Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 118: The Price of Insult (6)

Yeon Hojeong glanced down at Mokbi with a fleeting look.

“A long journey deserves a fine tea offering, but alas, our company is not in shape for such courtesies.”

Moyong Woo turned his gaze to Mokbi.

Hiss…

From Mokbi’s body, a grey mist began to rise.

Moyong Woo’s eyes sparkled.

‘A strong one!’

Even at a glance, the youth seemed much younger than himself, yet the inner strength she possessed was as immense as that of a great clan leader.

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“An extraordinary individual indeed.”

“Her potential alone could be the talk of the world.”

“There’s no need to speak of potential; her current prowess is already remarkable, isn’t it?”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“Far from it. Age, training period, experience—all are important, but without becoming stronger, they mean nothing.”

“Such an extreme statement.”

“Even more extreme measures are acceptable if they lead to strength.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes deepened.

“To prepare for the future?”

Yeon Hojeong nodded.

“To prepare for the future.”

A brief silence fell.

It was Yeon Hojeong who broke the silence.

“It’s awkward standing here; why not sit?”

“I’m fine.”

“Suit yourself then.”

With that, Yeon Hojeong plopped down right there.

Moyong Woo, seeing him sit, envisioned a grand bird soaring freely through the skies.

Moyong Woo cleared his throat.

“How old are you?”

Yeon Hojeong chuckled.

“Is this a census?”

“Out of genuine curiosity. You seem young, but your words suggest otherwise.”

“I am as old as I appear. Born a decade later than you.”

“A decade…”

Moyong Woo sighed softly.

A decade younger? That would mean Yeon Hojeong and Moyong Yeonhwa are of a similar age.

Though peers, they were vastly different. One, despite great talent, was sickening his family alongside his father, while the other battled the world with the soul of a grandmaster.

Moyong Woo smirked bitterly.

“Somehow, it feels unfair.”

“What does?”

“I wonder what I was doing at your age.”

“Surviving the brutal oppression of a ruthless family, no doubt.”

“…You leave me speechless.”

Moyong Woo fluttered his long robe.

“I must sit. It’s more comfortable.”

“Told you to sit.”

Moyong Woo sat down and gazed intently at Yeon Hojeong.

Yeon Hojeong smiled, amused.

“Is there something on my face?”

“I have a request.”

“Speak.”

“We’ll likely meet often in the future, for better or worse.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes shone.

He had felt it when they first met, but now he was certain.

‘He’s made his decision.’

Indeed, Moyong Woo had made up his mind.

The ease and tension in his voice proved his conviction, yet an air of calm suggested he had chosen well.

“And?”

“I said I’d make a deal with you, remember?”

“I remember.”

“Yes, a deal. But as you might guess, I can’t fully trust you yet.”

“That’s only natural.”

“However, this help has led me to many realizations.”

An interesting man.

Not gained, but realized. A very Moyong Woo thing to say.

“You swiftly handled the trade union matter. But I’m not thankful for that.”

“…”

“What I am thankful for is that this crisis has made me despise the indecisiveness of my past.”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“No need to think so deeply. Everyone’s circumstances differ. You fought hard in your situation. No one would call that indecisive.”

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“Thank you for saying so, but I should have awakened sooner, even without you.”

“What matters is now. Instead of regretting, focus on the present to grasp the future.”

“True. But I say this to express my gratitude.”

Moyong Woo bowed his head while seated.

“Thank you. Sincerely.”

Yeon Hojeong nodded, accepting the sincerity.

“That sincerity, I’ll keep it well.”

Moyong Woo smiled.

“It’s curious.”

“What is?”

“How quickly I’ve come to appreciate someone I’ve never met before, after just a few conversations.”

“The world is full of wonders.”

“Then let’s make one request.”

“Shouldn’t it be ‘still’, though?”

“I’d like to be more comfortable with you.”

Yeon Hojeong frowned.

“What do you mean? Speak plainly.”

Moyong Woo coughed awkwardly.

“Well…”

“Yes?”

“…Even if we’re not brothers, I’d like us to be closer. Perhaps we could settle on a form of address.”

Yeon Hojeong scratched his head.

“Is that so important?”

“It is.”

“Really now.”

“Though we’ve just met, I’m certain you haven’t deceived me.”

“Good eye.”

“And one more thing.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes gleamed.

“You would never betray your own. In fact, if one of yours were hurt, you’d feel the pain as if it were your own.”

“Ah, you really know how to make it cringe-worthy.”

“Just speaking my intuition.”

“Quite a sentimental intuition.”

“Regardless.”

Moyong Woo kept coughing, seemingly embarrassed by his own words.

“May I simply call you ‘younger brother Yeon’?”

“Was that what you wanted to say all this time? Just call me whatever you like.”

“……”

“You may call me whatever you wish. As you said, we’ve made a deal. I help you, and you help me in your own way. That’s all there is to it.”

The words were cold, potentially wounding to some.

