Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 438

“How is it? Quite different from the temple, isn’t it?”

“…….”

“The land is vast. The Central Plains have different cultures, customs, and weather in each region. It’s hot and humid here, but if you go north, there are many dry areas, and even some cool places in the summer.”

The middle-aged woman, explaining with a benevolent voice, had a strange yearning in her eyes.

The feeling conveyed by her voice and the red glow in her eyes were completely different. Her voice alone made her sound like a celestial bodhisattva, but her yearning gaze seemed far from peaceful.

“To practice and seek enlightenment is more important than anything else. But look at the world. In this vast land, people so different from us are living their lives passionately, burning brightly every day.”

“…….”

“Therefore, there are many forms of good that we have not considered, and even more unimaginable evils. While one’s own enlightenment is important, the sword wielded for the sake of the world is no less valuable.”

The middle-aged woman looked to her side.

There stood a young woman wearing the same clothes and bamboo hat as herself.

“The wisdom sword is not only within oneself. It is also important to look at the world, find unwavering wisdom within it, and cut off the suffering of all people.”

“…….”

“Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Only then did the young woman open her mouth.

“I don’t understand very well.”

“You don’t understand?”

Once the woman’s mouth opened, words flowed out like a torrent.

“To see the evil of the world, to add a little weight to the good that has been lightened by the determination to cut down evil. To inform the world with that one act of chivalry, and to move closer to enlightenment, isn’t that the spirit of Bodhi [a concept in Buddhism referring to enlightenment or awakening]?”

“It is a tradition that has guaranteed the history of this temple for hundreds of years, and it is also one of many wise perspectives.”

“Yes, that’s right. That is Bodhi.”

“It ‘was’ Bodhi. I’m not saying to deny the past. The past was right in its own way. However, it is not right for those with power not to benefit the world, to live only for themselves even when they clearly know that the weak are suffering.”

“Is that so?”

“Again, I’m not denying Bodhi’s past. It was right then. But when times change, values also change. We had to know that.”

There are also values that do not change even when times change.

The woman wanted to say that to her teacher.

‘Those with power cannot be free from responsibility? Yes, I was always tormented by that. But, Master and Teacher, did you really come to the Central Plains to punish the evil of the world?’

She didn’t know. Jeong-an really had a hard time understanding the words and actions of the adults. To be precise, she didn’t want to acknowledge their change.

To Jeong-an, her master and teacher were wiser and kinder than anyone else.

Not only that, although they were from different branches, both branches had engaged in a competition that was not a competition, and had devoted their lives to the constant elimination of suffering through self-cultivation.

It wasn’t because they were strong in martial arts that she respected them. Jeong-an truly thought that the adults of Bodhi deserved respect. That’s why she served them, followed them, and acted accordingly.

But now?

“Even if we realize the time of change, I think we need to proceed more carefully. Rapid change always reveals flaws.”

“There is a child drowning in front of you. But the temple’s rules are strict, so you turn away and ignore the child. Do you think this is the right thing to do?”

“I don’t think that’s an appropriate analogy.”

“It’s the same in the end. Whether small or large, our Bodhi has turned a blind eye to the good suffering from evil.”

The middle-aged woman, Hwa-un, continued in a regretful tone.

“I also want to say that the past actions and history of the main temple were right. You don’t know how much suffering I had to endure to admit that mistake. You, who have forgotten the world to challenge for the position of the next Sword Queen, will find it difficult to understand our pain and suffering.”

This was it.

It was in these kinds of moments that she said the adults of Bodhi had changed.

The adults did not ignore or reject others because they were young or had shallow learning. They did not force their own beliefs as the only truth, or insist that their words were ultimately right.

Rather, they said that there was more to learn from the pure perspective of a child, and they encouraged and cherished us, telling us to look at ourselves rather than at them.

Even if their true intentions were different, how could those who were so careful even in their words have changed so much?

Jeong-an sighed.

“I really don’t understand.”

“If you don’t understand, leave it as it is. You just need to train day and night to become a divine sword worthy of the position of Sword Queen, just like you did in the past.”

Hwa-un’s eyes sparkled once again.

It was a worldly glint of deep desire that should not be seen in the eyes of someone who follows the Buddhist law.

“We will take care of the rest. We will endure all the pain, so you must not be pushed back by the competitors from other branches.”

“…….”

“Do you understand?”

Jeong-an did not answer. No matter how much she was her teacher, she didn’t want to lie.

Seeing Jeong-an like that, Hwa-un sighed.

“You will understand too. Someday.”

“…….”

“Let’s go.”

Thus, the two walked in silence.

How much time had passed?

“Have you arrived?”

Ga Deuk-sang bowed his head briefly.

Hwa-un’s expression slightly hardened. There was a difference in age and status between herself and Ga Deuk-sang. Ga Deuk-sang was the successor of the Beggars’ Sect, but she was an active elder leading the Bodhi Hermitage.

Even if customs differed from region to region, wasn’t this somewhat problematic?

‘No, that’s not it.’

Hwa-un shook her head inwardly.

The one who was in a position of need was on her side. Her branch had sent her here to receive help from the Martial Alliance. Moreover, the other party was the de facto leader of the Martial Alliance’s Information Corps.

There was no need to worry about greetings. Hwa-un responded with a benevolent voice.

“Is this the place?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Good. Please guide us.”

“Understood. Ah, and who is this?”

