Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 202

“What did you just say?”Tang Gwan’s eyes flashed with a threatening light.Moyong Gun thought, ‘This man shows more sides of himself than I expected.’Ever since Tang Sang-Ah joined the practical task force, Tang Gwan’s mood had been at its worst.Moyong Gun didn’t know if it was because of his concern for his daughter or because of Yeon Ho-Jeong, a clear political rival he wouldn’t admit to.’It could be both.’Moyong Gun took a sip of tea and said,”I said that the reason Yeon Ho-Jeong took the family head’s daughter was because of the Tang family’s hidden weapon techniques.”Bang!The table shook from the force of his fist slamming down.Tang Gwan spoke in a menacing voice.”So, you’re saying that he’s trying to use our family’s martial arts to pique Yang Cheon’s interest?””That’s right.””Because they need real power before the Black Path forces can gather their strength?””That’s right.””… !””Of course, I would have approached it that way if I were Yang Cheon.”Fwoosh!Tang Gwan’s fist pierced through the table. The fierce poison emanating from his fist melted the wood.Moyong Gun clicked his tongue.”And that was an expensive table.”Tang Gwan opened his mouth.”That damned bastard, does he dare look down on our family’s hidden weapon techniques?”Hidden weapons, in a way, are even harder to master than hand-to-hand combat or weapons techniques.There’s no device to fix them like an arrow on a bow. Handling hidden weapons requires the user’s delicate senses and concentration.In other words, contrary to popular belief, hidden weapons are difficult to master. Even within the Tang family, at least ten family members died each year while learning hidden weapon techniques.To use such an advanced martial art merely as a means to pique an enemy’s interest?For Tang Gwan, it was an unbearable blow to his pride.Moyong Gun gave a wry smile.”Surely, he wouldn’t look down on the Tang family’s hidden weapon techniques?””What if Sang-Ah falls for his tricks and teaches him our family’s secrets?!””That won’t happen.””Are you confident?””I am confident.”Tang Gwan’s eyes deepened.”Has your animosity towards him lessened because you joined hands for a while?”In an instant, Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint.Flash!It was like a lightning bolt. It was an overwhelming gaze that he had never shown before Tang Gwan. Naturally, Tang Gwan was inwardly surprised.”Family Head.””…””I don’t want to have these kinds of conversations every time, so I’ll make it clear today.”Moyong Gun gave a cold smile.”For me, Yeon Ho-Jeong, as well as Family Head Yeon and Family Head Jeagal, are all enemies.””…””Can we join hands when necessary? Of course. I can’t make a mess of the world I’ll eventually take over just to kill an enemy.”Crack! Sizzle!Lightning crackled in the air.Moyong Gun’s thunderous energy instantly burned away the poison that had been lingering in the room. Moyong Gun himself was fine, but the poisonous energy was so potent that it could have poisoned others.And Tang Gwan was very surprised by that instantaneous release of internal energy.’Incredible energy!’The density of his true energy was beyond imagination.This was Moyong Gun’s true power, which he had never properly shown before. If this was the power he could unleash in an instant, how much more powerful would he be if he were to unleash his full strength?”However, it’s quite unpleasant to be tested with questions like whether my will has weakened or if I’ve forgotten my dreams.””…”Tang Gwan silently looked at Moyong Gun.Moyong Gun, who had maintained a cold expression, smiled for a moment.”I tried to extend a hand to the Family Head, and the Family Head was looking for someone to join him. We two were intertwined out of necessity, and we’ve gained a lot of benefits, haven’t we? We are more closely connected than any political alliance.””Hmm.””Life is too short to live without laughter. Let’s not doubt each other, at least among ourselves.”Tang Gwan, who had been staring at Moyong Gun, nodded.”I apologize.”It was a straightforward apology.That one word revealed Tang Gwan’s personality. Moyong Gun burst into laughter.”In a way, this person was also overreacting. I’m the one who feels bad for ruining the mood.””You said what needed to be said. I’ve also been feeling complicated lately, so I hope you understand.””Of course. Aren’t we supposed to be one, both publicly and privately?”He was referring to the marriage between Moyong Woo and Tang Sang-Ah.Tang Gwan’s expression became much more relaxed. When families are tied together by marriage, they have to walk the same path, whether they like it or not. Moyong Gun’s words were entirely correct.Moyong Gun continued.”Returning to the original topic, even Yeon Ho-Jeong wouldn’t be able to force your daughter to reveal the Tang family’s secrets.””I need an explanation.””There’s no need to cut off an ally’s arm just to examine an opponent you bumped into during a territory dispute.”Tang Gwan’s eyes sparkled.”An ally.””That’s right. Right now, we shouldn’t be fighting as rivals but moving as one ally. I explained the reason before.””Even if we become the most powerful figures in the White Path, Yang Cheon is still a nuisance.””Exactly.”Tang Gwan’s eyes gleamed.”You think the same way?”Moyong Gun smiled.”I think the same way. But right now, that Yeon Ho-Jeong isn’t in the Martial Alliance.”It meant that he was steadily making his own preparations.Tang Gwan chuckled.”Why didn’t you tell me sooner?””It’s not because I don’t trust you, Family Head. I hope you’re not offended.””I’m not offended by such things.””I know. I’m just saying it in case.””Haa.”Tang Gwan sighed.His ruffled mood had calmed down considerably. However, his mind was still complicated.Moyong Gun asked,”I have one question.””Ask away.””This is a question from someone who knows nothing about hidden weapons. I know that each hidden weapon technique has its own unique characteristics, but do