Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 117: The Price of Insult (5)

Moyong Yeonhwa was at a loss, unable to comprehend the unfolding events.

‘What is this madness?’

The branch leader, not her uncle, was defying her, addressing her as if she were a mere branch member.

Her eyes slowly reddened with rage.

“Do you realize the gravity of your defiance?” she hissed.

“…”

“Do you so desire to be beheaded, following our clan’s law?”

“Does such a law even exist?”

“What did you say?!”

A chilling aura emanated from Moyong Woo’s being.

Unwittingly, Moyong Yeonhwa took a step back, overwhelmed by the intense energy radiating from him.

In a low, resonant voice, Moyong Woo declared, “The family law of our main house has long been disregarded, a lamentable consequence of your father’s actions.”

“What, what do you mean!”

“True family law should apply equally to all within the clan. This is true not only for our family law but for all laws under heaven.”

Moyong Woo bit his lip.

His second brother, the clan leader, a ruthless sovereign.

The thought of Moyong Jun stirred a tempest in his heart.

“But our family law is not so. Anyone out of sight of our clan leader is summarily executed. Those who speak honest truths or walk the path of righteousness are put to death if they hinder the path he treads.”

“This…!”

“That is not law. It is sheer tyranny. If our clan leader were to walk the path of righteousness, perhaps it would be different, but what he desires is not such.”

Moyong Woo sighed deeply.

“What he desires is not a just world, but merely the glory of his own name.”

Moyong Yeonhwa clenched her teeth.

“You dare to insult our clan leader!”

“How is it an insult?”

“What?”

“Anyone with proper ideals and values would know I am not criticizing our brother but rather the corruption he represents.”

“!”

“A true leader must be willing to consider the advice of their subordinates, regardless of their own power, and strive to correct their flaws.”

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“Our brother hears nothing. And now, you too refuse to listen. This is not the right path.”

Moyong Yeonhwa trembled violently.

Fury threatened to overturn her vision, while her mind turned icy cold.

‘Has he lost his mind?!’

She was the daughter of the clan leader, a pillar of the Moyong family.

The absolute ruler of the Moyong clan favored her, and yet here she was, being spoken to with such absurdity. If he did not wish to die, this could not stand.

“You truly wish for death, spouting such reckless words.”

Moyong Woo exhaled a weary sigh.

“Leave this place.”

“Your words today will be reported to the clan leader! You are as good as dead!”

“I said leave.”

Moyong Yeonhwa roared.

“Silence! How dare a mere branch leader command the clan leader’s daughter! Have you forgotten your roots after living so far from home!”

In an instant, Moyong Woo’s expression contorted.

“Have you no sense at all!!”

A sound like the roar of a lion burst forth.

Moyong Yeonhwa’s face went numb.

The roar, filled with powerful inner strength and overwhelming emotion, shook her to the core.

She shook her head to regain her senses and looked at Moyong Woo.

‘Gasp!’

His gaze was terrifying.

A wave of overpowering emotion surged towards her. Moyong Yeonhwa was struck by the intensity of his stare, which seemed to sweep away and pierce through everything.

It was not a look that merely showed the strength of one’s inner power or the height of their martial prowess.

It was about capacity.

Moyong Woo’s capacity, his conviction, was incinerating Moyong Yeonhwa. His will, forged through unimaginable suffering yet never straying from the righteous path, was formidable.

And Moyong Woo himself was changing.

Seeing the twisted branch member before him allowed him to confront the grim reality of the clan’s current state. He had found the courage to face the hellish truth he had long turned away from.

At last, he was truly seeing the world. Moyong Yeonhwa’s distorted heart and shattered pride, conversely, became the catalyst for Moyong Woo to steel his resolve.

“How did you come to wield a sword! How did you learn to read! What is the reason your body and soul came into this world!”

Moyong Woo’s voice grew increasingly intense, clear, and certain.

“The reason you could come into this world is that the Moyong surname has withstood the trials and stands tall!”

“…!”

“If you truly care for our clan, you must not hold back harsh truths when it strays from the right path! That’s why you must cultivate the eyes and heart to discern what is right and wrong!”

Moyong Woo pointed at Moyong Yeonhwa.

It was an aggressive gesture. Moyong Yeonhwa flinched involuntarily.

“With your talents, yet you blindly impose a thousand burdens on the innocent, following your father’s orders. Do you truly believe that is right?”

“Y-you!”

“Speak! Do you truly believe your actions are just? Are you living the life you deserve?”

Moyong Yeonhwa felt as if she had been struck on the back of her head.

She couldn’t hear anything else. But Moyong Woo’s last words drilled into her ears, shaking her mind.

‘The life I deserve?’

She questioned herself without realizing.

‘Am I living my own life?’

Of course, she was. She had never been swayed by others.

Always confident. She knew her abilities and had bravely stepped into the world to wield them.

I am not wrong. I will always live my life on my terms.

Moyong Yeonhwa, who had been biting her lip, finally spoke.

“Where did you learn such bewitching nonsense…”

Suddenly, Moyong Yeonhwa found herself at a loss for words.

