Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 633

Moyong Gun walked ahead without a word.

Yeon Ho-Jeong also remained silent. His mood was somewhat subdued due to thoughts of his family.

How long had they walked like that?

The two of them, having gone quite a distance from the Tang Clan, looked down at the foot of the mountain.

Although the entire city wasn’t visible, the vast territory of the Tang Clan, the Tang Clan Tower, and several villages beyond were in sight.

It was called a mountain, but it was quite rugged and high, making it difficult to climb. In the first place, one had to pass through the Tang Clan Tower to climb it, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to ascend unnoticed.

Thus, it was desolate, and thus, it was quiet.

Moyong Gun looked down at the Tang Clan with his hands behind his back.

Yeon Ho-Jeong leaned against a tree with his arms crossed, watching Moyong Gun.

How much time had passed?

“Congratulations.”

Even at the sudden congratulation, Yeon Ho-Jeong was not flustered.

“Thank you.”

This was the first time they had met alone since the Tang Clan incident. Before that, they hadn’t really had any proper conversations.

Was that why? Moyong Gun’s voice sounded a bit unfamiliar.

Moyong Gun continued.

“It took quite some time.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The fact that you opened the Limitless, accepting that fact.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“What if I didn’t accept it?”

“That’s right. The reality doesn’t change anyway. I didn’t expect myself to be like this either.”

There was nothing more pathetic than being dispirited just because the opponent was strong. Naturally, Moyong Gun despised and ridiculed such people.

But now that he was in that position, he felt truly miserable.

“How does it feel?”

“Nothing special.”

“Nothing special?”

“It felt good when I ascended, but the situation was too urgent to fully enjoy the joy.”

“That’s true.”

“For over ten days, I haven’t even had a proper look at my martial arts. So, it doesn’t feel real.”

“I see.”

Moyong Gun still had his back turned.

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“So, what’s the reason you called me here? You didn’t need to come this far just to offer congratulations.”

Moyong Gun didn’t answer.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly watching his back, spoke again.

“It doesn’t seem like you’re going to tell me a big secret, nor does it seem like you’ve been contemplating trying to win me over to your side.”

“…….”

“And it doesn’t seem like you want to have a good fight either.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

Want to fight? If a fight was possible, he would have done it a hundred or a thousand times.

But he admitted it. He was no longer a match for Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Apart from the fact that he had opened the Limitless, he felt it instinctively.

‘I can’t see him.’

Moyong Gun closed his eyes.

‘Even when I look around, I can’t see him. I have to raise my head to barely see his feet.’

Even before, Yeon Ho-Jeong was second to none when it came to controlling his qi [internal energy].

Still, masters of similar levels could sense Yeon Ho-Jeong’s extraordinary nature. The natural aura of intimidation couldn’t be hidden.

But now, nothing is felt except for his presence. It was even unclear whether this person had really mastered martial arts.

Perhaps, if he were to further refine his martial arts and learn to control them perfectly, it would become difficult to distinguish him from any ordinary person.

‘Returning to Simplicity…!’

The highest level and dignity a martial artist could achieve.

When one learns anything to its extreme, it appears ordinary. This principle also applied to martial arts.

Returning to Simplicity. Returning to one’s original, pure, and genuine state.

Yeon Ho-Jeong would soon reach that level. Opening the Limitless was not the end. In the vast world of martial arts, perhaps even the level of Returning to Simplicity might just be a passing point.

“What is the world like from your perspective?”

This was another sudden question.

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“I don’t like beating around the bush instead of getting to the point.”

“I really want to hear it. Even if we’re not on good terms, we’re not so uncomfortable that we can’t even have a casual chat, are we?”

‘Uncomfortable, you jerk.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged.

“It’s too abstract and broad a question, so it’s hard to answer.”

“Then let me ask more directly. Do you think it’s better to leave this world free? Or do you think it needs control?”

“Control is essential for society to function.”

“I see.”

“It’s necessary, but it’s better to avoid control that infringes on human rights.”

“Idealistic.”

“I like pursuing ideals.”

“The concept of human rights varies from person to person.”

“I suppose.”

He didn’t seem to want to talk about that part for long, giving a concise answer.

Moyong Gun opened his eyes.

The Tang Clan, which he looked at again, seemed to have changed slightly.

“What do you think of me?”

“Did you pick a day for this?”

“I really want to hear it.”

His voice, unlike his usual self, was filled with earnestness.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said indifferently.

“A villain who is obsessed with power, disregards morality, and doesn’t hesitate to act recklessly.”

“…Heh.”

“You take care of your people meticulously, but you ignore the fact that others also have families, an immoral ruler.”

“Is it wrong to prioritize my people over others?”

“And a coward who is reluctant to reveal such tendencies to the world.”

