Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 446

Swoosh!

The young man, having finished his hot bath, splashed cold water on his head again and shook it vigorously.

When a person becomes engrossed, they tend to forget about eating and sleeping. So, there was no need to mention bathing.

The young man had spent over half a day soaking in the bath, scrubbing away layers of grime. He trimmed his fingernails and toenails, and neatly cut his tangled hair.

This revealed his naturally bright skin and gentle eyes. The eyes that had been flashing like blades with madness were gone, replaced by a gaze that was endlessly deep and clear, a welcome sight.

“Hmm.”

The young man, Yeon Ji-Pyeong, dressed and stepped into the training grounds, turning his head.

There, Gang Ryang stood.

“Ah, Brother.”

Gang Ryang chuckled.

“Did you have some kind of enlightenment? Or did you finally realize how ruthless you’ve been, to the point where even the Beggars’ Union [a large information network] would have trouble accepting you?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

“Was it that bad?”

“It was beyond words. But it’s okay. At least you didn’t smell.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Seriously. It was amazing.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong could only smile.

Gang Ryang’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

‘He’s changed.’

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s eyes, posture, and even his aura were different.

He was not the same Yeon Ji-Pyeong from just a few days ago. It wasn’t just that his body and clothes were clean.

‘He’s changed. Not just his eyes, but also the chaotic sword energy that was flailing in all directions.’

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s sword energy was incredibly dense.

It hadn’t been like that at first, but while training here, its density had gradually deepened, until each strand of sword energy felt like a real sword.

However, no matter how great the sword energy, it was useless if it couldn’t be controlled freely. Even if a person with innate divine power wielded a precious sword, they would be less powerful than a master wielding a twig.

That was Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s state. But not anymore.

‘He’s completely controlled it. It’s hard to find even a trace of that wild energy.’

The bundles of sword energy that had been wildly flying around were now nowhere to be seen, no matter how hard one looked.

Gang Ryang, who had been quietly observing Yeon Ji-Pyeong, grinned.

“Ji-Pyeong.”

“Yes, Brother.”

Clang!

In an instant, a sword was drawn and shot like an awl towards Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s neck.

It was truly a lightning-fast strike. It seemed Gang Ryang hadn’t been idle either; the series of movements from drawing the sword to the quick strike were chillingly clean.

“……”

Gang Ryang’s sword stopped right in front of Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s neck.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong was still looking at Gang Ryang with deep eyes.

Gang Ryang, who had been staring at Yeon Ji-Pyeong, withdrew his sword.

“Why didn’t you dodge?”

“Because I didn’t feel any killing intent.”

“I released killing intent? Are you saying you saw through the truth and falsehood of my killing intent?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong shook his head.

“Before discerning the truth, I knew you wouldn’t actually try to cut my neck, Brother.”

Gang Ryang couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

“You never know. Maybe we’ll draw swords over a woman someday?”

“Then I’ll dodge at that time.”

Oh?

He had tried to provoke him, but the response was quite gentle.

It wasn’t a response that could be faked. It meant his mind was that stable and relaxed.

‘Beyond the qualitative improvement in his martial arts, he has completely straightened out his chaotic mind.’

Shhh! Thud!

Gang Ryang sheathed his sword.

He said casually,

“It’s good to see.”

It was a truly Gang Ryang-like remark.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong opened his mouth.

“Your sword skills have also improved tremendously, Brother.”

“You can see it?”

“Yes, I can.”

“How was it?”

“It was different from mine.”

Gang Ryang’s lips curled up.

“Of course, it’s different. There’s no need to argue which is superior, but in a head-on clash, I’m still above you.”

“Yes, it seems so.”

“However, if you play some tricks, I might be in danger.”

“That is something we cannot know.”

His tone was still calm.

There was no wavering in his voice. Even when saying that his opponent was stronger, there was no agitation in his mind.

Gang Ryang sighed quietly.

“Honestly, I don’t know how you and your brother became such monsters.”

“Monsters?”

“Your brother, at that age, was called the greatest late-stage master, and he had built up martial arts that made even the heads of great sects look down. And you, a novice, realized the Still Sword after suffering for a few months.”

Still Sword.

Still Sword was one of the countless realms of the sword.

The realm of the Still Sword was a realm that could not be divided into stages. Even someone with lower martial arts than Yeon Ji-Pyeong could realize the Still Sword, and even a powerhouse of the Saintly Heaven [a very high level of martial arts] might not.

It was called the Still Sword, but in reality, there was no suitable word to call it.

However, Gang Ryang knew. Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s sword, having realized the Still Sword, would be able to execute its master’s will without wavering in any situation.

Even if his eyes were clouded with anger, even if his heart was broken with sadness, his sword would not waver.

“Isn’t that right, Brother?”

At Gang Ryang’s question, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice was heard from beyond the training ground wall.

“I don’t know if he’s a monster, but I know it’s time to praise Ji-Pyeong for controlling his chaotic sword.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, lightly jumped over the wall.

He walked straight to Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

“……”

The two looked at each other without a word.

Now, Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s height was almost the same as Yeon Ho-Jeong’s.

Having lived a rough life traveling around the Central Plains, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s skin was not fair. On the other hand, Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s skin was still fair, even after rigorous training under the scorching sun.

