Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1361

“It’s been a while.”

Ha Eun-gyo was very surprised.

“What brings you here?”

Paeyul gave a wry smile.

“My senior brother, unable to bear watching this inept disciple just aimlessly beating down demons, sent me here.”

It was a roundabout statement, but she immediately grasped his meaning. Ha Eun-gyo knew Paeyul’s personality well.

“You seem calmer than before.”

“Is that so?”

“The rough and savage energy I felt when I first saw you has completely disappeared. The density of your qi [life force or vital energy] is incomparable to what it was back then. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say you’ve truly achieved mastery.”

He was now at a higher level than even her respected senior brother, the sect leader. Even just considering practical combat experience, he could be called the best in Mount Jeom.

He could now be called the strongest master of the current generation of the Jeomchang Sect, but Paeyul felt no pride in that fact.

He had lived a life of expressing his overflowing competitive spirit to his heart’s content. Now, all that remained for him was the will to eradicate demons for peace and to complete his martial arts.

“You seem to have changed a lot as well, Senior.”

“Do I look that way?”

“Yes. You’re completely different.”

“I’d like to hear it. What do I look like to you?”

“When I first met you, despite your god-like martial prowess, you seemed lethargic, consumed by deep regret. But now, you seem much more vibrant than you did back then.”

Ha Eun-gyo gave a bitter smile.

“I’m someone who even failed to chase the shadow of my dead child. Now, all that’s left for me is the determination to destroy the Demonic Sound Cult.”

“I see.”

“As a mother and a martial artist, I must at least uphold the minimum of my duties.”

Paeyul, who had been gazing at her, turned his head.

“I heard there was a commotion in Shandong.”

“Yes, the Tang Clan Head also went there.”

“I don’t know the exact details, but rumors are circulating that the Shandong war was lost.”

“……”

“Have you heard any news about Yeon Ho-jeong?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“I see.”

There were also rumors that Yeon Ho-jeong had fought a battle with the Demonic Sound Cult Leader. However, the result was not known.

The prevailing opinion was that they had failed to reach a conclusion, but that was just a battle between leaders. The Central Plains martial forces had lost the Shandong war.

That was the important thing.

Even if they had lost, they wouldn’t have been annihilated. But there was no information about where exactly the Central Plains martial forces had disappeared to.

“I asked the Beggars’ Sect, but they said they didn’t know either. Currently, the Beggars’ Sect is under an emergency order, and they are focused on extracting information about the Demonic Sound Cult and the Blood Demon Cult.”

“The Beggars’ Sect is also putting in all their effort.”

“The Beggars’ Sect doesn’t usually get this worked up. Something we don’t know about must have happened in the Shandong war.”

Ha Eun-gyo nodded.

“Because the Demonic Sound Cult Leader was there.”

“That’s why I’m asking.”

Paeyul asked with a serious look, though his expression wasn’t grave.

“I heard you met the Demonic Sound Cult Leader and returned. What kind of person is he?”

“……I don’t know.”

Ha Eun-gyo sighed deeply.

“I don’t know. Of course, I saw him and fought him, but now the memory is fading.”

“Is that possible?”

“They temporarily sealed my memories. I can’t even imagine what method they used. Fortunately, I was able to find my true self with the help of Lord Yeon, but my memories of the Demonic Sound Cult are still hazy.”

“……”

“However, I am certain of one thing.”

Ha Eun-gyo’s face looked very confused.

“The Demonic Sound Cult Leader is the most dangerous person in the world.”

“……”

“It’s not just because I lost to him. Even though his face is now blurry, the impression I got from him still remains.”

“Was it that bad?”

“He was a person shrouded in an indescribable sense of unease. To be honest, there may be someone stronger than him in the world. But there is no one more dangerous than him. That’s what I think.”

This was a statement from none other than the Sound Demon, Ha Eun-gyo. It was not something to be taken lightly.

Paeyul nodded.

“I heard from Military Advisor Jeagal that the Demonic Sound Cult is the most insidious and dangerous force among the three sects. Considering they are seen as the force that practically controlled the other two groups, the Demonic Sound Cult Leader’s danger must be unprecedented.”

Each of the groups was strong enough to pose a serious threat to the Central Plains martial world. And they secretly controlled two such groups? It was no different from controlling two forces in the Central Plains martial world.

He didn’t know how they were able to do such a thing, but that skill alone was enough to make them the most dangerous in the world.

Ha Eun-gyo shook her head.

“Worrying won’t change reality. The Tang Clan people here are also actively exchanging information with the Martial Alliance. Soon, we’ll have an answer on how we should move.”

“Understood.”

“Anyway, even though you came all the way here, it seems there’s nothing for you to do right now.”

Paeyul looked around.

This was the Tang Clan. And the Tang Clan people were all moving busily.

He didn’t know what they were doing, but their faces were full of life. Even though the whole world was suffering from internal strife due to war, these people didn’t seem to be in despair.

“It’s a good family.”

“It is.”

“The Tang Clan of Sichuan was once known as the terror of the Central Plains martial world, but looking at them now, it doesn’t seem to be the case.”

“The efforts of the current and former Clan Heads were great.”

“But……”

Paeyul frowned.

“Isn’t that gunpowder?”

His gaze was directed towards a rather large warehouse.

The warehouse door was wide open, and inside, there was dry straw, and people were carefully piling something black on top of it.

“I don’t know much about it.”

