Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 53

“My Lord, we’ve received a message from the Howling Wind Pavilion.”

The Howling Wind Pavilion was an intelligence organization directly operated by the Moyong family. It was established when the Moyong family was active in Liaoning Province, boasting a long history and unwavering loyalty.

“What did they say?”

“They say they can’t figure it out.”

“What?”

“A large-scale information blockade has been implemented throughout Jiangsu Province. The Howling Wind Pavilion’s informants are unable to penetrate it.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes narrowed.

“Large-scale information control? Throughout Jiangsu Province?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Jiangsu Province is vast. No matter how powerful the Yeon family is, is it possible to implement such a large-scale information blockade? Especially in such a short time?”

“Based on the Yeon family’s power we’ve investigated so far, it’s deemed impossible.”

“Of course, it is. It’s impossible for any of the Seven Great Families. It would be difficult even if two forces joined hands.”

“That’s right.”

“They wouldn’t have been able to approach the Tongcheon Group either.”

“That’s correct. Unless the informants directly enter Jiangsu Province and do some legwork, there’s currently no way to contact them.”

“In other words…”

Moyong Yeon-hwa said in a cold voice.

“It means someone is helping the Yeon family. A group that specializes in handling information.”

“If it’s this scale, it means that one of the top organizations has intervened.”

“In that case…”

“The Beggars’ Union, the Black Gate, or the Commerce Pavilion. It must be one of these three.”

The Beggars’ Union was the best in the White Path [a term referring to the righteous martial arts world] information network, and the Black Gate was a major player in the Black Path [a term referring to the underworld martial arts world] information network. The Commerce Pavilion was an information organization that moved purely for money, providing information of equivalent value for a price.

“It’s unlikely to be the Black Gate.”

“They are the least likely. The Black Gate’s information power is the lowest of the three. Moreover, given the nature of the Yeon family head, it’s unlikely they would have reached out to the Black Gate.”

That was wrong.

The Black Path martial world’s information network was superior to the White Path martial world in many aspects. That was the driving force that allowed them to survive until now.

However, that fact was not known to the world. Even Moyong Gun, who was known throughout the world, could not know about fields he had no interest in.

“Then that leaves the Beggars’ Union and the Commerce Pavilion.”

An undisguised tension settled on Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face.

“Either one is dangerous.”

“Indeed.”

If the Beggars’ Union was the one helping the Yeon family, that in itself would be a major incident.

Although they seemed free-spirited and lax, the Beggars’ Union had always revered chivalry. Because they handled information, they placed even more importance on maintaining a righteous heart.

While most sects had a history of corruption, the Beggars’ Union had never been like that.

Naturally, the Beggars’ Union’s influence was among the highest of the Nine Great Sects. Having the highest influence among the Nine Great Sects meant they could have a significant impact on the White Path martial world.

If the Beggars’ Union was deeply involved in the Moyong family’s scheme, it would be a headache in many ways.

Then, was the Commerce Pavilion any better?

Absolutely not. In some ways, the Commerce Pavilion was even more dangerous than the Beggars’ Union. Because you could buy information from anywhere as long as you had the money.

That meant that groups that were keeping the Moyong family in check could also obtain information about this matter if they paid. Of course, they would have to spend astronomical sums of money.

If it was the Beggars’ Union, it would be immediately dangerous, and if it was the Commerce Pavilion, it would be a headache.

“This has become interesting.”

Even in this urgent situation, Moyong Gun did not lose his composure. Rather, he stroked his beard with an intrigued look, as if he truly found this situation interesting.

“Yeon-hwa.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I heard that Hugae [referring to Ga Deuk-sang] also attended the last gathering of the younger generation.”

“That’s right.”

“Did it seem like Hugae had any friendship with the Yeon family’s children?”

Moyong Yeon-hwa pondered for a moment before shaking her head.

“It’s unlikely. If anything, he would be wary of them.”

“Wary?”

“Yes. The way Yeon Ho-jeong, the eldest son of the Yeon family, acted at the gathering was excessively fierce and impulsive. He even almost killed the Namgoong family’s Sword Commander.”

“Hmm, I heard about that too. He’s quite something for his age.”

