Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 38

After Yeon Ho-Jeong returned to the family, the atmosphere of the Yeon family changed.

To put it nicely, it became heated; to put it badly, it became brutal. The reason was entirely due to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

The day after his return, Yeon Ho-Jeong appeared at the Yeon family’s grand training ground.

The grand training ground was an outdoor training area made for anyone to use. It was so large that it was also used for troop parades and family celebrations.

Yeon Ho-Jeong started running around the perimeter of the vast training ground without any particular plan.

He ran endlessly around the area, which was over two hundred measures in circumference. That was his morning training.

After warming up with running and having a hearty lunch, he repeated sprints and slow runs for his afternoon training.

The Yeon family’s martial artists were puzzled.

The young master’s training was literally physical training. The importance of physical fitness was undeniable, but trained martial artists each had their own suitable training methods.

‘The young master’s martial arts must be lacking.’ The martial artists dismissed it as such.

The next day.

Yeon Ho-Jeong woke up early and ran. But it was different from the previous day.

He was wearing a thirty-geun (approximately 40 lbs) weighted vest with iron chains attached.

The martial artists were shocked. That vest was a training item used only when the Yeon family’s troops underwent hellish training.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, wearing the heavy iron chains, collapsed before noon.

It was only natural. He had been sprinting repeatedly without using internal energy, so even the most trained person couldn’t endure it.

The martial artists clicked their tongues and carried Yeon Ho-Jeong to his quarters.

The next day.

Yeon Ho-Jeong appeared at the grand training ground again. He looked somewhat human, having eaten well and rested.

However, he collapsed again that day. Still, he seemed to have run a bit longer than the day before.

Five days passed like that.

Yeon Ho-Jeong eventually collapsed, spitting blood. No matter how well he ate and rested, training pushed beyond his limits would cause serious damage.

The martial artists clicked their tongues but couldn’t help but admire Yeon Ho-Jeong’s tenacity. Regardless of effort, running to the point of losing consciousness was impossible with ordinary determination.

Ten days later.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having recovered, returned to the grand training ground. But that day, Yeon Ho-Jeong was completely different from before he collapsed.

He was faster and more agile. Even with heavy iron chains wrapped around both arms, his movements were much better.

That day, Yeon Ho-Jeong was able to complete his first full day of training. The martial artists training at the grand training ground also applauded Yeon Ho-Jeong’s success.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s training was just beginning. He trained beyond his limits every day, always setting a training intensity that was more grueling than the day before.

The martial artists, who had admired Yeon Ho-Jeong’s tenacity but secretly ridiculed his simple training, began to look at Yeon Ho-Jeong with awe as time passed.

One month, two months, and soon over four months of training had passed.

As the new year arrived and the winter cold was at its peak.

Yeon Ho-Jeong no longer wore the weighted vest and iron chains.

“I’m coming.”

“Alright.”

Thud!

Yang Heum approached with a light movement and swung his wooden sword.

It was a sword strike that was sharper than before. It was a straight and honest blow aimed at the midsection, but it was so fast that even a skilled master would have difficulty blocking it.

Swoosh.

The swift sword cut through the air.

Yeon Ho-Jeong simply twisted his body and took one step. With that simple movement, he avoided the sword strike and seized an opportunity to counterattack.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fist aimed for Yang Heum’s side.

It wasn’t fast, but it was perfectly timed. Yang Heum immediately broke his stance and kicked the fist away.

Although he deliberately broke his stance, his balance was not lost. Yang Heum, having deflected the fist, immediately launched a Triple Whirlwind Kick.

Fast, short kicks aimed at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s upper body pressure points.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s elbow struck Yang Heum’s sole.

Thwack!

“Ugh?!”

Yang Heum’s body rolled on the ground.

When the Yongcheon point [a pressure point on the sole of the foot] on the sole of his foot was struck, his entire right leg felt paralyzed. Flustered, Yang Heum quickly regained his stance.

His movements were excellent. His flexibility and elasticity were outstanding even among the Chang-eung unit [a special unit within the Yeon family].

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s palm was already touching Yang Heum’s chest.

‘…!’

Yang Heum’s face turned pale.

Yeon Ho-Jeong stomped hard on the training ground.

Thud!

“Cough!”

Yang Heum’s body flew through the air and crashed to the ground.

Whoosh.

A faint haze rose from the low stance and the extended palm. It was the Continuous Flying Swallow Palm, a basic technique of the Yeon family, like the Yeon Family Thirteen Fists.

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“You lost, right?”

“Cough! I, I lost!”

Yang Heum coughed repeatedly. A little blood seeped out with his coughs.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with an embarrassed face.

“I’m sorry. My power control is still immature.”

“Ah, no! It’s my fault for being defeated.”

That wasn’t the important thing. Yang Heum asked in a disbelieving voice.

“But that palm technique just now, was it perhaps the Continuous Flying Swallow Palm?”

“Yeah.”

“Huh?!”

Not only Yang Heum but all twenty members of the Chang-eung unit who were watching were surprised.

“Was the Flying Swallow Palm originally such a powerful martial art?”

Although it was a basic technique, the Continuous Flying Swallow Palm was more practical than the Yeon Family Thirteen Fists.

But that was all. A basic technique was just a basic technique, and it couldn’t produce more than a certain level of power. Moreover, the Continuous Flying Swallow Palm, as its name suggested, was a martial art focused on disarming the enemy with fast and light hand movements, not a single powerful blow.

But such a heavy and profound strike? It was unimaginable.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

“Look at my feet.”

He lifted his foot.

“Gasp!”

