Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 3

The wind was quite cool, but the crisp autumn breeze couldn’t diminish the lively atmosphere of the marketplace. Countless vendors called out, each trying to entice customers into their shops.

‘It’s been a while.’

As soon as he stepped outside, his thoughts about the Azure Silk True Scripture vanished. It was his first time in the marketplace since returning to the past, and it felt both new and strangely familiar.

‘It’s still the same.’

This was the very street he had wandered so much during his childhood. It was a place he hadn’t visited even once since his family’s downfall. Every time he thought of coming here, he felt like he would be reminded of his dead family.

“It’s nice,” Yeon Ji-Pyeong said, his face flushed with excitement. It was his first time out in the marketplace alone with his brother.

“Hehe, right?”

“Brother, are you feeling unwell?”

“Huh?”

“Your walk seems a bit strange.”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Suddenly, the quality of his inner energy had risen by two stages. Moreover, quite a few of his blocked meridians had opened. As true energy flowed through them repeatedly, his body naturally gained strength. A misalignment between his body and true energy caused a slight discrepancy. Even if he tried to walk slowly, his speed would increase on its own. It was because his muscles and bones were not yet fully refined.

‘I’m going to have a hard time ahead.’

As important as inner energy was, the strength of the body was equally crucial. To train his still immature body to the level of a Dark Emperor, he would need hellish training.

While Yeon Ho-Jeong was rotating his shoulders, Yeon Ji-Pyeong pointed to a clean-looking tavern.

“Ah, over there! Let’s go there!”

“That’s Goyang House.”

Goyang House was a tavern that boasted considerable fame even in the southern part of Gangso Province. It was quite pricey, but it was famous for its delicious food and beautiful scenery.

“Ah, have you been there before, Brother?”

“A few times.”

It wasn’t a place with good memories. About half a year before the Yeon family’s downfall, he had drunk quite a lot, feeling despondent. He had frequented Goyang House quite a few times.

‘I lived so foolishly.’

He had broken a lot of things while drunk, gotten into fights, and been beaten badly. It was a place where his body and mind had been battered.

“They say their fish dishes are very famous. Let’s go eat fish, fish.”

“Sure.”

“Oh? But do you even eat fish, Brother? I thought you didn’t like it very much?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged his shoulders.

“I should eat it while I can. By the way, is this your first time going there?”

“Hehe, actually, I’ve been there once. With my friends.”

“Friends… from Cheonggang Academy?”

“Yes! They’re all good friends.”

The Byeoksan Yeon family emphasized both literary and martial arts more than other martial arts clans. They didn’t expect them to become outstanding scholars, but their ancestors believed they should be at least above average. That teaching was the same even now that they were among the Seven Great Families. The reason Yeon Ji-Pyeong was learning to write at Cheonggang Academy was also for that reason.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Make sure to learn well. There’s no harm in learning.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong asked with an innocent expression.

“But, Brother, are you not going to come out in the future?”

“To Cheonggang Academy?”

“Yes!”

“I’m not going.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong had gone to Cheonggang Academy first to learn, but two years ago, he had stopped studying to focus on martial arts.

A faint disappointment clouded Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s face.

“I, I see.”

‘He’s such an honest fellow.’

It was a pity, but he still had no intention of going. It wasn’t because he disliked writing, but because he didn’t think he needed to learn more.

“You seem to be getting along well with your friends?”

“Of course. Ah! Come to think of it, short-term students came to the academy this time!”

“Short-term students?”

“Yes! They’re from famous martial arts families in Anhui. There’s even a descendant of the Namgoong family among them!”

He spoke with a brightened expression, as if he had forgotten what he was just disappointed about.

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“From Namgoong?”

“Yes! Isn’t it amazing?”

Was it? He didn’t remember that part. In the first place, he was only interested in himself during this period.

‘Namgoong… Namgoong, huh.’

