Chapter 464: Embracing the Darkness (4)

"I seem to be coming here rather often."

Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips as he crossed the enormous basin on his way to the great hall.

He glanced at Gangryang.

Gangryang was looking around with his mouth hanging open.

"Impressive, isn't it?"

"...It looks like the lair of some three-headed, six-armed monster."

"Security is much tighter than it used to be. I could sense something unusual from the moment we entered, something that wasn't there before. They've undoubtedly installed mechanisms and formations that are invisible to the naked eye."

"That's incredible. Considering the size of this place..."

"It must have cost an astronomical sum. Still, even for an underground headquarters, the security is excessive. At this point..."

Yeon Hojeong continued silently.

This feels less like a citadel and more like the Brain Prison.

No one could predict what course Yangcheon would take in the future.

But one thing was certain.

Yangcheon has no intention of stopping here.

It wasn't because of the geographical limitations of an underground headquarters. It was because of Yangcheon's desires and ambitions.

He'll build a great citadel to rival the Martial Alliance. I don't know when, but once he does, this place...

Perhaps he really would turn it into an enormous prison.

After pondering the matter briefly, Yeon Hojeong turned his attention to Jeongan.

Her expression was so grim that she looked as though she were wearing a rigid mask.

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

"You all right?"

"Pardon?"

"I asked if you're all right."

"Oh, yes."

Jeongan answered reflexively, then sighed and shook her head.

"To be honest, I'm not."

"Of course you're not."

Jeongan sighed again.

"Now that I think about it, you were right, Commander. I was a fool who knew nothing. If you hadn't intervened on my behalf, I wouldn't even have been allowed inside."

"And a master from Ink Dragon Manor who couldn't overlook your unresolved anger might have tracked you down and killed you."

"...I suppose that's possible."

"So, do you regret it?"

"Absolutely not."

Jeongan gave a bitter smile.

"I don't regret my decision. I've simply realized, once again, just how much there is to learn about the world."

"The world was made by people. If you want to understand the world, you have to start by understanding people."

"..."

"And to understand people, you need to meet many of them and have many conversations. That's how relationships are formed, and it's through those relationships that people come to see the world."

"I see."

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

"That's just how I see it. Everyone has their own way of thinking."

With that, Yeon Hojeong fell silent. He had plenty to think about himself.

Yangcheon.

What had kept him awake all night was not the question of whether he could simply overlook what had happened at Putuo Hermitage.

The situation at Putuo had to be resolved. The only questions were when and how.

What had occupied his thoughts was something Yangcheon had said.

'As you said, if we're to face the Three Creeds, the Dark Path and the Orthodox Path will have to join forces.'

'Naturally.'

'Yet we haven't had a proper discussion about that until now. That's why I asked you that question. Are you prepared to sacrifice everything to destroy the Perverse Lust Cult?'

'What are you getting at?'

'I like you. Your martial arts, your judgment, your resourcefulness, your ability to get things done—all of it. But what I like most is your ruthless determination to pursue your goals without imposing limits on yourself.'

'Thank you for the compliment.'

'Come here on assignment.'

'On assignment?'

'I'm telling you to come to our headquarters as an official envoy of the Martial Alliance, not as a spy like before.'

'...?!'

'The Martial Alliance can never take the leading role in this war. And the reason is simple. Its members won't stop weighing their individual interests and actually take action until the danger is right on their doorstep.'

'That's...'

'Don't tell me I'm wrong. I know you find that aspect of the Alliance just as frustrating as I do.'

'Things will change once the Martial Alliance Leader is elected.'

'And when will that happen? Next year at the earliest, isn't it?'

'...'

'Even if the election takes place at the beginning of next year, that's still half a year away. As you well know, half a year is more than enough time for the enemy to wreak havoc.'

'That still doesn't give me a reason to come to Ink Dragon Manor on assignment.'

'You're at the heart of the Martial Alliance's political affairs. But being at the center of its politics doesn't mean you have the power to unite the Alliance. How could you possibly reconcile the competing interests of so many sects in such a short time? Though, to be fair, that would be impossible for anyone.'

'...'

