Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 31. Conviction (1)

The heavy spear created an indescribable afterimage. It was a fantastic move that looked like drawing huge petals.

But it was red. The petals were stained with dark red.

Puhwaaak!

The blood that spewed out from Chu Seong’s whole body soaked the center of the training hall.

“Huk!”

“St, stop!”

Yeon Hojeong did not stop.

He would kill if he said he would kill. The spearhead that shone brightly in the sunlight had a murderous aura.

“Kuhuk!”

Chu Seong coughed up blood and trembled.

His entire body had net-like spear wounds. But they were not simple spear wounds. The wall-breaking energy that was attached to the spearhead penetrated the wounds and worsened the internal injuries.

He attacked with a move that had penetration power as well. It was a high-level martial art, regardless of whether he really wanted to kill or not.

‘Death?’

Chu Seong’s eyes were bloodshot.

‘Am I going to die?’

He saw Yeon Hojeong’s figure in his blurry vision.

The devil who had incapacitated a person with his random spear technique was coldly smiling and preparing for the final blow.

Finally, fear appeared on Chu Seong’s face.

That bastard, no, that demon in human skin really wanted to kill him.

“Kulk! Sa, save me…!”

Yeon Hojeong did not answer.

He pulled the middle of the spear handle like pulling a bowstring and thrust the spear with all his strength.

Paaang!

Chu Seong closed his eyes tightly.

It was then,

Kaaang!

The spear stopped.

“Huek!”

The spearhead was an inch away from Chu Seong’s neck. If he was a little late, his neck would have been pierced.

Chu Seong’s body that was shaking collapsed. He fainted.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.

The one who blocked this spear attack was a metal stick and a hand. He tried to knock down the spear handle, but the force was too strong, so he grabbed it with his hand.

He saw the person who blocked his spear.

“…Yongdubangju?”

“I told you before.”

His voice was trembling. It was because the pressure of the spear that pressed down the metal stick was too strong.

“My master’s order was too annoying. I’m still doing the successor’s job.”

“…”

“Kuung! But your strength is amazing. It hurts like hell.”

Juuruk.

The palm of Gadeuk Sang who grabbed the spear was stained with blood.

This blow was not a simple blow. It was not just thrusting forward, but it also had rotation and thread-spinning power. It was to maximize the penetration power.

He casually wiped his hand as if it was nothing.

“But it’s a good deal if I can save two lives with one hand, right?”

Two lives.

One was Chu Seong for sure. Then who was the other one?

“It was a needless worry.”

Gadeuk Sang answered.

His voice became noticeably smaller. It was only audible to Yeon Hojeong.

“Namgoongsega is strong. Before Gujumyungga lost its power, it was rated as the closest to the best family in the world. You know that, right?”

“There are too many ways to bring down a big elephant to count them all.”

“You, are you thinking of bringing down NamgoongsSega?”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.

“If necessary.”

Gadeuk Sang forced a smile.

He was smiling, but his spine was cold. Regardless of whether it was possible or not, this young man was serious.

‘Dangerous.’

Ability was secondary.

Gadeuk Sang felt a steel-like firmness in Yeon Hojeong’s eyes and voice.

He does not question whether it is right or wrong. This young man had a determination to achieve what he decided to do with his life.

It was a strong mind that was too sorry to call it a mere determination.

That mind would become madness if it fell into the evil path, and faith if it followed the right path.

“Anyway, there are many people watching. Let’s end this fight here.”

Yeon Hojeong looked around with colorless and transparent eyes.

Many people were watching him. And most of them were martial artists.

The surprising thing was their eyes.

Normally, if they saw such a brutal fight, they would be scared. It would be possible in the world of ordinary people.

But were they also martial artists?

The eyes of the later-generation disciples who were watching this place had thick excitement as well as simple surprise.

They were not excited by seeing blood. It was the excitement of martial artists.

The spear technique that was thrilling and merciless. Even though he was defeated by that spearman, the sword master who fought until the end.

Regardless of whether the finish was excessive or not, the clash of the spear and the sword and the continuous attack and defense made them sweat in their hands.

The later-generation disciples who grew up exchanging techniques with their families were stimulated by the real fight that they had not experienced. It did not matter whether they were male or female.

Even Namgung Hyeonjo had his eyes brightened. He was excited by the unexpected fierce battle, even though he could not be happy with the situation.

“Those kids are so excited. It would be easier than I thought, right?”

Yeon Hojeong looked at Gadeuk Sang.

Gadeuk Sang shrugged his shoulders comically.

“Let’s clean up nicely.”

Yeon Hojeong chuckled without knowing.

“It was a life-and-death match between martial artists. I will surely punish you for interfering with the fight.”

“You are a strange gentleman. You can’t even say thank you. Oh, never mind. Just clean up quickly.”

Yeon Hojeong tapped the floor with his spear.

Kwoong!

Everyone looked at Yeon Hojeong.

He spoke calmly.

“I apologize for startling you. But if Lord Hugae hadn’t stopped me, I would have killed this examiner with all my sincerity.”

Shiver!

A chilling atmosphere seized the outer court.

They were excited as martial artists, but they were also the descendants of Baekdo, who were educated in the great cause. They didn’t look favorably on Yeon Hojeong, who said he would kill his opponent without hesitation.

“Is there a reason?”

A burly young man asked. His expression was serious, unlike yesterday. It was Paeng Daeho.

