Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 123

As autumn faded, winter was fast approaching.

“It’s getting…”

The wind was bitingly cold. Even bundled in a fur coat, a chill seeped into his core.

“I need to prepare.”

Moyong Gun, gazing at the sky heavy with dark clouds, had a resolute look in his eyes.

“This is…”

“Yes, Branch Leader.”

“Please look after the branch until I return.”

Lee Geon’s eyes gleamed with understanding.

“Are you truly planning to go alone?”

Moyong Gun smiled faintly.

“I’ve lived a solitary life until I met you. It’s nothing new for me.”

“I see.”

“Besides, while I’ve declared my intention to reform my family, that doesn’t mean the Zhejiang branch should falter. If we fail, many people will suffer.”

“……”

“Please take good care of it.”

“I will do my utmost to manage it well until you return.”

“Your administrative skills are far superior to mine. I have no doubt about that.”

Moyong Gun reached for the treasured sword hanging on the wall.

‘……’

A flicker of longing crossed his eyes as he gazed at the sword.

“Then, I’ll see you later.”

“Please take care of yourself.”

Moyong Gun, leaving the branch alone, immediately set off on the land route.

Why was that? He knew that traveling by ship would be faster, yet his feet instinctively chose the land route. And Moyong Gun didn’t try to change his course.

After traveling by land for half a shichen [approximately one hour], he realized his intuition had been correct.

“I didn’t expect to meet you on this road.”

Surprise flickered in Moyong Gun’s eyes.

“Yeon-di?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned slightly.

“Let’s dispense with the honorifics for now. It feels strange after so long.”

A look of genuine delight spread across Moyong Gun’s face.

There are people you can’t connect with no matter how many times you meet, and then there are those you feel an instant kinship with.

For Moyong Gun, Yeon Ho-Jeong was definitely the latter. Perhaps it was because he saw a reflection of his past self in Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Did you have business in Zhejiang? What a coincidence.”

“What business would I have in Zhejiang? Except to meet you.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Did you come to see me?”

“Yes.”

“Haha, we said we’d meet after our first operation was successful, but why did you come without contacting me?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled enigmatically.

“I came to say a word if you still haven’t made up your mind. Even if you have, I have something else to say.”

“Something to say?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked directly into Moyong Gun’s eyes.

His eyes shone like a bright star. Though the sky was overcast, his aura of determination and his unique, caring presence made anyone facing him feel at ease.

“You’re planning to join Moyong Gun’s faction.”

“Yes, that’s what I’m planning.”

“Thank you for considering my thoughts.”

“I should be the one who is grateful. After meeting my younger brother, I realized how passively I’ve been living. It’s all thanks to you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“You just needed a trigger. You were always someone who could make the right judgment. I hope you have more confidence in yourself.”

Moyong Gun burst into laughter.

“Why are you saying so many nice things today?”

“What do you mean, ‘why,’ after seeing each other a few times?”

“Hahaha!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s sharp tone was truly endearing. Moyong Gun felt his heart lighten.

“Okay, what is it that you wanted to say to me?”

“……”

“Yeon-di?”

It was then.

Thud!

With a roar like a drumbeat, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body surged forward with terrifying speed.

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed with alertness.

Clang!

The massive Gwangryongbu [a type of large, heavy blade] was blocked by Moyong Gun’s treasured sword.

It was a dazzling display of reaction speed. But Yeon Ho-Jeong’s attack didn’t end there.

With a fluid, almost mystical movement, Yeon Ho-Jeong channeled power into the Gwangryongbu and relentlessly pressed Moyong Gun.

Whir! Clang! Clang!

Moyong Gun retreated, parrying Yeon Ho-Jeong’s relentless attacks.

Each strike was powerful enough to split rocks and shatter stone walls with destructive shockwaves, yet Moyong Gun’s swordsmanship, which deflected all those attacks with a single blade, had reached a divine level.

How long had the onslaught continued?

Flash!

Moyong Gun’s eyes narrowed.

‘He disappeared?!’

Yeon Ho-Jeong had vanished in an instant. He had completely lost sight of him.

At that moment, he had the illusion that intense sunlight was pouring down from the sky full of dark clouds.

‘Above!’

Moyong Gun looked up.

‘……!!’

Red flames erupted from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body as he descended at a terrifying speed. The magnificent and eerie flames spread like a curtain behind Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shoulders, resembling a pair of wings.

Overwhelming power. Terrifying killing intent.

Moyong Gun’s sword moved instinctively, guided by his honed techniques.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

It was an incredible display of martial prowess.

He was wielding that heavy greatsword with the speed and precision of a master swordsman, and Moyong Gun almost lost his grip on his own blade.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Moyong Gun’s sword unleashed a magnificent cry.

Flash!

A blue sword shadow enveloped the fiery onslaught and sent the flames soaring into the sky.

Swoosh.

Yeon Ho-Jeong landed ten steps in front of Moyong Gun.

‘Hmm.’

Moyong Gun felt his sword-wielding hand tremble slightly. He hadn’t completely absorbed the impact.

Not only that.

His back was stiff, and his knees ached. The strain on his body had become extreme from receiving rapid and heavy attacks in succession.

‘It’s an amazing martial art.’

This was the first time he had truly fought with Yeon Ho-Jeong.

It was indeed an amazing martial art. No, it was far more intense than he had imagined.

That was because he knew that Yeon Ho-Jeong wasn’t using his full power.

“Did I, your foolish older brother, do something wrong to you?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, but after exchanging a few moves just now, I feel a bit frustrated.”

“Frustrated? Why?”

“Why aren’t you attacking even though you can counterattack?”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“How can I, as an older brother, point my sword at my younger brother?”

“Tsk.”

