Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 223

“They’ve departed.”

“I see.”

Looking at Moyong Gun leisurely sipping his tea, Eon Ja-bang asked,

“May I ask you one more thing?”

“Of course.”

“I understand that you did it on purpose because it benefits you.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

Eon Ja-bang’s eyebrows twitched.

“I’m talking about the merchant group. Didn’t you originally order them all to be killed?”

“Ah, that?”

Moyong Gun asked, as if puzzled.

“But why?”

A scary man.

Eon Ja-bang almost said that without realizing it.

The dead merchant group members were already out of Moyong Gun’s mind. No, he hadn’t even cared about them from the start.

He killed innocent merchants just because they caught his eye. Of course, the Moyong Clan would gain enormous benefits from it, but shouldn’t he at least show some condolences?

Eon Ja-bang didn’t bother to hide the emotions he felt.

“Don’t you feel any guilt?”

“What guilt are you talking about? Ah, the merchant group?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Gun stated firmly.

“They are just casualties of war. If you worry about every little thing like that, you can’t even dream of making a name for yourself in the martial world.”

“……”

“You should know this too. When you drive a large carriage, there are bound to be bugs that get crushed under the wheels.”

A shadow fell over Eon Ja-bang’s face.

He had made a deal with Moyong Gun. But it was a deal in name only; in reality, their relationship was no different from that of a lord and his subject.

In other words, no matter what Moyong Gun did, he had no choice but to follow him. Whether he did righteous deeds or despicable ones.

‘He’s terrifying.’

He knew that he could be more ruthless than anyone if necessary, but he never imagined it would be to this extent.

Moyong Gun gave a wry smile.

“I thought you would have realized that by now.”

“That’s not what I’m curious about.”

“Hmm?”

“What I mean is, was it really necessary to kill them? There were other ways to suppress the Gwi Joo Merchant Guild without killing them, weren’t there?”

“Is there such a way?”

“I don’t know. But if it were you, you could have definitely found a way.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“I won’t deny that.”

Eon Ja-bang’s eyes narrowed to slits.

“You mean you killed them even though you could have done otherwise?”

“I could have, but I couldn’t allow it to hinder this mission.”

“……?!”

“Yes, as you said, there were many ways. But the most certain way is to erase all traces. Why do you think they say the dead tell no tales?”

“……”

“You want to accomplish the mission and secure your share of the money? Do you think you can pick and choose what you want while considering everyone’s circumstances?”

Fierce sparks flickered in Moyong Gun’s eyes.

“When trying to catch two rabbits, the most important things are ruthless decisions and speed. If you bring up things like compassion or circumstances, you’ll only have more things to worry about.”

Eon Ja-bang closed his eyes.

Perhaps he had expected this answer. He just hoped that the person he served would be someone who knew a little bit about morality.

He was wrong. Moyong Gun was not the kind of lord who would meet his expectations.

Moyong Gun was a ruthless hero who would use any means necessary to gain power. To him, worldly morality and ethics were nothing more than fancy ceremonial robes, with no practical use.

Moyong Gun shrugged.

“In the grand scheme of things, aren’t you similar to me?”

“What do you mean?”

“How many people have you killed to restore the lost Jiangshi [a type of reanimated corpse] technique of the Eon family?”

Eon Ja-bang’s eyes twitched for a moment.

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“I’m not saying this to agitate you. Rather, I applaud your passion and determination.”

“……Stop it.”

“In the end, we’re all the same. Whether it’s for the sake of family or power, stepping on others to achieve one’s goals is the essence of the human race.”

Moyong Gun’s face turned cold in an instant.

“Those who don’t step into the mud will eventually be defeated and fall behind. I just want to remain a victor in my life, not live miserably as a defeated dog.”

His voice even hinted at madness.

It wasn’t an excuse for what he had done. Moyong Gun genuinely believed it.

Moyong Gun, having finished his tea, rose from his seat.

“Now, let’s get moving.”

“……Where are you going?”

“Where else? The field team has moved, so I must do my part as well.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled.

“If this mission is successfully completed, the field team will immediately enter the depths of the Mukryong Clan. They will obtain all the information they want and return.”

“……?”

“I think I need to prepare another stage so that the field team can safely escape.”

* * *

Paah!

The three men and women’s movement techniques, cutting through the dense forest path, were as fast as the wind.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, leading the group, was lost in thought.

‘Moyong Gun.’

Ga Deuk-Sang’s words came to mind.

‘It’s a bit late to say this now… but can we really trust this information manipulation?’

Of course, he couldn’t trust it.

If Moyong Gun had given the order from the Martial Alliance headquarters, he wouldn’t have been so suspicious.

The man who had refused to go with them when they asked, now that the field team had successfully broken through Honam, had plunged into enemy territory as if he had been waiting for it.

He couldn’t figure out what his intentions were. This time, even Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t read Moyong Gun’s moves.

So, he decided to focus on one thing.

Moyong Gun also didn’t want this mission to fail. He would provide solid support until the field team had obtained satisfactory information and returned safely.

However.

‘There’s definitely something.’

As he had said directly to him, Moyong Gun was capable of handling two or more things at once.

‘He must have made some kind of deal with the Gwi Joo Merchant Guild.’

