Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 164

The Essence of Dark Schemes

The founding ceremony of the Tangma Army was conducted on a far grander scale than expected.

From the start, it was different from the Myeolsa Army. Not only was Moyong Woo, the leader of the Tangma Army, present, but all five hundred of his subordinates were also dressed in luxurious armor and carried ceremonial weapons.

The attendees of the ceremony couldn’t help but be impressed by the Tangma Army’s remarkable grandeur.

Although they hadn’t undergone any proper training yet, their individual characteristics stood out, and their formidable aura was sufficient to be called an elite force.

Standing in front of them, Moyong Woo was undoubtedly the highlight. Many people were amazed by Moyong Woo’s majestic presence and cold charisma.

Thus, the founding ceremony of the Tangma Army concluded.

However, the day didn’t end with just the Tangma Army’s founding ceremony. Following that, other organizations under the Murim Alliance held their founding ceremonies, and the event that started at noon finally ended at sunset.

As soon as the lengthy ceremonies ended, a festival commenced. The martial artists gathered in groups, drinking and eating meat.

The Myeolsa Army, however, was absent from this lively event.

* * *

“Hahaha!”

On the way back to their quarters.

Moyong Gun laughed heartily, clearly pleased about something.

“Well done. You did very well. I knew you weren’t ordinary, but you’ve firmly established your presence in front of many people.”

Moyong Woo smiled.

“It was just for show.”

“Many fall behind because they can’t even show that much. Given your straightforward nature, you must have struggled, but it was all necessary.”

“I understand.”

“Hahaha!”

Moyong Gun seemed genuinely happy. He hadn’t stopped laughing since they walked from Musung Hal to here.

Moyong Woo lowered his head.

“Then, I will take my leave.”

“Hm? Where are you planning to go? Let’s drink together until we’re drunk today.”

“The Tangma Army is a formidable force. But a unit that can’t act as one is nothing but a ragtag bunch.”

“Can’t you rest just for today?”

“I plan to let the soldiers rest, but I must not. Only if I do my job properly will the Tangma Army shine. Also, the sooner I can control them, the sooner I can assist you.”

“Is that so? Hahaha!”

Moyong Gun smiled contentedly.

“You don’t need to overdo it. I’m sure you’ll do well.”

“Problems always arise when you relax while everyone is excited. To keep myself in check, it’s better for me to spend the night alone today.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

Moyong Woo was right. The enemy always waits for a moment of relaxation. Although it was hard to think there was an enemy within the Murim Alliance, such tension wasn’t bad.

“If that’s what you think, it’s fine. As your brother, I shouldn’t stop you when you’re trying so hard.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Before you go, I have something to ask.”

“Please, go ahead.”

Moyong Gun asked casually.

“Do you plan to stay with the daughter of the Tang Family head?”

This was one of the reasons he was in such a good mood.

Moyong Woo had accepted Tang Sang-ah into the Tangma Army. In a unit like his, the leader’s command is absolute. If Moyong Woo hadn’t wanted her, she wouldn’t have joined the Tangma Army.

Moyong Woo clicked his tongue.

It wasn’t something he desired, but since he accepted her, he had no choice but to work with her.

“No matter how good a person is, it’s hard to know their true nature from a single meeting. However, her first impression wasn’t bad, and her abilities are excellent, so she will be an asset to the Tangma Army.”

“Hahaha! Well done, indeed.”

Now he had something to say to the Tang Family head. This had been a lingering issue for quite some time. It felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest.

He also liked Moyong Woo’s audacity to use his future spouse for strategic advantage.

‘I’ve truly found a gem.’

Excellent. Very excellent. Moyong Woo, who hadn’t shown his presence before, was now proving his abilities in earnest.

Moyong Gun was extremely satisfied with his brother’s progress.

“It’s getting late. Don’t overdo it.”

“Understood.”

Moyong Woo lowered his head.

“Then, rest well, brother.”

“Alright. Let’s have lunch together tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

After sending Moyong Woo off, Moyong Gun walked to his quarters with a smile.

After walking for a while, as the main gate of his residence came into view,

‘…….’

The smile on Moyong Gun’s face faded.

A subtle presence stimulated his senses.

The energy was deep and profound. Although it was being contained, the faintly spreading ominous aura reached beyond the wall to where he was.

It was an aura difficult to perceive even for top-tier masters. Only those who had surpassed the extremes and heightened their senses and the density of their qi could detect it.

‘Interesting.’

Moyong Gun’s face wore a cold smile.

‘To come at this hour. Always unpredictable.’

Soon after, Moyong Gun reached the main gate.

Simultaneously, a young man emerged from the shadowy area inside the gate.

“How have you been?”

Moyong Gun smiled. The cold look disappeared, replaced by a relaxed expression.

“Have you been well?”

“As you can see.”

Yeon Hojeong spread his arms. The fluttering hem of his robe looked like wings.

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

‘He’s quite something.’

Though his body appeared lean, it was composed of highly compacted muscles. Wearing such a luxurious robe gave him a different air compared to before.

He looked like a scholar with lofty ideals. Just by appearance, one could hardly imagine him wielding an axe over eighty geun.

“What brings you here at this late hour?”

“If not at this hour, there would be too many prying eyes.”

“Do you have something to say?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“Despite the grand festival, I haven’t had a drop of alcohol. It would be nice if you, who excluded the Myeolsa Army from the ceremony, could offer me a consolation drink.”

Moyong Gun responded bluntly.

