Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 106: A Shift in Thought (6)

The moment Yeon Hojeong laid eyes on the axe, he was struck by a sense of wonder.

What material could it be made of?

That remained a mystery. Even Yeon Hojeong, who had shattered thousands of weapons and seen tens of thousands more, couldn’t discern the type of metal used.

But one thing was certain.

‘It’s incredibly strong.’

The shaft, dark enough to seemingly swallow the sunlight, caught his eye.

Black, oh so black. It wasn’t just a simple black; it had an extraordinary sheen that, despite absorbing light, bestowed a peculiar sense of mystique upon the beholder.

An overwhelming strength that seemed unbreakable, paired with a strange flexibility that felt just right in weight.

The harmony of strength and flexibility was infused within it. Just by looking at the shaft, such thoughts came to mind.

Yeon Hojeong’s gaze drifted downward.

‘What’s that?’

At the end of the shaft was a ring, larger than a grown man’s fist, made of a different material. Yet, it seemed no less strong than the shaft.

‘It’s a counterweight.’

The ring served as a counterbalance, adjusting the weapon’s center of gravity. The weight of the ring alone seemed considerable.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes moved up again.

The moment he saw the massive axe blade, he felt his breath catch.

“I know you prefer simplicity,” said the blacksmith. “But it was too plain to leave as is, so I added a bit of flair.”

It was more than just a bit of flair.

The blade was slightly narrower than the iron parts he had handled before, but it was thicker.

And at the center of that massive blade was a fierce dragon head, as if ready to leap out at any moment. Around the dragon head, red and blue mists of intricate craftsmanship added an extra layer of splendor.

A masterpiece.

It exuded the spirit of a warrior and the dignity of a sovereign. Its presence was indescribable.

“The name is for the owner to decide, but I couldn’t help calling it ‘Kwangryong’.”

Kwangryong. The Mad Dragon.

It was a somewhat fierce name, but those two simple characters suited it perfectly. It was a divine weapon, a culmination of a craftsman’s skill, seemingly impervious to rust even after a thousand years.

Yeon Hojeong walked over as if entranced and grasped the shaft.

‘Heavy.’

It was incredibly heavy and thick. It felt thicker than the iron parts he had swung before.

‘It’s different from the Pungryeobu (Wind Thunder Axe).’

The Pungryeobu was a beloved weapon from the era of the Black Tyrant. It too was a divine weapon crafted by the finest blacksmith of the Black Path.

If Pungryeobu was lightning, then Kwangryongbu was the wind.

If Pungryongbu was cool, Kwangryongbu was intense.

If Pungryongbu represented restrained beauty, Kwangryongbu was unrestrained, its vigor unmatched.

It felt reassuring, as if it could protect its owner in any battle. Just looking at it made one’s blood boil, as if the god of war himself had blessed it.

Yeon Hojeong lifted the Kwangryongbu.

Whoosh.

The weight traveled from his wrist to his elbow, shoulder, and then throughout his upper body.

Surprisingly, it felt lighter than the iron parts he had used before. It was actually heavier, but it put less strain on his body.

Without realizing it, Yeon Hojeong began to channel his inner energy.

Woooom!

The axe sang.

It was akin to the roar of a dragon. The fierce dragon in the center of the blade seemed to open its mouth and bellow.

The blacksmith, Pyeon Ilgang, smiled contentedly.

“It seems the axe likes you too. How does it feel?”

No words or elegant phrases in the world could suffice.

After some thought, Yeon Hojeong finally spoke.

“It couldn’t be better.”

Pyeon Ilgang burst into laughter.

No need for adjectives like ‘amazing’ or ‘the best.’ If it fits perfectly in the owner’s hand, that’s the highest praise for a craftsman.

“I knew you’d like it. Swing it to your heart’s content. No matter how fierce your inner power, it will hold up.”

Yeon Hojeong bowed his head.

“Thank you.”

“Haha, it makes me happy to see the owner pleased.”

