Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 506

“I sometimes think about it.”

His father’s voice sounded calmer than ever.

“Instead of getting involved in the affairs of the martial world, what if we had used the family’s accumulated martial arts and treasures solely for the benefit of the people?”

“You’re doing that now, aren’t you?”

“That’s true, but at the same time, I’m also involved in the martial world, aren’t I? If I were truly living for them, there would have been no need to get involved with the Martial Alliance.”

“That’s not wrong.”

“The reason I agreed to the establishment of the Martial Alliance and why I’m sitting here participating in countless meetings is because I wanted to contribute to the world in my own way.”

“…….”

“That thought will not change in the future. However….”

“……?”

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Yeon-Wi’s face as he looked up at the sky.

“It’s been a while. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt my own desires so vividly.”

“Yes?”

“You met the Vice Leader of the Mukryong Unit, didn’t you?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“How was it?”

“He was someone I couldn’t handle.”

Yeon-Wi shook his head.

“I vaguely thought that the strong in the Saintly Heaven [a legendary realm of martial arts] were the strong of the heavens beyond the heavens. But I didn’t clearly know the difference.”

“Because you’ve never seen one before.”

“That’s right. Now I know clearly. Why the Thirteen Seats of the Saintly Heaven are called the strongest.”

Yeon-Wi clicked his tongue.

“It was completely different. He wasn’t human. The moment I faced him, I felt overwhelmed. His martial arts were on a different level.”

It wasn’t common for him to openly express such feelings in front of his son. Yeon Ho-Jeong thought his father was an amazing person in many ways.

“At the same time, my goal became clear. That realm I had only vaguely looked up to now seemed within reach. And I also thought, can I really step into such a supreme realm?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“Father, you will definitely reach that realm. I guarantee it.”

“Is that so?”

“Have you forgotten? I was also someone who reached that realm in the past.”

Yeon-Wi smiled.

“Yes, now that I think about it, you were.”

He completely believed his son’s words, who had experienced the era of the Dark Emperor [a period of great upheaval and conflict].

However, he sometimes forgot that fact. He had heard the words, but he had never seen it. He believed his son’s words, but it was hard to vividly recall that fact.

But hearing these words now, his son certainly seemed amazing.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Father, you have been building your martial arts more honestly than anyone else. You are different from someone like me, who looks for tricks and shortcuts.”

“There’s no need to say it like that.”

“I just want you to know that my words are not just to comfort you. You will surely reach that realm of light in the near future.”

Yeon-Wi nodded.

“Hearing you say that makes me feel confident.”

“I’m glad.”

“That aside.”

Yeon-Wi changed the subject.

“Outside of martial arts, I understand why you highly value Vice Leader Yang.”

“Is that so?”

“He was a rare hero. He definitely has a human charm. However….”

“He’s dangerous.”

“That’s right.”

Yeon-Wi sighed.

“He’s a greedy person. He’s ruthless enough to sacrifice those around him for his own purposes.”

“You saw it well.”

“I heard him talk about you. He was very interested in you, beyond just liking you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“Humans always desire what they can’t have, don’t they?”

It was a clear line drawn. It also meant that even if the sky fell, he would never truly go under him.

Yeon-Wi patted Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shoulder.

“I believe you will do well there too.”

“Don’t worry.”

“I’ve often told you to come back safe, even if you fail the mission.”

“…….”

“My heart is always the same. Work for the world, but don’t get hurt and come back safe.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed on the spot.

“I will return safely.”

* * *

Kugugugung!

The Vermilion Fire Gate, the south gate of the Martial Alliance, opened with a majestic sound.

Jeagal Mun-Ho came out to see them off in person.

“This is travel money I’m giving you separately.”

“There’s no need to go that far….”

“Take it. People become pathetic when they don’t have money. You’re going to the Mukryong Unit as a representative of the Martial Alliance. You’ve done well so far, but you need to be more careful in the future.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled faintly.

“Since you say so, I will gratefully accept it.”

“By the way, where did you put the axe you used to use? Will those two hand axes be enough?”

“It’s fine. Rather, I might not be able to use an axe in the Mukryong Unit.”

“Hmm.”

There must be a reason. Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded.

“Paeyul, I’m counting on you.”

Paeyul said with a nonchalant face.

“Don’t worry. Even if I cause trouble, I know where to do it.”

“Haha, I’m not saying this because I’m afraid you’ll cause trouble.”

“I will take good care of the Martial Alliance representative.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho clicked his tongue. Paeyul’s blunt personality was truly difficult to deal with.

“I understand. And Gang Inspector, you be careful too.”

“Yes, sir.”

It was an answer that was even cheerful. Jeagal Mun-Ho chuckled and then looked at Gang Ryang’s eyes with a puzzled look.

“But why are your eyes like that? They’re bruised blue.”

“Ah, this….”

Gang Ryang coughed and turned his head.

Paeyul sneered.

“It’s the result of a senior in the martial world giving affectionate guidance to a junior.”

It was called guidance, but it seemed like a one-sided assault.

Jeagal Mun-Ho clicked his tongue.

“Don’t be too harsh. You’re still the senior.”

“That’s something I can’t just let go.”

Paeyul rolled up his sleeve.

