Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 451

“How are you feeling?”

“…….”

“It seems you’re still very confused.”

“…….”

Hwa-un remained silent.

It was understandable. She was in front of the person who had made her realize her shortcomings, and in a state where she couldn’t even control her own mind. It was unlikely she would open her mouth easily.

Observing Hwa-un’s complexion, Beom-o offered her a teacup.

“This is tea made by brewing medicinal herbs from Mount Song [a sacred mountain in China, known for its association with Shaolin Temple]. I can’t say it tastes good, but there’s nothing better for calming the mind.”

One of the items that Shaolin monks always carried when they traveled the martial world was medicinal herb leaves. They weren’t particularly potent, but by brewing and drinking them, they were meant to remember the teachings of Shaolin through the scent.

Hwa-un, who had been listlessly looking down at the teacup, carefully picked it up and took a sip.

Beom-o smiled.

“How is it?”

“It’s bitter.”

“Haha, I suppose so. It hasn’t been long since we started drying the leaves for tea. Originally, it was a medicinal herb used to maintain a proper level of yang energy [a concept in traditional Chinese medicine referring to active, warm energy].”

“…….”

Hwa-un silently looked down at the tea. Unlike its bitter taste, it was quite clear and transparent.

On the surface of the clear tea, the face of a middle-aged woman, clearly exhausted and confused, was reflected.

Beom-o continued.

“You’re still very confused, aren’t you?”

“…….”

“Although the situation was different from Hwa Gakja’s [a title meaning ‘Enlightened One’ in a Buddhist context], I too was far from the path of Buddha, and even the path of a human being, until recently. Correcting that was truly not an easy task.”

Hwa-un raised her head and looked at Beom-o.

There wasn’t even a hint of confusion on Beom-o’s face, who was honestly admitting that he had strayed from the path himself.

Beom-o nodded.

“For a better self, you must start by acknowledging your current flawed self. Whether you learn the Dharma [Buddhist teachings] or not, the development of all people begins there.”

Hwa-un smiled.

It was hard to tell if it was a self-deprecating smile or one that mocked the other person.

“Do I look very flawed?”

“Of course.”

Beom-o’s answer was unexpectedly sharp.

“Hwa Gakja, you have committed a great wrong. Especially as a practitioner, it is an even greater sin. Aren’t you aware of that yourself?”

There was nothing to say when he spoke so confidently.

Beom-o shook his head.

“Committing a wrong is not shameful in itself. We are human. It can happen. The problem is when you clearly realize it’s wrong but still turn a blind eye to it. That act of deceiving oneself is something you should definitely be ashamed of.”

“…….”

“Be very ashamed. However, there’s no need to crumble because of it.”

Hwa-un wanted to sigh. She really wanted to sigh so deeply that the ground would cave in several times.

But a Shaolin monk was watching. She couldn’t even sigh easily.

‘…….’

At the same time, she realized how much she was intimidated by Shaolin. No, not just her, but for all the monks of the Central Plains Buddhist community, the name Shaolin was something very daunting.

Did he know that? Beom-o continued in a calm voice.

“Is it because I’m from Shaolin that you’re finding it difficult?”

“…….”

“If I weren’t from Shaolin, would Hwa Gakja, who was full of worldly desires back then, have stubbornly resisted the truth even after my lion’s roar [a Buddhist term referring to a powerful and authoritative teaching]?”

“That’s…….”

“No. You wouldn’t have.”

Beom-o smiled.

“But why are you so conscious of me? Whether I’m from Shaolin or not, what’s important is Hwa Gakja herself. Don’t worry about formalities, and look back at yourself first.”

“But…….”

“Shaolin is just another group of monks. The efforts and sacrifices of the venerable masters created Shaolin as it is today, but they wouldn’t have wanted Shaolin to wield special privileges.”

“…….”

“Don’t run away. Don’t try to avoid it with countless excuses.”

Woong.

Beom-o’s pupils were tinged with a subtle golden light.

“Come back, Hwa Gakja.”

In the end, Hwa-un couldn’t help but let out a deeper sigh than ever before.

“It’s not yet, is it?”

“What do you mean?”

“I acknowledge my wrongdoings. I acknowledge them, but I also don’t want to acknowledge them.”

“Is that so?”

“I keep wanting to run away. To be honest, I want to abandon the name of Bota and run away to another world far away.”

Beom-o’s smile deepened.

“I see.”

For the first time, Hwa-un spoke her honest feelings.

Wanting to abandon the name of Bota and run away? Any human could feel that way. It was an attitude that was far too lacking for someone who had received the title of Gakja (Enlightened One), but just the fact that she was acknowledging herself was enough for Beom-o to think that she had taken a big step forward.

Hwa-un took a deep breath.

“Right now… I’m not going to try too hard. I just want to be alone.”

Beom-o rose from his seat.

“Whatever the outcome, Hwa Gakja, who has clearly acknowledged her past mistakes, will be able to walk a brighter path than before.”

“……Thank you.”

“May you find peace.”

Beom-o, who bowed in a half-formal manner, turned to leave the room.

At that moment, Hwa-un asked.

“Beom-o Sunim [a respectful term for a Buddhist monk].”

“Yes, please speak.”

“By the way, where is Jeongan?”

“Hmm?”

Beom-o wore a rare look of bewilderment.

“Surely, Jeong Gakja hasn’t visited?”

“What?”

“Jeong Gakja has left for a while with Yeon Daesu [a respectful title for a leader or master].”

