Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 107: Only by Looking Up Can One See the Sky (1)

In the realm of swift winds and shadowed paths, Yeon Hojeong and Mokbi moved with a speed that defied necessity. Their haste was born from Yeon Hojeong’s relentless drive.

“Heave-ho. Even I grow weary,” Yeon Hojeong sighed, casting a glance at Mokbi.

Mokbi, usually the epitome of composure, leaned subtly against a tree, betraying a hint of fatigue.

“Your legs tremble, do they not?” Mokbi’s brow furrowed.

“Never have I run so long without pause. Not once did we rest.”

“Such is the way of training.”

“Yet, there is such a thing as too much.”

“One must know the limit to understand excess. I am far from it.”

Was this earnest speech?

Mokbi sensed a rare seriousness in Yeon Hojeong’s face. Indeed, when it came to martial arts, Yeon Hojeong had never been anything but serious.

Mokbi felt an involuntary shiver.

“A true monster, indeed.”

To Mokbi, a master of movement techniques, Yeon Hojeong’s skill seemed leagues away.

Yet, the speed of Yeon Hojeong’s learning was astonishing. It seemed as though the essence of the technique had been grasped, and even considering that, the progress was rapid.

“Once as slow as a tortoise.”

Day by day, the pace quickened. Where once each step thundered, now they moved with the stealth and lightness of a cat.

“And that inner energy control…”

The best techniques seek maximum efficiency with minimal energy.

The technique Yeon Hojeong mastered, the Heavenly Soaring Flight of the Yeon Clan, was as esteemed as the clan’s swordsmanship.

“Not yet perfected, but already showing minimal energy use.”

Though not yet fully accomplished, the technique allowed for swift movement and remarkable endurance.

Should Yeon Hojeong perfect the Heavenly Soaring Flight, they might even surpass Mokbi.

“Such profound understanding of Qi.”

After all, it was this understanding that had transformed Yeon Hojeong into a prodigy at such a young age. The term ‘internal martial arts master’ suited no one better.

“We cannot linger. Though little remains, shall we rest a while?”

“Would you have continued without rest?”

“Sharpness creeps into your voice.”

“Hunger speaks.”

Days of running on water alone justified the complaint.

Yeon Hojeong unfurled a bundle tied to the heavy axe. Inside, cold rice balls, jerky, and sweet cakes awaited.

“Come, let us eat.”

They feasted with gusto, the simple meal tasting divine to their famished palates.

Once sated, Mokbi inquired,

“Do you also see the horizon?”

“Hm? The horizon?”

“Yes.”

Yeon Hojeong blinked in confusion.

“To see the horizon? What do you mean?”

“In Zhejiang, there lies Pingyi Island.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“You did not know?”

“I did not. Father sent someone there with Biying… I heard.”

Mokbi was taken aback by Yeon Hojeong’s indifference.

“Somewhere in Zhejiang… I heard it was a mountain.”

“Mogan Mountain?”

“Yes, that’s it. Mogan Mountain, they said.”

Interest sparked in Yeon Hojeong’s eyes.

“Mogan Mountain… not so far.”

Moyong Woo lay further south, in Shaoxing. The Moyong Clan’s Zhejiang branch headquartered there.

‘Closer from here.’

From their current location, a westward path through the mountains would lead them to Mogan Mountain.

Yeon Hojeong shook their head.

“Father must have had his reasons. We must focus on our own tasks.”

“Indeed.”

“Why? Do you wish to see the horizon?”

Mokbi smiled, a rarity.

“She is quite endearing.”

Over the past two months, Mokbi and Yeon Jipyeong had grown close, thanks to Yeon Jipyeong’s affable nature.

Now, they were almost like siblings. Mokbi had even offered guidance on Yeon Jipyeong’s technique.

Mokbi was wary of Yeon Wi. It took courage to oversee the technique Yeon Wi personally taught Yeon Jipyeong.

It spoke volumes of her care for Yeon Jipyeong.

“Well, perhaps we’ll visit on our return. If we can see her then, let’s go together.”

“Shall we?”

“Mm.”

“Hehe.”

Yeon Hojeong’s face twisted into a bizarre expression.

“What is that mischievous smile?”

“Why?”

“Did you learn it from Jipyeong?”

“…”

“When Jipyeong smiles, it’s cute.”

The implication was clear: Yeon Hojeong’s smile held no such charm. Mokbi fought the urge to punch Yeon Hojeong.

“If you wake with a hole in your head, know it was my doing.”

“With a hole in your head, would you even think?”

“Just know it.”

Yeon Hojeong laughed heartily.

Mokbi was not the Mokbi of old. Seeing her changed self, the urge to jest grew.

But that was fleeting.

“Shall we rise from rest?”

“So soon?”

“Not much remains. Half a day’s journey and we reach Hangzhou. I’ve contacted Gaebang; they’ll have arranged fine lodgings.”

Mokbi massaged her thighs, grumbling.

“Once we arrive, we rest long, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Understood. Let’s go.”

With a thunderous leap, they resumed their swift travel.

Half a day later, they entered Hangzhou.

“!”

Mokbi’s mouth fell open in awe.

Yeon Hojeong tapped her shoulder lightly.

“Why do you gaze into the void?”

