Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 291

“Father.”

Yeon-wi, who was sweeping the snow piled up in the yard, straightened his back.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

Yeon-wi turned his body.

In his eyes, he saw his second son, neatly dressed.

A smile spread across Yeon-wi’s face.

He had been too busy with the affairs of the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance] to even visit his family. In other words, the head of the family had not been properly fulfilling his duties as the head.

His second son and the family members had taken care of all of that. Of course, he had occasionally exchanged letters to check on the family’s condition, but it must have been very difficult to lead the family without a final decision-maker.

“You’ve grown a lot.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong, whom he was seeing again after a long time, had matured beyond recognition.

Although there was still a hint of youthfulness, his distinct features had become clearer, and his well-defined jawline and straight forehead made him look surprisingly mature.

His arms and legs were also long and slender, developing into an ideal physique for practicing swordsmanship, and the muscles hidden under his clothes were also well-honed, possessing a strong elasticity.

And his height had also grown noticeably.

He was a little shorter than himself or his eldest son, but compared to when he had left the family, he had grown more than half a *ja* [a traditional Korean unit of length, roughly equivalent to 30 cm]. At this rate, he would be praised for growing well wherever he went.

Lastly.

“Sword Qi [internal energy focused through a sword] and Iron Sword Mastery have already reached the level of perfection. Such proficiency at your age is an unprecedented achievement.”

Yeon-wi smiled and nodded.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“…Thank you.”

A small surprise flickered across Yeon Ji-pyeong’s face.

‘He’s become gentler.’

The father Yeon Ji-pyeong remembered was always strict and cold. He was very affectionate at heart, but he was not one to show it outwardly.

But now?

“Are you alright?”

“Yes? Ah, yes! I don’t have any real injuries.”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“For a master, *qi* [internal energy] is completely different from the *qi* that ordinary people perceive. Because they manipulate *qi* with strong will to develop their bodies, if they suffer a great blow to their mind, the damage to their body can be greater than that of an ordinary person who has not cultivated inner energy.”

“Yes.”

“Strengthen your mind and body. Although it wasn’t the real battle you wanted, that’s what the Murim is like. Not just the Murim, but the world is like that. You never know when, where, or what might happen.”

“I’ve realized that.”

Yeon-wi patted Yeon Ji-pyeong’s shoulder.

“Even though it must have been difficult, you overcame it very well. You’ve truly grown up.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong’s eyes wavered.

He had not expected this side of his father. Perhaps that was why? Seeing his father, with a smiling face, acknowledging him as an adult, an indescribable emotion seemed to well up.

“Th, thank you.”

“Yes, it’s good that you’ve shaken it off. Finish sweeping the yard, and then let’s have breakfast together.”

“Yes? Ah! I, I’ll do it.”

“It’s alright. What kind of cleaning is a guy who just regained his senses going to do? Just wait by the side.”

Before he could stop him, Yeon-wi picked up the broom and swept the snow piled up in the yard.

*Swish! Swish!*

With each sweep, the piled-up snow flew over the wall like crashing waves.

Seeing this, Yeon Ji-pyeong could tell that his father had done yard work more than once or twice.

This was also surprising. His father in the family was always busy with work, and he was a person who devoted himself to training, even cutting into his sleep time. He cleaned his office himself, but seeing him actually cleaning the yard was very bewildering.

Thus, the father swept the snow, and the son wandered around with a confused face for a long time.

“Um…”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ji-pyeong asked in an awkward voice.

“Father, you’ve also made some achievements, haven’t you?”

Yeon-wi’s eyes shone brightly.

He spoke without turning around.

“Can you tell?”

“Yes. I don’t know exactly, but… I feel like your *qi* is much more refined. It feels like your *qi* is well-contained.”

Yeon-wi was inwardly surprised by his son’s insight.

No matter how much Yeon Ji-pyeong had grown, it was only an outstanding achievement compared to his age, and it was not comparable to himself or his eldest son.

