Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 271

“Shamaness.”

“Is it done?”

“Yes. The indoor humidity has been reduced to an acceptable level. I think it’s safe to move the patients now.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“It’s nothing. Then, I’ll move the patients right away.”

“The Gong couple shouldn’t be moved yet. Although the poison has been removed, their fever hasn’t completely subsided. Fortunately, they are both young and will recover quickly, so let’s keep an eye on them for another day or two before moving them.”

“Understood.”

“Yes, please continue your hard work.”

“It’s my pleasure. Then, I’ll be going.”

As the man stepped back, the woman resumed moving her brush.

*Swish, swish.*

The woman’s brushstrokes were truly artistic. Her calligraphy had mastered the Eight Methods [a traditional set of calligraphic techniques], yet it was a script where delicacy and mystery coexisted.

Even a person who couldn’t read would be captivated by her perfect writing, which mirrored her own beauty.

Her skin was fairer than any woman in the Central Plains. Her hair, which shone brighter than gold, reached her waist, and it was so soft that it looked like a river of molten gold.

She was tall for a woman, and the curves of her body were striking. Her pupils were blue, her frame was quite sturdy, and her features were very distinct.

She had the appearance of people who lived far west of the Central Plains, even further west than the land of Tianzhu [ancient name for India].

Seen favorably, she had an extremely mysterious aura; seen unfavorably, she had a bewitching presence. She was an exotic beauty rarely seen in the Central Plains.

“Is this enough?”

She gently waved her sleeve to dry the ink.

Although she had the appearance of a Westerner, her writing and behavior showed that she was well-versed in the etiquette of the Central Plains. In fact, she seemed to be even more proficient in etiquette than the people of the Central Plains themselves.

The woman, having dried the ink, neatly folded the letter.

The woman sighed.

“It needs to arrive within five days. I’m worried.”

She rose from her seat and headed to the next room.

*Squeak!*

In the room, three hawks were flapping their wings.

The woman tied the letter to the ankle of one of them. It was a rather small piece of paper, but the hawk itself was not large, so both ankles were covered.

“I’m sorry for always making you suffer. Now, go quickly.”

*Flap, flap, flap!*

After sending off the messenger hawk, she looked up at the sky outside the window with deep eyes.

It was a night sky with hardly any clouds. The starlight seemed to pour down, and the slightly less than full moon shone serenely.

“It’s very cold. And dry too.”

White breath escaped from the woman’s lips.

“Why is it so cold in the Central Plains? They say the south is like spring even in winter. I want to go there once this is over.”

Her tone was tinged with longing.

She gazed at the sky for a moment, then suddenly wore a mischievous smile.

“There must be many new herbs to see, right? Oh, I’m excited.”

Her face, resting on her elbow at the window, was filled with a strange excitement.

“The medical techniques of the Central Plains are certainly mysterious. Things like the ‘blood channels’ and ‘qi meridians’ [concepts in traditional Chinese medicine]. Well, ‘they’ were also good at handling qi [vital energy].”

The woman stroked her lower abdomen.

“Inner energy is truly mysterious. Just forming the dantian [energy center in the body] makes me feel so warm and secure. If I had known this, I would have learned from them beforehand…”

Her voice gradually faded.

“…”

A moment of silence fell.

The two hawks turned their eyes to her.

After staring out the window for a long time with an unreadable gaze, she closed her eyes.

“When will I be free?”

She opened her eyes again and smiled, stroking the hawk’s chin.

“You’re lucky. You have wings. Even though you’re like this now, you can fly away whenever you want.”

She said with a sigh.

“Isn’t that right, Shadow One?”

*Swoosh.*

From a dark corner where shadows lay, a man wrapped in black bandages from head to toe appeared.

The man’s pupils were also blue, like the woman’s. However, while the woman’s eyes were clear and deep, the man’s eyes were cold.

The man knelt on one knee.

“I greet the Saintess. Have you been well?”

“Unfortunately, I have been well.”

“That is a relief.”

The woman, Gi Woo-Hee, smiled bitterly.

“Did you come to check? To see if I’m wavering?”

“There are additional orders from above.”

“…”

“The order is to stay in the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance] as long as possible.”

Gi Woo-Hee’s eyes wavered.

“Is that all?”

“Yes. If there are other orders, I will contact you separately then.”

“I understand. Is there anything else to convey?”

“I heard that you have recently learned an inner energy cultivation method.”

Gi Woo-Hee’s face hardened.

As expected, they were still watching her.

The problem was that she hadn’t felt any of their presence.

Gi Woo-Hee was born with a sixth sense, and even before learning any martial arts, she had survived countless assassin attacks.

That sixth sense had become sharper over time, and now, if she wanted, she could even sense the presence of someone watching her from two hundred yards away.

Her immediately recognizing Shadow One’s presence was a prime example. Shadow One’s stealth techniques were so great that even the best assassins in the Central Plains would have to concede.

Yet, she hadn’t noticed that someone was watching her.

“Who is it?”

“The inner energy cultivation method you have learned is third-rate. If you wish, we have been instructed to bestow the teachings of the Order’s martial arts.”

“Who did you send? I didn’t feel any presence or gaze.”

“The Order Leader himself said it, so if you wish, please let us know at any time.”

The Order Leader.

Gi Woo-Hee sighed.

“Is the Order Leader… doing well?”

“Of course.”

“…Is he not sick or anything?”

“The Order Leader is a divine being. The diseases of this world cannot harm his sacred body.”

“…”

“Just in case, I have brought two manuals of inner energy cultivation methods. They are a fusion of the Order’s techniques and the martial arts of the Central Plains, so even if someone knows about the Order, they won’t know if your martial arts are related to the Order’s teachings.”

