Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 800

With the matters of the Imperial Palace mostly settled, the Martial Alliance delegation also finished their preparations to leave the palace.

“Is it alright not to bid farewell to His Majesty separately?” Peng Mu-gang asked.

Yeon-wi nodded. “I had a long talk with His Majesty yesterday. I told him that we would be leaving this morning, and he said that there was no need for farewells as the day we meet again will not be far off.”

“Hmm, I see,” Peng Mu-gang seemed somewhat regretful. He too had spoken with the Emperor several times, but he had not built as deep a relationship as Yeon-wi. His regret wasn’t due to personal ambition for power, but out of pure curiosity. As the overlord of Hebei, the closest to the Imperial Palace, he had always looked forward to meeting the Emperor.

“Let’s go now. Ayeon, have you packed everything?” Yeon-wi asked.

“Yes. Thanks to the help of the Beggar Clan members. Oh, and Hu-gae is outside the Imperial Palace, so I think we can go back together,” Jeagal Ayeon replied.

“Alright, you’ve worked hard,” Yeon-wi said, looking around the Imperial Palace. “We’ve been here longer than I thought. Let’s depart now.”

“Let’s do that,” Peng Mu-gang agreed.

As they passed through the palace gates, the officials did not stop the group. They were righteous people who had saved the Emperor and punished the rebels. The eyes of the palace staff watching them leave without even receiving rewards for their merits were filled with respect and gratitude.

“By the way, what do you think will happen to the Empress?” Peng Mu-gang wondered.

“I don’t know. I heard that the Empress hasn’t moved from her residence since that day,” Yeon-wi replied.

“Has His Majesty said anything about it?”

“No. Besides, that’s not our concern, so I didn’t bother asking.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“Anyway, it was really tough. It’s the first time I’ve wielded a sword for so long at my age. So, I was thinking, let’s have a drink before we leave,” Peng Mu-gang suggested.

“Haha, sounds good,” Yeon-wi chuckled.

It was when the group was leaving the outer walls of the Imperial Palace.

“Oh! Hu-gae is over there!” Jeagal Ayeon exclaimed.

Ga Deuk-sang, having also spotted the group, fixed his gaze on them. Jeagal Ayeon waved her hand, but there was no reaction from Ga Deuk-sang.

“That’s strange?” Jeagal Ayeon tilted her head. “Why is he like that? Not jumping around like usual.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes narrowed.

Shortly after, Ga Deuk-sang reached the group.

‘……?!’ The group was inwardly surprised. Ga Deuk-sang’s expression as he approached was incredibly stiff. It was the first time they had seen his face so hardened, so everyone in the group became tense.

Peng Mu-gang asked, “Why? Did something happen at the Martial Alliance?”

“It’s not that, but…” Ga Deuk-sang hesitated for a moment. “Perhaps, it might be.”

“What do you mean? Explain yourself,” Yeon-wi urged.

“Before I explain…” Ga Deuk-sang licked his lips. His dry lips were cracked. Judging by the fact that his eyes were bloodshot, it seemed he hadn’t slept properly.

“Lord Yeon,” Ga Deuk-sang said.

“Hmm?”

“Please read this letter. It’s from Yeon Dae-su.”

“…Hmm.” Yeon-wi unfolded the letter that Ga Deuk-sang handed over. Soon, his eyes shook.

“What is it?” Peng Mu-gang asked.

Peng Mu-gang and Jeagal Ayeon stealthily read the letter from behind Yeon-wi.

“Gasp!!” The two people’s faces turned pale at the shocking content of the letter.

Yeon-wi folded the letter and said, “It seems we’ll have to postpone the drinks.”

* * *

“……!!” Silence filled the plaza. The mere appearance of Yeon Ho-jeong, one of the strongest in the Central Plains, was enough to make most experts hold their breath. Apart from his martial prowess, there was no one in the current martial world as famous and influential as Yeon Ho-jeong.

A young genius of the era who received anger from some, admiration from others, jealousy from some, and cheers from others. The appearance of a celebrity that every martial artist wanted to meet at least once.

However, unimaginable words came from that celebrity’s mouth. Those words were far more shocking than his sudden appearance and intense aura.

“You’ve come,” Yang Cheon said.

