Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 168

Tying Up Loose Ends

Tang Kwan’s eyes wavered.

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“Did an earthquake just happen? Your gaze is shaking so much.”

His honesty was both his strength and his weakness.

Unfortunately, today, that honesty was working against him.

Yeon Hojeong, who had been staring at Tang Kwan, crossed his legs.

His posture was as lax as could be, but Tang Kwan couldn’t easily open his mouth.

“At first, I thought the Hongyohoe had gone mad. Trying to bury a member of the recently established Murim Alliance? It was obvious the whole world would take notice. Wow, these guys really live up to their wild reputation.”

“……”

“But no matter how much I thought about it, it didn’t make sense. They destroyed several renowned factions of the underworld in such a short time, so of course, the underworld would feel threatened. But if they hired the Hongyohoe, wouldn’t they be the first suspects?”

“……”

“No sane person would do such a thing. So who hired the Hongyohoe? Was it really the underworld? Or…”

“……”

“Or was it someone who didn’t like Myeolsagun, specifically me?”

“……”

“The first person that came to mind was Moyong Gun. It’s an overly extreme method even for him, but if he set his mind to it, it’s not impossible. But…”

A smile spread across Yeon Hojeong’s lips.

“He knows that using the Tangma Army would create the prettiest picture, so would he really do that? No, Moyong Gun isn’t that kind of person.”

Tang Kwan remained unusually silent. He just glared at Yeon Hojeong as if he wanted to kill him.

Yeon Hojeong pointed at Tang Kwan with his toe.

“I heard you joined forces with Moyong Gun before this incident happened. The answer naturally emerged.”

“You’re an interesting fellow.”

“Hmm?”

Tang Kwan twisted his smile.

“Do you have any evidence?”

“Evidence?”

“Yes, evidence.”

Yeon Hojeong spoke with a gloomy expression.

“Unfortunately, there’s no evidence. They blew up their base before we could find any. You bought quite a ruthless blade.”

“So, that’s what this is. The eldest son of the Yeon family, without any evidence, is trying to oppress the master of Sichuan by asking Moyong Gun for a seat.”

“Is that how it goes?”

Tang Kwan’s eyes turned icy.

“You should have just died there. If you had died then, at least the pain would have been less.”

A buzzing sound filled the air as poison emanated from Tang Kwan’s hands again.

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“Why? Since there’s no evidence, why not start by hitting me?”

“……”

“That could be interesting too. The master of the Tang Family of Sichuan attacking the eldest son of the Yeon family… That would create an interesting picture.”

“What?”

“What?”

Tang Kwan’s eyes deepened.

“Why are you so confident?”

Yeon Hojeong inwardly rejoiced.

It worked.

Tang Kwan had an arrogant nature, but he was quick-witted and understood the bigger picture. He was genuinely trying to destroy Yeon Hojeong because he believed he could manage the aftermath in some way.

And Yeon Hojeong had many enemies. While the Yeon family was very influential, the history and influence of the Tang family were even greater.

If necessary, they might even consider withdrawing from the Murim Alliance. The Tang Family of Sichuan and Tang Kwan had always lived that way.

But now his thoughts had changed.

‘This guy…’

He didn’t know why Moyong Gun called this guy a monster. But one thing was certain.

‘He has a scheme.’

This wasn’t the type of person to do something without any preparation.

Of course, no matter what he had prepared, the Tang family could probably handle it. But it would definitely be troublesome.

That uneasy feeling was holding back Tang Kwan, who was on the verge of exploding.

Yeon Hojeong’s pupils flared up again.

The Vermilion Bird energy burned, stirring up killing intent.

“What are you doing?”

“……”

“If you’ve drawn your sword, shouldn’t you at least chop some wood? Are you going to keep those hands idle?”

“……”

“This is so anticlimactic.”

Yeon Hojeong relaxed his posture.

“Here’s some advice. Don’t open your mouth unless you can bite. You look like a rookie.”

Tang Kwan’s cheeks twitched.

It was an unbelievably harsh insult. Who in the world could speak to the master of the Tang family like that?

The poison energy surged wildly.

“Just this once.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sparkled.

Tang Kwan lowered his hand. The poison that had been burning like flames died down.

“Consider it good fortune. I’ve never spared someone as arrogant as you before. Be thankful to the heavens.”

Yeon Hojeong no longer provoked Tang Kwan.

He genuinely wanted him to attack. It would create a big incident, providing an opportunity to rally his father and Jegal Munho to pressure the Tang family.

Just as there was no evidence of the Hongyohoe incident, there was no evidence that Tang Kwan had insulted him. The important thing was that the master of the Tang Family of Sichuan had tried to kill a much younger junior.

He couldn’t destroy the Tang family, but he could reduce Tang Kwan’s influence. If done well, he could even expel him from the Murim Alliance.

However, Tang Kwan chose patience over anger.

‘To fold here…’

Impressive.

Even during his time as the vice-leader of the Murim Alliance, he had made the right decisions at critical moments. Without such discernment, he could never have become vice-leader.

‘There’s nothing to gain from provoking him further.’

Moyong Gun and Tang Kwan had to be dealt with differently.

Moyong Gun was like playing a game of chess, planning several moves ahead to get what he wanted.

Tang Kwan had to be overwhelmed with momentum to prevent him from causing trouble.

“Get lost.”

“I can’t do that.”

Tang Kwan’s face showed irritation.

“Do you really want to be carried out in a coffin?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled brightly.

