Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 515

“Ugh.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong rubbed his head.

“Damn it, I’m still not recovered.”

Paeyul spoke, sounding dumbfounded.

“It hasn’t even been a day since you fainted. You fought for five days straight without a wink of sleep. You should be grateful you’re not dead.”

“You’re telling me.”

He could actually feel the strain on his body. If he had fought for just one more day, his life would have truly been in danger.

It was thanks to the Yeon Family’s Divine Elixir that he had even made it this far.

‘It’s more depleted than I thought.’

The inner core, which had been about the size of a child’s fist, was now smaller than a bean.

The inner core form of true energy [a refined form of internal energy] showed an overwhelming advantage in terms of endurance. However, the recovery speed when unconscious was significantly slower than a normal dantian [the energy center in the body].

Originally, there was a disadvantage in explosive power as well, but that disadvantage was offset by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s unique strength and true energy manipulation.

Even this much was amazing and fortunate.

“How’s your stomach?”

“I’m incredibly hungry.”

“Porridge?”

“I can eat regular food. I feel like I could digest steel.”

Paeyul snorted.

“I’d imagine so.”

He handed over some jerky and water that were piled up on one side.

Fortunately, there was almost no internal damage from the explosive force. If the internal organs were damaged by the explosive force, even the greatest masters would have their digestive systems ruined.

After drinking the water, Yeon Ho-Jeong immediately tore into the jerky while changing his clothes.

“Where are you going?”

“To the Iron Cavalry.”

“……You’re going to die for real, you idiot. Even if it’s you, you’re still someone who collapsed from exhaustion. And those external wounds aren’t just scratches.”

“It’s better to laugh off these kinds of injuries and show some spirit.”

“Spirit?”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong roughly chewed and swallowed the remaining jerky before speaking.

“This isn’t the White Path, it’s the Black Path. In the Black Path, spirit is life.”

Paeyul didn’t understand what he was talking about.

Just then.

Tap, tap.

Someone knocked on the door.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Come in.”

Creak.

The door opened, and a large man entered.

It was Hwang Seok-Tae.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chewed on another piece of jerky and said,

“I was about to go find you, but I didn’t expect the Unit Leader to come himself.”

A look of disbelief flickered across Hwang Seok-Tae’s face.

“You’re already up?”

“What kind of serious injury would keep me unconscious this long?”

“…….”

“Honestly, I’m so embarrassed that I fainted.”

It was a more frightening statement because it was spoken with sincerity. Hwang Seok-Tae felt a chill run down his spine as he looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had a displeased expression.

“Anyway, are you alright?”

‘You.’ Hwang Seok-Tae was not the kind of person to use such a term to a young man who was more than ten years his junior.

However.

“It’s nothing compared to you.”

Hwang Seok-Tae’s face contorted.

“To take me, the Unit Leader, as a hostage.”

The corners of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mouth curled up.

He didn’t know Hwang Seok-Tae well yet. But there were things he could infer from just a few glimpses.

If Hwang Seok-Tae was truly ashamed that he had been taken hostage, he wouldn’t have come here like this. He would have drawn his spear and fought to the death.

“Thanks to that, we had some good training together.”

“You said some unnecessary things to the unit members.”

“Hmm?”

“You said it was a training exercise that we planned together.”

“I never said that?”

He looked at Paeyul.

Paeyul shook his head.

“Not me either. However, I did hear our lovely junior spout a few words.”

He was referring to Gang Ryang.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“That’s just like him.”

At first glance, he seemed like someone who only knew about swords, but surprisingly, Gang Ryang knew how to use his head.

Especially since Gang Ryang was from the Black Path. The Black Path was more brutal than the White Path, but it was also a place with a surprisingly bold and open-minded atmosphere.

The reason Yeon Ho-Jeong was acting this way now was because he knew the advantages of that spirit and boldness.

And if such a person gave you some face? Then the relationship would be resolved very smoothly.

It was a display of Gang Ryang’s political maneuvering that he didn’t usually show.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said,

“Given your personality, you should have said that it wasn’t true on purpose, right?”

“Of course, I did.”

“They didn’t believe you, I guess.”

Hwang Seok-Tae frowned.

“Those guys who would stab a sword into their necks without hesitation at a single order to die, they had some useless fantasy.”

“That’s a good thing. A superior should be both approachable and shrouded in a bit of fantasy so that the subordinates move quickly.”

“I didn’t want that.”

“You didn’t want it, but that’s how it turned out, right? Then just accept it.”

As he spoke, Yeon Ho-Jeong realized. Hwang Seok-Tae was making excuses to him right now.

They were excuses, but they were quite cute excuses. It was probably a statement born from the desire to be understood that he wasn’t that kind of person.

Hwang Seok-Tae stared at Yeon Ho-Jeong silently.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked calmly,

“Is there something on my face?”

“…….”

“Well, anyway, it’s good that you came. I had to stop by at least once before leaving.”

“Leaving?”

“Yeah.”

Hwang Seok-Tae’s eyes deepened.

“You’re completely doing as you please. You came as a special duty aide for the Iron Cavalry, but are you going to do all your work?”

“Didn’t you hear from that old man Baek Seo? I’m only partially involved with the Iron Cavalry. And I’m only working with the Vice Unit Leader. I don’t need to read your mind, and I don’t need to work with you.”

“…….”

“However, I’ve received the title of special duty aide, so it wouldn’t be right to just leave after a simple greeting. I should at least give you some help before I go.”

“Help, as in, the training schedule or list?”

“What else could I help with? You guys are already good at what you do, right?”

