Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 356

Thud, thud, thud.

Yeon-wi’s eyes gleamed.

The sun was slowly rising in the east. It had been more than three hours since Moyong Gun had left.

Despite this, Yeon-wi didn’t relax his heightened senses. Thanks to this, he was quite tired, but he could hear the sound of horses’ hooves from a considerable distance.

Swoosh!

Yeon-wi dashed towards the source of the hoofbeats at a terrifying speed.

A short while later.

“Halt the entire army.”

The person who stopped his horse at the front was a young man with a neat appearance.

Although he looked young, the sharpness and wisdom in his eyes indicated that he was not as young as he appeared.

A martial artist clad in heavy armor, riding a famous horse. At his waist was a military longsword, longer and broader than any sword in the Central Plains.

It was Moyong Woo, the commander of the Tangma Army [a renowned cavalry unit], making his appearance.

“You’ve arrived.”

Swish.

Moyong Woo dismounted his horse and clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“I am Moyong Woo, commander of the Tangma Army. I greet the head of the Yeon family.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes shone.

‘I’ve felt it before, but he’s truly remarkable.’

His gaze, aura, and words all seemed near perfect.

He was in stark contrast to the first son. If Yeon Ho-Jeong had the aesthetics of unconventionality, Moyong Woo was a man who lived with the aesthetics of orthodoxy. If Yeon Ho-Jeong was as hot and dangerous as a blazing fire, Moyong Woo was as calm and steady as still water.

Two young men who reached the pinnacle of the younger generation despite having completely different temperaments.

‘To think such a young man is the younger brother of the Moyong family head, it’s truly baffling.’

How could they be so different despite sharing the same blood? Even his own two sons had vastly different personalities, but both fundamentally lived by the value of ‘righteousness.’

In that sense, he wondered if Moyong Gun and Moyong Woo were really from the same bloodline.

“You’ve had a long journey to get here.”

“It’s nothing.”

“I heard the hoofbeats of the Tangma Army from the distant encampment. I was worried that the enemies might hear you if you moved any further, so I came to meet you first.”

“I see. I was also thinking of stopping around here.”

“I see.”

“But…”

Moyong Woo looked around.

“Where is Moyong Bong-gong [a respectful title for a family head]? I don’t sense his presence.”

Moyong Gun would have arrived before Yeon-wi if he had heard the hoofbeats. But since he was nowhere to be seen, it was understandable that he was curious.

Yeon-wi spoke with a serious face.

“There’s something I need to tell you about that.”

He explained the plan with Moyong Gun to Moyong Woo.

Moyong Woo’s eyes wavered.

“…Is that really possible?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. But Moyong family head said it was definitely possible. It’s a shame to have to ask for help, but if you think about it, it’s an enemy that Yeo Gong [another respectful title] must defeat no matter what. So, I think there’s a possibility.”

“I see.”

“The problem is you all.”

Yeon-wi asked with a somewhat worried voice.

“It’s a plan that was thought up on the spot… Have you ever trained separately for this kind of tactic?”

It was a question he asked without much expectation.

Surprisingly, Moyong Woo nodded.

“Of course.”

“Huh! Really?”

“Yes. The Tangma Army is different from the Myeolsa Army [a special forces unit]. If the Myeolsa Army is suitable for special attacks, our Tangma Army is skilled in frontal battles.”

“Then isn’t it even stranger? It would make more sense if the Myeolsa Army had done that kind of training…”

“No. The Tangma Army always faces battles head-on. We must push forward with overwhelming power and combat strength, but sometimes our power can be drastically reduced by the enemy’s bizarre tactics.”

“Hmm.”

“We have trained a lot in preparation for such situations. You two Bong-gongs don’t need to worry too much.”

Yeon-wi nodded.

“Since you’re so confident, I understand. I trust you.”

“Thank you.”

Moyong Woo pointed to the Tangma Army with his hand.

“I’ll go give the orders for a moment.”

“Go ahead.”

Moyong Woo, who had given a short bow, called the squad leaders and gave them their orders.

Yeon-wi, who was watching the scene from afar, smiled without realizing it.

