Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 99 - Inevitability Created by Coincidence (5)

Chapter 99 – Inevitability Created by Coincidence (5)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Yeon Ho-jeong performed a deep bow.

“I have returned, Father.”

“Mm.”

Yeon Wi nodded his head.

“Rise.”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who stood up from his spot, straightened his appearance.

He still had a rugged exterior. As if he had continued his training even while traveling, his clothes were torn and stained with dirt in various places.

Although a guest was beside them, Yeon Wi truly could not help but ask.

“Did you train again on your way here?”

“Yes.”

It was a tone that took it for granted.

Yeon Wi was satisfied with his son’s unremarkable answer.

A martial artist had to maintain the best physical condition anytime and anywhere. At the same time, it was only right to refine oneself day by day to raise the position of one’s peak.

The majority of those in the Murim often neglected that obvious training and patience. However, his son was different.

He kept the basics and followed the truth. His son would surely become a great man.

No, he had already become a sufficiently great person even now.

‘It is incredible.’

These were words he could not bring himself to speak aloud because people were watching.

Honest astonishment arose in Yeon Wi’s eyes as he looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.

‘Just when did he grow this much?’

His True Qi was unstable due to harsh training. It seemed he had squeezed his internal energy to the limit.

Even so, he was at this level.

Yeon Wi had felt it when Ho-jeong approached with a stride as natural as flowing water, but it was like looking at a rock filled to the core. Even if his True Qi was unstable, there was no trembling in the spirit that pierced through the center of his body.

At a glance, it seemed no different from before, but Yeon Wi could catch a glimpse of the terrifying explosive power emitted by Yeon Ho-jeong’s physical body.

And those eyes.

Even before leaving the family, there had been no wavering in his gaze, but now it was truly reminiscent of steel. It meant he had not a single shred of doubt about the path he pursued.

‘Heart, Qi, and Body. You have cultivated them all well without any deficiency.’

Yeon Wi opened his mouth.

“They say a man becomes an adult only after going out into the world; it seems this journey to the Central Plains was of great help to you.”

It was a compliment given indirectly. Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

“I still have a long way to go. I should not be satisfied with just this much.”

If nothing else, that personality remained the same. No, it seemed he had become even more stubborn.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts were no longer at a level where one could discuss his age.

Even among Peak Masters, there were grades. Looking only at the external Qi Yeon Ho-jeong emitted, it surprisingly seemed as though he was not inferior to the elders of the Nine Sects One Gang or the Six Great Clans.

Even though he was his own son, it was a growth rate that was difficult to understand. It was unprecedented.

‘But that Qi?’

The attainment of the Jade Gauze True Formula was already at the Ninth Stage.

That was also surprising, but the truly astonishing thing was the unique energy that the Jade Gauze True Qi was surrounding. There was not just one, but as many as three.

Internal energies of a single lineage that were full of character individually, yet did not harm one another.

Yeon Wi, who quietly observed his son’s body, asked.

“Did you obtain a fortuitous encounter?”

Yeon Ho-jeong replied with a smile.

“Every single meeting and clash with people is a fortuitous encounter. Compared to that, it is trivial.”

“Your words are good.”

There were many things to look at regarding Yeon Ho-jeong’s internal energy and martial arts in many ways. Yeon Wi thought about discussing those parts later.

“And…”

Yeon Wi looked at Muk Bi.

She was quite tall for a woman. Her body was slender, and her limbs were long. Even at a glance, it was a body that was exceedingly flexible.

She was tanned from the sun, but there was not a single blemish on her skin. She was a beauty with a healthy-looking appearance and sharp features.

However, things like appearance were not important.

A brilliant light flickered in Yeon Wi’s eyes.

‘A master?’

Surprisingly, the young lady his son had brought was also a master.

She was not just an ordinary master either. The internal energy she possessed was rather greater than Yeon Ho-jeong’s; it was at a level where it was no exaggeration to view it as the internal power of a Super-Peak Master.

