Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 761

The group’s speed, having dismounted and started running, was truly like lightning.

Muk Bi’s light footwork was particularly outstanding. Although Yeon Ho-Jeong and Gok Gyeong were masters who had reached the Supreme realm [a high level of martial arts mastery], Muk Bi, despite not having reached that level, displayed more relaxed light footwork than the two of them.

This was the reason why Yeon Ho-Jeong was bringing her along. Her skill was a factor, but more importantly, she could move quickly in case of an emergency.

As they entered Hebei, members of the Beggars’ Union began to approach them.

“The Imperial Palace is currently quiet! However, contact from the Martial Alliance’s dispatched forces stationed near the royal court is intermittently being lost!”

“They are cutting off information in the middle! It’s a classic tactic of information blockade! Fortunately, they haven’t recklessly come out of the palace, so they probably don’t know the situation here!”

“That’s why we need to move even faster! If they don’t know the external situation, they might risk attacking the royal court by force!”

The Beggars’ Union’s information was indeed fast and accurate. Moreover, they pointed out unexpected aspects, allowing them to grasp the situation in the Imperial Palace just by listening.

As time passed, Gok Gyeong also received information from his informants in the Imperial Palace.

“The entrances to the outer walls of the Imperial Palace are starting to be blocked! It’s clear that they are being controlled from the inside!”

“It’s not the royal court that’s controlling it! Fortunately, there’s still nothing wrong with the royal court!”

Gok Gyeong looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong and asked,

“What do you think?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“Gathering the information, it seems the enemies are currently surrounding the central royal court. As the Beggars’ Union’s information suggests, they are quite desperate because they don’t know the situation here. The fact that no battle has occurred so far means the royal court is using some kind of strategy.”

“I don’t know what kind of strategy they’re using. Frankly, from now on, it’s a fight of blades. It’s not the time to consider things like justification. It’s not a situation that can be delayed by politics.”

“You’re wrong.”

“What?”

“There can never be a situation where politics doesn’t work. Especially in the Imperial Palace. If there wasn’t someone responsible for coordinating the troops under Eunuch Woo-Heon, a rebellion would have already broken out.”

“Then…?”

“Simply put, they might be negotiating with the enemies based on a siege.”

“But there will be a limit.”

“Of course. Moreover, they are controlling the entrances to the outer walls of the Imperial Palace. Just considering the food issue, they won’t be able to hold out for long. Both the royal court and the enemies will reach their limits soon.”

“Damn it, they’re making a mess. Surely, they haven’t already seized the royal court and are sending false information, have they?”

“That’s impossible. If they had seized the royal court, they would have already withdrawn their troops or burned down the entire Imperial Palace. No matter how bizarre their scheme is, considering the efficiency of a great nation, they would never stay still.”

“It’s good to be smart.”

“Whatever it is, it’s better to go quickly.”

“That’s obvious.”

The group increased their speed even more.

The Mukryong Squad silently followed closely behind the three of them. They were originally trained as masters to escort Yang Cheon, so their light footwork was as good as Muk Bi’s.

There were so many masters in the world.

And just as many masters were vanishing in vain.

Yeon Ho-Jeong hoped that his father was not among those who vanished in vain.

“Urgent report! One hundred of the Peng family’s troops stationed near the outer walls of the Imperial Palace were attacked by unknown assailants last night! The identity of the perpetrators has not yet been revealed! They disappeared without leaving any trace!”

Currently, seven hundred of the Peng family’s troops were stationed in one area of the outer walls of the Imperial Palace.

Naturally, more than half of them were elites. If one hundred of them were lost, even if they weren’t elites, it would be considered a significant loss.

“Good, the Imperial Palace is visible in the distance. We’ll be there in another half an hour.”

“Understood.”

“By the way, what do you think? One hundred of the Peng family’s men were wiped out without a trace.”

“The time has come.”

“The time has come?”

“To gradually eliminate the enemy’s forces. It’s literally to create a path of retreat.”

“……!”

“Furthermore, the point of creating a path of retreat also means that the time for attack is near.”

“Damn it! Is that true? Wouldn’t it be enough to just throw all the available troops in and escape?”

As they got closer to the Imperial Palace, Gok Gyeong was becoming more anxious.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“It’s not the Peng family’s side.”

“What?”

“They are gradually eliminating the Peng family’s troops to reduce the enemy’s overall numbers. And when the martial forces move towards that side, they plan to strike in an unexpected direction.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“How can you be so sure?!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed with killing intent.

“It was a method they used so often. I failed to stop them from escaping that way in the past. Twice.”

“……”

“I won’t let them get away again.”

And another half an hour later.

“Lord!”

Whoosh!

A beggar was rushing towards them at an incredible speed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up.

“Cheolgon Gae?”

He was the branch leader who provided information to the Yeon family when they were dismantling the Nine Great Families.

Cheolgon Gae clasped his hands in greeting.

“Cheolgon Gae of the Beggars’ Union greets Seongcheon [a title meaning ‘Heavenly Lord’]!”

Gok Gyeong frowned.

“Forget the greetings in this situation. Just tell us how the situation is unfolding.”

Cheolgon Gae cleared his throat.

“It is an honor to meet the Mad Demon Lord, Senior Gok.”

“Why are you greeting twice? Do you have a lot of time?! Just report already!”

“……The first one wasn’t a greeting to you, Senior.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“It was a greeting to the new Seongcheon, Lord Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

“Huh?”

Gok Gyeong involuntarily looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong blinked.

“Are you talking about me?”

“Of course. The one who killed the Divine Immortal King, Gongson Baekryong, the new Seongcheon. Who else would be called Seongcheon if not the Overlord, Yeon Ho-Jeong?”

