Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 470

“Hah… Hah!”

“You’re finally here?”

Gang Ryang, with his hands on his knees, was panting heavily, his body drenched in sweat.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled and said,

“Take deep breaths. When you’ve pushed your cardiopulmonary capacity to its limit, sometimes it’s better to take big, deep breaths rather than focusing on internal energy breathing.”

Gang Ryang couldn’t even respond. He wasn’t in a state to say anything in the first place.

“Don’t sit or lie down just because you’re tired. First, get your breathing under control.”

Though he couldn’t speak, Gang Ryang took deep breaths as Yeon Ho-Jeong instructed.

After repeating this a few times, his breathing quickly calmed down. Breathing is the core of internal energy cultivation, so the breathing control abilities of internal energy masters far surpass the common sense of ordinary people.

Even considering that, Gang Ryang’s breathing control was exceptional. Even Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had seen the peak of physical training, thought it was surprising.

“Hah, it was obvious I’d lose.”

Gang Ryang massaged his legs. He truly had no strength left.

“No matter how hard I try, the gap doesn’t seem to close.”

“The Ghost Shadow Steps are a top-tier movement technique. You’ve shown the limit you can reach at your level. You can be proud of yourself.”

“If I can’t overcome the Wall of Martial Arts, does that mean I can never catch up to your speed, Brother?”

“That’s a different issue. The Ghost Shadow Steps are fast and versatile, but it’s not a martial art solely focused on running, is it?”

The Ghost Shadow Steps are considered top-tier because it’s an excellent footwork technique in itself.

It’s such an outstanding technique that it can be used as a body technique and is comparable to any movement technique in the world, but it’s bound to be different from a technique specifically designed for fast running.

“Try modifying it yourself later. Improving a martial art for speed, that will also be a great learning experience.”

“Understood.”

“Still, you’ve done your physical training properly.”

Gang Ryang shrugged his shoulders.

“All martial arts are executed with the body. Without a complete body, you can’t see the end of your martial arts.”

“That’s correct.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong leaned against a tree. Even after running at such high speed for over two hours, he hadn’t broken a sweat.

“Let’s rest for a moment. Drink some water.”

“Yes.”

Even though they had run to the point of exhaustion, he was saying they would rest for only a moment.

However, Gang Ryang didn’t complain. In the first place, the body of a martial artist who had cultivated internal energy was different from that of an ordinary person. Moreover, if he thought of this as another aspect of training, he shouldn’t complain even if they rested for only half a moment.

Gang Ryang controlled his breathing and internal energy through standing meditation.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been watching Gang Ryang with a satisfied look, then looked around.

‘We’ve already passed Henan.’

The Dabie Mountains were visible in the distance.

Once they crossed the mountain range, the Martial Alliance would be right in front of them. In fact, there were countless people coming and going in the marketplace below.

There weren’t this many people moving around before. As the Martial Alliance was established and the surrounding economy became active, people naturally flocked to it.

He felt that the foundation of the Martial Alliance had become solid.

‘Perhaps.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘There might be spies or contacts of the enemy in the marketplace.’

Finding the enemy’s lackeys with no information, just the certainty that there were spies, was a difficult task.

But it couldn’t be postponed. Information from inside the Martial Alliance would be reaching the enemy every moment. Considering that, they had to catch the spies as soon as possible.

Of course, they shouldn’t be hasty. They shouldn’t be too relaxed, but if they rushed the process, the spies might hide themselves, which would be a big problem.

‘Who could it be?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes.

‘Among all the officials, who is a spy for the Three Teachings? [A collective term for Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, often used to refer to their combined influence.] No, there’s no guarantee that there’s only one spy.’

Whoever it was, they were truly remarkable.

There were many perceptive and intelligent people among the officials. To carry out spy activities without showing any suspicious signs in the midst of such giants, it was impossible with ordinary skills.

Even Yeon Ho-Jeong himself doubted if he could do it.

‘Outside of martial arts, they have an exceptional ability to hide themselves. Even more so than an assassin.’

Speaking of assassins, Sama Hyeon came to mind.

‘What decision has that guy made? Will he join me? Or will he return to the darkness again?’

In his past life, he hadn’t joined hands with Sama Hyeon. In the first place, before he could even reach out, Sama Hyeon had become a major figure in the assassination world.

‘Come to think of it, he’s quite amazing.’

He had killed Yayul Jeok single-handedly and became the next generation Shadow God, dominating the assassination world.

Although the current Sama Hyeon was clumsy, his potential alone was worthy of being called top-tier.

‘There are so many geniuses in the world.’

Gang Ryang, Yeon Ji-Pyeong, Muk Bi, and Jeong An were also owners of rare talents.

Could he properly lead such talented people?

“Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“A moment has passed.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“What are you thinking so deeply about? Are you excited to come to the Martial Alliance after so long?”

“Yeah, my heart is beating so fast that my blood pressure is rising.”

Gang Ryang chuckled.

“Are you drooling at the thought of catching the spies?”

“I’m thinking of cooking them up with the right seasoning.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tapped the ground with his toe.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“But, Brother.”

“Why?”

“Why didn’t you bring the Dragon Slaying Spear? Well, it’s not a big deal since you have the Black and White Twin Dragons and the Azure Dragon Chain, but still.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“It happens sometimes. When a familiar weapon disappears, it’s natural to feel uneasy, but sometimes I just don’t feel like using it.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes lit up.

“You don’t feel like using your weapon… Have you gained some new enlightenment?”

