Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 106 - A Change of Perspective (6)
Chapter 106 – A Change of Perspective (6)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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What he felt as soon as he saw the axe was marvel itself.
What material was it made of?
That could not be known. Even as Yeon Ho-jeong, who had broken thousands of weapons and seen tens of thousands of weapons, he could not recognize what iron was used.
However, he knew one thing.
‘It’s an incredible hardness.’
The pitch-black shaft that seemed to even suck in sunlight caught his eye.
Black and black. It had an extraordinary luster to be dismissed as a simple black color. Even so, it was sucking in light, making the onlooker feel a strange sense of mystery.
An overwhelming hardness that would absolutely not break. Simultaneously, a bizarre flexibility that seemed like it would receive the sense of weight sufficiently well.
The harmony of strength and flexibility dwelled together. He had that thought just from merely looking at the shaft.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s gaze went down.
‘That is?’
A ring larger than an adult male’s fist was hung at the end of the shaft, but it looked like a different material from the shaft. Of course, its hardness also didn’t seem to fall behind the shaft.
‘It is a weight.’
It is a ring and at the same time plays the role of a weight adjusting the center of gravity. He had the thought that the weight of just that ring would be incredible.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s gaze went up again.
The moment he saw the giant axe blade, he felt his breath hitch.
“I know your temperament is plain. However, it was too much of a shame to just leave it as is, so I tried making it a little flashy.”
It was not at the level of a little flashy.
The width of the axe blade was slightly smaller than the iron axe he had handled previously. Instead, the thickness had increased.
And in the center of that giant axe blade, a fierce-looking dragon head that looked as if it would pop out at any moment was attached. Around the dragon head, red and blue haze-like detailing took place, adding even more flashiness.
It is a masterpiece.
A warrior’s fighting spirit and a monarch’s majesty were being felt together. It was an indescribable majesty.
“The name is something the owner gives, but it was a waste to just leave it so I was calling it Crazy Dragon.”
Crazy Dragon. It’s a crazy dragon.
It is a somewhat threatening name, but those two simple characters suited it far too well. It was a divine weapon where craftsmanship was culminated, as if it wouldn’t rust even after a thousand years.
Yeon Ho-jeong walked as if possessed and grabbed the shaft.
‘It’s heavy.’
It was an incredible weight and sense of thickness. Even though it was similar to the iron axe he used to swing, he received the feeling that it was thicker.
‘It is different from the Wind and Thunder Axe too.’
The Wind and Thunder Axe was his beloved weapon during his Dark Emperor days. That too was a divine weapon made by the best craftsman of the Unorthodox Path.
If the Wind and Thunder Axe is lightning, the Crazy Dragon Axe is wind.
If the Wind and Thunder Axe is cool, the Crazy Dragon Axe is intense.
If the Wind and Thunder Axe showed a restrained aesthetic, the Crazy Dragon Axe had a masterpiece spirit that stretched out without restraint.
A sense of reassurance that seemed like it could protect its owner in any battle was felt. His blood boiled just by looking at it as if a God of War had dwelled within it.
Yeon Ho-jeong lifted the Crazy Dragon Axe.
Hoo-oong.
The sense of weight transmitted to his wrist, elbow, shoulder, and then his entire upper body was incredible.
Surprisingly, it somehow seemed lighter than the iron axe he had used before. It should actually be heavier, but the burden transmitted to his body was less.
Yeon Ho-jeong unconsciously operated the Jade Gauze True Formula.
Wooooooong!
The axe cried out.
It was similar to a dragon’s cry. It seemed as if the fierce dragon situated in the center of the axe blade was opening its mouth and roaring.
Pyeon Il-gang smiled in satisfaction.
“The axe also seems to like you. How is it? Is the feeling okay?”
It was insufficient no matter what flowery words existing in the world were attached to it.
Eventually, Yeon Ho-jeong, who was contemplating, spat out a word.
“There is nothing better.”
Pyeon Il-gang burst into a loud laugh.
Modifiers like amazing, the best, etc. were not needed. However, if it perfectly fit the owner to hold and swing, that exactly would be the best praise for a craftsman.
“I knew it would suit your heart. Swing it to your heart’s content. No matter how fierce your internal energy is, it will easily withstand it.”
Yeon Ho-jeong bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
“Heoheo, the owner is happy, so I am also happy.”
Pyeon Il-gang beckoned to Muk Bi.
