Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 103 - A Change of Perspective (3)
Chapter 103 – A Change of Perspective (3)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“Heoheo, have you come?”
Yeon Ho-jeong cupped his fists in a disciplined manner.
“I greet you, Elder. I am Yeon Ho-jeong.”
“It’s embarrassing, no need for such greetings.”
Pyeon Il-gang was the same as ever.
Although seeing him once was all, his unique generous atmosphere and good-natured eyes were impressive. Was it because of that? Even though it was the first time seeing him in quite a while, it felt familiar and comfortable as if he had seen him yesterday.
“By the way, who is the young lady next to you? Are you perhaps in a relationship where you promised the future to each other?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s face crumpled like a crushed brass bowl.
Why does everyone keep misunderstanding and making a fuss? Is this fun?
“No. We are friends.”
“Eheo, is that so?”
Muk Bi stepped forward one step and bowed her head.
“I am called Muk Bi. Nice to meet you.”
Pyeon Il-gang smiled.
“You are a truly gentle young lady. Nice to meet you. Please comfortably call me Old Man Pyeon.”
“Ah, yes.”
“By the way…”
Pyeon Il-gang’s eyes sparkled.
“Eheo, this is unique?”
“Pardon?”
“I have met countless martial artists, but it has been a long time since I’ve seen such a well-tempered archer.”
Surprise colored Muk Bi’s face.
She had left both her bow and quiver behind before coming here. Before that, she hadn’t even shown any signs of having learned martial arts. However, Pyeon Il-gang had recognized her main weapon at a glance.
‘He is amazing.’
He is an extraordinary old man. The internal energy felt from him is shallow, but the eyes of an old man who has lived his entire life handling iron and fire were as sharp as any expert.
“But what brings you here?”
Yeon Ho-jeong handed over the axe he had been resting on his shoulder.
“Because this has ended up in this state.”
“Hm?”
Pyeon Il-gang examined the axe blade and the shaft.
Surprise appeared on his face.
“Heo! You’re saying this great axe has already been damaged this much?”
“I am sorry for this.”
“What is there to be sorry about. It is natural for a weapon to get flawed and broken as it is used. However, this great axe is not merely a heavy weapon. It is something made of good iron, created with passion by a good craftsman.”
Pyeon Il-gang clicked his tongue.
“I am ignorant of worldly affairs, but I have heard your name quite frequently lately. You fought a big battle against that Nine States Myeong Clan?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“You have heard.”
“Isn’t the Nine States Myeong Clan a family that was called the Number One Martial Clan under Heaven before they were driven to be a public enemy. They must have possessed many surprising experts as well. However, even if it clashed with such experts, it shouldn’t have been damaged this much already.”
Pyeon Il-gang nodded.
“It seems your internal energy is extremely rough.”
The more he looked, the more extraordinary it was.
They say a good craftsman is a martial artist’s friend, but even a craftsman who has reached a high realm does not know many things about martial artists. It means there is knowledge only known to martial artists.
However, Pyeon Il-gang was different. By just looking at the marks on the weapon, he deduced the characteristics of the user’s internal energy at a glance.
‘He is an incredible person.’
Vast knowledge, an eye that has reached the extreme, thorough craftsmanship.
He is a true craftsman who has tempered everything to the ultimate level. He seemed to know why his father highly praised him and called him a Divine Craftsman.
“To be the possessor of an internal energy so rough as to damage an eighty-geun heavy weapon like this…”
Pyeon Il-gang, who pondered for a moment, nodded.
“Good. I will craft a magnificent axe for you.”
In truth, this great axe was an existing one that Pyeon Il-gang had refined.
Because it was originally a well-made weapon, just that was enough for it to not lack being called a precious weapon.
However, it was somewhat weak for Yeon Ho-jeong to use. Pyeon Il-gang intended to make a new weapon on this occasion.
Yeon Ho-jeong bowed his head.
“Thank you. Then, how long will it take?”
Pyeon Il-gang let out a hearty laugh.
“Are you thinking of going out into the world again?”
“That is correct.”
“For a martial artist with high renown, in addition to the praise of all people, enemies targeting that renown are bound to appear. You must absolutely receive it before stepping out?”
