Full Strength, and the Wall (3)
Yang Cheon’s bearing as he sat upon the grand master’s seat was nothing short of imperial.
To his left and right, a multitude of supreme experts stood in disciplined ranks with their backs slightly bowed. They wore not martial robes but the luxurious garments befitting high officials of the imperial court, remaining utterly motionless.
It was a scene of overwhelming majesty.
One might have been looking at the imperial audience hall where the civil and military officials had gathered before their emperor. Though the hall itself was not adorned with such opulence, the razor-sharp atmosphere created by the experts’ auras—thick enough to steal one’s breath—made this place feel more noble and perilous than anywhere else in the world.
Behind Yang Cheon stood his three disciples.
First disciple Yeop Seong, second disciple Bu Seon, and third disciple Jeon Hong.
Yeop Seong made no effort to restrain his characteristically wild aura. Bu Seon likewise refused to suppress her own keen edge. Even Jeon Hong, who had lost his right arm to Kang Liang, showed no intention of concealing his now-savage qi.
And Yang Cheon’s own aura—vast as the sea—effortlessly embraced his disciples’ energies and shook the entire hall with its presence.
…….
The grand hall was steeped in absolute silence.
It was the kind of quiet where even a falling needle would sound like thunder. Every person present took the utmost care not to so much as rustle their sleeves.
Yang Cheon sat with his eyes closed.
He found the current moment strangely moving.
A brief meeting with the leadership of the Martial Alliance?
It had not felt like this. They had simply exchanged the answers each side desired and the trust each side required. That was the nature of that encounter.
This was different.
In reality, a warrior dispatched by the Martial Alliance—their official representative—had entered his own territory.
The fact stirred something peculiar inside Yang Cheon.
It was not unpleasant.
A faint smile touched the corners of Yang Cheon’s mouth as he kept his eyes closed.
Yang Cheon found himself impressed once again—by the unexpected turns the kangho produced in every era, and by the blood-soaked causality that turned those surprises into inevitabilities.
A short while later, Baek Seo’s voice came from beyond the closed doors of the hall.
“My Lord, I have brought the guest.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes snapped open.
“Bring him forward.”
A deep resonance spread outward.
Yang Cheon’s voice—the voice of the King of Combat, the Lord of the Black Dragon Department—became a single powerful wave that cut across the air of the grand hall.
The enormous doors began to open with a low growl, as if a beast the size of a house were rumbling in its throat. The sound that shook the hall was both terrifying and magnificent.
From the entrance invisible from the grand master’s seat, footsteps echoed along the long staircase leading to the center of the hall.
Step. Step.
There was not the slightest trace of hesitation in that stride. It was bold, confident.
Yet it did not sound arrogant. The footsteps carried boundless freedom, majestic dignity, and clear respect for the one waiting ahead.
Merely from the sound of those steps, one could read the walker’s character and intent. Yang Cheon’s smile deepened.
Each time they met, the man showed an entirely different face.
Only now did Yang Cheon realize that the impudent envoy had stepped onto the path of light that led to the realm of Mugeuk.
A new world both illusory and the very essence of Mugeuk itself—one that those who had never entered that domain would struggle to comprehend no matter how it was described.
Soon, Yeon Hojeong’s figure began to appear little by little atop the stairs.
First his head, then his shoulders, his upper body, and finally both legs.
The slowly revealed sight of him was dazzling. The long journey had faded his clothes somewhat, yet his unique mystical aura completely masked even the dust clinging to them.
Yeop Seong’s eyes flashed.
He was inwardly shocked by the change in Yeon Hojeong.
The man seemed like an entirely different person from the one they had met on the road.
If he had resembled a moderately weary yet upright scholar then, now he exuded the aura of a mystical expert descended from another world.
Of course, the sharp edge unique to martial artists still could not be sensed. One might even wonder whether he had learned any martial arts at all.
Yet regardless of martial arts, the man himself appeared extraordinary.
An aura that no one could treat lightly. A perfect presence that conveyed absolute solitude and nobility no matter the surroundings.
Yeop Seong glanced at Yang Cheon.
At last, Yeon Hojeong came to a stop at the center of the red carpet leading to the grand master’s seat.
Behind him stood Pae Yul and Kang Liang. Their auras were formidable as well, but the overwhelming focus on Yeon Hojeong meant almost no one spared them a glance.
In that moment, Yang Cheon and Yeon Hojeong faced each other directly.
Yang Cheon spoke first.
“You have arrived.”
Yeon Hojeong, who had been quietly observing him, knelt on one knee and lowered his head.
“Yeon Hojeong, General Director of the Uijeong Army under the Martial Alliance, pays his respects to Supreme Leader Yang Cheon, Great Hero and Lord of Mukryong-bu of the Black Faction Alliance.”
It was a flawless display of etiquette.
Like an envoy greeting the emperor of a foreign nation, every gesture and word from Yeon Hojeong was refined to perfection.
Yang Cheon gave a slight nod.
“You must have endured much on the long journey.”
Since Yeon Hojeong had shown such courtesy, Yang Cheon could not respond with the casual tone he used in private.
Yeon Hojeong’s formal conduct both preserved the dignity of the Lord of Mukryong-bu and reaffirmed the alliance between their two powers.
“Do you carry an official letter?”
“I do.”