“Ah, it’s magnificent!”

Hangzhou was a vision of beauty.

The city’s aura was overwhelming, not just from afar but more so within. The streets were bustling, making it difficult to navigate even as the sun set.

Where crowds should suffocate and noise should overwhelm, here they became part of the charm. Mokbi was enchanted by the mystique of Hangzhou.

“I thought you disliked crowds.”

“Wow…”

“Wipe that drool off your chin.”

“S-sorry.”

“Enough dawdling, let’s head to the inn.”

“The inn?”

“Or shall we not?”

“No, we must go.”

Desire to rest battled with the urge to immerse further in this atmosphere. Hangzhou had a magic that made one forget fatigue.

Soon, they arrived at a place where grand structures clustered.

Mokbi’s face was a picture of near-ethereal astonishment.

In contrast, Yeon Hojeong’s expression was inscrutable.

“Hosun Daehui Lou (湖鮮大喜樓), is this the place?”

A marvel of Hangzhou, built over a century ago.

Yet, it was an inn Yeon Hojeong had never seen.

‘So this was its grandeur.’

During the era of Heukamje, Hosun Daehui Lou had been destroyed in a great bloodshed.

Now, Yeon Hojeong was seeing Hangzhou’s finest inn, as if returned to a past even before his own.

‘…’

The inn was memorable because of ‘him.’

One of the Five Great Generals, ‘he’ had three wishes, one of which was to stay at Hosun Daehui Lou for a year.

He had sung of his desire to visit, yet Yeon Hojeong had arrived first.

Yeon Hojeong closed his eyes.

‘Could I meet them too?’

Uncertain. Mokbi was fortunate to meet like this, but there were no guarantees for the other Great Generals.

For three of them were rogues from the underworld’s back alleys.

The life of an underworld denizen is like a pampas grass—rooted here today, drifting there tomorrow, and perhaps returning once more.

‘After this affair, I must seek them out.’

Their talents were exceptional. It might be wise to train them early, like Mokbi, to prepare for the future.

Shaking off his thoughts, Yeon Hojeong pulled Mokbi along.

“Let’s enter.”

“Yes!”

Their spirits were high.

As they entered, an attendant approached immediately.

“Welcome!”

Just as on the streets of Hangzhou, the attendant showed no concern for Yeon Hojeong’s massive axe or Mokbi’s red bow. Such pairings were rare, even among the world’s warriors.

Yet, there was no surprise in the attendant’s eyes.

“How may I serve you?”

“Gaebang, the Hangzhou branch leader, should have reserved two rooms under the name Yeon Hojeong.”

That’s when it happened.

“Byeoksan Hojeong?!”

The bustling first floor of the inn fell silent.

Those laughing heartily with cups of wine, those intoxicated by delicious food, those quietly sipping tea.

All eyes turned to Yeon Hojeong.

“Wow! That axe is huge!”

“Wait, did someone say Byeoksan Hojeong?”

“Byeoksan Hojeong? Yeon Hojeong?”

“The eldest son of the Yeon family!”

The silence was swiftly replaced by exclamations of awe.

Yeon Hojeong frowned.

‘Really now.’

There’s a limit to ignoring the stares of others. With nearly two hundred pairs of eyes upon him, even he felt the weight of their attention.

The attendant bowed, sensing Yeon Hojeong’s discomfort.

“We were informed of your arrival just before. Allow me to show you to your rooms.”

They had been noticed the moment they entered Hangzhou. Truly, Gaebang’s eyes were sharp.

The two made their way to the inn’s private garden, a space reserved for VIPs.

After freshening up, they donned the martial attire provided for them.

A middle-aged man waiting outside bowed.

“I will guide you to the top floor. Please, follow me.”

Mokbi looked at Yeon Hojeong, slightly uncomfortable.

“Just accept it.”

Indeed, the renowned inn was different in every way. Mokbi was unaccustomed to such treatment.

They reached the top floor.

“Good heavens!”

Mokbi’s mouth hung open.

Yeon Hojeong muttered softly.

“It’s as if it’s lined with gold.”

It wasn’t literally gilded, but the opulence was such that one might think so.

The view from the window was nothing short of a fairyland. West Lake, renowned for its beauty, was in full view.

‘I understand why Jin Yang wanted to come here so badly.’

Excessive splendor can be overwhelming, but not here.

“Please, take a seat here.”

The middle-aged man guided them to a window seat with the best view of West Lake, even on the top floor.

As Yeon Hojeong sat down, he noticed one gaze among many that felt peculiar.

There were many onlookers, but this gaze was different. It carried an intense energy.

He placed his axe aside calmly and turned his head.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes shone.

‘Moyong Yeonhwa?!’

Moyong Yeonhwa was seated with a group of young men and women, appearing to be in their twenties and thirties.

‘Why here?’

Hosun Daehui Lou’s top floor wasn’t just for those with wealth; it required fame as well.

Of course, Moyong Yeonhwa could naturally ascend to the top floor. The question was why she was here now.

Moments later, Moyong Yeonhwa rose from her seat and approached Yeon Hojeong.

“I never expected to see you here.”

Moyong Yeonhwa smiled radiantly.

“How long has it been, us?”

…This could be dangerous.