Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 125: The Moment of Resolve (7)

Snowflakes began to fall, one by one.

The wind was biting, and the temperature was frigid. The sun had risen, but its light was scattered by the dispersed clouds. It was a harsh winter day.

“The year is almost over, with less than ten days left,” he mused.

“Indeed it is.”

“Ha-ha! It seems my seclusion was quite lengthy. It was cold when I entered, and now it’s winter as I leave.”

The young man’s hearty laughter seemed out of place for a warrior of the Nangong family.

Yet, he was a direct descendant of the Nangong lineage, even the eldest son of the current family head, Nangong In.

Nangong Piao.

Before even reaching his prime, he had inherited the Nangong family’s signature martial art, the Boundless Sky Divine Skill, marking him as a prodigy of his era.

The world is vast, and there are many talents, but few could match Nangong Piao’s brilliance. In the realm of martial arts, he was a decade ahead of his father, Nangong In.

Even among the historical talents of the Nangong family, few achieved as rapidly as Nangong Piao.

Nangong In was confident. With his martial talent alone, Nangong Piao was a genius capable of elevating their family to the pinnacle of the martial world.

“Your cultivation has become remarkably refined.”

“Eh?”

“More so than yesterday, and the day before. You’re improving every day.”

Nangong Piao smiled sheepishly.

“It’s not growth. I’ve just begun to control the power that used to flow haphazardly. My growth actually halted three months before I ended my seclusion.”

“Heh, growth.”

“No matter how hard I try, it seems difficult to progress further. That’s why I left.”

Some might point fingers and call it a lack of perseverance.

But not Nangong In.

He knew how obsessed his eldest was with martial arts. If the lad said it couldn’t be done, it truly couldn’t.

And he understood that.

‘Blinding brilliance.’

Even while riding, there was no sway in his upper body. His waist was straight, and his lower body, flexible.

He stood like an unsheathed sword, ready to deliver a powerful strike in any situation, his presence both flexible and resolute.

Nangong In laughed.

“Your grandfather must have taught you well.”

“I thought I was going to die.”

Nangong Piao exaggerated, but his words weren’t without truth. He must have endured unimaginably rigorous training.

“Your grandfather’s martial arts are discussed throughout the land. I lacked the talent to fully grasp his skills, but you will surely digest them all.”

Nangong Piao grinned.

“Well, that’s the plan, but it feels daunting at the moment.”

“I never expected such words from you. Weren’t you always confident?”

“Confidence alone isn’t enough to survive in the harsh world of martial arts.”

“Heh.”

Nangong In was genuinely pleased.

“If you’ve realized that, then you’ve succeeded. What you lacked before seclusion was the ability to shed arrogance.”

“Was that so?”

“I didn’t tell you, thinking you’d ignore it.”

“I can be quite stubborn.”

“Martial arts is the only thing that can break your stubbornness. Realizing the vastness of the world is worth the seclusion.”

Though he said this, Nangong In didn’t really see Nangong Piao’s arrogance as a problem.

There are those in the world who have the right to be arrogant. To Nangong In, his son was certainly one of them.

However, excessive arrogance inevitably leads to mistakes, and mistakes naturally bring failure.

His son, having grown significantly in both martial arts and character, now displayed the full bearing of a young family head, lacking nothing.

“By the way…”

Nangong In asked seriously.

“How far did you learn your grandfather’s sword techniques?”

Nangong Piao replied with a bitter tone.

“Up to the first three forms of the initial part.”

“The first three forms of the swordplay?”

“Yes. He said I wouldn’t need more than that. I still find it difficult to even mimic the deeper mysteries.”

Nangong Piao was sincerely disheartened, but Nangong In thought differently.

‘He has grasped it much deeper than I thought.’

He had expected his son to have learned at most the first or second form. But to have been taught all three forms of the initial part was remarkable.

Father never imparted martial arts to those of our blood who lacked the merit. Even I, his son, have only now mastered the first three forms of the swordplay after a decade of dedication.

‘It seems Father has acknowledged Piao.’

I was content.

I knew my limits well. I was fit to lead the Nangong family, but not to be hailed as the supreme under heaven.

Yet, could it be said that I have excelled in raising a child?

‘He may reach my level within the next ten years.’

As Nangong In watched Nangong Piao with satisfaction, he suddenly thought of his own father.

‘Father.’

A complex emotion crossed Nangong In’s face.

‘It seems he still has no intention of returning to the world.’

The former head of the Nangong family, known as the Sword Emperor, and Nangong In’s father. The world called him the Sword Emperor.

Sword Emperor Nangong Sheng.

A member of the Thirteen Celestial Masters and an absolute authority in the Central Plains’ sword lineage, he was an invincible master.

At least in terms of the sword, excluding the Sword Immortal, Nangong Sheng was undoubtedly the best. Perhaps by now, he had even surpassed the Sword Immortal.

‘The martial prowess of those called the Celestial Sovereigns is indistinguishable. However, while the Sword Immortal seeks enlightenment, it would be difficult to surpass my father in actual combat.’

The Thirteen Celestial Masters are also known as the Ten Celestial Sovereigns and the Three Lords, who are just below them.

Each of the Ten Celestial Sovereigns is a monster who has reached the pinnacle of martial arts. The Three Lords, emerging half a generation later, may not match the Sovereigns in martial prowess but are considered even more talented.

