Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 198

Pae-yul’s eyes widened.

“What are you people?”

Ga Deuk-sang clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“We greet you, our esteemed Martial Uncle.”

Following him, the three men and women also lowered their heads.

“……?”

Pae-yul was bewildered.

It was surprising enough that they were covered in blood, but what was with the way they were bowing so deeply, as if they were about to bury their heads in the ground?

‘Why am I their Martial Uncle?’

He almost blurted out the words without realizing it.

Pae-yul barely recalled Yeon Ho-jeong’s words before they parted ways.

‘We are descendants of the Mujong Clan [a fictional martial arts clan]. We are like martial siblings, and you, Senior, will play the role of our Martial Uncle. We’ll set the mood, so just go along with it.’

‘What kind of childish game is this?’

But now that he was actually being called Martial Uncle, he felt a bit strange.

Pae-yul cleared his throat.

“You’ve come a long way.”

His tone was filled with awkwardness. Only then did the four people straighten their backs.

“But what’s with all the blood?”

Ga Deuk-sang smacked his lips.

“Some riffraff were tailing us. The second one almost caught them all, but the rest tried to escape, so we each scattered and caught one.”

Who’s the second one……?

Dang Sang-ah stepped forward, quick to catch on.

“I’m sorry. If I had been more thorough, you wouldn’t have had to get involved.”

“Oh, don’t say that, Junior Sister. They were quite stealthy. And who would have thought there would be people following us?”

“Anyway, who could they be?”

“Well? Judging by their pettiness, they seem like the White Path guys, but the White Path doesn’t have much power in this region.”

“Then it must be the Black Path.”

“Probably.”

Jeagal Ayeon slyly chimed in, playing the role of the immature youngest.

“But isn’t this going to cause trouble? We’re going to meet a Black Path person, aren’t we? What was his name again? Yang……”

Yeon Ho-jeong immediately clamped his hand over Jeagal Ayeon’s mouth. Jeagal Ayeon pounded on Yeon Ho-jeong’s shoulder as if she was suffocating.

Yeon Ho-jeong said calmly.

“It’s confidential, Junior Sister.”

“Mmph!”

“I told you before, didn’t I? Many people have ruined themselves by talking out of turn. You need to be a bit more serious…… Ugh!”

Yeon Ho-jeong staggered. Jeagal Ayeon had elbowed him in the stomach.

Jeagal Ayeon spat.

“You didn’t even wash your hands, where do you think you’re touching me!”

“Cough!”

“Huh? Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not, you brat!”

Pae-yul looked at the four men and women with blurry eyes.

‘These guys are having fun.’

At times like this, an elder of the sect should step in. Pae-yul spoke in a somewhat solemn voice.

“There are many eyes watching. Behave yourselves.”

“Gulp!”

Pae-yul glared at Ga Deuk-sang.

Ga Deuk-sang, who quickly wiped the smile off his face, cleared his throat.

“I apologize. I had a coughing fit.”

“I want to see you alone for a bit.”

“……Yes, sir.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked around.

‘This isn’t bad.’

The tavern was quite large. Despite the late hour, quite a few people were sitting here and there, drinking.

Swoosh.

From Yeon Ho-jeong’s fingertips, azure dragon energy flowed out in strands.

The azure dragon energy was the most sensitive of the Four Divine Beasts’ energies [a fictional concept in martial arts novels, representing different types of internal energy], yet as gentle as the black tortoise energy, making it suitable for delicate tasks.

An intangible energy spread in all directions.

‘Nine, huh.’

There were nine people in the spacious tavern who had mastered internal energy.

It wasn’t as many as he had thought. But this was actually normal.

Even though the Black Path had secretly taken control of the entire Hunan Province, this place was a small city located at the western end of Hunan.

Moreover, the Black Path had a thin layer of experts. This number could even be considered high.

‘I’ll start from the bottom and work my way up.’

Yeon Ho-jeong suddenly looked at Dang Sang-ah.

