Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 210

The Fire Monkey’s eyes flashed with a wicked killing intent.

“Where is he?”

“I told you, I don’t know.”

“……”

“That guy, he’s always wandering around without us knowing. It’s nothing new, what’s the big deal?”

Even with Ga Deuk-Sang’s blunt reply, the Fire Monkey’s expression remained unchanged. Only the killing intent in her eyes grew more intense.

It was a gaze that would make even the most skilled martial artist want to turn away. It was a look that could kill a person with just its intensity.

However, Ga Deuk-Sang was not one to be intimidated.

“Did you put night-shining pearls in your eyes? They’re really something else.”

“……”

“Even if you glare at me like that, I still don’t know. Just get out of here.”

The Fire Monkey opened her mouth.

Her voice, unusually low and cold for a woman, was as chilling as her moniker.

“We were ordered to escort and monitor you.”

“So what?”

“There is no escort or monitoring without a target. I’ll ask one last time. Where is the ‘Jeong’ of the Mujong Clan?”

At that moment, Pae-Yul, who was sharpening his sword to the side, spoke up.

“I’ll say this once and only once.”

The Fire Monkey, who had been glaring at Ga Deuk-Sang, turned her gaze to Pae-Yul.

Pae-Yul didn’t even look at her. He simply continued to wipe the blade of his sword with a dry cloth.

“My patience is more than exhausted, even without your blabbering. If you bother me again, I’ll cut off all your heads and then go complain to the vice-chief.”

The Fire Monkey’s eyes flashed with a chilling light.

Pae-Yul sheathed his sword.

*Shhhk!* *Thud.*

“If you understand, then get lost.”

The Fire Monkey, who had been looking at Pae-Yul with a chilling gaze, turned her attention back to Ga Deuk-Sang.

Ga Deuk-Sang shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s what he said?”

“……”

“See you later, monkey-human.”

The Fire Monkey turned her body.

Before leaving the manor, she said,

“If this happens again, I will kill one of you under the authority of the escort captain.”

Pae-Yul chuckled.

“Please do. My joints feel rusty from not using my sword.”

*Creak.* *Bang!*

The manor door closed.

Ga Deuk-Sang, who had been staring blankly at the door, let out a deep sigh.

“That was intense.”

Pae-Yul snorted.

“It’s just beasts fighting over dominance. The moment you get pushed down, you’re eaten.”

“Still, wasn’t that too much of a provocation?”

“So, you’re saying I should just ignore that rude wench’s tone?”

“Well, not ignore, but I think it was a bit too much of a provocation.”

“Provocation? If she messes up because of such words, then she’s the one who’s lacking, isn’t she?”

‘That’s not how it works…’ Ga Deuk-Sang thought.

Ga Deuk-Sang, who was about to say a few more words, just shut his mouth. There was no point in talking to someone who wouldn’t listen anyway. What was the point of discussing etiquette with someone who was naturally rough?

‘Well, I’m not exactly one to talk about etiquette either,’ he mused.

“And that wench didn’t back down because of me.”

“Huh?”

Pae-Yul pointed his chin at the roof of the manor.

Following his gesture, Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyes saw Dang Sang-A sharpening her dagger.

Dang Sang-A smiled.

“Do you have something to say?”

“…No, I don’t.”

Ga Deuk-Sang cleared his throat.

‘Damn, this is a mess,’ he thought.

Whether it was Pae-Yul, Dang Sang-A, or even Jeagal Ayeon, who was currently struggling with the reorganization of the Mukryong Division, they all agreed with Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words, no matter how unfair they were. But he was not Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘How am I supposed to handle these crazy people?’

Ga Deuk-Sang sighed.

‘There’s not a single normal one.’

He never admitted that he was not normal either.

* * *

Walking through the market street, Yeon Ho-Jeong thought.

‘It’s lively.’

The martial world was divided into the righteous and the wicked, but the common people didn’t care about such things.

They lived in the same world but focused on their own roles on completely different stages. That was the way of the martial world and the Central Plains [the heartland of China, often used to refer to the civilized world].

“The skin of a great tiger caught in Akrok Mountain is twenty silver coins!”

“Fine silk has arrived! It’s the highest grade silk favored by the officials of the Ministry of War!”

“Come in! We caught this pig this morning!”

The merchants shouted at the top of their lungs, and the people filling the streets looked around with sparkling eyes.

It was a peaceful scene.

‘If only there was a clear distinction.’

If only the bloody world of martial arts and the lives of the common people were completely separate.

How nice it would be if the boundaries were clear.

But the world was not like that, and the wars of the martial world eventually shook the public order. No, it was more than that; countless common people were unjustly killed.

‘It’s bitter.’

One of the countless reasons for establishing the Black Emperor Fortress was the safety of the people.

To be precise, he wanted to create at least some rules. Even if fighting was their job, the stage was different. It wasn’t about good or evil, or territory.

However, one person’s will could not change the world. Because the will of another person was just as firm.

‘I have to stop it after all.’

The invasion from beyond the borders, and the clash between black and white.

So that no harm would come to those who were playing lively on different stages.

‘But well…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

‘I need to solve the problems in front of me first.’

Not to mention, he hadn’t even solved the problems within the Martial Alliance. And it wasn’t just a little bit left; there was still a mountain of it.

‘I’ve chosen a really tiring life.’

It couldn’t be helped. If he didn’t move, his family would be harmed.

