Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 12

The Four Divine Beasts Activate (3)

When Jeagal Ayeon and Jeagal Jun arrived near the back garden of the Chuseong Pavilion,

Whoosh! Clang!

A heavy sound that shook the air, the sound of metal clashing against metal, filled the back garden.

“Ugh!”

A stifled groan escaped. The short sound was filled with a will to endure somehow.

“Ahem! Your lower body is open!”

“Eek!”

Yang Heum, who was wrapped in bandages all over his body, hurriedly lifted his left foot.

However, the heavy iron rod aimed not at his lower body but at his abdomen.

Thud!

“Cough!”

Yang Heum, who groaned, staggered and then collapsed. He tried to endure somehow, but his legs gave way from the shock that spread throughout his abdomen.

“Hmm.”

A satisfaction that no one had ever seen before appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

‘As I thought.’

A faint haze rose from the hand holding the iron rod.

‘If it’s the main family’s mind technique, I can become stronger.’

He had been learning the Yeon family’s martial arts since he was young. However, after his family was destroyed, he met a master and learned new martial arts, glimpsing a new world.

In other words, there was a separate inner energy cultivation method that brought him the fame of the Dark Emperor. But he boldly decided to learn the Yeon family’s martial arts.

Yeon Ho-Jeong recalled his master’s words.

‘Actually, if your level was decent when I met you, I wouldn’t have bothered to teach you the Hongcheon Energy. It’s enough to draw out the true power of the Four Divine Beasts Martial Arts, but you can’t see beyond that. Of course, you could dominate an era with Hongcheon Energy and the Four Divine Beasts Martial Arts.’

Hongcheon Energy was a mind technique focused solely on increasing inner power, excluding so-called enlightenment. Therefore, it was the best mind technique for those who entered martial arts at a late age.

However, there were many mind techniques in the world that surpassed Hongcheon Energy.

Naturally, the Yeon family’s divine arts were also of a higher level than Hongcheon Energy. In particular, the Yeon family’s supreme divine art, which could only be achieved by mastering the Five Great Divine Arts to the extreme, was said to be a mind technique that would mark a milestone in the history of the martial world.

The reason why Yeon Ho-Jeong had memorized all the formulas of the Five Great Divine Arts to Yeonwi was for that reason. So that he could touch it whenever he was ready.

‘It’s definitely better than Hongcheon Energy.’

Just looking at the degree of amplification of the power release, he could tell that the Byukra Jin Gyeol [a specific martial arts technique] was superior to Hongcheon Energy.

‘If my achievement increases further, I can learn the Four Divine Beasts Martial Arts right away.’

As Yeon Ho-Jeong relaxed his stance with satisfaction, Yang Heum’s voice reached his ears.

“T-This kind of trickery…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“Trickery? That’s an unpleasant thing to say.”

Yang Heum, who was holding his stomach and getting up, couldn’t even get his posture right. It wasn’t a fatal wound, but the impact was quite significant.

“You said my lower body was open, didn’t you?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong was dumbfounded.

“Just because your lower body is open, does that mean I have to attack only your lower body?”

“B-But!”

“If I had put power into the iron rod, you wouldn’t even be able to stand up like that. Would you still complain about it being unfair even after you died?”

Yang Heum bit his lip.

He knew what Yeon Ho-Jeong was saying. In fact, it wasn’t something a Chang-eung Daewon [a high-ranking warrior] should say, disparaging it as trickery.

But he was frustrated. From yesterday to today, in a total of twenty-three sparring matches, he had not won against Yeon Ho-Jeong even once.

Yang Heum couldn’t believe it.

There was no one in the Yeon family who didn’t know about the Great Young Master Yeon Ho-Jeong’s skills. It was said that he had recently won against a young lady from the Namgoong family, but the Yeon family’s warriors did not think it was a fair fight.

How could he not win even once in a fight against such a Great Young Master? Considering the amount and quality of his inner energy, it was even more unbelievable.

