Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 870

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having gathered Yeon-wi, as well as Muk Bi, Gang Ryang, Jin Yang, and Yeon Ji-Pyeong, explained his situation.

“Are you leaving again?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s face clearly showed his disappointment.

It was the first time in a while that he had seen his brother. And now, his brother was saying he was leaving the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance] again. There was no telling when they would meet again.

“It can’t be helped.”

Yeon-wi nodded.

“You’re right. The master of the Shinma Forest is a powerhouse who contends for the title of the strongest in the world. At least one expert at the level of a Saintly Heaven Realm [a high level of martial arts mastery] must go to be able to handle the worst-case scenario.”

“That’s right.”

“However…”

Yeon-wi unconsciously looked at Mak Won.

Mak Won grinned.

“Why are you so worried? Surely, you don’t think I’d heartlessly leave my brother to go alone, do you?”

“Haha, I can only apologize.”

“He may be my brother, but I’ve staked the rest of my life on this friend. At least until the war is over.”

Mak Won patted Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shoulder.

“Considering the favor I’ve received from my brother, I wouldn’t hesitate to give my life. So, please don’t worry too much, Clan Leader.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong gave a wry smile.

“It would certainly make things easier if you came along, Brother.”

“If they’re not some extraordinary bunch, it’ll be much easier. But if they’re a bunch of unexpectedly strong guys, it might be better to take a combat unit rather than me.”

“That might be the case.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Muk Bi.

“I haven’t heard the situation from Cheon Gong-ja yet, but it would be good to have someone specialized in sniping, no matter what kind of fight it is.”

Muk Bi smiled.

“It’s a long way, but I guess it’ll be okay.”

Gang Ryang raised his hand.

“I too…”

“You and Jin Yang will stay here.”

“What?!”

Gang Ryang’s eyebrows shot up.

“Why!”

Jin Yang nudged Gang Ryang with his elbow.

“Why are you so worked up? The Murim Alliance food is good. Why bother going on a long, troublesome journey…”

“Ugh, hyung, just shut up!”

“You little brat? Hey, you! How dare you tell me to shut up!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his hand to stop their escalating argument.

“Father.”

“Yes.”

“Please take good care of these two.”

Yeon-wi chuckled.

“Don’t worry. I was just checking their martial arts, and I found some unexpected areas where they are severely lacking.”

Gang Ryang and Jin Yang flinched.

“And.”

Yeon-wi spoke frankly.

“The same goes for Bi-ah.”

Muk Bi’s face turned slightly red.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Hmm? Haha, why are you apologizing? Is having shortcomings something to be sorry or ashamed about?”

“But…”

“If you want to achieve mastery in a certain area, you just need to acknowledge your shortcomings and work hard. Who in this world is without flaws? Even I have flaws, and so do Ho-Jeong, who is stronger than us, and even Senior Mak, each has their own shortcomings.”

Yeon-wi looked at Mak Won and asked.

“Isn’t that right?”

Mak Won laughed heartily and said,

“Yes, I still have many shortcomings. To be honest, I was a bit intimidated when I saw Senior Doje earlier. If we were to fight recklessly, I think I could manage somehow, but if I were to fight without thinking, I doubt I could last more than eighty moves.”

“That’s quite a difference.”

“Indeed. I expected him to be stronger than me, but it was truly an amazing realization. Especially since I felt our compatibility wouldn’t be good.”

Yeon-wi looked at Muk Bi and said,

“Did you see? Even a master who has reached the Saintly Heaven Realm has shortcomings. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“…Yes.”

“However, what I’m curious about is that while your martial arts are indeed superior to Gang Ryang and Jin Yang, there’s still room for improvement.”

Yeon-wi turned his gaze to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Are you just going to leave Bi-ah as is? In my opinion, if Bi-ah focuses, he could achieve explosive growth in a short period.”

“That’s why I’m planning to go with someone who can help him.”

“Hmm?”

Everyone’s attention turned to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged.

“Although he hasn’t mastered archery, there’s someone who could become a master in an instant if he sets his mind to it.”

