Chapter 303: The Answer is One (3)
Tjeeeeeng! Tjeeeeeeng!
The sound echoing as the swords of the father and son collided was extremely refreshing yet heavy.
Pababababak!
The speed of Yeon Ji-pyeong, who stepped five paces in a short distance and charged, was truly amazing.
It was a footwork that intentionally distributed strength to maximize elasticity. The sight of him moving while stabbing his sword as if shooting an arrow by using that elasticity was indeed sharp.
However, no matter how amazing the sword strike was, it did not give much surprise to Yeon Wi.
It was because Yeon Wi was an all-rounder in the Yeon Clan’s martial arts, a top-tier expert who was beginning to look toward the title of Sword Master beyond the nickname of Judge Sword.
Yeon Wi’s long sword drew a half-moon.
Tjejejejejeng!
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s eyes wavered.
The sword he had stabbed in was already lodged in the ground. He had only collided once with his father’s sword, which had drawn a half-moon, but along with the collision, he felt a shock as if he had been struck more than five times.
Tremble, tremble.
It felt as if a cramp would occur in the hand holding the sword.
‘Amazing!’
Yeon Ji-pyeong felt a tremendous shock.
‘The collision was only once, but my sword felt more than five times the resistance.’
The explosive force delivered through the sword in a split second was divided into five and overlapped. An ordinary master would have lost their sword just by facing it once, and even if they did not lose it, they would have no choice but to retreat without even thinking about a follow-up strike.
However, Yeon Ji-pyeong was also not an ordinary swordsman.
If Yeon Wi was an all-rounder of the Yeon Clan’s martial arts, Yeon Ji-pyeong was a genius prepared to be well-versed in all of the Yeon Clan’s martial arts, following in the footsteps of such a Yeon Wi.
Boom!
Yeon Wi’s eyes sparkled.
‘Reverse Dragon Palm?’
He straightened his collapsed posture by shooting a palm force into the earth.
That was not all. Yeon Ji-pyeong, who controlled his posture in an instant, immediately unfolded the Iron Sword Great Extension Thirty-Six Stances.
Pababak! Tjejeje-jeng! Pshyuk!
He avoided several sword strikes, parried several sword strikes, and the tip of his sleeve was cut off by the end of a sword strike he had tried to avoid once again.
A smile appeared on Yeon Wi’s face.
‘He is fast.’
His growth is dazzlingly fast. Not only his resourcefulness in responding to changes, but his sword strikes have become sharper and more solemn than even a few days ago.
This was not thanks to Yeon Ji-pyeong’s talent alone.
‘Actual combat.’
On the way back from escorting the Divine Maiden of the Western Regions to the Alliance not long ago, Yeon Ji-pyeong also said that he had dealt with quite a few assassins.
A swordsman’s sword technique is bound to be sharply refined as they experience actual combat. Although it was a single real battle, the difference between a sword that has seen blood and one that has not was as vast as heaven and earth.
Yeon Wi’s sword was swung like lightning.
Tjejejejejeng!
It was the Linked Five Swords that he had struck out with resolve. Although it was not that fast, Yeon Ji-pyeong had no choice but to retreat frantically before the fluid sword formula he had struck out in a single breath.
Paaaaak!
That was not all.
Even though he was staring with his eyes, Yeon Ji-pyeong could not prevent Yeon Wi from moving to his rear flank.
Martial arts are not only about speed. He puts restrictions on actions with sword power, preoccupies the defense with mysterious footwork, and even delays the reflexes that should respond immediately with sharp killing intent by one beat.
He performs all those things as naturally as breathing. The ultimate martial arts that had become part of his body, the ultimate sword way that Yeon Ji-pyeong should head toward in the future, was right there.
Tap!
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s body stopped as if it had been struck by lightning.
Before he knew it, Yeon Wi’s fingertips were touching his back. If it had been a sword instead of a hand, Yeon Ji-pyeong would not have escaped instant death.
