Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 167

Tying Up Loose Ends

To take a break, Yeon Wi returned to his quarters and saw Mok Bi staggering into the yard.

Yeon Wi’s eyes widened.

“Bi-a.”

“Gasp! Oh, Father, you’re back?”

“Yes, but…?”

Swish.

Yeon Wi instantly appeared before Mok Bi.

As he took her pulse, Yeon Wi’s face turned cold.

“Who did this?”

“What?”

“Who on earth did this to you? The internal injuries are no joke.”

“Oh, this…”

Mok Bi hesitantly explained the situation.

Yeon Wi clicked his tongue.

“You undertook perilous training.”

“Did I?”

“Reversing your internal energy flow and twisting your existing breathing technique for an attack… It’s easier said than done, but infusing your soul into a single lethal strike is no simple task.”

It’s not just difficult; in everyday life, where one subconsciously feels little danger, it’s practically impossible.

“Your concentration is truly remarkable.”

A martial artist stabilizes their internal energy and optimizes bodily movements through their unique breathing techniques.

In essence, it’s the unification of mind, energy, and body, which is a preparatory stage for achieving complete synergy of essence, energy, and spirit.

Forcibly distorting such a structure to manifest extreme martial arts naturally damages the body. If Mok Bi’s level were higher, it might have been even more dangerous.

Of course, at a higher level, there would be no need for such training.

“What is the fundamental technique for your internal energy?”

“Active Bow Steel String Technique.”

“Yes, that technique is indeed primarily a dynamic exercise.”

“That’s right.”

Mok Bi awkwardly took a step.

“So I came out to practice my movement and energy flow.”

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“That’s not good.”

“What?”

“Perhaps it worked before, but dynamic exercises are not efficient when you’re internally injured. Haven’t you learned any meditation techniques?”

“Oh! I’ve learned one.”

Hongcheon Technique.

Focused on explosive internal energy enhancement, it’s naturally adept at controlling increased internal energy. It’s an ideal supplementary technique for the Active Bow Steel String Technique.

“Yes, then use the meditation technique to heal your internal injuries. I’ll call for a physician.”

“Oh! There’s no need for that…”

“You mustn’t take internal injuries lightly. Especially martial artists like you and Hojeong, who frequently engage in real combat, need to be extra cautious.”

Yeon Wi’s stern voice carried an undertone of concern and affection.

‘…’

Why was that?

Was it because she had never suffered such severe internal injuries before? Was that why she felt so restless?

Uncharacteristically, Mok Bi asked a question she would never normally ask.

“Father.”

“Yes?”

Mok Bi asked with a confused expression.

“Why are you so kind to me?”

It was a rather bold question.

Yeon Wi responded with a curious expression.

“Aren’t you my son’s friend? As I said before, you are the first friend Hojeong has brought home.”

Mok Bi found it puzzling.

She knew enough about the world now. Especially in the martial arts world, trusting someone without reason is extremely dangerous.

But Yeon Wi was kind to her simply because she was his son’s friend.

Yeon Wi was the head of the Yeon family, one of the six great families. It bothered her that such a great man would treat her well for such a romantic reason.

“What if I were a spy? Like the one sent by the Moyong Family…”

Yeon Wi smiled.

It seemed he was getting used to smiling. Seeing his smile made Mok Bi feel warm inside.

“What spy would be as clumsy as you?”

“…Ugh.”

“When Hojeong and I exposed the spy from the Moyong Family, do you know what I learned?”

“…”

“That sincerity can’t be honed through training.”

Mok Bi’s eyes wavered.

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“The reason it’s hard to identify a spy is because people don’t try to read the other person’s sincerity. At least, that’s what I believe.”

“…”

“You find me intimidating, don’t you?”

“Huh? Oh! That, well…”

“I know why. But I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. And I don’t intend to force my feelings on you.”

“…!”

“There will come a time when you’ll understand my sincerity when you call me Father.”

Mok Bi felt a sudden surge of emotion.

“I… believe in you, Father.”

“Good, that’s enough.”

Although Yeon Wi referred to Mok Bi as his son’s friend, he already considered her like a daughter. Having only two sons, he found Mok Bi’s character quite endearing.

Mok Bi was pure. She had lost some of her innocence as she experienced the world, but her inherent nature remained kind. In a way, her gentleness was even more striking than that of his second son.

“By the way, where is Hojeong?”

“Oh! Master Yeon went out, saying he had an appointment.”

Yeon Wi nodded.

As the leader of the independent Yugu Unit, it was natural for him to have various engagements.

“Focus on your energy flow first. At your level, you should be able to practice martial arts without much difficulty in three or four days.”

“Yes!”

At that moment…

“Excuse me.”

Yeon Wi turned his head. Someone had come to Pagun Pavilion.

“Who is it?”

“From the Martial Alliance, Inner Sect, Pagun Pavilion. A delivery has arrived in the name of Yeon Hojeong of the Byeoksan Yeon family.”

“A delivery?”

“Yes, it’s a package from Jiangsu Province.”

What could it be?

Yeon Wi opened the gate. A warrior set down a large box.

“Having delivered it, I will take my leave.”

“Thank you for your trouble.”

Yeon Wi lifted the box and shook it.

Rattle. Clink.

