Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 130: The White Path Martial Alliance

That night.

Leaving the completely drunk Gadeuk Sang behind, Yeon Hojeong went out to the backyard of Pagun Pavilion and sat cross-legged.

Wooong.

A subtle blue energy enveloped his entire body.

It was a much deeper and more beautiful energy than two months ago. Even while emitting such energy, he did not let it exceed a certain limit.

He had perfect control over his energy even while meditating. As time passed, he became more adept at regulating his power.

‘Finally, my body is catching up.’

In his mind, he had already summoned all the divine energy of the Death God and mastered the Wall-Ra True Energy, even mastering all of the Yeon family’s five great martial arts.

However, reality was not so kind. His body, including muscles, blood vessels, and organs, had not yet fully adapted to the enlightenment.

But now it was different.

‘I’m finally overcoming it.’

To become stronger, something beyond effort was needed.

For Yeon Hojeong, that something was faith. Faith in his experience and enlightenment as the Dark Emperor who ruled the dark path.

That faith, through harsh training and fierce inquiry, was gradually bearing fruit.

‘My body is catching up with my energy, enlightenment, and will.’

Evolution is the process of transforming from something inferior to something superior. One essential element of this evolution is the environment.

Just as living beings evolve to suit their environment, Yeon Hojeong drastically changed his body’s environment.

He cultivated his energy and pushed his body to the limit. Even when his body rested, his mind constantly controlled the energy to keep his physical activities vigorous. He created a hellish environment that forced him to grow.

With an ordinary mental strength, his body would have collapsed, or his energy center would have failed due to unbearable pain.

But now, having overcome all of that, his body was fully under Yeon Hojeong’s control.

Swish.

Yeon Hojeong, with his eyes closed, extended his right hand.

From his naturally extended fingertips, a pure white energy emanated.

Whoosh.

It summoned the wind.

On a cold winter night, the white tiger energy created a comforting warm breeze that reached a distant tree of appropriate size.

He slowly clenched his listless hand into a fist.

Whooosh!

The invisible wind swirled around the tree.

As time passed, the wind grew noticeably stronger. The wind, which circled only around the single tree, began to be imbued with a translucent white energy.

Flash!

Yeon Hojeong opened his eyes.

Crack!

The surface of the tree bore the marks of a violent gust.

Although it didn’t break, it left the bark scarred by the fierce wind. The white tiger energy carried a strong will.

Normally, the tree should have been crushed under pressure, but the density of the white tiger energy wasn’t thick enough yet. However, even this was a great success.

“Telekinesis…?!”

A startled voice echoed.

Yeon Hojeong turned his head. There stood Mok Bi.

“Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“That move just now! Isn’t that telekinesis?”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“No.”

Telekinesis refers to the realm where strong internal energy imbued with will can automatically draw objects without touching them.

Being able to perform telekinesis signifies entering the initial stage of sword mastery. Of course, to manifest true sword mastery, one needs to undergo grueling training and ultimate enlightenment.

“If not telekinesis, then what is it?”

“It’s just one of the internal energy techniques. Although my body is evolving, both my energy and body are not yet trained enough to realize telekinesis.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled wryly.

“It’s fast, but… I didn’t expect it to take this long.”

When he first returned to the past, he thought he could quickly become strong with the enlightenment of the Dark Emperor. He believed that if he repeated hellish training, he could reach a level equal to his father’s within a year.

He was wrong.

Martial arts were not that easy. Although the Dark Emperor’s enlightenment was exceptional, it couldn’t grant godlike abilities.

‘Still.’

Yeon Hojeong never doubted.

‘I can become stronger faster. If the necessary conditions are met, I can definitely accelerate.’

And he knew what kind of environment would allow him to grow explosively.

‘Battle.’

It was fighting.

In the past and now, he had always grown through battle. The environment where he could feel the need for evolution most explosively would completely transform his martial arts.

The closer he got to death, the more his growth blossomed. Truly, he was a worthy successor to the martial arts of the Death God.

“If that took long, then I should just go die.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I have tricks that others don’t. But you don’t. In that sense, you’re more impressive.”

“Tricks?”

“There are some.”

“You really have a lot of secrets.”

Mok Bi, who had been walking aimlessly, sat next to Yeon Hojeong.

“Why did you come out in the cold? You should rest inside.”

“I napped earlier, so I can’t sleep now.”

“Is that so.”

The two looked up at the sky.

Although it was winter, it seemed like there would be no snow for a while. The moonlight was beautiful.

“Did you finish drinking?”

“I finished, so now I’m sitting in the cold, training my internal energy.”

“What about that beggar?”

“He’s sleeping. What a soft-hearted guy.”

“Right. He seems very brazen.”

“He’s actually very brazen. It’s no joke.”

Mok Bi chuckled.

She looked at Yeon Hojeong.

“It’s a bit sudden, but can I ask you something?”

“Ask.”

“What’s your dream?”

“Dream?”

“Yes, your dream.”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“I don’t have a grand dream. I have life goals, though.”

“Is it about preparing for the future, as you mentioned before?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s more important than your dream?”

“Of course. If my foundation collapses and my people die, what’s the point of achieving a dream?”

Yeon Hojeong chuckled.

“Well, some people might not care about that. But I’m not like that.”

“Is that so?”

“But why did you ask?”

“I told you, it’s a bit sudden.”

“You’re frivolous.”

Mok Bi smacked her lips.

