Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1253

1259. The Great War (3)

Swish!

The sword strike, thrusting in like an arrow, was both light and fierce.

A single point thrust. It was a simple move that even an untrained swordsman could execute, but Shinmo’s sword showed more than just simplicity.

Whooosh.

The fallen leaves on the ground rose and swirled at the tip of the extended sword.

The movement was simple, but the level of internal energy emission along the sword’s path was extraordinary. It was a method of ensnaring the opponent even before unleashing a full form, a subtlety that was unimaginable with ordinary internal energy techniques.

“…Not bad.”

Shinmo, having retracted his sword, tilted his head.

“It’s still a bit lacking. If I could just climb one more step, just one, I feel like I could achieve another breakthrough, but I can’t figure out how to get there.”

Shinmo’s muttering was like the formless wind.

His eyes, body, and even his aura were completely different from when he had visited the Yeon brothers and the younger generation gathering in the past.

Over the past few years, he had devoted his life to the sword like a seeker of truth. He had abstained from cooked food, sustaining himself only on grains and clear water. His body was severely emaciated, yet it was filled with a mystical true energy, having absorbed the energy of heaven and earth to the very tips of his limbs.

‘Still, at this level…’

A swordsmanship that surpassed the realm of martial arts, the leader of the Azure Falcon Unit of the Byeoksan Yeon family had reached the pinnacle of mastery.

Personally, he felt a sense of lacking, but even so, he would not be ashamed to go anywhere with this level of skill.

‘This is just the beginning.’

Shinmo looked up at the sky.

‘I wonder if the Lord is doing well.’

He received news from Yeonwi once a month.

The Yeon family was small, but their bonds were strong. How else would they entrust the family’s major affairs to people who were not even blood relatives?

In fact, everyone in the family, including Shinmo, the leader of the Azure Falcon Unit, was completely focused on their own work. From the newly arrived chief manager to the existing swordsmen and servants, everyone worked hard every day.

Bonds of loyalty and benevolence.

Was the small size of the family necessary to forge an unbreakable trust that would never betray each other? The current Yeon family was like a solid rock that could not be broken by any trickery or strategy.

‘He said he would visit soon, but I don’t know when that will be.’

Thinking of Yeonwi naturally brought the Yeon brothers to mind.

‘The First Young Master, the Second Young Master.’

He couldn’t even remember when he had last seen them.

‘They have already gained such fame in the wide world, the future of the family is truly bright.’

When Yeon Ho-Jeong was first called the Byeoksan Tiger General, half of the Yeon family cheered, while the other half was skeptical.

Later, when he not only reached the Supreme level at the youngest age but also had his title changed from Overlord to Black and White Emperor, the Yeon family members were all genuinely happy and acknowledged the First Young Master’s transformation.

In the meantime, the Yeon family’s reputation also soared to the sky, but the warriors who remained in the family thoroughly cultivated themselves. The First Young Master, Yeon Ho-Jeong, had reached the Supreme level, followed by the family head, Yeonwi, and even the Second Young Master, Yeon Ji-Pyeong, had surpassed the Martial Master level, naturally increasing their pride.

Increased pride always leads to arrogance. From the chief manager to the heads of the combat units, they trained their swordsmen even more harshly, and as a result, the Yeon family’s power grew significantly in just a few years.

Shinmo’s face, which had been looking at the sky and thinking of the Yeon family’s bloodline, suddenly hardened.

“I wonder if they’re alright.”

Although they had focused on reorganizing the family, the Yeon family was still a part of the Six Great Families. They had their own intelligence network, and even the Beggars’ Union provided them with information for free.

Thanks to this, they were well aware of how precarious the current Central Plains was. Fortunately, the war had not yet reached Gangso Province, allowing them to enjoy peace, but who knew how things would change tomorrow?

‘The Imperial Palace has been moved to Gangso Province. The Lord is also in the Imperial Palace. Furthermore, from the enemy’s point of view, the Imperial Palace is one of the key organizations that must be destroyed.’

In other words, a major battle could break out in Gangso Province soon.

‘I did tell them to prepare for battle at all times, just in case…’

After reaching this level, a power that he could not have imagined in the past had naturally emerged.

It was his sixth sense.

‘There’s an ominous air. It seems like something is going to happen soon.’

While he was looking up at the sky for a long time, worrying about the future of Gangso Province,

“Commander Shin.”

“You’ve arrived.”

The one who appeared was Hong Guk-In, the commander of the Black Falcon Unit.

His level of attainment was lower than Shinmo’s, but he was five years younger. In terms of talent alone, he was even more outstanding than Shinmo.

“What’s the matter?”

“I received a message from the Flying Sky Sword Lord.”

Shinmo’s eyes widened slightly.

“From the Sword Lord?”

The Flying Sky Swordsmen were the strongest swordsmen the Yeon family possessed, and they lived outside the family’s territory.

The Flying Sky Blood Falcon Sword they had mastered was a supreme technique comparable to the highest secrets of the Nine Great Sects, and each of them was selected from forces that owed a great debt to the Yeon family in the past, possessing exceptional loyalty and talent.

The leader of these Flying Sky Swordsmen was called the Flying Sky Sword Lord, and he was known as the strongest swordsman of the Yeon family.

“He says the situation in the East Sea is not normal.”

“The East Sea?”

“Yes. You know, don’t you? That the Flying Sky Sword Lord was born with an extraordinary ability.”

Shinmo smiled.

He also thought that the Flying Sky Sword Lord was born with an extraordinary ability. Until he reached this level, he certainly thought so.

However, after surpassing the Martial Master level and greatly opening his upper dantian [an energy center in the body], he realized that the Flying Sky Sword Lord’s ability was the power of an extremely developed upper dantian.

