Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 840

The fight with the Righteous Army finally ended after two hours. Surprisingly, Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t have a single scratch on his body. Muk Bi, who had scattered the ranks from afar with well-placed formless projectiles, was also unharmed.

None of the soldiers were seriously injured either. Most had minor scrapes, and there were no fractures or major internal injuries.

It was a fight, but more like a welcoming sparring match than a deadly battle. There was no need, nor was it possible, to draw blood.

“Amazing.”

Moyong Gun clicked his tongue.

“I’ve heard that a supreme master who has reached the peak of martial arts can unleash the power of a one-man sect, but this is beyond my imagination.”

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong was just as surprised.

“What kind of training have you been doing?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re incredibly well-honed. You moved as one before, but not to this extent.”

“Haha, we’ve been through some hard times.”

“Each individual’s skill has greatly improved, and their ability to handle unexpected situations is outstanding.”

“It’s partly thanks to your excellent teaching in the past, and also thanks to Military Advisor Jeagal.”

“Ah, speaking of which, where’s Ayeon?”

“She said she went to visit her family for a while. She’ll probably be back in a few days.”

“I see.”

At that moment, Peng Man-Ho rushed towards Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong lightly pushed his shoulder. Peng Man-Ho, who had been charging, tumbled to the ground with a thud.

“Ugh!”

“What are you doing?”

“Just happy to see you!”

“You’re disgusting, you rascal.”

“Hahaha!”

It wasn’t just Peng Man-Ho. Soldiers from the former Myulsa Army gathered around Yeon Ho-Jeong one by one.

A nostalgic look appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

Ok-Cheong of the Wudang Sect, Song Yeon-Gyeong and the Changsu [Head Disciple] of the Emei Sect, Yoon-Ho and Dong-Ho of the Mount Hua Sect, as well as Cheok-Gang of the Mount Diancang Sect and Yeo-Guk of the Kunlun Sect.

And were they the only ones? All the soldiers of the Myulsa Army were precious subordinates. Though not as much as the Myulsa Army, the soldiers of the Tangma Army were also friendly subordinates.

Those who had traveled the Central Plains with him in the beginning.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been looking at them all, suddenly tilted his head.

“What is it? I don’t see Ho-Dam and Gun-Pyeong?”

“……”

The faces of the soldiers, which had been full of joy, suddenly darkened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong and Muk Bi’s faces slowly hardened.

“Everyone’s been busy.”

Moyong Gun, who had slumped down on the spot, said calmly.

“When Yeon-Je was traveling the world and fighting the Three Teachings, we also went on several expeditions. Vicious bastards, who were hard to call even black-hearted, appeared from time to time, and some of them had considerable power.”

“……”

“There was a group called the Evil God Society in the eastern part of Henan. They openly proclaimed themselves as followers of an evil god. I thought they were nothing special, but they were stronger than I expected.”

“I see.”

“They fought well. Among them, Gun-Pyeong risked his life to infiltrate and rescue the hostages they were holding. Ho-Dam was opening the escape route for Gun-Pyeong and the hostages.”

Moyong Gun sighed.

“In the end, we couldn’t save them.”

It was the fate of a combat unit.

They were precious comrades, but at the same time, they were living lives where they could die at any moment. They lived under the goal of righteousness and the pride of belonging to the Righteous Army, but in the face of death, all of that became meaningless.

They were comrades who could die at any moment, so they were all the more precious to each other, and they were soldiers who had become stronger to protect each other.

The fact that new recruits and people they had never seen before stood out was because of the connections that had disappeared from the places where they should have been.

‘Ho-Dam, Gun-Pyeong.’

They were not from prestigious families. They were some of the few ronin [masterless samurai] warriors in the Myulsa Army.

They were the ones who had endured to the end, and their tenacious spirit was more than enough to overwhelm even the masters of prestigious families. Both of them were among the less skilled, but they were the ones who moved more enthusiastically than anyone else.

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes and prayed for the repose of their souls. And he placed their names in the graveyard of countless memories.

Moyong Gun clapped his hands.

“We’ve mourned enough. The dead comrades wouldn’t like to see us so down, and today isn’t the day for that anyway.”

“Is that so.”

“Well, it’s been a long time, so let’s have a feast. I’ve already told the restaurant, so food and drinks will be delivered soon.”

As if they had been waiting, many workers brought food and drinks.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was sitting on the training ground floor and drinking, suddenly thought.

‘It’s familiar.’

He had often sat on the bare floor like this with his comrades from the Black Dragon Fortress.

They did so after battles and after training. After battles, they drank for the dead comrades, and after training, they drank for the future selves who could die at any moment.

This environment, this laughter-filled drinking party, felt as familiar as a well-fitting suit.

‘Well, I was originally a guy who wasn’t even qualified.’

The lord of the Black Dragon Fortress, the vice-chief of the Mukryong Clan.

He was not a good lord, and it would be difficult for him to become a good successor.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was always with the soldiers. He fought, cried, and laughed with them.

And he thought he would live like that for the rest of his life.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve grown a lot too.’

He was keenly aware of the fact that he had become a person who had influence in the world. But he didn’t feel proud of that fact, nor did he feel like he had achieved anything.

The position he was in now was one he could give up at any time. He had only reached this position for a purpose, and he had no desire to become a great person.

However, in terms of social status, it was true that he had grown a lot.

‘The higher the position I reach, the more people I have under me, the more I can see the big picture, but the less I can see the details…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smacked his lips and said.

“Is there a date set for the expedition?”

“Not yet. In the first place, the Righteous Army is a mobile unit. We spend a lot of time in the Alliance for training, but we’ll go out and travel the world even if we don’t receive a specific order.”

