Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1040

“We’re here.”

Although most of the space in the massive underground cave looked similar, the areas where the leadership resided had a distinctly antique feel.

Numerous artisans had carved stone walls and erected statues, creating a sight that would have drawn gasps of admiration from anyone who saw it above ground.

Among these, Yeon Ho-jeong’s residence was marked by a corridor wall with three enormous dragons engraved on it.

“They must have read your prayer, so they’ll be here soon. Please wait a moment.”

“What about Gang Ryang?”

“I’ll just do what I always do.”

“Meditation?”

“Half meditation, half research. I’m adjusting a newly created martial art, but it’s proving quite difficult.”

Jeong-an couldn’t ask what it was. Gang Ryang had said his piece and turned his back.

“Let’s have a big match later when you have time. I’ll go first then.”

“Ah, yes. See you later.”

Considering their past relationship, one might expect him to ask how she had been or why she had come, but Gang Ryang didn’t. He seemed completely immersed in his own world.

After Gang Ryang disappeared.

‘Three-Headed Dragon.’

The dragons engraved on the corridor wall seemed like three separate entities at first glance, but upon closer inspection, the part mistaken for a body was actually a neck, and the corridor itself served as the body.

‘I remember. This place is…’

The residence of the next head of the Mukryong Unit [a special military unit]. Having spent a considerable amount of time in the Mukryong Unit, she quickly recalled it.

Jeong-an was confused.

‘The Mukryong Unit’s successor? The eldest son of the Yeon family?’

A successor meant the next Deputy Chief.

She was incredibly curious about what had happened while she was training in the mountains.

‘No, it doesn’t matter.’

Although curious, her view of Yeon Ho-jeong wouldn’t change no matter how the situation unfolded.

Yeon Ho-jeong was her benefactor. And repaying that kindness was a natural duty as a person.

Yeon-sim had descended the mountain for a promise, and she had descended to repay a debt. She planned to make Botaam [a martial arts sect] worthy of its name when they met again, but there were things she had to do before that.

How much time had passed?

Whoosh.

Jeong-an’s eyes fluttered.

A gust of hot wind seemed to blow, followed by a rush of cold air.

Whoooosh.

Although the cave was lit by night-shining jewels, the wind blowing from the open stone corridor seemed to push back even the light.

The wind seemed almost visible. It was that shocking of a presence.

Thud, thud.

A crisp yet profound gait.

‘This can’t be.’

A master could deduce a person’s physique, weight, and the type of footwork they had trained in just from their footsteps.

But these footsteps revealed nothing. She could only tell that the owner of the footsteps was a man. Nothing else. No other information was given.

It wasn’t that Jeong-an’s insight was lacking. It was because the owner of the footsteps had reached a different dimension of mastery.

‘To this extent…!’

Swoosh.

As natural and refreshing as the wind that blew.

Jeong-an’s gaze gradually moved upwards as she faced the man who had appeared.

‘……!!’

Horror washed over Jeong-an’s face.

The already high cave ceiling seemed even higher. And the man’s height and build also seemed to reach the ceiling.

It was an overwhelming presence.

Yeon-sim had mastered one of Botaam’s three great divine arts and had combined all the other sword techniques to create her own new sword style.

Jeong-an was different. She had only mastered one supreme sword technique, the Myriad Flower Still Sword Art, but she had focused more on the manifestation of true energy, energy accumulation, and explosive power, having mastered all three divine arts.

Thanks to this, she was particularly sensitive to energy and could see what even masters of equal skill could not. This was sometimes a great help, but it also had the disadvantage of making the invisible visible and the inaudible audible.

This was one such case.

‘He’s huge!’

As big as a mountain and as vast as the sea.

He exuded a terrifying aura, as if a primordial giant had descended upon the earth. It wasn’t that he was emitting energy waves; it was just the presence of the man himself that made her feel as if she were facing a demigod, causing her legs to tremble.

‘Such a presence…!’

It was different from Yang Cheon. Because it was different, she couldn’t argue about superiority. In the first place, her insight, not having reached the Supreme Extremity [the highest level of martial arts], made it impossible to gauge the strength of those who had.

But one thing was certain.

At least in her eyes, this giant’s martial arts were in no way inferior to the legendary Tyrant King Yang Cheon, revered in the Black Path [a term for the underworld or criminal organizations].

Yang Cheon’s dignity, having ruled over many people, seemed heavier, but the strength that seemed capable of burning even the sky seemed to be greater in the giant.

Just as Jeong-an’s eyes began to blur.

“It’s been a while.”

“H-huh!”

Startled, Jeong-an looked at the man.

The giant’s shadow, which had seemed like an illusion, had disappeared, and her benefactor stood there smiling with his hands behind his back.

“I heard about you a few times through the Black Path informants. That you left with Yeon-sim for mountain training.”

“Ah…”

“I wondered if it was really necessary. Even back then, your martial arts were not inferior to Muk Bi’s. I thought it would be enough to develop by experiencing the world and overcoming dangers.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s smile deepened.

“But I was wrong. Your presence, having trained martial arts for a long time with someone who could be considered a rival, and having reached a level that you could no longer reach, is truly impressive. I would have had a hard time believing it if I hadn’t seen it myself.”

Jeong-an’s eyes wavered.

Yeon Ho-jeong praised her in a tone full of emotion. He had joked once in a while in the past, but back then, Yeon Ho-jeong’s presence was so intense and sharp that it was difficult to approach him carelessly.

