Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1256

“What?!”

Grand Master Gong Gong’s face contorted.

“The Shin-Hwa Cult’s forces attacked Hebei!”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s expression was grim.

“Currently, the Hebei Murim [martial arts world] is devastated, and their forces are crossing into Shanxi. The estimated troop strength is over twenty thousand, and it seems they have brought all their forces; their momentum is truly extraordinary.”

“This is… !”

Bang!

The table shattered under Grand Master Gong Gong’s fist.

It was a level of rage he had never shown before. He, who had avoided reaching the Supreme State [the highest level of martial arts mastery] for fear of being consumed by worldly desires, had never reacted this way.

Jeagal Mun-Ho spoke quickly.

“Thanks to the Peng family and the Beggars’ Union’s swift response, the number of annihilated sects is not that high. However, the harm to the people is incalculable, and the entire Peng family force has mobilized to save them.”

“And so?”

“It is said that six-tenths of the Peng family’s forces… have lost their lives.”

“Eek!”

Whoooom!

A faint golden aura flickered around Grand Master Gong Gong’s body.

Many had died in the previous war as well. But this invasion was different from the last war.

Hebei was home to Beijing, and Beijing was home to the Imperial Palace. Although the Imperial Palace had been moved to Nanjing in Jiangsu Province, the Imperial Palace in Hebei was still a symbol of the continent for the people of the Central Plains.

Yet, the ruthless invaders were devastating the Hebei Murim and oppressing the common people, so the Imperial Palace could not be unscathed.

A place that was a repository of history and a pillar of the spirit had been shattered by the enemy. Anyone would be shocked.

Jeagal Mun-Ho spoke in as calm a tone as possible.

“Alliance Leader, although the situation is urgent, please calm yourself. If you cannot remain composed, the Murim Alliance will falter.”

“Hoo.”

Grand Master Gong Gong controlled his inner energy and calmed his mind with deep breaths, then closed his eyes.

“I have shown a poor side of myself to the strategist.”

“No, it is not so. I also expected them to attack, but I did not expect them to be this fast.”

Having realized the gravity of the situation early on, Jeagal Mun-Ho had coordinated with the Beggars’ Union to send numerous sect forces to Hebei and Shanxi.

But before they could move north, the enemies had moved south and attacked the Central Plains.

It wasn’t that Jeagal Mun-Ho’s response was slow. It could only be seen that the enemies’ movements were too fast.

“How could this be? Even though I am not well-versed in military strategy, I know how reckless it is to send all forces without knowing the situation here. If they had any sense, they wouldn’t have done that, so how!”

“I share the same thought.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes flashed.

“There must still be spies of theirs in this Central Plains. But even if there are spies, their reaction is too fast. Even if they have mastered the best lightness techniques [a martial art focused on speed and agility], considering the time it takes to travel between the continent and their base, this speed is impossible.”

“Then what?!”

“Currently… I do not know.”

Though he said that, he had an idea.

‘Is it sorcery?’

In the past, Jeagal Mun-Ho had met with many sorcerers to seek advice in order to interpret the bizarre movements of the Blood Fiend Cult.

The world of sorcery was more vast than the world of martial arts. It was just that the talents who could master sorcery were rare, but if properly trained, they could display unimaginable miracles.

Among them, the sorcery that Jeagal Mun-Ho had paid the most attention to was the ‘Telepathic Sound Technique’.

It was a sorcery that allowed those who were spiritually connected to communicate with each other over long distances using powerful sorcery.

If such an information system was in place, the enemies’ movements could be interpreted.

‘But I heard that sorcery like the Telepathic Sound Technique requires tremendous sorcery power. It is said that it is a sorcery that is difficult to use unless one is a master close to the Supreme State.’

It was possible to know the mood or life and death of an opponent far away through spiritual connection.

But it was said that having a ‘conversation’ was the ability of a demigod. Knowing the other person’s situation and being able to converse were worlds apart.

‘It is definitely not a skill that can be used easily. If the Three Cults freely used the Telepathic Sound Technique, this war would have been lost from the start. It wouldn’t be strange if the Central Plains had already fallen into their hands.’

In war, speed is like life. An army with fast communication and good mobility can gain the upper hand in any war.

Until now, counterattacks were possible because of our predictions, the enemies’ carelessness, and the unreasonable measures taken to minimize damage.

But if the enemies suddenly reacted with something close to an all-out attack, not just an elite unit, they might have used the Telepathic Sound Technique.

‘If they could use it often, they wouldn’t have waited until now. If it is truly the Telepathic Sound Technique, it must be a burdensome skill for them as well.’

Decisively, in the past, there was a sorcery called the ‘Transformation Technique’ that Gi Woo-Hee had mentioned.

It was said to be an amazing technique that revealed one’s presence to the opponent using a sacred incense burner and a brazier. The sacred incense burner itself was extremely rare and could not be used often, but if the Shin-Hwa Cult and the Evil Sound Cult were communicating with such sorcery, the current situation could be fully understood.

‘I was incredibly foolish. It’s just an excuse that it was because of the heavy workload. I should have kept that in mind.’

Jeagal Mun-Ho, having organized his thoughts, spoke quickly.

“Whatever it may be, we must now focus on follow-up measures and prepare for war. The good news is that their forces are smaller than the Blood Fiend Cult, but the strength of the Central Plains has also been greatly reduced due to several major battles. We must not underestimate them.”

A light of determination appeared in Grand Master Gong Gong’s eyes.

“How can those who have left the mountain ignore the chaotic situation and return to Mount Song? I will order Shaolin to head north.”

