Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 805

Gang Ryang and Muk Bi stared at Yeon Ho-jeong with blank expressions.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

His voice sounded somewhat hoarse.

Muk Bi asked abruptly,

“Who is that bastard?”

“What do you mean?”

“The one who made Yeon Gongja [Young Master Yeon] like that.”

“…Who else could it be?”

Tsutsutsutsu.

A stern aura emanated from Muk Bi’s body. He looked ready to draw his bow at any moment.

“Stop it. Don’t you remember how you collapsed before even lifting a finger last time? You’ll be on your knees before you even grip your bow.”

“Even so, how could someone be so messed up like this?”

Messed up.

Gang Ryang thought that Muk Bi’s words described his condition perfectly.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s body was a mess of bruises. His face was covered in minor cuts, and the whites of his left eye were obscured by burst blood vessels.

A splint was on his left arm, and his right hand was torn and swollen, making it painful to look at. The way he limped suggested that his legs were also severely injured.

He was a complete wreck. This was not the appearance of an absolute master who had reached the realm of a Martial God.

Yeon Ho-jeong stroked his face with his swollen right hand.

“Well, it’s okay. It’s just because it hasn’t been long since it ended. I’ll be back to a presentable state in about a night.”

In fact, his broken bones were healing rapidly. It was because he had poured all his internal energy into it. Once his depleted internal energy was replenished, his recovery would accelerate.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s words about being fine in a night were therefore understandable.

“Why on earth did you end up like that? Even if Vice Chief Yang is strong, this seems like you were beaten one-sidedly?”

Gang Ryang subtly echoed Muk Bi’s words.

“If you’re in this state, wouldn’t even the Fighting King be quite hurt?”

“He’s fine, that man.”

Gang Ryang, who had been gaping in shock, shook his head.

“Did they tie you up and beat you? How could you be so one-sidedly defeated?”

“Unless it’s a fight to the death, I have no choice but to be defeated. Isn’t that obvious? Our levels are different.”

“Looking at your state, it seems like you fought to the death?”

Yeon Ho-jeong gave a wry smile.

“There was a lot to learn.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes lit up.

“Did you learn the Fighting King’s martial arts?”

An unexpected light flickered in Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes.

Muk Bi was the same.

“Yeon Gongja is learning the Fighting King’s martial arts?”

“Wouldn’t he? If he was beaten so badly, even in a non-lethal duel, it means there was something to learn.”

“Why? Yeon Gongja’s martial arts are already on par with the Fighting King’s.”

He was referring to the martial arts themselves, not the level of mastery.

In fact, Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts were the Divine Art of the Four Directions, the martial art of the Supreme Martial God, the greatest martial artist of all time. While it wasn’t a rule that great martial artists had to learn the highest-level martial arts, Yeon Ho-jeong’s divine art was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding techniques of all time.

In other words, there was no need to learn another person’s martial arts. He had more than enough with what he already possessed, so why would he need to learn another divine art?

“How did you know that?”

Muk Bi looked at Yeon Ho-jeong in surprise.

On the other hand, Gang Ryang nodded as if it were obvious.

“You are the successor of the Mukryong Clan. As the next Vice Chief, you possess overflowing martial arts, but who recognizes that? It’s not a world where you can get by with just a title or your name. Not unless you actually fight.”

“Hmm.”

“The authority of a martial artist, or rather, a member of the Black Path, comes from power. To be truly recognized as the successor of the Mukryong Clan, it’s natural to learn the Fighting King’s martial arts.”

Indeed, this was a different perspective.

Yeon Ho-jeong had lived as a leader of the Black Path for a long time, learning their characteristics and invisible rules.

However, unlike Yeon Ho-jeong, Gang Ryang was a member of the Black Path from the roots. Therefore, he could interpret the essence of the Black Path and the characteristics of the group more like a true member of the Black Path than anyone else.

“You’re right. I’m learning my master’s martial arts, though not all of it yet. That’s why I got beaten up like this.”

Muk Bi clicked his tongue.

“What kind of martial arts is it… no, putting that aside, you’re learning it for authority?”

Gang Ryang said,

“If I had roots in the Black Path like me, it would have been okay to take more time. If you were from a clan recognized by all of the Black Path, they might be jealous, but they wouldn’t be dissatisfied with you taking the successor position.”

“Ah?”

“You’re different. You’re from a righteous sect, and from the prestigious Six Great Clans. I think you thought that the Mukryong Clan’s Vice Chief should be at least this strong to suppress other dissatisfied members of the Black Path more forcefully.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“Your insight is amazing. I didn’t know you were reading that far ahead.”

“This isn’t something that requires insight. It’s obvious to me, as someone from the Black Path. The Black Path is about power, and the successor is the inheritor of that power.”

Muk Bi felt like he was finally understanding the concept of the Black Path that Gang Ryang was talking about.

“Well, whatever the case, let’s drink later. If you drink in that state, you’ll only hurt your body more.”

“I can’t do that.”

“It’s just having a drink together.”

“It’s a drinking session with you guys. It’s not just any drink. Besides, now that I’ve become the successor of the Mukryong Clan, no one knows when we’ll have time like this again.”

“Hmm.”

“There’s no need to postpone it if there’s no unavoidable reason. I also want to have a drink.”

In fact, just by his appearance, he looked like someone with an unavoidable reason. Yeon Ho-jeong’s appearance was that messed up.

