Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 649

The horses snorted!

The eyes of the horses, which were like heavenly steeds, were slightly bloodshot. Even the finest horses would be exhausted if they were forced to run continuously with only minimal rest.

Thanks to this, they were able to reach Shaanxi faster than expected.

“Whoa, whoa.”

Yeon Ho-jeong, stroking the horse’s mane, closed his eyes and focused his inner energy into his hand.

Woo-woo-woong.

A faint light seemed to gather in his hand, then quickly faded.

Surprisingly, Yeon Ho-jeong’s horse, which had been breathing heavily, quickly regained its composure.

Paeyul, who was watching from behind, asked in surprise,

“What was that? How did you do that?”

“What do you mean?”

“You stabilized the horse’s breathing.”

“I used my inner force to regulate its nerves and heart rate, and temporarily expanded its lung capacity.”

Paeyul’s mouth slowly widened.

Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.

“It’s not that surprising.”

“It is surprising, you fool! An animal’s body is different from a human’s. It’s easy to penetrate with inner force, but directly controlling organs and nerves is extremely difficult, isn’t it?”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“It must be because the martial arts I’ve learned are unique.”

He calmed all the horses of the group.

‘No, that’s not it.’

Paeyul’s gaze, following Yeon Ho-jeong’s back, was deep and profound.

‘It’s not because of unique martial arts. It’s because he sees what we can’t see that he’s able to do such things.’

Blood points, blood vessels, nerves, and organs are not unique to humans. However, their locations and forms are all different for each species. It’s not something that can be done just because one’s martial arts are a little unique.

“But it’s only a temporary effect. Whether it’s a person or an animal, they need to eat and rest to recover their strength. We’ve been running for days without rest, so I think we should stop at an inn today and let the horses rest.”

“I agree.”

Gang Ryang grinned.

“We need to grease our stomachs before we start our work.”

Hwang Seok-tae nodded.

“It’s necessary to conserve our strength.”

Paeyul frowned.

“You two are really in sync.”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

“It’s better than being at odds. Let’s go.”

* * *

Hwajeok Tower was one of the largest and most famous taverns near Hanzhong.

It was only natural, as Hwajeok Tower was a tavern associated with the Mount Hua Sect. [Mount Hua Sect is one of the major martial arts sects in the Murim.]

It was closer to the Namgung Sect than Mount Hua, but the entire Shaanxi province was within the sphere of influence of both sects. They tried to maintain their friendship while keeping each other in check. Therefore, they had their subordinate sects and businesses appropriately placed within each other’s sphere of influence.

It was both a check and a reconciliation. Hwajeok Tower was one such business.

“Hmm, it’s nice to soak in warm water after a long time.”

After more than an hour of bathing, Gang Ryang looked like a nobleman.

Although his personality was strong and his impression was sharp, Gang Ryang’s face was objectively very handsome.

“But is it okay for us to rest here? It’s nice and luxurious.”

Yeon Ho-jeong was also neat and tidy. If Gang Ryang looked like a nobleman, Yeon Ho-jeong looked like a carefree scholar.

“Hwajeok Tower is under the influence of Mount Hua. There are few taverns that aren’t under the influence of either sect anyway. In that case, we should go openly instead of giving the impression that we’re avoiding them. Of course, Mount Hua is better than the Namgung Sect.”

“Because our relationship with the Namgung Sect has soured?”

“At least they won’t stick their heads in carelessly.”

“They say you’re friendly, but isn’t there a chance that Mount Hua might attack us?”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had emptied his glass, picked up his chopsticks and said,

“That won’t happen.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yongseon Jin-in is a man who hasn’t been the new sect leader for long since Yonghwa Jin-in died. Moreover, it was me and the Moyong Clan leader who suggested that he become the sect leader and pushed him forward.”

“…Is that so?”

“He’s not the kind of person who doesn’t know that he could lose his hand if he tries to put a leash on us carelessly. Decisively, Yongseon Jin-in is different from the greedy Yonghwa Jin-in.”

Paeyul, who had been quietly drinking, joined the conversation.

“That’s true, but I heard that the Shaolin Abbot also gave him some support.”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Ho-jeong said as he filled his glass.

“Yonghwa Jin-in died when we were catching the spies within the Murim Alliance. And Yongseon Jin-in became the new sect leader. That time wasn’t very long. It’s a difficult time to fully take control of Mount Hua.”

“Hmm, that makes sense.”

“Moreover, Yongseon Jin-in is burning with the desire to restore the tarnished reputation of the Mount Hua Sect. But there were also many who followed Yonghwa Jin-in.”

Hwang Seok-tae nodded.

“In that situation, even if he had taken control of the sect, it would be difficult for him to act rashly. Apart from the internal situation, he needs to build good relationships with the Murim Alliance’s officials, and touching the Yu-gun unit’s leader is a bad move.”

“That’s right. The current Murim Alliance military advisor trusts me. And the military advisor is the core of the Murim Alliance’s politics. If he wants to hold onto the position he got by luck, he wouldn’t dare to touch us.”

Gang Ryang inwardly clicked his tongue.

He had forgotten something due to the recent repetition of operations and battles: Yeon Ho-jeong’s political abilities.

Whether he was reading the situation and analyzing the people, or vice versa, if Yeon Ho-jeong said so, it would be so.

At least in the tug-of-war of politics, Yeon Ho-jeong had never been defeated.

