Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 39 - Difference in Class (5)
Chapter 39 – Difference in Class (5)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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After Yeon Ho-jeong returned to the family, the atmosphere of the Yeon Clan changed.
To put it positively, it became heated; to put it negatively, it became fierce. The reason was entirely because of Yeon Ho-jeong.
The day after his return, Yeon Ho-jeong appeared at the Yeon Clan’s Great Training Ground.
The Great Training Ground was an outdoor training area built for anyone to use. Since it was also used for unit inspections and family celebrations, its size was enormous.
Yeon Ho-jeong recklessly ran along the perimeter of that vast training ground.
He ran endlessly around a place whose circumference exceeded two hundred Zhang. His morning training was like that.
After warming up his body with running and having a hearty lunch, his afternoon training consisted of repeating full-speed sprints and slow jogs.
The warriors of the Yeon Clan were puzzled.
The Eldest Young Master’s training was, literally, physical conditioning. Needless to say, stamina was important, but for a trained warrior, each had their own appropriate training method.
‘The Eldest Young Master’s martial arts must be lacking.’ The warriors simply passed it off like that.
The next day.
Yeon Ho-jeong woke up at dawn and ran. However, it was different from the previous day.
He wore a training vest weighing thirty Catties, with iron chains attached.
The warriors were startled. That vest was a training item used only when the Yeon Clan’s unit members underwent hellish training.
Laden with those heavy iron chains, Yeon Ho-jeong collapsed before noon.
It was only natural. Since he repeated full-speed sprints without using internal energy, no matter how well-trained a person was, they couldn’t endure it.
The warriors clicked their tongues and carried Yeon Ho-jeong back to his quarters.
The next day.
Yeon Ho-jeong appeared at the Great Training Ground again. Having eaten well and rested enough, he still looked like a person.
However, Yeon Ho-jeong collapsed on that day too. Still, he seemed to have run for two more quarter-hours than the day before.
Five days passed like that.
Yeon Ho-jeong finally vomited blood and collapsed. No matter how well one took nutrition and rest, training pushed beyond the limits would lead to chronic illness.
While clicking their tongues, the warriors could not help but marvel at Yeon Ho-jeong’s tenacity. Regardless of effort, running until losing consciousness was impossible without an extraordinary level of resolve.
Ten days later.
Yeon Ho-jeong, having readjusted his body, came out to the Great Training Ground again. However, on that day, Yeon Ho-jeong was completely different from before he collapsed.
He had become faster and more light-footed. Even though he had wound heavy iron chains around both arms, his movements had improved significantly.
That day, Yeon Ho-jeong was able to complete the full day’s training for the first time. The warriors training at the Great Training Ground also sent applause for Yeon Ho-jeong’s success.
But Yeon Ho-jeong’s training was just beginning. Day by day, he conducted training that exceeded his limits, unconditionally setting a harder training intensity than the day before.
The warriors, who had marveled at Yeon Ho-jeong’s tenacity but inwardly ridiculed the simple training, began to look at Yeon Ho-jeong with eyes of awe as time passed.
One month, two months, and suddenly the training had surpassed four months.
Around the time the new year arrived and the winter cold was making its final stand.
Yeon Ho-jeong no longer wore the vest and iron chains on his body.
“Here I come.”
“Right.”
Thud!
Yang Heum, approaching with a light movement, swung his wooden sword.
It was a sword strike that had become much sharper than before. It was a straight and honest blow toward the middle, but it was fast enough that even a typical expert would find it difficult to receive easily.
Swoosh.
That rapid sword strike cut through the empty air.
Yeon Ho-jeong had simply shifted his body and taken one step. With that simple movement, he avoided the sword strike and at the same time seized an opportunity for a counterattack.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s fist dug in, aiming for Yang Heum’s flank.
It wasn’t fast, but it was perfectly timed. Yang Heum immediately broke his posture and deflected the fist with a kick.
Because he had broken his posture intentionally, his balance was not lost. Yang Heum, having deflected the fist, immediately unleashed the Three-Exchange Leg.
A flurry of kicks centered on fast, short hits aimed at the vital points on Yeon Ho-jeong’s upper body.
