Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 238

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, I am.”

“……”

“Why do you look so troubled?”

“It’s nothing.”

“As you already know, we are people who don’t deserve sympathy. Even though our families were taken hostage and we were all poisoned with a chronic toxin, that doesn’t erase the sins we’ve committed.”

“……”

“To be more frank… we acted under Moyong Gun’s orders, but we also committed terrible acts without the knowledge of our superiors.”

“……”

“Many families have been ruined because of us, not because of Moyong Gun. Perhaps it was out of desperation, but such excuses are meaningless.”

“Enough.”

“So, there’s no need to look so sad. For us, who have abandoned the ways of humanity, this death is more than we deserve.”

“……”

“It is a more than satisfactory death, just for the elder of the Jeomchang Sect [a fictional martial arts sect] to bow his head to us.”

“I will never forget your names.”

“It’s an honor.”

“My only concern is your families. The practical team leader will surely handle it well, but I’m worried that they might be harmed.”

“Haha, you care more about our families than we do. Seeing this, it seems we still have a long way to go.”

“I know my heart can never match yours.”

“No, we are not truly worried. If we were, we wouldn’t have made a deal with Young Master Yeon in the first place.”

“Hoo.”

“Although we were raised like dogs, we learned a few things. Moyong Gun values his reputation. He sometimes crosses the line, but he is not one to break his promises.”

“If you believe that, then I will put my worries aside.”

“Thank you.”

“Now… let’s begin.”

“Understood. And Senior Paeyul.”

“Speak.”

“Thank you very much.”

“…I am not worthy of such gratitude.”

Paeyul sighed deeply.

Chaaang!

A powerful aura erupted from the drawn sword.

“Let’s begin.”

A moment later.

Kwaaaang!

The group’s residence exploded, sending flames in all directions.

* * *

“……”

A strange silence enveloped the table.

Looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s relaxed expression, Moyong Gun thought,

‘What are you up to?’

When Yeon Ho-Jeong first opened the door, Moyong Gun felt like his heart was being ripped out. He wondered if something had gone wrong.

He calmed his startled heart, but he still felt a chill down his spine.

‘Why did you show up? Without any prior notice?’

It wasn’t that his identity had been exposed or that he had been recruited by the Black Dragon Division. He was sure of that.

But if that wasn’t the reason, this guy wouldn’t have shown up without a word. No matter how urgent it was, he wasn’t someone who lacked the ability to send a letter.

‘Even Huga said that things were going well.’

Moyong Gun’s eyes wavered.

‘You guys, could it be that you’re…?’

Was he going to be sacrificed to the Black Dragon Division?

‘……But why?’

Moyong Gun carefully observed Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes and inwardly shook his head.

‘No. These guys have no intention of selling me to the Black Dragon Division.’

If they really intended to sell him, there would be no need to show up like this. In fact, they could just send the Black Dragon Division’s top experts and their forces to control the entire area and launch a surprise attack. There was no reason to do something so complicated.

‘What are you thinking, you bastard?’

Then, Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke.

“You seem quite surprised.”

Moyong Gun smiled wryly.

“Indeed. I thought I would be able to meet the great master, the Fighting King, on this occasion.”

“I understand.”

“You should also understand that I am not in a good mood right now.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged.

“I fully understand, but as long as the result is good, it shouldn’t matter, right?”

“That’s not wrong. But what I’m curious about is, do you have the authority to do that?”

“I’m here as the Deputy Chief’s proxy. Although I’m not as skilled as him, you can consider my judgment to be the same as the Deputy Chief’s.”

Moyong Gun looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong and smiled.

“Seeing you like this, you really are a remarkable talent.”

“Is that so?”

“You’re handsome and your martial arts seem impressive. Moreover, to be appointed as the head of the information department at your age, and then to come as the Deputy Chief’s proxy, you must be a real power player.”

“……”

“There’s a young man in our alliance who is similar to you. That friend also surprised everyone with his outstanding martial arts and brilliant strategies at a young age.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“You must be talking about the famous Myeolsa Commander [a title or rank within a military or martial organization].”

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.

‘He’s saying it openly?’

It was a remark intended to provoke the other party. But Yeon Ho-Jeong’s response was very bold.

‘This means he’s not just trying to stab me in the back.’

Moyong Gun glanced at Hwawon.

She had a rather cold expression. But he could read a strange discomfort on Hwawon’s face.

‘Hmm.’

Moyong Gun smiled brightly.

“Would you like a drink?”

“I don’t particularly like alcohol.”

“Haha, it seems like you’re about to open your eyes to the finer things in life?”

“I believe that the family head wouldn’t do such a thing, but you never know. You might have poisoned the alcohol.”

At that moment, Hwawon flinched.

Even though Moyong Gun had been looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong the whole time, he noticed Hwawon’s reaction like a ghost.

‘There was a conflict.’

Moyong Gun spoke in a seemingly disappointed tone.

