Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 171

“The sword energy is as clear as a cloudless sky, so I had a hunch, and indeed, the Yeon Clan Head is here.”

His tone was different from the meetings, perhaps because it was a private setting.

Yeon-wi clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“Abbot.”

The Shaolin Abbot, Gong Gong, returned the greeting with a half-palm gesture.

Yeon-wi gestured to Yeon Ho-jeong with his eyes.

Yeon Ho-jeong bowed respectfully.

“I am Yeon Ho-jeong of the Yeon family. It is an honor to meet the Abbot.”

“Haha, the honor is mine. Is this the first time we’ve met in such a private setting?”

“Indeed.”

Yeon Ho-jeong raised his head, his eyes gleaming.

‘As expected.’

A plain physique.

Gong Gong’s appearance, with his gray monk’s robe and red kasaya [a type of Buddhist robe], was the very image of a monk with high spiritual power.

But the weighty power hidden within was like a sea filled with golden light.

‘Vast.’

The dense seawater, not even rippled by the strong wind, filled Gong Gong’s three dantian points [energy centers in the body] without a single gap.

And that was just a guess. At Yeon Ho-jeong’s current level, he couldn’t see the total amount of power Gong Gong possessed.

‘Truly a great mountain.’

A person he had never met during his time as the Dark Emperor.

However, he had joined forces with Shaolin monks several times to defeat bandits. Most of those he fought alongside were first-generation disciples, and their ages were similar to or younger than Yeon Ho-jeong.

Their martial arts were all astonishingly powerful.

‘All martial arts under heaven come from Shaolin.’ It wasn’t just an empty saying.

Furthermore, the level of martial arts he had achieved during his time as the Dark Emperor surpassed even the current Gong Gong. Yet, Yeon Ho-jeong was surprised by the density of power Gong Gong possessed.

‘What kind of inner energy is this, so outrageous?’

Yeon-wi asked in his characteristic blunt voice.

“But what brings you here without any attendants?”

Even the mighty Yeon-wi was respectful before Gong Gong. There was also the difference in seniority, and the extraordinary weight of being the Shaolin Abbot.

Gong Gong smiled and said,

“Clan Head Yeon.”

“Speak, Abbot.”

“May I have a word with the Clan Head’s eldest son?”

Yeon-wi looked at Gong Gong with surprised eyes.

‘…….’

Gong Gong’s eyes were clear.

His gaze was so deep and clear that it felt like one could be drawn into it. It was the insight of an enlightened one, something that could not be shown with mediocre practice.

‘Come to think of it.’

Despite having cultivated such amazing inner energy and powerful martial arts, his face was full of wrinkles.

Even with such dense energy, his appearance was befitting his age. A power that did not go against the natural order, the divine art of Shaolin that had been passed down for a thousand years, pursued such natural strength.

Yeon-wi nodded.

“Very well.”

“Thank you.”

Yeon-wi looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.

Yeon Ho-jeong bowed his head.

“I will be back.”

“Alright.”

At that moment, Gong Gong spoke.

“I heard you use a heavy weapon weighing over eighty geun [a traditional unit of weight]?”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

“Bring it with you, if you would.”

It was a meaningful remark.

Yeon Ho-jeong picked up the Gwangryong Axe as if it were no problem at all. Just in case, he also took the Gyoryong Chain.

Gong Gong’s face showed a subtle interest when he saw the Gyoryong Chain.

But that was all.

“Now, let’s go.”

Gong Gong led Yeon Ho-jeong to a forest deep within the mountain.

During the journey, Gong Gong did not utter a single word. And neither did Yeon Ho-jeong.

As they pushed through the undergrowth, a large clearing finally appeared before them.

‘A clearing…….’

Its width was enormous. It seemed three times larger than the inner training ground where he had sparred with his father.

Gong Gong opened his mouth.

“It’s there.”

“Yes.”

Soon, the two stood in the center of the clearing.

Yeon Ho-jeong looked around.

‘It’s like a place made specifically for fighting.’

