“Heh heh, you’ve come?”Yeon Hojeong bowed with measured courtesy.“Respectful greetings. I am Yeon Hojeong.”“That’s an oddly formal greeting.”Master Artisan Pyeon was the same as ever.Although they had only met once, his broad manner and kindly eyes left an impression. Perhaps for that reason, even after a long absence his presence felt as familiar and comfortable as if they had seen each other yesterday.“But who is this young woman at your side? Are you betrothed, by any chance?”Yeon Hojeong’s face crumpled like a brass bowl.Why does everyone keep jumping to conclusions and making a fuss? Is this amusing to them?“No. She is a friend.”“Oh ho, is that so?”Mookbi stepped forward a pace and bowed.“My name is Mookbi. Pleased to meet you.”Master Artisan Pyeon smiled.“A truly gentle young woman. Pleased to meet you. Call me Old Pyeon if you like.”“Ah, yes.”“By the way……”Pyeon’s eyes glittered.“Oh ho, unusual.”“Yes?”“I’ve met countless warriors I cannot count, but it has been a long while since I’ve seen an archer so finely honed.”Surprise colored Mookbi’s face.She had left her bow and quiver behind on the way here. She had given no sign that she had trained in martial arts. Yet Pyeon had recognized her main weapon at a glance.‘Remarkable,’ she thought.He was no ordinary old man. His visible internal force was slight, but the eyes of an artisan who had spent a lifetime with iron and fire were as sharp as any master’s.“What brings you here?”Yeon Hojeong handed the axe he’d slung over his shoulder across.“This is in this state now.”“Hm?”Pyeon examined the axe head and haft.Surprise spread [N O V E L I G H T] across his face.“Ha! This great axe is already damaged like this?”“I am sorry.”“There’s nothing to apologize for. Weapons accrue nicks and break with use — that is natural. But this great axe is not merely a heavy weapon. It was forged from good steel by a skilled craftsman with passion.”Pyeon clicked his tongue.“My knowledge of the world is limited, but recently I’ve heard your name more than once. You fought a great battle against the Ming Clan of the Nine Provinces, did you not?”Yeon Hojeong smiled.“You heard of it.”“The Ming Clan of the Nine Provinces was called the greatest martial house before they were publicly condemned. They must have had astonishing experts. Still, to clash with such hands alone wouldn’t account for this level of damage.”Pyeon nodded.“Your internal force must be exceedingly coarse.”The more he looked, the more extraordinary Pyeon seemed.Good artisans are friends of warriors, yet even master artisans lack much of what a warrior knows. There are matters only a martial artist understands.Pyeon, however, was different. From the marks on the weapon he deduced the user’s internal-force characteristics at a glance.‘A remarkable man.’A vast store of knowledge, absolute discernment, and uncompromising artisan spirit.No wonder father honored him as a Master Artisan.“To have internal force so rough it damages an eighty-cattie great weapon….”Pyeon thought a moment, then nodded.“Good. I will make you a splendid axe.”In truth, this great axe was something Pyeon himself had previously modified.It was already a well-made weapon, worthy of being called a treasured blade.But for Yeon Hojeong it was somewhat weak. Pyeon planned to take this opportunity to craft an entirely new weapon.Yeon Hojeong bowed his head.“Thank you. How long would it take?”Pyeon laughed heartily.“Planning to go back out to the world, are you?”“Yes.”“A famed warrior draws both praise and enemies seeking that fame. You must take it before you set out, yes?”“That would be ideal.”“Are you in a great hurry?”“I thought I was, but tasks have come up. The sooner the better, but I won’t rush.”“A good attitude. I’ll make a weapon perfectly suited to you. It should take about two months.”Two months.Long if measured in some ways, short in others. But if Master Artisan Pyeon was to devote two months, it would be no ordinary piece.Yeon Hojeong patted Mookbi on the shoulder.“And do you have any horn bows that might suit this friend?”“A horn bow?”“Yes. The greater the draw weight, the better. I need a bow that delivers devastating archery.”Pyeon shook his head.“I have bows, but none that would suit this young woman.”“Is that so.”“I’ll ask around among acquaintances. By the time the axe is finished, you may have one.”Mookbi bowed from the waist.“Thank you, Grandfather.”“Heh heh heh.”Grandfather?To be called grandfather by someone she’d met only once—who wasn’t a divine craftsman but an old man—struck her oddly.Everyone else had treated him with respect, but she did not. That familiar term put her in unexpectedly good spirits.“Anything else you want to order?”Yeon Hojeong’s eyes brightened.“If you could add a ring to the end of the haft of the axe.”“A ring?”“Yes, if it does not disturb the balance of weight……”“That wouldn’t be a problem, but is there a particular purpose?”“I plan to hang an iron chain from it.”Pyeon’s eyes widened.“A chain? On the end of a heavy axe?”“Yes.”“……Heh heh, I can’t begin to guess what kind of martial art you practice.”“I’m rather ignorant of conventions.”“Then you must also be able to handle a chain.”“Yes.”“A chain… a chain. An iron cable capable of withstanding internal force that can damage an eighty-cattie great weapon……”Interest dawned on Pyeon’s face.“Understood. I’ll keep that in mind.”“Thank you.”