Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 823

The Fire Dragon Unit was one of the newly reorganized Martial Alliance’s elite Six Dragon Units, known for its aggressive, vanguard-like nature.

Assigning the unit’s senior members to surveillance duty was bound to create a tense atmosphere within the ranks.

However, the selected seniors were different.

The ten Fire Dragon Unit warriors tasked with monitoring the Yeon family’s residence and personnel held a deep sense of awe for the Yeons.

This was only natural. Yeon-wi himself was among the strongest in the Martial Alliance, and his second son, Yeon Ji-Pyeong, was a prodigy who had reached the peak of martial prowess in his early twenties.

Moreover, the eldest son, Yeon Ho-Jeong, had not only roamed the Central Plains for years, accumulating tremendous achievements, but had also opened the gate of the Supreme and ascended to the position of a Saintly Celestial at such a young age. He was an unparalleled monster.

Although the Yeon family was the smallest of the Six Great Clans, the martial prowess of the Yeon lineage was arguably the best of their time. They were individuals who were beyond the reach of envy.

Inside the Broken Star Pavilion (破軍閣) [a specific building or area within the Martial Alliance], the Yeon family’s residence within the Martial Alliance, Feng Zao (馮燥), the highest-ranking senior of the Fire Dragon Unit, suddenly noticed Yeon Ji-Pyeong exiting the building.

“Ah, Unit Leader.”

Feng Zao gave a slight bow.

“Have you come out?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong hastily lowered his head.

“Such greetings are burdensome for a mere youngster with no official title.”

A slight smile formed on Feng Zao’s usually stern face.

He was impressed by the Yeon family’s exceptional talent and powerful martial arts, but what impressed him even more was their character.

Even before the Martial Alliance’s surveillance began, Yeon-wi and Yeon Ji-Pyeong were known for their easygoing and courteous nature. While Yeon-wi, with his master-level martial prowess and position as the family head, exuded a subtle, cool authority, Yeon Ji-Pyeong was different.

He was a person of integrity and purity. Yet, he possessed formidable martial arts, boasting a level of power that rivaled the leaders of the Six Dragon Units despite his young age. Even with such skill, he was humble and always lowered himself.

It was impossible not to feel goodwill towards him.

“It’s cold, you must be having a hard time.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong unwrapped a bundle.

Inside were rice balls wrapped in cotton cloth. They looked freshly made, with steam still rising from them.

“I’m not very skilled, so I could only make these. But they should fill you up.”

“Eating during duty is prohibited.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong smiled sheepishly.

“Then please eat them after your shift. I’ve packed one for each of the other unit members as well, so please share them.”

Another person might have suspected it was a ploy to lower their guard. But Feng Zao did not think that way. Looking into Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s pure eyes, one could see that this young man genuinely cared for those around him.

Feng Zao smiled.

“I alone am enough for the watch, so I will distribute these rice balls to the unit members.”

“Haha, I hope you don’t think I’m being cheeky for giving you just these simple rice balls.”

Feng Zao called out to one of the unit members who was on duty in the distance.

“Take these and share them. The young master of the Yeon family made them himself.”

“Thank you.”

The unit member’s face lit up as he took the rice balls. He was quite hungry.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong, watching the unit member’s satisfied back, asked with an awkward smile.

“Are we causing you unnecessary trouble?”

“What trouble could there be? This is also part of our duty.”

“I see.”

Feng Zao, who had been quietly observing Yeon Ji-Pyeong, spoke.

“The martial prowess of the Moyong Family Head is truly remarkable.”

Feng Zao was the one who had opened the door. It was his first time seeing the Moyong Family Head up close, and the shock was considerable.

Yeon Ji-Pyeong nodded.

“His high level of strategy and immense martial power are said to be the best among the Six Great Clans. I was also very surprised when I met him briefly.”

“However, the martial prowess of the Yeon Family Head does not seem to be inferior to that of the Moyong Family Head.”

Discussing the martial prowess of the heads of prestigious families was always a sensitive matter. Especially in front of a member of one of those families.

However, Feng Zao’s voice was unwavering, and Yeon Ji-Pyeong did not feel any discomfort.

“My father is also amazing. I wonder when I will ever reach even the hem of his power.”

Feng Zao smiled.

“With your talent and diligence, young master, it doesn’t seem too far off.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong waved his hand.

“That’s impossible. My talent is insignificant. Moreover, my father has attained enlightenment beyond mere talent. If I can follow even half of his path in my later years, I would consider myself fortunate.”

It wasn’t just because he was his father that he praised him; it was Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s genuine feeling.

Yeon-wi’s martial arts were not something that could be evaluated solely based on the level he had reached. Yeon-wi’s true greatness lay in the sword path (劍道) [a specific and profound way of swordsmanship] he had honed to its limits.

An enlightenment in a realm different from the general improvement of martial arts. Although the sword path was also a facet of martial arts, Yeon-wi’s sword path, which had broken the framework of common sense, had reached a level comparable to that of masters who had reached the Supreme, even though his body and Qi had not reached the Supreme.

“Sword path…”

Feng Zao hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“After this mission is over, I would like to ask the Family Head for a lesson, even if it’s presumptuous.”

“Haha, my father would gladly accept you anytime.”

“Actually, even before a lesson, it would be an honor to have a conversation with the Yeon Family Head. I can’t explain it, but I saw something different in him than in others.”

“I see.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong looked at the building.

The window of the room where his father and the Moyong Family Head were conversing was tightly closed.

