Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 112 - You Have to Lift Your Head to See the Sky (6)

Chapter 112 – You Have to Lift Your Head to See the Sky (6)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Thud!

It was a step infused with exceptional strength. With a single step that was almost a stomp, his figure stretched out beyond seven zhang.

Although it was a step with power behind it, his movement looked incredibly flexible. Despite carrying the Crazy Dragon Axe that weighed over eighty jin on his shoulder, he was as agile as a running cat.

‘As expected!’

His speed was much faster than before, but his internal energy consumption was reduced to a third.

Certainly, learning a movement technique professionally increased efficiency noticeably. He was already looking forward to how far he could advance in a single breath once he reached the grand accomplishment of the Heaven-Sent Moving Flight.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was running lightly, suddenly saw a rock in the middle of the mountain path in the distance.

Pa-ah-ak!

It seemed like he moved softly, but he soon entered the mountain path. It was an astonishing bodily movement.

Yeon Ho-jeong swung the Crazy Dragon Axe.

Bang!

With a loud sound of collision, the rock rolled to the side.

Although he struck it with the broad side of the axe, it was a blow that drew out the White Tiger Qi to the tenth star of power. It was normal for it to have split instead of rolling.

Even so, the rock rolled without breaking. It meant his internal energy control was that outstanding.

‘I’ll have to tweak it a bit more.’

He caught sight of fine cracks on the surface of the rolling rock. He thought he had perfectly pushed it, but it seemed the impact had left a mark.

‘It’s because of the Crazy Dragon.’

When a divine weapon on the level of the Crazy Dragon Axe receives the internal energy of a martial artist, it is bound to draw out power beyond their actual skill.

Naturally, the power was bound to increase compared to when he swung the Iron Axe. Originally, the size of the power Yeon Ho-jeong possessed then and now was also different.

‘I must refine it so that I can freely control even the power of a divine weapon. As expected, I still have a long way to go.’

Power that cannot be completely controlled is not true strength.

That was why Yeon Ho-jeong wielded an eighty-jin axe and swung the Iron Chain, whose technique application itself was difficult.

If he could freely handle these two exotic weapons, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to consider that he had established the highest realm in External Arts.

‘An iron chain, huh.’

Thinking of the iron chain, the conversation with Pyeon Il-gang suddenly came to mind.

‘I couldn’t get a usable iron chain for you. Because even a solidly made iron chain will break quickly if you attach the Crazy Dragon to it. Your internal energy is also a factor.’

‘Is that so.’

‘So I thought of making one myself, but I had no choice but to give up. It would definitely take longer than making the Crazy Dragon.’

‘It’s fine. The Crazy Dragon alone is sufficient.’

‘No, that won’t do. I didn’t make an axe for you to swing. I made a weapon for the martial artist named Yeon Ho-jeong. If so, I must take responsibility for the iron chain as well.’

‘Tsk.’

‘Fortunately, one of my acquaintances said he acquired some Flexible Ghost Iron.’

‘Pardon?’

‘You haven’t heard of it? Flexible Ghost Iron is the most mysterious iron among all the irons scattered under heaven. Because the Metal Qi it holds is so thick, its form changes when you apply internal energy. It means it can stretch or shrink.’

‘…Such an iron exists?’

‘I couldn’t believe it either. Until I saw it myself.’

‘There are many wondrous items in the world.’

‘Anyway, since that person received a favor from me, I decided to get a little bit of the Flexible Ghost Iron. I will combine it with other iron to make an iron chain for you.’

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

‘He is a thankful person.’

A person who made crafting weapons his life’s work.

He had received a great favor. Because making a good weapon for a good martial artist was a great joy, he said he wouldn’t even accept money. That made him even more sorry and thankful.

‘I should buy a thank-you gift when I go back.’

Resolving deeply in his heart, he increased his speed.

Pa-ah-ah-ang!

As he cut through the empty air at a fast speed, it couldn’t be more refreshing.

As he advanced while simultaneously practicing his movement technique, he soon saw Hangzhou. And he also saw the Lake Fresh Great Joy Tower, which was said to be the largest and most glamorous in Hangzhou.