the basics also carry traces of each sect?”Tang Gwan nodded.”Hidden weapons are just like swordsmanship. Is it just about throwing and hitting? Swords also have the same basic principles of thrusting and cutting.””That’s right.””The subtle changes in the wrist, the movement of the fingers, the way the eyes are used, the angle of the arm swing, the elasticity of the waist, etc., all reveal traces of the sect.”Moyong Gun stroked his chin.”Even when teaching the basics, such characteristics are revealed…””That’s right. It even varies depending on the regional characteristics and the type of hidden weapon. The world of hidden weapons is that complex.””In the end, the best outcome for the practical task force is this. To infiltrate without teaching the enemy anything and only extract information.””Is that even possible?””Well, that’s the task force’s job. It’s a very unpredictable situation, so it’s hard to say.”Moyong Gun looked out the window.”And Yeon Ho-Jeong wouldn’t be unaware of this fact either.”* * *Pa Yul’s eyes flashed.’Strong.’The man standing in the center of the seven masters, looking at this place with cold eyes.His martial arts were so strong that even Pa Yul, an elder of the Jeomchang Sect, was surprised.Woo-oong.Even though he wasn’t intentionally releasing his internal energy or exuding killing intent, the air vibrated.Whether it was his innate aura or the martial arts he had learned, it was hard to tell. Whatever it was, the rough energy that could be felt even when he was still was quite impressive.’There are talented people in the Black Path too.’For a moment, his competitive spirit soared. He was a skilled martial artist who was in no way inferior to himself.Ga Deuk-Sang asked in a cold voice,”Who are you?”His voice was full of discomfort.The middle-aged man didn’t get agitated. His unique rough energy was still there, but he seemed to have a much calmer personality than expected.”I am Cheong-Ho (Blue Tiger).”Cheong-Ho.It was such a common name, but surprisingly, it was a name that no one had ever heard of. Not even Ga Deuk-Sang, who was known throughout the world.”I work under Yang, the strongest in the Black Path martial world, who will soon dominate the world.””… !””In other words, I came under the orders of Yang, the soon-to-be Lord of the Black Dragon Manor (墨龍府主) [a powerful organization in the Black Path].”Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyes lit up.’He’s telling us?’He was confidently mentioning Yang Cheon’s name. Furthermore, he was revealing the name of the organization he had established before anyone even asked.’He’s not as cautious as I thought. But they’re not stupid either. It’s not that they’re not cautious, but that they don’t need to be.’And the reason?”Are you planning to announce it to the world soon?”Ga Deuk-Sang looked to the side.Yeon Ho-Jeong was already walking out.”Black Dragon Manor? It’s a name I’ve never heard before.””…””You seemed to be moving quite cautiously, but you’re revealing it so easily.”Cheong-Ho opened his mouth.”You have no choice but to choose between two paths.”Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.”To die or to live?””That’s right.”It meant that if they didn’t like it, they would kill them, so revealing their organization’s name didn’t matter. It was a tremendous display of confidence.Yeon Ho-Jeong asked Ga Deuk-Sang,”Senior Brother, what should we do?”Even though there had been a conflict two days ago, Ga Deuk-Sang responded perfectly.”Well? We came here to see that Yang person anyway, right? I don’t want to die, so we should find a way to live, right?””I see.””Of course. I don’t want to die.”Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.He asked Cheong-Ho,”So, what do you want?””Proof.””What kind of proof?”Cheong-Ho’s gaze turned cold.”If you prove that you are truly from the Mujong Sect, I will take you to the Black Dragon Manor.”Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.”Do you know what kind of sect the Mujong Sect is?””I know.””Knowing that, you’re talking such nonsense?”Thump, thump.In an instant, a fierce killing intent rose from the bodies of the six masters behind Cheong-Ho.Jeagal Ayeon, who was watching them from a distance, hardened her face.’Strong.’Yeon Ho-Jeong, Pa Yul, Ga Deuk-Sang, Tang Sang-Ah.There wasn’t a single person among them who wasn’t a master. Especially Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts had already reached a level where he could establish his own sect if he wanted to.But Yeon Ho-Jeong was a special case. Furthermore, Pa Yul was the youngest elder of the Jeomchang Sect, and Ga Deuk-Sang and Tang Sang-Ah were the best disciples of their respective sects.In other words, they were a group of the most talented people in the White Path, but these people were different.’He’s probably not the strongest master under Yang Cheon. I’m almost certain. But even so, they’re so strong, it’s not normal.’Tension rose on Jeagal Ayeon’s face.’They’re a much stronger group than I thought.’What was even more impressive was the response of Cheong-Ho, the leader of the group.”Find that kind of common sense elsewhere.””…””If you can’t prove that you’re from the Mujong Sect, the only path in front of you is death.”Ga Deuk-Sang glanced at Yeon Ho-Jeong.’He’s coming on strong…?’Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.”There is one way, though.””Then prove it.””Are you sure? It might be a little dangerous.””I don’t take back my words.””I like that.”Yeon Ho-Jeong picked up the long spear that was standing to one side.In an instant, Ga Deuk-Sang’s mouth dropped open. Pa Yul, as well as Tang Sang-Ah and Jeagal Ayeon, were also surprised and looked at him.’Is that man…?’Whoosh.The true energy flowing from the spear shaft, cutting through the air, pushed the air heavily.Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes blazed.”Now, I’ll prove it.”Thud!Cheong-Ho’s eyes wavered.Before he knew it, the spear blade was flying towards his throat.