Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 486

“That was quite clever.”

At Yeon-wi’s words, Yeon Ho-Jeong could only scratch his head.

“Did you inform the Military Advisor separately without telling your father first?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Why? Did you think this father wouldn’t allow it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I thought you would surely allow it if you deemed it reasonable. However…”

“However?”

“I thought you would keep worrying about it.”

Yeon-wi quietly stared at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression gradually became awkward.

In any case, he had informed Jeagal Mun-Ho first about his unconventional idea to be dispatched to the Mukryong Unit, not his father. And it was only yesterday, before the meeting, that Jeagal Mun-Ho had revealed it.

Even Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

“Ahem.”

“…”

“…Hmm.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong subtly turned his head, avoiding his father’s gaze.

After looking at his son’s face for a long time, Yeon-wi chuckled.

“I’m disappointed.”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Contrary to his words, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face was quite bright, as his father’s reaction was more composed than he had expected.

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“I know you were considerate of your father. And from a public perspective, your actions were not wrong. In such a matter, it would be appropriate to inform the Military Advisor first, not the Bonggong [a council of leaders].”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“However, it seems the Military Advisor has had quite a hard time in the middle. You must understand that.”

“I suppose that’s likely.”

“You must apologize for that part. Although he’s been on edge lately, it’s rare for someone as intelligent and wise as the Military Advisor to have such a gentle heart.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good. If you understand, that’s enough.”

Yeon-wi wasn’t angry at all about this matter. In fact, he wasn’t angry. There was a slight disappointment, but it was negligible.

Even if it was his own son, public and private matters were distinct, and he shouldn’t scold him for being disappointed about such a thing.

“Anyway, do you really think that’s a good method?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Yes, I do.”

“The Mukryong Unit Leader seems to favor you quite a bit?”

“That’s definitely the case. It’s quite burdensome.”

“Indeed.”

As a warrior, not as family, Yeon Ho-Jeong was definitely a talent that any leader would covet.

His martial arts were exceptional, but his strategic thinking and insight were particularly outstanding. A mediocre leader might be wary, but a capable and magnanimous leader would do anything to get him.

Looking at it that way, Yang Cheon was certainly no ordinary person.

“Won’t it be dangerous?”

“It’s the way of the Jianghu [the martial world]. There’s nothing that isn’t dangerous. However, considering the previous spy infiltration incident, I’ll be much freer and more relaxed than I was then.”

Yeon-wi nodded.

“Alright, if you say so, this father feels relieved.”

“Are you giving me permission?”

“This isn’t something I can permit or not. Didn’t the Military Advisor say so? That you need to get permission from each of the Bonggong members.”

“Well, that’s how it turned out.”

“Are you confident?”

Although the words were abrupt, Yeon Ho-Jeong knew what his father’s question meant.

“Rather than confidence… I’ll have to focus properly.”

The reason Jeagal Mun-Ho created this opportunity was one thing.

It was to have Yeon Ho-Jeong directly observe and confirm the Bonggong members.

Although Jeagal Mun-Ho didn’t know that Yeon Ho-Jeong had been reincarnated, he knew that his abilities and insight had reached the pinnacle of the Jianghu.

He trusted that eye and intuition. Even if he couldn’t be certain, he believed that he could at least notice anything strange.

Yeon-wi sighed.

“The Tang Clan Leader said that this spy is more terrifying in their mental strength than in their martial arts.”

“That’s likely. Whether it’s the Nine Sects or the Six Families, it’s never easy for a leader to manage a group and also be a spy. Considering the nature of martial arts and the eyes of the organization.”

“You know it well.”

“I have a lot of experience in that area.”

Yeon-wi was reminded once again that his son had returned after living for decades.

“Since the stage is set like this, go and see properly.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“Don’t worry.”

“Alright, where will you go first? Are you really going to start with the Gongdong Sect?”

“Of course. Elder Deung Cheon-Gyo is a very intriguing person. In many ways.”

Swish.

Yeon Ho-Jeong took out the Black and White Twin Dragon Blades, checked their edges, nodded, and stood up.

“I’ll be back.”

* * *

It was noon when Yeon Ho-Jeong arrived at the Gongdong Sect’s residence.

The summer sun’s heat had begun to wane. Although the heat would last for another month, it seemed that summer was slowly beginning to bow its head.

Yeon Ho-Jeong knocked on the residence’s gate.

A voice was heard from inside.

“Who is it?”

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong, the Commander of the Murim Alliance’s Righteous Army.”

A moment of silence.

And then.

Creak.

The sound of the gate opening was like a ghostly wail. The heat radiating from the scorching sun seemed to turn as cold as ice at that moment.

The person who opened the gate was a middle-aged swordsman who looked about six years older than Yeon Ho-Jeong. The sword slung diagonally across his back looked very sturdy.

The middle-aged man said,

“Come inside.”

His tone was quite arrogant.

It wasn’t his personality, but his voice itself gave that impression. The demonic aura of someone who had lived in the harsh Gongdong Mountains was evident.

Yeon Ho-Jeong entered the residence without a word.

The gate was directly connected to the training ground. Although the residences were all similar, the Gongdong Sect’s residence felt particularly desolate.

“Wait here for a moment. I will go and inform the Sect Leader.”

“Very well.”

The middle-aged man crossed the training ground and went up the stairs.

Right in front of the building connected to the stairs, the middle-aged man knelt down.

“Sect Leader. The Commander of the Righteous Army has arrived.”

Then, Deung Cheon-Gyo’s voice flowed out.

“I am having a meal. Tell him to wait.”

“Yes.”