*Swoosh.*

Shadow One placed two manuals on the table.

“Once you have memorized them, you must burn them immediately.”

Gi Woo-Hee, who had been staring at the manuals, sighed.

“Since you’re here, please do me a favor.”

“Speak.”

“We are very short on medicinal herbs. A merchant group has been helping us, but they have been struggling lately, making it difficult to secure herbs.”

“…”

“Can you procure the herbs I requested within five days?”

“It is impossible.”

“…”

“We have received reports that the Murim Alliance escort has departed. Although it is unlikely, if they try to trace the source of the herbs, it could become troublesome.”

Gi Woo-Hee gritted her teeth.

“Then give me the money. I’ll get them myself. If the herbs are delayed, the patients will be in danger…”

“Saintess, you are not one to bestow favors on insignificant people in such a place.”

“… !”

“Furthermore, infiltrating the Murim Alliance is not something the Saintess should be doing. The reason you are enduring this hardship is because of your original sin.”

Despite the insurmountable difference in status, Shadow One’s words were as cold and sharp as a dagger.

Gi Woo-Hee knew. She knew that Shadow One was worried about her.

The reason he was speaking so harshly was all because he was concerned about her.

“Even that original sin can be erased if the Saintess so desires. You know how much the Order Leader cherishes you, don’t you?”

“…”

“Please sever your ties with these insignificant people and focus on your sacred duty. The Order Leader will not give up just because you are acting this way.”

“Shadow One.”

“Yes, Saintess.”

Gi Woo-Hee’s eyes blazed.

“They are not insignificant people. They are humans with flesh and blood, just like us.”

“It is because their blood and flesh are different that they are insignificant.”

“…”

Gi Woo-Hee sighed.

“Go now. I’ve heard the orders from above.”

“Saintess.”

“I don’t want to talk anymore.”

Shadow One, who had been looking at Gi Woo-Hee, lowered his head.

“Then, I will take my leave.”

*Swoosh.*

Shadow One disappeared. Just like when he appeared, it was impossible to tell what kind of martial arts he used to vanish.

Gi Woo-Hee, who was looking out the window with sad eyes, suddenly turned her gaze to the table.

The two manuals, bathed in moonlight, looked somehow eerie.

Gi Woo-Hee muttered in a self-deprecating voice.

“Saintess? Shamaness? It’s laughable. All I can do is medicine, and yet I’m asking for money as if it’s owed to me.”

*Drip, drip.*

Gi Woo-Hee shed tears.

She picked up the manuals.

“Shadow One. They are not insignificant. If anyone is insignificant, it’s me.”

* * *

*Neigh, neigh, neigh!*

The four horses each let out a rough cry.

“Should we rest here today?”

At Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words, Muk Bi smacked his lips.

“I’ve been wondering about something.”

“Hmm?”

“Why do you like camping out so much? We could just go to a nearby inn.”

“What’s wrong with it? The scenery is nice, and we can enjoy nature at times like this.”

“It’s too cold to be talking about scenery!”

It was winter, and it had snowed a lot. They had brought fur coats and cloaks just in case, but even so, it wasn’t the kind of weather to spend the night in a snowy forest.

Yeon Ho-Jeong snorted.

“What’s the point of having inner energy? Besides, if you focus, you won’t feel the cold at all.”

“It’s not just us, but the horses are the problem.”

“They’re the best bloodline and have been raised on elixirs. They’re more resistant to the cold than you are.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Muk Bi got off his horse, looking disgusted.

Moyong Woo said with a smile.

“Muk Bi has a point. Is there a need to sleep in the forest?”

“It’s romantic, isn’t it?”

Moyong Woo gave up on trying to persuade his eccentric sworn brother.

Besides, even Gang Ryang was a master of the highest level and possessed powerful inner energy. If he paid a little attention, he wouldn’t be affected by this level of cold.

In the end, the group, unable to break Yeon Ho-Jeong’s stubbornness, had to spend the night in the snowy forest.

*Crackling!*

They cut down damp trees, dried them, and quickly lit a fire, creating a bonfire in an instant.

“Whew, it’s warm.”

Gang Ryang spread his hands in front of the bonfire.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked Gang Ryang.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“Yes, Brother. It’s only been an hour since we ate.”

“Riding a horse is no easy task.”

“I may look like this, but I’m quite good with a sword. It’s just that it doesn’t work on you, Brother.”

“That’s true. Anyway, since you’re not hungry, grab your sword and follow me.”

“Yes? A sword? Why?”

“You said you weren’t hungry, right?”

“Yes?”

“You should train when you have time. When else will you do it? Come on. Father told me to train you properly and bring you back.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes instantly became serious.

“I’d like that.”

Although he sometimes seemed a bit out of it, his desire to become stronger was genuine. Gang Ryang quickly grabbed his greatsword and followed Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Moyong Woo said.

“Don’t overdo it. It’s just the beginning… He’s already gone.”

Moyong Woo glanced at Muk Bi.

Muk Bi smiled awkwardly and lowered his head. Moyong Woo also lowered his head with an embarrassed smile.

“…”

The awkwardness was so suffocating that it felt like the blazing bonfire would go out.

An hour later.

Moyong Woo cautiously opened his mouth.

“If you’re not tired, how about we spar…”

*Snore, snore.*

Muk Bi had already fallen asleep. He was sleeping quite deeply, his breathing very even.

“…He was complaining so much, but he fell asleep so quickly.”

In the end, Moyong Woo had to poke at the bonfire alone for two hours.

Alone.