Dang Sang-ah was chatting and laughing with Jeagal Ayeon, as if she found something very amusing. The heads of the two families were at each other’s throats, but their children seemed as close as sisters.

‘She needs to play her bait role well.’

Yeon Ho-jeong had no doubt that her presence would make the group’s mission much easier and more efficient.

“Well, shall we have a meal too?”

That night.

Whooosh.

Outside the rear garden, in the bamboo forest, four colors of energy swirled around Yeon Ho-jeong, who was sitting cross-legged.

It was as if he was seeing a spirit. The four energies of black, white, red, and blue shone like fireflies, enveloping his body.

It was a mystical sight. It was as if some will of nature, not his own energy, was protecting him.

‘Good.’

Yeon Ho-jeong felt satisfied.

‘I’ve finally achieved balance.’

After returning to the past, the first thing he mastered was the black tortoise energy. Naturally, the concentration of black tortoise energy was the highest.

However, the energies of the Four Divine Beasts were organically intertwined, repeating growth and control. Considering the principles of water generating wood and wood generating fire, it was only natural.

And when these four energies achieved qualitative and quantitative balance, then the four energies would develop together gradually.

In the Four Divine Arts, this state was called the ‘Chaste Form.’ It meant that all energies stood upright and were not biased in any direction.

‘With this, I’ve crossed one stage.’

The first hurdle to overcome after completing the Four Divine Energies was the Chaste Form.

Yeon Ho-jeong had completed it after breaking through the Mujong Wall [a metaphor for a breakthrough in martial arts training].

The reason he had not tried to draw out all his energy until he reached the limits of his body and true energy was precisely this. Even the same development, development from a higher place, would lead to higher efficiency and enlightenment.

“Hoo.”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had taken a light breath, opened his eyes. Then, he picked up the long spear that was placed next to him.

‘It’s good.’

It was a steel long spear he had obtained from a nearby blacksmith after dinner.

Since it was made of solid steel, its weight was considerable, but it was no problem for Yeon Ho-jeong, who used to wield the eighty-plus-pound Gwangryong Axe [a fictional weapon].

Yeon Ho-jeong grabbed the middle of the spear shaft and spun it.

Whoosh. Whooosh.

The sound of the spear shaft cutting through the air as it spun in a circle was heavy yet refreshing.

‘The center of gravity is well balanced. The spearhead is also appropriately long. I was lucky.’

The Gwangryong Axe was an excessively flashy weapon. The same was true for the Gyoryong Chain [another fictional weapon].

With the alias of Byoksan Hojang [a fictional title] shaking the martial world, he couldn’t bring the two weapons that would obviously draw everyone’s attention. That was why he chose the spear as his weapon.

The first thing he had trained to wield the axe was spear techniques. With the spear and bare-handed combat, he could minimize the power gap with the Gwangryong Axe.

Yeon Ho-jeong kicked off the ground.

Paah!

After moving a short distance, he unleashed a powerful spear technique.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

In an instant, the spearhead multiplied into more than ten, creating identical marks in the center of ten bamboo trees.

An unexpected look appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.

‘I thought I would have regressed since I haven’t used it for a while, but it feels like I’ve grown even more?’

This was also possible because he had achieved the Chaste Form of the Four Divine Arts. Since there was no waste of power, his spear techniques had become even more refined.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The spearhead cutting through the wind emitted a stylish glow.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s movements were unusually relaxed and graceful, unlike his usual self.

It was as if he was dancing rather than practicing martial arts. Yet, the offensive power of the spearhead, which cut and pierced, did not diminish.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

The fallen bamboo leaves soared along the tip of the spearhead.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes blazed.

Thud!

When he struck the ground with the spear shaft, dozens of bamboo leaves that had been floating in the air shattered into pieces.

“Hmm, good. It’s enough.”

He wanted to train for another half a day, but it seemed better to finish here today.

“Are you the Martial Uncle?”