“I have no consolation drink for you.”

“You’re being stern.”

“Haha, do you think we’re on terms where we can share drinks with a smile?”

“We’re not so estranged that we can’t even share a drink, are we?”

A strange remark.

Moyong Gun sensed a peculiar atmosphere in Yeon Hojeong’s words and actions.

‘It doesn’t seem like he’s here to scheme anything.’

From the moment the Myeolsa Army was formed and Mongui was introduced, there was no reason for them to face each other. Both were simply striving for their own ambitions in their respective positions.

‘You should be well aware of that.’

Yeon Hojeong was a genius in combat.

Whether in martial arts or politics, he was adept at seizing victory with skilled methods. Moreover, he was exceptionally magnanimous, not swayed by minor issues.

He wasn’t the type to complain just because he was excluded from the founding ceremony. Despite being an enemy, Moyong Gun recognized Yeon Hojeong’s capabilities.

‘So, what is he here to ask for? Or…’

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“If you’re curious, let’s go inside.”

It was as if he had read Moyong Gun’s thoughts.

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“I can’t offer a mere drink to the leader of the Myeolsa Army. Let’s go in. I don’t have consolation drinks, but I have some fine liquor. I recently got my hands on a good one.”

“Sounds good.”

Shortly after.

“Hmm, the aroma is quite rich.”

Moyong Gun laughed heartily.

“It’s Wuliangye from Sichuan. It has a rich body, but a surprisingly light finish.”

“A famous liquor from Sichuan?”

“I received it from the Tang Family head.”

Yeon Hojeong chuckled.

“You’re not even hiding it anymore?”

Moyong Gun replied as if it were nothing.

“Everyone already knows, so there’s no point in hiding.”

“You’ve become bolder than before.”

“I’m the same as ever. It’s just my evaluation of you has changed.”

“Did it improve?”

“I adjusted it upwards.”

“That’s an honor.”

Moyong Gun laughed as he raised his glass.

“Let’s drink.”

Clink!

The sound of their glasses clinking was clear and pleasant.

After downing his glass, Yeon Hojeong coughed slightly.

“It’s stronger than I expected.”

“You won’t notice the strength once you get used to it. In fact, this is quite average.”

“I see why it’s called a famous liquor.”

“Right? I haven’t been much of a drinker, but if I keep drinking this, I might become one quickly.”

“Do you have plenty? I’d like to drink a lot.”

“Hahaha! Don’t worry. I have enough to get you drunk.”

Yeon Hojeong grinned.

“Feels like it’s been a while since I cleaned my throat.”

The two of them drank, exchanging drinks.

Surprisingly, they didn’t discuss worldly affairs or politics at all. They only talked about mundane topics and things they didn’t know about each other.

It was a peaceful drinking session. It seemed like a senior martial artist hosting a talented junior.

At least, it appeared that way on the surface.

After some time had passed.

“Do you know?”

“Know what?”

“I

’ve often thought this. Ah! I’d love to make this guy mine, to have him under me.”

Yeon Hojeong chuckled.

“You and I are of different breeds.”

“Do you think so? That’s surprising. I thought we were the same breed.”

“Did you?”

“Indeed. It’s hard to find anyone as fierce as us in the current Murim. You and I, we’re like beasts waiting for the chance to tear into a piece of flesh, aren’t we?”

While he didn’t agree with everything, he couldn’t deny the part about being beasts.

The fierce political battles between Yeon Hojeong and Moyong Gun were like fights between wild animals. Though it looked sophisticated on the outside, inside it was filled with base desires to destroy the opponent and achieve personal goals.

Burning with the desire to achieve a goal is righteous. However, on the other hand, such intense fighting isn’t always necessary.

It’s a beastly fight that humans are capable of.

Neither Yeon Hojeong nor Moyong Gun walked the righteous path.

“So, let me ask you.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes shone.

“I won’t ask you to come under me. You’re not someone to be under anyone. But, how about joining hands with me?”

“Join hands….”

“Yes.”

It was an incredible proposal.

Moyong Gun had always made his own choices and rarely proposed to anyone, especially when he was in a favorable position.

This showed how highly he regarded Yeon Hojeong.

At the same time, he felt sorry for Yeon Hojeong.

Despite his formidable talent, there was an easier and faster way to blossom fully. Yet, he insisted on engaging in a power struggle with him. If he were a bit more laid-back, he could reach the top faster than anyone else.

Yeon Hojeong smiled faintly.

“In case, by any chance.”

“Hm?”

“If someday I defeat you, I hope you’ll change your mind. I, too, find your abilities a waste.”

“Haha.”

“It seems we are destined to live like this.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“Did you really come just to drink today?”

“Such days are necessary too, don’t you think?”

“Indeed. But as I said, we’re beasts. We wouldn’t visit without a purpose.”

“True.”

“Speak up. Do you want something from me?”

“I want to take an easier route.”

“What do you mean?”

Ting, ting.

Yeon Hojeong tapped his empty glass with his fingertip.

“The person who gave this liquor.”

“……?”

“Set up a meeting with them. I have a feeling I’d be turned away if I went alone.”

“The Tang Family head?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Gun showed interest.

“If I grant your request, what will you do for me?”

“I’ll protect the Tangma Army leader.”

“……?!”

“Though I conceded the title, I’ve been contemplating what to do with him.”

“Hmm.”

“I’ll be a shield, not a sword. At least this once.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

It was such a Yeon Hojeong-like response.

“It seems my good mood today has turned into your benefit.”