Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 83

“Ugh.”

He was surprised by the sound that came from his own mouth. It made him think, ‘I can even make sounds like this now.’

‘Damn it.’

It had been fifteen days since his life-or-death struggle with Myeong Cheon.

For someone who hadn’t trained in martial arts, the injuries would have been life-threatening. But for him, who had been through countless hellish situations, they were nothing special.

‘I thought I’d be able to move around in about ten days.’

Whoosh.

As he circulated his inner energy, strength returned to his limbs.

Nearly eighty percent of his depleted inner energy had recovered, and his three divine energies were also vigorous.

Yet, he was still in this state. His wounds were healing unusually slowly.

‘Why?’

He was overflowing with strength, and his physical power had returned.

If his wounds weren’t healing within the expected timeframe, it had to be a problem with his qi [vital energy].

Yeon Ho-Jeong, sitting in a meditative pose, delved deep within himself.

A moment later.

Flames erupted!

The crimson fire energy, the Vermilion Bird Qi, blazed.

It was the last energy he had obtained, yet it was the most vigorous of the three divine energies.

Yeon Ho-Jeong attributed this to his own nature.

‘If the Black Tortoise is a shield and the White Tiger is a spear, then the Vermilion Bird is extreme punishment itself.’

It was such a powerful energy that he hesitated to unleash it unless he intended to kill his opponent.

In other words, the fact that the Vermilion Bird Qi had grown so strong was proof that a deep-seated desire to kill remained in his heart. Moreover, since his regression, he had never felt so close to death as when he fought Myeong Cheon.

The Vermilion Bird Qi grew according to the degree of danger. It seemed that his own desire to kill and his extreme sense of crisis had amplified the Vermilion Bird Qi to this extent.

Yeon Ho-Jeong also checked the White Tiger Qi and the Black Tortoise Qi.

‘There’s nothing wrong with them either…’

All three energies—White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—were fine. Although there were differences in the nature of the energies, they were all stable.

After examining his body for a long time, Yeon Ho-Jeong released his meditative pose.

“Let’s not try to find an answer that isn’t there.”

In any case, his body was recovering. That was enough.

It was just as he was about to get up from his seat.

“Young Master.”

“Oh, Chief Shin.”

“Um… we have a guest.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

‘Again?’

Currently, Yeon Ho-Jeong was recovering in a medical facility quite far from the Myeong Clan.

Although the distance was considerable, it was still within the Myeong Clan’s territory. Perhaps that was why so many martial artists were coming to visit. Now that the Myeong Clan had been branded a public enemy of the martial world, it was only natural that people were curious.

And so far, nearly a hundred people had come to see Yeon Ho-Jeong.

He had turned them all away, saying that he was undergoing treatment and could not meet with them, but some people had been stubbornly persistent. In the end, Shin Mo had to draw her sword a few times.

“I want to be alone. Please send them away.”

“That is…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

Come to think of it, Shin Mo would have turned them away if it was anyone else.

“Who is it?”

At that moment, a dignified voice boomed like thunder.

“It is I!”

It seemed she had deliberately pushed her way in. Behind Shin Mo, a woman peeked out, her head just visible.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes widened.

“You…?!”

“Hehe, surprised?”

“…”

“Oh my, are you that surprised? Heh, this is a bit unexpected?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“Jeagal Ayeon.”

“Hey!”

Jeagal Ayeon shouted.

“Have you already forgotten my name? Is that it? How can you be so hurtful!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

He understood why Shin Mo was so troubled. After all, Jeagal Ayeon was one of the people he had been closest to at the gathering.

“What brings you here?”

“What do you mean what brings me here! The martial world is in chaos because of you, so as your friend, I had to come!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“It’s not because of me, it’s because of the Myeong Clan that the world is in chaos.”

“Look at you, subtly avoiding the issue? You’re the starting point of all this.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said indifferently.

“It was due to a personal conflict. There was no grand reason from the start.”

Jeagal Ayeon smiled.

“There wasn’t from the start, but there was later, right?”

“There was no way I could win alone. So, the only option was to bury them all.”

It was a casual statement, but it sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it.

There was no way he could win alone? That meant he had initially intended to win alone. Regardless of whether it was possible or not, the fact that he had even considered it was remarkable.

