Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 449

The sword hummed.

‘Hmm?’

Yeon-wi, who was leaning against a tree wiping away sweat, looked at the sword stuck in the ground.

‘What is it?’

Yeon-wi tilted his head.

‘Just now, the sword definitely hummed on its own, didn’t it?’

A master of Yeon-wi’s caliber couldn’t have been mistaken.

Moreover, he was not the Yeon-wi of the past. After Yeon Ho-Jeong, who became the commander of the Righteous Army, set out, he had focused on training more than ever before.

That training was with Tang Gwan, and often included advice from Jeagal Mun-Ho, making it truly top-notch.

Perhaps that was why? Yeon-wi’s swordsmanship had advanced beyond mastery to another level, and he had definitively completed one of the Absolute Three Swords [a set of three ultimate sword techniques].

And that level was?

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

The blowing wind shook the sword.

Sliiiide.

Yeon-wi rested his arms on his raised knees.

He didn’t reach out, nor was there any flow of internal energy. Yet, the sword was moving on its own, trying to pull itself out.

Yeon-wi’s eyes gleamed.

Swish!

The sword, smoothly drawn, floated up and then stopped in front of Yeon-wi.

It was an eerily natural telekinesis. There was an overwhelming martial prowess that felt as if the sword was being controlled almost entirely by will, without even a hint of internal energy flow.

Yeon-wi reached out and grasped the sword.

The sword hummed once more.

Was it because it had met its master? Or was it because of some unknown force?

After staring at the sword for a long time, Yeon-wi raised his head to look at the sky.

A small smile appeared on his lips.

“Ho-Jeong?”

He didn’t know why he had unconsciously spoken his eldest son’s name at this moment.

But somehow, he felt good. It was as if his own growth had mirrored his son’s.

It wasn’t just Ho-Jeong. The face that naturally followed was that of his second son, who no longer had any trace of youthfulness.

Before the departure, his second son had wielded his sword almost in a frenzy.

It had been so worrying, but now, he felt like his son had overcome all adversities and grown splendidly. That was the feeling he had.

As Yeon-wi was looking up at the sky, someone spoke to him.

“Looks like something good happened?”

The sarcastic tone was now more familiar than just being accustomed to it.

Yeon-wi said calmly.

“The sunlight is nice.”

Tang Gwan frowned as he looked at the sky.

“It’s really different from Sichuan.”

“Is that so?”

“Come visit sometime and see what Sichuan is like.”

“I’ve heard that there are fewer sunny days there than in other parts of the Central Plains.”

“Do you think the saying ‘when the sun rises, the dogs bark’ came out of nowhere? Well, living in such a place naturally makes one gloomy.”

Yeon-wi couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Tang Gwan’s words were funny.

“So, are all the people of Sichuan dark?”

“That’s just how it is. Anyway……”

Tang Gwan’s eyes gleamed.

“Did you improve again?”

“What do you mean?”

“I saw it earlier. You were using telekinesis as naturally as breathing.”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“Such a trick is easy for the Tang Clan Head, isn’t it? Compared to the Tang Clan Head, I’m still just taking my first steps. I’m far, far behind.”

Looking only at the movement of the object controlled by telekinesis, Yeon-wi’s words were not wrong. Tang Gwan’s telekinesis, which controlled hidden weapons, was filled with extreme precision.

However, Tang Gwan felt something indescribable from Yeon-wi’s telekinesis.

It felt as if the sword was moving purely by will, not by internal energy.

‘……Sword Control (馭劍)?’

Tang Gwan unconsciously shook his head.

‘No, not yet.’

He had seen the true level of sword control before. From his own father, no less.

The level of sword control his father wielded was truly a new world. He had never imagined that such a thing was possible with human ability.

Of course, Yeon-wi’s enlightenment had not reached the true level of sword control.

However.

‘He’s on the cusp. Yeon Clan Head’s enlightenment is so naturally on the verge of sword control.’

