Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 187

The Thread Did Not Break

“Did you return safely?”

“Yes, Father.”

“You weren’t hurt?”

“Of course not. I’m an officer, after all. I don’t fight at the front lines.”

“The officer who moves with the unit is the enemy’s primary target. The reason being that if the officer disappears, it’s as if the unit loses its head. A headless unit’s combat power inevitably plummets.”

“Unfortunately, the Myeolsagun has another incredibly smart person besides me.”

Jegal Munho smiled.

“Are you talking about Commander Yeon?”

“Yes.”

Jegal Ahyeon let out a sigh.

“Even though he hasn’t formally studied strategy or tactics, he employs astonishing tactics. When it comes to localized tactics, he might even be better than the scholars of our main family.”

“Everyone knows how brilliant Commander Yeon is. But the enemy doesn’t, so you, as the officer, must always be cautious.”

“After all, they were just a band of marauders. They likely don’t have experience facing a unit with an officer.”

“That’s why I’m relieved.”

Jegal Munho took a sip of tea.

“So, how was the “Heilangdan”? What kind of impression did they leave on you?”

Jegal Ahyeon’s answer was overwhelming.

“Brutal bastards.”

In that one word, Jegal Ahyeon’s anger and disgust toward the Heilangdan were palpable.

“Those who are weak against the strong and strong against the weak. Everyone knows how cruel such people can be to the weak. But those bastards have crossed the line.”

Jegal Munho nodded.

“They’re the ones who have been operating across the western regions, Qinghai, and Gansu for thousands of li. For ten years, at that. If the water has stagnated for ten years, it’s hard to imagine how dense the evil within it must be.”

“In any case, I feel much better now.”

“Hahaha.”

Though his daughter had always been bold, he hadn’t expected her to speak like this.

Was it because she had been active with the Myeolsagun? Or was it because she had finally seen the true face of the world’s evil?

Jegal Ahyeon had changed a lot too. The sharpness of her spirit was like a cold sword, and her strategic insight aimed at evil was as piercing as a well-honed blade.

“So, will you be resting for a while?”

Jegal Ahyeon blinked.

“Well, unless other orders come down, I suppose I’ll take a temporary break? Although, I doubt I’ll just be idling around.”

“Hmm.”

“Father, you’re entering the Bonggong meeting as well, aren’t you? Shouldn’t I be the one asking you this question?”

Jegal Munho gave a wry smile.

“That’s true. But I wanted to tell you something.”

“Yes?”

“If by any chance…”

“…?”

“…”

“Father?”

Jegal Munho let out a deep sigh.

“If by any chance Commander Yeon suggests joining another operation, I hope you don’t go along this time.”

“What? What are you saying?”

Jegal Munho couldn’t understand what he was saying himself.

It was instinct, not reason or logic, that was rearing its head. Somehow, he had the feeling that Yeon Hojeong would take the lead in dealing with this matter related to the Black Path.

“I don’t know either. But it seems Commander Yeon might take on another mission soon.”

“A mission?”

“Yes.”

Jegal Ahyeon smiled.

“Father, I’m a member of the “Myeolsagun”. Hojeong is my friend, but he’s also my superior. If the commander orders me to join, I have no choice but to follow.”

“I know.”

“Then why say such a thing?”

“But I’m also a strategist for the Moorim Alliance. Since the leader hasn’t been elected yet, the ones giving orders are the Bonggong. Thanks to that, your father has some influence too.”

A look of puzzlement crossed Jegal Ahyeon’s face.

“Why are you acting like this? This isn’t like you.”

“I’m saying this because I feel it will be that dangerous.”

“Pardon?”

Jegal Munho closed his eyes.

‘Could it be that I’m worrying too much?’

He was strategizing from multiple angles to probe Yangcheon. And soon, those strategies would converge into one.

But why?

Why did he have the premonition that Yeon Hojeong would get involved in that strategy?

It was indeed a sudden thought. It was true that since the formation of the Moorim Alliance, Yeon Hojeong had moved a lot, both overtly and covertly, but there had been even more movements that he couldn’t have imagined.

There was no guarantee that Yeon Hojeong would get involved in this matter. After all, the Myeolsagun was a combat unit, not a special forces team.

But why did he feel this way?

* * *

Somehow, Jegal Munho had a feeling that Yeon Hojeong would take an interest in this matter.

‘Why do I think that? This has nothing to do with that kid.’

As he pondered, Jegal Munho suddenly realized the reason.

‘Moyong Gun.’

That was it.

The person who had conceived the core of this plan was Moyong Gun. And wherever Moyong Gun was, Yeon Hojeong was always there.

Moyong Gun and Yeon Hojeong. Yeon Hojeong and Moyong Gun.

If one of them set foot in a place, the other would inevitably follow.

That had been the case even before the founding of the Martial Alliance. When they toppled the Nine Provinces’ Noble Families, the two had joined forces.

‘They’ve always been together. Supporting each other, pulling one another to greater heights.’

Tangma Army Leader Moyong Woo?

He was also an exceptional talent, but in the end, Yeon Hojeong was looking at Moyong Gun through Moyong Woo. In other words, Moyong Woo was nothing more than a chess piece that Moyong Gun maneuvered.

Jegal Munho sighed deeply once more.

“No, this father of yours was just spouting nonsense for a moment. Forget it.”

“…Yes.”

He looked out the window.

A chilly wind was blowing.

‘Yeon Gunjang. What are you moving so swiftly for? Is it truly to prevent power from being concentrated in Moyong Gun’s hands?’

* * *

Claaaang!

In the midst of the sword strike that seemed to slash through the air, a loud crash of metal against metal echoed.

