Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 714

“A mission?”

“That’s right.”

Yeon-wi, sipping his tea, seemed much calmer than expected.

“When do we depart…?”

“Hmm, it seems we’ll be leaving around midnight tonight.”

Disconcertment flickered across Dang Sang-ah’s face.

Midnight meant there was less than half a day left. Yet, Yeon-wi was as relaxed as could be.

“If the Clan Head is going himself, does that mean it’s a considerably dangerous mission?”

“Dangerous, you say…”

Yeon-wi, having set down his teacup, tilted his head.

“I suppose you could say that. There might actually be a clash of arms. Though, I’d prefer it if that didn’t happen.”

“I, I see.”

Yeon-wi smiled.

“If you find it lonely being alone, how about interacting with the Righteous Army? You were once part of the Tangma Army, weren’t you?”

Dang Sang-ah gave a wry smile.

“I left before any real bond could form.”

“That might cause some unease. Still, it wouldn’t be bad to meet with Commander Moyong often.”

“Commander Moyong?”

“I had a long talk with Commander Moyong not long ago. He’s grown into a much greater man than before. Leading an army and fighting countless battles has erased his somewhat weak impression.”

“I see.”

“Exceptional martial arts, a chivalrous nature, and an outstanding ability to lead his subordinates. You’d be hard-pressed to find such a talent even if you searched the entire Central Plains.”

Dang Sang-ah was quite surprised.

It wasn’t often that Yeon-wi sincerely praised someone. He rarely praised even his own children, Yeon Ho-Jeong and Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

Perhaps he was stricter with his children, but even considering that, this was surprising.

Dang Sang-ah smiled.

“If the Clan Head says so, I suddenly feel intrigued.”

“Ho ho, is that so?”

“My father used to try to marry me off to Commander Moyong. Perhaps due to some rebellious streak, I found it hard to get close to him, no matter how many times we met.”

“I see.”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“There’s no need to meet with romance in mind, so don’t feel burdened. If martial artists of similar generations and with decent skills can elevate each other’s levels, that would be a blessing.”

“Yes.”

Dang Sang-ah asked, as if suddenly remembering something.

“By the way, Ji-Pyeong hasn’t been around much lately?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong had been moving with the Righteous Army. He was also close to Moyong Woo, so one could say he was part of the Righteous Army before being part of the Yeon family.

“He’s said to be participating in all the training with the Righteous Army.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“It’s a good thing. Unlike before, Ji-Pyeong isn’t weak. But he often used to push himself too hard for the sake of deeper swordsmanship.”

“He did.”

“Now that Ji-Pyeong is becoming one with the Righteous Army, it’s good for both the Righteous Army and Ji-Pyeong. One cannot live alone in this world. If he’s not going to live as a hermit in the mountains, he needs to actively engage with people and learn how to live in the martial world.”

This was the difference between him and other leaders, Dang Sang-ah thought.

Most leaders of prestigious families didn’t like their children wandering outside. Thus, those children would train in martial arts and receive management lessons under the family’s full support, living a strict life to grow into the pillars of the family.

Even her own father, Tang Gwan, had raised Tang Yang-Seon that way. Regardless of the outcome, it was the norm for prestigious martial families.

Yeon-wi was different.

Even though Yeon Ho-Jeong, the eldest son of the family, was out and about, he only worried about his safety and didn’t stop him. Rather, he even subtly recommended Yeon Ho-Jeong’s methods to Yeon Ji-Pyeong, saying that one becomes an adult by going out into the world.

‘It’s actually extremely dangerous. It’s a method that other families can’t easily try.’

Even if one was born and raised in a prestigious family, they were bound to make mistakes and lack skills at a young age. There was a high risk of getting caught up in a trivial dispute and dying in the martial world.

If their own flesh and blood might go out into the harsh world and die, what parent would willingly allow that? It could even lead to the family line being cut off.

Yeon-wi, who let both his sons face the world despite such risks, was truly remarkable. He was a person who thought of his children as much as, or even more than, any other parent, so that choice must have been very difficult.

Dang Sang-ah chuckled.

‘That’s why the Six Great Clans will never surpass the Nine Great Sects.’

The Nine Great Sects were not families but sects. Their sects were connected by master-disciple relationships, not bloodlines, and they passed on the sect leader position to those with ability and virtue.

In other words, to demonstrate their abilities, they had to go out into the world and prove their worth. They often actively dispatched their disciples to benefit the world.

The power of the Nine Great Sects, which had been built up by facing the waves of the world, had become a wall that the Six Great Clans could not overcome, no matter how hard they struggled.

However.

‘Is the Yeon family different?’

Yeon-wi’s unique ideology and teachings, different from the heads of existing prestigious families.

And his two sons, who were no less than their father, and perhaps even greater in potential, were leaving their mark on the martial world.

‘Perhaps.’

Dang Sang-ah thought.

That the Yeon family of Gangdong might be able to surpass the status of the Nine Great Sects, which no one had been able to overcome.

“Ho ho, what are you thinking so deeply about?”

“Huh? Oh, I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

Dang Sang-ah smiled brightly and continued her conversation with Yeon-wi.

The two continued talking until nightfall. Unlike usual, Dang Sang-ah was talkative, and Yeon-wi also showed a much more benevolent and witty side than usual.

And so, midnight approached.

“Is Clan Head Yeon here?”

“Come in.”

Squeak.

The door opened, and Peng Mu-Gang, the head of the Hebei Peng family, appeared.

Behind him were Jeagal Ayeon, with a tense face, and several warriors lined up.

Yeon-wi smiled and stood up.

“It’s already time, it seems.”

“That’s right. But…”

Peng Mu-Gang scratched his head.