Tang Gwan couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘At that age, with that martial prowess, and that growth rate… he’s truly relentless.’

Since coming to the Martial Alliance, Yeon-wi’s growth rate had been nothing short of remarkable.

And surprisingly, the resumption of his stagnant growth had also occurred in Tang Gwan himself.

‘The process of understanding a completely different martial principle becomes the driving force for explosive growth……’

Of course, not just anyone could do this. Both Tang Gwan and Yeon-wi were striving to create new martial arts, and they had achieved such growth because they had made constant efforts and poured blood and sweat into completing those martial arts.

‘And, the existence of their children must have played a part.’

He had once had a conversation with Yeon-wi about this.

‘Aren’t you scared?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Your second son is definitely a genius. But Yeon Ho-Jeong, that guy has surpassed even that. At that age and that level, he will soon become a master who surpasses you, Yeon Clan Head.’

‘Haha, just hearing that makes me happy.’

‘Just happy? Aren’t you scared?’

‘What is there to be scared of? My son has grown up and has reached a level where he will soon surpass his father. That is a joy and emotion that cannot be obtained from any enlightenment.’

‘Hmm.’

‘However, I cannot just stand still either.’

‘You can’t stand still?’

‘As a father, it would be an immeasurable joy for my son to surpass me. But as a martial artist, I want to become an even higher wall for my son, to be the driving force for his greater growth.’

‘…….’

‘If I had only thought about the sword, I wouldn’t have needed to sweat this much. I would just have to research and research. But as a martial artist and a father, I must become stronger.’

‘Even if he surpasses the Clan Head?’

‘Then I will gladly admit defeat. It will probably be the happiest and most beautiful defeat in the world.’

Tang Gwan chuckled.

‘The happiest and most beautiful defeat in the world. That sounds good.’

He had never approached things that way.

In the Tang Clan, even blood brothers were just rivals. Moreover, Tang Gwan had desperately wanted to step on and surpass his father, Tang Hyeong, rather than understand him.

But this father and son were different. They cherished and loved each other, yet they constantly stimulated each other.

Could this also be called a friendly rivalry? Whatever it was, the important thing was that there would be no other father and son like them.

Tang Gwan recalled that conversation once more.

‘What about the Tang Clan Head?’

‘If it’s about bragging about your children, you should stop. I don’t have a child that lacks humanity to that extent.’

‘Hahaha, that’s not what I meant.’

‘Then what is it?’

‘Aren’t you constantly striving to show Sang-ah a higher level, to show her a wider world?’

‘You’re mistaken. I only think of myself. Helping you is also for my own growth.’

‘Haha.’

‘Don’t laugh.’

‘Hahaha.’

‘I said don’t laugh.’

Just like that, the conversation ended as if water had been poured into water.

But Tang Gwan was inwardly flustered. Yeon-wi’s words seemed to have hit him right on the mark.

Cultivating oneself for someone else? He had never lived such a life. Whether it was parents or children, it was not something that applied to Tang Gwan. At least, that was how he had lived his life.

‘…….’

Tang Gwan, looking at Yeon-wi with complicated eyes, cleared his throat.

“When does today’s training end?”

“It can end anytime, and it can start anytime. Isn’t that what training is?”

“That sounds good.”

“But why? Are you trying to have a drink for once?”

“In this situation, how can alcohol pass down my throat?”

Tang Gwan’s eyes gleamed.

“What do you think about it? Deung Cheon-Gyo’s explosive statement.”

He was calling Deung Cheon-Gyo by his full name without hesitation.

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“What is there to think about? Everyone knew, and Gong Gong Daesa [a highly respected Buddhist monk] took on the remaining political burden. I just feel sorry that I couldn’t lessen that burden.”

“That’s not what I meant. There was a reason why we didn’t reveal the existence of the Three Teachings, right?”

“That’s right.”

