Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 273

Reaching the top floor, it was utter chaos.

“Moyong Great Hero! Allow me to offer you a drink! Please, accept it!”

“Ah, no, I’m not a great hero…”

“Moyong Great Hero! Please try this! It’s the most expensive dish in this tavern! It just came out! No one has touched it yet!”

“I, I’m…”

“Gasp! A-Are these people perhaps from the Exorcist Army?! It says ‘Exorcist’ on their chest plates?!”

“That’s right, but… no, that’s not it, we were just about to have a meal…”

“Join us! We’ll treat you like royalty!”

Like any other tavern, the top floor of this tavern was a place where you couldn’t go without money.

Although it was a prefecture quite far from the capital, it was close to Hanam, and to the west were Yangyang and Mount Rongzhong, the main family seat of the Jeagal Clan. As it was a place frequented by wealthy people who disliked crowds, most of those on the top floor belonged to famous families or merchant guilds.

Moyong Woo said, flustered.

“I appreciate the kindness, but we need sufficient rest. I hope you understand.”

His flustered feelings were evident, but his tone was firm. Combined with his unique gentle voice, it had the power to make people back down on their own.

Soon, the faces of the people who had been chattering became embarrassed.

“Ahem! Well, seeing as those who should be in the Alliance have come all the way here, it must be for a reason.”

“Were we being a bit too nosy?”

“You’re such a famous figure, I was rude without realizing it. Please forgive me.”

Moyong Woo smiled.

“No, it is I who am sorry. I am simply grateful that you all understand.”

The people gave awkward smiles and returned to their seats.

Yeon Ho-Jeong whistled softly.

‘He’s definitely different.’

Moyong Woo knew how to make people back down on their own without getting angry or speaking forcefully.

It was a charm that Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t possess as a human. His nature, which he hadn’t known while being suppressed in Zhejiang, was awakening with his strong will to forge his own future, developing into a charm that drew people’s hearts.

Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t do that. It was also his nature, and as someone who had lived his whole life fighting, quick and intuitive actions were ingrained in him like a habit.

‘I knew I had a good eye for people.’

A person who can control the crowd as he pleases.

It was a natural talent more precious than martial arts. Whether he became the leader of the Martial Alliance or the head of the Moyong Clan, Moyong Woo would be a great leader.

“Hey! Brother!”

Gang Ryang waved his hand.

Even though his recovery was fast, his wounds couldn’t have completely healed, making Yeon Ho-Jeong think he was a truly sturdy fellow.

Yeon Ho-Jeong waved back and approached the group.

“Gasp!”

“…Mountain-Crushing Tiger?”

“He’s the Exorcist Army Commander!”

“That axe is enormous.”

The people whispered among themselves, looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

It was completely different from when they were dealing with Moyong Woo. In their eyes, besides admiration, there was a subtle fear when they looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

It was only natural. As a veteran general who had survived countless battles, his very presence was different. Especially when Yeon Ho-Jeong was out in the martial world, he was always on edge, ready to react to any surprise attack, naturally exuding a sharp aura.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sat down.

Thud!

When he placed the Mad Dragon Axe beside him, the entire floor vibrated with a chilling sound.

Moyong Woo said calmly.

“Did you have a good trip, Commander Yeon?”

It was in front of people. He called him by his title, worried about possible rumors.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“They are staying in Sanggo Prefecture, Gangseo Province. We should rest well here today and move a bit faster starting tomorrow.”

“Hmm, were there any special circumstances?”

“There were no personal special circumstances. However, they seem to be having a headache because of the Medical Association.”

“Medical Association?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong briefly relayed the information he had heard from the branch manager.

Moyong Woo frowned.

“How can those who make it their profession to heal people act so petty?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Muk Bi, who was eating noodles, said as if throwing a stone.

“They’re going to have a big problem.”

“Hmm? What do you mean, Deputy Commander Muk?”

Muk Bi pointed at Yeon Ho-Jeong with his chopsticks.

“Even though he seems like he doesn’t care about other people’s business, he’s the type who can’t stand that kind of thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if he destroys the entire Medical Association of Gangseo Province.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong snorted.

“Our mission is to safely escort the Western Region Divine Woman to the Alliance. I have no interest in anything else.”

“Really?”

“Unless they provoke us.”

Muk Bi chuckled.

“Young Master Yeon, you know, right? That you’re destined to have fights wherever you go.”

“I don’t know?”

“Then let’s see this time.”

“It’s like you’re hoping for a fight?”

“Of course not.”

Muk Bi stuck out his tongue.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said coldly.

“You have noodle scraps on your tongue.”

“Eek!”

Muk Bi, his face turning red, quickly turned away and finished his noodles. Even so, he was eating deliciously, so he must have been very hungry.

Gang Ryang asked.

“But even if it’s an association, it’s just a gathering of powerless doctors, wouldn’t they back down immediately if it’s the Martial Alliance’s business?”

Moyong Woo shook his head.

“It’s not that simple.”

“Huh?”

“If it were a problem that could be solved with force, they wouldn’t have dared to do such a thing. Besides, we are a righteous sect. Unless they directly attacked us first, it’s hard to tell them not to do it without clear evidence.”

Gang Ryang scratched his head.

“Honestly, I don’t understand why you’re thinking about it so complicatedly.”

“That is…”

“There may be various political issues, but isn’t the greatest value of the righteous path chivalry? Patients are dying because of those guys, so shouldn’t we slap them in the face first, regardless of politics?”

Moyong Woo’s eyes widened.

“The greatest value of the righteous path…”

Gang Ryang shook his head.

