Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 797

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had blankly risen from his seat, looked quite disheveled.

‘Where is this?’

It was his residence prepared by the Mukryong Clan [Dragon Vein Clan].

Although the ventilation was good, it felt stuffy no matter how spacious it was. It was only natural, since it was made by embedding night-shining pearls in a cave where no light entered in the first place.

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned and touched his head.

‘Did I collapse?’

He remembered bits and pieces. He remembered Mak Won carrying him on his back and entering the Mukryong Clan.

Yeon Ho-jeong gave a bitter smile.

‘I made him go through unnecessary trouble.’

He also recalled being woken up and helped out of the inn.

Normally, he would have immediately released his internal energy, but last night he didn’t. Even though he knew it would be a burden to Mak Won, he just let himself go.

Yet, the fact that he remembered things in between meant that his body, which had been living in tension for a long time, had tried to awaken his consciousness until the end.

His consciousness had let go, but his subconscious tried to pull him above the surface. This fight was a victory for consciousness.

“Damn it, how embarrassing.”

Yeon Ho-jeong hurriedly left the room and washed his face with the water that had been prepared.

Washing his face with cold water made him feel refreshed. The Mukryong Clan had an underground waterway, so they could always get clean and cold water.

After drinking a bowl of water, Yeon Ho-jeong straightened his clothes. Then, he immediately headed to Mak Won’s residence.

“Oh? You’re awake?”

Mak Won was sweating profusely from the morning. Yesterday, he was swinging an iron rod, but now he was wielding a heavy Azure Dragon Blade.

Yeon Ho-jeong bowed his head.

“I apologize for last night.”

Mak Won chuckled.

“Judging by you apologizing, it seems you remember bits and pieces.”

“……”

“People have those times. It’s better than that. There are many drunkards who cause a ruckus when drunk and then come up with a smiling face the next day, not remembering anything. When I see those people, I really want to smack them on the head.”

“I have no excuse.”

“It’s okay, I’m telling you. Isn’t it a brother’s duty to cheer up a gloomy younger brother?”

Ah, that’s right.

Yeon Ho-jeong then remembered that he had decided to become sworn brothers with Mak Won.

Even though they were a bit drunk, they had formed a truly great bond. To be precise, it was closer to completely solidifying the bond they had already formed.

“My morning training is over, so let’s go eat together. You need a hangover cure too.”

“Ah, shall we?”

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Pardon?”

“That look of sneaking glances. If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll feel burdened.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“Then, I’ll try to be a bit more brazen.”

“That suits you. Although I haven’t known you for long.”

Mak Won and Yeon Ho-jeong, who had roughly washed up and changed their clothes, left their residences and headed to the dining hall within the Mukryong Clan.

Inside the dining hall, many warriors were eating. Each of them had a sharp aura, and it seemed that they were all skilled in actual combat, not just because of the martial arts they had learned.

“Oh, Brother!”

From afar, Muk Bi, Gang Ryang, and Jin Yang waved their hands.

Yeon Ho-jeong waved back and looked at Mak Won.

“Shall we join them?”

“Sure.”

As Yeon Ho-jeong approached with Mak Won, the three of them stood up and clasped their hands in greeting.

“I am Muk Bi.”

“It’s been a while.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Jin Yang, the Martial Arts Latecomer.”

At that moment, Gang Ryang burst out laughing with a ‘Puhwak!’ sound.

“Martial Arts Latecomer, what kind of introduction is that?”

Jin Yang stepped on Gang Ryang’s foot without anyone noticing. Gang Ryang screamed and fell to the floor.

Jin Yang stammered.

“I have heard of the fame of the Senior Baekbyeongsingun [All-Weapons Divine General], who is proficient in all weapons. Emmm…”

“……?”

“I respect you!”

What is this idiot?

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned and said,

“Sit down, all of you. You’re making him uncomfortable.”

“Huh! Is that so?”

