Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 839

Following behind Yeon Ho-Jeong, Pae-Yul’s eyes caught sight of an old Taoist priest.

His hair was half-gray, and his beard was neatly trimmed. Though he was an old Taoist, his skin was smooth and almost wrinkle-free, making him look like he was in his forties.

Pae-Yul’s face became awkward.

The old Taoist, who had approached Pae-Yul with slow steps, spoke with a calm face.

“That impudent fellow.”

“Senior Brother Jangmun [Head of the Sect].”

“Make some time later.”

“…Understood.”

The old Taoist, Jang In-Ryung, the head of the Jeomchang Sect, chuckled.

“Why is your voice so weak? Do you know how to read the room?”

“……”

“You impudent fellow. If you were not in your forties, I would have used a switch on you, tsk!”

Pae-Yul coughed dryly.

He was known as the most unruly character in the Jeomchang Sect. However, there was one person he would never dare to defy or treat carelessly.

That person was none other than the sect leader, Jang In-Ryung. It was not because of his position, but because of his character that Pae-Yul could not act carelessly.

Amidst the cheers of countless people.

Jang In-Ryung asked.

“How was it?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked how the world looked, which you viewed with a narrow perspective, filled with nothing but a desire to win.”

“It was beautiful.”

“Beautiful?”

“Yes. That is why I must protect it. Along with the fellow who handles me well.”

Jang In-Ryung, who had been walking straight ahead, turned to look at Pae-Yul for the first time.

Pae-Yul’s expression was still awkward. However, he had not lost the unadulterated sincerity he had before.

Jang In-Ryung smiled.

“You finally seem like a grown-up.”

With his hands behind his back, he walked ahead of Pae-Yul again.

“Do not worry about your fellow disciples’ throats. I was going to leave you to your own devices, but if you have seen the world with your own eyes, I should give you a pardon.”

“Thank you.”

“Even as I get older, my life is so hard, always cleaning up after you. You wretched fellow.”

Jang In-Ryung, grumbling, had already walked far ahead.

Pae-Yul sighed.

* * *

Yeon Ho-Jeong entered the Murim Alliance’s Martial Saint Hall. He had things to discuss with Bong Gong and the elders separately.

However, the discussion was bound to be official and formal. The main topics were the overall situation of the martial world, the atmosphere of the Black Dragon Unit, and the future.

Although they had not come in a hurry, they had not come leisurely either. In particular, one of the people Yeon Ho-Jeong had brought was Mak Won, the White Weapon Divine Lord, who had made a name for himself in Seongcheon [a region known for its martial arts prowess].

He had come with one of the best martial artists in the world, and he himself was a master who had reached the ranks of legends. Naturally, the Murim Alliance could not treat him carelessly, and it was only proper to give him a day or two to rest.

After a half-hour conversation, the group headed to their respective quarters.

It was only natural that Yeon Ho-Jeong could no longer stay at the Yeon family’s residence, the Pagun Pavilion. Since he had come on official business, he had to stay at the Eight Star Pavilion, where the alliance’s honored guests resided.

The same was true for Muk Bi, Mak Won, Gang Ryang, and Jin Yang. Pae-Yul, being still affiliated with the Jeomchang Sect, returned to his existing residence.

In Muk Bi’s case, his qualifications had not been officially revoked. He had not been dismissed from his position as the vice-commander of the Righteous Army.

However, Muk Bi was more of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s personal aide than the vice-commander of the Righteous Army. People tacitly acknowledged this.

It went without saying for Gang Ryang and Jin Yang, so they all stayed at the Eight Star Pavilion.

“You guys rest here.”

Confusion flickered across Gang Ryang’s face.

“Where are you going?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong pointed at Muk Bi and said.

“We need to visit the Righteous Army together. To explain the situation.”

“And to apologize?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded awkwardly.

“Hmm, I have close ties with those people too…”

Gang Ryang glanced at Jin Yang.

Like someone who had only lived in the countryside and had just come to the city, Jin Yang was looking around in a daze. The pressure of the name Murim Alliance itself was immense, but his curiosity seemed to be even greater.

“Well, I will visit them later. I will take good care of this fellow, so go ahead.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“And Senior Mak Won…”

Mak Won was resting in his room. He should have come out at least once, but he seemed to be quite tired.

As the owner of powerful martial arts, his body could not be tired. The fatigue Mak Won felt was mental fatigue.

Gang Ryang sighed.

“It is difficult when a person is too famous.”

At that moment, the voices that had been buzzing grew louder, as if they had been waiting for this moment.

“Can’t you let us in?”

“Ah, what are we going to do! We just want to see his face!”

“It is my lifelong wish. Please, let us see the White Weapon Divine Lord.”

“Don’t be so strict and open the door! We just want to say hello!”

The gate of the Eight Star Pavilion was literally packed with people. It was partly because of Yeon Ho-Jeong, but mostly because of the people who wanted to see the White Weapon Divine Lord, Mak Won. In particular, many members of the inner city combat unit had gathered, wanting to gain even a small piece of enlightenment from Mak Won, who was said to handle not only white weapons but all weapons.

Muk Bi sighed.

“Can’t you do something about those people? They are honored guests from the alliance’s perspective, isn’t it rude to just turn a blind eye to this situation?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“The higher-ups must be overwhelmed. I need to say something.”

“I saw him a little while ago, and Senior Mak Won’s face was pale. He looked like he was feeling nauseous.”

