Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 445

The Future Carried on the Sword (7)

Moyong Gun was busy.

He had been busy when he was in the Myeong [Ming Dynasty], but he was even busier here.

The Tangma Army, having lost over two hundred comrades in the recent operation, was throwing themselves into training with a vengeance. They were already known for their harsh training, but now, their lives and training had become one.

Once the Tangma Army’s training was over, the sun would begin to set.

That was when Moyong Gun’s training time began.

His sleep was fixed at two shichen [approximately four hours], and during each training session, he would squeeze out all his internal energy and physical strength until he was completely exhausted.

Even then, there was no rest. When he wasn’t in meetings with Yeon Ho-jeong, he was focused on grasping the current state of the martial world, and if he still had time, he would read another line from a book.

It wasn’t because of an obsession with living diligently. It was because he believed that if he put anything into his body and mind, it would all be of great help in the future.

That kind of life had already passed a month and was approaching two months.

“Huuu.”

Clang!

The tip of the Tangma Greatsword was embedded in the ground.

He had poured out all his internal energy and exhausted every ounce of strength he could muster.

The greatsword, which was usually as light as a switch, felt as heavy as lifting an iron pillar.

He gasped for breath and sheathed his sword, then staggered for a moment.

‘Was that a bit too much?’

He always pushed himself to the limit, but today seemed particularly extreme. He didn’t even have the slightest strength to maintain his balance.

Thud!

Moyong Gun collapsed to the ground, immediately sitting in a lotus position and circulating his energy.

After half a shichen [approximately one hour].

“I feel a bit better now.”

To fill a vessel, it must first be emptied.

The vessel that is filled and emptied repeatedly becomes larger and stronger. Moyong Gun’s body and dantian [energy center in the body] were undergoing such a process of repetition.

Perhaps that was why? Not only was his internal energy increasing, but the speed of his energy accumulation was much faster than it had been two months ago. Every day, his body, reaching its limits, was greedily absorbing more vital energy to avoid collapsing.

As he became accustomed to it, he could now unleash dozens of slashes in a single breath.

He hadn’t reached a higher realm through enlightenment, but this was still a great gift for a martial artist. It was the greatest reward he could obtain through effort.

“Are you alright?”

Moyong Gun was not surprised by the sudden voice. He had sensed the presence during his energy circulation.

“Have you come?”

He turned his head and saw Yeon Ho-jeong, silhouetted against the moonlight, standing with his arms crossed.

‘…….’

Moyong Gun suddenly thought that Yeon Ho-jeong looked incredibly mysterious.

His younger brother, with the cold yet comforting moonlight behind him, exuded the aura of a mystical being from another world.

‘Indeed.’

Moyong Gun had to admit it to himself.

‘Yeonje’s presence has always been like that.’

A night filled with starlight.

The world, without even a single breeze, was utterly silent.

‘It’s just like my frustrating situation in the past.’

For some reason, he was reminded of the time before he met Yeon Ho-jeong.

Back then, when he was leading a merchant group in Zhejiang, pushed aside in the power struggles with his brothers.

At that time, his heart was truly miserable. No one understood his feelings, and even if they did, they wouldn’t be able to comprehend them.

Yeon Ho-jeong had appeared at just such a time.

Just before the darkness reached its peak, turning into an abyss where not even a single ray of starlight could penetrate.

‘He was truly audacious.’

Moyong Gun smiled involuntarily.

He had come in the middle of the night and had given him a barrage of scolding, telling him to become a giant of the righteous path and to get his act together.

He had been scolded by a stranger to the point of his stomach churning. Moyong Gun was human, so how could he not have been upset? But at the same time, it was the first time in ten years that someone had made him so emotional.

That was probably when it had started. The time when his life had begun to change.

Not because Yeon Ho-jeong had done something for him, but because he had felt the sincere concern in that scolding.

Strangely, Yeon Ho-jeong’s voice had a persuasive power. Beyond logic, despite being a rather low voice, it had a strange magic that ignited people’s emotions.

