Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 135: The Cost of Greed

Daebyeol Mountain, located at the junction of the three provinces of Hunan, Hubei, and Anhui, boasts diverse landscapes throughout the year.

In spring, the mountain is filled with blooming flowers, and in summer, it is lush with greenery. In autumn, the foliage turns vibrant colors, and the winter scenery is a sight to behold.

Each season brings distinct scenery, earning it the title of a famous mountain.

Now, in this season, winter.

The entire Daebyeol Mountain, home to the Murim Alliance, was covered in a blanket of snow. After two days of heavy snowfall subsided, it was finally time to enjoy the view.

Young martial artists gathered in the Murim Alliance climbed the hills within the alliance’s grounds or ventured outside to explore the mountain. All of them were skilled martial artists, so the cold was no issue.

However, many chose not to miss the winter spectacle of Daebyeol Mountain.

Yoon Ho was one of those who couldn’t miss it.

Boom!

Yoon Ho’s face was filled with shock.

The splendid sword technique of the Plum Blossom Thirty-Six Swords, representing the Hwasan Sect, crumbled under a single punch. The unique moves of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, characterized by their light and quick thrusts, were utterly shattered by overwhelming power.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

This time, he had resolved not to be this way.

But the pain was too much. Despite his usual focus in fights, the opponent’s punches and kicks caused excruciating pain.

“Does it hurt?”

Kneeling and trembling, Yoon Ho looked up.

Standing against the sun, a ghost with blue eyes was looking down at him.

“It hurts me too. My mind hurts.”

“Ugh! Gasp!”

“Stop now.”

“Just one more time…”

“No.”

Thud!

Yoon Ho, flying through the air, crashed into the wall at the entrance of Pagun Pavilion and then fell to the ground. Lying flat on the frozen ground, he lost consciousness.

Yeon Hojeong shouted to Ok Cheong.

“Hey! Malko!”

“Yes, yes?”

“Throw this bastard outside.”

“In this winter? Even if he’s a martial artist, in an unconscious state…”

“Damn it, do you think he came to fight without being prepared to die? When I say move, you move!”

“Yes.”

Ok Cheong quickly picked up Yoon Ho.

Why did he feel so light? Although they had met several times, he didn’t realize Yoon Ho’s body was this light.

‘He’s not dead, right?’

Fortunately, he was still alive. Despite the brutal kicks, it seemed he only lost consciousness. Rough in speech but with a hidden kindness.

“Uhm…”

“What?”

“Can I take him to the Hwasan Sect’s quarters?”

“Do whatever you want.”

“Thank you. I’ll be back soon!”

“You don’t have to come back.”

Ok Cheong swiftly used his light-footed technique. It was the superior Qinggong technique, Jeo Un Jong, of the Wudang Sect.

Yeon Hojeong subconsciously whistled.

“The sword technique may be weak, but his Qinggong is impressive. Or maybe, his martial arts and body are just light.”

Mok Bi commented with a puzzled look.

“That’s a unique Qinggong. Not dynamic, but he’s already far away.”

“That’s the Jeo Un Jong of Namjon Wudang. Wudang Sect’s martial arts are all deeply rooted in profound principles. The Jeo Un Jong is no exception.”

“I’ve heard from my father that Wudang Sect’s sword techniques are extremely soft.”

“It appears so on the surface.”

“Is that not the case?”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“Soft and continuous. That’s a characteristic of Wudang Sect’s martial arts. But I would never stop there.”

“Then?”

“Strength and softness are one. In the martial arts world, the Wudang Sect excels in Revolving Silk Force. It may seem gentle, but when they concentrate the circular force into a single point, its destructive power can easily claim the title of the best.”

“Oh…”

“Martial arts that are only endlessly soft cannot reach the path. There’s a reason the Wudang Sect is called Namjon. That’s why it’s easy to enter but difficult to master their martial arts.”

“How do you know all this?”

“Just picked it up here and there.”

There was no way that was true. He wouldn’t speak so confidently about something he merely overheard.

“But.”

“Hm?”

“Seems like a lot of hassle?”

“Try fighting them one by one. Isn’t it annoying?”

“You can think of it as part of your training. They’re from prestigious sects, so they must have mastered the secrets of their sects. Can’t you use it as a stepping stone for growth?”

“Growth? They haven’t even reached the essence of their sect’s secrets. They’re just a bunch of nobodies coming and going.”

“Oh, is that so.”

***

Yeon Hojeong frowned.

“If anyone comes looking for a duel, shoot them. Once they have a hole somewhere, they won’t dare to fight.”

“You’re not serious, are you?”

“I was going to tell you to blow their heads off, but I held back.”

“Wouldn’t piercing someone cause too much trouble?”

“Who cares? You shot them anyway.”

What an irresponsible person.

Thud.

Yeon Hojeong, holding his spear, sat down on the bench and massaged his neck. Although they hadn’t mastered the secrets of their sects, he had fought over fifteen young martial artists today.

“I am tired.”

Had it been a life-and-death duel, he wouldn’t have been this exhausted.

In fact, it was more tiring to hold back. Despite wanting to unleash his full power due to his growing irritation, he had to keep restraining himself, knowing that truly injuring them would cause significant trouble, as Mok Bi had pointed out.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.

‘Well… growth is impossible, but…’

He did have some realizations from these irritating fights.