Yet, Moyong Woo seemed unscathed, even amused, smiling broadly.

“I look forward to working with you, brother.”

Yeon Hojeong grimaced, then realized he had clenched his fist.

…Was I about to strike without realizing?

He gently uncurled his tense fist, suggesting, “Let’s move on to more constructive matters.”

“Indeed.”

“…”

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. I just feel like I understand that girl’s heart.”

“Huh?”

“She’s sharp, that one. Called me an old soul for my way of speaking.”

“An interesting friend indeed.”

Is it? I fail to see the humor.

Yeon Hojeong’s expression turned serious.

“So, what happened? Explain how you handled it.”

Moyong Woo’s face mirrored the gravity.

“Well…”

He detailed his encounter with Moyong Yeonhwa.

“So that’s how it went.”

“…”

“What’s wrong?”

Staring blankly at Moyong Woo, Yeon Hojeong asked in a deflated tone, “So, you’re saying you nearly destroyed Moyong Yeonhwa?”

“Haha! Brother, your words are quite harsh.”

“…You fool.”

Yeon Hojeong pressed his temples hard.

“Just do as you please, show the results, and send them back. Was it necessary to make such perilous statements?”

Moyong Woo shook his head with a stoic face.

“I couldn’t do that.”

“Why not!”

“I don’t know what you expected of me, but I couldn’t hide my true feelings, not even in front of Yeonhwa.”

“Hah!”

“Gathering strength without the clan’s knowledge? Yes, it’s possible. But it’s a precarious balancing act. Who knows when the main house can be restored that way.”

“…”

“I’m sorry, brother. Perhaps your way would’ve been safer and quicker.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes shone.

“But having resolved, I don’t want to act half-heartedly. I refuse to be a puppet that moves only as you say.”

“…Is that so?”

“It may seem frustrating. But isn’t this a matter where both you and I must exert our strength?”

“Indeed.”

“Let’s ponder and decide together. Blindly following one side’s opinion will surely lead to problems later.”

Moyong Woo sighed.

“Anyway… I’ve lost face in this matter.”

“Not at all.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled genuinely, a refreshing pleasantness seeming to infuse the smile.

“I don’t want to live as a puppet…”

Initially baffled, Yeon Hojeong’s mood lifted as he listened to Moyong Woo.

‘That’s right.’

One must show such conviction and courage to make collaboration worthwhile.

A passive person only does as told. But someone like Moyong Woo, with his own principles, finds work even unasked.

The difference is far greater than one might think.

“I thought you were merely naive, but that’s not the case. Yes, you should be like this. You’re to be the next martial alliance leader, after all.”

Moyong Woo’s face hardened.

“Let’s drop that subject.”

“I’ll continue, so cover your ears if you don’t want to hear.”

Yeon Hojeong’s rhetoric was irrefutable. Moyong Woo chose to remain silent instead of covering his ears.

Yeon Hojeong crossed his arms.

“Things have gotten busy. If you’ve come out like this, Moyong Clan won’t stay idle.”

“Hm?”

“Moyong Yeonhwa will relay our entire conversation. The Moyong Clan won’t leave you be. Within two months at most, Moyong forces will enter Zhejiang.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“Why? The Moyong Clan’s temperament won’t allow them to stand by.”

“The clan leader, my brother, is not at the main house now.”

“What?”

“Temporary martial alliance.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.

Moyong Woo continued.

“He’s busy with the establishment of the martial alliance. We have more time.”

“I see. But the outcome won’t change.”

“You’re right. That’s why I say…”

Yeon Hojeong would never forget this moment.

Moyong Woo’s eyes shone brighter than ever before.

Even Yeon Hojeong, called the Emperor of Darkness, who swept through the martial underworld, flinched at the brilliance in those eyes, reminiscent of a dragon poised to soar.

“I sent a letter to my brother before departing here.”

“A letter?”

“Yes.”

“What kind?”

“I vowed to properly develop Zhejiang. To double the trade business by next year.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes widened.

“Double…?”

“Yes.”

“Do you actually intend to do that?”

“I wouldn’t have written it in the letter if it were impossible.”

Yeon Hojeong’s face grew solemn.

‘To double the business?’

A bold claim indeed, but how will the Moyong Clan react?

Regardless of the reason, Moyong Yeonhwa will spill the entire conversation.

Moyong Woo resumed.

“My brother is well-versed in these matters. If I send a business plan, we’ll have enough time…”

“No, such a soft strategy won’t work.”

“Hm?”

Yeon Hojeong looked at Moyong Woo, who flinched involuntarily.

“You.”

“Speak.”

“When you decided to deal with me, you were ready to risk your life, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then are you willing to truly gamble this time?”

“Do you have a special plan?”

Yeon Hojeong nodded.

Moyong Woo was taken aback by what came next.

“If we’ve been off course for over ten years, isn’t it time to stop walking the crooked line?”

“…?”

“Join under the Moyong Clan.”

“…!!”