Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 8

“The Great Young Master has arrived, Family Head.”

“Let him in.”

The door opened, and Yeon Ho-jeong and Yeon Ji-pyeong entered.

As they stepped inside, the temperature in the Family Head’s room seemed to rise. The heat radiating from Yeon Ho-jeong’s body was intense.

“Father.”

“Sit down.”

Two cups of warm tea were already set on the table. The fragrant aroma rising with the steam was quite pleasant.

Yeon-Wi glanced at Yeon Ji-pyeong. It was a look that asked why he had come when it was the eldest who was summoned.

Yeon Ji-pyeong scratched his head, looking embarrassed, and said,

“I didn’t get to give my morning greetings today.”

It was a poor excuse.

“Sit together.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong sighed in relief and sat next to Yeon Ho-jeong.

Yeon-Wi pushed a teacup towards Yeon Ji-pyeong, but he was too distracted to notice.

Yeon-Wi looked Yeon Ho-jeong up and down and nodded.

“It seems you did it properly.”

“My legs are still shaking.”

It was a joking remark, but Yeon-Wi’s expression remained unchanged.

“If you work hard and become a master who can harmonize your spirit, energy, and essence, you will be able to maintain the horse stance for three days and nights.”

“If I become that skilled, I won’t be wasting time in a horse stance.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong subtly nudged Yeon Ho-jeong’s side with his elbow. He thought his brother was being too rude to their father.

However, Yeon-Wi didn’t take issue with Yeon Ho-jeong’s words.

“But why did you call for me? Was it to check my homework?”

“Let me be clear, that wasn’t homework, it was punishment. I thought you had properly reflected, but it seems I only made you exhaust yourself.”

“I don’t think my nature will ever change.”

It was a sincere statement. It was natural, coming from someone who had died once.

Punishment only had meaning when one repented for their sins. However, Yeon-Wi couldn’t give the same punishment again, so he didn’t dwell on Yeon Ho-jeong’s words.

“I couldn’t ask you what I needed to because of the incident with the Namgoong family. You want to learn the Azure Serenity Art?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong was surprised and looked at his brother. He hadn’t known that his brother had mentioned that to their father.

But at the same time, he understood. His brother had mastered the Flying Swallow Heart Method, so it was time for him to learn the family’s martial arts in earnest.

Yeon-Wi spoke in a stern tone.

“The Azure Serenity Art is one of the main family’s five great martial arts. But if the foundation isn’t there, learning it is meaningless. You know that, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

Yeon-Wi sensed strong confidence in Yeon Ho-jeong’s answer.

“Have you mastered the Flying Swallow Heart Method to the ninth level?”

Without a word, Yeon Ho-jeong offered his wrist. He thought it was better to check directly than to talk.

Yeon-Wi quietly looked at his son and placed his hand on his wrist.

‘Hmm?’

Yeon-Wi’s eyes changed slightly.

The vigorous flow of true energy. Most of the acupoints in his head and limbs were open.

“When was this?”

“The morning I left the ancestral shrine.”

Yeon-Wi examined Yeon Ho-jeong’s internal state once more.

And he realized one thing.

“The flow of true energy is unfamiliar. You didn’t gradually awaken it and adapt it to your body, but rather, you realized it all at once.”

This time, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes lit up.

‘He’s truly amazing.’

He could discern how he had mastered the heart method by observing the flow of true energy, blood circulation, and the traces of acupoints. [Acupoints are specific points on the body used in traditional Chinese medicine.]

This was definitely not an easy feat. Even a master of ascension might have overlooked these traces if their senses weren’t sharp.

Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at Yeon Ji-pyeong.

Yeon Ji-pyeong’s face was filled with bewilderment. He was puzzled as to why his father had bothered to check his pulse when it was so obvious.

‘Pyeong’s senses were inherited from Father.’

Compared to them, he was definitely less talented. His keen senses had only blossomed after experiencing countless chaotic situations and constantly facing threats to his survival.

