Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 176

Whoosh!

The flames soared high into the sky, like a dragon ascending.

“Aaaah!”

“R-Run away! Hurry!”

“Don’t run! Stop them… Kaaah!”

Splatter!

The gruesome sounds of flesh tearing, rough screams, and the splattering of blood soaking the ground filled the air.

All sorts of terrible noises, both loud and soft, echoed from all directions. And each of those hellish sounds signaled the downfall of one merchant group.

Thwack!

Surprisingly, the hundreds of attackers advanced, even demolishing the massive stone walls.

There were no mystical martial arts or grand strategies. Hulking men wielding iron maces, each with heads the size of a human skull, smashed through the walls indiscriminately, and bandits as swift as arrows infiltrated the breached defenses.

It was simple, but their teamwork was seamless. Those who broke the defenses, those who infiltrated, and those skilled in ranged attacks each knew exactly when to step forward.

Even for a bandit group accustomed to raids, they were too organized. They were skilled warriors who maximized efficiency with simple tactics.

That was the Hoirang Band.

Thud!

“Kyaaaah!”

“Aaaah!”

They were sweeping everything away.

They were killing everyone they saw, from guards to children and the elderly.

The Haeryong Merchant Group was located quite far from the marketplace. This location made their presence more exclusive, but it also meant that it was difficult to alert others when they were under such an overwhelming attack.

Of course, merchant groups rarely fell due to external invasions. They were not martial arts sects.

“Just what are those bastards!”

Yeong Cheon-hyang was furious.

“How dare those black-hearted thugs attack us so brazenly… !”

Just then.

Flap!

In the distance, several large flags could be seen fluttering in the wind.

The gray flags had the characters for ‘wolf’ (狼) and ‘bandit’ (賊) emblazoned on them.

‘Bandits? Could they really be bandits?!’

It was unbelievable. What bandit group in the world was this strong? Moreover, their numbers exceeded five hundred.

Yeong Cheon-hyang’s eyes widened.

“N-No way, the Hoirang Band?!”

The characters for ‘wolf’ and ‘bandit’ on the gray flags.

Who else but the Hoirang Band, the most notorious bandit group beyond the border, would fly such flags? It was astonishing that a bandit group would carry such antiquated flags.

Thwack!

Not only had the western wall collapsed, but now the northern wall was also falling.

They seemed unable to contain their overwhelming power. Moreover, they were numerous and accustomed to killing people. Even the Haeryong Merchant Group, one of the most prominent in Shandong, was helpless against them.

There was no choice now. Over three hundred bandits were already inside the outer compound, engaged in a massacre, and dozens had even broken into the inner compound.

At this rate, everyone would die. It was time to make a decision.

“Gu-hyo! Secure an escape route and get the people out!”

“B-But, Master! What about the goods in the warehouse…?”

“What good are those goods when we’re all about to die! Get the people out now!”

“Understood!”

Though he said that, Yeong Cheon-hyang had stored a considerable amount of treasure outside. If not, he would have cleared out the warehouse first.

Just as the surviving members of the merchant group were using a secret passage to escape, they were met with a shocking sight.

Thud!

Three bloodied people flew through the air.

“H-Huh!”

“B-Bandits!”

Surprisingly, over three hundred bandits were stationed at the end of the escape route, a route known only to the merchant group’s leadership.

Hang Chun coldly shouted.

“What are you doing? Tear them all apart!”

“Uwaaaah!”

The bandits roared strangely as they swung their weapons.

Those who had been filled with hope for survival died in despair. It was a true dilemma.

Yeong Cheon-hyang was also terrified. He had learned some martial arts, but it was nothing to boast about.

Then, he saw a man standing at the rear of the charging bandits.

“You!”

The reason he could recognize the man so clearly, even from that distance, was because he was his own blood brother.

“Go-wi! What are you doing there!”

Yeong Go-wi deliberately turned his head away.

Yeong Cheon-hyang’s eyes became bloodshot. That simple gesture was enough to understand what was happening.

“You damned bastard! You’ve joined hands with those bandits to kill your own family?!”

Just then.

“You’re making too much noise.”

Thwack!

It was as if a giant boulder had crashed down.

