Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 232

“What?”

Moyong Gun was genuinely startled.

“Yang Cheon wants to see me?”

“Y-yes, that’s correct.”

This was an unexpected turn of events.

For Yang Cheon to directly request a meeting with him? Moreover, he was the unknown master of the Black Dragon Unit. [A secret organization]

Even if a family elder had come instead of him, they should have kept a low profile, yet he was directly requesting a meeting?

“Was there no separate contact from the Practical Affairs Chief?”

“No, there wasn’t.”

“Huh!”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“I don’t understand what’s going on.”

This was clearly a bad move for Yang Cheon.

Based on his past actions and the Martial Alliance’s information, the Black Dragon Unit was not ready to reveal itself to the world yet.

Yet, he was asking to meet with him, a top executive of the Martial Alliance and a public servant? How was he supposed to interpret this?

‘Yang Cheon doesn’t know. He doesn’t know that we’ve already discovered his existence. No, it’s more accurate to say he’s acting as if he doesn’t know.’

Moyong Gun’s index finger, which was tapping the table, was trembling slightly.

‘Why? What’s his intention? Surely, someone like Yang Cheon wouldn’t be unaware of the implications of his actions?’

Moreover, he must have a strategist by his side.

To create an organization like the Black Dragon Unit, one needed not only financial power but also countless talented individuals to manage the organization. No matter how skilled one was, it was impossible to build such an organization alone.

Suddenly, Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.

‘Could it be that Yeon Ho-Jeong bastard?’

After a moment of suspicion, he shook his head.

‘That’s unlikely. This is a bad move for him too. Unless he’s truly committed to the Black Dragon Unit, there’s no reason for him to devise such a scheme.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong was a terrifying man, but at least he knew his own boundaries well.

He could cross the line and surprise him with unimaginable tricks. But he knew the dignity of a fight. A clean fight, not one in the mud. That was his line and his limit, which made him even more terrifying.

‘Could it be that he’s holding a grudge against me because of this incident?’

Moyong Gun shook his head.

‘No. No matter how I think about it, it’s not him.’

Because of the Guiju Merchant Guild’s trade mission? [A powerful merchant group]

That was absolutely impossible. He might have been angry about it, but there was no need to respond in this way.

If Yeon Ho-Jeong was really behind this, it would be very disappointing. Because, in the end, it wouldn’t benefit him at all.

Would Yeon Ho-Jeong, who wouldn’t risk his mission or even the Practical Affairs Unit for personal revenge, do such a thing?

“……For now.”

Moyong Gun cautiously opened his mouth.

“For now, we wait. It’s not too late to make a decision after we hear from the Practical Affairs Chief.”

Half a day later.

“Family Head! A letter has arrived from the Practical Affairs Chief!”

“Bring it here.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes widened as he hastily unfolded the letter.

‘I’ll get straight to the point. I haven’t been able to figure out what Yang Cheon is planning. However, I suspect he intends to look into the internal affairs of our alliance through you, but even this is not certain.’

‘The basic information gathering is complete, but there are top-secret matters within the informant network. The estimated time to classify them is at least fifteen days, and at most a month. Please buy us time until then.’

‘Lastly, let me give you a piece of advice. Avoid meeting Yang Cheon if possible. He is more capable than we think. If you fall into his trap, it will be troublesome in many ways, so stay put.’

“Hmm.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled.

‘Classified information, huh?’

A heat rose in his lower abdomen.

‘It’s definitely not Yeon Ho-Jeong’s doing.’

Right now, that guy was focused on his mission. If he mentioned ‘classified,’ it meant he was taking responsibility for that statement, and he wrote it in the letter because he was sure it was valuable information.

‘So that’s why the contact was delayed.’

Moyong Gun read the letter again.

‘Buy time?’

The reason he told him not to meet Yang Cheon must be related to that.

‘Hmm…….’

Moyong Gun’s lips curled up.

‘It’s all good. It’s good, but… Yang Cheon is that capable?’

He was told to stay put.

If it wasn’t for Yeon Ho-Jeong, he would have rushed over and ripped out his tongue for saying that.

After pondering for a moment, Moyong Gun smiled.

“Is there really a need to avoid him, Ho-Jeong? If Yang Cheon is that capable, it wouldn’t be bad to meet him and see his skills for myself.”

Of course, he had no intention of fighting him with martial arts. From the start, he wasn’t someone he could compete with in martial arts.

‘Yang Cheon is also the leader of an organization. Unless they were about to start a war, he wouldn’t make a move during a meeting.’

That was basic. Moreover, Yeon Ho-Jeong said he was more capable than he thought, so he must be someone who knew his own dignity.

‘Of course, I need to be fully prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.’

Moyong Gun opened his mouth.

“Have you traced the contact from Yang Cheon?”

“Of course.”

“The result?”

“We couldn’t find the original source. It seems they’re hiding it thoroughly.”

“Hmm, as expected.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes turned cold.

“Send a reply as is. Tell them I will decide the place and date.”

* * *

“Moyong Family Head has replied.”

Admiration appeared on Yang Cheon’s face.

“He said he would decide the place and date.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Honestly, I didn’t think we’d succeed in one go… That man is no ordinary person.”

“Indeed. I’ve heard that the current Moyong Family Head is a genius in both martial arts and literature, but I didn’t expect him to show such a bold disposition.”

Yang Cheon seemed greatly impressed by Moyong Gun’s decision.

