Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 31 - Conviction (1)
Chapter 31 – Conviction (1)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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The heavy long spear created countless afterimages. It was a fantastic technique, as if drawing giant flower petals.
However, it was red. The petals were dyed in a deep red color.
Splurt!
The blood spurting from Chu Seong’s entire body soaked the center of the training ground.
“Gasp!”
“S-stop!”
Yeon Ho-jeong did not stop.
If he said he would kill, he would kill. A lethal killing intent was embedded in the spear blade that shone brilliantly under the sunlight.
“Cough!”
Chu Seong trembled as he vomited blood.
He had suffered net-like spear wounds all over his body. But those were not mere spear wounds. The Jade Gauze True Qi loaded on the spear blade penetrated the wounds and was worsening his internal injuries.
He had attacked by embedding penetration force into the technique. Regardless of how high a level of martial art it was, one would not go this far unless they truly intended to kill.
‘Death?’
Chu Seong’s eyes became bloodshot.
‘I’m dying?’
In his blurred vision, he saw Yeon Ho-jeong’s appearance.
The devil, who had rendered a person incapable of recovery with a frantic spear technique, was smiling coldly as he prepared the final blow.
Finally, fear appeared on Chu Seong’s face.
That bastard… no, that demon wearing human skin… truly intended to kill him.
“Cough! S-spare…!”
Yeon Ho-jeong did not even respond.
Grasping the middle of the spear shaft and pulling it back as if drawing a bowstring, he thrust the spear with all his might.
Pang!
Chu Seong tightly closed his eyes.
It was then.
Clang!!
The long spear stopped.
“Huff!”
The spearhead stopped just an inch before Chu Seong’s Adam’s apple. If it had been even a little later, his throat would have been pierced.
Chu Seong’s trembling body went limp. He had fainted.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
What had blocked this spear strike was a single iron staff and a hand. He had tried to knock the spear shaft away, but since the force was too strong, he had caught and twisted it with his hand.
He looked at the person who had blocked his spear.
“…Dragon Head Chief?”
“As I said before.”
His voice was trembling. It was because the pressure of the spear pressing down on the iron staff was so strong.
“My master’s life is so persistent. I’m still playing the role of the successor.”
“…”
“Urgh! By the way, your strength is incredibly great. It’s hurting me to death.”
Drip.
The palm of Ga Deuk-sang, who held the spear, was dyed with blood.
This blow was not a simple one. It was not just a forward thrust, but rotation and silk-spinning force were also applied. It was to maximize the power of penetration.
Staring at Ga Deuk-sang, Yeon Ho-jeong released the strength he had put into the spear.
“Whew!”
With a pale face, Ga Deuk-sang removed his hand and the iron staff.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s expression hardened.
“What are you doing? If things had gone wrong, your hand…”
“Might have flown off. If I hadn’t poured in internal energy in time, I would have become a slightly more miserable beggar.”
The way he dusted off his hands as if it were nothing was quite easygoing.
“Still, if I can save two human lives with one hand, isn’t it a profitable deal?”
Two human lives.
One was certainly Chu Seong. Then who was the other?
“It was a useless worry.”
Ga Deuk-sang answered.
His voice became noticeably smaller. Only to be heard by Yeon Ho-jeong.
“The Namgung Clan is strong. Even before the Nine States Myeong Clan expanded their influence, they were evaluated as being closest to the Number One Clan under Heaven. You should know that, right?”
“There are too many ways to bring down a mammoth to count them all one by one.”
“Do you… intend to bring down the Namgung Clan?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.
“If necessary.”
Ga Deuk-sang forced a smile.
He was laughing, but a chill ran down his spine. Regardless of whether it was actually possible, this young man was serious.
‘He’s dangerous.’
Ability is secondary.
Ga Deuk-sang felt a nature as solid as steel in Yeon Ho-jeong’s gaze and voice.
He did not weigh whether it was right or wrong. This young man possessed the venom to achieve what he once set his mind on, even at the cost of his life.
A heart so strong that it was almost an apology to simply use the word ‘venom.’