In other words, the Ten Celestial Sovereigns are the strongest masters in the world, and the Three Lords are their immediate successors, the next ten great masters.

Nangong Sheng was one of those Celestial Sovereigns.

‘It’s about time for him to return.’

Nangong In hoped his father would re-enter the world.

It was not just a wish as a son but as the head of the family. If Nangong Sheng made a name for himself again, the Nangong family would be one step closer to being supreme under heaven.

‘It’s a pity.’

Nangong In had a love-hate relationship with Nangong Sheng. At least he seemed to have done well in educating his grandson.

“Keep practicing diligently. I, your father, lacked talent and only now have grasped the profundity of the three forms, but you will understand it much sooner.”

“I shall.”

“The Emperor’s Sword Form… If you can properly inherit that absolute swordsmanship, you can make the world kneel under your sword.”

Nangong Piao responded with a laugh and then looked back.

Behind Nangong In and Nangong Piao, Nangong Hyun was driving a horse. It was hard to tell what he was thinking from his expressionless face.

Nangong Piao said with a smile.

“How about you?”

“Eh?”

“I heard you caused some trouble while I was in seclusion.”

Nangong Hyun’s face stiffened slightly.

Nangong In said.

“It’s in the past.”

“It may be past, but it’s not to be forgotten. We must check if he knows his mistake and has the will to correct it if he made one.”

Nangong Piao’s eyes turned cold.

“I’m sure he’ll handle it, but just in case, let me say this. Don’t let mere emotions make you forget the skills you’ve learned and honed.”

“…I’m aware.”

Nangong Piao watched Nangong Hyun quietly and then turned his head with a smile.

“After all, at your age, it’s natural. If not in youth, when else will you experience a heart swayed by overflowing vigor? Ha-ha!”

A slight tremor came to Nangong Hyun’s lips.

Nangong In said.

“Don’t act like an old man. You’re still young.”

“Young indeed. I’m just thirty. But well, it’s an age where one’s vigor has somewhat subsided.”

Nangong Piao tilted his head.

“But I hear the Jegal family is still delaying their response?”

“They asked for more time.”

Nangong Piao shook his head.

“That’s a clear refusal.”

“I think so too.”

Chapter 125: The Moment of Resolve (8)

“Sending an envoy first was no small burden. They must know this as well, and if we play our cards right, it could serve as a pretext to pressure the Jegal clan.”

Nangong In shook his head.

“No matter how much their influence has waned, the Jegal is still the Jegal. The term ‘Divine Strategist Zhuge’ didn’t come from nowhere.”

“Tch.”

“Since we’re bound to meet them, it’s best to tie up loose ends now.”

Nangong Piao burst into laughter.

“I hope the Jegal realize the fortune they’ve kicked away.”

Watching his father and brother converse with laughter, Nangong Hyun was steeped in an indescribable sense of defeat.

‘Damn it.’

Once his brother emerged from seclusion, all of his father’s attention had shifted to him.

It was the same before the seclusion. It wasn’t surprising, but it still felt like a deprivation of something he momentarily possessed.

Even so, to discuss sensitive matters regarding the Jegal Ayeon in front of the person involved…

‘Someday, I will surpass him. I must!’

His hands gripping the reins trembled. He wanted to unleash a strike right then and there.

“Speaking of which, it seems Sanghwa has completely closed off her heart, hasn’t she?”

“If that’s her limit, there’s nothing to be done.”

“Father, you’re truly unsentimental.”

“Heh.”

Nangong Piao’s eyes sparkled.

“The eldest of the Yeon clan… an interesting fellow.”

He had heard about all the significant events that had occurred during his two years of seclusion.

The most astonishing was certainly the incident involving Yeon Hojeong, known as the ‘Wall Mountain Lake Commander.’

It was surprising enough that he had confronted a noble house, but even more astounding was his ability to effortlessly crush the friction that arose among his siblings. Such a feat couldn’t be attributed to mere martial strength.

Moreover, Yeon Hojeong was said to be strong in martial arts. Although his nickname didn’t place him among the ‘One Dragon, Three Phoenixes,’ his skills were already considered close to theirs.

“Was he hiding his strength all along, earning the title ‘Tiger Watching Son’?”

“It’s possible. The important thing is, he’s a genius, no less than his siblings.”

“This has become interesting. Meeting a talent brimming with potential is always something to look forward to.”

Nangong In’s eyes widened.

“Do you plan to meet him?”

“He’ll come to the Martial Alliance anyway, won’t he? Surely the Yeon clan leader won’t come alone.”

Nangong In clicked his tongue.

“Just don’t cause any trouble.”

“I’m not a fool who would tarnish our family’s name with mere youthful impetuosity.”

The two laughed heartily. Nangong Hyun’s face, watching them, was flushed with heat.

After a while…

“We just need to cross over there, and we’ll reach Daebul Mountain. The Martial Alliance is just ahead.”

“Is that so.”

The air already felt different. He could sense numerous martial artists converging towards Daebul Mountain from all directions.

“Since we’ve come this far, shall we continue without rest?”

“Let’s do that.”

That’s when it happened.

‘…?!’

Nangong In and Nangong Piao’s faces stiffened.

‘A master?’

From a small path to the left, a group of riders approached.

And at the forefront of the group, two flags fluttered in the wind.

“…It’s the Yeon clan.”