Yang Cheon glanced to his left. There stood the captain of Mukryongdae, the newly formed personal guard of the Lord of Mukryong-bu.
“Receive it.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
The captain approached Yeon Hojeong with quick steps, accepted the letter, and ascended the stairs.
At Yang Cheon’s nod, the captain unfurled the document and began to read in a deep, resonant voice.
“To the esteemed Supreme Leader of the Black Faction Alliance and great expert of the kangho, the Lord of Mukryong-bu, from all the Bonggong of the Martial Alliance…”
……
The remainder is transmitted directly by the Twelve Bonggong of the Martial Alliance.
While the captain read the weighty document, Yang Cheon and Yeon Hojeong’s eyes met.
Without exchanging a single transmitted sound, the two men conversed solely through their gazes.
‘It was difficult, but yes.’
‘The atmosphere in the Martial Alliance must be chaotic.’
‘Quite bloody, indeed.’
‘There will be much work to do here as well. Remain vigilant.’
‘You will need to do the same, Lord Yang.’
Soon the captain’s voice faded. He refolded the letter and returned to his place.
Yang Cheon’s gaze deepened.
“The Martial Alliance intends to operate in a half-sealed state?”
Yeon Hojeong bowed his head.
“That is correct.”
“They speak of joining hands, yet withdraw in this manner?”
The remark could easily have frozen the atmosphere, yet Yeon Hojeong answered with perfect composure.
“When a bear hibernates, it is not merely for survival. It is a strategy to greet a better spring.”
“Is that so?”
“It is.”
“Still, as the dispatched representative, there will surely be times when you require the Martial Alliance’s assistance while working here.”
“That is precisely why it is a half-sealed state rather than a complete one.”
“Complete or half, the intention to reduce external affairs is clear. If a situation arises where you must confront the enemy with only the power of this headquarters, what then?”
“That is exactly why I have come here.”
“Oh? Am I to understand that you speak with the full will of the Martial Alliance behind you?”
“We stand on the eve of a war against an unprecedented foe. The Martial Alliance is not foolish enough to send a man burdened with responsibility yet deprived of proper authority.”
Yeon Hojeong lifted his head.
His brilliant eyes pierced straight into Yang Cheon’s own.
“While I am here, all authority and all responsibility belong to me. You may consider that point confirmed.”
The corner of Yang Cheon’s mouth curved upward.
“Can I trust those words?”
“If you cannot believe me, then cut my throat this instant.”
“Hahaha!”
Yang Cheon burst into laughter.
His hearty laugh—the unrestrained laughter of the King of Combat that refused to hide his true feelings even in an official setting—softened the razor-sharp tension that had filled the hall.
“What magnificent spirit, speaking of the world itself. The confidence of a petty man who does not value his own life invites only ridicule, but the life of a diamond warrior who carries countless lives upon his shoulders shines with a value no treasure can match.”
Yang Cheon nodded.
“Mukryong-bu has completed its final review of the Martial Alliance’s proposal for joint action. We have determined that the envoy’s words carry sufficient sincerity.”
“……”
“From this moment forward, Mukryong-bu and the White Faction Martial Alliance are brothers.”
A chill ran down the spines of everyone present.
This was a historic instant—the true joining of hands between the Dark and White Factions. A moment worthy of being recorded in the annals of the murim. Simply by standing here, every person present felt an indescribable surge of emotion.
I hereby order the entire Dark Faction: From this day forward, all provocation and attacks against White Faction sects are strictly forbidden. Unless the White Faction breaks this pact first, our Dark Faction shall never touch them.
From this moment on, we are brothers.
Yang Cheon nodded once more.
“Everyone may withdraw. We will prepare a celebration worthy of this historic day once the dispatched representatives have rested from their long journey.”
All the warriors knelt as one.
“We receive the Supreme Leader’s command!”
“And dispatched representative Yeon Hojeong—remain behind for a moment.”
A short while later, the heavy atmosphere dissolved.
“Whew, it’s stifling.”
Yang Cheon’s posture became far more relaxed.
“I thought I had grown used to it, but damn, this formal nonsense is still unbearable.”
Yeon Hojeong promptly sat down on the spot as well.
“I nearly got goosebumps.”
“You and me both.”
Yang Cheon shrugged.
“Care for a drink?”
“Gladly. But first, let us hear your plans for the future.”
Yang Cheon clicked his tongue.
“You want to talk business already? Aren’t you exhausted?”
“I feel like I could die from exhaustion. But before I rest, I want to know exactly how you intend to use me, Lord.”
“Can’t it wait until later?”
“Let us first confirm whether my ominous suspicion is correct.”
A mischievous grin spread across Yang Cheon’s face.
“And what is that ominous suspicion of yours?”
“The Holy Heavens.”
Yeon Hojeong licked his lips.
“No matter how I think about it, that’s the only possibility. Especially after that conversation we had.”
“Your instincts are sharp as ever.”
“……”
“It’s true?”
Yang Cheon pulled a small letter from his robes and tossed it over.
Yeon Hojeong caught it and tilted his head.
“What is this now?”
“What do you think it is?”
“Stop playing games and tell me.”
“The location of the person I want is written inside.”
“……?”
“Among the madmen of the Holy Heavens, he should be the easiest one to deal with.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes deepened.
“Who is it?”
Yang Cheon’s expression grew serious as well.
“The Spear King.”