Black and White Martial Emperor

Yeon Wi walked his son all the way to the threshold of his quarters.

He had not spoken once along the way. Only there did he finally open his mouth.

“Is it heavy?”

Yeon Hojeong lifted the axe in his hand.

“It’s heavy. That makes it good.”

“I thought as much.”

Hojeong wanted to offer his thanks, but before he could, Yeon Wi spoke again.

“There’s something I want to ask you.”

“Yes?”

It did not sound like a light question. He hesitated, unable to continue easily, but it was something that had to be asked. At last, resolved, he asked:

“Do you intend to marry?”

Hojeong’s eyes went wide.

“Marriage?”

“Yes.”

What is this all of a sudden?

He had no idea why his father would raise such a thing now, but he answered honestly.

“I have no such intention yet.”

“I see.”

“Why do you ask? Has a proposal been offered?”

“No matchmaker has come. I only wanted to know your thoughts.”

“I don’t plan on marrying right now... but doesn’t it matter who the partner is?”

After a pause, Yeon Wi said,

“What do you think of the Mo Yong Clan?”

Hojeong’s eyes flickered in surprise.

“The Mo Yong Clan?”

“Yes.”

“Uh...”

It was rare for him to be thrown off.

“When you say the Mo Yong Clan... whom do you mean?”

“I looked into it. She even attended the younger-generation gathering. Mo Yong Yeonhwa—the current Clan Lord’s daughter.”

Hojeong’s eyes deepened.

Mo Yong Yeonhwa?

Mo Yong Yeonhwa.

Daughter of Mo Yonggun, the present clan lord. Even at a young age she had proven herself capable enough to handle the clan’s affairs.

I never thought he’d bring up Mo Yong Yeonhwa.

She was also someone Hojeong had crossed blades with countless times in his life as the Dark Emperor.

Back then, Mo Yonggun, as Alliance Lord, had no attention to spare for clan matters. He needed someone to act in his stead.

Surprisingly, he had chosen not a son, but his daughter—Mo Yong Yeonhwa.

For him to entrust a clan as vast as the Mo Yong to her showed her exceptional ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) ability. She had expanded the clan’s power by nearly a third in just a few years.

Her martial talent was equally outstanding. They had even taught her clan secrets despite her not being the heir.

“They say her gifts are remarkable in many ways. You saw her at the gathering yourself.”

“Yes.”

“But more important than talent or skill is character. From what I’ve heard, her character is beyond reproach.”

As if.

Hojeong remembered her eyes—cold, venomous. Not the girl of this life, but the Mo Yong Yeonhwa of the Dark Emperor’s era.

A person’s nature matters, but so does their environment. A single event can overturn someone’s heart and values.

If even Mo Yonggun had doted on her, her nature was hardly pure. That much Hojeong believed.

“I’m sorry. I don’t intend to marry yet.”

Yeon Wi did not seem disappointed.

“Very well. Truth be told, I found it hard to bring up at all. These are times when many marry without ever seeing their partner’s face, but I oppose such arrangements.”

“Do you?”

“One marries for life. It is important to exalt the clan’s name, yes—but no less important to protect one’s own happiness.”

“...”

“When the time comes and you find someone you truly desire, I hope you won’t be bound by her family’s status.”

Hojeong smiled faintly.

“Did you love Mother?”

It was a mischievous question, meant to lighten the air.

“More than my own life.”

“...!”

Hojeong’s gaze wavered.

Yeon Wi spoke as if it were nothing.

“The day your mother died, you cannot imagine how I grieved. It felt as if the sky had collapsed. I raised the sword to my throat more than once, ready to follow her.”

“...”

“But sometimes, living is a greater torment than dying. That is how I have lived ever since. I could not follow her—my sins were too great.”

“What sin could you have committed?”

“The sin of failing to protect my own.”

Hojeong shook his head.

“That is not your sin.”

Yeon Wi neither agreed nor argued. No one could truly know the weight of his heart.

But there was one thing he wanted to say.

“I sinned against you as well.”

“Father?”

“Every parent wishes their child to prosper. But I treated you only with severity.”

“That is no sin.”

“It is. I saw you not as my son, but as heir to the clan.”

“...”

“As a husband, as a father, I failed. For that, I am a sinner.”

These were words he had buried in his chest day by day, afraid he might die without ever saying them.

Hojeong was not hurt by the confession. To admit such a thing meant his father truly did see him as a son. And even if he had not said it, Hojeong already felt it.

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“In any case, since you feel that way, let us put this marriage talk aside.”

“Yes.”

Hojeong nodded, his face a little bitter. Then a thought struck him.

“Father.”

“What is it?”

“Why the Mo Yong Clan?”

“What?”

“I just find it curious you brought up the Mo Yong Clan in particular, not any of the other Great Clans.”

Yeon Wi’s eyes grew deep.

“Ah, I hadn’t told you yet.”

“Told me what?”

“Half a year ago, while you and Jipyeong were at the gathering, the Mo Yong Clan reached out.”

“They contacted us?”

“They asked if we would join in business.”

“Business?”

“Yes. Our clan holds seventy percent of Jiangsu’s maritime trade rights. It seems the Mo Yong Clan covets that.”

“...!”

