Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1153

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s speed was truly remarkable. Or rather, it was the Black Blood Demon Horse that was remarkable.

Depending on the criteria, it might be a different matter, but ordinary horses were not as enduring as people commonly thought.

Of course, there were significant differences between breeds, and some horses were truly exceptional, like the legendary ‘Thousand-Li Horses’ [a horse that can travel a thousand li in a day]. Such horses could run for half a day without rest, needing only a few sips of water.

The Black Blood Demon Horse was a demonic creature created by pouring all sorts of sorcery and demonic energy into the most outstanding of these Thousand-Li Horses.

In a sense, it was similar to a legendary Jiangshi [a Chinese hopping vampire], but it was alive and well, which made it incomparable to a Jiangshi. In fact, the Black Blood Demon Horse was a creature that needed to consume something to move.

However, despite its size, it could travel a thousand li after consuming only a tiny amount of food. Its speed was beyond that of even the most skilled martial artists, as demonstrated in battle, and it possessed a sturdy body that could withstand the attacks of most experts.

Furthermore, its already excellent eyesight had been enhanced by the Divine King Qi, making it more like a divine creature than a demonic one.

In the blink of an eye, Yeon Ho-Jeong left Hebei and reached Taiyuan in Shanxi, and then Fenyang, where he entered the secret branch of the Black Imperial Castle.

“I greet the Castle Lord.”

The Fenyang branch in Shanxi was the place with the highest practical combat power in Shanxi Province.

Of course, being far from the headquarters, it was more specialized in intelligence and various businesses than in military strength. Nevertheless, the Fenyang branch was larger than the branch in Taiyuan, the provincial capital.

“You’ve worked hard.”

The Fenyang branch manager’s face was filled with emotion at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s praise.

He was thousands of li away from the Black Martial Alliance headquarters in Hunan. No matter how excellent his intelligence capabilities were, it was his first time seeing the Castle Lord in person.

“I trust you’ve heard how things are going.”

“Of course. I have a general understanding of the situation in Shaanxi. Please have a meal first. I will organize a report and present it to you.”

“Very well.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s first impression of the Fenyang branch manager was quite good.

Even though the leader had changed from Yang Cheon to Yeon Ho-Jeong, the Fenyang branch manager’s attitude was respectful. It wasn’t just because of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial prowess or reputation.

In Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes, the Fenyang branch manager was a person with great loyalty to the organization. It was not easy to have such a sharp mind and such strong loyalty. He could see why Yang Cheon, the leader of the Dark Guard, valued him so much.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m a bit stiff, but I’m fine.”

Surprisingly, Jin Yang was not at all left behind by the Black Blood Demon Horse’s monstrous stamina and speed.

At this level, even among the supreme masters, he could be considered top-tier in terms of footwork. Gi Cheon-Ung’s teachings were like a gift from heaven for Jin Yang.

‘It’s not just the martial principle applied to footwork. Surely, his other martial arts have also improved.’

Jin Yang was impressive, but the Five Great Generals were all exceptionally talented. Even someone like Jin Yang would take months, or even decades, to advance one step, yet they were progressing without much difficulty.

It was thanks to their talent, the environment, and their strong and proactive desire for growth.

“Let’s wash up and eat.”

“Let’s do that.”

The two of them washed their bodies with warm water and relieved their fatigue, then had a hearty meal.

After the meal, the Fenyang branch manager approached them.

“This is the current state of the Shaanxi martial world. It includes the latest information from this morning. I’ve selected only the important parts, so it shouldn’t be difficult to read.”

He was businesslike yet respectful.

Yeon Ho-Jeong quickly scanned the report.

‘Hmm.’

Indeed, he was exceptional. Useless information was thoroughly excluded, and each sentence was concise yet conveyed the message well.

He thought that if he brought someone like this to work under him, Seo Jeong-Gwang would be very pleased.

Of course, he couldn’t do that right away.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had finished reading the last page of the report, suddenly sharpened his eyes.

“A flute?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The Fenyang branch manager’s eyes deepened.

“It’s said to be a uniquely shaped flute. The key differences between her and the hundred soldiers she brought are the masks and the flute.”

A flute, huh?

‘Could it be?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong thought of one person.

A woman who couldn’t even live her own life properly due to the guilt of abandoning her child.

One of the strongest in the martial world, who had greatly helped Yeon Ho-Jeong and his group, but whose own will was so firm that he had no choice but to let her go, even though her path was clearly uncertain.

‘Senior Ha.’

Sound Demon Ha Eun-Gyo.

She had said she would go directly to the Evil Sound Cult Leader.

She was the very person who proved that the mind of a master who had reached the pinnacle could be abnormal. She was fundamentally a kind and profound person, but she had long struggled with the pain of guilt over her child.

Of course, any parent with a conscience would suffer for abandoning their child like that. But she possessed tremendous mental strength and outstanding wisdom.

Even so, she didn’t think about the order of things. Or rather, she wasn’t interested in such things in the first place.

What mattered was her current feelings.

Ha Eun-Gyo could have endured for a few more years and sought a more rational solution. Yet, she went to a place of death.

It was because her sense of responsibility and guilt as a mother were immeasurable, but it also showed that even though she had reached the pinnacle, she had not reached the realm of the divine.

‘If Senior Ha met the Evil Sound Cult Leader?’

The answer was clear. It was the same now as it was then.

‘She would have been defeated without a doubt.’

A shadow fell over Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

Apart from his anger towards the Evil Sound Cult Leader, he was a powerful figure who was considered one of the best in the world. Even before his regression, it took him, Moyong Gun, and Tang Gwan to take him down.

