Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1038

“It’s been a while.”

“Indeed.”

Jeong-an and Yeon-sim’s appearances were quite rugged.

It wasn’t that their faces were dirty or their hair was disheveled. Their skin alone boasted the radiant beauty unique to women who had mastered inner energy [a form of internal power cultivation].

However, their clothes were very worn. There were clear signs of mending on the areas that had been cut and torn here and there. It seemed they had been living in the mountains.

“How is your heart?”

“My heart, you say.”

Yeon-sim smiled at Jeong-an’s question.

“I thought I would be confused, but I’m not.”

Her expression and eyes, which had always been full of confusion, looked soft and firm. It seemed like she wouldn’t even blink if a bolt of lightning struck from a clear sky.

Her character had become stronger even before her martial arts. It was an unparalleled growth as a person, not just as a martial artist.

“You’ve definitely become stronger.”

“Can you say the same for yourself?”

Yeon-sim’s face was filled with a renewed sense of admiration as she looked at Jeong-an.

“You’ve truly reached the end now.”

“Is that so surprising?”

“It is. You’re different from before you descended the mountain. It seems your true worth is revealed when you’re in the secular world.”

“Let’s stop flattering each other.”

They were two people from different factions within Botaam [a martial arts sect]. They were two people who had to point their swords at each other because of their predecessors’ lack of virtue.

They had left their master’s care, experienced the world, relied on each other when they were lost, and overcome trials through martial arts. This was the true nature of the Botaam sword practitioners who had produced sword queens in every generation.

“Shall we go in now?”

“Yes.”

Just as the two were about to enter the Mukryong Unit [a military unit or organization].

“……?!”

The two stopped almost simultaneously.

Woong!

The two’s gazes turned towards a distant hill due to a sharp and powerful energy.

Jeong-an asked.

“Shall we go together?”

“No, it’s okay. You have someone to see too.”

“That’s true, but we should at least greet the owner before going in.”

“Then let’s go together.”

Whoosh!

No sooner had the words left their mouths than the two disappeared from their spots.

There was no great energy wave or loud sound of tearing through the air.

Yet, they were fast. The two, who had crossed the wide plain in an instant, climbed the cliff with divine agility and reached the top of the hill.

There was Yang Cheon.

Baek Seo was standing behind Yang Cheon, but Yang Cheon’s presence was so overwhelming that Baek Seo was barely visible.

Jeong-an bowed briefly and stepped back a couple of paces.

“…….”

Yang Cheon and Yeon-sim stood facing each other.

Yang Cheon tilted his head.

“No greeting?”

Yeon-sim, who had been looking at him with a comfortable smile, drew her sword.

Shhhhk.

Yang Cheon’s eyes sparkled.

The sound of the blade being drawn from its scabbard.

There was not even the slightest tremor. The cold blade, exposed under the sun, cast not a single shadow.

A smile also appeared on Yang Cheon’s face.

Swoosh.

He placed his right hand behind his back and naturally raised his left hand to the middle stance.

Yeon-sim’s sword drew a circle from the lower left to the upper middle and then to the lower right. The sword, having drawn the circle, rose without interruption and continued into a middle stance.

Yang Cheon’s smiling face turned serious.

A subtle vibration emanated from the tip of Yeon-sim’s sword, which was aimed at the powerhouse of Seongcheon, the Fighting King [a title or nickname indicating great martial prowess].

Shortly after.

Fwaaaak!

The shaking sword blade instantly split into six huge sword bodies, pressuring Yang Cheon.

Yang Cheon’s left hand moved like lightning.

Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh!

He blew away five streams of sword energy, but the remaining one managed to reach Yang Cheon’s shoulder.

However, not even a piece of his clothing was cut, let alone his flesh. Even though it was pressing down with its sharp blade, it left no trace on the external object.

A strange smile appeared on Yang Cheon’s face.

“What kind of martial art is that?”

“It’s the Lotus Opening Six Paths Sword.”

“That’s quite a long name.”

“So, I call it the Lotus Six Swords.”

“It doesn’t look like any existing martial art?”

“Each martial artist’s nature and talent are different, so ultimately, their perspectives are different. Unlike Jeong-an, I couldn’t reach the end with just Botaam’s sword techniques. So, I created my own martial art.”

“Creating a martial art at that age, you’re really going too far.”

“It’s just my enlightenment, it’s not yet a martial art with a precise form and style.”

“It might be difficult to pass on, but it could be displayed as a unique masterpiece in your hands.”

“Of course.”

It was a confident remark.

Nevertheless, there was no arrogance at all. It just sounded like she was stating an obvious fact.

Yang Cheon’s smile deepened.

“You’re quite something. Your control of true energy is effortless. You even dared to put a sword to my body.”

Yeon-sim, who had sheathed her sword, bowed her head.

“I know that Vice Leader deliberately held back. I still feel many shortcomings.”

Of course. No matter how great Yeon-sim’s martial arts were, she would have difficulty touching even a hair on Yang Cheon with her level, which had not yet reached the pinnacle.

Yang Cheon was also confident that he would not suffer a fatal injury from Yeon-sim’s sword, and he simply wanted to see for himself how deep her level had become.

Furthermore, he believed that he could feel her true heart through her sword strike.

“You pass.”

Yang Cheon’s voice was particularly cheerful.

“When you suddenly left the unit saying you were going to train in the mountains, I thought that this lacking one had finally given up. You broke your promise and left abruptly, so I had given up all expectations for you.”

“Is that so?”

“You’ve grown so wonderfully in a time that could be considered long or short.”

Yeon-sim’s talent was originally so great that it could be discussed throughout the world.

Even her martial arts before she left were enough to be considered the head of a faction. Her skills were that great.

