Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 657

“Hmm.”

Yeo Gwang placed the letter on the table.

He silently raised his head to look at Hwang Seok-tae, his gaze truly ambiguous.

“So, you’re asking for help?”

“That’s correct.”

Yeo Gwang’s lips curled up.

“You were quite aggressive during our first meeting. I thought you were brimming with confidence, but if you’re asking for help so quickly, weren’t you overestimating yourself?”

Hwang Seok-tae shook his head.

“I am merely a messenger.”

“Well, I suppose.”

Yeo Gwang leisurely took a sip of tea.

Hwang Seok-tae, who had been quietly observing him, turned to leave.

“Then.”

“Wait a moment.”

Hwang Seok-tae turned back to Yeo Gwang.

“If you’re going, we should go together. Why would you go alone?”

“Are you going?”

“It’s a letter with the official seal of the Beggars’ Union. How can I not offer help? Moreover, if our neighbor, Mount Hua, is in danger, it’s only natural to lend a hand.”

“I will lead the way. Follow me.”

“Right now? That won’t do.”

“……?”

“If it’s such a big deal, even the Great Elder can’t handle it alone. Of course, if the higher-ups object, I’ll go alone, but I need to contact them first.”

The Sect Leader of Jongnam is currently at the Martial Alliance, not as a servant, but as an elder.

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes narrowed.

“Then it will be late.”

“It can’t be helped. This matter is bigger than you think. We shouldn’t act rashly.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

“Then I will go ahead.”

“Since you’ve come all this way, why not have a meal before you go?”

“You may have time to spare, but I don’t. My comrades could be caught in a fight at any moment.”

“That’s a strangely irritating thing to say. Listening to you, it feels like we don’t care about our comrades.”

“How you interpret my words is none of my concern.”

Yeo Gwang’s eyes sparkled.

He had only prodded him once, but the response was excellent. It felt like he had a clear sense of purpose, unlike the usual underhanded villains.

‘For a villain, he’s quite impressive.’

Yeo Gwang chuckled.

“Still, I am a senior in the martial world. Your tone is a bit harsh.”

“It’s been quite a while since the orthodox and unorthodox paths joined forces.”

“Hmm?”

“It means we are on the same side, even if only for a short time.”

“Then shouldn’t you treat me even more like a senior?”

“You treated the unorthodox path like dirt. Do you expect me to call you ‘senior’?”

Yeo Gwang’s gaze sharpened.

Hwang Seok-tae turned to leave.

“If there are no reinforcements, we’ll just have to fight as we are. Decide for yourselves when you’ll come.”

“Truly.”

Srrr.

Yeo Gwang rose from his seat.

His movements were slow and relaxed, yet they exuded a dangerous aura.

“Truly arrogant. The orthodox and unorthodox paths have joined forces? It’s the Martial Alliance and your Black Dragon Unit that have joined forces, not the orthodox and unorthodox paths as a whole.”

“If you need someone to talk to, find someone else. I’m busy and don’t have time to waste on your nonsense.”

He tried not to cause trouble, but Hwang Seok-tae’s tone had no choice but to become sharp.

Hwang Seok-tae found Yeo Gwang pathetic.

He knew well how deeply rooted the distrust between the orthodox and unorthodox paths was. But Yeo Gwang’s words sounded like the ramblings of an old man.

Mount Hua is in danger?

Instead of talking to the higher-ups, they should gather as many troops as possible and go to help.

That was basic even in the unorthodox path. There were many despicable people, but any sect with a proper mind would not hesitate to help a fellow sect in crisis.

‘Is this all they are? The Nine Great Sects.’

A clear sense of disappointment washed over Hwang Seok-tae’s face.

In an instant, Yeo Gwang’s face contorted.

“What is that expression?”

Hwang Seok-tae walked towards the door without a word.

Yeo Gwang’s fist slammed into the table.

Bang!

With the sound of the table breaking, the Jongnam swordsmen blocked the door.

Woooong.

The Red Dragon Divine Spear [a powerful spear] let out a low moan.

Hwang Seok-tae spoke coldly.

“Get out of the way.”

Fwaaa!

Sharp sword energy flowed from the bodies of the Jongnam swordsmen.

“I’ll say it one last time.”

As if to counter, killing intent seeped from Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes.

“Get out of the way.”

Flinch!

The swordsmen unconsciously hesitated.

The killing intent that Hwang Seok-tae emitted right in front of them was truly terrifying. They were experienced in the martial world, but cold sweat ran down their spines.

Whether they had mastered the orthodox martial arts or the unorthodox martial arts of the Black Path.

Hwang Seok-tae had reached a level where he looked down on the Jongnam swordsmen. Apart from Yeo Gwang, there was no other expert in this tavern who could match him.

However.

Chaaang!

The swordsmen unconsciously drew their swords.

Even though the order to draw their swords had not been given, they all drew their swords at the same time as if they had made a promise. That was how overwhelming the pressure that Hwang Seok-tae was emitting was.

It was then.

“You bastard!”

Whoosh!

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes narrowed at the energy wave that blew in from behind.

Yeo Gwang growled like a tiger.

“How dare a piece of trash from the unorthodox path emit killing intent in this place… !”

In an instant, Hwang Seok-tae’s body transformed into a storm.

Kwaaang!

With a loud explosion, Yeo Gwang’s body was pushed all the way to the wall.

It was a fast and powerful palm strike that was hard to block. It was no exaggeration to call it a surprise attack.

If he hadn’t drawn his sword in time, several of his ribs would have been broken. Yeo Gwang’s face contorted like a ghost.

