Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 55

Myeong On-ji recalled a conversation with her father before coming here.

‘It will be impossible to know.’

‘Do you think so too?’

‘Let’s say the Yeon family has truly captured all the spies. None of those spies are connected to the main family [referring to the Myeong family].’

‘Is there a possibility that the Moyong family head told them?’

‘None. The Moyong family head is a man of his own integrity. He has great ambition, but he also knows how to yield before a strong opponent. He would never tell his subordinates that he is connected to the main family.’

‘Then, even if the Yeon family captured and tortured the spies, the main family’s name wouldn’t come out.’

‘That’s right.’

‘Then, there’s no reason to dispatch the assassination squad…’

‘The Moyong family will not bare their fangs at us. They know they can’t win with force. But do you think we can look down on the Moyong family?’

‘That’s… no.’

‘The Moyong family head is not a bad person to work with. They’ve been accommodating us so far, so it’s our turn to step up.’

‘What reason should we give?’

‘Business. Since the Moyong family has already sent a letter to the Yeon family head, let’s make the reason for this meeting business.’

‘What if the Yeon family’s eldest son suspects us?’

‘That won’t happen. In the first place, Gangseo and Zhejiang are places that many martial arts forces with some power are eyeing. There’s no reason to suspect. However…’

‘……’

‘It doesn’t matter if he suspects us. The Yeon family will collapse anyway.’

That’s right.

The Myeong family had already completed many preparations for expanding their power. The work at the distant Daebyeolsan was also finished.

The Yeon family is doomed. They have no choice but to fall.

However, Myeong On-ji couldn’t help but be inwardly flustered by Yeon Ho-jeong’s aggressive words.

‘He knows?!’

Yes, it doesn’t matter if he suspects us. The Yeon family will collapse anyway.

But suspecting and knowing are worlds apart.

A person who suspects is not scary. Since it’s not a certainty, it will take time to handle things. They can’t use their power at the crucial moment.

But if they are certain, it’s a different story.

“What are you talking about?”

Myeong On-ji tilted her head, contrary to her thoughts. Her face looked genuinely puzzled.

“I don’t know what my brother is talking about? Are you saying the main family is working with the Moyong family?”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

“You’re putting on a pathetic act when you know you’ve been caught?”

“Caught… I really don’t know. Anyway, you’re saying the Moyong family sent spies to your family, and you caught them?”

“You’re something else.”

It was inevitable.

Myeong On-ji realized that Yeon Ho-jeong had read her intentions. She was so surprised that she couldn’t manage her expression for a moment, so it was understandable.

The problem wasn’t with Myeong On-ji herself, but with herself as the head of the assassination squad.

‘How do I handle this?’

If he was just suspicious, she could just confirm that the Yeon family had caught the spies and send him away.

But this guy, she didn’t know who told him, was completely certain.

She couldn’t just let it go. If this guy knew, it meant information had leaked, and if information had leaked, she needed to find out where it had leaked from.

In other words, she had to capture Yeon Ho-jeong and take him away.

‘I can deal with the aftermath later. Even if Huga stirs things up, I can just play dumb.’

In Hanam, there are the Guju Myeong family and the Shaolin Temple.

However, the Myeong family has much more practical influence than Shaolin. Shaolin is a Buddhist sect, but the Myeong family is a powerful clan that pursues worldly fame and profit.

Even the Beggars’ Union, the largest information network in the world, would find it difficult to uncover the Myeong family’s information manipulation in Hanam Province.

‘The problem is…’

Myeong On-ji looked into Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes.

His eyes were unwavering. They were impressive eyes that gave an unknown chill to those who looked at them, and at the same time, they held a gaze that was difficult to see through.

‘This guy knew we were coming. At least he guessed it. Because he knew we were working with the Moyong family.’

Then?

‘Did he throw himself out as bait?’

How strong is his backing that he would do that?

“I can hear your gears turning from here.”

“……”

“Are you curious about what I’m relying on to be so bold?”

Myeong On-ji was silent.

Talking about this matter now would be a loss. The opponent already knew, and she knew too. Now that the truth was revealed, it was best to keep her mouth shut as much as possible.

Yeon Ho-jeong sensed the Myeong family’s power from Myeong On-ji’s demeanor.

Whether she was in her twenties or thirties, she was too young to be the head of an intelligence organization.

Myeong On-ji’s talent must have played a big role in her becoming the head of the intelligence organization. But it was the Myeong family that raised her so methodically.

The Myeong family, which claims to be righteous, had turned their family’s child into a professional intelligence agent. Just looking at that, the Myeong family was a difficult family to deal with.

That’s right. They could be difficult if you didn’t know about them.

Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.

“What’s so special about it? In the end, what a martial artist can rely on is their own skill.”

“…Skill?”

“You want to capture me, right? But of course, I don’t want that.”

“……!”

“Shall we see the power of the Myeong family’s intelligence organization, which is called the best under the heavens?”

Myeong On-ji’s eyes turned cold.

She slowly rose from her seat.

“Okay, since you know everything, there’s no need to hide it anymore, right?”

Tsutsutsutsu.

Killing intent rose from the bodies of the warriors behind her. They had thoroughly suppressed their killing intent, but now they were releasing their aura.

Parararak!

The birds hidden in the forest were startled and flew away. That’s how fierce the killing intent was.

Myeong On-ji said in a calm voice.

“I heard you defeated Noehyeop Chuseong.”

“That moron?”

“That’s right, a moron. Even a child can die from a thrown dagger in the martial world, right? He was defeated because he underestimated the eldest son of the Byeoksan Yeon family, so he deserves to be called a moron. But you know.”

Sreureuk.

Before she knew it, Myeongdo appeared behind Yeon Ho-jeong.