He did not know how she had obtained such enormous internal energy. However, since more than half of the internal power she possessed was scattered throughout the fine vessels of her entire body, it seemed she could not utilize it immediately.

‘Excellent internal energy. However, her skill is…’

Seeing her True Qi was as unstable as his son’s, it seemed she had come while performing similar training, but he received the impression that she was overall dull.

‘She is below Ho-jeong.’

Her internal energy surpassed Yeon Ho-jeong’s, but her actual skill was below his.

Someone of Yeon Wi’s level could see through an opponent’s skill just by looking. In his eyes, this young lady was significantly lacking the razor-sharp edge of a martial artist.

‘Still, she is great. Especially considering her age.’

Yeon Ho-jeong nudged Muk Bi with his elbow.

Muk Bi bowed her head as if realizing her mistake.

“I am Baek… no, I am called Muk Bi.”

“Muk Bi?”

“Yes.”

Yeon Wi tilted his head.

‘It is a peculiar name.’

Well, what did it matter? There were many people in the world with peculiar names. Even more so in the Murim.

“Are you Ho-jeong’s friend?”

Muk Bi hesitated.

Yeon Ho-jeong answered promptly.

“She is my friend.”

“Is that so?”

As before, there was no rise or fall in his voice, but it also seemed as if some strength had left it.

However, that was only for a moment.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Muk. I am Ho-jeong’s father.”

“I-It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Muk Bi could not pull herself together.

‘He is incredible!’

She had never seen a master like Yeon Wi.

He did not emit any aura, but that was merely his outward appearance. What was hidden within was a Divine Sword as massive as the peak of a great mountain.

He was truly a master so great that it was shocking. The moment she caught a glimpse of the opponent’s enormous spirit, her entire body seemed to freeze, and she could not even flicker a finger.

‘Even Brother Jung-cheon and the Valley Lord would not last ten exchanges!’

It was not just that level.

Even if all the Ghost Archers who participated in the Battle of the Archer Gods attacked, they could not win. It seemed it would be difficult to even draw a bowstring before him until she attained the Great Completion of the Nine Dragons Heaven-Shattering Bow.

Yeon Wi looked at the bow and quiver hanging at Muk Bi’s waist.

“It seems you use archery.”

“…Yes? Ah, yes! That is correct!”

It was a boisterous answer unlike Muk Bi.

Yeon Ho-jeong knitted his brows. He wondered why this fellow was acting like this.

Yeon Wi nodded his head.

“You are a person of great skill. Since you say you are my son’s friend, I shall treat you comfortably.”

“Yes!”

“……?”

“……”

“Ahem.”

Yeon Wi, who blew away the strange atmosphere with a fake cough, asked Yeon Ho-jeong.

“What is the matter that you have brought a friend?”

“I wanted to ask you for a favor.”

“A favor?”

Yeon Ho-jeong pointed at Muk Bi and said.

“Can this person stay at the main estate from now on?”

Yeon Wi’s eyes flashed.

At the same time, Muk Bi’s complexion turned pale. Her spine had chilled just from the change in Yeon Wi’s gaze.

“Do those words mean we should accept her as a family member?”

“That is correct. If that is burdensome, then at least let her stay in the Guest Hall…”

“Nonsense.”

Yeon Wi shook his head firmly.

“I do not know what kind of circumstances there are, but since you say she is my son’s friend, it is only right to treat her as an honored guest.”

“Ah, yes.”

Yeon Wi spoke to Muk Bi.

“Does the young lady have no other connections?”

“Yes? Ah, yes!”

From Muk Bi’s perspective, it was a story that could make her quite depressed, but since Yeon Wi said it, she could let it pass naturally. Yeon Wi’s presence was that great.

“If you have nowhere else to go, you may think of the Yeon Clan as your home and stay.”

“……Yes?”

“Ho-jeong bringing a friend is a first for him. Just how much must he have liked you for that indifferent fellow to suggest accepting you as family.”

“……?!”

“Stay comfortably. Do not worry about food, clothing, or shelter.”

Muk Bi looked at Yeon Wi in surprise.

