“What did you say?”

“Whew.”

“So you’re telling me you went and demanded that if they were going to do it, they had to make you the commander of an Independent Field Force?”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Wi was at a loss for words for a moment.

Yeon Hojeong kept blowing on his tea. The tea was especially hot today.

Watching his son like that, Yeon Wi inwardly felt a kind of stunned disbelief.

He really thinks nothing of it, doesn’t he? Does he not understand just how outrageous a thing he’s done?

With nothing but a handful of words, his son had turned one entire combat unit of the Alliance of the Martial World into a direct-force subordinate that he could move as he pleased.

And the counterpart he’d done it to was the Master of the Mo Yong Clan. Mo Yonggun—a giant whom even Mo Yong Clan’s history counted among its greatest clan lords.

“I’ll ask again. Did the Master of the Mo Yong Clan agree to that?”

“That’s right. He did say he’d plant people in it, but apparently they won’t be his people. He means he’ll attach people from the Alliance side to watch the unit’s every move and report back.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes glinted.

“At that level, it can’t be helped. No matter how free a roaming force is, it still belongs to the Alliance of the Martial World in the end. I’m satisfied with having turned it into a free unit that won’t be sacrificed on the altar of White Path Alliance politics.”

“Huh.”

“The problem is the numbers.”

“Numbers?”

“Yes.”

Setting his teacup down, Yeon Hojeong spoke with a face that had turned more serious.

“What I settled with the Master of the Mo Yong Clan was the existence of an Independent Field Force, and that I would take the position of its commander. We never discussed how many people would be in the unit.”

“What are you saying?”

“That means that if things go wrong, the number of members could end up in the mere tens. It might end up being run as a small outfit barely worthy of the name ‘unit.’”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“Well, that wouldn’t be all that bad either, I suppose. The more people there are to manage, the more tiring it is for the commander. It’s just that if it really does turn out that way, it’ll mean I took a solid hit from the Master of the Mo Yong Clan.”

“......”

“Tsk, that would put a bit of a bad taste in my mouth.”

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“You really are something.”

“Sir?”

“I knew your eye was already turned toward the world at large, but I didn’t expect you to be this adept at political struggle as well.”

“Ah......”

Yeon Hojeong scratched his head.

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s anything great. The strategies and tactics used where actual spears and swords clash have plenty of places to be applied. It’s just that on the battlefield of politics, those spears and swords turn into tongues.”

“......”

“Well... that’s how I see it.”

Yeon Wi stared quietly at his son, then shook his head.

“Amazing. I’ve got nothing to say but that you’re amazing.”

“There’s no need to say it like that so much......”

“And I’ll say this in advance. I’m going to oppose it.”

“Sir?”

“I said I’m going to oppose the creation of an Independent Field Force with you as its commander.”

Yeon Hojeong blinked.

“You’re going to... obstruct it?”

“That’s right.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because it’s not right.”

“Come on, Father. I put a pretty big stake on the table to win just this one thing......”

Yeon Wi was firm.

“Hojeong, your ability is exceptional. Your martial arts, your stratagems. And this time, you’ve proven that even in political struggle you’re a match for anyone. As your father, the excellence of a son like that is something that naturally makes me proud.”

“......”

“But the existence of an Independent Field Force carries a grave risk of causing organizational confusion within the Alliance of the Martial World. As the lord of one of the Six Great Clans, I cannot agree to the creation of such a unit.”

Yeon Hojeong scratched his head.

His father was saying he would oppose the creation of a unit that could become a source of strength for his son and, by extension, the clan.

Even he hadn’t expected this reaction from his father. So he was taken aback, and at the same time, he couldn’t help thinking that it was very much like his father.

“Before anything else, the decisive reason I oppose the creation of an Independent Field Force is...”

“The result wasn’t right.”

Yeon Wi’s eyes widened.

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“As a warrior who’s received the Yeon Clan’s teachings, I produced a result that wasn’t proper. Isn’t that so, Father?”

