Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 390

“My Lord, urgent news.”

Though he spoke of urgent news, his voice was calm. The assassins under the Yin God were all so emotionless.

Yayul Jeok spoke with a languid expression.

“Report.”

“A unit that appears to be affiliated with the Martial Alliance has entered Guangdong. The exact number is unknown, but judging by their light armor and the fact that they are leading horses, it is expected to be the Myeolsa Army, one of the elite units.”

“The Myeolsa Army, you say.”

Yayul Jeok had heard of the Myeolsa Army. It was said to be a small, elite unit that had swept through the vicious Black Dao [a term for unorthodox or evil martial arts] factions as soon as it was created.

“The Martial Alliance has two elite units. Did the Tang Ma Army come with them as well?”

“We are currently investigating, but the Dark Bird Unit has stated that it is highly likely.”

“I see.”

Yayul Jeok’s eyes gleamed.

‘The Tang Ma and Myeolsa elite units.’

If one was from the Three Teachings [referring to Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism], especially the Evil Yin Sect, they could not be ignorant of the Tang Ma and Myeolsa elite units.

‘They were the ones who defeated those hungry wolves, weren’t they?’

The hungry wolves referred to the Corridor Band. They were the worst marauders in the outer regions, and under the command of the outstanding demon, Pa Sa-Reuk, they had become a force with power comparable to a major sect.

And it was the Tang Ma Army and the Myeolsa Army that had crushed that major sect-level force.

So Bang said,

“I expected them to come, but it seems they sent some decent ones.”

“Indeed.”

“But their leaders are just kids.”

So Bang smiled wryly.

“Yeon Ho-Jeong and Moyong Woo, right? The so-called ‘Tiger Sword Duo,’ the rising stars of the younger generation.”

The Tiger Sword Duo was a nickname for Yeon Ho-Jeong and Moyong Woo, the strongest rising stars of the current generation.

Among them, Yeon Ho-Jeong was more highly regarded.

Moyong Woo was around thirty years old, while Yeon Ho-Jeong was just over twenty. Despite being younger, he had broken through the wall of the Martial Ancestor [a significant milestone in martial arts cultivation] before Moyong Woo, so it was inevitable that he would be more highly regarded.

Of course, there were few who would call Moyong Woo second to him.

In any case, from Yayul Jeok and So Bang’s perspective, they were just kids.

Yayul Jeok said,

“You were the one who told me not to be careless.”

“I know. I’m just saying, I’m not being careless. The Martial Alliance isn’t stupid; they wouldn’t send real kids to a place they consider an important battleground.”

“I suppose not.”

“However, in any organization, if the leader is defeated, the morale of the subordinates is bound to drop.”

So Bang stroked his chin.

“So, wouldn’t it be better to capture the leaders first?”

Yayul Jeok also agreed with So Bang’s words. That was why he had trained his assassins more thoroughly. Training to numb their emotions to the extreme, so they wouldn’t waver even if their leader died, was essential.

“Let’s proceed cautiously for now.”

“Of course, that would be best.”

So Bang rose from his seat.

“You do it your way. I’ll do it my way.”

Yayul Jeok frowned.

His complexion was as pale as a corpse, and his frown made the atmosphere instantly colder.

“Are you going to interfere?”

“What did you hear me say? I said I’d do it my way.”

“Guangdong is my territory.”

“No, it’s just an area that the main sect has entrusted to you, not your territory.”

“Whatever it is, I will not allow any rash actions.”

“Sorry, but I’m not your subordinate. Rather, I’m here under orders from above. You’re the one who should be following my orders. But I’m telling you I won’t bother you, right?”

Murderous intent flickered in Yayul Jeok’s eyes.

“Don’t complicate things, So Bang.”

So Bang’s smile turned cold.

“I’m trying to make things simple. Why are you stopping me when I’m helping a moron who’s cutting his own throat with the excuse of caution?”

