CLS-Chapter 229

Chapter 229

“Listen carefully.”

“……This seems a bit difficult?”

“It’s supposed to be difficult, so of course it should be difficult.”

“But normally, people don’t make others do this kind of thing, right?”

“Are you a person? Are you a person?”

Wei Yan-ho realized he had said the wrong thing. This was not the moment to say such words.

“Do you know why people are people? People are people because they understand words.”

“……I normally wouldn’t want to nitpick in a situation like this, but my inner sense of justice won’t allow it. Dogs and cows also understand words, don’t they?”

“Kraaaack!“

Watching the chair that whizzed past his head, Wei Yan-ho realized that if he couldn’t do something about this mouth of his, he wouldn’t die a natural death.

“How can you still talk in that situation! How!”

Wei Jeong-han gnashed his teeth as he looked at Wei Yan-ho.

Even though he was kneeling with his hands raised high, supporting a house-sized boulder, Wei Yan-ho remained as calm as if he were holding a cotton ball.

“Mmph.“

It wasn’t as if he could restrict his internal energy either. Since Wei Yan-ho was stronger than Wei Jeong-han, there was no way to restrict it.

‘Right, I should be grateful that he’s at least obediently accepting punishment.’

Even if that crazy bastard shouted “Screw it!” and threw the rock before running away, there would be no way to catch him. The fact that he had been caught while trying to escape earlier was only because Wei Yan-ho was worried about future troubles and let himself be caught—if he had really made up his mind to run, it would have been absolutely impossible to catch him.

‘Normally, a father should be happy when his son becomes a master.’

This was like carrying a bomb around……

In all the world, he was probably the only father who sighed even though his son had achieved success and fame.

“Are you reflecting?”

“Yes!”

“You answer well, you answer well!”

“……If I don’t answer, you’ll scold me for that too.”

“Kaak!“

If only he couldn’t speak, at least he wouldn’t be hateful!

Wei Jeong-han kept sighing.

“Father.”

Then Wei San-ho quietly approached him.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Hm?”

When Wei San-ho spoke with a serious face, Wei Jeong-han nodded.

“Bait?”

“Yes.”

Hearing Wei San-ho’s words, Wei Jeong-han was able to grasp the problem.

“So…… participating in this competition and winning would be of no benefit whatsoever to that Yan-ho bastard, is that what you’re saying?”

“That’s right.”

Wei San-ho began to elaborate.

“Normally, everyone would want to win, but Yan-ho is different. He doesn’t want to win. Rather, he finds it bothersome.”

“Mmm.“

“It’s because he has no particular attachment to what he’d gain from winning. Fame isn’t necessary for him, and neither is honor. As for prize money, for someone who’s made a fortune, it’s just pocket change.”

Wei Jeong-han nodded.

Every word was exactly right.

“For him to participate out of a martial artist’s competitive spirit, he’s too strong. Even I wouldn’t want to participate in a sparring match where children are playing around.”

“Indeed, that’s true.”

Wei Jeong-han had never thought about it that way. He had simply blamed Wei Yan-ho’s lack of passion for not wanting what any young martial artist should naturally desire.

Thinking about it this way, there was definitely a problem.

“Nothing to gain……”

Actually, when you think about it, the reason young martial artists want to make a name for themselves in sparring competitions is to prove themselves and gain fame and honor. But Wei Yan-ho had no need for such things.

What use would it be for a martial artist who could match the Martial Extremes to hear that he was strong among children, and what would someone whose life’s pleasure was lounging around at home do with fame?

He might care if there was money involved, but the bastard had already become one of the Central Plains’ wealthiest men.

“……Even I would find it bothersome.”

“That’s right.”

Being the one who knew Wei Yan-ho best, Wei San-ho had accurately grasped the current situation.

“Then what would be best to do?”

“Actually, I think it’s somewhat wrong for Yan-ho to participate in this kind of competition.”

“Huh?”

“Father, nothing is gained without effort.”

“That’s right.”

