Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1041

Jin Yang, who had rushed forward with joy, stopped in his tracks, his face now showing surprise.

“Yo, bear. It’s been a while.”

Though he had once served as their sect leader, they were, more than anything, close friends. Seo Jeong-gwang’s relaxed voice, calling him ‘bear,’ was full of warmth.

However, Jin Yang couldn’t even respond to the welcoming greeting.

“You…?”

“Whew, I guess I haven’t seen you in a while, you look even bigger. Still, it’s good to see you’re healthy.”

“What happened to you?”

“What? Oh, I’m sorry about that. I was going to contact you right away, but my inner energy was a bit unstable, so I needed time to stabilize it.”

“Not that!”

Jin Yang’s eyes went to Seo Jeong-gwang’s upper body.

His top was nowhere to be seen. His bare body was exposed, all the excess fat gone, showing off a lean physique, and his tightly packed muscles made him look incredibly solid.

The problem was the numerous gruesome scars that crisscrossed his upper body.

It was no exaggeration to say they covered his entire body. Among the web-like scars, some looked like they were from sword cuts, while others seemed to be from animal claws.

Jin Yang couldn’t understand it.

Even before he had committed to serious training, Seo Jeong-gwang’s martial arts were at a considerable level. Getting cut by a sword during intense training was commonplace, but the wounds from those beasts were beyond comprehension.

“What are all those scars?”

“These?”

Seo Jeong-gwang said nonchalantly.

“The result of training.”

“Where on earth is there a beast that could inflict such wounds on a master? Did you meet some kind of incredible spirit beast?”

“It was half a spirit beast, I guess. I fought a tiger weighing over four hundred *geun* [a traditional Korean unit of weight, roughly equivalent to 600 grams], and I also had a big fight with a pack of unusually large wolves. It was truly terrible.”

“No, you got like that just because of beasts?”

Sometimes, even top masters could be defeated by beasts. But that was only in very special cases or when they were extremely exhausted.

Seo Jeong-gwang smiled wryly.

“If you want to become truly strong, you need to be able to take down a tiger with just your body.”

“Exactly!”

“Without inner energy.”

“……?!”

Jin Yang’s face hardened.

“You fought those beasts with your inner energy sealed?”

Seo Jeong-gwang shrugged.

“The martial arts our leader taught me are so violent and high-level that it would be difficult to achieve greatness without first building up my body.”

“……!”

“And… I’m good at using my head, you know? If I just wanted to secure a position by using my brain, I wouldn’t have to go this far, but for the coming turbulent times, I also need to grow explosively.”

Jin Yang’s eyes wavered.

‘He’s changed.’

Seo Jeong-gwang was still Seo Jeong-gwang. But the man standing before him was showing a different side than the one he knew.

Seo Jeong-gwang was a man who could think about the future, but he was someone who valued the present more.

It was thanks to him that the Hwa Ung Sect had been able to endure for so long. If Seo Jeong-gwang hadn’t been able to maintain balance and come up with creative strategies in times of danger, the Hwa Ung Sect would have disappeared long ago.

In other words, Seo Jeong-gwang was a person who prioritized stability over progress, but could be quite bold when necessary, though he could never be called someone with great drive.

That kind of Seo Jeong-gwang had risked his life for the sake of martial arts.

“Thanks to that, I’ve gained a lot of insights. The Mukryong Unit also treated me very well, showing me various inner energy cultivation methods. Of course, they weren’t the highest-level martial arts.”

Hwang Seok-tae, who had approached them, smiled and said,

“I showed you the best of the martial arts I could show you. Anything beyond that requires permission from the higher-ups.”

“Haha, I consider it an honor. But why has your tone changed? You don’t have to be so formal.”

“I can’t do that. You are the friends of the next Deputy Leader.”

Seo Jeong-gwang blinked.

“Friends?”

“At least, that’s how the next Deputy Leader thinks of you two.”