As he walked through the streets with these thoughts, a voice transmission reached Yeon Ho-Jeong.

[If you turn left at the fork fifteen steps ahead, you will find a shabby inn. Go inside.]

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned left at the fork as the Beggars’ Union had instructed.

‘That’s it.’

It was said to be shabby, but it wasn’t that shabby when he saw it.

However, it blended in well with the surrounding buildings. Yeon Ho-Jeong knew because he was told, but if he had just passed by, he wouldn’t have known it was an inn.

A perfect location. It didn’t look like a place where the rich, the poor, or martial artists would come.

Yeon Ho-Jeong entered the inn without hesitation.

*Creak.*

As he opened the door, he smelled the faint scent of wood and the rich aroma of tea.

The middle-aged man who appeared to be the owner was dozing off even when someone came in.

But Yeon Ho-Jeong could tell. The consciousness of that middle-aged man, who looked like he was sleeping, was actually focused on him.

And.

‘……’

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his eyes to the stairs in the corner of the inn and then climbed them without hesitation.

“Even if they were the kind of people who would growl at each other and exchange unspeakable insults when they met.”

The laughter in the low voice.

“It’s strange how happy they are to see each other when they meet in a foreign land. Isn’t that strange?”

On the central table on the second floor of the inn.

Moyong Gun was there.

Moyong Gun smiled.

“Are you like that too? I wish you were happy to see me.”

‘Happy my ass,’ Yeon Ho-Jeong muttered quietly.

“It seems our relationship was indeed quite fierce. My head starts to ache the moment I see your face.”

“Oh, that’s a disappointing thing to say.”

“Is it?”

“Before leaving the alliance, didn’t you say that it would be better to go together? Wouldn’t the success rate of the mission increase if the commander and the working group joined forces?”

“I think I said something similar.”

“Hahaha.”

Moyong Gun pointed to the seat opposite him with his hand.

“You’ve been through a lot. Have a seat.”

“Let’s do that.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong sat lightly on the chair.

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

‘He’s changed.’

He could see Yeon Ho-Jeong’s change at a glance.

‘His energy isn’t fluctuating like before. It’s very stable. It’s like he’s found some kind of balance.’

He didn’t know what martial art Yeon Ho-Jeong had learned. It seemed like he had learned the Yeon family’s martial arts, but even when they exchanged blows, it was difficult to trace the origins of the ancient martial arts he had also mastered.

Whatever it was, it seemed like he had made progress since leaving the alliance.

“You’re amazing as always.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Moyong Gun didn’t feel the need to hide his true feelings.

“You’re different from before you left the alliance. Did you have some kind of enlightenment?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“It’s not something as grand as enlightenment. An unbalanced energy is bound to collapse at any time. I’ve just been constantly trying to avoid that.”

“If everyone could achieve such rapid progress just by trying, there wouldn’t be anyone who wasn’t a master in this world.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Slow down a bit. I’m afraid I’ll be caught up to and won’t be able to live.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes scanned Moyong Gun’s sword.

“Are you excited about this rare outing? The scent of blood is so strong even though your sword is in its sheath.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.

“You can feel that?”

“I’m very sensitive in that regard.”

“Hoo!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“If you don’t pay attention to these things, you won’t know. However, you are currently one of the people I’m most closely watching. Every time we meet again, I keep analyzing what has changed, what you’re thinking, and what you’re likely to do.”

“That’s truly an honor.”

“How many did you cut down?”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“I’m not some heinous demon, I don’t do unnecessary killings.”

“It’s better to be a demon who only knows slaughter. You’re too dangerous.”

“Aren’t we the same? How did you become such a monster at your age?”

“The world is too harsh. I have to do anything to protect my people.”

Moyong Gun burst into laughter.

“You know what? Sometimes I really hate seeing you, but at times like this, there’s no one as fun to talk to as you. At least, I know I won’t be bored if I fight you.”

“I’ll make sure you’re bored later.”

“Is that a declaration of defeat?”

“What are you talking about? I’m saying I’m going to bury you.”

“Hahaha!”

Watching Moyong Gun laugh so loudly that the inn seemed to shake, Yeon Ho-Jeong asked calmly.

“What’s the change of heart?”

“Hmm?”

“As you said, I said before leaving the alliance, ‘Let’s go together if possible.'”

“You did.”

“Even if you had agreed right away, I would have been suspicious, but you just stood there blankly and now you’re entering the enemy’s territory? I can’t help but be suspicious.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

A sense of seriousness was hidden in that chilling smile.

“As I said before, I intend to take this matter seriously. Because it’s a very important matter for both me and you.”

“I know that. But I’m saying.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face turned expressionless.

It was a chilling change.

“The you I know is someone who can handle two or three things at once.”

“……”

“You’re going to take this mission seriously without any tricks, but why did you come all the way to Honam? Are you going to have a proper rampage after this is over?”

Moyong Gun’s face also turned indifferent like Yeon Ho-Jeong’s.

“You’ll find out when you see it.”

“You have a remarkable talent for making people nervous.”

“The you I know isn’t someone who can’t do his job just because he’s a little nervous. I have that much faith in you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Today, I got hit once and hit back once.”

“It seems like you and I are destined to live like this for the rest of our lives, unless one of us is completely destroyed.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong waved his hand as if he was annoyed.

“Okay, let’s stop here for today. Report and listen.”

“I will listen carefully.”