Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 104

A Shift in Perspective (5)

From the day after his conversation with his father, Yeon Ho-Jeong secluded himself for three days.

After those three days, Yeon Ho-Jeong emerged from his residence and headed straight to the grand training grounds.

He wasn’t going to train alone. He naturally engaged in conversations with the house’s warriors and trained alongside them.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s training was brutal. Pushing his physical limits was commonplace, and he didn’t hesitate to even threaten the warriors’ lives with real swords and spears.

It was an excessively dangerous method. It was also somewhat barbaric and completely different from the training methods the Yeon family had used until now.

At the same time, he clearly distinguished between public and private matters.

After training that felt like dying, meals were always eaten with the warriors at the training grounds. He exchanged lighthearted jokes with the warriors, and before they knew it, the warriors had lowered their guard around him.

The warriors naturally realized that the young master did not see them merely as tools to be used.

They could tell just by being together, without needing words. Yeon Ho-Jeong, the young master of the Yeon family, regarded the warriors as if they were one body, and he only wished for everyone to become stronger.

Fifteen days passed like that.

As time went on, more warriors joined the training.

Yeon Ho-Jeong welcomed them with a smile. And then, he drove them relentlessly with a reckless training style as if it didn’t matter if they died.

But surprisingly, no warriors dropped out of the training.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had a ruthless yet meticulous side. He personally tended to the warriors with severe injuries, and if they seemed unable to train the next day, he made sure they rested.

It was a side of Yeon Ho-Jeong that had never been seen before. Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had always seemed endlessly strong, showed the dignity befitting the young master of the Yeon family by being with his subordinates.

Another fifteen days passed.

After a month of dedicated training, seventy percent of the house’s warriors were participating in training with Yeon Ho-Jeong.

It meant that almost all the warriors, except those on missions or on duty, were participating.

Yeon-Wi did not pay attention to the fact that the warriors’ training had changed from the past. He simply watched silently as Yeon Ho-Jeong and the warriors became one. It meant that he trusted his son that much.

Time passed again.

When the harsh summer sun lost its vigor and the cool breeze of early autumn began to blow.

The spirit of the Yeon family warriors, which had been as clear as the bright sky, became as sharp as a famous sword. It wasn’t their character, but their attitude as martial artists that had changed. They had developed a strong mental fortitude to respond immediately no matter what happened.

It was as if they had all become Yeon Ho-Jeong.

It was exactly what Yeon Ho-Jeong had hoped for.

Crack!

“Cough!”

Yang Heum collapsed, spitting blood from a merciless punch.

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“You lost, right?”

He had almost killed a person and yet he was smiling so well.

Surprisingly, Yang Heum coughed roughly and grumbled.

“Damn it, I couldn’t even last seven exchanges.”

Shin Mo, who was standing below the training grounds, spoke in his characteristic deep voice.

“Yang Heum. What kind of manners are those in front of the young master?”

“Cough!”

“It’s not something to be lenient about just because you’re injured.”

“Cough, cough! Kaaack!”

Shin Mo’s face contorted.

These days, these guys keep ignoring the master’s words. He might have to pick up a club soon.

Yeon Ho-Jeong waved his hand.

“I’m fine. You don’t have to be so strict.”

“But, young master.”

“It’s enough if you’re only scared of the master. I think that’s better.”

Shin Mo cleared his throat.

“I will correct their manners.”

“That’s the master’s job, so I won’t interfere. Well, it’s about time to catch them.”

Yang Heum’s face turned pale.

“I was just talking to myself. I would never to the young master…”

“Hey, it’s noisy, so go to the infirmary quickly. If you don’t treat this internal injury properly, it’ll be a headache.”

“Ah, yes.”

Yang Heum scratched his head and left the training grounds.

Although the atmosphere was like this, Yang Heum was in quite a serious state of internal injury. It would be difficult for anyone without considerable endurance to walk out on their own.

Yet, his gait was not disturbed. He had embodied strong physical strength and endurance through the previous training.

In Yeon Ho-Jeong’s view, the house’s warriors were finally becoming warriors worthy of the name.

‘The rest will be taken care of by the heads of each organization.’

When people see blood often, they naturally become rougher and their temper becomes sharper.

It was the job of leaders like Shin Mo to refine that part. They had discussed this in depth beforehand, and the leaders were also conducting thorough education on the way of chivalry.

“Young master. How about a round with me this time…”

“No. I’m busy.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong came down from the training grounds.

Shin Mo asked.

“Are you ending your training here today?”

“How could that be? I’m the only one who’s finished. You guys finish what you were doing.”

“Ah, are you busy?”

In the past, Shin Mo wouldn’t have even asked this. It seemed that he too was being influenced by this flexible atmosphere.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and patted Shin Mo’s shoulder.

“Make sure to push them hard while I’m gone.”

“Yes?”

“Then.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong headed straight to his residence.

It was when he arrived in front of his residence.

Whoosh! Thwack!

Without even looking, Yeon Ho-Jeong stretched out his left arm and snatched an arrow that was flying towards him.

He said in a nonchalant tone.

“Slow.”

“It can’t be helped.”

Muk Bi appeared from the shadows under the wall.

“Because I threw it with my bare hands.”

“If you’re going to aim, you should aim for the chest or abdomen, why the shoulder?”

“I thought you might actually die.”

“That’s ridiculous. Have you ever seen a tiger get hurt by a falling leaf?”

“Your analogy is too much.”

“Shut up.”

Muk Bi asked.

“You finished early today? Where are you going?”

