Chapter Title: The Returned Prodigal (3)
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The wind was quite chilly.
But even the cold autumn breeze couldn't dampen the lively bustle of the market street. Countless people were calling out, beckoning customers into their shops.
'It's been a while.'
Once he actually stepped outside, all thoughts of the Azure Net True Formula vanished from his mind.
It was the first time he'd come to the market street since returning to the past. The rush of emotions felt fresh and new.
'Still the same.'
This street he'd wandered endlessly in his childhood.
After his family was wiped out, he'd never once returned here. He always felt like thoughts of his dead relatives would come flooding back if he did.
"Looks great."
"Hehe, right?"
Yeon Ji-pyeong's face was flushed with excitement. It was his first time coming to the market street alone with his older brother.
"Brother, are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
"Hm?"
"Your steps seem a bit off."
"Ah, just a little."
His internal energy's quality had suddenly leaped two whole levels.
On top of that, many of his blocked meridians had opened up considerably. As true energy repeatedly flowed through them, strength naturally surged into his body.
A mismatch between body and energy. Even when he tried to walk slowly, his pace quickened on its own. It was the gap caused by his muscles and bones not yet being perfectly tempered.
'This is going to be rough ahead.'
Physical robustness was just as crucial as internal energy. Tempering his still-immature body to the level of the Black Dark Emperor would require hellish training.
While Yeon Ho-jeong rolled his shoulders round and round for a good long while.
"Ah, over there! Let's go there!"
The place Yeon Ji-pyeong pointed to was a neat-looking tavern.
"Goyang Tower, huh."
Goyang Tower was quite famous even in the southern part of Jiangsu Province. The prices were on the high side, but it was renowned for its delicious food and stunning views.
"Ah, have you been there before, brother?"
"A few times."
It wasn't a place with fond memories.
Around half a year before the Yeon family was destroyed? In his desperation, he'd drunk heavily. And he'd done so quite a few times at Goyang Tower.
'I really lived like an idiot.'
He'd smashed plenty of furnishings while blackout drunk and gotten into scraps where he'd been beaten black and blue.
A place where both body and mind had been left in ruins.
"They say the fish dishes there are amazing. Let's go eat fish. Fish!"
"Sounds good."
"Huh? But don't you dislike fish, brother?"
Yeon Ho-jeong shrugged.
"Eat it while you can. Anyway, is this your first time?"
"Hehe, actually, I've been once. With friends."
"Friends... from Listening Prosperity Academy?"
"Yes! They're all great friends."
The Bi Mountain Yan Family placed greater emphasis on both literary and martial pursuits than other martial sects. They didn't aim to produce brilliant scholars, but their ancestors believed they should at least surpass the average person.
That teaching held true even now, with their elevation to the ranks of the Seven Great Families. It was why Yeon Ji-pyeong attended Listening Prosperity Academy to study literature.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
"Study hard. No harm in learning."
Yeon Ji-pyeong asked with an innocent expression.
"But brother, you won't come anymore?"
"To the academy?"
"Yes!"
"No."
Yeon Ho-jeong had attended Listening Prosperity Academy first. But two years ago, he'd quit studying to focus on martial arts.
A faint disappointment shadowed Yeon Ji-pyeong's face.
"I... I see."
What an honest kid.
Pitiful, but he still had no intention of going. Not because he hated studying, but because he felt there was nothing more to learn.
"You seem to get along well with your friends?"
"Of course. Ah! Speaking of which, some short-term auditors came to the academy this time!"
"Short-term auditors?"
"Yes! They're from famous martial families in Anhui. And among them, there's even someone from the South Palace Family!"
He spoke with a brightened expression, as if the disappointment had never happened.
Yeon Ho-jeong furrowed his brows.
"From South Palace?"
"Yes! Surprising, right?"
Was it?
He didn't remember that part. Back then, he'd only cared about himself.
'South Palace... South Palace.'