“It was Hugae Ga Deuk-sang who stopped his hand. Yeon Ho-jeong seemed to have taken a liking to Hugae, but given Hugae’s personality, he would have been more likely to feel animosity towards Yeon Ho-jeong than goodwill.”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“Then it’s even more likely that they joined hands with the Beggars’ Union.”

“Yes.”

Anyone would be wary of a group they deemed dangerous. If Ga Deuk-sang was watching the Yeon family through Yeon Ho-jeong, it was highly likely that the Beggars’ Union was in charge of this information control.

“Whatever the case, it’s a problem. Huh! They’ve suddenly become so rigid, it’s quite perplexing.”

“Indeed.”

Just then.

“We have a new message from the Howling Wind Pavilion!”

“What does it say?”

“The Yeon family’s eldest son has left Jiangsu Province!”

Moyong Gun’s eyes lit up.

“Where did he head?”

“Henan.”

“…Henan?!”

The Yeon family was located in the southern part of Jiangsu Province. And Henan was in the northwest of Jiangsu Province.

They didn’t know when he moved, but even if it was from the time the contact with the informant was lost, it was an incredible speed.

“Why Henan of all places in this situation? And so quickly?”

Urgency appeared on Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face.

“We need to make contact immediately.”

“Of course, we do.”

Moyong Gun frowned.

‘Why Henan, though?’

Without knowing the situation on their side, even making assumptions was not easy.

Moyong Gun, who had been lost in thought, opened his mouth.

“Contact the Myeong family right away. Tell them everything about this situation. Tell them that we must make contact before the Yeon family’s eldest son does anything rash.”

“Yes!”

* * *

“Haa! Haa!”

“Are you already tired?”

“Is, is that even a question… Cough!”

“Catch your breath. The successor of the Beggars’ Union has such poor stamina.”

Ga Deuk-sang flared up.

“Hey! You’re riding a horse!”

“That’s why I told you to ride one too, didn’t I?”

“A beggar wearing rags riding a horse? Do you want to spread the word that I’m a member of the Beggars’ Union everywhere I go?”

Indeed, Yeon Ho-jeong was being too much.

The two of them, who had sailed up to the central part of Jiangsu Province, had then rushed to the northern part by land.

The problem was time. They had run to the northernmost part of Jiangsu Province in just five days, running all day long except for minimal sleep and rest.

Moreover, they hadn’t slept for the two days it took to cross from Jiangsu to Henan. It wasn’t that Ga Deuk-sang was exaggerating.

Yeon Ho-jeong said nonchalantly.

“Consider it stamina training.”

What kind of crazy person does stamina training so recklessly?

Ga Deuk-sang collapsed on the spot.

“I can’t go! I can’t go even if you kill me! Just kill me!”

“Are you that tired?”

“Are you trying to pick a fight right now?”

“Let’s go for another half hour.”

“Get in position, you crazy bastard! One of us is going to the afterlife today… !”

“Let’s rest at an inn for a few days. We have to wait anyway.”

“…An inn?”

“Eat as much as you want. I’ll pay.”

Ga Deuk-sang swallowed. It was true that he hadn’t eaten a proper meal since they had come this far.

“If it’s too hard, you can rest here for a few days.”

“…Damn it.”

Ga Deuk-sang got up energetically.

“If you lie again, I’ll chop your teeth with an axe. Got it?”

Neigh! Neigh!

“Let’s go together, please!!”

After running for another half hour, the two were able to reach Shangqiu in Henan.

Shangqiu was a prefecture close to Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui. In Henan, there was a considerable flow of people to the east.

The two entered a quiet inn a little away from the center of the prefecture.

As soon as Ga Deuk-sang sat down, he ate like a starving ghost. He didn’t care about the people staring at him.

The faces of the people watching Ga Deuk-sang were filled with discomfort. It was understandable, as a filthy beggar had come in and was eating the food with his bare hands.

However, they couldn’t tell the owner to kick Ga Deuk-sang out.

Thud!

“Ah, please put that axe down properly. If it hits someone, they’ll be done for.”

“I’m sorry. Please continue eating.”

“Oh, I will. While you’re at it, it would be nice if you could order me one more of these.”

A young man with a calm face was setting the axe that had fallen on the floor against the wall.