Thud!

Yeon Ho-jeong hopped over the wall in just two steps.

He crossed that high wall too easily. If it was before he learned the movement technique, he would have had to kick off it five or six times.

“Hoo. I’m tired after running around diligently all day.”

Today, he would definitely eat plentifully of delicious food and take a good rest.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had entered his lodging, stopped while trying to knock on Muk Bi’s door.

‘Hmm?’

Focusing his senses, he didn’t feel any presence in the room.

Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.

“What’s with this guy? Did he already go eat?”

To be fair, the sun was already setting. Since he hadn’t had a proper meal for a few days, he might be planning to eat a lot this time.

Gurgle.

Yeon Ho-jeong patted his stomach.

“What a cheapskate. He could have waited a little and eaten together.”

It was an unfunny thought. How could he wait without knowing when he would come and eat together?

Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled as he climbed to the top floor.

‘He’s right there.’

Even before he fully went up, he immediately saw Muk Bi.

Since he was treating her like a man, but objectively looking at it, Muk Bi was a beautiful woman. It was a beauty that would stand out wherever she went.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was about to smile and raise his hand, stopped.

“Can’t you apologize quickly!”

“Really, you are incredibly rude. Just what kind of lowly family do you come from?”

“Hey. Do you think things will be resolved if you just stand there blankly?”

In front of Muk Bi, a group of about ten men and women were gathered.

There were people frowning, people openly getting angry, and people with expressions full of contempt.

Surprisingly, all of them were glaring at Muk Bi. And Muk Bi was hesitating with a somewhat troubled face.

The young man standing at the head of the group of men and women sneered.

“Why is there no answer? If you committed a fault, shouldn’t you at least apologize?”

Muk Bi stuttered and spoke.

“I did apologize.”

“Apologize? That’s an apology? Are you saying it’s over with just one word, ‘I was sorry’?”

The young man, Ha Seok, arrogantly lifted his chin.

“If you committed a grave sin, you should kneel and bang your head on the ground. That’s a proper apology.”

Embarrassment settled on Muk Bi’s face.

She was someone who grew up in a closed group called Sun-Piercing Valley. She learned basic etiquette, but she lived so cut off from society, and she even spent most of her childhood shooting arrows without any friends.

When a conflict actually arose, her mind had no choice but to go blank. That was a separate issue from the strength or weakness of her martial arts.

“You want me to bow?”

“Why? Is your pride hurt? If you injured someone, you should rightly take corresponding responsibility. Don’t you even know that?”

Muk Bi’s neck flushed red.

“An injury, you say. Besides, you are the ones who committed the rudeness first.”

“Rudeness… This is a completely crazy bitch.”

It was quite vulgar language.

It was a situation where no matter how it was Muk Bi, she couldn’t help but get angry. She spoke with a reddened face.

“Even though it wasn’t something to apologize for, I apologized. Rather, shouldn’t you be the ones apologizing to me?”

She was someone who would leave her seat first if it was a somewhat tolerable matter. One could tell how unjustly treated Muk Bi felt.

Ha Seok chuckled.

“I don’t want to argue with a lowly thing anymore. Kneel down right now and apologize to Miss Dong. If you don’t want to do that, bring out something corresponding to it.”

“…What did you say?”

“We are descendants of the highest prestigious families in Zhejiang. We are not of a status that a half-baked Murim person like you can treat carelessly. The reason we endured until now is thanks to the status of your companion.”

Muk Bi’s face stiffened.

By companion, he meant Yeon Ho-jeong. It also meant that they too knew Yeon Ho-jeong.

“However, since you committed the fault, you should directly take responsibility for it, right?”

“That’s obvious. However…”

“If you really hate apologizing, then at least lick Miss Dong’s foot. That’s manners.”

At Ha Seok’s words, the men and women who were with him burst into laughter.

Muk Bi was dumbfounded.

No matter how lacking in worldly experience she was, she knew the current situation was not normal.

The surrounding atmosphere was especially strange.

‘They’re avoiding it.’

There were about twenty people eating on the top floor.

Surprisingly, none of them interfered in the current situation. Some seemed to have no interest at all, but the majority of them showed signs of deliberately ignoring it.

