Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 153 - Infamy and Name of Chivalry (3)
Chapter 153 – Infamy and Name of Chivalry (3)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Edited by Celestial Knight
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Paa-ah-ah-ang!
An endlessly soft and slow sword formula toyed with the atmosphere.
The form was slow, but the amount of true qi unravelling thread by thread from the tip of the sword was extremely constant.
‘Sword and Qi move as one even in extreme situations. However…’
Completing the form of martial arts to fit actual combat ultimately depends on the caster’s physical abilities and the method of operating internal energy.
That was the reason why a master could overpower an opponent even using the exact same form as the punches of street thugs. It was because they implemented speed and sharpness through a trained body and delicate operation of internal energy.
‘It’s creaking.’
Regret was contained in Murong Yu’s eyes as he watched the trajectory drawn by the tip of the sword.
‘The internal energy operation is sufficient, but the body is not refined. The lower body is solid, but there’s a minute error in the angle the arm extends. The shoulder is the problem.’
An eye that could coldly evaluate the martial arts he was wielding as if a third party was watching.
It was the reason he could continuously develop even though he had lived a life focused on work rather than martial arts as the Zhejiang Branch Manager. His skills were good, but his eye was much sharper than that.
Murong Yu’s sword, which had only moved sluggishly, instantly showed a mysterious speed.
Taa-ah-ah-ang!
A strong sword cleaving the air on top of powerful footwork overturning the surface of the earth created a net of sword forms.
It was a terrifyingly fast and precise sword. Moreover, it was imbued with power as solid as steel.
He was implementing a martial way of extremely high level. Only his physical refinement was lacking, but his enlightenment had built a realm beyond his skills.
Using his explosive cardiopulmonary abilities, Murong Yu, who had been practicing the Heaven and Earth One Hundred Eight Sword Studys for over fifteen minutes, stopped his sword.
“Hooooo.”
His whole body was flushed red.
‘It hurts.’
Muscles all over his body ached as if they were tearing. Was it fortunate that his joints weren’t damaged.
‘I need more efficient physical training. For the time being, I should put down my sword and reflect on my body and internal energy.’
Just then, the sound of applause was heard from the side.
Clap, clap, clap.
Murong Yu turned his head. Murong Jun was there.
“It was amazing.”
“Brother.”
The surprise draped over Murong Jun’s face was real.
“I wasn’t unaware that you put effort into polishing your martial arts every day, but when did you grow this much. The realm of Sword Study has already reached a Sword Sea.”
Murong Yu spoke bitterly.
“I have enlightenment, but my body doesn’t follow it. I’m still far away.”
“Do not say that. It has been less than a year since you learned the martial arts of Heaven and Earth, yet you are already at that level. Your talent is extremely wondrous.”
Of course, it was possible because the martial arts and experiences he had cultivated were so outstanding. But even taking that into account, Murong Yu’s growth was astounding.
Murong Jun smiled brightly. It was a smile filled with pride.
“A continuous link of Fast Sword and Strong Sword after training with Slow Sword. It’s a traditional training method, but the burden placed on the body increases just as much. Training is good, but you must also take good care of your body.”
“I understand.”
“Right.”
Murong Yu asked with a curious face.
“But what brings you here at this hour? Has the Martial Sage Hall meeting already ended?”
“That’s right.”
Murong Jun stroked his chin.
Seeing him, Murong Yu was certain. That his older brother had something to say to him.
And Murong Yu could roughly guess what that something to say was.
“U-ya.”
“Please speak.”
“When do you plan to meet the maiden of the Tang Sect?”
Awkwardness spread across Murong Yu’s face.
“The Demon-Sweeping Army will be inaugurated in three days. Until then, I think I need to ponder over matters concerning my personal martial arts and the management of my subordinates.”
“Right, it’s not that I don’t know your heart.”
Murong Jun’s eyes emitted a strange light.
“But since we have reached an agreement with the Tang Clan Head, I’d like you to have a meeting quickly if possible.”
Murong Yu, who was silent for a moment, nodded his head.
“I understand. Then, I will try to meet her the day before the inauguration ceremony.”
Murong Jun smiled.
Murong Yu was not someone who spoke easily of things he had no confidence in. Since he said he would meet her, he would definitely meet her.