“He is more fragile than I thought.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had entrusted the Gwangryong Unit to Gang Ryang, opened the gate of the Eight Star Pavilion with Muk Bi.

“…!!”

The noise in the area stopped the moment the door opened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke calmly.

“I understand your respect for Senior Mak Won, but it may be uncomfortable for a guest who has not yet recovered from his journey.”

The martial artists swallowed hard.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s voice was calm, but it was clear that he was suppressing his emotions as much as possible, as he was speaking to everyone.

He was a peerless master who had made a name for himself in Seongcheon before the age of thirty, and the young master of the Black Dragon Unit. None of them dared to raise their heads.

“Since we are here on official business, I ask for your understanding.”

Restrained emotion, and calmness.

However, within it was a politeness that forced the other party to back down.

The martial artists bowed their heads to Yeon Ho-Jeong and turned away. An awkward look lingered on the faces of the martial artists as they quietly went their own way.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed softly.

“I understand, but…”

They probably knew that their actions were rude. However, their single-minded devotion to martial arts and their intense desire to see a famous person had blinded them.

It was difficult to understand rationally, but humans are inherently animals that move according to their desires. Of course, it was a bit much. Even the higher-ups probably did not expect so many people to gather.

“Let’s go.”

“Let’s.”

With that, the two left the Eight Star Pavilion and headed to the Righteous Army’s headquarters.

‘……’

After walking straight ahead for a while, Yeon Ho-Jeong looked around once in a while.

Many people were glancing at him and Muk Bi. Most of them wanted to say something but could not bring themselves to approach, some were just staring blankly, and a few showed some displeasure.

‘That’s how life is.’

He had received a much greater welcome than he had expected. He had initially intended to ignore any unfriendly gazes, but seeing the people cheering for his return made him feel grateful.

However, there were also people who looked at him negatively.

‘It’s okay if they look at me badly.’

He only hoped that their negative reactions would not affect his family.

In reality, that would be the case. The achievements of Yeon Wi were too great to be tarnished by the stigma of not managing his children well. Moreover, the choice Yeon Ho-Jeong had made was for a better world, so while it was surprising, it was not something that could be publicly criticized.

The Black Dragon Unit had formed an alliance with the Murim Alliance, and they were actually allies fighting against the Three Teachings [a collective term for invading foreign sects].

However, their anger and displeasure stemmed from their inability to escape the deep-rooted hatred between the black and white paths [referring to opposing factions in the martial world].

Yeon Ho-Jeong suddenly recalled the words of the sound demon, Ha Eun-Gyo.

‘They do not not know the difference. They just know that it is easier and more satisfying to interpret the difference as wrong. It is also a way to escape their deep loneliness.’

‘In the end, they become monsters who do not even know that they are wrong. Like that Yeo Gwang.’

Among these people, there would not be many who had suffered from the conflicts with the black path sects. No, if you were to be cold about it, it would be a very small number.

However, there were people who showed blind hatred even though they had not experienced conflicts with the black path. It would be similar on the black path side as well.

‘Accepting difference as wrong…’

The relationship between the white and black paths was completely different from that of the Three Teachings.

The Three Teachings were invaders. They committed all sorts of inhumane atrocities to swallow the Central Plains. Naturally, they were clear enemies.

However, the white and black paths were just people with different ways of living. Of course, the black path, where various criminal acts were rampant, was not the right path, but that was just the degenerated black path, and the real black path was different.

‘They have given up on understanding. They have given up on thinking.’

However, he could not hate or despise them.

People are all different, and it is difficult for others to understand each other’s circumstances.

As he walked with these thoughts, he arrived at the Righteous Army’s headquarters.

“…?”

The gate was open. There were no guards at the gate.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Let’s go in.”

“Let’s.”

After passing through the gate and the middle gate, a familiar training ground appeared.

And the sight of the Righteous Army soldiers filling it.

“All troops, line up.”

At the voice filled with deep composure and gentle dignity, the soldiers lined up at a terrifying speed.

So many people moved as if they were one body.

Admiration filled Yeon Ho-Jeong and Muk Bi’s faces. Just by looking at the movements of the soldiers lining up, they could tell how highly trained they were.

Step, step.

A man was walking around the side of the training ground.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“It has been a while.”

“It has been a while, former Commander.”

“Puh-ha! Is that how it is?”

“Hahaha!”

Moyong Gun, who burst into laughter, hugged Yeon Ho-Jeong tightly.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was momentarily flustered. He had not expected Moyong Gun to hug him.

“You have returned safely. I am glad you are safe.”

“Thank you.”

Moyong Gun, with his hand on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shoulder, turned to look at the Righteous Army.

“The two worst traitors of the Righteous Army have returned. Let us welcome them.”

Chiririring!

At the same time, five hundred and fifty soldiers drew their weapons.

The momentum was fierce, but their faces were full of mischievous smiles.

“Just so you know, if you put even a scratch on these two people today, there will be no alcohol.”

“Understood!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Moyong Gun with a dumbfounded expression.

Moyong Gun shrugged his shoulders.

“You have to take responsibility for your actions. Don’t you think?”

“…Really, you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who chuckled as if he could not help it, rolled up his sleeves. Muk Bi smacked his lips and drew his bow.

The two went up to the training ground.

“What a wonderful welcoming ceremony.”

“Waaaaaaah!”

The Righteous Army charged towards the two of them.