The greatest prestigious family in Anhui, bordering Jiangsu.
Counted among the Seven Great Families alongside the Yeon family, but with a far longer history.
When it came to South Palace, it meant swords. Past and present, they were the most renowned sword family.
That held true even after an unparalleled swordsman emerged from the Mo Yong Family.
"Brother?"
"Hm?"
"What's wrong? Your expression looks bad."
"Nothing. Let's go."
"Yes!"
The two finally entered Goyang Tower.
Surprisingly, Goyang Tower was quiet. In the four-story tavern, there seemed to be fewer than ten people.
"Lucky, brother. Let's go to the fourth floor!"
"Sure."
On the fourth floor, the view was excellent. With the windows wide open, the breeze felt refreshing rather than cold.
"Great, right? Great, right?"
"Yeah, good choice."
A place he'd visited many times in the past, but it felt new like the first time.
Sitting by the window, Yeon Ji-pyeong excitedly ordered food. One fish dish and a couple of vegetable stir-fries—the price wasn't cheap.
"Isn't it too expensive?"
"I've saved up a lot of pocket money!"
"You're paying?"
"Of course! I said I'd treat you!"
Right, he hadn't brought any money.
Yeon Ho-jeong smacked his lips.
"I'll enjoy the free meal."
"As much as you want!"
He was ready to buy every dish on the menu. His eyes sparkled like an excited puppy.
Yeon Ho-jeong found his younger brother cute. But at the same time, burdensome.
'Such a bright kid.'
He'd envied this child and treated him poorly. Not with verbal abuse or violence, but sometimes neglect is far more cruel.
So even though it felt burdensome, he tried especially hard to smile in front of Yeon Ji-pyeong. The regret from his past mistakes weighed that heavily.
Yeon Ji-pyeong, who had been beaming at Yeon Ho-jeong, cautiously asked.
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
"You're not upset or anything, right?"
"About what?"
"No, just... something bothering you unnecessarily, like that."
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
"Hmm? Nothing like that."
"I see."
"Why? Do I look that bad?"
"No! Just in case."
"Boring guy."
Yeon Ho-jeong turned to the window. He wanted to enjoy the view.
Watching his brother, Yeon Ji-pyeong inwardly sighed in relief.
'He's fine.'
Flying Eagle Squad Leader Gang Yun's actions back then were understandable as a Yeon family member. But it had happened in front of his younger brother. Anyone would feel embarrassed.
Fortunately, his brother didn't seem to mind much. Rather, Yeon Ji-pyeong felt terribly sorry, thinking it had happened because of him.
Yeon Ji-pyeong, smiling at Yeon Ho-jeong, suddenly tilted his head.
"But brother."
"Yeah?"
"Um... I don't know if I should say this..."
"What?"
"Your Flying Swallow Qi has become more vibrant?"
Ho?
"You can tell?"
"Yes? Ah, yes. I wasn't sure, but it definitely feels different from before."
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Yeon Ji-pyeong with newfound eyes.
'You sensed that?'
His dantian had activated and the Flying Swallow Heart Method had reached great completion, but that was a change hard to detect without taking the pulse.
Because Yeon Ho-jeong was skilled at constantly gathering his qi. Moreover, since the Flying Swallow Heart Method wasn't a high-level martial art, the change wasn't dramatic. From the outside, it was hard to notice the shift in true energy.
Yet his younger brother had seen through it. Even though he wasn't at a first-rate level yet.
"I've achieved great completion in the Flying Swallow Heart Method."
Yeon Ji-pyeong unwittingly shot to his feet.
"R-Really?!"
"Yes."
Too sudden, so maybe he didn't believe it?
"Congratulations! Really, congratulations, brother!"
He believed it.
Yeon Ji-pyeong congratulated him as if it were his own achievement. Clenching his fists and shaking them wildly, he looked extremely excited.
He was grateful for his brother, but the surprise outweighed the gratitude.
