Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 124 - The Moment of Decision (6)
Chapter 124 – The Moment of Decision (6)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Autumn passed and winter approached right in front of their noses.
“Slowly…”
The blowing wind was incredibly cold. Now, even when wearing fur clothes, one’s insides felt chilly.
“I should prepare.”
The gaze of Murong Yu looking up at the sky full of dark clouds was full of some kind of resolution.
“Yi Geon.”
“Yes, Branch Leader.”
“Take good care of the branch until I return.”
Yi Geon’s eyes shone.
“Are you really planning to go alone?”
Murong Yu smiled.
“Before meeting you, I lived my entire life alone and solitary. There is nothing new about it.”
“I see.”
“Besides, I declared that I would reform my clan, but even so, the Zhejiang Branch must not fail to do its role. If we do wrong, many people will starve.”
“…”
“Take good charge of it.”
“I will try to somehow operate it well until you return.”
“Your administrative ability is much more outstanding than mine. I do not doubt it.”
Murong Yu picked up the precious sword hanging on the wall.
‘…’
A faint nostalgia was felt in his gaze looking down at the sword.
“Then, let’s see each other later.”
“Please take care of your precious body.”
Murong Yu, who left the branch alone like that, immediately directed his steps to the land route.
I wonder why? He knew it was faster to go by boat, but his steps naturally chose the land route. And Murong Yu didn’t particularly try to change such a choice of his.
Half a shichen after moving by land route like that, he could confirm that his judgment was correct.
“I didn’t know we would meet on this path.”
Surprise lingered in Murong Yu’s eyes.
“Younger Brother Yeon?”
Yeon Ho-jeong furrowed his brows.
“Let’s talk once more about sorting out the titles later. Hearing it after a long time, it really doesn’t seem right.”
A glad complexion surfaced on Murong Yu’s face.
There are people whom you don’t feel affection for no matter how many times you meet them, while there are people whom you feel affection for even if you just see them once.
For Murong Yu, Yeon Ho-jeong was thoroughly the latter. Perhaps it might be because he reflected on his past self while looking at Yeon Ho-jeong.
“Did you have business in Zhejiang? What a coincidence this is.”
“What business would I have in Zhejiang? Other than meeting you, I mean.”
Murong Yu’s eyes grew large.
“You came to see me?”
“Yes.”
“Haha, you said let’s meet then when our primary operation succeeds, but how come you came visiting without even contacting.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“I came to say a word to you just in case you still hadn’t made up your mind. Even if you made up your mind, there’s also something I have to say separately.”
“Something to say?”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Murong Yu’s eyes.
His eyes were shining like the morning star. The sky was dark, but the momentum of resolution rising from his body and his uniquely affectionate atmosphere had a charm that made the person facing him feel good.
“You’re thinking of going under Murong Jun.”
“Yes, I am thinking of doing so.”
“Thank you for following my thought.”
“I should be more thankful. After meeting you, Younger Brother, I realized how passively I had lived. It’s all thanks to you, Younger Brother.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“You just merely needed an opportunity. You were a person who could make the right judgment anytime. I wish you would have more confidence in yourself.”
Murong Yu burst into hearty laughter.
“What’s the occasion today for you to give me so many good words.”
“We’ve only seen each other a few times, so what do you mean what’s the occasion?”
“Hahaha!”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s stinging way of speaking is truly affectionate. Murong Yu felt his heart becoming much lighter.
“Yes, what is it that you have to say to me?”
“…”
“Younger Brother Yeon?”
It was then.
Tuoong!
Along with a roar like a drumbeat, Yeon Ho-jeong’s body swooped in at a fearsome speed.
Murong Yu’s eyes flashed.
Jjeooeoeooeong!
The giant Crazy Dragon Axe was blocked by Murong Yu’s precious sword.
It was a dazzling response speed. But Yeon Ho-jeong’s attack did not end there.
Gathering strength in the Crazy Dragon Axe with mysterious body movements, Yeon Ho-jeong mercilessly drove Murong Yu into a corner.
Hwiriririk! Jjeojeojeojeong!
Continually retreating, Murong Yu blocked Yeon Ho-jeong’s attacks.
