a totally blank expression, the other was laughing and talking a mile a minute. It was a scene you could see anywhere, but there was something different about these two.
They were completely at ease with each other. Even though it was a guy and a girl sharing drinks, it felt natural and comfortable.
The other young martial artists kept sneaking glances at them.
Whatever was going on, a gorgeous woman was laughing and having drinks with a guy. And the guy, even if he had kind of an intense look, was definitely handsome.
It made the other disciples feel...weird. Like they were watching the main characters of some story, and everyone else was just an extra.
How long had it been?
"You look like you're having a lot of fun?"
Yeon Ho-jeong and Je Gal-ah-yeon turned their heads.
Dang Yang-seon was walking towards them with a smile, his hands clasped behind his back.
"I don't have any friends, so would you mind if I joined you?"
