Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 853

“The tea has a lovely fragrance.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“You, who have done nothing but swing a sword all your life, when did you learn how to brew tea?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

“I didn’t exactly learn it. I just picked it up by watching Moyong Hyung [older brother figure] brew it from time to time.”

“Hoho, is that so?”

The tea brewed by his son was definitely special.

Though his skills were clumsy, it had the taste of sincerity. It was a sincerity that only a father could feel.

“Is Ho-Jeong coming for dinner too?”

“Yes. That’s what I heard. Oh, and my sister as well.”

“It’ll be a lively dinner for the first time in a while.”

Watching Yeon-Wi chuckle, Yeon Ji-Pyeong carefully broached the subject.

“Father.”

“Hmm?”

“You saw it too, didn’t you?”

It was an abrupt question, but Yeon-Wi knew instantly what Yeon Ji-Pyeong was asking about.

“Yes, I saw it.”

“Really…”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s face was filled with awe.

“It really made me realize once again that there is no end to the martial path.”

“Haha, how could it not? Even for this father, the realm of the ultimate is called an entry into an area not permitted to humans. Even if one reaches that realm, they say it can’t compare to the masters of Seongcheon [a legendary place or group of martial artists].”

“Yes.”

“Even when considering the Great Master Mu Heo, who is said to be the closest to being the best under the heavens, it makes one realize that there truly is no end to martial arts. Ho-Jeong and the previous head of the Namgoong family were so great, but how much greater must the Great Master’s martial arts be?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong sighed quietly.

“I felt a sense of powerlessness. Truly. But…”

“But, doesn’t it ignite a sense of challenge?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s face flushed.

“I’m still at the level of a baby fish… Yes, it does.”

“Haha, a baby fish? There are not even a handful of people who have reached that level at your age, even if you searched the entire world.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong, looking embarrassed, cleared his throat and subtly asked.

“How did you see it, Father?”

“Hmm.”

Yeon-Wi’s eyes slowly turned towards the sky.

“It was amazing.”

It was the first time. It was the first time he had seen his son’s true skills.

He had sparred with his son a few times before, but back then, his son was not up to his level. However, his son, who had experienced the world and developed, had now far surpassed his father and was beginning to catch up with those who were revered as legends of the martial world.

“Ho-Jeong’s martial arts were very dynamic. But it felt like his unique dynamism had greatly decreased compared to before.”

“I, is that so?”

“At least in appearance, that’s how it is. However, he incorporated unimaginable true energy manipulation into his concise movements, displaying powerful martial arts.”

“Yes! That’s exactly it. I was really surprised when I saw that. I still can’t believe that a person can change such complex formulas so many times in an instant.”

“It’s not really something to talk about that much. This father can also imitate that much.”

“Yes?!”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong was startled.

Yeon-Wi tilted his head.

“Of course, it would be difficult to use in actual combat. What’s truly amazing about Ho-Jeong is that he not only manipulates such complex formulas like lightning but also reacts instantly to the opponent’s attacks and even predicts several moves ahead.”

“… !”

“It was as if he could see through the opponent’s movements.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong swallowed hard.

“I… I didn’t see that far.”

“Haha, it’s natural. It’s already amazing that you were able to see their true energy manipulation. It’s just that your level, your body, is not yet able to understand what this father saw.”

“I, I see. As expected… !”

“However, I felt a sense of frustration.”

“Frustration, you say?”

“Hmm.”

Yeon-Wi shook his head.

“It’s hard to explain in words. Anyway, I felt a bit frustrated. It’s clear that Ho-Jeong’s martial arts have reached the pinnacle, but why does it feel like it’s stuck in a mold…”

“…?!”

“I didn’t feel that way before, though.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong couldn’t understand his father’s words.

His brother’s martial arts were by no means stuck in a mold. Rather, weren’t they filled with unconventional and creative attacks and defenses that ordinary people couldn’t even imagine?

“Anyway, even with such outstanding martial arts, he couldn’t defeat the previous head of the Namgoong family.”

To be precise, it should be said that it was a fight where it was difficult to determine superiority.

If it had continued any further, the spectators could have been injured. That’s how heated their duel had become.

In the end, the two postponed the remaining duel. Since Yeon Ho-Jeong’s purpose was to give enlightenment to the martial artists of the Alliance, there was no need to see it through to the end.

‘If they had continued to fight?’

A fight is something where it’s hard to predict the outcome without actually engaging in it.

However, Yeon-Wi thought. It would have been his son’s defeat.

No matter the process, he predicted that in the end, Yeon Ho-Jeong would have knelt before the Sword Emperor’s iron sword.

“Your brother has a miraculous ability to foresee several moves ahead of his opponent, but that didn’t work against the Sword Emperor.”

“Why is that?”

“This is also difficult to explain in words. If I had to say it… it’s because their enlightenment is different.”

“Enlightenment…”

“That’s right.”

Yeon-Wi took another sip of tea.

“If the enlightenment of the Sword Emperor that I saw has truly reached ‘that realm,’ then Ho-Jeong cannot win with his current abilities. No matter how stronger, faster, or more ruthless he is, Ho-Jeong’s axe would not have been able to touch the Sword Emperor’s body because they have reached different realms.”

“… !”

“Ho-Jeong still fights with his body. But the Sword Emperor fights with enlightenment. Enlightenment is not everything, but if he doesn’t improve his physical abilities or develop his divine skills, Ho-Jeong will have a hard time winning against the Sword Emperor.”

“But, considering my brother’s age… !”

“Hahaha, of course, it’s amazing. Even this father can’t reach your brother’s heels. How amazing is that talent?”