However, to surpass that enormous gap and grasp the development of a master through his senses was no ordinary feat. Would someone who had just entered the foot of a mountain be able to see someone who had reached the eighth ridge?

His son had seen it. Rather, with Yeon-wi’s current level, it was normal for a novice to mistake it for a weakening of martial arts.

“That’s an amazing sense.”

“Yes? Ah, no, it’s not.”

“However, that part of you needs to be corrected.”

“…Yes?”

Yeon-wi said in a calm voice.

“You still don’t know the reality of your talent. Accurately seeing what you have and what you are capable of is more important than effort.”

“…”

“You need to know how to distinguish between what you can do and what you cannot do in order to decide whether to develop your strengths or eliminate your weaknesses.”

*Whap!*

Yeon-wi, who had completely cleared the snow with the last sweep, leaned the broom against one wall.

“It’s good timing. Looking at your current skills, it seems like you’ve entered a transitional period. Let’s break through your own limits while you’re in the Alliance.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong quickly bowed his head.

“Thank you, Father.”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“It’s natural for a father to teach his son. It’s not something to be thanked for.”

“…Yes.”

“The food at the Alliance’s cafeteria is quite decent. Let’s go eat.”

“Yes!”

Yeon Ji-pyeong, who quickly approached Yeon-wi, hesitated for a moment.

“But Father, what about my brother…?”

“Your brother, you say?”

Yeon-wi chuckled.

“He’s been running around since dawn, wearing out his soles. Along with Bia.”

* * *

“Good work, everyone. That’s the end of the morning training.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s energetic shout caused all the members of the Myulsa Army [a special forces unit] to collapse on the spot, groaning.

“Huff, huff.”

“I’m gonna die, seriously.”

“My joints are aching, my joints.”

“That guy, he said his body was wrecked a while ago, but how is his stamina so good?”

Even as they said that, the breathing of all the soldiers quickly became stable and regular.

It wasn’t just Yeon Ho-jeong and Muk Bi who were improving day by day. All the members of the Myulsa Army were training fiercely every hour.

Since there were differences in talent and effort, the speed of development was different for each person, but at least none of them were slacking off. That’s why they could keep up with such extreme physical training.

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Muk Bi.

“Are you okay?”

Muk Bi shrugged his shoulders.

“This much is no problem.”

“Good.”

“Why? Are we going to train more?”

“No? I’m telling you to make them train.”

Muk Bi tilted his head.

“Is something wrong?”

“Just, because of this and that.”

“You’re being sneaky again.”

“Hey, isn’t your way of talking to your superior too rude?”

“Whatever. If you’re going, go quickly, superior.”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

“How’s your heart? Are you managing it well?”

Muk Bi nodded.

“Yes. It seems the Western Divine Maiden’s abilities are extraordinary. Actually, I didn’t notice it at all when I wasn’t paying attention.”

“There’s a reason why she’s called a divine physician. Just seeing how all the doctors in the Central Plains [a region in China] are trying to bury her shows how skilled she is.”

“Oh.”

“Why?”

Muk Bi’s eyes sparkled.

“It seems like you’re thinking of accepting her?”

Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

“It’s not up to me to decide that. It’s the Murim Alliance.”

“But Young Master Yeon’s heart is also important. Depending on what Young Master Yeon sees and how he acts, your father and the military advisor will also change their minds.”

That wasn’t wrong.

In that sense, Yeon Ho-jeong’s influence was indeed considerable. His influence as a hidden power in the Murim Alliance would be ten times greater than his reputation as a rising star who was vying for the title of the best in the world.

Yeon Ho-jeong waved his hand.

“I’ll come back when I’m done with my business. Look after the kids in the meantime.”

“Okay.”

As Yeon Ho-jeong left the training ground, Jeagal Ayeon had already caught up with him. Her appearance, approaching with a long yawn, looked quite haggard.

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.

“You have eye boogers.”

“…Oh, damn it.”

