Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 173

Exorcising Demons

“Hoo.”

“You’re awake now?”

“Brother?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Woo nodded, looking exhausted.

Moyong Gun frowned.

“Was it really tough?”

“…Yes.”

Hesitating, Moyong Woo finally admitted it.

He usually would say he was fine even if he was exhausted, but this time he admitted it without hesitation. It seemed he had truly suffered greatly.

“Why did the head monk challenge you to a duel? Of course, dueling such a master is a great learning opportunity, but still.”

Shao Lin’s head monk, Gonggong Daeja.

He was the disciple of Muheo, the God of Fists, one of the Thirteen Seats of Seongcheon. He was also considered to possess the highest martial arts among the heads of the Nine Schools and Six Clans.

Although he rarely displayed his martial arts, the heads of the various sects agreed that Gonggong Daeja was the strongest, aside from the Thirteen Seats of Seongcheon.

This was because the few times he had demonstrated his martial arts, they were powerful enough to shake the world.

Moreover, he had directly received the teachings of the Divine Immortal King, who was comparable to the greatest martial artists of three hundred years ago. He was fittingly called the strongest leader of the orthodox path.

For such a master to engage in a duel?

Even saying it was worth a fortune would be an understatement. It would surely be of immense help for future martial arts development.

The only question was why he came to duel at this particular time.

“I don’t know the exact reason.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I felt a benevolent intention, but it was also ambiguous.”

Moyong Woo’s voice was cautious.

Even he found it difficult to talk about Gonggong Daeja, who was a man of such stature.

Moyong Gun nodded.

“It’s understandable that you feel that way. Even I haven’t figured out Gonggong Daeja’s true intentions yet.”

He was undoubtedly a compassionate and chivalrous person with a pure heart, truly befitting an orthodox sect leader.

Yet, it felt as if he was hiding something. While his intentions to help the world seemed genuine, it also appeared he was pursuing something beyond that.

Despite this, he always maintained political neutrality, making him a concerning figure for Moyong Gun, who sought the highest power.

“One thing is certain.”

“Hmm?”

“His martial arts. I now understand why Shao Lin is called the greatest sect in the orthodox path.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled.

“It must have been overwhelming. Was it really that impressive?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Woo nodded.

“Shao Lin’s martial arts were remarkable, but the head monk’s skills were extraordinary.”

“What do you mean? The martial arts used by the head monk are Shao Lin’s martial arts.”

“That’s…”

Moyong Woo clicked his tongue, looking troubled.

“A little… different.”

“Different?”

“Yes. While the martial arts he uses are from Shao Lin…”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“I don’t understand.”

“I can’t quite express it myself. But he was incredibly strong. It was the first time I felt such an insurmountable wall so strongly.”

“Hmm.”

“That’s why I feel…”

A subtle excitement appeared on Moyong Woo’s exhausted face.

“I might have found a clue to break through the Ultimate Wall.”

* * *

Boom!

With a thunderous noise that pierced the sky, Gonggong Daeja’s figure descended to the ground.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes glinted.

“As expected.”

Despite the ferocious strike with his Mountain Shaking Fist, Gonggong Daeja’s body didn’t have a speck of dust on it.

Yeon Hojeong stood opposite Gonggong Daeja.

Gonggong Daeja quietly marveled.

“Did you read my movements?”

“Yes.”

“Huh! Did you already know Shao Lin’s martial arts?”

“Of course not.”

“Then how?”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes shone with four colors.

“When you strive to kill a strong opponent as a weaker one, you naturally realize these things.”

Boom!

The ground shook again.

The force of his advance was so powerful that it felt like the earth was trembling with each step. It was as if a massive tiger was charging forward.

“Amazing.”

It was a movement technique.

Although it was a movement technique, it was far from ordinary.

“It feels as if the movement technique itself is an attack…”

The momentum alone was enough to dampen the enemy’s fighting spirit.

It wasn’t just Yeon Hojeong’s willpower; the martial art itself had such a characteristic. The way it gathered energy while advancing was incredibly refined.

Swoosh!

The massive blade of the Sunlight Soaked Azure Dragon Axe aimed at Gonggong Daeja’s collarbone.

A slashing strike that seemed capable of splitting his chest in an instant.

Gonggong Daeja’s face showed a peculiar excitement.

“This extraordinary power and insight…”

It seemed like a simple motion, but it was an attack that couldn’t be easily blocked or dodged. The wave of energy preceding the move read all of the opponent’s reactions.

Gonggong Daeja’s right palm struck the axe blade head-on.

Clang!

Yeon Hojeong’s face showed surprise.

It was a strike with all the force he could muster using the White Tiger Sovereign Steps. That destructive blow was deflected by a single palm strike.

Even though his attack was blocked, he didn’t panic. Yeon Hojeong, using the momentum of the deflected Azure Dragon Axe, launched into a High Sky Kick.

Boom!

The kick, which struck the air, created a shockwave like a ripple.

Gonggong Daeja, who had intended to grab Yeon Hojeong’s ankle by sidestepping to the left, momentarily abandoned his decision.

“Ah.”

The shockwave spreading from the kick pushed away his grasping hand.

Forcing the grab would result in an immediate counterattack. A duel between masters could be decided in an instant; there was no need to insist on an ineffective technique.

Whoosh!

This time, it was Yeon Hojeong’s turn to be surprised.

“Fast!”

