Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 2

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

With his upper body bare, he held a sword in his right hand, pointing it forward, while his left hand was behind his back. He had been standing in that position for so long that his upper body was drenched in sweat.

The cool autumn breeze created a translucent haze around his body. His breathing was somewhat rough, but his breaths were not loud.

“How did it look?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked how the two of them looked together.”

Gang Ryang spoke honestly about what he had observed.

“It was only for a brief moment, so I couldn’t tell in detail. However, the atmosphere didn’t seem bad.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes.”

Yeon-wi, who had been staring at the tip of his sword for an hour, finally relaxed his stance.

Swish.

The sound of the sword sliding into its scabbard was as smooth as a melody.

‘He said he was the one who ordered it?’

After hearing Gang Ryang’s report, Yeon-wi was inwardly puzzled.

The first son hated the second son to the point of loathing. So much so that he treated him as if he didn’t exist.

And Yeon-wi knew why the first son hated the second son.

But he confessed that he ordered it? Why?

“Any other unusual things?”

“There were none.”

“I see.”

Gang Ryang bowed respectfully.

“I will call the Head of the Law Blade Pavilion.”

“That’s enough.”

“Pardon?”

“I said you don’t need to call him.”

A look of honest bewilderment crossed Gang Ryang’s face, which had been as stiff as a wooden doll.

“Are you not going to hold the Second Young Master accountable?”

Yeon-wi stared at Gang Ryang without a word.

Gang Ryang’s face turned pale. Meeting the Lord’s gaze felt like being pierced by hundreds of swords.

“Squad Leader Gang.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Do not forget your duty.”

“I apologize!”

“You may leave.”

Gang Ryang bowed deeply and retreated respectfully.

Yeon-wi looked up at the sky.

The sky was cloudless. The breeze was cool, and the sunlight was just right.

‘It’s probably not a big deal.’

During the ancestral rites, he was taken aback when the first son suddenly hugged the second son.

People’s tongues are easily swayed by lies, but actions are harder to fake. The first son’s emotional embrace of the second son was clearly filled with genuine emotion.

And it was the same for him.

Yeon-wi felt an inexplicable sense of bewilderment at the sight of his first son, who had never approached his father like that before.

‘Is he thinking something strange?’

At eighteen, he was all grown up. If he weren’t a martial arts disciple, he would have been married already.

However, the first son had yet to show any signs of being an adult. Even his father didn’t know what his first son was thinking.

Yeon-wi took the sword from his belt and threw it onto the weapon rack.

Clang!

The rack shook violently. It looked like any other long sword, but this specially made sword was a heavy sword weighing twenty geun [approximately 24 pounds].

“Wang-jeon.”

“Yes, Lord.”

A faint voice echoed from the empty air.

“When did the Namgoong family say they would arrive?”

“They said it would take about four days.”

“Did they say a member of the Namgoong family would also come?”

“Yes, it’s the youngest daughter of the Namgoong family head. She came to audit classes at the academy where the Second Young Master is studying. She arrived a few days ago.”

“Is that so?”

He wasn’t interested in the head’s daughter. However, he heard that one of the leaders of the Namgoong family was visiting the Yeon family. It was like receiving a big guest after a long time.

“Tell the Guest Hall Master to finish preparing to receive guests within two days.”

“Understood.”

A hint of fatigue, barely visible, flickered in Yeon-wi’s stern eyes.

It didn’t seem to be because of his two sons, at least.

* * *

Three days passed very quickly.

There was much to think about and much to organize. Although it was a punishment, it was a very precious time for Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong entered his room and organized his thoughts.

“In the end, this is what I have to do. Prepare and prevent.”

The Yeon family would be destroyed in one year and five months.

Furthermore, in twenty years, the Demonic Cult of Lust would turn the Central Plains into hell.

Neither of these were problems to be taken lightly. The Yeon family was his family, and the Demonic Cult of Lust’s chaos would engulf the entire Central Plains. If he couldn’t stop the Demonic Cult of Lust, his family would eventually be in danger.

Moreover, the place where the Demonic Cult of Lust first struck in the Central Plains was Gangso Province, where the Yeon family was located.

‘Besides the Demonic Cult of Lust, there are two more formidable enemies. To preempt their attacks, I need to start preparing now.’

His head felt like it was overheating.

After taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Yeon Ho-Jeong made a decision.

‘Okay. Forget about the Demonic Cult of Lust. What’s important now is not that. What’s important is the main family.’

Since he had returned to the past, he could do many things he couldn’t do before.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t set too many unnecessary goals. He was quick to judge what was most important in any situation and what he needed to do first to achieve his goals.

What was important now was the family.

To protect the family?

Yeon Ho-Jeong lightly slapped his cheek.

“Let’s start with my body.”

He sat cross-legged under the bed and examined his body.

‘As expected.’

He had checked it several times in the Ancestral Hall, but it was still disappointing.

‘I don’t know where to start.’

Compared to his peers, his internal energy was considerable. Even Yeon Ji-Pyeong, who overwhelmed Yeon Ho-Jeong, had less internal energy than him.

However, as with everything in the world, quality was more important than quantity.

‘The Flying Swallow Heart Method is at the seventh level?’

The Flying Swallow Heart Method was the basic heart method of the Byeoksan Yeon family. It was neither high-level nor did it have a strong power to release internal energy.

It was literally the basics, yet he had only reached the seventh level at the age of eighteen.

Yeon Ho-Jeong felt bitter inside.

