Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 529

“Huck!”

Hwang Seok-tae shot up.

His body reacted before his mind. He knew that now was not the time to be lying down.

“You’re already up? You’re tough as nails.”

Startled, Hwang Seok-tae looked to his side.

There, Yeon Ho-jeong was cutting a fruit with a small knife and eating it.

“Judging by your condition, it seems you were training your killing intent technique. And all night long, too.”

“……”

“You trained like a madman. If you keep training so recklessly, you’ll be risking your life.”

Hwang Seok-tae said calmly.

“If you want to become stronger, you have to risk your life. Isn’t that right?”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

“That statement itself isn’t wrong. But you have to risk your life where it matters. It’s not bad to just throw yourself into training, but before you do something that risky, you need to think carefully and consider all the possibilities.”

“I…”

“You’re the commander of the Ironclad Cavalry, leading a thousand soldiers, aren’t you? If you fall, your subordinates will lose their way.”

Hwang Seok-tae looked at Yeon Ho-jeong without a word.

Yeon Ho-jeong shrugged.

“Are you envious of me?”

“What?”

“You want to be like my martial arts, don’t you?”

In an instant, Hwang Seok-tae’s face turned red.

Hearing those words, he remembered what he had said before collapsing. It was as if he had been possessed, words that had spilled out without him realizing it.

But he didn’t deny it. He was embarrassed, but it was the truth.

“We can pursue the same ideal. It’s just that you reached it first.”

It seemed his pride was still hurt. Hwang Seok-tae’s words sounded somewhat like an excuse.

Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

“Don’t be mistaken. My martial arts ideal is different from yours.”

“Different?”

“The spear techniques you saw are just a part of my martial arts.”

“……?!”

“I’m the kind of guy who would assassinate if necessary. I can even do espionage for my goals. But you’re not that kind of person.”

“……”

“Martial arts are just one of the means to achieve my goals. Of course, it’s one of the most important things in my life, but I’m not someone who would stake my life on martial arts alone.”

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes wavered.

It was the first time he had heard someone, a martial artist no less, say that they wouldn’t stake their life on martial arts. Regardless of their relationship, it must have taken a lot of thought to actually say those words.

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“In other words, you don’t need to catch up to my martial arts. You’re already strong enough. What’s important is to create your own martial path.”

“I don’t intend to catch up to you. It’s just that your spear techniques I saw back then resonated with my ideal.”

“Then it’ll be easier to talk.”

Yeon Ho-jeong got up from his seat.

“I’ve had the aide send a letter to the Mukryong Unit [a military unit].”

“What?”

“It’s three days from now. Use those three days to find your own martial path. We’ll be leaving no matter what on the morning of the fourth day.”

“Without even consulting me… !”

“Let’s not be so petty. I’m the one in charge of this mission anyway. You’re here to help me, aren’t you?”

Hwang Seok-tae sighed.

“I’ll have the Ironclad Cavalry train separately for three days. I’ll make sure it doesn’t disrupt the Ironclad Cavalry’s unique formation, so don’t worry too much. You should seek guidance from a special instructor.”

“Special instructor?”

Yeon Ho-jeong pointed outside with his thumb.

Hwang Seok-tae looked there.

‘……!!’

Beyond the window, Mok Won and Pae Yul were having a heated discussion. Pae Yul was mostly asking questions, and Mok Won was explaining.

“Senior Mok Won?!”

“That’s right.”

Hwang Seok-tae was flustered.

“But I…”

“Why? Do you have a separate master? Or is the Mukryong Unit forbidding you from learning martial arts from others?”

“…It’s not that, but…”

“Forget about useless relationships. What’s important now is how desperate you are.”

Yeon Ho-jeong turned around.

“The Ironclad Cavalry’s training will also be for three days. Keep that in mind.”

“……”

“I’m telling you clearly, don’t waste time with unnecessary worries. If it were me, I would go straight to that man and ask for his teachings.”

Yeon Ho-jeong opened the door.

At that moment, Hwang Seok-tae asked urgently.

“Can I reach it?”

“Hmm?”

“Even if I learn from Senior Mok Won, not you, do you think I can develop the martial path I want? Do you think I can reach it?”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“If you want to know how cold the winter wind is, you have to feel the scorching summer sun.”

“……”

“Whatever the teaching, it’s up to you to digest it and make it your own. Moreover, it’s the Hundred Battles Divine Army [a renowned military force]. If you think that the teachings of such a great figure don’t suit the martial path you’re pursuing, then your potential is only that much.”

Thud.

Yeon Ho-jeong closed the door and left.

Even though his words were strangely provocative, Hwang Seok-tae wasn’t angry. He knew that Yeon Ho-jeong’s words were sincere, truly meant for his own good.

‘Whatever I learn, it’s ultimately up to me to apply it…’

Shortly after, Hwang Seok-tae approached Mok Won and Pae Yul.

“Do you have some time?”

“Hmm.”

Mok Won looked at Pae Yul.

Pae Yul got up from his seat.

“Three days is tight. It’s about internalizing the senior’s corrections.”

He glanced at Hwang Seok-tae.

“It will be tight for the senior too.”

Pae Yul left those words and entered the forest.

Mok Won laughed heartily.

“That guy, he’s good at saying things he doesn’t mean.”

After laughing for a while, Mok Won looked at Hwang Seok-tae.

“I heard about it from Vice Commander Yeon.”

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“What is?”

Hwang Seok-tae said hesitantly.

“I respect you, senior, but I can’t be your disciple…”

“Look here, junior. I’m not going to teach you my sect’s martial arts, so why do you think of me as your master?”

“Huh?”

Mok Won laughed cheerfully and got up.

“Grab your spear and follow me. You’ll be so exhausted you’ll want to die for three days.”

