Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 166

The Essence of Hidden Struggles

A faint green smoke wafted out, giving a sense of mystery rather than eeriness.

While it didn’t seem beneficial to health, considering it had been exhaled from a human lung, it didn’t appear immediately harmful either.

Tang Kwan tapped his smoking pipe lightly.

The ashes floated up into the sky with the wind.

“Master.”

Tang Kwan turned his gaze sideways without a word.

There stood a man appearing to be in his early forties.

“Are you alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“I cannot presume to understand your level of cultivation, but isn’t taking Cranes’ Blood a bit excessive?”

Tang Kwan shook his head.

“The progress of my poison skills is stagnant. I need measures like this to keep my body tense.”

“…Still, I think Cranes’ Blood is too much. How about using a milder poison first to build up your tolerance?”

Tang Kwan was the master and emperor of the Tang Family of Sichuan.

Only a rare few dared to speak to him so candidly, especially if they were from the Tang Family.

Tang Kwan shook his head again.

“I know my body best.”

The man, Tang Yeongsin, the master of the Medicine King Hall, sighed softly.

Tang Kwan’s eyes sharpened.

“Do you think I can’t withstand this?”

“If it’s you, Master, I’m sure you can. I was merely expressing concern, so please don’t be too angered.”

“Hmph.”

Tang Kwan smiled coldly.

“A plateau means a limit. I can feel it. If I surpass this limit and my poison skills improve, I can reach my father’s level five years sooner than expected.”

Tang Yeongsin’s face stiffened slightly.

“Still fixated on the former master…”

Tang Kwan was a good leader.

He wasn’t merciful or inclusive. Expecting such qualities from a Tang Family member would be a luxury.

Tang Kwan was strong. He was talented, had excellent business acumen, and was experienced in the martial world, rarely letting his guard down.

He was ruthless to his enemies and would crush anyone who harmed the Tang Family, regardless of the reason.

He was the epitome of a Tang Family member, a leader who inherited the true Tang bloodline, which was why Tang Yeongsin served him wholeheartedly.

But even Tang Kwan had his flaws.

“It would have been better if he had improved his relationship with the former master…”

Tang Kwan was narrow-minded and dogmatic.

The problem was that these traits extended to his family. While he didn’t treat his children this way, he didn’t get along with his father, Tang Hyung, the former master.

The Dark King, Tang Hyung.

One of the thirteen highest masters of the martial world, known as Seongcheon’s Thirteen Seats, and reputed to be the most dangerous master of his time.

“There’s nothing I can do.”

The former master, despite being as strong-willed as Tang Kwan, had mellowed with age, even as his martial arts continued to improve.

This only intensified the father-son conflict. The father was dismayed by the son’s narrow-mindedness, while the son couldn’t understand the father’s lax nature.

If their relationship had been better…

“If that were the case, the master’s accomplishments would surpass those of any leader of the Nine Great Schools and the Six Major Families.”

The former master hadn’t taught his son all his martial arts.

Not only that, but he also hadn’t taught his successor, Tang Yangseon, deeming his character unfit.

The only one he had taught with genuine affection was Tang Sang-ah.

“It’s a shame.”

It was regrettable, but inevitable. Tang Yeongsin’s master was Tang Kwan, not Tang Hyung, and he had never felt any dissatisfaction about that.

“How much time until noon?”

“Yes? Oh, about half a si-jin.”

Tang Kwan placed his smoking pipe on the table.

“A guest will arrive soon. Let him in.”

A look of puzzlement crossed Tang Yeongsin’s face.

“A guest, you say…”

“There’s someone.”

Tang Kwan’s face showed a hint of lethargy.

Judging by his expression, it didn’t seem like an important guest. Tang Yeongsin bowed his head.

“I’ll wait outside.”

“Go ahead.”

Tang Yeongsin left the room.

As soon as the door closed, Tang Kwan sighed.

“Tiring.”

How many months had it been since he arrived at the Martial Alliance?

Many things had happened, but for Tang Kwan, it had all been exhausting. If it weren’t to establish a power base and emphasize the Tang Family’s presence, he would have sent a delegate long ago.

“I should leave soon.”

It was enough now.

He had established a foothold in the Martial Alliance, and the power base was well set. Moreover, the matter concerning his daughter, which had dragged on for months, was resolved as of yesterday.

He finally felt a sense of relief. With Moyong Gun handling the remaining matters, he could return to Sichuan next month.

“…”

Looking at the clear sky outside the window, Tang Kwan suddenly thought of Tang Sang-ah.

Tang Kwan’s eyes grew solemn.

“There’s no place for you in the Tang Family. It seems you’ve found a decent refuge, so try to find happiness there.”

Tang Kwan cherished Tang Sang-ah.

In fact, he cherished her more than Tang Yangseon. Beyond her talent, she had the charm of making those around her happy, unlike most Tang Family members.

It wasn’t just because she was his child; she was genuinely lovely.

Until Tang Sang-ah turned fifteen, Tang Kwan had believed that only the world’s greatest prodigy could match his daughter.

But when his father, Tang Hyung, began teaching Tang Sang-ah, everything changed.

Pssst.

Powder scattered under his hand placed on the table. The poison emitted unconsciously had eroded the table’s surface.

Tang Kwan’s eyes turned cold.

“Do you know that you ruined our family, Father?”

When he was young, he wanted to be like his father. As he grew up, he felt proud of carrying the Tang family name. Now, he didn’t even want to see his father’s face.

The Dark King, Tang Hyung, feared by the world, was such a person to Tang Kwan.

“Soon. It won’t be long before I surpass you. Your time as the Grand Elder of the Tang Family is almost up.”