“Right, let’s do that.”
“I am sorry. You suffered needlessly because of me, brother.”
Murong Jun laughed heartily.
“You rascal, if you knew that, you should have shown your face earlier.”
“I am sorry.”
“I’m joking. Meet her, and if you really don’t like her, tell me. It’s a meeting arranged thinking of you and the family, but I have no intention of forcing a connection when the person involved says they don’t want it.”
That was Murong Jun’s true feelings.
The power of the Tang Clan is certainly fascinating, but to Murong Jun, Murong Yu was more important than the Tang Clan. He was his own person, and hasn’t he achieved surprising growth just now when he hasn’t even shown his true skills yet.
It’s a hundred times better to raise a reliable person than to take untrustworthy power. It was the reason Murong Jun’s power base was exceptionally stable.
Murong Yu changed the subject.
“Then, when is the Evil-Annihilating Army entering the Alliance?”
Murong Jun’s eyes instantly turned cold.
“They said they would arrive around noon tomorrow.”
“I see.”
“As I said before, the Evil-Annihilating Army has established quite a big merit. I never thought the Evil-Annihilating Army would move so fast and radically.”
Murong Yu spoke maintaining his composure.
“Previously, I had a direct conversation with Commander Yeon the day before the Evil-Annihilating Army left the Alliance.”
“Right, you also said you were very surprised watching that fellow Yeon Ho-jeong.”
“That is correct. His martial arts, which far exceed the level of rising stars, is one thing, but he possessed a surprising eye. I thought he must be a talent equipped with drive equal to his eye.”
“Your words are right. I’m not paying attention to that young fellow for nothing.”
Murong Yu smiled.
“When the Evil-Annihilating Army enters the Alliance tomorrow, I will go to meet him once again.”
A look of unexpectedness crossed Murong Jun’s face.
“You’re going to meet Yeon Ho-jeong?”
“That is correct.”
“What do you intend to do by meeting him?”
“We are competitors, but if there’s something to learn, I should learn it. Also, I’m curious how much he has developed and returned after going out into the world.”
“Heo-eo.”
“It is said if you know the enemy and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles. I think there is no harm in meeting him.”
Murong Jun nodded his head.
“If you say you want to meet him, how can I stop you. However, be careful. That guy is someone who knows how to thoroughly shake the person he thinks is an enemy.”
“Do not worry.”
Murong Yu’s eyes flashed.
“Since I haven’t been able to show you a proper result for a few months, brother, I will obtain one offering and piece for the inauguration ceremony of the Demon-Sweeping Army.”
***
“Oh! It’s the Murim Alliance!”
“Wow, how long has it been!”
“…I never imagined I would be this excited seeing the Murim Alliance.”
“Keuheup, I’m brought to tears.”
The faces of the Evil-Annihilating Army soldiers, who finally crossed over the Dabie Mountains and entered the vicinity of the Murim Alliance, were full of joy.
For the past few months, they couldn’t rest properly and swept away vicious Black Path factions. It was a rewarding task and they grew greatly thanks to it, but mental fatigue had accumulated without them knowing.
Once they enter the Murim Alliance, they will be able to rest comfortably for at least five days. That was the reason their expressions were bright.
Muk Bi whispered quietly.
“The kids seem very happy.”
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
“They would be. After sleeping outdoors day after day, and fighting with bloodthirsty enemies without even being able to wash properly.”
“It’s good to relax, but it’ll be quite hard to rearm their minds again.”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Muk Bi with an unexpected face.
“This is unusual.”
“What is?”
“Arming the mind… For some reason, it doesn’t seem like something you would say.”
“Hmph. I also live always tense, you know?”
“No, I obviously know that. It’s just unexpected that you’re paying attention to the mental state of the soldiers. You’ve gotten used to the Vice Commander position too?”
Muk Bi wore a bitter smile.
“If you aren’t tense, you get hurt. But it’s not like I can leave the Evil-Annihilating Army either. It’s better to be tense even if it’s hard, rather than getting hurt and dying.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s smile deepened.
“Punk, you’ve all grown up.”
“I tell you time and time again, I am older than you, Young Master Yeon.”
“What does age matter? You haven’t even been out in the world for long.”
“There’s no rule saying you work better just because you have more experience.”
