Chapter 31 Conviction (1)
The heavy spear blurred, creating countless afterimages. It was a fantastical technique, reminiscent of drawing giant flower petals.
But they were red. A deep, crimson red.
Fwuaaash!
Blood gushed from Chu Seong's entire body, drenching the center of the training area.
"Gasp!"
"St-Stop!"
Yeon Ho-jeong did not stop.
When he said he'd kill, he meant it. The spearhead, gleaming in the sunlight, practically radiated killing intent.
"Cough!"
Chu Seong coughed up blood and trembled.
His entire body was covered in net-like wounds. But these were not simple wounds. The Byeokrachingong infused in the spearhead penetrated the wounds, exacerbating his internal injuries.
He'd attacked with a technique that even included Chimtugyeong. No matter how advanced the technique, he wouldn't go this far unless he truly meant to kill.
'Death?'
Chu Seong's eyes became bloodshot.
'Am I going to die?'
In his blurry vision, he saw Yeon Ho-jeong.
The demon who'd crippled him with that insane flurry of spear strikes was smirking coldly, preparing the final blow.
Finally, fear dawned on Chu Seong's face.
That bastard—no, that demon in human skin—was really going to kill him.
"S-Save me…!"
Yeon Ho-jeong did not respond.
Grasping the middle of the spear shaft, he drew it back like an archer with a bow, then thrust it forward with all his might.
Paaang!
Chu Seong squeezed his eyes shut.
That was when it happened.
Kaaang!!
The long spear stopped.
"Huh!"
The spearhead stopped an inch from Chu Seong's throat. If it had been a moment later, his throat would have been pierced.
Chu Seong's trembling body slumped. He had fainted.
Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes deepened.
A cheolgon and a hand had blocked his spear thrust. He'd tried to deflect the spear, but it was too powerful, so he'd grabbed it and twisted.
He looked at the person who had blocked his spear.
"...Dragon Head Bangju?"
"As I said before."
His voice was trembling. It was because the pressure of the spear pressing down on the iron rod was so strong.
"My master's life force is ridiculously tenacious, you see. I'm still stuck playing the role of successor."
"……"
"Ugh! Anyway, you're incredibly strong. This hurts like hell."
Ga Deuk-sang's palm, which was holding the spear, was stained with blood.
This wasn't just a simple thrust. It wasn't just a forward stab—it had rotation and jeonsaryeok behind it, to maximize its penetrating power.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been silently looking at Ga Deuk-sang, released the force in his spear.
"Whew!"
Ga Deuk-sang removed the cheolgon and his hand, his face pale.
Yeon Ho-jeong's expression hardened.
"What are you doing? If you had made a mistake, your hand would have…."
"Blown clean off. If I hadn't channeled my naegong in time, I'd be an even more pathetic beggar."
He brushed off his hand like it was nothing, nonchalantly.
"Still, not a bad trade, one hand for two lives, eh?"
Two lives.
One was definitely Chu Seong. Then who was the other?
"No need to worry."
Ga Deuk-sang replied.
His voice became noticeably softer, just enough for Yeon Ho-jeong to hear.
"The Namgung Clan is strong. Even before the Nine Great Sects rose to power, they were considered the closest to being the strongest family under heaven. You know that, right?"
"There are countless ways to take down an elephant."
"Are you thinking of bringing down the Namgung Clan?"
Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes deepened.
"If necessary."
Ga Deuk-sang forced a smile.
He was smiling, but a chill went down his spine. Regardless of whether it was actually possible, this young man was serious.
'Dangerous.'
Ability was secondary.
Ga Deuk-sang sensed a nature as hard as steel in Yeon Ho-jeong's eyes and voice.
He doesn't judge whether it's right or wrong. This young man has a venomous determination to achieve whatever he sets his mind to, even at the cost of his life.
A will so strong that even 'venomous' doesn't do it justice.
If that kind of will goes down the wrong path, it will turn into madness. If it stays on the right path, it will become unshakable conviction.
"Anyway, there are many people watching. Let's call it quits here."
Yeon Ho-jeong, his eyes devoid of emotion, looked around.
Many people were watching him. And most of them were murim-in, weren't they?
What was unexpected was the look in their eyes.
Normally, if they saw such a brutal fight, it would be normal to tremble with fear. That might be the case in the world of ordinary people.
But these guys were murim-in, too, weren't they?
The younger generation watching were buzzing with excitement, not just simple surprise.
It wasn't bloodlust. It was the thrill of muin.
The exhilarating and merciless spearplay. And even though he lost to the spearman, the sword master's tenacious defeat...
Even if the end was over the top, the clash of spear and sword, the seamless back-and-forth—it was enough to make one's palms sweat.
For these youngsters, raised on sparring within their clans, a real fight like this—with no holding back—was enough to ignite their fighting spirits.
Guys and girls alike.
Even Namgung Hyeon's eyes were lit up. Even though he couldn't possibly be happy about it, his heart was pounding from the unexpectedly fierce battle.
"Look at 'em, all fired up. This might be easier than I thought."
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Ga Deuk-sang.
Ga Deuk-sang shrugged his shoulders comically.
"Wrap this up nicely."
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled involuntarily.
"This was a duel to the death between muin. I will collect the penalty for your interference."
"You're a real piece of work. Not even a 'thank you'? Ah, whatever. Just get on with it."
Yeon Ho-jeong slammed his spear into the ground.
Thud!
Everyone looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.
He said calmly.
"I'm sorry for startling you all. But if Hugaebun hadn't stopped me, I would have killed this swordsman, and I wouldn't have hesitated."
A chilling atmosphere settled over the outer courtyard.