“Up to here.”
“Phew.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong exhaled a low breath.
It was not a long duel, but he was so tense that his entire body was soaked with sweat.
‘Tremendous!’
The realms of the Sword-Limit Thought Qi and the Iron Sword Great Extension had reached maturity.
If it were this much, he had confidence that he would at least make his father surprised three times in offense and defense, even if he could not be his opponent.
It was a delusion. Rather, he himself could not contain his shock at his father’s martial arts.
‘He did not show overwhelming strength, nor speed that cannot be followed with eyes. Nevertheless, I was defeated. I was helpless.’
He is a person who can use sword strikes several times stronger and faster than this. Nevertheless, the reason he did not use that much power must have been because he was not an opponent worthy of using that much strength.
“How was it?”
“……It is a complete defeat.”
Yeon Wi chuckled.
“It is still a long way before you can surpass this father. Your defeat was natural.”
“Of course that is so, but……”
Yeon Ji-pyeong shook his head.
“It is completely different from the martial arts Father showed me in the past.”
“Hmm? In what sense?”
“It might be my misunderstanding, but…… Father’s martial arts in the past were fast and strong like lightning. Yet, because they did not deviate from the Middle Path, those who faced them felt as if they were facing a huge iron wall.”
Yeon Wi gave a smile.
It was a full three years ago that he showed such martial arts. Nevertheless, seeing as he remembered clearly, the second son’s insight and memory were also quite extraordinary.
“Then, is it different now?”
“It was immensely different.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s two eyes were soaked with ecstasy.
“The martial arts that protect the Middle Path are the same, but the feeling was different from the majesty of the unsurpassable iron wall I mentioned before. You seem to be using martial arts that are much softer than then, but when it reached the moment of the clashing of swords, it was heavy like a tidal wave.”
“Hoh.”
“The free transition of martial arts. You were only infinitely strong and solid, but now it seems you use martial arts that are as flexible as can be at any time.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong gave a clear smile.
“I think that more than my development, Father has also gained a great realization.”
Yeon Wi finally let out an exclamation of admiration.
“Your insight is truly extraordinary. It was already a surprising thing that you read the aura of me or Ho-jeong a while ago and recognized the degree of development, but to even read the change in the character of my martial arts.”
“Yes? Oh, that is……”
“It is an impossible thing even for a master with considerable talent. Much less you, with lack of experience, read it, so indeed your senses are innate.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong scratched his head as if he were shy. To receive such praise from his father was so awkward.
Yeon Wi sheathed his sword.
“However, the most important thing would be to master the martial arts that suit that insight. Your insight is certainly great, but compared to that, your martial arts still have a long way to go.”
“Oh, yes.”
“Then again, considering your terrifying speed of development, it is also funny to say such words. Furthermore, with martial arts like that at your age, you are comparable to or even better than your brother. If you continue to cultivate like this, you will catch even this father before you reach thirty.”
“Oh, no!”
“However, you lack decisiveness.”
“Yes?”
Yeon Wi called Muk Bi, who was staring blankly at the two people from a distance.
“Bi-ya.”
“Yes, Father.”
“How were Ji-pyeong’s martial arts? I want you to speak honestly.”
Now, Muk Bi was no longer as afraid of Yeon Wi as before, nor did she try to hide her inner thoughts in front of him.
Muk Bi said calmly.
“Pyeong’s martial arts are great. I also have the feeling that he has inherited the Yeon Clan’s martial arts legitimately. While similar to Father, he is pioneering his own path.”
“Hmm.”
“But…… hmmm.”
“Did you see a problem?”
“Rather than a problem……”
Muk Bi cleared her throat.
“If I were to seriously fight with Ji-pyeong, I would be able to subdue him within three exchanges.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s eyes opened wide.
It was not that his pride was hurt. But if it was three exchanges, it meant the difference in level was too great, if it was that much.
He did not know that Sister was that strong. Yeon Ji-pyeong once again could not contain his admiration for Muk Bi’s martial arts.