Pyeon Ilgang gestured to Mokbi.

“Miss, follow me.”

“Huh? Oh, yes!”

Mokbi, too, seemed captivated by the dazzling Kwangryongbu. Startled, she followed Pyeon Ilgang but kept glancing back at the Kwangryongbu.

Yeon Hojeong, holding the Kwangryongbu, stepped out of the forge.

Ziiing!

The blade of the Kwangryongbu, bathed in sunlight, emitted a clear radiance.

It didn’t scatter the light but converged it. The absorbed light made the dragon head and the mists shine even brighter.

He gripped the shaft tightly.

Squeeze!

The tighter he held it, the more the Kwangryongbu’s force seemed to multiply exponentially.

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“I’ve received a generous gift.”

This was all he needed. No other axe was necessary.

He wanted to swing it right away, but the place was not right for it. So he sat on a flat rock, utterly fascinated by the Kwangryongbu.

How much time had passed?

The creaking sound of the bowstring being drawn pierced the air.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Whizzz!

An arrow was loosed with ferocious speed.

Without hesitation, Yeon Hojeong swung the Kwangryongbu.

Slash! Thud!

The Kwangryongbu cleaved the speeding arrow in half and buried itself deep into the ground. Even with minimal effort, the axe blade sank more than halfway in.

Yeon Hojeong pulled out the axe.

Not a speck of dust clung to the blade that had sliced through stone and dirt.

“Indeed, even holding such weight, it’s swift,” he remarked.

Yeon Hojeong looked towards Mokbi, standing in the distance.

In her hands, she held a red recurve bow. Like the Kwangryongbu, the materials of the bow and string were unknown.

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“Such tremendous draw strength?”

“I didn’t even channel my inner power into the arrow.”

Yet the speed of the shot was like lightning. The bow’s craftsmanship was on par with the Kwangryongbu.

Pyeon Ilgang explained.

“This treasure is called the Honglyeonggung (Crimson Lotus Bow). I’m not sure who made it, but it’s said that without the inner power of a peak master, it’s difficult to draw the string fully. In terms of rarity, it might even surpass the Kwangryongbu.”

Yeon Hojeong and Mokbi bowed their heads.

“Thank you.”

Pyeon Ilgang chuckled heartily.

“What’s there to thank? You’ve acquired fine weapons, so I hope you’ll use them with purpose. That’s all that matters.”

A skilled craftsman had gifted extraordinary treasures to worthy warriors.

The craftsman sought no material reward. His only desire was to witness the warriors wielding his creations, dominating the world.

The two warriors promised to live up to the craftsman’s expectations and become great warriors as they left.

“Do you like the bow?”

“Immensely.”

“It shows.”

“And the axe?”

“Why even ask?”

“It’s apparent.”

“Well, then, I’ll be off. Let’s meet again later.”

“Where are you headed?”

“To Zhejiang. I should arrive before the year’s end, at the latest.”

“Then let’s go together.”

“You too?”

“Why? Can’t we go together?”

“There’s no reason not to… but isn’t it needless hardship?”

“If I’ve received the bow, I should at least draw the string.”

“We’re not going to fight.”

“We’ll see. Somehow, I feel like Young Master Yeon will get entangled in all sorts of incidents and accidents.”

“Do I look like a child?”

“Just saying. If something happens, I could be of great help, right?”

“Fine, if you insist on the hardship, I won’t stop you.”

“You have a way with words. It’s always admirable.”

“I’ve said it before, but I never knew you were so eloquent. You used to be so gloomy, hardly opening your mouth except to eat.”

“When was that?”

“…There must have been a time.”

“Never.”

“Well, anyway, let’s run once more.”

“Agreed.”

* * *

“Branch Chief.”

“Whoever it is, tell them I’m busy.”

“But it’s not that…”

“What is it then?”

“A letter from the main house.”

The young man, who had been busy with his brush, stopped.

He looked up after setting down his brush.

“From the clan?”

“Yes.”

The young man, lost in thought for a moment, reached out his hand.

