Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 708

“Young Master Yeon, that’s not the way to the dining hall.”

“I know.”

“No, more than that, if you stay in your quarters, I’ll bring it to you.”

“It’s fine. It’s nice to get some fresh air for the first time in a while.”

“Is your body okay?”

“Would I be climbing a mountain if my body wasn’t okay?”

“Well, I’ve seen you do foolish things countless times.”

“You really have no respect for your superiors.”

“Woof!”

“That’s a good sound. Try snorting again.”

“I don’t want to.”

The two walked along the path, bickering.

Ga Deuk-sang, who had been quietly following behind, opened his mouth.

“Yeon Dae-su.”

“Speak.”

“I’ll be going now.”

Yeon Ho-jeong stopped walking and turned to look at Ga Deuk-sang.

Ga Deuk-sang smacked his lips.

“There’s quite a bit of post-war cleanup to do. I’ll finish everything and come back tomorrow or the day after.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“I’ll try to get my body in the best shape possible by then.”

He was talking about the Hwa Jin-cheon matter.

Ga Deuk-sang frowned.

“How am I supposed to slap a monster who has reached the pinnacle of martial arts? Forget it. I’ll forget it too.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“If a slap would make me okay, I would have slapped you countless times while you were lying down.”

“Hmm.”

“Please be careful from now on. Well, even if I say this, you’ll probably cause the same ruckus if the same situation arises.”

“I won’t.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s face became serious.

“I’ll handle it as humanely as possible.”

Ga Deuk-sang snorted. His snort was three times louder than Muk Bi’s.

“Don’t say things you can’t take responsibility for. And it’s not like it’s something we can do while being considerate of each other.”

“…….”

“I’ll be sulking for a bit, so buy me a drink when you’re in a better mood.”

“I will.”

“Rest well. Don’t go dragging your feet again because something else happened.”

Ga Deuk-sang disappeared from the spot in an instant.

Muk Bi said,

“Hoo-gae was very worried while you were unconscious, Young Master Yeon.”

“I know.”

“You know?”

“Yes. I was aware of most of the situation.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes became somewhat wistful.

They had become so busy that they couldn’t even drink together like they used to. It was hard to even see each other’s faces, let alone drink.

Still, it was good to see him again like this. No matter what, Ga Deuk-sang was someone he had liked since the days of the Black Path [a martial arts sect with a negative reputation]. Ga Deuk-sang back then and Ga Deuk-sang now were no different.

Unchanging justice, loyalty, and humanity.

‘It would be good to resolve things once.’

That’s what Yeon Ho-jeong thought, but in reality, from Ga Deuk-sang’s perspective, there was nothing to resolve.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s actions during this Jongnam war, and his demeanor during the conversation with Jongnam’s Sect Leader Sun Woo, Jin Yang, and Seo Jeong-gwang a little while ago.

From that, Ga Deuk-sang had already resolved any resentment he had towards Yeon Ho-jeong. Though there wasn’t much resentment to begin with.

Rather, Ga Deuk-sang was secretly pleased.

Yeon Ho-jeong was Yeon Ho-jeong. He was still straightforward and blunt, yet also thoughtful.

However, his attitude and atmosphere had become much softer than before. That alone was enough to satisfy Ga Deuk-sang.

Of course, Yeon Ho-jeong had no way of knowing that.

“By the way, where are you going?”

“There’s someone I want to meet.”

“Who? Senior Pae-yul?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”

A little while later.

“Hmm?”

Hwang Seok-tae, who seemed to have just finished his bath, was shaking his wet hair as he came out.

“Deputy Commander Yeon.”

“You look tired.”

Hwang Seok-tae chuckled.

“It’s nothing compared to you, who’s half-dead.”

In reality, Yeon Ho-jeong’s energy was quite unstable.

His level was so high that most experts wouldn’t even notice, but those close to him could tell his condition at a glance.

“By the way, how did you know I was staying here?”

“Even though my body is in this state, my senses haven’t died.”

“You’re a monster. How far is it from your quarters to here?”

Hwang Seok-tae pointed to a flat bench on one side.

“Sit down.”