“Then it’s an honor.”

“Anyway…”

Hwang Seok-tae’s sharp eyes scanned the two curved swords at Seo Jeong-gwang’s waist.

“Did you achieve mastery?”

“Not mastery, but I’ve reached the minor accomplishment stage.”

“That doesn’t sound like the kind of martial power that would use the term ‘minor accomplishment.’”

“I still have a long way to go. But I think I’m capable of adding a sword strike in a dangerous moment.”

Admiration filled Hwang Seok-tae’s face.

“When you first said ‘those words,’ I honestly didn’t believe you would actually achieve it. But you really succeeded.”

“I was lucky.”

“It’s not something that can be done with luck alone. They say there are geniuses everywhere, but you are truly amazing.”

Hwang Seok-tae looked at Jin Yang.

“Aren’t you surprised?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s been a long time, but it’s also been a very short period, and yet, look at how much your friend’s martial arts have improved.”

Improved?

Jin Yang tilted his head, then was suddenly startled.

‘Huh?’

*Woo-oong! Woo-oong!*

As he expanded his senses and sharpened his perception, Seo Jeong-gwang’s true worth began to become visible.

‘What is this?’

Jin Yang’s eyes widened.

“Your inner energy, what is it?”

“It’s substantial, right?”

Seo Jeong-gwang’s inner energy had increased tremendously. Just in terms of sheer volume, it seemed almost comparable to his own.

‘No, if you include the hidden true energy in his meridians, it’s even more than that….’

It was truly an enormous amount of inner energy. It was as if a mountain hermit had transmitted their inner energy to him through a barrier.

Moreover, the true energy, which had a completely different color than before, was also noteworthy. The unique fire energy was gone, and the refined inner energy was as clear and deep as the sky, giving him goosebumps.

Clear and deep, but not weak. In terms of the nature of the true energy, it was the strongest of the strong.

“Is that the martial art the leader taught you?”

“It’s similar.”

“What do you mean? No, aside from that, where did you get that much inner energy…?”

Seo Jeong-gwang waved his hand.

“Let’s stop talking about this, I need to go see the leader. My seclusion is over, so I should pay my respects.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go together.”

“Okay, okay.”

Jin Yang was flustered.

Seo Jeong-gwang’s changes were more and more surprising the more he saw them. He was giving off a new feeling every moment. From his martial arts to his personality and insight, everything seemed to have changed.

Seo Jeong-gwang bowed to Hwang Seok-tae.

“Thank you for overseeing my training. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

Hwang Seok-tae bowed respectfully.

“I should be the one saying that. Perhaps our lives may depend on your hands.”

“What a terrible thing to say.”

“Haha.”

“Then, I’ll see you again later.”

With those words, the two entered the Mukryong Unit.

Hwang Seok-tae, who was standing still and looking at their backs, had a gentle smile on his face.

“He’s become reliable. Much more so than before.”

* * *

“You’re here?”

Unlike Jin Yang, who had been making a fuss, Yeon Ho-jeong’s greeting was simple. It was as if they had met just yesterday.

Seo Jeong-gwang bowed.

“I came out too late. I’m sorry.”

“If you had come out without enough confidence, I would have been much more disappointed. I’m glad you came now.”

Seo Jeong-gwang smiled.

“You’re definitely different.”

“Hmm?”

“You’re different from that bear. This is how a leader should be. Even if you don’t mean it, you should say thank you once in a while, so your subordinates feel good.”

Jin Yang grumbled.

“You’re acting like the greatest lord in the world.”

“See? That’s why it was so hard for me.”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

“I’m not just saying that. And why are you my subordinates? You can call me lord or leader if you want, but I think of you as friends.”

“You can only call someone a friend if you share a proper friendship. Honestly, we’re not there yet.”

“If we’re not there yet, why did you suddenly decide to serve me as your lord?”

“We’ve already decided to work together, haven’t we? Besides, I received good martial arts, so this is a life-changing opportunity. I should repay the favor.”

