Black and White Martial Emperor

FLASH!

Yangcheon’s eyes sharpened at once.

“You’re saying you can free me from the poisoning of the Yin Desolation Divine Palm?”

“That is correct.”

Yangcheon did not ask how it was possible, or how Yeon Hojeong knew the method.

“Was that your lifeline?”

“Only one of several contingencies.”

“Contingencies.”

“As you said, I did not come here without preparing for every possibility. I still have much to do.”

Yangcheon asked aggressively.

“And that work is beating the hell out of the Three Creeds?”

“It is.”

“Then was deceiving me and infiltrating the headquarters as its Director of the Intelligence Division also for the sake of striking at the Three Creeds?”

Yangcheon had not even been certain the mark left by the Yin Desolation Divine Palm was truly poisoning.

In other words, this was the first moment he had learned with certainty that he was poisoned.

And yet, he asked about Yeon Hojeong’s objective first. It was as though the poisoning itself did not matter much to him.

He was astonishingly bold.

Yangcheon had become drunk on the sweetness of power and forgotten his original nature. But after Mo Yonggun’s harsh rebuke brought him back to his senses, this meeting with Yeon Hojeong was finally restoring that old self.

Click.

Yeon Hojeong found Yangcheon burdensome.

Until arriving here, he had thought Yangcheon would be easy enough to handle. But now it felt as though he were facing several cannons trained directly on him.

He really is a difficult man. I have no idea how I ever brought down someone like him in the past. But...

Yeon Hojeong’s smile deepened.

“...It is good to see.”

“What?”

“Nothing. I was speaking to myself.”

“Enough of that nonsense. Answer my question properly.”

Yeon Hojeong’s expression changed.

“That is correct. My ultimate objective is the Three Creeds.”

“So it was.”

“I know what you want to hear, Vice Manor Lord Yang. I will keep it brief.”

“I am listening.”

“I did not infiltrate Ink Dragon Manor solely because of the Three Creeds. At the time, I received information that you were building a power base of your own. For the future state of the martial world, I needed Ink Dragon Manor’s confidential intelligence and control over its military strength...”

Yeon Hojeong’s explanation was concise and clean, without a wasted word.

Gangryang was quietly impressed as he listened.

My brother is not merely a warrior or the commander of an army. His skill at diplomacy is exceptional as well.

He knew Yeon Hojeong’s usual way of speaking. He knew his temperament, too.

But now, Yeon Hojeong had tailored his explanation to Yangcheon’s personality, presenting everything briefly and in a way that was easy to hear.

Even the same truth could change how a listener felt depending on how it was delivered.

In that respect, Yeon Hojeong’s ability to read people, combined with such skillful speech, was a powerful advantage for a diplomat.

Yangcheon nodded.

“I understand. Why the Martial Alliance sent you, and what it hoped to gain from the headquarters.”

“...”

“The more I hear, the more absurd it becomes. In the end, were we merely dancing in the palm of the Martial Alliance’s hand?”

Yeon Hojeong snorted.

“Ink Dragon Manor struck first, so let us call it even.”

“Struck first? What do you mean?”

“Did you not take a substantial number of trade caravans contracted south of the Yangtze behind the Martial Alliance’s back? Whether you received help from the Perverse Lust Cult or not, establishing Ink Dragon Manor was your choice. But you raked in money out of sight, and it hurt our side badly.”

“I would not call it taking them. Merchants are merchants. If they find a better partner, they change sides without hesitation. How can you say they were stolen?”

“Think of it from the other side. If we took several of Ink Dragon Manor’s key businesses, do you think you would not feel wronged?”

“...”

“The difference between legitimate competition and strategic seizure is no wider than a sheet of paper. Intent is what creates that difference. In that respect, you inflicted astronomical losses on the main Alliance.”

Yangcheon’s eyes darkened.

“That peculiar way you do the math has not changed.”

“Because it is the truth.”

“But... yes. You are not wrong.”

Yangcheon nodded.

“Fine. As for your infiltration of the headquarters and the chaos you caused there, we will consider that even.”

It was a forthright acknowledgment.

He was not merely pretending. He truly meant to consider the matter settled.

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“This conversation is proceeding remarkably smoothly.”

“Do not misunderstand. That does not mean I have a reason to let you live and send you back.”

Yangcheon smiled coldly.

“We have called the struggle between our factions even. I did not say I would forgive you for deceiving me. That account must be settled separately.”

“You are strict. Just admit it. The fool is the one who got deceived.”

“A fool was deceived, so at least let him hold the sword hilt to vent his anger. Is that not so?”

It was an utterly murderous conversation.

Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips.

“I truly will have to remove that Yin Desolation Divine Palm poisoning for you.”

Yangcheon straightened again.

“Before we get to that, let me ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“If you free me from this poisoning, what do you want from me?”

“Did I not say it was the price of my life?”

“Tell me the truth.”

“...”

“You know that I have merely become more troublesome to deal with. No matter how this situation ends, you know I will not kill you. At least, not now.”

“...Sharp.”

“I had vaguely suspected that the mark was a symptom of poisoning. But I could not be certain. After I lost consciousness once, I suffered no further harm.”

“Is that what you think?”

“That is what I think.”

Yangcheon asked seriously.

“I will be blunt. Are you telling me how to escape these symptoms because you want to draw me to your side?”