“You could also improve your talking skills there. But your words aren’t wrong.”
Muk Bi glanced at Yeon Ho-jeong’s hand.
“How is your hand?”
“Huh?”
“It got torn a while ago. Seeing that you still have a bandage on, it seems it hasn’t healed yet?”
“It’s almost completely healed.”
“Your recovery is slower than expected?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled bitterly.
“Tell me about it.”
The reason his internal injury recovery was slow was because his internal energy was less than during his days as the Dark Emperor.
However, the slow recovery of the wound on his palm was because his physical body had reached its limit. It was a different problem from internal injuries.
‘My sleep time was extremely little.’
The Jade Gauze True Formula is an outstanding martial art. The Four Gods Martial Arts is not lacking even if it hears the sound of a world-conquering divine art.
However, Yeon Ho-jeong, who learned it, was only human. It might be different if he achieved the ultimate martial arts and transcended human limits, but if a life of not being able to sleep properly, let alone rest, continues, his body is bound to fester naturally.
Muk Bi sighed.
“When we go back, sleep well. The Alliance is safe.”
“I’m embarrassed.”
“What’s there to be embarrassed about. Rather, I’m the one who was surprised. I didn’t know you cared for the soldiers so terribly much, Young Master Yeon.”
Yeon Ho-jeong scratched his head.
“I didn’t know I would be like this either.”
When dealing with the martial artists of the Black Path, he was like a blade.
In the first place, he had never trained them like the Evil-Annihilating Army. Once he gathered forces, he immediately went to war, and he thought people dying in the process couldn’t be helped.
It was a cold-hearted and cruel method. It was because the life in the Black Path, the world of extreme violence, made Yeon Ho-jeong’s personality vicious.
However, after regressing, his mind had changed to be very stable.
Yeon Ho-jeong could tell that his family was at the center of this positive change.
‘Positive… Right, if I’m going to live like a human, this change is definitely positive.’
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes looking up at the clear sky became terrifyingly deep.
‘Must I defend against their invasion as a human, or…’
Must I become the monster of those days.
Just then, Zhuge Ah-yeon-yeon opened her mouth.
“Older sister.”
“Yes?”
“Hehe, this is a private setting now.”
“Ah…”
Muk Bi was flustered. Because Zhuge Ah-yeon-yeon’s friendly title was still burdensome.
“What will you do when we go in? Are you going to rest well today?”
“I-I plan to, but…”
“If you aren’t too tired, would you like to have a drink with me?”
“Drink?”
Muk Bi’s face turned slightly pale.
She had kept her distance from alcohol since suffering a severe hangover last time. She could just expel the alcohol qi with internal energy and that would be it, but the sensation of her head hurting and body turning sluggish itself was unpleasant.
However, seeing Zhuge Ah-yeon-yeon looking at her with sparkling eyes, it was hard to refuse.
“…Only if we drink moderately.”
“Eum-hahaha! Great! I’ll just offer my greetings to my father and go right away! You must drink with me!”
“Y-yeah.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon-yeon, who was grinning, looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong was blinking his eyes. It was a very naive expression.
Zhuge Ah-yeon-yeon’s expression instantly became indifferent.
“Why? Are you going to drink too?”
“Is your mind sound? Why would I drink with you when I know what I’ll go through?”
“Rotten bastard.”
“This is an official setting.”
“It’s a private setting, you punk!”
Yeon Ho-jeong made up his mind that on the day they gathered again, he would have to strictly establish the discipline of the Evil-Annihilating Army first.
Peng Man-ho stealthily approached next to Yeon Ho-jeong.
“Then with me?”
“Go and sleep.”
“Don’t be like that, let’s have a drink, brother.”
“Don’t call me brother, you punk!”
It was a boisterous return to the Alliance. Although they pretended not to be, Muk Bi, Zhuge Ah-yeon-yeon, and Peng Man-ho also seemed subtly excited about resting for the first time in a while.
As they went on laughing and chatting like that, before they knew it, they had reached the outer castle of the Murim Alliance.
“Evil-Annihilating Army Commander Yeon Ho-jeong, is it?”
Yeon Ho-jeong turned his head.
Next to the Azure Dragon Main Gate, a middle-aged man with a cold impression was standing.