Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 205

‘This is Mukryong Fortress.’Mukryong Fortress.It was an organization with a rather grand name, meaning a place where an ink-black dragon coiled.However, the actual Mukryong Fortress was a much more magnificent and bizarre place than the impression its name gave.’It’s amazing.’Ga Deuk-Sang looked around, inwardly marveling.’So that’s why it wasn’t revealed on the outside.’Mukryong Fortress was not a castle built above ground.It was underground. Mukryong Fortress existed underground.The scale of this place, filled with countless hollows, was truly beyond imagination.The central open space visible right after entering was as large as ten or so large training grounds of the Martial Alliance combined. And in that wide open space, hundreds of workers were making something, constantly making clanging noises.Ga Deuk-Sang raised his head to look at the ceiling.His eyes deepened.’Unbelievable.’The height to the ceiling alone was well over five ‘jang’ [approximately 15 meters].And on that high ceiling, hundreds of night-shining pearls were lined up.’Where did they get so many night-shining pearls?!’Just selling one of those night-shining pearls would allow an average family to live comfortably for life.There were hundreds of such night-shining pearls. Moreover, this was just the open space at the entrance. He couldn’t even imagine how many night-shining pearls were embedded inside.Ga Deuk-Sang clicked his tongue.’It’s an enormous financial power. Where on earth did Yang Cheon secure so much funding?’Even with simple deduction, the financial power of Mukryong Fortress seemed to be no less than any battlefield or merchant group in the Central Plains. No, it would not be inferior, but rather surpass them.’Night-shining pearls are one thing, but creating such an underground world in the first place is no ordinary feat.’At that moment, a telepathic message came from Jeagal Ayeon.[It’s old.][Huh?][This place wasn’t built recently. It’s at least over a hundred years old. I think it’s probably been around for three hundred years, but it’s hard to make an accurate guess just by looking.][How do you know that?][I’m very interested in geology, so I’ve studied various things. Looking at the traces and humidity here, it’s definitely not a place that was created in a short period of time.][I see.][Besides, look. In closed spaces, air doesn’t circulate, so living things can’t survive. Yet, so many people are working without any discomfort.][Ah!][There are many air passages everywhere. And all those passages are connected to the outside. No matter how much the Black Martial World blocked information, they couldn’t have carried out such a large-scale construction without being detected by our side.]It was a plausible deduction.’In other words, this vast underground world isn’t something these guys deliberately created, but rather a place that was already made and they’re just using it.’Ga Deuk-Sang looked around repeatedly and sent a telepathic message to Yeon Ho-Jeong.[Young Master Yeon, we should be careful. According to Miss Jeagal, this place isn’t newly built. If that’s the case, then their preparations must be even more…][It can’t be newly built.][Huh?][This place is definitely not new.]Ga Deuk-Sang turned his head to look at Yeon Ho-Jeong.’……?’Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face was expressionless.His face showed no particular emotion. But Ga Deuk-Sang could feel a deep confusion and an unknown wistfulness in his eyes.[Young Master Yeon?]Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t answer.Ga Deuk-Sang frowned.’Why is he like that? It can’t be a place he knows, can it…’Ga Deuk-Sang’s thoughts were wrong.Yeon Ho-Jeong, the Dark Emperor.The direct descendant of the Four Divine Martial Arts and the Great Master of the Black Way, who had an invincible reputation throughout the world, already knew about the existence of this unimaginably vast and enormous underground world.’Blood Dragon Vein!’Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes were filled with agitation.’Were they coiled up in the Blood Dragon Vein?!’Mukryong Fortress. No, the Blood Dragon Vein.This place had a strange legend that a defeated evil dragon, with its body soaked in blood, dug into the ground and created a huge pit.This was definitely the Blood Dragon Vein. It couldn’t be anything else.It was a very old memory, but Yeon Ho-Jeong remembered this place clearly.’The final battleground!’That’s right.This was the place where Yeon Ho-Jeong had a life-or-death battle with Yang Cheon, his greatest rival, before he established the Black Emperor Castle. In other words, it was a historical place where the king of the Black Way was decided.At the time, Yeon Ho-Jeong was clearly inferior to Yang Cheon. Even with the unprecedented divine skill of the Four Divine Martial Arts and unimaginable practical experience, it was difficult to withstand Yang Cheon’s absolute martial arts.So, Yeon Ho-Jeong took the initiative to call him to this place.The Blood Dragon Vein, a labyrinth of history that was so vast and deep that even its end was unknown.Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had lured Yang Cheon into the Blood Dragon Vein, used the terrain, tricks, and ambushes countless times, and finally managed to capture Yang Cheon.A fair fight? Such a thing had no meaning.If he could have killed Yang Cheon with an ambush in the first place, he wouldn’t have bothered calling him to the Blood Dragon Vein. Yang Cheon’s martial arts were already at a level that could not be dealt with even by sending assassins, so Yeon Ho-Jeong had to take action himself.Of course, he had to take his life himself to show the symbolism of the king.’It hasn’t changed.’Numerous workers were building huge structures here and there in the open space.But he didn’t pay attention to such things. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes were scanning this place, the entire Blood Dragon Vein.’Yes, that was the place.’Before luring Yang Cheon in the past, he had investigated various parts of the Blood Dragon Vein.It was so vast and deep that it took Yeon Ho-Jeong more than fifteen days to memorize the paths here.Was that why? Except for a few hazy parts, most of the paths were remembered.’As expected.’Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been looking around the Blood Dragon Vein, felt the changed history with his whole body.’It’s different. Back then, Yang Cheon knew about the existence of the Blood Dragon Vein, but he didn’t think about settling here.’It was because it was too gloomy and expensive. Furthermore, he had a desire to show off as much as his great ambition.And at the same time, he had confidence. He didn’t need to hide and gather forces.If the power couldn’t be used to show his existence to the world, then even if he united the Black Way, he wouldn’t be able to have a major fight with the White Way, that was his firm will.’That you, in this life, have made the Blood Dragon Vein your residence.’Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.’What is it? What made you move so cautiously? Is it just a change of heart? Or did you experience something I don’t know about in this changed history?’Thoughts chased each other.Whatever the reason, the fact that Yang Cheon had settled in this Blood Dragon Vein was a great surprise and wistfulness to Yeon Ho-Jeong.Ga Deuk-Sang looked at Pae Yul, Dang Sang-A, and Jeagal Ayeon.They also seemed to have noticed something from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression. Their eyes, constantly glancing at him, were full of bewilderment.At that moment, Cheong Ho opened his mouth.’The Vice-Chief wishes to see you immediately.’Tension appeared on Jeagal Ayeon’s face.She sent a telepathic message to each of them.[You all have the Invisibility Pills I gave you yesterday, right? Everyone, swallow them.]Yeon Ho-Jeong said.’I’ll go as the representative.’Surprised by the unexpected remark, the group looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.Cheong Ho said in an emotionless voice.’The Vice-Chief wishes to see all of you. The Vice-Chief’s orders…”Speak clearly. We came here to meet the person you call the Vice-Chief and to judge whether we can join hands with him or become his subordinates. We are not his subordinates yet.”……”Is it difficult to understand? Then let me be clear. We have no reason to listen to your orders or requests.’Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face was as cold as Cheong Ho’s.’If you’ve invited us as guests, treat us accordingly. If you ruin our mood with unnecessary tricks, it won’t be good for you either.”Common sense is for the outside world. The Vice-Chief’s orders are absolute. If you don’t obey, you will be…”I’ll kill you first.’A faint murderous intent appeared in Cheong Ho’s eyes.Even in the midst of it, he was controlling his killing intent. It was amazing patience.Yeon Ho-Jeong continued.’If you talk nonsense one more time, I’ll kill you first and go to the person you call elder to argue with him. Understand?”……You…”We’ve already entered Mukryong Fortress. Even if we want to leave, it won’t be easy, right?”……”Isn’t that enough sincerity from us? I don’t know why you’re so afraid that you live and die by one order, but you should know that your common sense is different from ours.”Do you really want to die?”If we die, wouldn’t it be troublesome for you too? You’re killing the guests you brought in as talents because of one request, and you’re going to miss a great opportunity.”……”Instead of trying to control newcomers with ridiculous logic, you should know how to read your master’s mind and act like a subordinate.’Cheong Ho’s cheeks began to tremble slightly.Read the master’s mind and act? He, who was known to be the most thorough in following orders among Yang Cheon’s subordinates, was not the one to hear such words.’This won’t do.’Fwoosh.Finally, killing intent flowed from Cheong Ho’s body.’You have crossed the line. You are not worthy of facing the Vice-Chief. I will kill you here.”Weren’t you the one who liked crossing the line, the one you call elder?’Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.It was a clear provocation.’By the way, before, you said it was the Vice-Chief’s decision, but why are you judging us now? Did you forget the elder’s orders already?”You…!’It was then.’Cheong Ho.’In that instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.Not only him. Pae Yul, Ga Deuk-Sang, Dang Sang-A, and Jeagal Ayeon were also startled by the sudden, resonant voice.’Escort the other four to their quarters. And bring only that young man to the Vice-Chief.’Cheong Ho gritted his teeth.’But…”Since when did you learn to think?’In an instant, Cheong Ho’s complexion turned pale.Seeing that, Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyes deepened.’He’s terrified?’That’s right. He quickly returned to his usual expressionless face, but Cheong Ho was clearly feeling fear.Cheong Ho turned his body to the left.’The four of you, follow me.’Yeon Ho-Jeong said to the four of them.’I’ll be back.’The four people who were about to speak to him flinched at the same time. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s tone had changed.Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and raised his index finger.’With one plan.’It was a change of plan.In fact, when they actually entered Mukryong Fortress or met Yang Cheon, they had been worried about how to deal with it if their disguise as martial brothers within the sect was discovered.Various ideas came up, and they made a total of three plans.The signal Yeon Ho-Jeong sent was the meaning of changing the relationship to the first plan.Then, what was the core of that first plan?’The collapse of the existing relationship and the capture of Yang Cheon.’Ga Deuk-Sang smiled meaningfully.’Be safe.’Cheong Ho paused.Yeon Ho-Jeong’s tone and Ga Deuk-Sang’s tone had changed.A strong sense of incongruity was felt.’You guys…?’Yeon Ho-Jeong waved his hand.’What are you doing? Hurry up and escort them. They’re all tired from the journey.’Cheong Ho, who had been standing still and glaring at Yeon Ho-Jeong, walked away briskly. And the four people followed behind him.Jeagal Ayeon kept glancing at Yeon Ho-Jeong.Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded silently. Jeagal Ayeon sighed softly and turned her head.In front of Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was now alone, an old man with a hunched back appeared. He was the owner of the voice that had warned Cheong Ho a moment ago.’Let’s go.’Yeon Ho-Jeong took a deep breath.’Let’s go.’The most difficult rival in the Black Martial World.He was finally going to meet the Fighting King, Yang Cheon.