“But now that has become a bubble. Jeagal’s military advisor has been investigating the Bong Gong [a secret organization], but that work has not even made half the progress.”

Tang Gwan’s eyes immediately sharpened.

“Moyong Gun, it wouldn’t be him.”

It was an abrupt statement, but Yeon-wi nodded in agreement.

“I think so too.”

“At first, I thought Deung Cheon-Gyo himself might be the spy, but thinking about it, that’s unlikely.”

“Probability is just probability. However, I also agree with what the Tang Clan Head said.”

Yeon-wi smiled wryly.

“Those who were so thorough that they infiltrated the imperial palace and government offices, and even supported the establishment of the Muk Ryong Unit [a special military unit], couldn’t have made such a mistake.”

“I think so too.”

Yeon-wi, who had been quietly looking at his sword, stood up and sheathed it.

“Although the situation has become like this, there is nothing we can do right now. Rather, if we move rashly, we might make a mistake.”

“It’s frustrating.”

“Jeagal’s military advisor will soon ask for help. Until then, let’s not make any rash assumptions.”

Yeon-wi seemed more relaxed than expected.

Considering Yeon-wi’s usual personality, it was strange for him to show such composure. Wasn’t Yeon-wi the type of person who would tighten himself up more thoroughly in an emergency?

Tang Gwan, who had been quietly observing Yeon-wi, chuckled.

“When?”

“Hmm? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“When did Yeon Ho-Jeong say he was coming?”

Surprise appeared on Yeon-wi’s face.

“How did you know that?”

“I can tell just by looking at the Clan Head’s face. Would you be so relaxed if he wasn’t coming or if there wasn’t some groundbreaking preparation?”

“Hahaha, the Tang Clan Head’s perception is truly amazing.”

“It’s not that I’m amazing, it’s just that the Yeon Clan Head is easy to read.”

If it had been the cold and rigid Yeon-wi of the past, even the great Tang Gwan would not have been able to read his expression. The current Yeon-wi was relaxed enough to fully reveal his emotions.

“He contacted me saying he would depart in five days.”

“Five days.”

“However, it seems he’s not coming directly to the Alliance. He said he has places to stop by in between.”

Tang Gwan frowned.

“If he’s coming, he should come quickly, why is he stopping by other places?”

“Haha, I don’t know either. But what could possibly happen?”

Yeon-wi looked far to the south.

Towards the direction of Guangdong Province, where his two sons were.

“They must have grown greatly. Perhaps even more than me.”

* * *

Even though there was a large window in the middle of the day, the room somehow felt dark.

In that dark space, an ominous conversation was taking place.

“Wasn’t this time too reckless?”

“……”

“Deung Cheon-Gyo is a person who is suspicious enough. But that suspicion won’t last long. Jeagal Mun-Ho is no ordinary man. He will soon realize that someone other than Deung Cheon-Gyo among the Bong Gong is the spy.”

“……”

“I can’t understand at all.”

“You……”

The shadow’s slithering voice stretched out like a snake crawling across a swamp.

“There is no need for useless worries. Just do as you are told.”

“As you wish. So, what should I do next?”

“Orders will be given soon. Until then, just show the appearance that suits your position.”

“Understood. And please, one request.”

“……”

“Don’t come at this time. I get chills thinking about getting caught.”

Swoosh.

As soon as those words were spoken, the shadow disappeared.

It was a technique that was hard to believe even when seen with one’s own eyes. It was impossible to tell whether it was a movement technique or a magic technique.

‘He’ had a sneer on his face.

“He’s still as annoying as ever.”

At that moment, a young voice was heard from outside.

“Clan Leader. It’s me. Are you inside?”

“Have you come?”

“Yes. I have brought the item you requested.”

“Haha, you’ve worked hard. Come in.”

His tone, which had been as carefree as a street loafer, instantly became imbued with the elegance befitting a clan leader of a sect.