Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 97 - Inevitability Created by Coincidence (3)
Chapter 97 – Inevitability Created by Coincidence (3)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Namgung Shin, who had gone to Bagong Mountain for scouting, received a piece of secret information from the Beggars’ Gang. It was information about the Unorthodox sect where those who raised the Anhui Blood Bow swarmed.
After seeing the detailed information from the Beggars’ Gang, Namgung Shin immediately requested military support from the Namgung main house. Although he couldn’t know exactly, it was because he knew that their martial power was on a different level from any small or medium-sized sect.
A secret sect unknown to the Jianghu. A mysterious organization.
There were more such sects than one would think. Just as the saying goes that there are as many hermits in the Jianghu as grains of sand, there were also many sects that did not reveal themselves to the public.
Namgung In, the Namgung Clan Head, sensed that it was no ordinary situation and sent two more elders and three martial organizations.
With that much force, it was a power that could sweep away an ordinary small or medium-sized sect within half a shichen. It was a passage showing how important Namgung In considered this matter.
It could not be helped, for the Golden Sword Sect was annihilated because of the Anhui Blood Bow.
The Golden Sword Sect was a sect praised by everyone. In northern Anhui, its reputation was even higher than that of the Namgung Clan.
Since such a sect was annihilated, it was only right for the Namgung Clan, the overlord of Anhui, to seek revenge. However, for five years, they had not even seen the shadow of the Anhui Blood Bow.
In the midst of that, the Beggars’ Gang gave such appetizing information.
They could never give up. Namgung In thought that through this opportunity, he would refresh the atmosphere of Anhui and at the same time, engrave the clan’s fame upon the world.
The source was the Beggars’ Gang. Since it was an indubitably certain certification, there was nothing to hesitate about.
In that way, the Namgung troops headed toward Mount Tai in Shandong, the headquarters of the Valley of Piercing the Sun.
* * *
“I closed his dantian in advance, fearing he might run wild in the middle. You can just transport him as he is.”
“You have worked hard.”
The tone of the Desolate Wind Pavilion informant changed.
It was understandable. Myeong Heo-rim was already a peak master counted as one of the Two Dragons and Three Phoenixes. Since such a person had even learned demonic arts, what more need be said of his martial prowess?
Yeon Ho-jeong had neutralized such a master without a single wound. It was a marvelous martial power.
“Ah, and please convey these words to Clan Head Murong.”
“Please speak.”
“Tell him that I received the gift he sent well. And tell him to look forward to my gift in the future.”
“Will that be enough?”
“It’s enough.”
“Understood.”
“You are working hard. You may leave now.”
“Then.”
After sending the Desolate Wind Pavilion off like that, Yeon Ho-jeong immediately headed to the tavern.
“Hmm? Were you not sleeping?”
Muk Bi was sitting in a corner of the room with an awkward face.
“I couldn’t sleep so…….”
“You probably haven’t been able to sleep properly for several days, have you? What about food?”
“…….”
“You didn’t eat food either?”
“I didn’t feel like it so…….”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“Let me ask one thing.”
“Yes?”
“You, do you intend to become a martial artist?”
This question was important.
Yeon Ho-jeong hoped that Muk Bi would join him. Setting aside past ties, it was because her strength was desperately needed.
However, if she did not choose the Murim, he intended to send her away cleanly then.
It was a pity, but it was unavoidable. Rather than clinging to someone who has no heart, it is better to spend that time looking for even one more person with potential.
Muk Bi shook her head.
“I haven’t…… decided yet.”
“That’s wrong.”
“Yes?”
“You must decide that part right now. You absolutely must.”
“Wh-why?”
“Because I am a martial artist.”
“…….”
“You have learned martial arts, but it’s ambiguous to call you a martial artist. The reason is that you have no conflict with any sect or martial artist of the Jianghu Murim. If you want, you could go to any village right now and live while tilling the fields.”
“…….”
“But if you follow me, the story changes. I am a martial artist. And I am currently struggling to prevent the disaster that will strike the world in the future.”
The world, disaster.
It was truly a grand word. If someone else had said such a thing, he would have snorted.
But Muk Bi did not scoff at his words.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s expression was that serious. The voice transmitted through the air overflowed with power and dignity.
It was an atmosphere that no one could scoff at, an atmosphere that should not be scoffed at.
“I need power. The power to protect everyone. It is not a peace that can be achieved just because I alone am strong. However, I have no intention of forcing the future I know upon the world. They wouldn’t believe it even if I did.”
“I, I…….”
“If you desire an ordinary life instead of being a martial artist, I will help you with all my heart and soul. I have that much ability.”
It was a choice being forced by another person.
But that was the reality. The moment she held hands with Yeon Ho-jeong, she would fall into the world of monsters called the Murim.
A world where one does not know when or how one will die. A world where a local war between sects could break out due to a minor dispute, where lives are at stake over a single piece of pride, and where one can be assassinated even without any grudge.
Also.
A world of freedom where one is bound by many things and yet bound by nothing at the same time. A romantic world where heroes who sacrifice their lives for minor help live, and where even a mortal enemy can be forgiven.
If she chose an ordinary life, she no longer needed to be with Yeon Ho-jeong.
However, to live in the Murim, she could just be with Yeon Ho-jeong. At least for the time being.
“I know I am forcing a difficult choice upon you who has not even lived a proper life. Even so, it must be done. I believe that this choice right now can be made just by looking back at the life you have lived so far.”
Muk Bi’s eyes as she looked up at Yeon Ho-jeong began to tremble.
But it was only for a moment.
The somewhat blank focus gradually came back to life, and her wavering eyes soon regained their composure.
