Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 272

“Hmm.”

Yeon-wi looked around.

It was snowing again. Even though he could have used his inner energy to sweep it away instantly, a layer or two of snow had already accumulated on the ground.

“It’s really coming down.”

He briefly considered whether it was worth sweeping, since it would just pile up again, but decided it would be easier to walk if he cleared it. Besides, once it started accumulating, it would pile up almost a foot high, so leaving it would only make it more difficult later.

*Swish, swish, swish.*

Yeon-wi began sweeping the snow again.

He had plenty of time, and there wasn’t anything else to do. Besides, he found that the repetitive motion of sweeping cleared his mind of unnecessary thoughts, which surprisingly had a meditative effect.

How much time had passed?

‘Hmm?’

Yeon-wi, who had paused, started sweeping again.

A little while later.

“That’s a peculiar sight.”

Yeon-wi looked towards the main gate.

Beyond the open gate, Tang Gwan, wearing a fur coat, was visible.

“To think that the head of one of the Six Great Families is sweeping the yard, do you have nothing better to do?”

Yeon-wi said calmly.

“I have some time to spare today.”

“Don’t you think of ordering your underlings to do it?”

“I don’t have any underlings. And whether an underling does it or I do it, if it’s something that someone has to do, wouldn’t it be better for me to do it?”

“That’s a nice way of putting it.”

His unique sarcastic tone was still the same. His voice was also as sharp as before.

Yeon-wi placed both hands on the end of the broom.

“So, what brings you here without any prior notice?”

“Do you have any liquor?”

Yeon-wi smiled.

“I have some very good liquor.”

Tang Gwan snorted.

“I’ll give you a chance to apologize. If it’s not good liquor, I’ll never accept your apology.”

“Don’t worry. I have Kongfu Jiajiu [a type of strong Chinese liquor] that I brought directly from Shandong. I heard that the production volume was only a third of last year’s. It was quite a struggle to get it.”

Tang Gwan scoffed.

“They called it the best liquor in the world, and it turns out to be Kongfu Jiajiu?”

“This batch is particularly good. You’ll understand what I mean when you taste it yourself.”

“Hmph!”

Tang Gwan entered Pagun Hall.

“Stop sweeping and set up the liquor table. You don’t need to prepare any side dishes.”

“Very well.”

Tang Gwan looked around.

“I don’t sense any energy. I heard that you went to escort the Western Region Divine Woman, has she already left?”

He must be talking about Yeon Ho-Jeong. Yeon-wi nodded.

“She left three days ago.”

“Good, I don’t have to deal with that annoying guy.”

“Hahaha.”

“Why are you laughing like that?”

“Doesn’t that mean that you think I’m okay? I feel sorry for my son, but surely I’m better than him, right?”

“You’re free to delude yourself. Whether you’re truly a good person or not, I’ll know after I’ve had a drink.”

“Fine.”

Yeon-wi, after shaking off the broom, guided Tang Gwan to the first-floor door.

“Come in.”

* * *

“Hah! Hah!”

Gang Ryang’s eyes were completely unfocused.

Not only that, but his entire body was covered in severe wounds, each one very deep. The cuts were so deep that if they had gone just a little further, they would have severed bone.

“That’s enough for today.”

“Cough! Th, thank you for your hard work!”

“You worked hard too.”

*Thud!*

Gang Ryang collapsed on the spot.

The snowfield, which had been spotless white, was now stained red with blood. Anyone who saw it would have mistaken it for a massacre.

Moyong Woo, who had been watching the two spar from a distance with his arms crossed, clicked his tongue.

“Commander Yeon.”

“Just call me as you usually do. You don’t have to hide it in front of them.”

“…Yeon-je.”

“Why?”

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“Isn’t it too brutal? You almost killed Gang Inspector.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong snorted.

“If he dies from this much, he might as well die.”

“Ha! Yeon-je, you’re truly ruthless.”

“The Ghost Sword he’s learning pursues a domineering yet practical strong sword. That’s its nature, and if I don’t push him like this, he’ll never reach the true meaning of it.”

“Hmm.”

“Otherwise, he’d have to learn in a bloody real battle, but it’s better to learn by getting hit a few times by a skilled master.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes lit up.

“I heard that your Four Divine Martial Arts are also martial arts for the battlefield.”

“It’s not comparable to the Four Divine Martial Arts. The great thing about the Ghost Sword is that it’s extremely powerful and practical, yet the sword intent is very profound. He could become a strong figure in his later years just by focusing on swordsmanship.”

“But why are you pushing him so hard?”

“Because both he and I are too impatient to wait until our later years.”

It was a very Yeon Ho-Jeong-like statement.

Moyong Woo smacked his lips.

“Let’s stay at the tavern today. Gang Inspector might actually die if this keeps up… Huh?”

*Fuss, fuss, fuss.*

Gang Ryang staggered to his feet. His breathing was still rough, but there was some strength in his hand gestures as he brushed the snow off his body.

Moyong Woo’s mouth dropped open.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Scary, right?”

“H, how?”

“He’s naturally very strong, and the Ghost King True Energy he’s learned boasts almost demonic recovery power when he concentrates. In about three or four days, he’ll be able to completely recover from the injuries he just sustained.”

“Gasp!”

He could recover from those severe internal and external injuries in just three or four days. Moyong Woo couldn’t believe it.

“Hoo.”

Gang Ryang took a deep breath. Even though his recovery was good, he was pale, probably because he had lost so much blood.

“You’re really merciless, Brother.”

“Recover as much as you can by tomorrow. We’ll spar again. You need to know how to fight when you’re not in perfect condition.”

“Yes.”

The two were exchanging absurd words.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged.

“Anyway, like you said, it’s better to stay at the tavern today. We’re out of food too.”

