Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 551

“Are you sure about this?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled at Pae-Yul’s question.

“Is resting just about relaxing the body? The mind needs some rest too.”

“Hmm, then why don’t you have a drink too?”

“Even though I look like this, I’m the one in charge of this mission. How can I drink? I’ll go out and wander around to gather some information.”

Pae-Yul smacked his lips.

“Go ahead. I’m going for a drink then.”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke to Gang Ryang.

“You go have a drink too. Our senior must be lonely by himself.”

Before Gang Ryang could answer, Pae-Yul shuddered.

“No, thanks. I prefer being alone.”

Gang Ryang shrugged.

“He says he prefers that.”

“Then rest as you see fit.”

“I will.”

Gang Ryang followed Pae-Yul.

“I might not drink, but I should eat. I’ll grab some snacks before I go.”

“Do as you please.”

And with that, the two left.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, shaking his wet hair, spoke to Hwang Seok-tae.

“Aren’t you going out?”

Hwang Seok-tae shook his head.

“I’m not as easygoing as you guys.”

“I see. Rest well.”

“Where are you going?”

“Just going to look around the area.”

“If it’s to gather information, it would be better if I came along. There’s a Black Path [a network of information brokers and assassins] information network here too.”

“I’m sure. But within Szechuan, it’s faster to use our own information network than the Black Path’s.”

“The Beggars’ Union, then.”

Chiriring.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was wearing inner garments and the Dragon Binding Chain, put on a clean white robe. After properly fastening his belt, he attached the Black and White Twin Dragon Pendants to his waist.

“Anyway, I’ll be back, so rest well.”

Hwang Seok-tae shook his head.

“I’ll come with you. I don’t think I can rest comfortably just staying still.”

“You’re quite sensitive, aren’t you? Fine, let’s go together.”

And so, the two of them stepped out of the tavern.

Although the weather had turned chilly, Szechuan’s climate was relatively mild compared to other regions. Perhaps that was why the streets were so lively even in the evening.

“That’s unexpected.”

Hwang Seok-tae, walking down the street, looked around and said.

“Usually, people avoid martial artists.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong had two large hand axes at his waist and a steel cage slung over his shoulder. Hwang Seok-tae was carrying a red spear that looked like a treasure weapon at a glance.

Their clothes were ordinary, but anyone could tell they were skilled.

However, people didn’t seem to think of them as special. They didn’t try to approach them, but they didn’t avoid them either.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said.

“It means the security is good.”

“Hmm.”

“The Tang family has built many branch halls throughout Szechuan. There are also many branch halls of the Qingcheng and Emei sects.”

Hwang Seok-tae nodded.

“It’s a veritable fortress.”

Szechuan was a region where three of the most famous forces of the White Path [a term referring to orthodox martial arts sects] were gathered.

It was difficult for accidents to happen. Rather, it was more common for back alley thugs or unscrupulous merchants from the Salt King’s Guild to cause trouble. Martial artists couldn’t ignore the major sects.

Moreover, if there were problems with the people’s livelihood, they would intervene faster than the government and do their best to ensure safety.

For that reason, the people of Szechuan trusted the Tang family, Qingcheng, and Emei sects far more than the government. Also, due to the region’s rugged mountain ranges, few people left Szechuan.

In other words, Szechuan was like an independent nation. Even if all sorts of things happened outside, Szechuan was safe and prosperous.

That was why people didn’t think much of martial artists.

“Security, huh.”

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes deepened as he looked around.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked.

“Isn’t it new?”

“…….”

“They talk about preventing foreign invasions and such, but in the end, what’s important isn’t our interests. It’s that we want this peaceful scene we’re seeing right now not to collapse.”

“…….”

“Whether you dream of conquering the world or becoming the greatest martial artist, no matter how careful you are, people who are far removed from the martial world will inevitably suffer.”

“Why is that?”

“Do you know what the commonality of those dreams is? It’s that there must be an enemy and that people must die.”

“…….”

“To become the greatest in the world… It’s a good dream. It’s romantic, and I think it’s a dream worth pursuing as a martial artist. But the moment power and conflict are added to that dream, the damage is borne entirely by these people.”

Hwang Seok-tae shook his head.

“That’s an excessive assumption.”

“I admit it. It might not be. The important thing is that there’s a high possibility of it happening.”

“…….”

“I’m not saying don’t change the world. I also want the world to change. However, the world that welcomes change always involves the sacrifice of people who previously enjoyed peace, whether small or large.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked up at the sky.

There were many stars.

“Even if the development of the world is a little slower, I hope that the minimum safety of the people is guaranteed.”

Hwang Seok-tae shook his head.

“I understand, but I think that’s too idealistic.”

“That’s why this world is going crazy. Because it’s a world where even the minimum safety of people is hard to guarantee.”

“…….”

“So we have to try. Whether it’s through martial arts, money, or power, those with strength must make an effort.”

“Those with strength are also people. Unless it’s a voluntary sacrifice, you can’t blame those with strength for not stepping up.”

“Do you think so?”

“I do.”

“If most people didn’t suffer from hunger and lived in a world where they struggled with life but had at least minimal safety, maybe I would have thought like you.”

“…….”

“My desire to have minimum safety guaranteed is idealistic, but your opinion that you can’t blame the indifference of the powerful is just a comfortable excuse.”

