Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1264

1265. The Great War (9)

“Father.”

Yeon-wi, who had come to the sea off Yeo-dong with the family’s warriors, was startled by the sudden address.

“Bi-ya?”

Surprisingly, there was Muk Bi, leading a hundred archers in neat martial uniforms.

“How did you come here?”

Muk Bi silently took out a letter from his bosom and showed it to Yeon-wi.

Yeon-wi’s face hardened as he read the letter.

“The north?”

“If it’s the analysis of Master Yeon, Ga Deuk-Sang, and the Moyong Clan Head, it must be correct. The enemies will surely attack the Central Plains, dividing into the north and the East Sea.”

“Hoo.”

A sudden change of strategy.

However, Yeon-wi was intelligent and had an excellent eye for assessing situations. Above all, he trusted his son.

“What did Ho-jeong say he would do?”

“He sent eighty percent of the Black Emperor Castle’s total forces to Gangso. They will arrive tomorrow morning, at the latest by noon.”

“Yes, that’s a great relief. Since the Black Emperor Castle’s forces are moving, you had no choice but to come here.”

Muk Bi smiled awkwardly.

“Of course, that’s also true, but the real reason is that the castle lord is absent.”

“Ho-jeong is in the north?”

“Yes.”

Yeon-wi nodded.

“Yes, that might be better.”

Predicting an enemy attack from the East Sea is not easy, but with the Central Plains’ intelligence network and the power of strategists, they should be able to figure it out somehow.

However, there is no need to delve into the relationship between the tribes and merchants of the grasslands. The Shadow Cult must also know this, and they wouldn’t bother unless they were bringing at least half of their forces.

“It seems the tribes of the grasslands are acting as a bridgehead for the Shadow Cult. If they achieved tribal unification two or three years ago, it means the Three Teachings [a collective term for the three major religions/philosophies] have been preparing to descend south through the north at any time.”

“However, the forces in the East Sea will not be weak.”

“I think so too. The imperial palace is in Gangso. They will do everything they can to sweep through this place.”

“Fortunately, Sama Hyeon is also coming here.”

“Sama Hyeon? Ah! One of the Five Great Generals….”

“Yes. He is the best in the Central Plains when it comes to assassination. If the conditions are right, he can even assassinate a Supreme Master.”

Moreover, with the funds they have gathered and the help of the Black Emperor Castle, they have trained powerful assassins, so they will play a big role in this war.

“That’s reassuring. But who are the archers behind you?”

Muk Bi smiled sheepishly.

“The imperial palace archers asked for my guidance, and I happened to help them… They said they would lend their strength to this war.”

Yeon-wi’s smile deepened.

“Well done.”

“One problem is the absence of a Supreme Master. Except for you and the Gui-gun [likely a title or name], there are no other notable Supreme Masters. How many Supreme Masters will actually come to the East Sea?”

“That is unknown. However, the navy is also fully prepared, so they will be able to greatly reduce the enemy’s forces.”

Fortunately, the admiral of the Gangso Navy was a capable man. Even though he had been neglected for a long time, he had thoroughly managed the cannons and gunpowder and maintained the morale of the soldiers.

“Also, the Bota Temple will arrive soon, and decisively, the Prince Consort will also be here by tomorrow, so there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

The Prince Consort referred to was none other than the Fighting King, Yang Cheon.

Currently, Yang Cheon was in the imperial palace, but since the palace itself was so vast, he had hardly met Muk Bi.

“But why did you come here, of all places, when the sea is so vast?”

“Of course. This place is the closest to the imperial palace. Furthermore, there is a path leading inland, so the enemies will have no choice but to come this way. Just in case, some of the navy is stationed in the upper Gangso sea area, so there will be enough time to move in case of an emergency.”

Thus, the defense of the East Sea was progressing steadily. Led by the Yeon family, Muk Bi, the imperial palace archers, and the Gangso sects lined up to blockade the sea.

A day passed.

In Gangso, where civilians were sent as far inland as possible and the remaining areas were filled with martial artists, the war clouds began to gather.

Doo-doo-doo!

The sound of horses’ hooves could be heard from the far west.

Muk Bi’s face brightened.

“It’s the Black Emperor Castle. The Black Emperor Castle’s Dragon Tooth Iron Cavalry is coming.”

At that moment.

Kooong!

A terrifying roar echoed from the northeast direction of the distant coast.

Everyone’s faces hardened.

“It has begun.”

Yeon-wi raised his chin.

“That’s the sound of the navy’s cannons. They’re coming.”

* * *

The wind blowing was dry, but somehow felt humid.

Mak Won’s face, looking at the distant land north of Shanxi, looked quite tired.

“Are you alright?”

Mak Won chuckled at Cheon Hyo-rak’s question.

“I’m fine. How about you?”

“What problem could I have?”

“Why wouldn’t there be a problem? You got quite a few injuries fighting the Blood Fiend Cult forces.”

“I’m all healed.”

Indeed, all the injuries he had sustained at that time had healed. This was because his mastery of the Central King Demon Art was constantly improving, whether he was resting or fighting.

Mak Won, who had been quietly looking at Cheon Hyo-rak, shook his head.

“Don’t overdo it.”

Even if his internal energy and physical strength were fine, it would all be for naught if his mind was disturbed.

“The Blood Fiend Cult forces were almost annihilated that day. I heard that the forces of the young cult leader who infiltrated Sichuan were also wiped out. You heard about it too, right?”