‘He’s a decent young man.’

A short while later, the soldiers each led their horses and scattered in different directions. They fed the horses hay and rested comfortably, but their eyes, as they looked around, were still sharp.

Moyong Woo approached.

“I’ll take charge of this place. When Moyong Bong-gong returns, how about we meet again then?”

“Of course, we should. I need to keep an eye on the situation over there too.”

“Yes, I understand. Ah!”

“What is it?”

Moyong Woo asked curiously.

“How is Yeon Gun-jang [a respectful title for a military leader] doing? Have you not received any news yet?”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“The battle probably ended a few hours ago.”

He didn’t mention the result of the battle. Of course, he believed that Yeon Ho-Jeong, Tang Gwan, and Muk Bi would have done well, but one never knew what could happen.

Moyong Woo, seeing a hint of anxiety on Yeon-wi’s face, smiled and said.

“Don’t worry too much. Yeon Gun-jang would have done well enough. Moreover, since Tang family head went with him, he will soon send news of victory.”

“I hope so.”

“Even if they didn’t win, they will all be safe. The Yeon Gun-jang I know is not one to dwell on a losing battle, so he will surely act wisely.”

Yeon-wi smiled.

“It seems you know my son well.”

Moyong Woo smiled back.

“Of course, I should know him well. I need to know more to even follow in Yeon Gun-jang’s footsteps.”

“What? Haha.”

Yeon-wi burst out laughing at Moyong Woo’s words. He knew it was a remark meant to comfort him, but hearing these words made his worries feel a little lighter.

Time passed like that.

Moyong Gun, who said he would be back within two days, arrived at the group’s location two and a half days later.

It was past the hour of the Ox [around 1-3 AM], in the early morning.

“I’m back.”

Yeon-wi said calmly.

“You’re later than I expected.”

“I’m sorry. I tried to contact you in the middle, but I was too busy.”

“Hmm?”

“Let’s gather first.”

Moyong Gun called Moyong Woo.

“How is the Tangma Army?”

“They’re ready to fight anytime.”

“Good.”

Yeon-wi asked.

“So, what does Yeo Gong intend to do?”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“We succeeded. He will send the supplies here within an hour.”

“…That’s a relief.”

It was a relief, but now was the time to really be on guard. As soon as the supplies arrived, the battle would begin.

Then, Moyong Gun said something meaningful.

“Either way, it seems the fight will be easier.”

“What do you mean?”

“The people bringing the supplies will be our allies.”

“Hmm?”

Moyong Gun grinned.

Yeon-wi and Moyong Woo, who didn’t understand, could only tilt their heads.

* * *

Two days ago.

Swish, swish, swish, swish!

Tang Gwan’s hidden weapon techniques were truly terrifying.

It seemed like he was just scattering them randomly, but people kept dying every time. Even excluding Seok-Gyeong and Mu-Seong, there was no one who could be called weak, yet people were dying every time.

Seok-Gyeong gritted his teeth.

“This is such a damn mess!”

Poison, and hidden weapons.

He hadn’t let his guard down, but honestly, he thought that such skills would be completely useless in front of the sacred fire.

It was a natural confidence. No matter what poison or hidden weapon techniques were scattered throughout the Central Plains, they would not be able to exert their power in front of the Divine Flame of the Shin Hwa Sect [a powerful martial arts sect].

But if the person using that poison and hidden weapons was at Tang Gwan’s level, then things were different.

If the elders of the Tang family had attacked in a group, it would have been easier. But Tang Gwan was a master who used poison techniques that the elders could not use, and handled hidden weapons as naturally as breathing.

The threat of death that one person was spreading was surprisingly completely blocking the advance of the Shin Hwa soldiers. Of course, if they were to charge to their deaths, they could somehow break through the barrier, but that would be like killing dozens of hunting dogs to catch one wolf.

No matter how important the orders were, they couldn’t do that.

That was why the fight was dragging on. They tried to attack somehow, but they couldn’t get close to Tang Gwan at all.

Then there was only one breakthrough.

Clang!