“You’re indeed worthy of the title of Judge’s Sword. You don’t seem tense at all?”

“If being tense would solve things, I would have been worrying for days.”

“Haha, that’s true, too.”

An unseen admiration flickered across Peng Mu-Gang’s face as he laughed awkwardly.

‘Judge’s Sword Yeon-wi.’

In truth, there wasn’t much of a relationship between the two. They didn’t have particularly contrasting personalities, but they hadn’t had any reason to meet for a drink.

Yeon-wi didn’t know much about Peng Mu-Gang, and Peng Mu-Gang didn’t know much about Yeon-wi either.

But at this moment.

Peng Mu-Gang was certain of one thing.

‘He’s a strong man.’

He wasn’t pretending to be, he truly didn’t seem tense.

Yet, he didn’t seem to take this mission lightly either. His aura was as calm as water, yet it contained a depth and a tautness that could be unleashed at any moment.

‘Well, it’s only natural that he’s extraordinary.’

He was the father of the peerless late-stage master, the Azure Wall Tiger, Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Although the Martial Alliance was full of extraordinary people, Yeon Ho-Jeong was a particularly outstanding general of his generation.

Yeon-wi was the father who raised such a general and the head of a clan that maintained peace in Gangdong. It was only natural that he was extraordinary.

‘But…’

Peng Mu-Gang was bewildered.

‘Why can’t I see it?’

Yeon-wi’s power.

It was extremely calm and dignified. He could roughly guess what kind of sword he would show if he wielded one.

But he couldn’t grasp the depth of his power. He couldn’t understand what was contained within his aura, which had become heavy and dark.

It was completely different from the fiery and explosive martial arts of the Peng family. But such an ambiguous aura was something he had only seen in the former masters of Shaolin and Wudang.

“Clan Head Peng?”

“Hmm? Ah! Excuse me.”

Peng Mu-Gang burst into laughter.

“Clan Head Yeon’s aura is so deep and grand that I was momentarily lost in thought. You’re truly amazing.”

His straightforwardness, which didn’t hide his inner thoughts, and his simple yet profound sincerity, deeply moved Yeon-wi.

“I only hope you will guide this lacking person well.”

“I was going to, but now that I’m facing you like this, I think I should hide under Clan Head Yeon’s sword rather than guide you.”

“Hahaha.”

He was a man who was bold and honest, cheerful yet serious. It would have been nice to have a drink with him outside of meetings.

“Well, let’s get moving.”

“Let’s do that.”

Yeon-wi turned to Dang Sang-ah.

Dang Sang-ah bowed her head.

“Please be careful, Clan Head.”

Yeon-wi patted her shoulder.

“There are many people to lean on if things get tough.”

“…”

“I’ll see you when I get back.”

“Yes.”

Dang Sang-ah’s eyes were slightly red as she raised her head.

She could intuitively sense how dangerous and brutal this mission was.

After all, it was a mission that required the heads of the Six Great Clans to be dispatched. How could it not be dangerous? The thought of the adult who had understood and cared for her more than anyone else going on such a dangerous mission worried her greatly.

Yeon-wi smiled and turned his head.

Shortly after, Yeon-wi, Peng Mu-Gang, Jeagal Ayeon, and their accompanying warriors stood in front of the inner council hall.

There, all the other twelve council members, as well as the elders of the Elder Council, were lined up.

Great Master Gong Gong stepped forward and offered a half-bow.

“We are truly grateful and sorry that you are taking on such a perilous task.”

Yeon-wi and Peng Mu-Gang bowed their heads.

“May the blessings of the Buddha be with the Sword Saint Yeon and the chivalrous hero Peng.”

“Thank you.”

“Please return safely.”

“Yes.”

It was then.

Jeagal Mun-Ho opened his mouth.

“Before you leave, I have some news that will put Clan Head Yeon at ease.”

Confusion flickered across Yeon-wi’s face.

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled.

“Yeon Dae-Soo and his party have safely entered Hunan. Hunan is within the sphere of influence of the Mukryong Bureau [a powerful intelligence agency], so they will be able to rest comfortably there for the time being.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Yeon Dae-Soo’s achievements this time are great. He must have suffered greatly as well, and the Mukryong Bureau Chief, who is a man of great caliber, will know this. He won’t be assigning them any tasks right away.”

“That’s a relief.”

“I hope you can leave without worrying about your children.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho said to Jeagal Ayeon.

“You must serve the two Clan Heads well.”

Jeagal Ayeon bowed her head.

“I will do my best not to be a hindrance.”

“Very well.”

It was then.

Someone came running at a terrifying speed from afar.

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes gleamed.

“Isn’t that the confidant of the information advisor?”

As he said, the person who came running was a disciple of the Beggars’ Sect.

“Greetings to the council members and elders.”

“Yes, what brings you here?”

“It’s urgent news! It’s a direct message from the Sect Leader of our sect, not the information advisor!”

Everyone’s eyes changed.

“The Dragon Head Sect Leader himself?”

“That’s right.”

“What on earth is it about?”

The Beggars’ Sect disciple, having swallowed hard, said in a trembling voice.

“One of the Thirteen Seats of Seongcheon [a group of powerful martial artists], the Flying King, has appeared!”

The Flying King, Gongson Baek-Ryong, was the king of movement techniques, unmatched in the current martial world and even in ancient times.

His actual martial power was at the level of a three-army commander, but his unique movement techniques alone made up for the difference in power. He was another absolute being.

The fact that the Flying King, who had not been active in the martial world recently, had appeared was no ordinary matter.

Jeagal Mun-Ho hurriedly asked.

“Where, where did he appear?”

“…Hubei Jun County, near Mount Wudang!”

The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned cold.