Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 454

The once bustling Inhwa House fell silent again, as if a mouse had died.

The people descending the stairs stared at Gang Ryang with shocked eyes.

Black Iron Sword Clan.

Before its destruction, the Black Iron Sword Clan was one of the few true martial arts clans that had been praised as the best in the Black Path martial world [a world of martial artists who operate outside the law].

Their reputation was comparable to the Nine Great Sects of the White Path martial world [a world of martial artists who operate within the law]. Moreover, the swordsmen of the Black Iron Sword Clan were known for their magnanimous and resolute nature, earning them immense respect from the people of the Black Path.

And now, the young master of such a Black Iron Sword Clan had appeared at Inhwa House.

Even more shocking was Jeon Hong, who called Gang Ryang a descendant of a rebel faction.

Jeon Hong, a disciple of Yang Cheon, the master of the current Black Path Alliance and one of the Thirteen Seats of Seongcheon [a powerful group within the Black Path Alliance].

Gang Ryang, a rising star from the most prestigious clan of the Black Path, now destroyed.

Whoosh!

The chilling air transformed into an oppressive force, beginning to weigh down on the entire tavern.

Amidst that overwhelming atmosphere, Yeon Ho-jeong clicked his tongue.

‘He’s not going to let this slide easily.’

Before coming here, Gang Ryang had said that he had only visited Inhwa House three or four times, and even then, he had never revealed his identity.

From the start, Gang Ryang had spent most of his teenage years in seclusion and sword training. Even in the Black Path martial world, known for its developed intelligence network, not many people knew Gang Ryang’s face.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

He was planning to meet Yang Cheon anyway. It didn’t matter much how they got entangled.

However, there was one thing.

‘I need to be mindful of how Yang Cheon views his disciples.’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes once again scanned Jeon Hong’s gaze and temperament.

He could make a judgment in an instant.

‘The current Yang Cheon wouldn’t be too fond of a talent like him.’

Yang Cheon was not an ally. He was clearly an enemy, but not to the extent of being called a nemesis or a villain.

However, Yeon Ho-jeong understood Yang Cheon to some extent. Perhaps Yang Cheon also understood Yeon Ho-jeong to a considerable degree.

‘He taught him, but didn’t give him affection, huh?’

Yeon Ho-jeong inwardly shook his head.

Come to think of it, when the Myulsa Army [a fictional army] had their first real battle, there was a ‘former’ disciple of Yang Cheon, a madman, there.

Everyone called him Yang Cheon’s disciple. However, that madman was older than Bu Seon.

If he had been the eldest disciple, Yang Cheon wouldn’t have let it slide.

‘He’s taken countless disciples, but he doesn’t treat the broken ones as disciples, is that it?’

Was this the way of the head of the Black Path martial world, where the strong survive?

‘Whatever the case, this won’t end well.’

At that moment, Jeon Hong spoke.

“Hey, innkeeper.”

“Y-yes, yes?!”

“That guy’s eyes are quite fierce, aren’t they? It’ll be hard to just let this go. The Mukryong Clan [a fictional clan] will compensate for the damages, so don’t worry too much.”

The Inhwa House owner’s face turned pale.

That was it. Jeon Hong no longer looked at the innkeeper or spoke to him.

Jeon Hong spoke to Gang Ryang.

“I was wondering if I should buy a gift for my master, and it looks like I’ve found one. How about it? If you come quietly, you won’t have your head chopped off right away.”

Gang Ryang chuckled coldly.

“Even a rotten fish is still a fish, and you’re a disciple of Yang Cheon, so I can’t just let you go. Can you use chopsticks with your left hand? I was thinking of cutting off your right arm nicely.”

Jeon Hong’s face, which had been full of mockery, hardened.

Not only that, but everyone’s face turned pale upon hearing Gang Ryang’s voice.

“…….”

A strange silence fell over the area.

Jeon Hong said,

“Innkeeper.”