“Give it here.”

“Yes.”

The young man read the letter in one go.

Lee Geon watched as the young man’s face darkened while reading the letter.

“Is it a funding issue again?”

“…”

“Branch Chief?”

“Hm? Oh, it’s not about the funds.”

“Yet, you seem troubled.”

The young man, Moyong Woo, forced a smile.

“It seems my brother has noticed.”

“…!”

“It’s over, isn’t it?”

“…Should we send another letter? As you know, the merchants in Zhejiang are on the brink of war. If we monopolize the trade with the Western merchants now, this place will turn into a battlefield in no time.”

“That’s true.”

Moyong Woo sighed.

“But would my brother understand that? If they cause trouble, he’ll send troops immediately.”

“…”

“Then it’s over. Everyone who opposes my brother’s words will die.”

Lee Geon sighed.

“I trust you, Branch Chief, but… would he really do that?”

“He would.”

“…”

“My brother would definitely act that way. He resolves minor issues through dialogue, but if it goes beyond a certain point, he crushes the opponent with threats and schemes.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes deepened.

“If that doesn’t work, then he’ll draw his sword without hesitation. And he’ll cut down the core of the problem.”

“…”

“It seems this is as far as we can negotiate. It might be better to support them from behind. Better than watching innocent necks being severed by a misguided blade.”

“That’s… true.”

Moyong Woo lamented.

“Times like these make me realize how insignificant my abilities are.”

Lee Geon felt a pang of sympathy.

‘Branch Chief, your abilities are truly remarkable.’

It wasn’t just flattery; it was the truth.

Moyong Woo was a genius with martial prowess surpassing that of many senior clan elders, even though he had not yet reached the age of thirty.

If this became known, the reputation of Ilryong Sam Bong would revert to that of the past Ssangryong Sam Bong.

But that wasn’t all. Moyong Woo was not only skilled in martial arts but also in commerce. Moreover, his character was such that he lacked nothing to be called a gentleman.

However, even an unprecedented genius could find it difficult to spread their wings under the pressure of the clan.

An unrecognized genius of misfortune. That was Moyong Woo.

“Branch Chief.”

“Speak.”

“Perhaps… we should try this?”

“Hm?”

Lee Geon spoke cautiously.

“The merchants in Jiangsu, adjacent to Zhejiang, are also on edge. And the one mediating them is the Yeon family.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes lit up.

“Byeoksan Yeon Clan.”

“Yes. Their mediation has been so effective that the conflict among the Jiangsu merchants, which seemed imminent, has been significantly resolved in just two months.”

“But?”

“Since it has come to this, why not join hands with the Yeon family to save them?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Excuse me?”

Moyong Woo shook his head firmly.

“We can’t do that. It would endanger not only the merchants but also you and the warriors under the branch.”

“…Is that so.”

“We can’t deceive my brother in any way. Besides…”

Moyong Woo sighed.

“Lately, the Yeon family’s reputation has been soaring across the land. And the reason is thanks to the Yeon family’s eldest son.”

“That’s true.”

“The Yeon family’s eldest son faced the prestigious families alone. But the one who decisively brought them down was my brother. There must be something between my brother and the Yeon family’s eldest son that I don’t know about.”

“…”

“Even the slightest risk could be fatal. At least for now.”

“So, we have no choice but to give up?”

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“Let’s try to support them. Since my brother has urged us, the affairs here are as good as over.”

Just then.

A frantic voice came from outside the branch chief’s office.

“Branch Chief!”

“What’s happened?”

“Lady Yeonhwa has arrived in Hangzhou!”

Moyong Woo’s face hardened.

“Yeonhwa, that child?”

“Yes. And she says she will stop by the branch office!”

Lee Geon’s cheeks trembled.

“…Branch Chief.”

Moyong Woo leaned back in his chair.

A bitter expression crossed his face.

“It seems it’s all over.”

That night.

Yeon Hojeong and Mokbi entered Zhejiang.