He had changed a lot since then, and that time was more than a decade ago, but he didn’t think the Evil Sound Cult Leader would be weaker than Ha Eun-Gyo.

Crucially, there would be many masters who had reached the pinnacle around the Evil Sound Cult Leader. The probability of Ha Eun-Gyo killing the Evil Sound Cult Leader was virtually zero.

‘She knew that, and yet she went.’

Ha Eun-Gyo went knowing she would die.

Some might find her actions frustrating, but anyone who has felt guilt towards their child would never think that way.

If there was even a slim chance that their child was alive, they would have to go and see their face, even if it meant death. That’s what a true parent is.

For Ha Eun-Gyo, the war in the Central Plains was meaningless. She had already spent time alone that was more terrible than any war.

‘But what if…’

A martial artist who had reached the pinnacle, and a woman.

And crucially, she was said to be carrying a flute.

‘What if the Evil Sound Cult Leader brainwashed Senior Ha with some kind of ability?’

As far as Yeon Ho-Jeong knew, there was no method to brainwash a master of Ha Eun-Gyo’s level.

But the Three Cults might be different. Especially the Blood Demon Cult and the Evil Sound Cult, which were skilled in sorcery and demonic arts, it was not impossible, he thought.

If that were the case?

‘Senior Ha…’

It would be a life worse than death. Yeon Ho-Jeong thought so, and Ha Eun-Gyo herself would think so too.

‘If that person is Senior Ha, why would they send her at this time?’

It wasn’t the time to think about Ha Eun-Gyo as an individual. What was important now was the enemy’s intention.

He thought about it carefully, but the intention was not easily deduced.

‘As expected…’

At that moment, Jin Yang spoke.

“Will we get an answer by just thinking about it? It’s best to meet them first.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

“In my opinion, there are probably no more than three people in the entire martial world who can defeat that large formation. Stop worrying and go chop off their heads.”

The Fenyang branch manager was inwardly surprised.

It was because of Jin Yang’s casual tone. Even so, he was the leader of the Black Martial World!

“Yeah, worrying won’t get us anywhere.”

What was even more surprising was Yeon Ho-Jeong’s response.

The Fenyang branch manager knew how much the Black Martial World adhered to the logic of power. Especially in an organization like the Black Martial Alliance, the principle of obedience to superiors was fundamental.

‘It’s a very free atmosphere.’

But it didn’t seem like there was a lack of strictness. Jin Yang spoke as if he was complaining, but he was clearly showing some deference to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Whether it was skill or something else, it meant that they maintained a relationship where they kept their boundaries.

Yeon Ho-Jeong pointed to a part of the report.

“This part is particularly strange.”

“What part are you referring to?”

“The fact that their southward movement is excessively slow. They’re still in Gan County, Shaanxi.”

“Hmm.”

Jin Yang stroked his chin.

“No matter how stupid those guys are, they must know that our intelligence network is excellent.”

“That’s right.”

“What is it? A feint to the east, attack to the west, or something?”

At that moment, the Fenyang branch manager cautiously opened his mouth.

“May I say something?”

He had intervened, hoping that it was okay, seeing the surprisingly free atmosphere.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Speak.”

“Thank you. We also found that part strange and have been thinking about it… Since it’s not a logical action, it seems that there is an intention behind that slow movement itself.”

“It probably is.”

“If so, the key is what their intention might be.”

“So, what do you think?”

The Fenyang branch manager’s voice became even more subdued.

“The fact that they are openly showing their whereabouts means that they are okay with anyone coming to find them, doesn’t it?”

In an instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes blazed.

“A lure?”

“That’s what we think, for now.”

Of course, it wasn’t that Yeon Ho-Jeong hadn’t considered that possibility.

But he thought it was unlikely. Who would they be trying to lure, anyway?

“…It must be the Great Formation [referring to Yeon Ho-Jeong].”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his head at Jin Yang’s words, as if he had read his mind.

“What?”

“If it’s a lure, it’s highly likely they’re targeting the Great Formation.”

“Why?”

“Why? Are they stupid? Who is the one who always flies in faster than anyone else and solves the problems whenever something happens?”

“…?!”

It wasn’t wrong.

But there was a flaw in that statement.

“That’s just a possibility. Are they going to deploy such a powerful force just to lure me out? Someone else could come.”

“What if it’s not the Great Formation?”

“Huh?”

“If it’s not the Great Formation, then it’s another pinnacle master. Whatever it is, if we can fight and win, we fight, and if not, we run away, right?”

“…?!”

“Why? Isn’t that obvious?”

Jin Yang even tilted his head as he spoke.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes narrowed.

“It’s good if we fall for it, and it doesn’t matter if we don’t…”

“This time, you guys had some fun without me, right? I heard that the Divine Flame Church guys threw bait in Liaoning and prepared a surprise attack in the north, right?”

“A feint to the east, attack to the west?”

“What I’m saying is, since they’re playing together, this could be a pretty plausible trap. Whether it’s a feint to the east, attack to the west, or using a borrowed knife, does it make sense for them to be moving so slowly? As the branch manager said, if it’s a lure, they either have a card that doesn’t matter who falls for it, or they’re in a situation where they can just observe the reaction.”

“…!”

“Frankly, if it looks like we’re going to die, we can just run. They’re pinnacle masters, right? Who’s going to chase after us and catch us? If we run, they’ll be too scared to chase us, thinking it might be a lure, right?”

It was a statement that cut right to the core.

Jin Yang smacked his lips.

“Now that I’ve said it all, it feels a bit unsettling. I don’t think we should go…”

“…”

“But you’re still going, right?”

“I have to go.”

“Damn it, I knew it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“But if they’re in a position where they have nothing to lose, as you said… we can’t just go.”