“It’s good that you’re so relaxed.”

Yeon Ho-jeong scanned Seo Jeong-gwang’s body up and down.

“Anyway, you’re amazing. What’s that cultivation method?”

“I haven’t named it separately. You can just call it the same, the Byukra Jin Gyeol [Azure Cloud True Art].”

“You’ve changed it to the point of almost being a complete overhaul, though?”

“It does feel a bit like that.”

“Putting that aside, can the Byukra Jin Gyeol even be changed like that? I’ve never seen anyone interpret and master the Byukra Jin Gyeol to this extent.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Surprisingly, Seo Jeong-gwang, with his martial power not yet surpassing the level of a master, had interpreted and modified the Byukra Jin Gyeol, a top-tier inner energy cultivation method, in his own way.

There are many kinds of geniuses. Even when limited to martial arts, there are various talents. There are people who can perfectly imitate a technique they’ve seen once, people who are talented in energy accumulation, people with a good sense of combat, and so on. If you were to count them one by one, there would be no end.

Among them, Seo Jeong-gwang possessed a talent that suited his sharp insight and intellect. It was the talent for interpreting and breaking down martial arts.

There were quite a few people like that around Yeon Ho-jeong, but none possessed as outstanding a talent as Seo Jeong-gwang. He knew he was good, but he never imagined it would be to this extent.

“Your inner energy has also increased tremendously. It can’t be explained just by melting the Taeul Pill [a powerful medicinal pill].”

“I expanded the energy accumulation function while modifying it. I don’t know what will happen later, but I thought this was the fastest way for now.”

“You did well. It’s like seeing the Tang Clan Leader.”

“Huh? Are you talking about that Tang Gwan elder?”

“No, never mind. Anyway, is the Blood Hawk Sword at the eighth level?”

“The Blood Demon Blade is at the seventh level.”

“You didn’t change the name of the Byukra Jin Gyeol, but you changed the name of the external martial art?”

“Because it’s a technique.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s smile deepened even more.

Seo Jeong-gwang also knew very well what was important in martial arts. As much as his eye for analyzing martial arts was outstanding, he also knew why top-tier martial arts were so powerful.

“Blood Demon Blade… Did you take that from what I told you before?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Good. I’ll see your sword skills later.”

“I’d like that. But shouldn’t you introduce me first?”

Sama Hyeon, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, was standing there.

Seo Jeong-gwang pointed his chin at Sama Hyeon.

“He seems like a very skilled assassin?”

“Yes, he is.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked around.

Gang Ryang was training alone, but he was in a cave not far from here. In other words, all the most important companions who would be with him in the future were gathered here.

Starting with Muk Bi, there was Jin Yang, Seo Jeong-gwang, and even Sama Hyeon, and even Jeong-an was there.

Of course, even if Jeong-an was willing to throw herself into bloody battles without hesitation, he had no intention of making her one of the Six Great Generals. Jeong-an was strong, but she didn’t have the talent to lead and fight alongside subordinates.

Still, it was reassuring.

It felt like he finally had all the pieces. With them, he felt like he could overcome anything.

“Let’s do the introductions later over a drink. Let’s talk about what we were doing first.”

“What were you talking about?”

Yeon Ho-jeong tapped the organization chart with his finger.

Seo Jeong-gwang’s eyes sparkled as he scanned the chart.

“It’s simple but fast.”

“You’re on a different level than the others.”

“But I don’t think it will work here. Since the Mukryong Unit is underground, if we consider the internal life rather than the external, we should move our base.”

“You’re eerily accurate.”

“The relocation plan is already in place. No wonder it’s so chaotic.”

It hadn’t even been half a moment since he had appeared, but Seo Jeong-gwang was already acting as a strategist.

“When do you plan to relocate?”

“In ten days.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“In ten days, under the name of the Black Emperor Star, the Black Path will be reborn.”