The young man, who looked to be about twenty, had an axe as big as a person’s body next to him.

The ferocity of it was no joke. The young man’s demeanor was like that of a scholar, which made him even more frightening. It was because he was lifting the heavy axe with one hand with his slender body.

Thus, the people ate their food with uncomfortable faces.

“Burp! That was a good meal.”

“Are you done eating?”

“I ate all the meals I missed for the past few days, so I feel like my stomach is about to burst.”

“I heard you ate twelve pounds of pork, and it wasn’t an exaggeration.”

They had cleared the plates several times. Yeon Ho-jeong also ate a lot of food because he was so active, but it was nothing compared to Ga Deuk-sang.

Now that he seemed to have some leisure, Ga Deuk-sang looked around.

“By the way, did you pick a rather remote place?”

“Because you never know what might happen.”

“I guess. But this place is quite something too. Even though it’s remote, there are quite a few people.”

“Have you never been to this neighborhood before?”

“I’ve been here once a long time ago. It was just a brief visit, so my memory is hazy.”

“I see.”

Ga Deuk-sang’s face became strangely serious.

“So, how long are you planning to stay here?”

“Until the other party comes.”

“Just aimlessly?”

“It won’t be long. If the Beggars’ Union did a good job with the information control.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Right, the Moyong family, who don’t know the situation here at all, must be anxious. In the meantime, the Yeon family’s eldest son has appeared in Henan, so they’ll try to make contact somehow.”

“We don’t know which of the two families will approach first.”

The Moyong family and the Myeong family.

The Moyong family was based in Hunan Province, and the Myeong family was based in Xuchang, Henan.

Ga Deuk-sang’s eyes darkened.

“I still don’t understand.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know that the Moyong family is involved in this because I saw it myself…”

“Did you think I asked you to investigate the Myeong family for no reason?”

“Well, I guess so.”

Ga Deuk-sang leaned back in his chair.

His eyes, which were looking at Yeon Ho-jeong with his arms crossed, were filled with subtle suspicion.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Are you still not going to tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“About the Myeong family. Why they’re trying to attack the Yeon family, and how you found out about it beforehand. Isn’t it about time you told me?”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“I think the result is more important than the process in this matter. I’ll tell you when we get a satisfactory result.”

Ga Deuk-sang’s eyes turned cold.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes were the same. The eyes they used to look at each other were not warm at all.

After staring at Yeon Ho-jeong for a long time, Ga Deuk-sang stretched.

“Oof! I’m sleepy now that I’ve eaten. Where are the rooms?”

“I paid in advance. I’ll stay here a bit longer, so go in first.”

“I will.”

“Wash up and sleep.”

“Do you think I’m a beggar for no reason?”

With that, Ga Deuk-sang quickly went into the room provided by the inn.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was sipping tea, looked out the window.

‘It’s peaceful.’

It was now full spring. The wind was gentle, and the sky was clear.

However, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes were dark and cold, contrary to the weather.

‘I deliberately came with Hugae. And I came quickly, even forcing it. If they knew this, the Moyong family would be in a hurry too.’

Moreover, it was a region far away from Hunan.

‘They could send their subordinates, but I didn’t give them time to think. Moyong Gun is someone who doesn’t move unless he has at least 70% certainty.’

He was like that even during his time as the Martial Alliance Leader. Thanks to that, the Black Demon Fortress suffered greatly while fighting the Demonic Cult alone.

In other words.

‘The Myeong family is very likely to approach.’

The corners of his mouth kept trying to curl up.

The Moyong family was definitely an enemy. But the enemy he wanted to crush even more was the Myeong family.

In other words, his attack was aimed at the Myeong family, not the Moyong family. If he shook the Myeong family, the Moyong family would also become desperate, so it was the same thing.

‘……’

Just thinking about the Myeong family made his killing intent rise.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was suppressing his murderous intent by gripping his thigh, slowly closed his eyes.

Six days later.

“Are you the eldest son of the Yeon family?”

“Who are you?”

“I heard you have a sharp tongue, and it seems to be true.”

A young man in his mid-twenties frowned as much as he could.

“I’m from the Myeong family. Someone wants to see you, so please make some time.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled brightly.

“I’ll make time even if I don’t have any.”