Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 190

“Mijeong?”

“Yes.”

Paeyul stroked his chin at his subordinate’s polite answer.

“So, that means you’ll be staying in the Alliance for the time being.”

“That is correct, Senior Brother.”

“Hmm.”

Paeyul was lost in thought.

Cheokgang cautiously asked,

“Um… Senior Brother.”

“What is it?”

“May I ask you something?”

‘This guy hasn’t changed a bit.’

Cheokgang was known for his particularly aggressive personality even within Jeomchang [One of the Nine Great Sects]. However, he was always respectful to his elders and was seen as a dangerous figure by his fellow disciples.

Such a guy had entered the Myeolsagun [Elite military unit] and was receiving good evaluations.

A young man of his age could easily become arrogant. Yet, Cheokgang hadn’t changed from his old self.

Paeyul acknowledged that aspect of Cheokgang. ‘This guy is consistent, if nothing else.’

“Ask away.”

“The other senior brothers have all returned to the main sect, but why are you still staying in the Alliance, Senior Brother?”

Paeyul’s lips curled up slightly.

“Why? Does my loafing around bother you that much?”

“H-Huh! N-No, it’s not that! I was just curious.”

This is why people shouldn’t do things they don’t usually do. He had made a joke, but his subordinate’s face had turned completely pale.

Paeyul leaned back in his chair, looking languid.

“There’s nothing to do even if I go back to the main sect. It’s just an endless cycle of training.”

“Ah…”

Cheokgang nodded, but inwardly felt puzzled.

Paeyul was a martial arts fanatic and a battle maniac. He equated the pursuit and training of martial arts with breathing, and he didn’t care who his opponent was when it came to fighting.

It was strange for such a senior brother to make such a statement. He had thought that he was someone who would never change until he died.

‘I guess there must have been a change of heart that I don’t know about.’

Cheokgang opened his mouth.

“By the way, the Sect Leader isn’t around? It seems like the Bonggong Council [Council of Sect Leaders] has convened.”

“Obviously.”

He didn’t understand why they had so much to discuss. Paeyul, who disliked complicated matters from the start, couldn’t comprehend the way the higher-ups handled things.

Paeyul stared at the ceiling with a languid expression, his eyes filled with listlessness.

‘As expected, there’s nothing particularly interesting in the Martial Alliance either.’

He hadn’t come here with the intention of getting a position.

He had only come because he thought that countless masters would gather, and he would be able to have a few great matches with them. That was the only reason he had come.

But so far, he hadn’t had a single proper match. There were many masters, but they all held back.

There was no point in standing out. They hadn’t come to fight in the first place, but to secure a position.

‘But the reason I’m still sticking around in the Alliance is because I haven’t given up on a sliver of hope, perhaps?’

Paeyul smiled bitterly.

‘This is also a heart demon [A mental or emotional obstacle that hinders cultivation].’

What else is a heart demon? If you become listless for no reason and start acting out of character, that’s a heart demon.

‘I can’t keep doing this. I should leave the Alliance soon.’

Lately, he had been slacking off on his beloved training. He couldn’t allow his accumulated skills to diminish, so he was just maintaining them.

Now, he didn’t even know how to improve his martial arts. He had never imagined that such a moment would come in his life.

It was then.

“Yo!”

Cheokgang’s eyes widened at the voice coming from outside the window.

“Huh? Commander?”

Paeyul’s eyes flashed open.

‘Commander? Yeon Ho-Jeong?’

A booming voice continued.

“Cheokgang, are you there? I need to see you.”

Cheokgang rose from his seat.

“Senior Brother. I’ll be back in a moment.”

“Alright.”

Cheokgang hurriedly left the room.

Paeyul, who had been maintaining a languid posture, moved to the window out of curiosity.

“H-Huh! Commander!”

“Sorry for calling you when you were resting.”

“It’s alright. But… you don’t look too good?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong rubbed his shoulder.

“I had a match with my father. I can’t beat him, not yet.”

“With Lord Yeon?”

“Who else would my father be, other than him?”

Paeyul’s eyes sparkled.

‘Lord Yeon? The Judge’s Sword, Yeon Wi?’

‘A duel… is it between father and son?’

In that instant, Paeyul felt an intense competitive spirit rising from the depths of his heart.

Paeyul had seen Yeon Wi, also known as the Judge’s Sword and Judge Daehyeop [A title of respect for a highly skilled martial artist], in action before. He had been present when the Yeon family father and son had a duel at the Martial Alliance’s inner training grounds.

Yeon Wi’s martial arts were completely different from what Paeyul pursued. His orthodox swordsmanship, which was formal and dignified, pursuing the completion of the sword path rather than the lethality of martial arts, seemed frustrating at first glance.

However, the sword force hidden within that frustration was shockingly powerful. The pressure of a thousand pounds in each strike. It was a complete swordsmanship that undermined Yeon Ho-Jeong’s extremely practical martial arts from the roots.

‘And.’

Paeyul’s eyes landed on Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘That guy’s martial arts, which disrupted Lord Yeon’s impenetrable swordsmanship and pushed him with thorough killing techniques, were even more impressive.’

It was Yeon Ho-Jeong, rather than Yeon Wi.

He wanted to fight Yeon Wi as well, but he really wanted to have a match with Yeon Ho-Jeong several times.

It wasn’t just because Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts were practical. Watching Yeon Ho-Jeong fight made him feel a thrilling emotion that made his palms sweat.

