Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 140

“Here is the departure permit.”

The guard, after looking at the small document Yeon Ho-Jeong presented, nodded.

“Permitted.”

Kugugugung.

The north gate, the Hyeonmu Gate, opened.

Like the Cheongryong Gate, it was magnificent to behold. The sight of the towering, massive iron gate moving was awe-inspiring.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, at the front, took the first step.

The late-stage disciples, who had been hesitant and watching, followed him one by one.

“Hoo, the air is nice.”

Even though it was still within the Great Byeol Mountain, it felt refreshing to leave the Martial Alliance. Although he had spent less than a month there, leaving the Alliance felt much more invigorating.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke to Muk Bi.

“Excited?”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

“What’s wrong? Why is your face so stiff?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re completely frozen. Did you suddenly get scared?”

“Of course not.”

Muk Bi now accurately understood the level of martial arts she had achieved.

She was strong. How strong? Strong enough to potentially take down even Yeon Ho-Jeong if the environmental advantages were in her favor.

That meant she could hold her own against the elders of the Nine Great Sects and the Six Great Families of the White Path Martial Alliance. At the age of mid-twenties, such martial prowess was worthy of being called a genius among geniuses.

In other words, her tension wasn’t because they had gone outside.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Are you awkward?”

“……”

“Is it because you’re uncomfortable with people you’ve never met before?”

“It’s not that I’m uncomfortable.”

Muk Bi answered honestly with a stiff face.

“I just don’t know how to act around them…”

She was still learning about the world. She had seen enough and learned quickly, but building relationships with strangers from scratch was still difficult.

Yeon Ho-Jeong understood her.

“Don’t worry too much. You don’t have to force yourself to get close to them. But remember this one thing.”

“Yes?”

“As long as you’re with me, there will come a time when you’ll have to build your own organization.”

“……!”

“No matter how your life unfolds, it’s good to learn how to lead people. Especially if you’re going to live in this harsh world.”

Muk Bi nodded. She understood Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words.

“Well, now that we’ve left the Alliance, shall we move forward with a refreshing start?”

It was then.

“Um, Young Master Yeon.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned around.

It was Yun Ho who spoke.

“I have a question…”

“Go ahead.”

“We’ve left the Alliance together, but have we all passed the test?”

“Passed? What are you talking about?”

“I mean, is it correct that we’ve joined the independent unit led by Young Master Yeon?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“I was the one who went around suggesting it until my feet were sore. If you came, of course, you’re with us.”

“Ah…”

“Why? What’s the problem?”

“Ah, no, it’s just that I…”

As Yun Ho hesitated, Dong Ho boldly spoke up.

“We haven’t heard anything about it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

Dong Ho bowed his head.

“Greetings. I am Dong Ho, a first-generation disciple of the Hwasan Sect. I was taught by Baek So-Jin.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Keep talking.”

“To be clear, my senior brother Yun and I came because we wanted to join the unit led by Young Master Yeon. But there must be some among us who came out of mere curiosity.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Whatever the reason, what I want to say is that leaving the Alliance without any prior discussion is a bit…”

“You’re saying I didn’t consider you.”

Dong Ho clicked his tongue.

“It’s not exactly that. I was just curious.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Let’s talk about the details after we reach our destination. Please bear with it until then.”

“Ah… yes.”

“Huh?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“Hey, you there!”

Ok Cheong was startled.

“A-are you talking to me?”

“Yes, you, you!”

“Yes, yep!”

He was the very picture of military discipline. Ok Cheong stood ramrod straight with his hands glued to his thighs, looking like a clueless new recruit.

“Why did you come? I didn’t offer you anything.”

“Ah, that’s…”

“You little rascal, were you trying to stab me in the back?”

“H-Heavens! There’s no way I would do that!”

“Then why did you come, you!”

“I-I came because I wanted to be with Great Hero Yeon!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face contorted.

“Drop the ‘Great Hero’ title. And what do you want to do by following me around?”

Ok Cheong swallowed hard and said,

“Thanks to Great Hero Yeon, I was able to correct my mistakes.”

“I told you not to call me ‘Great Hero,’ damn it.”

“…Yes, sir.”

“I told you before, didn’t I? That there’s no need for any more duels with me. I brought you to the gate, and it’s your job to open it and go through, right?”

“Of course. However, I still have much to learn. I thought I needed to learn not only my martial arts but also about the world.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“Learn about the world?”

“Yes. I felt it while receiving guidance from Great Hero Yeon, no, Young Master Yeon. I have pursued the path of the Sword Immortal in the deep mountains my whole life, and because of that, I have learned martial arts that are too rigid.”

“Don’t make excuses. Whether it’s mountain training or whatever, the reason you learned rigid martial arts is simply because you were lazy and stupid.”

“…Yes, that’s right. Anyway, I felt a lot from the duel with Young Master Yeon. It’s late, but I realized it’s time for me to go out into the world!”

“If you go out into the world, is there any guarantee that your martial arts will improve?”

“……”

Ok Cheong hesitated, unable to say anything.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been frowning, relaxed his expression.

“But the fact that you’re moving to change is definitely not bad.”

“R-Really?”

“Just don’t regret joining my ranks.”

“I will never regret it.”

