Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1034

“Cough, cough!”

The old man’s face, as he coughed weakly, looked incredibly gaunt.

Dang Yoon, who had returned to the family before his older brother, felt a pang of sorrow.

“Father.”

“Is that Yoon?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Heh heh, the light was too bright, so I had my eyes closed. As I get older, even the sunlight feels burdensome. Growing old is truly a troublesome thing.”

The old man, Dang Hyeong, sat on the flat bench with his eyes closed.

Dang Yoon was shocked and dismayed to see how emaciated his father had become since they last met. He had gone with Dang Gwan to the Martial Alliance to see how things were progressing there, and then managed the information network stretching from Sichuan to Henan before finally returning to the family.

The reason was simple: he had heard the news that Dang Hyeong had collapsed.

This news would have also reached his brother at the Martial Alliance. If there were no other pressing matters, he would be rushing back.

“They say the old should die, and that’s why. Young people in their prime are moving forward so splendidly, but because of my old body, I’ve come all this way without being able to do my work.”

Not to mention Dang Gwan, even Dang Yoon was too old to be called a youth.

Still, from a father’s perspective, they would always be young and youthful.

“Please don’t say such things, Father.”

“Still, it’s alright this time. I’m sorry, but since you’ve come all this way, I should give you what I’ve prepared.”

“Yes?”

Dang Hyeong reached out towards his residence.

There was no sound of internal energy resonating. Yet, something wrapped in a bundle flew through the window.

Though his body was sick and weakened, his vigorous internal energy was still there. No, it seemed that as his body weakened, his sensitivity to qi [life force or vital energy] had increased.

Dang Yoon couldn’t help but feel awe at this feat.

“Take it.”

The bundle, sent flying by Dang Hyeong’s telekinesis, landed in Dang Yoon’s hands.

“This is…?”

“I’ve written down a few things for you. I’ve only laid out the framework, but with your talent, you should be able to complete it. Once you complete it, you’ll be able to soar like your brother.”

“… !”

“I had many concerns. The position of family head in the main house is steeped in a bloody history, like the emperor’s dragon throne. It’s not easy for a ruler who has reached the top to spare the lives of their defeated siblings.”

“My brother…”

“Yes, your brother wouldn’t do that. I was worried about what would happen if the brotherly bond were to break, but Gwan no longer lives in the world of ghosts. No, the one who actually lived in that world was this father.”

“…”

“When you’re stuck or don’t understand something, seek advice from your brother. I hear that your brother has opened the realm of infinity. Such enlightenment should be able to solve your difficulties.”

“…Thank you, Father.”

“By the way.”

Dang Hyeong chuckled.

“That fellow is truly amazing. After struggling so much, he soared to that realm in an instant, a realm that I thought would take him several more years. It’s an astonishing thing.”

His body was emaciated, his eyes were closed, and his complexion was pale.

His sensitivity to qi was greater than before, but his temperament wasn’t as clear.

However, Dang Hyeong seemed genuinely pleased. His laughter, filled with rich emotion, was full of pride for his son and the joy of a fellow martial artist who shared the same realm.

“You should also follow your brother’s example. Even though your brother holds the greatest power in Sichuan, he went to the front lines with his comrades and grew through life-threatening battles.”

“I am also proud of him.”

“As a father, it’s hard to tell my child to go into a world of fighting and death. However, as a martial artist to another martial artist, I cannot help but give such advice. A true martial spirit is awakened in the asura field [a battlefield of intense conflict].”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Good. Sit here.”

Dang Hyeong’s gesture, pointing to the space next to him on the flat bench, seemed very easygoing.

Come to think of it, the way he spoke was different from before. For a long time, Dang Hyeong had lived alone, cut off from his children. He had lived as a new member of the family as an elder, but he had been very careful not to interfere with the power of Dang Gwan, his son and the family head.

However, Dang Hyeong, having experienced a changing era by meeting people, had become a father from a solitary absolute being.

He was undergoing a great change, enough to be able to sit next to his son, hold his hand, and chat.

“So, when do you plan to get married?”

This awkward yet pleasant moment.

In the midst of their quiet conversation, Dang Yoon’s face stiffened at Dang Hyeong’s sudden question.

Dang Hyeong said with a smile.

“Does that woman still remain in your heart?”

“…”

“I won’t tell you to overcome the sad memories related to that woman. If the old affection for that woman remains in your heart, I won’t dare tell you to throw it away either.”

“…”

“However, if that’s not the case, wouldn’t it be better to meet a good woman and start a family as soon as possible?”

Dang Yoon smiled bitterly.

“I’ve resolved my grudges and regrets to some extent with the events of ‘that time’.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. And even back then, my affection for her had faded considerably. It seems that the regret that had accumulated over time was eating away at my affection for her.”

“Yes, that can happen.”

“I’m willing to take someone’s hand if I meet a good person. But it seems I don’t have the emotional space in my heart yet.”

Dang Hyeong nodded.

“You don’t meet someone because you have emotional space. You see people when you can see yourself clearly.”

“Yes.”

“Everyone has different principles they’ve learned and accumulated, so how can I, as your father, force you? I just want you to be happy. That’s all.”

Dang Yoon smiled.

In fact, it was not an easy topic to bring up, as it was related to the second brother who had tried to seize the family through rebellion. Moreover, the woman he had first loved had been brutally murdered by an organization connected to that brother.

