Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 646

647. The Breath of Yin Wasteland (2)

Yeo Gwang, the master of the Splitting Light Divine Sword, was the martial uncle of the current sect leader.

Having reached his seventies this year, he was considered exceptionally old for a martial uncle of the sect leader. This was because he had entered the martial arts world at a very late age.

However, no one belittled his abilities.

No, they couldn’t. Although Yeo Gwang had entered the world of martial arts after passing his coming-of-age ceremony, he had developed faster than anyone else. He had worked hard and possessed immense talent.

It was even said that if Yeo Gwang had entered the martial arts world ten years earlier, the prestige of the Jongnam Sect would have surpassed Mount Hua and rivaled Shaolin and Wudang [two of the most prestigious martial arts sects in China].

Despite such talent, Yeo Gwang had yielded the position of sect leader to his junior brother. He had made it clear that he was merely a vessel for martial arts and not the right person to lead a sect.

His choice was praised by the Jongnam Sect members. Not only did it prevent discord among the brothers, but it also laid the foundation for each to fulfill their respective roles.

Therefore, Yeo Gwang was more respected than the sect leader by the Jongnam Sect members. His practical martial arts skills were considered the best in Jongnam, excluding the previous generation.

His direct appearance was certainly no ordinary matter. The mere fact that the strongest swordsman of the current Jongnam Sect, who had devoted himself to martial arts for over a decade, had come down was a major event.

“Hmm.”

Yeo Gwang’s eyes flashed.

“Are those the ones?”

“Yes, they are.”

The one who answered with a respectful bow was Hong Jeok, the youngest elder of the Jongnam Sect.

Although they were both elders, their positions, seniority, influence, and martial arts levels were on different dimensions. The brothers respected Yeo Gwang, but they also found him difficult to approach.

“Impressive.”

Yeo Gwang’s eyes were as firm as the giant trees guarding the Jongnam Palace.

“They are amazing masters. There isn’t a single one who is easy to deal with.”

Hong Jeok was inwardly greatly surprised.

Apart from his love for Jongnam, Yeo Gwang was a man with great pride in the martial arts he had achieved.

He rarely acknowledged his opponents. With Yeo Gwang’s level of skill, such a personality could not be seen as arrogance.

“One of them has the scent of the Azure Mountain. It seems they came from Jeomchang. I don’t know about the young man at the front… The remaining two are indeed rough. Just as reported.”

“The young man at the front is the leader of the Murim Alliance’s Yugun Unit. He is called the best of the younger generation.”

“…The best in the world.”

Yeo Gwang’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“The disciples of our sect need to work harder.”

“…”

“But it’s strange. I heard his martial arts were at the level of a leader of one of the Nine Great Sects.”

“Yes?”

Whoong.

A faint divine energy arose in Yeo Gwang’s eyes.

His eyesight naturally sharpened, and his senses expanded. Although the distance was quite far, Yeo Gwang could perceive Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression and even the minute scars on his skin.

Yeo Gwang tilted his head.

“I don’t feel anything.”

“…?”

“He doesn’t seem injured, nor does he seem to be hiding his inner energy. It’s truly strange.”

“I, is that so?”

“Whatever it is, I’ll find out once we talk.”

Shortly after.

The distance between the two groups narrowed to three *jang* [a traditional Korean unit of length, roughly equivalent to 3 meters].

Clang!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had the Heaven Piercing Armor attached to his saddle, dismounted.

Yeo Gwang raised his chin.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“I greet the swordsmen of Jongnam. I am Yeon Ho-Jeong, the commander of the Murim Alliance’s Righteous Army.”

Yeo Gwang nodded.

“Nice to meet you. I am Yeo Gwang of Jongnam.”

There was no need for fancy titles. Yeo Gwang of Jongnam was a name known throughout the Central Plains, beyond Shanxi.

Yeon Ho-Jeong released his clasped hands.

“I have heard much of your esteemed name.”

Hong Jeok’s eyes narrowed.

He wasn’t exactly impolite, but there was a strange feeling that he was a rude fellow.

The reason was unknown. Perhaps it was because his demeanor was stiff even when showing respect.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at the Jongnam swordsmen.

“Your presence is very stern. It doesn’t seem like you’re welcoming us.”

It was a direct statement. Hong Jeok’s eyes narrowed further.

On the other hand, Yeo Gwang’s expression remained unchanged.

“We are not welcoming you, but we have no intention of fighting either.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. You are the eldest son of the renowned Byeoksan Yeon family and the leader of the Murim Alliance’s Yugun Unit. Why would we fight you? If not for this situation, we could share a cup of tea.”

It wasn’t wrong.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong paid attention to Yeo Gwang’s words.

He said ‘you’ and not ‘you all.’ This could be interpreted as meaning that he might fight someone among the group other than himself.

Yeon Ho-Jeong did not probe his opponent this time either.

“Who is the problem?”

Yeo Gwang’s lips curled up. A faint smile; he seemed to like the young man’s quick wit.

“The forces of the Black Path are bound to be rampant anywhere in the world. Shanxi is no exception. Such people are everywhere, and even if they are eradicated, they constantly reappear.”

“…”

“However, the current Shanxi is different. Thanks to the efforts of our sect and Mount Hua, you can no longer find any significant Black Path sects in Shanxi.”

Yeo Gwang’s eyes turned to Hwang Seok-Tae and Gang Ryang.

“I know that the Murim Alliance and the Muryong Faction have formed a temporary alliance. Still, we cannot simply stand by and watch as the masters of the Black Path enter Shanxi.”

Hwang Seok-Tae’s eyes deepened. Gang Ryang also openly frowned.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke calmly.

“There is something I must correct in your words, senior.”

“Hmm?”