Muk Bi, who stabilized her mind with a deep breath, said in a low voice.
“I am an archer. I have learned basic poetry, calligraphy, etiquette, and music, but the fact that I am an archer still doesn’t change.”
“Is the Valley of Piercing the Sun an enemy to you?”
Despite the sudden question, Muk Bi’s reaction was immediate.
“It is an enemy. Sufficiently.”
“I won’t ask why you think so. It would be meddling. I will ask again. Can you live in the world with the power your enemies have given you?”
It was the first time.
For the first time, Muk Bi showed something like a smile.
“I didn’t even harm them with my own hands and even borrowed someone else’s hand?”
Yeon Ho-jeong wore a smile.
“What does that matter?”
“It means it’s meaningless. Such a thing.”
“Haha.”
It was a pleasant strike. Yeon Ho-jeong laughed without any ulterior motive.
“So, for an archer, there is a world suitable for an archer?”
“Whatever the reason, my life was for becoming the best. And the life that suits me is not a life of tilling fields and reading books.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and reached out his hand.
“I will persuade you. So that you don’t leave me, and so that you can be with me forever.”
Muk Bi held that hand.
“But don’t kill my curiosity. Though you probably don’t have the ability to do so.”
Muk Bi, who held Yeon Ho-jeong’s hand, stood up from her seat.
Growl.
“Ah…….”
Muk Bi’s face turned red.
Yeon Ho-jeong clicked his tongue.
“Before choosing your life, manage your stomach first. A martial artist must know how to maintain the best physical condition at any time and in any situation.”
“I understand.”
“And you, how long has it been since you washed?”
“……Do I smell?”
“I thought you were a wild man.”
She turned red up to her neck. Indeed, since coming out of Bagong Mountain, her mind was a mess, so she couldn’t wash at all.
“Let’s eat first, wash thoroughly, and after getting a good night’s sleep, let’s go. You’ve worked hard.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Can you drink alcohol?”
“Alcohol?”
“You can’t. Fine, then. We’ll just order food.”
“N-no. I’ll go wash first.”
“Do as you wish.”
Muk Bi, who opened the door and went out, suddenly looked at the windows throughout the hallway.
The cloudless sky looked very refreshing. Birds that were not bound by anything flew in a flock through the sky.
Muk Bi’s eyes, as she stared blankly at the birds, gradually turned red.
The past life that was short but intense, and thus engraved like a brand, came to mind.
Recognized for her genius talent, she had spent her whole life practicing martial arts close to torture. She didn’t want to kill anyone, but she had lived while trembling under the oppression of those who forced her to kill someone.
But that was not what she wanted.
She wanted freedom, and she wanted a human-like life. She hated the elders who said that if she had no intention of becoming a Ghost Archer, her life had no value and they would kill her on the spot.
In the end, all the brothers who hated her died, and she, who knew nothing, was left alone in the world.
She was poignantly lonely. She didn’t want to go out into the world. She just wanted to go into any mountain and live with nature.
However, she couldn’t do that.
Because she intuitively felt that if she lived like that, she would really be ruined.
She felt like she would lose her mind with frustration and loneliness, but she knew that only by smiling and moving forward would she be able to see the future.
‘Brothers, sisters. I am sorry. But I, I will try to live hard.’
It was sinful to have survived alone. Even so, she would not stop.
Muk Bi, who took a deep breath, forced a broad smile.
“I will live more coolly than anyone. Than anyone.”
At that time, the door opened and Yeon Ho-jeong said.
“What are you doing, you brat. Don’t spread the smell in the hallway and go wash quickly.”
Muk Bi shouted back without realizing it.
“Be quiet!”
At dawn the next day.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Good, let’s start moving slowly.”
“But where are we going?”
“Originally, I was going to go to Zhejiang because there was someone I wanted to meet, but I’m going home first.”
“Home?”
“Yes, home. I’m going to go there, eat warm food, take a good rest, and then come out after reorganizing a bit.”
“Ah…….”
“Why? Are your hands already itching? Are you dying to pull the string?”
“No. It’s just…… because you said we’re going home.”
“Don’t worry. My father, although he’s a man of few words, is a good person. Since my younger brother is very kind, there won’t be any difficulty in getting along.”
“I-I understand.”
“Anyway…….”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at the horn bow hanging on Muk Bi’s back.
“It seems the string of this has stretched a bit?”
Muk Bi nodded.
“It seems my internal energy has increased significantly recently, so I couldn’t control my strength.”
“Hmm, is that so.”
Yeon Ho-jeong did not bother to ask how her internal energy had increased.
He suddenly looked at his axe.
The axe blade was full of rough scars. Since they exchanged attacks and defenses overflowing with destructive power, the blade was damaged. Indeed, it was a relief that the shaft didn’t break.
And the end of the shaft.
There was no ring there either. Anyway, ‘that’ object would have to be obtained separately, but there might be a decent object.
“I should stop by a blacksmith shop on the way. Now I really have to prepare in earnest.”
There were still many things lacking.
Not to mention martial arts, even weapons were not prepared. The preliminary work to stop the Evil Lust Cult had not even started yet.
He had to start from now on.
The first step to stop the mad advance of the Three Fanatical Cults, no, the Evil Lust Cult.
The Emperor of Darkness who ruled the Unorthodox Path transformed into the Tiger General of Green Mountain and prepares for the future. The family that did not exist before and the comrade met much earlier than expected will give wings to the tiger’s back.
History that is being written completely differently from the past.
Yeon Ho-jeong prayed earnestly that the new history he was creating would become the foundation of a peaceful future.