“Brother Yeon’s skill to defeat Chu Danju was truly amazing. But in such a good place, wasn’t it too harsh?”

He didn’t help Yeon Hojeong like yesterday.

That was Paeng Daeho’s principle. He was young, but he saw yesterday’s incident and today’s match as separate things. He had such a clear standard.

However, unconsciously calling him Brother Yeon showed that he had some favor for Yeon Hojeong.

“There’s no reason to hide it. This morning…”

Yeon Hojeong explained the situation briefly and concisely.

His words were not verbose. But he didn’t miss the core of the situation, and he made clear the causal process that led to this situation.

Was it because of that? Although the actual words were short, the listeners felt like they had heard a long story. That meant that the speaker’s words had logic.

Gadeuk Sang couldn’t help but admire inwardly.

‘He’s really extraordinary.’

He was more impressive now than when he had pushed Chu Seong with his martial arts. He spoke with calmness and logic, and he didn’t let anything slip.

His voice flowed naturally and eloquently, and there was no room for interference in his choice of words and grammar. It sounded like a speech.

It wasn’t a natural talent, but a familiarity that came from experience. It was a fine adjustment that he couldn’t have made if he hadn’t led the audience from a high position.

Gadeuk Sang’s face, which had been looking at Yeon Hojeong with admiration, gradually became suspicious.

‘What’s his identity?’

He was a fierce skill that defeated Chu Seong at an age not even twenty.

He had a conviction that was polished thoroughly and overwhelmed his opponent.

He didn’t feel burdened by the eyes of the audience, but rather skillfully drew them into his own atmosphere with a mysterious charm.

‘This is not enough to call him a genius. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I would have mistaken him for a young man, not the leader of a huge sect.’

Gadeuk Sang’s eyes deepened.

‘Who are you?’

The outer court became quiet.

When Yeon Hojeong’s words ended, people turned their eyes to Namgung Hyeon.

Namgung Hyeon’s face was flushed. He tried to manage his expression, but anyone could see that he was flustered.

“Tsk.”

Myeong Horim, who was carrying him on his back, sighed.

“Namgoong Young Master made a mistake.”

Namgung Hyeon’s eyes shook. He didn’t expect Myeong Horim to come out like this.

“No matter how much you’re a brain faction, you’ve only joined the Namgoong family for a short time. From Chu Danju’s point of view, you wanted to show something to your family, so it’s a virtue of a superior to encourage your subordinate’s enthusiasm.”

Namgung Hyeon’s eyes brightened.

Myeong Horim spoke calmly.

“I don’t know the trouble of the hosting family. I can stand it. But failing to encourage your subordinate was your mistake. Don’t you think you should apologize in front of everyone?”

It was a cunning remark.

No matter how you look at it, wasn’t it too much? In such a good meeting place, wasn’t it a mistake to bleed from being insulted?

There could have been enough talk like that. There was enough reason to attack Yeon Hojeong.

But Myeong Horim asked Namgung Hyeon for his responsibility as the representative of the hosting family.

Gadeuk Sang’s eyes sparkled.

‘You want to bury this matter completely? How cunning.’

If Namgung Hyeon took responsibility and apologized, this incident would end. And bringing up the ended incident again would be a petty act. Just like Chu Seong did.

At the same time, Namgung Hyeon’s intention would be buried. The obvious mistake would disappear, and only the ‘mistake’ of not managing the subordinate would remain.

Myeong Horim pretended to scold Namgung Hyeon and tried to seal the incident. At the same time, he showed his aspect as an adult.

Myeong Horim and Namgung Hyeon’s eyes met.

‘You owe me one.’

‘I won’t forget.’

‘Finish it quickly.’

As Namgung Hyeon was about to open his mouth.

“It’s nice to see.”

Everyone’s eyes fell on Yeon Hojeong.

Yeon Hojeong smiled and looked at Namgung Hyeon.

“I’m not that kind of person, but if my ‘younger brother’ had made such a mistake, I would have thrown away my face and stepped forward.”

Myeong Horim frowned.

“Do you have anything to say about your face and dignity? It’s just that Namgoong Young Master’s fault is clear…”

“I apologize.”

Myeong Horim was startled and looked at Namgung Hyeon.

Before he knew it, Namgung Hyeon had reached the front of the training ground and took a bow.

“I admit that I ordered Chu Danju. It wasn’t a mistake of my subordinate, but my intention.”

“What, what did you say?!”

“I wanted to finish this meeting as beautifully as possible. But I was flustered by yesterday’s incident, and I couldn’t calm down. So I vented my remaining anger on Yeon Hojeong, even though I knew he wasn’t wrong.”

The audience opened their mouths.

Namgung Hyeon was apologizing to Yeon Hojeong now. He even admitted that Chu Seong’s behavior was ordered by him.

“As the representative of the hosting family, who should be the most transparent and upright, I have nothing to say even if I have ten mouths. I sincerely apologize to Yeon Hojeong on this occasion.”

He was about to finish the incident on his own, but he suddenly confessed the truth.

Everyone looked at Namgung Hyeon with wide eyes.

Namgung Hyeon looked up at Yeon Hojeong with trembling eyes.

Yeon Hojeong looked down at him with a cold smile.

“So please…”

The thing that my younger brother did.

“Forgive me.”

Shut up.

Looking at Namgung Hyeon, who apologized politely, Yeon Hojeong opened his mouth.

“I don’t