Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 68

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s presence had vanished. He had completely left the area.

Moyong Gun, who had been laughing for quite some time, gradually stopped.

He calmly refilled his own glass.

“Yeon-hwa.”

“Yes, Father.”

“What did you think?”

Moyong Yeon-hwa sighed softly.

“Honestly, I can’t gauge him.”

“Hahaha, that’s understandable.”

“One thing is certain. He’s much more impudent than I thought.”

“Without power, one cannot even be impudent.”

“You seemed quite impressed with Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

“I don’t know how to put it.”

Moyong Gun thought of Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Eyes so clear they made one feel a chill. A calm face that showed no urgency, yet was not relaxed.

And the terrifying audacity to say he would casually destroy the greatest family under heaven.

The laughter he had tried to suppress involuntarily escaped again.

“He is strong. It’s beyond martial arts, strategy, or insight. I felt an innate strength from him.”

“…To that extent?”

“I can’t even imagine what kind of life he’s lived. He’s climbed his way up through countless hells. Even a strong nature is hard to beat the experience of a veteran. He has both.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face hardened.

She knew her father had a high opinion of Yeon Ho-Jeong. But she didn’t expect it to be this much.

Moyong Gun, who had been smiling as he thought of Yeon Ho-Jeong.

His expression gradually turned cold.

“So… he’s dangerous.”

“Yes?”

“He’s a dangerous fellow. I could see another version of myself in him.”

Crush.

The glass he was holding turned to dust.

It was an immense internal force. The internal energy that was unconsciously released turned the jade cup to dust. The level of his internal energy was beyond imagination.

It was the increase in internal energy he had gained from mastering the Thunderclap Skill.

“Actually, I was joking, but seeing him made me greedy for a moment. I thought that a talent like him would be a good match for you.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s eyes wavered.

“But.”

Moyong Gun, having brushed off the dust, looked out the window.

A pure white moon had already risen.

“He’s the same kind of guy as me. He won’t know what satisfaction is. Even if he married you, he would be constantly eyeing the main family.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

“It’s a pity. If he had inherited the main family’s surname, I would have made him the young head long ago.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa clenched her fist without Moyong Gun noticing.

Why? She felt inexplicably resentful. Her father had always praised her, but he had never given her such high praise.

Moyong Yeon-hwa spoke in a calm tone, trying her best.

“If he’s a talent that can’t be made into a member of the main family, shouldn’t you eliminate him in advance?”

“Of course.”

Was it because of the moonlight?

Moyong Gun’s white smile was somehow eerie.

“I will seize the world. Then the world will become a garden that I must cultivate. But he will never be a flower that will bloom beautifully in my garden. In that case, it’s better to pull him out by the roots in advance.”

Moyong Gun, who had been looking at the moon for a while, got up from his seat.

“Whatever the reason, it was a meaningful meeting. We’ve become busy too. Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

* * *

“Hoo.”

In the dark forest.

He sat on a rock where the cold moonlight was clearly visible and put down his axe.

Thud.

He tried to stand it up, but it tilted and got stuck in the ground. He had no strength left in his hands.

“I’m tired.”

He had exchanged sharp words with Moyong Gun right after a life-or-death battle with those damned wolves. The mental exhaustion was immense.

Whoo-oong.

He drew up the Emerald Qi [a type of internal energy] to correct the internal injuries that were gradually worsening.

The damage was greater than he had thought. His blood vessels were torn in many places, and his blood points were full of impurities.

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a deep breath.

Whoo-eeeng!

The White Tiger Qi [another type of internal energy] opened, absorbing dense natural energy.

Qi has the role of healing the body. He actively healed himself by receiving abundant qi with the White Tiger Qi, and he released all the remaining impurities by opening the Black Tortoise Qi [another type of internal energy].

After circulating his energy for more than half an hour, he finally felt a little better.

“Damn it, I should have drunk a few bowls of water. Why did I agree to drink alcohol?”

His stomach was churning because of the internal injuries. On top of that, a few glasses of strong liquor made him feel like he was going to throw up.

This is why people shouldn’t be fooled by memories.

‘He was definitely different when he was younger.’

During his time as the leader of the Martial Alliance, Moyong Gun was a skilled politician and the leader of the White Path [a faction of martial artists], supported by everyone.

He did not hesitate to use any means to achieve his goals, but he took care of his people. He was a respected ruler and a capable leader to those within his domain.

‘We drank a lot of alcohol too.’

Due to the invasion of the Central Plains by the Cult of the Three Gods, or more precisely, the Evil Sound Cult, the White and Black Paths [another faction of martial artists] joined hands for the first time.

The leaders of the Black and White Paths formed an alliance due to the invasion of an external enemy. The two had several drinking sessions even while fighting the war.

He had lived a ruthless life to get to that position, but he was not without charm. That’s why he was wary of him, and at the same time, he felt a sense of kinship.

But the current Moyong Gun was different.

He was a treacherous villain, burning with ambition, who would not hesitate to plot and kill for his dreams.

‘Besides, I didn’t know back then. That the Moyong family was one of the main culprits in the destruction of the main family.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

Memories are just memories. This drinking session was nothing more than a farewell drink to a former comrade.