Moreover, upon realizing that he couldn’t win alone, he had buried the Myeong Clan as a whole.

Whether it was through force or strategy, burying an organization as large as the Guju Myeong Clan in such a short time was something that would be difficult for anyone to do.

Jeagal Ayeon sighed.

“You, how did you become such a monster at that age?”

“Calling someone a monster, that’s harsh.”

“You know it’s harsh?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Again, again. You need to fix that old man’s way of speaking.”

“Why is ‘it’s nothing’ an old man’s way of speaking?”

“Ah, I’m suddenly getting tired.”

“Go away.”

Jeagal Ayeon snorted and walked over, sitting next to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“It’s hot. Move away.”

“You’re lying.”

“Can’t you see the weather? Move away.”

“No! I’m giving you protection, so be grateful.”

“My energy circulation is already done, what protection are you talking about?”

“Such a brat.”

Jeagal Ayeon took out a small pouch from her sleeve.

“Here, take this.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong blinked like a fool.

“What is this?”

“Do you think I put poison in it or something? Just take it if I tell you to.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took the pouch.

Jeagal Ayeon turned her head away.

“Aigoo, my father is such a pushover. Why would he give a pill to someone like this?”

“A pill?”

“It’s a treasure called the Lesser Celestial Pill. Eat it.”

Her tone had become a bit rough?

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“What is the Lesser Celestial Pill?”

Jeagal Ayeon’s mouth dropped open.

“You don’t know the Lesser Celestial Pill?”

“I don’t.”

“The Lesser Celestial Pill? The Lesser Celestial Pill, of all things?”

“I don’t know, you idiot.”

“Hey! Even though we’re from the same Seven Great Clans, you should at least memorize the elixirs that each clan boasts!”

“Why would I? It’s not like I can steal it even if I know it.”

“Give it back.”

“Don’t take back what you’ve given.”

Jeagal Ayeon huffed. She seemed to be getting heated.

At that moment, Shin Mo said cautiously.

“The Celestial Pill is an elixir that the Jeagal Clan is proud of. The Celestial Pill is divided into the Greater Celestial Pill and the Lesser Celestial Pill, and even the Lesser Celestial Pill is a treasure that greatly aids in the cultivation of inner energy.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s ears perked up.

He had been somewhat expectant when he heard the word ‘elixir.’ But hearing this, it seemed to be an even better item than he had thought.

“Really? So, eating this will increase my inner energy?”

“The elixirs refined by the so-called great sects are all treasures that have condensed their medicinal power to the extreme. They are different from any other pills that circulate in the martial world.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It will greatly help in increasing the Young Master’s inner energy, which was damaged in the recent battle.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Jeagal Ayeon.

Jeagal Ayeon met his gaze with an arrogant expression, as if to say, ‘See?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong nudged her arm with his elbow.

“They don’t have the Greater Celestial Pill?”

“…Wow, I held back well. You almost died just now. I was seriously about to hit you.”

“Well, anyway, thanks.”

Jeagal Ayeon was dumbfounded.

What kind of treasure was the Lesser Celestial Pill? Although it was inferior to the Lesser Restoration Pill in terms of increasing inner energy, it was extremely effective in stabilizing the body, and it was a treasure among treasures that sought to enhance inner power regardless of the nature of the inner energy.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled awkwardly.

Looking at Jeagal Ayeon staring blankly at him, it seemed like it was indeed a great item. In fact, he should be grateful just for the fact that she had come all this way to give him such a gift.

Jeagal Ayeon shook her head.

“Father, even if he’s our benefactor, this is too much.”

“Benefactor?”

“Ah, never mind! Just eat it, quickly!”

“I’ll eat it after I eat a meal.”

“Ugh!”

His ability to make people angry was the best of his generation. After huffing for a while, Jeagal Ayeon finally turned her back.

Shin Mo smiled and opened her mouth.

“Since your friend has come, why don’t you have a meal together?”

“With her?”

“Yes. If the Jeagal Clan hadn’t helped, the Young Master wouldn’t have recovered so quickly.”

‘It was slow though.’

“What do you mean?”

