Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 131: The Cost of Greed

“How is it? Does it taste good?”

“Yes, it does.”

Moyong Gun burst into laughter.

“Fresh seafood from the seaside must be quite good. But I still prefer meat over seafood.”

“I see.”

Moyong Gun looked at Moyong Woo with pride.

Moyong Woo ate the delicious food without any change in his expression.

It wasn’t that he was pretending it didn’t taste good. To Moyong Woo, food was simply for the proper functioning of the body, nothing more, nothing less.

Moyong Woo had been ‘trained’ that way. Always maintaining the best physical condition.

Even while serving as the Zhejiang branch manager, he never lost the composure of a martial artist. Moyong Gun admired such qualities in Moyong Woo.

“By the way, are you still practicing So Hwang Jin Gi?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Tsk, judging by your qi, it seems you have mastered it for quite some time.”

“Even after mastering martial arts, one must constantly strive for deeper understanding. In that regard, I still have a long way to go.”

“Of course. But So Hwang Jin Gi is a martial art that doesn’t even fill half your potential. You’ve come this far because of your extraordinary talent and effort. Others wouldn’t have dreamed of reaching this level.”

Admiringly, Moyong Gun took out four thick books from under the table.

“I wrote these myself this morning. From now on, you will practice these martial arts.”

“What are these?”

“You’ll know once you see them.”

Moyong Woo examined the books.

Moments later, his eyes widened.

“Is this the Geongon Muhae?”

“That’s right. It’s the family head’s ultimate martial art. Only a few chosen geniuses besides the successor are taught even the first half of it.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes trembled.

Seeing his youngest brother’s reaction, Moyong Gun laughed. Even someone as calm and courteous as Moyong Woo was a martial artist at heart.

“You once told me to pass the family headship to you if I became the Murim Alliance Leader.”

“……”

“With your talent, you could master it within ten years. No one in the family would oppose you becoming the head.”

“……Thank you.”

Moyong Woo steadied his pounding heart.

“I will make it mine within five years.”

“What? Hahaha!”

Moyong Gun was pleased with his younger brother’s bold response.

That’s how it should be. Not just following but surpassing. It’s easy to say, but only a few can actually do it.

Moyong Gun had no doubt that Moyong Woo would master the family head’s martial art faster than anyone else.

“And I have something else to tell you.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“You, marriage……”

At that moment.

“Family head, Baek Pung’s leader is here.”

“Mm, what is it?”

“The eldest son of the Yeon clan from Byeoksan is here to see you. What should we do?”

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

“Yeon Hojeong?”

Moyong Woo was greatly surprised. And he didn’t bother hiding his surprise.

Moyong Gun asked.

“Do you know Yeon Hojeong?”

Moyong Woo calmly replied.

“Isn’t he the renowned rising star of the Byeoksan Yeon clan?”

“Rising star… Yes, indeed.”

“But why would he want to see you, brother?”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“You should know by now. How formidable he is.”

“……?”

“Though young, his martial arts surpass those of the elders of the Nine Great Schools and the Six Major Clans. His strategic mind rivals mine.”

“……!”

“Martial arts, strategy, courage, and execution. He’s a genius without shortcomings. I’ve met countless talents, but I’ve never seen a monster like him.”

It was high praise. Moyong Woo was genuinely surprised to hear such an evaluation from his brother.

Moyong Gun smiled.

“In a way, he could be a good rival for you. If you become ruthless enough, that is.”

“……”

“Haha, I’ve said too much. Let’s continue this conversation later.”

“Understood.”

Moyong Woo stood up and bowed.

“Thank you for the martial arts.”

“Yes. I’m looking forward to it.”

Moyong Gun called out towards the door.

“Let him in.”

The door creaked open, and Yeon Hojeong entered.

As soon as their eyes met, sparks flew between Yeon Hojeong and Moyong Woo.

Yeon Hojeong slightly bowed his head. Moyong Woo also bowed slightly and passed by him.

“It’s been a while.”

“Indeed.”

“Sit down. I’ll have the tea remade.”

“That’s not necessary. I’ve already had some.”

“Haha, is that so?”

As soon as the door closed, Yeon Hojeong asked.

“Who was that?”

“Hmm?”

“The person who just left.”

Moyong Gun was curious. What was Yeon Hojeong’s first impression of Moyong Woo?

“What did you think? Did he seem capable?”

“It’s hard to judge someone without talking to them.”

“Haha, I was just curious about your first impression. Please answer.”

Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.

“He doesn’t seem like someone who should be with you.”

“Hmm?”

“His martial arts are excellent, but he seems a bit soft in character.”

Indeed, this kid’s insight is remarkable.

Moyong Gun smiled and spoke frankly.

“You’re right. He’s a talented child in many ways.”