The one who had charged in, turning over a dozen warriors into a bloody mess with his massive body, was none other than Pa Sa-reuk.

Yeong Cheon-hyang’s face turned as pale as a sheet.

Pa Sa-reuk’s eyes, which were staring at him, were like a snake’s, despite his large size. In front of those eyes, Yeong Cheon-hyang was as helpless as a mouse before a giant viper.

“Are you the head of this merchant group?”

“Y-You bastard!”

“Bastard?”

Pa Sa-reuk swung his massive fist like a hammer.

Crack!

The fist, which crushed his skull and split him down to his collarbone, was unbelievably powerful.

The faces of the survivors turned white. It was the first time they had seen a person die so horribly.

Pa Sa-reuk snorted.

“Even if you’re just a merchant group, they say you’re one of the best in Shandong? But why are you so weak?”

Having seized the atmosphere with his shocking murder, Pa Sa-reuk shouted.

“Kill them all, men, women, young and old! Leave only ten useful women!”

“Uwaaaah!”

A storm of blood raged, and torn flesh and bone fragments scattered everywhere.

It was a living hell.

“Commander!”

“…”

“Please give the order now!”

Tangma Army’s Second Squad Leader, Gyu Byeok, shouted.

Moyong Woo did not answer. He simply looked down at the burning Haeryong Merchant Group with endlessly deep eyes.

Gyu Byeok was anxious.

“Commander!”

Then, First Squad Leader Jin Bae spoke.

“Calm down, Squad Leader Gyu.”

“Damn it! How can I be calm right now, brother!”

“We are on duty. Refrain from using personal titles.”

Gyu Byeok, trembling, took a deep breath and shouted.

“Commander! Please send at least our Second Squad! We will strike those bastards right now!”

Then, Moyong Woo opened his mouth.

“There’s no point in attacking with just one squad.”

“Commander?!”

Jin Bae exclaimed.

“Squad Leader Gyu! Can’t you see the martial prowess of those bandits! If we clash without any strategy, both sides will suffer extreme damage!”

“… !”

“Calm your excitement. You are a squad leader in charge of a hundred soldiers. Remember that your rash judgment could lead to the pointless deaths of your subordinates.”

Gyu Byeok bit his lip.

How could he not know that? But those bandits were brutally killing not only warriors but also ordinary people who had not learned even a bit of martial arts.

It was a situation that anyone would find hard to bear. At least, anyone who knew the righteous path.

Jin Bae looked at Moyong Woo.

‘Commander.’

Moyong Woo, with a blank face and clear, deep eyes, was looking down at the invaded merchant group.

But Jin Bae could see his jaw was clenched. Moyong Woo was also forcibly suppressing his rising anger.

If the leader wavered, his subordinates would be in danger. Moyong Woo knew that instinctively.

After a while, Moyong Woo spoke.

“We must stop the fighting first.”

“Yes?”

Moyong Woo spoke to Fifth Squad Leader Gye Eok.

“When the Myeolsa Army finishes clearing Hwaun-ri, they will come up the southern valley. Fifth Squad Leader, lead your troops to the Myeolsa Army.”

“To the Myeolsa Army, you say?”

“Tell Commander Yeon that the Myeolsa Army is needed for the first strike. Tell him we will decide the outcome with one strike.”

“… !”

“If you tell him that, he will understand.”

“Understood!”

Gye Eok led the Fifth Squad troops down the slope.

Moyong Woo looked at the northwest rear.

‘Deputy Commander Muk.’

Muk Bi was the only one left from the Myeolsa Army. It was because of Yeon Ho-jeong’s order.

Moyong Woo raised his left hand and made a fist.

That was it. Muk Bi would have seen it and understood its meaning.

Moyong Woo opened his mouth.

“All troops.”

Clang!

He drew his heavy greatsword.

“Advance.”

Waaaah!

The four hundred Tangma Army soldiers, descending the steep mountain path at a terrifying speed, reached ten yards from the collapsed wall of the Haeryong Merchant Group in an instant.

Just then.

Whoosh!

An arrow shot quickly flew towards Moyong Woo’s head.

Thwack!