“It must be gunpowder. I heard that the Tang Clan’s gunpowder boasts the most consistent quality among all gunpowder in the world, and the quantity is enormous.”

“Consistent quality?”

“There are various ingredients for gunpowder. The most important is saltpeter, and the quality of gunpowder is determined by the saltpeter content and the mixing of ingredients.”

“Hmm.”

“But saltpeter has variations in quality, and that naturally affects the quality of gunpowder. So, some gunpowder has tremendous explosive power, while others are less powerful. If not managed properly, it can become unusable.”

“Your knowledge is quite impressive.”

“I’m just a fool who’s been wandering battlefields because of my personality. I tend to learn about these kinds of things.”

“I see.”

“But what I’m curious about is where they’re going to use so much gunpowder.”

Ha Eun-gyo gave a bitter smile.

“The Clan Head asked me to come here to prevent any possible external invasion.”

“External……”

“The Blood Demon Cult suffered damage close to annihilation, but they weren’t completely wiped out. The young cult leader survived, and his martial arts were no less than Seongcheon’s.”

“That’s unbelievable.”

“They may not have the same power as before, but there are still cult members who follow the young cult leader, so if they attack, they could devastate any region.”

Only a master of the Supreme Art can stop a master of the Supreme Art.

If the remnants of the Blood Demon Cult were to attack Sichuan, Ha Eun-gyo had to be there. That was why Ha Eun-gyo couldn’t refuse the Tang Clan’s request.

“Honestly, I doubt they’ll come back to Sichuan… but it’s better to be prepared.”

Paeyul, who had been quietly pondering Ha Eun-gyo’s words, suddenly hardened his face.

“Senior. Please take me to the Clan Head’s representative.”

* * *

“It’s been a while.”

“Have you been well?”

In the past, when there was internal strife in the Tang Clan due to the Paradise Lodge incident, Paeyul was also here.

He had met Tang Yun back then, but they didn’t have a close relationship. So, their meeting was stiff.

Tang Yun rose from his seat.

“I heard you’ve been eradicating demons in the Central Plains. You’ve worked hard.”

“Don’t mention it. Leading a giant like the Tang Clan must have been no easy task. I understand why the Clan Head entrusted you with the position of representative.”

“I’m just barely chasing the shadow of my overly talented older brother.”

Paeyul spoke directly.

“I came to see you because I’m worried about something.”

“Please speak.”

“I heard that the Shandong war was lost. How does the Tang Clan view this?”

“It’s so far away that it’s impossible for us to make a definite judgment.”

“I see.”

“However, after gathering various information, we believe that it is indeed a loss.”

“I think so too. That’s why it’s dangerous.”

“Please explain in detail.”

Paeyul looked at the left wall.

There, a map of the Central Plains and a map of Sichuan were spread out.

“I heard from Senior Ha that the Blood Demon Cult appeared in the northwest of Sichuan to capture someone called the Blood Venerable Master, is that correct?”

“That’s correct.”

“After killing the Blood Venerable Master and driving them out, I heard that some of the Blood Demon Cult members survived and returned. Is that also correct?”

“That is also correct.”

“Let’s look at Shandong.”

Paeyul pointed to Shandong with his hand.

“The Demonic Sound Cult sent troops to the northern part of the Central Plains and Jiangsu Province, throwing the Central Plains into chaos. In the meantime, the cult leader and elite troops charged into Shandong, turning the entire region into a sea of blood.”

“……”

“To stop them, not only Ho-jeong and the Black Imperial Castle troops but also the Beggars’ Sect and the troops who fought in Shaanxi rushed to Shandong. But they still lost.”

“They did.”

“We don’t know where the defeated allies went, but I heard that the enemy is heading towards Hebei. I dare to predict that they will not return to the north.”

“I think the same.”

“In the end, they will stir up the Central Plains. I don’t know where they’ll start, but they’ll steadily try to break us down.”

Paeyul’s eyes flashed.

“That’s where the problem lies.”

“What do you mean by problem?”

“Currently, the martial world is greatly shocked by the fact that they lost the Shandong war. Naturally, our attention will be focused on the Demonic Sound Cult Leader and his troops.”

At that moment, Tang Yun’s eyes wavered. Only then did he understand what Paeyul was trying to say.

“The Blood Demon Cult won’t miss this opportunity……?”

“If I were them, I wouldn’t.”

Paeyul tapped the Sichuan map with his finger.

“Sichuan has historically been the first region that external forces try to seize. The reason is that Sichuan is a natural fortress, making it difficult to invade from other regions, and it has fertile land, making it a productive area. There’s no better place to start a land grab than Sichuan.”

“……!”

“Of course, I’m not sure. They’re crazy after all. But even if they’re crazy, they’re smart crazy, so I don’t think they’ll miss this opportunity. Moreover……”

“……”

“They already tried to rot Sichuan from the inside by building the Paradise Lodge. And that plan failed.”

“That’s right.”

“Before pride, from the perspective of the Blood Demon Cult, who built the Paradise Lodge and even fought directly, Sichuan is the easiest place to target. Since they caused such a mess, they must know Sichuan well.”

“……!!”

“Moreover, with the Emei Sect destroyed, the Qingcheng Sect severely damaged, and even the Clan Head out of the region, Sichuan is a delicious……”

It was then.

“Clan Head! Something terrible has happened!”

“What is it?”

“The Northern Honggeom Three Families have been annihilated by unidentified monsters!”

Paeyul’s face contorted.

“It’s too late.”