Yeon Wi smiled.

“You knew?”

“I do now.”

“Yes, it was not a proper thing.”

The founding of the Alliance of the Martial World was all but decided, but in reality, nothing had actually been formally set.

In that situation, Mo Yonggun’s intent to make Yeon Hojeong the commander of a combat unit and keep him under his supervision was itself abnormal—but so was Yeon Hojeong, who had gone to that same Mo Yonggun and extorted him into creating an Independent Field Force.

If it had been a simple joke, people could have laughed it off. But neither Mo Yonggun nor Yeon Hojeong were people whose actions could be treated that lightly.

To scheme it out in advance and talk about creating a new organization was, in and of itself, an act that treated the Alliance of the Martial World as something to be taken lightly.

“Your method was far too extreme, but I also know there are times when such methods are necessary. However, at the very least, this time was not one of those.”

“Strictly speaking, the method itself couldn’t be helped, but you should have made me give up. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“I understand you, Father. But because I am not you, I might use this kind of method from time to time in the future.”

He’d said it ready to receive a fierce scolding. He’d said it so his father wouldn’t be hurt later.

Surprisingly, Yeon Wi’s answer went beyond anything Yeon Hojeong had expected.

“I don’t mind.”

“......?”

“At the very least, I know you’re not going to cross the line. So I’m not going to interfere.”

Yeon Hojeong blinked.

“Hold on, Father. You said you’re against it.”

“It’s an act that departs from what I consider proper. Naturally, I have no choice but to oppose it.”

“Then how can you say you’re not going to interfere?”

“Because it’s you.”

“Sir?”

The more their conversation went on, the calmer one became was, in fact, Yeon Wi.

Moistening his throat with a sip of tea, Yeon Wi continued.

“My son doesn’t have to be the same as me.”

“......”

“Unlike me, you’re living your life in a far rougher way. And you’re using that ability for political struggle as a tool for the world you’re going to walk into.”

“......”

“From where I’m standing, that’s definitely wrong. But you don’t think it’s wrong. And you have your reasons for thinking that way.”

“I do.”

“That’s why I don’t blame you. I’m just going to live my life in my own way, as your father, just like you live yours.”

Staring blankly at Yeon Wi, Yeon Hojeong finally ended up laughing as if there was no helping him.

“And what if I get angry later? I might blow up and complain that you’re suffocating me.”

“I’ll scold you as an unfilial brat.”

“And that’s it?”

“If you’re a grown man who still wants to feel the rod, then by all means, go ahead and cross that line.”

“Hahaha.”

Without meaning to, a big laugh burst out of Yeon Hojeong.

“I can’t go making you into a father who raises a rod at his grown son.”

“That’s only natural.”

“Don’t worry. I might lack manners, but I have survival instincts in spades.”

Yeon Wi clicked his tongue.

“At least fix that ill-bred way of talking. I’m afraid people will talk behind your back.”

“This is my personality. Please respect it.”

“That’s one thing I won’t respect.”

Father and son spent a good while looking at each other and smiling.

After a moment, Yeon Hojeong spoke.

“In that case, I’ll fight in my own way.”

“Do that.”

As if something had just occurred to him, Yeon Wi tilted his head.

“By the way, why ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ did the Master of the Mo Yong Clan insist on dueling you in the plaza, of all places?”

“It meant he was going to go all out to lay out the stage.”

“Go all out...?”

“I proved my skill to the Master of the Mo Yong Clan in front of all those experts. By now, I’m sure the rumor has spread from the inner fortress right out to the outer walls.”

Yeon Wi’s eyes flashed.

“You’re saying it was part of the behind-the-scenes work to make you the commander of an Independent Field Force?”

Yeon Hojeong nodded.

“And at the same time, it was a warning.”

“A warning?”

“We concluded our deal in front of everyone. If I don’t deal with Meng Yi the way we agreed, it means he’ll cross the line himself then.”

Yeon Wi’s expression turned cold.

“How shameless. After picking fights with us over and over, he loses and then has the gall to send us a warning.”

