Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 710

The next day, at noon.

“Hoo-oo.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a deep breath and released his cross-legged posture.

‘I’m alright.’

The external wounds were not yet healed. It would probably take at least fifteen days for a full recovery.

However, more than half of his depleted inner energy had returned, and the true energy coursing through his body was vigorous.

Sizzle!

It felt as if smoke was rising from various parts of his internal organs.

Most of his injured organs were returning to normal. As time passed, his recovery accelerated, and despite drinking so much, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s complexion improved every moment.

Creak.

As he opened the door and went out, Muk Bi was just arriving with his meal.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“I’m fine now. You don’t have to take care of me.”

“Who said anything? Eat, quickly.”

“Still, thank you.”

The two sat on the stairs and ate.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked,

“How’s the atmosphere?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean the atmosphere at the main sect. It must still be gloomy.”

Muk Bi shook his head.

“It’s still the same. It doesn’t seem like it will get better anytime soon.”

“I guess so.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a refreshing gulp of the meat soup.

Muk Bi asked,

“Do you happen to know someone named Yeo Gwang?”

“He’s the Great Elder of the Jongnam Sect.”

“Yes. I heard in passing that his dantian [energy center] was destroyed and his limbs’ meridians were severed.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up.

“Really?”

“Yes. I heard that the Jangmun [Sect Leader] punished him directly. He’ll be confined in a place called Seo-oh… or something like that for the rest of his life.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly.

“I see.”

It seemed he had finally been punished. Considering the wrongdoings Yeo Gwang had committed, it was only natural.

Still, he didn’t expect him to be punished so soon.

“The Jangmun must have had a very hard time.”

Muk Bi said in a disgruntled tone.

“Why are you so concerned about him?”

“Who? The Jangmun?”

“Yes. I understand, but he was so out of line that he took his anger out on someone who wasn’t the target.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“You saw everything yesterday, how can you say that? War is like that.”

Muk Bi put down his spoon.

“Speaking of which, it’s definitely a tragedy, but to put it bluntly, it’s nothing new.”

“Huh?”

“The battles we’ve fought so far were also wars in a broad sense. Many enemies died, and our side also suffered casualties. But it seems like you’re particularly concerned about the Jongnam Jangmun.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t feel sorry for him. It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand him at all.

It was just that Muk Bi didn’t like it. He understood, but how could he get so angry at someone who had risked his life to protect Jongnam and then just leave? That wasn’t right.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“If he can release his emotions, even if it’s belatedly, that’s a good thing. Don’t look at it too negatively.”

“Still…”

“Let’s stop talking about it now. Anyway, it’s over.”

Muk Bi sighed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was right. It was already over, there was no need to argue about it.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having finished his meal, put down his spoon.

“Ah, that was filling.”

“What are you going to do from now on?”

“What do you mean, what am I going to do?”

“You can’t stay here forever.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“I’m planning to leave in a few days. It doesn’t seem like I’ll be of much more help here, so after having a proper talk with the Jangmun, I should return to the Mukryong Unit.”

“The Mukryong Unit…”

Muk Bi’s eyes deepened.

“I’ll go with you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“You go back to the Alliance. I’m sure you’ll do well on your own, but your brother will have a hard time leading the Righteous Army alone.”

“It’s the same whether I’m there or not.”

“Come on, you’re the vice-commander of the Righteous Army, how can you go to the Mukryong Unit without permission…”

“I got permission.”

“Huh? From whom?”

“From the strategist.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“He told you to go with me?”

“Yes.”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“It’s not sudden. Young Master Yeon is an officer in the Martial Alliance’s combat unit. Even though the Alliance and the Righteous Faction are united, who knows when danger might strike? How can he be at ease?”

“…”

“The strategist is holding back from sending the entire Righteous Army to the Mukryong Unit.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head.

Thinking about it, it wasn’t wrong. He had always lived a chaotic life, appearing here and there, but from the Martial Alliance’s perspective, how dangerous must that be?

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s reputation had grown to the point where even the heads of the prestigious families of the Central Plains couldn’t ignore him. Moreover, he was like a bridge between the Alliance and the Righteous Faction, so they couldn’t just leave him be.

“That’s something.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was scratching his head, suddenly felt a presence and stood up.

A moment later.

“Commander Yeon.”

“You’ve arrived.”

Gu Yun clasped his hands in greeting.

“I came during your meal, without any tact.”

Although his position in the Martial Alliance was high, it was rare for an elder of a sect to greet him so politely. It showed how much they respected Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head in return.

“It’s nothing. I was just finishing up anyway.”

“I see.”

Gu Yun smiled.

“How is your body?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tapped his forearm.

“I’m fine. I think I’ll be almost fully recovered in a few days.”

Gu Yun clicked his tongue.

“That’s a truly terrifying recovery rate. Are all masters who have opened their Limitless Energy like that? It looked like an injury that would take months to recover from.”

“I was lucky. I was just exhausted, and I managed to avoid most of the fatal injuries.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

Gu Yun took out a letter from his pocket.

“First, please accept this.”

“What is this?”

“The Jangmun asked me to deliver it directly to you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up.

A smile spread across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face as he opened and read the letter.

“I will make time.”

Gu Yun sighed.

“I can only apologize to you. I’ve heard everything that happened. The Jangmun’s grief was so extreme that you suffered unnecessarily.”

“It’s nothing. I understand completely.”

Gu Yun smiled.

“Even though you’re young, you have such a broad mind. It seems the rumors about the ‘Wall Mountain Tiger’s’ personality are not to be trusted.”

“What do they say about my personality?”

“They say you’re smart and wise, but also hot-tempered and unforgiving, making it difficult to get close to you.”

Muk Bi muttered to himself, “That’s pretty accurate.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong glared at Muk Bi, then smiled at Gu Yun.

