Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 342

That night.

“……?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was sitting alone on his bed reviewing the next operation, sensed an extremely subtle aura directed at him.

The subtlety of the aura was comparable to that of an assassin, but the purity it held was more profound than any orthodox divine art in the world.

‘What is this?’

It was an aura Yeon Ho-Jeong recognized. That was why he was even more surprised.

The ‘person’ he knew would never move so stealthily.

*Swish.*

Yeon Ho-Jeong quickly moved to the window and descended into the yard, looking west.

The pure aura was gradually moving away. It was a sign that he should follow.

‘Why not just send a telepathic message?’

He didn’t know the reason, but Yeon Ho-Jeong moved nonetheless. Aura revealed a person’s heart and character, and at least from ‘this person,’ he sensed no malicious intent.

*Swish.*

Yeon Ho-Jeong stealthily followed the other’s aura. Being summoned like this in the dead of night meant it was something that others shouldn’t know about.

How long had he moved like that?

After traveling at least twenty *li* [approximately 10 kilometers], a modest training ground appeared. It was a training ground Yeon Ho-Jeong had never seen before.

There were many such places within the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance]. The Murim Alliance was that vast.

And in the center of that training ground.

“You’ve arrived.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong respectfully clasped his hands in greeting.

“It has been too long.”

“Haha.”

Surprisingly, the person who had called Yeon Ho-Jeong was none other than the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect, the Taoist Master Seung-Hyeon.

“As the commander of the Yu-gun unit, you must have been much busier than us old folks with nothing to do. I should have visited to pat you on the shoulder, but my backside was too heavy to come. My apologies.”

“How can you say such a thing?”

“I mean it.”

Of course, Yeon Ho-Jeong knew. Seung-Hyeon was not speaking empty words.

Seung-Hyeon put his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky.

“You are truly an amazing person.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong silently looked at Seung-Hyeon.

Seung-Hyeon, who had been looking at the sky, slowly closed his eyes.

“The first time I saw you was after you returned from traveling the Central Plains with the Myeolsa Army, having dealt with many villains.”

“……”

“At that time, I questioned you without thinking. Haha, I say questioned, but in truth, I was mostly thinking of scolding you. Shamefully so.”

“It is not so.”

“But you had your own principles, and you cared for your soldiers more than anyone else. Though we didn’t exchange many words, it was enough to know your sincerity.”

Seung-Hyeon opened his eyes again and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a strange sense of melancholy.

The look in Seung-Hyeon’s eyes. That look brought back the purity that had been corrupted on the battlefield, the purity that he too must have been born with.

Seung-Hyeon’s eyes were so clear and deep. Unlike Yeon Ho-Jeong’s unique clear eyes, they were the eyes of a true Taoist who had not only grasped the Tao of martial arts but was also well-versed in the ways of the world.

“It is nearly impossible to find salvation in a life stained with killing. At least, that is what I believe.”

“……”

“But you were different. You wielded a sword of slaughter, yet your heart was strong and unwavering, filled with concern for the world. It was a precarious line, but I knew that line was very thick and solid.”

“You flatter me.”

“It is not flattery. I am simply speaking honestly about what I saw and felt.”

Seung-Hyeon smiled.

“I like you.”

It was a word with great resonance.

Although he had never lived to be recognized by anyone, Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a sudden surge of emotion.

The leader of the Wudang Sect, a true Taoist unlike the superficial powerhouses of the world, liked him. Even though he was a killer who had lived a life soaked in blood.

That fact was both grateful and shameful. He didn’t think he was worthy of being recognized by such an outstanding Taoist.

“However, no matter how thick the line of good you possess, the murky water of killing is always frightening. I know you will take care of yourself, but this worried old man cannot help but be concerned about your future.”

“I am grateful for your words.”

“Therefore, I wish to give you a small help.”

“Yes?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“Help, you say?”

Seung-Hyeon suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

“Around noon today, the Abbot came to see me.”

“……!”

“He didn’t tell me exactly what the situation was. He only asked if there was anything he could do for you, as you were fighting a difficult battle.”

“The Abbot….”

“I heard that there are a few people moving with you. But they are the leaders of the Six Great Clans, people who are already close to completion. Whether it be in martial arts, their own principles, or the purpose of their lives.”

The cold wind of late winter subsided, and the warm breeze of early spring blew.

As he felt the breeze, Seung-Hyeon’s eyes grew deeper.

“I know that you are no less than the leaders of the Six Great Clans, or even the leaders of the Nine Great Sects.”

“Those are words I cannot bear.”

“I am not talking about martial arts. I am talking about your will and your strong character.”

“I still have many shortcomings.”

Seung-Hyeon shook his head.

“However, you are still young. Being young makes you even more formidable. Even if I don’t know, there won’t be many juniors in the next generation of the martial world who will have a reputation as bright as yours.”

“……”

“Those who have power cannot be free from the responsibility that comes with it. The moment they forget that responsibility, the world will fall into chaos. One might question if such a thing is possible with the madness of one person, but it is entirely possible. That is the way of the martial world and the world.”

I know.

Yeon Ho-Jeong almost answered without realizing it.

Whether it was in martial arts or literature, those who had a great influence on the world were difficult to control simply because of that fact. Their words swayed the hearts of the masses, and when the hearts of the masses were swayed, the foundation of the nation was shaken.