They looked alike, but Yeon Ho-Jeong’s impression was sharp like Yeon-Wi, while Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s impression was gentle and peaceful like his late mother.

They were so alike, and yet so different.

But Gang Ryang had never thought these two were so alike as he did today.

Especially their eyes.

‘Their eyes are exactly the same.’

Unlike his rough hands and unconventional behavior, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes were clear and deep like a lake.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong was the same. Although the color was different, Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s eyes, having realized the Still Sword, were just as clear and deep as Yeon Ho-Jeong’s.

How much time had passed?

“I haven’t even taken care of you, and you’ve already come this far. I’m proud of you.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong smiled.

“Your existence itself is care and learning for me, Brother. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to reach this realm.”

“You’ve also improved your eloquence while gaining enlightenment.”

“Isn’t sincerity more splendid than any modifier?”

“Hahaha.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong finally relaxed his expression and ruffled Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s hair.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong made a fuss.

“I just washed and dried it! It’s getting messed up!”

“You’re too proper, you rascal. It’s okay to be a little messy.”

After joking around for a while, Yeon Ho-Jeong suddenly noticed the old scabbard hanging on Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s waist.

“It looks like you’ve used it for ten years.”

“Ah, this?”

“Should I get you a new sword?”

“It’s fine.”

“Really? Isn’t your sword still broken in half?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong slightly drew his sword.

As Yeon Ho-Jeong had said, his sword was broken in half. He had been carrying that half-sword all this time.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong sheathed his sword again and said,

“To some, it may look like a broken sword, but to others, it may look like a companion who has overcome a hell where one day felt like ten years.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong called it hell.

Although it had only been a few months, for him, it was ten times harder than a lifetime of training.

Yeon Ho-Jeong acknowledged his younger brother. Not his younger brother’s martial arts, but the fact that his younger brother had broken through the wall of despair he had first felt and returned as a new person, a true martial artist.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said,

“The exact date hasn’t been set yet. I still have things to take care of in Guangdong, and I have to meet some old geezers you don’t know.”

“…?”

“But all those things will be finished soon.”

Gang Ryang was quick to catch on.

“Where are you going?”

“Yes. I think I have to return to the Martial Alliance.”

“I see.”

“However, the Righteous Army will remain here. There’s a power vacuum, so the Martial Alliance forces must stay to prevent the evil organizations from growing. The Righteous Army’s presence alone can act as a deterrent to the Black Path forces [evil martial arts groups].”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Gang Ryang and said,

“I might have to stop by the Mukryong Clan on the way.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes changed in an instant.

But that was it. He didn’t show anger or release killing intent.

If Yeon Ji-Pyeong had controlled his mind with the sword, Gang Ryang had controlled his mind with life. He had that kind of tenacity.

“I want to use you this time. Are you interested?”

Gang Ryang’s lips curled up.

“Use me anytime. I also want to see Yang Cheon’s face again.”

“It must be a hard face to forget?”

“He didn’t see me back then.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

He looked at Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

“Ji-Pyeong, what will you do?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s answer was unexpected.

“I will stay here.”

He had expected him to say he would go with him, but this was unexpected.

“While I was trapped in my own thoughts and running wild, many people suffered because of me. I don’t know if I can help, but I think it’s better than nothing.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“I won’t stop you if that’s what you think.”

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks.”

In his younger brother, who had become a true martial artist, the seeds of a great man who knew how to be grateful even for small help were growing.

He was kind and good, but he firmly held onto his own principles.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was once again convinced. That in the future, Yeon Ji-Pyeong would become one of the most renowned heads of the Yeon family in history.

“I have some things to do, so I have to go now. Before I leave, let’s see how well your swords have been sharpened.”

“Yes.”

“Rest well. And Ji-Pyeong.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned around.

His eyes, which had been full of kindness, were now cold.

‘The arrangements are done for now.’

He had spoken to Moyong Gun and informed Muk Bi.

Now, all that was left was the issue of Bota and meeting the old men of Mount Bul. Once that was done, he would go straight to the Alliance.

‘I don’t have time. First, I need to wake up the person who’s conveniently unconscious.’

* * *

“……”

Hwa-Woon, who had opened her eyes after several days, looked quite haggard.

However, her eyes were different from before she had collapsed. They were not clear, but they were not as full of desire as before.

As soon as she regained consciousness, she realized that she had been unconscious for a long time.

And why she had collapsed.

‘…….’

Hwa-Woon closed her eyes again.

Her mind was complicated. It was not easy to sort out her feelings.

Then, a voice was heard.

“If you’re awake, get up.”

Hwa-Woon flinched. She hadn’t known someone was in the room.

Slowly raising her body, she saw Yeon Ho-Jeong and Jeong-An.

Jeong-An’s expression brightened.

“Master!”

“…Jeong-An.”

Why was it? She couldn’t bring herself to face Jeong-An.

As Hwa-Woon lowered her head in shame, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice pierced her ears again.

“You have no right to lower your head. Don’t think you’ll get any sympathy by doing that.”

“…!”

“Things are moving quite quickly. You can sort out your thoughts later. Let’s talk separately first.”