She realized that Moyong Woo’s strong gaze was filled with sorrow.

“I pity you.”

“…What?”

“You could have lived a different life. Yet, you’ve grown up to be a puppet controlled by our clan leader.”

“Sh-shut up! I am definitely not…”

“Have you ever reflected on yourself? Ever doubted whether your life is on the wrong path?”

Moyong Yeonhwa was rendered speechless.

Moyong Woo, with a look of pity, turned towards the window.

“Return with Zhe Fengtai.”

“…”

“I no longer wish to argue with you.”

Moyong Yeonhwa’s fists trembled.

She spat out bitterly.

“The nerve of a loser!”

With those words, Moyong Yeonhwa stormed out of the office.

Moyong Woo did not look back. He simply stood, hands clasped behind him, gazing out the window.

Yi Ge quietly shouldered his burden and left the office. He thought it was not the time to disturb Moyong Woo.

And so, Moyong Woo was left alone.

Sighing.

With a troubled face, Moyong Woo looked up at the sky and suddenly realized the tea water was boiling.

He sighed and lifted the kettle, then, overwhelmed by a sudden surge of emotion, he threw it.

Crash!

The hot water and shattered porcelain scattered in all directions.

After standing with his head bowed for a long time, Moyong Woo spoke.

“Come in.”

The office door opened, and Yi Ge entered. He had been waiting outside all along.

“I have a place to visit. It may take three days, or perhaps even four.”

“…”

“I entrust the branch to you until then.”

Yi Ge bowed his head.

“Understood.”

Moyong Woo donned a large cloak and paused as he was about to leave.

“Yi Ge.”

“Speak, Branch Leader.”

“Do you think I was too harsh?”

Yi Ge smiled.

“You were quite harsh.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. So from now on, don’t hold back and soar high. That way, I might also enjoy some of the spoils.”

Moyong Woo chuckled without realizing.

“I apologize. I should have told you earlier. I can no longer stand by and watch the main house’s radical actions.”

Yi Ge laughed heartily.

“I wondered when you would raise your head. If you are the lord I have chosen, you should have such a spirit.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Woo nodded, his face lightened.

“I’ll be back.”

“Take care on your journey.”

Thump!

“Cough!”

Mokbi staggered and fell.

Yeon Hojeong shook his fist.

“With this, seventy-two battles, seventy-two victories.”

“Cough, cough!”

“How can you not win even once? When one technique is sealed, you’re no better than a training dummy.”

Mokbi gasped for air.

“That’s, that’s dirty.”

“What’s dirty, huh?”

“Where on earth did you learn such absurd tactics?”

Mokbi accused Yeon Hojeong of fighting dirty.

Indeed, Yeon Hojeong’s brawling was underhanded.

Kicking stones as projectiles, throwing leaves to distract, even aiming for the groin.

It wasn’t just dirty fighting; it was downright vicious. It was less a martial art and more a free-for-all brawl.

Yeon Hojeong snorted.

“There’s no fair fight in this world. Honor? Etiquette? Don’t be fooled by such sugar-coated words. The one who stands unyielding is the truth. To talk of cleanliness and filth in a fight is a luxury.”

“Cough!”

“Still, you definitely have the knack. You’ve never won, but you’re lasting longer and longer.”

Yeon Hojeong admired Mokbi’s tenacity.

Of course, it was Yeon Hojeong who had been pressing him to the point of unconscious reaction, but most warriors would have tired of such a venomous fight.

Not Mokbi. Somehow, he gritted his teeth and endured, and what began as a few exchanges now lasted up to thirty.

Of course, Yeon Hojeong had not shown even a third of his true skill.

‘Indeed, this guy is a gem.’

Perhaps this was how a king felt upon finding a worthy general. Yeon Hojeong inwardly rejoiced.

“Hah, hah. I, I can’t go on today.”

“Already giving up?”

“Do you know how many days it’s been? Why don’t you do some scouting beforehand?”

“Because it’s fun to beat you.”

“Ugh.”

Yeon Hojeong laughed and helped Mokbi to sit up.

“It’s good you’re too tired to stand. It’s an opportunity to practice Hongcheonqi instead of the usual archery technique.”

“You’re harsh, so harsh.”

“Harshness breeds strength. Don’t you want to be strong?”

After catching his breath for a while, Mokbi settled into a lotus position.

His posture was awkward. It was natural, having spent his life cultivating internal energy through meditation.

A moment later.

Whooosh.

A faint grey aura began to emanate from Mokbi’s body.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.

‘This is faster.’

His combat instincts were good, but his technique was even better. He had already mastered the recently taught Hongcheonqi to this extent.

‘Grow stronger. You must soar high. That way, both you and those you wish to protect will survive.’

As Yeon Hojeong watched over Mokbi’s practice, he suddenly sensed a sharp energy approaching.

‘What is this energy?’

He turned around.

After a moment, a man with a gentle demeanor approached from afar.

“You weren’t at your residence. It took me a while to find you.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“You’ve arrived.”

Moyong Woo spoke calmly.

“Do you have time?”