“I wonder what the Moyong Family Head will discover in my father now.”

* * *

“How is it?”

Moyong Gun, after taking a refreshing gulp, shook his head.

“It was still drinkable before my seclusion, but it’s too strong now.”

“I felt the same.”

“Haha, is that so?”

The lamp was bright, but it did not illuminate the entire room.

The faces of the two men, cast in shadow, created a strange contrast.

“Impressive.”

“…?”

“I knew your martial prowess was second to none, but I didn’t know it was to this extent.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes gleamed.

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“During my seclusion, I abandoned my obsession and haste towards martial power. As a result, I was able to see many things. There is a time to only look forward, but there is also a time to put everything down and check if anything has been missed. I didn’t have that time.”

“I see.”

Yeon-wi nodded.

“When I saw you again at the council, I could see that your martial prowess had changed significantly from before.”

“You noticed.”

“It was like a cloud. When I looked at it, it was so empty that it reminded me of a Taoist priest from the Wudang Sect [a famous Taoist sect known for their martial arts and philosophy].”

“Haha, I’m honored.”

“However, that cloud was so fierce and dangerous that it could become a thundercloud and bring down lightning at any moment. Unlike the Taoist priests of Wudang who embrace with boundless gentleness, the spirit that the Moyong Family Head possessed was filled with lightning that could overturn the heavens and earth.”

It was quite an abstract statement, but there was no other way to express it.

And upon hearing Yeon-wi’s words, Moyong Gun had no choice but to acknowledge the other’s insight.

‘Before becoming lightning itself, think about where the lightning comes from.’

While searching for the reason why he couldn’t progress further, he had abandoned his impatience and meditated, carefully examining the methods of the Thunderclap Art.

It was the right decision. The answer to his progress was in the methods he had previously overlooked.

Where does lightning come from?

Moyong Gun thought that the meaning of that method was the strong training of the three Dantians [energy centers in the body]. After all, the Dantian is at the center of all Qi [life force or energy].

However, the meaning of the Thunderclap Art went beyond the Dantian. It meant thinking about and exploring a more fundamental realm, and ultimately becoming one with the thunder Qi (雷氣) [the energy of thunder].

A change in imagination, a change in will.

That led to a change in spirit, and as the spirit changed, the martial arts that had been blocked began to grow rapidly.

The martial path (武道) [the way of martial arts] develops through the training of both mind and body. However, as one reaches the extreme, the importance of thinking and imagination increases exponentially, and the level of martial arts rises simply by changing one’s perspective.

People call that enlightenment. A single piece of creativity that can change one’s current state, which was previously unknown.

“Perhaps even more than this person, and even more than Master Gong Gong or the True Immortal Seung-Hyeon.”

“…”

“It seems you have come closer to the Supreme.”

It was an amazing compliment, but Moyong Gun gave a bitter smile.

“Do I seem that way?”

“Yes.”

“I do not know what the Supreme is. Because I have never reached it. Just because I have seen the level of a master who has reached it, there is no guarantee that my Supreme will be the same.”

“That’s true.”

“It’s all just pie in the sky. I am confident that I will reach it, but I am not confident that I will be the first to reach it among those here. Because I don’t think it’s a matter of effort.”

Yeon-wi looked at Moyong Gun with surprise.

He had never had such a conversation with Moyong Gun before. He had always been concerned with what the other person wanted and had focused on undermining the other’s foundation.

But now, at least when discussing martial arts, Moyong Gun was not a bad conversational partner. That’s what Yeon-wi thought.

“That is the form of the Supreme that you see.”

“Yes. I have used all my talent and effort. All that remains is to wait for the right time.”

At Moyong Gun’s calm words, Yeon-wi smiled for the first time.

“That’s not like you.”

“Is that so?”

“The Moyong Family Head I remember was much more ambitious, insidious, and someone who would use any means to achieve his goals.”

Yeon-wi spoke quite sharply with a gentle voice.

Moyong Gun burst into laughter.

“I’m not any different now. It’s just that my state has changed. People don’t change that easily.”

“That’s a shame.”

Moyong Gun refilled Yeon-wi’s glass.

“It’s interesting. I never thought I would have this kind of conversation with you. Even if our goals are different, it seems we are both martial artists.”

“Indeed.”

“However, it is a shame to share drinks and discuss martial arts at this late hour.”

Yeon-wi’s hand, which was holding the glass, paused.

Moyong Gun, who had emptied his glass, continued in a calm voice.

“I’ll cut to the chase and ask you directly.”

“Speak.”

“Do you want to become the Martial Alliance Leader?”

“…?!”

What was this sudden question?

Yeon-wi, who had put his glass back down, said with a stiff face.

“What are you talking about?”

“Why? Was it a question I shouldn’t have asked?”

“…”

“It’s not a question with any particular intention, so I would appreciate it if you would answer honestly. Of course, it’s your freedom to answer or not, so you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

Yeon-wi, who had been staring at Moyong Gun, said as if throwing it out.

“I have no desire to become the Martial Alliance Leader. Nor do I have the ability to do so.”

“Is it because you don’t think you have the ability, so you didn’t even consider it? Or is the position of Martial Alliance Leader itself a burden?”

“Both.”

“I see.”

“But why are you asking such a sudden question?”

“I want to become the Martial Alliance Leader.”

“…I know.”

“Yes, you would know.”

Moyong Gun refilled his empty glass and continued.

“But with the current Martial Alliance, I have no desire to sit in that position.”

“…!!”