“Well, anyway, it was fun. Thanks to you, I know exactly how to wield it against a person.”

It was a statement that greatly undermined the opponent’s pride.

Just as Yang Heum was about to shout to fight again.

“Yang Heum.”

“…Yes, Great Lord.”

“Step back now.”

Yang Heum, gritting his teeth, lowered his head.

“I am grateful for the Great Young Master’s teachings.”

“Likewise.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Shinmo.

“I need to wash up a bit. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Shinmo’s eyes sparkled.

“Did you know?”

“What’s there not to know?”

“…Understood. Please rest well.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

With those words, Yeon Ho-Jeong moved towards his residence.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong, who had been watching the sparring from the side, followed him closely.

“Brother! Brother! You’re amazing!”

“What is?”

“How can you not allow even one defeat against a Chang-eung Daewon? It’s amazing! And when did you train in staff techniques?”

“When you were playing.”

“Aish!”

The brothers bickered as they entered their residence.

Shinmo, who had been watching them until they disappeared, turned her head.

“You two there, come out now.”

Swoosh.

The Jeagal siblings appeared with embarrassed faces.

Shinmo said in a stern voice.

“From the looks of it, you seem to be descendants of a prestigious martial arts family, but don’t you know that it’s not polite to eavesdrop on other people’s training and sparring?”

Jeagal Jun bowed politely.

“We were overwhelmed by the atmosphere and ended up watching blankly. There’s no excuse for our mistake. I apologize.”

It was a flawless apology.

Regardless of right or wrong, Shinmo was impressed by Jeagal Jun’s appearance. Even if he was younger than the Great Young Master, his behavior was very mature.

Even while sincerely apologizing, he maintained composure. Just from that appearance, Shinmo felt her guard against the other party lessen considerably.

Just as Shinmo was about to open her mouth.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

Jeagal Jun staggered.

“Oh my! You glutton!”

“Ah, why are you doing this again!”

“Do you even know who that person is?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Goodness, are you really a Jeagal? How are you going to lead the family with that brain? I recognized him right away.”

“…Huh?”

Jeagal Ayeon, who had coughed a few times, greeted Shinmo politely.

“It’s been a while, Great Warrior Shin.”

Shinmo’s eyes widened.

“Jeagal? Then you two are…?”

“Hehe, has it been five years? We met in Hubei, right?”

“Ah!”

Surprisingly, Shinmo had met the Jeagal siblings before.

Five years ago, there was a villain in Hubei who committed all sorts of crimes. He was skilled in martial arts and meticulous, so no one could catch him.

It was the Jeagal family who had eliminated that villain, and Shinmo had somehow participated while traveling the martial world. It was then that Shinmo had formed a bond with the Jeagal family.

Jeagal Jun also looked at Shinmo in surprise, as if he had just remembered.

“Gasp! Great Warrior of the Gale Sword?!”

Shinmo coughed.

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t mention such embarrassing nicknames.”

“Then, the person who was using the staff techniques was?”

“He is the Great Young Master of the Yeon family.”

“Ah!”

Jeagal Jun looked at the residence where the Yeon siblings had entered with a renewed expression.

The name of the Byuksan Yeon family was hot even among the Seven Great Families. It was inevitable, as they had risen to the ranks of the top martial arts families in the martial world in less than fifty years since they became known in the Central Plains.

Jeagal Ayeon smiled and asked.

“I heard that Great Warrior Shin has become a retainer of the Yeon family. The Byuksan Yeon family is a martial arts family that everyone admires. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Although they had only spent a few days together and had even met after five years, there was no awkwardness between Shinmo and the Jeagal siblings.

That’s how life in the martial world is. It helps to get along well, even if the acquaintance is shallow. Shinmo, as well as the Jeagal siblings, were well aware of that.

“Did you two also come to participate in the gathering of the next generation?”

“Yes!”