“……”

“It’s time for you to go your own way.”

He was telling him not to stop them on the battlefields of the Central Plains, but to go find his younger sister.

Cheon Hyo-rak smiled and said,

“I told you before, didn’t I? My younger sister will be fine.”

“Yes.”

“She will be fine. It will be okay to go find her after the war is over.”

“Yes, your younger sister might be fine. But you’re not okay, are you?”

Even though he said that, worry and concern did not leave his face.

It was almost better when the Blood Fiend Cult was still intact. Because the Blood Fiend Cult forces had been annihilated, he was even more worried about his younger sister’s safety.

“I wish I could go with you, but….”

Mak Won trailed off.

That’s right. The relationship between Cheon Hyo-rak and him was simple yet not simple.

Whether they had fought together or he had received a spear from him, whatever the reason, Cheon Hyo-rak was now a person as deeply connected to Mak Won as Yeon Ho-jeong.

Cheon Hyo-rak shook his head.

“I will go find her when the war is over.”

“If that’s what you want, I won’t mention your younger sister again.”

“Thank you.”

Whatever else, there must be a reason why Cheon Hyo-rak believed so strongly.

Mak Won tried to speak cheerfully.

“It’s not quite the old days, but don’t you remember that time?”

“Yes?”

“When we came this way. The battle started when we attacked the supply unit sent by the Three Teachings first.”

At the time, they didn’t know, but looking back, it was the battle that signaled the start of the Shanxi battle.

Cheon Hyo-rak smiled.

“That’s right.”

“You were a mess back then. Your innate talent is beyond words, but I didn’t know you could fight so clumsily.”

“Haha, thanks to that, you had a lot of trouble, senior.”

“That guy is now exuding the aura of a general who has experienced a hundred battles. No matter how outstanding your talent is, to have developed this much in such a short time… it’s truly amazing.”

At that moment, Hwa-hyang, who had been listening from the side, said,

“I said that the master’s talent is heaven-sent. Soon, you will follow in the footsteps of Yeon Ho-jeong and reach the realm of a Saintly Demon.”

Mak Won burst into laughter, and Cheon Hyo-rak scratched his head awkwardly.

“How great would it be if that were the case.”

“I believe so, Master.”

“Yes, I shouldn’t betray the faith of my only friend.”

Hwa-hyang’s mouth dropped open.

“Heok! M, Master! Those are words I can’t handle!”

“Weren’t you my bodyguard and friend who has protected me since childhood? I don’t think there’s any need to be so surprised.”

“I, I’m just….”

At that moment.

Mak Won’s eyes changed.

“Something is coming.”

The two men’s auras became sharply edged.

Yong Seon-jin, who had read their auras, quickly approached.

“Are the enemies coming?”

“Yes.”

Mak Won pointed his White Lightning Spear towards the north.

“It’s over there. They’re charging from behind that small hill.”

Woo-oong!

Yong Seon-jin hurriedly raised his internal energy, but even with his eyesight, he could not see that hill. He was once again reminded of how profound Mak Won’s internal energy was.

He turned around and shouted,

“Enemies are coming! All the swordsmen of the Mount Hua Sect, spread out and prepare to fight!”

Sreuk.

There was no answer.

However, the elders of Mount Hua and the remaining swordsmen spread out and formed the Plum Blossom Sword Formation.

They answered not with words, but with their eyes and actions. Their eyes, filled with fighting spirit, no, with a killing intent beyond fighting spirit, were so intense that it was hard to look at them.

And behind them.

The Shanxi martial forces, who had gathered again, each formed small Three Talents Formations [a basic formation for combat].

The Three Talents Formation was a simple but efficient formation, a basic formation for fighting against people that was taught in martial families and sects. It did not have the power to amplify the formation itself by sharing qi, but it was flexible in movement and easy to react to, making it ideal for novice soldiers or martial artists who were not in sync.

They had abandoned the secret formations passed down from each sect and adopted the Three Talents Formation.

The martial principle that the survivors had learned in actual combat was right there. The most simple thing is the most effective, a very practical mindset.

At the moment when the Shanxi forces finished their preparations.

Flash!

Mak Won’s eyes blazed.

‘The Shadow Cult?’

No.

The ones running around the hill were a group of cavalry.

However, they were not demonic soldiers emitting a ghostly aura like the Silver Phantom Horsemen.

Their rough momentum was truly comparable to a martial arts army, but the somewhat small horses moved fluidly and charged, making them look flexible yet somehow awkward.

The awkwardness was not because they were inferior.

It was because it was a cavalry formation that had never been seen before. They were charging in steel helmets and light armor, holding a northern-style scimitar or bow in one hand, and their appearance was like watching a free-spirited wind.

A wind that had blown from the grasslands.

“Tribal cavalry?!”

Mak Won was startled.

“Why are they here?”

He thought that after the Shadow Cult forces had swept through first, the tribal cavalry would follow, looting and setting fire to Shanxi.

But the start was the grassland cavalry. It was truly an unknown matter, and Mak Won felt a strange unease from the start of the battle.

However, he could not just let the enemies pass by when he could see them coming.

“Let’s go!”

Pa-a-a-ang!

Mak Won, Cheon Hyo-rak, and Hwa-hyang formed a Three Talents Formation and moved forward.

They were not the same as before either. They knew that it was not wise for each of them to fight separately.

As the three masters went ahead as the vanguard, their speed was twice as fast as the cavalry.