Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 299

Yeon Ho-Jeong regained consciousness close to midnight that day.

“Huh? Father?”

“You’re awake?” Yeon-Wi smiled as he sipped his tea.

“I saw your condition earlier. I figured you’d wake up around now.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head.

“What time is it now?”

“Just past midnight.”

“I see.”

Yeon-Wi spoke with a proud look.

“Congratulations. You’ve finally obtained the Divine Core.”

The Yeon Family Divine Core.

It was the path to the pinnacle of the Yeon Family’s martial arts and the beginning of mastering the Yeon Family’s ultimate secret techniques.

In the history of the Yeon Family, no more than three ancestors had formed a Divine Core.

Of course, it wasn’t that the other ancestors lacked ability. Forming a Divine Core was a difficult task, but among the past family heads, there were quite a few who had attained the enlightenment to attempt the Yeon Family Divine Core.

In other words, it was a matter of choice whether to form a Divine Core and pursue the secret techniques, or to maximize one’s own martial arts and embark on a new path of creation.

Yeon-Wi had chosen the latter, while Yeon Ho-Jeong had chosen the former.

Nevertheless, what surprised Yeon-Wi was that forming the Yeon Family Divine Core itself required profound enlightenment of the Yeon Family’s divine arts.

“The Divine Core is like an inexhaustible spring. However, since it differs from a normal dantian [an energy center in the body], you’ll have some trouble handling it for a while.”

“Yes, I thought so.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists.

‘Indeed.’

The flow of his inner energy had changed.

Martial artists who have mastered inner energy train their dantian. Some only train the lower dantian, while others train all three: the upper, middle, and lower dantian.

And even among those who train all three, there were cases where they focused on one dantian in particular.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was one such case. His upper dantian was fully opened by the enlightenment of the Dark Emperor, allowing him to possess the ability to instantly break through and see through the techniques of masters several levels above him, even with a small amount of power.

The Four Divine Martial Arts and the Four Direction Divine Energy protected his body based on the middle dantian, and the Byeokra True Energy solidified his lower dantian, allowing him to stably manifest all his martial arts.

Now, it was different.

The Yeon Family Divine Core, filled with Byeokra True Energy and Dragon Robe True Energy, had made the middle dantian as solid as an iron fortress along with the Four Divine Energy. The energy was so solid that it even felt like something was stuck in his solar plexus, causing a stuffy sensation.

On the other hand, the lower dantian remained empty, just as it had been refined with Byeokra True Energy.

It wasn’t that he had lost his lower dantian. Whenever necessary, he could draw the true energy of the Five Great Divine Arts from the Yeon Family Divine Core to change the nature of his martial arts.

The range of change was freely adjustable. It was complex and would take some effort to handle, but if he could completely master it, he could change the characteristics of his overall martial arts with instantaneous power manipulation.

If the Four Divine Martial Arts were an excellent weapon, the Yeon Family Divine Core was a forge of true energy that could change the characteristics of that weapon in an instant.

‘Indeed.’

A proud smile appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

‘My prediction was correct.’

In the future, if he mastered all the remaining divine arts of the Five Great Divine Arts, the Yeon Family Divine Core would also become complete.

If that happened, he would be able to wield a secret technique that reached its peak in all aspects, such as speed, power, endurance, destructive force, and stabilization. Not cultivating the Hongcheon Energy and instead tilling the field with Byeokra True Energy had truly been a divine move.

Yeon-Wi patted Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shoulder.

“Congratulations. To form a Divine Core at your age is unprecedented in the history of the main family.”

Yeon-Wi treated Yeon Ho-Jeong as if he hadn’t heard about his past.

The past was the past. Yeon-Wi wanted to see his eldest son’s present. It was absurd to belittle his current achievements just because he had attained such enlightenment in the past.

Yeon Ho-Jeong also understood his father’s feelings.

“Thank you.”

“The cold is fierce. On the other hand, the snow has stopped. The moonlight is beautiful, so I’d like to help you embody the energy of the Divine Core through a spar with your father, but I have something to discuss with you, so I’ll postpone the spar.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“What happened?”

Yeon-Wi told him everything that had happened that day.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

“I see. I was going to tell you separately, Father.”

“It’s fine. Whether you know it late or early, it’s enough that you eventually know.”

“So, what did the Western Region Divine Woman say?”

“That is…”

Yeon-Wi clicked his tongue.

“She said she’d give us an answer by tomorrow morning.”

“Oh ho.”

The corners of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mouth curled up.

Aside from the fact that the Western Region Divine Woman was a spy for the Divine Cult, her personality itself was very kind and gentle.

She had her own resolve, but that resolve was useless in front of the heads of the Six Great Clans. In particular, Tang Gwan’s imposing presence was so great that even masters of the same level would be tense. It wouldn’t have been easy for someone with the mental fortitude of the Western Region Divine Woman to endure.

“Did Clan Head Tang just watch?”

“Yes.”

“…Huh?”

Yeon-Wi smiled.

“Clan Head Tang has changed a lot from before. Of course, his unique pride and imposing demeanor are still there, but he doesn’t push things recklessly like he used to.”

He hadn’t pushed things recklessly before either.

Tang Gwan’s imposing demeanor was just one of the countless masks he wore to facilitate his external activities. In reality, he was a person who had successfully accomplished impossible tasks with his sharp spirit and terrifying arrogance.

In other words, Tang Gwan was also a nine-tailed fox. It’s just that he was a fox wearing the mask of a viper.

“And he asked me to convey this message to you.”

“Please tell me.”

Yeon-Wi hesitated for a moment. Even though it was a message, it was for his son. It was a bit embarrassing to convey this message without changing a single word.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“It’s okay. It’s better to hear direct words without embellishment.”

