Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 244

“Currently, two squads of the Four Soul Group are pursuing the experts believed to be from the Moyong family’s special operations unit. One squad is moving north, and the other is moving east, cutting off their retreat routes and advancing.”

Yangcheon’s expression was as cold as ice as he listened to Baekseo’s report. He was listening to Baekseo’s report while glaring at the prostrate Hwansa with his eyes.

Baekseo continued.

“Currently, five squads of the Twelve Zodiacs are engaged in combat with the Moyong family’s forces. Cheongho, Suryong, and Gwanggyeon are fighting against the head of the Moyong family. According to reports, the head of the Moyong family’s martial arts skills are exceptional, so a difficult battle is expected…”

“Do you know your sin?”

Baekseo stopped his report.

Yangcheon’s words were directed at Hwansa, not Baekseo.

Hwansa said in a trembling voice.

“Please, kill me.”

Yangcheon’s face contorted.

“Baekseo sent you with the Intelligence Chief not simply to assist him. It was meant to ensure that he, at least, would survive even in the worst-case scenario.”

“…”

“Yet, instead of saving him, you lost consciousness and were carried back on the back of a subordinate?”

Hwansa bit his lip.

“…Please, kill me.”

He had nothing else to say but to ask for death.

Yangcheon, who had been glaring at Hwansa with a distorted face, eventually sighed.

“Report in detail.”

Hwansa reported the situation in as calm a tone as possible.

His reports were always clear. His greatest strength was delivering events from an objective perspective, excluding his own opinions.

After listening to Hwansa’s entire report, Yangcheon let out a soft sigh.

“This bastard…”

The image of the Intelligence Chief, Jeong, came to mind.

A confident tone, a slightly tense face, but eyes sparkling with passion and wisdom.

He was the type to take responsibility for almost everything. Despite his rough nature, he knew how to step back, saying he would bring his fellow disciples later so that the higher-ups wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.

It was a short relationship, but he thought he had gained a talent that he would never see again in his life.

“It seemed as if the heavens were giving this Yangcheon a hidden dragon, but suddenly, dark clouds came and snatched away the dragon that hadn’t even sprouted yet.”

Yangcheon closed his eyes.

“How truly frustrating. Is it not yet the time?”

At first, he had even suspected, for a very brief moment, that the guy might be a spy from another group.

But what group in the world would send such a genius as a spy, and furthermore, try to fix the problems of the infiltrated organization from the root?

Rather than trying to gain his trust by flattering him, he would have reorganized the organization and even stolen funds from the merchant group heading to the Murim Alliance [a large martial arts alliance] to offer them.

Such a remarkable talent was caught up in a fight and died before he could even bloom. It was truly absurd.

“Moyong Gun.”

Crush.

The armrest that Yangcheon’s hand touched crumbled into dust.

“You dare to touch the headquarters.”

There was another part that made him even angrier.

‘That the Moyong family cannot be touched carelessly.’

If he were to stand alone, he wouldn’t have left Moyong or Shaolin alone. He would have crushed them by any means possible.

However, as the leader of an organization, he couldn’t rashly touch one of the pillars of the Murim Alliance.

If the power of the Black Dragon Unit was sufficient to fight against the Murim Alliance, he would have sent all his forces immediately to wipe out the Moyong family.

‘Whatever the reason, Moyong Gun touched the headquarters. That means they knew about our existence.’

At that moment, Hwansa spoke.

“Deputy Leader.”

“What is it?”

“Please… send me to the Moyong family.”

“What?”

“The person who should have died was not the Intelligence Chief, but me. But the Intelligence Chief died, and I survived instead.”

Hwansa raised his head.

Hwansa’s eyes, usually known for their coldness, were bloodshot.

“Although it was a short relationship, the Intelligence Chief’s abilities and character were more than enough to become a pillar of the headquarters. How can I stand by and watch such a talent die before he could even bloom?”

“…”

“I will not send him to the afterlife alone. Please, give me your command.”

Yangcheon, who had been silently glaring at Hwansa, shouted.

“Shut up!”

“…”

“Your sin deserves death! But the Intelligence Chief saved you, not himself! That means the Intelligence Chief’s life is also on your shoulders!”

Hwansa bit his lip.

Yangcheon waved his hand.

“Return to your quarters and reflect. I will not specifically punish you for this incident, so contemplate what it truly means to serve the headquarters.”

“…I obey the Deputy Leader’s command.”

It was an unconventional measure.

And this measure showed that Yangcheon’s capacity was by no means small. Even if it was his most favored subordinate, it was not easy to let him reflect without any punishment.

As Hwansa left, Yangcheon asked Baekseo.

“Moyong Gun knew about the existence of the headquarters.”

“That is correct.”

He deliberately avoided talking about the Intelligence Chief. There was something more important now.

Yangcheon’s eyes turned cold.

“If Moyong Gun knows, it is safe to assume that the Murim Alliance also knows about the existence of the headquarters.”

Baekseo cautiously opened his mouth.

“Perhaps, that may not be the case.”

“Why do you think so?”

“If they knew of our existence, they wouldn’t have bothered to separate the Moyong family’s forces to just blow up the entrance.”

Yangcheon’s eyes flashed.

“If they were going to attack, they would have done it decisively, and if they were going to watch, they wouldn’t have touched it at all?”

“That is what I believe.”

Yangcheon nodded.

“You are right.”

He tried to regain his composure, but he had lost the Intelligence Chief not long after regaining his senses. Even Yangcheon couldn’t show his usual insight.

“But, I don’t think we can be certain.”

“…”

Yangcheon rose from his seat.

His eyes were burning with anger. Baekseo had served Yangcheon for over ten years, and he had never seen him this angry.