“Before the battle, we had hired the best doctors in Henan just in case. At the time, the Young Master’s condition was very critical, wasn’t it?”

‘Even if I was left alone…’

“That’s right.”

“On the day the Young Master lost consciousness, the Divine Physician of the Heavens came to see you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

The Divine Physician of the Heavens was someone he also knew. He was the most renowned among the physicians who were called ‘divine physicians,’ and he was one of the top three doctors in the martial world.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Jeagal Ayeon.

Jeagal Ayeon was still sitting with her back turned. Seeing her arms crossed tightly, she must have been sulking.

Yeon Ho-Jeong poked her side.

“A meal?”

“Gasp! Hey! You crazy bastard! Where are you touching?!”

“I’ll buy you something delicious, will you eat with me?”

Jeagal Ayeon coughed. Her face was a little red, but her ears were perked up, so she seemed to be tempted.

“Ahem! You’re buying me something delicious?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Yes. I’ll buy you whatever you want to eat.”

In fact, Yeon Ho-Jeong felt sorry for Jeagal Ayeon in many ways.

Aside from this help, he had been suspicious of Jeagal Ayeon. No, not just her, but all of the Seven Great Clans. Because Jeagal Ayeon was the one he had been particularly entangled with, he had treated her somewhat coldly.

“Ehehe.”

Shin Mo smiled inwardly at Jeagal Ayeon, who was laughing like a fool.

‘They’re at a good age.’

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong asked.

“By the way, what’s the situation with the Myeong Clan?”

“Ah…”

Shin Mo’s face became troubled.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

She had deliberately not told him anything so far, fearing it would negatively affect his recovery. But seeing him today, it seemed like it was okay to tell him now.

“I know roughly. I heard the doctors talking as they came and went. I just want to hear more details.”

“Understood. Then…”

It was then.

“What do you mean, what’s the situation? It’s like a funeral home over there, you idiot.”

Clang!

Shin Mo’s sword flashed towards the rear like a ray of light.

“Oh? Look at that momentum? They say ‘Gale Sword, Gale Sword,’ and you really do have amazing sword energy?”

Shin Mo’s eyes sharpened.

“Who are you?”

The old man grinned.

Despite being over seventy years old, his teeth were as white as Ga Deuk-Sang’s.

“I’m the Beggar Chief.”

“…?”

“My disciple’s lungs are full of air because of that wretched guy. I came to see what kind of person he is.”

“…!”

Shin Mo’s eyes wavered.

“Could you be the Dragon Head Chief?”

“That’s right.”

Thud!

Shin Mo immediately sheathed her sword and bowed respectfully.

“I am Shin Mo, the Chang-eung Chief of the Byeoksan Yeon Clan. I greet the Dragon Head Chief of the Beggars’ Union.”

The Dragon Head Chief, Hwa Jin-Cheon, burst into laughter.

“They say you’re a family of gentlemen, and your warriors are very well-managed. I’ve never had a private conversation with the Yeon Clan Head, but seeing you, I can tell what kind of person he is.”

“You flatter me.”

“Hehe.”

“Please leave now.”

“…Eeh?!”

The conversation that had been going so well suddenly came to a halt.

Shin Mo said calmly.

“The Young Master is recovering. No one is allowed to enter without permission.”

Hwa Jin-Cheon’s eyes sparkled.

Even though the Dragon Head Chief of the world had come, she was telling him to leave because he didn’t have permission.

‘She’s rigid.’

She had a rigid personality. That’s why he liked her.

Just as Hwa Jin-Cheon was about to open his mouth with a smile.

“Chief Shin.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“It’s okay. He’s already come in anyway.”

“…Understood.”

Shin Mo stepped aside.

Hwa Jin-Cheon looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

The sight of Yeon Ho-Jeong sitting calmly in a meditative pose was like a painting. A mysterious energy surrounded his entire body.

Hwa Jin-Cheon’s lips curled up. A subtle admiration filled his eyes.

‘He’s worth being swayed by.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong got up from his seat and bowed.

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong of the Yeon Clan.”

Hwa Jin-Cheon stared intently at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

A calm and composed demeanor.

“I heard you were a notorious butcher, but you look more normal than I expected?”