Hwang Seok-Tae said gruffly,

“There are many ways to gild your own lily [to make something appear better than it is].”

“Hmm?”

“Then, what are you, the one who held back that skilled Iron Cavalry for five days?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“I’m an exceptionally talented guy.”

Hwang Seok-Tae turned away as if he was disgusted.

“You seem to be fine, so follow me. I’ll formally introduce you to my subordinates.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Paeyul.

Paeyul shrugged.

“This side of him is much better than our old men.”

***

A thousand cavalrymen were lined up in the vast plain.

Hwang Seok-Tae said with his arms crossed,

“Are there any seriously injured?”

It was silent. No one opened their mouths.

There were some who were severely injured, but they were also silent.

Hwang Seok-Tae nodded.

“That’s how it should be. The person who made you look like that is fine, so you shouldn’t be complaining.”

He turned his head back.

“Come out now.”

After a moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong appeared.

As soon as he appeared, the eyes of the Iron Cavalry members changed.

Admiration, respect, jealousy, anger, awe—emotions that were difficult to express with a single word were vivid in their eyes.

Hwang Seok-Tae said,

“This is Yeon Ho-Jeong, who has come as a special duty aide for our unit. It’s an order from the Vice Unit Leader, and he will be temporarily in charge of our unit’s training.”

The Iron Cavalry was still silent. However, the eyes that were mixed with various emotions were all shaking with bewilderment.

They knew who Yeon Ho-Jeong was. He was a rising star from the White Path, and a genius who was called the best in the world among the younger generation.

They had learned Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial prowess with their bodies for five days. But that was a completely different matter from being in charge of their training.

Hwang Seok-Tae took a step back.

“Introduce yourselves as you see fit.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“We’ve already had a deep introduction for five days, what more is there to do? Isn’t that right?”

The Iron Cavalry was still unmoving. No one even twitched a finger, let alone opened their mouths.

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued in a calm voice.

“I think you already know a lot about me. You know where I came from, and you saw my martial prowess yesterday, so there’s no need to prove it further.”

“…….”

“You also trained well. I thought you were really going to take the high ground at the end. Even though you’re good at close combat, you’re more used to mounted tactics, but you were quite wild.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“But there are still many things lacking. To be precise, I saw many flaws that need to be eliminated.”

Hwang Seok-Tae’s eyebrows twitched. He didn’t know what flaws Yeon Ho-Jeong had seen.

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued,

“Everyone has different tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses. The same goes for units. The Iron Cavalry is strong enough. Even within the Martial Alliance, if you think of just one unit, there wouldn’t be a unit that could face the Iron Cavalry head-on. At least for now.”

These were the words of the leader of the strongest military unit in the Martial Alliance. The eyes of the Iron Cavalry members changed again.

“But no matter how skilled you are in close combat, as a fundamentally mounted unit, there are clear limitations. Moreover, for a unit that has raised its collective combat ability to this level, further emphasizing its strengths would be meaningless.”

“…….”

“First, we’ll eliminate the weaknesses and transform into a perfect unit. Strengthening the strengths again will come after that. That’s my judgment.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said to Hwang Seok-Tae,

“There’s no need for further introductions. But since we don’t have much time, gather the Unit Leader and Vice Unit Leaders. We need to create the training list, schedule, and detailed items.”

Hwang Seok-Tae’s eyes deepened.

“When are you planning to leave?”

“In two or three days.”

“You’re going to make a training plan within that time? Is that even possible?”

“I’ve seen enough of the Iron Cavalry’s abilities. I even clashed with you barehanded. If I can’t make a training schedule after seeing that much, then I’m an idiot.”

Hwang Seok-Tae’s expression, having suddenly become an idiot, was not good.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“When I came as a spy, I was the one in charge of the personnel reorganization of the Mukryong Unit. I had help, but I created the framework. Creating a training schedule for the Iron Cavalry is enough for two days.”

***

“……Hmm.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes deepened.

“Is this true?”

The head of the intelligence unit bowed his head.

“I am confident that it is a 100% certainty.”

“I see…….”

Yang Cheon sighed.

“Well, I guess this is when you say that even the heavens are heartless. How is it that every time I try to do something, I’m always faced with these kinds of obstacles?”

He shook his head and asked,

“Where is the special duty aide? Is he with the Iron Cavalry?”

Baek Seo, who was standing beside him, bowed his head.

“Yes, he is. He has completed the entire training schedule, and he is currently reviewing the initial stages of training with the Unit Leader.”

“How’s the atmosphere?”

“It’s good. Much better than expected.”

Yang Cheon chuckled.

“He must have charmed the Iron Cavalry Unit Leader with his snake-like eloquence again.”

“…….”

“Summon the special duty aide. As soon as possible.”

“Yes.”

Half an hour later.

“Did you call for me?”

Yang Cheon grumbled.

“You’re part of the Mukryong Unit now, don’t you think your tone is too arrogant?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong changed his tone with an indifferent expression.

“What is it?”

“That’s much better to hear.”

Yang Cheon threw a document he was holding to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face was contorted as he read the document.

“Is this for real?”

“They say they are 100% certain.”

“Damn it, why do incidents keep happening every time I try to do something?”

“You’re telling me.”

Yang Cheon sighed.

“You said you were leaving tomorrow? Would it be okay to move the schedule up by a day?”

“We have to. Not with the situation as it is.”

“What about troops? Do you not need any?”

“I don’t need any, but…… it would be better to have some, I guess.”

“Would the Iron Cavalry be enough?”

“I’ll take only a part of them.”

Yang Cheon nodded.

“There’s no need to get a separate departure permit. Leave as soon as you’re ready.”