It was a series of shocks. The face of Yang Cheon, sitting on the grand chair and looking down, was filled with a benevolent air. The expression, the voice, and the gentler aura all indicated one fact: the words that Yeon Ho-jeong called him ‘Master’ were true.

Even amidst all of this, the faces of the lined-up executives did not change. To be precise, they remained frozen with the same tense expressions they had from the beginning. It was because they had heard about it beforehand. Of course, even so, the shock they received was not small.

“Be at ease,” Yang Cheon said.

“Understood,” Yeon Ho-jeong replied.

Yeon Ho-jeong sat proudly on the red carpet. He did not kneel. He sat with his legs folded as if it were his comfortable room, and strangely, that appearance suited him very well.

Yang Cheon asked, “Has your internal injury healed completely?”

Although he didn’t show it, the minor internal injuries he had sustained over time still remained in Yeon Ho-jeong’s body. Furthermore, he had not yet properly dealt with the damage he had received from Yang Cheon’s punch. That much would heal on its own over time, but not yet.

“It’s not perfect,” Yeon Ho-jeong admitted.

“I heard you also fought the Blood Jade Demon Lord in the Imperial Palace,” Yang Cheon said.

The warriors, who had been gaping like goldfish from shock, couldn’t help but be surprised once again. And Yeon Ho-jeong knew that Yang Cheon had deliberately brought up that matter.

“Yes, I did,” Yeon Ho-jeong confirmed.

“How was it?” Yang Cheon asked.

“He was strong. I don’t think I’m ready to face Senior Baek Byeong-sin-gun [White-Haired Divine Swordsman] or the Blood Jade Demon Lord here yet,” Yeon Ho-jeong replied.

“I suppose so,” Yang Cheon said.

Why was that? A slight sense of relief appeared on the faces of the executives who had been stiff. The reason was something they themselves didn’t know well. But soon, a great surprise appeared on their faces.

“The Blood Jade Demon Lord’s martial prowess is clearly below that of the Divine Immortal Emperor, but his talent is a step above. Also, his nature is wicked and unpredictable, and no one who has fought him has ever survived,” Yang Cheon stated.

“Except for those stronger than him, it seemed that way,” Yeon Ho-jeong added.

“Yet you are standing here perfectly fine. Even though you said he was a challenging opponent,” Yang Cheon pointed out.

“It was a close fight, but the thickness of that paper was thicker than my forearm. If reinforcements hadn’t arrived, it would have been my defeat,” Yeon Ho-jeong explained.

The faces of the executives, which had been filled with shock, turned pale. In fact, they did not believe that the Overlord’s martial prowess had truly approached the level of Seongcheon [a legendary realm of martial arts]. It was natural. Just because one opens the Limitless Path doesn’t mean they are all at the level of Seongcheon. The reason they could become truly respected experts was that they did not settle even after reaching the level of gods, but constantly spurred each other on to reach even higher levels.

The probability that Yeon Ho-jeong had opened the Limitless Path was high. It would be difficult for such clear rumors to spread to this extent if he hadn’t reached it. In fact, there were so many witnesses. However, whether he was an expert suitable to be named in Seongcheon was a matter that needed to be considered. He had killed the Tyrant King Gongson Baek-ryong, but unless they had seen it directly, no one knew what variables were involved. He might have used poison or ambushed him. Moreover, he was a puppet of the Three Teachings, so his level could be lowered from the start.

But the Blood Jade Demon Lord was different. He was a recognized expert of Seongcheon in the Central Plains, known as the most dangerous and violent of the Three Lords. If he had fought a close fight with such a person, he would be worthy of being named in Seongcheon. Whether the thickness was as thick as an arm or a thigh, the fact that he had survived a fight with him was enough to earn Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts praise.

Whoooooooong. The executives’ auras vibrated slightly. They tried hard to hide their true feelings, but the shock was so great that they couldn’t even control their auras. Yang Cheon and Yeon Ho-jeong pretended not to notice their changes.

“I heard you are also planning to have a sparring match with Junior Mak-won,” Yang Cheon said, turning his head to the side. “Is that correct?”

“That’s right,” Yeon Ho-jeong confirmed.

The audience was startled. Mak-won was among the lined-up executives and warriors. His presence was so faint that everyone thought he was just one of the Black Dragon Unit warriors, not knowing he was Baek Byeong-sin-gun. Mak-won looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with a smiling face.

