Chapter 44: The Flaws in Discipline (4)
Kang Yun’s face turned red.
“Are you saying you’ll remove me from my position as Daesu?”
“You should consider yourself lucky.”
Yeon Hojeong raised his fist.
Whoosh.
A fierce energy erupted from his fist.
Kang Yun, who was about to speak again, froze in shock.
‘How is this possible?!’
The aura emanating from Yeon Hojeong’s fist was overwhelming—far surpassing the internal energy of Kang Yun, the Daesu of Biungdae.
“I’d love to break your limbs and toss you out, but I save my fists for those worth the effort.”
“……!”
“You’re not even worth dirtying my hands.”
Yeon Hojeong turned to Yoo Jiha.
Yoo Jiha flinched.
“Do my words mean nothing?”
“M-my apologies!”
Yeon Hojeong’s gaze was lethally cold. Yoo Jiha’s feet shuffled backward instinctively.
Kang Yun’s lips twitched.
“You’re blowing this out of proportion.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. This isn’t about you. What baffles me is how the higher-ups thought someone like you was fit for this role.”
Yeon Hojeong smirked coldly.
“I’m simply enforcing the rules you love so much. Keep your mouth shut and wait.”
“...Even as Daegongja, you cannot strip me of my position as Daesu!”
“That’s why I didn’t kill you on the spot and summoned Beopingakju instead. And I told you—wait. I’ve said my piece. Stop yapping.”
Kang Yun bit his lip.
“I acted solely for Yeonga’s sake!”
“And I’m removing you for our family’s sake.”
“Small units forge great organizations! Without laws and discipline, they crumble! Sacrifices are necessary to maintain order—that is the way of the world!”
“You’re trash.”
“W-what did you say?!”
“Why aren’t you the one making those sacrifices? A leader should set the example.”
“……!!”
“You’re a hypocrite—lenient on yourself, ruthless to others. No wonder Biungdae stagnates under you.”
Yeon Hojeong turned his head.
“Don’t you agree?”
He stared at empty air.
Yet he continued undeterred.
“Since I’ve called Beopingakju, Father will hear of this too. Show yourself.”
A rustle swept through the air.
Kang Yun and the Biung Samjo members jolted in surprise.
A man emerged from the shadows near Daeyeon Muyangjang’s armory. Tall and broad-shouldered, his face was hidden behind a mask, revealing only eyes that placed him around forty.
The man spoke.
“You knew I was here?”
“Not until your energy flickered moments ago.”
“Impressive.”
“A trivial feat.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“You’re Wang Jeon, I presume?”
“I am.”
Kang Yun’s eyes widened.
Wang Jeon—the Hogun (護君), personal guard to the family head, Yeon Wi. His martial prowess was second only to Yeon Wi himself.
“Anything to add?”
Wang Jeon shook his head.
Though it seemed disrespectful to ignore the Daegongja, Hoguns answered solely to the family head.
“Inform Father today may turn messy.”
Wang Jeon, who had been silently observing, finally spoke.
“A question.”
“Ask.”
“What if Beopingakju absolves Biungdaesu’s crimes?”
Yeon Hojeong answered bluntly.
“I’d cripple Kang Daesu beyond recognition.”
A sharp glint flashed in Wang Jeon’s eyes. Kang Yun stared at Yeon Hojeong as if he’d lost his mind.
“Frankly, I’d love to tear down Beopingakju itself. But I’m not the family head. Letting fools like them tarnish my faith in our house would be... unbecoming.”
“……”
“Satisfied?”
Wang Jeon nodded.
Yeon Hojeong gestured to Biung Samjo.
“Also ask Father to secure physicians. Their condition is dire.”
“You knew?”
“Only today. My negligence bears equal blame.”
Wang Jeon’s gaze turned inscrutable. After a moment, he vanished, leaving a final warning:
“Biungdaesu will face severe punishment.”
Kang Yun’s face paled.
Words from one of Yeonga’s strongest made the looming threat visceral.
“Why… why?!”
“Still blind?”
Yeon Hojeong glared at Biung Samjo’s members.
“Your rigid training shattered their bones and muscles.”
“What nonsense?!”
“You preach of ‘organization’ yet failed to notice this?”
