Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 199

“You’ve arrived.”

“Haha, were you in the middle of work?”

“It’s nothing much.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho rose to greet Moyong Gun.

“Please, have a seat here.”

“Thank you.”

A moment later, teacups were placed between the two men.

Moyong Gun grinned and asked,

“Is there no alcohol? I seem to recall being offered some at your residence before.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled.

“I’m currently working. If you have time this evening, I’d be happy to offer you a drink.”

“That’s a pity. I have plans for the evening.”

“Then let’s postpone the drinks for another time.”

“Let’s do that.”

Moyong Gun asked with curiosity,

“So, why did you call me to your office? Did you receive a message from the field team?”

“That’s correct.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho took out a letter from his pocket and handed it over.

Moyong Gun unfolded the letter and nodded.

“It seems it’s starting now.”

“Indeed.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face turned serious.

“Also, additional information has come in.”

“What is it?”

“Do you know of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect?”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“Aren’t they quite famous among the Thirty-Six Paths of the Black Road?”

“That’s right.”

The Ghost Iron Sword Sect was a sword sect that had maintained a long history of two hundred years, unlike other factions of the Black Road. [The Black Road refers to the underworld or the martial arts world’s criminal element.]

Surprisingly, their martial arts were not like those of the Black Road, but rather advocated fairness and justice. Although they had an excessively domineering aspect, their martial arts themselves were comparable to the orthodox techniques of the White Road. [The White Road refers to the orthodox or righteous martial arts world.]

“The Ghost Iron Sword Sect is a prestigious name in the Black Road, having produced high-level swordsmen for generations. It is said that the current sect leader’s martial arts are not far behind the heads of our Six Great Clans.”

“I know that as well. Wasn’t his alias ‘Mountain-Crushing Sword Demon’?”

“You are well-informed.”

“As much as necessary.”

“Indeed. The Ghost Iron Sword Sect has history and tradition, unlike other Black Road factions. In the past, they were even called the First Sword Sect of the Black Road.”

“So, what happened to the Ghost Iron Sword Sect?”

“They have fallen.”

Even Moyong Gun couldn’t help but be surprised at this moment.

“Are you saying the Ghost Iron Sword Sect has been destroyed?”

“That’s correct.”

“Heavens! How did that happen?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes flashed.

“They were attacked by unknown experts.”

“How many skilled experts were involved?”

“We don’t know the details yet. However, the estimated number of attackers is around twenty or less, and there were traces of fire attacks.”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“Fire attacks are certainly powerful, but it’s hard to believe that a sect like the Ghost Iron Sword Sect would fall to fire attacks alone. It can only be assumed that there was a difference in actual power.”

“You’re right. In other words, it cannot be denied that the attackers’ martial arts were all exceptional.”

“However, unless they were all supreme masters, they couldn’t have destroyed it without sufficient preparation.”

“I think so too. It seems that thorough prior investigation, excellent response capabilities, and even experts who worked well together were involved.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled.

“The reason you’re telling me this now is because the destruction of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect is related to this mission?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded heavily.

“That’s correct. To be precise, I believe there’s a high possibility of that.”

“How do you think they’re connected?”

“Yang Cheon.”

“……!”

“Their information control is truly remarkable. Even if the Martial Alliance and the Beggars’ Union try to dig in, the closer they get to the center, the more ambiguous it becomes. That’s why most of the things related to Yang Cheon are difficult to confirm.”

“So, the more ambiguous the incident, like this one, the higher the probability that it’s related to Yang Cheon?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho had no choice but to acknowledge it. Moyong Gun’s strategy and insight were outstanding.

“That’s right. I mentioned the possibility, but in reality, I’m certain that Yang Cheon was involved.”

Moyong Gun stroked his chin.

As he remained silent, Jeagal Mun-Ho continued,

“Yang Cheon is expanding his power by uniting the Black Road. However, not all of the Black Road has come under his command. The Ghost Iron Sword Sect was one of them.”

“That’s a foolish thing to do.”

“Pardon?”

Moyong Gun frowned.

“The Ghost Iron Sword Sect is a prestigious name in the Black Road. To destroy such a force to show off power… Even if it works for now, it’s a foolish act in the long run.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled.

“I think so too.”

“But the Yang Cheon we’ve investigated so far isn’t the kind of person to make such a blunder.”

“If Yang Cheon destroyed the Ghost Iron Sword Sect, it wouldn’t be to show off his power.”

“It means the benefit of destroying them is greater than anything else.”

“Currently, Yang Cheon’s top priority is to expand the power of the Black Road. But in the long term, it’s a foolish choice.”

“So, if it’s not a foolish choice in the long term, then the reason for destroying the Ghost Iron Sword Sect must be…?”

“He turned them.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“One of the key figures of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect crawled under Yang Cheon’s wing.”

“……!”

“In other words, someone betrayed the sect.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes sharpened.

‘This person is truly…’

Jeagal Mun-Ho was confident that he was superior to Moyong Gun in professional strategy and tactics.

However, he had to admit that Moyong Gun was superior to him in his ability to see human nature and deduce the situation of an incident.

It was an insight that highlighted the cunning of a man who had spent his entire life fighting through his rivals to seize power. Jeagal Mun-Ho felt both regretful about Moyong Gun’s abilities and a growing sense of caution.

“I thought about this for a long time after receiving this report. And I came to the same conclusion just before the Clan Head arrived. There is a traitor in the Ghost Iron Sword Sect.”

“You’re right.”

“It’s likely someone who is well-versed in the sect’s secret techniques, and whose character wouldn’t be easily tarnished by a single mistake.”

“That’s right. It can be narrowed down to the sect leader’s closest aide or his disciple.”