'I knew he had talent, but...'
A subtle admiration rose on Yeon Ho-jeong's face.
'This guy is a complete monster, huh?'
Usually, talent in martial arts falls into two categories: superior physique or superior intellect.
But Yeon Ji-pyeong's talent went beyond that.
'Great intuition.'
Something even harder to possess than superior physique or insight: intuition.
A power that overwhelms logic and reason. An innate ability. Regardless of other fields, at least in martial arts, Yeon Ji-pyeong's senses were clearly superior to anyone's.
Moreover, his physical talent was said to be the best in the Yeon family.
'If properly trained, he'll make a name for himself soon.'
Yeon Ji-pyeong said with an excited face.
"Brother, you'll get strong fast! Definitely!"
"Yeah, I have to."
In any case, it was a moment that surprised each other.
A moment later, the food arrived.
The two laughed and chatted even while eating. Mostly Yeon Ji-pyeong talking, but Yeon Ho-jeong wasn't quiet either.
They finished eating in no time and ordered tea. A pleasant aroma rose from the steaming brew.
"Brother, now that your heart method is at great completion, let's train together!"
"No."
A firmer refusal than expected. Yeon Ji-pyeong shrank back.
"Why?"
"Our training methods are different. Later maybe, but now we should train separately... Hm?"
Yeon Ho-jeong turned his gaze to the stairs.
"What's up, brother?"
"..."
"Brother?"
"Impressive."
Impressive? What?
Tilting his head, Yeon Ji-pyeong suddenly sensed a faint energy rising from the first floor far below.
Yeon Ji-pyeong's eyes widened.
"Expert?!"
No, not an expert.
A true expert must unleash at least nine-tenths of their achieved realm in actual combat. Only then do they qualify.
In that sense, none of those coming up from the first floor were experts. At least, that's what Yeon Ho-jeong thought.
But their achievements were considerable.
'For their age.'
The vitality emanating from their qi was very fresh. Clearly under twenty.
"Ah!"
Yeon Ji-pyeong exclaimed.
"Why? Know them?"
"Yes! I don't know who the expert is, but the energy feels familiar. Probably academy friends."
Academy friends?
"Go say hi."
"Ah?! Can I?"
"If you didn't know, fine, but since you do, you can't just pass without greeting. Go."
Yeon Ji-pyeong quietly stood up.
"Then brother, I'll be right back. Wait a bit."
"Take your time talking."
Yeon Ji-pyeong hurried down the stairs.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and propped his chin.
'Lively one.'
Maybe because he grew up so darkly.
Unifying the Black Path had developed some social skills, but not as bright as Yeon Ji-pyeong. He often found talking to people bothersome.
That's why he liked his brother's demeanor. It was a personality he lacked.
'Grow up bright. No need to be serious every moment just because the world is harsh.'
He hoped he'd grow up cooler than anyone. That was the only thing Yeon Ho-jeong wished for his brother now.
Yeon Ho-jeong sipped tea and enjoyed the view outside.
He thought it wasn't the time to relax like this, but what could he do? It was the first time eating out with his brother.
Preparing for the family extermination was most important, but there were things not to miss.
It was while Yeon Ho-jeong was enjoying this brief respite.
"Is this it?"
"Ooh! Even the third floor is definitely different!"
Murmuring voices came from the third floor.
And Yeon Ji-pyeong's flustered voice.
"W-Wait a moment. First, let me tell my brother..."
"Hey! We're just saying hi, why stop us? Besides, you didn't rent out the fourth floor. Let us enjoy the view too."
"Ah..."
An inexplicable embarrassment seeped from Yeon Ji-pyeong's voice.
A moment later.
"Wow, the view is killer!"
"Good call coming up!"
Yeon Ho-jeong turned his gaze there.
Yeon Ji-pyeong, sandwiched between two men and one woman he'd never seen before, looked extremely awkward.