Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 123: The Moment of Resolve (5)

“Master of the House, a letter has arrived from the provisional Martial Alliance.”

“Bring it here.”

As Yeon Wi unfolded the letter, his eyes flickered with intrigue.

Yi Baekhyun asked with curiosity, “What’s…”

“It’s a letter from the Abbot of Shaolin.”

“…!”

“It suggests that at the start of the new year, we should hold a meeting to decide whether to establish the Martial Alliance. They want a decision within three days.”

Yeon Wi sighed deeply.

‘The Martial Alliance.’

The Martial Alliance must be established. With an uncertain future, the martial world needs a focal point, a space and status to unite under.

Yet, Yeon Wi believed it was unnecessary at the moment. If the Martial Alliance were to be formed, its maintenance costs would skyrocket, altering the flow of funds in the central plains.

The Yeon family wouldn’t be affected. They earned unimaginable sums monthly, half of which was already being distributed to stabilize the people’s livelihoods. Tightening their belts further wouldn’t make much difference.

The problem lay with the smaller clans.

The martial world wasn’t all clean and pure. To gather funds, these clans would take desperate measures, and ultimately, the common folk would suffer.

‘However…’

He recalled his eldest son, Yeon Hojeong’s words.

‘I believe, Father, that it’s time for you to spread your wings, which have remained unfurled until now.’

‘The position of Alliance Leader should be left vacant for the worthy. However, we need purposeful comrades to rule the world alongside the Leader.’

Yeon Wi pondered his son’s statement seriously.

‘Hojeong wouldn’t say such things without reason.’

He recognized his eldest as a fully grown, admirable adult.

Beyond being his son, Yeon Hojeong, as a discerning member of the martial community, was someone worth learning from.

‘He must be aware of the repercussions of establishing the Martial Alliance. Yet, he asked me to vote in favor. He must have seen something I haven’t.’

What could it be?

‘Hojeong.’

He pictured his son’s face at that moment.

Clear and profound eyes. But his son’s expression then was different from usual. There was an urgency, a burning determination to see his will through.

‘What have you seen?’

It was frustrating.

He had told his son to leave such matters to him, but now that it was becoming a reality, the worries were not minor.

Yeon Wi’s thoughts were interrupted by his son’s words echoing in his mind again.

‘Whenever you find it tough, don’t try to handle it alone; call on me.’

Yeon Wi chuckled.

‘I was the one who said I would take care of him, and now I’m already relying on my child’s help.’

It couldn’t be helped.

His son was right. Many hands make light work. With his son’s remarkable abilities, there was no need to bear it alone.

Suddenly, Yeon Wi’s brow furrowed.

‘That boy, he hasn’t sent a letter again.’

He wasn’t angry about it. It wasn’t something to be angry about.

But he was worried. What if something had happened to him while he was away? Was he eating properly?

‘It’s about time he returned.’

Just then, a commotion could be heard outside the window of the master’s chamber.

Yeon Wi’s eyes sparkled.

“Ma, Master! The eldest young master has returned! But…!”

Crash!

Yeon Wi swiftly opened the office door and stepped outside.

Passing through the inner courtyard, he finally saw Yeon Hojeong in the outer courtyard.

“…?!”

Yeon Wi’s expression changed drastically.

“I’ve returned, Father.”

“What happened to you?”

Yeon Hojeong was covered in blood. The scabs on his wounds suggested they were several days old.

“First, lock this man up in the prison.”

Thud!

The man who fell to the ground appeared to be a middle-aged man in his forties.

Yeon Wi’s gaze turned icy.

“What are you all doing? Imprison him immediately.”

“Yes!”

The guards hurriedly dragged away the unconscious man.

“What happened?”

“It’s a long story.”

Yeon Hojeong looked at Mokbi.

“How’s your strength?”

“I’m fine. It’s the young master who’s the concern.”

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“We shouldn’t be here. Let’s go to the medical room. No, I’ll call for a doctor; just wait a moment.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“I appreciate you calling a doctor, but I’m not seriously injured. Don’t worry.”

“Huh.”

Even Yeon Wi, the renowned Sword Judge of the world, found it hard to maintain his composure at the sight of his injured son. He had to admit, it was one of the most hectic moments he’d faced recently.

“I’ll wash up and change clothes first. Mokbi.”

“Yes.”

“Explain everything to Father first.”

“Ah, yes!”

Yeon Wi knew it wasn’t a time for hesitation.

Mokbi bowed deeply to Yeon Wi.

“Let’s go to the master’s chamber.”

Half an hour later.

Yeon Hojeong, who had stopped by the master’s chamber, ignored Mokbi’s relieved expression.

“Have you arrived?”

“Yes.”

“How are your injuries? Your qi seems unstable, and your pale face suggests internal injuries.”

“Ah, I rushed here so hastily that my inner energy was greatly depleted. I’m not injured otherwise, so don’t worry too much.”

“Is that so…”

Yeon Wi nodded.

“I’ve heard from Bia. Were you ambushed by assassins?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Yeon Wi’s gaze turned icy in an instant.

“Could it be the Moyong clan?”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“I can’t be certain. The assassins were so desperate in their attacks that we had no choice but to annihilate them.”

“And the one captured in the brain prison?”

Yeon Hojeong smirked.

“I tried to threaten him on the way here, but his lips are sealed tight.”