“I don’t know, man. It would be great if that were the case, but if not, there’s nothing I can do. What can I do if I don’t feel like using it?”

“Will there ever come a time when I don’t feel like using my sword?”

“I don’t know. You and I have different martial arts and different perspectives on the world.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong patted Gang Ryang’s shoulder.

“Whether I have the Dragon Slaying Spear or not, I can show all ten parts of my martial arts. That’s all that matters.”

It was a way of saying he would never let his guard down.

Gang Ryang nodded.

“I guess you don’t need the Dragon Slaying Spear to catch spies.”

“Enough with the chatter. Let’s go.”

“Alright.”

Whoosh!

The two of them kicked off the ground.

With a movement technique that didn’t lose any speed from when they first started running.

‘I don’t feel like using it…’

Watching Yeon Ho-Jeong’s back, Gang Ryang thought.

‘Brother is a great martial artist. There’s no way such a martial artist wouldn’t feel like using a weapon that’s like a part of his body. It’s normal to cherish it and treat it with care.’

Yet, Yeon Ho-Jeong said he didn’t feel like using the Dragon Slaying Spear.

It wasn’t just that he didn’t want to touch it. When a martial artist doesn’t feel like using their weapon, it’s highly likely that they’re going through a transition to another change.

Gang Ryang recalled a conversation with his father from the past.

‘Swordsmen are told to never let go of their swords, even in death. That’s true to some extent. How can a swordsman, who must become one with their sword to display their full potential, be of any use if they let go of their sword? But, it’s said that when enlightenment deepens, there will come a moment when a sword is not needed.’

‘Not needed?’

‘A level where you can execute sword techniques without holding a sword. A level where you can cut down an opponent without swinging a sword.’

‘……!’

‘It’s said that when such a level emerges, when you reach such a great level, you start to contemplate the necessity of weapons.’

‘……’

‘Of course, that level is too far for this father of yours.’

Gang Ryang’s eyes trembled.

‘Sword of the Mind…!’

He couldn’t know if Yeon Ho-Jeong had truly entered the realm of the Sword of the Mind. Regardless of age or level, even Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t give a definite answer, so it probably wasn’t the Sword of the Mind.

However, if it was a process of moving towards that path.

Then, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s growth would be truly beyond words.

‘Brother, I don’t usually think like this… Please slow down a little. It’s hard enough to keep up with you now.’

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong said,

“What are you doing? Your posture is falling apart. Focus and stick with me.”

Gang Ryang chuckled.

“Yes, yes. As you wish. I have to keep up with you.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying don’t worry.”

* * *

“Hmm.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

“A brilliant move. I hadn’t thought that far.”

“I thought you might not.”

“Haha, you thought so? You’re starting to read your father’s mind.”

Moyong Yeon-Hwa said calmly,

“It’s said that those who have clashed often are like friends. As I began to observe Father’s habits, I started to read his thoughts.”

“Impressive. You’re better than your father. I still can’t read your thoughts.”

Moyong Yeon-Hwa didn’t answer.

She knew why her father couldn’t read her habits and thoughts.

‘No, it’s not that he can’t, but that he doesn’t.’

For Moyong Gun, Go was a way to organize his thoughts.

He didn’t try to win against his opponent. He would place his stones differently depending on his mood and worries of the day, organizing his thoughts.

On this Go board, his opponent wasn’t her. It was himself, his own enemy.

Moyong Gun, who had been staring intently at the Go board, suddenly burst into laughter.

“I’ve lost. I can’t think of the next move.”

“I’ve won then.”

“Yes, you’ve won. But what’s the difference in points?”

“It’s a six-point difference.”

“That’s quite a gap. I’m impressed, but your skills have improved remarkably.”

Moyong Gun, clearing the stones, asked,

“How is it? Did you feel anything while playing Go?”

“People often say that the world is on the Go board.”

Moyong Yeon-Hwa smiled wryly.

“Honestly, I don’t know. If life is really like Go, it would be too boring.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because there always has to be an enemy.”

Moyong Gun burst into a hearty laugh.

“That’s right. You can only play Go if there’s an opponent. But life is different. You can manage it on your own.”

“Still, I’ve learned a lot.”

“If you want to learn, there’s nothing you can’t learn in any field. Your martial arts have grown significantly recently, it seems Go has had a good influence.”

Moyong Gun, having cleared all the stones, asked,

“What are you doing for dinner? If you have time, how about having a meal with your father…”

It was then.

“Family Head.”

Moyong Gun turned his head towards the door.

“What is it?”

“There’s a message from Military Advisor Jeagal.”

“He wants to meet?”

“Yes. It seems to be a dinner invitation.”

Moyong Gun grumbled.

“That man.”

Moyong Yeon-Hwa smiled and said,

“Go ahead. I can eat alone.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Father.”

At that moment, a warrior’s voice was heard again from outside the door.

“And Family Head.”

“Is there anything else to report?”

“…He has arrived.”

“Hmm?”

“The leader of the Righteous Army, the eldest son of the Yeon family, has just returned to the Alliance.”

In an instant, Moyong Yeon-Hwa’s eyes turned cold.

Moyong Gun leaned back in his chair.

“He’s finally here.”

“Shall I send a separate message?”

“No need. He should catch up with his family first.”

Though he said that, Moyong Gun’s eyes had already changed.

‘He’s here?’

He had a lot to talk about with him. In many ways.

Moyong Gun got up from his seat.

“…Unless something urgent comes up, I’ll have to postpone dinner.”