“I’ll send someone when it’s nearly finished. I’ll be busy from today on.”The two left Master Artisan Pyeon’s smith and walked through the street.“How do you find our household?” Yeon Hojeong asked.“Hm? Find what?”“I mean, is it suitable to live in?”“Oh, yes. It’s good. Only that…….”“Is someone bothering you?”Mookbi shook her head until her neck creaked.“Absolutely not. Everyone treats me well.”“Then what’s the problem?”“It’s just that…the servants do my tasks for me……”Yeon Hojeong burst out laughing before he realized it.“Servants? That term is a masterpiece.”“They are not slaves. They are paid workers. For them, it is their profession.”“That may be, but I also do most things myself. Still, while they do your chores, it might not be bad for you to find something to focus on for yourself.”“Something to focus on……”Mookbi’s eyes sparkled.“Martial arts.”“In other words, that sort of thing.”Yeon Hojeong spoke earnestly.“I have not yet seen your skill in person, but this I know: your martial arts are still far from completion.”Mookbi accepted that plainly.“Far, very far.”Yeon Hojeong remembered how Mookbi looked when she had completed her art during the Dark Emperor era.A divine technique reached: an absolute archery that slaughtered every visible domain, unmatched ranged shots and close-quarters unarmed combat that equaled the Five Divine Generals — a perfect martial art without weakness.Yeon Hojeong’s eyes brightened.“If that’s the case, join me in training.”“May I?”“If we can fill each other’s lacking parts, it will be good.”Mookbi flinched.Yeon Hojeong looked at her in puzzlement.“Why the face?”“Um……”“What’s with that sour expression?”Mookbi stammered.“I… I mean, I have no intention of forming a household with Master Yeon…”He was incredulous. Now even Mookbi was caught up in this commotion.“You little—are you joking? Are you crazy? When did I ever propose marriage?!”“Why are you angry if it’s a yes or no thing?”“Ah, damn my blood pressure.”“And listen—”“Listen to what!”Mookbi hesitated.“I think you may be older than me.”“So?”“……Just saying.”Yeon Hojeong snorted.“If you want to be rid of me, be rid of me. Who’s stopping you?”“How can anyone let go when you glare at them as if to kill and then tell them to speak freely?”“When did I glare? My eyes are always like this.”“Using an axe doesn’t mean you have to have axe-eyes.”“Were you always this eloquent?”“I just didn’t have many chances to speak.”“You have many chances to wash, so wash more often.”“Please—!”Bickering, the two entered the clan compound. They didn’t look like lovers, but they did look like friends. ****“Clan Lord.”“Hmm?”“I believe expansion is necessary.”Yeon Wi regarded Lee Baekhyeon with cold eyes.Lee Baekhyeon swallowed but straightened his chest with composure.“Branches in Jiangsu are nearly saturated. If we continue as is, we won’t be able to handle the incoming volume.”“Jiangsu is large. There is no need for the head house to monopolize trade. We do not live for ourselves alone. Coexistence is the surest path to peace.”“I agree, Clan Lord. But look at this document. Disputes have already begun in places.”“…….”“Living together is desirable, but it requires coordination and fair division. You need not personally manage it, but the head house currently handles seventy percent of Jiangsu’s trade, does it not?”“Hmm.”“Those in Zhejiang are especially rough. There is no representative school to moderate. It may be better to extend our reach there and oversee trade across the East Sea.”Yeon Wi pondered for a long moment, then nodded.“Your suggestion is reasonable.”“Thank you.”“However, this matter requires ample discussion. Haste makes waste.”Lee Baekhyeon nodded with an unexpectedly serious face.“I concur. If we act rashly because of urgency, that too will be a problem.”Yeon Wi nodded.“Call Hojeong.”Lee Baekhyeon smiled.When an important matter arises, he calls his eldest son. That was recognition of Yeon Hojeong’s ability.The trust between father and son was a pleasant sight.“Understood.”Shortly after, Yeon Hojeong entered. He was drenched in sweat, so he must have been training hard.“You called?”“Sit here.”“Yes.”Yeon Wi explained the situation to Yeon Hojeong.“…So, there is a proposal to extend the family business into Zhejiang. Technically for mutual benefit, a precursor to coexistence.”“Oh ho.”“What do you think?”Yeon Hojeong’s eyes glittered.‘Zhejiang,’ he thought.If they could expand to Zhejiang, they could secure more funds — which could be used as military funds if needed.Of course, that would have to be determined later.“Father.”“Yes.”“As you know, Mo Yong Clan has a branch in Zhejiang. They make large sums via maritime trade.”Yeon Wi’s eyes turned cold.He had not forgotten that the Mo Yong Clan had planted a mole in their family. Though his son had allied with the Mo Yong patriarch to overthrow the Ming Clan, the Mo Yong Clan could still be considered an enemy.“That is the part that troubles me. I have not forgotten what the Mo Yong Clan has done, but I judged that striking them now would be imprudent.”“It would be unwise at present.”“Do you have another idea?”A confident smile spread across Yeon Hojeong’s face.And a spark of expectation.‘Mo Yong-woo.’He rose from his seat.“I agree. We should follow the department head’s suggestion.”“So you say.”“However, to expand the domain we must conduct preliminary investigation.”Yeon Hojeong spoke earnestly.“In two months, I will go to Zhejiang myself.”

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