Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 830

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes widened.

The terrifying duel between the two ended as quickly as their fierce and rapid exchanges had begun.

‘This can’t be…’

A sword was placed on Grand Master Gong Gong’s left shoulder, threatening his neck.

Moyong Gun had suffered far more actual damage. Grand Master Gong Gong had also sustained internal and external injuries, but he still had plenty of leeway.

In contrast, Moyong Gun’s breathing had become ragged. For a master of internal energy who relied on breathing, disrupted breathing meant his skills had dropped to less than half their potential.

Yet, Grand Master Gong Gong had conceded defeat. Jeagal Mun-Ho couldn’t understand what was happening.

“Hoo. Hoo.”

Moyong Gun, having stabilized his ragged breathing, sheathed his sword.

Grand Master Gong Gong also relaxed his stance. His demeanor remained as calm and composed as ever.

The two men stared at each other in silence.

Moyong Gun’s gaze wavered, while Grand Master Gong Gong’s was serene.

A moment later.

“I have won, it seems.”

“Indeed.”

Moyong Gun fell silent. Grand Master Gong Gong also didn’t press the matter.

And then, after another brief pause.

“Why didn’t you use the Hundred Step Divine Fist?”

“Haha, your sword was too fast for me to find an opening to use the Hundred Step Divine Fist. That lightning-like sword at the end, it was truly filled with astonishing martial principles. It has been a long time since I have had such an awakening.”

“If you had used the Hundred Step Divine Fist, Grand Master, I would have been defeated nine times out of ten.”

“That is not so.”

“Are you denying it?”

“I am saying it would not have ended with just defeat.”

“…”

“If I had used the Hundred Step Divine Fist to its full extent, you would have died. And…”

Grand Master Gong Gong gave a wry smile.

“This old monk would have lost an arm as well.”

“Yes, that would have been the case.”

“We are comrades, allies, and martial artists of the righteous path. No matter how much of a real fight this spar was, we cannot truly kill each other. Moreover, this monk is a Buddhist.”

Grand Master Gong Gong burst into laughter.

“It is rather amusing to call myself a Buddhist after exchanging such fierce martial arts.”

“…”

“Also, you knew it, didn’t you? That I would stop my fist.”

“You were reading me?”

“A move close to mutual destruction. If you used that final sword strike, squeezing out every last bit of your strength, this old monk would have to withdraw the Hundred Step Divine Fist. Because I could never kill you.”

“…”

“Wasn’t that the purpose of your final strike?”

Moyong Gun slowly nodded.

“That is correct.”

“It was an incredibly accurate judgment. The fact that you read my limits in that instant and threw everything you had, your decisiveness deserves praise.”

“…”

“In the end, you made this monk withdraw his fist, so it is your victory.”

“…I see.”

Moyong Gun looked up at the sky.

The heavily clouded sky was filled with a chilling darkness, as if it would start snowing at any moment.

Unable to bear looking at the darkness, Moyong Gun closed his eyes.

“I am still far behind you, Grand Master.”

“That is not so.”

“I may have won the match, but I have not reached your level.”

In a contest, there is no need for excuses. Grand Master Gong Gong had admitted defeat, so Moyong Gun’s victory was clear.

However, Moyong Gun could not feel the joy of victory. He had clearly realized that in terms of actual skill, he was still a step below Grand Master Gong Gong.

“I gained this power through hellish pain, but the world is vast, and there are many masters.”

Moyong Gun spoke of hellish pain.

It had only been a few months, not a long time for closed-door training. Any master at the peak of their abilities, whose growth had stagnated, could attempt such a period.

However, the important thing was not the few months.

The truly important thing was what he had given up and what he had gained in that short time.

He had been greatly shocked by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s growth, the power of the Dark King, and the Tang Clan Leader’s secret techniques during the Tang Clan incident.

For a martial artist, martial prowess was as important as political power, if not more so. Moyong Gun had not neglected his training, but it had been too long since he had trained with the same dedication, throwing his soul and life into it.

That was why he had entered closed-door training. He was not in a position to be constantly on the battlefield, and he had decided that his current martial arts were not something that could be improved through such means.

However, he had barely swung his sword during his closed-door training. The closed-door training, which had been intended to improve his martial arts, had become a battle against self-loathing, pain, and fear of an uncertain future.

Moyong Gun agonized.

Why did I even enter closed-door training? Simply because of my ambition as a martial artist? Out of jealousy towards my rivals? Or perhaps…

Why am I doing this? Even at this moment, my rivals are constantly improving and changing the world. Instead of worrying like this, I should be swinging my sword…

But if I become stronger, what will I do with that power? Even if I become stronger, can I achieve my dream?

…Can I become the leader of the Martial Alliance?

‘Why have I become so broken?’

He was anxious, insecure, confused, and sad. These negative emotions and agonies, though fleeting, even caused Moyong Gun’s martial prowess to regress.

However.

Even though he had crumbled for the first time in his life due to frustration, disappointment, anxiety, and a heavy heart, in a situation where his rivals were united against him.

Moyong Gun did not become lost in that place. He had tried to deny and reject it, but in the end, his strong pride, which would not allow him to deceive even himself, had sustained him.

He became honest with himself. And he pondered what he had to give up, what he had to take, and how he could be proud of his life.

And.

In that moment when he acknowledged his state, reflected on his life, and sought a better future.