“If there’s something wrong, you fix it, isn’t that what the righteous people always say? Well, if I heard this, I’d be so angry that I’d go find them right away.”

“Hoo.”

Moyong Woo nodded.

“Gang Inspector is right. It seems I’ve been influenced by bad things.”

“Yes?”

“There are people suffering from illness, and I should have thought of them first. These political issues, we can think about them after we’ve dealt with the problem.”

Moyong Woo smiled.

“Thanks to Gang Inspector, I was able to reflect on myself. Thank you.”

“…Is it okay to receive thanks for something like this?”

Gang Ryang, feeling embarrassed for no reason, also buried his face in his noodle bowl.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Sometimes, you need to see the world simply. Gang Ryang’s words make sense.”

Moyong Woo sighed.

“Seeing this, I think I still have a long way to go.”

“It’s not that you have a long way to go, but that you’re being cautious. Although you said we shouldn’t act recklessly, I think Commander Moyong wouldn’t have been able to stand it if those guys were actually in front of you.”

“Haha.”

“But as I said, our mission is to escort the Western Region Divine Woman. Let’s think of the mission as our top priority, regardless of the values of the righteous path.”

“Commander Yeon is right.”

“We’ve been talking too much. Let’s eat first.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong and Moyong Woo also buried their faces in their noodle bowls.

Stir-fried vegetables, braised pork, and all sorts of dishes filled the table. Having only eaten jerky and dried rations, they devoured the proper meals they had after a long time.

Gang Ryang, in particular, ate a lot. It was only natural, as he needed a lot of nutrition to heal his injured body.

After feasting, the group went to their respective quarters to rest.

Past midnight.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had washed up, came out to the backyard and looked up at the sky.

“The moonlight is nice.”

Perhaps because it was cold, there was no one in the backyard.

Loud noises still flowed from the tavern. It seemed that many people were enjoying drinks even at this late hour.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

‘It smells like people.’

Every day, it was either missions or training, or keeping an eye on the Moyong Army.

Even if he was made of steel, he couldn’t help but get tired. Of course, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mind and body were healthy, but there were times when he needed such leisure.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly looking up at the sky, picked up the Mad Dragon Axe.

“Leisure my ass. Let’s swing the axe one more time.”

Woo-oong.

The Mad Dragon Axe let out a languid cry.

‘Shall I practice some forms for a while?’

The place was too cramped to train properly with inner energy. Of course, his ability to control his true energy was top-notch, so he wouldn’t cause any damage to the outside world, but he didn’t want to make any unnecessary noise.

‘Blunt sword, huh.’

Yeo Guk suddenly came to mind.

He had said that he was training with a blunt sword, and his sword speed had slowed down slightly. Although there was a risk of losing practicality, it was also proof that he was completely immersed in the blunt sword.

‘Should I try blunt sword training for the first time in a while?’

A blunt sword was, as the name suggests, a slow sword.

Swinging a sword slowly might seem easy at first glance, but to master the blunt sword, one needs tremendous effort and dedication.

There is no better training than the blunt sword to freely use precision, sword intent, and change. When the blunt sword reaches its peak, one can subdue ten thousand changes with one sword.

He had already understood the martial principle, but a perfectly mastered martial art could sometimes give another realization at an unexpected moment.

Yeon Ho-Jeong gripped the Mad Dragon Axe with both hands and swung it.

‘…….’

The Mad Dragon Axe moved slowly.

The speed was too slow. Moreover, the Mad Dragon Axe weighed over eighty pounds. Whether it was strength or inner energy, it required much more power than swinging it quickly.

How much time had passed?

Drop. Drop.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body was drenched in sweat.

The winter wind did not cool his body. In the first place, swinging an eighty-pound heavy weapon was a divine skill. To move it so slowly, and at a constant rhythm, was difficult even for someone born with divine strength.

‘This is better than I thought.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong shouted with joy inside.

‘The slower the speed, the more exponentially the load on the muscles and joints increases. I knew it, but the effect is much better.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial art was one-hit kill. It was focused on rushing in and killing the enemy in one blow, so his strength was also good at generating explosive power.

However, doing blunt sword training, at a speed that seemed to move and not move, his strength was instantly depleted.

‘Why didn’t I do this training sooner?’

The answer was clear. There was no need to do blunt sword training.

But it was different now. His strength, which had been trained to its limit, was trying to move to the next level due to the blunt sword training.

‘Very good.’

His legs were trembling from the immense pain, but a smile of joy was on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

‘With this, my body can become stronger.’

For someone whose training is a daily routine, what could be more welcome than a new stimulus?

After more than half an hour of blunt sword training, Yeon Ho-Jeong sat down, panting heavily.

“Hah! Hah! Whew, I think I’m going to get used to this?”

After repeating his breathing a dozen times, his heavy breathing subsided. His basic stamina was so good that his breathing returned quickly.

“I should do it tomorrow too.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had gotten up, slung the Mad Dragon Axe over his shoulder.

He looked at a large tree next to the tavern.

“Did you enjoy the show? Why don’t you come out now?”

Swoosh.

The person who appeared as if he had been waiting was a middle-aged man in his fifties.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“Who are you?”

The middle-aged man bowed briefly.

“I am here to see the Exorcist Army Commander of the Martial Alliance, the Mountain-Crushing Tiger.”

“I’m asking who you are?”

“I am Ga Yeok-So, the head of the Hubei branch of the Medical God Society.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t help but chuckle.

Muk Bi, you were right. I guess I’m destined to be like this.