Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 126 - Orthodox Path Murim Alliance (1)
Chapter 126 – Orthodox Path Murim Alliance (1)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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‘Hmm?’
Yeon Wi’s eyes became sharp. Far away, about a hundred masters stopped and were watching this side.
It was quite a distance, but he could instantly recognize who they were.
“Namgung Clan.”
Number One in Swords Namgung Clan.
It was a relationship entangled somewhat awkwardly with the Yeon Clan. However, Yeon Wi’s expression remained unchanged as usual.
“How does it look to you?”
“Yes?”
Muk Bi looked at Yeon Wi in surprise.
Yeon Wi pointed at the Namgung Clan with his chin.
“Their skill level.”
“Ah…”
Confusion settled on Muk Bi’s face.
“I think it’s amazing. I can feel a piercing sword qi even from here.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. It feels heavy and grand.”
“You saw well. Everyone who has faced the Namgung’s sword expresses it as grand.”
On the other hand, the Yeon Clan’s sword was different.
The Yeon Clan’s sword pursued strict orthodox methods. So it was evaluated that if one learned it moderately, there was no particularly outstanding part, but if one cultivated it properly, it could suppress ten thousand swords.
Perhaps the title of Number One in Swords might be more suitable for the Yeon Clan than Namgung.
At least when limited to the Orthodox Path Murim.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
The Yeon Clan’s forces moved.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was riding a horse, stealthily moved next to Muk Bi.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Relax your expression, punk.”
“W-What’s wrong with my expression?”
“It looks like a black fire has caught in your heart. Are you so confused you don’t know what to do?”
In fact, Muk Bi’s heart was dizzy.
She had heard the rumor that the Namgung Clan had raided the headquarters of the Anhui Blood Bow and cut off the sprout of evil. If so, Sun-Piercing Valley would have definitely walked the path of destruction.
They did what she was supposed to do. It was intended, but somehow her heart was distracted.
“I told you before, but there is no need to feel indebted to them, nor resent them over such a thing. We just used them as chess pieces. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“I know.”
“Yeah, if you know, that’s enough.”
Muk Bi sighed.
“I know, but my heart feels really strange.”
“There is no need to force your feelings to be sorted out.”
“Phew.”
Muk Bi, who was letting out a sigh, suddenly looked at the horse Yeon Ho-jeong was riding.
“It’s a bit belated to say…”
“Hmm?”
“It’s a really amazing horse.”
The horse Yeon Ho-jeong rode was larger and grander than other horses. Every time it took a step, its dynamically dividing muscles were clearly revealed.
“It can’t be helped.”
The weight of the Crazy Dragon Axe was exactly eighty-two jin.
Being with a heavy weapon over eighty jin naturally affects the horse’s stamina. It would be different if it were the weight of an intact person, but if by any chance the moment came to wield the Crazy Dragon Axe while on horseback, the horse’s stamina would drop drastically.
Naturally, they had no choice but to get a warhorse with good stamina and strong power.
“If others saw it, they would think Young Master Yeon is the person in charge.”
“Tsk.”
“I still don’t understand. The Yeon Clan must have many high-level martial arts, so why did you choose that heavy axe of all things?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smirked.
“Well.”
Him coming to wield an axe was close to a coincidence.
Although not as much as the Orthodox Path, there were many hidden masters in the Unorthodox Path. And when engaging in a chaotic battle with those masters, he acutely felt that there was a limit with bare hands.
In the midst of that, he grabbed a spear that had fallen on the ground by chance and swung it, and before he knew it, it changed into an axe. In other words, it must be seen as a talent realized while fighting.
“Whatever it is, if I can become stronger, that’s enough.”
“That’s so like you, Young Master Yeon.”
At that time, Yeon Wi raised his hand.
“Be quiet.”
Before they knew it, the group had reached in front of Namgung’s forces.
Namgung In stepped forward and cupped his fists.