He was definitely different from his father and younger brother.

“You’ve broken free from the confusion of energy. Did you approach the heart method academically?”

“It just analyzed itself.”

“It’s important to stick to one path, but when it doesn’t work, it’s good to explore other paths. Well done.”

“……!”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes widened like saucers. Yeon Ji-pyeong also gaped.

It was the first time they had ever heard their father say ‘well done’.

Even Yeon Ji-pyeong, who was said to have the greatest talent in the family’s history, had never been praised by Yeon-Wi. Yeon-Wi was stingy with praise and more inclined to criticize.

It was a very meaningful word for the brothers.

“Good. I will permit you to train in the five great martial arts.”

“Thank you.”

“But why did you choose the Azure Serenity Art specifically?”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“It seems to suit me best.”

The Yeon family’s five great martial arts each had their own unique characteristics. At the same time, all five had similar levels of skill and difficulty.

In the end, which of the five martial arts one learned was a personal choice.

After silently observing Yeon Ho-jeong for a moment, Yeon-Wi spoke again.

“I have something to ask you.”

“Yes.”

“I am only now allowing you to train in the five great martial arts. As the Family Head, unless I permit it, no one in the family can learn them.”

“I know.”

“But you told the Twin Guardians to inform them that you would learn the Azure Serenity Art in advance.”

Yeon-Wi wasn’t trying to reprimand Yeon Ho-jeong for his arrogance.

“Did you know the incantations of the Azure Serenity Art?”

That was right.

The five great martial arts could not be learned by even family members without the Family Head’s permission. That meant that the incantations of the martial arts had not been leaked to the outside.

But the eldest son had said that he would learn the Azure Serenity Art in advance.

After a moment of hesitation, Yeon Ho-jeong spoke.

“It’s not just the Azure Serenity Art.”

“Hmm?”

“I know all the incantations of the five great martial arts.”

This time, even Yeon-Wi couldn’t help but be surprised. His slightly widened eyes showed his inner turmoil.

Of course, Yeon Ji-pyeong looked like he was about to faint.

“You know the incantations of all five martial arts?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

Because Father taught me.

During the time when the family was attacked by some group.

While the brave warriors of the Yeon family were fighting and bleeding on the front lines, Yeon-Wi had taught his two sons all the incantations of the five great martial arts.

Of course, there wasn’t enough time to memorize all those incantations. Yeon-Wi had given Yeon Ho-jeong five authentic copies and Yeon Ji-pyeong five transcribed copies, trying to get them to escape.

However, Yeon Ji-pyeong was unlucky. He died in a fierce battle with the masters who had blocked their escape route.

Yeon Ho-jeong had fled with tears of blood. At that time, he had also wanted to avenge his brother, but the helpless reality and the responsibility of restoring the Yeon family had led him into the forest.

And three months later.

Yeon Ho-jeong had met his master and conquered the underworld in a few years.

“Did you enter the Martial Arts Library?”

The Martial Arts Library was a library where the Yeon family’s martial arts manuals were kept. It was also a place that was heavily guarded by some of the most skilled warriors in the Yeon family.

“I have never entered without permission.”

“Then?”

Yeon Ho-jeong stared at Yeon-Wi.

“Father showed them to me.”

“What?”

He wanted to tell him everything.

That he was Yeon Ho-jeong who had returned from the past. He wanted to tell him how the future would change and what kind of life he had lived.

He really wanted to tell his father everything.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s fist clenched.

‘Not yet.’

He didn’t know if he would believe him, and even if he did, it wasn’t the right time. That’s what he thought.

“I showed you the manuals of the five great martial arts? When was that?”

“When I was young, didn’t you take me to the Martial Arts Library several times?”

Yeon-Wi furrowed his brow.

“When you were young… are you talking about when you first started learning martial arts?”

“Yes.”

“You still remember the incantations of the five great martial arts that you saw back then?”

