Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 141

The expressions were serious, but the content of the speech was quite extreme.

Yeo Guk frowned.

“A ragtag bunch?”

At that moment, Yun Ho nodded.

“Young Master Yeon is right. We are a ragtag bunch.”

Most of the late-stage disciples, including Yeo Guk, looked at Yun Ho.

Yun Ho clicked his tongue.

“Since we’re on the topic, let’s talk about it. How many of the people gathered here have come with a firm decision to join the independent unit led by Young Master Yeon?”

It wasn’t wrong, so no one could object to Yun Ho’s words.

Yun Ho’s face became serious.

“Any group in the world with an unclear purpose is bound to be called a ragtag bunch. Even if the members of the organization are all outstanding individuals.”

“Hmm.”

The late-stage disciples made sounds of agreement.

Yun Ho asked Yeon Ho-Jeong,

“Am I right?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Half right.”

“Half, you say?”

“You are a ragtag bunch because you are not united, and you are a ragtag bunch because your skills are not outstanding.”

Yun Ho’s face hardened.

‘Skills…’

He was a first-generation disciple of the Hwasan Sect [one of the Nine Great Sects, known for its sword techniques]. Although he hadn’t learned all the secret techniques of Hwasan, he was confident that he could single-handedly subdue a decent group of bandits if he went out into the martial world.

‘It’s frustrating, but…’

Yun Ho sighed quietly.

‘I can’t help but admit it in front of that person.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong had accepted countless challenges from the late-stage disciples for several days. And he had won every single match.

Moreover, he had won every match overwhelmingly. Yun Ho himself had never lasted more than three moves in his five matches against Yeon Ho-Jeong.

In other words, it didn’t matter how high a level one had reached.

Yun Ho couldn’t defeat Yeon Ho-Jeong. He couldn’t even threaten him, let alone land an attack.

In the end, Yun Ho was weak, and Yeon Ho-Jeong was strong. That was all there was to it.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said,

“But you said something interesting. That each of you has a different purpose?”

Yun Ho said with a sullen face,

“Of course, that is so.”

“Of course?”

“…?”

“Does that mean it’s natural? Why do you say ‘of course’?”

“What… do you mean?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“Doesn’t that mean that most of you are pathetic fools who can’t even risk your lives for the path you’ve chosen, using caution as an excuse?”

“……!”

The faces of the late-stage disciples noticeably hardened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“When I made you the offer, I clearly stated that the independent unit was the first organization established by the Martial Alliance in decades, and that it was a unit that would operate independently, free from the politics of the Alliance.”

“……”

“If it’s a unit with such special characteristics, it should have a corresponding sense of responsibility. I also added that you should think carefully because there isn’t much time left. Don’t you remember?”

Yun Ho stammered,

“Y-you did say that, but…”

“We are all living lives on the edge of a blade. If you came here with a purpose, you should be ready to risk your lives. Surely you weren’t thinking of just touring the martial world, playing around, and then going back to your respective homes later?”

The late-stage disciples were speechless. In fact, most of them had been thinking that way.

At that moment, a young man spoke.

“That’s not true.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his head.

It was a young man. He looked to be about the same age as Yeon Ji-Pyeong. Maybe a year or two older at most.

‘The Jeomchang Sect.’

Surprisingly, that young man was the only one who had come from the Jeomchang Sect.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked,

“What’s your name?”

“My name is Cheok Gang.”

“Are you a disciple of the Jeomchang Sect?”

“I am a first-generation disciple of the Jeomchang Sect.”

“Okay, Cheok Gang. Does that mean you’ve risked your life?”

“Of course.”

Although he was a young man with a gentle appearance, his clear eyes were full of determination.

“I will go out into the world. I will go out into the world and hone my martial arts. But martial arts that are not risked with one’s life cannot be strong.”

Cheok Gang’s voice was filled with strong conviction and belief.

“I was thinking that when Commander Yeon came to us. I thought it was an opportunity. That’s why I came.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“You want to hone your martial arts in the gap between life and death?”

“It wasn’t a pure motive. I apologize for that. But it’s true that I came here with the determination to be buried here.”

Cheok Gang clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“I look forward to working with you.”

It was a spirited sight.

Seeing the youngest Cheok Gang act like that, the faces of the late-stage disciples were filled with shame. They didn’t have that much sincerity.

“I spoke about the special nature of the independent unit and the need to think carefully. But I never said what our unit would do. Yet, it’s not easy to risk your life and hope to join.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed to Cheok Gang.

“Whatever your reason, I will become a commander who is not ashamed of you. Thank you for joining me.”

He raised his head and looked around at the late-stage disciples.

Most of them were hanging their heads in shame, and some were frowning.

“Why should I bow only to Cheok Gang?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“You should have received my greeting. But I don’t want to bow to you, except for that friend Cheok Gang.”

“……”

“Be ashamed. You have lost to Cheok Gang in your attitude towards life, even before your martial arts.”

At that moment, Yeo Guk opened his mouth.

“I will apologize for that part.”

“What’s your name?”

“I am Yeo Guk of the Kunlun Sect [one of the Nine Great Sects, known for its sword techniques].”

Yeo Guk continued,

“Yes, I remember you. You were serious. But I wasn’t as serious as you. I knew that you might see me as a half-hearted person who was just testing the waters. I apologize.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Okay. I accept your apology.”

