Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 277

The sound of the water being cleaved was incredibly sharp.

Thump! Thump!

The speedboat’s speed increased as the water at the stern exploded.

Surprise flickered across Gang Ryang’s face.

“Wow, you’re amazing, Brother!”

“Don’t talk to me right now. I need to concentrate.”

“Yes, sir!”

Yeon Ho-jeong rhythmically thrust his hands forward, alternating between them.

Thump!

The surface of the water exploded again, further accelerating the speedboat.

‘It’s quite tiring doing this after so long.’

This wasn’t a striking technique.

It was a technique that involved gently pushing the water and creating an explosion at the right moment. It wasn’t a method that consumed a lot of internal energy, but it required much more precise control than a normal striking technique.

Whoosh!

For a moment, the speedboat tilted slightly.

Yeon Ho-jeong shouted.

“Brother!”

“Sorry, Yeon-je! I lost my balance for a moment!”

“You need to spread the weight lower and wider!”

“Got it!”

The speedboat didn’t gain speed just by unleashing powerful force.

Moyong Gun, sitting at the front, also played a crucial role in maintaining the speedboat’s balance. He had to increase the weight using a technique similar to the Thousand-Pound Drop [a martial arts technique that focuses on applying downward force], but also maintain balance without affecting the speed.

Muk Bi and Gang Ryang rowed on either side, while Yeon Ho-jeong increased the speed with his delicate force from the stern. The speedboat crossed the Yangtze River at an unprecedented speed.

How much time had passed?

“Yeon-je, is your internal energy okay?”

“I’m fine. If my internal energy runs out, we’ll just take a break then.”

There was no need to deviate from their roles just because they were short on time. It was risky to do so, and it could lead to further delays.

Moyong Gun was once again amazed by Yeon Ho-jeong’s ability to see the bigger picture, despite his seemingly reckless behavior.

In any case, as time passed, everyone became accustomed to their roles. A sense of ease gradually began to settle on their faces.

“Yeon-je.”

“Yeah?”

“What do you think? About what the sailor said.”

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.

“It seems like the Eui-sin Society [a fictional organization of doctors] had a hand in it, but I’m not sure.”

“Hmm.”

At that moment, Muk Bi spoke.

“I still don’t understand.”

“What is it?”

“This Eui-sin Society, can they really be that powerful? They’re just a group of doctors… Of course, I can see them having a lot of funds.”

Muk Bi had a deeper understanding of medicine than one might expect. Of course, he hadn’t received proper training; he had learned medical knowledge to treat injuries and illnesses on his own while at Gwanil Valley.

That’s why, even though he understood it in his head, he couldn’t grasp it in his heart. How much doctors were valued, and how well they were treated.

“Even from a martial artist’s perspective, doctors aren’t people you can easily ignore. It’s obvious. When you get injured, you need treatment. Even if you can handle most things on your own, you desperately need a doctor when you’re seriously injured.”

“Hmm.”

“But the doctors seen by the imperial court, government offices, and the common people are on a different level than the doctors seen by martial artists.”

“You mean they’re more important?”

“Of course.”

Moyong Gun took over Yeon Ho-jeong’s words.

“Skilled doctors often become the personal physicians of high-ranking officials and nobles. Naturally, their influence grows, and they gain considerable wealth and even more power than most officials.”

Muk Bi frowned.

“Is it really that much?”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but it’s probably more than what you imagine, Muk Bi. If warriors and soldiers are those who deal with death, then doctors are those who deal with life. Naturally, they’re bound to be treated well.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s not like the reason we’re escorting the Western Region Divine Maiden isn’t similar? A doctor with that kind of skill is worth more than a thousand gold.”

“I see. I understand now. So, their power isn’t actual martial strength, but influence based on their own value.”

“Exactly.”

Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.

“Also, the doctors of our Central Plains don’t easily pass on their knowledge to others. There have been people who have tried, but other doctors would ostracize or threaten them, saying it devalues the worth of medicine.”

Muk Bi sighed.

“What’s so precious about it?”

“It’s understandable. In a way, it’s their intellectual property. But the problem is that they excessively disregard the free will of others. Well, medicine itself is a difficult field of study, so it’s not easy to learn even if you want to.”

Gang Ryang spoke up.

“It’s easy.”

Muk Bi looked at Gang Ryang.

“Easy?”

“The process.”

“What process?”

“There aren’t many who can influence sailors.”

“Ah? Really?”

“Yes. Do you know, Sister, that there are bandits who plunder on the Yangtze River, like the Green Forest [a fictional group of bandits]?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes lit up.

“The Yangtze River Water Fortress [a fictional bandit stronghold].”

“That’s right.”

Gang Ryang said with a sullen face.

“Both the Green Forest and the Yangtze River Water Fortress are part of the Black Path [a term for the criminal underworld]. And the Black Path has no choice but to be more aware of the government than the White Path [a term for the righteous martial world]. Unless they boast the power of a major sect.”

“Hmm, so?”

“Those who have connections with the government can exert a strong influence on the Black Path.”

“So what… Ah?!”

Muk Bi exclaimed.

“So, the Eui-sin Society?”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“If the Eui-sin Society is a coalition formed by famous doctors of the Central Plains, then it can be said that they maintain close ties with the government.”

“No, it’s only been three days since we reached the Yangtze River, and they’ve already done that…?!”