“I am the commander of the Murim Alliance’s Righteous Army and also the special adjutant of the Muryong Faction.”

“…?!”

“I have a duty to carry out the legitimate orders of both the Alliance and the Faction. To me, these people are my comrades and allies.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I must enter Shanxi with all of them. I ask for your understanding.”

The Murim Alliance and the Muryong Faction had formed an alliance, and Yeon Ho-Jeong was the symbol of that alliance.

In other words, Yeon Ho-Jeong was entitled to at least minimal respect from both the righteous and the evil factions. And in the martial world, respect meant setting aside one’s pride.

Yeo Gwang shook his head.

“It is not possible.”

“May I know the reason?”

“The reason.”

Yeo Gwang’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

However, he soon relaxed his expression. Although his junior was decades younger, he still held a position. He shouldn’t forget that.

“As I said, the current Shanxi is being maintained very peacefully. There is not a single sect that claims to be of the Black Path, at least not that our sect and Mount Hua know of.”

“…”

“That doesn’t mean the Black Path has been eradicated. They are always hiding in the shadows, biding their time to rise again. In such a situation, what would happen if the renowned masters of the Black Path set foot in Shanxi, no matter what their mission is?”

“Do you mean they might gain confidence and establish a sect?”

“That is unknown. However, our sect and Mount Hua have made constant efforts to cleanse the Black Path in Shanxi for decades. The cleaner the air, the more sensitive one becomes to even small dust particles. That will be the same for us and the remnants of the Black Path.”

Hwang Seok-Tae and Gang Ryang’s expressions were not good.

Although he didn’t use harsh words, Yeo Gwang was treating the Black Path like trash or insects.

Of course, most of those called the Black Path were villains who exploited the common people. It was natural, in a way, that the world viewed the Black Path negatively.

Still, it was impossible not to feel bad.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke calmly.

“This mission is for the safety of the martial world, and on a larger scale, for the safety of the world. It is a mission with a valid reason, so I hope you will consider the situation.”

“We do not know what that situation is.”

“That is something you should discuss with the Murim Alliance or the Muryong Faction, not with us. If you are curious, I recommend contacting them directly.”

Yeo Gwang’s eyes deepened.

“You are quite bold for a young man.”

“Thank you for seeing it that way. I often hear that I’m rude, but I rarely hear that I’m bold.”

“…Hmm.”

Yeo Gwang raised his chin.

Hong Jeok watched Yeo Gwang’s expression. He seemed clearly displeased.

Of course, he felt the same way. He had only refrained from interfering because his senior brother was speaking.

Yeo Gwang, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong, nodded again.

“You are right. In fact, our actions must seem somewhat frustrating to you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled. It was an answer without an answer.

Yeo Gwang continued.

“We didn’t just come with a refusal. It’s not exactly a solution, but…”

“I will listen carefully.”

“Instead of the Black Path masters entering Shanxi, we will help you with your mission. I don’t know what your mission is yet, but if Jongnam steps in to help, it won’t be a bad thing for you.”

It was an unexpected proposal.

Certainly, if Jongnam, which held the hegemony of Shanxi, helped with this mission, it would be more than welcome.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“Thank you for the offer, but that will not do.”

“What?”

“Rather, I hope that Jongnam will not interfere. At least, that is my opinion.”

“Why?”

“You can get the answer from the Murim Alliance’s strategist. We have nothing else to say.”

The help from Jongnam would not necessarily mean only military force.

As it was their home turf, their intelligence network would also be excellent. If they only provided that much help, Yeon Ho-Jeong could accept it.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong did not expect their help to go as he wished.

Even if it wasn’t Jongnam, the hegemon of a region was bound to have a strong sense of pride. Although the pretext was help, there was a high risk that they would take drastic actions to handle things their own way, going beyond just helping.

Furthermore, if there were masters from the Three Teachings around Umje, that would also be a problem.

If they were with Umje, the Three Teachings wouldn’t have sent just anyone. If they were to fight them, the damage Jongnam would suffer would be greater than expected.

It was a better decision to preserve their strength for the future war.

Besides, this was not something that could be solved by force alone.

In other words, they needed a troubleshooter, and that was why Yang Cheon had sent Yeon Ho-Jeong. If it was something that could be solved by force, they would have contacted the Murim Alliance and asked them to send a few units.

In short, after considering everything, Yeo Gwang’s proposal was unacceptable.

“You said your name was Yeon Ho-Jeong?”

“Yes, it is.”

Yeo Gwang’s gaze became as sharp as a blade.

“You seem to be quick-witted, so you must know that we have made a great concession.”

“I am also curious.”

“About what?”

“If Jongnam belongs to the Murim Alliance, no matter how much power they hold in the region, they should not refuse the orders of their affiliated organization. Moreover, this is not an unfair order.”

“If the Alliance had sent an official document, it might be different. But this mission was received from the Muryong Faction, wasn’t it?”

“So, are you going to interfere?”

“Interfere?”

“It is your freedom to dislike the alliance between the Murim Alliance and the Muryong Faction, but if you know the organizational structure, you must know how absurd your words are right now.”

“Ho ho?”

“I apologize, but we do not have time. So, I will say it one last time.”

Flash!

A divine light flickered in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

“Open the path.”

“…What if we don’t?”

“It seems pointless to keep testing each other. I want an answer. Will you open the path? Or will you block us to the end?”

Finally, anger appeared on Yeo Gwang’s face.

“If you do not accept our proposal, you will never be able to cross into Shanxi.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hand moved behind him.

Whoooooooong!!

The eighty-*geun* [a traditional Korean unit of weight, roughly equivalent to 48 kilograms] Heaven Piercing Armor flew like lightning and was grasped in his hand.