If that heart fell into the Unorthodox Path, it would become madness; if it followed the Orthodox Path, it would become conviction.
“Anyway, there are many eyes watching. Let’s end this fight here.”
After looking at Ga Deuk-sang with clear and colorless eyes, Yeon Ho-jeong looked around.
Numerous people were watching him. And most of them were martial artists.
What was unexpected was their gaze.
Normally, if they had seen such a bloodthirsty fight, it would be normal to tremble in fear. In the world of commoners, that could be the case.
But was it because they too were martial artists?
In the eyes of the young talents watching this place, there was a deep excitement in addition to simple surprise.
They were not excited at the sight of blood. It was the excitement of a martial artist.
Spear techniques that drove forward exhilaratingly and ruthlessly. Although he was defeated by that spearman, the defeat of a sword master who hung on until the end.
Though the ending might have been excessive, the roar of clashing spear and sword and the fluidly continuing exchange had something that made one’s palms sweat.
For the young talents who grew up exchanging moves within their clans, a duel like a real battle where they hadn’t coordinated moves was enough to stimulate their martial hearts. That was true regardless of gender.
Even that Namgung Hyeon’s eyes were glowing. Despite being in a situation where he couldn’t possibly be happy, his heart was pounding at the unexpectedly fierce match.
“Those friends are quite excited. It might be easier than I thought.”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Ga Deuk-sang.
Ga Deuk-sang shrugged his shoulders theatrically.
“Try to wrap it up gracefully.”
Yeon Ho-jeong couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
“It was a life-and-death struggle between martial artists. I will surely make you pay for the crime of interfering with the match.”
“What a strange-tempered gentleman. Instead of saying thank you… ah, fine. Hurry up and wrap things up.”
Yeon Ho-jeong stomped the ground with his spear.
Boom!
Everyone looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.
He said calmly.
“I am sorry for startling you all. But if the Successor of the Beggars’ Gang had not blocked me, I truly would have killed this swordsman.”
Chills!
A ghastly atmosphere took over the outer court.
Though they were excited as martial artists, they were descendants of the Orthodox Path who had been educated in Great Righteousness. It was difficult to view Yeon Ho-jeong favorably when he spoke of killing his opponent without hesitation.
“Is there a reason?”
A large young man asked. Unlike yesterday, his expression was seriously hardened. It was Peng Dae-ho.
“Brother Yeon’s skill in defeating Hall Master Chu was truly great. But in such a good place, wasn’t it too harsh a treatment?”
He did not help Yeon Ho-jeong like yesterday.
That was Peng Dae-ho’s line. Though he was young, he saw yesterday’s incident and today’s victory as separate. He had such a clear standard.
However, the fact that he unconsciously called him ‘Brother Yeon’ showed that he still held goodwill toward Yeon Ho-jeong.
“There is no reason to hide it. This morning…”
Yeon Ho-jeong explained the situation briefly and concisely.
His words were not long-winded. However, he did not miss the core of the situation and made clear the causal process that led to this situation.
Was that why? Although his actual words were short, the listeners fell into the illusion that they had heard a long story. It meant that the speaker, Yeon Ho-jeong’s words, were that well-organized.
Ga Deuk-sang could not hide his inner admiration.
‘He’s truly extraordinary.’
The current appearance is much more impressive than the martial arts that drove Chu Seong. He speaks logically with a calm expression, and there is nothing to miss.
His voice, flowing naturally like a chant, had power, and there was no room to intervene in the words and grammar he chose. It was to the point of sounding like a speech.
This was not something innate, but a familiarity coming from experience. It was a modulation that could not come unless one had led a crowd from a high position.
Admiration appeared on Ga Deuk-sang’s face as he looked at Yeon Ho-jeong, but gradually doubt arose.
‘Just what is his identity?’
The bloodthirsty skill of defeating Chu Seong at an age under twenty.
The conviction that was thoroughly refined and overwhelmed the opponent on its own.
Beyond not being burdened by the eyes of the crowd, the strange charm of skillfully drawing them into his atmosphere.
