Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 487

To lead an organization, one needs a variety of skills.

Putting aside the matter of legitimacy, one must be skilled in martial arts and possess excellent insight. They must be wise, and if lacking in wisdom, they must at least have the charisma to attract people.

In other words, one should not become the head of an organization based on a single strength. Numerous organizations with such leaders quickly collapsed or were disgracefully ousted by more talented individuals.

Just looking at Peng Mu-Gang of the Peng family, his outward impression was that of a straightforward and outspoken man, a typical Peng family male. However, he was a formidable figure who concealed sharp intuition and excellent eloquence.

Deung Cheon-Gyo is different.

Whether it’s good or bad, Deung Cheon-Gyo was a person whose exterior and interior were exactly the same. Hot-tempered, arrogant, possessing powerful martial arts, and not one to be mindful of others, he didn’t even try to hide his true self.

Such a demeanor would be a flaw for the leader of a mediocre sect. However, when it comes to the head of the Gongdong Sect, it’s a different story.

The Gongdong Sect is a major part of the Nine Great Sects [Nine most powerful martial arts sects]. In secular terms, it’s the head of one of the most successful sects in the righteous path of the White Way [The righteous path in martial arts].

There’s no need to hide himself or worry about complicated matters. It’s not about being simple or anything else; the Gongdong Sect’s reputation was simply too great. Most martial artists were in a position where they couldn’t act carelessly.

And that would be similar for the swordsmen of the Gongdong Sect.

From the leader, who, to put it nicely, is hot-blooded, and to put it badly, is extremely arrogant, that personality is revealed as it is. It goes without saying that his subordinates would be the same.

Yeon Ho-Jeong questioned Deung Cheon-Gyo’s personality.

‘Deung Cheon-Gyo has been like that since he was young.’

Among the information Jeagal Mun-Ho had investigated, there was a lot about Deung Cheon-Gyo. That meant he didn’t hide himself, nor did he care about information leaking out.

According to that information, Deung Cheon-Gyo was known for his fiery temper since he first entered the sect. However, he wasn’t stupid. It was just that his temper hid it, but he was also someone who could use his head as much as anyone else.

He just didn’t like using his head.

‘Did he deliberately not hide information?’

Looking at Deung Cheon-Gyo’s flushed face, Yeon Ho-Jeong thought.

‘If he was affiliated with the Three Teachings [A group of evil cults] before joining the Gongdong Sect, it’s possible that his current personality is fabricated. It’s also possible that he deliberately didn’t control information to make his arrogant personality known to the outside world.’

After analyzing the information documents, the group narrowed it down to two suspicious individuals.

And Deung Cheon-Gyo was not among them.

Still, Yeon Ho-Jeong suspected Deung Cheon-Gyo. It wasn’t just Deung Cheon-Gyo; he suspected all of the Bonggong [A high-ranking position in the Martial Alliance].

“Have you ever seen such an ill-mannered fellow!”

From Deung Cheon-Gyo’s clenched fist, an even more powerful energy wave flowed out than before. His eyes were bloodshot with anger.

“Not only did you injure my disciple, but you’re also a spy? Are you truly courting death!”

“From the perspective of the Three Teachings, there are a few people in the Martial Alliance who are the most troublesome. And one of them is me.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled coldly.

“Having a disciple attack the Vice Commander of the Righteous Army with a sword… isn’t that something a spy would do?”

“Can’t you shut your mouth!”

“If not, then what is it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“If a person makes a promise, they should prepare accordingly, regardless of their position. Surely, you didn’t think that just because you’re the head of the Gongdong Sect, I would be fawning over you, did you?”

“Does your vile tongue need to be pulled out before you stop your wicked words?!”

“Then it would be best for you to leave the Martial Alliance.”

“What!”

“Although our martial arts and personalities are different, you, as a Bonggong of the Martial Alliance, are excessively arrogant. Seeing how you’re acting towards me now, it seems you’ve been tormenting your subordinates quite a bit. Regardless of your position, such a person is not needed in the Martial Alliance.”

“You scoundrel!”

“Don’t be mistaken. The Martial Alliance exists for order and peace, not as a group for exercising power. If you want to wield that great power, go back to Gongdong Mountain and torment your disciples like you’re catching mice.”

Flash!

Murdurous intent exploded from Deung Cheon-Gyo’s eyes.

