Chapter 256: The Time of the Freezing Wind (6)
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“Elder Brother.”
“It has been a while.”
Murong Jun’s eyes, which had been looking at Murong Yu with a smile, widened.
“I heard at the Honored Guest Meeting that you had broken through the Wall of the Martial Arts´ End. Honestly, I was half in doubt, but you truly have broken through the Wall of the Martial Arts´ End!”
Murong Yu bowed his head.
“It is all thanks to you, Elder Brother. If it weren’t for the Heaven and Earth Martial Resolution, how could I have even dared to hope to break through the Wall of the Martial Arts´ End?”
“You rascal, if the Wall of the Martial Arts´ End was a realm that could be overcome merely depending on the level of one’s martial arts, there would be an overflowing number of peak masters in the world.”
Murong Jun was genuinely satisfied.
“Admirable. Truly admirable. I did believe in you, but I didn’t know you would develop this quickly. You are truly like my younger brother.”
There is a big difference between knowing by hearing and seeing and feeling it directly.
Murong Jun continuously burst into laughter. He was genuinely rejoicing at Murong Yu’s growth.
Looking at such a Murong Jun, Murong Yu felt an indescribable confusion.
‘Elder Brother.’
There was no reason for Yeon Ho-jeong to lie to him. Since spouting lies that would be found out anyway would only lose his trust.
If so, it meant that his older brother had truly driven innocent people to their deaths.
‘Just how far do you plan to go?’
Among the high-ranking figures in the Murim, would Murong Jun be the only one who killed innocent people for his own benefit?
Furthermore, Murong Jun was a cold-blooded person who had even cast aside his brothers who shared the same blood for power. Himself, the youngest, had been sent to the Zhejiang branch, which was close to exile, but the rest of the brothers had all either died or suffered miserable fates.
Murong Jun was such a person. Murong Yu also knew that, and that was why he planned to drive Murong Jun out and lead the Murong Clan into a clan of the Righteous Path.
However… To think he would commit such an act yet again.
‘I thought too complacently.’
Murong Yu smiled bitterly.
‘Intoxicated by the brotherly affection I hadn’t been able to enjoy all this time, I failed to see what I should have seen transparently.’
There was no need to newly blame Murong Jun. Since he knew from the beginning that his older brother was such a person.
‘I will also do it properly now, Elder Brother.’
A resolute determination arose in Murong Yu’s eyes that had been filled with bitterness.
‘I, too, am resolved to step into this mud fight without hesitation.’
At that time, Murong Jun asked.
“Hmm? But why is your expression so bad? Are you perhaps sick somewhere?”
His older brother’s face looking at him with worried eyes.
A person who would resort to any means and methods for his purpose, and thought that even ethics and morals were worthless, but a person who could willingly give his liver and gall to his own people.
Murong Yu bowed his head. He couldn’t bring himself to look straight at his older brother.
“It’s nothing. I am finally relieved that you returned safely, Elder Brother.”
“Hahaha! You rascal, even so, your foolish older brother is not such a pushover that I would easily be done in wherever I go.”
He spoke like that, but Murong Jun’s face was filled with satisfaction.
Although his daughter had been ruined by her meeting with his younger brother, this blunt younger brother had become his person.
It was a situation where he had even given up his daughter for the deal with Yang Cheon. There were many people who joined hands with him, but how many would truly worry for him like this?
That was why he was even more precious.
And it made him even more tense.
‘How could I not know your sincere feelings full of worry? However, my nature as a beast that does not even trust its own flesh and blood does not allow me to view that sincerity of yours as purely innocent.’
Murong Yu would not betray him. As always, he would sincerely trust and follow him.
Even so, he did not let his guard down.
More terrifying than the attacks of the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats was the betrayal of someone he trusted. As Murong Jun’s trust toward Murong Yu deepened, he simultaneously tightened his tension toward him.
“By the way, my younger brother broke through the Wall of the Martial Arts´ End and became a rare master, so it won’t do to not have a toast. Let’s have a drink after a long time.”
“You must be tired from your journey…”
“Hoho, no matter how tired I am, could I just pass by this vivid moment of joy? Do you perhaps have something else to do?”
“…No.”
Murong Yu smiled.
That confident smile was firmly solidified with sincere affection toward his brother and resolve toward the great cause.