“……”

“I have no intention of interfering. I’ll just catch one of Yeon Ho-Jeong or Moyong Woo, and you can deal with the rest. Isn’t that enough for you?”

His words were so infuriating that Yayul Jeok seriously considered eliminating So Bang right there and then.

But only for a moment.

“Well, you’re right. Even if we fail, we can still gauge the enemy’s strength.”

“Is your head working now? If you’re not going to step up yourself, there’s no one as useful as me as a vanguard. Of course, I don’t think I’ll lose.”

“Fine. I’ll leave one of them to you.”

So Bang slowly turned his neck.

Crack.

The chilling sound emanating from his neck made the atmosphere in the room even colder.

“Hey, kid.”

The target of So Bang’s words was not Yayul Jeok, but the assassin kneeling before him.

The assassin did not move, his head bowed. He never listened to anyone’s orders except for his lord, Yayul Jeok, and never responded to anyone else.

So Bang continued,

“If the Tang Ma Army isn’t visible, then the one who showed up first must be Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

“……”

“Where is Yeon Ho-Jeong?”

The assassin did not answer.

A mocking smile appeared on So Bang’s face.

“Look at this?”

Whoosh!

A terrifying murderous intent erupted from her body.

The usually calm energy suddenly increased explosively. The change was so dramatic that the assassin’s mask and back instantly became damp.

But that was all. His body reacted first to So Bang’s terrifying murderous intent, but the eyes of the kneeling assassin did not waver at all. He had been thoroughly brainwashed by Yayul Jeok.

So Bang looked at the assassin with surprise.

“Impressive? Yayul Jeok, you trained him well?”

Yayul Jeok nodded.

“In assassination, any emotional disturbance is absolutely forbidden. This much is natural.”

“……Hmm.”

Yayul Jeok said,

“Am Pal. Report the location of the Myeolsa Army Commander, Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

The assassin, Am Pal, immediately opened his mouth.

“Currently, Myeolsa Army Commander Yeon Ho-Jeong is descending from Yangsan along the main road. He is at the forefront, and his troops are moving while hiding at certain distances.”

Yayul Jeok nodded.

“He knows tactics. It’s proof that he didn’t get to that position just with martial arts.”

He said to So Bang,

“Did you hear that?”

“I heard it well.”

So Bang, who had been quietly watching Am Pal, chuckled and walked past him.

Swoosh.

So Bang, standing behind the kneeling Am Pal, turned his head with a smile.

“He’s a talent I’d like to have. How many of these guys are there?”

“That’s not something you need to know.”

“Well, I guess not.”

So Bang placed his hand on Am Pal’s shoulder.

Twitch!

Am Pal’s body trembled momentarily.

So Bang said with a cheerful expression,

“You’re quite good, aren’t you? If you ever get tired of working under that guy, come to me anytime. I’ll make good use of you. I thought all the Central Plains guys were soft, but there are gems like you?”

Yayul Jeok glared at So Bang with narrowed eyes.

“So Bang.”

“Huh?”

“……Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“I said don’t.”

So Bang smiled brightly.

“Don’t what? Are you saying don’t try to recruit your subordinate? Or……”

“That last thing you said……!”

That was when it happened.

Trickle.

Thick blood flowed from Am Pal’s eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

Shudder!

Am Pal’s body trembled as if in a spasm, and then he collapsed. Am Pal’s eyes, which had fallen, were already as cloudy as the eyes of a rotten fish.

He was dead.

“Are you saying don’t eat him?”

“……So Bang.”

Whoosh!

Flame-like murderous intent erupted from Yayul Jeok’s body.

His murderous intent was quite different from So Bang’s. If So Bang’s murderous intent was sticky and indescribably turbid, Yayul Jeok’s was like a fierce fire, accompanied by a strong smell of blood.

So Bang shrugged his shoulders.

“If we can eliminate the leader of the Martial Alliance’s elite unit with the life of one subordinate, isn’t that a complete bargain?”

“……You.”

“Think of it positively. Since you trained him, this toy is ultimately the property of the main sect. Do you really need to get so worked up over breaking one of the main sect’s things?”

