Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 105 - A Change of Perspective (5)
Chapter 105 – A Change of Perspective (5)
===================
Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
===================
From the day after finishing the conversation with his father, Yeon Ho-jeong stayed indoors without going out for three days.
And after three days passed, Yeon Ho-jeong, who came out of his residence, headed straight to the grand training ground.
It was not to train alone. He naturally conversed with the clan’s martial artists and trained together with them.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s training was harsh. Consuming stamina to the limit was a common occurrence, and he didn’t even hesitate to aim for the martial artists’ lives with actual spears and swords.
It was an excessively dangerous method. It was also a somewhat barbaric method, and a way completely detached from the Yeon Clan’s training methods up until now.
At the same time, he clearly distinguished between public and private matters.
After training that felt like dying, he always ate his meals together with the martial artists at the training ground. He exchanged cheerful jokes with the martial artists, and before long, the martial artists also lowered their guard against him.
The martial artists naturally realized. That the Eldest Young Master didn’t consider them merely as useful tools.
They could tell by being together even without explaining in words. That the Yeon Clan’s Eldest Young Master, Yeon Ho-jeong, considered the martial artists like one body, and merely wished for everyone to become stronger.
Like that, half a month passed.
As time passed, the martial artists joining the training increased.
Yeon Ho-jeong accepted them with a smile. And pushed them with ruthless training as if it didn’t matter if they died.
However, surprisingly, there were no martial artists who dropped out of the training.
Yeon Ho-jeong was venomous yet had a meticulous side. He personally looked after martial artists with severe injuries, and if it seemed impossible for them to train the next day, he made sure they rested.
It was an appearance Yeon Ho-jeong had never shown before. Yeon Ho-jeong, who had only been infinitely strong, accompanied his subordinates, finally showing a dignity befitting the Eldest Young Master of the Yeon Clan.
Like that, another half a month.
After a month had passed since he resolved to engage in training, seventy percent of the clan’s martial artists joined the training with Yeon Ho-jeong.
Excluding the martial artists who went out on missions or stood guard, it was practically as if almost all the martial artists were participating.
Even though the martial artists’ training had become different from before, Yeon Wi didn’t pay mind to it. He merely silently watched the process of Yeon Ho-jeong and the martial artists becoming one. It must mean he believed in his son that much.
Time flowed once again.
Around the time the venomous summer sunlight lost its momentum and the cool breeze of early autumn blew in.
The aura of the Yeon Clan’s martial artists, which had only been infinitely clear like a sunny sky, became sharp like a renowned sword of the world. It wasn’t their nature, but their posture as martial artists that changed. They had equipped a solid mental fortitude capable of immediately responding no matter what happened at any time.
It was as if they had all become Yeon Ho-jeong.
It was truly what Yeon Ho-jeong had wished for.
Crack!
“Keok!”
Yang Heum collapsed, vomiting blood from a mercilessly thrust fist.
Yeon Ho-jeong grinned.
“You lost, right?”
He smiles so well after almost killing a person.
Surprisingly, Yang Heum grumbled while spitting out dry coughs.
“Damn it, to not even be able to receive seven exchanges.”
Shin Mo, who was standing below the training ground, spoke with his characteristic thick voice.
“Yang Heum. What kind of way of speaking is that in front of the Eldest Young Master.”
“Cough!”
“It is not something to overlook just because you are hurt.”
“Cough-cough! Kyaaak!”
Shin Mo’s face crumpled.
Lately, these guys keep ignoring the Squad Leader’s words. He might have to pick up a club sooner or later.
Yeon Ho-jeong waved his hand.
“I am fine. You don’t have to be like that so much.”
“However, Eldest Young Master.”
“It’s enough if they are afraid of the Squad Leader. I think that’s better.”
Shin Mo cleared his throat.
“I will fix his habit.”
“That is the Squad Leader’s capability so I won’t mind. Indeed, it’s about time to discipline them.”
Yang Heum’s face turned deathly pale.
“I was just talking to myself. Absolutely not to the Eldest Young Master…”
“Hey, you’re noisy, so quickly get lost to the infirmary. If you don’t properly treat this internal injury, it will be a headache.”