There was a scratching sound, and the small pieces of metal inside clattered.

Yeon Wi was puzzled.

What could this be? It seemed like something made of metal but not a weapon.

At that moment, Mok Bi’s eyes sparkled.

“Could it be…”

“Hmm?”

“Didn’t your grandfather send it?”

“Grandfather?”

“Oh, Lord Pyeon Shingong.”

Yeon Wi’s eyes lit up.

A strange excitement appeared on Mok Bi’s face.

“It looks like Master Yeon’s item is finally ready.”

* * *

‘It’s been a while.’

His chest was burning, but his head was oddly cool.

‘It’s been a while since I encountered someone like this.’

It had been a long time since anyone had the nerve to disrespect the owner of the Tang family, demanding wine and making brazen comments.

No, it had never happened before. Everyone who faced Tang Kwan had been anxious and fearful, knowing the notorious reputation of the Tang Family of Sichuan, the most fearsome in the world.

Of course, boldness is boldness, and rudeness is rudeness.

Tang Kwan had no intention of forgiving Yeon Hojeong’s arrogant attitude.

“Bring the wine?”

“Oryang Liquor.”

“You must be insane. You should be grateful I haven’t killed you with a single palm strike.”

Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.

“Why are you so angry?”

“What?”

“If anyone should be angry, it should be me. No matter how old you are, you seem to look down on people too easily.”

It was a ridiculous statement.

Tang Kwan’s eyes filled with killing intent.

“Do you think you can hear my reasons in the afterlife?”

Szzzz.

Yeon Hojeong looked at his left hand.

The slowly rising energy was indeed impressive. Before the poisonous energy, the density of the internal energy itself was incredible.

With that level of internal energy, it was almost comparable to Moyong Gun. There was a reason he ruled Sichuan.

‘Still the same.’

He wasn’t talking about Tang Kwan’s personality.

He was referring to his martial arts tendencies.

“Is that the Forbidden Hundred Poison Hand?”

For a moment, Tang Kwan’s eyebrows twitched.

He stared at Yeon Hojeong and then spoke.

“You know this technique?”

“Using the Forbidden Hundred Poison Hand to weaken your opponent’s combat power, ensnaring them with the Iron Net Technique, and finishing them off with the Death Palm.”

“…!!”

“Choosing the chain of three strikes suggests you consider me a formidable opponent. If you underestimated me, you would have tried to finish me with the Ten Poison Palms in a single blow. Right?”

Tang Kwan’s face was filled with astonishment. He was so shocked that he didn’t even notice Yeon Hojeong’s subtly changing tone.

“You…?!”

“Wondering how I know your martial arts habits?”

Yeon Hojeong smirked.

“You should have taught your son better manners.”

“What?!”

“He was so scared he blabbed everything without being asked.”

“…!!”

“Since I broke your son into pieces, I figured we’d clash eventually. It was good to remember.”

Tang Kwan’s eyes wavered.

“Yangseon told you?”

“Who else would?”

“Nonsense! Yangseon would never tell you such things!”

“Believe what you want. The important thing is, I’m a guest here, am I not?”

Yeon Hojeong sat down on the fallen chair.

Tang Kwan, still in shock, glared at him, then slowly smiled coldly.

“You’re lying.”

Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.

“Interesting. Do you think I spied on you?”

“…”

“Anyway, when will you serve the wine?”

Tang Kwan’s face showed confusion.

‘Could it be true?’

He looked at Yeon Hojeong again.

‘…!’

Incredibly, Tang Kwan couldn’t read Yeon Hojeong’s eyes.

Tang Kwan, known for

his shrewdness and ruthlessness, couldn’t discern the other’s true intentions. Yeon Hojeong’s sincerity or deception was unreadable to him.

Tang Kwan spoke again.

“Did Yangseon really tell you?”

“That’s not the point, is it?”

“Shut up! Answer my question first!”

“Why should I?”

“…?”

“I’m here because I have something to address with you, not to be interrogated.”

Yeon Hojeong grumbled quietly.

“Your son was just as arrogant, and so are you. Are all the Tang men like this?”

Tang Kwan was speechless.

“Have you lost all fear?”

“Not at all.”

“Then how dare you act so insolently in front of me?”

“You think you’re that great?”

“…?!”

“You must think highly of yourself, but that’s just arrogance. Truly great people can see themselves objectively.”

His words were infuriating.

At this point, Tang Kwan’s boiling anger gave way to reluctant admiration. No one had ever provoked him this much, except his father.

Saaak.

The killing intent radiating from Tang Kwan intensified exponentially.

“At least I understand one thing.”

“Hmm?”

“Moyong Gun misjudged you. He could have killed you if he found you annoying, but I don’t get why he praised you as a monster.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled coldly.

“Moyong Gun is smarter than you. He worries about the aftermath.”

Tang Kwan also smiled coldly.

“That’s because he’s weak.”

“You seem thoughtless.”

“I have more than enough reasons to kill you, no need to fret.”

“Interesting. I have a move that can destroy you, want to hear it?”

“Ridiculous…”

“Why did you do it?”

“What?”

Whoosh!

Yeon Hojeong’s pupils turned red.

“I’m asking why you ordered Hongyohoe to kill us, you bastard.”