Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 433

Yeon Ho-Jeong, returning to his quarters, drank some well-boiled porridge and water before sleeping for ten *shichen* [a traditional Chinese unit of time, roughly two hours]. It was as if he had completely devoured a day. Considering Yeon Ho-Jeong’s level, one could tell how exhausted his mind and body were.

Fortunately, that alone was enough to relieve almost all of his fatigue. It was possible because he had somewhat organized his confused mind.

When he got up, the sun was already setting again.

Yeon Ho-Jeong drank some cold water and immediately sat cross-legged, entering a state of meditative breathing.

*Woo-woo-woong.*

The Yeon Family Inner Core emitted a heavy groan.

‘It’s weighty.’

The power contained within the inner core had increased more than before.

An increase in power meant that the density of the inner core itself had increased.

This was truly astonishing. To dramatically increase the density of the inner core, one needed enlightenment regarding the concentration of true energy, overwhelming medicinal power, or the power of a super master’s external force.

That was the case for explosive growth, not just layering one upon another.

Yet, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s current state was like that. He hadn’t had any great enlightenment, the energy of the inner core he received from Yang Cheon had been passed on to Gang Ryang, and no master had exerted external force on him.

Yet, the density of his inner core had increased. Frighteningly so.

What was even more surprising was that he hadn’t realized that the density of his inner core had increased until now.

‘Why?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong was bewildered.

‘Why has the density of my inner core increased so much… Ah!’

He exclaimed without realizing it.

Just in case, he checked each of the Four Divine Energies, but they were all similar to their previous states.

That is, it was as he had guessed.

‘The training of the five desires and seven emotions…!’

During his time as the Dark Emperor, he used the Hongcheon Energy as an internal force that empowered the Four Divine Energies.

The Hongcheon Energy was a method of cultivating internal energy like a sea, centered on the lower *dantian* [an area in the lower abdomen considered a center of vital energy]. At least in terms of accumulating energy, no other method in the world could match the Hongcheon Energy.

Unending true energy. The output of the Four Divine Energies, empowered by that true energy, led to infinite killing techniques. Behind the terror of the Four Divine Martial Arts, which crushed enemies without tiring, was the solid true energy of the Hongcheon Energy.

However, the current Yeon Ho-Jeong was different.

He had formed the Yeon Family Inner Core. The Yeon Family Inner Core was a form of inner core, and its location was the middle *dantian*.

And the middle *dantian* was strongly influenced by human desires and emotions.

Of course, the inner power of the middle *dantian* was not unconditionally influenced by emotions. *Qi* [vital energy], like human emotions, is stimulated by various factors. There are cases where the lower *dantian* is shattered or the upper *dantian* collapses because one cannot control their desires and emotions.

However, the center of the mind is the middle *dantian*, and so if the middle *dantian* is corrected, the mind will not be easily shaken by ordinary events.

‘My anguish, my mental pain, has rather grown my inner core.’

He hadn’t expected this level of growth. *Qi* is influenced by intention, so the influence of the mind cannot be ignored in any change, but he had never experienced such rapid growth before.

If the accumulation of the Hongcheon Energy was infinite expansion, the accumulation of the Yeon Family Inner Core was a repetition of convergence and divergence.

If one were to ask which method was superior in terms of the power of the Four Divine Martial Arts, it would be difficult to answer easily. However, Yeon Ho-Jeong saw more potential in the Yeon Family Inner Core than during his time as the Dark Emperor, and that was why he was completing and nurturing the Yeon Family Inner Core.

‘I grew my own power through the anguish caused by the deaths of my subordinates…’

A bitter expression appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

‘I tried to shake it off, but I didn’t know it would capture me this much.’

This power was not just simple power.

He was the one who felt the anguish, and he was the one who overcame it, but if it weren’t for the deaths of his subordinates, he wouldn’t have been able to achieve this level of growth.

