Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 641

The next day.

‘Hmm.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having tidied his clothes and stepped outside, noticed Moyong Gun.

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

‘What brings you to my residence so early in the morning?’

Moyong Gun looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

His eyes were calm. The confusion hadn’t completely vanished, but he no longer seemed as lost as before.

Moyong Gun spoke.

‘I was thinking of leaving soon.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up.

‘Already?’

‘Well, if I had my way, I’d like to see the face of the Yin Emperor [A powerful figure, possibly a ruler or leader, associated with the concept of Yin in Chinese philosophy] while I’m at it, but that’s your business, not mine, isn’t it?’

‘…….’

‘I might consider it if my swordsmanship would be of help.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

‘It’s fine. It’s not like I’m desperate for help. It’s not as if things will get any easier just because you leave.’

It was a statement that could be quite insulting, depending on how one took it.

Moyong Gun calmly nodded.

‘You’re right. It’s a situation where a clash of force could easily occur, and in a battle between supreme masters who have opened their Limit [A state of martial arts mastery], the help of those who haven’t reached that level is meaningless.’

‘An interesting reaction.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong crossed his arms.

‘I’m just saying. By the way, it seems like you’re leaving earlier than expected?’

‘Just as you have your own work to do, I have my own.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly observing Moyong Gun’s face, chuckled.

‘It seems like you’re planning to put aside your other tasks for a while and focus on your duty.’

Moyong Gun smiled.

‘Are you referring to my duty as the head of the family?’

‘I’m talking about your duty as a martial artist.’

‘Well, I’ll have to see how things go. I’d like to if I could, but I have too many things going on.’

‘He’s changed. Definitely.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong sensed a small but definite change in Moyong Gun.

‘I didn’t expect you to come all the way here to say goodbye.’

‘One way or another, I owe you a lot.’

‘A debt… I don’t think I’ve lost anything, but if you think you owe me, I hope you’ll repay it later.’

‘Of course.’

‘Then, are you returning to the Alliance?’

‘That’s right.’

‘I don’t see Unjabang. Where is he?’

‘I sent him ahead. It didn’t seem like the right time to formally introduce him to you yet.’

‘I suppose so.’

The two stopped talking for a moment and looked at each other.

How long had it been?

Moyong Gun opened his mouth.

‘I hope you succeed.’

‘I hope so too.’

‘I’ve heard that the Yin Emperor, Ha Eun-Gyo, while claiming to be neutral, is of a gentle and compassionate nature, and is close to the righteous path. She just didn’t want to be swept away by the world and didn’t take sides, but her tendencies are far from the dark path.’

‘I’ve heard the same.’

‘However, the world doesn’t leave the outstanding alone. The wind blows everywhere. Those who haven’t actively jumped into the world like you usually struggle with the storms.’

‘…….’

‘To those who want to be noble trees, the wounds scratched by the cold wind stand out. Don’t criticize them for thinking it’s nothing, for not knowing how scary the world is.’

An unexpected light flickered across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

‘Do you know the Yin Emperor well?’

‘I don’t. I’ve never met her. All I know are rumors.’

‘But from what I hear, it feels like you know the Yin Emperor well.’

Moyong Gun shrugged.

‘I may not know people, but I have a rough idea of how the world works.’

‘…….’

‘If you don’t plan to be the best, don’t jump in, and if you do jump in, don’t be half-hearted… I used to say that to my daughter often.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong took Moyong Gun’s words to heart.

It might seem too assertive, but that was how the world was. If they found someone talented, they would spread rumors, and once rumors spread, the world wouldn’t leave that person alone.

If one didn’t have the audacity to face the world itself, even the most talented person would eventually be swept away by the waves.

If the Yin Emperor’s tendencies were as rumored, then as Moyong Gun said, she was likely in a rather complicated situation.

From the perspective of the Three Teachings [A likely reference to three major philosophical or religious schools of thought], the Saintly Heaven was the enemy they had to deal with first.

Whether through persuasion or suppression.

‘Succeed. Succeed spectacularly, and make her a definite ally.’

‘I will.’

‘If things don’t go as planned, if, by any chance, the Yin Emperor seems to have turned traitor.’

*Flash!*

A subtle murderous intent flickered in Moyong Gun’s eyes.

‘Kill her without hesitation.’

‘We don’t even know if the Three Teachings have contacted the Yin Emperor yet.’

‘They probably have. You suspect it too, don’t you?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly looking at Moyong Gun, nodded.

‘If that’s the situation, then I have no choice. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it with my strength, though.’

Moyong Gun chuckled.

‘I don’t know since I haven’t reached that realm, but I believe you’ll be able to do it with your combat abilities. Of course, it would be best if such a situation didn’t arise.’

‘Don’t make it sound so easy. I’m still getting beaten to a pulp by the Dark King Senior, who has sealed two of his dantian [Energy centers in the body, often used in martial arts contexts].’

‘That’s because you’re not risking your life.’

‘If you saw our sparring, you wouldn’t say that.’

‘Your main stage isn’t on the sparring platform, but in real combat where the situation can change rapidly, isn’t it?’

‘…….’

‘Instead of whining like you usually don’t, make a decisive choice when the moment comes, just like before.’

‘I will…’

‘Let me say it again. Make a decisive choice. Don’t choose a difficult path just because you think the opponent is in a difficult situation, or because you’re trying to be considerate.’

A stern look appeared on Moyong Gun’s face.

‘Just by saving that time, you can save a hundred allies in the war that will happen in the future. Considering the impact your choices will have on the world, giving others more opportunities than necessary is a luxury.’

‘…….’

‘The kindness you speak of is not something to be shown in war. War is a fight between those without kindness. If you worry about the opponent’s situation, my people will die.’