Hwa-un looked at Jeong-an.

Jeong-an bowed her head.

“I am Jeong-an of the Bodhi Hermitage.”

It was quite a stiff greeting. In some ways, it seemed rude, and in other ways, it seemed like she didn’t know the ways of the world.

Hwa-un spoke in a scolding tone.

“He is the successor of the Number One Sect in the world, the Ten Thousand Beggars’ Sect, and an advisor to the Martial Alliance’s Information Corps. Greet him again.”

Despite the scolding tone, what was the subtle satisfaction that was veiled in her voice?

Ga Deuk-sang waved his hand.

“It’s alright. What’s in a greeting? You don’t need to bow so low to a beggar.”

“Still…….”

“Even if he’s the successor of a beggar sect, he’s still a beggar in the end. Beggars don’t know manners or anything else. Don’t worry about it and let’s go inside.”

“If you say so… I understand.”

Hwa-un bowed her head and entered the manor with Jeong-an.

Ga Deuk-sang’s eyes narrowed as he watched the two people walking away.

“…Puh! There are so many geniuses in the world. It’s like every other person is a genius or a monster? Geez, I can’t even walk around with my chest puffed out anywhere.”

Ga Deuk-sang, who had been grumbling, quickly disappeared from the spot.

In a world full of geniuses and monsters, Ga Deuk-sang himself was also constantly developing over time.

* * *

The two people who had entered the manor stopped in their tracks at the sudden gust of cool wind that blew in.

Whoooosh!

The heavy wind froze the humid air of Guangdong.

Hwa-un and Jeong-an’s eyes lit up at the same time.

Whooosh! Whooosh!

A huge axe created afterimages as it cut through the air.

The one wielding the axe did not move dynamically, but the axe he swung casually emitted a terrifying dynamism.

Moreover, it was not with both hands, but with one hand. With his other hand behind his back, he was swinging an axe as big as a person’s torso as lightly as if it were a whip.

And that swing gradually accelerated.

Whooosh! Whoooosh! Whoooosh!

The sound of the Mad Dragon Axe tearing through the air was truly eerie.

It moved so fast that not only the axe but even the arm swinging it was blurry. From a distance, it was so fast that one might mistake it for a severed arm.

‘Gasp!’

Jeong-an’s face was filled with astonishment.

‘This can’t be!’

Whoooosh!

The powerful wind emanating from the axe did not harm people or external objects. It shook the air the moment it was released and then disappeared.

However, the sheer weight of the impact created a fierce gale.

And the density of the remaining qi [life force or energy] in that gale, the traces of the explosive force, shocked Jeong-an.

‘It’s not just the power, but the unimaginable qi that is being controlled in every single movement. If I were to simply block that attack, my sword would break immediately and my body would be shattered.’

Trickle.

Cold sweat ran down Jeong-an’s neck.

It wasn’t sweat from the heat.

‘Incredible… Not only is he wielding such a huge weapon like a fast sword, but he’s also releasing such complex explosive force techniques in that instant. And every single moment!’

Jeong-an was greatly shocked.

In her eyes, she could not see the age or appearance of the young man wielding the axe. She was simply mesmerized by the power of the axe, the softness within that power, and the unimaginable explosive force techniques within that soft flow.

How much time had passed?

Clang!

It didn’t stop gradually, but stopped suddenly at a certain moment. The sudden stop caused the air to explode, creating a tremendous roar.

“As expected, it seems it’s still not working.”

The calm voice that flowed out shook Jeong-an’s head.

“It’s incredibly lacking. The form is plausible, but the qi is still chasing the movement. The will must lead the qi, and the qi must lead the form, but since I have not reached the ultimate of martial arts, my will and internal energy are losing their way and disappearing with a scream.”

Yeon Ho-jeong turned his head and looked at Jeong-an.

He didn’t even look at Hwa-un. His eyes were fixed only on Jeong-an, on her.

“Don’t you think so?”

“……?!”

“Or do I seem even more lacking than I thought?”

Jeong-an opened her mouth as if possessed.

“Far from lacking, it seems excessively overflowing.”

“Is that so?”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled bitterly.

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Why is that?”

“I was hoping that there would be someone stronger than me among the two of you. Also, I was hoping that both of you would be passionate people who could purely look at martial arts before today’s conversation. But…”

Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at Hwa-un.

“No matter how I look at it, both of your swords seem to fall short of my axe, and one of you is even bound by the mundane and desires, not martial arts and enlightenment.”

“……!!”

“In any case, I have been rude from the first meeting. I apologize.”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had put away the Mad Dragon Axe, took a respectful bow.

“I am Yeon Ho-jeong, the commander of the Martial Alliance’s Yugun Unit. I greet the honored guests from the Bodhi Hermitage. Let’s go inside…”

At that moment, Jeong-an took a step forward and said.

“Shall we test it?”

“Hmm?”

“Shall we see if my sword has reached your axe or not?”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Hwa-un.

Hwa-un’s face was noticeably stiff. She was displeased with her disciple for being so engrossed in martial arts that she had acted without even asking for her opinion.

The corners of Yeon Ho-jeong’s mouth went up.

Just by looking at their eyes, words, and energy, he could tell what kind of relationship they had.

“Then, how about we lightly exchange blows, thinking of it as an appetizer to enrich our conversation?”

“Okay.”

Whoosh!

Jeong-an rushed towards Yeon Ho-jeong without looking back.