“Rather, I felt like asking for a drink first.”
“Hahaha! Good! Let’s have a drink!”
A moment later, the two people sat facing each other over a drinking table.
Murong Jun filled Murong Yu’s cup and spoke.
“I haven’t been able to find out in detail, but listening to what the people in the Alliance are saying, the evaluation of the rising stars has completely changed.”
“What do you mean?”
“After the Eldest Young Master of the Myeong Clan was imprisoned in the underground prison, the top rising stars of the Murim were reduced to One Dragon and Three Phoenixes. In other words, those four young men and women were recognized as the best youths who would lead the next generation of the Murim.”
Murong Yu spoke calmly.
“There is a contradiction in those words. Isn’t there the Evil-Annihilating Army Commander who broke through the Wall of the Martial Arts´ End at the youngest age in this generation?”
Murong Jun nodded.
“There is the Tiger General of Green Mountain, Yeon Ho-jeong, the Evil-Annihilating Army Commander. However, people are astonished by Yeon Ho-jeong’s existence while also being wary of him. Because someone so exceptionally outstanding that they break the standard is bound to receive jealousy rather than praise.”
“That is true.”
He had already experienced it firsthand. Murong Yu smiled bitterly.
Murong Jun continued his words in a cheerful tone.
“However, a similar genius outside the standard shook the Murim once again. That is exactly you.”
“In truth, it is not something that can be compared to Army Commander Yeon. The age difference between Army Commander Yeon and I is…”
“The important thing is that both Yeon Ho-jeong and you are still bound by the framework of a rising star.”
A subtle expectation arose on Murong Jun’s face.
“When one genius who transcends common sense is born, people are bound to be wary and jealous. But when those geniuses become plural, the world finally ends up acknowledging them.”
“I see.”
“Twin Tiger Gods.”
“Pardon?”
“They call the Demon-Sweeping Army Commander Murong Yu the Heaven and Earth Tiger General and say he is the strongest swordsman among the rising stars of this generation, and they call the Evil-Annihilating Army Commander Yeon Ho-jeong the Tiger General of Green Mountain and say he is the strongest warrior among the rising stars of this generation.”
“Have such titles already been attached?”
“It is a rumor circulating within the Murim Alliance. Since such rumors have started to spread among the Alliance members, that great fame will spread throughout the entire world sooner or later.”
Murong Jun burst into hearty laughter once again.
“Although it is unpleasant that Yeon Ho-jeong stands together in that lofty position, since you have become the best in the Murim, how could I not rejoice?”
Heaven and Earth Tiger General, Murong Yu.
And Tiger General of Green Mountain, Yeon Ho-jeong.
The captains of the first mobile units of the Murim Alliance had come to be called the top rising stars of the Jianghu side by side. Murong Yu felt dazed for no reason.
“It is too grandiose. My martial arts still pale in comparison to Army Commander Yeon.”
“I know. I know better than anyone how outstanding Yeon Ho-jeong, that bastard’s martial arts are. However, your talent and effort are so exceptional, you will soon be able to gain strength that does not fall behind Yeon Ho-jeong.”
“…I should.”
“Furthermore, people tend to only see what they want to see. Even though your martial arts are one step below Yeon Ho-jeong’s, you are already being grouped in the same class. In the end, people will consider the two of you as equals.”
Murong Yu shook his head.
“Putting aside how people view me, what is lacking is lacking. I can only devote myself and devote myself again.”
“It is a righteous mindset. But you must also know this. Rumors or fame can become a fatal weapon depending on how they are used.”
Murong Jun’s eyes flashed.
“Just in time, the Murim Alliance Leader election will be held next year.”
“…!”
“Since you have made a name for yourself as the strongest rising star at such a time, couldn’t I also benefit from you?”
Murong Yu smiled.
“To think my fame can be of help to you, Elder Brother, that is enough for me.”
“Khahaha! You rascal, I am just saying it is so. It will be of great help to me, and to the main family, but in the end, it is the best thing for you.”
Murong Jun nodded with a satisfied face.
“You worked hard. You truly worked hard. I am proud of you.”
“…Thank you.”
Murong Yu knew. If he hadn’t shown sufficient ability, his older brother would never have cherished him.
Proud? It was an evaluation he was so thankful for that it gave him goosebumps all over his body.