“I will.”

Hwang Seok-tae’s residence was in a place with a great view, overlooking half of the Jongnam main mountain.

One of the people who had made the greatest contribution in this battle was Hwang Seok-tae. Although many disciples had died, the elders were careful to treat Hwang Seok-tae well.

Flowing clouds. A breathtaking view.

The sound of the stream flowing behind Hwang Seok-tae’s residence made one feel refreshed.

Yeon Ho-jeong exclaimed.

“This is a really nice place.”

“I heard it’s where the previous sect leader lived before ascending to immortality.”

“That’s quite a treatment. Jongnam is really taking care of you.”

Hwang Seok-tae, sitting on the bench, glanced at Muk Bi.

Muk Bi slightly lowered her head.

Hwang Seok-tae, who also lowered his head, asked Yeon Ho-jeong.

“Was she your comrade after all?”

“Ah, haven’t we even introduced ourselves yet?”

Yeon Ho-jeong pointed to Muk Bi and said,

“This is Muk Bi, the Vice Commander of the Righteous Army of the Martial Alliance. Before the Righteous Army, we were together since she was part of the Extermination Army.”

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes lit up.

“The Divine Archer of the Returning Bow…….”

“You know her?”

“I’ve heard a lot about her. Seeing her divine archery skills, I wondered if she might be the Divine Archer of the Returning Bow.”

Hwang Seok-tae clasped his fist in salute.

“I am Hwang Seok-tae, the leader of the Yong-a Iron Cavalry of the Mukryong Army.”

Muk Bi also returned the greeting.

“I’m Muk Bi, the Vice Commander of the Righteous Army.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Muk Bi and said,

“Don’t just stand there, sit down.”

“I’m more comfortable standing.”

“Alright, then.”

Hwang Seok-tae said calmly,

“There’s no tea, but there’s some alcohol. I’ll bring it if you want to drink.”

“Oh? That sounds good. My throat was feeling dry anyway.”

Muk Bi glared at Yeon Ho-jeong with narrowed eyes.

Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled,

“It’s okay, so I’m drinking. Don’t glare at me like that. It feels like you’re going to put a hole in the back of my head.”

“You really do everything that’s bad for your body.”

“It’s for disinfection, disinfection.”

Muk Bi clicked her tongue at the ridiculous excuse.

A little while later.

The two, having filled each other’s cups, emptied them.

“Keoheo!”

Yeon Ho-jeong grimaced.

“My stomach is burning.”

“There’s no side dish. You’ve had one drink, so stop now.”

“It feels good, why? Pour me another one.”

“……Be careful of arrows.”

And so, the two emptied their cups one after another.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s face flushed. It was only a few drinks, but he already seemed to be getting drunk.

Hwang Seok-tae chuckled.

“Your face is quite a sight.”

Yeon Ho-jeong stroked his face. It felt warm, and it seemed like his sharp nerves were calming down.

Hwang Seok-tae continued,

“I received a message from Gang Ryang.”

“Now that I think about it, it’s been a while since the war ended, why hasn’t that guy come yet? Did he set up a home with his young miss?”

“He said to contact him before leaving. It seems like something happened.”

Yeon Ho-jeong said, filling his cup,

“Setting up a home was a joke, it’s probably because of the young miss. He must be out of his mind after saying goodbye to his master. Knowing Gang Ryang’s personality, it wouldn’t be good to just leave him alone, so he’s probably trying to comfort him.”

“Did he have that side to him?”

“He knows what it’s like to be alone, doesn’t he?”

Hwang Seok-tae’s mouth closed.

The Guicheol Sword Sect was destroyed by the Mukryong Army’s attack. And the only survivor of the sect was Gang Ryang.

“Looking back, it’s really amazing.”

“What is?”

“For him, the Vice Commander is no less than a sworn enemy, but he came and went without showing any sign of it. If it were me… I would feel my blood boiling just by looking at him.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled bitterly.

“He’s a strong guy. There aren’t many people who can smile in front of their enemies.”

“That’s right.”

The two shared various conversations and continued to drink.

Sometimes they were serious, and other times they burst into laughter. There were no deep conversations, but that made it an even more comfortable setting.