From that day on, Yeon Ho-jeong trained the Ironclad Cavalry, Mok Won trained Hwang Seok-tae, and Pae Yul trained alone.

It was a strange connection. They were bound by a mission, but they were all martial artists at heart. That’s why this kind of training gathering was possible.

The Ironclad Cavalry poured sweat and blood to internalize the strategic tactics that Yeon Ho-jeong taught, and Pae Yul, after discovering an unexpected gap in Gwanil Gong’s techniques, was frantically pushing himself to correct his martial arts.

And Hwang Seok-tae was enduring training that required extreme mental strength to make the teachings of Mok Won, a powerhouse of Seongcheon [a region or organization], his own.

It was only three days, but it was enough time for each of them to build a solid foundation.

They were all taking another step forward. Everyone, without exception.

And ten days passed.

* * *

“Vice Chief. Special Envoy Yeon Ho-jeong and…”

“Let them in.”

Yang Cheon spoke before Baek Seo could even finish his sentence.

Yang Cheon had rarely shown such urgency. He also seemed excited.

A moment later.

Thud.

The doors of the main hall opened, and two people entered.

A dazzling light appeared on Yang Cheon’s face.

‘Finally.’

He was perfectly controlling himself, but even if he controlled his energy, he couldn’t suppress the presence that a person naturally possessed.

Even the great Yeon Ho-jeong felt like he was being buried by that intense presence. The energy read from the contained aura had dozens of different types.

One person was emitting dozens of different types of energy every moment.

It was a truly unique presence. It was as if he had a hundred weapons hidden inside his body, exuding a chilling coldness.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Mok Won, standing proudly in the middle of the red carpet, straightened his back.

He didn’t bow his head or bend his waist even when facing Yang Cheon, a powerhouse of Seongcheon and one of the Divine Kings.

He was so confident, and it was so natural. He was not affected at all by the terrifying presence that Yang Cheon was emitting.

“I am Mok Won, the Hundred Battles Divine Army. I greet the Vice Chief of the Mukryong Unit.”

Yang Cheon smiled.

“Welcome.”

There was quite an age difference, but it was customary to use honorifics when meeting for the first time.

However, Yang Cheon did not, and Mok Won didn’t seem to mind either. It was as if they were old friends who had known each other for a long time, even though they were meeting for the first time.

“I’ve heard of the Fighting King’s reputation for a long time, but you’re beyond my imagination.”

“Am I not bad?”

“You’re not just not bad. I knew it, but I still have a long way to go.”

“Haha, that’s excessive modesty. Your martial arts are truly powerful and unique. I would have to risk my life to compete with you.”

It was a terrifyingly high evaluation.

It was a statement that could only come from someone who was part of the Three Armies and was bound by the name of Seongcheon.

Mok Won clasped his hands respectfully.

“Before we talk, I thank you for saving my life.”

“My friend. When did I save your life? Your benefactor is right next to you.”

He was referring to Yeon Ho-jeong.

Mok Won nodded.

“Of course, Vice Commander Yeon is my benefactor. But it might have been difficult if it was just Vice Commander Yeon alone. It’s also thanks to the Ironclad Cavalry and the Vice Chief’s decisive decision to grant permission. I don’t know how to repay this favor.”

“Don’t you know?”

Yang Cheon continued with a subtle look on his face.

“You already know how to repay that favor. Don’t you?”

Mok Won smiled wryly.

“You said my real benefactor was Vice Commander Yeon, but now you’re suddenly telling me to repay the favor.”

“You said I was also your benefactor, didn’t you? That’s why. Let’s not worry about the small things, shall we?”

‘He’s a strange person.’

Mok Won thought. Yang Cheon was a much more approachable person than he had imagined.

The Fighting King Yang Cheon, as he was known, was the most ruthless person in the Central Plains. Why else would his title be Fighting King? Yang Cheon was a man famous for his terrifying martial arts that left no flesh on his opponents, using a mad fighting style.

But seeing him in person, he was very different from the rumors.

‘Perhaps he is the man from the rumors. But if he can hide that nature so well, it means his capacity is that great.’

Mok Won nodded.

“I’ve heard everything from Vice Commander Yeon. About the alliance with the Martial Alliance, and how the Alliance and the Unit have been fighting against the Three Teachings [a group or faction].”

“Oh, really?”

Yang Cheon’s eyes lit up.

“You came all the way here after hearing all that… I think it’s safe to consider you a comrade. Isn’t that right?”

As expected of Yang Cheon. He knew the weight of Yeon Ho-jeong’s words.

Mok Won clicked his tongue.

“A comrade… Well, you can call me whatever you want. As a result, I’ve also become someone who can’t coexist with the Three Teachings.”

“Hahaha.”

Yang Cheon, who had risen from his chair, strode down the steps and grabbed Mok Won’s hands.

“Thank you. Thank you so much. I will do my best to prove that your decision was the right one.”

Mok Won was inwardly flustered. He had not expected Yang Cheon to show such a human side.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong said.

“Don’t be fooled, senior. Our Vice Chief is a con artist with a thousand faces.”

“This guy.”

Yang Cheon grumbled at Yeon Ho-jeong in a friendly voice that he didn’t usually use.

“You shouldn’t say that in front of the person.”

“It’s not wrong, though.”

“You’re good at everything, but you always have to butt in when you shouldn’t.”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

“Anyway, you two must have a lot to talk about. I’ll go rest first.”

“Alright.”

“Then.”

“Vice Commander Yeon.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve really worked hard.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and turned around.

‘He’s overjoyed.’

He couldn’t remember the last time he had seen Yang Cheon smile so broadly.

“Well, then, shall I go meet the troublemakers?”