Those who sat in high places, those who had gained unparalleled fame.

That was why they had to have a sense of responsibility. Even if it was a life they did not want, they had to show the dignity that came with it.

Only then would the world not fall into chaos. If they did not have the confidence to do so, the best thing to do was to leave the secular world and go into the mountains.

It was cold, but it was the truth.

“The rulers or great merchants who have power have always been like that. They abuse their rights, but it is hard to find those who take on the responsibility that comes with it.”

Seung-Hyeon naturally waved his hand.

*Whoosh.*

A warm breeze swirled around his aged fingertips, warming the air of the training ground.

“Come up.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong went up to the training ground.

Seung-Hyeon slowly lowered his stance.

“Watch closely. At your level, once will be enough.”

That was when it began.

That was when Seung-Hyeon’s beautiful dance began.

*Whoosh.*

The steps he took were so light, as if he had no weight.

*Whoosh. Whoosh.*

His hands, as he swung them, were filled with clear and profound *qi* [life force or energy].

His wide sleeves crossed the air here and there, yet there was no sound. Only the sound of the wind flowing along his hands tickled Yeon Ho-Jeong’s ears.

Soft and gentle. Seung-Hyeon’s hands, moving endlessly softly, drew lines more beautiful than any dancer in the world.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face was filled with shock rather than admiration.

‘This is?!’

*Whoosh!*

The sound of the wind grew stronger.

The beautiful dance lines gradually became sharper. The softness created by the curves remained, but the form that had been drawing perfect circles was gradually becoming flatter and faster.

And then.

*Bang!*

A quick punch that shattered the air.

The control of *qi* was perfect. That was why the fist technique was even more amazing.

Even though he had not used *fa jin* [explosive power release], the shockwave spreading through the air was incredibly rich. The power gathered in a circle was loaded into a single punch, and with that alone, it seemed capable of breaking through the peak of martial arts head-on.

What was even more surprising was that Yeon Ho-Jeong already knew that fist technique.

*Swish.*

Seung-Hyeon, having straightened his posture, smiled awkwardly.

“How was it?”

“……Amazing.”

“There is no need to say that. This old man’s training is still lacking. There was too much power in some parts.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong was genuinely impressed.

“You shouldn’t say that. How many people can show that much power with the endlessly soft Wudang Tai Chi Fist?”

That’s right. What Seung-Hyeon had shown was the Tai Chi Fist that Yeon Ho-Jeong also knew.

However, just because the movements were similar did not mean they were the same Tai Chi Fist.

Seung-Hyeon’s Tai Chi Fist was accompanied by an enlightenment that could not be described in words, a perfect control of power, and its release.

It was not a martial art that could be used just by knowing the movements. The form was easy, but the enlightenment within was difficult to imitate even a hundredth of it.

That was Seung-Hyeon’s martial art. It was the power of the Wudang Sect Leader, who had become whole on his own based on pure enlightenment and the teachings of his predecessors, despite not having experienced many actual battles.

And the moment he saw it, Yeon Ho-Jeong was certain.

‘I will lose.’

If he had the power of the Dark Emperor, he could win. No, not just the Dark Emperor, but even if he went up just one more step from where he was now, he could have a close match with Seung-Hyeon with his extreme practical combat ability.

But Yeon Ho-Jeong would lose. He had no choice but to lose.

‘I have already lost in my heart.’

Military arts were not something that could only be displayed with fists, feet, and weapons.

Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a depth in Seung-Hyeon’s Tai Chi Fist that was difficult to reach. And he felt awe at that depth.

Even if Yeon Ho-Jeong regained the power of his Dark Emperor days, he would not be able to win against Seung-Hyeon.

Why? Because he wouldn’t even try to fight in the first place.

If Seung-Hyeon pointed his sword at him, Yeon Ho-Jeong would immediately put down his axe and declare defeat.

That was the pinnacle of Taoist martial arts, the ultimate enlightenment that those who cultivated in Taoism and Buddhism should reach.

Seung-Hyeon burst into hearty laughter.

“You are truly like yourself. To think about victory and defeat after seeing my Tai Chi Fist.”

“Ah……”

“As expected, you are a born warrior. In ten years, there will be only a handful of people in the secular world who can defeat you in martial arts.”

“I am ashamed.”

“You thought about victory and defeat rather than wanting to emulate my Tai Chi Fist, and then you saw yourself losing. That is the difference between you and me. However, I want to narrow that difference a little.”

“Yes?”

“I heard that you and some of the leaders of the Six Great Clans are doing difficult work for the martial world. I didn’t ask separately, but looking at the Abbot’s face, I knew it was no ordinary matter.”

“……”

“I don’t know what kind of killing will stain your future red, but I want to plant a ray of warmth in your tired heart. That is all.”

Immediately after that, Seung-Hyeon recited an unknown incantation.

Yeon Ho-Jeong immediately knelt down and recited Seung-Hyeon’s incantation verbatim.

It was not a martial art of the Wudang Sect. It was Seung-Hyeon’s enlightenment melted into Tai Chi Fist.

His voice was surprisingly calm, and it had a strange rhythm, as if listening to a song. It also had a strong resonance that anyone could memorize just by listening to it once.

Thus, Yeon Ho-Jeong received a great gift before his departure.

It was the supreme enlightenment of the Wudang Immortal Mountain’s Original Martial God, which would perhaps protect his heart for the rest of his life.