Except for one person, Moyong Gun.

“The problem is.”

Paeyul, who was chewing on meat, said casually,

“How long will the Namgung Sect suppress their pride, and how far will they go when they start to spread their wings? That’s the question.”

Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

“The Namgung Sect’s interference is only like tying a string to our ankles. It’s just interference, they won’t be able to put a decisive stop to it. At least, that’s what I think.”

“The problem is the difficulty of our mission.”

“That’s why we need to finish this mission before the Namgung Sect even thinks about interfering.”

Gang Ryang frowned.

“That damn useless pride always makes things difficult for people. What? Dust this and that? What a load of crap. Do they think they’ve got gold dust on their swords?”

Yeo Gwang’s words were still lingering in his mind. It was somewhat insulting to just forget and move on.

Yeon Ho-jeong emptied his glass and said,

“He’s not wrong.”

“Huh?”

“That old man’s words aren’t entirely wrong.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes wavered.

“Brother?”

“Why do you think the Black Path was called the Black Path? Because of a noble ideal? Or because they were the ones who cared for the exhausted people? Or were they called that because they were virtuous people who gave what they had and punished evil?”

“……”

“I understand that your pride is hurt. I’m also grateful that you didn’t get angry. But if you want to see the true world with your own eyes, you need to think beyond just feeling bad.”

“Beyond feeling bad…?”

“The Black Path forces weren’t always vicious and cruel. Of course, there are such people everywhere, but there was a time in the past when the Black Path had its own rules and laws. There was a time when they were called nobles.”

Hwang Seok-tae nodded.

“I know it was three or four hundred years ago.”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded in agreement.

“Even then, the Black Path didn’t sacrifice themselves for the world. However, they didn’t interfere in the lives of ordinary people, and they strictly prohibited betrayal and personal gain. It was an era when all members had pride in a thorough code of conduct, and they pioneered another great path.”

“……”

“It was closer to Legalism than the Black Path. The Black Path of that time was recognized by even prominent White Path figures.”

Hwang Seok-tae refilled Yeon Ho-jeong’s glass.

Yeon Ho-jeong emptied the glass.

“At least the current Black Path doesn’t measure up to that time. In other words, the future is important.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Gang Ryang.

“Acknowledge the past and clearly recognize where you stand now. If you ‘understand’ all of that, then you need to think about the future.”

“The future……”

“How will you change the Black Path you belong to? Will you turn the Black Path into the Gray Path, or will you join the White Path? Or will you create a Black Path so majestic that everyone will feel it is great?”

“……”

“Broaden your vision. It’s a habit to only look at what’s close. Look further, look wider. Even without opening the Limitless, the path to becoming the best in the world lies in that kind of proactive thinking and future-oriented attitude.”

“Proactive… future……”

Gang Ryang unconsciously moved his lips.

Not only that, but Paeyul and Hwang Seok-tae also seemed to have their own thoughts, pondering Yeon Ho-jeong’s words.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been quietly watching Gang Ryang, smiled.

“Well, even considering all that, that old man’s attitude was still terrible.”

“Hahaha!”

Gang Ryang laughed loudly.

Yeon Ho-jeong put down his glass and got up from his seat.

“Let’s rest well today and move out tomorrow. I’ll go first.”

Paeyul asked,

“Are you going in already?”

“I’m going to meditate and look into a few things. Don’t worry about me and rest. And don’t cause any trouble.”

“Anyone would think you’re my senior.”

“If we’re talking about who’s more likely to cause trouble, I’m definitely your senior. That’s why I need to be careful too.”

Yeon Ho-jeong grinned and went up to his room.

Paeyul snorted.

“That guy is strangely arrogant.”

Gang Ryang asked subtly,

“Are you jealous?”

“Do you want to die? Should I carve a few more lines on your body? I was thinking of drawing a pretty triangle.”

“No, thanks.”

“If you’re done, then drink, you fool.”

The two of them bickered and shared drinks.

Hwang Seok-tae enjoyed the drinks, using the two’s banter as a side dish.

But only for a moment.

‘A majestic Black Path……’

Hwang Seok-tae looked up. It was where Yeon Ho-jeong’s room was.

‘You……’

Hwang Seok-tae really had many questions he wanted to ask Yeon Ho-jeong.

And many things he wanted to learn.

That night.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had left his lodging, headed to a bamboo forest outside the main road, not far from Hwajeok Tower.

Standing in the bamboo forest, he calmly looked around and opened his mouth.

“Come out.”

Swoosh.

The person who slowly revealed himself was unexpectedly an old village elder.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

“The Beggars’ Sect, and a high-ranking elder at that.”

The old man’s eyes flashed.

“How did you know that?”

“A hollow inner force, and a free-spirited gait. If someone with that level of martial arts is dealing with information related to the Yin Empress, it’s impossible unless they’re a high-ranking elder, isn’t it?”

“……Hehehe.”

The old man clicked his tongue.

“I was confident that I was one of the best in the sect at hiding my inner force, but I was found out too easily.”

“Is that so?”

“As the sect leader said, you really have opened the Limitless, haven’t you?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shone.

‘He noticed.’

He hadn’t exactly hidden his abilities, so he thought Hwa Jin-cheon would know.

Yeon Ho-jeong asked,

“Did you come to deliver information?”

“I came with information and a request. Of course, it’s up to you whether you grant that request or not.”

“A request?”