Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1217

“I heard you were coming.”

“……!”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Tang Gwan, a junior of the Tang family, paying my respects to the Yin Master.”

He bowed respectfully, yet there was no excessive formality. It was due to his nature. His voice carried the deep pride and weight of being the master of Sichuan and the new king of Sichuan.

As the head of a family and a junior in the martial world, his greeting was impeccable.

Ha Eun-Gyo couldn’t easily accept the greeting.

“I am Ha Eun-Gyo. It is an honor to meet the renowned master of the Tang Clan.”

He responded with a light fist-and-palm salute. It was a greeting between masters, not just seniors and juniors in the martial world.

“But how did you know that my disciple and I were coming to Sichuan?”

“Although we are still lacking, information from Sichuan and nearby regions reaches us. Of course, if you had deliberately concealed your presence, we wouldn’t have been able to know.”

Ha Eun-Gyo couldn’t help but be impressed.

‘Impressive.’

Even with Qingcheng and Emei, two of the nine great sects, people think of the Tang family first when they think of Sichuan.

This is likely due to their presence rather than their martial prowess. People feared the Sichuan martial world because of the saying that it’s better to provoke Shaolin than the Tang family, and the perception that they are the most dangerous group in the martial world.

But seeing it like this, it seemed they truly had that kind of ability. He had wandered the martial world with pride his whole life, but there was no other force that could pinpoint his location so quickly.

“I see why people fear the Sichuan Tang family. Moreover, with the current family head’s martial prowess being so great, the next title of the strongest family in the world will come from Sichuan.”

Even for Ha Eun-Gyo, such praise was rare.

Tang Gwan’s reaction was even more surprising.

“I am far from sufficient. I will risk my life to become greater, but the title of the strongest in the world is not for us.”

It was an unexpected answer.

Even if he had never met them, Ha Eun-Gyo knew the arrogance of the Tang family went beyond pride. Yet, he was giving such an answer.

He wondered if he was just being polite in front of a senior, but it didn’t seem like it. His eyes, expression, and voice were filled with sincerity, truly believing that the strongest in the world was far away. If it was part of his pride that he didn’t need to lie, then that was also very Tang-like.

“Good. Very good. Ho-Jeong thought so highly of you, and there was a reason for it.”

Tang Gwan gave a wry smile.

“Is that so?”

“Among the heads of the nine great sects and the six great families, who isn’t great? But he specifically mentioned you. He’s not the type to say flattering things, regardless of his personal relationships.”

Tang Gwan’s eyes sparkled.

He already knew, but now he could feel the closeness between Ha Eun-Gyo and Yeon Ho-Jeong. In just a few words, there was absolute trust towards Yeon Ho-Jeong. It was as if he regarded him as his own child.

‘He really is amazing.’

With Yeon Ho-Jeong as a common denominator, no one distrusted him when they talked about him. Even Ha Eun-Gyo, who had lived his whole life without being tied to an organization, was like that.

He had built trust regardless of organization, gender, or status. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shadow was already deeply cast over the world.

“If you knew that my disciple and I were coming here, you must also know why we came.”

“Yes. That rascal came to see the Blood Demon Cult Leader.”

“Rascal?”

“It’s my nickname for him.”

Ha Eun-Gyo and Ji So-Hyun couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“It doesn’t sound like a simple nickname. It seems like you consider him an evil friend.”

“From my perspective, he is a rascal.”

“I understand.”

“Anyway, Ho-Jeong has left again.”

“What?!”

Ha Eun-Gyo was startled.

“Where to?”

“My father and uncle had captured the Blood Demon Cult Leader. He took him out of Sichuan.”

“Without fighting… he left?”

He had told him not to do anything rash and to wait for him, but it seemed he had gone and done it anyway. That alone was enough to make his heart sink.

But he left together without fighting?

Considering Yeon Ho-Jeong’s personality, it was impossible. If the opponent was one of the three sects, especially one of their leaders, he should have been blinded by rage and started a life-or-death battle.

“According to the head of the combat unit sent there, he seems to have helped break the Tang family’s formation that was holding the Blood Demon Cult Leader.”

“The Tang family’s formation?!”

“It’s the peerless Qi formation called the ‘Wind-Tomb Soul-Sealing Formation.’ Anyone trapped inside, not just the leader of the three sects, would not be able to withstand it. In fact, the Blood Demon Cult Leader was dying inside. It is a masterpiece among our family’s formations, so it is only natural.”

Formations are difficult to set up, but once they are deployed, even skilled masters have difficulty dealing with them. If it was a masterpiece among the Tang family’s formations, one could only imagine how powerful it would be.

Ha Eun-Gyo’s face hardened.

“So, Ho-Jeong deliberately took him out when he would have died if left alone?”

“That’s what they say.”

“……Why on earth?”

Tang Gwan shook his head.

“I don’t know. Not many people know what’s going on in that guy’s head. That’s why he gets misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood? Don’t tell me…”

“Yes. There are rumors that he has joined hands with the three sects and betrayed the Central Plains.”

In an instant, Ha Eun-Gyo’s eyes became intense.

“That’s nonsense!”

It was the Yin Master’s furious roar. Even without drawing on his inner energy, his voice was filled with such dignity that the mountains and trees trembled.

“Ho-Jeong is the center and vanguard of the current martial world! If it weren’t for Ho-Jeong, the Central Plains would have fallen into the hands of the three sects long ago! To call such a Ho-Jeong a traitor is utter nonsense!”