“You young brat, you’ve learned a few martial arts and now you don’t recognize your elders! Even if it means giving up my position as Bonggong, I will break your limbs and teach you what order is!”

“I decline the lecture. There isn’t a single person in the Alliance who knows less about order than you.”

“I’ll kill you!”

Whoosh!

Deung Cheon-Gyo charged forward with terrifying speed.

It was a movement on a different level than before. Even in his anger, he wasn’t underestimating his opponent like before.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes blazed.

Clang!

Before Deung Cheon-Gyo could even enter his full stance, a stomp of his foot, empowered by the White Tiger’s Might [A powerful martial arts technique], created a powerful explosion.

Whoosh!

Before he knew it, Deung Cheon-Gyo’s hand was flying towards Yeon Ho-Jeong’s head.

It was the Gongdong Sect’s secret technique, the Flying Phoenix Hand. It was a fast and nimble hand technique imbued with Heavenly Thunder Subduing Qi [A type of internal energy].

No matter how skilled Yeon Ho-Jeong was, if he took that attack to the head, he wouldn’t survive.

He said he’d break my limbs, but he’s going straight for the kill.

Swoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong spun in place, dodging the Flying Phoenix Hand. His movements were incredibly fluid.

Deung Cheon-Gyo was startled.

Seeing the power of his punches, he knew that this attack wouldn’t be enough to take him down, but he didn’t expect him to dodge it so easily.

‘The side?!’

To be precise, it was the blind spot to the rear.

From this position and stance, he had chosen the best point to counterattack. Deung Cheon-Gyo felt a chill run down his spine.

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s Reverse Dragon Palm [A martial arts technique] pressed down on Deung Cheon-Gyo’s hamstring.

It wasn’t a striking or explosive force, but a force that pressed down with power.

Deung Cheon-Gyo’s stance faltered for a moment. Yeon Ho-Jeong immediately used his leg techniques.

However, Deung Cheon-Gyo became the head of the Gongdong Sect because of his martial arts prowess. He didn’t win that position through gambling.

Whirr!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

‘Impressive.’

From that stance, he avoided his leg techniques and retreated ten steps in an instant.

It was an incredible movement. It wouldn’t be easy to execute such dynamic movements at his age, well past middle age.

“You scoundrel…!”

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t respond any further.

The difference in skill was clear. Deung Cheon-Gyo might not want to admit it, but Yeon Ho-Jeong’s martial arts were surpassing his.

But that was only when they fought with all their strength.

‘I shouldn’t engage him too aggressively.’

One way or another, Deung Cheon-Gyo was a Bonggong of the Martial Alliance.

Of course, the other party was at fault first, so if he explained the situation well, he wouldn’t be imprisoned in the dungeon even if he made him bloody.

However, it would cause problems later.

Among the Bonggong, there are people as aggressive as Deung Cheon-Gyo, and there are also people who are caught up in their sense of authority. Not everyone is like Gong Gong or Yeon-wi [Other high-ranking members of the Martial Alliance].

Even if they couldn’t punish him, they would start nitpicking at every little thing. They might try to hinder him every time he tried to do something.

It’s like they’re all eating from the same pot. Not everyone would be like that, but if he treated Deung Cheon-Gyo harshly, they would see Yeon Ho-Jeong as a walking bomb.

Of course, he shouldn’t cause such a result.

At least not now.

‘Moreover.’

Swoosh! Whoosh!

The finger wind that grazed Yeon Ho-Jeong’s cheek and shoulder was as sharp as a sword.

It was the Gongdong’s secret technique, the White Snake Finger. The finger wind, which flew like a writhing snake, was difficult to evade or defend against.

Thwack!

Deung Cheon-Gyo approached again.

The footwork, which advanced while securing all visible directions, was superb. His personality was far from good, but his martial arts were indeed worthy of being called a master.

‘I need to see if he’s following the unique patterns of the Three Teachings, specifically the Divine Flame Church.’

Whether the spy was dispatched by the Divine Flame Church, the Evil Sound Church, or the Blood Madness Church, he didn’t know.

However, if the opponent’s martial arts showed movements similar to the unique patterns of the Divine Flame Church, the probability of him being a spy would be overwhelmingly high.

Yeon Ho-Jeong received or evaded all of Deung Cheon-Gyo’s footwork, fist techniques, hand techniques, and finger techniques, reading his defenses.

And after a while.

‘It’s not. But…’

It was good that it wasn’t. As he thought, Deung Cheon-Gyo was perfect for this role.