How much time had passed?

Yeon Ho-jeong, filling Hwang Seok-tae’s cup, said,

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Perhaps because he thought the atmosphere was quite ripe, Yeon Ho-jeong’s voice had become heavier.

Hwang Seok-tae tilted his head.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s not your fault. The deaths of the Jongnam swordsmen.”

“…….”

Hwang Seok-tae’s face hardened.

Yeon Ho-jeong, placing the bottle on the bench, turned his gaze towards the Jongnam main mountain. It was still daytime, so the world was bright.

“It’s been bothering me for no reason. It might not be the case, but I felt like you would feel responsible.”

“…….”

“We fought together as commanders, even if it was temporary. If you think of it as just that, it’s fine. But how can war be like that? Even if you’ve never met before, you’ve fought against a brutal enemy, and if allies die under my command, how can I feel at ease?”

“…….”

“It’s natural to feel bad. Especially for someone as responsible as you.”

“…….”

“But I don’t regret it. If we had left the battle to the Jongnam elders, those many swordsmen would have probably been unable to cope properly and would have been wiped out while panicking.”

Hwang Seok-tae silently looked down at his cup.

Yeon Ho-jeong turned his gaze back to Hwang Seok-tae.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that we won this war thanks to you. I won’t tell you to feel at ease, but please be aware of that fact.”

Hwang Seok-tae, who had been quietly looking down at his cup, emptied it.

“Keoheo! It’s bitter.”

Hwang Seok-tae took a deep breath.

“It was different from the Iron Cavalry.”

“It is different.”

“The Iron Cavalry was always with me. We carried out countless operations. Many casualties occurred during that time.”

“I’m sure.”

“But as time passed, the Iron Cavalry became stronger. The Iron Cavalry, which used to be replaced by dozens of people every year, hasn’t lost a single person in the past few years.”

“It’s not for nothing that they’re the strongest in the Mukryong Army.”

“That’s right. So, I think I forgot. How terrible it is to recall the eyes of allies who died by the enemy’s spears and swords.”

Hwang Seok-tae filled his own cup.

“Still, if I had fought with the Iron Cavalry, if the Iron Cavalry warriors had died, I would have been sad, but I wouldn’t have been as distraught as I am now.”

“…….”

“We are soldiers. We live and die by orders. We are together with the mindset that we can die on any battlefield… Even if we are sad, we can send them to the afterlife calmly.”

“But the Jongnam swordsmen were not like that.”

“Yes, they were not. I did my best to use my abilities, but I couldn’t gather my mind as I did when I was with the Iron Cavalry.”

Hwang Seok-tae smiled bitterly.

“I don’t know what that difference is that makes people so miserable.”

Yeon Ho-jeong raised his cup.

The two clinked their cups and emptied them.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been quietly looking at Hwang Seok-tae, got up from the bench.

“I get drunk so quickly because my body is a mess. I can’t drink anymore. I should go and rest.”

Hwang Seok-tae silently filled his own cup.

Yeon Ho-jeong said with a smile,

“Sleep well, rest well, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Go in carefully.”

“Drink moderately.”

“I will.”

And so, Yeon Ho-jeong and Muk Bi left Hwang Seok-tae’s residence.

Hwang Seok-tae continued to drink until sunset.

On the way back to their quarters.

Muk Bi, who had been walking quietly, finally opened her mouth.

“Did you come to comfort him?”

“Comfort? Well… I don’t think that man needs any comfort. He’s much stronger than you think.”

Yeon Ho-jeong staggered slightly. He had drunk too much.

But his eyes were clear.

“Still, I can’t just leave him alone. The Jongnam people will share their feelings among themselves, but Commander Hwang is alone. He probably has a lot built up by now.”

“I see.”

“As humans, we can’t release all our built-up emotions at once. But there is a time when we must release them.”

“And that time is now.”

“I think so.”

Yeon Ho-jeong sighed and looked up at the sky.

“If war ended when victory or defeat was decided, how easy would that be? Whether you win or lose, it keeps trying to kill those who survived. That’s what war is.”