“Who is it?”

“In the Murim, isn’t there a family head who can confidently be called the best in the world when it comes to projectile weapons?”

“…Oh ho.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes lit up.

“He’s someone who came because of the Murim Alliance Leader selection. Can you work well with him?”

“I’ve worked with him once before. Besides, he’s second to none when it comes to mass destruction, so he’ll be a great help.”

“Of course, he would be. If you go with him, there’s no need to take a combat unit.”

“And…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

“I want to take Okcheong and Ji-Pyeong of the Wudang Sect [a famous martial arts sect] from the Righteous Army.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong was startled.

Yeon-wi was also surprised. But his expression was calmer than expected.

“You’re taking Ji-Pyeong?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a reason?”

“Ji-Pyeong’s talent is extraordinary. If he had been fighting alongside me in the Murim, he would have surpassed the Martial Ancestor Realm [a very high level of martial arts mastery] by now.”

“But he wouldn’t have gained the same insight as he has now.”

“That’s right. Even without those brutal experiences, Ji-Pyeong has grown well. His insight and understanding are comparable to those of a sect leader.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes deepened.

“Ji-Pyeong’s remarkable talent doesn’t require any specific guidance. At least, I don’t think he needs my guidance.”

“But?”

“It’s different now.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Now that I’ve reached this level, I think I have something to pass on to Ji-Pyeong. That’s why I want him to come with me.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a moved expression.

“Brother.”

“Hey, don’t look at me like that. It sounds good to say I have something to pass on, but in the end, we’re going to a dangerous place where anything could happen. It’s better to be tense.”

“Yes, I will be tense.”

“You don’t look tense at all.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled and turned his gaze to Yeon-wi.

Yeon-wi nodded.

“I’ll keep this place safe. Take good care of your brother.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Is there anyone else you want to take with you?”

“There’s Bu-Seon.”

“Bu-Seon, are you referring to your junior sister?”

“Yes. She’ll probably arrive at the Alliance with Senior Gokgyeong within three days.”

Yeon-wi nodded.

“Senior Gwigun… Was she called because of the Alliance Leader issue?”

“That’s right. It seems she was planning to go straight to the Mukryong Clan, but that wouldn’t do. The atmosphere will change depending on where she visits first.”

“Yes, you did well. If Senior Gwigun had gone straight to the Mukryong Clan, it would have created some tension between the Murim Alliance and the Mukryong Clan during the Alliance Leader selection period.”

“Furthermore, once tension and suspicion arise, they rarely disappear easily. It would be better for her to come to the Murim Alliance to offer congratulations first, and then go to the Mukryong Clan with representatives from the Murim Alliance.”

It was a minor issue, but the ones creating this minor conflict were the Emperor and Gwigun.

Therefore, it could no longer be a minor issue. If the imperial court sent someone to the Mukryong Clan for a marriage proposal during the period leading up to the inauguration of the first Murim Alliance Leader, the situation would become ambiguous.

It might be fine for them, but those caught in the middle would be forced to be cautious. There might not be any problems, but there was no need to create such a possibility.

“Then, let’s see.”

Yeon-wi said, counting on his fingers.

“You, Senior Mak Won, and Bi-ah and Ji-Pyeong will go. Okcheong of the Righteous Army will go with you, and ‘he’ and your junior sister will also go.”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm, I’m sure you’ll manage, but not many of you have worked together before. Will it be alright?”

Of course, it was a needless worry.

Mak Won’s abilities were comparable to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s. Even if they hadn’t worked together before, he would manage well, and beyond that, his very presence was a huge help.

Muk Bi and ‘he’ had worked with Yeon Ho-Jeong before, but he was also taking Yeon Ji-Pyeong and Okcheong with him. There was no need to talk about their talents, but even great talents could be easily defeated in actual combat.

Moreover, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s junior sister, Bu-Seon, had no experience in group battles.

“It will be fine. Even if it’s not, we have to make it work. If a war breaks out later, we can’t just die because we haven’t worked together before.”