The most prestigious family in Anhui, adjacent to Gangso. They were a family that was counted among the Seven Great Families along with the Yeon family, but they were a family with a much longer history than the Yeon family.

When it came to Namgoong, it was swords. In the past and present, the Namgoong family was the most famous sword family. That was the case even after the appearance of an unparalleled sword master from the Moyong family.

“Brother?”

“Huh?”

“Why? You don’t look well?”

“It’s nothing. Let’s go quickly.”

“Yes!”

The two finally entered Goyang House. Goyang House was more secluded than he had thought. There seemed to be less than ten people in the four-story tavern.

“We’re lucky, Brother. Let’s go to the fourth floor!”

“Okay.”

The scenery was very nice on the fourth floor. The window was wide open, so the wind was cool but refreshing rather than cold.

“It’s nice, right? It’s nice, right?”

“Yeah, it seems like we came to the right place.”

It was a place he had visited many times in the past, but it felt new as if it was his first time.

As they sat by the window, Yeon Ji-Pyeong excitedly ordered food. Ordering one fish dish and a couple of vegetable stir-fries made the price quite steep.

“Isn’t it too expensive?”

“I’ve saved a lot of my allowance!”

“You’re going to pay?”

“Of course! I said I would treat you!”

Come to think of it, he didn’t bring any money.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smacked his lips.

“I’ll enjoy the free meal.”

“As much as you want!”

He was in the mood to buy all the dishes at Goyang House. His eyes were sparkling, like a very excited puppy.

Yeon Ho-Jeong found his younger brother cute. And at the same time, he felt burdened.

‘He’s such a bright kid.’

He had been jealous of such a child and had treated him badly. He hadn’t used harsh words or violence, but sometimes indifference was much more cruel. So, even though it was burdensome, he tried to smile especially in front of Yeon Ji-Pyeong. The regret from his past mistakes was that great.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong, who was smiling and looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong, asked cautiously for a moment.

“Um…”

“Yeah?”

“Are you not feeling upset or anything?”

“About what?”

“No. I was just wondering if there was anything bothering you, or anything like that.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“I don’t know? There wasn’t anything like that.”

“I see.”

“Why? Does my face look that bad?”

“No! I was just wondering.”

“Silly fellow.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his head to the window. He wanted to look at the scenery. Watching his brother, Yeon Ji-Pyeong inwardly sighed in relief.

‘He seems okay.’

Gang Yoon’s actions at the time were understandable enough as a member of the Yeon family. But it happened in front of his younger brother. Anyone would feel embarrassed. Fortunately, his brother didn’t seem to mind much. Rather, Yeon Ji-Pyeong felt so sorry that his brother had to go through that because of him.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong, who was looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a smile, tilted his head for a moment.

“But, Brother.”

“Yeah?”

“Um… I don’t know if I should say this.”

“What is it?”

“Your Flying Swallow Energy has become more active?”

Oh?

“Can you tell?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. I was a bit unsure, but it definitely seems different from before.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Yeon Ji-Pyeong with a renewed gaze.

‘He noticed that?’

His dantian [energy center] had been activated, and he had mastered the Flying Swallow Art, but that was a change that was difficult to notice without checking his pulse. This was because Yeon Ho-Jeong was skilled at constantly managing his energy. Moreover, since the Flying Swallow Art itself was not a high-level martial art, the range of change was not significant. On the surface, it was difficult to notice the change in true energy.

His younger brother had seen through that, even though he wasn’t yet at the level of a first-rate expert.

“I’ve mastered the Flying Swallow Art.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong stood up without realizing it.

“R, really?!”

“Yeah.”

Was it too sudden to believe?

“Congratulations! I’m really happy for you, Brother!”

He believed it. Yeon Ji-Pyeong sincerely congratulated him as if it were his own accomplishment. He looked very excited, clenching his fists and shaking them wildly.

He was grateful to his younger brother, but his surprise was greater than his gratitude.

‘I knew he was talented, but…’

A subtle admiration arose on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

‘This guy, he was a complete monster?’