“There would be nothing better if that happens.”
“Are you in a great hurry?”
“I thought I was in a hurry, but something to do has come up in the meantime. The faster the better, but I do not intend to be hasty.”
“That is a good mindset. I will make a weapon that perfectly suits you. It will take roughly two months.”
Two months.
It was a long time if considered long, and a short time if considered short. However, if a craftsman of Pyeon Il-gang’s caliber was going to put in two months of effort, it would not be an ordinary item.
Yeon Ho-jeong patted Muk Bi’s shoulder.
“And by any chance, do you have a Horn Bow that would suit this friend?”
“A Horn Bow?”
“Yes. The stronger the tension, the better. Her archery full of destructive power is a masterpiece.”
Pyeon Il-gang shook his head.
“There are bows, but it seems there are no bows suitable for this young lady to use.”
“Is that so?”
“However, I will ask around to people I know. I will make it so you can receive it around the time the axe production is finished.”
Muk Bi bent her waist.
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
“Heoheoheo.”
Grandfather?
He was called Grandfather, not Divine Craftsman, by a young lady he saw for the first time.
Everyone found him difficult to approach, but it seemed this young lady did not. His mood became good for no reason at the friendly title.
“Is there anything else you want to request?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shone.
“I would like you to make a ring at the end of the axe shaft.”
“A ring?”
“Yes, if it doesn’t interfere with the center of gravity…”
“That is not a big problem, but is it because you have a separate use for it?”
“I am thinking of hooking an iron chain to it.”
Pyeon Il-gang’s eyes widened.
“An iron chain? At the end of a heavy axe?”
“Yes.”
“…Heoheo, I can’t even guess what kind of martial arts you wield.”
“Because I am a guy with so little common sense.”
“Then you’re saying you know how to handle an iron chain as well.”
“That is correct.”
“An iron chain… an iron chain. An iron chain that can withstand even the internal energy that damages an eighty-geun giant weapon…”
Interest arose on Pyeon Il-gang’s face.
“I understand. I will keep it in mind.”
“Thank you.”
“I will send someone when it is roughly completed. I will be busy starting today.”
Like that, the two who came out of Pyeon Il-gang’s smithy walked down the street.
Yeon Ho-jeong asked.
“How is it? Our house.”
“Yes? What is?”
“I am asking if it’s livable.”
“Ah, yes. It’s good. However, a little…”
“Is someone bullying you?”
Muk Bi shook her head as if her neck bone would break.
“Absolutely, absolutely not. Everyone treats me well.”
“Then what is the problem?”
“However… because the servants do the work I should be doing…”
Yeon Ho-jeong burst into laughter without realizing it.
Servants? Her title choice was quite a masterpiece.
“They are not slaves. They are people who rightfully receive money and work. To them, that is their profession.”
“Even so.”
“Of course, I also do most things myself. However, I think it’s not bad for you to also find something you can focus on for yourself during the time they do their work.”
“Something to focus on…”
Muk Bi’s eyes sparkled.
“It’s martial arts.”
“For example, something like that.”
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke seriously.
“I have never directly seen your skills yet. However, I know this one thing. Your martial arts are still infinitely far from completion.”
Muk Bi acknowledged it plainly.
“I am far off, very far off.”
Yeon Ho-jeong remembered Muk Bi’s appearance when she completed her martial arts during his Dark Emperor days.
Absolute archery that reached a divine skill. Fantastic martial arts without a single weakness, which achieved a tie with the Five Great Divine Generals with invincible marksmanship that killed in all visible areas and bare-handed close-quarters combat.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes brightened.
“If it’s really like that, join me during my training time.”
“Is that okay?”
“It is a good thing if we can fill in each other’s lacking parts.”
Muk Bi flinched.
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at her with a questioning face.
“Why are you like that?”
“Um…”
“What’s with that sour expression?”
Muk Bi spoke stutteringly.
“I… that is, the thought of starting a family with Young Master Yeon…”
It was absurd. Now even Muk Bi was making this fuss.
“Is this brat joking. Are you crazy? When did I ask to marry you!”
