Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 102: A Shift in Perspective (Part 2)

Thud.

After setting down his axe, Yeon Hojeong felt a considerable fatigue wash over him.

‘The impact was too strong.’

His father’s sword was a mid-range blade, which meant it could unleash a martial prowess stronger than anyone else’s when necessary.

That mighty sword far surpassed the power of an axe swung with the weight of eighty catties. His robust inner strength, rigorously trained body, and the ability to unleash enlightenment had reached their zenith.

‘It’s regrettable.’

There was nothing Yeon Hojeong couldn’t do. In fact, he could even aspire to go beyond.

However, his training was still lacking. To unravel the higher dimensions of martial arts, agony and enlightenment were essential, but ultimately, it was the physical body that had to contain it all.

‘I’m still far from enough.’

His muscles, stamina, and flexibility were sufficient. Yet, his body wasn’t accustomed to harboring such high purity of Qi.

It felt like he was clearly seeing the flaws he had vaguely considered before. This duel had given him the most valuable gift.

Yeon Hojeong thought his martial arts were still a long way off. He saw his shortcomings and faced what needed to be corrected.

But in Yeon Wi’s eyes, Yeon Hojeong’s martial arts had already entered the realm of a master.

“Truly…”

“Yes?”

“You’ve become truly strong.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled bitterly.

“I’m telling you, I’m far from it.”

“No, on the contrary, it’s excessive. Too excessive. In the current martial world, who else of your age has accumulated such martial arts? Even the Twin Dragons and Three Peaks would doubt if they could match you. I wonder if the successors secretly nurtured by the Nine Great Sects could even compare to you.”

Such high praise was rare.

Yeon Wi wasn’t someone who praised just anyone like this.

But Yeon Hojeong was an exception. His growth rate had completely broken the mold. Moreover, Yeon Wi believed his son wouldn’t be satisfied with such praise or become arrogant because of it.

“You’ve already stepped out of the framework of martial arts and forged your own path. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say you’ve established your own school.”

“There’s more than one or two things I need to improve.”

“Perhaps physically. But your enlightenment has already crossed the eight peaks of Mount Tai.”

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“Whether it’s your brothers or you, the body can’t keep up with enlightenment.”

It was different.

Yeon Jipyeong didn’t have decades of experience like Yeon Hojeong. Yet, his enlightenment was so profound that his body couldn’t keep up.

On the other hand, Yeon Hojeong had years of honing his martial arts on the bloody battlefields. His martial arts, based on real-life enlightenment, naturally developed to a level that his physical body couldn’t keep up with.

“But…”

Curiosity sparked in Yeon Wi’s face.

“You’ve refined a new martial art. It doesn’t seem to be based on our family’s techniques.”

“Ah.”

“Your footwork includes two types, and the external martial arts of weapon techniques are one.”

“Exactly three for footwork, and three for weapon techniques.”

Yeon Wi tapped the floor of the training ground with his toe. It was where Yeon Hojeong’s fist had made a hole.

“And this fist technique?”

Yeon Hojeong showed his fist with a satisfied expression.

“I’ve transformed the weapon technique into the form of a fist technique. I unfolded it for the first time today, and fortunately, it proved to be powerful.”

Yeon Wi was momentarily at a loss for words.

‘Does he realize what he’s saying?’

There’s a reason why sword techniques are called sword techniques, and fist techniques are called fist techniques.

It’s not impossible to perform weapon techniques with bare hands. However, it requires significant changes in the use of Qi and in every aspect of the technique.

Yet, this astonishing son of mine has managed to emit a power with his bare hands that doesn’t differ from weapon techniques.

‘All Streams Return to the Source…’

Yeon Wi couldn’t help but let out a hearty laugh.

“Ha ha.”

Yeon Hojeong blinked. It was the first time he had seen his father laugh like that.

Somehow… for some reason, it gave him the chills…

Yeon Wi stopped laughing and asked.

“So, what do you call this martial art you’ve acquired?”

Yeon Hojeong was momentarily speechless.

‘Should I tell him?’

The Death God’s Martial Arts.

A legendary martial art presumed to belong to the Four Great Martial Emperors, who ended the Blood Sect’s turmoil three hundred years ago, is often mentioned as the strongest in a millennium of martial world history.

In truth, there was no reason he couldn’t tell someone who already knew he was learning other martial arts.

However, the Death God’s Martial Arts were a secret technique directly passed down by his master. Even if it was a secret technique, was it really right to reveal it without his master’s permission, considering even family members are outsiders?

But then…

‘Think simply.’

After all, he hadn’t met his master since his regression. Besides, his master was a wanderer seeking the Way, unconcerned with worldly conflicts. The Death God’s Martial Arts were considered an exceptional technique, and even if others knew of it, his master wouldn’t care.

‘Besides…’

Come to think of it, isn’t this situation a bit peculiar?

Yeon Hojeong inwardly tilted his head.

‘As the current successor of the Death God’s Martial Arts, am I not free from the constraints of ancestral rules? I’m not even sure if such rules exist.’

Then, ultimately, how I handle my martial arts is entirely up to me, isn’t it?

“…Hmm.”

Looking at it now, was there ever a need to worry about such a problem?

‘Freedom, huh?’

Hmm, hmm.

Watching his son chuckle mischievously, Yeon Wi frowned.

“Why do you laugh so sinisterly?”

“Ah? No, it’s nothing.”

Yeon Hojeong confidently smiled and said,

“The martial art I’ve mastered is called the Four Divine Martial Arts, the Four Divine Techniques.”

“The Four Divine Martial Arts?”

“Yes.”

Yeon Wi’s eyes sparkled.