His father was a poison. The most toxic and dangerous of poisons.

Tang Kwan firmly believed that expelling such a father from the Tang Family was the best way to protect the family.

His gaze shifted to the smoking pipe lying on the table.

A faint green light flickered in his pupils.

“When I return, I should switch to the Ultimate Poison.”

As he pondered alone for a long time.

Hoo.

Tang Kwan’s eyes, filled with lethargy, suddenly sharpened.

“…?”

Someone was approaching.

From outside the window, he sensed an unusual energy. While not quite his match, it was a formidable energy, rarely seen even in the Martial Alliance.

“Could it be this guy?”

Tang Kwan frowned.

The energy was more refined than expected. Just a few days ago, he heard this person broke through the Martial Expanse Wall, yet the energy that should be scattered was already so controlled.

“Interesting.”

He was the one Moyong Gun had called a monster.

Moyong Gun was both a cunning and ambitious man. His eyes saw the world.

For him to speak so highly, this person was certainly no ordinary figure.

Moments later.

“Master, the guest…”

“Let him in.”

“Yes.”

Creeeak.

The door opened, and a young man appeared.

Tang Kwan’s eyes gleamed.

The young man, dressed in a white martial robe with a light green coat, had a strikingly refined appearance.

He looked more like a scholar than a warrior, judging by his outward demeanor.

But.

“A beast.”

As soon as Tang Kwan saw the young man, he recognized the hidden savage nature within.

He was a beast among beasts. Concealing a ferocious nature that could rip someone’s throat out in an instant.

Tang Kwan’s eyes showed subtle interest.

The young man was similar yet different from him. Though of different breeds, both were predators. To Tang Kwan, the first impression of Yeon Hojeong was such.

And how did Yeon Hojeong see Tang Kwan?

“Finally.”

Yeon Hojeong’s gaze was rough and dangerous, like a cold wind mixed with shards of a broken blade.

“Just as I remembered.”

The Poison Emperor, Tang Kwan.

In the past, the Martial Alliance Leader, Moyong Gun, was revered as the Sword God, the foremost master of the righteous path.

And just below him, Tang Kwan, the vice-leader of the Martial Alliance, was known as the Poison Emperor, spreading fear across the land.

Under the leadership of the Sword God Moyong Gun and the Poison Emperor Tang Kwan, the Martial Alliance reached its zenith. They rose to power through bloody struggles and ruled the righteous martial world with unparalleled governance.

Whenever Moyong Gun couldn’t or shouldn’t act, Tang Kwan was always there.

Not the best in the world, but known as the most fearsome and ruthless, he was the one who hastened Yeon Hojeong’s death.

Thump, thump.

Suppressing his murderous intent, Yeon Hojeong’s heart raced, triggering the Vermilion Bird energy.

His heartbeat quickened, and the Vermilion Bird energy surged on its own.

Flames flared.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes turned red.

Filled with fiery and murderous energy, his eyes revealed a

terrifying ferocity. It was a different kind of grudge compared to when he faced warriors from noble families.

“…?”

Tang Kwan’s eyes shifted.

“Is this guy…”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes, staring down at him with a smile, were brimming with intense murderous intent.

How formidable was it?

Chi-i-ik.

Tang Kwan’s hand unconsciously pierced the table. The poison he emitted eroded the table in the shape of his palm.

“…”

Yeon Hojeong’s lips curled up.

Tang Kwan’s expression changed again.

“This guy…”

Ssss.

The Vermilion Bird energy called upon the White Tiger energy, which drew in the Black Tortoise energy.

The heavy Black Tortoise energy stimulated the Azure Dragon, causing all the divine energies to converge, adding immense weight to Yeon Hojeong’s aura.

Crash! Crack!

The fierce auras of the two collided, cracking the floor.

Had they unleashed their auras fully, it wouldn’t have ended with just that. The table would have shattered, the chairs would have flown, and the entire wooden floor would have crumbled.

The unimaginable pressure created by the auras of supreme masters.

The atmosphere was brimming with murderous intent, as if a clash could happen at any moment. Regardless of their internal energy levels, their fierce personalities heated the air.

How much time passed like that?

Tang Kwan’s fingers twitched involuntarily.

“Pleased to meet you.”

“…?”

Tang Kwan hesitated.

Ssss.

The divine energies subsided in Yeon Hojeong’s body.

Although all the suppressed energies had exploded, now wasn’t the time to fight Tang Kwan.

Yeon Hojeong saluted with perfect form.

“I am Yeon Hojeong, the eldest son of the Byukra clan, greeting the master of the Tang Family of Sichuan.”

Tang Kwan frowned.

The murderous intent from a moment ago was gone, replaced by a serene demeanor like a clear sky.

As he stared at Yeon Hojeong, Tang Kwan gradually calmed his aura.

Ssss.

Tang Kwan’s expression returned to its characteristic lethargy.

“Yeon Hojeong?”

“Yes.”

Tang Kwan’s lips twitched.

This was the guy who had properly disciplined his foolish son. Although it was his son’s fault, he had no intention of forgiving this guy.

“Revealing murderous intent at first meeting… Before me, no less? You must be insane to wish for death.”

Such arrogant words.

Indeed, as expected of the master of the Tang Family. He didn’t care who the opponent was, be it the leader of the Myeolsagun or anyone else. If they displeased him, he would crush them.

A fierce and ruthless nature. An imugi who would use any means to achieve his goals.

In this aspect, Yeon Hojeong was not inferior to Tang Kwan.

“Not much of a welcome for a guest.”

“…What?”

“I came to have a drink. I’ve had a hearty meal, so I’d like a bottle of something strong.”

“…”

“Oh, and make it Wuliangye.”