Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 111

Thud!

It was a step taken with unusual force. With a single stride that was almost a leap, his figure shot out over seven yards.

It was a forceful step, yet his movement appeared incredibly fluid. Despite carrying the eighty-pound Dragon Axe on his shoulder, he was as nimble as a cat.

‘As expected!’

His speed was much faster than before, and his internal energy consumption had decreased to a third.

It was clear that learning a specialized movement technique had significantly increased his efficiency. He was already looking forward to how far he could travel in a single breath when he mastered the Heavenly Cloud Flight in the future.

As Yeon Ho-Jeong ran lightly, he suddenly noticed a rock in the middle of the mountain path far ahead.

Whoosh!

His movements, which had seemed so smooth, suddenly shifted as he entered the mountain path. It was an amazing display of agility.

Yeon Ho-Jeong swung the Dragon Axe.

Bang!

With a loud crash, the rock rolled to the side.

He had struck it with the broad side of the axe, but it was a blow that had drawn out ten percent of his power using the White Tiger Qi [a type of internal energy]. It should have been shattered, not rolled away.

Yet, the rock didn’t break but rolled away. This meant his control over his internal energy was exceptional.

‘I need to refine it a bit more.’

He noticed a crack on the surface of the rolling rock. He thought he had pushed it away perfectly, but it seemed the impact had left a mark.

‘It’s because of the Dragon Axe.’

A divine weapon like the Dragon Axe, when infused with a martial artist’s internal energy, was bound to generate power beyond their usual capabilities.

Naturally, the power was greater than when he wielded a regular iron axe. Moreover, the strength Yeon Ho-Jeong possessed now was different from what he had before.

‘I need to refine my control so that I can freely manipulate even the power of a divine weapon. I’m still far from it.’

Power that couldn’t be fully controlled wasn’t true strength.

That was why Yeon Ho-Jeong had picked up the eighty-pound axe and wielded the iron chain, which was difficult to use in itself.

If he could freely handle these two types of weapons, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he had reached the pinnacle of external martial arts.

‘The iron chain, huh?’

The thought of the iron chain reminded him of his conversation with Pyeon Il-Gang.

‘I couldn’t find an iron chain suitable for you. Even a sturdy iron chain would break quickly if you attached the Dragon Axe to it. And your internal energy is also a factor.’

‘Is that so?’

‘I even thought about making one myself, but I had to give up. It would definitely take longer than making the Dragon Axe.’

‘It’s alright. The Dragon Axe is enough.’

‘No, it can’t be like that. I didn’t just make an axe for you to wield. I made a weapon for the martial artist Yeon Ho-Jeong. So, I have to take responsibility for the iron chain as well.’

‘Tsk.’

‘Fortunately, one of my acquaintances has obtained some Flexible Ghost Iron.’

‘Huh?’

‘You’ve never heard of it, have you? Flexible Ghost Iron is the most mysterious iron among all the irons in the world. The metal energy it possesses is so dense that its shape changes when internal energy is used. It can lengthen or shorten.’

‘…Is there such an iron?’

‘I didn’t believe it either, until I saw it myself.’

‘There are many wondrous things in the world.’

‘Anyway, that person owes me a favor, so I’ve decided to get some Flexible Ghost Iron. I’ll combine it with other iron to make an iron chain for you.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

‘He’s a grateful person.’

A man who had dedicated his life to making weapons.

He had received a great favor. It was his greatest joy to make good weapons for good martial artists, so he refused to take any money. That made him feel even more sorry and grateful.

‘I should buy him a thank-you gift when I go back.’

With that thought in his heart, he increased his speed.

Whoosh!

Cutting through the air at high speed felt incredibly refreshing.

As he practiced his movement technique while moving forward, he soon saw Hangzhou. And he also saw the Hoseon Daehui Inn, said to be the largest and most luxurious in Hangzhou.

Thud!

Yeon Ho-Jeong leaped over the wall in just two steps.

He cleared the high wall so easily. Before learning the movement technique, he would have had to kick off the wall five or six times.

“Hoo. I’m tired after running around all day.”

Today, he would definitely eat a hearty meal and get a good rest.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had entered the inn, paused before knocking on Muk Bi’s door.

‘Huh?’

When he focused his senses, he couldn’t feel anyone in the room.

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“What’s with this guy? Did she go to eat already?”

Now that he thought about it, the sun was already setting. She hadn’t had a proper meal for days, so maybe she was trying to eat a lot this time.

Grumble.

Yeon Ho-Jeong patted his stomach.

“How petty. She could have waited a little to eat together.”

It was a ridiculous thought. How could he know when she would come back and eat together?

Yeon Ho-Jeong grumbled as he went up to the top floor.

‘There she is.’

Even before he reached the top, he could see Muk Bi.

Although he treated her like a boy, objectively speaking, Muk Bi was a beautiful woman. She was the kind of beauty that would stand out anywhere.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was about to raise his hand with a smile, stopped.

“Why can’t you apologize already!”

“You’re really rude. Just how humble is your family background?”

“Hey. Do you think things will be resolved just by standing there blankly?”

In front of Muk Bi, there were about a dozen men and women gathered.

Some were frowning, some were openly angry, and some had expressions full of contempt.

Surprisingly, they were all glaring at Muk Bi. And Muk Bi was hesitating with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

A young man at the front of the group of men and women sneered.

“Why don’t you answer? If you’ve done something wrong, shouldn’t you apologize?”

Muk Bi stammered.

“I did apologize.”

“Apologize? Is that an apology? Is it over with just saying ‘I’m sorry’?”

The young man, Ha Seok, arrogantly raised his chin.

“If you’ve committed a great sin, you should kneel and bow your head to the ground. That’s what an apology is.”

Confusion filled Muk Bi’s face.