It was understandable. Moyong Gun was a public servant of the Martial Alliance and the head of the Moyong Family. He didn’t need to risk meeting a suspicious person who sent a letter through an untraceable communication network.

Moreover, the sender was the Fighting King, Yang Cheon. He wasn’t someone who deserved such a quick response.

“As expected of the one called the Overlord of Honam, his reputation is not false.”

Although not now, Yang Cheon was also a person who openly advocated for the black path. He was someone who scoffed at the white path martial artists, calling them soft, so he couldn’t help but feel a liking for Moyong Gun, who showed such straightforwardness.

‘As expected.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled coldly.

‘I knew it, Moyong Gun.’

Just as Moyong Gun understood Yeon Ho-Jeong, Yeon Ho-Jeong also understood Moyong Gun.

‘I knew he would jump out if provoked.’

Currently, Moyong Gun was psychologically superior.

Even the most meticulous person was bound to be careless at some point. Moreover, his position as the commander of the Practical Affairs Unit must have encouraged Moyong Gun’s carelessness.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s choice was ‘provocation.’

‘If you fall into his trap, it will be troublesome in many ways, so stay put.’

If Moyong Gun had been on edge, he wouldn’t have reacted so easily even after reading that phrase.

But not now.

‘Don’t worry, Moyong Gun. We can get out of this just fine. Thanks to you.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his mouth.

“Certainly, the Moyong Family Head’s choice was straightforward, but he is also a meticulous person. If he chose the location, he will probably prepare for the worst-case scenario.”

“The worst-case scenario?”

“That would be if the Deputy Leader himself makes a move.”

Yang Cheon chuckled.

“It’s a meeting between leaders with many responsibilities. To make a move in such a place? That’s absurd.”

This was the dignity of a master.

Not because they were masters of martial arts, but because they were masters as people. Both Yang Cheon and Moyong Gun were like that.

And Yeon Ho-Jeong, until recently, was also like that.

“I will send a reply immediately.”

“Do so.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Head of the Intelligence Department.”

“Yes, Deputy Leader.”

Yang Cheon nodded.

“Good work. I never imagined this kind of approach.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“To be honest, it’s also a very dangerous method. I can only apologize for not devising a safer method.”

“Haha, my friend. If you want to win big, you have to gamble sometimes. If I didn’t like your method, I would have rejected it.”

“I am truly sorry.”

“It’s fortunate that you joined the main headquarters. I am truly grateful.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“I will receive that gratitude when you conquer the world in the future, Deputy Leader.”

“Hahaha! Good, good.”

Yang Cheon, who had been laughing for a while, suddenly asked as if he had just remembered something.

“By the way, what about your fellow disciples? When do you plan to bring them to the main headquarters?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

“I think it’s too early. The executives within the unit are already agitated by just me, and if I bring my people in a hurry, the atmosphere will worsen.”

“If that’s the problem, I’ll take care of it.”

“No. I believe this is something I must overcome on my own.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head.

“We will grow together while challenging each other. Please leave it to me.”

Yang Cheon smiled contentedly.

“How can I stop your stubbornness? Understood. Do as you wish.”

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks.”

“Then, I will take my leave.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong left the Black Dragon Hall and headed straight to his residence.

‘The information extraction is complete. Now, I just need to take this and return to the Alliance.’

Murderous intent flashed in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

‘Moyong Gun. You’ll have to be the bait.’

The fifteen days, and leaving the Practical Affairs Unit outside, all had their reasons.

And even the existence of ‘them.’

“Your killing intent is strong.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his head.

In front of his residence, a man was waiting for him.

It was Black Yang.

“I am Black Yang, here to see the Head of the Intelligence Department.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been staring at Black Yang, bowed his head.

“I greet Senior Black Yang.”

“Senior….”

Black Yang smiled. It was a smile that was hard to understand.

“Thank you for the courtesy.”

“No. But what brings you here?”

“Nothing much. I just wanted to make a good impression on the new Head of the Intelligence Department.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m someone who excludes personal feelings from official duties.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

Black Yang nodded.

“Could I trouble you for a cup of tea?”

“…….”

“If you’re busy, I’ll come later.”

“No. Let’s go inside.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong opened the door with a blank expression.

He couldn’t manage his expression properly.

‘The Evil Sound Cult.’ [A sinister martial arts sect]

Even without releasing his inner energy, his senses became naturally sharp.

And those sharp senses read Black Yang’s energy.

‘The Evil Sound Cult!’

Thud!

The door opened.

“Please come in.”

“Thank you.”

Thus, the two entered Yeon Ho-Jeong’s residence.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sat on a chair.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have any tea.”

“Is that so? That’s a shame.”

“It doesn’t seem like you came just to have tea anyway.”

Black Yang smiled.

“Of course not.”

“Then, why did you come to see me?”

Srrrr.

An invisible dark energy probed the entire office.

‘There’s no one.’

There were no observers watching this place. That was fortunate.

Black Yang’s expression, which had been smiling at Yeon Ho-Jeong, gradually hardened.

“Why did you do it?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You know.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Are the Zodiacs a bunch who like to test people? That woman Hwawon was like that, and you’re the same.”

“…….”

“Stop beating around the bush and speak clearly. Why did you come all the way here?”

Black Yang’s eyes changed like a wildcat’s.

“It was you, wasn’t it? You buried the Black Yang Unit and the Black Leader.”

“…….”

“Wasn’t it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been looking at Black Yang with clear eyes,

Suddenly, he gave a twisted smile.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“……!!”

“I wiped them all out. So what?”