Wasn’t that what Wei Jeong-han himself always emphasized to his children?

“Yan-ho couldn’t have suddenly appeared, having become strong. The training Yan-ho must have done while away from home was probably beyond our imagination. No matter how much of a genius he is, to accumulate that level of martial prowess in that amount of time, it was unavoidable.”

“……That must be so.”

“But to display the martial prowess built up that way in a place like this is like using a cow-slaughtering knife to kill chickens.”

“Mmm.“

Wei San-ho said with a stern face.

“Still, if you think that knife must be used here, you need to give Yan-ho some enticing bait. To catch a big fish, you need to cast substantial bait.”

“I understand what you mean.”

Wei Jeong-han sighed and said.

“San-ho.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Even without Yan-ho, I don’t doubt at all that you’ll win this competition.”

“……That remains to be seen.”

“I believe in you.”

Wei Jeong-han looked at Wei San-ho seriously.

“But this competition isn’t a place where simply winning is important. The elders of the Martial Alliance expect much more.”

“Yes.”

“This isn’t simply for the honor or benefit of the Orthodox Martial Alliance. If the Orthodox Martial Alliance loses its power now, the world will fall into chaos. I don’t follow the Orthodox Martial Alliance’s path—rather, the Orthodox Martial Alliance exists on the path I walk. Do you understand what this father means?”

“Yes, Father.”

Wei Jeong-han patted Wei San-ho’s shoulder as if he were pleased.

“Yes. Having you always here allows this father to be at ease.”

It wasn’t empty words.

If he had to face Wei Yan-ho alone without Wei San-ho, how terrible would that be?

‘I don’t even want to imagine it.’

Having accepted Wei San-ho’s opinion, Wei Jeong-han turned and walked toward Wei Yan-ho.

“Huh?”

But then, they discovered an uninvited guest had arrived in the meantime.

“Plum Blossom Sword Saint?”

The Plum Blossom Sword Saint, whom they had encountered in the pavilion earlier, was crouched in front of Wei Yan-ho, who was serving his punishment.

“When can I see your sword?”

“After I finish my punishment.”

“Can I see it once you finish your punishment?”

“Ah, Grandfather. I’ve worked this hard—where would I get the energy? After this, I need to rest a bit before I can even swing a sword.”

“Right, yes. Hmm…… I’d like to see your sword when you’re in perfect condition too. So how long do you need to rest?”

“About a day should be enough…… but then I have to participate in the competition.”

“Competition?”

“You know, the one that’s happening now. The Heavenly Whatsit for the Later Generation.”

“What?”

The Plum Blossom Sword Saint said as if dumbfounded.

“You’re participating in the Later Generation Prodigy Sparring Competition? Do you have business beating all those kids to death?”

“I’m probably among the youngest participants, right? I’m qualified to participate.”

“Just because a tiger is young doesn’t mean it can tussle with lamb cubs!”

Wei Jeong-han wore a bitter smile.

“I think the same way.”

The Plum Blossom Sword Saint didn’t even turn his head.

It was a clear expression that his interest was solely in Wei Yan-ho. Even though it was an attitude tantamount to being ignored, Wei Jeong-han didn’t feel bad at all. In fact, there was no reason to feel bad.

The Plum Blossom Sword Saint was someone who had sufficient qualification to act that way.

He was the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, Mount Hua’s finest sword and counted among the Five Great Swordsmen Under Heaven. Normally, Wei Jeong-han wouldn’t be someone who could interact with him casually. Rather, Cheong Yeong-ja, Mount Hua’s sect leader, would have been an easier opponent.

“However, we also have our circumstances. Because of those circumstances, I need to have a talk with my son—would that be alright?”

Only then did the Plum Blossom Sword Saint turn his head.

“Let’s see, you said you were the Righteous Hero Sword?”

“Yes, Sword Saint sir.”

“Hmm, the basics are good…… What? What’s that bastard again?”

The Plum Blossom Sword Saint’s eyes widened.