Or, he hadn’t made a deal but was enduring to gain something bigger.

‘Moyong Gun is a man who can become more vicious than a demon, depending on the situation. Moreover…’

This Honam Province was the region where the Moyong Clan was based.

Of course, it was a great distance from Changsha, where the Mukryong Clan was located. Unless they were determined to do so, it would be difficult to actually clash.

But in terms of influence, it was no less than the Mukryong Clan, or perhaps even more.

‘Moyong Gun’s position within Honam Province must be incredibly solid. If he wants to achieve something, he can receive support much more easily and quickly than when he was in the Martial Alliance.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes darkened.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

Moyong Gun’s face came to mind.

The face with a handsome smile, like a good-natured man, but with a terrible desire lurking beneath.

‘This time, I don’t care what you do. Whether it’s to gain more power or to expand your family’s influence, I can turn a blind eye to most things.’

But.

‘Don’t cross the line.’

Moyong Gun was someone he had to defeat eventually.

However, he had no intention of nitpicking everything he did. Not only was the opponent formidable, but it would also be exhausting for him.

However, if he crossed the minimum line in the process, he would have no choice but to stop him.

‘I know that common sense and morality don’t work on you, but at least if you were born as a human being, don’t become a demon, even if you become a third-rate one.’

At the sudden thought, Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a sense of bitterness.

‘Well, I must look like a demon to others too.’

His head seemed to be getting complicated.

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a deep breath.

‘Okay. Let’s just focus on the mission for now.’

At that moment, Paeyul asked from beside him.

“Is that okay?”

“Yes?”

“The spear, I mean. I was asking if it’s usable.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked down at the spear he was holding. It was a steel spear he had bought when he first entered Honam.

“It’s fine.”

“The center of gravity is well-balanced.”

“The blacksmith’s skills are very good.”

“Hmm.”

Paeyul tilted his head.

“I’ve wanted to ask you this for a while, but your spear techniques have reached a remarkable level.”

“If you’re going to wield an axe as big as a person, spear techniques are essential.”

“I guess that’s true.”

“But why are you asking?”

Paeyul hesitated, unlike his usual self.

“Well…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, as well as Dang Sang-A, looked at Paeyul with puzzled eyes.

Paeyul cleared his throat.

“The main sect’s ‘Shooting Sun Sword’ [a legendary sword technique]… well, you know about it, right?”

He meant that it had been lost. Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“I know.”

“I want to create a martial art that, if not better, is at least comparable to it. It’s in progress, but…”

“……?!”

“I’ve managed to create something, but no matter how I look at it, it seems more suitable for a spear (槍) than a sword (劍).”

Surprise appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“You created a martial art?”

“Hehehem!”

“Could it be, the one you showed me before?”

Paeyul clicked his tongue.

“It’s still a long way off. After sparring with you, I carefully examined it and found many flaws. There’s a lot of room for improvement.”

“That’s amazing.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong was genuinely impressed.

Creating a martial art? This wasn’t something to be judged simply by skill level.

Whether the level was high or low, the very act of creating a new martial art was an amazing feat. Not only did one have to create the form, but also the method of internal energy circulation that matched the form, which was no easy task.

“That’s why, I’d like you to spar with me using spear techniques later.”

“Of course.”

For someone of his personality, making such a request must have been truly embarrassing. It also meant that he was serious about the martial art he was creating.

“But what is the name of that martial art?”

“What name for a martial art that isn’t even finished yet?”

“But it seems like you’ve already come up with one?”

Paeyul cleared his throat again.

“I just… made it easy to call it ‘Penetrating Sun Sword’ (貫日劍).”

“Penetrating Sun Sword.”

“I don’t know if it will become ‘Penetrating Sun Sword’ or ‘Penetrating Sun Spear’ (貫日槍). Anyway, make sure you keep your promise.”

“I will.”

A hint of envy flickered across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

‘Creating a new martial art… that’s truly amazing.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong was also as good as anyone at modifying existing martial arts to make them easier to use.

But he had never created a new martial art like Paeyul. Paeyul, who was lower in skill than him, was actually far ahead in this aspect.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked ahead again.

‘Will such a time come for me in the future?’

It was unknown. This wasn’t something that could be done simply by making up one’s mind.

However, he did have the desire for that time of destiny to come to him as well.

The feeling of wanting to leave his mark on the world through martial arts. Yeon Ho-Jeong, as a martial artist, also had that much desire.

After the group had been running through the forest path for a long time.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“It’s there.”

“I see. But…”

Paeyul frowned.

“What is this?”

Dang Sang-A also seemed a bit flustered.

“They’re experts.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong was just as bewildered.

At their destination, there were nearly a hundred people gathered, all wearing the same clothes. They were the merchant proxies who had borrowed the clothes of the merchant group.

But their energy was very strange.

‘They’re strong, but…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned as cold as ice.

‘What is this smell of blood?’

It was then.

Cha cha cha chang!

The entire merchant group of the Gwi Joo Merchant Guild drew their swords and glared at them.

For a moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes wavered.

‘Moyong Gun… could it be?!’

In the center of the merchant group, a middle-aged man with a scar on his eye shouted with murderous intent.

“Kill them!”

Pa ba ba bak!

Hundreds of experts rushed towards the three of them.