Ziiiing! Ziiiiing!

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

The sword thunder, which had drawn a dazzling afterimage in the air, sparked and then dissipated.

‘It’s growing.’

The lightning coursing through the longsword was becoming increasingly distinct.

But that wasn’t all. The streaks of thunder also grew thicker, and the power enveloping the sword’s blade had significantly amplified.

Even without deliberate training, the depth of his mastery of the Thunderstorm Technique had increased. As his mastery of the Thunderstorm Technique deepened, the density of the Thunderstorm Energy rose the moment he drew upon his sword power.

Ziiiing! Ziiiiing!

Looking down at the menacingly gleaming sword blade, Moyong Gun spoke.

“You’re aware that spying on someone else’s training is impolite, aren’t you?”

As if on cue, a youthful and energetic voice responded.

“You knew I was here and ignored me, so I figured it was fine to watch.”

A smile played on Moyong Gun’s lips.

“It seems your tongue has become sharper since I last saw you.”

“While my tongue got sharper, your sword seems to have become even more fierce.”

“Is that so? I doubt you could have fully grasped my skill from that last sparring match.”

“Not fully, but I saw a bit. Back then, your internal energy wasn’t as dense.”

Unbelievable.

‘A genius is a genius, after all.’

How sharp must one’s insight be to discern the density of the internal energy held by someone superior to them?

Suddenly, Moyong Gun felt a flicker of competitiveness arise within him.

“How about it? Now that you’ve seen my sword, would you like to try blocking it with your axe?”

“No.”

“Are you scared?”

“Yes. If I get struck by that destructive thunder energy, I’ll be bedridden for months.”

“Oh.”

“Isn’t that right? There’s no one around, and if we have a bout, wouldn’t you go all out?”

Moyong Gun laughed heartily.

“Really, I can’t deal with you.”

Whoooosh.

The threatening thunder energy gradually subsided. The air, which had been burning hot, quickly cooled down.

Srrrrng.

Moyong Gun sheathed his sword and turned around.

There stood Yeon Hojeong.

“It’s been a while.”

“Indeed, it has.”

“I heard you’ve been lying low.”

Moyong Gun burst out laughing.

“What choice did I have? Someone left me with the incredibly tough task of being the Vice-Leader of the Murim Alliance. Since I never anticipated such a thing, all I could do was tuck my tail and sleep.”

Yeon Hojeong grinned.

“I’m glad you got hit properly.”

“That was the most painful punch I’ve ever taken. My mind went blank for a moment.”

“So, why don’t you set aside your ambitions and let’s work together to create a beautiful garden?”

“There isn’t a single weed in the main family’s garden. In the garden I see, I don’t tolerate even a single petal or insect that doesn’t please me.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled bitterly.

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

“So, you helped out because you didn’t want Yangcheon to gather power? It would’ve been troublesome in many ways.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“No matter who becomes the Leader, or who gains power, Yangcheon will always be a problem. In this matter, even I have to lend a hand, don’t you think?”

“Are your intentions pure?”

Moyong Gun replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Of course not.”

“I thought so.”

“Neither of us are naive enough to help others without any intentions, are we?”

“Please don’t lump me into the same category as you. I still have some purity left in me that I haven’t shown you.”

“Don’t make me out to be the only bad guy. In some ways, you’re even more ruthless than I am.”

Moyong Gun sat down on a flat rock. Yeon Hojeong folded his arms and leaned against a tree.

“So, you must be tired from your journey. What brings you here?”

“You already know, don’t you?”

Moyong Gun watched Yeon Hojeong silently for a moment before chuckling.

“If you keep going like this, you won’t live to see the end.”

“What?”

“Your skills are known to me, your father, and the entire Murim Alliance. But why do you think people say that geniuses die young? If you keep pushing past your limits, you’ll find yourself crossing the River of Three Crossings before you know it.”

“That’s possible.”

Moyong Gun’s expression turned serious.

“Do you want to be the key player in this operation?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s necessary.”

“It’s necessary? I don’t understand. What reward could this operation, aimed at stirring up Yangcheon, possibly bring you?”

“Beasts don’t only move to chase prey. They also move when another predator appears.”

“So, you’re not trying to gain something, but to avoid danger?”

“That’s right.”

“There are plenty of experts besides you.”

“I know.”

Moyong Gun stared up at Yeon Hojeong for a while before speaking.

“Let me be clear. The one leading this strategy is not Jegal Munho, but me. And to get what I want, I’m willing to accept some sacrifices.”

“……”

“Did you know that?”

“If I hadn’t, I would’ve gone to Jegal Munho, not you.”

Moyong Gun’s lips curled into a smile.

“Do you trust me?”

“I trust your abilities.”

“Even though I might act like I’m not, I could throw you into the jaws of death. I can confidently say that this time, you won’t escape.”

“Of course.”

“And still, you’re willing to fight under my command?”

“Because that’s the only way to minimize sacrifices.”

Moyong Gun burst into laughter.

“Playing the saint, are we? That doesn’t suit you.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled bitterly.

“We never know what might happen. This time, I’m not doing this to sabotage you, but for ‘us.’”

“……You seem sincere.”

“Then let me ask you one thing.”

Yeon Hojeong’s expression turned serious.

“Do you trust me?”

Moyong Gun watched Yeon Hojeong intently, a bitter smile forming on his lips.

“I don’t trust you. But I trust your abilities.”

Yeon Hojeong clasped his hands in a formal gesture.

“I’ll be counting on you. Just this once.”

Moyong Gun waved his hand dismissively.

“Go ahead and give it your all. Just this once.”