Yeon Wi shook his head.
“The reason Bi-ya said she can subdue you in three exchanges is not only because her martial arts are great enough to overwhelm you.”
“Yes?”
What did this mean?
Muk Bi scratched her cheek.
“There are not many people to compare with, but…… Oh! You know Ryang too, don’t you?”
“Oh, Brother Gang?”
“Brother? Are you already living as brothers?”
“It is not that…… anyway, he is older than me.”
“Well, yeah. Anyway, I have fought with Ryang a few times. Seriously.”
Muk Bi shook her head.
“At that time, I subdued Ryang in fifteen exchanges.”
“……!!”
“Is it not strange? In terms of the realm of martial arts, especially in the defensive aspect, you, Ji-pyeong, are above Ryang, yet if you truly fight, you will not be able to beat Ryang.”
“That is……?”
“Father told you earlier.”
Yeon Wi nodded his head.
“Your sword, which has experienced actual combat, has certainly become sharper than before. However, while your sword technique has become sharp, your nature cannot properly make use of that sword technique.”
“My nature?”
“The mindset of truly slashing the opponent.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong’s eyes wavered.
“For the sake of your brother, you slashed an enemy you did not even know. That is a natural act as a blood relative. However, it is also difficult to see having to see blood only for someone else as the correct mindset of a swordsman.”
Yeon Wi’s face became serious.
“The less blood one sees, the better. However, a swordsman must always possess the mind that they can slash anyone if necessary. Do you know the reason?”
“I, I do not know.”
“A sword is a weapon. It is a lethal weapon that kills people. Attaching words like ‘orthodox’ or ‘evil’ to it is nothing more than wordplay.”
“……!”
“The important thing is whom, what, and why you slash. However, that can also only be discussed if you can slash in the first place.”
Yeon Wi pointed at Yeon Ji-pyeong’s chest.
“I hope that you do not see blood in the future. That is the natural heart of a parent who hopes their child does not walk a rough path. However, if you have already seen blood, you must not hesitate any longer.”
“…….”
“That is a swordsman. That is a warrior.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong received a shock as if he had been struck by lightning.
Just because one refines techniques and their realm deepens, they are not called a swordsman.
A true swordsman must know the moment when they must draw their sword. And when the moment to draw it comes, then they must not hesitate.
In the duel with his father just a moment ago, he had thoroughly shown the technical side. He did not have the thought itself that he must somehow slash his father.
And it would be the same no matter whom he fought with in the future. Yeon Ji-pyeong was afraid of hurting people recklessly.
“Ryang was not like that. Although his martial arts were one level behind yours, he held in his heart the desire for victory and survival.”
“…….”
“As for martial arts, anyone can develop if they make an effort. However, that kind of persistent poisonous spirit and cold judgment are not something that can be obtained by making an effort.”
Yeon Wi nodded his head.
“The decisiveness that can be shown when necessary. If you have already experienced actual combat, I would like you to do your best to become the pure swordsman Yeon Ji-pyeong, not the second young master of the Yeon Clan, Yeon Ji-pyeong.”
Yeon Ji-pyeong lowered his head.
“I will keep it in mind, Father.”
He still did not know the identity of that decisiveness and coldness.
However, since he knew what the problem was, he would devote great effort to fixing it in the future. Although the process might be painful and difficult, it could be said that there was a world of difference between not trying to step on it and not being able to.
“By the way.”
Yeon Wi looked around with his hands behind his back.
“Where did this fellow Ho-jeong go? Seeing as you, Bi-ya, are here, it does not seem like he is training the Evil-Annihilating Army.”
Muk Bi said in a blunt voice without realizing it.
“I do not know. He is probably setting up some dark scheme again to make someone’s head hurt.”
Yeon Wi and Yeon Ji-pyeong blinked their eyes and looked at her.
Muk Bi’s face had changed to be quite bloodthirsty, like crumpled paper.