Ok Cheong’s eyes were earnest. Like Muk Bi, he didn’t know much about the world, but his words carried their own weight.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Alright, I’ll accept you.”

“Thank you!”

“Damn it, I deliberately excluded him because I was worried about the Sword Immortal elder. I hope I don’t get beaten up by the elder later for ruining his disciple.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grumbled and started walking again. Ok Cheong followed him with an excited face.

After taking about ten steps, Yeon Ho-Jeong turned around.

“What are you doing? Not coming?”

“……”

“If you don’t come, I’ll leave you all behind?”

Only then did the late-stage disciples follow Yeon Ho-Jeong. Their faces were filled with shock and surprise.

“What? Is that really Ok Cheong?”

“I-I think it is?”

“Oh my god, did Ok Cheong say he received guidance from Young Master Yeon just now?”

“No way… Ok Cheong is the Sword Immortal elder’s only disciple, why would he…?”

“This is unusual. This is very unusual.”

It was natural for the late-stage disciples to be surprised and whisper among themselves.

The Ok Cheong they knew, although not one of the One Dragon and Three Peaks [referring to the most powerful martial artists], was a figure who surpassed them just by his presence.

Regardless of his actual skills, he was someone anyone would treat with respect. The Sword Immortal of the world had said he was born with the talent of a martial god, so how could it be otherwise?

But for the recently famous Byeoksan Tiger to teach Ok Cheong? No matter how they thought about it, it made no sense.

At that moment, a woman wearing a bamboo hat spoke.

“I hope it’s true.”

All eyes turned to the woman.

She was the leader of the women wearing Buddhist robes. There were fifteen of them, and all were holding seven-foot-long spears.

They were the disciples of the Emei Sect.

“The Sword Immortal elder, one of the top masters of the righteous martial world, and Ok Cheong, the only disciple he recognized as having the talent of a martial god.”

“……”

“If he’s capable of teaching someone like Ok Cheong, then he must be capable of handling the disciples of the Nine Great Sects.”

The late-stage disciples’ expressions subtly changed.

That’s right. Although their circumstances were different, most of them were those who had not become the best in their respective sects.

Even if they weren’t the best, they had the pride of being from the Nine Great Sects. If the person who could become their leader lacked ability, that would be even more humiliating.

Of course, not everyone thought that way.

“You can’t know someone’s skill until you see it for yourself.”

The late-stage disciples’ gazes turned to a swordsman.

It was Yeo Guk of the Kunlun Sect, the leader of the five Taoists who wore flowing blue and white robes.

“Ok Cheong… he’s certainly outstanding, but his energy isn’t as sharp as a blade. He’s the Sword Immortal elder’s disciple, so he must be different, but he doesn’t seem as great as the rumors say.”

Song Yeon-Gyeong, a disciple of the Emei Sect, said,

“Even if Ok Cheong’s martial arts aren’t actually great, he was taught by the Sword Immortal elder. If someone has the skill to teach such a person, then Young Master Yeon’s martial arts must be very outstanding.”

“That’s not what I’m trying to deny.”

Yeo Guk’s eyes followed Yeon Ho-Jeong’s back.

“I can tell Young Master Yeon’s strength just by his posture. It’s embarrassing to say, but I’ve never seen anyone in my sect display such refined walking, except for the elders, of course.”

“……”

“However, the level of achievement and fighting ability are different. Also, the ability to lead a group is separate.”

Song Yeon-Gyeong nodded.

“You’re right.”

“I don’t know what Young Master Yeon is thinking, but I hope this unit is worth joining.”

Time passed.

After using their movement techniques for almost half a day, they arrived at a valley.

The valley was quite beautiful. And the humble house nestled in the valley boasted a picturesque view.

“This is it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his head and looked at the sky.

“It’s almost Yu Shi [5-7 PM]… we arrived with plenty of time.”

Woo-oong.

The Byukra True Energy subtly emanated, activating his senses.

‘They haven’t arrived yet. But according to Hu Gae’s information, they’ll be here soon.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke to Muk Bi.

“Muk Bi.”

“Yes.”

“Go up that hill and hide. If anyone approaches, let me know.”

Muk Bi was puzzled, but she obediently nodded.

“Understood.”

“Just in case, don’t carry your bow. No matter what happens, do not attack. Understand?”

Seeing him emphasize it so much, it must be something serious.

Muk Bi nodded and used her movement technique.

Whoosh!

“Huk!”

“F-Fast!”

It seemed like she had just kicked off the ground once, but she had already gone up the hill, against the valley.

It was a terrifying display of movement technique. Even Yeo Guk, who had learned the Kunlun Sect’s movement techniques, which were among the best in the Nine Great Sects, was wide-eyed.

‘How can this be! Such fast movement technique? And the ease coming from her feet…?’

The archer hadn’t used her full power. He had that much insight.

And yet, that speed and stability.

It wasn’t just Yeo Guk. Everyone there was mesmerized, staring at where Muk Bi had gone. At least no one there could even imitate Muk Bi’s movement technique.

“Fast, right?”

The late-stage disciples looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Thud!

The sound of the Gwangryong Axe hitting the ground made some of the late-stage disciples flinch.

“Now, we need to do our part.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face had also become serious.

“Now, how can I unite you, a ragtag bunch?”