“At least we’re similar in some ways.”

“Hm?”

“I also want to protect my people.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“Am I one of your people?”

Mok Bi frowned.

“I don’t want to admit it, but yes. I have a lot of debts to repay.”

“Haha.”

“If you didn’t play those useless pranks occasionally, it would be perfect.”

“It’s the driving force of my life. Don’t ask for too much.”

“You talk big, but it just means you’ll lose motivation if you can’t make fun of others.”

Yeon Hojeong wanted to ask Mok Bi in the past:

With such good vocabulary, why did you live with your mouth shut?

“Ugh. Sitting in the cold for too long has made my butt numb. I’m going in to sleep first.”

“Already?”

“It’s past midnight.”

“Pfft.”

“You should get some more sleep. You must be tired from the journey.”

“I told you, I can’t sleep. And what could happen? It’s the main base of the righteous White Path Martial Alliance.”

“Well, you never know.”

“Huh?”

Yeon Hojeong gave a chilly smile.

“Something smells fishy.”

The Tri-Spirit Sword hummed.

—

The next morning.

“Have you arrived?”

“Yes.”

Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue.

“Why did it take you so long? Not all the leaders of the Nine Great Schools and Six Great Clans have gathered yet.”

“Most of them are here, so we had a long discussion on the establishment of the Martial Alliance.”

“Well, that makes sense.”

Despite spending all night in discussion, Yeon Wi did not look tired at all.

“Do you have time?”

“I do, but aren’t you going to rest?”

“Let’s talk if you have time.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled. He sensed something unusual in his father’s voice.

“Understood.”

“By the way, where is Hugae?”

“He’s still sleeping in his quarters.”

“…”

“Don’t expect too much from that man, Father.”

“Ahem!”

Soon after, the two sat facing each other in Yeon Wi’s room.

Yeon Wi spoke bluntly.

“The establishment of the Martial Alliance is almost certain.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.

“As expected.”

“Did you foresee this?”

“Moyong Family Head made a significant contribution by activating the Great Assembly Authority and declaring the Nine Great Families as martial allies. He created an environment where the leaders of the Nine Great Schools and Six Great Clans had no choice but to take notice.”

“That’s right.”

“And Moyong Family Head desires the establishment of the Martial Alliance.”

“Indeed.”

“The flow of the trend cannot be resisted. Moreover, Moyong Family Head shines more in full-scale wars than in skirmishes. He must have led the trend.”

Yeon Wi nodded.

“Exactly as you said. To be honest, even though I knew it was right, I was swayed by Moyong Family Head’s words.”

“I understand.”

What mattered to Yeon Wi was not that Moyong Gun was an enemy.

For him, the path of chivalry and public safety were most important. For that, he could even join hands with an enemy. There was a reason the world called him a great hero.

Because of that, it was possible for him to be swayed by Moyong Gun’s words.

And,

Yeon Hojeong thought that this aspect made his father even more remarkable.

“Several leaders of the factions who have yet to arrive are all belligerent. They are likely to openly support the establishment.”

“So, the establishment of the Martial Alliance is practically confirmed.”

“That’s how it looks.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“As I said before, I also support the establishment of the Martial Alliance.”

“Hoo.”

Yeon Wi sighed.

Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips.

“Now that it’s decided, don’t regret it too much. If the Martial Alliance improves the world’s security, it’s a good thing…”

“That’s not why.”

“Pardon?”

Yeon Wi’s eyes were filled with confusion as he looked at Yeon Hojeong.

Yeon Hojeong instantly sensed that something related to him had occurred.

“What’s the matter?”

“Moyong Family Head… No, Moyong Family Head started it, but many leaders of the factions showed enthusiasm for one thing.”

“…?”

“The newly established Martial Alliance has no proper combat unit. Technically, it’s just an alliance of the Nine Great Schools, Six Great Clans, and smaller factions.”

“That’s true.”

“But they believe that an exclusive combat unit under the Martial Alliance should be created.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“I also agree with that. If the Martial Alliance is to be established, it should have a solid force. However…”

“…”

“They want to make top masters from each faction the leaders of these combat units.”

A cold smile appeared on Yeon Hojeong’s face.

“The power struggle has already begun.”

“Yes.”

“What was the result?”

“It was unanimously decided to create several direct combat units under the Martial Alliance. However, four of us opposed making top masters from each faction the leaders of these units.”

“Four?”

“Myself, the Jeongal Family Head, the Shaolin Abbot, and…”

Yeon Wi’s eyes turned cold.

“The Moyong Family Head.”

Yeon Hojeong wasn’t surprised. He knew why Moyong Gun opposed it.

‘He wants to control only his forces when he becomes the Alliance Leader. If top masters from other factions lead the units, he’ll have to consider them.’

He was already preparing for the future. His drive was remarkable.

“As the Martial Alliance is a symbolic group, it’s best to minimize the influence of the Nine Great Schools and Six Great Clans.”

“I think so too.”

“That’s a distant issue for now. Let’s think about it gradually…”

“Moyong Family Head recommended you.”

“Pardon?”

Suspicion filled Yeon Wi’s face.

“The compromise was to have half of the combat units led by top masters from each faction. And Moyong Family Head recommended you as the leader of one of those units.”

“…Oh?”

“Do you understand his intention?”

“One thing is clear.”

Yeon Hojeong grinned wickedly.

“That man must be quite scared of me.”