“I greet Clan Head Yeon. I am Namgung In.”
Yeon Wi also bowed his head in return.
“I greet Clan Head Namgung. I am Yeon Wi.”
Those gathered here could feel the bizarre tension lingering between the two leaders.
Namgung In smiled.
“Are you on your way to the Murim Alliance?”
“That is so.”
“Since we met like this by chance, it seems there is no need to go separately. Will you join us?”
“Good.”
It was an incredibly simple conversation. With just a few words, the two clans came to travel together.
The two leaders drove their horses at the front.
“Hoho, it is amazing.”
“…?”
“You seem to have become stronger than when I saw you in the past. It was said the reputation of the Judge Sword shakes the East of the River, but later you will sweep the Great River North and South.”
“You praise me too much.”
It was a compliment offered with the intention of making the mood good. It was etiquette to respond appropriately, but Yeon Wi’s answer was only short.
He did not say words that did not come from his heart easily. That was Yeon Wi’s nature.
Moreover, the two clans were entangled in a bad incident between their children. It wasn’t a relationship to laugh and chat.
Namgung In glanced at Yeon Ho-jeong.
“You must be the son of Clan Head Yeon who has a widespread reputation recently.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was about to reply ‘That is so’, suddenly saw his father’s eyes.
He inwardly sighed.
“That is correct.”
“Hoho!”
Namgung In just burst into laughter.
Was he hurt by Yeon Ho-jeong’s simple answer? That was not it.
‘If I misjudged him, I misjudged him completely.’
He could tell at a glance.
Surprisingly, that martial art was not inferior to his firstborn who had just come out of closed-door training. At least it seemed so on the outside.
‘If this is his skill now, he must have looked down on most masters back then as well. I heard he played with Chu Seong, but it finally feels real now.’
Namgung In clicked his tongue.
‘To have messed with such a guy.’
It was a past incident, but he became disappointed in Namgung Hyeon once again.
Namgung In, who hid his inner thoughts, said with a smile.
“It is an aura that puts the nickname Tiger General of Green Mountain to shame. The Yeon Clan’s future is truly bright.”
“Thank you.”
He didn’t particularly show humility. But he didn’t seem to be talkative either.
Namgung In turned his head. He no longer had a reason to converse with Yeon Ho-jeong.
The eyes of him turning his head sank coldly.
‘Clan Head Yeon. You raised a monster.’
A tiger father and a dog son?
That was nonsense. Clan Head Yeon must have been hiding it, fearing his eldest son’s immense talent would become a disaster.
If Namgung In was surprised by Yeon Ho-jeong, Yeon Wi was also surprised by Namgung Pyo.
‘He is amazing.’
He was clearly the Young Clan Leader of the Namgung Clan. Rumors were widespread that he would soon succeed his father and take over the clan.
‘To have that level of martial arts at an age around thirty… He is a genius.’
There was no particular need to do so, but Yeon Wi unknowingly compared Namgung Pyo to his firstborn.
‘….’
Yeon Wi shook his head.
What was he thinking? Probably no one but himself would know.
“…Hmm.”
Namgung Pyo unknowingly let out a groan.
His eyes were directed towards Yeon Ho-jeong.
‘What is with that guy?’
Namgung Pyo’s eyes trembled faintly.
‘He isn’t lacking compared to me? At that age?’
He heard Yeon Ho-jeong’s age had just reached twenty. If so, there was a ten-year difference between him and himself.
Even so, he embraced such a grand aura. The dangerous atmosphere, as if looking at a volcano right before exploding, was superb.
‘This makes no sense…’
It felt as if his confidence and pride as a genius were being completely shattered.
It was when Namgung Pyo was about to open his mouth.
“It has been a while.”
Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at Namgung Hyeon.
Namgung Hyeon was trying hard to maintain an expressionless face.
“I wanted to meet you directly and apologize, but the opportunity did not arise. Since we met like this, I will apologize for the past incident.”