“Shaolin’s deployment is like a thousand troops and ten thousand horses. But Shaolin alone may not be enough.”

It was a statement that would not have been easily made under normal circumstances. It was a statement that was possible because of the war.

“The Peng family head has headed to Hebei, and I will take measures to ensure that the sects that will move north can move as quickly as possible.”

“Contact the Wudang Sect as well. In this battle, Shaolin and Wudang must join forces to break the enemy’s momentum.”

Many sects among the Nine Great Sects had been defeated by the Three Cults, but there were also forces that remained intact.

Among them, Shaolin and Wudang were the pillars of the righteous Murim, and if they went to the battlefield, they could raise the morale of the Central Plains Murim to the sky.

“In addition, I will send Jongli Mu-Sang first, and then immediately send Namgoong Mu-Sang as well.”

Currently, Namgoong Seung was in the process of recovering his upper dantian [an energy center in the body], which had been damaged in the Shanxi war.

The good news was that his upper dantian was healing well and stabilizing quickly. He would be fully recovered within a few days.

“That will not do.”

“What do you mean it will not do?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho spoke in a grave tone.

“Jongli Mu-Sang is recognized by all as the best swordsman in the world, but it is true that he is inexperienced in group battles and war-related matters. Moreover, he has a straightforward and reckless personality, so there is a possibility that he will recklessly charge to fight the enemy general.”

The situation was different from when they were blocking the Blood Fiend Cult’s forces. The Blood Fiend Cult could be blocked by charging recklessly, but the Shin-Hwa Cult’s forces clearly had an organized system.

“Then what should we do?”

“We must send Namgoong Mu-Sang with him from the beginning.”

“But Namgoong Mu-Sang is now…”

“Therefore, we must send the Chief Physician as well.”

Grand Master Gong Gong’s eyes wavered.

“You mean Chief Gi?”

Currently, Gi Woo-Hee was in charge of Namgoong Seung’s upper dantian treatment.

It was natural. In this time of war, Namgoong Seung’s existence was comparable to a sect. Such a master had to be able to operate normally as soon as possible, so she had no choice but to put aside all other tasks and focus on Namgoong Seung.

“Namgoong Mu-Sang has experience leading a clan and has also annihilated the enemy with excellent judgment in the Shanxi war. As a general, there are few people in this alliance who are as good as Namgoong Mu-Sang.”

“Hmm.”

After pondering for a moment, Grand Master Gong Gong nodded.

“Very well. Let us do that. I will go and speak to Namgoong Mu-Sang myself.”

“It would be good to send ten thousand Murim Alliance troops as well. I have heard that the Shin-Hwa Cult is skilled in the Scorching Yang Art and is also proficient in using firearms, so we must deploy as many troops as possible to be safe.”

“Let us do so.”

“The Black Imperial Castle will probably be aware of the situation in Hebei as well. However, they will not know how our alliance will respond, so I will send a message to the Black Imperial Castle right away.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho, having left the Alliance Leader’s Hall, returned to the Military Affairs Department using his lightness technique.

In the chaotic situation, Jeagal Mun-Ho tried hard to remain calm.

‘They are planning a major battle with the Central Plains Murim. Their movements suggest that. And if my thoughts are correct…’

Jeagal Mun-Ho looked east.

That distant east, invisible to the eye, the land of water, a place of worship and fear, with crashing waves and blowing winds.

The sea, the East Sea.

* * *

“…”

Tang Gwan’s face hardened as he read the letter.

“These bastards, really…”

“What is it?”

Tang Gwan showed the letter to Gi Cheon-Woong.

Whoosh!

A terrifying aura erupted from Gi Cheon-Woong’s body.

“The Shin-Hwa Cult has occupied Hebei?!”

“That is correct.”

Chal Geuk-Pyeong’s eyes deepened.

“With over twenty thousand troops, it seems the young cult leader has brought all the remaining forces of the cult.”

“That must be it.”

Sigh.

Gi Cheon-Woong, having unconsciously released his aura, quickly got up from his seat.

“We will depart first.”

Tang Gwan did not stop Gi Cheon-Woong.

He couldn’t stop him anyway. He had some doubts about whether these guys might go over to the Shin-Hwa Cult and lend them their strength, but he let it go.

‘That brat, since you trusted him, I’ll trust him to the end.’

Gi Cheon-Woong spoke quickly.

“There is no need to go all the way to the Yin Emperor. No, you and the Yin Emperor must stay here. If the Shin-Hwa Cult has moved, the Evil Sound Cult must have moved as well, and they may bypass and attack Gansu and Sichuan.”

“Do not worry. I am not foolish enough to make a gamble with uncertain odds.”

“Currently, there are a thousand troops in Hebei who came to the Central Plains with me. I have told them not to fight the enemy without my orders, so they must have moved south.”

“The Murim Alliance has also said they will send troops, so there is no need to overdo it.”

Gi Cheon-Woong paused involuntarily.

‘The Murim Alliance…’

It wasn’t that he didn’t go there on purpose. But there was some awkwardness.

Gi Woo-Hee was in the Murim Alliance. His daughter was there.

‘Perhaps, I may never see her again.’

Gi Cheon-Woong smiled and said.

“Thank you for your kind hospitality.”

“I wish you good fortune in your endeavors.”

“Let us meet again if we can.”

With those words, Gi Cheon-Woong and Chal Geuk-Pyeong headed towards Hebei.

The battlefield of fire, created by fate, or rather, destiny, was beckoning him.