However, it was already in the past.

Rather, he was grateful to his father for talking about it without being overly cautious, yet not lightly. With this one conversation, Dang Yoon was able to send the remnants of her that he had not yet shaken off into the air once more.

How long had it been?

“Hmm?”

Dang Hyeong turned his head to the east. He still had his eyes closed.

“Oh ho, that fellow. He’s coming quickly.”

“Yes?”

“I’m talking about your brother. Instead of staying put at the Martial Alliance, he seems to be flying here like a colt with its tail on fire.”

“Can you feel my brother’s energy?”

“Of course.”

A smile spread across Dang Hyeong’s lips.

“That ‘power’ was the source that could enter infinity.”

A moment later.

Whoosh!

It seemed he had ignored all the usual greetings. No, it seemed he had run with all his might from the Martial Alliance to the heart of Sichuan.

That was because Dang Gwan looked incredibly gaunt. It was clear he had run here as if flying, without sleeping or eating.

Dang Yoon rose from his seat and bowed his head. It was a show of respect for the family head, not his brother.

Dang Gwan waved his hand to have Dang Yoon sit down, then looked at Dang Hyeong.

“…”

A moment of silence lingered.

Dang Gwan opened his mouth.

“Are you alright, Father?”

“Amazing.”

Pure admiration appeared on Dang Hyeong’s face. There was bound to be a difference between simply sensing his qi and seeing him directly like this.

“You’ve entered the realm of infinity and created a new martial art. Or perhaps you entered that realm while creating a new martial art, but it’s meaningless to determine which came first.”

“…”

“What is the name of that martial art?”

Dang Gwan, who had been looking at Dang Hyeong, said calmly.

“It is called the Myriad Streams Return to Origin Divine Art (萬流歸元神功).”

“Heh heh.”

Satisfaction appeared on Dang Hyeong’s face.

“To your father, the return of myriad streams to the origin was the fantasy of clumsy martial artists and the nonsense of those who did not understand the world. In fact, there was no return to the origin in my enlightenment. I must have told you that.”

“I remember.”

“But you have gained the enlightenment of making everything one, so you have seen, heard, and advanced beyond what your father has seen.”

“…”

“It’s a divine martial art that uses the maximized upper dantian [energy center in the body] to face enemies. I am proud of you.”

Dang Gwan’s eyes wavered.

His father would know. That all the poison qi refined by the Emperor’s Poison Art had disappeared.

If he wanted, he could call back the poison qi to face enemies, but in the end, his martial art had transformed into a martial art that used extreme true qi manipulation, powerful fighting spirit, killing intent, and telekinesis.

In other words, he had opened a different path while practicing the divine art that his father had created by compiling his lifelong studies.

It could be disappointing, but he showed no such sign at all. Rather, he was genuinely admiring his son’s martial path, who had seen other possibilities and grown through the martial art he had taught.

Such a sight was very unfamiliar to the harsh and narrow-minded people of the Dang family.

“However, because of the upper dantian that has changed so much after reaching that realm, even the middle dantian is shaking. I’m sure you’ll take care of it, but if you’re not careful, you could lose yourself.”

“Father.”

“You must establish yourself through constant cultivation. Your martial art aims for a much larger and wider upper dantian than the upper dantian expanded by other martial artists. As such, there will be many times when your mind becomes unstable.”

“…”

“I’ve heard that there is a mental training method optimized for self-cultivation on Mount Wudang. If it’s difficult to control yourself, go there and seek enlightenment. With my abilities, it’s difficult to give any advice on your martial path that has grown this much.”

“That’s not what’s important right now.”

Concern filled Dang Gwan’s face.

“I heard you collapsed. Are you alright?”

“You fool, how old do you think I am? An old and tired body can collapse at any time. It wasn’t something you needed to come all the way here for.”

“I couldn’t not come.”

“Heh heh.”

Dang Gwan could see Dang Hyeong’s physical condition more clearly than anyone else.

Dang Hyeong’s body was gradually deteriorating. He was preventing the collapse with his absolute internal energy and enlightenment, but it seemed he wouldn’t last even five years, let alone ten.

Conversely, thanks to the qi cultivation method that was preventing the collapse even as his body was breaking down, the activity of his true qi was greater than before. His vitality had decreased, but the energy in his dantian had become stronger, so the affairs of people were truly unpredictable.

“Since you’ve come all this way, let’s have a meal together for the first time in a while. There are many stories I want to hear.”

“You should rest first…”

“It’s not a body that will get better by resting. Rather, being with you will be better for my health.”

“I understand.”

“I’ve heard the fame of a child who has a deep connection with you even in this Sichuan land. I knew he was amazing, but after hearing the details, he has achieved truly astonishing feats.”

Dang Gwan said as if grumbling.

“He has no manners.”

“If he’s a child who cares for the world to that extent, he can be a little rude.”

Dang Hyeong raised his head.

His eyes were still closed, but it was as if he was looking at the sky with a clear heart.

“Dark clouds are gathering. An ominous air is flowing in from the north. Those who have sensed this air will each be making their own preparations, so we also need to move accordingly.”

“Yes.”

“Now, let’s eat first. A full stomach is essential for doing anything well, isn’t it?”