Yeon Hojeong let out a bitter smile.

“In the end, it’s a fight where the reason doesn’t matter. At least for the Master of the Mo Yong Clan, it is.”

“I see.”

Yeon Wi drank his tea in silence.

He must have felt stifled. If the Master of the Mo Yong Clan had been aiming at him, that would be one thing—but he kept touching his son instead.

In his heart, he wanted to march over there right now and swing his sword. But he knew full well that matters of the world couldn’t be handled according to emotion.

That was why he was soothing the sting in his chest with tea.

“Either way, this must be hard on you as well, Father.”

“Hm?”

Yeon Hojeong spoke in a light, cheerful tone.

“The work behind the scenes is already over. The Master of the Mo Yong Clan is going to do everything he can to turn me into the commander of an Independent Field Force.”

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“All I can do is my best. If it doesn’t work even then, there’s nothing to be done.”

If this had been a matter of the clan, he would have opposed it without question. The fact that this was the Alliance of the Martial World’s business was why Yeon Wi was showing what flexibility he could.

That was the path of the Master of the Yeon Clan of Green Mountain, the Judge’s Sword, Yeon Wi. He seemed like someone who would cling rigidly to principles alone, but when needed, he was a great hero who possessed flexibility that rivaled anyone’s.

“In any case, you should be ready in your heart as well.”

“What do you mean?”

“People are going to come looking for you.”

“Sir?”

Yeon Wi clicked his tongue.

“When it’s time to charge ahead, you show an eye so sharp it startles the whole world, yet you never spare a glance for the little things.”

Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about, Father......”

“Whether they’re White Path or Black, martial artists live on competitive spirit as their driving force.”

“......?”

“You're the one who proved your martial skill against the Master of the Mo Yong Clan. Do you really think experts of your generation aren’t going to focus on you?”

“Uh?!”

“Just by standing up to a great clan, your name already shook the world. And now you’ve walked into the Alliance of the Martial World.”

Yeon Hojeong’s face twisted like a piece of rotting fruit.

Yeon Wi rose to his feet.

“You sowed the seeds; you can reap them yourself. This father of yours is not going to get involved at all.”

*****

Yeon Wi’s words became reality before long.

The next morning, with snow pouring down thick and heavy.

While Yeon Hojeong was driving Mad Dragon (Axe) through the forms of the Four Spirit Arts, and Mookbi was repeatedly drawing and releasing the string of Red Lotus Bow—

“Hm?”

Yeon Hojeong and Mookbi’s eyes lit up at the same time.

“You felt it too?”

“Yes. Of course Young Clan Lord Yeon felt it as well, right?”

“Of course I did. But hey, you got a little faster.”

“Looks that way.”

“Go thank my father later and bow to him.”

“I’ll take care of it myself, thank you.”

“Yeah, right. You’ll shuffle over all awkward again and smash that shiny forehead of yours into empty air.”

“Hrmm.”

Yeon Hojeong turned his gaze toward the entrance of Army-Breaking Pavilion.

A moment later, a single swordsman in pure white robes appeared there.

He looked more like a Daoist than a swordsman. His robes brought to mind a sea of clouds, and his not-so-long hair hung loose, unbound.

Oh?

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.

For a Daoist, his eyes were strikingly full of emptiness. He had completely contained a frightening killing edge, yet the gloomy air radiating from his whole body drew the eye all on its own.

THUNK!

Driving Mad Dragon (Axe) into the ground, Yeon Hojeong asked:

“Who are you?”

“Is this where the Yeon Clan is staying?”

“That’s right.”

“I’ve come to see the Yeon Clan’s eldest son, Young Clan Lord Yeon, the Green Mountain Tiger General.”

“And who are you?”

The Daoist’s dark gaze suddenly flashed.

“I am Okcheong, sole disciple of the Sword Immortal. I’ve come to request a duel with the Tiger General of Jiangdong.”

Coming in full throttle from the opening move, huh. Damn.