‘I am no longer the Lord of the Dark Arts. I can’t live as I did in the dark martial arts world.’

From an outsider to the emperor of the dark martial arts world.

How many enemies had he defeated, and how many comrades had he lost?

That’s why his martial arts showed no mercy. Once a fight began, it was always a matter of life and death. There was no such thing as holding back in the Lord of the Dark Arts’ battles.

However, living in the white martial arts world after his return was different.

Using martial arts with the intent to kill would bring big problems. Even if he was unharmed, his family might suffer.

‘I’m skilled at controlling my power, but I don’t know how to make my opponent retreat.’

The martial art of making the opponent voluntarily step back.

This was what Yeon Hojeong lacked. His martial arts, developed to an extreme for annihilating enemies, were overly tyrannical and filled with killing intent.

‘Father would be different.’

The martial arts of the middle path. A true swordsman who encompasses all martial arts.

There was a reason people praised him as the Sword Judge. He delivered a judgment blow to villains but made opponents without a reason to die retreat on their own.

This was the method most needed by Yeon Hojeong, who now lived in the white martial arts world.

“Knowing what you need to learn is a good thing.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Nothing.”

Yeon Hojeong stood up.

“I’m going to rest first.”

“Okay.”

At that moment.

The two of them froze.

A look of tension appeared on Mok Bi’s face.

“This time… it’s different.”

“It’s more than different.”

Yeon Hojeong’s face turned serious.

He turned his head towards the entrance of Pagun Pavilion.

Wooong.

Beyond the wall, the snow on the ground scattered in the wind.

It wasn’t a natural wind. The intense energy emitted by a martial artist was blowing away the accumulated snow with each step.

‘This energy?’

It felt somewhat familiar. An energy that seemed both familiar and unfamiliar, akin to the presence of the head of the Six Great Families.

After a moment, a person appeared.

“I’ve come to meet Young Master Yeon.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.

The man had an ordinary build, neither small nor large.

His aura was as relaxed as flowing clouds. It was similar to that of a mountain hermit, yet it had a much stronger worldly air. He was more like a scholar than a martial artist.

However, his martial arts were undoubtedly those of a supreme master.

The middle-aged man looking at Yeon Hojeong had striking eyes filled with deep wisdom and unwavering determination, like stiff bamboo.

“Such impressive martial arts. That wind-like energy wrapping around everything, there don’t seem to be many who could match you even in your own household.”

The man smiled.

“I seem to have come at the right time. Are you Yeon Hojeong?”

Only then did Yeon Hojeong recognize who he was.

Yeon Hojeong formally clasped his fists.

“My surname is Yeon, given name Hojeong. It is an honor to meet the head of the Jegal family.”

Mok Bi looked at the man in surprise.

The man, Jegal Munho, smiled.

“If you have time, may I trouble you for a cup of tea?”

* * *

“Hoo.”

The breath he exhaled was thicker than ever.

But it wasn’t a bad thing. It was the destiny every martial artist faced when breaking down old ways to build new ones.

Woooong.

A blue aura surged from Moyong Woo’s body.

It wasn’t much different in color from the Small Azure Sky Technique he had previously learned. However, it had a much clearer and purer feeling.

Heaven and Earth, with man in between. Only humans had the right to grasp the power to manipulate Heaven and Earth.

The energy of the supreme technique of the Moyong family, the Heaven and Earth Eight Extremes Heart Technique, filled Moyong Woo’s entire body.

“It’s amazing.”

Moyong Woo turned his head.

Moyong Gun, approaching, couldn’t hide his admiration.

“To think you’ve managed to fill your entire internal energy into the basket of the Heaven and Earth Eight Extremes Heart Technique in just two days?”

“Yes.”

“You truly have incredible talent. While your enlightenment is unparalleled, the speed is still astonishing.”

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“This is just the beginning. I haven’t even swung my sword yet. I should consider it late.”

“If anyone else had said that, I would’ve scolded them for thinking about running before they could even walk.”

Moyong Gun smiled contentedly.

“Only a few days left.”

“Pardon?”

“The establishment meeting of the Murim Alliance.”

Seeing Moyong Gun’s face, Moyong Woo realized he had a task for him.

“What should I do?”

“Haha.”

The son, who had returned after over a decade of rebellion.

Despite having the right to feel proud, he showed no such signs. Instead, a quiet determination to accomplish any task excellently radiated from his entire being.

“The Murim Alliance will be established. We must consult with the representatives of the minor sects, but the unanimous approval of the Nine Great Sects and the Six Great Families is inevitable.”

“……”

“After the Murim Alliance is established, there will be an organization you must lead.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes lit up.

“What is it?”

“The Independent Brigade.”

“…?!”

“There will be two Independent Brigades in the Murim Alliance. I want you to lead one of them. Of course, if it’s not possible, there’s no choice.”

“Independent Brigade…”

“You don’t need to lead for long. The commander position of a combat unit is the lowest among the numerous positions you’ll hold. Consider it an experience.”

“I understand.”

“However, if you become the commander of the brigade, you must achieve more accomplishments than the other brigade. To the extent that you can absorb or disband their unit. Can you do it?”

Moyong Woo nodded.

“Don’t worry.”

“Haha! I trust you.”

“By the way, who do you have in mind for the other Independent Brigade commander?”

Moyong Gun’s eyes turned cold.

“The eldest son of the Yeon family.”

“…!!”