‘Appearing out of nowhere, really.’

Just like now, Yeon Ho-jeong was always sudden.

He had appeared suddenly and disappeared just as suddenly. Not only to him but also in this rough and dangerous martial world, he had suddenly begun to stand out, and with explosive growth, he had etched his name into the world.

The reason he had proposed a sworn brotherhood with Yeon Ho-jeong was not just because of loneliness but also because he had felt a human attraction. He had that kind of charm.

And now, he was rebuking the world for the sake of the world, together with that sworn brother.

The realization of that fact brought a genuine smile to Moyong Gun’s face.

“What? What’s with that smile?”

Yeon Ho-jeong asked in a disgruntled voice.

Moyong Gun stood up and said,

“It’s because I’m happy to see you after a long time.”

“A long time, my foot.”

“That’s the problem with you, Yeonje. You’re so busy that you have no sense of time. Back then, when I asked you to have a drink, you forgot and didn’t even come, did you?”

“Drink? When?”

“See? You don’t even remember.”

Yeon Ho-jeong clicked his tongue.

“If that’s the case, I’m sorry. I really need to get my act together.”

“There’s no need to apologize. However, no matter how skilled you are, you need rest. You’ll really die from overwork.”

“I didn’t come here to hear such chilling words. The reason I came is…”

“Stop.”

Moyong Gun raised his hand, cutting off Yeon Ho-jeong’s words.

For some reason, Yeon Ho-jeong felt his mouth shut. Normally, he would have thrown in a joke, but today, it was somehow difficult to joke with Moyong Gun.

“Have you eaten?”

“I ate half a day ago.”

“Then keep the promise you couldn’t keep. Wait a moment. I’ll go prepare a table for drinks.”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been quietly watching Moyong Gun, slumped down on the spot.

“Let’s see the cooking skills of the Tangma Army Commander.”

“Hahaha!”

It took Moyong Gun two gak [approximately 30 minutes] to return.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes widened.

“Not bad?”

“Hmm?”

“Your skills are quite decent, aren’t they?”

On the table were two simple dishes and three bottles of strong liquor.

He could tell just by the smell. It was a simple stir-fried vegetable dish and a meat dish made by soaking dried jerky, but the aroma was better than what you could find in most inns.

Moyong Gun burst into laughter.

“It’s thanks to the spices. If the quality of the ingredients is bad, you have no choice but to deceive with seasoning.”

“Just being able to deceive is amazing. I can’t do it like this.”

“Is there a need for someone like you to master cooking?”

“Why? They say that these days, men have to be good at cooking to be loved by their wives.”

“Ho ho.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled.

“Have you perhaps found a lady you like?”

“I’ll probably find one someday. Well, that’s also a problem. Even if I like them, if they don’t like me, it’s all for naught. Seeing that, relationships are really difficult.”

“I can’t bring myself to tell you not to worry. With your reputation, there must be many ladies who have their eyes on you.”

“I hate people who are attracted to my name, regardless of gender.”

“That’s not it. Even the greatest master in the world is only the greatest in swordsmanship, not in relationships, right? Relationships are mutual. Not just you, but even someone much greater than you can’t avoid the worries of relationships.”

“Was this a counseling session?”

“I’m just saying. Someday, a lady will stir your heart, and when that time comes, I hope you’ll be honest without weighing this and that.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“What about you, brother? Is Miss Tang still not in your eyes?”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“Are you still talking about something from so long ago?”

“Ho ho? Something from so long ago? It seems there was something there?”

“There was nothing. We were both too busy. Besides, neither Miss Tang nor I liked relationships that were unnaturally forced.”

“You’re talking like you have too much. When you go to Guimyeong later, ask her to have tea with you.”

“Haha, I will.”

Moyong Gun’s strength lay in his generosity.

Even if it was a close younger brother, if he threw words like that, he would be at least a little upset, but Moyong Gun never lost his smile.