“…”

“It’s not training that keeps him silent. It’s his nature. He won’t speak easily. Still, I couldn’t just leave him there, so I brought him along.”

“This is troubling…”

“I rushed back, fearing there might be others targeting me.”

“You did well. That was a good decision.”

Indeed, the son had an exceptional ability to read the situation. Regardless of the hardships he faced, his swift decision-making in the heat of battle was commendable.

“What do you think?”

“I can’t be sure, but the most likely possibility is the Moyong army.”

Yeon Hojeong deliberately used the term ‘Moyong army’ instead of ‘Moyong clan’.

Sssss.

A killing intent finally emanated from Yeon Wi’s body.

“That scoundrel truly…”

Mokbi turned pale.

Yeon Wi’s killing intent was not violent. It was calm and chilling. The strange aura seemed to penetrate the body, threatening to tear apart the very heart.

Yeon Hojeong coughed lightly.

“Father.”

“Hm? Ah…”

Yeon Wi immediately suppressed his killing intent and sighed.

“Bia, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s not your fault, Father.”

“You’ve been through a lot too. I’m sorry you had to see me like this. You’ve really been through a lot.”

Mokbi shook his head.

“I didn’t do anything. It was all Yeon Hojeong.”

Yeon Hojeong chuckled.

“Don’t make me laugh. If it weren’t for your merciless archery, I would have been done for. I owe you my life.”

“No, really, it’s not like that.”

“Why don’t you go inside and rest? You must be tired.”

Mokbi glanced at Yeon Wi.

Yeon Wi nodded.

“Yes, I’ve kept you too long. Go and rest.”

“Should I?”

As Mokbi staggered to his feet, Yeon Wi spoke again.

“Bia.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Thank you, once again.”

Mokbi smiled. Despite the difficulty, he was grateful to have such a considerate elder.

“It’s nothing, Father. I’ll go inside first.”

“Alright.”

As Mokbi left, Yeon Hojeong took a seat.

Yeon Wi’s eyes became fierce again.

“So, you think it’s likely the Moyong army?”

The fact that Yeon Wi, who values propriety and formality, mentioned ‘Moyong army’ instead of ‘Moyong clan head’ indicated his anger.

“As I said, I can’t be certain. Such threats can come at any time, from anywhere. While the probability is high that it’s the Moyong army, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

“…”

“The problem is the assassins. They were highly trained killers. It’s likely they belong to a group that wouldn’t hesitate to use even skilled assassins from the dark martial world as tools.”

Yeon Wi’s eyes widened.

Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Considering the movements and unique killing methods of the assassins, it seems like a mix of techniques from both the south and north. It might be an assassin organization active in Hubei, where there are many waterways…”

Yeon Hojeong flinched momentarily, sensing his father’s probing gaze.

“Regardless, it’s currently difficult to identify the organization they belong to. Even seeking help from the Open Sect would be challenging.”

“How do you know so much about them?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“I’ve picked up bits and pieces here and there.”

Most of those who made a name for themselves in the dark martial world had deep knowledge about assassins.

Not to mention Yeon Hojeong, who had risen to prominence at the pinnacle of the dark martial world. Hadn’t he even created an organization under the Black Emperor City using their characteristics and methods?

“However, if they were targeting the Yeon family instead of me, the problem would be much greater.”

“What do you mean?”

“If it’s someone who hates me, it’s one thing. But if it’s someone who hates the Yeon family, that’s a different story. I intended to return with Ji Pyeong, but I didn’t want to lead the assassins’ trail to him, so I came back as quickly as possible.”

“And then?”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes shone.

“Yes. We need to send someone there. To be prepared for any possible attacks.”

He had sent several units of the Flying Response Team with Ji Pyeong, but that might not be enough.

“I can’t go myself. If the target is just me, I don’t want to involve Ji Pyeong unnecessarily.”

“You’re right.”

“Given the situation, please unseal the Chang Eung Grandmaster. Or perhaps it would be better to release the Flying Swordsmen.”

The Flying Swordsmen were the Yeon family’s peak masters. They lived about ten miles from the Yeon family’s main house, known as the Sword Ghosts, and were specially trained in the Yeon family’s true ultimate techniques.

“Although it’s possible, the Flying Swordsmen are currently facing a critical moment. There’s no need to disturb them at such an important time.”

“But Father.”

“I will go myself.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes widened.

“You, Father?”

“It’s better for me to go alone than to take others with me.”

Yeon Wi’s martial arts prowess was among the top of the six great clan heads. He could easily defeat any ordinary assassin organization, and even if he didn’t fight, he could outpace them in the blink of an eye.

“What about the family…”

“You take charge.”

“Me?”

Yeon Wi rose from his seat and drew a long sword from the wall, strapping it to his waist.

“When I’m not here, you’re the head of the family. Protect our home until I return.”

Yeon Wi turned around.

“I’ll be back in three days.”

Yeon Wi kept his promise.

Returning to the Yeon family on Ji Pyeong’s back after three days, Yeon Wi looked no different than when he had left. Not a speck of dust on his fluttering robe.

But Yeon Hojeong knew. He knew how desperately his father had run.

The Sword Judge, the Grand Hero. The foremost master of the eastern martial world, the head of the Yeon family.

His shoes were completely worn out, unable to withstand the terrifying speed of his supreme martial arts.