He saw through it that easily? Even that far?

Yeon Hojeong nodded.

“That is correct. I heard that you said you would help us ‘just this once.’ You never said we would become entirely on the same side. At least, that was what Mo Yonggun told me.”

“...”

“You are the Fighting King. You should land a blow on the bastard who left that filthy mark on your chest.”

“And that benefits your side as well.”

“It benefits you and the men who follow you too. Their target is not merely the Martial Alliance. It is the entire Central Plains.”

“...”

“It would have been nice if we had met as friends. But we have come too far to exchange drinks with no purpose other than friendship.”

Yangcheon snorted.

“Friends at your age? Do not be ridiculous.”

“Whatever it becomes.”

“So the enemy of my enemy is my friend?”

“That is the idea.”

Yangcheon stared at Yeon Hojeong for a moment, then smiled coldly.

“That is not all.”

“...”

“There was something in what you said earlier that I did not quite understand. Your words and voice were grounded in truth, and they carried tremendous persuasive power. But whether consciously or unconsciously, there was one person you were especially reluctant to discuss.”

“...”

“Mo Yonggun.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.

“Do you want Mo Yonggun removed?”

“...I do.”

“By using a sword like me?”

“No.”

“No? Why?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“My father always told me not to cross the line.”

“...”

“Whether I use you or join hands with you, it would be for a greater cause. I have no intention of bringing in Dark Path forces to deal with an enemy within our own ranks.”

“I do not see the difference.”

“I did not either. And honestly, I still do not fully understand it. But I think I vaguely understand what Father meant when he told me not to cross the line.”

“So you do not want me to deal with Mo Yonggun?”

“That is correct. He is someone I—we—will deal with ourselves.”

“That is not it.”

Yangcheon’s eyes gleamed.

“Even if you deal with Mo Yonggun, I am the one who can shake his foundation. At the very least, you must maintain a relationship with me that is not hostile.”

Yeon Hojeong nodded.

“That is exactly what the main Alliance’s strategist wants most.”

“You do not need to strike the Mo Yong Clan directly, but you must at least subtly let Mo Yonggun know that our relationship is not bad...”

Yangcheon nodded.

“Good. All my questions have been answered.”

Yeon Hojeong spoke.

“Then, the Yin Desolation Divine Palm—”

“From this moment on, let us change who leads this conversation.”

Swish.

Yangcheon rose from his seat.

WOOOOONG.

The cold mountain wind turned hot once more.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.

“What do you mean?”

“Among the Dark Path...”

SSSSSSSSS!

Pale smoke billowed from Yangcheon’s fists.

It looked as though they had caught fire.

But there were no actual flames around his fists. There was not even any Fire energy.

And yet, they felt hot.

If one of those fists struck him wrong, it would not merely leave a burn. The point of impact itself felt as though it would be erased.

“There has been a rule in the Dark Path since ancient times. Not one made for alleyway scoundrels fighting in the backstreets, but a rule from the days when the Dark Path had nobles. Those who consider themselves the true scions of the Dark Path still live by that rule.”

ZIIING! ZIIING!

From within the rising smoke, ominous flashes leaped like lightning.

They were unlike the electric radiance of Mo Yonggun’s Thunderclap Art, and unlike the brilliance of Yeon Wi’s absolute single sword strike.

They looked like lightning, yet resembled flame. They resembled flame, yet carried the sharpness of a blade.

“There are several such rules, but there is only one you need to remember.”

Whoosh!

Every strand of Yangcheon’s hair shot skyward.

“Ugh!”

Buseon groaned and retreated more than thirty meters.

Gangryang did the same.

Only Yeon Hojeong stood his ground. His eyes were as deep as a bottomless abyss as he watched Yangcheon, one hand gripping the haft of Mad Dragon buried in the earth.

“A traitor is given the chance to defend himself. If that defense is deemed justified, every grievance is settled by cutting off one of his limbs.”

“...”

“But if the traitor refuses to defend himself, he is executed at once. That is the rule of the Dark Path.”

“...”

“Of course, there are exceptions. When a traitor has circumstances, and those circumstances are understood and accepted, the old code of the martial world is laid upon the blade. That is...”

“Three moves.”

Yeon Hojeong spoke calmly.

“If the traitor endures the executioner’s three moves, every grievance is settled at once.”

A strange light appeared in Yangcheon’s eyes.

“You know that as well?”

“I do.”

“I do not know where you heard it, but you are correct. If you withstand my three moves, I will bury every grievance between us in the wind blowing through this place.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled bitterly.

“I only need to endure three moves? If I fail and die, you will not be able to cure the poisoning.”

“It does not matter.”

KURURURUNG!

The ground beneath Yangcheon’s feet cracked like a spiderweb.

Dark crimson radiance poured from his entire body.

It had been a long time since he had unleashed his full strength. The pressure of an absolute master was beyond imagination.

“I am the leader of the Dark Path and the Fighting King. Settle our grievance, or lose one of your limbs. Choose.”

Yangcheon smiled viciously.

“You are not the sort who will die obediently.”

“...You could have let this pass easily, but you insist on making everything this bloody.”

KWAAAAANG!

With a springy motion, Yeon Hojeong lifted Mad Dragon. He extended one hand with the expression of a man who had stumbled upon a windfall.

“I will take the Fighting King’s three moves.”