“You get ready too.”

“Ready?”

“Pyeon Shin-Gong contacted us. He said he’s procured the bow you’ll be using, so you have to go too.”

Muk Bi’s eyes sparkled.

“R-really? Wait a moment!”

She quickly went into the Yeonryeonwon [Yeon family’s training hall].

When she’s like this, she’s like a child.

‘With that innocent face, she’s crippled so many people.’

Muk Bi had also participated in training with the warriors several times. And in the sparring matches with the warriors who underestimated her, she had crushed most of them.

Muk Bi was fast and strong. Even without a bow, she overwhelmed the house’s warriors with just basic hand-to-hand combat.

‘Her footwork is so broken.’

As a master of extreme footwork, her lower body was practically a weapon. With just a light kick, the warriors’ bones would break like twigs.

Steel is threatening even without being sharpened. Muk Bi’s body and inner energy were just like that.

‘Footwork… That’s perfect. I should train on the way.’

After going into his residence to wash and change into new clothes, Yeon Ho-Jeong headed straight to the family head’s room.

“You’ve come.”

“Yes. And…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at the pile of documents stacked high on one side with a disgusted look.

“You’re still busy.”

“That’s how it is.”

“Isn’t Deputy Chief Lee doing the general management?”

“No.”

“You should find someone quickly. You’ll collapse from overwork.”

“I’m fine.”

“No matter how skilled a master you are, you’re no match for work.”

“I’ll do it moderately and then pass it all on to Deputy Chief Lee. If he’s having a hard time, he’ll find someone himself.”

He really is pitiful.

It already sounded like Lee Baek-Hyun’s wails were echoing in his ears. Lee Baek-Hyun was also someone who had learned the Yeon family’s inner energy, but he wondered if he had trained enough to withstand this murderous workload.

“Are you going to Pyeon Shin-Gong?”

“Yes.”

Yeon-Wi scanned Yeon Ho-Jeong up and down.

“Pyeon Shin-Gong is a great person, but aren’t you putting too much effort into it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong cleared his throat.

Yeon-Wi, who had been quietly watching Yeon Ho-Jeong, shook his head.

“How can you be so impatient?”

“It was something I had to do anyway.”

“Tsk, I wondered why you came by in the middle of the day.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong planned to visit Pyeon Il-Gang’s smithy and then head straight to Zhejiang.

The pretext was a preliminary investigation to expand the Yeon family’s business to Zhejiang, but the real purpose was Moyong Woo. He was checking Moyong Woo’s location every five days through the Beggars’ Sect.

Fortunately, he was still at the Zhejiang branch.

It was slowly getting colder. When winter comes, maritime trade will also be affected. They would probably be as busy as the Yeon family.

Yeon-Wi took out a gold pouch from the drawer under the table.

“I prepared this in advance just in case, but I didn’t expect to give it to you so soon.”

“What is this?”

“It’s money. Don’t go sleeping outside just because you’re training. It’s getting cold.”

“I understand.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong quickly bowed.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

“Return safely.”

“Yes. Oh? But where is Ji-Pyeong? I haven’t seen him lately.”

Yeon-Wi clicked his tongue.

“You’re only realizing now that Ji-Pyeong is gone?”

“…?”

“I sent him to an acquaintance for a while. That was already twenty days ago.”

“…It’s been that long?”

“I even sent the Flying Eagles with him.”

“Ah? Come to think of it, those guys said they were going somewhere for a while…”

“…”

“…”

“Do you see how careless you are?”

“I can’t do two things at once.”

“Quiet. He said he would have a meal with you before leaving, but after seeing you training with the warriors, he just left. When you return, spend time with Ji-Pyeong.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue. He had been so out of it that he hadn’t even realized it.

‘I need to reflect.’

No matter how busy he was, there were things he shouldn’t miss. He felt sorry for his younger brother as his older brother.

“Anyway, I’ll be back soon.”

“Alright.”

* * *

“Elder.”

“You’ve come.”

His appearance was clearly different from when they had met two months ago.

His beard was thicker and his body had become somewhat emaciated. It seemed he had been engrossed in work for the past two months.

Pyeon Il-Gang smiled and said.

“You’re amazing.”

“Yes?”

“You and this young lady. It’s only been two months, but you’re different from before. The rough, sharp energy has become quite calm.”

He could even see that.

Pyeon Il-Gang was someone who could recognize even the weapons used by martial artists at a glance. As such, he would never speak empty words.

‘Has my spirit [qi or life force] changed that much?’

Spirit (氣) moves with intention, and intention is influenced by the mind.

Since his mind had changed, it was only natural that his spirit would change as well. While training with the house’s warriors, his spirit, which had been so sharp, had instead calmed down.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

“Unlike us, it seems you’ve had a lot of unnecessary hardship, Elder.”

“Tsk! Hardship? Don’t say that. I am a person who lives by the profession of a swordsmith. For me, who handles fire and iron, making a great weapon is a destiny.”

Pyeon Il-Gang burst into laughter.

“Fortunately, it seems the hardship was worth it. I hope it will please you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Since you’re so confident, I’ll try to look at it as objectively as possible.”

“Of course. It’s something that will have to go through the harsh world with you.”

It would be difficult for someone with that personality to have such confidence. It meant that he had put his heart and soul into it.

“Now, come in.”

With a pounding heart, Yeon Ho-Jeong entered the smithy.

As soon as he entered the entrance, he saw a huge axe placed in the far corner.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mouth fell open.

“How is it? Does it look decent?”