Hwa-un’s face was filled with a bewildered expression.

“Left? Where on earth…?”

“They are planning to visit the two most powerful forces in the current Central Plains martial world.”

“……?!”

* * *

“Commander.”

“You’ve arrived.”

Jin-pae bowed his head.

“An hour ago, Daesu left this place with Gang Geomsa [a title for a skilled swordsman] and the descendant of Bota.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

He had heard that he would leave without notice someday, and asked him to take care of the Righteous Army.

But he didn’t expect him to leave without even a word.

‘Truly, you are like yourself.’

Moyong-woo smiled wryly.

“Until Daesu returns, or until orders come from above, we will wait here.”

“Yes.”

“The Beggars’ Union will contact us. Our mission is not just to wait here. Until the righteous martial world of Guangdong Province recovers and the public sentiment stabilizes, we will be ready to go into battle at any moment.”

Jin-pae’s eyes gleamed.

“Then…….”

“Yes.”

Moyong-woo tapped his sword sheath.

“We must become stronger. Until Guangdong recovers, there will be ruffians appearing at every moment, taking advantage of the power vacuum. And there’s a possibility that a formidable expert will appear among them.”

“That’s right.”

“We must train sufficiently. Until we meet Daesu again, the Righteous Army must become twice as strong as it is now.”

Unlike his usual serious demeanor, Jin-pae showed a playful smile.

“Since the leader is so outstanding, only the subordinates who try to catch up suffer.”

“Indeed.”

“That’s not just about Daesu.”

“Hmm?”

“Commander’s aura has also changed from before. It seems thicker and softer.”

Jin-pae knew. That an aura that was simply strong and sharp wasn’t the only sign of growth.

The growth of a true master was closer to becoming richer rather than stronger, and closer to becoming softer rather than sharper.

In other words, it was the orthodox growth of an inner master. Moyong-woo was achieving one of the few orthodox growths in the current martial world, where unique and unconventional training methods were rampant.

Moyong-woo smiled wryly.

“I’m still confused. I have faith in my training, but this martial art is becoming more and more complex as it grows.”

“We would like to experience even that complexity.”

“You guys are doing well enough. This isn’t just empty praise.”

“We know. However, we will do our best to reach the same level as the Commander someday.”

“Haha! You must.”

The five leaders of the Tangma Army were one level below the strongest soldiers of the Myeolsa Army, except for Muk Bi.

If they were to reach a similar level as Moyong-woo now, and if the Myeolsa Army, stimulated by them, were to achieve similar growth.

In the future, the Righteous Army could become the strongest force in the martial world, not just the Martial Alliance.

“Rest is as important as training. Let’s stop training today and tell them to rest well until tomorrow.”

“Are we resting just because Daesu isn’t here?”

“Stop talking nonsense and just tell them.”

“Hahaha! Understood.”

With that, Jin-pae left Moyong-woo’s residence.

Alone, Moyong-woo quietly looked up at the sky. Beyond the blue sky, he seemed to see Yeon Ho-jeong’s confident face.

‘You are a genius who is hard to find again in this world. Since you are a genius with a strong sense of justice, you will become a great pillar of the martial world in the future.’

Moyong-woo had no doubt. That Yeon Ho-jeong would become a figure who would move the landscape of the martial world, beyond being the strongest of the next generation.

That’s why he was worried.

‘Your sense of justice, this chaotic world is making you so busy. But this kind of solo action should be the last. The Righteous Army is not an organization that you should cherish, but an organization that fights with you.’

Someday, when he met Yeon Ho-jeong again, he would definitely tell him these words.

Moyong-woo, who had been looking up at the sky for a long time, smiled for a moment and drew his sword.

“I can’t be left behind, even if I can’t surpass my younger brother.”

Swoosh!

Moyong-woo swung his sword powerfully. It was the family’s martial art of the Moyong family, the Qiankun Baibajianhae [a fictional martial art name].

His swordsmanship, like the name of the martial art, was majestic as if it would encompass the heavens and the earth.

* * *

Crunch.

Stepping on the crumbled earth, it was clear that they had left Guangdong Province.

On top of a high hill, Yeon Ho-jeong’s gaze, looking down at the world, was even clearer and deeper.

“How is it?”

At Yeon Ho-jeong’s question, Jeong-an tilted her head.

“Huh? What is?”

“Hmm, I guess it didn’t reach that far?”

It was an incomprehensible remark.

This time, Yeon Ho-jeong asked Gang Ryang.

“How does it feel to you?”

“If you ask like that, without any context, anyone would be puzzled. I don’t know what you’re asking me to feel.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. However…….”

Gang Ryang’s gaze, looking down at the vast land of Hunan, was much sharper than Jeong-an’s, and even Yeon Ho-jeong’s.

“The air is a bit stuffy.”

“Stuffy…….”

“Yes. It’s quite tense. It wouldn’t be strange if something happened right now.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“Your senses aren’t completely useless.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Jeong-an tilted her head.

“Tense?”

She didn’t feel any tension at all. Rather, she thought the humid, comfortable, and vast feeling, different from Guangdong, was attractive.

It was inevitable. Jeong-an had little experience with bloody battles. The ability to read killing intent, no matter how high the level, could not surpass those with experience.

“Yes, it’s tense. And where do you think this tension comes from, here near the Mukryong Clan [a fictional martial arts clan]?”

“……!”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shone blue.

“I should send an invitation to the head of the Mukryong Clan.”