Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 110: Only When You Lift Your Head Can You See the Sky (4)

In the midst of his astonishment, Moyong Woo was certain of one thing.

This man was more than he could handle.

He was no ordinary youth to be underestimated. His voice, the spirit he exuded, and the brilliance in his eyes proclaimed him a Grandmaster of his generation.

A look of indescribable shock was etched onto Moyong Woo’s face.

‘Why am I only seeing this now?’

A genuine question arose, and with it, he found his answer.

‘It’s because he is the eldest son of the Beiksan Yeon family.’

Kwangpungsa, Beiksan Hojang.

The fiery young master who dared to confront the once-renowned Nine Great Families alone.

A legendary warrior who, with a fiery righteousness and tiger-like bravery, withstood the might of the noble families.

That was the impression Yeon Hojeong left on the world. And Moyong Woo, having heard the rumors, had painted a picture of him in his mind without ever meeting him.

‘I was wrong.’

Indeed.

He was wrong, and the reality was entirely different. Moyong Woo now realized the vast difference between the Yeon Hojeong he imagined and the real one.

‘An extraordinary man. So extraordinary that it’s disconcerting!’

How extraordinary?

So much so that he could seriously be considered the best under the heavens.

“Ascend to the pinnacle of the White Path martial world? What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly as I said.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.

“Become the leader of the White Path Martial Alliance. Take control of the world.”

Moyong Woo’s mouth twitched.

This man had the audacity to make such a shocking statement upon their first meeting. Moyong Woo realized he was struggling to keep up with Yeon Hojeong’s words.

Seeing the shock on Moyong Woo’s face, Yeon Hojeong couldn’t help but smile.

‘So naive.’

His expression was priceless. Despite his ability to see through people’s true natures, he maintained a pure heart.

Such a person was rare. Even after serving as the branch leader in Zhejiang and experiencing the chaos of the secular world, he preserved his honest and straightforward nature.

Inherently kind and good-hearted. Though lacking in decisiveness, he was too charming to overlook for just one flaw.

“Even if you say such things suddenly…”

Yeon Hojeong nodded.

“I apologize for startling you. It was a joke.”

Moyong Woo replied with a face that said, ‘I thought as much.’

“Such an excessive joke. To think of becoming the leader of the Martial Alliance? Such a dangerous statement, you should be careful not to repeat it elsewhere…”

“What are you talking about?”

“…?”

“What I meant as a joke was the part about receiving your apology through you. My belief that you should become the leader of the Martial Alliance remains unchanged.”

Moyong Woo spoke with a voice filled with shock.

“You were serious?”

“Yes.”

At first, Yeon Hojeong had intended to approach slowly.

To build a rapport, navigate various affairs, naturally develop a friendship, and then spur him on to become the leader of the Martial Alliance.

But Yeon Hojeong abandoned that plan.

He wasn’t someone to be swayed by a forced friendship. Moreover, it wasn’t in Yeon Hojeong’s nature to do so.

If he had marked him as a candidate for the leader of the Martial Alliance, he would pursue it relentlessly.

Only when it seemed impossible, when the losses outweighed the gains, would he consider giving up.

‘If I weigh and measure too much, I’ll miss out on a good talent. Now is the time to be bold.’

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“Does it not please you?”

“It’s not about whether it pleases me or not. The leader of the Martial Alliance? Such nonsense. I’ll assume it was a harsh joke meant to lighten the mood.”

That’s when it happened.

Tssst tssst tssst.

Moyong Woo flinched.

Wooooooong.

A fierce energy burst forth from Yeon Hojeong.

It was an intense aura, as hot as fire, as oppressive as a storm, and as despairing as a flood, ensnaring Moyong Woo.

‘Gasp!’

Moyong Woo’s eyes trembled.

Yeon Hojeong spoke in a cold voice.

“Do I look like someone who has traveled a thousand miles just to jest?”

“…!!”

“If that’s truly what you saw, then I have nothing more to say. You’ve misjudged the person.”

He spoke of misjudgment while emitting a terrifying aura.

Given the shocking nature of the conversation, it might be better to just leave things as they are. That’s what Moyong Woo thought.

But he couldn’t turn away from Yeon Hojeong’s gaze.

The fierce eyes, the lightning-like glare, all shrouded in disappointment.

Knowing what it means for one person to be disappointed in another, Moyong Woo couldn’t keep silent.

“I am not… fit for such a grand position.”

“I thought the same.”

“Then why?”

“For now, that is.”

“…?!”

“Let’s set aside the trivial talk. I see potential in you. You may seem weak for ignoring the faults of your kin, but it’s not out of fear, it’s because they are your kin that you endure. For that, you are perfectly suited for the position of the Martial Alliance leader.”

Shock filled Moyong Woo’s face.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.

“Let me tell you something. I can’t be certain due to the changing times, but within the next twenty years, a calamity will strike the Central Plains.”

“Calamity…?”

“Yes. This calamity will sweep across the entire Central Plains. Blood will flow like rivers, and death will pour down like rain. Their power is that strong.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes deepened.

‘Within twenty years? They? A calamity?’

It was all too difficult to comprehend.

If not for Yeon Hojeong’s confident gaze, he might have dismissed it as nonsense.

“Even just one of them is that powerful. If all three decide to act, no one can stop them. At least, not with the current power of the martial world.”

“Three?!”

“The Mad Faith Triad. That’s what the enemies who will oppose the Central Plains are called.”

It was a name he had never heard before.

Moyong Woo felt a momentary dizziness.

“Believe it or not, that’s up to you. But know this: if you don’t prepare now, I assure you, you won’t be able to stop them.”