However, Murong Yu was no longer swayed by Murong Jun’s sincere praises and satisfied expressions.
“Elder Brother.”
“Speak.”
“Now that you have returned, Elder Brother, the Murim Alliance will shake once again.”
“Hohoho, if the Alliance shakes just from my existence alone, that is also something to be proud of.”
“Furthermore, just as you said, Elder Brother, the Murim Alliance Leader election begins next year.”
Murong Jun’s eyes flashed.
“And so?”
“I don’t know the details, but I do know that you have made many preparations for the Alliance Leader election, Elder Brother.”
“I certainly have.”
Murong Yu spoke with a serious face.
“Now, shouldn’t I also start fully earning my keep?”
“By that, you mean?”
“Please entrust me with any task. Whatever task it may be, at the very least, there will be nothing that smears mud on your face, Elder Brother.”
Murong Yu had finally resolved to step into the mud fight.
Vividly feeling such resolve from his younger brother, Murong Jun’s heart felt even more swelling with pride.
“I actually do have a task I want to entrust to you.”
* * *
Shwiiiiik!
The speed at which the heavy strong sword cleaved the empty air was incredibly fast.
It was a sword technique where even a sense of lightness could be felt. It was not a martial move that exuded sword force loaded with internal energy or bound to a certain framework, but it was showing a terrifying sword form just with its speed and sense of weight.
‘It’s lacking.’
Impatience arose on Gang Ryang’s face.
‘I don’t know what it is, but it’s still lacking.’
After entering the Murim Alliance, he had spent a full day holed up only in his residence.
It was because he was incredibly nervous. No matter how much he had formed a friendship with a high-ranking figure of the Alliance, he was a rising star from the greatest prestigious family of the Unorthodox.
And right now, he had entered the organization he had considered his enemy for his entire life, so to speak, the core part of enemy territory. His state of mind couldn’t help but be complicated.
But that was only for a moment.
Gang Ryang was a naturally active person. He was not such a timid person that he would tremble while constantly swallowing his saliva just because he was tense.
In the end, what he chose was martial arts.
‘He was different.’
The most impressive martial arts he had seen recently was definitely Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts.
It was far more impressive than Pae-yul, who used the same sword arts. It was not solely because of the difference in the level of their martial arts.
‘He is a person who has learned a peerless absolute art of ancient times. However, even without actually using martial moves, he took control of the battlefield by wielding his axe at the right times to kill or push back the enemy.’
Gang Ryang’s face turned red.
It didn’t seem to be simply because his body was tired.
‘That man, even though his physical condition wasn’t normal, he was dominating the fight.’
He wasn’t a person who used sword techniques. But he wanted to emulate him.
That decisiveness, perfect understanding of his weapon, and the ultimate discernment of knowing what he had to do to dominate a fight.
Yeon Ho-jeong was a fighter, a warrior, and at the same time a soldier, several times greater than Gang Ryang had thought.
Peo-eok!
The thick sword blade split a fairly thick tree in half.
Gang Ryang sighed.
“You stupid bastard. Don’t chop it and split it like an axe, cut it to slash it.”
It was a criticism directed at himself. Gang Ryang smacked his lips.
‘I couldn’t concentrate properly. But that too is part of my skill. There’s no need for excuses.’
Taking a deep breath, Gang Ryang took his stance again. He planned to concentrate properly this time around.
It was then.
“How is it, Father?”
“Hmm.”
“Isn’t he quite decent?”
“It’s not just to the extent of being quite decent.”
“Is it to that extent?”
“You have a tendency to be too stingy when evaluating people. There are many among the rising stars in the Alliance whose skills are outstanding, but it is difficult to find a person whose fundamentals are as solid as that young man.”
Startled, Gang Ryang looked to the side.
Before he knew it, Yeon Ho-jeong and Yeon Wi were standing there.
“Heuk! Y-you?”
Yeon Ho-jeong scratched his head.
“He is a bit like an idiot.”
“You brat, what kind of words are those right to his face?”
Yeon Wi, who lightly chided Yeon Ho-jeong, shifted his steps with a face full of interest.
“Nice to meet you. I am Ho-jeong’s father.”
“…Pardon?”
“I am the Clan Head of the current generation’s Green Mountain Yeon Clan, Yeon Wi.”
Gang Ryang’s face turned pale.