In that lightning-like moment when the limits of his thinking expanded, Moyong Gun realized that his sword and martial arts were already climbing the eighth ridge of Mount Tai [a metaphor for reaching a very high level of skill].

Enlightenment, and enlightenment.

The path of man is the path of martial arts. To those who have soared beyond their limits, the god of martial arts demands a price more severe than the body.

The mind, the soul.

If one can find oneself shining clearly in the midst of hellish torment, then the god will open the path for the seed of martial arts who has overcome that moment of pain.

Moyong Gun, who had overcome the self-loathing that threatened to shatter his mind and soared, had gained a much deeper and more powerful martial prowess than before. He could now effortlessly unravel the misunderstood secrets of his divine art and the principles of the sword.

However, even so.

He was still not a match for Yeon Ho-Jeong, let alone Grand Master Gong Gong. He had almost caught up, but even a paper-thin difference was still a clear difference.

That made him sad and empty, and at the same time, it ignited his competitive spirit.

Looking at Moyong Gun, who had his head up and eyes closed, Grand Master Gong Gong said,

“Speaking from the heart, you have no need to belittle yourself. Your martial arts are no different from this old monk’s.”

“There is no need to comfort me.”

“It is not comfort, but the truth. Leaving the match aside, the reason you were constantly pushed back by this old monk was not due to a difference in enlightenment, but due to the compatibility of our martial arts.”

“Compatibility.”

“Shaolin martial arts are a balance that has broken perfection. It has developed more strongly and has been more solidly built. However, your sword seeks extreme destructive power beyond Shaolin martial arts. Therefore, when it clashes with the balanced Shaolin martial arts, it is bound to become more disadvantageous over time.”

“I see.”

Grand Master Gong Gong smiled wryly.

“You reversed the disadvantage in martial arts by discerning the nature of the person who had mastered that martial art. Indeed, your insight is remarkable.”

Moyong Gun opened his eyes.

“No matter how great a martial art is, it ultimately depends on the person who masters it…”

“That is so.”

Moyong Gun, lowering his head, looked at Grand Master Gong Gong.

The smile on Grand Master Gong Gong’s face, which had been facing Moyong Gun with a smile, gradually disappeared.

“…Moyong Gun?”

“Grand Master.”

“Speak.”

Moyong Gun, who had been silently looking at Grand Master Gong Gong, slowly bowed.

It was neither slow nor fast. It was not just a simple bow, but a proper greeting filled with great respect for the other person.

“Thank you.”

Grand Master Gong Gong was taken aback.

“Why are you doing this?”

“I have learned much from you, Grand Master. Both in the past and now.”

“Moyong Gun.”

“However, I did not know it back then. Of course, I do not intend to accept all of your teachings even now, but I know what you were thinking when you gave me those teachings.”

Grand Master Gong Gong was even more bewildered. He had never given Moyong Gun any advice or help.

Moyong Gun, having finished his bow, straightened his back.

“Grand Master.”

“…”

“I entrust the Martial Alliance to you.”

“…Moyong Gun?”

Grand Master Gong Gong’s face became serious.

“What on earth are you doing?”

Moyong Gun did not answer the question and turned his head towards Jeagal Mun-Ho, who was standing far away.

“Strategist.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho, who had been watching the two men with wavering eyes, closed his mouth tightly and approached them.

Moyong Gun smiled.

It was a genuine smile, an expression that was unimaginable for the previous Moyong Gun.

“I have said before that you and I are not enemies. The reason is that you would do anything for the Martial Alliance.”

“Yes, you did.”

“It is thanks to you, Strategist.”

“Yes?”

“The fact that I am here now is thanks to you.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho was just as bewildered as Grand Master Gong Gong.

“Moyong Gun, what are you…”

“Is it just you who I am grateful to? I am grateful to the other officials and the warriors of the Martial Alliance as well.”

It was an unusual atmosphere.

Moyong Gun’s incomprehensible words were slowly raising the heart rates of the two men.

Moyong Gun looked up at the sky again.

“It is snowing.”

The vast sky was still dark.

From the late winter sky filled with dark clouds, snowflakes, which might be the last of this winter, were falling gently.

“My younger brother is a kind and gentle child, unlike the ruthless and venomous me. However, he has the fortitude of a warrior, excellent insight, and the wisdom to determine the course of events at crucial moments, so he will become a great man in the future.”

“…?”

“As the leader of the Righteous Army and a future pillar of the Martial Alliance, he will grow without any shortcomings. I ask that you two nurture his talent with much support and loving criticism.”

“Moyong Gun.”

Moyong Gun smiled and looked around.

“It has snowed a lot this year. But the white snow does not harm the beautiful scenery of the righteous Martial Alliance.”

Although there were only large, bare trees all around, Moyong Gun could see the vast and ancient buildings of the Alliance beyond them.

The scenery of the Martial Alliance that he had always seen and desired.

“Although he is not talkative, I have seen that the head of the Mount Emei Sect is very capable. He is not someone who should remain in the Elder Council. If you place the head of the Mount Emei Sect in the vacant position of an official, it will greatly help the future of the Martial Alliance.”

“Vacant position? What are you talking about?”

Moyong Gun turned his body.

With his back to the two men, he left the open space without saying a word.

Shock filled Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face. Grand Master Gong Gong closed his eyes.

“Moyong Gun!”