In the dark forest, Myeongdo’s face, revealed in the flickering firelight, was eerie. It looked like a ghost with only its face floating.

“We’re not such morons.”

“You look like one to me.”

“The Myeong family’s assassination squad is an intelligence organization. Not a combat unit. But there are many times when we have to suppress with force.”

“Are you strong?”

“At least, it’s not difficult to capture a master. And we don’t let our guard down.”

Myeong On-ji smiled.

In the midst of the murderous atmosphere, her bright smile made her look all the more sinister.

“So, don’t waste your energy and come with us willingly.”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

Myeong On-ji shook her head.

“I know you’re skilled. I also know your guts are as good as your skills. But once the fight starts, you won’t last five moves.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The assassination squad is not…”

That’s when it happened.

‘Huh?’

Myeong On-ji was momentarily puzzled.

‘But how did he know we were an intelligence organization?’

The assassination squad was not an organization known to the public. Those who knew, knew, but they couldn’t talk about it outside. They were either dead or threatened by the Myeong family.

But how did he know that?

“How did you know we were an intelligence organization?”

“I can tell by looking.”

Tsutsutsu.

A powerful energy flowed from Myeong On-ji’s body. It was a stronger energy than anyone else here.

“You’re really impossible. I have to capture you.”

Pa-ba-bak!

Five of the warriors scattered into the forest. They were checking for any possible ‘eyes’ around.

‘Textbook. Too textbook.’

Only then did Yeon Ho-jeong pick up his axe. He had been waiting for the exact moment when the assassination squad would send their warriors to scout the surroundings.

Myeong On-ji said in a cold voice.

“Kneel.”

Pa-a-a-ak!

Myeongdo rushed from behind Yeon Ho-jeong. Surprisingly, the warriors didn’t move.

It was an attack that pierced the gap from the beginning. Myeong On-ji’s words that she wouldn’t let her guard down no matter who the opponent was, were true.

If the opponent wasn’t Yeon Ho-jeong, anyone would have been caught off guard by the surprise attack.

Tu-ung!

Myeongdo’s eyes wavered.

The fist he threw hit the air. The attack that aimed precisely at his back had failed.

‘Where?!’

Peok!

“Kuh!”

Myeongdo staggered and stepped on the bonfire after being hit in the back with a spear.

Myeong On-ji shouted.

“Be careful!”

Kwaang!

Myeongdo groaned again and flew towards Myeong On-ji.

Hu-ung.

Myeong On-ji’s hand grabbed Myeongdo’s wrist and moved smoothly. Then, Myeongdo’s body floated up and before she knew it, he was behind her.

It was a high-level technique of pear blossom grafting [a martial arts technique that redirects an opponent’s force]. It was a martial art that had become ingrained in her body to the point where she could use it unconsciously.

At that moment, a huge axe blade struck the bonfire.

Kwaaang!

The powerful slash instantly extinguished the bonfire.

The surroundings suddenly became dark. The eyes of the assassination squad members, who had become accustomed to the light, couldn’t adapt to the darkness for a moment.

‘Damn it!’

Peo-eo-eok!

A terrible sound was heard, and warm liquid splattered everywhere.

‘Blood?!’

U-u-u-ung!

Everyone instinctively pulled up their inner energy. Thanks to the inner energy that spread throughout their bodies, their eyesight improved. Only now could they see.

But Yeon Ho-jeong was nowhere to be seen.

‘What? Where did he disappear to?!’

Hu-u-u-ung!

A cold wind blew in from the north.

A cold and heavy wind. The suffocating pressure was a bonus.

Myeong On-ji shouted.

“It’s from the north! Catch him!”

Cha-cha-chang!

Fourteen warriors quickly drew their swords. Fourteen attacks, swift and sharp, were aimed at a single point.

That was their mistake.

Kwaaang!

“Kuh!”

“Aaaagh!”

Surprisingly, all fourteen warriors screamed and retreated. Half of them even fell and landed on their butts.

Myeong On-ji’s eyes widened.

‘What?!’

Hu-u-u-u-ung.

A transparent, blue energy rippled in the blowing wind.

Ku-eo-eo-eo!

A bizarre cry seemed to be heard from somewhere far away.

It was the cry of a monster that had never been heard before. That bizarre cry sent chills down everyone’s spines.

It was the roar of a divine beast that did not exist in reality.

The master of the north, Hyeonmu [a mythical turtle-like creature associated with the north], had awakened.

“If even one of you escapes, I’ll kill you all.”

“……!”

“Kneel.”

* * *

The assassination squad members, who had left the forest and finished their perimeter check, turned back the way they came.

That’s when it happened.

Peo-eok! Ppa-gak! Peo-eok!

In an instant, three assassination squad members fell.

Blood flowed from their heads. Their skulls had been shattered by a clubbing.

The only good thing was that they weren’t dead.

“What is it, you bastards!”

Two of the members who had avoided the surprise attack looked around in confusion.

‘Huk!’

Before they knew it, dozens of beggars were standing around them with clubs. It was a perfect encirclement.

“Kyaaaak! Ptooey! Aish, damn it. It got on my sleeve.”

Ga Deuk-sang, who had roughly wiped his chest, approached swaggering.

“Come to think of it, that guy was right. The result is important, what does the process matter? Isn’t that right, you bastards?”

“Huga?!”

“Oh my? You recognized me right away? So you guys knew everything, huh?”

Unlike his smooth expression, Ga Deuk-sang’s eyes were frighteningly cold. The chill was even greater than Yeon Ho-jeong’s.

He was extremely angry.

“Take off the title of the best under the heavens, and take off your balls too, you bastards.”

Pa-a-a-ak!

The beggars rushed in.