“But talking about our attitude towards life seems like nothing more than an attempt to insult us.”

Yeo Guk’s eyes deepened.

“That friend Cheok Gang is definitely amazing. Regardless of his age, it’s not easy to come to an organization with an unclear purpose with the determination to risk one’s life.”

“That’s right.”

“But it can also be said to be foolish. You should risk your life for something that is worth it. An individual’s life is not that light.”

Yeo Guk pointed at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Isn’t that why you thanked Cheok Gang, knowing the weight of it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“That’s also true. You’re smart.”

“That’s right. But not everyone can be the same. You must recognize the differences between individuals.”

Yeo Guk shook his head.

“I don’t need an apology for the insult. I just want you to know that we didn’t come here with a light heart.”

Depending on how you heard it, it could be annoying. But Yeo Guk’s words had some merit.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“Did you say Yeo Guk?”

“Yes.”

“I’d like you to stay until the end if possible.”

Yeo Guk frowned.

Stay until the end? What does that mean?

Yeon Ho-Jeong crossed his arms.

“If it weren’t for the special circumstances you’re in, I wouldn’t have pointed out your attitude either.”

The eyes of the late-stage disciples widened.

Special circumstances?

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice turned cold.

“Yeo Guk.”

“Speak.”

“If you went back to the Kunlun Sect, or stayed in the Martial Alliance, you could live comfortably enough, so why did you come here?”

“……!”

“Is it because you couldn’t become the best? Or did you want to escape?”

Yeo Guk’s face hardened noticeably.

It wasn’t just him. Most of the late-stage disciples had similar expressions to Yeo Guk.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

“The reason I was late when you gathered at the Pagun Pavilion was because I went to check what positions you held in each sect.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“There’s no way that the talented people that each sect is holding onto would come to me on their own, right? I was curious. What kind of circumstances you were in.”

The faces of the late-stage disciples turned red.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“If what I saw is true, you should be even more ashamed.”

He looked at Yeo Guk.

Yeo Guk was biting his lip.

“Yeo Guk.”

“……”

“Tell me again. Is there a reason why I should treat you as well as Cheok Gang?”

Yeo Guk couldn’t say anything.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“But what you said isn’t wrong either. I got a little excited too. I didn’t mean to insult you, but it could have sounded like an insult to those who received it.”

“……”

“You said there was no need to apologize, but I will apologize anyway. Everyone has a different nature and a different upbringing, and I judged you too much based on my own standards.”

“……”

“I’m sorry.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s apology was sincere.

But in a way, it was an apology that was worse than not apologizing. Because if they accepted that apology, they would truly become pathetic people.

It was at that moment, when the late-stage disciples were filled with endless shame and an unknown anger.

[Young Master Yeon. They are martial artists.]

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up at Muk Bi’s telepathic message.

[How many?]

[Over a hundred. But… no matter how I look at them, they don’t seem to be affiliated with the Martial Alliance?]

It was not strange at all.

The Daebyeol Mountain Range spanned three provinces. The Martial Alliance was only located at one point in Daebyeol Mountain.

However, at this point in time, when the news of the Martial Alliance’s establishment was spreading throughout the Central Plains, there was definitely a problem.

The person who discovered the suspicious movement and their identities was Ga Deuk-Sang. And Ga Deuk-Sang immediately informed Yeon Ho-Jeong of that information.

That was the reason why Yeon Ho-Jeong had brought the independent unit here.

“And I’ll apologize for one more thing.”

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

In that instant, they flinched without realizing it.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes were frighteningly cold. At the same time, they were also burning hot.

In his mysterious eyes, which were difficult to describe in words, a strange majesty was burning that they had never felt before.

“No matter what circumstances brought you here, I will never allow you to leave.”

“……?!”

“Because you have nothing to do? To test the waters? It’s presumptuous, but do you think I would give up a force like you? It’s hard to find young masters with your level of strength anywhere in the Central Plains.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled brightly.

“You are my subordinates from the moment you gathered at the Pagun Pavilion. Reject me? That’s not possible. Once you’ve come under my command, the only way to escape me is to die.”

It was a terrifying statement. It was too much of a stimulus for the proud late-stage disciples of the Nine Great Sects.

Yeo Guk, who was about to open his mouth with gritted teeth, felt an unknown sense of incongruity at that moment.

‘What is it?’

His eyes wavered.

‘Didn’t that person say he wanted me to stay until the end?’

Why would someone who said he wouldn’t give up on anyone and that they couldn’t escape him unless they died say that? Isn’t that a contradictory statement?

‘What on earth is he thinking…?’

At that moment, Muk Bi sent another telepathic message to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

[They’re approaching the valley! And they… they’re strong. They’re masters!]

Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his mouth.

“Now, I’ll tell you about the purpose of the independent unit’s establishment.”

[They’ve entered the valley entrance!]

“The enemies you will face in the future are evil spirits who can easily kill even top masters with unimaginable schemes and cruelty.”

[They’re fast! They’ll be there soon! What should we do? Are they enemies? If they are, we should at least fire a warning shot…!]

“Think of it as a warm-up before you fight the real ones. I’ll tell you in advance, if you don’t kill them, you might die.”

[Young Master Yeon!]

“Now, this is your first mission.”

Whoosh!