“The father is just so-so, but both sons are dragons and tigers. You, did you perhaps eat thousand-year ginseng before conceiving?”

“……”

That guy…… might not be a Taoist sage.

“I don’t particularly remember doing so. They’re children too good for someone inadequate like me.”

“Seems that way.”

You should say “no” at times like that, you old man!

“It may not matter now, but as time passes, the brothers will compete for the world. Tsk, what a shame. If guys like these had come to Mount Hua, I could have flattened that Sword Immortal old man’s nose.”

The Sword Saint, who kept clicking his tongue, looked at Wei Yan-ho and asked.

“You, do you happen to have a woman?”

“I don’t.”

“Then want to meet someone? Mount Hua’s female disciples are rather prettier than other places……”

“I’m fine.”

Wei Yan-ho firmly shook his head.

“Why?”

“It’s bothersome.”

“A man finding it bothersome to meet women! You bastard, when I was young!”

……Stop it.

You’re a Taoist sage.

Wei Jeong-han turned his head from the Sword Saint who was beginning to recite his past exploits and looked at the distant sky.

Since Wei Yan-ho’s return, the martial world felt somewhat different from the martial world he used to know.

‘There’s no gravity! No gravity!’

“Wait a minute!”

Wei Yan-ho interrupted the Sword Saint’s words.

“Why? This is where it gets really interesting.”

“Yes. I’ve listened well to Grandfather’s love stories, but now I need to talk with Father, so could you please step aside?”

“When will you spar with me?”

“I’ll let you know when I’m in perfect condition, when I’m in perfect condition.”

“……Mmph.“

The Sword Saint kept clicking his tongue.

Even though he had brought money to offer, he couldn’t pressure this young junior to fight quickly just because he wouldn’t spar immediately.

“You’re not going back on your word.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Then I’ll trust you for now.”

When the Sword Saint reluctantly withdrew, Wei Jeong-han quickly took the spot in front of Wei Yan-ho.

“Have you reflected?”

“Of course. I’m still reflecting right now.”

“You’re not regretting why you didn’t handle things more perfectly, are you?”

“……Are you a ghost?”

Veins bulged on Wei Jeong-han’s fist.

Should I just forget about him being my son and give him a good punch to start with, really.

With desperate patience, Wei Jeong-han suppressed his rising anger and began to bring up the main point.

“Yan-ho.”

“Yes, Father.”

“After talking with San-ho, I can understand your feelings, it’s not incomprehensible.”

“What? You didn’t eat something wrong, did you?”

“……”

“I’m worried, that’s why. People say it’s dangerous when someone does something they’ve never done before……”

Wei Yan-ho looked over every corner of Wei Jeong-han with a face that showed he was genuinely worried.

‘That makes me feel worse. Don’t genuinely worry!’

After briefly gathering his energy to clear his mind, Wei Jeong-han continued speaking.

“Since you gain nothing from it, how could you have motivation for a sparring competition?”

“It is a bit like that.”

“You, who find everything bothersome to death.”

“At least you understand that much.”

“So, what I’m saying is……”

Wei Jeong-han opened his mouth as if he had made a big decision.

“If you win this competition, I won’t nag you for three months…… no, for half a year, even if you don’t stick so much as a toe outside your room! I promise on my name.”

He thought there would be some kind of dramatic reaction.

But Wei Yan-ho just stared quietly at Wei Jeong-han without moving.

‘Was it too weak?’

I thought I used enough, but this is weak. Then I should raise it a bit more…….

That was the moment.

Kwaaaacrunch!

The boulder in Wei Yan-ho’s hands burst apart just like that.

“What, what!”

Wei Jeong-han stepped back to avoid the flying dust and dirt in all directions. Only after the dust settled did Wei Yan-ho, who had been dazed, speak very slowly but in an extremely certain tone.

“Those words…… are they real?”

Wei Jeong-han’s face was colored with ominous feelings.

‘I think I made some kind of mistake……’

It was already spilled water.