“That’s surprising. I thought you valued a ruthless mind over talent.”

“Hahaha! It all depends on me, doesn’t it?”

After sipping his tea, Moyong Gun asked.

“So, what brings you here in the middle of the day?”

“You already know, don’t you?”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“Why? Are you suspicious of my recommendation for you to lead the combat unit?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled back.

“It was so suspicious that I wondered if it might actually be a genuine goodwill.”

“Hahaha!”

Yeon Hojeong got straight to the point.

“What position were you promised?”

“Hmm?”

“When the Murim Alliance is established, what position will you hold?”

“Haha, that I don’t know. But I doubt I’ll be the Alliance Leader.”

“Are you planning to lead the combat unit?”

Moyong Gun just kept smiling.

His eyes were sharp as ever.

“……”

After a moment of silence, Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“Isn’t it too soon to push yourself so hard?”

“Push myself?”

“You’ve done a great job in ousting the noble families, but running without looking to the sides might cause you to trip over a weed.”

“Haha, I’ve not lived a life easy enough to trip over a weed.”

“So, you’ll push forward like this?”

“Of course. My dream is just beginning.”

“Are you confident?”

“No one knows the future. I can only do my best from my position.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“Isn’t life just like that?”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.

‘He has an ace up his sleeve.’

Moyong Gun wasn’t alone. He must have allied with some of the Nine Great Schools or the Six Major Clans.

‘In such a short time? As expected, he’s no ordinary person.’

Moyong Gun tilted his head.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“……”

“If you’ve come to gauge my sincerity about that matter, I have nothing more to say. I just couldn’t stand wasting such a talented person.”

“You want to give such an important role to someone who just reached the age of majority, whose head is still wet behind the ears.”

“Age and skill are separate. You’ve proven your abilities against the Nine Great Schools and capturing Myeong Horyeom.”

“……”

“Anything else to say?”

“Not really.”

“If not, then go.”

“Independent Ranger Corps.”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Hojeong relaxed his expression.

“Since you’ve already recommended me, it won’t be easy to withdraw. And considering my father’s face, it wouldn’t be right either.”

“What do you mean?”

“The combat unit I will lead will function as an Independent Ranger Corps. Officially part of the Murim Alliance, but it will not be a greenhouse flower. It will roam freely in the field and act independently when major incidents occur in the martial world, moving at the command of the leader.”

“……?”

“Of course, excessive freedom can lead to recklessness. The only person who can command us will be the Alliance Leader. If a separate decision-making body is established, we could move according to the majority opinion.”

“Hahaha!”

Moyong Gun laughed as if it was absurd.

“Do you think I’ll agree to your demands?”

“Can’t you?”

“Of course not. Even if I wanted to, I’m just the head of a clan. I can’t make such decisions alone.”

“This is our third meeting, but we know each other quite well, don’t we?”

“I’ve thought this before, but your manner of speaking is quite rude to just overlook.”

“Let’s drop the pretense and talk.”

Yeon Hojeong’s pupils turned blue.

The normally beautiful color of Byeok La Jin Gi seemed particularly eerie today.

“Can you?”

“……”

“Both you and I, we don’t know our limits yet. But we know this. Neither of us is incompetent enough not to use such power.”

Moyong Gun’s expression turned cold.

For the first time, he showed Yeon Hojeong his true face as a ruthless schemer.

“If I wanted, I could do it. But why should I give you such a force? I’m not a philanthropist doing good deeds for others.”

“That’s why I’m doing this.”

“Trying to bargain again?”

“How’s your relationship with Jeomchangpa?”

Moyong Gun’s expression hardened.

“What do you mean?”

“I must have mentioned it before. If you’re going to use someone, use someone who can keep their mouth shut.”

“……?!”

“If you were trying to instill vigilance, you succeeded splendidly. I spent a couple of months holed up at home swinging an axe.”

“……”

“As they say, misfortune and fortune are interwoven. You hit me once, so now it’s my turn. I think I can sharpen the arrow you shot and shoot it back.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled brightly.

“Should I shoot the arrow named Mongui at your chest? Or should I aim it at Jeomchangpa? Order as you like. I’m in charge of the kitchen.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes twitched.

He realized that Yeon Hojeong wasn’t lying. Even if he was, now that the name ‘Mongui’ was out, it couldn’t be ignored.

“Are you holding him?”

“He’s safely locked up in the dungeon. He’s quite damaged, though.”

Moyong Gun spoke in a cold voice.

“Even if you send him to Jeomchangpa, would it affect the big picture? If he was that valuable, I wouldn’t have sent him.”

“He uses the lost Sa-il Sword Technique.”

“……!!”

“Didn’t he tell you?”

Moyong Gun’s face twisted visibly.

Yeon Hojeong spoke cheerfully.

“My stake is ready. Bring out your abacus.”