“……Yes?”

“Send everyone out and lock the doors.”

The Inhwa House owner hesitated.

Jeon Hong’s intention was clear. He was planning to beat Gang Ryang to a pulp here.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.

“Ryang-ah.”

Gang Ryang replied without taking his eyes off Jeon Hong.

“Speak, brother.”

“A few stairs and a wall are well within my budget right now.”

It was an unexpected remark.

However, this time, it seemed that Gang Ryang understood Yeon Ho-jeong’s words immediately. A cold smile appeared on his face.

“You’re the only one I can rely on, brother.”

“I’m a bit reliable, aren’t I?”

“Please take care of the riffraff.”

Yeon Ho-jeong patted Gang Ryang’s back.

“Go.”

At that moment.

Bang!

Like a flash of light, Gang Ryang grabbed Jeon Hong by the collar.

It was an astonishing moment. Jeon Hong, too, seemed surprised by Gang Ryang’s speed, his eyes widening slightly.

Gang Ryang’s feet blazed.

Crack!

In an instant, six or seven stairs were destroyed. They had broken under the force of Gang Ryang’s explosive dash.

It didn’t end there. Grabbing Jeon Hong by the collar, Gang Ryang ascended to the fourth floor and, with the momentum of his run, slammed Jeon Hong against the window wall.

Crash!

The window wall on the fourth floor shattered, and the two of them flew out of Inhwa House.

It was an unexpected event. Everyone looked up at the fourth floor in shock.

“Third Young Master!”

“Oh no!”

Just as the thirty warriors were about to rush down the stairs,

Swoosh.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had already descended to the third floor, was looking up at them with the Black Dragon Blade drawn.

It was terrifying speed. They couldn’t even tell when or how Yeon Ho-jeong had moved there.

Yeon Ho-jeong said,

“This is a place of business. I don’t want to make it a bloodbath, so go outside.”

The leading warrior, Yang Il, cursed.

“You bastard! Are you itching for death?!”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Yang Il with calm eyes.

Yang Il, who was about to throw a punch while cursing again, suddenly felt the hair on his entire body stand on end.

Thud!

Yang Il unknowingly sat down on the stairs. His legs had given out.

“L-leader?!”

“Are you alright?”

Yang Il couldn’t even answer his worried subordinates.

Shudder.

He looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with trembling eyes.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes were still clear and deep. However, Yang Il saw the unimaginable murderous intent lurking within them.

There was a monstrous being there, one that they couldn’t even scratch.

“Should I just kill you all here?”

“……!!”

“If we fight outside, you’ll only be bedridden for a few months, but if we fight here, you’ll all be chopped into pieces and die.”

He spoke in a calm tone, without revealing his aura or even emitting murderous intent.

That was why his words were even more terrifying. It showed the confidence that he could easily do such a thing.

Yang Il’s body was soaked with cold sweat.

‘A master! And a tremendous one at that!’

At that moment, other subordinates shouted.

“That crazy bastard is talking nonsense!”

“Kill him!”

It was then.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

A woman came down, flipping over the ceiling of the stairs, with a fierce impact sound.

It was Jeong-an. A sword was in her hand, though it was still in its antique-patterned scabbard.

Swoosh.

As soon as Jeong-an stood next to Yeon Ho-jeong, five warriors who were about to rush at Yeon Ho-jeong collapsed on the spot. They had all fainted.

Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at Jeong-an.

“You’re skilled?”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Your control is quite good. You were so confused when we fought in Guangdong.”

“This time, I didn’t try to subdue them halfway.”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled and looked back at Yang Il.

Yang Il had already raised one hand, stopping his subordinates’ actions.

Yeon Ho-jeong turned around.

“Follow me outside. Oh, and innkeeper.”

Yeon Ho-jeong took out a money pouch from his pocket and handed it to the Inhwa House owner.

The Inhwa House owner received the pouch with a bewildered expression.