“You seem to think too badly of me. Even common thugs don’t do such things these days.”

“Haha, my words were a bit harsh. Unfortunately, I don’t have the same magnanimity as the Deputy Chief. I know you wouldn’t do it, but it doesn’t hurt to be careful.”

“Haha, that’s true.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked around.

“It seems like the family head has also made some preparations. Not poison, but maybe you’ve laid down some explosives?”

“……”

“Looking down at this area earlier, you’ve chosen a great location. The escape route is to the west, leading to the river and mountains… Have you also deployed the family’s warriors?”

At that moment, Moyong Gun was taken aback.

‘This guy?’

Why would he say that openly when the Black Dragon Division’s people were also present?

Of course, knowing that wouldn’t change the situation, but it was an unnecessary thing to say. At least, that’s what Moyong Gun thought.

“Haha, you got me there.”

“As I said, it doesn’t hurt to be careful, does it?”

“That’s true.”

Moyong Gun casually crossed his legs.

“It’s a bit embarrassing, but I also know that you’re not ordinary. Of course, you’ve deployed experts in this area, right?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong responded with a good-natured tone.

“I’ve heard that the family head’s skills are quite outstanding.”

“Indeed.”

Moyong Gun said with a smile.

The conversation was just going around in circles. Someone needed to break the ice.

“So.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes immediately turned fierce.

“What is the reason for showing up here without any prior notice?”

His tone had changed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged.

“Why do you think?”

“I don’t know.”

Was it because he wanted to stop this tiresome charade?

Moyong Gun’s face visibly contorted.

“I really don’t know. There’s no benefit to handling things this way. And you’re not someone who doesn’t know that.”

“I do know.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression also gradually turned cold.

“But I also want to ask you. Did you really think I would just let that go?”

It was a sign that he was going to speak openly. It also meant that he didn’t need to worry about Hwawon.

“Of course.”

Moyong Gun’s voice was sincere.

“They were people who had nothing to do with you. You might be angry, but what’s important to you is not stabbing me in the back, but completing the mission.”

“Are you saying that sincerely?”

“Did you think I wasn’t?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“You killed innocent people for your own selfish desires.”

“So, did that cause any harm to you?”

“I can’t work with someone I don’t trust. And before that, I want you to think about why we were assigned to this mission.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“On a small scale, it’s to keep the other side in check, but on a larger scale, isn’t it to create a better world? But you, as the commander of this operation, came all the way here and not only killed innocent people to satisfy your own desires, but also left the cleanup to the practical team.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with a smile.

“Now, answer me. Putting aside the trust in each other’s abilities, can you trust a person who is mentally disturbed by such petty acts that even a third-rate thug wouldn’t do?”

“I’m telling you clearly…”

“If I did such a thing without saying a word to you while you were going through all that trouble, how would you react?”

Moyong Gun closed his mouth.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“That’s it. As you know, I’m quite narrow-minded. I never forget what I’ve suffered.”

“I know. You and I are both narrow-minded people. But the reason why that’s not a big disadvantage is because we know when to act.”

Flash! Flash!

Lightning-like aura erupted from Moyong Gun’s eyes.

Moyong Gun was genuinely furious, and the power of the ancient martial art, the Thunderclap Art [a fictional martial art], which he had been controlling well, was slowly leaking out.

“Tell me. Are you serious? Did you really do this pointless thing just to see me flustered?”

“What if I did?”

“I’d be disappointed. Truly.”

Moyong Gun frowned.

“You, is this all you are? If you wanted to vent your anger, you could have done it after this mission was over.”

“I absolutely shouldn’t do that.”

“What?”

“If I waited until after this mission, you would know I’d strike and prepare for it. Why would I give you time to prepare?”

Moyong Gun was dumbfounded.

“Do you want this mission to fail?”

“That’s exactly it. You’re thinking that since completing this mission is the top priority, I won’t try anything foolish, right?”

“……!”

“That’s quite a funny assumption. Why would I need to choose between completing the mission and stabbing you in the back when I can do both?”

Moyong Gun’s face hardened.

A cold air settled. In that atmosphere, Hwawon was at a loss.

‘What? What kind of conversation is this?’

Could it be that the two of them knew each other?

‘What the…?’

Moyong Gun glanced at the bewildered her and said as if spitting out the words.

“Bringing in that impudent wench means that it’s okay if something happens in this space, right?”

“That’s right.”

“You’ll see when you get back. I dare say that you won’t be able to avoid punishment this time.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“You should also look forward to it. I’ve already set the stage.”

“What?”

At that moment.

Thud!

Terror washed over Hwawon’s face.

“Monkey.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had already thrust a spear into her solar plexus, said coldly.

“I told you, you don’t need to repay any favors.”

“Cough!”

“If you’re going to play tricks with alcohol in the afterlife, make sure you know your opponent’s level.”

Hwawon’s body trembled.

“You, you bastard… !”

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised the spear as it was.

Fwoosh!

Hwawon’s body was split vertically.