“The aura I felt when you returned was truly amazing. At this level, it seemed difficult to discuss a match with me now. I thought it would be a good stimulus for each other, so I asked for a sparring match first,” Mak-won said.

Even Mak-won, not Yeon Ho-jeong, had asked for the sparring match first. That meant that his martial prowess was enough to ignite Mak-won’s fighting spirit, which was the same as acknowledging that Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts were not lacking in the name of Seongcheon.

Yang Cheon nodded. “Learning from the experience of those who are superior to oneself, and teaching and learning from those who have not reached one’s level is common. But I believe that growing by fighting against close experts is the fastest way to elevate each other to a higher level.”

“But it’s difficult to meet such people,” Yeon Ho-jeong said.

“That’s right. So, I hope the two of you have many sparring matches,” Yang Cheon replied.

“It’s an honor for me. It’s the first time I’ve had a sworn brother at this age. It seems my later years will be very interesting,” Mak-won said.

Somewhere, a gasp was heard. Baek Byeong-sin-gun Mak-won was a person whose reputation was not at all inferior to that of the Blood Jade Demon Lord, Gwak Jun. Such a great expert had become sworn brothers with Yeon Ho-jeong.

The nature of the silence flowing in the plaza changed. If it had been filled with rigid surprise, bewilderment, and fear before, now a glimmer of anticipation began to mix in with the boundless astonishment.

One of the Divine Immortal Emperors, whose superiority over each other was difficult to determine, and the one who had the head of the Black Path martial world as his master. One of the Three Lords, whose talent was equal to or greater than the Divine Immortal Emperor, and who would soon reach that level, as his sworn brother. Decisively, one who had opened the Limitless Path before the age of thirty and left his name in Seongcheon while defeating the enemy generals from beyond the borders for several years. Such a person was to become their young master.

Yang Cheon turned his head and looked at the executives. “Has the unease disappeared now?”

The executives hurriedly bowed their heads. “We are sorry!”

Their dissatisfaction did not stem from unease. Yang Cheon knew that, and they knew it too. Yang Cheon’s words now were officially saving their faces while also warning them not to harbor any foolish thoughts. And they could no longer say anything.

“Hoo,” Yang Cheon, leaning back in the grand chair, sighed softly. “This much is enough.”

What did that mean? No one could know the true meaning of those words. The executives and warriors pondered the meaning of those words that felt so weary. However, there was only one person here who understood Yang Cheon’s heart.

“Isn’t that right?” Yang Cheon asked.

“That’s right,” Yeon Ho-jeong replied.

Yang Cheon smiled at Yeon Ho-jeong’s calm words.

Srrr. Yang Cheon, who had risen from the grand chair, came down the stairs and sat down opposite Yeon Ho-jeong.

Whoooooooong. A floating wine bottle and two cups were placed in front of the two men.

Yang Cheon spoke without hesitation, as if there was no one around. “Pour me a cup.”

Yeon Ho-jeong respectfully filled his cup. Yang Cheon emptied the cup as it was and looked down at the cup with his hands on his knees.

‘It’s empty. And…’ With this one cup, he was able to completely wash away the single emotion that had been tormenting him for the past few days.

‘My heart is at peace.’ Yang Cheon closed his eyes. Thud. Thud. A few drops of tears fell into the empty cup. After sitting like that for a while with his head bowed, Yang Cheon picked up the wine bottle.

“Have a cup,” Yang Cheon offered.

“Thank you,” Yeon Ho-jeong replied, his voice slightly muffled.

Yang Cheon looked at Yeon Ho-jeong. Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes were slightly bloodshot. Yang Cheon was briefly surprised, but soon smiled.

‘Is it that only you understand?’ Come to think of it, it had always been like that. This mysterious disciple of his had always seen through his heart. Whether the situation was bad or good. And even now, only Yeon Ho-jeong understood. The transcendence of a giant who had truly given up his lifelong dream for the sake of the Central Plains.

Tears welled up again in Yang Cheon’s eyes as he looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with a smile. “I’m happy.”

“I’m sorry,” Yeon Ho-jeong said, emptying his cup.

And Yang Cheon also emptied his cup. It took half an hour for the two men to empty a bottle of wine. During that half hour, the two men had many conversations without speaking. Thus, the calm yet solemn, passionate yet sorrowful inauguration ceremony quietly ended.