Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 128: The White Path Martial Alliance

That night.

“Heh heh.”

Moyong Gun was thoroughly drunk.

It was the first time he had gotten this intoxicated since drinking with Yeon Hojeong. No, he hadn’t even drunk this much during those times with Yeon Hojeong.

“Though we live in a peaceful era, behind the scenes, blood and death lurk, always waiting. Thus, the martial world is perpetually a time of competing heroes.”

Moyong Gun burst into cheerful laughter.

“This is why the world is interesting. Even ties that seemed to be severed by the flow of time are reconnected.”

At that moment, a heavy voice resonated.

“Are you alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean Moyong Woo.”

“Heh heh, you don’t know that boy.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled.

Despite being drunk, his eyes remained clear. As time passed, the Thunderous Qi within him continued to gather strength.

“There was a reason I insisted on keeping the youngest alive during that fierce power struggle. The youngest is pure. So pure he can’t betray.”

“People can always change.”

“While personalities might change, one’s nature does not. I’ve seen the root of the youngest. Whether in the past or now, that root hasn’t changed.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes grew deeper.

“But…”

Bzzz…

Threatening blue lightning enveloped his entire body.

Pssss…

In an instant, the room filled with the smell of alcohol. He had expelled the drunkenness all at once.

“At the same time, I know my own roots.”

“…”

“The distrust of even one’s own flesh and blood. Or rather, it is precisely because they are family that the suspicion runs deeper. It’s because betrayal by someone close is much more painful.”

“Are you saying you don’t trust Moyong Woo? How could you accept him if you don’t trust him?”

“You have no idea how grateful I am to the youngest. I trust him.”

“…”

“However, I don’t trust his environment. I don’t know what he has seen, what kind of people he has interacted with. I’m not so naive as to rashly appoint him.”

“Then what?”

“Because I know his capabilities.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“Those who are easily obtained are easily lost. A prime example is Mong-ui, whom we sent a couple of months ago.”

“…”

“Surprisingly, even those who are gained through hard efforts can be lost easily. It took me twenty years to gain the youngest. I cannot afford to lose such a valuable piece so easily.”

“What are you planning?”

“He is weak to affection. Thus, the only way is to tie him with another bond of affection.”

A cold shadow fell across Moyong Gun’s face.

‘No matter what harsh task is assigned, he will follow without a word.’

Recalling Moyong Woo’s determined gaze, Moyong Gun licked his lips.

“Though it may lack sentiment to call this a task…”

“…?”

“The eldest daughter of the Central Bank’s leader is still unmarried, isn’t she?”

The man widened his eyes.

***

Jungwon Bank was one of the top three major banks in the martial world.

With the longest history among banks, its network of connections was beyond imagination. To protect their wealth, they employed countless martial arts masters, making their sheer force comparable to that of major sects.

The head of Jungwon Bank was quite close with Moyong Gun.

“The boy is already thirty. Even though he’s established in the martial world, it’s a significant issue that he hasn’t married at that age.”

“But… the bank leader’s daughter is only eighteen.”

“What does age matter in marriage? Woo is a genius among the most talented people I know. As the future head of the Moyong family, they should be delighted.”

Moyong Gun flashed a mischievous smile.

“Send a message to the head of Jungwon Bank. Invite him for a visit to the Martial Alliance.”

* * *

“We’ve arrived.”

“Yes.”

The Martial Alliance had four massive gates, known as the Four Beasts Gates.

Yeon Hojeong’s expression was peculiar.

“Four Beasts, Four Gods…”

The gate they approached was the Azure Dragon Gate, one of the Four Gods’ gates.

The enormous gate had a vivid relief of the Azure Dragon. The surrounding walls were four times higher than the gate itself.

‘Incredible.’

Yeon Hojeong was inwardly amazed.

He had seen the Martial Alliance in the past, but back then, its outer walls were half-destroyed from the war with the Sa Eum Church.

‘Madmen. They managed to break down such walls.’

He realized anew just how insanely powerful the Sa Eum Church had been.

“Let’s go in.”

The Yeon family’s warriors headed toward the Azure Dragon Gate.

“State your identity.”

“We are from Byeoksan Yeon family in the Jiangsu Province.”

After a simple verification process, the Azure Dragon Gate opened.

Rumble!

The slow, majestic opening of the gate was an impressive sight.

Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue.

‘Black Emperor Castle never had this grandeur.’

Black Emperor Castle was much smaller. Instead, vast sums were spent on internal construction to increase military mobilization efficiency.

“Wow…”

“Oh?”

Mok Bi stared at the gates entrance.

“I’ve never seen anything like that.”

“…Neither have I.”

Of course, you haven’t.

But for some reason, it irritated him.

‘You were the one who insisted on reducing the scale of the fortifications, you damn fool.’

At the time, Mok Bi argued that the size of Black Emperor Castle should not be increased. Although they had plenty of funds, she believed it was necessary to save military funds for future battles.

Thus, Black Emperor Castle was built with minimal costs and maximum efficiency in mind. Yeon Hojeong had agreed with her.

But now, seeing Mok Bi react like this, he felt annoyed.

Yeon Hojeong ruffled Mok Bi’s hair roughly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with you?”

“I don’t know, you idiot.”

“Ah, really. He’s been getting more cranky these days.”

“What did you say?”

“Earlier, you picked a fight when you could have just stayed quiet.”

“When did I ever!”