Indeed, it seemed someone had recently engaged in intense training here. There were many scratches and broken marks all over the ground.

“You have good patience.”

Yeon Ho-jeong turned his gaze to Gong Gong.

Gong Gong’s face was full of a relaxed smile.

“To come all this way without saying a word, you’re quite patient for a young man these days.”

“I have many thoughts. It’s not that I have great patience.”

“Hahahaha.”

Gong Gong burst into hearty laughter.

The sound of his laughter was very pleasant to hear.

“Let me formally introduce myself. I’m a lazy monk who spends his time killing time in the abbot’s quarters of Mount Song’s Shaolin Temple.”

Yeon Ho-jeong couldn’t help but chuckle.

It was quite an impressive self-introduction. Usually, when one thinks of the Shaolin Abbot, one imagines a compassionate and weighty figure, but Gong Gong was different.

Perhaps his demeanor in public and private was different.

“I’m the idiot of the Yeon family who only recently came to his senses after driving nails into my family’s hearts.”

Gong Gong laughed loudly again.

“What kind of strange introduction is that?”

“Can it compare to yours, Abbot?”

It was quite a familiar tone for a first meeting.

Gong Gong smiled and nodded.

“Indeed, you are different from the rumors.”

“Oh?”

“They say you are a hot-blooded young man whose innate talent is solely focused on martial arts, but you seem completely different from the rumors.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed. You are a tiger general, but also a talent with the cunning of a fox, the wisdom of a snake, and even the ever-changing face of a dragon.”

Yeon Ho-jeong flinched involuntarily.

“Your praise is excessive.”

“Is it? Haha, what does it matter if it’s excessive? If criticism is excessive, it becomes a problem, but good words, even if excessive, shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Excessive praise makes a person arrogant.”

“Are you such a person?”

“I could be.”

“Just between us, with your martial prowess at your age, it seems okay to be a little arrogant.”

It was strange.

He was clearly the Abbot of Shaolin, deeply versed in Buddhist law, but the current conversation felt like a conversation between ordinary people.

‘A monk saying it’s okay to be arrogant?’

It was unique.

It was clearly sincere, but it also seemed subtle. It was as if he was asking indirectly if he really thought so, or it could have sounded like a meaningless remark.

‘Whatever it is, he’s definitely not an ordinary person.’

Gong Gong asked.

“Why? Don’t I seem like a Shaolin Abbot?”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

“You’re like a ghost.”

“Tsk! Even if I’m a lazy monk, how can you call someone who follows Buddhist law a ghost?”

“……You get worked up over strange things.”

“Haha, so what’s your answer?”

“Until just now, I thought so.”

“Not anymore?”

“People’s personalities are all different, aren’t they? Whether a monk or a Taoist, they’re all just people. Just because they seek enlightenment doesn’t mean their natures have to be similar.”

“Hahahaha!”

Gong Gong laughed heartily.

His laughter, which even sounded cheerful, was filled with pleasant emotion. It seemed Yeon Ho-jeong’s words were quite amusing.

“One thing seems certain. No one has ever spoken so boldly in front of a Shaolin Abbot, especially on a first meeting.”

“There’s no reason to be timid.”

“That’s right.”

Gong Gong’s eyes gleamed.

“That’s it. Even if worldly etiquette is unavoidable, there’s no need to bow your head more than necessary.”

“Are you pleased?”

“Enough.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s expression hardened.

“Now, tell me. Why did you call me here?”

“Reason?”

Gong Gong tilted his head.

“Doesn’t this place tell you the reason?”

“Is it just a spar?”

“If it wasn’t a spar, would I have told you to bring that heavy axe?”

Yeon Ho-jeong was a little taken aback.

“Is that so……?”

“Hahahaha. Your face, now you look like a young man your age. I’m relieved.”

Relieved?

Gong Gong clapped his hands together as if in prayer, then slowly spread them apart.

“The talk was too long. Now, let’s start.”

Yeon Ho-jeong silently stared at Gong Gong.

‘A spar?’