At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong’s elbow struck down on the sole of Yang Heum’s foot.
Thwack!
“Ugh?!”
Yang Heum’s body rolled across the ground as it was.
As the Yongcheon acupoint on the sole of his foot took the hit, it felt as if his entire right leg was paralyzed. The flustered Yang Heum regained his stance with a quick movement.
His movement was excellent. His flexibility and resilience were by far the best even within the Goshawk Squad.
However, Yeon Ho-jeong’s palm was already touching Yang Heum’s chest.
‘…!’
Yang Heum’s face turned pale.
Yeon Ho-jeong stepped strongly onto the training ground.
Boom!
“Cough!”
Yang Heum’s body flew through the air and slammed into the ground.
Whoosh.
In a low stance, a faint haze rose from the extended palm. It was the Linked Flying Swallow Palm, which could be considered a basic technique of the Yeon Clan, much like the Yeon Clan’s Thirteen Fists.
Yeon Ho-jeong grinned.
“I won, right?”
“Cough! I-I lost!”
Yang Heum repeatedly let out dry coughs. Blood was mixed slightly in his coughs.
Yeon Ho-jeong said with a sheepish face.
“I’m sorry. My control over my strength is still immature.”
“N-no! It is my fault for being hit.”
The important thing was not that. Yang Heum asked with a voice full of disbelief.
“By the way, that palm technique just now, could it be the Linked Flying Swallow Palm?”
“Yeah.”
“What?!”
Not only Yang Heum, but all twenty members of the Goshawk Squad who were watching were surprised.
“Was the Flying Swallow Palm originally such a powerful martial art?”
Though it was the same basic technique, the Linked Flying Swallow Palm was a more practical martial art than the Yeon Clan’s Thirteen Fists.
But that was all. A basic technique was just a basic technique; it couldn’t produce power above a certain level. Moreover, as its name suggested, the Linked Flying Swallow Palm was a martial art that focused on neutralizing the enemy with fast and light hand techniques rather than a single powerful blow.
But for it to be such a heavy and solemn strike? They never imagined it.
Yeon Ho-jeong clicked his tongue.
“Look under my feet.”
He lifted his foot to show.
“Heh!”
The First Squad of the Goshawk Squad was startled. The ground where Yeon Ho-jeong had performed the Earth-shaking Stomp was sunken by two inches.
The hard ground was deeply gouged in the shape of a footprint. It was tremendous power.
“The Earth-shaking Stomp is not performed to surprise people. It is to pull up the counter-force and the Earth Qi to strengthen the silk-reeling and the explosive power.”
“…!”
“Regardless of the characteristics of the martial art, if the Earth-shaking Stomp is strong, you can suppress the enemy with a single blow.”
This is exactly why the martial arts of Shaolin are strong. It is known that the Earth-shaking Stomp of Shaolin suppresses ten thousand demons by itself. It meant that the utilization of the Earth-shaking Stomp was that outstanding.
And it was the same for Yeon Ho-jeong. His martial art had the characteristic of suppressing ten thousand changes with a heavy and solemn blow, rather than fast and nimble linked movements.
“Could it be that the reason the Eldest Young Master ran around the Great Training Ground all this time was…?”
“Right. Besides extreme physical improvement, it was to maximize the utilization of the Earth-shaking Stomp.”
Around the time two months had passed, there was a strange change in Yeon Ho-jeong’s running.
At times, no traces were left at all, but at other times, deep footprints were left on the ground. The depth and the distance between steps were also haphazard.
The warriors thought that Yeon Ho-jeong’s stamina was fluctuating, but the reality was different. He was also practicing the flow of power through the Earth-shaking Stomp.
“That’s amazing. Is that possible?”
“Of course it is. You guys have never tried this kind of training, right? Since you haven’t tried it, it’s hard to believe.”
“Then, can we also train like the Eldest Young Master?”
“That’s a foolish question. This training is my own path of martial arts. You should find and do the training that fits you.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“Basics are always important. However, to see beyond that, you must understand your own level, inclination, and what you pursue.”
“It’s a headache, isn’t it?”
“Did you try to get strong without even using that much brain?”
“Urgh.”