“With the Namgung clan.”

“Hey, should I have let that go? Anyone could see it was a forced apology!”

“Then you should have just ignored it. Why provoke them further?”

“You’re talking nonsense. Being ignored is more humiliating than being insulted.”

“Anyway, you could have handled it differently. You’re always causing trouble.”

“This mouth of yours…”

At that moment, Yeon Wi spoke up.

“Bi-a has a point.”

“…Grumble.”

“No matter where we are in Kangho, we must be especially mindful of our conduct when discussing important matters.”

“Don’t worry.”

Muk Bi looked at Yeon Hojeong with distrustful eyes.

Yeon Hojeong glared back fiercely. Muk Bi turned his head away with a look of alarm.

Boom!

Finally, the gates of the Azure Dragon Gate opened fully.

Yeon Wi’s eyes sparkled.

“At last, it’s the Martial Alliance.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes also changed.

He knew that Moyong Woo had already arrived here. Considering the distance and travel speed, he should have arrived at least a day earlier.

‘I trust he did his job well.’

Click-clack.

The Yeon family entered the Martial Alliance.

Inside, the Martial Alliance was like another Jungwon. There were winding paths and many flat roads.

‘Hmm.’

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes swiftly scanned the surroundings.

‘It’s well built indeed.’

Despite the vast territory, the arrangement of buildings and walls was meticulously organized.

‘A structure highly specialized for siege defense. If even the outer fortress is like this…’

Yeon Hojeong silently clicked his tongue.

‘This is no joke. It’s like an expanded version of Heukje Fortress.’

The Martial Alliance in its intact state displayed the majesty of an impregnable fortress.

Yeon Wi asked.

“Isn’t it impressive?”

“Yes, it is.”

“The structure is completely different from our home. Our home is designed for the easy assembly and counterattack of warriors.”

“On the other hand, the Martial Alliance is built purely for defense.”

“Good observation.”

“It’s probably because of the symbolic significance of the Martial Alliance. Even if everything else is safe, if the Martial Alliance falls, Baekdo loses its strength. An impregnable fortress that no one can conquer. Just looking at the Martial Alliance, you can understand the history of Baekdo Murim.”

Yeon Wi looked at Yeon Hojeong.

Yeon Hojeong blinked, his expression very innocent.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

He had been surprised by his eldest son many times.

He thought nothing would surprise him anymore, but here he was, surprised again.

‘He is truly frightening.’

His son’s words hit the nail on the head.

Baekdo is different from Heukdo. Heukdo uses all sorts of cunning tricks for survival, but Baekdo burns with righteousness even unto death.

That’s why Heukdo is scattered and unable to exert their strength. If they united, they wouldn’t appear as weak as they do now.

On the other hand, Baekdo’s strength is thoroughly united.

In the various regions of Jungwon, most of the sects where the Nine Great Schools and Six Great Clans have taken root are allied with them. And they all fight external forces with the Martial Alliance as their focal point.

Baekdo has come close to destruction but has never completely fallen.

The name, existence, and fortress of the Martial Alliance held such immense power.

“You really can do anything. Where did you learn such things?”

Yeon Hojeong scratched his head.

“Books. I’m interested in this kind of stuff…”

Yeon Wi believed in his son. But he didn’t believe this statement.

These things couldn’t be understood just by reading books. Not even by looking at pictures.

You have to see it in person, observe, and live in such places to understand.

Whether it’s martial arts or academics, geniuses exist, but things like tactical fortification and strategic placement are thoroughly learned through experience.

“Your words…”

At that moment.

“Heyyyyy!!”

A truly booming voice echoed.

Anyone would have to turn to look at such a powerful voice. It felt overwhelmingly liberating.

“Shi-baal! Yeon Gongjaaa!”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes twitched slightly.

He glanced at Yeon Wi.

Naturally, Yeon Wi’s expression wasn’t good. Judging by his expression, he looked like he wanted to click his tongue and ask where such a vulgar friend came from.

But Yeon Wi knew the identity of the person. That’s why he said nothing.

“It’s been so looong…!!”

“Ah, shut up, you crazy beggar!”

Gadeuk-sang, who had been running at full speed, stopped in his tracks.

Yeon Hojeong, who was about to spit out another curse, hesitated for a moment. It was because he saw Gadeuk-sang’s eyes turning red.

Tear.

A tear streamed down his face, and then he collapsed, sobbing.

“Uheuhuhuh! Kkeureuhuh!”

It was a sight to behold.

It wasn’t an act; it was genuine. He was crying so sorrowfully that even the onlookers felt their eyes welling up. Muk Bi, not even knowing who the person was, started to sniffle.

“Uaaa! Freedom!!”

At this point, even Yeon Wi couldn’t help but speak up.

“It seems something… bad happened to Hu-gae.”

He spoke as calmly as he could, though he was also taken aback.

Yeon Hojeong grumbled.

“What bad things could happen to that beggar? He probably just ran away because he didn’t want to train in martial arts.”

“Watch your words.”

“I can talk to him like that.”

Yeon Hojeong smirked.

But he was genuinely glad to see him after a long time.

“Stop crying and get up.”

“Sniff.”

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Not well.”

Gadeuk-sang approached with a heartbroken expression and grabbed Yeon Hojeong’s hand.

Yeon Hojeong’s face contorted. Gadeuk-sang’s hands, holding his, were covered in tears and snot.

“Today, drink with me!”