Shadow War (4)
A deep, resonant hum filled the air. Whoooong! Whoooong! The azure true energy enveloping his entire body was so pure and profound that just looking at it refreshed the mind.
That was Mo Yong Woo's true energy.
Condensed and compressed to the point where its color was visible to the naked eye, it shimmered with a clarity that seemed to reflect his very nature—cool, invigorating, and utterly captivating.
But why? Lately, a cloud of turbidity seemed to linger in his heart, making that deep blue energy flicker uneasily, as if unsettled.
Shhh.
After a long session of regulating his inner energy, Mo Yong Woo finally ended his meditation.
"Impressive."
Mo Yong Woo opened his eyes. Yeon Hojeong was perched on the windowsill.
"I knew roughly, but it's rare to find someone whose inhalation and exhalation last this long. Even I could barely tell when you breathed in or out."
Mo Yong Woo smiled. "That's the nature of my martial arts."
"But you're not showing the martial arts that match that breathing."
"Haha, true. It's not easy."
Those who properly cultivate inner energy tend to have long breaths. But cases as extremely prolonged and shallow as Mo Yong Woo's were exceptionally rare.
Mo Yong Woo's breathing was far longer and quieter than Yeon Hojeong's. It revealed the essence of his martial arts: strength in flowing linked strikes rather than one-hit kills, granting him endurance, no openings, and the tenacity to revive a broken rhythm.
Yet during their spar, Mo Yong Woo hadn't fought that way. Yeon Hojeong's style was ferocious, sure, but if he'd used endless linked strikes like his breath suggested, the fight wouldn't have ended so quickly.
"You're not exactly using martial arts that match your breathing either, in a different sense."
Yeon Hojeong's arts centered on explosive power and one-strike kills. Such techniques were inherently extreme—methods designed to end it in a single blow, whether he died or the enemy did. The moment the blade was drawn, it became a duel of life and death. If the foe didn't fall, he would. Naturally, they lacked variation, brimmed with killing intent, and aimed to crush the opponent's spirit from the start.
What was astonishing was Yeon Hojeong's breathing. He controlled it freely. Yet his usual breath was long and gentle—not mismatched like Mo Yong Woo's, but necessary to conserve his stamina given his training.
"I've trained my body to the brink of death. And still feeling it's not enough? Martial arts truly have no end."
Yeon Hojeong knew from experience. That single glimpse of the ultimate realm as the Black Dark Emperor had propelled him to his current level in just a few years.
But now, he walked a path similar yet entirely different from that time. Building on those insights, he was stepping toward a new direction, a higher realm.
'That's why progress feels slower than expected.'
If he'd followed the Black Dark Emperor's path, he'd already be at his father's level—or beyond. But that would be meaningless.
Considering the enemies ahead and the countless martial principles he hadn't fully grasped back then, he had to endure this deliberate slowness.
Moreover, Yeon Hojeong had no doubt. Even if he lagged a year or two now, in three or four years, he'd reach an entirely new realm—one whose lofty peak he couldn't even have dreamed of as the Black Dark Emperor. A path faster and surer to the summit.
"Anyway."
Mo Yong Woo smiled. "You knew I sensed you come in."
"I didn't hide my presence. Since you didn't stop, I stood guard."
"So brazen."
"News to you?"
"Hahaha."
Mo Yong Woo sat up on the bed. "Here about the Western Divine Maiden?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flickered. "You knew?"
Mo Yong Woo shrugged. "I'm learning about you bit by bit. You tried not to show it, but she clearly makes you uneasy."
"Uneasy...?"
"More like you want distance from her."
Yeon Hojeong gave a wry smile. "Guess I worried you without meaning to. Sorry."
"No need to apologize. Don't say that. But it didn't seem like her origins or skin color bothered you. Not your style anyway."
"..."
"If something troubles you, I can't solve it, but I can share the burden."
Yeon Hojeong smiled. "Feeling that reliable now?"
Mo Yong Woo flexed his arm. "Of course."
Yeon Hojeong stared at him for a moment, then sighed. "Never thought I'd spill these secrets in a moment like this."
In the end, Yeon Hojeong told Mo Yong Woo what he'd only shared with his father and Muk Bi. Of course, he omitted his past life.