“Take this opportunity to listen well. A person’s growth speed changes according to what they long for. If you pursue one, you will grow to that point; if you pursue ten, you will work desperately to climb to that level.”
“Are you telling us to set a goal?”
“Exactly. Whether it is a small goal or a grand one, the difference between those who know where to reach and those who don’t is clear.”
The faces of the Goshawk Squad members became serious.
In fact, anyone could say these words. However, Yeon Ho-jeong had confirmed that truth through his actions for more than four months.
The same words are accepted differently depending on the situation. The Goshawk Squad was quietly shocked by Yeon Ho-jeong’s words.
Yeon Ho-jeong looked to the other side.
There were also some members of the Flying Eagle Squad.
“It is the same for you guys. I don’t know if you intend to be satisfied there, but if you want to become stronger than that, you’d better set a goal first.”
At that moment, one of the Flying Eagle Squad members raised his hand.
Yeon Ho-jeong raised his chin.
“You there.”
“I greet you. I am Yu Ji-ha of the Third Squad of the Flying Eagle Squad.”
He had an appearance that looked younger than expected. One could say he was of a similar age to Yeon Ho-jeong. To enter the Flying Eagle Squad at that age was also a sufficiently great thing.
“May I ask one thing?”
“Anytime.”
“Like the Goshawk Squad, the Flying Eagle Squad also has mobile unit training. This is because everyone must move as one body to properly perform the unit’s role.”
“And?”
“But the unit’s training is packed, except for meal and sleep times. It is very hard to make time for personal training like today.”
“I understand that matters concerning unit training are entirely delegated to the Squad Leader. There won’t be much meaning in telling me?”
Yu Ji-ha flushed.
“Ah, yes! It’s not because of the unit training, but I was going to ask if I could do self-development during sleep time…”
It meant that he would do personal training even by reducing his sleep.
“How many quarter-hours do you sleep a day?”
“I sleep for eight hours.”
“That’s plenty. You can reduce some sleep.”
“Ye-es. That’s why I’m asking.”
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
“Then you can just train even by reducing your sleep, right?”
“Ah… that is…”
“Is there any idiot who would stop you from training just because you’re reducing your sleeping time?”
“T-that’s not it, but.”
“Then do so. You becoming stronger is the path to the Flying Eagle Squad becoming stronger. If the Flying Eagle Squad becomes stronger, the family also becomes stronger.”
“I think so too.”
“However, since you belong to the Flying Eagle Squad, you shouldn’t affect the unit training with excessive practice. I don’t see any problem as long as you coordinate that.”
Yu Ji-ha’s face brightened.
“Thank you.”
“Is this something to be thanked for? Anyway, work hard.”
“Yes!”
Yeon Ho-jeong said to Yang Heum.
“Your sword power has improved since last time. I don’t know what kind of training you are doing, but I hope you grow more in the future.”
“Thank you.”
“Then I’m going in.”
“Eh? Eldest Young Master, aren’t you going to train more today?”
Yeon Ho-jeong shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m going to rest a bit today.”
* * *
Naturally, Yeon Ho-jeong did not rest. After entering his quarters, he relentlessly executed spear techniques.
He honed his stamina and Earth-shaking Stomp at the Great Training Ground, and practiced spear techniques in the back garden of his quarters.
It was a training he had not skipped for a single day during the past four months. The family’s warriors thought that Yeon Ho-jeong went straight to sleep after his physical conditioning was over, but he only went to sleep after swinging his spear for at least an hour.
‘It’s working.’
Swish swish swish!
More than ten spear strikes hit each of the five pieces of firewood tossed into the air. The hit firewood became tattered as if torn by a beast’s claws.
‘As expected.’
Through the sparring with Yang Heum, he realized that his martial arts had reached a new level. Now, with a little more refinement, it seemed he could change his weapon.
Boom!
Just as he was about to swing his spear again with a powerful Earth-shaking Stomp.
The sound of knocking on the main gate came from afar.
“Eldest Young Master. The Clan Head is calling for you.”
“Huh? For what matter?”
“I also don’t know that…”
Yeon Ho-jeong scratched his head.
“Can’t I really just rest today?”