“Seize that bastard right now… !”

Fffft! Kwaaaang!

From the mouth of the red dragon, which moved like lightning, a force that resembled a whirlwind burst out, sweeping through the entire tavern.

Kugugugung! Kwaang!

Several pillars of the tavern were broken. The six Jongnam swordsmen who had blocked Hwang Seok-tae’s path were thrown to the left and right by the explosion of force.

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes flashed.

Kwaang!

With a single strike of his spear, the huge door of the tavern was blown away.

Faaak!

Hwang Seok-tae, who had escaped from the tavern in an instant, immediately mounted his horse.

His movements were as natural as flowing water, yet incredibly fast. Just by looking at his movements and speed when mounting the horse, one could tell that his horsemanship had reached a divine level.

“That bastard!”

Yeo Gwang, who had followed Hwang Seok-tae, had already drawn his sword, and a tidal wave of killing intent emanated from his body.

Hwang Seok-tae coldly swung his palm.

Bang!

The tavern, which was teetering precariously, had another pillar destroyed from the outside, so it was only a matter of time before it collapsed.

“You have two choices. Follow me or save your disciples.”

Hwang Seok-tae said as he pulled the reins.

“I will settle today’s insult after the mission is over.”

Dudududududu!

The horse galloped down the main road in an instant.

After hesitating for a few moments, Yeo Gwang gritted his teeth and entered the collapsing tavern. As Hwang Seok-tae had said, there were only Jongnam swordsmen here. If even one of them died, his reputation would be ruined.

Shortly after.

Kwaaaang!

The tavern collapsed, breaking over a dozen large trees around it.

Fortunately, all the Jongnam swordsmen were safe. Many of them had suffered abrasions, but their lives were not in danger.

And in the midst of it, Yeo Gwang shouted.

“Everyone, chase after that unorthodox path bastard! You two! Tell the youngest disciple! A group is targeting Mount Hua!”

* * *

“I see.”

Ha Eun-gyo’s face was filled with emotion.

“So you came to see if I was in league with them.”

“Furthermore, I hope that Senior will join the Martial Alliance or the Black Dragon Unit.”

Ha Eun-gyo was silent.

Yeon Ho-jeong waited for a moment before continuing.

“The Three Sects’ advance into the Central Plains is not just a change in the martial world. What they want is blood and conquest. Many people who have nothing to do with us will be hurt.”

“……”

“I am asking you to join us not as a martial artist of the Central Plains, but as a great martial artist who has reached a high level. Me, the Martial Alliance, and the Black Dragon Unit.”

“……Is that so.”

“That’s right.”

Now he could finally understand. Why this amazing and audacious young man had gone so far as to kidnap his disciple to call him out.

Ha Eun-gyo’s face was filled with confusion.

She sighed softly.

“Is she alright?”

“Yes?”

Ji So-hyeon, who had been overwhelmed by the short but weighty conversation, was startled.

“Ah, yes! My disciple is fine.”

In an instant, Ha Eun-gyo looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with sharp eyes.

“You didn’t do anything bad to this child, did you?”

Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

“I swear to the heavens, nothing like that happened. My only purpose was to have a conversation with you, Senior.”

Ha Eun-gyo’s expression softened.

“The world is a harsh place. In my eyes, you seem like someone who keeps to the line, but still, the idea of kidnapping someone is not something anyone can come up with.”

“……”

“If something like this happens again, I will not forgive you or your organization.”

“I’m sorry.”

Ha Eun-gyo felt a sincere apology in Yeon Ho-jeong’s words.

That was enough. Perhaps his disciple felt it too. This young man’s actions were bad, but his nature was not bad.

Ha Eun-gyo waved her hand.

Thud!

In an instant, a subtle energy flowed from Ji So-hyeon’s body. The seal on her dantian [energy center] had been released.

“You’ve been through a lot. Let’s go.”

“Yes, yes!”

Ha Eun-gyo grabbed Ji So-hyeon’s shoulder and turned her body.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

“Senior.”

“I.”

Ha Eun-gyo, who had stopped walking for a moment, said with a sigh.

“I hate them. No, I despise them. In my life, I will never share their ideology or kill innocent people under their orders.”

“……”

“I think that’s enough of an answer. Then, I’ll be going…”

“You’ve already lent a hand in killing innocent people.”

In an instant, Ha Eun-gyo flinched.

Yeon Ho-jeong said calmly.

“Did you teach them martial arts?”

“……!”

“Even if not martial arts, you must have taught them some kind of mind technique. I think it’s a divine art focused on manipulating vibrations.”

“……That.”

Ha Eun-gyo’s voice was trembling slightly.

“Why is that?”

“I’m on my way back from cleaning up the mess at the Tang Clan. And the demon group that attacked that place detonated something similar to a fire bomb, the principle of which is difficult to understand.”

“……!!”

“It wasn’t a fire bomb, but a monster that destroyed the opponent’s five senses with strong sound waves. Because of that, people who didn’t have to die, died.”

Ha Eun-gyo closed her eyes tightly.

Yeon Ho-jeong said with a sigh.

“You must have had your reasons. But… you’ve already gone too far, Senior.”

“……”

“Please tell me your circumstances now. And if you join us…”

It was then.

“Watch out!”

Yeon Ho-jeong was bewildered by Ha Eun-gyo’s sudden shout.

‘What…?’

Kwaaaang!

In an instant, with a loud explosion, Yeon Ho-jeong staggered and was pushed back.

He had blocked it with the wide axe blade of the Tongcheon Clan, but the impact was considerable. The muscles all over his body were creaking.