His gaze was still frightening. His transparent eyes, like crystal, were filled with the sharpness of the world’s finest swords.

However, not only a martial artist’s sharpness was contained within them. Muk Bi, who had always lived while only watching others’ reactions, could read honest goodwill in Yeon Wi’s gaze.

It was kindness without a price. Since she was his son’s friend, he naturally considered her a family member. A pure trust was situated there, enough to surprise even Muk Bi, who knew little of the world’s ways.

‘Ah…’

Muk Bi’s eyes gradually turned red.

She ended up being overcome with emotion despite herself. Muk Bi hurriedly lowered her head.

“Th-Thank you.”

Yeon Wi nodded his head.

“Deputy Steward Yi.”

“Yes, Clan Head.”

“The Courtyard of Graceful Swallows beside Ho-jeong’s residence shall be that child’s quarters. Please guide her.”

“I understand.”

Yi Baek-hyeon spoke to Muk Bi with a smile.

“Please follow me.”

“Yes.”

Before following Yi Baek-hyeon, Muk Bi bowed to Yeon Wi once more.

“I look forward to your kind guidance. Thank you, Father.”

“You have worked hard coming a long way. Please rest comfortably.”

“Yes.”

Thus, Muk Bi followed Yi Baek-hyeon to her quarters.

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“Despite having built up amazing martial arts unsuitable for her age, her heart is as delicate as porcelain.”

“That is the problem. She needs to become a bit tougher.”

“It is not easy to become like you either. It is not a matter to be forced.”

“Isn’t that the kind of thing that isn’t achieved by forcing it? If she thinks it is necessary, she will become tougher on her own.”

“It is not just that. From the look of it, she seems to be a child with a great Heart Wound.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled bitterly.

“Yes. It is only natural.”

“A wound on the body heals if treated, but a Heart Wound is not something that heals because someone helps. Still, it will be better than having no one beside her, so soothe her well whenever you have time.”

“Yes.”

Yeon Wi nodded his head repeatedly.

“That aside.”

The gaze with which Yeon Wi looked at Yeon Ho-jeong became cold in an instant.

It seemed as if the person had changed in a single moment. If Muk Bi had seen the current Yeon Wi, she might have fainted on the spot.

Even Yeon Ho-jeong, who was the world’s number one in being unperturbed, could not help but be startled by his father’s transformation.

He tried to change the subject in the face of the atmosphere that was becoming increasingly harsh for no reason.

“Ah! By the way, where did that fellow Ji-pyeong go? His elder brother has arrived, yet not even a single hair…”

“I knew you were indifferent, but it truly surpassed my imagination.”

His throat felt dry. Yeon Ho-jeong unconsciously swallowed his saliva.

Yeon Wi spoke in a voice that was incomparable in its coldness.

“The Heavenly Ordinance refers to the duty that must be rightfully kept between parents and children, and between blood relatives. That duty is not something grand. It refers to the etiquette that is easy but must naturally be performed, and which a person must rightfully possess.”

“Cough!”

“Until now, I have never thought of my child as a wicked fellow who does not even know the Heavenly Ordinance. I did not expect to receive a letter of inquiry every day from my son who went out into the world to learn of the heavens, but were you so busy that you could not even send a single simple letter saying you were doing well?”

“That is, Father… if I explain how it happened…”

“Silence!”

It felt as if his ears were ringing with a ‘woong’ sound. Yeon Ho-jeong pulled his neck in like a tortoise.

Yeon Wi turned his body.

“I will not listen to the excuse that you are exhausted from your journey. Follow me.”

Yeon Ho-jeong sighed despite himself.

The reality that he had to be scolded by his father at this age was lamentable, and looking back, the fact that he was the one rightfully at fault and could not blame anyone made him feel gloomy.

In the end, he had to follow behind his father with the heart of a lamb being dragged to a slaughterhouse.

That day, Yeon Ho-jeong had to read the Chapter on Filial Piety in the Mind-Clearing Mirror, which he could barely remember when he had last read, until he had memorized it thoroughly.