Jeagal Ayeon hurriedly wiped away the eye boogers.

“Hey! It’s been a while, and the first thing you say is about eye boogers!”

“If you have them, I’ll say you have them. Should I say that two small eyes are growing more?”

“You’re still the same, you little brat.”

“If you’re tired, sleep more.”

“I’m not tired!”

In fact, after wiping away the eye boogers and shaking her head a few times to fix her hair, she had returned to her usual self, with no signs of fatigue. It was an amazing technique.

“Did you have a good trip?”

“Yeah.”

“I heard you got thoroughly beaten this time?”

“Did you hear everything?”

“You ran to Hugae and tormented him. Later, he got tired and started blowing softly, right?”

Indeed, with Jeagal Mun-ho’s personality, he wouldn’t tell his daughter about official matters.

Jeagal Ayeon’s face immediately became serious.

“I heard they even used cannons?”

“If you heard that far, then you really know everything.”

“Cannons are one of the military’s decisive weapons. It’s hard to even think about touching them with ordinary connections.”

“I know.”

“Just how deep has this organization called the Righteous Faith Society infiltrated the government? If the Alliance raises this issue with the Imperial Palace, the entire military will be turned upside down. In other words, they gave out cannons even while being aware of that, which means the Righteous Faith Society is…”

“Very bad guys.”

“…Is that it?”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“Let’s talk about that issue later. Anyway, the Murim Alliance will also move cautiously, so it’ll be difficult to turn the government upside down right away.”

Yeon Ho-jeong patted Jeagal Ayeon’s shoulder and turned his body.

She watched Yeon Ho-jeong’s back silently and shouted.

“If you have time, let’s have dinner later!”

“Okay! Ji-pyeong is here too, so let’s all eat together.”

“Huh?! What? Pyeong is here?”

“I guess you didn’t hear about that?”

“I didn’t! When did he come? Has Ji-pyeong grown a lot?”

“He’s grown a lot. Anyway, see you later!”

“Okay, okay.”

Thus, Yeon Ho-jeong disappeared from her sight.

Jeagal Ayeon grinned.

“Oh, I wonder how much that guy has grown? My brother has become even more of a jerk, but Ji-pyeong wouldn’t be like that, right?”

The place Yeon Ho-jeong went to without even having breakfast was, surprisingly, the Tang family’s residence.

“Interesting.”

Tang Gwan’s voice was still full of edge.

“To think you’d come to see me first thing in the morning.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“Have you been well?”

Tang Gwan frowned.

“What is it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone knows that your rudeness has gone too far. Don’t think that I’ll see you differently just because you’re being polite now.”

“I don’t expect that.”

“Then what is it? Do you want something from me?”

“Of course. Why would I come to such a gloomy place if I didn’t want anything?”

*Thump, thump.*

A murderous aura rose from Tang Gwan’s body like smoke.

Due to the improvement in his relationship with Yeon-wi and his daughter, he was in a much calmer state than before. But that was useless in front of Yeon Ho-jeong.

Really, this damn brat’s rudeness was so dizzying that it made his head spin every time he faced him. To think that his daughter was friends with such a guy, he couldn’t understand the mental world of young people these days.

“If you intended to ruin my mood from the morning, you’ve completely succeeded.”

“That wasn’t my intention.”

“Just say what you want and leave.”

A different light shone in Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes. He had heard it from his father, but he had realized that Tang Gwan had definitely changed.

If that was the case, then the conversation would be easier.

“I’ll get straight to the point. I heard you asked for an arrangement to meet the Western Divine Maiden?”

“…So?”

“Then please grant me one request.”

Tang Gwan smiled coldly.

“If there’s something going, there must be something coming?”

“Isn’t that the way of the world?”

“I like that you’re clear. You’re better than your father in that aspect.”

“Will you make a deal?”

“I’ll decide after hearing what you’re asking for.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“Please run as a candidate in the Murim Alliance Leader election.”