Unlike the agitated Ha Eun-Gyo, Tang Gwan was calm. He was beyond calm, even indifferent.

“Ho-Jeong endured criticism within the Martial Alliance for turning to the Black Path [a term for unorthodox or evil martial arts]. After it was revealed that all those who criticized him were manipulated by the three sects’ spies, Ho-Jeong became the core of the Central Plains martial world, untouchable by anyone.”

“That’s what I’m saying! There’s no possibility that Ho-Jeong would betray the Central Plains under any circumstances! What kind of madmen are spreading such rumors! Have they already forgotten the merits Ho-Jeong has achieved and the lives he has saved!”

At that moment, the faces of the Tang Clan members, Tang Pae and Tang Ak, and the Four Kings’ members, who were lined up behind Tang Gwan, turned red.

Tang Gwan nodded and said,

“For a guy who is trusted that much, releasing the Blood Demon Cult Leader to the point where people would think he might be a traitor is a huge deal. Especially for us.”

“Even so…!”

“My father had to sacrifice his life to imprison the Blood Demon Cult Leader in the formation.”

“……!!”

In an instant, Ha Eun-Gyo felt speechless.

Tang Gwan’s father meant the Dark King, Tang Hyeong. The strongest in the Sichuan martial world and considered the master of all Tang family martial arts, the most dangerous man in the current martial world.

That man had died after imprisoning the Blood Demon Cult Leader in the formation.

Although his life was stained with the Path of Tyranny, Tang Hyeong was like the pride of the Sichuan martial world, beyond just the Tang family. For him to have released the Blood Demon Cult Leader, whom he had imprisoned at the cost of his life, the anger of the Sichuan martial world was understandable.

“Yes, I understand your feelings. But we are in the middle of a war. And Ho-Jeong is still living with his heart exposed. If you know what Ho-Jeong has done so far and his nature, you shouldn’t even say the word ‘traitor’ in jest.”

At Ha Eun-Gyo’s sighing words, the Four Kings’ members lowered their heads.

Ha Eun-Gyo was right. Tang Hyeong was important, and pride was important, but what was truly important was winning the war.

If they couldn’t control their anger and labeled Yeon Ho-Jeong a traitor, it would benefit the enemy. Furthermore, if Yeon Ho-Jeong had not actually betrayed them, how could they ever face him again after he had fought silently through all the insults and misunderstandings?

“You are right, Senior. That guy, at least, is not the type to betray anyone.”

Just then,

Two men came running from afar. It was Gang Ryang and Jin Yang, who had gone ahead of Ha Eun-Gyo and Ji So-Hyun.

They had arrived in Sichuan much faster than their two disciples. They looked quite disheveled, as if they had been investigating something.

“You’ve arrived, Senior.”

After quickly greeting Ha Eun-Gyo, Gang Ryang looked at Tang Gwan.

“We’ve found out.”

“Where is it?”

“Hubei. Judging by the direction, it seems they will pass through Wudang Mountain.”

There were also Black Path members in Sichuan. Although they couldn’t openly operate, their information network was fully functional.

Moreover, the Black Path’s intelligence was particularly strong in areas adjacent to Sichuan. Because it was difficult for the Black Path to operate within Sichuan, they had built a powerful information network around it.

Within Sichuan, the Tang family was the best, but outside of it, no one could match the intelligence of the Black Emperor Castle.

As soon as they met Tang Gwan, the two had grasped the situation and immediately used the Black Path’s information network closest to Sichuan to find out where Yeon Ho-Jeong and Cheon Wi-Ryong were headed.

“And there is one more noteworthy piece of information. This information is not certain and is unlikely to be true, but if the Lord and the Blood Demon Cult Leader are heading to Wudang Mountain, then this information is also likely to be true.”

“Speak.”

“There are reports of a group of unknown masters moving from Shanxi to Hubei. We didn’t catch when they entered Shanxi, but the fact that they were tracked moving to Hubei means they moved urgently in the middle.”

“A group of masters…”

“The report says they don’t seem to be from the Central Plains martial world, but even that is just a feeling. It’s not certain.”

“But if they are masters dispatched by the three sects…”

Tang Gwan’s eyes flashed.

“That rascal must have a clear purpose for heading to Wudang Mountain with Cheon Wi-Ryong.”

“That’s right.”

“Let’s keep an eye on the situation for now. There are also reports that the movements of the Gansu martial world are unusual. If we rush out recklessly, our forces could be scattered, so you should also stay here with us and build up your strength.”

“Understood.”

At that moment, Ha Eun-Gyo urgently interrupted.

“Hey, Family Head.”

“Speak, Senior.”

“If an unidentified group of masters is heading to Hubei, and Ho-Jeong and the Blood Demon Cult Leader are also going there, doesn’t that mean Ho-Jeong is in danger?”

“That could be the case.”

“Instead of this, shouldn’t we dispatch a small elite force? Of course, I also plan to go.”

“There’s no need for that.”

“What?”

Tang Gwan said calmly, but with firm belief.

“That guy released the Blood Demon Cult Leader, who is no ordinary person. He did it even knowing that the Blood Demon Cult Leader’s martial arts are beyond the heavens. Moreover, he knows who sacrificed themselves to capture him.”

He looked at the eastern sky.

“He is confident that he can resolve this matter, even if he has to take the blame. To be more precise, he is confident that he can kill the Blood Demon Cult Leader.”

“……!”

“Otherwise, there is no way that sly fox would have done such an absurd thing.”