Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 102

“Heh heh, you’ve arrived?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed respectfully.

“I greet you, Elder. I am Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

“Enough with the formalities.”

Pyeon Il-Gang was as he always was.

Although it was only the second time they had met, his unique generous aura and kind eyes were memorable. Perhaps that was why, even though it had been quite a while, he felt as familiar and comfortable as if they had met yesterday.

“But who is this young lady beside you? Could she be someone you’ve promised your future to?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face crumpled like a dented brass bowl.

‘Why do they keep misunderstanding? Is this fun for them?’

“No, she’s just a friend.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Muk Bi stepped forward and bowed her head.

“I am Muk Bi. It’s nice to meet you.”

Pyeon Il-Gang smiled.

“She seems like a very gentle young lady. It’s nice to meet you too. Just call me Old Man Pyeon.”

“Ah, yes.”

“But….”

Pyeon Il-Gang’s eyes twinkled.

“Oh my, how unique?”

“Yes?”

“I’ve met countless martial artists, but it’s been a long time since I’ve seen an archer as well-honed as you.”

Surprise flickered across Muk Bi’s face.

She had left her bow and quiver behind. She hadn’t even shown any signs of having trained in martial arts. Yet, Pyeon Il-Gang had recognized her main weapon at a glance.

‘He’s amazing.’

He was no ordinary old man. The inner energy he exuded was minimal, but the eyes of an old man who had spent his life working with iron and fire were as sharp as any master.

“But what brings you here?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong handed over the axe he had been carrying on his shoulder.

“It ended up like this.”

“Hmm?”

Pyeon Il-Gang examined the axe blade and handle.

His face showed surprise.

“Huh! Has this great axe already been damaged like this?”

“I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize. It’s natural for weapons to get damaged and broken with use. However, this great axe isn’t just a heavy weapon. It was made with good iron, by a skilled craftsman who poured his heart into it.”

Pyeon Il-Gang clicked his tongue.

“I may be out of touch with the world, but I’ve been hearing your name quite often lately. I heard you had a big fight against the Guju Myungga [Nine Clans Alliance]?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“You’ve heard?”

“The Guju Myungga was known as the best martial arts family in the world before they were branded as public enemies. They must have had many amazing masters. But even if you clashed with such masters, it shouldn’t have been damaged this badly.”

Pyeon Il-Gang nodded.

“It seems your inner energy is quite rough.”

The more he looked, the more extraordinary he seemed.

A good craftsman is a martial artist’s friend, but even a craftsman who has reached a high level doesn’t know much about martial artists. There is knowledge that only martial artists possess.

But Pyeon Il-Gang was different. He could look at the marks on the weapon and instantly deduce the user’s inner energy characteristics.

‘He’s incredible.’

Vast knowledge, extreme insight, and a thorough craftsman’s spirit.

He was a true craftsman who had honed everything to the extreme. He could see why his father called him a divine craftsman.

“A wielder of rough inner energy who could damage an eighty-geun [approximately 48 kg] heavy weapon like this….”

Pyeon Il-Gang pondered for a moment before nodding.

“Alright. I’ll make a magnificent axe for you.”

In fact, this great axe was something Pyeon Il-Gang had modified from an existing one.

It was already a well-made weapon, worthy of being called a treasure. But it was somewhat weak for Yeon Ho-Jeong to use. Pyeon Il-Gang intended to make a new weapon on this occasion.

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head.

“Thank you. Then, how long will it take?”

Pyeon Il-Gang chuckled.

“Are you planning to go out into the world again?”

“Yes, I am.”

“A famous martial artist will not only receive praise from everyone but also attract enemies seeking fame. You must receive it before you leave, right?”

“That would be ideal.”

“Are you in a hurry?”

“I thought I was in a hurry, but I’ve found something else to do. The sooner, the better, but I don’t want to be impatient.”

“That’s a good mindset. I’ll make a weapon that suits you perfectly. It’ll take about two months.”

Two months.

It was a long time, yet also short. However, if a craftsman of Pyeon Il-Gang’s caliber was going to spend two months on it, it wouldn’t be an ordinary item.

Yeon Ho-Jeong patted Muk Bi’s shoulder.

“And do you happen to have a horn bow that would suit her?”

“A horn bow?”

“Yes. The stronger the draw weight, the better. Her archery is powerful.”

Pyeon Il-Gang shook his head.

“I do have bows, but I don’t think there’s one that this young lady could use.”

“Is that so?”

“But I’ll ask around. I’ll try to get one by the time the axe is finished.”

Muk Bi bowed deeply.

“Thank you, grandfather.”

“Hehehe.”

‘Grandfather?’

She called him grandfather, not divine craftsman. Everyone else was wary of him, but this young lady didn’t seem to be. The friendly title made him feel good for no reason.

“Is there anything else you’d like to order?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up.

“I’d like a ring at the end of the axe handle.”

“A ring?”

“Yes, if it doesn’t interfere with the center of gravity….”

“That’s not a big problem, but is there a specific reason for it?”

“I’m thinking of attaching a chain.”

Pyeon Il-Gang’s eyes widened.

“A chain? To the end of a heavy axe?”

“Yes.”

“……Heh heh, I can’t even imagine what kind of martial arts you use.”

“I’m just an unconventional guy.”

“So, you can handle a chain as well.”

“Yes, I can.”

“A chain… a chain. A steel rope that can withstand the inner energy that can damage an eighty-geun heavy weapon….”

Pyeon Il-Gang’s face showed interest.

“I understand. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll send someone when it’s almost finished. I’ll be busy from today.”