“Ah, yep.”
Yang Heum scratched his head and went down the training ground.
It didn’t show because the atmosphere was like this, but Yang Heum was in a state of quite severe internal injury. If not for considerable patience, it would be difficult to even walk out on his own two feet.
Yet, there was no disorder in his walking. He had embodied strong stamina and patience through the past training.
In Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes, only now were the clan’s martial artists becoming martial artists befitting martial artists.
‘The rest, the heads of each organization will take care of.’
When a person frequently sees blood, naturally their hands become rough and their temperament sharpens.
Polishing that part was the job of heads like Shin Mo. Regarding this part, they had a deep conversation in advance, and the heads carried out thorough education on the Way of Chivalry and Righteousness in parallel.
“Eldest Young Master. This time, with me once…”
“No. I’m busy.”
Yeon Ho-jeong came down the training ground.
Shin Mo asked.
“Are you ending today’s training here?”
“How could that be? Only I am finished. Wrap up what you were doing.”
“Ah, are you busy?”
If it were the past Shin Mo, he wouldn’t have even asked like this. While seeming like he wasn’t, he too was being dyed in this flexible atmosphere.
Yeon Ho-jeong laughed and patted Shin Mo’s shoulder.
“Roll them properly while I am away.”
“Pardon?”
“Well then.”
Yeon Ho-jeong headed straight to his residence.
It was when he reached the front of his residence.
Swaaaak! Ta-ak!
Yeon Ho-jeong extended his left arm without even looking and snatched the flying arrow.
He spoke in an indifferent tone.
“Slow.”
“It can’t be helped.”
Before he knew it, Muk Bi appeared from the shadow under the wall.
“Because I threw it bare-handed.”
“If you’re going to aim, you should aim for the chest or abdomen, what’s with the shoulder?”
“Because I felt like you would really die then.”
“Don’t be funny. Have you seen a tiger get hurt by a falling autumn leaf?”
“That metaphor is too much.”
“Be quiet.”
Muk Bi asked.
“It ended early today? Where are you going?”
“You get ready too.”
“Ready?”
“Word came from Divine Craftsman Pyeon. He said he also procured a bow for you to use, so you should go too.”
Muk Bi’s eyes sparkled brightly.
“S-Shall I. Please wait a moment!”
She dashed into the Courtyard of Graceful Swallows.
Looking at her at times like this, she’s truly like a child.
‘Having turned several people into cripples with an innocent face.’
Muk Bi had also participated in the training with the martial artists several times. And in spars with the martial artists who underestimated her, she smashed the majority of them.
Muk Bi was fast and strong. Even without holding a bow, she overwhelmed the clan’s martial artists with just basic close-quarters combat.
‘Because her movement technique is such a cheat.’
Befitting the possessor of an extreme movement technique, her lower body was practically no different from a lethal weapon. Martial artists’ bones would frequently break like falling leaves from a single lightly struck kick technique.
Steel is threatening even if you don’t sharpen the blade. Muk Bi’s body and internal energy were exactly like that.
‘Movement technique… It turned out well. I should temper it on the way.’
Yeon Ho-jeong, who entered his residence, washed, and changed into new clothes, headed straight to the clan head’s office.
“Have you come.”
“Yes. And…”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked with sickened eyes at the pile of documents stacked high on one side.
“You are still busy.”
“It has become so.”
“Is Manager Yi saying he won’t be the Chief Steward?”
“That is correct.”
“Please quickly get someone. At this rate, you will collapse from overwork.”
“It is fine.”
“No matter how much of an expert Father is, there is no strongman in front of paperwork.”
“I will do it moderately and then hand it all over to Manager Yi. If he finds it hard himself, he will figure it out and get someone.”
He is truly pitiful beyond compare.
It feels like Yi Baek-hyeon’s wailing sounds are already lingering in his ears. Yi Baek-hyeon was also a person who learned the Yeon Clan’s internal energy, but he wondered if he had tempered it enough to withstand this murderous workload.
