Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 379

Flutter, flutter, flutter!

Though it was full spring, the wind in the mountains was still strong and sharp.

Five huge flags, flapping in the wind, announced the departure of the Righteous Army.

The atmosphere was quite different from when the combined forces of the Tang and Myeolsa clans had set out before. The number of soldiers was the same, and the justification for the operation was the same, but there was one crucial difference.

They were now one.

They were no longer in a situation where each had a role to play on an equal footing, but rather, they had become a single unit that had to carry out a single mission.

The burden and sense of unity had sharpened the eyes of the entire Righteous Army to a fierce degree. Naturally, their aura had also become sharper, and in the end, their departure generated such tremendous force that it was difficult for onlookers to even breathe.

“It’s quite a sight.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes deepened as he looked down at the Righteous Army from the ramparts.

“Their sharp tension is palpable even up here. Yeon Ho-Jeong is definitely a remarkable man.”

Tang Gwan chuckled.

“If that guy were truly exceptional, he would have been able to quell that excessive energy a bit more. It seems they haven’t completely integrated yet.”

“Well, that was inevitable. Commander Yeon has been so busy. But with his personality and abilities, I believe he can truly unite the Righteous Army through this mission.”

“Hmph! If that really happens, that arrogant bastard’s nose will be even higher.”

Though he grumbled, Tang Gwan’s gaze at Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was at the forefront, was calmer than ever.

Even though he said that, he also believed in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s abilities. Especially after the recent debate where he pointed out the shortcomings of Mancheon Gong [a martial arts technique] and Hwawoo Gong [another martial arts technique], Tang Gwan’s view of Yeon Ho-Jeong had become more lenient and profound.

“By the way…”

Tang Gwan glanced at Yeon Wi.

“Are you alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“His axe skills are well-known, so I’m not too worried about that, but that thieving bastard took your second son with him.”

“…”

“I saw before that your second son’s talent is not ordinary either. But he still seemed young.”

It wasn’t just that he was young in age. The point was that he lacked experience and martial arts skills.

Yeon Wi shook his head coldly.

“My second son’s talent is arguably the best in the family’s history. But as Clan Leader Tang said, he is still very lacking.”

“And yet?”

“I believe in my second son’s talent. And I believe in my first son’s insight and abilities. They will surely return safely.”

“If those two are to return safely, they must complete their mission successfully. Do you think they can succeed in this mission?”

“I just believe in Ho-Jeong.”

He answered every question, but it was clear from his tone that he was quite troubled.

Tang Gwan, who had been staring at Yeon Wi, turned his body.

“Let’s go. Let’s go have a drink.”

“It’s alright.”

“I’m not alright, so let’s go. There’s no meeting today and nothing to do, so we should have a drink and lift our spirits.”

Yeon Wi gave a bitter smile. He was grateful that Tang Gwan was trying to be considerate, but no matter how he thought about it, as a parent who had sent his children to the battlefield, there was no way he could swallow any alcohol.

It was then.

“It’s too early to celebrate.”

Tang Gwan’s eyes turned cold.

The one walking up the ramparts was Moyong Gun.

“This mission is not something that can be handled simply with the Righteous Army’s abilities and the main alliance’s intelligence. The southern part of the Central Plains is where the Black Path [a term for evil or unorthodox martial arts sects] is stronger than the White Path [a term for righteous or orthodox martial arts sects], and the difficulty of the mission will depend on how the Mukryong Clan acts.”

“That’s an interesting thing to say.”

Tang Gwan openly sneered.

“Isn’t that why we sent our capable Clan Leader Moyong to the Mukryong Clan?”

“Yang Cheon is a dangerous man. He is a chivalrous man with his own pride, but he has already tasted the sweetness of power. I think he will handle it well, but if he acts out of line, the entire Righteous Army could be in danger.”

“You know him very well. So, you were comrades aiming for the pinnacle of the martial world together?”

Moyong Gun stared directly at Tang Gwan and said,

“I have never joined hands with him.”

Tang Gwan snorted.

“Of course, you wouldn’t.”

It was a truth that should not be revealed to the public. Moyong Gun also knew that they knew about the relationship between him and Yang Cheon, but he still couldn’t openly admit it.

Well, now that it was all over, it didn’t matter anymore.

Moyong Gun continued.

“Anyway, the one who can best grasp the current movements of the Mukryong Clan is our clan, which is based in the same Honam region. The Moyong Clan will take care of the Righteous Army’s rear as they pass through Honam and head to the southernmost point, so the rest of you should help the army and extract only the important information from the gathered intelligence.”

“You’re acting like a superior.”

“I just thought it was the most rational division of roles.”

Just as Tang Gwan was about to speak again, Jeagal Mun-Ho said,

“Clan Leader Moyong is right. Now is not the time for us to bicker amongst ourselves, but rather, it is the time for all of us to support the Righteous Army so that they can complete their mission successfully.”

Yeon Wi asked,

“Strategist.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Can you spare some time?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho could guess why Yeon Wi was asking. He was curious about the reason for sending the Righteous Army out so hastily.

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled and said,

“Of course. But before that, I have something to discuss with Clan Leader Moyong, so could you please excuse us for a moment?”