Not from distrust, but because in this situation, it would just waste time.
Thus, Yeon Hojeong laid bare everything about the Mad Faith Three Sects.
'...'
Light gleamed in Yeon Hojeong's eyes as he finished. Mo Yong Woo's expression was calmer than expected. Surprised, yes, but not shocked.
"I see."
"Not that surprising?"
"I am surprised."
"But you don't seem skeptical."
Mo Yong Woo shook his head. "I know you wouldn't lie about this."
"Yeah?"
"And now it makes sense."
Mo Yong Woo's gaze deepened. "Hard for me to say it, but you seem serious about making me Martial Alliance Leader."
"...Yeah, dead serious."
"I've wondered why a genius like you insists on me. If you were using me for some scheme."
Yeon Hojeong grinned. "Not entirely clueless, huh?"
"Had to suspect, even if faintly. That was at first—now, no such thoughts."
"If I had them, I wouldn't have asked to be sworn brothers first."
"Exactly."
Mo Yong Woo closed his eyes. "Simple friendship could've been casual exchanges. But you saw me straight, while wanting something from me."
"..."
"I was curious but didn't pry. Whatever it was, I couldn't believe my first sworn brother would betray me."
"Or maybe you didn't want to believe it."
"Could be. The point is, I trust you."
Mo Yong Woo nodded. "So that's it. I don't know what you saw in me, but you think I can stop them as Leader."
"Right."
"And their power sounds unprecedented."
"Immense."
Mo Yong Woo pondered, then cracked his knuckles. "Let me summarize. Beyond the Western Regions, there's the Mad Faith Three Sects. Each rivals the Martial Alliance in strength, scheming to seize the Central Plains in one stroke."
"Correct."
"One, the Saneumgyo, covertly backed Muk Ryong Bu. But now, its leader Tu Wang Yang Cheon realizes their aims and watches them."
"Correct."
"You didn't tell the Alliance leadership to avoid chaos and prevent them from going underground if we act rashly."
"And because there might be collaborators among us."
"Right. Finally, those who know: Jegal strategist, Yeon family head, and Muk division chief. Did I miss anything?"
"No. You got it perfectly."
"Good. And..."
Mo Yong Woo's eyes flashed. "You suspect the Western Divine Maiden is their pawn?"
Yeon Hojeong nodded. "Not certain. But high probability."
"Why?"
"Her inner cultivation method—the energy signature matches the Three Sects'."
"...You know them well."
Yeon Hojeong nodded. "Very. Especially Saneumgyo."
"I see."
Mo Yong Woo didn't ask how. "Honestly, we've barely talked and just met, but she seems genuine to me."
"..."
"Her nature leans good, not evil. That's my read."
"Brother."
"Speak."
"To me, whether she's good or evil doesn't matter."
"..."
"What matters is she's cultivated their arts—meaning she's likely tied to them somehow."
Mo Yong Woo felt a chill. Ghostfire danced in his sworn brother's eyes, cold smile aside. And in that fire lurked a terrifying rage and grudge beyond his understanding.
"You plan to kill her?"
"If needed."
"..."
"If she infiltrated the Alliance with intent, the moment I'm sure, her nature or past mean nothing. Only that she could plague not just the Alliance but the entire Central Plains."
"..."
"Her life story? Not my concern. Too many lives at stake to nitpick."
Yeon Hojeong's smile faded. "All the countless foes I've killed had their own tales."
Mo Yong Woo closed his eyes. "...If that's your view, I won't try changing it."
"But I'd change yours. A soldier who hesitates at key moments is no soldier."
"True."
"Like her or not, if she's confirmed a Three Sects spy, your hand can't waver."
"Don't worry."
Yeon Hojeong stared, then sighed. "Still, since we didn't meet on the battlefield, let's investigate her more thoroughly."
Mo Yong Woo's face brightened visibly. "Yes, caution never hurts."
Yeon Hojeong propped his foot on the sill. "Sorry for the late visit. Rest well."
"You too."
Shhh.
Yeon Hojeong leaped out the window.
Alone, Mo Yong Woo gazed at the ceiling.
"...Martial Alliance Leader?"