The middle-aged man approached Yeon Ho-Jeong again and said,

“The Sect Leader is having lunch. Please wait until he finishes his meal.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong glanced at the building.

It seemed that he was actually eating something. When he amplified his senses, he could clearly hear the slurping sounds.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Tell the Sect Leader that I will take his silence as permission.”

“…?”

“Then.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned around and opened the gate.

The middle-aged man’s face hardened.

“Wait.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was about to leave, looked at the middle-aged man.

“Do you have something to say?”

“The Sect Leader clearly told you to wait.”

“And I said I would take it as permission.”

“…”

“Farewell.”

At that moment.

Thwack! Thud!

A dagger was embedded in the gate. It was a foot away from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s head.

“Come in. And wait until the Sect Leader finishes his meal…”

In an instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body moved like a flash of light.

Thwack!

“Cough!”

The middle-aged man, who had been sent flying, collapsed in the middle of the training ground. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fist had struck his abdomen.

“Cough! Ugh!”

It was a truly brutal blow. He hadn’t used his full power, but he hadn’t held back either.

The middle-aged man, Sa In-Ho, Deung Cheon-Gyo’s disciple, immediately turned pale. He tried to get up, but his legs wouldn’t support him.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke coldly.

“Do you throw a knife at the leader of the Murim Alliance’s Righteous Army so carelessly?”

“Ugh! Cough!”

“You will go to the Punishment Hall. Come quietly.”

The Punishment Hall? What was he talking about?

Sa In-Ho, filled with anger, wanted to shout. But he couldn’t. The blood constantly hitting his throat made him gag.

At that moment.

Crash!

The door shattered, and Deung Cheon-Gyo appeared.

Whoosh!

A powerful aura spread out in all directions.

He was showing the might of a supreme master without holding back. The aura of the Gongdong Mountain’s strongest divine art, the Heavenly Thunder Subduing Demon Divine Art, was writhing menacingly.

Deung Cheon-Gyo shouted angrily.

“Are you crazy?!”

“He’s the one who’s crazy.”

“What?!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong openly displayed his displeasure.

“I’ve heard that the people living in the harsh Gongdong Mountains of Gansu are all rough in nature. However, you shouldn’t act like that even within the Murim Alliance. How dare you threaten the leader of the Righteous Army with a knife?”

Deung Cheon-Gyo frowned.

He had been enjoying his lunch, but he had fully grasped the situation. From the moment Yeon Ho-Jeong knocked on the door, he had already sensed his arrival with his Qi [internal energy], so there was no need to say more.

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued in a monotonous voice.

“Although he has no official position, he is also a swordsman belonging to the Murim Alliance. This matter will be handled by the Punishment Hall, and if there is no valid reason, he will be imprisoned in the dungeon.”

The dungeon, he said.

It was getting more and more absurd. He had ambushed a disciple of the Gansu Gongdong Mountain, a pillar of the Nine Sects, and was now talking about the Punishment Hall and the dungeon.

Deung Cheon-Gyo said with a cold face.

“You are a rude fellow.”

“Please call me Commander, Bonggong.”

“How dare you talk back!”

“If you keep acting like that, I’ll have no choice but to be rude as well, won’t I?”

If the opponent came out strong, he would respond with even stronger force.

Although he had become more gentle and thoughtful lately, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s unique rough nature was second to none.

Deung Cheon-Gyo’s expression changed drastically.

He truly never imagined that he would receive such an insult from a mere junior.

“You!”

Crack!

The crack that started from Deung Cheon-Gyo’s feet traveled down the stairs and reached the training ground.

It was a terrifying display of internal energy. He hadn’t even taken a stance, but the ground was splitting just from the release of his internal energy.

“How dare you insult the Gongdong Sect?!”

“That’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Anyway, Sect Leader, you can stay there and get angry. I’ll take this guy to the Punishment Hall.”

“You…!”

“Shouldn’t we also investigate who ordered this guy to assassinate me? Ah, don’t interfere. If you do, I’ll assume that the Sect Leader of the Gongdong Sect ordered the assassination of the Righteous Army’s Commander.”

“What? Assassination!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong openly provoked Deung Cheon-Gyo.

Indeed, the brutal provocation worked perfectly. Deung Cheon-Gyo’s face was twisted so horribly that even ghosts would run away.

And Deung Cheon-Gyo could no longer endure it.

“You!”

Whoosh!

The elegance of the movement technique that flew through the air was superb.

It was the Gongdong Mountain’s movement technique, Flowing Clouds and Flowing Water. Even though he was extremely angry, his body moved according to the highest principles. He was indeed worthy of being the Sect Leader of the Gongdong Sect, the strongest force in Gansu, a pillar of the Nine Great Sects.

White light exploded from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

Whoosh!

‘……?!’

Deung Cheon-Gyo’s face, who had been thrown back as quickly as he had charged, was filled with surprise.

Skid! Crack!

His feet, which had been pushed to the end of the training ground, had dug into the ground up to his ankles.

Sizzle!

White smoke rose from Deung Cheon-Gyo’s hand. It was the hand that had blocked Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fist.

Deung Cheon-Gyo’s eyes trembled.

‘This can’t be!’

He looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had not moved an inch from his spot and had released his stance. He had read the moment of Deung Cheon-Gyo’s attack and used the White Tiger Fist.

“Is that what it is?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled coldly.

“Are you a spy sent by the Three Teachings? You keep trying to kill me, so it’s suspicious, isn’t it?”

“Y-you?!”

“This won’t do. I’ll have to investigate it myself.”

Swish.

A jet-black hand axe was grasped in his right hand.

Soon, the Vermilion Bird Fire Qi was infused into the axe, adding a volcanic aura.

“Are you a spy?”