It was a statement that made them momentarily lose their minds despite the urgent situation. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mouth fell open.

“O-Overlord?”

Gok Gyeong also frowned as much as he could.

“What king?”

“Overlord.”

“This guy is the Overlord?”

“……Yes, he is.”

“What idiot called this guy a king?”

“The whole world knows it.”

“That’s ridiculous! Do you know how old this guy is? He can’t even last thirty moves against me, and he’s a king, surpassing all the seniors? What kind of messed up situation is this?!”

Gok Gyeong’s face turned red. He was so heated that he felt dizzy.

Cheolgon Gae smacked his lips.

“Isn’t it natural since he’s the one who eliminated the Divine Immortal King?”

“What’s natural about it…”

“If you had killed the Divine Immortal King, Senior, the result would have been different. You were there too, weren’t you?”

In that moment, Gok Gyeong was speechless.

The world looks at results. The one who actually killed the Divine Immortal King was Yeon Ho-Jeong, and he even defeated the king in a fair, head-on fight without any help.

In other words, he was more than qualified to be called the new king.

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head. He had nothing to say.

Muk Bi nudged Yeon Ho-Jeong with her elbow.

“Your title is quite fiery yet childish, just like you, Young Master Yeon.”

“……Shut up.”

“Yes, Overlord.”

“Don’t do that, you!”

Muk Bi giggled. It was quite amusing to see Yeon Ho-Jeong flustered after a long time.

Yeon Ho-Jeong cleared his throat and asked,

“So, what’s the current situation?”

It seemed like he was changing the subject, but it was a question that couldn’t be laughed off. The situation was that urgent.

Cheolgon Gae’s face instantly turned serious.

“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to get a clear picture. Contact has been lost with five of our people who infiltrated the Imperial Palace under the cover of night.”

“I see.”

“However, considering that the Peng family’s troops were ambushed…”

“The time for a major battle is near.”

“Yes. We think so too.”

Cheolgon Gae’s expression was also not good, as if he was frustrated.

“We can’t recklessly send in troops because it seems like the enemies will attack the royal court.”

“What is the current troop strength?”

“Excluding the Peng family’s troops, the Shandong Hwangbo family has also sent five hundred troops. They say they have selected the best martial artists in the family.”

Gok Gyeong’s eyes lit up.

“The name of the commander of the five thousand Imperial Guards is Hwangbo Jeok. He’s from the Hwangbo family. He probably sent a separate message.”

“We have also contacted the Martial Alliance. The best elites are on their way, but it’s uncertain when they will arrive. It’s expected to take four days at the earliest, and six days at the latest.”

That was also an incredibly fast speed, but unfortunately, they couldn’t wait even six hours, let alone six days.

“Besides that, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen from Mount Hua in Shanxi said they would send people, but it seems difficult to arrive on time as well.”

“So, it’s just the Peng and Hwangbo families?”

“Of course not. The sects in Hebei that are allied with the Peng family will arrive within an hour. We estimate their number to be around one thousand…”

“One thousand, huh.”

If a small number of strong individuals break through, then a thousand troops can follow and sweep through the Imperial Palace.

It was the most ideal method, but the problem was whether it was easy to do. Moreover, it was difficult to estimate how many enemies there were, or how many masters there were.

They were making their own preparations, but the situation was very chaotic. However, they couldn’t just wait idly.

Killing intent flashed in Gok Gyeong’s eyes.

“I’ll go in.”

“Senior.”

“There’s no one here who knows the geography of the Imperial Palace as well as I do. Moreover, this battle will be decided by a small number of high-level masters.”

“……”

“I know. I don’t feel any aura, but there is definitely someone in the Imperial Palace who is comparable to us. At least one, maybe two or more.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong also agreed with Gok Gyeong’s words.

Gok Gyeong continued.

“Whatever happens, the most important thing for us is the safety of His Majesty the Emperor. Even if we kill all the enemies, if something happens to His Majesty’s body, it’s as good as a loss.”

“Hmm.”

“We must protect His Majesty first. Even if the entire Imperial Palace is burned down, if we protect His Majesty and his family, at least it’s not a defeat.”

It wasn’t wrong.

However, it was too extreme of a statement.

“Some of the Imperial Guards have small firearms. Unless a master of our level breaks in and sweeps them away, they can hold out for quite a while even if a head-on battle occurs.”

Gok Gyeong looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“I’m going in first.”

“Wait.”

“Shut up. From now on, we’ll act separately. You don’t prioritize the life of His Majesty the Emperor, do you?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Of course, I don’t.”

“So…”

“I hope we don’t lose the Imperial Palace itself, as well as the life of His Majesty the Emperor.”

“What?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Gi Woo-Hee.

“Are you ready?”

Gi Woo-Hee smiled bitterly.

“I’ve been mentally prepared since we decided to go together.”

“From now on, the Shinwha Church [a religious organization] will be out for your blood.”

“You’ll protect me, right?”

“Of course. But let me be clear. If you start this now, you’re betraying your own bloodline.”

He deliberately used strong words.

Even so, Gi Woo-Hee did not waver.

“I came here according to my beliefs. And I will no longer regret my choice.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“I’ll gratefully use your precious decision.”

He said to Cheolgon Gae,

“I need to write a letter. Dozens of copies of the same content.”

“Yes?”

“We need to let them know that their saintess is with us. They won’t come to meet us, so we’ll tie them to arrows and shoot them in all directions.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s gaze turned to Muk Bi this time.

Muk Bi smiled and flicked the string of her Crimson Lotus Bow.

“How many arrows should I shoot?”