“…I understand. I’ll wait in the office.”

“Thank you.”

Thus, only Jeagal Mun-Ho and Moyong Gun remained on the ramparts where Yeon Wi and Tang Gwan had left.

Moyong Gun asked in a calm voice,

“What do you have to say to me separately?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho said,

“Have you completely severed ties with the Mukryong Clan?”

“That’s an interesting thing to say. Didn’t I say that I have never traded with them?”

“I will no longer discuss this matter. In other words, this is our last conversation.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho took out several documents from his pocket.

“These are documents that prove your connection to Mukryong Clan Leader Yang Cheon.”

“… !”

“Of course, they are not solid evidence. They are just records and analyses of the circumstantial evidence we have gathered so far. I have not shown these documents to anyone.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes turned cold.

“What are you trying to do?”

“While it is not conclusive evidence, if this were to spread throughout the martial world, not only would Clan Leader Moyong’s reputation fall to the ground, but the Moyong Clan’s position would also be severely damaged. They might even face a critical financial crisis. The merchants who trade with the Moyong Clan also live by reputation and rumors, and if such bad rumors spread, they are likely to turn their backs as well.”

“Are you trying to start a war with our clan?”

“Of course not.”

Whoosh!

Blue flames rose from Jeagal Mun-Ho’s hand.

The Jeagal Clan’s divine arts are fundamentally based on martial arts that utilize wood and water energy. The fact that Jeagal Mun-Ho could naturally summon Samadhi Fire [a powerful flame in Buddhist and Taoist traditions] as if breathing showed that his martial arts were no less than those of other clan leaders.

Jeagal Mun-Ho, having dusted off his hand, said calmly,

“I have systematically organized these documents, thinking that they might be useful someday. You may or may not believe it, but the information related to this is all I have.”

“…”

“Now that I’ve burned them all, let’s have a frank conversation for the last time.”

“…What do you want to hear?”

“I’ll ask again.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s expression turned cold.

“Have you completely severed ties with the Mukryong Clan, specifically with the Mukryong Clan Leader?”

“…”

“Please answer me.”

“What meaning does my answer have for you?”

“I burned the documents first for a smooth conversation. So, I hope you won’t deflect and dilute the sincerity of my question.”

“…”

“I’ll ask you. Have you completely severed ties with the Mukryong Clan Leader?”

Moyong Gun, who had been staring at Jeagal Mun-Ho, spat out,

“I am the one who has angered Yang Cheon and returned alive.”

“…”

“I have stabbed the heart of such a proud man with a dagger. If it were me, I would let him live for now, but I would vow to tear him apart and kill him the next time we met.”

He was indirectly saying that the relationship had completely broken down.

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes lit up.

“Then I understand that your relationship with Vice Clan Leader Yang has been completely severed.”

“But why is that so important?”

“It is important. The reason I agreed to let Clan Leader Yeon allow you to go to Yang Cheon alone was because I wanted to see your reaction.”

“… !”

“As Clan Leader Moyong said, since Moyong Gun has joined Commander Yeon’s command, there is no better hostage. Nevertheless, I hope you understand why I have to be suspicious of you.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded and added,

“The Clan Leader Moyong I know is someone who can lie as naturally as breathing if he sets his mind to it. But to me, this person doesn’t seem to be lying, at least not now.”

“…”

“I look forward to working with you.”

“Just to find that out?”

“It’s not just that. If a comrade we have to fight alongside has a malicious intent that we don’t know about, how can we trust them and ride in the same boat?”

“…”

“I apologize for pushing you so rudely. You may return now.”

Moyong Gun, who had been staring at Jeagal Mun-Ho, turned his body.

“Don’t touch the past. It’s the truth.”

“Of course.”

Moyong Gun descended from the ramparts.

Jeagal Mun-Ho turned his head back to the Righteous Army. By now, the Righteous Army was crossing the distant mountain ridge. It was an incredible speed.

“…Commander Yeon.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled faintly.

“It seems we can proceed.”

Half an hour later.

Flap, flap!

A crow, spreading its large wings and gliding, landed on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s shoulder.

Yeon Ho-Jeong took out the message tube attached to the crow’s leg and read it.

“…Hmm, so there was no trickery after all.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, with a bitter smile, took out a piece of jerky from his pocket and fed it to the crow.

“You’ve worked hard. Go back now.”

Caw, caw!

The crow, with a powerful cry, soared into the sky and approached the distant mountain peak. It was an incredible speed.

Muk Bi and Moyong Woo approached him.

“Is that a message from the alliance?”

“Yes.”

“What does it say?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s nothing much. It just says that we can proceed with the orders we received before departure.”

“Huh?”

Proceed with the orders they received? What did that mean?

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his horse’s reins.

Neigh, neigh!

The weight of the Gwangryong Unit [a special military unit] was so great that they needed special warhorses to bear it. The warhorse that Yeon Ho-Jeong was riding this time was a divine horse that boasted a thicker and more well-proportioned body than any other warhorse the soldiers were riding.

“Before heading to the south through Honam, there is a place we need to stop by.”

“Stop by? Where are you talking about?”

“The Mukryong Clan.”

“…Huh?!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled coldly.

“It’s been a while, Fighting King.”