At the sudden question, a snort was heard from the darkest shadows in the bamboo forest.

“There’s no one around, why don’t you drop that creepy title?”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“You never know.”

“Not only you, but my senses aren’t that weak either.”

“That’s why I’m saying it. I’m afraid that the tension might be released with that ‘just in case’ thought.”

“If an expert who can disrupt even our senses has already intervened, shouldn’t we consider this mission a failure?”

That wasn’t wrong.

Yeon Ho-jeong crossed his arms while holding the spear.

“It’s late at night, why did you come out instead of sleeping?”

“You beat me to it. I was thinking of doing some training.”

“I see. I’m good enough with this. You can use it.”

“Before that.”

Paah!

Pae-yul’s sword flew like an arrow.

It was an amazing surprise attack. It was surprisingly fast and sudden, but there was no killing intent in it. That made it an even more terrifying sword strike.

Yeon Ho-jeong released his arms and kicked up the end of the spear shaft with his foot.

Clang!

The sword that had brushed past the spear shaft stopped.

Whirr!

Bamboo leaves spun along the spear shaft that was rotating in place.

Yeon Ho-jeong grabbed the spear shaft.

Whoosh.

The wind stopped.

Pae-yul sighed.

“I guess it’s not working.”

“That was a great surprise attack. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen a sword strike that suppressed killing intent to that extent.”

“You’re being presumptuous. By the way, it’s been a long time, it seems your life has been quite brutal.”

Yeon Ho-jeong just smiled silently.

Pae-yul stared at him without sheathing his sword.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“It’s not that.”

“Then, may I go now?”

“No.”

“Huh?”

Only then did Yeon Ho-jeong read Pae-yul’s hesitation.

A seriousness appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.

“Is there a problem?”

“It’s a problem, if you can call it that.”

“What is it?”

Pae-yul was silent again.

His hesitation was clearly growing. Yeon Ho-jeong tensed up.

After a moment of silence, Pae-yul opened his mouth.

“If you’re from the Mujong Clan, shouldn’t you not use your individual signature techniques?”

“That’s right.”

“The reason you brought the Dang Clan’s daughter is also because it’s difficult to read her hidden weapon techniques, right?”

“That’s one of the reasons.”

Pae-yul cleared his throat.

“First, take a look at this.”

“Yes?”

Swoosh!

Pae-yul’s sword cut through the air.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes widened.

‘What is this?’

It was a sword technique with smooth lines, unlike Pae-yul’s usual style.

Of course, that didn’t mean its power was low. Rather, it was a masterpiece of a technique that lured the enemy with a graceful sword path and then countered with a one-hit kill attack.

‘Did the Jeomchang [a fictional martial arts sect] have such a martial art?’

Well, if it was one of the Nine Great Sects, there would be several martial arts comparable to the representative techniques of each sect.

‘It lacks the practical feel of the existing techniques, but the level of the sword technique itself is higher.’

After a while, Pae-yul stopped his sword.

His face was slightly flushed. He shouldn’t be out of breath from demonstrating this level of martial arts.

“Ahem! How is it?”

“Is that a Jeomchang martial art?”

“Well… yes.”

Yeon Ho-jeong spoke honestly.

“It’s an excellent sword technique. The sharpness and extreme aspects unique to Jeomchang have been reduced, but the harmony is very solid instead. The counterattack technique is especially amazing.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. However, there are some gaps in the flow of the chain attacks, but it’s too attractive to point out any flaws. As you reach higher levels, the practical beauty will also be complemented.”

Pae-yul’s face brightened.

“Do you think it will work in actual combat?”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“It seems that you have a very high understanding of that sword technique. It’s like you’re wearing the perfect clothes.”

“Heh heh.”

Pae-yul burst out laughing, as if he was very happy about something.

“Well, if you saw it that way, that’s enough.”

“Yes?”

“Ahem! I’ll go first.”

“What about your training?”

Pae-yul disappeared without answering. His footsteps somehow felt excited.

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.