Usually, those who are considered talented in martial arts are divided into two categories: those with outstanding physical abilities and those with outstanding minds. But Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s talent was beyond that.

‘He has a good sense.’

More difficult to possess than physical superiority or outstanding insight was the sense. A power that overwhelms logic and reason. In other words, it was an ability that one was born with. He didn’t know about other fields, but at least in martial arts, Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s senses were clearly superior to anyone else. Moreover, his physical talent was also said to be the best in the Yeon family.

‘If he trains properly, he’ll make a name for himself in the near future.’

Yeon Ji-Pyeong said with an excited face.

“You’ll become strong soon, Brother! Definitely!”

“Yeah, I have to.”

In any case, it was a moment that brought surprise to each other.

Shortly after, the food came out. The two laughed and talked even while eating. Yeon Ji-Pyeong was mostly the one talking, but Yeon Ho-Jeong wasn’t quiet either. After finishing their meal in an instant, the two also ordered tea. A good fragrance rose from the steaming tea.

“Brother, since you’ve mastered your martial art, let’s train together!”

“No.”

It was a more decisive refusal than he had expected. Yeon Ji-Pyeong shrank back.

“Why?”

“You and I have different ways of training. Maybe later, but for now, it’s better for each of us to do it separately… um?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his gaze to the stairs.

“What’s wrong, Brother?”

“…”

“Brother?”

“They’re quite something?”

‘Quite something?’ What?

Yeon Ji-Pyeong, who was tilting his head, suddenly felt a subtle energy rising from the first floor far away.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s eyes widened.

“Experts?!”

No, they weren’t experts. A true expert had to be able to unleash the level they had reached in actual combat. Only then could they be called an expert. In that respect, there were no experts among those coming up from the first floor. At least, that’s what Yeon Ho-Jeong thought. But the level they had reached was considerable.

‘Compared to their age, that is.’

The vitality emanating from their energy was very fresh. They were clearly not even twenty years old.

“Ah!” Yeon Ji-Pyeong exclaimed.

“Why? Do you know them?”

“Yes! I don’t know who the experts are, but I feel a familiar energy. They must be friends from the academy.”

Friends from the academy?

“Go say hello.”

“Ah?! Is that okay?”

“If you didn’t know them, it would be one thing, but you can’t just pass by without saying hello. Go on.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong slowly got up.

“Then, Brother, I’ll be right back. Please wait a little.”

“Take your time and talk.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong quickly went down the stairs. Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and rested his chin on his hand.

‘He’s so cheerful.’

Was it because he had grown up so darkly? He had developed some social skills while gathering the Black Path, but he wasn’t as bright as Yeon Ji-Pyeong. There were many times when he found it annoying to talk to someone. That’s why he liked his younger brother’s appearance. Because it was a personality he didn’t have.

‘Grow up brightly. Just because the world is harsh doesn’t mean you have to be serious every moment.’

He wanted him to grow up more wonderfully than anyone else. Now, that was the only thing Yeon Ho-Jeong wanted for his younger brother.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was drinking tea and looking at the scenery outside the window. He knew it wasn’t the time to enjoy such leisure, but what could he do? It was the first time he had come out to eat with his younger brother. Preparing for the downfall was the most important thing, but there were also things that shouldn’t be missed.

It was then, while Yeon Ho-Jeong was enjoying a short break.

“Is it here?”

“Oh! Even the third floor is definitely different!”

Muttering voices could be heard from the third floor, and also Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s flustered voice.

“W, wait a minute. First, let me talk to my brother…”

“Hey! We’re just going to say hello, why are you being like this? Besides, it’s not like you guys rented the fourth floor. Let us take a look too.”

“Ah…”

An unknown bewilderment was evident in Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s voice. Shortly after.

“Wow, the view is amazing!”

“It was worth coming up!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his gaze towards them. Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s face, caught between two men and one woman he had never seen before, looked very embarrassed.