There was no point in arguing further.

Yayul Jeok said in a cold voice,

“Remember this one thing. From this moment on, if you cross me one more time, I will eliminate you immediately.”

So Bang chuckled.

“Scary. So scary.”

“If you think I’m lying, try acting up. Before I catch the Martial Alliance’s trash, I’ll tear you limb from limb and throw you to the dogs.”

So Bang’s face slowly turned expressionless. He could feel the sincerity in Yayul Jeok’s words.

“You’re getting too angry over breaking one thing. It’s not like you.”

“I’ve said everything I needed to say. Now, go and capture Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

So Bang, who had been quietly looking at Yayul Jeok, snorted and turned his body.

Before leaving the room, So Bang left a cold remark.

“I’ve never liked you.”

Bang!

The door closed.

The murderous intent that Yayul Jeok had been unleashing instantly subsided.

“Hmm.”

Yayul Jeok, who had returned to his usual indifferent expression, placed his hand on the corpse of the fallen Am Pal.

Whoosh.

A strange, gray-black true energy [internal energy or life force] flickered like smoke from Yayul Jeok’s hand.

After a moment.

“His skills have improved.”

Yayul Jeok’s eyes narrowed.

“He has mastered the Blood Drinking Palm… At this rate, he might even inherit the Yin Desolate Martial Arts.”

Certainly, his talent was outstanding. In the history of the Evil Yin Sect, there were few who had mastered the Blood Drinking Palm at So Bang’s age.

“Well, he is ‘that person’s’ bloodline, even if it’s only half, so it’s only natural.”

But the limits of that bloodline were also clear. Even if ‘that person’s’ blood was inherited, if it was mixed with lowly blood, they would not be seen as human, but as beasts.

That was the reason why So Bang was twisted, and why Yayul Jeok could treat So Bang so poorly.

Yayul Jeok smiled coldly.

“It’s better to eliminate competitors in advance.”

* * *

“Commander.”

Muk Bi followed beside Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Currently, most of the troops, except for Ok Cheong and Yeo Guk, have been deployed along the path.”

“Good.”

“Should we deploy Ok Cheong and Yeo Guk as well?”

“No.”

After a moment of thought, Yeon Ho-Jeong said,

“I’ll take them with me.”

Tension appeared on Muk Bi’s face. It was because he remembered what Yeon Ho-Jeong had said before entering Guangdong Province.

“……Is the enemy appearing?”

“I’m not sure. But I smell something.”

“Smell?”

“Yeah.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled coldly.

“A musty stench. It feels like someone is coming this way. And it’s……”

Whoosh. Whoosh.

A white haze rose from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body.

The aggressive White Tiger energy flared up fiercely. The Vermilion Bird energy was controlling his heart rate and blood flow, the Black Tortoise energy was sharpening his senses to the extreme, and the Azure Dragon energy in his legs was making his body light so that he could react at any moment.

“He’s strong. At least not weaker than me.”

Muk Bi’s face hardened.

“Already?”

That was the reason why Ok Cheong and Yeo Guk were needed. If there were three or more people, including Yeon Ho-Jeong and Muk Bi, they could activate the Killing Formation [a coordinated combat technique].

‘Is it Yayul Jeok? Whoever it is, it’s a wise decision.’

Without weighing the pros and cons, he intended to send the vanguard directly to break their momentum.

And Yeon Ho-Jeong had anticipated most of the enemy’s reactions before entering Guangdong Province and had prepared countermeasures.

‘If it’s Yayul Jeok, he would have tried an assassination. So, if the opponent is coming directly with murderous intent like this……’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

Bang!

His foot struck the ground.

“It’s intense from the start.”

Fwoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, Muk Bi, Ok Cheong, and Yeo Guk all looked in the same direction.

In the distance, a woman was running at a terrifying speed. Her figure, running almost as if she was flying, was as savage as a ghost.

A smile of joy appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“……Evil Yin.”