“If it’s not, it’s not, why are you getting angry.”
“Ah, my blood pressure, damn it.”
“And from what I heard…”
“What about from what you heard!”
Muk Bi spoke hesitantly.
“It seems I am older in age too.”
“So what?”
“…Just saying.”
Yeon Ho-jeong snorted.
“If you want to drop honorifics, drop them. Who’s saying anything?”
“If you tell me to drop honorifics while glaring at me as if you’re going to kill me, who could drop them.”
“When did I glare? My eyes are originally like this.”
“I don’t think you need to have axe-eyes just because you use an axe.”
“Were you originally such an eloquent speaker?”
“Because I had few opportunities to speak.”
“You have many opportunities to wash, so wash frequently and go around.”
“Ah, please!”
The appearance of the two people bickering as they entered the clan didn’t look like lovers, but it did look like friends.
* * *
“Clan Head.”
“Hm.”
“It seems we will have to expand no matter what.”
Yeon Wi looked at Yi Baek-hyeon with cool eyes.
Yi Baek-hyeon swallowed his saliva without realizing it, but soon proudly puffed out his chest.
“Currently, the branch families in Jiangsu have almost reached a state of saturation. If we go on like this, we will not be able to handle the pouring volume of goods.”
“Jiangsu Province is wide. There is no need for the main family to monopolize the trade business. It’s not about just me living, but everyone living. Coexistence is exactly the shortcut to peace.”
“I also agree with the Clan Head’s words. However, look at this document. Aren’t disputes already breaking out here and there.”
“…….”
“It is good for everyone to live together. However, to do so, mediation and reasonable distribution are needed. The Clan Head does not need to mediate this matter, but regardless, isn’t the main family handling seventy percent of the trade business in Jiangsu Province?”
“Hm.”
“They are very rough people. Especially on the Zhejiang side, there is not even a representative sect to mediate in the middle. My thought is that it would rather be better to extend our hands there and get involved in the entire East Sea’s trade business.”
Yeon Wi, who had pondered for a long while, nodded.
“Your words are reasonable.”
“Thank you.”
“However, I think sufficient discussion will be needed regarding this part. They said ‘more haste, less speed’.”
Yi Baek-hyeon nodded with a serious face uncharacteristic of him.
“I also think so. If we rush in blindly just because the situation is urgent, that is a problem in itself.”
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Call Ho-jeong.”
Yi Baek-hyeon smiled.
Calling the eldest son when an important matter arises. It means he acknowledges Yeon Ho-jeong’s abilities that much.
The trust between the father and son was good to see.
“I understand.”
A short while later, Yeon Ho-jeong came in. Seeing him drenched in sweat, it seemed he had been in the middle of training.
“Did you call for me?”
“Sit here.”
“Yes.”
Yeon Wi explained the unfolding situation to Yeon Ho-jeong.
“…Thus, a proposal came out to expand the main family’s business to Zhejiang. Exactly speaking, it is preliminary work for coexistence.”
“Oho.”
“What are your thoughts?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.
‘Zhejiang.’
If they could expand the business to Zhejiang, they could secure more funds. It meant they could also operate it as war funds in times of emergency.
Of course, that was something they would only know when the time came.
“Father.”
“Yes.”
“As you may know, there is a branch of the Murong Clan in Zhejiang. They are earning big money through maritime trade.”
Yeon Wi’s eyes turned cold.
He hadn’t forgotten that the Murong Clan dispatched a spy to their family. His son had joined hands with the Lord of the Murong Clan to bring down the Myeong Clan, but in reality, the Murong Clan could also be seen as an enemy.
“That part also bothers me. I haven’t forgotten what the Murong Clan did, but I judged that touching them right now is too much.”
“It is too much. For now.”
“Do you have a separate thought?”
A confident smile was cast on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
And a little bit of anticipation as well.
‘Murong Yu.’
He stood up from his seat.
“I am in favor. I think it would be good to do as Manager Yi said.”
“Is that so.”
“However, isn’t a preliminary investigation essential to expand our territory?”
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke seriously.
“Two months later, I will personally go to Zhejiang.”