Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 504

505. Tidying Up, and a Challenge (5)

“Go on, then.”

Paeyul grumbled, wiping away sweat.

“What is it? I thought you were finally going to spar with me after all this time, but you called me here just to whine about some trivial problem?”

“Whine? This is a genuine concern.”

“People call that a luxury problem.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smacked his lips and poured himself a drink.

“Forget it. Why am I even talking to you about this?”

“Watch your mouth.”

“Yes. A social misfit who can’t even fix his bad habits shouldn’t become the family head.”

Paeyul stared at Yeon Ho-Jeong as if he were a strange creature, then turned his head.

Gang Ryang was there.

“Hey, you there. What do you think?”

Gang Ryang blinked.

“Me?”

“Yeah. Don’t just blink like an innocent fool, say something.”

“Hmm.”

Gang Ryang scratched his head.

“I don’t know if my opinion matters, but… I don’t understand why you’re even hesitating?”

“Really?”

“Yes. Why not just be both the Young Master and the family head?”

Paeyul shrugged and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Looks like your junior has made a wise decision for you, don’t you think?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“I don’t know about wise, but it’s definitely a half-hearted answer.”

Gang Ryang cleared his throat.

“I don’t really like to dwell on things.”

“I know, you punk.”

“That’s quite the insult.”

“Why is that an insult?”

“The person listening…”

“Just shut your mouth, you idiot.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having scolded Gang Ryang, asked Paeyul,

“What about you, senior? If the Sect Leader told you to prepare to be the next Sect Leader, would you do it?”

“I’m not that kind of person.”

“I’m saying, what if?”

“There’s no ‘what if.’ And I told you, I’m not that kind of person.”

“You’re impossible to talk to.”

“You’re the one who needs to change your thinking. Stop with the ‘what ifs’ and focus on your own problem. Why are you dragging me into this?”

“You’re quite harsh, senior.”

“You think you’re any better, you butcher?”

Gang Ryang whistled softly. It was a rare sight to see Yeon Ho-Jeong completely defeated.

Yeon Ho-Jeong grumbled.

“Seriously, Ji-Pyeong would do a better job, why me?”

“Because you’re the eldest son.”

“In this day and age, do we still choose successors based on birth order?”

“Most do?”

“……”

“Besides, you’re not only the eldest son but also incredibly capable. Why would your father pass the family head position to the younger son, who is not only younger and not the eldest but also has a weaker personality, when there’s such a talented person right here?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“Ji-Pyeong isn’t someone to be underestimated. Honestly, when it comes to swordsmanship…”

“Enough with the brotherly boasting.”

“……”

“Whatever the case, from your father’s perspective, there’s no reason to pass the family head position to the second son. It’s not about who’s more outstanding.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

Paeyul, who had been quietly observing him, clicked his tongue and sat down.

“Hey, Gang Young.”

“It’s Gang Ryang.”

“Whatever, just pour me a drink.”

“Yes, sir.”

Paeyul poured himself a drink and emptied it in one gulp, then asked in a somewhat serious tone,

“What’s the problem? This isn’t like you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed again.

“It’s because I don’t think I’m fit to be the family head.”

“Besides that reason.”

“That’s the only reason.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Wouldn’t it be better to entrust the family to someone with a gentle nature and outstanding talent than to someone who might die at any moment?”

Paeyul’s eyes deepened.

“Might die at any moment?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong leaned back in his chair.

He was constantly sighing, but his eyes were deep and confused.

“In the war against the Three Teachings, I’ll be the one rushing into the most dangerous places.”

“……”

“Luck is also a skill? That’s right. But a single mistake can cost you your head in a fight. No one knows how long that luck, that skill, will support me.”

“So you don’t want to be the family head?”

“To be precise, there’s no need for me to be the family head. Also, given the atmosphere of the main family, Ji-Pyeong would be a better fit than me.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong fiddled with his empty glass.

“To be more honest, I don’t want to pass on a position that will become even heavier after my death to Ji-Pyeong.”

He thought of himself as someone who could die at any moment.

And Paeyul couldn’t dismiss his words as nonsense.

In reality, Yeon Ho-Jeong was always at the forefront of the battle. In all the battles against the Three Teachings so far, there wasn’t a single one that Yeon Ho-Jeong hadn’t participated in.

In other words, the enemy was also bound to keep a close eye on Yeon Ho-Jeong. If they happened to encounter him, they would try to kill him without hesitation.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had thrown himself into such a brutal world.

“Everyone dies. Martial artists are even more familiar with death. But I’m much closer to death than the average martial artist.”

“……”

“The only position I can hold is one where, even if I die, a capable successor can lead the organization without major problems.”

“Like Military Commander Ui-Jeong?”

“Yes. Like Military Commander Ui-Jeong.”

Paeyul, who had been staring at Yeon Ho-Jeong, asked as if throwing a question,

“Let me ask you one thing.”

“Please do.”

“Why do you always try to be at the forefront in the fight against the Three Teachings?”

“……”

“Even though you’re a bit young, you’re actually at the point where you could be teaching people. You could help those who fight alongside you to grow. Stop charging in alone.”

“You’re not wrong.”

“But you always try to face the enemies before anyone else. Thanks to your exceptional abilities, every battle you’ve participated in has resulted in victory, but now it’s time to think about those around you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong gave a bitter smile.