However, Yeon Ho-jeong, as if accustomed to it, grabbed the liquor bottle with his swollen hand and filled the two men’s cups.

“You guys have worked hard. In many ways.”

Muk Bi shook his head.

“There’s no side dish. Let’s get some from the restaurant.”

“Okay, please do.”

Muk Bi, having emptied his cup, left the room.

Gang Ryang smiled wryly.

“You’re really amazing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everything.”

While filling Yeon Ho-jeong’s cup, Gang Ryang thought,

‘You’re always one step ahead.’

He had returned from handling the matters in the imperial palace and changed Yang Cheon’s mind. And not long after, he had not only been inaugurated as the successor but had also taken care of his people and received training as the next Vice Chief of the Mukryong Clan.

And now, he was having a drink with him.

It was a new realization of how busy he was. He had been like this before, but as time passed, Gang Ryang felt that Yeon Ho-jeong’s personal time was disappearing.

‘Is it because of this way of life that he can grow faster?’

Everyone has a different way of developing. Talent is important, but creating an environment where one’s talent can flourish is also important.

Yeon Ho-jeong had reached the highest position in the martial world in a shorter time than anyone else in history. He was at the pinnacle of the Central Plains in terms of martial arts, social status, and even influence.

Some would say that it was impossible without being born with great luck.

To such people, Gang Ryang could confidently say that it was not due to luck. Luck might have given him a final push, but the fact that he had reached that level was entirely due to Yeon Ho-jeong’s efforts and attitude towards life.

Of course, if he hadn’t watched Yeon Ho-jeong from the sidelines, he would have just been envious.

But now, Gang Ryang was not envious of Yeon Ho-jeong. He just thought he was amazing.

‘I could never live like him.’

This was not a matter of whether Yeon Ho-jeong was superior or not.

‘He’s different from me.’

Yeon Ho-jeong had already pioneered his own life. He poured his best efforts and the best path towards a single goal whenever necessary.

Then what about me?

How should I strive, and what kind of environment should I create to become like him?

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Because you’re handsome.”

“Yeah, keep teasing me.”

Yeon Ho-jeong drank. Even he, with his good patience, frowned at the strong liquor. The inside of his injured mouth was incredibly painful.

Gang Ryang refilled his cup.

“Now that you’ve become the successor of the Black Path, you’ll have a lot to do in the future.”

“Of course, I will.”

“But there are many things you need to handle to focus on this place, aren’t there?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes lit up.

His face, covered in wounds and swelling, looked serious, which was quite funny considering the situation.

“Yes, the Martial Alliance is the problem, isn’t it?”

“You sent a separate letter to Strategist Jeagal, right?”

“I did.”

“You’re really amazing, brother. You informed Strategist Jeagal but not the Clan Head?”

A wry smile appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.

“He probably didn’t think I would really become the successor, but he must have expected me to do something unimaginable.”

“Exactly. You should have consulted him about such things first.”

“That’s right. But I didn’t.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know.”

Yeon Ho-jeong fiddled with his cup.

“I felt like I didn’t need to explain it in detail. I just felt that way.”

“You’re more emotional than I thought?”

“When was I ever not emotional?”

Gang Ryang’s face became serious.

“You’re going to have a lot of hardships.”

The son of Yeon Wi, who was a member of the Martial Alliance and one of the Six Great Clans, had become the successor of the Black Path Alliance?

This was truly a world-shattering event. Many families and sects would point fingers at the Yeon family, and even if the officials tried to protect Yeon Wi, it would not be easy to quell the raging public opinion.

“I know.”

Gang Ryang, looking intently at Yeon Ho-jeong, asked,

“Do you have a separate plan?”

Sssssss!

White smoke rose from various parts of Yeon Ho-jeong’s body.

At the same time, his swollen face and hands began to return to their original state. The Guangming Divine Pill [a powerful healing pill], which had naturally increased in size, was now fully healing his body.

Yeon Ho-jeong removed the splint from his left arm and said,

“I do.”

It was a calm and reliable answer.

Gang Ryang smiled.

“Then that’s enough.”

He wanted to hear those words. A word that everything was okay, a word that there would be no problems in the future.

“The Mandate of Heaven implies something that is innate, a destiny given by the heavens. If such a thing truly exists, I don’t think your Mandate of Heaven will end here.”

“Is that so?”

“I’ve heard that changing what is innate is also within human power. Whether you live according to your Mandate of Heaven or change it, I have no doubt that you will move forward without faltering, even if the future is difficult.”

“You’re good at saying cheesy things.”

“Wouldn’t my life, which is riding on your coattails, be less difficult if I did?”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

“It doesn’t seem like something a bird that has already left the nest and is flying in the sky should say.”

“You’re the one who’s good at saying cheesy things.”

The two men emptied their cups with a refreshing sound.

Gang Ryang picked up the liquor bottle again.

“Well, now that it’s come to this, let’s get thoroughly drunk today!”

“Sounds good.”

It was then.

“Is the Young Vice Chief here?”

A cautious voice was heard from outside the room.

Gang Ryang chuckled.

“Young Vice Chief, it sounds so awkward.”

Yeon Ho-jeong scratched his head and said,

“What is it?”

“I’ve received a report that the Young Vice Chief’s friend is having a dispute in the restaurant.”

Sssssss!

Energy was released from both of their bodies.