Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 212

Yeon Ho-Jeong, exiting through the back door of the inn, spoke to Moyong Gun.

“It might be okay this first time, but from now on, you won’t have many chances to come directly.”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“If Yang Cheon likes you that much, he’ll keep a close watch on you.”

“That’s true even now. We caught him off guard today, but I’m not sure if this trick will work again.”

“Even if it does, don’t push it too hard. From what you’ve said, Yang Cheon doesn’t seem like an ordinary fox either. Don’t do anything that might make him suspicious.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Can we use the Beggars’ Union for contact?”

“That would be the safest way.”

“Understood. Good luck.”

“You too, take care…”

It was then.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes caught sight of an alleyway quite a distance northwest of the inn.

And in the middle of that alley, a person draped in a dark cloak.

‘…!!’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression changed drastically.

It was an emotion he couldn’t suppress with his consciousness. His eyes involuntarily widened in surprise.

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

His gaze followed Yeon Ho-Jeong’s.

‘…?’

In the dimly lit alley, there were only three or four beggars leaning against the wall.

Moyong Gun asked,

“What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tried hard to maintain a calm expression.

A strange light flickered in Moyong Gun’s eyes.

‘Oh ho?’

It was the first time he had seen Yeon Ho-Jeong acting to hide his embarrassment.

Of course, he must have acted countless times during their battles. But he had never seen such an awkward expression before.

Moyong Gun’s gaze was peculiar. Yeon Ho-Jeong realized that he had seen through his surprise.

‘Damn it.’

He had shown a momentary weakness. No matter how hard he tried to control his expression, it was meaningless now.

But he couldn’t openly show his embarrassment either.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

“Alright, take care. Contact me immediately when the information is complete.”

“Then, I’ll be off.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong started walking. He could feel Moyong Gun’s gaze following his back.

‘There’s no other way.’

The other party shouldn’t be interested in this. But Moyong Gun was no ordinary person either, and he would try to figure out the weakness he had shown.

Swoosh.

Yeon Ho-Jeong blended into the crowd of people passing by.

And after a while, his presence disappeared.

Moyong Gun’s lips curled up.

“That’s quite the stealth technique.”

It wasn’t that he had suppressed his presence using internal energy, nor was it the stealth technique of an assassin specialized in such skills.

He had simply gradually concealed his presence and disappeared into the crowd. It was one of the highest-level stealth techniques that played with people’s perception.

“Where did you learn such skills? I’m truly curious. Your insight and martial arts are not befitting your age.”

Moyong Gun, who had been quietly watching the northwest alley, opened his mouth.

“Muyeon (Smokeless).”

A low voice came from inside the inn.

“Yes, my lord.”

“You saw it too, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did.”

Muyeon was the best stealth expert in the Moyong Clan, or more precisely, under Moyong Gun’s command.

He was a talent that couldn’t be easily used within the Martial Alliance. There were so many experts that the moment his presence was revealed, they would be questioned.

But now that he was out in the world, there was no one as powerful as Muyeon.

“Yeon Ho-Jeong must have noticed your presence as well. He just didn’t say it out loud.”

“…….”

“However, if you move carefully, even the best of the younger generation won’t be able to see through your stealth.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes, which had been full of laughter, suddenly emitted a chilling coldness.

“Follow him.”

Whirr.

A gust of wind blew, fluttering Moyong Gun’s sleeves.

Moyong Gun realized that Muyeon had disappeared the moment he gave the order.

He knew of Muyeon’s existence, so he could sense his presence. But even he often forgot about Muyeon’s presence when he used his stealth in an open space like this.

No matter how skilled Yeon Ho-Jeong was, he wouldn’t be able to detect Muyeon’s tail. He believed that without a doubt.

“Hahaha, it seems people need to breathe the air of the world once in a while. You can experience unexpected fun.”

Moyong Gun grinned and went back into the inn.

It was time to work hard. Who knew, if he worked hard, he might receive an unexpected gift.

“What a beautiful day!”

* * *

Swoosh.

The black-clad man’s gait was unique.

Of course, this was something only those who were well-versed in martial arts and had great insight could notice.

On the surface, it looked ordinary, but the way his feet crossed and touched the ground had a unique rhythm.

It was the gait of a master who could unleash explosive movements at any time. But because his gait was so light and his loose cloak covered his entire body, his walk itself didn’t draw attention.

His appearance was gloomy, but such wandering warriors were too common in the martial world.

Unique, yet not at all conspicuous.

‘It was definitely said to be ten li [approximately 5 kilometers] southwest from here.’

He left the crowded central area of Changsha and entered the outskirts.

Even in the outskirts, there were many people. But rather than people, the open scenery and beautiful mountains were more noticeable.

The black-clad man’s eyes trembled.

‘Yuelu Mountain!’

Yuelu Mountain wasn’t very high. Perhaps that was why it felt somewhat relaxed, yet simple and leisurely.

That simplicity, that leisure.

The ancient appearance that held the history of the Central Plains, and even the martial world, stirred a wave in the black-clad man’s heart.

Swish.

A strange energy surged from his body.

