Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 149

The Invisible Fight is Scarier

“Ha ha, thank you for coming.”

“Hmm.”

“I brewed this tea myself. Recently, I acquired some top-quality Dragon Well. I’m not sure how it tastes.”

The middle-aged man took a sip of his tea.

Moyong Gun smiled faintly.

“How is it?”

“Not bad.”

Dragon Well is considered the finest of tea leaves. Moreover, top-quality Dragon Well is something even high-ranking officials can hardly obtain.

To receive only a simple “not bad” after serving such tea could be disheartening for the host.

However, Moyong Gun’s expression remained unchanged.

“That’s good to hear. At least it didn’t ruin your palate.”

Watching Moyong Gun burst into hearty laughter, the man asked,

“Why don’t you visit Sichuan sometime? I’ll serve you some excellent tea.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

A visit to Sichuan? That meant he was willing to form an alliance.

“Have you made up your mind?”

The middle-aged man, Tang Kwan, the head of the Tang Family of Sichuan, spoke in a monotonous voice.

“Deliberate carefully, decide swiftly. That’s my creed.”

“Ha ha?”

“If I wasn’t going to form an alliance, I wouldn’t have come here.”

“Ha ha ha!”

Moyong Gun laughed heartily for the first time in a while.

“I knew it before, but you’re really straightforward.”

“You and I joined hands purely for mutual benefit. Neither of us expects anything extraordinary from the other, right?”

“True. But as heads of our respective families, even after making a decision, we must consider various possibilities.”

“A family’s strength comes from the confidence of its head.”

That one statement hinted at how the Tang Family was run.

The head of the Tang Family was akin to a monarch. While other martial families showed similar tendencies, the Tang Family particularly relied on the abilities of its head.

‘Like a dark sect.’

The difference between the Tang Family and dark sects was likely the martial arts and poison skills of their subordinates.

“I look forward to working with you.”

Tang Kwan nodded silently.

It was unclear if he was naturally reticent or uncomfortable in this situation. Moyong Gun clearly thought it was the latter.

“By the way, your daughter…”

“What about Moyong Woo?”

He interrupted without hesitation, but Moyong Gun was not offended.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, does he have the capabilities to be the head of an organization?”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“Do you think I would appoint someone incapable as the head of the Tangma Army?”

“Really.”

“I’m not saying this because he’s my brother. He’s a genius. His martial arts are unparalleled, and he’s a rare talent with both martial prowess and commercial acumen.”

“Hmm.”

Tang Kwan’s eyes sparkled.

“And he’s thirty years old now?”

“Yes.”

“I heard he’s still unmarried.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes twinkled.

From the moment Tang Kwan brought up Moyong Woo, he had a feeling something was up. And his intuition was correct.

Pretending not to notice, Moyong Gun replied,

“He’s been too busy with work to get married. I’ve been looking for a good match, but haven’t found one yet.”

“I see.”

“The eldest daughter of Jungwon Bank is quite suitable. If I don’t find a better match, I’m planning to proceed with that.”

Tang Kwan spoke directly.

“Why not consider forming an alliance with the master of Sichuan instead of Jungwon Bank?”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled again.

“Do you mean…?”

“My eldest daughter is also unmarried. She’s a year younger than the head of the Tangma Army.”

In a world where getting married at an appropriate age is considered normal, it’s challenging to find a match for a woman of twenty-nine, no matter how skilled she is.

Moyong Gun, looking somewhat troubled, said,

“To be honest, while I’d be delighted to form an alliance with the Tang Family, it’s also important to consider my brother’s feelings, isn’t it?”

Even someone as powerful as Moyong Gun had to tread carefully. He didn’t want to imply that Tang Kwan’s daughter was too old for his brother.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.

“Moreover, doesn’t the Tang Family traditionally make the son-in-law join their family? I’m not sure if Woo would accept that…”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Hmm?”

Tang Kwan gazed lazily out the window.

“I don’t intend to make him join as a son-in-law. If he’s willing, let’s proceed with the marriage.”

A subtle weariness spread across the face of the head of the family reputed to be the most poisonous in the world.

There seemed to be unspoken circumstances. Moyong Gun chose not to pry into that.

“Since you put it that way, I’ll try to persuade Woo. I’ll give you an answer by midnight tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

Moyong Gun began comparing the Tang Family and Jungwon Bank in his mind.

Considering the influence over the martial world, the Tang Family was the obvious choice. Though feared rather than respected, their power was undeniable.

However, the financial resources of Jungwon Bank were also considerable. Jungwon Bank had the longest history among banks. Even in the martial world, it was hard to manage affairs without a financial foundation.

‘A tough choice.’

At least he knew one thing.

Tang Kwan was clearly pushing himself too hard. He might intend to use the Moyong Family, but the Moyong Family would also use the Tang Family.

‘Moreover, if he’s willing to abandon the son-in-law tradition…’

What change had occurred in the proud head of the Tang Family’s mindset?

“What about the other side?”

“Hmm?”

Changing the subject, Tang Kwan asked,

“What about the Myeolsagun side? Any notable movements?”

Moyong Gun frowned.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“……?”

“It’s not confirmed yet, but it seems the Jegal and Peng families are supporting the Myeolsagun.”

Tang Kwan sneered coldly.

“Those pretentious scribblers and muscle-bound fools?”

