Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 652

The next morning.

“Good.”

Gang Ryang, having checked the horses’ condition, looked at Hwang Seok-tae.

“How’s your condition? You were drinking so much yesterday.”

Hwang Seok-tae, mounting his horse, replied,

“I don’t get hangovers.”

“No hangovers, my ass. You must have blown it away with your inner energy.”

Hwang Seok-tae ignored Gang Ryang.

Paeyul frowned and said,

“Can you drink so much when you’re not even fully recovered? It’ll be a problem if it interferes with our work.”

“You’re the one who made me like this, senior.”

“Who told you to laugh and joke around without knowing that demonic energy had entered your body?”

“Tch.”

Though he said that, Gang Ryang was secretly smiling. Seeing Paeyul’s reaction, it seemed he had gotten over the guilt of cutting him with a sword.

“By the way, where’s the elder brother? He’s not saying anything. He’s not in his room either.”

“He left first. He said he’d be waiting at the entrance of the canyon about twenty li [approximately 6 miles] ahead. He said to go about ten li along the main road and then turn left towards the bamboo forest.”

“Huh?! Why?”

“I don’t know, man. Who knows what’s going on in that fox’s head.”

Gang Ryang clicked his tongue.

Chiiiiik!

White smoke rose from Gang Ryang’s body. He had completely expelled the alcohol from his system.

Hwang Seok-tae chuckled.

Gang Ryang scratched his head.

“I did drink a bit too much. I can’t let it interfere with the mission.”

“Who said anything?”

“Let’s have a proper match later.”

“You should drink to enjoy it.”

With those words, Hwang Seok-tae set off first.

Paeyul chuckled.

“Don’t live like those pathetic fools who try to boost their ego with alcohol because they have nothing else to show off, junior.”

Gang Ryang’s face contorted.

“When did I ever… !”

Heeheeheeing!

Paeyul’s horse, letting out a loud cry, followed behind Hwang Seok-tae.

Gang Ryang grumbled.

“It’s always me he picks on.”

Whirrrrr!

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes, looking down at the canyon, were very serious.

‘As expected.’

After finishing his conversation with Hwgeomja last night, he had come here first.

According to Cheoljanggae’s information, this exact point was where things could get dangerous.

Coming here, it was indeed so.

‘This canyon is connected to the second mountain over there. It seems the Yin Master is there.’

Yeon Ho-jeong closed his eyes.

Tzzzzzz.

The Radiant Divine Core flickered, expanding his senses.

Chirp chirp chirp!

His hearing became more sensitive, and all sorts of sounds pierced his ears.

The sound of the wind was the strongest, but beyond that, the chirping of birds was also significant.

Peep peep!

The cry of a hawk, echoing from an unseen place, was impressive.

Rustle. Rustle.

The sound of an animal’s footsteps could also be heard. A sound that felt both heavy and agile. It sounded like a wild boar.

Surprisingly, there didn’t seem to be any large predators like tigers. He couldn’t sense their unique stench and killing intent.

However, he could hear the footsteps of what he presumed to be wolves. There were no howls, but he could sense them intuitively.

And.

‘…….’

Yeon Ho-jeong opened his eyes.

‘Fighting energy.’

Far away, from the second mountain connected to the canyon, an extremely subtle fighting energy was flowing out.

It wasn’t exactly hidden, so he could sense it. No matter how much one opened their Limitless State [a state of heightened awareness and power], it was impossible to sense the fighting energy of a warrior who was deliberately hiding their presence.

‘It’s not fighting energy that’s being raised to fight. It’s a habitual aura. They’re always maintaining a state of readiness.’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s gaze darkened.

‘They brought elites. It’s only natural, I suppose.’

It was a task to monitor the Yin Master of the world. Of course, he didn’t know if they were monitoring or were actually allies.

Whatever the case, there was only one answer.

‘It’s impossible to approach secretly.’

Even Yeon Ho-jeong, who was skilled at using all sorts of ingenious strategies and tactics to catch his opponents off guard, was feeling the difficulty of this mission with his whole body.

The most difficult thing was, of course, the Yin Master’s situation.

Combining what he had heard from information and rumors, the Yin Master was definitely not someone who would side with the Three Sects. No, he hadn’t even attempted to form ties with any of the sects in the Central Plains, let alone the Three Sects.

Nevertheless, remnants of the Evil Yin Sect were gathered around the Yin Master. And the Yin Master hadn’t moved an inch from that place.

‘There must be a reason. The problem is, I have to contact the Yin Master without the Evil Yin Sect knowing.’

It was difficult from the start. If they could talk, it would be fine, but he could be attacked before he even opened his mouth. He didn’t know what situation the Yin Master was in.

And trying to break through the remnants of the Evil Yin Sect to meet the Yin Master was also dangerous.

If the Yin Master got involved in an already hectic battle, his allies, if not himself, would almost certainly not survive.

‘This is a headache.’

Sometimes, the best way to deal with complicated matters is to simplify them.

This time, even that was difficult. Simply breaking through head-on and finding out everything?

Even if he had the martial prowess of his Dark Emperor days, he couldn’t guarantee success.

At least, that was Yeon Ho-jeong’s intuition.

‘But, I can’t avoid taking risks. I have to ensure maximum safety, but there may come a moment when I have to risk my life.’

The veins on the back of his hand, which held the Heavenly Passage Talisman, bulged.

‘Should I get help from the Beggars’ Union after all?’

He recalled his conversation with Cheoljanggae last night.

‘They say she visits the village regularly. A woman presumed to be the Yin Master’s disciple.’

‘The village.’

‘It’s for the supply of daily necessities. That’s why it’s strange. If the Yin Master had joined hands with the Three Sects, there would be no need to go down to the village. They say she visits at least once a day.’