‘I certainly didn’t have good talent.’

To switch to the next martial art, he needed to reach at least the ninth level of the Flying Swallow Heart Method.

Yeon Ho-Jeong barely mastered the ninth level a few days before the family was destroyed. However, Yeon Ji-Pyeong had mastered the Flying Swallow Heart Method at the age of sixteen.

The difference in their talents was that great.

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes.

‘Now, the Flying Swallow Heart Method is easy. It’s better to get it over with now.’

Even after twenty-six years, he vividly remembered the formulas of the heart method.

He recited the formulas of the heart method.

Swish.

A faint haze rose from his cross-legged body.

His true energy had not yet manifested into the visible realm. He had enough internal energy, but his body was not used to releasing power.

But that was only for a moment.

Whirr.

A signal came from his dantian [an energy center in the body].

Compared to his time as the Dark Emperor, his dantian, acupoints, meridians, and bones were all in a clumsy state. However, his mind had completely broken down the Flying Swallow Heart Method. It would be possible to apply it to his body somehow.

Shortly after.

Whirr! Whirr!

A faint light green glow was mixed with the haze rising from his shoulders.

It was a faint color that was not yet bright, flickering repeatedly.

Cold sweat formed on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s forehead.

‘It’s not easy.’

But it wasn’t impossible.

Flick!

His shoulder twitched.

Thud! Thud!

From his upper arm to his lower arm, his entire arms writhed uncontrollably.

It was the same with his cross-legged legs. True energy was spreading to his limbs, gradually opening the blocked acupoints.

Another half hour passed.

A thud! sound came from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s sweat-soaked nose.

Trickle.

Dark red blood flowed from his nose. True energy had reached his head, where many acupoints were concentrated.

‘Done.’

A small smile appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s lips.

‘If I do one last cycle.’

Buzz! Buzz!

A slightly brighter light green haze emanated from his entire body.

“Hoo.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and released his cross-legged position.

“I thought it would be easy, but it’s harder than I thought.”

He got up from his seat.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clenched and unclenched his fists and nodded.

“It’s a little better.”

His body was the same, but the nature of his internal energy had changed, and many more acupoints had been opened. Now, the foundation for learning proper internal energy had been laid.

It was a terrifying speed of cultivation.

“Now is the important part.”

After a moment of contemplation, Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I’ve already made a decision, what am I still thinking about? Let’s not waste time.”

After taking a clean bath and changing his clothes, he headed straight to the Lord’s chamber.

On his way there, many people greeted Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Greetings, First Young Master.”

“First Young Master.”

Their greetings were never lacking in courtesy, and they were formal.

However, there was no respect or fear of a superior in their greetings. Of course, there was no look of contempt either.

They were stiff and blunt, almost cold. No matter what they were thinking inside, their words and actions seemed to be fitted into a neat frame.

‘A rule of law without flexibility.’

The atmosphere of the family felt new to him.

And he naturally compared it to the atmosphere of the Black Emperor’s Castle.

‘It’s probably better than the Black Emperor’s Castle.’

In the long run, the atmosphere of the Yeon family seemed better. It might seem stingy with affection, but at least it was thorough in its chain of command.

However, it was too stiff. This kind of atmosphere was likely to cause problems in the future.

‘Is it not my concern?’

Shortly after, he stood in front of the Lord’s chamber building.

The entrance to the building was guarded by two gatekeepers. They were middle-aged warriors, each carrying a sword and a saber.

“Greetings, First Young Master. What brings you here?”

“I’m here to see my father.”

The gatekeeper’s eyes sparkled.

The First Young Master had never come to see the Lord first before.

“Did the Lord perhaps give you separate instructions without our knowledge?”

“It’s nothing like that.”

“Then you cannot enter.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“It’s a bit urgent. Let them know inside.”

“I’m sorry. The Lord has given strict orders not to let anyone in before noon.”

Strict orders?

“I’ve come at the wrong time. Then, is it okay if I have you deliver my message later?”

“Of course.”

“Good, then just deliver my message.”

“Please speak.”

“Tell him I will learn the Azure Silk True Scripture in advance.”

At that moment, the gatekeepers’ eyes widened.

“Pardon?”

“Didn’t you hear? Tell him I’ll learn the Azure Silk True Scripture in advance, so he should know that.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his back.

“Then, take care.”

“W-wait a moment!”

“Huh?”

“Did you just say the Azure Silk True Scripture?”

“So?”

The gatekeepers’ mouths gaped.

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“You’re not really hard of hearing, are you?”

“……”

“Be sure to deliver it. So there won’t be any misunderstandings later.”

As Yeon Ho-Jeong walked away, leaving the shocked gatekeepers behind, he suddenly saw a young boy.

“Ji-Pyeong?”

“Ah? Brother, you were here?!”

“Oh, I came to see Father.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with surprised eyes.

In a family where everyone wore a stiff mask, Yeon Ji-Pyeong was showing the most honest and human reaction. Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled without realizing it.

“Oh, what brings you here?”

“Just for this and that. But what are you doing here? Did you come to see Father too?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong pouted.

“I was looking for you because you weren’t in your room.”

“Me? Why?”

“I said I’d buy you a meal. I even scouted out a good inn.”

“Ah?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong coughed as if he had just remembered.

“Well, do we really need to eat outside? We can eat well enough inside…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t finish his sentence. He could see Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s large eyes welling up with tears.

His mouth suddenly felt dry.

“Then, shall we go out for a meal to get some fresh air?”