Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 122

“Master, a letter has arrived from the temporary Martial Alliance.”

“Bring it here.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes flickered as he unfolded the letter.

Lee Baek-hyeon asked, puzzled,

“What is it…?”

“It’s a letter from the Abbot of Shaolin.”

“… !”

“He proposes holding a meeting early next year, during the New Year, to decide whether to establish the Martial Alliance. He wants a decision within three days.”

Yeon-wi sighed.

‘The Martial Alliance, huh?’

The Martial Alliance must be established. No one knows what disasters the future holds, so a central point and position for the righteous [White Path] martial world is needed.

However, Yeon-wi thought it was unnecessary right now. If the Martial Alliance is established, its maintenance costs will increase three or four times, which will change the flow of funds in the Central Plains. [The Central Plains refers to the heartland of China, often used in martial arts stories as the center of the martial world.]

Of course, the Yeon family was not concerned. They earned an unimaginable amount of money every month, but they released more than half of it to stabilize the people’s livelihood. Tightening their belts further wouldn’t make much of a difference.

The problem was the smaller sects.

How could the righteous martial world be completely clean? To gather funds, they would overextend themselves, and if they overextended themselves, it would ultimately be the common people who suffered.

‘But…’

He recalled the words of his eldest son, Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘I also think it’s time for Father to spread the wings you haven’t spread until now.’

‘The position of the Alliance Leader should be left vacant for the right person. However, we need patriots with the will to seize the world with the Alliance Leader.’

Yeon-wi seriously considered his son’s words.

‘Ho-Jeong wouldn’t say such things for no reason.’

He recognized his eldest son as a grown adult who had matured admirably.

More than just a son, Yeon Ho-Jeong was a person with enough insight as a martial artist to learn from.

‘He must know the repercussions of establishing the Martial Alliance. Yet, he told me to vote in favor, which means he saw something I didn’t.’

What could that be?

‘Ho-Jeong.’

He recalled Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face at that time.

Clear and deep eyes. But his son’s appearance then was quite different from usual. He seemed urgent, burning with the will to get his way.

‘What did you see?’

It was frustrating.

He had told his son to leave such matters to him, but now that it was a reality, he was more worried than ever.

While Yeon-wi was pondering, his eldest son’s words came to mind again.

‘Whenever you are having a hard time, please don’t try to solve it alone and call for me.’

Yeon-wi chuckled.

‘I was the one who said I would embrace him, but I’m already relying on my son’s help.’

It couldn’t be helped.

His son was right. Two heads are better than one. His son’s abilities were so outstanding, there was no need to carry the burden alone.

Suddenly, Yeon-wi frowned.

‘By the way, that guy isn’t sending a letter again.’

He wasn’t angry about this. There was no need to be angry.

He was just worried. He wondered if something had happened to him while he was away, and if he was eating properly.

‘It’s about time he came back.’

At that moment, a commotion was heard outside the master’s office.

Yeon-wi’s eyes flashed.

“M-Master! The Young Master has returned! But… !”

Whoosh!

Yeon-wi quickly opened the door to his office and went outside.

In an instant, he passed through the inner courtyard and reached the outer courtyard, where he finally saw Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“…?”

Yeon-wi’s expression changed drastically.

“I’ve returned, Father.”

“What in the world is your state?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body was covered in blood. The scabs on his wounds looked like they were several days old.

“First, please imprison this man in the dungeon.”

Thud!

What fell to the ground was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties.

Yeon-wi’s eyes turned cold.

“What are you doing? Imprison that man in the dungeon immediately.”

“Yes!”

The warriors rushed over and dragged the unconscious Mong-ui away.

“What happened?”

“It’s a long story.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Muk Bi.

“How’s your stamina?”

“I’m fine. It’s Young Master Yeon who’s the problem.”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“Instead of this, let’s go to the medical room quickly. No, I’ll call a doctor, so wait a moment.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“I appreciate you calling a doctor, but I’m not seriously injured. Don’t worry.”

“Hmph.”

Even the calm and collected Yeon-wi found it difficult to maintain his composure when he saw his son’s injured state. Yeon-wi had to admit that this was one of the most chaotic moments he had experienced recently.

“I’ll wash up and change first. Muk Bi.”

“Yes.”

“Explain to Father first.”

“Ah, yes!”

It wasn’t something Yeon-wi could easily dismiss.

Muk Bi bowed to Yeon-wi.

Yeon-wi watched Yeon Ho-Jeong walk away, then patted Muk Bi.

“Let’s go to the master’s office.”

Half an hour later.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had entered the master’s office, ignored Muk Bi’s delighted face.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Yes.”

“How are your injuries? Your energy is unstable, and your face is pale, which seems to be a sign of internal injuries.”

“Ah, I used too much internal energy while rushing here. I’m not injured otherwise, so don’t worry too much.”

“I see…”

Yeon-wi nodded.

“I heard the situation from Bi-ah. An assassin attacked you?”

“That’s right.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes turned cold for a moment.

“Could it be the Moyong family?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I can’t be sure. I tried to get something out of the assassins, but they were so desperate that I had no choice but to eliminate them.”

“Then, what about the man imprisoned in the dungeon?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“I tried various threats on the way, but he’s not easily swayed. He’s naturally like that, not trained. He won’t open his mouth easily. But I didn’t think I should leave him behind, so I brought him.”

“I see…”

“I rushed here because I was worried that someone else might be targeting me.”

“You did well. It was a good decision.”