Even though it was a powerful attack force capable of splitting a boulder in a single strike and collapsing even a stone wall with its destructive wind, Murong Yu’s martial arts, blocking all those attacks with a single sword, had truly reached a divine skill.
How long did that attack continue like that?
Flash!
Murong Yu’s eyes flashed.
‘He disappeared?!’
Yeon Ho-jeong disappeared in an instant. He had completely lost him from his vision.
At that time, an illusion as if intense sunlight was pouring down from the sky full of dark clouds entered his mind.
‘Above!’
Murong Yu raised his head.
‘…!!’
Red fire energy was undulating on Yeon Ho-jeong’s body descending at a fearsome speed. That flashy and chilling fire energy was spread out like a veil from behind Yeon Ho-jeong’s shoulders, so it was like seeing a pair of wings.
Overwhelming firepower. Fearsome murderous intent.
Murong Yu’s sword instinctively moved following the sword formula.
Jjeojeojeojeojeojeong!
It was an immense martial art.
To swing that heavy weapon like a master of fast swords, if he had made even a slight mistake he would have almost dropped his sword.
Woooooong!
Murong Yu’s sword burst out a heroic sword cry.
Flash!
The azure sword shadow overlaid the pouring fire energy and blew it high into the sky.
Sarak.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s figure landed ten steps in front of Murong Yu.
‘Mmm.’
Murong Yu felt his hand holding the sword trembling subtly. He hadn’t been able to completely resolve the shock.
Not only that.
His waist felt stiff and his knees ached. Because he had received fast and heavy attacks in succession, the burden placed on his body had become severe.
‘It’s an amazing martial art.’
This was the first time he had actually fought with Yeon Ho-jeong.
Indeed it was a great martial art. No, it was a martial art much more intense than he had thought.
The reason being, it was because he knew Yeon Ho-jeong hadn’t exerted his full power.
“By chance, is there anything this foolish older brother made a mistake to you about, Younger Brother?”
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
“You didn’t make a mistake, but after exchanging a few moves just now, it is a bit frustrating.”
“Frustrating? Why?”
“You were fully capable of counterattacking, so why didn’t you attack even once?”
Murong Yu smiled.
“Being an older brother, how could I aim my sword at my younger brother.”
“Tsk.”
“However, your martial arts were too strong, Younger Brother, so I unavoidably had no choice but to draw my sword. I also don’t want to die, you know.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was quietly looking at Murong Yu, nodded.
“Seeing as it is, it seems you haven’t rusted.”
“Did you do it because you were afraid this foolish older brother’s skills wouldn’t be reliable?”
“How long has it been since you shared a proper match?”
“Are you talking about actual combat?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I don’t remember.”
“There is no study as good as actual combat for a martial artist. No matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t feel the sharpness unique to a swordsman, so I just whacked at you, but fortunately it isn’t a skill that would get beaten up anywhere.”
Even if martial arts are strong, going to the afterlife with a single surprise attack is this field.
Murong Yu was different. It had been a long time since he experienced actual combat, but his senses were still usable. Even if it wasn’t actual combat, the years lived polishing his martial arts day by day must be what made the current Murong Yu.
“It’s not very good, but it’s not bad either. It should be fine.”
Seureureung.
Murong Yu sheathed his sword.
“So, what is it that you have to say to this foolish older brother?”
“To hold out well. If you’re going to become Murong Jun’s person anyway, become it definitely.”
“It doesn’t seem like you came to say those words though.”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“I am also going to the Murim Alliance.”
Murong Yu was startled.
“You are also going to the Murim Alliance, Younger Brother Yeon? Are you perhaps thinking of going together with me?”
“There’s a limit even to delusions.”
“Then?”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked towards the northwest far away.
It was the direction where the Murim Alliance was.
“Early in the new year, the heads of the Nine Sects One Gang and the Six Great Clans will gather over the issue of establishing the Murim Alliance. The main house also decided to depart in five days.”
“Then?”
“Yes, I will go to the Murim Alliance with my father.”
Gladness resided on Murong Yu’s face.
“If so, then again…”
“I’m sorry, but our family isn’t cold-hearted like yours. We’re harmonious. Would there even be time to meet in that wide place?”
“…Groan.”