In other words, this power was given by his subordinates. Yeon Ho-Jeong decided to think of it that way.

‘At least I won’t use this power to tarnish your names.’

To gain power through the sacrifice of one’s own people? It was something that would be difficult for the average person to endure. At least if one valued people, they would have been caught in another cycle of anguish.

Yeon Ho-Jeong did not do that.

Showing a pathetic side once was enough. If he had decided to think of this power as given by his subordinates, then it was time to move forward.

‘Let’s cheer up. There’s still a mountain of things to do.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had slapped his cheeks several times with both hands, stopped his meditative breathing and left the room.

“You’re awake?”

Muk Bi, who was sweating profusely while wielding a single spear, greeted Yeon Ho-Jeong happily.

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“Where did you leave your bow and why are you using a single spear?”

“Ah, this? I’m thinking of really digging into it.”

“You were already wielding it as well as anyone else.”

Muk Bi had an exceptional talent for martial arts. Although she had spent her whole life learning archery, she also showed remarkable progress in the fist and leg techniques she learned from Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Muk Bi had not been wielding a single spear for long. Nevertheless, the fact that she could handle it well enough to be effective even in a real battle against a master showed how outstanding a talent she was.

“Being as good as others isn’t enough. I need to be at a level that overwhelms others.”

“Your archery is enough, isn’t it?”

“It’s not enough, so I’m learning. My subordinates are fighting with blood splattering right in front of them, and it’s not great to just be shooting arrows from the rear.”

“A martial artist should prioritize enhancing their strengths rather than covering their weaknesses. Especially in the martial world where one’s life can be taken in an instant.”

He meant that she shouldn’t be ashamed of shooting arrows from the rear. In fact, the Myulsa Army, trusting in her archery, which had reached the level of divine skill, had no hesitation in engaging in frontal battles.

Muk Bi nodded.

“That’s true if we’re moving together. I don’t want to risk my life with clumsy skills when I have something I’m better at.”

There were definitely times when one had to navigate through chaotic battles alone.

And with her archery skills, she would be able to break through no matter how many directions she was attacked from. However, it seemed that she had felt something in the fight involving Sama Hyeon this time.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Come find me when you’ve made some progress. I’ll help you if there’s anything you’re lacking.”

“Thank you.”

“What about the others?”

“They’ve all finished training and are resting. Except for a few.”

“A few?”

Muk Bi clicked her tongue.

“When Young Master Yeon was busy moving around, there were people here who were training more busily than anyone else. Or rather, I should say they were almost crazy.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up.

“I know who you’re talking about.”

“Are you going to go see them?”

“I’m just going to take a look. It’s been too long since I’ve seen them.”

“Go see Young Master Sama later too. He said there’s something he needs to meet you about.”

“I understand.”

After finishing the conversation in a calm voice, Yeon Ho-Jeong headed towards where the Myulsa Army was.

Muk Bi, who was staring at his back, said,

“Let’s have a drink later.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong waved his hand without a word.

The first thing that caught Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eye as he entered the Myulsa Army’s quarters was Ok Cheong.

At a time when everyone had finished training, Ok Cheong, who was alone in the makeshift training ground, was softly swinging his sword.

*Whoo-whoo-woong.*

The air flowing along the tip of the sword felt very soft.

It hadn’t been long since he had recovered from his injuries. In fact, white bandages were wrapped around his arms and near his collarbone, which were visible outside his clothes.

However, his complexion was good, and his *qi* was also quite stable. It seemed that he was recovering quickly.

*Woo-woo-woong. Woo-woo-woong.*

Due to his injuries, intense training would have been prohibited. However, Ok Cheong’s movements did not seem to be slow simply because of his injuries.

Yeon Ho-Jeong could recognize Ok Cheong’s swordsmanship at a glance.

‘It’s the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword.’

The supreme technique of the Wudang Sect. [A major Taoist martial arts sect].