It was different now.

Even though he had reached a different dimension of mastery, he was much easier to approach. There were so many openings that it seemed like she could easily land a blow if she drew her sword and attacked right away.

That’s why it was even more frightening.

The lightning that had danced across the pouring rain had transformed into something as fluffy as clouds and as free as the wind.

The change in her benefactor’s emotions, presence, and mastery was beyond description.

Jeong-an lowered her head.

“It’s been a long time.”

“Yes.”

“I should have at least given you a heads-up before leaving, but I couldn’t. I’m sorry…”

“There’s no need to apologize. I’ve done that many times myself. And to be honest, you’re not a child, so why would you need to give such a detailed greeting?”

“Still, there are such things as manners.”

“In the flow of the world, warriors who step onto the stage of the martial world appear like lightning and disappear like the wind.”

Yeon Ho-jeong released his hands from behind his back.

“Decisively, I was so busy back then that I wasn’t in a position to feel any disappointment.”

Only then did a smile appear on Jeong-an’s face.

“You seem very different from before, but after talking for a few words, it seems like nothing has changed.”

“People don’t change easily.”

“But this presence is truly amazing. I thought I had also developed a lot, but you’ve flown to a completely different dimension.”

“I’ve experienced too many things that would have cost me my life if I hadn’t flown to a different dimension.”

“You’ve developed by experiencing the world.”

“I have.”

“That would have been impossible for me back then.”

“It would have been possible. It’s just a difference in how much you develop and what you awaken to.”

“I think I’m ready now.”

“Yes, it seems so.”

Although she was momentarily stunned by Yeon Ho-jeong’s overwhelming presence, Jeong-an’s gaze and presence were truly those of a top-tier swordsman.

She was at a level close to the limit even among the transcendent. At this level, she was above the level of the leaders of the Nine Great Sects. Before reaching the Supreme Extremity, her martial power was almost the same as that of Gong Gong.

Botaam was said to be a mysterious sect where all the heroines of the world gathered, and indeed, her talent was terrifying. She was in no way inferior to Muk Bi, Gang Ryang, or Jin Yang.

“I’ve just been picking mountain herbs, training, and lazing around, so I don’t have much to say about how I’ve been. But the world is not like that.”

“Yes. It has undergone many changes.”

“Could you tell me? What has happened in the meantime, and how I can help?”

“You’re going to help me?”

“I wouldn’t have come all this way if that wasn’t the case.”

“Since you’re so willing to help, there’s no need to push you away.”

Yeon Ho-jeong pointed with his chin towards the corridor.

“Let’s go inside.”

* * *

Clang!

The brilliantly scattered sparks vanished in an instant.

“Impressive.”

Admiration filled the face of Hwang Seok-tae, the leader of the Dragon Tooth Iron Cavalry.

“You were amazing back then, but you’re different now. It feels like you’ve completely hit your stride.”

“I’m lacking.”

Jin Yang said, putting away his greatsword.

“I’m lacking and lacking. I’m still far, far away.”

“If you say that in front of others, you’ll get cursed at.”

“It’s just that we’re looking at different places.”

Hwang Seok-tae’s expression became strange.

Jin Yang, who had been quite easygoing, if not exactly lively, now had a face full of seriousness and solemnity.

‘Was he always like this?’

Jin Yang, who had returned to the Mukryong Unit, seemed like a completely different person.

Hwang Seok-tae asked honestly.

“What made you change so much?”

“Nothing has changed. I’ve just seen the path I need to take.”

“The path?”

“I’m talking about war.”

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes flashed.

Jin Yang sighed and looked up at the sky.

“I don’t know how I got involved with such a ruthless person. I thought I could live a life of luxury with my current skills, but he scared me by saying I’d get killed if I had such a complacent thought. What else can I do but work my ass off day and night?”

“I see.”

“At least to dance with swords under that man, I can’t be satisfied with this level. At the very least… I have to reach ‘that realm’.”

That realm.

The ultimate level that only a select few strong individuals can reach.

Jin Yang’s eyes, having awakened to his own heart and begun to see the world, were now directed towards the ultimate level that others had long since given up on as impossible.

Hwang Seok-tae, who had been quietly watching Jin Yang, smiled and said.

“The disciples of the Hwaung Sect [a martial arts sect] are well-trained. They’ve all become top-notch, so their development speed is much faster than the Iron Cavalry’s spearmen.”

“That’s a relief. And I’m sorry for making you take over their training.”

“We’re all family, so what does it matter? If you say that, I won’t have the face to meet the next Deputy Chief.”

Jin Yang scratched his cheek. He felt awkward for no reason and had nothing to say, but he asked casually.

“By the way, how is that guy? Is he still training?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about my sworn brother who went into seclusion.”

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes widened.

“Didn’t you know? Seo Jeong-gwang, that man, has already come out.”

“……?!”

Jin Yang’s eyes widened.

“H-he came out?”

“I thought you knew. He broke his seclusion a few days ago and is now controlling his inner energy.”

“This is crazy… He came out and didn’t say anything and was just doing his own thing? Where is he?”

“That place is… um?”

Hwang Seok-tae turned his head towards the forest on the right.

“I don’t think you need to go. He’s coming from that direction.”

Jin Yang followed Hwang Seok-tae’s gaze.

From the forest far away.

A familiar yet terribly unfamiliar presence was approaching.

“Jeong-gwang!”