‘…….’

‘I hope you’ll keep my words in mind.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong calmly nodded.

‘I will.’

Moyong Gun relaxed his expression.

‘I received a message this morning.’

‘Hmm?’

‘It seems that Ui Jeong-Gun has returned to the Martial Alliance.’

A smile spread across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

‘It seems he finished things well in Guangdong Province.’

‘Should I pass it on?’

‘Pass what?’

Moyong Gun pointed with his chin at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s waist.

‘Your axe, I mean.’

‘Ah.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong touched the Black and White Twin Dragon Axe, which was crossed over his hips.

‘I think this will be enough, but…’

‘…….’

‘If you can send someone to deliver it, please do so. However, I can’t tell you where I’ll be moving at every moment.’

‘I’ll have the Beggars’ Union do it. As long as it gets delivered, it’s fine, isn’t it?’

‘Then I’d be happy.’

‘Understood.’

Moyong Gun turned his body after saying those words.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, watching Moyong Gun slowly walk away, asked in a loud voice.

‘Have you made up your mind?’

Moyong Gun’s steps stopped.

But only for a moment, as he continued to walk with a calm demeanor, his back unwavering.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly.

‘That stubborn man.’

Life is a series of choices.

Sometimes a small choice can paint the future in golden hues, and other times it can paint it black and red.

What color will Moyong Gun’s choices paint his future?

And what color will he, who is inseparable from him, paint in his life?

Yeon Ho-Jeong slapped his cheeks with both hands.

‘Let’s do my job.’

* * *

*Thud!*

Tang Hyeong said with a smile.

‘This concludes our training.’

‘……Damn it.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been slammed to the ground, grumbled as he got up.

‘How can it end without me even landing a proper hit?’

‘A guy who’s just started walking shouldn’t try to fly already.’

‘I’m just disappointed.’

Tang Hyeong clicked his tongue.

‘That’s your weakness. Just yesterday, you were defeated three times within twenty moves. But today, you were only defeated once in the last move. That alone is a tremendous improvement.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smacked his lips.

‘Still, I’m disappointed.’

Tang Hyeong chuckled and sat down in a cross-legged position.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly watching Tang Hyeong, also sat down comfortably.

Tang Hyeong spoke.

‘I think I’ve repaid about one-hundredth of the favor I received with this.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong let out a hollow laugh.

‘Aren’t you being too dramatic?’

‘If I had my way, I’d like to follow you around and teach you until you surpass me. Even then, I wouldn’t have repaid half of the favor I received. That’s how I see it.’

‘I helped someone who is quite difficult to handle.’

‘So, do you dislike it?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

‘Of course not.’

Tang Hyeong smiled back.

‘You’re fast. Too fast. It’s fortunate that you remain fast for now, but the moment that speed becomes recklessness, a serious problem will arise.’

‘That’s how the world works.’

‘It’s good that you know it well.’

‘Thanks to you, I’m grateful. Truly.’

‘I just wanted to stretch my body and meddle a bit. Don’t mind it.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been smiling at Tang Hyeong, suddenly hardened his expression.

Tang Hyeong tilted his head.

‘What’s wrong?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong was lost in thought without saying a word.

‘No matter how I think about it, it’s strange.’

He had had this thought once or twice yesterday.

‘The Dark King Senior’s power is definitely great. Even if I don’t know, if he were to release his seals, he would be comparable to me or Moyong Gun during our time as the Dark Emperor. Rather, in terms of martial arts techniques, he would surpass both of us.’

If Tang Hyeong’s martial arts were to be defined in one word, it would be the ultimate refinement.

His martial arts were filled with a refinement that was difficult to describe in words. The fact that he could naturally use the complex upper dantian operation at every moment was an achievement that would be recorded in history.

However, that didn’t mean it was superior. Just as a master of swordsmanship wasn’t superior to a master of the saber, it was just a different way of using what one had.

Then what was the Dark Emperor’s martial arts?

The Dark Emperor’s martial arts were the strength of forward movement. It was fast, strong, and unconventional.

That was the same even after he had continuously grown after opening his Limit. He had earned the title of the strongest martial artist in the history of the dark path with that martial art.

‘Even then, I didn’t think deeply about the upper dantian operation. From the beginning, I used it for intuition, weakness detection, and maximizing combat ability, not for direct martial arts implementation.’

This was also a difference. It wasn’t that Yeon Ho-Jeong’s level was lower than Tang Hyeong’s, but that it was more suitable for Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts.

But what about now?

‘I’m helpless. I can’t see ahead.’

The Four Divine Arts are perfect. There’s nothing more to fix or change. Now, all that’s left is to deepen it.

But the fact that he couldn’t land a single effective hit on Tang Hyeong with that perfected blade was truly questionable.

Was Tang Hyeong’s upper dantian utilization ability too skillful?

The upper dantian utilization ability of the Demonic Cult Leader was no less than Tang Hyeong’s. Yeon Ho-Jeong was the god of war himself, who had turned that Demonic Cult Leader’s body into a bloody mess.

Even if he hadn’t regained his level from that time, wasn’t this too much?

‘It’s like I’m only half of what I should be.’

He had opened his Limit, but it seemed like he wasn’t properly demonstrating his abilities as a master who had opened his Limit.

Tang Hyeong, watching Yeon Ho-Jeong deep in thought, spoke.

‘When you have many worries, it’s good to look at your martial arts from the roots.’

‘…….’

‘Speaking of martial arts, there’s something I’ve been curious about. May I ask?’

‘What is it?’

‘Do you know about the Four Directional Martial Emperor?’

‘……Huh?!’

‘Did you perhaps inherit the essence of the Four Directional Martial Emperor?’

Surprise flickered across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.