“You’re right, but…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong got up from his seat.

“I’ll proceed as planned for now. Then, I’ll come back later.”

“Are you going to see that person?”

“Yes. If I don’t go first, he’ll throw a tantrum again.”

“Go change your clothes. You’re covered in blood.”

Mak Won coughed awkwardly. He was the one who had made Yeon Ho-Jeong bloody.

Come to think of it, Mak Won wasn’t in good shape either. Thanks to the Heavenly Martial Divine Weapon [a powerful weapon] and his extreme mastery of divine arts, he didn’t have any external injuries, but his internal injuries were considerable.

A little while later, Yeon Ho-Jeong, having changed his clothes, said to Yeon-wi,

“I’ll be back.”

“Yes.”

“And Father.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s time for you to make up your mind.”

For a moment, Yeon-wi’s eyes wavered.

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head.

“You might even forget that you have it. You know that too, Father.”

“…Alright.”

“There must be a reason why you’re not ascending. I have an idea, but dragging it out won’t be good.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Yes.”

With those words, Yeon Ho-Jeong left the Pagun Hall.

* * *

Whoosh! Thud!

When Yeon Ho-Jeong arrived at ‘his’ residence, a fight was in full swing.

Swoosh! Ting!

The sound of air being torn apart, the sound of metal fragments being deflected.

It was truly brutal. There were no noticeable shockwaves or terrifying killing intent, but the sound of metal clashing against metal was enough to send shivers down one’s spine.

“Indeed.”

Even though he knew Yeon Ho-Jeong was openly standing on the wall, Tang Gwan’s gaze was fixed on his opponent.

“Gwan Il-Gong… impressive. You’re much stronger than before. I thought you had achieved a high level of perfection back then, but now it seems like you’ve reached a level where there’s nowhere else to go.”

Pa Yul, having retrieved his short spear, nodded.

“It was an incredible hidden weapon technique. Just deflecting a tiny hidden weapon the size of a fingernail makes your entire upper body shake.”

“The world is changing rapidly. I’ve reached the end with the Poison Scripture thanks to my father, but not with hidden weapon techniques. I had no choice but to pay more attention to it.”

“I felt like you’re going to grow even more. That’s why it’s even more terrifying. If you’re this strong now, what will you be like later…”

“I don’t want to speculate about realms I haven’t reached. Anyway, I’ve seen enough.”

Pa Yul respectfully clasped his hands.

“Thank you for accepting my duel.”

“I’ve learned a lot too.”

Gwan Il-Chang and Gwan Il-Geom deliver fatal blows with attacks as swift as light.

It was a powerful and amazing martial art, but strangely, its foundation was closer to projectile techniques like archery or hidden weapon techniques rather than ordinary spear or sword techniques.

That was why Pa Yul had asked Tang Gwan for a duel for several days. Thanks to that, Pa Yul’s martial arts were also undergoing another transformation in just a few days.

“So.”

Tang Gwan openly frowned and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“What is it, you brat? Without even a word?”

Pa Yul tilted his head.

“What’s going on, you?”

Why was it?

Thinking that the two’s personalities and way of speaking were so similar, Yeon Ho-Jeong stepped down to the ground.

“I didn’t think of Senior Pa Yul, but it’s better this way. Both of you, please prepare to leave the Alliance within five days.”

“What are you talking about, all of a sudden?”

“What do you think I’m talking about? You know my fate all too well.”

“Hoo, are you going to see blood again?”

“That’s how it is.”

“What did you do in your past life? Where are you going this time?”

“Cheonghae Province.”

“Your fate is truly terrible.”

Although they grumbled, neither of them refused Yeon Ho-Jeong’s proposal.

What was unexpected was Tang Gwan. He had family matters to attend to, but he readily agreed to go with him.

It was fortunate for Yeon Ho-Jeong. Even if he could replace others, there was no expert who could replace Tang Gwan.

In that way, Yeon Ho-Jeong gathered all the experts he would take with him in less than a day.