“There will be more than enough. Use it to repair the broken stairs and walls.”

“Ah… Th-thank you.”

The Inhwa House owner couldn’t help but answer that way.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been looking at the innkeeper for a moment, added a word.

“And innkeeper.”

“Yes?”

“I know you were scared of getting hurt, but I think it would be better to change your management policy a bit. If you keep doing things like this, customers will stop coming.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“This is Inhwa House, not Mukryong House, isn’t it?”

The Inhwa House owner’s eyes wavered.

In that moment, he heard his father’s voice in his head. His father, who had said he would hand over the business long ago but had changed his mind and stayed for five more years before returning to his hometown.

‘Lowering your head is also a habit. Life? It’s important. But a merchant is also a person. If you keep bending your knees because you’re afraid of getting hurt, you’ll eventually ruin yourself. And before you ruin yourself, your self-esteem will hit rock bottom.’

‘If you can’t endure it, close the business. If you can endure it, don’t grant requests that go beyond common sense. If a situation arises where you might lose your life due to your misjudgment, that’s when you kneel. It’s not shameful at all.’

‘Remember this. A merchant’s weapon is not a sword, but insight and decisiveness. Do whatever it takes to survive, but don’t destroy your own character and conscience.’

The Inhwa House owner stared blankly at Yeon Ho-jeong.

Yeon Ho-jeong said to Jeong-an,

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

The two headed towards the stairs on the second floor.

It was then.

“You bastard!”

Whoosh!

One of the warriors flew through the air, swinging a dagger at the top of Yeon Ho-jeong’s head.

It was quite a sharp surprise attack. Even after seeing Yeon Ho-jeong and Jeong-an’s skills, he had attempted a surprise attack, so at least his boldness was commendable.

Of course, the consequences of his choice were entirely his own.

Thud!

With a gruesome sound, the warrior who had spun in the air fell straight to the floor.

The warrior’s face, sprawled on the floor, was horribly caved in. It had been smashed from the cheekbone to the skull by the handle of the Black Dragon Blade.

Trickle.

Red blood soaked the floor of the inn.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was looking down at him with cold eyes, turned his gaze to Yang Il.

Yang Il unknowingly shouted,

“I-I didn’t order that!”

“Clean it up.”

“……Yes?”

“Clean up the blood and take the body outside. We can’t ask the innkeeper to do it, can we?”

“……?!”

“Why aren’t you moving? Should I make you all look the same? Well, you guys do look quite handsome now, don’t you?”

Yang Il jumped up and ordered his subordinates to carry the body and hurriedly clean up the blood.

With this one move, they could deeply feel it. The opponents were terrifying masters who wouldn’t be out of place treating them as ‘mere’ beings.

Strong in front of the weak, and weak in front of the strong.

Even though the world operates on the principle of the survival of the fittest, their behavior was truly laughable. If they were working under Yang Cheon’s disciple, they shouldn’t show such a pathetic sight in front of others.

‘They’re not from the Mukryong Clan.’

Warriors belonging to the Mukryong Clan would never show such a sight. They were probably subordinates that Jeon Hong had taken from other places.

Yeon Ho-jeong clicked his tongue without realizing it.

“This might end up being a gift for Vice Leader Yang, if I’m not careful.”

Gang Ryang wouldn’t kill Jeon Hong. At least he had that much sense.

In the end, he was doing Yang Cheon a favor. With this incident, he could clearly see his disciple’s shortcomings and get rid of him, or if Jeon Hong changed, he could properly guide him.

Yeon Ho-jeong shouted in an annoyed voice,

“Hurry up and clean it, you guys!”

“Yes, sir!”

* * *

“Hmm?”

Yang Cheon frowned.

Baek Seo asked with a puzzled face,

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No. My ear suddenly feels a bit itchy.”

“Ah, yes.”

Yang Cheon, who was roughly digging at his ear, muttered with a displeased face,

“Is it going to rain? I feel quite uneasy.”