Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 139

Rabble

The next day at noon.

“Brr, it’s cold.”

Yoon Ho rubbed his shoulders with his hands.

“Good grief, if someone calls you, they should show up on time. Why are they so late?”

Dong Ho grumbled.

“We’ve been here for less than half a keun, senior brother.”

“Still! If you call someone, you should be on time!”

“Hmph, you freeze up and can’t even open your mouth properly when you’re in front of him.”

“You brat!”

“I’m just saying.”

“But why are you here? Shouldn’t you be returning to the main mountain after wandering around the Alliance?”

“It’s all because of you, senior brother.”

“What did I do?!”

“I came to keep an eye on you in case you cause trouble.”

Yoon Ho snorted.

“What do you think you can do by keeping an eye on me? You just wanted an excuse to get some fresh air yourself.”

“Well, partly.”

“Heh heh heh.”

“Anyway…”

Dong Ho looked around.

“There are more people than I expected.”

Nearly fifty late-stage disciples were gathered in the backyard of Pagun Pavilion. Most of them were wanderers from the old sects, who had challenged and lost to Yeon Hojeong at least twice in combat.

These were young masters who hadn’t yet taken on significant roles within their sects. They might not be the best late-stage disciples from their respective sects, but they were skilled enough to be recognized as first-rate martial artists.

Dong Ho frowned.

“This is strange.”

“What is?”

“Most of these people are from our sect, Huashan, Qingcheng, Emei, Jeomchang, and Kunlun. The rest… well, I don’t know. They look like wanderers.”

“So?”

“Isn’t it odd? Not a single person from the Six Great Clans is here.”

Yoon Ho shook his head.

“Not odd at all.”

“Why?”

“Yeon Hojeong is the eldest son of the Yeon family, one of the Six Great Clans. It would be a loss of face for members of the same clan to join a unit led by him.”

“Oh…”

“Maybe there’s someone he’s close to, but the elders of the clan probably stopped them.”

Dong Ho looked at Yoon Ho with admiration.

“How do you know all this, senior brother?”

“You fool, I am from a noble family.”

“Were you from the Six Great Clans?”

“…Not quite that level, but from a prominent family in a small region.”

“As expected, you’ve learned a lot about the world. I grew up in the mountains, so I don’t really understand worldly affairs.”

Yoon Ho smiled bitterly.

“Don’t try to understand it. The deeper you go, the dirtier and uglier it gets.”

“Hmm.”

Dong Ho scratched his head.

“By the way, senior brother.”

“What now?”

“I haven’t asked until now, but…”

“Just spit it out.”

“Why are you trying to join the unit led by Yeon Hojeong?”

Yoon Ho smacked his lips.

“There are various reasons.”

“The commander isn’t here yet, so tell me.”

“Ahem.”

Clearing his throat, Yoon Ho held up his index finger.

“First, there’s nothing for me to do at Huashan.”

“That’s a ridiculously trivial reason.”

“Quiet.”

“And the second?”

He held up his middle finger.

“Second, I want to experience the Jianghu.”

“Didn’t you already descend the mountain several times? Didn’t you participate in the bandit suppression campaign?”

“You fool, can you say you’ve fully experienced the Jianghu with just a few descents? I want to see a broader world.”

“What if the commander just keeps patrolling one area?”

“…I haven’t thought that far, but if that happens, there’s nothing I can do.”

“And is there another reason?”

“Third.”

Yoon Ho clenched his fist.

“I can train freely.”

“Excuse me?”

“Both you and I don’t have specific roles at the main mountain. We’re more like reserve forces, but we still have to follow a strict schedule. Sometimes we even have to guard the mountain gate.”

“Well, it’s a somewhat honorable task.”

“Yes, it’s an honorable task. But I want to achieve something greater. I want to grow several times more and return.”

Yoon Ho smacked his lips.

“I may not learn new martial arts, but I’ll have more time to meditate. I have no doubt that this experience with the unit will greatly benefit my life.”

Dong Ho’s eyes sparkled.

“I respect you, senior brother.”

“What’s there to respect? I’m just following my own desires.”

“Still, I don’t have grand goals like you do.”

“It’s not just me.”

“Excuse me?”

Yoon Ho looked around.

Some were lazily staring at the clouds, some were dozing on small rocks, and some were meditating in a seated position.

It was indeed a diverse crowd.

“Those friends probably have similar thoughts. Their situations are probably similar too.”

Yoon Ho saw that their martial arts were strong enough. They were capable of being recognized as first-rate in the Jianghu, and some, like himself, had just entered the peak realm.

It’s just that the standards of the prestigious sects were too high. Otherwise, these people were impressive martial artists. Most martial artists couldn’t reach their level even after a lifetime of training.

However, those gathered here probably aimed higher. They might not represent their sects, but their pride was second to none.

Dong Ho sighed.

Yoon Ho tilted his head.

“Why the sudden sigh?”

“I’m just frustrated.”