He was a man who was naturally gifted with the spirit of a gambler. At the same time, he also had the spirit of a warrior who would do anything to kill his enemy.

‘He’s just like me.’

Jeomchang’s martial arts were among the most practical of the Nine Great Sects.

And Paeyul was one of those who extremely believed in that practical martial arts. Cheokgang was also walking that path, but the depth was different.

‘I want to fight him.’

The languor and emptiness that had been emanating from his whole body vanished as if washed away. Paeyul’s gaze towards Yeon Ho-Jeong grew hotter.

“But what brings you here… Ah! Please come in first. I’ll offer you some tea.”

“It’s alright. I’m leaving soon.”

“Ah, yes.”

“By the way, are you busy?”

“Not at all.”

“Your internal injuries haven’t healed yet?”

“There’s still a bit left, but I think it’ll be mostly healed in about ten days.”

“Is that so?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong stroked his chin.

‘I guess it’s still a bit much.’

It was a mission he had taken on himself to minimize the damage to his allies and to investigate the relationship between Yangcheon and Samgyo [Two opposing factions] in detail.

However, even he had limitations in handling things. That meant he needed to go with someone he could trust.

It would be good to go with someone who was skilled. But more than that, they had to be in sync. This mission was such a mission.

‘And I shouldn’t be caught using White Path martial arts [Orthodox martial arts].’

Of course, there were many people in the Black Path who used orthodox martial arts, as all sorts of people gathered there.

Still, it was better not to use them if possible. There was no point in attracting unnecessary attention.

In that regard, Cheokgang was perfect. Jeomchang’s martial arts were particularly practical, and with a little modification, they could even look like Black Path martial arts.

‘However.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Cheokgang’s face.

He had become quite mature from his past missions, but there was still a hint of boyishness left on his face. His gentle eyes were quite impressive, unlike his rough hands.

‘Cheokgang is the type of guy who would jump into a fire without hesitation if I ordered him to. In that sense, he would be good to go with, but…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed inwardly.

‘I guess not.’

He had thought that he definitely had to take Cheokgang with him, but seeing his face like this made him change his mind.

‘He’s perfect in every way, but… this guy could die if he makes a mistake.’

Cheokgang’s vision narrows when he gets heated. It could be a great advantage depending on the situation, but it would be a fatal flaw in this mission.

“No, it seems like I said something unnecessary.”

“Why? What’s the matter?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly.

“I received a mission. It’s not a Myeolsagun mission, but a mission I took on alone.”

“Huh? What kind of mission is it?”

“It’s a bit dangerous. I have to infiltrate the Black Path.”

Cheokgang’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“The Black Path?”

“Yeah. It’s a solo mission, but I’m recruiting someone to go with me, but I guess you can’t do it.”

“Why? Why? I’m fine! If I take a little more care, I can heal my internal injuries in less than five days! I’m serious!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong stroked Cheokgang’s head.

Cheokgang made a sound like a crow.

“There are things more important than martial arts. It’s not because your skills are lacking, so don’t be offended.”

Cheokgang pouted.

“Then why did you even come all the way here?”

“Yeah, I know, right?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong patted his shoulder.

“Anyway, rest for the time being. Don’t skip your training.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was about to turn around, suddenly looked at the second-floor window of Cheokgang’s residence. Paeyul was looking down at him from there.

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head silently. It was his way of showing respect to his senior.

It was then.

Flap!

Paeyul, who had leaped out of the window in an instant, landed in front of the gate.

Confusion appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“Senior?”

His attitude was different from when they had met at the Martial Alliance’s gate. He knew how to distinguish between public and private matters.

Paeyul asked in a calm voice.

“You received a mission?”

“Yes, I did.”

“If someone of your caliber says it’s dangerous, it must be no ordinary mission.”

“It’s very dangerous.”

“What kind of mission is it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you.”

This was a strictly official matter. No matter how much of a senior he was in the martial world, he couldn’t readily reveal official business.

“I see.”

Paeyul nodded.

“In any case, the fact that you came to Gang-i means that you thought that guy would be of some help, right?”

“That’s right, but…”

Confusion arose on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face. They had only met once, and he wondered why this man, whom he had never had any personal connection with, kept acting like this.

Paeyul said directly.

“I want to join you on that mission, whatever it is.”

“Excuse me?”

“Why? Do you think even I’m not enough?”

‘Why is this man suddenly like this?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong suppressed his rising questions and answered.

“That’s right.”

Paeyul’s eyebrows twitched.

“In what way? You don’t mean to say that my skills are lacking, do you?”

“Of course not. However, this mission requires several factors other than skill. Considering that, I don’t think you are suitable for this mission, Senior.”

“I want to hear the reason.”

“Although there is a separate commander for this mission, I am the person in charge of the practical work. And I need someone who can react immediately to the orders given.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“Would you, Senior, be able to jump into a deadly situation without looking back at the orders of a junior who is much younger than you?”

Paeyul couldn’t answer.

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head.

“I’ll see you again later. Then.”

He passed by Paeyul and opened the gate.

It was then.

“Listening to the orders of a much younger junior is a matter of pride, even during an official mission.”

“…?”

“But it’s different if the opponent is someone who has defeated me.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong paused for a moment.

Thump, thump.

A fierce aura, like that of a wild beast, was rising from behind him.

“As far as matches are concerned, there’s no one as clean as I am. If you defeat me, I will follow your orders without question, at least for this mission. I can even really die, not just pretend to die, if you tell me to.”

“…!!”

“How about it? Will you have a match with me?”