“I will visit the Jangmun this evening.”

Gu Yun nodded.

“Get some rest. If there’s anything you want or anything that’s uncomfortable, please let me know.”

“I have everything I need.”

“I understand. Then, rest well.”

“Understood.”

Gu Yun disappeared.

Muk Bi looked at the letter.

“What did the Jangmun say?”

“He asked me to have a meal with him this evening.”

“…Is he going to curse at you again?”

“Who sends a letter just to curse? He must be feeling sorry and wants to apologize while having a meal together.”

“I hope so.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong folded the letter and put it in his pocket.

“I need to get my body in the best condition possible. Oh, and call for Chief Hwang and Hu Gae.”

“Alright. But why all of a sudden?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked up at the sky.

“Since the Jangmun asked to meet, it seems like it’s time for me to leave sooner than expected.”

That night.

“Jangmun. The commander of the Righteous Army has arrived.”

Sun Woo, who was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, opened his mouth.

“Let him in.”

Creak.

The door opened, and Yeon Ho-Jeong entered.

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head.

“Jangmun.”

“You’ve come.”

Sun Woo’s voice was calm.

He seemed much more stable than yesterday. Although he looked somewhat tired, the agitation and despair had left his eyes, replaced by a clear and righteous spirit.

Sun Woo, who had released his cross-legged posture and stood up, said in a calm voice,

“Are you ready?”

“Huh?”

“You said three days. But my fiery temper couldn’t wait that long.”

A strange smile appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

Sun Woo drew his sword.

“Even if you are a great master, your body is in such a state that I cannot ask you to receive my sword.”

“I’m fine, though.”

“Watch carefully.”

Sun Woo took a step forward.

The moment he stepped forward, Sun Woo’s eyes changed.

Flash!

Sun Woo disappeared from his spot and was now floating in the air.

It was as if he had invisible wings on his back. Far away, in Qinghai, there was the Kunlun Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects, said to be able to fly in the sky with a divine technique like immortals.

Sun Woo’s divine technique was so impressive that it reminded one of the Kunlun legend, the Cloud Dragon Great Eight Forms.

‘Was there such a martial art in Jongnam?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong was genuinely impressed.

In a fight, Sun Woo would not be his match. Even now, when his body had not fully recovered, he could win without much difficulty in a quick battle.

However, that divine technique, and the elegant swordsmanship that went with it, was something that anyone would admire from a martial arts perspective.

Flash! Flash!

The sword light flashed, creating a fierce aura.

It was like standing in front of a rushing torrent. It was powerful and continuous. It was both a strong sword and a chain sword. Although they were in the same province of Shaanxi, it was a martial art that was different from the swordsmanship of the Mount Hua Sect, which was famous for its skillful and swift swords.

Quarrrrling!

A sound that shouldn’t be heard came like an auditory hallucination.

The fierce torrent that poured down like a landslide eventually rose into the sky and formed a huge constellation. Countless starlight became a huge wave, creating a dazzling silver tide.

It was the Thirty-Six Swords of the Heavenly River. It was the supreme secret of Jongnam, and along with the Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua and the Tai Chi Sword of Wudang, it was the Heavenly Sword, which was said to be the pinnacle of the Nine Sects’ swordsmanship.

Whoooosh!

Sun Woo’s sword, which had displayed a brilliant burst of power, had become calm.

Swoosh.

Sun Woo, who had been floating in the air, also landed on the ground.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was genuinely impressed.

Despite unleashing such powerful swordsmanship, he had not caused any damage to the surroundings. The control of his sword was perfect. Although he had not revealed himself within the Alliance, Sun Woo’s power, when he deliberately displayed his martial arts like this, seemed to be no less than that of any Jangmun of the Nine Sects.

Sun Woo looked at his sword and asked,

“How was it?”

“It was amazing.”

“Really?”

“Yes. So that’s the Jongnam’s secret technique, the Heavenly Sword.”

“You saw well. It’s the Heavenly Sword and the Fish Dragon Whirlwind Step. It’s my own martial art created by taking the advantages of the divine technique called ‘Fish Dragon’ and the footwork called Whirlwind Step.”

“I haven’t seen it, but it seems to be no less than the Kunlun’s Cloud Dragon Great Eight Forms.”

The Cloud Dragon Great Eight Forms was a legendary martial art that was called the greatest divine technique of the righteous sects, along with the Vajra Immovable Body Technique of Shaolin.

Sun Woo smiled bitterly.

“I was planning to teach the Heavenly Sword and the Fish Dragon Whirlwind Step to the second-generation disciples.”

“…”

“But I was met with opposition from some elders, led by the Great Elder, and I couldn’t pass it on. I was thinking of passing on at least the first half, but they even opposed that.”

“I see.”

“If I had taught these two martial arts to the children… if I had, wouldn’t I have been able to reduce the damage even a little bit?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Sun Woo without a word.

Sun Woo, who was looking up at the sky with cloudy eyes, chuckled.

“That’s a useless thought. It’s already over, and even if I hold onto regret, it won’t mean anything.”

“…”

“I’m sorry about what happened before.”

Sun Woo bowed his head.

“I shouldn’t have gotten so angry at you. I knew it, but I couldn’t control my anger. It was not the behavior of a sect leader.”

“It’s nothing.”

“I’m truly sorry.”

It was a sincere apology.

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head.

“Since you say so sincerely, I will accept the Jangmun’s apology with all my heart.”

“Thank you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said playfully,

“Since I’ve seen such a wonderful martial art, shall we eat now? I’ve only had breakfast and I’m starving.”

“Good. But before that, there’s one more thing I want to give you.”

“Yes?”

Sun Woo took out a small pouch from his pocket.

“It’s called the Taeul Pill. Please accept it.”