“In my opinion…”

“It’s more likely to be a disciple.”

“That’s correct.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“I understand why the strategist called me here to tell me this story.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho, who had been looking at Moyong Gun, sighed.

“Why is that?”

“It’s a pity.”

“What is?”

“I was thinking how wonderful it would be if the Clan Head’s amazing insight and mind were used for the sake of all living beings.”

Moyong Gun burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahaha, I’m not as great a figure as the strategist thinks. So, let’s stop with the empty talk.”

“……”

“Give me paper and ink. I need to send a letter to the field team.”

“It’s already prepared.”

Moyong Gun wrote the letter with a powerful yet delicate touch.

“How is it?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded.

“It’s good. However…”

“It seems it will become more dangerous sooner than expected.”

“It’s also a way to go deeper at the same time.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“Are you sure you’re okay, strategist? The moment this letter is sent, the field team will be entering the jaws of hell. And your own flesh and blood is among that field team.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho shook his head.

“I know that this mission is dangerous, and so does my daughter.”

“Hahaha!”

“Also, I am not a father of a child right now, but a strategist of the Martial Alliance. I cannot miss a golden opportunity because of personal feelings.”

“You are indeed remarkable.”

Moyong Gun shook the paper to dry the ink, then neatly folded the completed letter and stamped it with his seal.

“Here it is.”

“I’ll send it right away.”

“How long do you think it will take?”

“We’ve narrowed the information network with the field team to the shortest distance. It should arrive in three days at the earliest, and six days at the latest.”

“That’s an incredible speed.”

Moyong Gun rose from his seat.

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

He turned around.

As Moyong Gun was about to open the door of the office, Jeagal Mun-Ho spoke.

“Clan Head.”

“Hmm? Do you have anything else to say?”

“From now on, please work at the command center. There might be situations where every second counts.”

It was also a way of saying not to do anything unnecessary at his residence.

Moyong Gun smiled.

“I was planning to do that anyway. In three days, I will make the place where the command center gathers my temporary residence.”

* * *

“Yeon… Ah, no! Third! Come see me!”

Ga Deuk-Sang dragged Yeon Ho-Jeong into the room.

“What is it?”

“Look at this.”

Ga Deuk-Sang took out a letter smaller than his palm from his pocket and held it out. The letter was densely filled with tiny writing.

“It’s from the ‘Gate’.”

‘Gate’ must mean the Martial Alliance. Yeon Ho-Jeong calmly read the letter.

A moment later, his eyes wavered.

Ga Deuk-Sang smacked his lips.

“I knew it was a dangerous mission, but I didn’t expect us to be diving into the center from the start.”

“……”

“Hmm? Third?”

Ga Deuk-Sang was momentarily startled as he looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Shudder.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hand holding the letter was trembling slightly. His eyes were bloodshot, and a murderous aura was slowly rising from his body.

“Hey!”

Startled, Yeon Ho-Jeong instinctively suppressed his murderous intent.

Ga Deuk-Sang clicked his tongue.

“Why does this kid keep releasing murderous intent every time I see him? Are you trying to make your eldest brother’s heart explode?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Geez! What’s going on? Is there something bothering you?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong glared at the four characters, ‘Ghost Iron Sword Sect’.

The Ghost Iron Sword Sect. A prestigious name in the Black Road, known for its simple sword intent that didn’t match its domineering power.

And there, there was a fierce competitor who had fought countless battles with Yeon Ho-Jeong in the past.

‘Gang Ryang!’

One of the Five Great Generals of the Black Emperor Castle. [Black Emperor Castle is likely a powerful faction within the Black Road.]

Gang Ryang was the one who was called the strongest and worst expert in the Black Road martial world, along with the Divine Bow Muk Bi and Jin Yang.

Gang Ryang’s sword had reached a deeper level than any swordsman of the orthodox martial world. Although his achieved level and power were clearly below Moyong Gun, his sword intent itself was that of a true swordsman who had realized more than Moyong Gun.

The greatest genius in the history of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect.

A passionate swordsman who had lost his sect and become an outcast, regained hope to live under Yeon Ho-Jeong, and fiercely clashed with the White Road.

‘And… the Ghost Iron Sword Sect has been destroyed?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes wavered.

‘Does it mean that even if history changes, the result will not change?!’

The Martial Alliance was established much earlier than in the original history, and Yang Cheon also did not openly unite the Black Road like this.

The Ghost Iron Sword Sect was destroyed, but it also did not fall this quickly. According to the original history, the destruction of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect was supposed to happen ten years later.

Everything has changed. Everything is changing.

“Eldest brother.”

“Huh?”

“Tell the guys who follow you to look into one thing for me.”

Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyes sparkled.

He intuitively realized that Yeon Ho-Jeong’s request was a very personal matter.

“What is it? Tell me.”

“Find out if there are any survivors from the destroyed Ghost Iron Sword Sect, and if so, get me their list.”

“…Hmm, I understand.”

He didn’t know what was going on, but it seemed like he had to do it for now.

“But are you okay?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a deep breath.

“I’m fine.”

He was shocked for a moment, but he was fine now. He was the leader of this mission. If the leader falters, the lives of the members are in danger even before the mission begins.

Ga Deuk-Sang nodded.

“Okay. Let’s look into that separately, and what do you think about the letter sent from the Gate?”

“We have to go. However, let’s wait three more days.”

“Three days? Why?”

“It might raise suspicion if we dig in first, but it’s natural if they approach us first.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“Trust me. They will definitely come.”

Two days later.

Bang!

The door of the tavern burst open as a group of people wearing blood-red uniforms appeared.

The middle-aged man at the front spoke in a cold voice.

“We are from the Blood Sparrow Gate. Is there a group of two men and two women here?”