Comparing her skills then and now, it could be said that she had improved, but there was no significant difference. That was just in terms of martial arts.

However, her change as a martial artist was like the difference between heaven and earth. A martial artist does not become stronger just by the level of their martial arts. She, who had possessed the world’s treasure sword but whose heart was like a child who had just begun to wield a sword, had now returned as a confident swordswoman.

“I’m glad I passed. However…….”

“Hmm?”

“Just as I have wandered far and wide to finally find my place, it seems that Vice Leader has also undergone many changes.”

The corners of Yang Cheon’s mouth turned up.

“The brat can now see everything.”

It was a statement that frankly acknowledged his own change.

Yang Cheon, with his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky.

“Don’t call me Vice Leader anymore.”

“Yes?”

“I am the Supreme Elder of the Black Emperor Star [likely a powerful organization or faction]. I am no longer the Vice Leader of the Mukryong Unit.”

“……?”

“At the same time, I am also the Imperial Son-in-Law. Well, the person who was going to be my father-in-law has gone underground.”

It was a series of incomprehensible remarks. It was so for the two who had temporarily cut ties with the secular world due to their mountain training.

Yang Cheon smiled and turned his body.

“Follow me. The unit is in disarray right now, so let’s have a drink outside. We can also catch up on what’s been happening.”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

“And.”

Yang Cheon glanced at Jeong-an.

“You go into the unit. The person you’re looking for will be there.”

Jeong-an silently bowed her head and immediately jumped off the cliff.

Just as Yeon-sim had grown, Jeong-an had also greatly improved. Rather, her resolute nature was even greater than Yeon-sim’s. As a swordswoman, she had a much more suitable nature than Yeon-sim.

However, neither Yeon-sim nor Yang Cheon felt much emotion at her appearance. Those who accept reality and believe in themselves do not waver.

Thus, the three set off on their way.

“By the way, it’s been so long that I barely remember, but why are you following me around?”

“Actually, I’m not sure what the promise was that day, so I don’t really know what’s going on.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“I’m thinking of traveling around the world for a while. I could go alone, but since I said I would learn, I’ll be your sword for a while, Vice Leader.”

“To become my sword, you have to reach the pinnacle.”

“Wouldn’t I be able to do some errands?”

“You’re a cheeky one. Do you drink?”

“I have experience.”

“The first lesson in the secular world should start with the way of drinking.”

* * *

‘Different.’

The gatekeepers guarding the entrance of the Mukryong Unit easily let her in. It seemed they had been given prior notice.

Jeong-an, who had easily entered the unit, immediately sensed that the atmosphere of the Mukryong Unit was greatly different from before.

‘It’s chaotic, but… it’s not clumsy.’

The Mukryong Unit was not like this before.

It was cold, strict, dark, and intense. Like its name, it was like a crouching dragon glaring at the ground. It felt like it was fully prepared to go out into the world and unleash its ferocious power at any time.

But now?

‘It’s not clear, but it’s bright and hot. It’s like they’re moving towards a new world… but the intensity of the past is gone.’

Jeong-an asked one of the warriors who were busily moving through the cave about Yeon Ho-jeong’s residence.

The warrior turned pale and answered politely.

Just mentioning Yeon Ho-jeong’s name made them lower themselves. At least in Jeong-an’s memory, the warriors of the Mukryong Unit never acted like this.

‘But it doesn’t seem like they’ve become weaker.’

Jeong-an suppressed her presence and headed towards Yeon Ho-jeong’s residence.

The Mukryong Unit was still vast. Even for her, who was a fast walker, it took quite some time to pass through several caves. Every time she passed a cave, a wide plaza that was so large that it made her jaw drop confused her vision.

Familiar yet unfamiliar sights.

As she kept looking around, she suddenly felt a sharp energy stirring.

‘……?!’

Jeong-an turned her head.

“Huh?”

Even though hundreds of people were busily moving around the plaza, there was a young man sitting alone leaning against a wall, with his arms crossed and his eyes closed.

His stillness was even greater than Jeong-an’s. He was like a well-honed sword, but also like a cloud, so he didn’t feel like a swordsman at all.

What was surprising was the depth of his presence.

It was like watching seawater pouring into a huge hole. His presence, which boasted a generous depth while absorbing the immeasurable water of the ocean, was familiar yet extremely unfamiliar to Jeong-an, just like this Mukryong Unit.

“Hmm?”

The young man, feeling her gaze, opened his eyes.

“Oh?”

Joy appeared on the young man, Gang Ryang’s face.

“It’s been a while? I’m glad, I’m glad.”

What kind of lightness was this?

The familiarity felt in his tone was considerable. Jeong-an was flustered and bowed her head.

“It’s been a while, Sword Master Gang.”

“Oh my, you’ve become stronger while I haven’t seen you. I thought I could handle a sword now, but if we fought, I’d be lucky if I didn’t get beaten up.”

It was a much richer expression of emotion than before.

Gang Ryang was not like this before. Of course, he had a foolish side before, but there was a sharp edge to him, just like the sword techniques he used.

Now?

“You’re too kind. I’m the one who can’t help but be amazed. I thought I had improved a lot, but Sword Master Gang’s martial prowess is dazzling.”

“Haha, you won’t know until we clash. There’s no need to flatter me like that.”

Before Jeong-an could answer, Gang Ryang continued.

“Did you come to see my brother?”

“Yes? Ah, that’s right.”

“I don’t know how you ended up coming now, but let’s go for now. I’ll guide you. Let’s talk about the past later when we meet.”

Thus, Jeong-an was led away by Gang Ryang’s hand as if she were possessed.

The Mukryong Unit, Gang Ryang, and everyone in it had changed.

Then what about Yeon Ho-jeong?