“Of course not. I’ll leave once I get what I’m owed.”

“If you’re asking for wine, I will truly kill you.”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

“Not wine. There’s something you need to give me.”

“Nonsense.”

“Then why did you call us?”

“What?”

“You said during the Bonggong meeting that you had something to give to Myeolsagun. That’s why you called us.”

Tang Kwan’s face hardened.

“If you had left us alone, we could have gone to achieve another merit. But you called us unnecessarily and blocked us from even attending the inauguration ceremony.”

“Are you saying it’s my fault?”

“You’re in the same boat as the Moyong Family Head, aren’t you? Share the good things and push the blame onto someone else?”

“……”

“Forget about the inauguration issue. Just give me what you owe. If you don’t provide something reasonable, I’ll formally raise an objection at the Bonggong meeting.”

This guy was unbelievable. Where did he come from?

“You should be grateful I’m even letting you leave alive……”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“Fine. Are you saying there’s nothing to give?”

He stood up.

Tang Kwan’s eyes deepened.

Before opening the door, Yeon Hojeong spoke.

“I expected you to look like a sneaky viper, but you seem to be at least an Imugi. I look forward to our future encounters.”

Clunk!

Yeon Hojeong opened the door.

At that moment, Tang Kwan spoke.

“Wait.”

“Do you have more to say?”

Tang Kwan sneered inwardly. Today has been an ordeal in many ways.

“What do you want?”

Yeon Hojeong grinned.

“What can you offer?”

“Stop beating around the bush and say what you want.”

“I like your attitude of taking responsibility for your words. I wish the Moyong Family Head would learn from you.”

Yeon Hojeong sat down again.

Tang Kwan, about to speak, flinched. The look in Yeon Hojeong’s eyes was truly unusual.

“You take money from the rich, gratitude from the beggars, swords from the warriors, and good verses from the scholars.”

“You can’t be asking for our family’s poison and hidden weapons?”

“My people can’t even use those.”

“Then what do you want?”

Yeon Hojeong smirked slyly.

“I want the skill to craft such poison and hidden weapons.”

* * *

On the way back to his quarters.

Several warriors glanced at Yeon Hojeong.

It was inevitable. Yeon Hojeong was the most famous person in Murim Alliance right now.

The commander of one of the only two independent units in Murim Alliance. A genius warrior who, at a young age, broke through the barrier of martial arts to reach the pinnacle of martial prowess.

There hadn’t been more astonishing news in years. It was rare for an individual’s fame to surprise everyone in such a vast world.

But the person at the center of the rumors was deep in thought.

‘This won’t be easy.’

He recalled Tang Kwan.

Tang Kwan was someone he wanted to kill on sight, given past grudges. While it was Moyong Gun who ordered the attack, Tang Kwan was the one who carried it out, making it hard to suppress his killing intent.

He had met Tang Kwan again after a long time.

‘He’s rougher and more ruthless than when he was the Deputy Leader. Yet he knows when to be patient.’

A difficult opponent.

In the past, it was more common to clash with Moyong Gun than with Tang Kwan, and that still held true.

However, this life felt different. He sensed he would clash with Tang Kwan just as often as with Moyong Gun.

‘I hope it’s just a feeling.’

There’s an old saying related to the Tang Family in Murim.

“If the Tang Family bears a grudge against you, end your life immediately.”

It aptly described their tenacity. They might forget favors, but never grudges.

Tang Kwan ruled from the top of such a Tang Family.

‘He won’t bare his fangs immediately. He’s on the same side as Moyong Gun, so he’ll attack in some form or another…….’

The meeting today confirmed it.

Tang Kwan was a viper among vipers.

One with excellent hunting skills. He wouldn’t strike until he had a sure chance to kill his prey.

Sending Hongyohoe was a move to gauge this side’s capabilities.

They likely thought Hongyohoe alone would be sufficient at the time.

‘Regardless of their skills, I lead an external unit while they wield power from the center.’

It was a near-vertical hierarchy. Moyong Gun and Tang Kwan had the advantage.

‘Father and the military advisor aren’t enough. We need more people to support our side.’

It was clear, though unspoken, that the Bonggong members were engaged in factional strife.

Thus, it was necessary to deploy members who could stand up to them, for his sake, for the sake of the warriors, and for the world.

‘I need to discuss this with Father…….’

At that moment.

“Hey, isn’t that Commander Yeon?”

“Huh?”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes widened.

“Hu Gae?”

Gadeuk Sang approached leisurely.

“You look troubled. Seems like you could use a drink?”

Yeon Hojeong chuckled.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Drinking in broad daylight.”

He had just shamelessly asked Tang Kwan for five grain liquid a little while ago.

“By the way, what brings a senior advisor of the intelligence department out at this hour?”

“Who says advisors can’t rest? After days of grueling work, they told me to take a day off. They’re surprisingly humane.”

Gadeuk Sang laughed heartily, clearly in high spirits.

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

‘This man hasn’t changed at all.’

Moyong Gun and Tang Kwan had changed.

But Gadeuk Sang remained the same. His unchanging nature was a relief.

‘……’

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.

“Did you say you have the day off?”

“Yes. Since we’ve run into each other, how about a modest drink….”

“Let’s go to my place. There’s something to discuss.”

“Discuss?”

Yeon Hojeong started walking briskly.

Gadeuk Sang, watching his back with a sullen look, felt a sense of unease.

“……Even if he’s a damn guy, he’d better at least offer me a drink, right?”