The one who was most delighted was not Gang Ryang but Muk Bi.

“Great. We should have done that a long time ago.”

“Do you want to wash up?”

“…Seriously.”

“I was just asking, why are you overreacting?”

“Shut up!”

And so, the group headed to a tavern in Zhaoyang County, Hubei.

The tavern was bigger than they had expected. There were many people, and the atmosphere was very lively.

“Rest well. I’ll go to the Beggars’ Union branch for a bit.”

“Are you going alone? Wait a bit. Let’s wash up and go together.”

“No, it’s okay. You guys wash up first.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong went straight to the Beggars’ Union branch.

The branch was not far from Zhaoyang County. After all, the Beggars’ Union branches were spread like a spider web all over the Central Plains, so there was always a hidden one wherever you went.

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong, the commander of the Muryeongmaeng’s [Martial Alliance] Yu-gun unit, Myeolsa-gun [Elite Unit].”

“We received prior notice. Thank you for coming all this way. What information would you like to receive first?”

“The Western Region Divine Woman first.”

The branch leader spoke as if he had been waiting for this.

“The Western Region Divine Woman is currently staying in Shanggao County, Jiangxi Province. It seems she plans to treat as many patients as possible until you arrive.”

“I see.”

“However…”

“Hmm?”

The branch leader frowned.

“It seems that information about the Western Region Divine Woman heading to the Muryeongmaeng has been spreading secretly. The Jiangxi Province Medical Association is controlling the supply of medicinal herbs.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face also contorted.

“They’re doing that even though there are sick patients?”

“They’re saying that if you’re sick, don’t get treated by her and come to them.”

“What kind of crazy people are they?”

“That’s what I’m saying. However, the Medical Association exists throughout the Central Plains, and their influence is so powerful that it’s difficult to openly rebuke them.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“I could understand if they were just a little jealous, but those people are crossing the line.”

“Just in case, if you’re thinking of touching them, it’s best to move carefully.”

“I’ve seen many cases where we couldn’t do what we had to do because we were too careful.”

The branch leader sighed. He had heard that the nature of Byeoksanhojang [nickname for Yeon Ho-Jeong, meaning ‘Wall-Crushing Tiger General’] Yeon Ho-Jeong was like fire, and judging by his appearance, it seemed that the Jiangxi Province Medical Association would be in for a rough time.

Yeon Ho-Jeong waved his hand.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll watch the situation and respond flexibly.”

“Understood.”

Only then did the branch leader’s face relax. Well, no matter how fiery his nature was, it would be difficult for someone called the best late-stage master in the world to act recklessly.

Of course, the branch leader did not know the extent of the flexibility that Yeon Ho-Jeong had mentioned.

“Anyway, it’s best to go as soon as possible. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Is there any other information you would like to know?”

A smile spread across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“My father said that my second brother has been continuously sending news to the Beggars’ Union.”

“Ah, you’re referring to Yeon Ji-Pyeong, the young master.”

“That’s right.”

“Please wait a moment.”

The branch leader, who had been rummaging through a pile of documents, soon approached with a piece of paper.

“He hasn’t been gone long. He has currently entered Anhui Province and will probably pass through Jiuhua Mountain, enter Jiangxi Province, and then head north.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression brightened noticeably.

To go from Gangseo Province, where the Yeon family was located, to the Muryeongmaeng in Henan, one could simply cross the river in Anhui and enter Henan Province.

Nevertheless, the fact that he was going through Jiuhua Mountain and entering Jiangxi Province meant that there was a high probability that he was coming to see him.

‘Ji-Pyeong.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong thought of Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

His pale and gentle face, and his clear and deep eyes were filled with the purity of a boy and a sense of justice built on his own principles.

‘Have you been well?’

He had been so busy that he had barely thought of his younger brother. Now that he thought about it, two years had already passed.

‘He must have grown a lot by now?’

There were less than ten days left until the end of the year. His younger brother would be eighteen years old now.

‘I wonder how much he has grown.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had a satisfied smile, nodded.

“Thank you. I can continue to hear news about Ji-Pyeong from other branches, right?”

“Of course. It’s not a distant area, and the higher-ups have given orders. You’ll be able to receive news of your younger brother anywhere.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I wish you a safe journey ahead.”

With that, Yeon Ho-Jeong left the Beggars’ Union branch.

As Yeon Ho-Jeong walked down the street, deep in thought, people kept glancing at him.

Not only was he tall and wearing light armor, but he also had an axe the size of a person’s body on his shoulder. Naturally, he was bound to attract attention.

“Could it be… no way, right?”

“Nah, no way. It can’t be.”

“But that big axe… that looks really heavy? Who would carry an axe like that if not the rumored Byeoksanhojang?”

“Axes are popular these days because of Byeoksanhojang. Could that young man really be Byeoksanhojang?”

“R, really?”

While sending doubtful glances, no one dared to approach and speak to him.

Regardless, Yeon Ho-Jeong was lost in thought.

‘They’re controlling the medicinal herbs…? Was the Medical Association’s power that strong?’

He knew that the Medical Association existed. But he only knew that they existed, and he didn’t know the extent of their influence.

‘This isn’t something to dismiss as just an issue with the Western Region Divine Woman.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

‘For the Muryeongmaeng to create a medical institution, a smooth distribution of medicinal herbs is essential. If the Medical Association controls that, it’ll be quite a headache.’

A sigh escaped him.

‘I’ve ended up having to worry about such strange things. It’s best to rest well today without thinking about anything.’

That’s when Yeon Ho-Jeong returned to the tavern.

“Woooaaaaaaah!!”

A huge cheer erupted from the top floor of the tavern.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, looking up at the top floor, felt his vision go dark for a moment.

“…Did you guys come for a picnic?”

In the place where the cheer had erupted, three familiar energies were flickering.