Jin Yang, who quickly sat down on the chair, had a very stiff face. It seemed that he genuinely respected Mak Won.

Although they had been in the Mukryong Clan together for a few days, they had never met each other. Mak Won smiled and spoke.

“I am Mak Won. By the way, you are amazing. You don’t look that old, but you’ve already reached such a level. You are all truly amazing.”

“H-Huh! T-Thank you!”

Jin Yang stood up again.

“I will go get the food for the two of you!”

“Huh? Ah, no, it’s okay…”

Jin Yang went to get the food before anyone could stop him.

Mak Won looked at Yeon Ho-jeong and subtly asked,

“Is that friend always like that?”

“It seems he is.”

“He’s huge, but his actions are kind of cute.”

“……He might be cute to you, but to me, he seems a bit lacking.”

“A lacking person cannot reach that level.”

“That’s why it’s strange.”

Muk Bi’s eyes widened.

“Brother…?”

Yeon Ho-jeong scratched his head.

“That’s how it happened.”

Gang Ryang, who was already sitting on the chair, chuckled.

“Our brother is going around the entire martial world, making all sorts of brothers. If the Yeon Clan Head finds out later, won’t he beat you for making a mess of the family tree?”

“Shut up, you.”

“Hoho.”

“Don’t laugh strangely. By the way, where are Senior Paeyul and Seo Jeong-gwang?”

“You’re asking that now.”

Gang Ryang shrugged his shoulders.

“Senior is in seclusion, and Brother Seo is working himself to death under the Iron Cavalry Commander.”

“……Seclusion?”

“That’s what I heard.”

At that moment, Mak Won spoke.

“I’ve crossed swords with Paeyul a few times.”

Everyone was surprised.

“Is that so?”

“He was implementing a surprisingly complete swordsmanship. It was completely different from when I first saw him.”

“Hoo.”

“It seemed like there was nothing more to touch, so I told him that all that was left was to deepen it, and he went into seclusion shortly after.”

“The Deputy Leader was generous enough to give him a place for seclusion.”

“Since there are four of you, you are also honored guests.”

Even though he was a member of the prestigious Jeongpa sect [Righteous Sect], the fact that Yang Cheon had given a seclusion room to the elder of the Jeomchang Sect showed that Yang Cheon’s capacity was not ordinary.

“Everyone is struggling to become stronger.”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded his head.

“That’s how it should be.”

Mak Won asked Yeon Ho-jeong.

“Now that we’re on the topic, how about we spar when we’re free later? I want to see your martial arts.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“I’d like that. But I hope there are many spectators.”

Mak Won’s eyes widened.

“Spectators? You want to show our sparring to someone?”

“That’s right.”

“Why? Are you going to gleefully slash my body in front of everyone?”

“……It’s not like that.”

“Then why?”

He didn’t seem burdened. He just seemed curious about the reason.

Just as Yeon Ho-jeong was about to open his mouth,

‘……’

Yeon Ho-jeong, who felt a familiar energy, turned his body and looked at the entrance of the dining hall.

There was Bu Seon.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

Sreuk.

Bu Seon, who slightly lowered her head, pointed to the entrance of the dining hall with her hand.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been quietly looking at Bu Seon, stood up from his seat.

“I have to go. It seems like it will take some time, so don’t wait for me.”

Mak Won clicked his tongue.

“Is it the Deputy Leader?”

“I suppose so.”

“He should have let you eat breakfast first. Alright, go ahead.”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-jeong said to Muk Bi.

“Rest well. And make sure the kids don’t cause any trouble.”

“Don’t worry.”

Gang Ryang grumbled.

“I’m not a kid, I’m the one who doesn’t cause trouble.”

“When Jin Yang comes, train with him. Your aura seems a bit rusty.”

“……Is that true?”

“It is true, you rascal.”

Yeon Ho-jeong waved his hand.