“A comfortable excuse…”

“That’s right. I’m not denying the law of the jungle, but it would be nice if that logic was exercised on a foundation of solid peace. Isn’t that why we’re different from beasts?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly.

“Well, to be honest, even though I say this, I’m the most beast-like.”

Hwang Seok-tae looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong and asked.

“Do you dream of peace?”

“Who doesn’t dream of peace?”

“Martial artists can’t exist in a peaceful world. Our hands are always holding swords and spears.”

“That’s why I think the martial world should disappear too.”

“……!!”

“In the distant future, that is.”

Hwang Seok-tae, who had been quietly watching Yeon Ho-Jeong, shook his head.

“I don’t know. Looking at you, I thought you were the most wild and unconventional person. I saw you as a ruthless person who would use any means necessary if needed.”

“You saw right. I am that kind of person.”

“But what you’re saying to me now is too idealistic and romantic.”

“It’s not wrong to dream of ideals, is it? And if the Three Teachings [a term referring to Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism] hadn’t been aiming for the Central Plains, I might not have been so actively involved in the martial world.”

“…….”

“If that were the case, I might not have even thought that those with power should work for the world.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly.

“In the end, it’s all just assumptions. Even after saying this, if I survive this war, I was planning to go back to my hometown and farm.”

Hwang Seok-tae chuckled.

“You, farming?”

“It’s self-contradictory. I say that those with power should work for the world, but I’m already thinking about living comfortably in my hometown. Even though I know that the power I have is not small.”

“…….”

“Now I don’t even know anymore.”

Suddenly, Yeon Ho-Jeong burst into laughter.

“I’ve been talking too much nonsense. I’ve been spouting words I can’t even take responsibility for. Even though I’ve thought about it for a long time, the fact that I’m rambling shows that I’m not that smart.”

Hwang Seok-tae chuckled.

“Don’t say that kind of thing in front of others. You’ll get cursed at.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“No matter how good the wolves’ strategies and tactics are, they’re still just wolves. I’m just that much.”

“Then I’m worse than a wolf.”

“No, it’s because you don’t know if you’re a wolf, a tiger, or a human.”

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes wavered.

Even though it was a joke, it had a strange resonance.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and looked around.

“I’ll be a wolf who plans strategies and tactics well, so you guys just focus on winning the war.”

“…….”

“As humans, of course.”

Hwang Seok-tae thought. Yeon Ho-Jeong was definitely different.

As the Iron Cavalry Commander of the Black Dragon Unit, he had sworn loyalty to Yang Cheon and wanted to manage the strongest unit of the Black Path. Later, he also wanted to become the strongest martial artist in the world like Yang Cheon.

Perhaps most martial artists were similar. They would strive to be the best and the strongest. If they realized that was impossible, they would then want money or power.

But Yeon Ho-Jeong, who wasn’t even thirty yet, was full of worries about the world and his place in it.

That was surprising. Although everyone had their own way of living, Hwang Seok-tae had never thought as deeply as Yeon Ho-Jeong.

He didn’t think it was something to be ashamed of, but he felt strangely ashamed.

“You are…”

“Hoo.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed, interrupting Hwang Seok-tae.

“I’m glad I didn’t just drink and came out to look around.”

“Hmm?”

Hwang Seok-tae’s gaze followed where Yeon Ho-Jeong was looking.

There were too many people. He couldn’t tell who Yeon Ho-Jeong was looking at.

“Open your senses. Focus.”

Woong.

Hwang Seok-tae sharpened his five senses with internal energy.

In an instant, a stream of energy was caught by his senses.

“This energy is…”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong stared at someone far away, wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a bundle.

“It’s from the Emei sect.”

Surprise flickered across Hwang Seok-tae’s face.

He was a supreme master, even if he had been distracted by the conversation. If someone had concealed their energy to the point that it didn’t register with his senses, they were no ordinary master.

“There’s an Emei branch hall about five li [approximately 2.5 kilometers] from here. I had a hunch, and it seems I’ve met someone from that side.”

“Are you going to follow them?”

“I have to.”

“It might have nothing to do with our mission. It might be better to borrow information from the Beggars’ Union.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“From the moment we learned that the Three Teachings were attacking Szechuan, there are no sects that are not related to our mission.”

“Hmm.”

“Besides…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes glowed with a faint green light.

The Yeon Family Divine Pill rotated, awakening the Azure Dragon Energy. On top of his frighteningly sharpened senses, the unique soft energy of the Azure Dragon swept through the area, bringing him all sorts of information.

“They’re being too cautious.”

“Cautious?”

“Leaving aside the fact that the Emei branch hall isn’t far away, this is Szechuan. In Szechuan, the status of Emei is not inferior to Qingcheng or the Tang family.”

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes were fixed on the back of the distant nun.

He hadn’t noticed that the nun was being cautious.

“Are they really being cautious?”

“I can feel the tension in their footsteps. The Emei footwork is supposed to be deliberate and deep, but they’re stepping from their toes. It’s proof that they’re extremely nervous.”

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes wavered. Yeon Ho-Jeong was hearing the footsteps of a distant nun from this distance, in this noisy street.

‘He’s a monster.’

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

“It looks like something interesting is going to happen from the first day. Let’s go.”

As Hwang Seok-tae followed Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had quickened his pace, he thought.

He really was a beast.