As if it was nothing, Moyong Woo caught the arrow with his left hand and snapped the shaft.

Whoooosh!

The famous sword that Moyong Gun had ordered from the best artisan in Henan when he appointed Moyong Woo as the Tangma Army Commander.

True energy of the Eight Extremes of Heaven and Earth poured into the Tangma Greatsword.

In an instant, Moyong Woo’s eyes emitted tremendous killing intent.

Thwack!

With one swing of his sword from horseback, the flames scattered, and the bodies of three nearby bandits were torn apart.

“… !”

The bandits in the outer compound were startled and looked at Moyong Woo.

Moyong Woo spoke calmly.

“Bring me your leader.”

* * *

“Kaaah!”

“Y-You crazy bastards! Who are you?!”

Thud!

Dong-ho, having blown off a bandit’s head with a single strike of his bamboo leaf sword, spoke coldly.

“We are the Myeolsa Army.”

Clang! Thud! Slash!

Behind the sounds of clashing weapons, the sounds of human bodies being smashed could be heard.

The Myeolsa Army was strong.

Having mastered the Jin San martial arts of the Nine Great Sects [referring to the most prestigious martial arts schools], the pillars of the White Path [a term for the righteous martial arts world], they were now drawing out more than ten times the power of their martial arts after experiencing countless real battles and brushes with death.

It was a world of difference from when they first fought.

Even though their martial arts had not improved much since then, the difference was enormous. Their chaotic movements had completely disappeared, and their clean, minimalist movements were slaughtering the 150 bandits of the Hoirang Band with precise killing swords.

Thwack!

The most outstanding among them was Peng Man-ho.

He had also become incomparably stronger through real battles, but his movements were not as clean as the others.

It wasn’t that Peng Man-ho was weak. It was because his innate strength and martial arts were focused on relentless power attacks.

Perhaps that was why Peng Man-ho always stood at the forefront when a battle broke out. He was skilled at breaking the enemy’s morale with the first strike.

One hour after the battle began.

Unlike the Myeolsa Army, which had no casualties, the Hoirang Band had all but five of their 150 members cross the river of death [a metaphor for dying].

“Kuh!”

Cheon-gwi gritted his teeth. Countless sword marks were etched all over his body.

“Who are you? Are you from the Martial Alliance?!”

The Myeolsa soldiers looked down at the five bandits without a word.

Cheon-gwi felt speechless.

There were quite a few women in the Myeolsa Army. Normally, Cheon-gwi would have taunted his enemies with all sorts of curses and lewd remarks, but he couldn’t do that now.

‘This…!’

The Myeolsa Army, looking down at them with expressionless faces and eyes that showed no emotion.

It was a terrifying sight. That strange sense of intimidation even silenced Cheon-gwi, the most venomous of the Hoirang Band.

Just then.

“The Commander is coming.”

Clink!

They all sheathed their weapons and quickly lined up.

Yeon Ho-jeong appeared among the Myeolsa soldiers. His clothes were stained in places, but there was not a single drop of blood on the blade of his Gwangryong Axe.

‘…!’

Cheon-gwi’s body trembled.

When he met Yeon Ho-jeong’s gaze, who was looking down at him with a massive axe, he felt as if his vision was darkening.

Yeon Ho-jeong asked.

“Why are these bastards still alive?”

Yeo Guk said.

“They said they would provide information about the Hoirang Band. I left them alive just in case.”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled. He knew it was a transparent ploy.

At that moment, a subtle vibration was transmitted to the ground.

Click!

The soldiers all placed their hands on their weapons.

Shortly after, Tangma Army’s Fifth Squad Leader Gye Eok appeared.

“This is a message from the Tangma Army Commander!”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes lit up at Gye Eok’s words.

“A surprise attack…”

He nodded.

“We’ll move right away.”

“Understood.”

Flap!

Yeon Ho-jeong mounted his warhorse.

“Commander, what should we do with these bastards?”

“Their claim to provide information is nothing but a ruse.”

Yeon Ho-jeong added with a cold face.

“Kill them all.”

“Understood.”

Cheon-gwi cried out urgently.

“W-Wait a minute… !”

Thud!

The heads of the five bandits flew into the air.