“That means…”

“Shall I put it more simply? It means your family will die too.”

“…!!”

Moyong Woo’s eyes sparked with alarm.

Yeon Hojeong continued in a calm voice.

“I’m not a saint. I feel no disturbance over the death of strangers I do not know. But if my family’s life and death are at stake, that’s a different story.”

“…”

“So, I have come to you, knowing you are the most fitting for the role of the Martial Alliance Leader.”

The mention of his family’s demise made it impossible to dismiss this conversation as a mere jest.

After a moment of contemplation, Moyong Woo spoke.

“Let’s summarize.”

“…”

“You’ve come to make me the Martial Alliance Leader. Because you believe I fit the role and to prepare for the enemies that will invade the Central Plains in the future. Is that correct?”

“You’ve summarized it well.”

“Then you must understand that I can’t help but feel bewildered by this summary.”

“I understand. But I am serious.”

“I know. Had you not been so earnest, I would have ended this conversation immediately.”

Ears are everywhere, and the Zhejiang branch is no exception.

Even if he had turned everyone into his people, what if there was an exception? What if a master skilled enough to deceive his senses was eavesdropping on this conversation?

That would complicate matters. Moyong Woo did not want that.

“And as you might expect, even if I believed you, I couldn’t help but ponder.”

“That’s exactly it.”

Yeon Hojeong adjusted his posture.

“If you truly understand that I am serious, that’s enough. And I hope you realize I’m not insane.”

“Such harsh words.”

“I have no intention of forcing you into something you don’t feel inclined to do. I merely want to show you the world.”

“Show me the world? What do you mean?”

“A world unknown to you. And the power of the person who will make you the leader.”

“…”

“Make your choice later. But think seriously about why I came all this way to bring up such a dangerous topic.”

Moyong Woo sighed deeply, watching Yeon Hojeong with a complex gaze.

“It feels like I’m bewitched.”

“I had no choice. I didn’t plan to meet you so urgently. If it weren’t for Mo Yongyeonhwa, I would have taken my time.”

Surprise flickered across Moyong Woo’s face.

“You know of Yeonhwa?”

“Isn’t it obvious? We’re both descendants of the Six Great Families.”

“No, what you mean is…”

“Mo Yongyeonhwa was in Hangzhou. I met her at the Hosen Daehiru.”

“Ah!”

“And I wondered. Why did Mo Yongyeonhwa come here?”

“…”

“Whatever the reason, there’s no need to let it interfere with my plans. That’s why I came in a hurry.”

Yeon Hojeong read Moyong Woo’s expression.

“Seeing your reaction, it seems I did well to come. Mo Yongyeonhwa, she planned to visit the Zhejiang branch, didn’t she? Surely not just for a visit. She must have been sent to observe the situation here.”

A formidable man.

Moyong Woo was astonished by Yeon Hojeong’s insight. As if he had witnessed his past, he seemed to grasp the unfolding situation like a ghost.

Martial arts, strategy, discernment.

A man who possessed everything one could not achieve at a young age.

‘Where did such a monster come from?’

Yeon Hojeong spoke plainly.

“Before becoming the leader, do you wish to set your family right?”

“!”

“Mo Yongyeonhwa may arrive at any time. Don’t waste time; answer the question I ask you.”

“If I can set my family right, I will do anything.”

“Even if it means fighting your kin?”

“!!”

“I’ll ask again. Do you wish to set your family right, even if it means fighting your kin?”

“If I could…”

Moyong Woo nodded gravely.

“If I could, I certainly would have done so.”

The reason he had to secretly support those dying innocents while holding back tears of blood was his lack of power.

The world is a terrifying place. One cannot fight the world with martial arts and justice alone.

No matter how talented Moyong Woo was, he could not face his family alone. Apart from the affection of kin, he simply was not powerful enough.

Yeon Hojeong smiled, seemingly pleased.

“You seem to have the will. That’s fortunate.”

“But the main house…”

“How do you think I dealt with the noble families?”

“?”

“Surely you don’t think I’m strong enough to handle the full force of the noble families? That’s only possible for the Holy Heavenly Thirteen Seats.”

“Then?”

“Don’t match my power to the opponent; make the opponent match my power.”

Yeon Hojeong stood up.

“Depending on how you handle the power you possess, you can either lead the situation to your liking or have it snatched away by others.”

“Lead…”

“Put aside thoughts of being the leader for now. If you can’t overturn the Mo family, sitting as the leader will only be dangerous.”

Yeon Hojeong extended his hand.

His fingers, long like a woman’s yet suitably thick, were calloused at the joints.

“One last question. Do you need my help?”

Moyong Woo stared at the hand and shook his head.

“I don’t need help.”

“Really?”

“However, I’m open to a deal.”

A smile tugged at Yeon Hojeong’s lips.

Moyong Woo spoke confidently.

“I cannot live on help alone. If you assist me, I will provide equal help to you.”

“You’d pass up a free meal to insist on that?”

“It’s my nature.”

Yeon Hojeong nodded.

“Agreed.”

Only then did Moyong Woo grasp his hand.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“Likewise.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.

“They say to strike while the iron is hot, and you mentioned headaches due to the trade alliance, right?”

“Yes. Their representative is supposed to visit around noon today…”

“Why let them come? Tell them not to.”

“What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you trying to mediate between them?”

“Right, but…”

“Don’t let them come to argue over the meal. Make them come to apologize sincerely.”

Yeon Hojeong grasped the axe.

Moyong Woo felt an inexplicable chill.

“Wait for it. I’ll drive the prey to you before noon. When you see the opportunity, go for the throat.”