Flash! Clang!

Deung Cheon-Gyo staggered backward from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s lightning-like palm strike.

Deung Cheon-Gyo’s expression was one of dismay. Not only had he evaded all of his fist, palm, finger, and leg techniques, but he had also struck him at an unpredictable rhythm, and the power of the blow seemed to resonate deep within his bones.

“Y-you… you!”

When the situation reached this point, anyone could tell.

Deung Cheon-Gyo’s face twisted horribly.

“You dare to be so relaxed while facing me!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke calmly.

“You have been neglecting your training. Aren’t you struggling to deal with a brat who hasn’t even lost his baby teeth?”

“You!”

Whoosh!

The sword of Sa In-Ho, who had retreated to the end of the training ground, flew into Deung Cheon-Gyo’s hand.

Although it was the closest distance to Deung Cheon-Gyo, it was still amazing that he had used a technique of manipulating objects through the air. It wasn’t at the level of mastery, but it wasn’t a skill that even a supreme master could easily show.

Clang!

Deung Cheon-Gyo drew his sword without hesitation.

With the sword drawn, his aura was different from before. Everyone knew that the Gongdong Sect’s strongest martial art was swordsmanship, and the one about to use it was Deung Cheon-Gyo.

His aura was bound to be different.

“I’ll properly face…”

At that moment, flames of true qi [Internal energy] gathered on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s feet.

Whoosh!

Deung Cheon-Gyo reflexively swung his sword. He didn’t even have time to use the Gongdong Sect’s strongest technique, the Subduing Demon Sword Technique. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s movements were too fast.

Whirr!

The White Dragon Axe, drawn with terrifying speed, struck Deung Cheon-Gyo’s sword.

A powerful explosion erupted from the axe blade, which struck the back of the sword at a subtle angle, not the edge. Deung Cheon-Gyo’s sword lost its trajectory for a moment and was flung upwards to the right.

Whirr!

The Black Dragon Chain, connected to the Black Dragon Axe, spiraled around Deung Cheon-Gyo’s forearm and upper arm.

Yeon Ho-Jeong forcefully pulled the Black Dragon Chain.

Crack!

Deung Cheon-Gyo’s feet once again created furrows in the ground. He had managed to resist Yeon Ho-Jeong’s pulling force.

But that was it.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s strength was so immense that he could subdue a first-rate master even without internal energy. Adding the Vermilion Bird’s speed and the White Tiger’s power to his pull, even Deung Cheon-Gyo couldn’t withstand it.

Yeon Ho-Jeong swung the White Dragon Axe.

The handle of the flying White Dragon Axe struck Deung Cheon-Gyo’s wrist, which was holding the sword.

Thwack!

“Ugh!”

It was an unexpected attack. In the end, Deung Cheon-Gyo dropped his sword.

Cling!

The sound of the sword falling to the ground was particularly loud.

The head of the Gongdong Sect, the best in the world, had been captured and had even dropped his sword before he could even begin his swordsmanship.

Deung Cheon-Gyo looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a shocked expression.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke calmly.

“Even so, trying to kill the commander of the Righteous Army? Isn’t that too much?”

“…You!!”

“It wasn’t a duel, and there was clear murderous intent. If I hadn’t subdued the head of the sect, I would have been killed or crippled.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“You’ll have to go to the dungeon.”

“What nonsense! You dare put me, the head of the Gongdong Sect, in the dungeon… !”

It was then.

“How pathetic.”

Startled, Deung Cheon-Gyo turned his head.

He didn’t know when he had arrived. Moyong Gun, standing on the wall with his arms crossed, was glaring at Deung Cheon-Gyo with cold eyes.

“For someone who is a Bonggong, you are showing a truly disgraceful appearance. No matter how angry you are, trying to kill someone in the Martial Alliance is unacceptable.”

“Clan Leader Moyong! This is… !”

“Having observed the series of events, this is not a matter that can be overlooked, even for a Bonggong.”

Moyong Gun spoke to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Vice Commander Yeon, are you alright?”

“I almost died.”

“It’s not quite the same as rope, but you carry around good things for tying people up. You should escort Head Deung and his disciple safely.”

“Don’t worry.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and looked at Deung Cheon-Gyo.

In Deung Cheon-Gyo’s eyes, his face looked a hundred times more evil than a demon.

“I’ll escort you to the best seat in the Punishment Hall. Please come with me without resisting.”