From the first impression and a bit of conversation, one can roughly grasp the other’s personality and reactions.

But Gong Gong was not like that. Neither the eyes of the Green Mountain Tiger General nor the Dark Emperor could grasp Gong Gong’s true nature.

To be precise, it was difficult to read his intentions.

‘…….’

After staring at Gong Gong for a while, Yeon Ho-jeong raised the Gwangryong Axe straight in front of him.

Gong Gong’s face showed interest.

“I was surprised earlier, but you really lift it so lightly.”

“It’s my main weapon.”

“That chain isn’t an ordinary item either, is it?”

“I brought it just in case.”

“Hahahaha.”

Gong Gong said in a cheerful tone.

“May I say one last thing?”

“Please do.”

“Before calling you, I had a match with Moyong Gun.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.

“With the Tangma Army Commander?”

“That’s right. He was impressive. The spar was only for a moment, but he grew explosively in that short time.”

“Oh.”

A natural smile spread across Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.

Gong Gong’s eyes sparkled.

‘He’s sincere.’

It was a clear smile that showed no signs of competitiveness or jealousy.

It was unexpected. The more talented a young person is, the more impatient they tend to be with the growth of another genius, but Yeon Ho-jeong showed no such signs.

‘Is it confidence? Or is it a pure acknowledgment of the opponent?’

Whatever it was, he was definitely extraordinary.

Just as Yeon Ho-jeong could not read Gong Gong’s true nature, Gong Gong also could not read Yeon Ho-jeong’s true nature.

It was a truly surprising thing for Gong Gong. He did not have the experience of going through such a brutal battlefield like Yeon Ho-jeong, but he had innate wisdom, Shaolin’s divine art, and the true eye gained through practice.

‘I’m glad I called him.’

Gong Gong asked.

“Shall we really begin now?”

“……Very well.”

Kooong!

The earth shook with a powerful stomp.

Gong Gong’s eyes sparkled. He was impressed by the leg strength of Yeon Ho-jeong, which was transmitted through the ground.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s smile turned cold.

“I’ve been using my head too much lately, I almost forgot my simple self.”

“Hahahaha.”

“I trust you’ll take it all.”

“I am the Shaolin Abbot, after all.”

It was then.

Flash!

Gong Gong’s eyes widened.

‘Huh?!’

Whoosh!

Just as a streak of light flashed, Yeon Ho-jeong had already reached a distance of one jang [about 10 feet] in front of him.

‘So fast!’

It was like a huge fireball had been shot. The crimson aura of true energy rising from his whole body was like the flapping of a fire god’s wings.

Yeon Ho-jeong swung the Gwangryong Axe.

Flash! Rumble!

A terrifying barrage tore up the ground.

It was a real attack that showed no mercy. He didn’t infuse killing intent into the Vermilion Bird energy, but the Vermilion Bird technique itself was a vicious killing method.

Flap flap!

The hem of Gong Gong’s kasaya, which had flown into the air, fluttered in the wind.

‘Amazing.’

A merciless axe attack with six strikes in one second.

He was truly surprised. He never imagined he would unleash such a violent attack from the start.

‘And that footwork is……?’

Whack!

Gong Gong’s eyes widened even more.

This time, it wasn’t footwork but a movement technique. Yeon Ho-jeong’s figure, soaring with his back straight, was reminiscent of a noble gentleman.

A gentleman wielding a vicious axe.

In that incongruous yet strangely harmonious sight, Gong Gong shouted loudly into the sky-piercing fighting spirit.

“Is this how you start!”

“You said you’d take it all!”

Gong Gong stretched out his hand forcefully.

Thud! Clang!

The Gwangryong Axe, struck by the soft palm force, was sent flying at an incredible speed and embedded itself in the ground.

Gong Gong’s eyes flashed.

‘He let go of his main weapon?!’

Whack.

Yeon Ho-jeong had already appeared on his left side.

Gong Gong was inwardly surprised.

‘He read it?’

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled menacingly.

“Don’t let your guard down, Abbot.”

The White Tiger energy burst from his fist.

Wham!