“There’s a lot to be frustrated about for a young one like you.”

“We’re only two years apart, senior brother.”

“…Tsk.”

Dong Ho’s face showed regret.

“Both us and them, we were probably all expected to achieve great things in our sects.”

“That’s right.”

“But in the end, we gathered here because we were all somewhat mediocre.”

Yoon Ho didn’t respond.

He agreed with Dong Ho’s opinion, but saying it out loud felt too humiliating.

“The world is like that…”

He ended up mumbling something like an old man’s complaint.

“Brr, as you said, it’s getting cold.”

“Indeed.”

“Ah, when will our future commander arrive?”

At that moment,.

“Gasp!”

Someone took a deep breath.

“No way, is that person…”

“Little Immortal Sword, Okcheong!”

“Shh! Hey, he’s ranked higher than us! Watch your mouth!”

They looked at Okcheong with heated gazes.

Okcheong was the only disciple of Sword Immortal Tak Moo-ja, who was named among the Thirteen Stars of the Holy Heaven.

The name of the Sword Immortal was well-known everywhere, especially in the nine great sects that practiced Daoist and Buddhist martial arts, where he was revered alongside Fist God Master Muheo.

A revered figure in the white path martial arts. Okcheong was the only disciple of the Sword Immortal and was rumored to be a genius with the talent of a Martial God.

“But why is he…?”

“Is he really joining the unit?”

“There’s no way. He must be busy learning from the Sword Immortal.”

“That’s true.”

“Maybe he has a grudge against Yeon Hojeong?”

“Oh, that might be it.”

Their whispers were very audible.

Feeling awkward, Okcheong looked around and headed to a corner, reluctant to interact with strangers.

Nevertheless, Okcheong’s presence livened up the atmosphere. Although it was difficult for them to approach him, knowing that even the disciple of the Sword Immortal might join the unit made them feel better about joining.

Yoon Ho, after observing his surroundings, approached Okcheong.

“Hello.”

“Ah, hello.”

Yoon Ho spoke with an awkward smile.

“Thank you for your help back then.”

“When was that?”

“Um… after the duel with Yeon Gongja…”

“Oh!”

Okcheong shook his head.

“Don’t mention it. It was my duty.”

“Ha ha, I’m still grateful. By the way…”

Yoon Ho subtly asked.

“Are you joining the unit too, Master Okcheong?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“What? What do you mean you don’t know?”

Okcheong replied awkwardly.

“I just came because I heard the rumor. Yeon Dae-hyeop, no, Yeon Gongja didn’t personally invite me.”

“Uh…”

“I heard that Yeon Gongja personally approached the Daoist friends to join. I just came because I heard the unit was forming.”

“Ah…”

Yoon Ho tilted his head.

“Why didn’t he approach you? With your martial skills, he should have rushed to invite you.”

Okcheong smacked his lips.

“Maybe my martial skills aren’t up to par…”

“What? No way! If your skills aren’t enough, we should just leave.”

“No, my skills really aren’t that great.”

Yoon Ho smiled.

“Your modesty is impressive.”

It wasn’t modesty.

Okcheong considered explaining the situation but decided against it. It was a long story, and he felt awkward talking to a stranger.

Some time passed.

“Hmm?”

“Someone’s coming.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up.

Rustle, rustle.

The sound of footsteps on the snowy ground tickled their ears.

A woman soon appeared.

“Oh…”

“Ah, she’s beautiful.”

“An archer?”

The person who entered the backyard was Mok Bi.

She seemed uncomfortable with the attention, her face turning red.

Yoon Ho’s eyes sparkled.

“Isn’t that archer a friend of Yeon Gongja?”

“…”

“Master Okcheong?”

“Yes, yes? Did you call me?”

“…Yes. By the way, do you know that archer?”

“I know her.”

All too well.

Okcheong unconsciously rubbed his thigh.

‘That’s where I got hit the most.’

Yeon Hojeong occasionally had Mok Bi shoot arrows at Okcheong.

Although they were blunt arrows without tips, every hit brought immense pain, making him almost scream.

‘I’ve never had a conversation with her, but her skills are far superior to mine.’

That must be the case. The painful memories from his thigh were a clear reminder.

‘I shouldn’t think about it.’

While everyone was curiously watching Mok Bi, a voice suddenly spoke up.

“Oh, more people than I expected?”

Everyone turned to look at the entrance, startled.

There stood Yeon Hojeong. With his powerful spear slung over his shoulder, he looked quite jovial.

“Let’s see… one, two, three, four… almost fifty.”

The scattered late-stage disciples all straightened their postures.

Regardless of their martial skills, they needed to show respect to the leader of this unit.

Yeon Hojeong smiled and asked.

“Did you all pack your belongings?”

“…?”

What did he mean?

Yoon Ho, representing the group, asked.

“Do you mean packing our belongings…?”

“Huh? Just as it sounds.”

“Pardon?”

Yeon Hojeong grinned.

“Didn’t you hear? We’re departing today.”