“The Azure Dragon of the East, the White Tiger of the West, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the Black Tortoise of the North—those Four Divine Guardians?”

“That’s correct.”

“The form and execution of the martial arts you displayed were so perfect they were nearly untouchable. Though they leaned towards offense, within the framework of attack, they were as developed as one could be.”

“That is the White Tiger’s martial art, the ‘Tiger King’s Impenetrable Wall.’”

“The White Tiger’s martial art… Then the other martial arts are also specialized in their respective fields?”

“Yes. To tell you how frustrating this martial art is…”

“Speak plainly.”

“To tell you how amusing this martial art is…”

Yeon Hojeong detailed the characteristics of the Four Divine Martial Arts to Yeon Wi.

The more Yeon Wi heard, the more astonishment spread across his face.

“Four ultimate techniques specialized in attack, defense, instant kill, evasion, and counterattack…”

“That’s right.”

“Martial arts that are extremely specialized in both offense and killing methods, evasion, and counterattack, and that are unified under one banner are rare. Our family’s martial arts are the uncommon middle path. However, the Four Divine Martial Arts you’ve obtained don’t seem to follow the middle path.”

“It’s not the middle path but a martial art of the battlefield that has developed each field to the extreme. It’s different from our family’s martial arts.”

“Yes, it appears so.”

Yeon Wi tilted his head.

“But somehow, the more I hear, the more I’m reminded of one person’s martial arts.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes shone.

“The Four Great Martial Emperors.”

“That’s right.”

“Do you also know about the Four Great Martial Emperors, Father?”

“Isn’t it obvious? He left an indelible mark in the history of the martial world, a legendary hero and a martial artist worthy of respect. One cannot discuss the martial world without knowing him.”

“…”

“You haven’t known for long, have you?”

Yeon Hojeong coughed awkwardly.

Yeon Wi clicked his tongue.

“Even so, you should have basic knowledge. He is a great man. It’s only right to be aware of the achievements of such a person.”

“I understand.”

“Regardless, I can see that the martial arts you’ve obtained are outstanding, whether they are the secret techniques of the Four Great Martial Emperors or not. And I can see that you are delving deeply into them.”

Yeon Wi asked seriously.

“Let me ask you. Do you intend to see the end with these Four Divine Martial Arts?”

“Yes.”

“…Alright, I understand.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled. He knew why his father had asked that question.

“I won’t neglect the family’s martial arts. Don’t worry.”

Yeon Wi nodded.

“From what I see, the Four Divine Martial Arts are in no way inferior to our family’s secret techniques. It’s truly difficult to master such martial arts. If you think you can see the end with them, there’s no need to look elsewhere.”

His words were sincere, though he tried not to show disappointment.

Yeon Hojeong said.

“That’s not what I mean.”

“Hm?”

“Shouldn’t I learn and understand a bit of the family’s martial arts so that it will help when selecting family members to teach the Four Divine Martial Arts?”

Surprise flickered across Yeon Wi’s face.

“Are you saying you intend to integrate these martial arts you’ve obtained into our family?”

“I am a member of the Yeon family. I don’t see a problem with sharing what’s mine with the family.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course.”

The Yeon family is strong.

But its influence is small, and there aren’t many core experts. In fact, Yeon Hojeong’s uncles had all branched out, and it was hard to see their faces unless it was for a family ritual.

In other words, the Yeon family’s strength lay in the excellence of its martial arts and the support of the people. In terms of actual power, it was true that they fell short compared to other sects.

Yeon Hojeong thought.

‘The family’s power must become stronger.’

When the Fanatical Three Sects reveal their devilish nature, the Central Plains will become a sea of blood. That was certain.

Even if the immediate threat of annihilation was averted, it was questionable whether they could survive future calamities. Therefore, the Yeon family’s power had to be strengthened as soon as possible.

“However, the Four Divine Martial Arts are ultimate techniques that cannot even be initiated without the right sense. Even if they are integrated into the family’s martial arts, only a very few will be able to learn them.”

Yeon Wi was silent for a moment.

‘The family… the family.’

It was a stroke of fate that his son had obtained such martial arts.

If one obtained such amazing martial arts, it would be common sense to keep them as personal secret techniques. Yet, his son was suggesting integrating his own martial arts into the family’s secret techniques.

Suddenly, he remembered something his son had said before.

‘My intentions may differ, but my heart is always here. To protect the family, I would face the world with my sword, even if it meant being branded a demon.’

Yeon Wi closed his eyes.

After pondering his son’s words, he opened his eyes after a moment.

“I understand your intentions.”

There was a certain gentleness in Yeon Wi’s eyes.

“If that’s what’s in your heart, then as the head of the Yeon family, I thank you. Thank you for passing on such excellent martial arts.”

“It’s nothing.”

“There are quite a few things I’ve put off. I plan to finish them all within three days, so let’s have a meeting about this afterward.”

“Understood.”

That’s when it happened.

“Father! Brother! Are you here?!”

Yeon Hojeong’s face brightened.

“You’re here.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong was running over from the other side of the training ground. He had seen him from a distance before the duel with his father, but it felt new to meet him up close.

Yeon Hojeong greeted Yeon Ji-pyeong with a smile.

The smile vanished in an instant at Yeon Ji-pyeong’s thunderbolt-like words.

“Brother! Congratulations! Have you greeted your sister-in-law?”

“…What, what?”

“She’s incredibly beautiful! Like a fairy, a fairy!”

Yeon Hojeong’s mouth fell open.

A faint smile appeared on Yeon Wi’s face. His mysterious smile seemed, somehow, to be cheering on Yeon Jipyeong. He was a father, after all.

And so, the three family members gathered together after a very long time.