‘Is this the Jianghu?’

She was angry, and more than being angry, she was disappointed.

At the same time, she became cautious.

‘Young Master Yeon.’

They knew Yeon Ho-jeong. Just in case there was some sort of relationship between them and Yeon Ho-jeong, she absolutely must not make a move.

Even if that wasn’t the case, she couldn’t cause trouble. Although she had never revealed it outwardly, she considered Yeon Ho-jeong her benefactor.

No matter what happened, she must not cause trouble for her benefactor. That was the duty she knew.

“Then…”

It was when Ha Seok was about to open his mouth.

“Young Master Ha.”

The ten or so men and women looked to the side.

At a window seat quite a distance away, Murong Yeon-hwa was sipping tea.

“Although that miss’s fault is great, Young Master Ha was also too mischievous.”

“W-Was I? Haha!”

Ha Seok scratched his head awkwardly.

He had been so high and mighty in front of Muk Bi, but he was very cautious towards Murong Yeon-hwa. It was a sight where the superiority and inferiority of power were clearly revealed.

“Even though the opponent’s fault is great, wouldn’t it be a shame if your reputations were tarnished by getting unnecessarily swept up in such an affair? I think it’s best to bury this matter here.”

Murong Yeon-hwa asked the young girl behind Ha Seok, Dong So-bang.

“What about you, little sister So-bang? Are you okay?”

Dong So-bang stuck her lips out.

She stroked the back of her hand.

“It still hurts a bit, but… well, it’s fine. I’ll just think of it as being bitten by a dog.”

“You’re also mischievous, little sister. Still, thank you for thinking like that.”

Murong Yeon-hwa looked at Muk Bi and spoke.

“It seems these people were very surprised. As you can see, they are descendants of prestigious families in Zhejiang, so they are not accustomed to worldly disputes.”

“…”

“Miss, you must have been equally surprised, so I will apologize on their behalf.”

Muk Bi wordlessly looked at Murong Yeon-hwa.

Ha Seok clicked his tongue.

“She really is a bitch without a shred of manners.”

“Young Master Ha.”

“But she’s too much. She should rightly at least offer words of gratitude to Miss Murong.”

Murong Yeon-hwa smiled and spoke.

“It seems that person is also not accustomed to worldly disputes. Please understand her, everyone.”

“Ahem!”

At that time, Muk Bi opened her mouth.

“Is it originally like this?”

Murong Yeon-hwa spoke with a puzzled face.

“Are you speaking to me?”

“Yes.”

“What did you say?”

“I asked if it is originally like this.”

“What is?”

“The Jianghu, is it originally such a petty place?”

Instantly, a murderous intent arose in Ha Seok’s eyes.

“This bitch!”

“Young Master Ha.”

At Murong Yeon-hwa’s voice, Ha Seok shut his mouth. However, perhaps he was greatly angered, he panted heavily.

It was the same for the other men and women who were with him. It seemed as if blades were attached to the gazes looking at Muk Bi.

Murong Yeon-hwa spoke in a somewhat serious voice.

“That is a dangerous remark. As I told you, these people are descendants of prestigious families in Zhejiang. But to give you an answer…”

“…”

“Well? I don’t think this is petty. If Miss had sincerely apologized, would these people have gotten so angry?”

“I sincerely apologized.”

“An apology is not just about words and expressions. Sometimes, there is also an attitude that one should rightly take depending on one’s status.”

Murong Yeon-hwa finished the conversation with a smile.

“Because you seem to be a person dark to the ways of the world, I did not blow the matter out of proportion. But keep this in mind. If these people had set their minds to blowing the matter out of proportion, it would have been a matter that grew endlessly.”

“…”

“I hope that was a sufficient answer. Now, please finish your meal.”

It was then.

“Is there really a need to do that?”

Murong Yeon-hwa’s face stiffened.

Muk Bi turned her head toward the place where the voice came from. Yeon Ho-jeong was there.

Yeon Ho-jeong spoke in a calm tone.

“If an incident broke out, you have to see it to the end, why cut it off in the middle? Try blowing the matter out of proportion more.”