Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1059

“The weather is quite rough.”

The young man’s voice, neither too low nor too high, was very pleasant to hear.

“Young master, please put on another fur coat.”

“It’s alright.”

“But…”

“Thanks to your help, my internal energy circulation is much freer than before. Soon, I’ll be as good as anyone else.”

There was a calm confidence in the young man’s voice.

The woman, who was the young man’s attendant and bodyguard, felt worried yet proud of him.

It might be disrespectful for a subordinate to feel proud of their superior, but she had seen the young man’s frail appearance countless times in his childhood.

But what about her master now?

He had overcome numerous trials and stood in this place. No, even at this moment, his trials had not disappeared. The worry and pain for his family alone would make each day terrible.

Yet, the young man did not show it.

If worrying could solve things, he would have stayed up all night worrying. However, the young man knew the order of things, and so, even while harboring the power of the demonic, he maintained his composure.

‘He has become stronger.’

It wasn’t because his demonic power had grown. The woman could tell that the person himself had grown.

So, she was certain. Her master would become a greater ruler than the previous generation.

Thanks to the previous generation who had burned away past grudges and granted true freedom, the young man had stepped onto a foundation where he could truly become strong.

‘The moment the young master can freely wield his power, the world will be astonished by the appearance of a genius.’

Suddenly, the woman thought of someone.

Thinking of a genius, that person naturally came to mind. It couldn’t be called a good relationship by any stretch of the imagination, but if it weren’t for him, neither she nor her master would have faced the reality they did now.

‘The master of the Black Path Alliance….’

At that moment, the young man spoke.

“Sub-Lord Yeon, or should I call him Lord Yeon now?”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

“I see….”

The young man smiled and looked up at the sky.

“For some reason, I feel like seeing Lord Yeon today.”

The woman spoke with a dissatisfied expression.

“Young master, please refrain from using such honorifics.”

“He is the one who has taken control of the vast Black Path Alliance. Leaving aside his faction, he is worthy of respect.”

“That may be so, but…”

The young man knew why the woman was acting like this. It was because she was displeased with the fact that there was someone more capable than her master.

“Hyang-ah.”

“Yes, master.”

“As you know, there are many people in the world who are born with monstrous talents. He is a true monster who has reached the pinnacle among them. Unfortunately, I have not yet reached his feet.”

“Master, you will surely rise to a position where you can look down on him one day.”

“Haha, thank you for the kind words. Yes, I must strive to make that happen. But reality is reality. Thanks to him, you and I have been able to usher in a new era. I appreciate your loyalty to me, but you must not forget your gratitude towards him.”

The woman, looking at the young man with trembling eyes, lowered her head.

“I will keep that in mind.”

At that moment, a cheerful voice was heard from afar.

“A loving conversation between master and servant, very pleasant to hear.”

It was a voice that was even melodious. Just hearing it made one think of a dashing man.

The young man, Cheon Hyo-Rak, smiled and said,

“You’ve returned.”

“Hup.”

The middle-aged man, Mak Won, placed a large bundle he had been carrying on his back in front of the young man.

Inside the bundle were nine water bottles and food that was still warm.

“The atmosphere around here is quite chaotic. I overheard that people from the Northern Ice Palace have entered the Central Plains.”

“The Ice Palace?”

“Yes.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes sparkled.

He had also heard of the Northern Ice Palace. It was said to be a mysterious sect with a history of nearly a thousand years, where mysterious people who practiced the ultimate ice techniques that did not exist in the world lived in an ice palace.

Of course, no one knew if that was true. However, it was a fact that everyone acknowledged that they were a powerful organization.

“In this situation, for the Ice Palace people to enter the Central Plains… Could it be related to the Three Teachings?”

Mak Won said, tearing off a chicken leg.

“I don’t know about that. I’m not very knowledgeable about the martial world in the first place.”

“To say that, your insight is exceptionally outstanding, senior.”

“Eating compliments as a side dish makes the chicken leg taste even better.”

“Hahaha.”

“Well, I do think there’s a good chance.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s expression became serious.

“Are you saying that the Ice Palace and the Three Teachings might have joined hands?”

“As I said, I don’t know much about the martial world. Furthermore, I have no information about them, so how would I know? However, I do know one thing.”

“……”

“There’s a saying that there are destinies in this world, but no coincidences.”

“Was there such a saying?”

“It’s something my master often used to say.”

“I see.”

Mak Won looked far to the south.

Across the open plains, a strong wind blew over the white snowfield. The snow powder scattering in the wind was a spectacular sight.

“I heard that the Ice Palace is located far to the northeast, beyond the borders. It’s so far away that no one dares to go there.”

“That’s right. It was said that it’s almost the end of the world from Qinghai, where the Divine Demonic Forest is located.”

“However, the Three Teachings might see it as within their territory, even if it’s far. Of course, we don’t know the Three Teachings’ base, but we know they’re in the north, right?”

“That’s right.”

“There’s bound to be some connection. Whether it’s a friendly relationship or an enemy one, there’s bound to be something.”

Hwa Hyang cautiously interjected.

“Or perhaps the Ice Palace has already been devoured by the Three Teachings.”

Mak Won nodded.

“That’s a possibility. Anyway, I think they’re related to the Three Teachings in some way. Right now, that’s all I know.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak said, tearing off a piece of meat.