“Are you going to Divine Craftsman Pyeon?”
“That is correct.”
Yeon Wi scanned Yeon Ho-jeong up and down.
“Divine Craftsman Pyeon is an amazing person, but haven’t you put too much effort into dressing up?”
Yeon Ho-jeong cleared his throat.
Yeon Wi, who quietly looked at Yeon Ho-jeong, shook his head from side to side.
“How can it do with your personality being so hasty.”
“It was a task I had to go do anyway.”
“Tsk, I wondered why you stopped by from broad daylight.”
Yeon Ho-jeong planned to head straight to Zhejiang after stopping by Pyeon Il-gang’s smithy.
The preliminary investigation to expand the Yeon Clan’s business to Zhejiang was the pretext, but his real purpose was Murong Yu. He had been confirming Murong Yu’s location once every five days through the Beggars’ Gang.
Fortunately, he was still at the Zhejiang branch.
The weather was slowly getting colder. When winter comes, maritime trade also takes a hit. He would probably be incredibly busy like the Yeon Clan.
Yeon Wi took out a money pouch from the drawer under the table.
“I prepared it in advance just in case, but I didn’t know I would be giving it to you already.”
“What is this?”
“It’s money. Don’t sleep rough pointlessly claiming you are training. The weather is getting cold.”
“I understand.”
Yeon Ho-jeong quickly offered a bow.
“Then, I will be back.”
“Return safely with your body intact.”
“Yes. Huh? But where is Ji-pyeong? I haven’t seen him lately.”
Yeon Wi clicked his tongue.
“Are you saying you only just realized Ji-pyeong is absent?”
“……?”
“I sent him to an acquaintance for a while. That was already twenty days ago.”
“…Has it been that long?”
“I even sent the Flying Eagle Squad along.”
“Ah? Come to think of it, those guys seemed to have said they were going somewhere for a while too…”
“…….”
“…….”
“Do you realize how indifferent you are?”
“I originally cannot do two things at once.”
“Be quiet. He said he would have a meal with you before leaving, but after seeing you train with the martial artists, he just left. Spend some time with Ji-pyeong when you return.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smacked his lips. He was so absent-minded that he didn’t even know that was the case.
‘I should reflect on myself.’
No matter how busy one is, there are things one must not miss. As an older brother, he felt sorry towards his younger brother.
“Anyway, I will be back soon.”
“Alright.”
* * *
“Elder.”
“Have you come.”
His appearance had distinctly changed compared to when he saw him two months ago.
His beard was bushier, and his body had become somewhat smaller. It seemed he had been engrossed in work for the past two months.
Pyeon Il-gang spoke with a smile.
“It’s amazing.”
“Pardon?”
“I mean you and this young lady. Only two months have passed, but it’s different again from then. The roughly sharpened energy has subsided quite a bit.”
Are you saying even things like that are visible.
Pyeon Il-gang was a person who could even recognize the weapon a martial artist used at a glance. As it was him, it definitely wouldn’t be empty words.
‘Has my aura changed that much.’
Qi moves by intent, and intent is influenced by the heart.
As the heart changes, naturally the aura is bound to change. Training with the clan’s martial artists, his sharply honed aura had rather sunk down calmly.
Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.
“Unlike us, it seems you have suffered a lot pointlessly, Elder.”
“Tsk! Suffering? Do not say that. I am a person who lives with being a swordsmith as my profession. For me who handles fire and iron, making a splendid weapon is the mandate of heaven.”
Pyeon Il-gang burst into hearty laughter.
“Fortunately, it seems the suffering was worth it. I sincerely hope it perfectly suits your heart.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“Since you have such confidence, I will look at it as objectively as possible.”
“Of course. It is a fellow that must push through the rough world together with you.”
With that temperament, it would be difficult for such confidence to come out. It must mean he put all his heart and soul into it.
“Now, come in.”
Yeon Ho-jeong entered the smithy with a pounding heart.
As soon as he entered the entrance, he saw a giant axe stood up in the far corner.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s mouth dropped open.
“How is it? Plausible?”