Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 147

Invisible Battles are Scarier

After their first real battle in the Daebyeol Mountains, the Myeolsagun, under the guidance of Yeon Hojeong, headed toward Cheonjungsan in the southern part of Henan Province.

Throughout the journey to Cheonjungsan, Yeon Hojeong never descended into a county. He stubbornly stuck to mountain paths and used his agility technique until someone was too exhausted to continue.

On the third day of running along the mountain paths, Mok Bi asked:

“Is there a reason we’re only taking these winding mountain paths? It feels like we’re unnecessarily going in circles.”

“There is a reason.”

“What is it?”

“We must avoid contact with others.”

Many were still recovering from the shock of their first battle.

To calm their minds and bring them closer together, nothing worked better than spending time together.

Yeon Hojeong didn’t stop there.

During breaks, he engaged in various conversations with the soldiers.

Despite their attempts to appear unaffected, many secretly found Yeon Hojeong intimidating after witnessing him defeat enemies.

He clearly distinguished between his battle persona and his everyday self. Through numerous conversations and fostering empathy, he helped others naturally accept his dual nature.

Yeon Hojeong’s efforts bore fruit faster than expected.

Within about five days, none of the Myeolsagun feared or disrespected Yeon Hojeong.

Yeon Hojeong was strong. Yet, he was also quite playful and had a strangely mature aura.

This was Yeon Hojeong’s inherent nature, which he couldn’t show during his time in the Black Shadow Regiment.

Conversations with family, life in the Yeon household, and belief in himself gradually transformed Yeon Hojeong.

The intense and solitary Yeon Hojeong of the Black Shadow Regiment had finally returned as the true eldest son of the Yeon family.

Several more days passed, and when the Myeolsagun reached the eastern edge of Cheonjungsan:

“Leader.”

“Yes?”

Dong Ho hesitated.

Having just escaped the trauma of his first kill, he hadn’t yet regained his former vivacity. Still, his innate curiosity remained, prompting him to ask:

“Who is our next target?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“What?”

“We’ll receive further instructions from Hu Gae. Until then, we won’t engage in any battles.”

“Then where are we heading?”

“I told you, Cheonjungsan. We’re almost there.”

“We thought there would be enemies in Cheonjungsan. Is that not the case?”

“Of course not.”

“Then what will we do?”

Dong Ho’s question was everyone’s question. The entire Myeolsagun looked at Yeon Hojeong with puzzled eyes.

Yeon Hojeong held up three fingers.

“Three months.”

“What?”

“For three months, I’ll enhance your combat senses as much as possible.”

“…!”

“The next step is to ensure Myeolsagun moves as one. So far, we’ve traveled comfortably, but now we need to train to become a capable force.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled confidently.

“How about it? Ready to become real martial artists?”

There was no verbal response, but their eyes burned with determination.

Their environments, skills, and dreams varied, but they shared a common goal.

To train so that the martial arts they had learned would be effective in the martial world.

“If you’re ready, let’s start. I warn you, these three months will be tough.”

* * *

The snow that had been pouring down and the knife-like wind were gradually disappearing.

A month, two months, and then three months passed.

The bone-chilling wind became a warm spring breeze, and the petals replaced the fierce snowflakes in the air.

“Wow.”

Jegal Ahyeon couldn’t help but admire the beautifully colored, distant mountains.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Indeed.”

“How is spring in Hebei?”

“Not as refreshing as this. It’s a bit like the weather that makes you want to sneeze.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But it’s better than winter. Winter is really cold.”

“I’ve never been to Hebei. I should visit someday. Treat me to something delicious when I do, okay?”

“Sure. When my brother and I visit Hebei, please take care of us.”

“Don’t worry, you bear.”

“….”

“What’s wrong?”

“Can’t you stop calling me a bear?”

“But you look like one.”

“Then can I call you a fox?”

“Why not?”

Being unexpectedly agreeable left Jegal Ahyeon at a loss for words.

Peng Manho snorted.

“That’s nice. A fox and a bear? Sounds like a tale my grandfather would tell.”

“I don’t know.”

“You know, the story where a cunning fox tricks a bear….”

“I don’t remember having the luxury to sit on my grandfather’s lap and listen to old stories.”

“That’s strange. Didn’t the Jegal Family, a repository of knowledge, share such stories?”

“I finished reading the Thousand Character Classic at five and went straight into the Four Books and Five Classics. No time for old tales.”

“That’s cold. Isn’t that too harsh?”

“It was back then. Not now.”

Indeed, Jegal Ahyeon’s expression was one of pure refreshment.

Peng Manho shook his head.

“Jun must be struggling right now.”

“He must be receiving education as the young master. Serves him right, that damn kid.”

He should envy receiving the young master’s education, but instead, he felt it served him right.

Jegal Ahyeon indeed had a unique side. Despite being a child of the Jegal Family, he was keenly perceptive and knowledgeable, but seemed uninterested in power or grand dreams.

‘Well, I’m similar.’

His twin brother, Peng Daeho, was a typical hero. On the other hand, he was more of a maverick who disliked troublesome matters and sought a free life.

Peng Manho suddenly thought of Yeon Hojeong.

‘I hope it will be fun.’

Meeting Yeon Hojeong at the gathering of the promising youths had left an unforgettable impression on him.

He didn’t care about anything else, he just hoped for one thing from Yeon Hojeong.

Amusement.