The Mo Yong Clan reached out first? And at this time?

Hojeong’s gaze went cold.

“Do you intend to accept?”

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“I refused twice. But they reached out again. This time it seems to be their final proposal, so I plan to consider it carefully.”

The Mo Yong Clan. Maritime trade.

And the Ming Clan’s encroachment.

It felt unrelated—and yet something was off.

I don’t know how the Ming fell. Only that it happened in an instant, soon after their main house was destroyed. And after that, Mo Yonggun rose as Alliance Lord.

Thus the Mo Yong Clan became the Greatest Under Heaven.

I lack information. Too much is missing...

“May I ask one more thing?”

“Go on.”

“Even if you had intended to join with the Mo Yong, I know you would never think to marry me into that house. Who suggested it?”

“Tae Gyeong, the Chief Steward.”

“...!!”

Yeon Wi noted his son’s grim expression and added,

“He is Chief Steward. It is his duty to consider what benefits the clan, no matter the reason. Don’t judge him too harshly. In any case, you refused.”

“Yes? Ah... yes.”

It wasn’t about the marriage.

Hojeong recalled Tae Gyeong—under forty, with a mild face, unremarkable presence, handling the clan’s accounts.

I’ve suspected there’s a traitor inside the clan.

His father’s discernment was sharp. He would not lightly entrust the finances to someone unfit.

But, as Hojeong had just seen, his father was still human. Humans make mistakes. And if someone was bent on deceiving him, it would be hard to uncover without digging deeply.

“Father.”

“Speak.”

“Postpone dealings with the Mo Yong for now.”

“Oh?”

Hojeong’s gaze hardened.

“There’s something I need to look into.”

****

“Wha—?!”

Tae Gyeong nearly leapt out of his chair.

“Forgive me, for coming so late.”

“Hahh—! N-no, not at all!”

“The light was on, so I came by. I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“Of course not. Please, sit.”

Hojeong sat and let his eyes roam the office.

“Come to think of it, I’ve never set foot in the Chief Steward’s office before.”

“Haha, no one comes here besides the Lord and the servants.”

Tae Gyeong quickly poured tea.

“Here, please.”

“Thank you.”

After a sip, Hojeong asked casually,

“Are you working?”

“Yes. Who knows what disasters may strike this year? I’m drafting the budget.”

Jiangsu suffered floods often. Each year the Yeon Clan spent heavily to relieve the afflicted.

Hojeong nodded.

“You work hard.”

“Hah, hardly. I’m well paid. At the least I should earn it.”

His cheerful grin was bright as the sun.

Hojeong studied him, then dropped a word like a stone.

“I hear you raised the marriage matter.”

“Eh?!”

Tae Gyeong shrank.

“Ah... did the Lord tell you?”

“He did.”

He coughed awkwardly.

“I only thought it would help the clan prosper...”

“...”

“If I offended you, forgive me.”

An odd man. He swung between pure-hearted brightness and timid cowardice. A type often seen in the martial world. In the Yeon household’s stern air, it was not strange.

Hojeong softened his look.

“I’m not offended. I even met Lady Mo Yong at the gathering.”

“Ah?!”

“She was no less than a prodigy. In truth, too fine for me.”

Tae Gyeong flustered.

“N-no! Impossible! You’re the First Young Master of the Yeon Clan! You outshine her.”

“Ha, do you think so?”

“Absolutely! You can trust me.”

“I do. Entirely.”

Hojeong’s tone grew steady.

“But what can I do? I’ve no thought of marrying soon.”

“Ah...”

“I would do anything for the clan’s good—but this doesn’t feel right.”

“Haha... well, if it displeases you...”

“She is too exceptional.”

“Pardon?”

Hojeong leaned back, seeming almost arrogant.

“I know people. What I saw at the gathering—she was not one to serve a husband. More likely to devour him.”

“Is... is that so?”

“Those with too much talent seldom care for others truly.”

Tae Gyeong scratched his head, abashed.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken.”

“Well, unless there’s someone else.”

“Someone else?”

“In the Mo Yong Clan. Not her, but another daughter. Perhaps lacking talent, but gentle of nature. A direct daughter all the same.”

Tae Gyeong’s eyes lit up.

“You mean—”

“One marries eventually. Better a kind wife. If it helps the clan, Father will approve. Won’t he see me differently then?”

“Th-the Lord already esteems you...”

“Let’s be frank. I’ve improved through luck, but Father’s watched me nineteen years. He likely marked my brother as heir, not me.”

Tae Gyeong looked lost.

Hojeong pressed on, smoothly.

“I’d ask a favor, Chief Steward.”

“...A favor?”

“Put in a word to Father. Not Mo Yong Yeonhwa—let me take another as wife.”

“M-me?!”

“Of course, she must be beautiful.”

“...”

Hojeong rose. Tae Gyeong stood awkwardly as well.

“Chief Steward, you’re still young yourself. To succeed, you must tie your rope well.”

“...Yes.”

“Let’s prosper together. I leave it to you.”

Tae Gyeong bowed deeply.

His head lowered, his eyes cold as ice. Yet his voice trembled with fear.

“In that case... I will place my trust in you, Young Master.”

Hojeong’s gaze flared like fire.

“Good. Trust me—and follow.”