However, as a martial artist before being a father, there was something he found lacking.

Yeon-Wi’s eyes sparkled.

‘That guy, he definitely seemed like he could aim for something beyond that.’

* * *

“Hoo.”

A white breath accompanied the light sigh.

“It’s definitely colder than Anhui. Maybe it’s because it’s in the mountains.”

The sight of Namgoong Seung drinking tea in front of a small pond in front of a separate room was completely different from when he was displaying his terrifying swordsmanship just a little while ago.

Namgoong Pyo thought.

‘He’s changed somehow.’

It wasn’t because he wasn’t holding a sword, but he was subtly different from when he was at the family estate.

It was something that couldn’t be pinpointed. It was a subtle change that only someone who had always pursued the sword could feel.

“Why are you staring so intently?”

“I apologize.”

“There’s no need to apologize. I was just curious.”

Namgoong Pyo carefully opened his mouth.

“There’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Speak.”

“Why…”

Namgoong Pyo glanced at the separate room.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was inside the separate room. Only the edge of his collar was slightly visible through the window.

“Why are you showing so much interest in the young sub-leader?”

The corners of Namgoong Seung’s lips curled up.

“A young man who hasn’t even reached thirty has reached the same level as the masters of Seongcheon, who are said to be geniuses of the century. There’s a difference of at least half a century in terms of age.”

“…”

“Is there any reason not to be interested?”

“Of course, but…”

Namgoong Pyo couldn’t easily speak.

He was known for his strong confidence and fierce passion, and was considered outgoing by everyone, but he couldn’t dare to show such a side in front of his grandfather.

“Perhaps, you have imparted some of the vast enlightenment to him?”

The motionless posture of Yeon Ho-Jeong visible through the window, and his grandfather giving up his seat.

It was natural to think that way.

His hunch was correct.

“Is there any need to give teachings to someone who is already approaching my level?”

“…?”

“I just gave him a reminder because it seemed like he couldn’t see what was right in front of him.”

Namgoong Pyo’s face hardened in an instant.

“Grandfather…”

“Why are you like that?”

“I’m sorry to say this, but that person is of the Yeon family bloodline.”

“Is that a problem?”

“…”

“The Yeon family is one of the prestigious families of the martial world, just like us. The four seas are said to be one, so if we can’t even give this much help to a fellow practitioner walking the same path, can we be called seniors of the martial world?”

“But Grandfather.”

“What is it that you find so scary and awkward?”

“Yes?!”

Namgoong Seung’s clear eyes turned towards Namgoong Pyo.

In front of that strange gaze, Namgoong Pyo felt a chill as if his whole body had been stripped bare.

“That person has already gone far beyond the realm you can contend with.”

“… !”

“If an opponent you may not be able to catch up to even if you train your whole life runs even further away, it’s right to think about chasing after him with even more determination.”

“Th, that is…”

“Isn’t it a blessing? To live in the same era as such a monster?”

“…”

“You have a valuable stimulus that prevents you from being arrogant as a martial artist, so why are you only thinking about pulling him down instead of trying to catch up to him?”

Namgoong Pyo’s face flushed.

Namgoong Seung clicked his tongue.

“People hate, they are jealous. They also resent and despise. The emotion itself is not the problem. The problem is oneself being swayed by those emotions.”

“…”

“Hate and be jealous until you die. And think about surpassing him and suppressing him. It’s foolish to bring back an opponent who has left because you’re afraid of the long road ahead, as it only hinders my own development.”

“I just… it doesn’t seem like a good thing for the main family if the Yeon family’s power grows stronger…”

“Also, those who are not honest with themselves can never reach the ultimate. It’s the same in any field.”

Namgoong Seung, who had been quietly looking at his eldest grandson, sighed.

“It’s my fault.”

“… Yes?”

“I dedicated my life solely to a single sword. So I didn’t look around. Because only the sword was important to me. I thought that if my skills reached the ultimate, it would be good for my family members as well.”

“…”

“But that was all an excuse. I didn’t realize how much I would regret not taking proper care of my children while I was obsessed with the sword. If I had clearly taught them the basics of martial arts from a young age, would you have lied in front of this grandfather?”

Namgoong Pyo’s face turned pale.

“I, I’m sorry!”

“Do you still think you’re the greatest talent under the heavens?”

“… !”

“You know in your head that it’s not true, but you don’t want to admit it in your heart?”

Namgoong Seung pointed to the window of the separate room with his chin.

“Look at that person. Even though he has a talent that surpasses anyone else, he thinks that his talent is nothing special, that there are many geniuses in the world. He truly believes that.”

“… !”

“You have already lost to him in terms of your attitude towards life, even before talent and effort.”

Namgoong Pyo closed his eyes.

He felt utterly miserable.

In the Namgoong family, no, in Anhui Province, his existence was no less than that of a crown prince of a nation. But the world was vast, and there were many monsters. Just looking at the Guigong Divine Maiden [a title for a powerful female martial artist] who was traveling with Yeon Ho-Jeong, she had broken through the Martial Ancestor realm faster than him, and at a younger age.

He couldn’t accept that. He said he accepted it, but he didn’t accept it in his heart.

Namgoong Seung sighed.

“I need to go to your father. Go in and rest now.”

“… Yes.”

It was then.

‘…? ‘

Namgoong Seung’s gaze turned towards the separate room at a strange energy.

At the same time, his eyes widened.

Faint golden smoke was seeping out from the window.

“…Though he’s a disappointing grandson, I think I can understand your feelings. How can he be so fast?”