“I see, the other units will be the ones to receive formal expedition orders.”

“We do receive them too. But we’re a bit more free.”

“That’s right.”

At that moment, Ok-Cheong said.

“I heard you met with my master.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Where did you hear that?”

“The Wudang Sect contacted me separately.”

“I see. But, you don’t have to be so uncomfortable.”

“Yes?”

“It’s not a big deal anymore, so why are you being so polite? You’re old too. You can just call me this or that.”

Ok-Cheong looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong as if he was dumbfounded.

“It’s not a big deal, but you’ve become a master who has reached the highest ranks of the martial world, haven’t you? It’s even harder to treat you casually.”

“What a ridiculous…”

“My master said that you’re someone who will cause trouble someday. He told me to follow you if I like, but since you’re a dangerous person, it’s better to stay away from you if possible.”

That sounds like something that old man would say.

“And well… once a master is always a master, but still, we’ve been together for so long, how can I be comfortable with you?”

“You live a hard life.”

At that moment, Peng Man-Ho boldly put his arm around Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shoulder.

“I don’t think so. If you tell me to be comfortable, I should be comfortable. Isn’t that right, Young Master Yeon?”

“Everyone else can, but you shouldn’t.”

“Why!”

“I’ll break your head.”

“…Ahem.”

Peng Man-Ho, who had cleared his throat, suddenly chuckled.

“Still, I’ve put my arm around the shoulder of a master of the Heavenly Realm, I’ve made it in life.”

“Puhahaha!”

The soldiers burst into laughter.

It was a drinking party where jokes and curses flew back and forth. Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t have been more comfortable in this place.

While they were constantly exchanging drinks, Song Yeon-Gyeong asked.

“How was the Black Path?”

The soldiers looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with curious eyes.

“It wasn’t bad?”

“Is that all?”

“People live the same everywhere. There are vicious people in the White Path, and there are many sane people in that side too. They’re in conflict, calling each other Black and White, but the people on that side don’t have three eyes, do they?”

Muk Bi, who had been quiet, added as if throwing a stone.

“Rather, it was more fun. They were swinging their fists like crazy, saying they were beating up people who deserved to die, and the smell of blood was everywhere.”

“When did I do that?”

“You don’t even remember, you beat them up so much.”

“Huh.”

Another burst of laughter erupted.

Their drinking party was like that. The soldiers were mostly the ones asking questions, and Yeon Ho-Jeong and Muk Bi were the ones answering.

In that way, half a day passed with a lively drinking party.

When the soldiers started chatting among themselves, Moyong Gun asked.

“You came as a special envoy with full authority?”

“That’s right.”

“The fact that you came as an envoy at this time, is it perhaps because of the selection of the Alliance Leader?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“We can’t just ignore it.”

“I guess not.”

“Why, is there something bothering you?”

“It’s not that, but…”

Moyong Gun sighed.

“You have to be careful.”

“About what?”

“When you’re outside the Alliance, it’s fine, but when you’re inside the Alliance, the unit leaders often have meetings. The higher-ups also want us to get along, so they hold gatherings from time to time.”

“Hmm.”

“As you can feel, there are definitely people who don’t like Yeon-Je.”

“That’s to be expected.”

“Yes, I’m sure you know that. However, the people who dislike you are more concentrated in the higher ranks than the lower ranks.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly.

“Yes, I thought that would be the case.”

“Nothing much will happen, but even if something does happen, there’s not much Yeon-Je can do.”

Muk Bi asked with a puzzled face.

“Why?”

“Interference in internal affairs.”

“…Ah!”

“Yeon-Je is officially a member of the Mukryong Clan. Even though we’re close allies, the moment Yeon-Je interferes in our politics, there will be chaos. Especially those who dislike Yeon-Je will try to trap him by manipulating public opinion.”

Moyong Gun looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with worried eyes.

“I know Yeon-Je’s abilities are outstanding, but it would be best to stay quiet for the time being.”

“Of course, I should.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong added while tilting his glass.

“At least, I should pretend to be like that on the surface.”

* * *

The next day.

“……!”

Surprise was evident on Namgoong In’s face as he looked at his son.

“You’re amazing.”

“It’s nothing.”

Namgoong In clicked his tongue as he watched his eldest son calmly drink tea.

“When did you reach such a level?”

“It’s been a little less than a year.”

“Hoo.”

Namgoong In was constantly impressed.

His eldest son, Namgoong Pyo, was already approaching his mid-thirties.

He was still young, but he could no longer be called a youth. As a martial artist, it was the time when he was slowly reaching a mature level.

However, seeing his son, who had broken through the wall of martial arts and was emitting a noble sword aura, he thought that his past words that he would surpass him within ten years were arrogant.

“What about the Emperor’s Sword Form?”

“I’ve mastered all the way to the latter half.”

Namgoong In was even more surprised.

‘Father has passed on everything!’

He was someone who would not pass on his sword to anyone who was not qualified, even if they were his own flesh and blood.

The fact that he had passed on everything to Namgoong Pyo meant that he had acknowledged that Namgoong Pyo’s talent had reached its peak.

“Amazing. And well done. You’re truly remarkable!”

“It’s nothing. There were many difficulties. It’s all thanks to my grandfather’s help.”

“Haha, no matter who helps, one’s own realm is something one must develop oneself. Seeing you, I can finally rest easy.”

Namgoong Pyo smiled.

Even though he had been in seclusion for several years, he seemed to have become even younger than before.

“And I have good news.”

“Hmm?”

“My grandfather said that he will visit the Alliance with Hyeon.”

“……!!”