“Young lady, follow me.”
“Yes? Ah, yes!”
Muk Bi also seemed to have lost her soul to the dazzling appearance of the Crazy Dragon Axe. She, who was startled, glanced at the Crazy Dragon Axe even as she followed Pyeon Il-gang.
Yeon Ho-jeong carried the Crazy Dragon Axe and went out of the smithy.
Jjiiiiing!
The axe blade of the Crazy Dragon Axe, receiving the pouring sunlight, emitted a vivid brilliance.
It did not scatter the light but converged it. The axe blade that sucked in that light seemed to make the dragon head and haze look even more radiant.
He put strength into the hand holding the shaft.
Squeeze!
The stronger he gripped it, the more the domineering power of the Crazy Dragon Axe seemed to increase exponentially.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“I have received an undeserved gift.”
This one was enough. An axe other than this was not needed.
In his heart, he wanted to try swinging it right away, but because of the location, he couldn’t. He sat on a flat rock and was busy examining the Crazy Dragon Axe as if possessed.
How much time passed like that.
Cre-ea-eak.
The sound of drawing a bowstring dug into his ears.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shone.
Piiiiiiing!
A wooden arrow shot out at a ruthless speed.
Yeon Ho-jeong swung the Crazy Dragon Axe as it was.
Chwaaaak! Bang!
The Crazy Dragon Axe, which exactly split the shot wooden arrow in half, plunged deeply into the ground. He didn’t even put much strength into it, but more than half of the axe blade was stuck in.
Yeon Ho-jeong pulled out the axe.
Not a single speck of dust was on the axe blade that had split through stones and dirt.
“As expected, you are fast even while holding that heavy thing.”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Muk Bi standing far away.
A red Horn Bow was held in Muk Bi’s hand. Like the Crazy Dragon Axe, it was unknown what material the bow and string were.
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“It is an incredible tension?”
“I didn’t even put internal energy into the arrow.”
Yet the speed it was shot at was reminiscent of a thunderbolt. The completeness of the bow was not inferior to the Crazy Dragon Axe.
Pyeon Il-gang explained.
“It is a treasure called the Red Lotus Bow. I do not know who made it, but it is said it is difficult to draw the string to the end unless it is the internal energy of a peak expert. In terms of rarity, it would be even more than the Crazy Dragon Axe.”
Yeon Ho-jeong and Muk Bi bowed their heads.
“Thank you.”
Pyeon Il-gang burst into a hearty laugh.
“What is there to thank me for. You have obtained good weapons, so I would like it if you use them meaningfully. That is enough.”
A good craftsman gifted rare treasures to good martial artists.
The craftsman did not wish for material rewards. However, what he wished for would probably be the sight of the martial artists holding the treasures he made commanding the world.
The two martial artists promised to become great martial artists who would not lack the craftsman’s expectations and left their seats.
“Is the bow good?”
“Incredibly.”
“It looks like it.”
“Is the axe good?”
“Need you ask.”
“It looks like it.”
“Right, then I will be going now, so see you later.”
“Where are you going?”
“I have business in Zhejiang. At the latest, I should arrive before this year passes.”
“Then let’s go together.”
“You too?”
“Why? Can’t we go together?”
“There is no reason not to, but… won’t you just suffer pointlessly?”
“If I got a bow, I should try pulling the string.”
“I am not going to fight.”
“We will know when we see. For some reason, I feel like Young Master Yeon will get swept up in all sorts of incidents and accidents.”
“Am I a kid.”
“I am just saying so. If by any chance something happens, I might be of great help, you know?”
“Fine, there’s no need to stop you if you insist on suffering.”
“You have a talent for speaking so beautifully. I am always admiring it.”
“I think I said this several times, but I didn’t know you were someone who spoke so well. You were a gloomy person who didn’t open your mouth even once except when eating.”
“When did I do that?”
“…There must have been such a time.”
“There isn’t, such a time.”
“Well, anyway, let’s run once again.”
“Sounds good.”
* * *
“Branch Head.”
“I don’t know who it is, but tell them I am busy.”
“It is not that, but…”
“What is it?”
“A letter has arrived from the main family.”
The young man, who had been moving his brush for a long time, stopped his hand.
Putting down the brush, he raised his head.
“From the family?”
“That is correct.”
The young man, who was lost in thought for a moment, held out his hand.
“Give it here.”