The two left Pyeon Il-Gang’s smithy and walked down the street.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked.

“How is it? Our house.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“I’m asking if it’s livable.”

“Ah, yes. It’s good. But it’s a bit….”

“Is someone bothering you?”

Muk Bi shook her head so hard her neck might break.

“Absolutely, absolutely not. Everyone is very kind to me.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“It’s just… the servants do all the work for me….”

Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t help but laugh.

‘Servants? What a great way to call them.’

“They’re not slaves. They’re people who get paid to work. It’s their job.”

“Still….”

“Of course, I do most of my own work. But I think it’s not bad for you to find something you can focus on while they do their jobs.”

“Something to focus on….”

Muk Bi’s eyes twinkled.

“Martial arts, then.”

“Something like that.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said seriously.

“I haven’t seen your skills firsthand yet. But I know one thing. Your martial arts are still far from complete.”

Muk Bi admitted it plainly.

“Very, very far.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong remembered Muk Bi’s appearance when she had completed her martial arts during the Black Demon era.

Absolute archery that reached divine skill. An invincible marksmanship that annihilated everything in sight, and hand-to-hand combat in close quarters that rivaled the Five Great Generals, a fantastic martial art without a single weakness.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes brightened.

“If that’s the case, why don’t you join me during my training?”

“Is that okay?”

“It’s a good thing if we can fill each other’s shortcomings.”

Muk Bi flinched.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Um….”

“What’s with that awkward look?”

Muk Bi stammered.

“I… I mean, I don’t have any intention of forming a family with Young Master Yeon….”

It was absurd. Now even Muk Bi was doing this.

“Are you kidding me? Are you crazy? When did I ever say I wanted to marry you!”

“If it’s not that, then why are you getting angry?”

“Ah, my blood pressure.”

“And, from what I’ve heard….”

“From what you’ve heard, what!”

Muk Bi mumbled.

“It seems I’m older than you.”

“So what?”

“……Just saying.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong snorted.

“Drop it if you want. Who cares?”

“How can anyone drop it when you’re glaring at me like you want to kill me?”

“When did I glare at you? My eyes are just like this.”

“I don’t think you need to have axe eyes just because you use an axe.”

“Were you always this talkative?”

“I didn’t have many chances to talk.”

“You have plenty of chances to wash, so wash often.”

“Oh, please!”

The two, bickering as they entered the family estate, didn’t look like lovers, but they did look like friends.

* * *

“Patriarch.”

“Hmm.”

“It seems we need to expand.”

Yeon-Wi looked at Lee Baek-Hyun with cold eyes.

Lee Baek-Hyun swallowed nervously, but then straightened his chest with confidence.

“The branch families in Gangso [Jiangsu] are almost at full capacity. If we continue like this, we won’t be able to handle the flood of goods.”

“Gangso Province is vast. There’s no need for the main family to monopolize the trade business. It’s not just about me living well, but everyone living well. Coexistence is the shortcut to peace.”

“I agree with your words, Patriarch. But please look at this document. There are already disputes breaking out here and there.”

“…….”

“It’s good for everyone to live together. But to do that, we need coordination and fair distribution. You don’t need to coordinate this, Patriarch, but the main family is responsible for 70% of the trade business in Gangso Province, isn’t it?”

“Hmm.”

“They are a rough bunch. Especially in Jeolgang [Zhejiang], there isn’t even a representative sect to mediate. I think it would be better to extend our reach there and get involved in the entire East Sea trade business.”

After pondering for a while, Yeon-Wi nodded.

“Your words are reasonable.”

“Thank you.”

“But it seems we need to have a thorough discussion about this. The more urgent it is, the more we should take our time.”

Lee Baek-Hyun nodded with an uncharacteristically serious face.

“I think so too. If we rush into things without thinking, that’s a problem in itself.”

Yeon-Wi nodded.

“Call Ho-Jeong.”

Lee Baek-Hyun smiled.

When something important came up, he called his eldest son. That meant he acknowledged Yeon Ho-Jeong’s abilities.

The trust between father and son was a good sight.

“Understood.”

Soon after, Yeon Ho-Jeong entered. He was soaked in sweat, so it seemed he had been training.

“Did you call for me?”

“Sit here.”

“Yes.”

Yeon-Wi explained the situation to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“……So, there’s a proposal to expand the main family’s business to Jeolgang. To be precise, it’s a preliminary step for coexistence.”

“Oh ho.”

“What do you think?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes twinkled.

‘Jeolgang.’

If they could expand their business to Jeolgang, they could secure more funds. In case of emergency, they could use it as military funds.

Of course, that was something they would only know when the time came.

“Father.”

“Yes.”

“As you know, there is a branch of the Moyong Family in Jeolgang. They are making a lot of money through maritime trade.”

Yeon-Wi’s eyes turned cold.

He hadn’t forgotten that the Moyong Family had sent spies into his family. Although his son had joined hands with the Moyong Family Head to bring down the Myungga, the Moyong Family was still an enemy.

“I’m also concerned about that. I haven’t forgotten what the Moyong Family did, but I’ve decided that it’s not wise to provoke them right now.”

“It’s not wise. Not now.”

“Do you have a separate plan?”

A confident smile spread across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

And a hint of anticipation.

‘Moyong Woo.’

He stood up from his seat.

“I agree. I think it’s best to do as Manager Lee says.”

“Is that so.”

“However, to expand our territory, a preliminary investigation is essential, isn’t it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said seriously.

“In two months, I will go to Jeolgang myself.”