'Leave that work to people you can trust. Instead of wasting your strength on matters like that, come to Ink Dragon Manor. Come here, and we'll start by crushing the Perverse Lust Cult. If you're willing to commit yourself to that, I'll grant you extensive authority to use as much of our headquarters' manpower and resources as you need.'

'That's quite a daunting offer.'

'It's what I wanted to discuss with you more than anything else today. Think it over, and if you find yourself inclined to accept, come see me. I hope you won't take too long.'

Yeon Hojeong's gaze deepened.

He isn't entirely wrong.

Having freed himself from the Yin Desolation Poison, Yangcheon had become a completely different man from the Yangcheon of the past.

Or perhaps this was Yangcheon's true nature all along. A towering figure who had fought against the world for decades and ultimately seized victory, earning himself the title of Fighting King. His insight was second to none.

And that very man was saying the Martial Alliance would not take the leading role in this war.

Yeon Hojeong thought it could go either way.

At the very least, the Martial Alliance as it currently stood could not take the lead. As Yangcheon had pointed out, too many sects had gathered under its banner, and none of them could free themselves from their individual interests.

But if the Alliance became what Yeon Hojeong envisioned, it could take the leading role in the war.

Brother.

Mo Yong-woo still had many shortcomings of his own.

Nevertheless, he possessed insight and intelligence that rivaled those of any seasoned veteran of the martial world. And the chivalry he held in his heart was far more intuitive and clearly defined than the slow-moving notions of justice espoused by those hardened veterans.

He was also exceptionally skilled at leading people. In particular, his outstanding virtue and the respect he commanded made him ideally suited to setting the Martial Alliance on the right path even after the war ended.

However...

The problem is whether those people, who consider seniority and standing the bare minimum qualifications, will ever accept someone named Mo Yong-woo.

Of course, experience and standing were important. But they were not absolute requirements.

Even so, many people who understood that intellectually could not bring themselves to accept it deep down.

Yeon Hojeong smiled bitterly.

If they knew how old I was when I founded the Black Emperor's Citadel, every last one of them would be shocked.

Was that possible because it was an organization of the Dark Path?

To some extent, yes.

But someone with sufficient ability could lead an organization regardless of whether it belonged to the Dark Path or the Orthodox Path.

Damn it. Things really never go the way I want them to.

Yeon Hojeong scratched his head vigorously.

Gangryang gave him a sour look.

"Why don't you wash once in a while?"

"I'm cleaner than you are."

"Would it kill you to admit it?"

Before they knew it, the group had reached the entrance to the great hall.

Yeon Hojeong turned to Jeongan.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Yeon Hojeong addressed White Rat.

"Announce us."

White Rat did not even turn to look at him.

"Manor Lord. I've brought the guests."

"Show them in."

RUMBLE!

The enormous stone wall began moving the moment Yangcheon finished speaking.

Considering the width and thickness of the wall, the mere fact that such an immense mass of stone could be moved by a mechanism was astonishing. The sight was so magnificent that Jeongan and Gangryang could only stare with their mouths hanging open.

Those stairs look familiar.

The group followed White Rat up the staircase.

Suddenly, Jeongan flinched.

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

"Calm down."

"But...!"

"I know. The people from Lotus Gate are here."

Jeongan's face filled with agitation.

"Could they really have... come to Ink Dragon Manor...?"

"Get a hold of yourself. And don't say a word once we're inside."

At last, the group stepped onto the long carpet.

"Ah, you've arrived."

A voice full of delight greeted them from the great chair at the far end of the hall.

Yeon Hojeong gave a faint chuckle.

"I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

"Neither did I. That makes this all the more welcome. It seems you've made up your mind sooner than I expected."

Yangcheon gestured toward the space in front of him.

"Come."

The three walked across the plush carpet until they reached the foot of the great chair.

Just then—

WHOOOOSH!

A terrifying surge of power swept over the group, shaking them.

When they turned their heads, they saw two women staring at them in astonishment. One was a woman past middle age, seemingly approaching old age, while the other appeared to be around Jeongan's age.

"J-Jeongan?!"

Jeongan looked at the older woman with trembling eyes.

"Gate Master of Lotus Gate."

