Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 721

The return of Yeon Ho-Jeong and his group added a strange vitality to the subdued Mukryong Unit. Of course, most of the warriors in the Mukryong Unit were not fond of Yeon Ho-Jeong. Although they had formed an alliance, he was, after all, a member of the orthodox faction. Considering the nature of the two factions, which were like oil and water, this was only natural.

However, there was a bigger reason why the warriors were wary of Yeon Ho-Jeong: his close relationship with the Vice-Chief. They had a history of having their information stolen during Yeon Ho-Jeong’s infiltration in the past. Although Vice-Chief Yang Cheon had forgiven him, the incident remained a sore point for most of the warriors.

Furthermore, the fact that the Vice-Chief favored him was enough to provoke the warriors’ jealousy. While Yang Cheon had shown favor to some in the past, he had rarely formed a close friendship with a subordinate on equal footing. Considering Yeon Ho-Jeong’s age, this was even more surprising. It was inevitable that the warriors would be jealous and dislike him.

However.

They could not deny that he had resolved a series of incidents in Sichuan and Shaanxi. If it hadn’t been for him, the Mukryong Unit, which was allied with the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance], would have had a considerable headache. The return of a master they disliked but had to acknowledge. The atmosphere in the Mukryong Unit was gradually heating up.

* * *

‘You’ve arrived.’

‘Senior.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong clasped his hands in greeting.

‘Have you been well?’

‘Hahaha! I’ve been doing well.’

Mok Won burst into laughter.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

‘It seems that Physician Gi has handled things very well. There are no more signs of the disease.’

‘Physician Gi has gone through a lot of trouble. I am so grateful that I don’t know how to repay his kindness. And…’

Mok Won smiled brightly.

‘The kindness you showed in saving me and bringing Physician Gi is greater than anything else.’

‘You’re too kind.’

‘I’ve already told the Vice-Chief, but I have no intention of becoming a member of the Mukryong Unit. At least not now.’

‘Yes, I’ve heard about it.’

‘I am a simple man. I don’t have much experience in the world, and all I have is my martial arts.’

‘How can you, one of the Three Monarchs whom the world reveres, say such a thing?’

‘I never wanted such a hollow title in the first place. Of course, there were times when I was intoxicated by the sense of exaltation that the name gave me, but I never thought that the title of the Hundred Battles Divine Lord proved who I was.’

‘Is that so?’

‘I am a simple man. If I have a grudge, I must resolve it, and if I receive a favor, I must repay it. In that sense, I want to follow you for a while and repay that favor.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

‘It’s like gaining a million soldiers with the Hundred Battles Divine Lord of the world lending me his strength, but I don’t have the capacity or the power to accommodate the Three Monarchs. It would be enough if you just remained a reliable ally.’

‘Honestly.’

Mok Won nodded.

‘I thought you were lacking. Until you left this place.’

‘……’

‘But now, after resolving all the chaos that occurred in distant Sichuan and Shaanxi, I no longer feel that you are lacking.’

‘You flatter me.’

‘What does age or position matter when repaying a favor? However, as a martial artist, I was also reluctant to follow you, who was much less skilled than me.’

Mok Won spread his hands.

‘But look. Now that you’ve returned, you’ve stepped into the realm that only thirteen people in the entire Central Plains have reached, and you’ve become a much larger giant than before, when you were immature.’

‘……’

‘Now I have no hesitation.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

‘Although I have reached that realm, I am still full of shortcomings. There are many officials living in the imperial palace, but no one dares to raise their head before the imperial family.’

Mok Won laughed again.

‘Your analogy is too much. If you are a strong person who has opened the Limitless [a high level of martial arts mastery] at an age under thirty, you will be able to become the strongest in the world in ten years. It wouldn’t be bad to rely on a junior with such brilliant potential.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong clasped his hands again.

‘I would be grateful if you would just join me. I look forward to working with you.’

‘I look forward to working with you as well. I only have martial strength, so I am lacking in many ways to navigate this turbulent world. Please lead me well.’

‘You’re too kind.’

The joy of reuniting with Mok Won was not just joy. The Hundred Battles Divine Lord, Mok Won. Although he was one of the Three Monarchs, who were considered to be one step below the Divine Immortal Emperor, he was also a clear master of the Saintly Heaven realm. Just having such a great master join them was like gaining a million soldiers.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face flushed slightly.

Mok Won smiled and said,

‘Apart from our relationship, I would like to fight you once.’

‘It would be an honor. However, the situation is complicated with various matters right now, so how about postponing that for later?’

‘Of course, that’s how it should be. I just wanted to get that promise once.’

There was no shadow in Mok Won’s appearance as he laughed heartily. Even the greatest masters of the world would lose their original selves if they were isolated and fell ill. That was exactly what had happened to Mok Won.

However, when the person who had cured his illness and decided to join him returned, Mok Won’s original personality was revealed.

‘I heard that you returned after completing a great task, but I haven’t heard the details. Let’s hear about that later.’

‘Of course.’

‘By the way, what kind of moves are you going to show in the future?’

‘Moves?’

Mok Won tilted his head.

‘I heard that the situation in the northern part of the Central Plains is not normal.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

‘Who did you hear that from?’

‘It’s not really from anyone in particular. There are stories that come from the restaurants, and the atmosphere in the Mukryong Unit has been a bit unsettled because of various things.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong stroked his chin.

‘So, he already knows about the appearance of the Evil King.’