“I’m going.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s face, as he walked out of the dining hall with Bu Seon, was unusually indifferent.

How long had they walked?

Bu Seon, who hadn’t said a word, opened her mouth.

“I didn’t expect things to proceed like this.”

“What do you mean?”

“The successor.”

At that moment, a small surprise flickered in Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes.

“Did the Deputy Leader tell you that?”

“Yes.”

There was no agitation on Bu Seon’s face as she answered.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been quietly looking at Bu Seon, nodded his head.

“You are trusted.”

“I’m still very lacking.”

“You must have felt bad.”

“I can’t say I was happy.”

“I guess so.”

Yeon Ho-jeong didn’t say things like ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I couldn’t help it’. They weren’t that kind of relationship in the first place, and there was no need to.

The two walked in silence again.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who thought they were heading to the main hall, was a little surprised that the path was changing.

“Is it not the main hall?”

“There is a hill you often visit. He is there.”

“I see.”

It was better this way. Although the air was good, it would be much better to talk outside than in a place where the sun didn’t shine.

Following Bu Seon, Yeon Ho-jeong thought.

‘How will he react?’

In their conversation back then, Yang Cheon had been greatly shocked and had reserved his answer.

That alone was fortunate. Honestly, Yeon Ho-jeong thought that the possibility of a life-or-death battle was not small.

‘But I can’t let my guard down.’

Yang Cheon seemed to need time to think.

And so did he.

Whoooosh.

As they came outside, the cold wind seeped into his bones.

It was much colder than yesterday. It was as cold as the weather in the northern regions far away.

Snow was everywhere. Even now, one or two snowflakes were falling. It seemed that it had been snowing heavily all night.

‘It’s picturesque.’

Winter was like a treasured sword.

It was a harsh and dangerous season for everyone, but the sight of the world being painted white was beautiful.

Beautiful and deadly. That’s why winter was like a treasured sword.

And on the cliff covered with snow, Yang Cheon was standing. It was the opposite side of the place where he had blown away the rocks and emitted a furious aura.

Bu Seon, who had stopped walking, bowed her head to Yeon Ho-jeong. It was a very slight bow, just enough to show respect.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

“Thank you.”

Bu Seon, who had silently raised her head, headed back to the Mukryong Clan.

Looking at Bu Seon’s back, Yeon Ho-jeong thought. What was she thinking?

‘……’

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been standing there silently for a while, powerfully kicked off the ground.

Hook!

With a terrifying lightness skill, Yeon Ho-jeong quickly climbed the cliff and stood behind Yang Cheon.

Yang Cheon was standing with his hands behind his back, dressed in light clothing.

Thinking that he looked much more solid than before, Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.

“Did you call for me?”

His tone was different from the aggressive one back then. It was back to normal, like the relationship between the Deputy Leader and the aide.

Yang Cheon raised his head.

His back view, looking up at the sky, was very well suited to the snowy winter scenery.

“Aide Yeon.”

Yeon Ho-jeong slightly lowered his head.

“Yes.”

“……The scenery.”

“Yes?”

Yang Cheon raised his hand. Then, a snowflake touched his hand and melted away.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Yes, it is beautiful.”

Yang Cheon was silent again for a while.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been standing still for a long time, slowly walked and stood next to Yang Cheon.

Then, Yang Cheon’s mouth opened.

“It’s disappearing.”

“……?”

“This snowflake that touched my hand, it melted and disappeared because of my body temperature.”

What kind of feeling was he expressing with those words? Yeon Ho-jeong couldn’t even guess.

“People always want to have beautiful things. But when they come into my hands, they lose their value so easily. Sometimes, they disappear completely like this snowflake.”

Yang Cheon closed his eyes.

“Aide Yeon.”

“Speak.”

“Even so.”

“……”

“Even if it’s like this snowflake that melts away as soon as it touches my hand.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes opened. There was a small smile on his face, which looked somehow tired.

“Even so, I must take the world.”