Mu-Seong finally spat out blood from the axe swing that was raised from the lower to the upper right.

There was a limit to the internal energy shield. The weight of the Gwangryongbu [a heavy, powerful weapon] was not something that could be blocked. The accumulated shock was constantly triggering internal injuries.

“Hoo.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face also became somewhat pale.

It was because he had fully opened the Yeon family’s divine energy and was using all of his divine energy in the battle.

No matter how much internal energy he had, he would inevitably run out of energy if he was outputting this much power. If he hadn’t built up his cardiopulmonary capacity through extreme physical training, his breathing would have started to falter.

Swoosh!

Seok-Gyeong, who had been watching Tang Gwan, suddenly charged at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Clang!

Yeon Ho-Jeong spat out blood and retreated. He blocked the force with the shaft of the Gwangryongbu, but the penetrating force that was coming in was shaking his insides.

Whoosh!

The Black Tortoise energy surged up and blocked the penetrating force of the fire energy. However, even though he blocked the penetrating force, he couldn’t stop his internal organs from shaking.

At that moment, Tang Gwan’s eyes flashed.

Whoosh! Bang!

Seok-Gyeong retreated three or four steps at the right time.

He knew that if he attacked Yeon Ho-Jeong, Tang Gwan’s attack would surely follow. He had prepared for that, so he was able to offset the shock by retreating three or four steps. If he hadn’t, he would have been poisoned by the poison palm.

Then, an amazing thing happened.

Swoosh!

Mu-Seong, who had charged forward while spraying blood, grabbed Yeon Ho-Jeong by the collar and pushed him forward.

Seok-Gyeong’s eyes widened.

“Mu-Seong!”

“Uwaaah!”

Mu-Seong swung his fists like crazy.

Bang! Bang!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body shook with the explosions.

Thud! Crack!

Yeon Ho-Jeong also swung his arms and legs like crazy. Mu-Seong’s face was a mess from his knee strikes and elbow attacks.

However, neither of them were able to use their full strength in their attacks. Because the distance was too close, if they put in more than a certain amount of power, both of them could lose their lives.

The two, who seemed to be taking a breather for a moment, started swinging their fists at each other like crazy again.

Thud! Thud, thud, thud! Splatter!

It was a sudden brawl. Seok-Gyeong was at a loss for words at Mu-Seong’s appearance, which he had never seen before.

Mu-Seong shouted.

“Retreat! We lost the first round!”

Seok-Gyeong’s eyes shook as if an earthquake had struck.

That one word that he couldn’t believe, didn’t want to believe.

That’s right. Even though the difference in power was this great, they couldn’t break through Yeon Ho-Jeong and Tang Gwan.

It was because Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts were more impenetrable than he had thought, and Tang Gwan’s poison and hidden weapons were unimaginably terrifying. If it had been a one-on-one battle, it would have been easier, but in a ‘war’ that utilized the terrain, they had lost.

“Cough! I’ll hold these guys back, so retreat to the entrance! First, put some distance between us and reorganize…”

That was when it happened.

Swoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had knocked away Mu-Seong’s arm, grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the ground.

“Cough!”

The entire back that was slammed into the ground felt like it was about to break.

Mu-Seong instinctively raised his leg and kicked.

Thud!

Blood spurted from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mouth. By now, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face was as bloodied as Mu-Seong’s.

But Yeon Ho-Jeong did not back down.

Crack!

“Krrrk!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was strangling Mu-Seong’s neck with the shaft of the Gwangryongbu, buried his face in his back and shouted.

“Muk Bi!!”

At that moment, Seok-Gyeong saw a streak of light flashing from the cliff far away.

“No!”

Whoosh!

A single long iron dart blew off Mu-Seong’s head.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who saw the scene, grinned. He was cheering with his swollen face.

“You’ve held out well. Now it’s time to join the battle.”

Swoosh!

Muk Bi, who had soared like a bird, loaded five iron darts into the Crimson Lotus Bow.

Seok-Gyeong shouted without realizing it.

“Retreat! Everyone retreat!”

Tick, tick, tick, tick!