“Yes.”
The young man read the letter down in one breath.
Yi Geon, seeing the young man’s face gradually darkening as he read the letter, asked.
“Is it a funding problem this time as well?”
“…….”
“Branch Head?”
“Hm? Ah, it is not a funding problem.”
“However, your expression is not good.”
The young man let out a bitter smile.
“It seems my brother has noticed no matter how you look at it.”
“……!”
“It seems this is as far as it goes.”
“…How about sending a letter one more time? As you know, a war is on the verge of breaking out among the Zhejiang merchants. If we monopolize the trade with the Western merchants in the midst of this, this place will instantly become a battlefield.”
“It would.”
The young man, Murong Yu, let out a sigh.
“However, is my brother someone who would understand such things. If they cause trouble, my brother will immediately dispatch troops.”
“…….”
“Then it is the end. Everyone who goes against my brother’s words will die.”
Yi Geon sighed.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Branch Head, but… would he really do that?”
“He would.”
“…….”
“If it is my brother, he will unconditionally do so. He resolves passable matters through conversation, but if it crosses the line, thoroughly crushing the opponent with threats and schemes is my brother’s method.”
Murong Yu’s eyes deepened.
“If even that doesn’t work, then he unconditionally draws his sword. And he cuts them down. The core that became the cause of the problem.”
“…….”
“It seems mediation is only up to here. It would rather be better to help them from behind. Wouldn’t it be better than seeing their necks fly off to an innocent sword.”
“I see… that is so.”
Murong Yu sighed.
“Every time this happens, I realize how insignificant my abilities are.”
Yi Geon felt inwardly sorry.
‘The Branch Head’s abilities are sufficiently amazing.’
It wasn’t empty words; it was actually so.
Murong Yu hadn’t even reached thirty years of age. Yet, he was a genius equipped with martial prowess that exceeded the elder level of most large sects.
If this fact became known, the reputation of the One Dragon and Three Phoenixes would come to be called the Two Dragons and Three Phoenixes of the past.
That wasn’t all. Murong Yu was outstanding not only in martial arts but also in business talent. Furthermore, his nature also didn’t lack being called a gentleman.
However, even an unprecedented genius would find it difficult to spread their wings if crushed by the family’s power.
A tragic genius whom the world doesn’t recognize. That was Murong Yu.
“Branch Head.”
“Speak.”
“Rather… how about doing it like this?”
“Hm?”
Yi Geon carefully said.
“The merchants of Jiangsu, which is adjacent to Zhejiang, are also in a tense situation. And the one mediating them is the Yeon Clan.”
Murong Yu’s eyes shone.
“Green Mountain Yeon Clan.”
“Yes. It is said their mediation is so outstanding that the conflict among the Jiangsu merchants, which seemed like it would burst at any moment, has been quite sealed up in just two months.”
“But?”
“Since it has come to this, if you want to save them, how about joining hands with the Yeon Clan?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Pardon?”
Murong Yu firmly shook his head.
“I absolutely cannot do that. That is an act that puts not only the merchants but also you and the martial artists under the branch in danger.”
“…Is that so.”
“I will not be able to deceive my brother in any way. Furthermore…”
Murong Yu sighed.
“Recently, the Yeon Clan’s reputation is shaking the world. And the reason for that is thanks to the Yeon Clan’s Eldest Young Master.”
“That is correct.”
“The Yeon Clan’s Eldest Young Master faced the Myeong Clan alone. However, the one who decisively brought them down was my brother. There is undoubtedly something I do not know between my brother and the Yeon Clan’s Eldest Young Master.”
“…….”
“Even a very slight danger is fatal. At least for now.”
“Then in the end, do you have no choice but to give up.”
Murong Yu shook his head.
“Try setting the direction towards supporting them. Since my brother has urged it, the matters here are no different from being already finished.”
It was then.
An urgent voice was heard from outside the branch head’s office.
“Branch Head!”
“What is the matter?”
“They say Lady Yeon-hwa has arrived in Hangzhou!”
Murong Yu’s face hardened.
“Yeon-hwa, that child?”
“That is correct. And she says she will drop by the branch in a few days!”
Yi Geon’s cheek trembled slightly.
“…Branch Head.”
Murong Yu buried his back into the chair.
Bitterness colored his face.
“It seems everything is over.”
That night.
Yeon Ho-jeong and Muk Bi entered Zhejiang.