“We should go quickly.”

Mak Won looked at Cheon Hyo-Rak and said,

“It’s good to pick up the pace, but what are you going to do when you get there?”

“It’s not me who’s the problem, it’s you, senior. There might be a moment when you’re needed.”

“Heh, there are so many outstanding figures in the Central Plains.”

“I know that if one absolute master who has reached the Saintly Heaven realm [a very high level of martial arts mastery] disappears, more than one large sect would have to be added to fill the void of their martial power. Isn’t your influence that great, senior?”

Mak Won chuckled.

“I didn’t come into the world to wield influence. I just liked Yeon’s younger brother. The sound of being a man’s brother, a woman’s husband, and an old man’s child is much better than the title of the White Military God.”

Mak Won’s words showed how simple his nature was.

Cheon Hyo-Rak had to admit it. One of the reasons he could be so calm was thanks to Mak Won.

Mak Won was not as sharp as Yeon Ho-Jeong, nor as smart as Jeagal Mun-Ho, nor as experienced as the many senior members of the Divine Immortal Alliance.

Yet, he was strong. He was a good person, and he was a wonderful person to live with.

“Anyway, let’s go quickly. The people here say that the wind will blow even stronger tomorrow.”

“Really? When did you ask about that?”

“Hyang had a bit of trouble.”

Hwa Hyang lowered her head as if embarrassed.

“I didn’t do much, young master.”

Mak Won laughed heartily.

“That’s good to see. Alright, let’s eat quickly and try to get past that snowfield by today.”

“Yes.”

Thus, the group finished a hearty meal after a long time and quickly crossed the snowfield.

There was still quite some time before the world turned dark, but if they didn’t cross quickly, it would be difficult to even find their way. The night in this area was so mysterious and frightening that it could deceive even the eyes of a master.

How much time had passed?

“……”

Mak Won, who was walking in the lead, stopped.

Cheon Hyo-Rak asked,

“Senior?”

“……”

“Senior.”

Mak Won looked at Hwa Hyang.

“Can you carry this fellow and cross that by today?”

Mak Won pointed to a mountain that was faintly visible beyond the snow-covered plains.

Hwa Hyang nodded without realizing it.

“Y-yes, I will.”

In fact, it was close to impossible. The distance from here to that mountain was hundreds of miles at a glance. To cover that distance in a short time and then cross the mountain was difficult even for a master of the Limitless realm [a very high level of martial arts mastery].

But the answer had been given, and since the answer had been given, Hwa Hyang would run with all her might. Mak Won was satisfied with that.

Cheon Hyo-Rak opened his mouth with a serious face.

“Senior.”

“I don’t know when I’ll be able to return. But I’m glad I could be with you until now.”

“What on earth is going on?”

“It’s a personal matter. It’s not something you need to worry about.”

“……”

“I was going to head to Shanxi, but just in case, it’s better to go to Sichuan. As you know, it’ll be quite difficult to enter Sichuan from here. The terrain itself is like that. But it’ll be alright with Hwa Hyang.”

“Senior!”

“Go to the Tang Clan. Get temporary protection there and then go to the Martial Alliance or the Black Emperor Castle. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s eyes wavered.

But only for a moment.

“I will see you again.”

“Yes, don’t worry.”

That was the end of it. He wanted to ask more, but Cheon Hyo-Rak was certain that no matter how many times he asked, Mak Won would not answer.

Hwa Hyang quickly picked up Cheon Hyo-Rak and used her movement technique.

Her figure disappeared in an instant.

“Damn it.”

Mak Won sighed.

“I have no idea what’s going on. If I had known this would happen, I would have run like crazy from the start.”

The white spear in his hand hummed and cried out.

This was one of the weapons held in the Divine Demonic Forest, called the White Lightning Spear. It was a divine weapon that Cheon Hyo-Rak had gifted to Mak Won.

Saaah!

As the divine weapon cried out, the killing intent flowing on the cold, dry wind pricked Mak Won’s skin.

Mak Won looked north.

“……!”

Beyond the swirling snow powder, the shadow of someone riding a horse appeared.

The distance was so far that the sound of hooves could not be heard. But Mak Won thought. If they shook the reins once, they could reach this place in an instant.

Even though the distance was so far and only a shadow was faintly visible, he could tell how huge the horse’s build was.

Mak Won’s eyes trembled.

‘Red Dragon.’

Red Dragon.

One of the names he had forgotten, forgotten, and forgotten again.

Whishhhhh!

A wind that blew from somewhere threw snow powder in all directions.

Time passed, and finally, their figures became clearly visible in Mak Won’s sight.

A huge horse, a huge man riding on it.

And behind him, dozens of mounted riders appeared.

But in Mak Won’s eyes, only one man riding the divine horse called Red Dragon was visible.

Eyes as fierce as a tiger. His grayish-white hair was spread out in all directions like a lion’s mane.

His skin was like an old tree, but that rather suited the man’s dignified aura.

His build was larger than Mak Won’s, and especially the black spear he held in one hand was emitting a terrifying divine energy that made one’s eyes widen just by looking at it.

He looked so perfect holding a single black divine spear. The way he looked down at the world with arrogance while riding a horse was no different from decades ago.

A groan-like voice escaped from Mak Won’s lips.

“Senior brother……”