“Yes.”

In the end, he had no choice but to make up an excuse.

In reality, Yeon Ho-jeong’s memory was several times better than when he was young. It was natural since he had deeply cultivated his brain and upper dantian. [Dantian refers to energy centers in the body, a concept in traditional Chinese medicine.]

He was sorry for deceiving his father, but he thought it couldn’t be helped.

‘This is better, even for the future.’

The Yeon family’s greatest martial art was not the five great martial arts.

Rather, one had to know all five great martial arts to awaken the Yeon family’s greatest martial art.

The reason Yeon Ho-jeong had said that he knew all the incantations of the five great martial arts was a setup for the future. Once he mastered the Azure Serenity Art, he planned to learn the Yeon family’s secret techniques.

Because he had to learn the secret techniques to become the best.

“You remember the incantations of martial arts from over ten years ago…”

Yeon-Wi shook his head.

“Why didn’t you say anything all this time?”

“What use would the five great martial arts be to someone who was struggling with the basics?”

“Now that you’ve mastered the heart method, it’s okay to say it?”

“Yes.”

It was a bit unsettling.

“Even the incantation of just one martial art exceeds twelve hundred characters.”

Yeon-Wi shook his head again.

“Your memory is quite remarkable.”

One unexpected thing was that Yeon-Wi didn’t ask Yeon Ho-jeong to prove it.

“Even if you know all the incantations of the five great martial arts, was there a reason to learn them so urgently? Unless you were trying to show off your memory, there doesn’t seem to be any reason to be so hasty.”

There is.

It was a word he only shouted in his heart. Of course, Yeon Ho-jeong couldn’t say it this time either.

“I just wanted to learn them as soon as possible.”

“When learning a divine art, one needs a calm mind and a careful approach. Keep that in mind.”

“I understand.”

Yeon-Wi leaned back slightly in his chair.

“Good. I will permit you to train in the Azure Serenity Art.”

“Thank you.”

“Come here before breakfast tomorrow. I will guide you in the basics of the heart method and the transformation of the Flying Swallow Energy into Azure Serenity True Energy.”

“I understand.”

It was clear that he would be faster if he trained alone, but he followed his father’s words this time as well.

There were things that had to be kept, no matter how urgent they were. For Yeon Ho-jeong, it was a promise and affection with his family.

‘I’ll just get help with the beginning, and I’ll do the rest myself.’

If he could have one more conversation with his father with that small help, that would be enough.

He would approach each other gradually and slowly. At least in this life, he wouldn’t leave behind any regrets for not being able to do things for his family.

“Go and take care of your business.”

“Ah, there’s one thing I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Has there been any contact from the Namgoong family?”

He asked just in case, but the answer was surprising.

“There has.”

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.

“They contacted us? Surely they didn’t apologize?”

“It wasn’t an apology from the Family Head.”

“Of course, it wouldn’t be. The distance to Anhui is quite far. It’s impossible in terms of time.”

“However, a letter came from the Clan Head personally. It was a letter apologizing for the incident and the rudeness of my nephew.”

The Clan Head sent a personal apology letter overnight?

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes suddenly turned cold.

‘This isn’t good.’

Someone who is hot-tempered is also quick to apologize?

It was possible. But Namgoong Daesan was the Clan Head of the Namgoong family and also the Family Head’s younger brother. No matter how unjustified he was, there was no way he would apologize so quickly.

“Are they planning something?”

Yeon Ho-jeong muttered to himself without realizing it.

Yeon-Wi’s gaze towards Yeon Ho-jeong was no longer filled with just strictness, unlike before.

“I will take care of this matter, so you may leave now.”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-jeong and Yeon Ji-pyeong bowed respectfully and left.

Yeon-Wi, looking at the cold tea, emptied all the teacups that were in Yeon Ho-jeong’s place.

Yeon-Wi, leaning comfortably back in his chair, still had a stern face.

“It didn’t take twenty years.”