He might not have known, but now that he did, the Moyong family was his mortal enemy. They were the same as the Myeong family.

‘Look forward to it, old man. I’ll sweep away the foundation you’ve built so far, leaving not a speck of dust behind.’

He was lost in thought for a while.

“Hoo, why did a wounded man climb this high mountain? I’m exhausted.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Why did you come all the way here?”

“Do you think I wanted to come? I also want to sit comfortably and just handle the information that comes in.”

The person who appeared was Ga Deuk-Sang.

“What about the Dark Assassins?”

“You’re really heartless. We haven’t seen each other in a long time, and you don’t even say hello.”

“It seems you’ve kept them well in check.”

“Of course. I’m a man who finishes what he starts.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Ga Deuk-Sang smiled.

“You’ve worked hard too, Young Master Yeon. Seeing how injured you are, they must have been really strong.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“Those blood-smelling guys are all like that. Rather than being strong, they’re just too vicious. I overdid it a bit trying to take them down one by one.”

“Still, it’s amazing. How many people in the martial world can take down the Azure Wolf Ghosts alone?”

“There are a lot. You just haven’t looked.”

“…You always have to say things that make people lose interest.”

“So, what brings you here?”

“Huh? You must be really hurt?”

“Huh?”

Ga Deuk-Sang pointed behind him with his thumb.

“Look.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked where he was pointing.

His eyes widened.

“I received a direct message from the Lord. Actually, well, I was also curious about how you were holding up, so I came along as a guide.”

Hundreds of swordsmen emerged from the dark shadows, one after another.

At the forefront was Shin-mo.

“The Chang-eung Unit greets the Great Young Master!”

“We greet the Great Young Master!”

The voices were so loud that the whole mountain echoed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

“Keep your voices down. Do you want to spread rumors?”

Ga Deuk-Sang scoffed.

“It’s better to spread some rumors. Looking at your condition.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Anyway, how did you get here?”

Shin-mo spoke in his characteristic low voice.

“The Lord sent us directly. From now on, we will be in charge of the Great Young Master’s protection.”

Father?

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

“They must be very busy there, why did he send you all the way here?”

Ga Deuk-Sang scolded him.

“Hey, you. Is that something you should say in front of people who have run so hard their feet are blistered? You should be grateful.”

“Ahem!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong got off the rock.

“Anyway… you’ve all worked hard to come here.”

“It’s nothing.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

“By the way, where can we find a tavern that can accommodate this many people? Can Hu-gae find one for us?”

“You can’t do anything without me, can you?”

“If you don’t want to, then don’t.”

“Ah, fine! I already secured a decent manor nearby, so rest there. The Myeong family’s eyes won’t reach that far.”

“Thank you.”

“Yeah, right.”

Ga Deuk-Sang asked casually.

“By the way, how did your talk with the Moyong family head end? I still can’t believe that guy came all the way to Henan.”

“It ended well.”

“Is that all? Don’t you want to tell me more details?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled. Ga Deuk-Sang was definitely fun to talk to. It was like he was giving him strength.

He told him in detail about his conversation with the Moyong family head.

Ga Deuk-Sang’s face showed interest.

“Authority… you’re talking about the Great Assembly Authority.”

“Great Assembly Authority?”

“The heads of the Nine Great Sects and the Seven Great Families have the authority called the Great Assembly Authority. It’s to gather the leaders of the White Path martial world and discuss important matters.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned. He had never heard of it before.

“There was such a thing?”

“Yes, there is. Ah, of course, it’s extremely rare to invoke the Great Assembly Authority. It’s about gathering the leaders of the White Path martial world scattered all over the world, so if a solution to the issue is not found, the one who proposed it must take full responsibility.”

“Responsibility for calling them for an important matter?”

“It’s like compensating for the losses each faction suffers due to the absence of their leaders. In other words, don’t call them for trivial matters.”

What a peculiar authority.

The Black Path martial world is not like this. From the beginning, there is no meaning to an allied force. The reason why Yeon Ho-Jeong established the Black Emperor Castle and ruled alone was because, no matter how many alliances he made, they were all busy stabbing each other in the back.

“In other words, the Moyong family head is that confident.”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“I understand what the temporary Martial Alliance means. But is it possible for the leaders of each faction to gather in just one month?”

“There are leaders who can’t come due to circumstances. But if there are no such circumstances, they must come.”

It was quite a shocking system for Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was used to the Black Path martial world system.

“Anyway, since the talk went well, what are you going to do now?”

“Rest. For the time being.”

“I mean, you’re not the type to rest without any plans.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up.

“Does Hu-gae also know? That the Myeong family’s forces have secretly established themselves near Jiangxi Province.”

Ga Deuk-Sang smiled.

“I’ve heard.”

“A month is both a long and short time. Shouldn’t we slowly tighten the noose around the Myeong family’s neck during that time?”

“They’ll probably deny it.”

“Of course, they will.”

“I’ll try to set the mood. I don’t know if we can last a month, though.”

“When the rumors die down, I’ll step in.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“Even if you borrow someone else’s fishing boat, you have to do the fishing yourself.”