Indeed, his son had an excellent ability to read the situation. Aside from the hardships his son had endured, he was proud that he had made such quick decisions in a real battle where blood was spilled.

“What do you think?”

“I can’t be sure, but it’s most likely Moyong Gun.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong deliberately used the name Moyong Gun instead of the Moyong family.

Tsutsutsutsu.

Yeon-wi’s killing intent finally rose.

“That bastard, really…”

Muk Bi’s face turned pale.

Yeon-wi’s killing intent was never violent. It was calm and cold. That strange killing intent seemed to naturally penetrate the body and tear apart the heart.

Yeon Ho-Jeong coughed.

“Father.”

“Hmm? Ah…”

Yeon-wi immediately suppressed his killing intent and sighed.

“Bi-ah, I’m sorry.”

“Ah, no, Father.”

“You must have had a hard time too, and I showed you my ugly side. You’ve really been through a lot.”

Muk Bi shook her head.

“I didn’t do anything. Young Master Yeon took care of everything.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Don’t be ridiculous. If it weren’t for your merciless shooting skills, we would have been in trouble. I owe you my life.”

“Ah, no, that’s not true.”

“Why don’t you go in and rest? You must be tired.”

Muk Bi glanced at Yeon-wi.

Yeon-wi nodded.

“Yes, I think I’ve kept you too long. Go in and rest.”

“Ah, then, should I?”

As Muk Bi awkwardly got up, Yeon-wi spoke again.

“Bi-ya.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Thank you again.”

Muk Bi smiled. She was still intimidated by Yeon-wi, but she was grateful that he was an adult who thanked her like that.

“It’s nothing, Father. Then, I’ll go in first.”

“Okay.”

As Muk Bi left, Yeon Ho-Jeong sat down.

Yeon-wi’s eyes turned fierce again.

“Is it highly likely to be Moyong Gun?”

The name Moyong Gun, instead of the Moyong family head, came from Yeon-wi’s mouth, who valued etiquette and formality. It showed how angry he was.

“As I said, I can’t be sure. Such threats can be made anytime, anywhere. It’s highly likely to be Moyong Gun, but we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

“…”

“The problem is the assassins. They were highly trained assassins. It’s highly likely that they are a group that can use even skilled assassins who have been thoroughly trained in the dark [Black Path] martial world as tools without hesitation.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes widened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong stroked his chin as if pondering.

“Looking at the assassins’ movements and the uniqueness of their assassination techniques, it seems like a mix of southern and northern methods. If so, they seem to be an assassin organization operating in Hubei, where there are many waterways…”

While speaking, Yeon Ho-Jeong flinched. His father’s gaze was strange.

Yeon Ho-Jeong quickly continued.

“In any case, it’s currently difficult to identify the organization they belong to. It’s difficult even if we ask for help from the Beggars’ Union.”

“…How do you know so much about them?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“I just picked up a lot of things here and there.”

Most of those who made a name for themselves in the dark martial world had deep knowledge of assassins.

Not to mention Yeon Ho-Jeong, who made a name for himself at the peak of the dark martial world. In fact, he had created a separate organization under the Black Emperor Castle by taking their characteristics and methods. [Black Emperor Castle is likely a reference to a powerful organization in the dark martial world.]

“However, if it was not me but the Yeon family that was targeted, the problem becomes bigger.”

“What?”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s someone who hates me, but if it’s someone who hates the Yeon family, it’s a different story. I was going to come with Ji-Pyeong, but I didn’t want the assassins’ traces to go that way, so I came as quickly as possible.”

“Then?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up.

“Yes. We need to send people there. Even if it’s just to prepare for a possible attack.”

He had sent a few squads of the Flying Eagle Unit with Yeon Ji-Pyeong. But that might not be enough.

“But I can’t go. If I’m the only target, Ji-Pyeong will get caught up in it.”

“You’re right.”

“Since this is the situation, please allow the release of the seal on the Azure Falcon Unit Leader. Or it would be better to release the Flying Swordsmen.”

The Flying Swordsmen were the top experts that the Yeon family possessed. They were sword demons who lived about ten miles away from the Yeon family’s main residence, and they were specially trained in the Yeon family’s true martial arts.

“That would be fine, but the Flying Swordsmen are currently going through a major ordeal. There’s no need to disturb them at such an important moment.”

“But Father.”

“I’ll go myself.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes widened.

“You, Father?”

“It’s better for me to go alone than to go with a group.”

Yeon-wi’s martial arts were among the best of the heads of the Six Great Families. He could easily defeat any assassin organization, and even if he didn’t fight, he could easily evade them.

“Then, the family…”

“You take care of it.”

“Yes?”

Yeon-wi got up from his seat, drew the long sword hanging on the wall, and fastened it to his belt.

“When your father is not here, you are the head of the family. Until your father returns, you protect the main family.”

Yeon-wi turned around.

“I’ll be back in three days.”

Yeon-wi kept his promise.

Yeon-wi, who returned to the Yeon family in three days with Yeon Ji-Pyeong on his back, looked no different from when he had left. Not even a speck of dust was on his fluttering clothes.

But Yeon Ho-Jeong knew. How urgently his father had rushed.

The Judge’s Sword, the Judge’s Great Hero. The head of the Gangdong’s best, Byeoksan Yeon family. [These are titles that emphasize Yeon-wi’s status and power.]

The soles of his shoes, unable to withstand his terrifyingly fast footwork that had reached the pinnacle, were completely worn out.