“Then I’ll tell you.”

“Yes.”

“He said he’ll take care of starting the fire, so whether you clean it up or make it bigger is up to you.”

“Oh ho.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong stroked his chin.

“I expected it when I heard he went to the Western Region Divine Woman without saying anything, but it seems he has no intention of just sitting still.”

“He’s someone who hates being swayed by others. The fact that he accepted your proposal and became a candidate is a big concession for him.”

To be precise, it wasn’t a concession but a deal.

However, Tang Gwan could have negotiated with the Western Region Divine Woman without having to make a deal with him. Considering that, it was indeed a concession, as his father said.

‘That concession was also probably his last gamble to see if he could operate within the Martial Alliance.’

That’s how the world is. Before the greater good, protecting one’s own life and proving one’s own worth came first.

In that respect, Tang Gwan was definitely someone of note.

“I understand what you mean. Then, I’ll go see the Western Region Divine Woman.”

Yeon-Wi asked in surprise.

“This late at night?”

“Of course. What if she says she won’t be a supporter tomorrow morning?”

“It’s late at night. Wouldn’t it be better to visit her early in the morning?”

“No. Now is better.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes blazed.

“We brought in a worm-eaten beast, and it shouldn’t act up without knowing its place. I need to use the whip a little.”

* * *

Srrr.

Gi Woo-Hee’s face hardened.

“It’s Shadow Stealth One.”

“…That’s correct.”

She turned her back.

In the shadowed corner, a black-clad figure wearing a mask was kneeling.

Gi Woo-Hee’s eyes wavered.

“What happened?”

“What do you mean?”

“I know your stealth techniques are amazing, but… this is the Martial Alliance.”

“I know.”

Shadow Stealth One’s stealth techniques were comparable to the best assassins in the Central Plains.

Moreover, the Martial Alliance was too large to be considered a mere alliance. It was no exaggeration to say it was a small country.

In particular, the outer city was as wide as several large villages combined. Not everyone living in the Martial Alliance was a master, so if one could get past the walls, infiltration wouldn’t be too difficult.

However, the inner city was different.

The inner city was the area where more than 70% of the Martial Alliance’s forces were concentrated.

It wasn’t the number, but the level of the martial artists. The place where the top masters of the Nine Great Sects and the Six Great Clans were concentrated was the inner city.

There was no one who wasn’t a master at every step, yet Shadow Stealth One had infiltrated such a dangerous place.

Shadow Stealth One lowered his head.

“Except for this one time, it will be difficult to see you again for a while unless there is a special situation.”

He took out a small wooden box from his chest.

“Please accept this.”

“…What is this?”

“We have placed people from our cult in the medical center, stables, and blacksmith shop of the Martial Alliance’s outer city.”

“… !”

“The box contains a colorless and odorless incense that can only be handled by those who have received special training. Every forty-five days, you can write down the main points of the Martial Alliance’s information and pass it on to the outer city spies.”

“…”

“When delivering, apply the incense to your residence. The trained spies’ sense of smell can detect the scent from fifty miles away. They will come within half a day, so you can pass the information to the spies.”

Gi Woo-Hee swallowed hard.

“You want me to do this?”

“It is an order from above.”

“…”

“It’s not something that suits the Saintess’s nature. So, please return to our cult soon.”

“…”

“The Saintess can return to the cult whenever she wants. If you return, the Saintess can wield power that puts everyone beneath her.”

“…Shadow Stealth One.”

“Since it will be difficult to see you again for a while, I will be rude one more time.”

Gi Woo-Hee sighed.

Shadow Stealth One continued.

“It is true that there are many who speak ill of the Saintess’s origins. However, those are just rumors. If they knew how much the Cult Leader cherishes the Saintess, they wouldn’t be afraid of their eyes…”

“Shadow Stealth One.”

“…Yes, Saintess.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ve made my choice now.”

Shadow Stealth One’s eyes wavered.

“Saintess!”

Gi Woo-Hee’s eyes were filled with sadness.

“It was you, wasn’t it?”

“…What do you mean?”

“The one who killed my mother, it was you, wasn’t it?”

“…!!”

“Your concern for me was genuine. But tell me, is the reason you’re trying to change my mind so pure? Aren’t you trying to persuade me for your own sake, to regain the seat of power you once held?”

“S-Saintess!”

“The reason I haven’t responded to your words all this time is because I knew there was no benefit for me in fighting you.”

Gi Woo-Hee’s eyes, which had been filled with sadness, gradually turned cold.

“But it’s not the same now. I’ve made my choice too.”

“…”

“I don’t know how it will end, but I’m going to fight in my own way.”

Shadow Stealth One spoke in a somewhat subdued voice.

“…Saintess.”

“…”

“Please don’t misunderstand…”

That was when it happened.

‘…!’

Shadow Stealth One’s eyes widened as if they would tear.

Thud.

His mouth wouldn’t open. His body, which had lost its strength in an instant, couldn’t move even a single finger.

‘Wh-what?!’

Why is this happening all of a sudden? Did I get poisoned?

That was when it happened.

“Well, that’s how it was.”

Shadow Stealth One felt goosebumps all over his body.

“Our fights are all like that. It’s not a fight that starts when the bell rings. Whether it’s preparation or anything else, the one who strikes first benefits, just like the fights of back alley thugs.”

A murderous intent was seething in the laughter-filled voice.

Whoosh.

A dark shadow obscured Shadow Stealth One’s vision.

Chirring. Chirring.

The sound of clashing chains created a terrifying fear.

The shadow, Yeon Ho-Jeong, wore a crazed smile.

“You should have at least rung a bell before coming. This is like a moth drawn to a flame, aren’t you being too brave?”