In an instant, Jeagal Mun-Ho was speechless. Blood was still seeping from Paeyul’s arm, which was tightly wrapped in bandages.

“Do you know how ferocious that crazy guy’s sword is? If I had made a mistake, my bones would have been broken. Damn it, I’m lucky if I only got a bruise on my eye. I thought he was just a rude guy, but he was just a crazy bastard.”

Gang Ryang coughed again.

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed.

“Refrain from now on. Both of you.”

“Don’t worry, I told you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with a smile.

“Both of them are people who are clear about public and private matters. Don’t worry too much.”

“If you say so.”

Paeyul muttered quietly. He was mumbling in a voice that even the person next to him couldn’t understand, but they were roughly lines like, ‘Is it so hard to live?’, ‘How old am I?’, ‘I’m going to end up being a junior’s servant.’

Of course, Jeagal Mun-Ho ignored his grumbling. He couldn’t hear it well, and he didn’t have any intention of responding.

“Then, I wish you good fortune.”

Thus, the three of them headed to the Mukryong Unit in Honam Province.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was leading the horses, was not in a hurry at all.

Rather, he rode at a moderate pace that felt leisurely. He would occasionally look around and smile, and he looked like a carefree man who had come out for a trip with nothing to do.

Paeyul asked.

“Aren’t we supposed to go quickly?”

“It’s okay to go at a moderate pace. Either way, they’ll be organizing the list of things they want me to do.”

“Is that so?”

“I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back. I’m not particularly fond of reminiscing, but wouldn’t it be nice to think about the scenery around here when I’m lonely?”

“Hmm.”

Paeyul scanned the surroundings.

“It’s not scenery that’s memorable.”

“Is that so?”

With those words, Paeyul closed his mouth. Riding at a similar pace as Yeon Ho-Jeong, he quickly fell into meditation.

Every day, he focused all the time he could use on martial arts training. Even if it was just meditation, Paeyul was immersed in training.

Gang Ryang, who had wanted to chatter, also fell into meditation with Paeyul. He was a rather rough person, but this was something worth learning.

‘It’s a good combination.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded inwardly as he looked at the two of them.

‘They will clash a lot, but they can be of great help to each other.’

Gang Ryang was challenging, and Paeyul was full of competitive spirit.

Even in that, they didn’t cross the line. They would bicker all the time, but in that process, both of them would be able to grow quickly.

‘Growth, huh.’

Uuung.

Yeon Ho-Jeong contemplated his inner self.

‘The foundation is laid, now all that’s left is to expand it.’

The Yeon-Ga Divine Core he had now formed had four of the Five Great Divine Arts combined into one.

The Divine Core itself could emit a massive amount of true energy. It could emit the energy of the four divine arts with the desired concentration and momentum, depending on the situation.

If that happened, the Four Divine Martial Arts that received that power would also unleash even more powerful force.

‘It’s enough as it is, but if I want more, it would be better to balance it once.’

He had mastered the Byukra True Art the longest, and then he mastered the Dragon Robe True Energy.

Compared to those two martial arts, the Sword Extremity Demonic Energy and the Divine Palm Energy were still at the beginner level. His understanding of the divine arts was perfect, but the level he had mastered was like that.

‘Since they have become one with the Divine Core, there is no need to increase the achievement of each martial art. However, achieving a perfect balance would be better for the future.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

‘For the time being, I should focus on training the Divine Core with the Sword Extremity Demonic Energy and the Divine Palm Energy.’

He had many thoughts, but he was still in a good mood. It was because his martial arts, which had been stagnant for a while, were showing signs of development again.

And the end of this development?

‘Saintly Heaven, huh.’

In the past, during the era of the Dark Emperor, the Black Dao Grandmaster was called the strongest warrior with his terrifying combat power.

At the very least, he would have to gain power beyond that. That way, the battles ahead would be much easier.

As he thought about his martial arts and the future, his thoughts naturally turned to the Mukryong Unit and the Thirteen Seats of the Saintly Heaven.

‘What will be the first mission the Mukryong Unit Leader wants from me? It won’t be an easy one, at least.’

During their previous meeting, he had various conversations with Yang Cheon before they parted.

Yeon Ho-Jeong recalled the conversation at that time.

‘If you come and work with us, there would be nothing better. But, the headquarters runs well even without you. In other words, there is no need for you to come to the headquarters and manage operations or combat organizations.’

‘Then there’s no need for me to be dispatched, is there?’

‘You can come to the headquarters and play. Many people can learn from you, and I won’t be bored.’

‘I’m getting less and less inclined to go.’

‘But that wouldn’t do. In other words, you will be in charge of things that are difficult for us to do, things that we haven’t even dared to think about.’

‘What is that?’

‘Well… I’ll have to think about it, but.’

‘What do you mean think about it? You seem to have already thought of something.’

‘Haha, I was just thinking about it. In fact, it would be desirable for black and white to join hands before the war with the Three Sects [a major conflict], but there are many other masters in the martial world besides us.’

‘……Could it be?’

‘I’m just saying that. But if we could join hands with some of ‘them,’ wouldn’t it be good for both the orthodox faction and us?’

‘…….’

‘Think about it. I’ll think about it too.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

“Saintly Heaven… finally, that realm. In many ways.”