And that was something Hong Guk-In also knew. He had also surpassed the Martial Master level. Yet, he still called it an extraordinary ability, which meant that the Flying Sky Sword Lord’s power was beyond imagination.

“He says he felt an unknown ominousness from the northern part of the East Sea, but on the other hand, it seems no different from the usual sea.”

“That makes it even more dangerous.”

“That’s right. I’ve never seen the Flying Sky Sword Lord’s sixth sense fluctuate like this.”

After a moment of thought, Shinmo asked casually.

“What about Commander Gang?”

“He’s in individual training with his unit.”

Commander Gang Yoon of the Flying Falcon Unit.

He, who had been imprisoned for his incompetent organization management in the past, was now showing the appearance of a leader of an organization.

“Whatever it is, we shouldn’t act rashly. But we shouldn’t dismiss the Flying Sky Sword Lord’s words either, so we should contact the Lord separately.”

Swoosh.

Shinmo, having sheathed his sword, kicked off the ground.

Whoosh!

He descended the mountain in an instant and headed towards the inner compound of the Yeon family.

Fast yet extremely free. It was like watching a hawk that could fly anywhere in the world in an instant.

Shinmo, who had entered the inner compound with Hong Guk-In, immediately sought out Wang Jeon.

The personal guard and protector of the Lord, he was a hidden master who had once followed the Martial Alliance but had returned to focus on his training.

“What brings you here, Commander Shin?”

“I need to contact the Lord.”

Shinmo relayed the words of the Flying Sky Sword Lord.

Wang Jeon nodded.

“I will do that.”

He never showed any joy or sorrow in any situation. That was why he was so trustworthy.

Thus, the warriors of the Yeon family always maintained their composure. They had endured with a strong bond of trust, especially in the absence of the Lord and the young masters, and they were truly worthy of being called the rulers of Gangso.

“I have sent a message directly to the Lord in the Imperial Palace. You should receive a reply soon.”

“Understood.”

“And…”

Wang Jeon looked towards the distant east.

“Tell the Flying Sky Sword Lord to return to the family now.”

“Is that alright?”

With the Lord absent, Wang Jeon was one of the highest-ranking leaders managing the Yeon family’s affairs.

“The situation in the Central Plains is not normal. I’ve been thinking of bringing him into the family for a while now, and if the Sword Lord feels a sense of unease, it’s better to unite as one.”

“Then, I will inform him.”

In the midst of the rapidly changing situation, the Yeon family also began to prepare.

* * *

“Hmm.”

Sitting on the grand chair, Yeon Ho-Jeong fidgeted uncomfortably before getting up.

“I can’t get used to this.”

Even during his time as the Black Emperor Lord before his regression, he rarely sat on the grand chair. There was no reason to sit on such a magnificent chair unless it was to display the dignity of the Lord.

He sat at a small table in front of the window below the grand chair, sighed, and looked out the window.

The main hall, which was well-lit by the sun, was very bright, unlike the name Black Emperor Castle.

Looking out the window, Yeon Ho-Jeong was lost in thought.

‘If Military Advisor Jeagal and So Jeong-Gwang know, then the Imperial Palace must already know as well. That the East Sea is dangerous.’

The Black Emperor Castle was currently on high alert. They had switched to a wartime system so that they could mobilize at any moment, and So Jeong-Gwang himself had gone on an inspection tour to encourage the warriors.

‘The Martial Alliance will handle the Divine Teachings in Hebei. Then, the remaining ones will have to be dealt with by us and the Imperial Palace.’

The Imperial Palace’s power was not to be ignored, but unless they knew the size of the enemy’s forces, the Black Emperor Castle would have to do its best to help.

Decisively, the Imperial Palace’s forces existed to protect the Emperor and defend the Imperial Palace. It was their principle not to get involved unless absolutely necessary.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘The main family will have no choice but to step in.’

So far, many sects and families had been destroyed.

He had hoped that such a disaster would not befall his family, but given the situation, they had no choice but to fight.

It was the way of a martial family to fight when they had to. If the Yeon family disappeared, the common people of Gangso would also be in turmoil, so defeat in this battle was unacceptable.

At that moment, a voice came from the ceiling.

“You seem to have many worries.”

It was the voice of Han Jung-Myeong, the commander of the Imperial Guard.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“It’s about the main family and the Imperial Palace. And if a battle really breaks out, it means that the Evil Sound Cult, which has been just making noise, has deployed its full forces. How can I not worry?”

“The Lord will overcome it well.”

He knew that he was not close to him, but he was a man of few words. For him to say such words meant that he must have looked really worried.

“What about the Dark Unit Commander?”

“He is currently gathering as much information as possible from the east.”

“I see.”

“I heard that the Gangseo Merchant Alliance also sent information, and it seems they also intend to join this battle.”

“They can’t back out even if they want to. It’s a battle of fate, and at the same time, war is a business that leaves a lot of profit. If they don’t get involved at a time like this, they won’t make big money later.”

“I heard that a man named Moyong Gun has changed a lot from before.”

“He has changed, but the Merchant Alliance is an organization where the martial world and the merchant world have joined forces. They can’t help but think about money.”

“I see.”

It was then.

“The Dark Unit Commander requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

Creak!

The door of the main hall opened, and Heo Baek appeared.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and waved his hand.

“It’s been a while, Commander Heo.”

Heo Baek knelt down on the spot and bowed his head.

“I heard the news of your arrival, but please punish me for only greeting you now.”

“We all know we’re busy, so what’s with the unnecessary words? So, have you finished gathering the information?”

“Yes, I have.”

A slight tension appeared on Heo Baek’s face as he raised his head.

“Two days ago, we received information that numerous warships were sailing south from the east of Shandong.”

“…I knew it.”

A murderous aura appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“Is Sa Mun-Hyang coming himself?”