If the Shaolin had the Hundred Step Divine Fist, the Wudang had the Tai Chi Wisdom Sword. In other words, it was a technique that symbolized the sect.

Ok Cheong’s Tai Chi Wisdom Sword was very soft. It was so soft that one wondered if it was even effective as a sword technique. However, in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes, he could see the fierce movement of true energy that was melted into those incredibly soft movements.

In a simple movement, true energy was showing dozens, hundreds of different movements. It was a circulation of true energy that was impossible for Ok Cheong before he was injured.

It was still far from complete, but that level of achievement alone was impressive enough. There were no gaps in the movement of true energy, enough to block most attacks with a single swing.

‘It seems he had an enlightenment.’

It wouldn’t have been an enlightenment gained by swinging a sword. After regaining consciousness, or even while he was unconscious, Ok Cheong would have looked back on his martial arts.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been watching Ok Cheong quietly, soon moved his steps while suppressing his presence.

He wanted to talk to him. He wanted to ask if he was okay, and tell him not to overdo it.

But he didn’t. He didn’t want to break his concentration, but he also sensed that there was a change in Ok Cheong’s heart.

Just as Yeon Ho-Jeong took another half step.

*Pa-ba-ba-ba-bak!*

In an instant, along with a chilling sound, dozens of flashing sword lights adorned the sky.

Light flashed in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

‘Oh ho.’

A young man wielding a half-broken sword in the backyard.

It was Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong, who had moved with the Myulsa Army, had not played any role in this mission. Since the Myulsa Army itself had not engaged in any unit battles, it was only natural.

‘I thought he would be tense and on edge.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong was pleased that his prediction was wrong.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong was no longer the immature younger brother of the past. Even in this harsh situation, even while the Myulsa Army was conducting separate unit training, he did not forget what he had to do.

‘I’m sorry.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a renewed sense of guilt towards Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

No matter how busy the unit was, if he had thought about it, he could have checked on him once in a while. But he was so focused on the mission that he hadn’t been able to properly take care of his younger brother.

Even so, his younger brother would not have resented him. No, rather, he would have moved even more quickly for fear of being a hindrance.

‘I have no face to show you, or Father.’

They say that if you want to gain one thing, you have to give up another.

But he felt that he had given up something that he should never have given up. For the sake of the unit’s discipline, he shouldn’t have given his younger brother special treatment, but at least he could have patted him on the back once in a while in private.

‘Still.’

*Flash!*

The sword light that cut through the air was as clear and cool as the crescent moon that had risen in the cloudless night sky.

‘He was somehow developing on his own.’

There was no fixed form or style in the sword he was wielding.

To put it nicely, it was free, and to put it badly, it was unpredictable. Moreover, since the sword was broken in half, a delicate thrust was out of the question.

A sword style of cutting and cutting again.

What he had found in that sword style, his younger brother’s face was adorned with a faint smile.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been watching Yeon Ji-Pyeong for a long time, smiled bitterly to himself.

‘It’s not easy to talk to them today.’

Not to Ok Cheong, nor to Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

Perhaps the problem was with himself. Although he had tried to comfort himself, he was still feeling down.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been watching his younger brother’s training for a long time, quietly turned his body.

‘I’ll have to come back tomorrow morning.’

It was then.

“Commander Yeon! Commander Yeon, are you here?”

The voice that rang out loudly was filled with a unique sense of freedom and the urgency of the situation. The sudden appearance caused Yeon Ji-Pyeong and Ok Cheong’s training to stop abruptly.

*Thwack!*

Ga Deuk-Sang came into Yeon Ho-Jeong’s view as he rushed into the training ground.

“Ga Deuk-Sang?”

“Ah! I knew you’d be here.”

“What’s going on?”

“Something serious has happened!”

What is it now?

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“If it’s something serious? Could it be the government?”

“It’s not that.”

Ga Deuk-Sang’s face darkened.

“Commander Yeon, do you know about Bota Hermitage?”