Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 158

The Completion of the Four Divine Beasts

“Impressive.”

Namgung Pyo’s expression as he watched the training ground from a distance was truly complex. His face, filled with admiration, competitive spirit, jealousy, and envy, exuded an inexplicable atmosphere of confusion.

“It’s an amazing match. It’s not just a simple duel; it’s a duel disregarding life and death.”

Boom!

With a loud explosion, a terrifying heatwave spread to where they were standing. It was the fire energy of the Vermilion Bird, the madness of the collision, and the killing intent that should not have emerged in a duel between father and son.

“I heard that the eldest son of the Yeon family is stronger than the Ilryong Sambong. Seeing it in person, the rumors seem to be an understatement…”

Namgung Pyo closed his mouth mid-sentence. Namgung In’s face, as he watched the training ground, was expressionless. It was not the usual relaxed expression he always showed.

Namgung Pyo felt he might understand his father a little better.

‘Is he looking at Yeon Wi the way I look at Yeon Hojeong?’

He was right. Namgung In was greatly shocked as he watched Yeon Wi’s orthodox yet formidable swordsmanship.

‘How…’

He could clearly see Yeon Wi’s expression as he moved at terrifying speed, filled with joy, tension, competitive spirit, and pride.

‘When did he become so strong?’

The Namgung clan was renowned in Jianghu for being the top in swordsmanship. As the leader of the best sword family in the world, Namgung In’s martial arts skills naturally had to be exceptional. Indeed, Namgung In’s abilities were worthy of his title as the clan leader.

Yeon Wi was beyond that.

‘Such flexibility…’

It was a frightening sword. The basic structure was of a strong sword, but depending on the situation, he showed countless sword techniques. The degree of flexibility was like flowing water, making it hard to discern when he initiated such changes.

He was a master of a hundred sword styles. It seemed like he had mastered all the sword techniques under heaven. The evaluation that he was one of the best swordsmen of this era, chosen by the heavens, was not an exaggeration.

Of course, Namgung In knew that the Yeon family’s swordsmanship was the most orthodox of orthodox styles. He also knew that if one mastered it to the extreme, they could show such astonishing techniques.

Therefore, Namgung In’s shock was not simply because Yeon Wi’s martial arts were exceptional.

Swoosh!

The sword wave that slashed in a straight line boiled the atmosphere. It seemed like an invisible flame was embedded in the sword blade. That flame gave Yeon Wi’s sword a formidable dignity and immense weight.

He dominated the air. Yeon Wi’s sword and his presence dominated not just the training ground but the entire plaza area.

And that overwhelming presence reminded Namgung In of a certain person.

‘Father?!’

The Sword Emperor, Namgung Seung. The king who lived with the sword, revered as the best martial artist in the current martial arts world. The shadow of the invincible swordsman who competed with the Sword Saint, Tak Muja, for the title of the world’s best sword could be seen in Yeon Wi.

Blood dripped from his bitten lips without him realizing it.

‘This guy.’

Although he had talent in the sword, he was not as good as his father. Thus, Namgung In gave up on becoming the best with the sword. Instead, he turned his attention to schemes and strategies. If he couldn’t become the best with the sword, he thought he would at least elevate the clan’s prestige to the highest.

But why?

The long-abandoned dream of becoming the strongest swordsman was stirring as he watched Yeon Wi’s terrifying swordsmanship. He was even angrier because he knew that with his talent, he could never catch up to that arrogant swordsman.

And he felt thrilled.

He wanted to make that sword his own at any cost. The desire burned even more fiercely because they were both leaders of the six great clans.

Namgung In’s eyes, which had been burning like fire, gradually turned cold.

‘You will never become the best among swords.’

Namgung father and son were not the only ones shocked by the fearsome duel of the Yeon family.

“Ganga.”

“Yes, uncle.”

Pae Yul’s eyes deepened.

“Did Yeon Hojeong or Commander Yeon participate in battles when Myeolsagun swept through the enemy?”

Cheok Gang responded respectfully, though he was mesmerized by the training ground.

“Sometimes they did, sometimes they didn’t.”

“Did it depend on the situation?”

“Yes. Unless it was a truly dangerous moment, he didn’t step in. It was as if he could sense when we would be in danger.”

“That makes sense.”

Pae Yul’s eyes deepened. He inwardly marveled at Yeon Hojeong’s martial arts, which continued a devastating offensive while swinging a massive weapon weighing over eighty pounds like a switch.

‘Was he weakened? Or had his senses dulled?’

When he saw Yeon Hojeong at the Azure Dragon Gate of the Martial Alliance, Pae Yul saw a vulnerability in Yeon Hojeong’s fierce yet clear energy.

It was a flaw that someone of his level should not have shown, so Pae Yul thought Yeon Hojeong must have been seriously injured.

He was wrong. Watching him now, it was clear. Even if Yeon Hojeong’s body wasn’t normal, he wasn’t a martial artist who would show such vulnerabilities.

‘Lack of actual combat. His senses must have dulled from worrying about his subordinates.’

Pae Yul felt a subtle desire rising. It was pure competitiveness.

‘You’re heating up, Yeon Hojeong.’

Boom!

With a loud explosion, Yeon Hojeong was flung backward, spinning his body to swing the Guanglong Axe.

Whoosh!

The Guanglong Axe spun at high speed, flying towards Yeon Wi. In that short time, it contained so much immense energy that the spinning Guanglong Axe looked like a giant wheel of fire.

Yeon Wi’s response was simple yet effective.

Boom!

It was like hitting a boulder rolling down from the mountain.

Yeon Wi swung his sword from the lower to upper side, striking the Guanglong Axe upward. His body flinched from the strong shock left on his sword.

Whoosh!

