Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 527

Mok Won was flustered, and he didn’t bother trying to hide it.

‘That’s a really audacious young man.’

His life had been a series of days spent in training. He had spent more time honing his martial arts alone than meeting people.

But by that age, one usually learns a thing or two about the world. Especially Mok Won, who had focused mainly on martial arts training, but had also helped many people in need. In that process, he had seen enough people.

However, none of the young men he had seen, or any person for that matter, was as unique and unconventional as Yeon Ho-jeong.

“Are you saying you want me to help the elders of the Jeomchang Sect with their martial arts training?”

“Is that not allowed?”

He asked so casually that Mok Won felt speechless.

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“I’ve heard that Great Hero Mok Won is also someone who cares for the world.”

“You flatter me.”

“Senior Pae Yul here is a battle maniac. He’s someone who has staked his life on fighting strong opponents. But if there’s a fun fight in front of him and someone in trouble, he’s a righteous man who will help people without hesitation.”

Pae Yul made a retching gesture.

Yeon Ho-jeong shrugged.

“I don’t know if everyone in Jeomchang is like that, but at least there’s no harm in having you look at my senior’s martial arts.”

Mok Won listened to Yeon Ho-jeong’s words in silence.

In fact, he knew Pae Yul well. Although he hadn’t known him for many days, his words and actions were enough to understand the kind of person he was.

After looking at the two for a moment, Mok Won smiled.

“A person who doesn’t reveal himself is truly worthy of being called a great hero. If I can lend a hand in the growth of such a person’s martial arts, it would be an honor for me as well.”

Yeon Ho-jeong grinned. On the other hand, Pae Yul was flustered.

Not only was he being praised so highly, but he was also agreeing to look at his martial arts so easily. He really didn’t expect things to turn out this way.

“However.”

Mok Won’s eyes gleamed.

“Before we break a sweat, I’d like to clear up some questions.”

“Questions?”

“We had many conversations during the day. About why I was being chased by the Shinwha Cult, and how you were able to come to my aid so quickly.”

“That’s right.”

“But there are still many unanswered questions. I’d like to clear those up first.”

Frankly speaking, he still couldn’t fully trust them.

It wasn’t something he should say to his saviors. So, he was expressing it indirectly.

Yeon Ho-jeong and Pae Yul understood Mok Won’s feelings.

“Let me ask you one thing.”

Mok Won’s eyes gleamed.

“The greatest late-stage master in the world, the leader of the Murim Alliance’s Yugun Unit [a special forces unit within the Murim Alliance], and the eldest son of the Gangdong Byeoksan Yeon Family, one of the six great Murim families [influential martial arts clans]. How are you working under the Mukryong Unit [a group often associated with unorthodox or ‘black’ forces]?”

Yeon Ho-jeong only smiled silently.

But his eyes were not smiling.

Mok Won shook his head.

“You need to explain that part clearly. It’s not just about whether or not I look at Elder Pae Yul’s martial arts.”

“I understand.”

“The orthodox and the unorthodox have been baring their fangs at each other for a long time. There were times when they were on the verge of completely destroying each other.”

“…….”

“The divide between the righteous and the evil is incredibly deep. But the fact that a high-ranking member of the orthodox alliance is working in a position similar to the head of the black forces is baffling to me.”

“I fully understand.”

“I’ll ask you directly.”

Mok Won’s expression turned cold.

“Have you betrayed the Murim Alliance? Or were you sent to the Mukryong Unit as a spy?”

It was a strange question.

Usually, the question should end with whether he had betrayed the Murim Alliance. At least that was the case in Mok Won’s situation, and it was also in line with his personality.

But he even asked if he had been sent to the Mukryong Unit as a spy. Judging by the subtle tremor in his voice, it seemed that he thought the latter would be more problematic.

Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

“I have neither betrayed the Murim Alliance nor come to the Mukryong Unit as a spy.”

“Then?”

“The Murim Alliance and the Mukryong Unit have formed a temporary alliance. And I was dispatched to the Mukryong Unit as a representative of the Murim Alliance.”

“Is that true?”

“It’s true.”

“As I said, the divide between the righteous and the evil is deep. You should know that better than anyone.”

“Despite that, how did the two groups join hands, is that what you’re asking?”

“That’s right.”

“It seems like you already know.”

“I want to hear a clear answer. Also, even if there is a common enemy, the Mukryong Unit, at least, is not a group that would easily join hands unless it benefits them, right?”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

“Your words contain the answer. We joined hands to fight against a common enemy called the Samgyo [a mysterious and powerful antagonistic force].”

“That’s not easy. It’s really not easy.”

“Are you saying you need to know the process?”

“That’s right.”

“Then you must also promise me something.”

“Promise?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s face became serious.

“If you hear my words now, Great Hero Mok Won, you must fight against the Samgyo as a member of either the Murim Alliance or the Mukryong Unit.”

“…….”

“There are many ways to persuade you. But I don’t want to waste time on someone who has the potential to become a comrade, just because of a slim chance.”

“In other words, you’re saying you’ll tell me secrets that are important to you.”

“That’s right.”

Whoosh.

As his mind settled, the altar reacted on its own.

The Yeon Family Altar rotated lightly, stimulating the Four Divine Energies. The subtly emanating four-colored true energy merged into one, making Yeon Ho-jeong appear dignified.

Mok Won was impressed once again.

