Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 302

Clang! Clang! The sound of the father and son’s swords clashing was both incredibly crisp and heavy. Thwack thwack thwack! Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s speed as he charged forward, covering a short distance in five steps, was truly remarkable. It was a footwork technique that deliberately distributed power to maximize momentum. Using that momentum, he moved while thrusting his sword like an arrow, making his movements incredibly sharp. However, no matter how amazing his swordsmanship was, it didn’t surprise Yeon-Wi. Yeon-Wi was the master of all Yeon family martial arts, a supreme expert who was starting to look beyond the title of ‘Judge’s Sword’ and aspire to the title of ‘Sword Master’. Yeon-Wi’s longsword drew a crescent moon. Clang clang clang clang! Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s eyes wavered. The sword he had thrust forward was now stuck in the ground. It had only collided once with his father’s crescent-shaped sword, but with that collision, he felt the impact of more than five strikes. Shudder. His sword-wielding hand felt like it was cramping. ‘Amazing!’ Yeon Ji-Pyeong felt a tremendous shock. ‘It was just one collision, but my sword felt more than five resistances.’ In an instant, he had split the force transmitted through the sword into five and layered them. An ordinary expert would have dropped their sword from just one encounter, and even if they didn’t, they would have no choice but to retreat without even thinking about a follow-up attack. However, Yeon Ji-Pyeong was no ordinary swordsman. If Yeon-Wi was the master of all Yeon family martial arts, then Yeon Ji-Pyeong was a genius who was ready to master all of the Yeon family’s martial arts, following in Yeon-Wi’s footsteps. Boom! Yeon-Wi’s eyes sparkled. ‘Half-Dragon Palm?’ He straightened his collapsed posture by shooting force into the ground. Not only that, but Yeon Ji-Pyeong, who had instantly regained his posture, immediately unleashed the Thirty-Six Forms of the Iron Sword. Thwack thwack thwack! Clang clang! Swish! He evaded some sword strikes, parried others, and the edge of his sleeve was cut off by the tip of a sword he was trying to evade. A smile appeared on Yeon-Wi’s face. ‘He’s fast.’ His growth was dazzlingly fast. Not only his adaptability, but his swordsmanship had become sharper and more profound than just a few days ago. This wasn’t just because of Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s talent. ‘It’s from real combat.’ It was said that Yeon Ji-Pyeong had faced quite a few assassins while escorting the Western Region Goddess as their leader. Swordsmen’s skills are honed sharper through real combat. Even if it was just one real battle, a sword that has tasted blood is vastly different from one that hasn’t. Yeon-Wi’s sword was swung like lightning. Clang clang clang clang! It was the Five Consecutive Swords unleashed with intent. Although not particularly fast, the fluid sword techniques unleashed in one breath forced Yeon Ji-Pyeong to retreat hastily. Whoosh! Not only that. Even though he was watching with his own eyes, Yeon Ji-Pyeong couldn’t stop Yeon-Wi from moving to his rear. Might isn’t just about speed. By restricting movement with sword force, seizing the advantage with mysterious footwork, and even delaying the reflexes that should react instantly with sharp killing intent. He executed all of this as naturally as breathing. The pinnacle of martial arts ingrained in his body, the ultimate path of swordsmanship that Yeon Ji-Pyeong had to follow, was right there. Thud! Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s body stopped as if struck by lightning. Yeon-Wi’s fingertip was already touching his back. If it had been a sword instead of a hand, Yeon Ji-Pyeong would not have survived. “That’s enough.” “Hoo.” Yeon Ji-Pyeong let out a soft breath. It wasn’t a long spar, but his whole body was drenched in sweat from how tense he had been. ‘Incredible!’ His mastery of Sword Extremity and the Iron Sword Great Evolution had reached perfection. At this level, he was confident that he could surprise his father at least three times in an exchange, even if he couldn’t match him. It was a delusion. Rather, he was astonished by his father’s martial arts. ‘He didn’t show overwhelming power or speed that I couldn’t follow with my eyes. And yet, I was defeated. I was helpless.’ He was capable of wielding sword strikes several times stronger and faster than that. But the fact that he didn’t use that much power meant that he wasn’t facing an opponent worth expending the effort on. “How was it?” “…A complete defeat.” Yeon-Wi chuckled. “You’re still a long way from surpassing this father of yours. Your defeat was inevitable.” “Of course, that’s true, but…” Yeon Ji-Pyeong shook his head. “The martial arts you showed me before are completely different.” “Hmm? In what way?” “It might just be my imagination, but… your martial arts used to be as fast and powerful as lightning. Yet, because it didn’t deviate from the middle path, it felt like facing a giant iron wall.” Yeon-Wi smiled. It had been three years since he had shown that kind of martial arts. But the fact that he remembered it so clearly meant that his second son’s insight and memory were quite remarkable. “So, is it different now?” “It was incredibly different.” Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s eyes were filled with awe. “The martial arts that maintain the middle path are the same, but it felt different from the insurmountable iron wall I mentioned earlier. You seem to be using much softer martial arts than before, but when it comes to the moment of sword clash, it felt as heavy as a tidal wave.” “Hoo.” “Free and flexible martial arts transitions. You used to be endlessly strong and solid, but now you seem to be using martial arts that are endlessly flexible at any time.” Yeon Ji-Pyeong smiled brightly. “It seems that you have gained great enlightenment, even more than I have developed.” Yeon-Wi finally let out a sigh of admiration. “Your insight is truly extraordinary. It was already surprising that you could read the level of development after reading my and Ho-Jeong’s energy, but to even read the change in martial arts tendencies.” “Huh? Ah, that’s…” “It’s impossible even for a skilled expert with considerable talent. The fact that you, who lack experience, could read that means that your senses are truly innate.” Yeon Ji-Pyeong scratched his head, looking embarrassed. It was so awkward to receive such praise from his father. Yeon-Wi sheathed his sword. “But the most important thing is to master martial arts that match that insight. Your insight is certainly great, but your martial arts are still far behind.” “Ah, yes.” “Well, considering your terrifying rate of development, it’s ridiculous for me to say this. Besides, if you had that level of martial arts at your age, you would be comparable to or even better than your older brother. If you continue to train steadily like this, you’ll catch up to this father of yours before you reach thirty.” “Ah, no!” “However, you lack decisiveness.” “Yes?” Yeon-Wi called out to Muk-Bi, who was standing far away, watching the two of them with a blank expression. “Bi-Ah.” “Yes, Father.” “How was Ji-Pyeong’s martial arts? I would like you to tell me honestly.” Now, Muk-Bi no longer felt as intimidated by Yeon-Wi as before, nor did she try to hide her true feelings in front of him. Muk-Bi spoke calmly. “Pyeong-Yi’s martial arts are great. I can feel that he has inherited the Yeon family’s martial arts properly. He’s similar to Father, but he’s also forging his own path.” “Hmm.” “But… um.” “Did you see a problem?” “Rather than a problem…” Muk-Bi cleared her throat. “If I were to seriously fight with Ji-Pyeong, I could subdue him within three exchanges.” Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s eyes widened. It wasn’t that his pride was hurt. But if it was three exchanges, it meant that the difference in level was too severe. He didn’t know that his sister was that strong. Yeon Ji-Pyeong was once again impressed by Muk-Bi’s martial arts. Yeon-Wi shook his head. “The reason why Bi-Ah said she could subdue you in three exchanges isn’t just because Bi-Ah’s martial arts are so great that they overwhelm you.” “Yes?” What did that mean? Muk-Bi scratched her cheek. “There aren’t many people to compare with… Ah! You know Ryang, right?” “Ah, you mean Gang Ryang?” “Brother? Are you already calling him brother?” “It’s not like that… Anyway, he’s older than me.” “Well, whatever. Anyway, I’ve fought Ryang a few times. Seriously.” Muk-Bi shook her head. “I subdued Ryang in fifteen exchanges back then.” “…!!” “Isn’t it strange? In terms of martial arts level, especially in defensive aspects, you are above Ryang, but if you actually fought, you wouldn’t be able to beat Ryang.” “That is…?” “Father told you.” Yeon-Wi nodded. “Your sword, which has experienced real combat, has certainly become sharper than before. However, while your sword skills have become sharper, your nature is not properly utilizing that sharpness.” “My nature?” “The mindset to properly cut down your opponent.” Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s eyes wavered. “You cut down an enemy you didn’t even know for your brother. That is a natural action as a family member. However, it is also difficult to see that only shedding blood for someone is the right mindset for a swordsman.” Yeon-Wi’s face became serious. “The less blood shed, the better. But a swordsman must always have the mindset that they can cut down anyone if necessary. Do you know why?” “I, I don’t know.” “A sword is a weapon. It’s a tool for killing people. Attaching words like ‘righteous’ or ‘evil’ to it is just wordplay.” “…!!” “What’s important is who, what, and why you cut down. But even that can only be discussed if you can cut down in the first place.” Yeon-Wi pointed to Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s chest. “I hope that you won’t shed blood in the future. That’s a natural feeling as a parent who doesn’t want their child to go down a dangerous path. But if you’ve already shed blood, you shouldn’t hesitate anymore.” “…” “That is a swordsman. That is a warrior.” Yeon Ji-Pyeong was shocked as if struck by lightning. Just honing skills and deepening one’s level doesn’t make one a swordsman. A true swordsman must know the moment when they must draw their sword. And when that moment comes, they must not hesitate. In the spar with his father a little while ago, he had thoroughly shown his technical side. He didn’t even think about trying to cut down his father. And that would be the same no matter who he sparred with in the future. Yeon Ji-Pyeong was afraid of hurting people carelessly. “Ryang wasn’t like that. Although his martial arts were a step behind yours, he had a burning desire for victory and survival in his heart.” “…” “Anyone can improve their martial arts with effort. But that kind of tenacious drive and cold judgment cannot be obtained through effort.” Yeon-Wi nodded. “The decisiveness you can show when necessary. Now that you’ve experienced real combat, I hope you’ll do your best to become not Yeon Ji-Pyeong, the second son of the Yeon family, but a pure swordsman, Yeon Ji-Pyeong.” Yeon Ji-Pyeong lowered his head. “I will keep that in mind, Father.” He still didn’t know the true nature of that decisiveness and coldness. But now that he knew what the problem was, he would put great effort into correcting it. Even if the process was arduous and difficult, the difference between not trying and not being able to try was like heaven and earth. “Anyway.” Yeon-Wi put his hands behind his back and looked around. “Where did that Ho-Jeong go? Seeing that Bi-Ah is here, it doesn’t seem like she’s training the Annihilation Army.” Muk-Bi said in a blunt voice without realizing it. “I don’t know. She’s probably scheming some insidious plan to make someone’s head hurt again.” Yeon-Wi and Yeon Ji-Pyeong blinked and looked at her. Muk-Bi’s face was quite fierce, like crumpled paper.