The Chang-eung unit was shocked. The ground where Yeon Ho-Jeong had stepped with his Zhen Foot [a technique focusing on grounding and power transfer] had sunk in by two inches.

The hard ground was dented in the shape of a footprint. It was an incredible force.

“Zhen Foot isn’t for showing off. It’s for drawing up rebound force and earth energy to strengthen the transfer and explosive power.”

“…!”

“Regardless of the characteristics of the martial art, if the Zhen Foot is strong, you can subdue an enemy with one blow.”

This is why the martial arts of Shaolin are strong. Shaolin’s Zhen Foot is known to subdue all demons in itself. That meant that the utilization of Zhen Foot was outstanding.

And it was the same for Yeon Ho-Jeong. His martial arts were characterized by subduing all changes with a heavy and profound blow, not fast and agile continuous moves.

“Could it be that the young master has been running around the grand training ground all this time for that?”

“Yes, besides extreme physical improvement, it was to maximize the use of Zhen Foot.”

About two months in, there was a strange change in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s running.

Sometimes, no traces were left, but sometimes, footprints were deeply imprinted on the ground. The depth and distance between steps were also erratic.

The martial artists thought that Yeon Ho-Jeong’s stamina was fluctuating, but the reality was different. He was refining the flow of power through Zhen Foot.

“That’s amazing. Is that even possible?”

“Of course, it’s possible. You guys have never tried this kind of training before, have you? It’s hard to believe because you haven’t tried it.”

“Then, can we also train like the young master?”

“That’s a foolish question. This training is my own path of martial arts. You have to find the training that suits you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“The basics are always important. But to see beyond that, you need to understand your own level, tendencies, and what you are pursuing.”

“That’s a headache.”

“Did you try to get stronger without using even that much brainpower?”

“Ugh.”

“Take this opportunity to learn. A person’s growth rate varies depending on what they desire. If you pursue one, you will grow to that point, and if you pursue ten, you will strive to reach that point.”

“Are you saying we should set goals?”

“Exactly. Whether it’s a small goal or a grand one, the difference between those who know where they are going and those who don’t is clear.”

The faces of the Chang-eung unit members became serious.

In fact, anyone could say these words. But Yeon Ho-Jeong had confirmed that truth through his actions for over four months.

The same words can be received differently depending on the situation. The Chang-eung unit was subtly shocked by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at the opposite side.

There were also some members of the Flying Eagle Unit [another special unit within the Yeon family] there.

“It’s the same for you guys. If you’re content with where you are, that’s fine, but if you want to become stronger, it’s best to start by setting goals.”

At that moment, one of the Flying Eagle Unit members raised his hand.

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his chin.

“You there.”

“Greetings. I am Yoo Ji-Ha from the third group of the Flying Eagle Unit.”

He looked younger than expected. About the same age as Yeon Ho-Jeong. It was quite impressive that he had joined the Flying Eagle Unit at that age.

“May I ask you something?”

“Anytime.”

“Both the Chang-eung Unit and the Flying Eagle Unit have their own training. To properly perform the unit’s role, everyone must move as one.”

“And?”

“But the unit’s training is packed except for meal and sleep times. It’s very difficult to find time for personal training like today.”

“I know that matters regarding unit training are entirely entrusted to the unit leader. It wouldn’t mean much even if you told me, would it?”

Yoo Ji-Ha’s face turned red.

“Ah, yes! I wasn’t asking about unit training, but whether it’s possible to do self-improvement during sleep time….”

He meant that he would train personally even if it meant reducing his sleep time.

“How many hours do you sleep a day?”

“I sleep for four hours.”

“That’s plenty. You can cut back on sleep.”

“Yes. That’s why I’m asking.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Then, you can just train even if it means cutting back on sleep, right?”

“Ah… that is….”

“Is there anyone foolish enough to stop you from training if you’re going to cut back on sleep?”

“N-no, it’s not that.”

“Then do it. You getting stronger is the way for the Flying Eagle Unit to get stronger. If the Flying Eagle Unit gets stronger, the main family also gets stronger.”

“I think so too.”

“However, since you belong to the Flying Eagle Unit, you shouldn’t affect the unit’s training with excessive training. As long as you coordinate that, I don’t see any problems.”

Yoo Ji-Ha’s face brightened.

“Thank you.”

“Is this something to be thanked for? Anyway, do your best.”

“Yes!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said to Yang Heum.

“Your sword power has improved since last time. I don’t know what kind of training you’re doing, but I hope you grow even more in the future.”

“Thank you.”

“Then, I’m going in.”

“Huh? Young master, aren’t you going to train more today?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged.

“I’m going to rest a bit today too.”

* * *

Of course, Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t rest. After entering his residence, he relentlessly practiced his spear techniques.

He trained his physical strength and Zhen Foot at the grand training ground, and his spear techniques in the backyard of his residence.

It was a training he had never missed for the past four months. The family’s martial artists thought that Yeon Ho-Jeong went straight to sleep after his physical training, but he slept only after wielding his spear for at least an hour.

‘It works.’

Whack! Whack! Whack!

Each of the five pieces of firewood thrown into the air was struck by more than ten spear strikes. The struck firewood was tattered as if torn by a beast’s claws.

‘As expected.’

While sparring with Yang Heum, he realized that his martial arts had reached a new level. Now, if he trained a little more, he could change his weapon.

Thud!

It was when he was about to swing his spear again with a powerful Zhen Foot.

A knocking sound came from the gate in the distance.

“Young master. The family head is calling for you.”

“Huh? What’s the matter?”

“I don’t know either….”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head.

“Am I really just going to rest today?”