‘It’s not enough to call him a genius. If I hadn’t seen him in person, I would have mistaken him for a leader of a giant sect, not a young man.’
Ga Deuk-sang’s eyes deepened.
‘Who are you?’
The outer court became silent.
When Yeon Ho-jeong’s words ended, people turned their gaze to Namgung Hyeon.
Namgung Hyeon’s face was flushed red. Though he was trying to manage his expression, anyone could see that he was flustered.
“Tsk.”
Myeong Ho-rim, with his hands behind his back, let out a sigh.
“Brother Namgung made a mistake.”
Namgung Hyeon’s eyes wavered. He had never expected Myeong Ho-rim to come out like this.
“No matter if he is the Lightning Hero, isn’t he someone who was recruited to the Namgung Clan not long ago? From Hall Master Chu’s position, he must have wanted to show something to your clan, and it is also a virtue of a superior to soothe the motivation of a subordinate.”
Namgung Hyeon’s eyes shone.
Myeong Ho-rim continued calmly.
“I am not unaware of the fatigue of the clan hosting the meeting. One can certainly be on edge. However, failing to soothe a subordinate was your mistake. Shouldn’t you properly apologize in front of everyone?”
It was a subtle statement.
‘No matter what, isn’t it too much? Isn’t it also a mistake to see blood while talking about insults in a good meeting place?’
Such stories could have sufficiently come out. It meant there was enough grounds to attack Yeon Ho-jeong.
However, Myeong Ho-rim held Namgung Hyeon responsible as the representative of the host clan of the meeting.
Ga Deuk-sang’s eyes sparkled.
‘You’re going to bury this matter completely? How cunning.’
If Namgung Hyeon took responsibility and apologized, this incident would end. And digging up a finished incident again would be a petty thing to do. Just as Chu Seong had done.
Simultaneously, Namgung Hyeon’s intention would also be buried. The clear wrongdoing would disappear, and only the ‘mistake’ of not managing a subordinate would remain.
Myeong Ho-rim was trying to seal the incident while pretending to scold Namgung Hyeon. Simultaneously, he well demonstrated his aspect as an elder.
The gazes of Myeong Ho-rim and Namgung Hyeon clashed.
‘You’ve incurred a debt to me.’
‘I won’t forget it.’
‘Hurry up and wrap it up.’
As Namgung Hyeon was about to open his mouth.
“It’s good to see.”
Everyone’s eyes reached Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Namgung Hyeon with a smile.
“He’s not that kind of person, but if my ‘younger brother’ had committed such a mistake, I would have stepped forward regardless of my pride.”
Myeong Ho-rim furrowed his brows.
“What’s there to talk about pride or not? It’s just that Brother Namgung’s wrongdoing is clear…”
“I apologize.”
Startled, Myeong Ho-rim looked at Namgung Hyeon.
Namgung Hyeon, who had already come in front of the training ground, was holding his hands in a fist-and-palm salute.
“I was the one who gave the order to Hall Master Chu. It was not a subordinate’s mistake, but my intention.”
“W-what?!”
“I wanted to finish this meeting as splendidly as possible. However, I was flustered by yesterday’s incident, and my anger was not resolved. Thus, even though I knew it was not Young Master Yeon’s fault, I took out the remaining anger on Young Master Yeon.”
The crowd’s mouths hung open.
Now Namgung Hyeon was apologizing to Yeon Ho-jeong. He was even admitting that Chu Seong’s actions were ordered by him.
“As the representative of the host clan who should be more transparent and upright than anyone else, I have nothing to say even if I had ten mouths. I take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to Young Master Yeon.”
He could have just stayed quiet and the incident would have been resolved on its own, but he suddenly confessed the truth.
Everyone was stunned and looked at Namgung Hyeon.
Namgung Hyeon looked up at Yeon Ho-jeong with trembling eyes.
Yeon Ho-jeong looked down at him with a chilling smile.
“So please, my fault…”
The thing his younger brother committed.
“Please forgive me.”
Shut your mouth.
Watching Namgung Hyeon apologize with all due politeness, Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.
“I refuse.”