“So, where is Moyong Gun now?”

* * *

“Huff, huff.”

The group was gasping for breath.

Gang Ryang said.

“Is everyone alright?”

Although he was from the Black Path [a term for the underworld or criminal organizations], Gang Ryang was very polite. Since they would be working together in the future, he meant to treat those older than him with respect.

Gang Ryang’s eyes wavered.

“But where is that person now? And what are those explosions we hear from over there…?”

“Hey.”

Paeyul asked Ga Deuk-Sang.

“You said we just need to cross Tianzi Mountain, right?”

“Hah, hah, yes, that’s right.”

Ga Deuk-Sang asked, catching his breath.

“But senior, are you really going to leave like this?”

“Of course.”

“The Field Operations Leader is staying behind to fight the enemies!”

“So, are you saying we should go help him?”

Ga Deuk-Sang bit his lip.

“We can’t just leave Young Master Yeon behind.”

At that moment, Jeagal Ayeon spoke.

“Distinguish between public and private matters, Huga.”

Everyone was surprised and looked at Jeagal Ayeon.

Jeagal Ayeon’s breathing was also very rough. However, unlike her rough breathing, her expression was colder than anyone else here.

“The Field Operations Leader stayed behind because he was capable of doing so. If we were helpful, he wouldn’t have thought of separating alone in the first place.”

“B-but…”

“Going to help the Field Operations Leader now is disobeying the superior’s orders. Furthermore, it is an act that hinders this mission.”

“The mission is practically over! In this situation, leaving our ally behind is rather…”

“Hey!”

Ga Deuk-Sang flinched at the sharp voice.

Jeagal Ayeon’s eyes were blazing with anger.

“Do you think we don’t want to help the Field Operations Leader? Don’t act like you’re the only one who cares. There are people who are more desperate than you, Huga.”

“…”

“Me, and you too, are weak. A weakling presumptuously going to save a strong person? Do you want to die that badly?”

“…”

“If you want to die that badly, bite a sword and fall over right here. Don’t use others as a reason to go die.”

It was a harsh statement.

But people knew. Jeagal Ayeon was also, or rather, she was the most desperate. She was somehow trying to soothe the pain that felt like her heart was being torn apart.

Ga Deuk-Sang, looking at Jeagal Ayeon with wavering eyes, lowered his head.

“…I have disturbed your mind with unnecessary words. I apologize.”

Jeagal Ayeon sighed.

“I know. I know how angry you are, Huga. But we need to be calm, especially at times like this.”

“Miss is right.”

Jeagal Ayeon looked at Paeyul and asked.

“Looking at the time of the support request and the last contact with the support forces, I think we can meet them in about an hour. It would be better to start without resting, even if it’s difficult.”

Paeyul nodded.

“Let’s do that.”

“Yes.”

Whoosh!

Thus, the group used their movement techniques.

In the quiet forest, rough breaths echoed all around.

Gang Ryang, who was carefully observing the group, asked Paeyul.

“What has happened in the meantime?”

He asked him because he was the most composed person. Paeyul’s breathing was not normal either, but he was the most stable among them.

Paeyul said.

“It’s complicated to explain. You can hear the story from that guy later.”

Gang Ryang scratched his head.

“I understand.”

He must be frustrated. He had waited on the mountain peak for a day and a half, but the most important person was nowhere to be seen, and only the group had come to move together.

Once he believed, he believed to the end. But he couldn’t help but be curious.

‘By the way.’

Gang Ryang looked around at the group with surprised eyes.

‘For these people to be this exhausted.’

Even Jeagal Ayeon, the weakest among them, was difficult to gauge in a fight. Especially the perception and formation she had shown when leading him to the manor were truly amazing.

In a way, it was a greater power than martial arts. In other words, everyone here was an extraordinary talent.

For such people to be this exhausted.

‘Black Dragon Unit…’

Gang Ryang’s face darkened.

‘Was the Black Dragon Unit such a strong organization?’

He could understand why Yeon Ho-Jeong had said he wouldn’t last more than a month. If he hadn’t experienced this situation, he still wouldn’t have realized it.

‘It’s okay. I know now.’

Gang Ryang bit his lip.

‘I need power. Until I become stronger than anyone else, I will never act rashly.’

How long had they been running?

It was less than half an hour since they had started moving again.

‘……?’

Gang Ryang’s eyes flashed.

“Someone is coming.”

“I know.”

Paeyul turned to Jeagal Ayeon.

Surprise was also evident on Jeagal Ayeon’s face.

“You said it would take an hour, what’s so fast?”

Thud thud thud thud.

The mountains and rivers were shaking.

Surprisingly, the loud sound of horses’ hooves and the vibrations shaking the earth were approaching at a terrifying speed. It was almost as fast as the movement technique of a top-tier expert.

And a moment later.

Kwaaaang!

The huge rock blocking the way shattered into pieces and scattered.

Gang Ryang’s mouth dropped open.

Hee hee hee hee hee!

Dozens of warhorses roared like dragons, closing the distance at an incredible speed.

“W-what is that?!”

Agitation filled Jeagal Ayeon’s eyes.

“The Myeolsa Army [a military unit]!”

It was then.

Whoosh!

Someone with a bow on their back grabbed Jeagal Ayeon’s collar and pulled her up.

“Commander Muk!”

“Hyah!”

Kwarurururung!

Fifty mounted soldiers passed through the group.

None of the warriors on horseback opened their mouths. They were just silently driving their horses roughly with calm eyes.

On their way to save their superior, the Myeolsa Army Commander.

Their terrifyingly heated killing intent was becoming a fierce storm, shaking Tianzi Mountain.