And it was because of that very nature that Yeon Ho-jeong could comfortably treat him. Others might not know, but Moyong Gun was one of the few people to whom Yeon Ho-jeong showed his true self.

“Enough talk. Shall we have a drink?”

“Well, let’s do that.”

The two clinked their glasses.

It had been quite a while since they had shared a drink.

Because their bond was deep, the liquor felt strong. It was strong, but that strength was good. If they had drunk often, it would have been hard to feel such a deep taste of liquor.

Moyong Gun asked calmly,

“So, what brings you here at this hour?”

It was a comfortable question in a comfortable setting.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been somewhat on edge, felt the burden he had been carrying melt away with that comfort.

“Something happened with the leadership of the Martial Alliance.”

“What kind of thing?”

Yeon Ho-jeong spoke honestly without embellishment.

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

“If it’s about Elder Bonggong… could it be that it was my brother?”

“It’s not Moyong Gun. Of course, I can’t be certain, but at least I don’t think it’s him.”

“Why do you think it’s not him?”

“Whether it’s a tiger or a wolf, they may look different, but they all have fangs. Although Moyong Gun’s fangs are poisoned, I don’t think he’s the type to bare his teeth at any time.”

It was a harsh assessment, but also a high evaluation. At least in a situation where there was a common enemy, Moyong Gun was seen as a capable ally rather than an untrustworthy foe.

“Hmm.”

Moyong Gun stroked his chin.

“Elder Bonggong is the head of the Gyeongdong Sect. The Gyeongdong Sect is in Gansu. In Gansu, the Gyeongdong Sect’s power is second to none.”

“In other words, it’s not strange for them to obtain that kind of information?”

“That’s what I think, but…”

“……”

“At the same time, I also think it’s strange.”

“In what way?”

Moyong Gun, as if talking about something trivial, filled Yeon Ho-jeong’s glass and said,

“How could an organization that is so careless as to leak information so easily have planted spies in the Central Plains for decades, even touching the imperial palace and government offices, without getting caught?”

Yeon Ho-jeong grinned.

“That’s why it’s easy to talk to smart people.”

“What do you think, Yeonje? Do you think it’s clear that someone leaked that information?”

“I’d say it’s a probability close to 100%.”

“Then that’s also strange.”

Moyong Gun frowned.

“They leaked the information in this situation? Is there some kind of scheme?”

“Before any scheme, we need to discuss how they could have leaked such information in this situation.”

“……!”

Moyong Gun’s face hardened.

Yeon Ho-jeong emptied his glass. The liquor no longer felt strong.

Moyong Gun, quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong’s face, asked hesitantly,

“Are you saying, Yeonje, that you think there’s a spy among the Elders?”

“I’ve thought so since before. That’s why I told them not to reveal the identity of the Three Teachings at the Bonggong Council.”

“……!!”

“Now, I have to say it’s certain. There’s a spy of the Three Teachings among the Elders, or someone who has an extremely close relationship with them.”

“……This is.”

He had suspected it, but hearing that it might actually be true, Moyong Gun was dumbfounded.

Not just any ordinary practitioners, but the heads of the Nine Great Sects. How could there be a spy among such giants? Where had their honor and pride gone?

To the confused Moyong Gun, Yeon Ho-jeong said,

“I think I’ll have to go to the Alliance soon.”

“Yes, you should.”

Moyong Gun, nodding his head, suddenly flinched.

“Wait, are you saying you’ll go alone, Yeonje?”

“Yes.”

“……”

“That’s why I came. It’ll be soon, but I don’t know exactly when. So, I’m asking you to lead the Righteous Army if I suddenly disappear, without being flustered.”

He had appeared suddenly, and now he was saying he might leave just as suddenly.

What a truly difficult fellow to handle. Putting aside the seriousness of the matter, he didn’t think he could ever live like that.

Moyong Gun, quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, smiled and said,

“Why are you asking for a favor? Just give me an order.”

“……”

“Just come back safe and sound. Don’t worry your subordinates.”