That amusement could be in the form of liveliness or eeriness. Somehow, he felt that traveling the martial world with Yeon Hojeong would never be boring.

“By the way, sister, we need to speed up.”

“Huh?”

“It’s already past noon.”

“Whoops! Run, you bear!”

“Stop calling me a bear!”

With a swift movement, the two dashed through the village entrance and entered Cheonjungsan, approaching the meeting point.

However, it was hard to pinpoint the exact location due to the dense foliage and blooming flowers obscuring their view.

Peng Manho smacked his lips.

“Good grief. Why did they choose such a place for a meeting spot….”

“There it is.”

“Yes?”

“Over there, you bear. Can’t you see?”

“It’s more amazing that you can tell at a glance, sister. But it’s all blocked off. It doesn’t look like the right place to anyone.”

“You’re frustrating. Follow me, I’ll show you.”

“Huh? Huh? Are we really going there? It doesn’t look right, really?”

Pang Manho, who was following Jegal Ahyeon reluctantly, widened his eyes in surprise.

‘What, what is this?’

There was a slight airflow between the tangled trees.

Jegal Ahyeon pointed at the tree trunk with her index finger.

“If we had come up from below, we would have found it faster. Too bad. Let’s cut those down, bear.”

“Yes? Oh! Yes!”

With a heavy swing, Pang Manho drew a massive broadsword from his back and swung it forcefully.

Crash!

With the powerful blade wind, the sturdy tree trunk was sliced and scattered.

Jegal Ahyeon whistled.

“You’re strong, strong indeed. That strength is quite useful.”

Pang Manho silently rolled up his sleeve, revealing his bulging muscles that shone brilliantly under the sunlight.

Jegal Ahyeon’s assessment was harsh.

“Disgusting.”

“…”

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes, fox.”

“I like being called fox, but don’t forget to call me sister.”

“Yes, fox.”

“I should trap you in a maze for three days later…”

“Please go in, sister.”

“Alright.”

The two entered between the tree trunks.

Though they bickered playfully, Pang Manho was inwardly impressed by Jegal Ahyeon’s keen eye.

‘How did she know?’

As they emerged from the narrow, cave-like space, a large open area appeared three jang ahead.

The clearing was picturesque but difficult for the wind to reach.

Without the wind, the airflow was minimal. Naturally, detecting the flow of qi moving with the air was also difficult.

‘Her way of seeing the world is different. She must be viewing things in a highly three-dimensional perspective.’

Her trained eye wouldn’t just be useful for finding paths quickly.

It would also greatly aid in strategic tactics using the terrain, predicting enemy movements, and forming formations.

To Pang Manho, the world seen through a strategist’s eyes was so mysterious.

“It seems they haven’t arrived yet.”

“They’ll be here soon.”

“I suppose so. It’s about time…”

“That’s not why.”

Jegal Ahyeon looked towards the eastern peak.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

“They’re right on time.”

“Yes?”

At that moment,.

‘What, what?’

Pang Manho’s face hardened.

Far off at the eastern peak, a thick cloud of dust rose.

And as the dust visibly grew larger.

Crash! Crack! Boom!

Trees lined up from the peak to the base began to fall one by one.

Watching from afar, it seemed slow, but it was actually happening at a terrifying speed. Every time a loud crash resounded, two or three trees broke or shattered.

And after a while.

“…Hmm.”

The closer the dust cloud got.

The once tranquil air of the clearing started to stir violently.

The intensity of the wind changed. Due to someone approaching explosively, the atmosphere in the clearing heated up.

Finally, the figure running at the front was visible to both of them.

Jegal Ahyeon smiled, and Pang Manho’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“Quite a commotion.”

Bang!

Now, even the sound of the air bursting could be heard with each step on the ground.

The person approaching at tremendous speed was a scholar-looking young man with tattered clothes. Despite carrying a huge axe on his shoulder, he ran as fast as the wind.

Boom!

Yeon Hojeong stopped three jangs away from them after a final leap.

Jegal Ahyeon raised her hand.

“Could you have come quietly? What’s the rush…”

At that moment, a woman descended from high in the sky.

Though not as tattered as Yeon Hojeong, her clothes were quite dirty. However, her strong yet gentle movements exuded a surprisingly mystical aura.

Thud!

Mok Bi landed gracefully two steps ahead of Yeon Hojeong.

“You’ve gotten faster.”

“Is that your line? You started way later and still beat me. That’s crazy.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Yeon Hojeong raised his hand towards Jegal Ahyeon.

“Hey, it’s been a while?”

“…Huh? Oh, yeah, it’s been a while!”

“Look at your skin. Are you using foundation now?”

Jegal Ahyeon smirked.

“My skin’s always been like porcelain.”

“Yeah, right.”

Yeon Hojeong interrupted Jegal Ahyeon with a wave.

“Wait a moment. The others are arriving.”

No sooner had Yeon Hojeong finished speaking than about fifty men and women appeared.

Jegal Ahyeon and Pang Manho’s faces, initially puzzled, soon turned to shock.

“Aaah!”

“Oh, oh! It’s five! Five!”

“Hah! Hah!”

“I can’t take it anymore… I want to stop living, no, I want to stop.”

“Ugh…”

The men and women who staggered into the clearing collapsed on the spot. It seemed they didn’t even have the strength to lift a finger.

Jegal Ahyeon felt exasperated.

Pang Manho whispered cautiously.

“Did they recruit all the Myeolsagun warriors from Gaebang?”