Jeokyeon stared at her in disbelief before suddenly shouting.

"You bitch! How dare you crawl your way in here!"

Her reaction was far more violent than anyone had expected. Even Yeonsim, standing beside her, was taken aback.

Hearing the fury in Jeokyeon's voice, and the unmistakable trace of Killing Intent beneath it, Jeongan found herself thinking:

It's over.

Putuo Hermitage, at least the Putuo Hermitage of this generation, would never regain its former glory.

Jeongan closed her eyes.

Jeokyeon's eyes blazed with fury.

"You filthy bitch! Just what I'd expect from an ill-bred descendant of Thousand-Eyes Gate! When you see an elder of your own order, shouldn't you bow your head at once? You insolent creature! You're worse than an animal...!"

At that moment, a fierce gale swept through the hall.

WHOOOOSH!

A wave of unbearably scorching wind struck Jeokyeon, abruptly silencing her.

WHIIIIINE!

The rotating Yeon Clan Divine Core released an enormous amount of True Qi.

And that True Qi was driving the output of the Vermilion Bird Fire Qi to its absolute limit.

ROOOOOAR!

An overwhelming torrent of Fire energy and Killing Intent beyond anything Jeokyeon could have imagined enveloped her body.

Her face turned deathly pale.

An unbearable wave of qi was pouring from the red-eyed young man glaring at her. The pressure was so terrifying that she could barely breathe.

Yeon Hojeong spoke calmly.

"Shut your mouth."

"W-What?!"

"She hasn't done anything wrong enough to deserve abuse from worthless trash like you. If you offend me again, I'll start by taking off that useless head of yours."

"...!"

Jeokyeon's face turned red, then purple.

"Just what I'd expect from Thousand-Eyes Gate! Joining hands with some lowly demonic fiend...!!"

In that instant, Yeon Hojeong's fist wind erupted with the speed of a flash of light.

BOOOOM!

A thunderous explosion rang out as Jeokyeon staggered backward, driven all the way to the wall.

Surprisingly, it was not Jeokyeon who had blocked Yeon Hojeong's fist wind.

Yeonsim stood in front of her, sword already drawn, staggering from the impact.

Even though Yeonsim had intercepted the fist wind, the force of the resulting shock wave had been so tremendous that Jeokyeon had been driven backward as well.

It was martial power of truly monstrous proportions.

Yeonsim's eyes trembled.

What incredible martial arts!

The power she had felt from that single exchange was beyond imagination. She had unleashed her swordsmanship almost instinctively, without conscious thought, but even so, the sheer force of the impact was absurd.

A strange light flashed in Yeon Hojeong's eyes.

It's her.

She looked much younger and more innocent than she had back then.

This girl was the Sword Empress.

The Sword Empress he had met and spoken with during his days as the Dark Emperor was none other than Yeonsim.

But his surprise lasted only a moment.

Yeon Hojeong smiled coldly.

"This has nothing to do with you. Stand aside. If you don't, you'll die with her."

Yeonsim swallowed involuntarily.

His words were no mere attempt at intimidation. The Killing Intent radiating from him was so dreadful that she could feel he genuinely intended to kill them both.

Just then, Yangcheon spoke.

"Don't you think that's enough of a greeting?"

"..."

"Why don't you rein in that aura of yours? You're making the atmosphere rather unpleasant."

Yeon Hojeong continued glaring at Jeokyeon for a moment before withdrawing his Killing Intent.

WHOOSH.

When it had erupted, it had been as overwhelming as Mount Tai. Yet when it vanished, it dissipated as effortlessly as smoke.

His control over the release and withdrawal of his aura was absolute. It was a divine skill in the manipulation of Inner Qi, the kind of feat that could only be displayed by a monster who surpassed even the most extraordinary geniuses.

Yeon Hojeong frowned.

"Couldn't you have done a little cleaning before receiving your guests?"

Yangcheon smiled.

"Is there really any need for such formalities between us?"

"And just what kind of relationship do we have?"

"Well, I can't say for certain just yet, but I have a feeling it's going to be a rather splendid one."

Yeon Hojeong chuckled.

"Start by bringing me some liquor. Something good, not clear grain liquor."