They might have been fired up as muin, but they were also children of the Baekdo, raised on principles of righteousness. It was hard to look kindly on Yeon Ho-jeong, who'd so casually declared his intent to kill.
"Is there a reason?"
A large young man asked. Unlike yesterday, his expression was serious and hardened. It was Paeng Dae-ho.
"Yeon Hyeong's skill in defeating Danjubun Chu was incredible. But, in a place like this, wasn't that going a bit too far?"
He wasn't going to back Yeon Ho-jeong up like yesterday.
That was Paeng Dae-ho's line in the sand. Young as he was, he saw yesterday's incident and today's fight as separate things. He had a clear sense of right and wrong.
But the fact that he'd slipped and called him Yeon Hyeong showed he still felt some goodwill towards him.
"There's no reason to hide it. This morning..."
Yeon Ho-jeong explained the situation briefly and concisely.
He didn't waste words, but he didn't miss the heart of the matter, either. He clearly laid out the cause and effect that led to this.
Maybe that's why, even though he spoke briefly, it felt like they'd heard the whole story. That's how clear and concise Yeon Ho-jeong's explanation was.
Ga Deuk-sang was inwardly astonished.
'He's truly not ordinary.'
His current demeanor is much more impressive than the martial arts he used to overwhelm Chu Seong. He spoke calmly and logically, and every word hit home.
His voice, smooth and steady, commanded attention. His choice of words, his phrasing—there was no room to argue. It was like listening to a formal address.
This wasn't some natural talent; it was the honed skill of experience. The way he controlled the room—that only came from someone used to leading from a position of authority.
Admiration warred with suspicion on Ga Deuk-sang's face as he watched Yeon Ho-jeong.
'Just what is his identity?'
The brutal skill to take down Chu Seong before even turning twenty.
A conviction, honed to a razor's edge, that naturally overwhelmed his opponents.
And that strange charisma—not just unfazed by the crowd, but skillfully drawing them into his orbit.
'This isn't enough to call him a genius. If I hadn't seen it myself, I'd have mistaken him for the leader of some massive sect, not a kid.'
Ga Deuk-sang's eyes deepened.
'Who are you?'
The outer courtyard fell silent.
When Yeon Ho-jeong finished speaking, people turned their gaze to Namgung Hyeon.
Namgung Hyeon's face was beet red. He was trying to keep a straight face, but anyone could see he was flustered.
"Tsk."
Myeong Ho-rim, with his hands behind his back, sighed.
"Namgung Awoo has made a mistake."
Namgung Hyeon's eyes wavered. He hadn't expected Myeong Ho-rim to take this angle.
"No matter that he's a 'Brain Bandit,' he's only recently been recruited into the Namgung Clan. From Danjubun Chu's perspective, he probably wanted to prove himself to your clan. It's a leader's duty to properly channel a subordinate's ambition."
Namgung Hyeon's eyes lit up.
Myeong Ho-rim continued calmly.
"I understand the strain of hosting this gathering. It's natural to be on edge. But failing to manage your subordinates is your mistake. Shouldn't you apologize to everyone here?"
Clever words.
No matter what, wasn't it too much to draw blood and talk of humiliation at a friendly gathering?
Such talk could have easily come out. There were plenty of grounds to attack Yeon Ho-jeong.
But Myeong Ho-rim was holding Namgung Hyeon responsible as the representative of the hosting clan.
Ga Deuk-sang's eyes twinkled.
'He's going to bury this completely? How cunning.'
If Namgung Hyeon takes responsibility and apologizes, this whole thing is over. And dragging up a closed case is just petty—exactly what Chu Seong did.
And with it, Namgung Hyeon's true intentions would be buried. The clear wrongdoing would vanish, leaving only the 'mistake' of failing to manage his subordinates.
Myeong Ho-rim was covering up the incident under the guise of scolding Namgung Hyeon, all while playing the part of the responsible elder.
Myeong Ho-rim and Namgung Hyeon's eyes met.
"You owe me one."
"I won't forget this."
"Get it over with."
Just as Namgung Hyeon was about to open his mouth.
"Good, good."
Everyone's eyes landed on Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and looked at Namgung Hyeon.
"Though he's not usually like this, if my own 'brother' had made a mistake like that, I'd have swallowed my pride and stepped up, too."
Myeong Ho-rim frowned.
"What's face got to do with it? Namgung Awoo's fault is clear..."
"I apologize."
Myeong Ho-rim was startled and looked at Namgung Hyeon.
Namgung Hyeon, who'd already moved to the front of the training area, cupped his fist in a formal bow.
"I gave the order to Danjubun Chu. It wasn't a subordinate's mistake; it was my intention."
"Wh, what?!"
"I wanted to end this gathering on a high note. But I was humiliated by yesterday's events, and my anger hadn't cooled. So, even knowing it wasn't Young Master Yeon's fault, I took out my remaining frustration on him."
The crowd was stunned.
Namgung Hyeon was apologizing to Yeon Ho-jeong, even admitting he'd ordered Chu Seong's actions.
"As the representative of the hosting clan, who should be more transparent and upright than anyone, I have no excuse, no matter how many times I try to explain. I sincerely apologize to Young Master Yeon."
He could have just stayed quiet and let the whole thing blow over, but instead, he confessed the truth.
Everyone was speechless, staring at Namgung Hyeon.
Namgung Hyeon looked up at Yeon Ho-jeong, his eyes wavering.
Yeon Ho-jeong looked down at him, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"So please, forgive my mistake…."
The mistake my brother made.
"Please forgive me."
Hold your tongue.
As Namgung Hyeon continued his formal apology, Yeon Ho-jeong spoke.
"I refuse."