She had grown up in the secluded group called Gwanil Valley. She had learned basic etiquette, but she had lived isolated from society, and had spent most of her childhood shooting arrows without any friends.

When faced with conflict, her mind went blank. It was a problem separate from her martial arts prowess.

“You want me to bow?”

“Why? Are you too proud? If you’ve hurt someone, you should take responsibility for it. Don’t you know that?”

Muk Bi’s neck flushed red.

“Hurt? Besides, you were the ones who were rude first.”

“Rude… This is a completely crazy woman.”

It was quite a vulgar remark.

Even Muk Bi couldn’t help but get angry. She spoke with a flushed face.

“I apologized even though I didn’t need to. Shouldn’t you be the ones apologizing to me?”

She was the type to avoid conflict if it was a minor issue. It was clear how wronged Muk Bi felt.

Ha Seok chuckled.

“I don’t want to argue with a lowly person anymore. Kneel down right now and apologize to Miss Dong. If you don’t want to, then offer something equivalent.”

“…What did you say?”

“We are descendants of the most prestigious families in Jeolgang. You’re not someone a half-baked martial artist like you can treat carelessly. The only reason we’ve been patient so far is because of your group’s status.”

Muk Bi’s face hardened.

By ‘group,’ they meant Yeon Ho-Jeong. This meant they also knew about Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“But since you’re the one who made the mistake, you should take responsibility for it yourself, right?”

“That’s right. But…”

“If you really don’t want to apologize, then lick Miss Dong’s feet. That’s the proper etiquette.”

Ha Seok’s words caused the men and women with him to burst into laughter.

Muk Bi was dumbfounded.

Even though she had little experience with the world, she knew that the current situation was not normal.

Especially the atmosphere around them was strange.

‘They’re avoiding it.’

There were about twenty people eating on the top floor.

Surprisingly, none of them intervened in the current situation. Some seemed completely uninterested, but most of them were making an effort to ignore it.

‘Is this the martial world?’

She was angry, and more than angry, she was disappointed.

At the same time, she became cautious.

‘Young Master Yeon.’

They knew Yeon Ho-Jeong. If there was some kind of relationship between them and Yeon Ho-Jeong, she absolutely couldn’t make a move.

Even if that wasn’t the case, she couldn’t cause trouble. Although she had never shown it, she considered Yeon Ho-Jeong her benefactor.

No matter what happened, she couldn’t cause trouble for her benefactor. That was the principle she knew.

“Then…”

Just as Ha Seok was about to open his mouth.

“Young Master Ha.”

The dozen or so men and women turned their heads.

From a window seat some distance away, Moyong Yeon-Hwa was sipping tea.

“Although that young lady’s mistake is significant, Young Master Ha, you were too harsh.”

“W-was I? Haha!”

Ha Seok scratched his head awkwardly.

He had been so imposing in front of Muk Bi, but he was very cautious towards Moyong Yeon-Hwa. It was a clear display of the difference in power.

“Even if the other party’s mistake is significant, isn’t it a shame for your reputations to be tarnished by getting involved in such a matter? I think it’s best to let this matter drop here.”

Moyong Yeon-Hwa asked the girl behind Ha Seok, Dong So-Bang.

“How about you, So-Bang? Are you alright?”

Dong So-Bang pouted.

She touched the back of her hand.

“It still hurts a little… but, it’s okay. Let’s just say I was bitten by a dog.”

“You’re too harsh, So-Bang. But I’m grateful that you think that way.”

Moyong Yeon-Hwa looked at Muk Bi and said.

“It seems these people were quite surprised. As you can see, they are the descendants of prestigious families in Jeolgang, so they are not used to worldly disputes.”

“…”

“I’m sure you were quite surprised as well, so I’ll apologize on their behalf.”

Muk Bi silently stared at Moyong Yeon-Hwa.

Ha Seok clicked his tongue.

“She really has no manners at all.”

“Young Master Ha.”

“But isn’t it too much? She should at least thank Miss Moyong.”

Moyong Yeon-Hwa smiled and said.

“It seems she’s not used to worldly disputes either. Please understand.”

“Ahem!”

At that moment, Muk Bi opened her mouth.

“Is it always like this?”

Moyong Yeon-Hwa said with a puzzled expression.

“Are you talking to me?”

“Yes.”

“What did you say?”

“I asked if it’s always like this.”

“What is?”

“Is the martial world always such a petty place?”

In an instant, a murderous intent flashed in Ha Seok’s eyes.

“This bitch!”

“Young Master Ha.”

Ha Seok closed his mouth at Moyong Yeon-Hwa’s voice. But he was clearly angry, as he continued to pant.

The other men and women who were with him were the same. The way they looked at Muk Bi was as if they had blades in their eyes.

Moyong Yeon-Hwa said in a somewhat serious voice.

“That’s a dangerous statement. As I said, these people are the descendants of prestigious families in Jeolgang. But if I were to answer…”

“…”

“Well? I don’t think this is petty. If you had sincerely apologized, would these people have been so angry?”

“I did apologize sincerely.”

“An apology isn’t just about words and expressions. Sometimes, depending on your status, there are certain attitudes you must take.”

Moyong Yeon-Hwa ended the conversation with a smile.

“I didn’t want to escalate things because it seems you’re not familiar with the ways of the world. But please know that if these people had decided to escalate things, it could have become a never-ending problem.”

“…”

“I hope that was a sufficient answer. Now, please continue your meal.”

It was then.

“Is there really a need to do that?”

Moyong Yeon-Hwa’s face hardened.

Muk Bi turned her head towards the source of the voice. There, Yeon Ho-Jeong was standing.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said in a calm tone.

“If something has happened, you should see it through to the end. Why stop in the middle? Let’s escalate it further.”