“The information network of the martial world and the government isn’t that different. If they’re determined to spread information, there’s nothing they can’t do.”

Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.

Even so, he was releasing his force at a steady rhythm, as if it had become completely ingrained in his body.

“That’s why I wanted to move quickly.”

“What did the Western Region Divine Maiden do so wrong that they’re going this far?”

“We don’t need to know their circumstances. The important thing is that we need to enter Jiangxi Province as soon as possible.”

In any case, they had obtained a speedboat, so it wasn’t a bad outcome.

Muk Bi, who was rowing, tilted his head, suddenly thinking of something.

“But it’s strange.”

“Huh? What is?”

Muk Bi frowned.

“They’re a group that can exert that much influence, but even in front of famous people like Young Master Yeon and Commander Moyong, weren’t they too submissive?”

“Ga Yeok-so?”

“Yes. No one can exert the kind of influence to block the waterway in just three days. And from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t seem like the Eui-sin Society has any reason to fear the Martial Alliance [a fictional organization of martial artists].”

It wasn’t a matter of martial strength, but of influence. The Eui-sin Society had deep ties with the government, so they didn’t need to fear each other in the first place.

Of course, that was the case when they maintained a good relationship. Whether it was the government or the martial world, they were capable of targeting each other’s people if things went wrong.

“Maybe…”

Moyong Gun frowned.

“It might be a personal issue with Ga Yeok-so. The expression that Ga Yeok-so showed us at that time didn’t seem like acting.”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“I think so too.”

“Then, as Yeon-je said, the Western Region Divine Maiden might be in danger. If Ga Yeok-so handled things in a ‘act first, report later’ manner, the Eui-sin Society might ignore it and launch an attack immediately.”

“Yes, that’s possible.”

“After discussing it, it seems like it’s better to move quickly, as Yeon-je said.”

“Right.”

Yeon Ho-jeong said to Gang Ryang.

“For the time being, it’s time to train your movement technique. If you fall behind, I’ll leave you behind, so keep up properly.”

Gang Ryang grumbled.

“You said that during our first meeting, and now you keep saying you’ll leave me behind.”

“Hmph.”

“I understand. Don’t worry.”

Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.

“Damn it, I hope nothing happens until we arrive.”

Unfortunately, the heavens did not grant his wish.

The group, having smoothly crossed the Yangtze River and entered Jiangxi Province with their incredible movement techniques, received shocking news from the Beggars’ Sect branch [a fictional information network].

“It’s a disaster! An unknown group has attacked the medical facility where the Western Region Divine Maiden is staying!”

“Those bastards!”

“Fortunately, the Western Region Divine Maiden is on the run! The attackers are only targeting her and not the patients!”

“Who’s helping her?!”

“The Beggars’ Sect. We’re avoiding direct intervention just in case, and focusing on confusing the attackers.”

“You’ve done well. We’ll take care of it from now on.”

“You need to hurry. Whether it’s luck or something else, the Western Region Divine Maiden is moving while cleverly avoiding the places the attackers are targeting, but there’s no guarantee that her luck will last.”

“We’ll leave immediately. But, let me ask you one thing.”

“You’re asking about the identity of the attackers, right?”

“Yes. Is there any way to make an educated guess?”

“We have no idea at the moment.”

“Damn it. I understand. Please endure a little longer.”

“I wish you good fortune. Fortunately, the Western Region Divine Maiden is also heading north, so you should be able to meet her if you run for one more day.”

Whoosh!

The group accelerated their southward speed.

Fortunately, the group kept up well with Yeon Ho-jeong’s movement technique. Moyong Gun was a martial artist skilled in many areas, so it was understandable, Muk Bi was better than Yeon Ho-jeong in terms of movement techniques, and Gang Ryang followed closely behind him with extreme patience.

That’s how one day passed.

Moyong Gun’s eyes blazed.

“Yeon-je!”

“I felt it too!”

A sharp killing intent was detected in the forest path far away, next to the left basin.

Yeon Ho-jeong felt it instinctively. That refined killing intent was undoubtedly that of an assassin.

And the presence of the person the assassin was chasing was mysteriously vivid.

Thump!

His heart beat fiercely.

Thump, thump!

The Vermilion Bird Qi [a type of internal energy] blazed, increasing his cardiac output.

Whoosh!

White wind gathered beneath his feet. His entire body’s muscles swelled, and the speed at which his true energy flowed through his nerves doubled.

Surprisingly, his Four Divine Beast Qi [a type of internal energy] was a little denser than before he left the sect. He had reached a point where his true energy grew on its own, even without training.

Whirr!

The Biseonjin Barrier [a type of protective energy] also emitted an even more vigorous force to withstand the powerful Four Divine Beast Qi.

The Biseonjin Qi grew to accommodate the grown Four Divine Beast Qi. The symbiosis between the intertwined true energies was a rate of development that he had rarely experienced even during his time as the Dark Emperor.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s right foot kicked off the hard rock.

Boom!

In Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes, who was running like a flame, he saw a blonde woman covered in scratches and wounds, running towards him breathlessly.

‘The Western Region Divine Maiden!’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s expression brightened instantly.

However.

‘Huh?’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s brightened expression hardened in an instant.

“Hah, hah!”

The Western Region Divine Maiden was running breathlessly.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shook wildly at the unstable energy fluctuating from her body.

“…The Three Teachings?” [a reference to a specific type of internal energy]