As his posture broke and he spun in the air, he saw Gonggong Daeja’s fist approaching from his left blind spot.

Yeon Hojeong’s left palm moved urgently. His left hand, infused with the Black Tortoise energy, swung like lightning.

Bang!

“Ugh.”

Yeon Hojeong’s body flew through the air and landed on the ground.

“I couldn’t block it completely.”

His left wrist and elbow vibrated painfully. He had deployed the Black Tortoise energy in an instant, but there wasn’t enough time to execute a perfect defense.

“Incredible.”

Gonggong Daeja was equally astonished.

“Not only does your true energy have an exceptional resilience, but your defensive stance is like an iron wall? With one hand, no less?”

Yeon Hojeong took a deep breath.

There was no time to speak. Gonggong Daeja launched another attack as soon as he finished his sentence.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The relentless Golden Steel Fist of Shao Lin poured in.

The speed was dizzying, and the pressure from the fists exceeded imagination. If one were careless, their entire skeleton would shatter.

Bang!

Yeon Hojeong, using the most powerful White Tiger Sovereign Steps in this fight, unleashed the Roaring Tiger Barrage.

Clang!

It was an intense battle.

The Sunlight Soaked Azure Dragon Axe, wielded with perfect form and response, clashed with Gonggong Daeja’s flawless fist techniques.

“The unmatched fist techniques of Shao Lin…”

Breathing heavily, Yeon Hojeong poured his explosive energy into the fight.

His attacks, as heavy as iron, couldn’t fully exert their power.

“I’m blocked. There are no gaps, and no signs of breaking through.”

Perfect.

Gonggong Daeja’s seemingly simple fist techniques were parrying all of Yeon Hojeong’s attacks.

It wasn’t even defense. Gonggong Daeja was counterattacking as well. Their attacks, auras, and strength were clashing head-on.

“Amazing.”

Attack is the best defense.

Yeon Hojeong’s martial arts followed this principle. Even the defensive Black Tortoise techniques were used aggressively.

Gonggong Daeja could do the same. Moreover, he hadn’t even utilized Shao Lin’s famous techniques.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.

“Above my father!”

Bang!

The Azure Dragon Axe, pressed against Gonggong Daeja’s crossed arms, drove his feet two inches into the ground.

Drip.

It was a deadly attack meant to kill. Despite this, the only injury on Gonggong Daeja was a slight cut on his forearm.

Just that much.

He blocked an axe strike that could pulverize several people in one blow with his bare body, suffering only minor flesh wounds.

“…That was dangerous.”

Boom!

Yeon Hojeong retreated with a thud.

His eyes widened.

“What?!”

Whooosh.

A subtle golden aura emanated from Gonggong Daeja’s body. It was as if his skin had turned golden.

Gonggong Daeja smiled wryly.

“It seems that without using the supreme art of Shao Lin, this is my limit.”

Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue as he looked from Gonggong Daeja’s arm to his own axe blade.

“Is that the famous Golden Steel Indestructible Technique?”

“Indeed.”

Gonggong Daeja smiled.

“It’s been so long since I had to use this technique in a duel with someone else.”

“Hoo.”

Yeon Hojeong steadied his breathing.

The explosive clash had heated his lungs. It was the first time he had

exerted himself this much in a one-on-one fight.

Aside from sparring with his father.

Swish!

Holding the Azure Dragon Axe in his right hand, he untied the Gyoryong Chain from his torso with his left.

Having regained his breath, Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“Shall we go for round two…”

“Shall we stop here?”

“…What?”

Yeon Hojeong blinked.

“Did you say we should stop here?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Why?”

Yeon Hojeong was taken aback.

He had given his all from the start, but he still had plenty of energy left. With proper stamina management, he could fight for half a day more.

However, Gonggong Daeja shook his head calmly.

“I don’t think you need any more duels.”

“What martial artist doesn’t need duels?”

“Haha, that’s true, but I have nothing more to teach you.”

“…?”

Gonggong Daeja clasped his hands behind his back.

It was a gesture indicating he no longer wished to fight. Seeing Gonggong Daeja completely relax his stance, Yeon Hojeong couldn’t help but feel deflated.

“I haven’t even shown you the Azure Dragon Technique or the Gyoryong Chain yet.”

He had planned to thoroughly practice these techniques during this rare opportunity.

But now, his opponent was unfairly calling for an end to the fight. It was incredibly frustrating.

Yeon Hojeong grumbled as he relaxed his stance.

“It was a good opportunity, but it’s a shame.”

“Haha, a good opportunity? Were you trying to develop new martial arts against me?”

“Did you notice?”

“I could see it in your movements. And that chain, you can handle it, but it doesn’t look easy.”

It was a sharp observation. Reading the opponent’s intentions through their martial arts and gauging their level through their movements.

“Don’t worry. With your level, you don’t need me to refine your skills. With sufficient training, you’ll be able to use them in real combat.”

“Tsk.”

Gonggong Daeja’s eyes deepened.

Yeon Hojeong involuntarily flinched.

“Why do you look at me like that?”

“…”

“…?”

“Listen, General Yeon.”

Yeon Hojeong instinctively straightened his posture. The weight of Gonggong Daeja’s voice was different from before.

“Yes, please speak.”

“Please, stop here.”

“What do you mean?”

Gonggong Daeja’s clear and deep eyes suddenly sharpened like a dagger.

“I will speak to Lord Moyong, but I hope both sides will stop the political conflict.”

“…!!”