‘Maybe it’s because he’s bored. How restless would you be if you were stuck in one place?’

‘That’s an analysis that’s possible under the assumption that the Yin Master has joined hands with the Three Sects.’

‘No analysis is useful unless something is revealed. That’s why so many analyses are meaningful.’

‘You speak in a difficult way. But you’re right. As of now, we don’t know what state the Yin Master is in.’

‘…….’

‘I wonder if we can offer help from our side.’

‘What kind of help are you talking about?’

‘A distraction. We don’t have high-ranking troops in Seomseo right now, so a military clash is difficult. However, other forms of help are possible.’

‘I’ll think about it.’

‘Are you being stubborn?’

‘It’s not stubbornness, it’s that I don’t know how to handle it. What if the Yin Master dislikes the Beggars’ Union?’

‘That’s unlikely.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘…….’

‘I’ll contact you separately tomorrow if necessary. Let’s think about it until then.’

‘Do as you please.’

After that conversation, Cheoljanggae had disappeared. It seemed he didn’t have good feelings towards Yeon Ho-jeong. Not only had he pointed an axe at the neck of Hwgeomja, a senior of the martial world, but he had also knocked down himself, an elder of the Beggars’ Union, with killing intent. It was difficult to have good feelings.

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

Cheoljanggae might dislike him, but Yeon Ho-jeong didn’t dislike his strong-willed personality. At least, he wasn’t someone who was different on the inside and outside.

‘Inside and outside…….’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

Recalling his conversation with Cheoljanggae, he naturally recalled his conversation with Hwgeomja as well.

‘They will attack Mount Hua. And the current Mount Hua… I don’t know for sure, but it will be difficult for them to withstand their offensive.’

‘Why is that? There are many masters in Mount Hua.’

‘It’s a prestigious sect. I acknowledge that. And although my disciples of the Great Way don’t know, there are quite a few of my disciples who are alive and well, helping and honing their swords.’

‘Although they haven’t been revealed to the world, isn’t there a possibility that there are masters among them who have opened the Limitless State?’

‘Possibility is just that, a possibility. Moreover, martial arts trained in deep mountains and valleys will have difficulty exerting their full power on the battlefield, no matter how Limitless they are.’

‘Still, it’s the Limitless State. If you look carefully…’

‘Do you know how vast Mount Hua is?’

‘…….’

‘They will reveal themselves if Mount Hua is in danger. But until then, even a junior brother cannot call upon disciples who are in training. They don’t even know where they are.’

‘This is really frustrating.’

‘It may seem that way to you, but for the Taoist practitioners, it’s a very natural way of life.’

‘We can’t just stand by and be attacked, and we have to deal with them before their evil hands reach Mount Hua.’

‘That’s the best. Is it possible?’

‘How would I know that? I can only do my best.’

Hwgeomja had asked if there was anything he could do to help, but Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

If his words were true, they were preparing for battle here. And the sharply honed blade would soon be directed towards Mount Hua.

Could Mount Hua, having noticed first, attack them in reverse?

‘Not bad.’

It wasn’t a bad idea.

As a troubleshooter, he thought he wouldn’t need many troops.

But in this situation, things were different. If there were usable troops, he should use them actively.

The problem was the scale of damage that would result from that.

‘The best would be to prevent the enemy’s schemes without anyone dying. But the best is not the most optimal, and the best method and the most optimal method cannot always be applied.’

It was about taking the enemy’s lives. It was absurd not to risk his own life.

‘For now.’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘If I can’t approach the Yin Master secretly without the Evil Yin Sect knowing, there’s only one way. Separating the Yin Master and the Evil Yin Sect bastards is the top priority.’

How could that be possible?

‘Separate them… separate them…’

Yeon Ho-jeong closed his eyes.

In fact, he had thought of one method. But the problem was whether he could use that method.

“Damn it. Why do I always come up with these kinds of methods?”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was grumbling, suddenly raised his eyes. He had heard the sound of horses’ hooves approaching from far behind.

After a moment.

“So, this is it.”

“You’ve arrived.”

Pffft!

The horses snorted and pawed the ground a few times before standing still.

Gang Ryang grumbled.

“How can you leave first without saying anything?”

“I told the senior.”

“You could have told everyone.”

“Is that what’s important now?”

“Tch.”

It’s always like this.

Ignoring Gang Ryang, who was sticking out his lips, Yeon Ho-jeong asked Hwang Seok-tae.

“You have excellent horsemanship.”

It wasn’t just excellent. If you looked at his skill in handling horses, he would be among the best in the Central Plains.

Hwang Seok-tae tilted his head.

“Why is that?”

“Naturally, you must be skilled in mounted combat as well.”

“I suppose so.”

“Hmm… good.”

Even if the horses were of similar quality, the speed would vary depending on the rider. That was only natural.

“It’s like dog training, but please understand. You need to go somewhere.”

“Where?”

“There’s a tavern called Byeokwolru, about ten li from here.”

“Byeokwolru?”

“It’s a tavern under the jurisdiction of the Jongnam Sect. According to the Beggars’ Union elder, the group of the Splitting Light Divine Sword is heading there.”

Paeyul’s eyes widened.

“You said you wouldn’t involve Jongnam?”

Who knew that Mount Hua was in a dangerous situation?

Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.

“I have no choice. I can’t see any other way.”

Paeyul sighed. Even he thought the mission was too daunting.

Yeon Ho-jeong handed over a red letter from his pocket.

“It’s a document with the Beggars’ Union elder’s seal. They’ll believe it.”

Hwang Seok-tae nodded.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“When you return… there’s a high chance that a fight will be going on.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up.