He did not explicitly say what the incident was. Since they already knew it mutually, it wouldn’t be good for these many people to hear it.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was quietly looking at Namgung Hyeon, said with a smile.
“Is it a sincere apology?”
“…What do you mean?”
“I’m saying there’s no need to try when you have no intention of apologizing in particular.”
In an instant, the atmosphere of the group sank coldly.
Namgung Hyeon stiffened his expression.
“If I had no intention of apologizing, I wouldn’t have done it. My apology is sincere.”
“Is it?”
“That is so. Since I am the person who committed the mistake, I have nothing else to say, but please do not condemn my heart as false at least.”
It was a remark oozing with sincerity. With his few words, sharp gazes headed towards Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“Isn’t it a fact rather than condemnation? You have no intention of apologizing to me.”
“Do you intend to insult me?”
“You’re being suppressed by an aura, aren’t you.”
“…?”
“I mean, it’s visible that you are thoroughly suppressed by your brother’s aura. It seems you couldn’t even open your mouth properly while coming all the way here.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“I don’t know whether your intention is to imprint your presence or what, but don’t use me for your desires. Even if you apologize with such a rotten expression, no one will believe it.”
Namgung Hyeon’s expression changed suddenly. And everyone who could see his expression was able to see it.
Namgung In clicked his tongue.
“It seems my son has ruined the mood for no reason. I will apologize on behalf of my son.”
Yeon Wi shook his head.
“My son lacks etiquette so much. I will also apologize.”
He said to Yeon Ho-jeong.
“Restrain yourself.”
“Understood.”
Ending with those words, Yeon Ho-jeong turned his head away.
Namgung Hyeon’s face became truly miserably distorted.
Even without that, his suppressed inferiority complex was right on the verge of exploding. In the midst of that, he was rather humiliated by the guy he hated extremely.
‘This…!’
He couldn’t control himself at all. He couldn’t hold it in.
Tssstssstsss.
A faint killing intent rose from Namgung Hyeon’s body as he glared at Yeon Ho-jeong.
“…?!”
In an instant, everyone’s faces stiffened. Except for Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Wi looked at Namgung In with sharp eyes.
Namgung In shouted angrily.
“What are you doing right now! Will you not withdraw your killing intent at once!”
A fierce internal energy was contained in that scolding.
In an instant, Namgung Hyeon thought ‘Oops’. His accumulated emotions had exploded and he unknowingly leaked killing intent.
It was then.
Slaaap!
Namgung Hyeon’s head was sharply turned away. Blood seeped out from the corners of his mouth from how strong the slap was.
Namgung Pyo cupped his fists towards everyone.
“I apologize. There was an incident recently where my younger brother’s heart was greatly hurt. Because of that, he has been making mistakes very frequently lately.”
Namgung Pyo looked at Namgung Hyeon with cold eyes.
Namgung Hyeon gritted his teeth.
“A while ago, he even experienced the early symptoms of qi deviation. I brought him along to let him get some fresh air, but it seems we made a mistake.”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“If it’s the early symptoms of qi deviation, it’s understandable. I understand.”
Namgung Pyo looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with thankful eyes.
Yeon Ho-jeong said with a smile.
“Isn’t it said that one mistake is a common occurrence in military affairs? I fully understand, so I hope you do not scold him too much.”
“Thank you for Young Master Yeon’s generosity.”
“Whatever the case, the atmosphere has become too bizarre. Rather than forcing ourselves to travel together, how about we meet again at the Murim Alliance and have a cup of tea?”
“I think that would be good too.”
The two people looked at Yeon Wi and Namgung In.
The two clan heads also nodded.
“That would be better.”
“Hoho, I have no face.”
“Then we will go first.”
“Please do.”
Like that, the Yeon Clan’s martial artists increased their speed.
When the distance had widened significantly, Yeon Wi said to Yeon Ho-jeong.
“You did well.”