It was a rough and violent aura. He was trying hard to suppress it, but an unbearable surge of rage was fueling his murderous intent.

‘….’

The black-clad man gritted his teeth and turned his body.

The violent murderous intent quickly subsided. He had even released his murderous intent due to his momentary agitation, but it was only for a moment.

‘I’m sorry, Father.’

If only he had been stronger.

No, if only he had learned the Sword Gate’s ultimate secret technique first, as his father had said.

Then, before capturing the enemy commander, he could have cut down the necks of his subordinates and relieved even a fraction of this resentment.

‘Mother, please wait a little longer. I will surely kill the enemy so that your path will not be difficult.’

Trickle.

Finally, tears flowed from his eyes.

The one who killed his parents and siblings, in other words, his mortal enemy.

He had vowed again and again that he would shed these tears only after killing the one he could not live under the same sky with.

But how could a person’s heart be so cold? When he thought of his dead parents and siblings, and when he realized the reality that he couldn’t act even while looking at the place where the one who killed them was hiding, his misery reached its peak.

‘Still, it’s good that I saw it once.’

He had come this way on purpose, shaking off his subordinates’ objections.

It was to gather his resolve. Some might say that was all? But for the black-clad man, it was something he couldn’t compromise on.

He recalled his father’s words.

‘You must see to know, hear to understand, and feel to master. This is not a truth limited to martial arts. When you go out into the world and do what you want to do, you must prioritize seeing and hearing with your eyes and ears, and you must do your best to feel what you have seen and heard in your heart.’

Now that he thought about it, his father’s teachings were all important things that shouldn’t be missed.

He, who had been intoxicated by his innate talent, had not followed many of his father’s teachings. It was because his development speed was fast even without following them.

But now he realized.

His father’s teachings, his mother’s advice, were treasures that could not be replaced by talent. For a martial artist, regardless of talent, they were precious teachings that should always be kept in mind and practiced.

‘I’m sorry.’

He was following those precious teachings only after losing his parents.

He was filled with resentment. And that resentment exponentially increased his hatred for the enemy.

‘I will return. The day I return and draw my sword, I will destroy everything you have built up.’

The black-clad man, gritting his teeth, left the eastern outskirts of Changsha. He was heading to where his subordinates were.

How long had he walked?

It was when he came out of the forest and entered the entrance of a small valley.

‘….’

The black-clad man’s steps stopped.

Chirp, chirp. Chirp, chirp, chirp.

A bird chirped. The sound of flowing water was refreshing.

The cool breeze was perfect for calming one’s mind. The weather was nice, and the scenery was beautiful.

But the black-clad man felt it. The intense malice focused on him.

He felt the sharp murderous intent flowing on the wind, like the stench of a beast.

Clank.

The black-clad man’s left hand grabbed the sword hilt on his waist.

“Come out.”

Chirp, chirp.

When murderous intent is strong, animals react first. There was no way a bird would chirp.

But the black-clad man knew. Even this bird song was part of a false performance.

Swoosh.

The black-clad man lowered his stance.

It was a stance from which he could unleash his sword at any time, in any direction. Moreover, the stability of his stance was so high that he could maintain that low stance for days.

Then, a voice was heard.

“As expected.”

Thud, thud.

He was impressed by the face of the man approaching through the bushes to the north.

“They said you were the greatest genius in the history of the Guicheol Sword Clan, and you managed to read the murderous intent.”

The black-clad man, Gang Ryang, asked,

“Did you come from Mukryong?”

“…Mukryong?”

The smiling man’s face instantly turned expressionless.

Gang Ryang felt a chill at the rapid change.

Was his previous expression a mask? It was a sudden change of expression, as if he had peeled off a layer of skin.

An expression that was difficult to read, and eyes that were hard to read.

From that expression alone, Gang Ryang could tell that the man was a formidable opponent.

“The name of Mukryong is only for those who are allowed to hear it. Since one who is not allowed has spoken the name of Mukryong, all that remains is death.”

“Bullshit.”

Swoosh.

His expression changed again. It was an expression with a full smile.

There was no middle ground in the change of expression. It was like doing a face-changing act.

It wasn’t that he revealed his aura, nor were his eyes particularly sharp, but the man gave off a strange sense of incongruity. It was as if he wasn’t even human.

“But rest assured. If you kneel down willingly, I don’t intend to kill you.”

Tzzzt.

A fierce aura rose from Gang Ryang’s body.

The sound of birds chirping was no longer heard. Instead, those wearing black uniforms and masks appeared from all directions of the forest.

They were all people wearing sheep masks. The black sheep masks were strangely eerie.

The man, Heukjang (Black Leader), said,

“Kneel.”

Gang Ryang bit his lip.

“Just one question. Where is the traitor, no, Yong Hwa-Myeong…”

“This is the last offer. Kneel.”

There was no room for compromise, nor any intention to provide information.

Then, all that remained was to fight.

A wicked murderous intent emanated from Gang Ryang’s eyes.

“I’ll make a final offer too. Please, come at me all at once. I’m too lazy to go around cutting off your heads one by one.”

Heukjang’s eyes blazed.

“Kill him.”

Whoosh!