It was unclear when he had leaped into the air.

Yeon Hojeong, who had risen into the air with a red gleam, caught the rebounding Guanglong Axe and swung it at Yeon Wi.

Boom! Crackle!

The ground under Yeon Wi’s feet cracked madly.

“That guy’s completely insane.”

Seeing Yeon Hojeong’s attack, Pae Yul felt exasperated.

“To think he would throw an axe? Ha!”

That’s how it was. Yeon Hojeong’s martial arts were extremely unconventional yet surprisingly practical. Despite aiming for a one-hit kill, his moves were always prepared for a follow-up attack, constantly pressing his opponent.

‘A fight between those glimpsing the ultimate state in their field.’

The incarnate of the sword, Yeon Wi.

The incarnate of real combat, Yeon Hojeong.

They were monstrous father and son. Though their martial arts were entirely different, they were increasingly mirroring each other’s state of mastery.

‘I can no longer see any weakness.’

The gaps in Yeon Hojeong’s movements had disappeared.

The once relaxed atmosphere tightened in an instant. Now, his eyes saw nothing but his father, Yeon Wi.

Many people watched the fierce father-and-son duel of the Yeon family.

For some, it was shocking; for others, it was a cause for jealousy; for others still, it was a moving experience.

Finally, the duel was nearing its end.

Boom!

With a deafening clash, the two retreated backward.

“Whew.”

“Huff, huff!”

Unlike Yeon Wi, who took a short breath, Yeon Hojeong’s breathing was extremely rough. He had been utterly focused on killing his opponent. Yet, Yeon Wi had withstood all of Yeon Hojeong’s martial arts with his impenetrable techniques.

Yeon Wi smiled.

His face was flushed with excitement.

“You’re splendid.”

“Huff, huff.”

“I’ve never felt such exhilaration before. Your extremely practical martial arts have made me this thrilled.”

Yeon Hojeong, who had been catching his breath, smiled.

“You haven’t used your full strength, Father.”

“Of course not. You’re still far from handling my full power, you brat.”

“Hahaha!”

Indeed, it was so. The difference in their skills was still clear.

If Yeon Wi fought with the intent to kill, Yeon Hojeong, with his current abilities, would struggle to last even thirty exchanges.

Of course, this could only be known by actually fighting.

“Isn’t it time to wrap this up?”

“I think so too.”

“You should conclude this duel.”

“Pardon?”

Yeon Hojeong’s face showed puzzlement.

Conclude it? What did that mean?

Swish.

Yeon Wi lowered his stance.

It was the initiating stance of the first form of the Iron Sword’s Thirty-Six Forms, Lightning Flash in an Instant.

“Are you afraid?”

It was an unexpected question.

Yeon Wi’s eyes deepened.

“I noticed your martial arts becoming sharper as time passed. Your reactions sped up, and you expanded your thinking to respond to each of my attacks.”

“……?”

“You haven’t grown during the fight. Your response speed and creative combat abilities, which surpass human common sense, were talents you originally possessed.”

“Pardon?”

“Why had that incredible sense of yours deteriorated so much?”

“That’s…”

“You didn’t even know.”

Flash!

A stern

aura filled Yeon Wi’s eyes.

“What are you afraid of? What worries you so much?”

“…?!”

“The changes in you, were they such a heavy burden?”

At that moment, Yeon Hojeong felt as if he had been struck on the back of the head.

Seeing his son’s expression, Yeon Wi’s lips curled upward.

“Nothing in the world remains unchanged, not people, objects, ideologies, or truths. However, your convictions must not waver.”

Whoosh!

Yeon Wi appeared right in front of Yeon Hojeong, less than an arm’s length away.

Swish.

Yeon Hojeong stared in disbelief at his abdomen.

In his right side, where the liver was located, the tip of his father’s sword touched him.

“No matter how you change, our home will always welcome you. So, rid yourself of the remnants in your heart and soar once again.”

Yeon Wi smiled.

“And don’t expose such obvious weaknesses.”

Whoosh!

Yeon Hojeong’s body shook violently.

“Ugh!”

The blood that spurted out appeared especially murky.

Surprisingly, a significant amount of foul energy was mixed in that blood. It was foul energy acquired from emotional wounds, something even Yeon Hojeong himself hadn’t realized.

In that moment, his mind cleared.

“How does it feel?”

Yeon Hojeong looked up at Yeon Wi.

“I know you have a card you haven’t played. Am I correct?”

“…Yes.”

“Then how about ending this splendid duel with that card?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“Agreed.”

Whoosh!

Yeon Wi’s sword pointed upward, towards the sky.

They were so close that even their exhaled breaths could touch each other. A direct strike would split Yeon Hojeong’s body in two.

At that moment,

Buzz! Buzz!

An invisible electric light crackled from Yeon Wi’s long sword.

It wasn’t the Yeon family’s martial arts. The sword technique Yeon Wi had realized through enlightenment.

The supreme strike he had wanted to show his son before.

That ultimate strike was about to be unleashed now.

“……”

There was a brief silence.

The silence of the Yeon father and son imposed a frightening pressure on everyone watching.

Cheok Gang swallowed his saliva. Pae Yul unknowingly clenched his fists.

Blood vessels stood out in Namgung In’s eyes, and intense tension was evident on Namgung Pyo’s tightly shut face.

After what felt like an eternity,

Boom!

With the sound of thunder, Yeon Wi’s sword descended like a lightning bolt.

At that exact moment,

Flash!

A turquoise light burst from Yeon Hojeong’s eyes.

Boom!

With a tremendous explosion, the entire training ground was enveloped in thick dust clouds.

And within that cloud,

Buzz.

Something massive, shimmering with turquoise scales, began to writhe like a phantom.