It was a terrifying statement. No matter how powerful Tang Kwan was, he was dismissing his fellow Six Great Families too much.

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“You can’t dismiss them entirely. The leader of those scribblers is a strategist for the Martial Alliance, and the leader of those fools is considered the ruler of Hebei.”

“They still lack the strength to alter the overall situation.”

“True. But those two are supporting one family.”

Tang Kwan’s eyes flashed with a fierce light.

“The Yeon Family?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Gun knew that Tang Kwan’s eldest son had been severely defeated by Yeon Hojeong.

Of course, this wasn’t the kind of topic to bring up in such a setting.

“In my life, I’ve been most astonished by two talents. One of them is Yeon Hojeong, the eldest son of the Yeon Family.”

“Is he that impressive?”

“In simple terms, he’s a genius. My honest opinion is that he’s a monster.”

Tang Kwan frowned.

He acknowledged Moyong Gun’s martial arts. More than that, he valued his resourcefulness.

If someone worthy of being called a hero and villain simultaneously described someone as a monster, what kind of person must Yeon Hojeong be?

“Is he strong?”

“He’s strong. Last winter, I exchanged moves with him. Surprisingly, his martial arts surpassed that of elders from the Nine Great Sects and Six Great Families. He seemed superior to even the Ilryong Sanbong.”

“To that extent?”

“More astonishingly, he’s only about twenty. To possess such martial prowess at that age, I guarantee he will become an unstoppable force that will shake the martial world.”

This was no exaggeration.

Tang Kwan read Moyong Gun’s gaze. The pure amazement and anger in his eyes indicated that he genuinely admired Yeon Hojeong.

‘A monster, huh… No wonder Yangseon ended up like that.’

Tang Kwan ground his teeth internally.

His target wasn’t Yeon Hojeong but his own son, Tang Yangseon.

‘Never let your guard down, even against a wastrel who hasn’t learned any martial arts.’

He didn’t think his son’s arrogant nature was the issue.

Tang Yangseon was destined to become the future head of the Tang Family and the master of Sichuan. In such a position, a certain degree of arrogance was acceptable.

However, arrogance and complacency are different matters.

The strength of the Tang Family didn’t come from poison or concealed weapons. It was the tenacity to kill the enemy no matter what, and that tenacity had to be fueled by constant vigilance.

His son had overlooked that. Despite his warnings not to be complacent.

‘Father.’

Tang Kwan’s forehead creased with wrinkles.

‘You should have paid more attention to the child who would become the family’s head.’

Tang Kwan’s father, the former head of the Tang Family, was a legend in the martial world.

The Dark King, Tang Hyung.

One of the Ten Immortal Kings, he reached the ultimate realm in both poison and concealed weapons, making him the greatest genius in the Tang Family’s history.

Like most Immortal Kings, Tang Hyung had retired from active duty to focus solely on martial arts. However, he adored his grandchildren so much that he occasionally offered guidance.

And the grandchild he cherished the most was Tang Kwan’s eldest daughter, Tang Sang-ah.

Tang Kwan recalled his father’s regretful voice.

‘It’s a pity. If Sang-ah had been born a boy, she would have made the greatest head of the family in history.’

Somehow

, this comment had spread, and more and more people began suggesting that Tang Sang-ah be given a key position.

That wasn’t all. With her exceptional martial talent, striking beauty, and resolute character, Tang Sang-ah became a revered figure among young martial artists in Sichuan. Even within the Tang Family, those who supported her steadily increased.

As the head of the family, Tang Kwan couldn’t ignore this situation.

As a father, it pained him deeply, but as the head, he had to uphold the family’s traditions and values.

“If he’s that formidable, we must eliminate him as soon as possible.”

Moyong Gun smirked.

“I thought so too. But he’s not an easy target.”

“What do you mean?”

“The truly frightening thing about Yeon Hojeong isn’t his martial arts but his strategic mind.”

“Strategic mind?”

“Yes. Shameful as it is to admit, even I have been outmaneuvered by him.”

This was hard to overlook.

While Tang Kwan didn’t particularly like Moyong Gun, he acknowledged his martial arts and strategic prowess.

For someone like Moyong Gun to admit he was bested by a young man barely in his twenties was significant.

“In that case.”

Bubbling.

The tea in the untouched cup began to boil. It was a testament to immense internal power.

“We must eliminate him swiftly.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“I agree.”

“Are you planning to wait for the right moment, or do you intend to launch an active offensive?”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“I intended to wait patiently, but it seems you have a different approach.”

Snap!

Tang Kwan broke off a piece of the table. He effortlessly tore off the solid wood corner with just his thumb and index finger.

“Do you know much about poisonous plants?”

“How could I dare discuss poison in front of the head of the Tang Family?”

Buzz.

The wooden piece in Tang Kwan’s palm slowly rose into the air.

“Some poisonous plants are ridiculously easy to kill, while others grow monstrously fast within a single tea-drinking session.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled.

“Are you saying Yeon Hojeong is one of those?”

“I don’t know. But if you describe him that way, he must be no ordinary poisonous plant.”

“Hmm.”

Tang Kwan clenched his fist.

Fwoosh!

The floating piece of wood vaporized into thin air.

“I’m too impatient to sit and watch this childish proxy war. Let’s uproot him swiftly.”