“…….”

“There’s no need to take care of even your own people. Everyone is different. The problem is that you are the head of a prestigious family.”

“Shouldn’t the head of a prestigious family do that?”

“Do you want to talk about free will? If so, then it’s okay. But you’ll disappear into the annals of history along with your family.”

“…….”

“If you want that kind of ending, then do as you please.”

It was a chilling statement.

If he really did that, it sounded like he would personally put an end to it.

Moyong Gun turned his body.

Unexpectedly, his expression was calm. Even after hearing quite provocative words.

“Still, you see the world too idealistically.”

“Is that wrong?”

“It’s not wrong, but it’s still a pity. The ideal you speak of is just an ideal. It doesn’t offer any practical systems or innovative norms for reality.”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“…?”

“I’m not a ruler. I’m a martial artist living in the martial world, and before that, I’m just an ordinary person.”

“That’s hard to accept. A once-in-a-lifetime genius who opened the Limitless before the age of thirty is ordinary? That’s just playing with words.”

“That’s the problem.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s commendable for a martial artist to be strong in martial arts. But from the perspective of a blacksmith or a craftsman, they’re just swordsmen who can’t do anything productive.”

“……!”

“The specialness you speak of is ultimately focused on power. You don’t deny that the world ultimately follows the logic of power, but you don’t even glance at any other aspect of the world. That’s why you can kill people who have nothing to do with your ambitions without any pangs of conscience.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes wavered.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I’m just one of the countless people living in this world. You, the strong of Seongcheon, and my family are the same.”

“…….”

“However, because there is influence, we must be more careful and think more deeply. At the same time, we are fighting the Three Teachings because we have the power to protect our home.”

“…….”

“I don’t know what you want to say, but if you want to point out my ideology or try to win me over, there’s no need to continue this conversation. We can’t understand each other, and we won’t give up our respective goals.”

“You’re such a frustrating person.”

“From my perspective, there’s no one in the martial world who doesn’t listen to others as much as you do. It’s incredibly frustrating.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his body.

“If you’ve said everything you wanted to say, I’ll be going now. As you said, I haven’t had a chance to refine my martial arts yet.”

“What is the reason?”

It seemed like he wasn’t done talking yet.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked back at Moyong Gun with an expression of utter annoyance.

“What is it now?”

“Why are you satisfied with that position, despite having such talent and power?”

“I don’t want to tell you, and even if I did, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Be honest with your desires. Don’t limit yourself by being trapped in the framework of morality. If you have power and talent, you should use them to obtain everything you want.”

Moyong Gun’s voice gradually became more passionate.

“You said power is responsibility, right? That’s right. You must take responsibility for that power. You must prove your power and talent to the world. Talent is not for fun, it’s for proof.”

“I don’t find my talent fun, and I have no intention of proving it. I’m not a genius in the first place.”

“Are you going to waste your innate talent because of moral limitations?!”

“If I have the talent to reach this level, I will use the responsibility of that power to prevent foreign invasions. That is the responsibility I have set for myself.”

“That is your limit! A person who cries out for freedom and rights is trapped in such an illusion… !”

“Do you really want me not to limit myself?”

Whirr!

In an instant, the surrounding air rapidly turned cold.

Whoooooooosh.

The slightly chilly wind instantly turned into an ice storm, making Moyong Gun’s face turn pale.

Murderous intent flared in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

“Shall I kill you right now, without any moral limitations?”

“……!!”

“It’s thanks to my limits that you can stand here and spout nonsense to me. If I had gone crazy without caring about the surroundings, your body would be fertilizer in some nameless mountain by now.”

“…….”

“Don’t provoke me with words you can’t take responsibility for. I don’t know what you want, but in the end, the words you’re spouting are just plausible nonsense.”

Whoosh.

The terribly cold air returned to normal as if nothing had happened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said calmly.

“Following the Divine Path and the Evil Sound, now even the Blood Madness has revealed itself. Or rather, they have been aiming for this land for a long time.”

“…….”

“As the head of a prestigious family, as the master of a martial arts family representing the martial world, I hope you will see clearly what the greater cause is.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his body again.

There was no hesitation in his back as he walked away.

Moyong Gun, who had been quietly watching his back, said as if throwing it away.

“You didn’t get to the point.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong waved his hand without turning around.

“I have nothing to say or hear.”

“Kill me.”

“……?!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, startled, turned back to Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun’s eyes had regained their composure.

“Kill me here and go.”

“…That’s a bit much for a joke.”

“This is the only chance to stop me. If you don’t kill me here, I will eventually take control of the Martial Alliance and make the world mine. And I think I have the capability to do so.”

“…….”

“Once this time passes, you will never be able to stop me.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

“Choose.”