“However, your martial arts are so strong that I had no choice but to draw my sword. I don’t want to die either.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly observing Moyong Gun, nodded.

“It seems you haven’t rusted.”

“Did you think this older brother’s skills were not reliable?”

“How long has it been since you had a proper match?”

“Are you talking about real combat?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I don’t remember.”

“There’s no better training for a martial artist than real combat. I didn’t feel the unique sharpness of a swordsman, so I just swung at you, but thankfully, you’re not someone who would be easily defeated.”

Even if your martial arts are strong, you can be taken down with a single ambush. [This is a common saying in martial arts novels, emphasizing the importance of vigilance.]

Moyong Gun was different. Although it had been a long time since he had experienced real combat, his senses were still sharp. Even if it wasn’t real combat, the years he had spent training his martial arts every day had made him who he was now.

“It’s not very good, but it’s not bad either. You’ll be fine.”

Swoosh.

Moyong Gun sheathed his sword.

“So, what is it that you wanted to say to this older brother?”

“Hold on tight. If you’re going to be Moyong Gun’s man, be sure to do it properly.”

“It doesn’t seem like that’s all you came to say.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“I’m also going to the Martial Alliance.”

Moyong Gun was startled.

“You’re going to the Martial Alliance too? Don’t tell me you’re planning to join me?”

“Don’t get your hopes up.”

“Then?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked far to the northwest.

It was the direction where the Martial Alliance was located.

“At the beginning of the new year, the leaders of the Nine Great Sects and the Six Great Families will gather to discuss the establishment of the Martial Alliance. The main family is also scheduled to depart in five days.”

“Then?”

“Yes, I’m going to the Martial Alliance with my father.”

Joy filled Moyong Gun’s face.

“Then we’ll….”

“Sorry, but our family isn’t as cold as yours. We’re harmonious. Do you think we’ll have time to meet in that vast place?”

“……Ugh.”

“Well… we might meet, but we’ll probably face each other as enemies.”

Moyong Gun’s face, which had been full of smiles, instantly hardened.

“Enemies….”

“Yes, enemies. Of course, you’ll have to fully commit to being under Moyong Gun to be a worthy enemy.”

“I see.”

“Yes.”

The two of them looked at each other in silence.

The one who broke the silence was Moyong Gun.

“Did you hear about the warning the Moyong main family gave me?”

“Yes.”

“You were right. If I hadn’t thought of going directly to the family head, they would have been constantly watching me.”

“Moyong Gun isn’t a fool.”

“And thanks to you, who understood my older brother’s personality and intentions, I’ve stepped into the world again like this.”

“I don’t want to hear any more useless compliments.”

“Be on your guard.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong blinked.

“I didn’t expect to hear those words? Be on your guard.”

“I’m a person who makes a lot of mistakes. I’ll try not to, but I think there will be times when I’ll surprise you.”

“That’s ridiculous. Mistakes happen when you work. You should naturally be on your guard to that extent.”

“But please know this one thing. From now on, even if I make a mistake, I don’t intend to apologize to you. It’s more beneficial to move forward than to feel sorry for you.”

“Oh?”

“So, I’m apologizing in advance. I’m sorry.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“That’s a great mindset. I hope that mindset doesn’t waver.”

Moyong Gun clasped his hands respectfully.

“Thank you for everything. Let’s do well in the future too.”

“Likewise.”

Moyong Gun then left first.

Although the sky was full of dark clouds, it seemed as if the sun was shining on the path Moyong Gun was walking.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was watching his back from afar, clicked his tongue.

“Now I know why Father is angry that I don’t send him letters. It’s like watching a three-year-old.”

At that moment, Muk Bi appeared from behind a large tree.

Unlike in the past, her hair was tied up tightly, and she looked full of health.

“They say he’s ten years older than you, Young Master Yeon. But what do you mean by ‘a kid’?”

“You’re about six years older than me, and you’re still like a kid.”

“Where do I look like a kid?”

“You always look like a kid, you.”

“Tch.”

Muk Bi rummaged around her waist and took something out.

“Eat this.”

“What is it?”

“It’s rice balls.”

“Don’t you have jerky? I want to eat meat.”

“Who are you calling a kid?”

“You should have eaten rice balls until you choked to know what I’m talking about. But why did you pack rice balls instead of jerky for a journey that will take several days?”

“Because rice is more delicious.”

“You have a unique taste, anyway.”

“So, are you not going to eat it?”

“Give it to me. I’m hungry.”

“You’re so picky even though you’re going to eat it.”

“You’ve really grown up a lot.”

“You shouldn’t say that to an adult.”

The two of them laughed and chatted for a long time while eating the rice balls.

* * *

“Where are you going again?”

“……”

“That bastard is getting more and more cunning. Why aren’t you coming back right now?”

“Ah, please. I’ve mastered all of the Ten Front Forms, Eight Rear Forms, and the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms!”

“You’ve only mastered them, you haven’t properly trained them. You’re still far from it. Come back right now.”

“I don’t want to.”

“You’re going to die, really.”

“Master! The world is undergoing a great change, how can we just stay here? We need to go out and see what’s going on in the world!”

“The kids are bringing back information. Stop talking nonsense and come back quickly.”

“I don’t want to. I’m going.”

“Where are you going, you crazy bastard!”

“I’m going to the Martial Alliance!”

“What are you going to do there!”

“I’m going to the Martial Alliance… wait? But Master, aren’t you going?”

“Ahem. I’ve already informed them that I’m not going.”

“……”

“Huh? What? Hey! Where are you going! Why aren’t you coming back?! That bastard, when did he master the Myriad Mile Autumn Wind to that extent? Hah! I’m too old to catch up now. That damn bastard, I’ll make him a cripple when he comes back, really.”