Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1258

1259. The Great War (3)

Swish!

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

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

Whoosh.

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, I feel like I could achieve another breakthrough, but I can’t figure out how to get there.”

Shinmo’s mumbling figure was like a 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 the mystical essence of nature, reaching even the extremities of his body.

‘Still, at this level…’

A swordsmanship that surpassed the martial realm, the leader of the Azure Falcon Unit of the Byeoksan Yeon family had reached the realm of the absolute master.

Personally, he felt a sense of lacking, but at this level, he would not be ashamed anywhere he went.

‘This is just the beginning, isn’t it?’

Shinmo looked up at the sky.

‘I wonder if the Lord is doing well.’

He received news from Yeon-wi 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, many people within the family, including Shinmo, the leader of the Azure Falcon Unit, were completely focused on their own tasks. From the newly arrived chief manager to the existing swordsmen and servants, everyone was working hard every day.

A bond intertwined with loyalty and benevolence.

Was the small size of the family necessary to create 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 Yeon-wi, the Yeon brothers naturally came 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 vast 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 realm 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. Following the First Young Master Yeon Ho-Jeong, the family head Yeon-wi also reached the Supreme realm, and even the Second Young Master Yeon Ji-Pyeong had surpassed the Martial realm, 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 thanks to this, the Yeon family’s power grew significantly in just a few years.

Shinmo, who had been looking at the sky and thinking about the Yeon family’s bloodline, suddenly hardened his face.

“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 reached Jiangsu Province, allowing them to enjoy peace, but who knew how things would change tomorrow?

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

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

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

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

It was his intuition.

‘There’s an ominous air. It seems like something will happen soon.’

He was looking up at the sky for a long time, worrying about the future of Jiangsu Province, when it happened.

“Unit Leader Shin.”

“You’ve arrived.”

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

His martial level 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 Master.”

Shinmo’s eyes widened slightly.

“From the Sword Master?”

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 best 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, with outstanding loyalty and talent.

The leader of these Flying Sky Swordsmen was called the Flying Sky Sword Master, 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 Master was born with an extraordinary ability.”

Shinmo smiled.

He also thought that the Flying Sky Sword Master was born with an extraordinary ability. Until he reached this level, he was certain of it.

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

And Hong Guk-In would also know this. He had also surpassed the Martial realm. Yet, he still called it an extraordinary ability, which meant that the Flying Sky Sword Master’s ability was beyond imagination.

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

“That makes it even more dangerous.”

“That’s right. I’ve never seen the Flying Sky Sword Master’s intuition fluctuate like this.”

Shinmo, who had been lost in thought for a moment, asked casually.

“What about Unit Leader Gang?”

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

Unit Leader Gang Yoon of the Swift 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 ignore the Flying Sky Sword Master’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 of the Lord and the one called the Royal Guard. He had once followed the Martial Alliance, but he had returned and was now focusing on training, a hidden master.

“What brings you here, Unit Leader Shin?”

“I need to contact the Lord.”

Shinmo relayed the words of the Flying Sky Sword Master.

Wang Jeon nodded.

“I will do that.”

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

Thus, the warriors of the Yeon family always maintained their composure. In the absence of the Lord and the young masters, they had endured with even stronger trust, and they were truly worthy of being called the overlords of Jiangsu.

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

“Understood.”

“And…”

Wang Jeon looked far to the east.

“Tell the Flying Sky Sword Master. To come back to the family now.”

“Is that alright?”

In the absence of the Lord, Wang Jeon was one of the highest leaders managing the major affairs of the Yeon family.

“The situation in the Central Plains is not normal. I’ve been thinking of bringing him into the family for a while now, but if the Sword Master 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.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, sitting on the grand chair, fidgeted as if something was awkward, and then got up.

“I can’t sit still, it’s too awkward.”

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 show the dignity of the Lord.

He sat at the low 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.’

Currently, the Black Emperor Castle was also on high alert. They had switched to a wartime system so that they could mobilize at any time, and So Jeong-Gwang himself was visiting the organizations to encourage the warriors’ morale.

‘The Divine Teachings of Hebei will be handled by the Martial Alliance. Then, the remaining ones will have to be handled by us and the Imperial Palace.’

The power of the Imperial Palace 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 power of the Imperial Palace existed to protect the Emperor and defend the Imperial Palace. It was a principle that they would not intervene unless absolutely necessary.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘The main family will have no choice but to step up as well.’

So far, many sects and families had been destroyed.

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

When the time comes, a martial family must fight. If the Yeon family disappears, the common people of Jiangsu will also be in unrest, so defeat in this battle is even more 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 leader of the Royal 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 only 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. If he was saying such things, it meant that he really looked worried.

“What about the Dark Unit Leader?”

“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 that they also intend to participate in 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 this time, they won’t make a lot of 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 Leader 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, Unit Leader 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 don’t say such unnecessary things. So, have you finished gathering the information?”

“Yes, I have.”