“You’re not wrong, but somehow, it doesn’t seem easy to do that.”

Paeyul shook his head.

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t be passionate. As you said, everyone dies eventually. It’s just a matter of dying irresponsibly, dying after fulfilling your responsibilities, dying prepared, or dying unprepared.”

“……”

“But there’s something common in all those forms of death. Do you know what it is?”

“I don’t know.”

“In the end, the remaining tasks are left to the living, not the dead.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes wavered.

“I understand your concern for the future, but living like that will definitely wear you out. And if you get worn out? Then you’ll die. Much sooner than you think.”

“……”

“It’s understandable that you’re more worried because it’s your family’s matter. But don’t be mistaken. The will of the dead is ultimately carried on by the living. Once you die, it’s over. But when you’re planning a strategy, you don’t worry about dying, do you?”

“……”

“The family head position is the same. If you have the ability, and if you think it’s your responsibility, then accept it.”

Gang Ryang made a strange “whoa” sound.

The serious atmosphere suddenly felt like it had been shattered. Paeyul frowned.

“What was that?”

“It sounded kind of convincing.”

“Okay, shut your mouth, Gang Young.”

“It’s Gang Ryang.”

“I don’t care.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Listening to you, senior, I think I was definitely overthinking things.”

Paeyul clicked his tongue.

“You really weren’t yourself. It was disgusting. You slice people up with that huge axe so well, but you’re drinking and worrying about your family?”

“Because it’s my family’s matter.”

“Other people have families too.”

“But they’re not my family.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong stood up.

“I feel like things are a bit clearer now. Thank you.”

Paeyul subtly stood up as well.

“If you’re grateful, then spar with me…”

“I’ll repay this favor later. Then.”

Whoosh.

Yeon Ho-Jeong disappeared like the wind. Even with eyes wide open, it was impossible to tell how he moved.

Paeyul’s face contorted.

“That bastard, really!”

As he was grinding his teeth, Gang Ryang cautiously asked,

“Would you like to spar with me?”

“Get lost.”

“I might not be as good as the Young Master, but I’ll provide some fresh entertainment.”

“Gang Young.”

“It’s Gang Ryang.”

“Whatever, go wash your feet and go to sleep. I didn’t hone my spear and sword skills to fight with a kid.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not a kid either. My sword has defeated a disciple of the Fighting King.”

Paeyul’s eyes gleamed.

“A disciple of the Fighting King?”

“Yes. He was huge, arrogant, and full of confidence, looking down on people.”

“What’s so great about beating up someone like that?”

“He was actually quite skilled.”

“Yeah, right…”

“But are you scared? Why do you keep backing down?”

In an instant, Paeyul’s eyes became bloodshot.

No other words could have moved him. But to be asked if he was scared? If he didn’t draw his sword after hearing such words from a junior, he wouldn’t be a warrior.

Bang!

Paeyul slammed the table and turned around.

“Come out. As a senior in the martial world, I’ll teach you a proper lesson.”

Gang Ryang grinned and stood up.

“Very well.”

* * *

In a secluded open space, Yeon Ho-Jeong saw Yeon-Wi sitting cross-legged.

Whoooosh.

Yeon-Wi’s body was surrounded by a bluish aura.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘Amazing.’

His thoughts were fully organized. He had come to tell him about it, but he had witnessed an unexpected sight.

‘It’s become incredibly smooth.’

He recalled the inner energy of his father that he had seen for the first time after his regression.

The energy his father possessed back then was so sharp and intense that it was impossible to even approach. It was like a sharp sword.

But what about his father now?

‘The aura of his inner energy, the color, is different, but most of all, that fierce sharpness has completely disappeared.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a chill run down his spine.

‘He’s already reached that level…!’

He had sparred with his father when he had returned to the main family.

Surprisingly, his father had grown another step since then.

How much time had passed for him to have developed so much? He knew that his father hadn’t been training as much as before recently.

‘Some kind of enlightenment… no, this isn’t enlightenment.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘Father has already opened the door to the Supreme [a high level of martial arts mastery]. He had already gained the initial enlightenment, and now he’s just walking steadily on the path he needs to take.’

The martial arts he had built up layer by layer throughout his life in the orthodox way.

Those past years, his father’s unwavering dedication to only one path, his craftsman’s spirit, were now leading to faster growth than any other method.

It wasn’t just about having a solid foundation. In a way, his almost fanatical belief was giving him wings in the current realm, where it wouldn’t be strange to see him regress.

It was the power of orthodoxy.

To a true warrior who had honed the most orthodox path without a single flaw, the heavens were now bestowing an unobstructed path of light.

‘It’s awe-inspiring.’

How many brutal failures had his father experienced to reach such a level?

Had he overcome those difficult hurdles that others would have given up on countless times, with more challenges than failures, without a single moment of surrender?

Flash!

The glow of sword energy disappeared from Yeon-Wi’s body.

He stood up and turned to look at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Have your thoughts been organized already?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled. For some reason, he felt like laughing.

Even after developing his martial arts so much, his father hadn’t changed at all.

“Yes, they have been organized.”

“Good. Then let’s hear your answer. Do you intend to follow in your father’s footsteps and become the next family head of the Yeon family?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong answered,

“I…”