“Yes, the little kids from back then have already grown up like this.”

Jeagal Ayeon whispered with a sly face.

“Do you happen to have time? It’s a coincidence that we met like this, so how about a drink?”

“S-Sister!”

Shinmo smiled and shook her head.

“I do have a connection with you, but I am currently the Chang-eung Daewon of the Yeon family. I have to guard this place, so let’s have a drink later.”

“Heh, then how about this? Great Warrior Shin, are you also going to Hapbi?”

“That’s right.”

“Let’s go together!”

“With you two?”

“Yes! After all, the Yeon family brothers are also participating in the gathering, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

Shinmo glanced at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s residence.

“I’ll have to ask the Great Young Master first.”

“Hehe, understood!”

“By the way, did you two come alone? What about your escorts?”

Jeagal Ayeon grumbled.

“Well, that stubborn old man…”

At that moment, Jeagal Jun covered Jeagal Ayeon’s mouth from behind.

“Ahahaha! Great Warrior Shin! Then we’ll visit you again tonight! It was nice to see you, Great Warrior!”

“Ugh!”

“Let’s go! Let’s go, Sister!”

“Puhah! This, this bastard put his unwashed hand in my mouth…!”

“Ah, come on!”

Jeagal Jun dragged Jeagal Ayeon away in a hurry. Judging by the way he was using his inner energy to drag her, he must have been in quite a hurry.

Shinmo shook her head, watching the siblings who had quickly disappeared.

“They’ve grown up incredibly lively.”

* * *

“Then I will convey it as such.”

“Okay.”

As Shinmo left, Yeon Ji-Pyeong scratched his head.

“Are you really okay with this?”

“What are you talking about?”

“That… going with the Jeagal siblings.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“What’s wrong with that? We’re going to see them at the gathering anyway.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Besides, they have a connection with Great Lord Shin, right? Then at least there’s less risk of them stabbing us in the back. Although it’s not much time left, it’s good to have even one expert with us.”

“Hey, Brother. They are the children of the Jeagal family. Of course, they wouldn’t do something like stabbing us in the back.”

“Did that rotten bitch from the Namgoong family do that because she was from a collapsing family?”

“…That’s not it, but…”

“Even murderers come from temples, and saints come from back alleys. Get rid of those fixed ideas quickly.”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong lowered his eyes, looking a bit dejected.

Yeon Ho-Jeong ruffled his hair.

“Ugh!”

“I’m just saying, you idiot. You should go and rest too.”

“Huh? Aren’t you going to eat, Brother? It’s almost time for dinner.”

“I’ll eat after resting a bit. My arms and legs are throbbing. If I can’t get up, just eat first.”

“Ah!”

Indeed, he had been sparring since morning without rest, so he must be tired.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong got up with an embarrassed face.

“Rest well. I’ll come back later.”

“Okay.”

With that, Yeon Ji-Pyeong also left the room.

The smile on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face slowly turned cold.

“Jeagal, huh?”

He had sensed the Jeagal siblings’ energy while sparring.

‘It’s completely different. The nature of their true energy, the way they use their inner energy.’

He had seen the nature of their true energy when he noticed their presence, and he had felt the way they used their inner energy when Jeagal Jun dragged Jeagal Ayeon away.

‘It’s definitely different from the energy of the attackers. But… I’ll have to observe them while going to Hapbi.’

The reason why he, who hated complicated things, had allowed the Jeagal siblings to travel with them was for this reason. He was quick-witted and had a well-developed sixth sense, but now, even if it wasn’t his sixth sense, he was trying to analyze them further.

‘If possible, I’d like to see the siblings’ martial arts properly.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s wish was fulfilled sooner than he thought.

That night, when the Chuseong Pavilion was bustling with many guests.

Crash!

One of the outer gates of the Chuseong Pavilion collapsed completely.

“You damn bastards! I wondered where you went, but you were hiding here! Come out right now!”