“Well… even if we can meet, we’ll mostly likely face each other as enemies.”
Murong Yu’s face, which had been full of smiles, stiffened in an instant.
“Enemies…”
“Yes, enemies. Of course, you must definitely go under Murong Jun to even become an enemy-like enemy.”
“I see.”
“Yes.”
The two people looked at each other with their mouths closed.
The person who broke the silence was Murong Yu.
“You heard the story of the main house of Murong giving me a warning, right?”
“Yes.”
“Your words were right, Younger Brother Yeon. If I hadn’t thought of going directly to the Clan Head older brother, they would have been endlessly keeping an eye on me.”
“Because Murong Jun is not an idiot.”
“And thanks to you, Younger Brother Yeon, who read that older brother’s personality and intentions, I am again stepping into the world like this.”
“I don’t want to hear unwarranted praises again.”
“Be tense.”
Yeon Ho-jeong blinked.
“I didn’t know those words would come out. Telling me to be tense.”
“I am a person with many mistakes. I will try not to be so, but I think there will be a moment when I startle you anytime.”
“You’re being funny. While working, mistakes are bound to come out. Naturally I should be tense to that degree.”
“However, please know this one thing. From now on, even if I make a mistake, I have no intention of apologizing to you, Younger Brother Yeon. Because moving forward in the time I’d be sorry to you is more profitable.”
“Oho?”
“So I apologize in advance. I am sorry.”
Yeon Ho-jeong grinned.
“That is a cool mindset. I hope there will be no wavering in that heart by all means.”
Murong Yu cupped his fists with moderation.
“Thank you for the time being. Let’s do well from now on too.”
“Me too.”
Like that, Murong Yu set off on his path first.
The sky was full of dark clouds, but somehow it also seemed like the sun was shining on the path Murong Yu was walking.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was looking at his back from afar, smacked his lips.
“Good grief. I think I know the reason why Father gets angry asking why I don’t send letters of regards. It’s like watching a three-year-old child, this is.”
At that time, Muk Bi revealed her figure from behind a large tree.
Unlike the past, her appearance with her hair tied back tightly looked overflowing with healthy beauty.
“You said he’s ten years older than you, Young Master Yeon. But what do you mean a child.”
“You, who are five or six years older than me, are also like a child.”
“Where do I look like a child?”
“You just always seem like a child, you.”
“Tch.”
Muk Bi rummaged and took out something from her waist.
“Eat this.”
“What is it?”
“It’s rice balls.”
“Don’t you have jerky, jerky? I want to eat meat.”
“Who are you calling a child?”
“You also should have tried eating rice balls until your throat was blocked, then you wouldn’t be able to say such things. No, but why did you pack rice balls instead of jerky while going on a path that takes a few days?”
“Because rice is more delicious.”
“Your taste is unique, anyway.”
“So are you not going to eat it?”
“Give it. I’m hungry.”
“You act picky even when you’re going to eat it.”
“You’ve really grown a lot.”
“You shouldn’t say such things to an adult.”
The two people laughed and chatted for a long time like that while eating up the rice balls.
* * *
“Where are you going again?”
“…”
“That bastard over there is playing tricks more and more. Won’t you bounce back over here right now?”
“Ah, please. The Front Ten Forms, the Rear Eight Forms! I already learned the entire Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms!”
“You only learned them, you haven’t properly polished them. It’s still far off. Come in right now.”
“I don’t want to.”
“You’ll die, really.”
“Master! The world is facing a cataclysm, is it okay to just idle away here? I have to go out right now and see how the world turns!”
“The kids will find out and bring the information on their own. Stop barking nonsense and bounce back quickly.”
“I don’t want to. I’m going to go.”
“Where do you keep saying you’re going, you crazy bastard!”
“I am going to the Murim Alliance!”
“What are you going to do by going there!”
“Go and at the Murim Alliance… Huh? But Master, aren’t you going?”
“Ahem. I contacted them saying I’m not going.”
“…”
“Huh? What the? Hey! Where are you going! Won’t you bounce back quickly?! That bastard over there, when did he master the Autumn Wind of Ten Thousand Li to that level? Ha! Now I’ve grown older, I won’t even be able to catch up. That damn guy, when he returns I should turn him into a cripple, really.”