Kang Yun whirled toward his subordinates. They bit their lips, avoiding his gaze.
“Your incompetence is laid bare. Their meridians are damaged—forced into training without proper healing.”
“……!”
“A Daesu who can’t assess his own troops’ health? Pathetic.”
Kang Yun turned ashen.
Even in ancient times, injured soldiers were barred from drills. Yet he’d ignored his members’ well-being, punishing late-night training as “insubordination.”
Unfit to lead.
Soon, Beopingakju arrived at Daeyeon Muyangjang.
“Daegongja-nim?!”
“Wait. More will come.”
“What does that mean?”
Yeon Hojeong’s glare pinned Kang Yun, whose face had gone sickly green.
“Enjoy collective responsibility?”
That day, nearly every Yeonga faction gathered.
Yeon Hojeong exposed Kang Yun’s failures publicly. Kang Yun, human after all, had likely known his methods were flawed but chose convenience.
Stripped bare before all, even the thickest skin couldn’t endure. Kang Yun finally knelt under Beopingakju’s icy stare.
But Yeon Hojeong didn’t stop there.
He summoned Kang Yun’s mentors and peers, scrutinizing their factions. The findings horrified: three units worse than Biungdae, one even burying a member over petty disputes.
A thunderclap scandal. The entire family trembled for days as corrupt actors were rooted out and punished.
Kang Yun’s crimes weren’t grave—mere incompetence and poor communication. But his disrespect toward the Daegongja was undeniable insubordination.
By Yeonga’s strict laws, his punishment was severe: sealed meridians and ten years in the thunder prison. A harsh sentence, reflecting Beopingakju’s stance.
Thus, Yeonga’s hammer of justice fell.
“You truly deem this excessive?”
“Yes.”
“Had Beopingakju pardoned Kang Yun, you’d have acted yourself, no?”
“I would have.”
“Then why object now?”
“Had they absolved him, it would’ve proven the family rotten. We’d purge Beopingakju first.”
“……”
“But they charged him with incompetence and insubordination.”
“Correct.”
“Insubordination is a capital offense during war.”
“Hence the sentence. High rank demands greater accountability.”
“Yet it’s excessive.”
“Explain.”
“Yeonga placed him there. He was family.”
“……”
“Does Father still see him as such?”
“Suggesting leniency?”
“He received harsher punishment than family law dictates. Justice must be transparent.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled bitterly.
“He twisted our laws and caused this mess.”
“……”
“If we reject flexibility, we can’t resort to extremes either. It breeds chaos.”
“You stand by this?”
“For the main family, yes.”
Yeon Wi turned to Yeon Jipyeong.
“Your thoughts?”
Startled, Yeon Jipyeong hesitated before speaking.
“A man’s life is at stake. Punish wrongdoing, but justly.”
He added softly,
“Our house is called ‘Byuksan’ for its integrity.”
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Well said. I too find the sentence excessive.”
Yeon Jipyeong frowned. If so, why summon them?
Yeon Wi addressed Yeon Hojeong.
“Are you content?”
“With what?”
“Insubordination’s penalty varies. As the offended party, you could demand his death.”
“True.”
“Yet you seek mitigation. Why?”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“I’ve scratched my itch. Sparing his life is mercy enough.”
“Drawing your sword would’ve meant execution.”
“Exactly.”
Yeon Wi’s lips twitched briefly before hardening.
“Very well. It shall be as you say.”
Yeon Jipyeong hid his shock. Yeon Hojeong remained impassive.
“Hojung.”
“Yes, Father.”
“You’ve endured much.”
Yeon Hojeong rose with a grin.
“Spare me such ‘endurance’ next time. It’s exhausting.”
Yeon Jipyeong tugged his sleeve, panicked.
Yeon Wi sipped tea.
“I’ll be more attentive.”
Yeon Jipyeong’s jaw dropped.
“We’ll take our leave.”
“Plans for tomorrow?”
“The usual.”
“More brutal training?”
“Adjusting my methods.”
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Visit before Hooae arrives. I’ll assess your progress. Jipyeong too.”
The brothers exited.
Yeon Wi watched them through the window, laughing as they headed to their quarters. A flicker of regret passed through his eyes—directed, unmistakably, at Yeon Hojeong.