Even if he didn’t know the exact details, he knew that the atmosphere in the northern part of the Central Plains was not normal. This meant that Yang Cheon was not controlling the information about that. Well, it wasn’t something that could be hidden anyway.

‘Still, it’s fast. Even if it’s something that will be revealed later, it shouldn’t be impossible to control the information right now. Nevertheless, the fact that he didn’t stop the information from leaking out means…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘It means it’s time to prepare.’

It was a situation where they didn’t know when, where, or what kind of fight would break out. That’s why he wasn’t stopping the flow of information. Since the Evil King, who had been hiding for a long time, had come out into the world, it could be interpreted as a warning that something big would happen in the world soon.

Creating tension. And the return of Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘He’s definitely good at this.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong lowered his head.

‘Please rest comfortably for now. I will come back to see you soon.’

‘Good. You’ve just returned, so don’t overdo it.’

‘Thank you.’

After parting with Mok Won, Yeon Ho-Jeong went to Gi Woo-Hee’s residence.

‘Commander Yeon.’

‘Yo.’

Gi Woo-Hee got up with a welcoming face.

‘I heard you were back. Are you healthy?’

‘Of course.’

‘But…’

Gi Woo-Hee’s beautiful face was gradually filled with surprise.

‘You’ve become stronger?’

The corners of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mouth went up.

‘You’re very perceptive. Can you see that too?’

‘I may not be as strong as others, but I have an eye for it. It seems that the battles you’ve been through were really brutal.’

‘They were brutal. It’s nothing new, but there were more than a few times when I almost died.’

‘I see.’

Gi Woo-Hee’s eyes trembled.

‘Amazing.’

She was born with a different ability than others. It was not something that could be dismissed as mere talent. It was an ability that could be said to have been given by God, the Spiritual Eye.

‘It’s burning fiercely.’

In Gi Woo-Hee’s Spiritual Eye, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s appearance was that of an evil god engulfed in terrible flames. But now it was different. Unlike before, when he was an evil god but somewhat blurry, the form of the evil god created by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s spiritual energy was now much more precise and much more powerful.

‘It’s different.’

Gi Woo-Hee’s eyes trembled.

‘It’s much clearer, but… the atmosphere is different.’

She knew where Yeon Ho-Jeong’s extreme killing intent came from. It was his blind hatred for the Three Teachings. The size of that hatred was so enormous that even if he threw a few stones, it would catch fire and turn the surroundings into a sea of fire.

But what about now?

‘It’s cold.’

The hatred for them was still there, but it wasn’t as explosive as before. It was quiet, cold, and therefore calm.

‘It’s not just his martial arts that have become stronger. The person himself has changed.’

Gi Woo-Hee’s eyes became strange.

‘Even in that realm, he can look back at himself and seek change…’

At that time, Yeon Ho-Jeong said,

‘How is it?’

‘Yes?’

‘It looks very different from before, right? In your miraculous eyes, I mean.’

‘Ah…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and waved his hand.

‘Well, that’s enough. I came to ask you something. I’m glad you didn’t go back to the Alliance.’

‘Ah, yes. I did manage to catch Great Warrior Mok’s illness, but I was worried that it might recur. I wanted to check his condition for a few months.’

‘Really? Is there a possibility of recurrence?’

‘Not at the moment. However, since it was so deeply rooted, it could reappear within three to six months if it does recur. After that time, it will be safe to declare him completely cured.’

‘Hmm, I see. Then what about the Alliance…?’

‘There are more skilled physicians than me in the Medical Immortal Pavilion. I’m here on a dispatch, so they’ll be doing well on their own.’

‘Good. Then there’s nothing to worry about.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong sat down opposite Gi Woo-Hee.

Gi Woo-Hee’s face showed a subtle tension. The fact that Yeon Ho-Jeong had sat down meant that there was something to talk about in depth. And there was only one thing he could talk about in depth with her, a physician.

‘You may not have heard yet, but it seems that the power struggles within the imperial palace have become quite severe.’

‘The imperial palace?’

‘Yes. And it’s the Divine Flower Sect that’s operating in the imperial palace.’

Gi Woo-Hee’s eyes trembled.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes shone.

‘You knew about it too, didn’t you?’

‘Yes. And I told you about this before.’

‘I know. I didn’t come to blame you for not telling me more details. You’re not familiar with their situation anyway, are you?’

‘……Yes.’

‘However.’

‘……’

‘The Divine Flower Sect also knows that you are in the Murim Alliance. But even though they killed your watcher and protector, the Divine Flower Sect hasn’t contacted you separately. Even though quite a bit of time has passed.’

‘That’s right.’

‘Were you found out?’

Gi Woo-Hee shook her head.

‘I can’t know that.’

‘Well, I guess so.’

Gi Woo-Hee was acting thoroughly as a member of the Murim Alliance. In fact, she had become a member of the Murim Alliance, but the Divine Flower Sect would not know that. Even if they had planted spies, they would think that she was operating secretly in the Murim Alliance, so they wouldn’t think her friendly attitude was strange.

‘If they haven’t contacted you so far, it can be assumed for two main reasons.’

‘They are distracted by something else…’

‘Or, they are keeping you well-preserved to use at a crucial moment.’

‘Yes. I think so too.’

‘Looking back at your attitude towards your watcher before, it seems like you would have shown a pretty strong stance in front of the Divine Flower Sect guys.’

‘……Yes?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

‘You, let’s do something together.’