‘I don’t know what kind of martial arts he has mastered. But he’s really strong. His martial arts are amazing, but the person himself is strong. It seems like he has found a good match between person and martial arts.’

Yeon Ho-jeong said.

“I hope you fully understand the weight of my words.”

Mok Won, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, smiled.

“If I run away after hearing the information, you’ll try to kill me.”

“That’s right.”

It was a straightforward statement.

Beyond whether it was possible, the confidence that it was a given was even more striking.

Mok Won’s eyes turned cold.

“I do need to hear your answer, but your words are hard to bear, Vice-Commander Yeon. Now that I’ve recovered to some extent, you can’t handle me with your strength.”

“I know.”

“You know, and yet you say such things?”

“I know, but if we all risk our lives, we can at least take your life with us.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled again.

“I plan to exploit your weaknesses. At least in my eyes, I’ve seen seven of your weaknesses.”

It was a hard statement to ignore. Especially as a martial artist.

“Weaknesses… I don’t like arrogance, but it’s hard to believe that Vice-Commander Yeon, who is my junior, knows my weaknesses better than I do.”

“You don’t have to believe it. You’ll know when you’re in that situation.”

“…….”

“In fact, if even one of those weaknesses is exploited properly, that’s enough. Aren’t we all risking our lives? If we can take down one of the Three Armies [a reference to powerful enemies] with a single weakness, that would be a meaningful death.”

He was sincere.

Mok Won couldn’t sense any falsehood in Yeon Ho-jeong’s voice.

‘Is it true?’

To find out if these words were true, he would have to fight them.

Yeon Ho-jeong continued.

“But I don’t think you’re foolish enough to change sides because of some useless pride, or to leave the organization just because you’re in a bad mood.”

“…….”

“You don’t need to provoke us anymore. We’re being sincere. You should be provoking yourself instead. Don’t you think so?”

Mok Won, who had been staring at Yeon Ho-jeong, couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I’m just curious what your heart is made of, Vice-Commander Yeon.”

“It’s made of fire. If you prepare the firewood, it will burn fiercely.”

Thud.

Yeon Ho-jeong slammed his long spear into the ground.

“Give me a clear answer. Even if you hear our story, will you not betray us?”

“Does my word have any meaning? It’s just a verbal agreement, you won’t have any faith in it.”

“Whether we believe it or not is our judgment and choice. That’s not something you need to worry about.”

Mok Won gave a wry smile.

“I’m not someone who doesn’t know what’s right. Especially when you’re my saviors.”

“Is that so?”

“Putting everything else aside, I’ve always been thinking. I wanted to meet another strong person from Seongcheon [a region or place name].”

Mok Won nodded.

“I’ll go meet the Mukryong Unit Lord soon. That’s the only way I can prove my faith.”

Yeon Ho-jeong grinned.

“That’s enough.”

“Now tell me. How did the Murim Alliance and the Mukryong Unit join hands, what has happened so far, and what dangers have you faced?”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been quietly looking at Mok Won, finally opened his mouth.

“It started in the Daebyeol Mountain Range. There…”

Yeon Ho-jeong told him everything he had experienced, what the Murim Alliance had gone through, and all the events that led to the gamble he had taken with Mukryong Unit Lord Yang Cheon.

As always, his words were well-structured and to the point. They were neither too rigid nor did they stray from the main topic. His eloquence was such that anyone could easily understand him.

The more Mok Won listened to Yeon Ho-jeong’s words, the more his eyes filled with astonishment.

“…and that’s how the Murim Alliance and the Mukryong Unit formed a temporary alliance.”

“…….”

“Do you have any more questions?”

Mok Won couldn’t speak.

‘So many incredible things have happened.’

The continent was vast. Many people on the continent were born and died in one region without ever experiencing the air of another region.

In other words, one region was like a small country. Most people didn’t know what was happening in the neighboring regions.

Mok Won felt like he had become one of those ordinary people.

He didn’t know that the Murim Alliance had been fighting such difficult battles, nor did he know how the Mukryong Unit had been established.

In places he didn’t know about, unimaginable things were happening. The saying ‘a frog in a well’ felt real.

“I see. I see.”

Mok Won sighed.

“I train my martial arts for my own perfection… I’ve been living a really comfortable life.”

“Isn’t everyone living for their own perfection? However, it’s fortunate that someone with this much power is willing to fight alongside us now.”

Yeon Ho-jeong grinned.

“Now you can’t go anywhere, Great Hero. You’re ours.”

Mok Won clicked his tongue.

“That’s not wrong, but the way you put it is…”

Pae Yul shrugged.

“He’s always like that. Please understand.”

“Haha.”

“And, you don’t have to help this guy. It would be appreciated if you did, but you should take care of yourself first. You haven’t even removed the poison yet, have you?”

It was the moment he clearly called him ‘senior’. Pae Yul also respected the master known as the Hundred Battles Divine General in his heart.

Mok Won chuckled and looked up at the sky.

“Living for one’s own perfection…”

Mok Won, who had been quietly looking at the moonlight, suddenly rotated his shoulders.

“The explosive power at the striking point is too strong.”

“Huh?”

“Since you called me senior, I’ll think of you as my junior.”

“Do as you please.”

“Now, look.”

Mok Won grabbed Yeon Ho-jeong’s spear and took a stance.

“Originally, in spear techniques, the attack on the striking point can be achieved with just half-rotation and weight transfer…”

On a moonlit night, Mok Won’s lecture began.

The lecture showed no sign of ending even as the sun began to rise.