Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 543

Though they moved in secret, the Mukryong Unit was the only force in the current Central Plains capable of opposing the Martial Alliance.

Naturally, the number of troops under their command was beyond imagination. In terms of simple mobilization, they surpassed even the Martial Alliance.

Dududududu.

The Ironclad Unit scattered in all directions.

Hwang Seok-tae, watching the Ironclad Unit’s movements from the hill, spoke to the new Fire Monkey.

“The remaining nine hundred troops, excluding the Ironclad Unit’s area, will block the southern escape route.”

“That’s the way it should be.”

“Even so, the number of personnel is too small. If the intelligence unit doesn’t inform us of the situation every moment, there’s a high chance we’ll miss them.”

“Don’t worry. The Ironclad Unit Commander also knows that the headquarters’ intelligence is superior to the Martial Alliance’s.”

“Of course, but still.”

“The Gale Unit, which went out on a mission, also said they would block the southern escape route. With the Ironclad Unit forming the first line and the Gale Unit the second, we can at least rest assured about the south.”

Hwang Seok-tae frowned.

“The Gale Unit, you say.”

The Gale Unit, like the Ironclad Unit, was an elite force of the Mukryong Unit, consisting of a thousand soldiers.

The Ironclad Unit was the strongest unit in the Mukryong Unit. When considering various aspects, it was a truly fitting assessment.

However, no one would dispute that the Gale Unit was also a powerful group, capable of challenging the Ironclad Unit’s dominance.

To be precise, the Ironclad Unit was a combat unit more specialized in plains battles and frontal warfare, while the Gale Unit was a unit specialized in urban warfare and special operations.

“Well, if even those slippery bastards are forming a line, we can rest assured about the south.”

His voice was rather indifferent.

It was natural. Although the Ironclad Unit was the strongest in the Mukryong Unit, the Gale Unit was not to be underestimated. Their characteristics were so different that they couldn’t get along well.

However, they certainly acknowledged each other’s abilities. That was the relationship between them.

“By the way…”

The Fire Monkey asked cautiously, as if unable to contain her curiosity.

“It’s an inappropriate question for the situation, but… what was the Yeon Deputy like?”

“Hmm?”

“I heard the previous Fire Monkey disliked the Yeon Deputy so much. Well, I guess it was inevitable.”

The Fire Monkey was a member of the new Zodiac. She was stronger and much calmer than the previous Fire Monkey.

She was a master called the Twin Rod Rakshasa before becoming the new Fire Monkey under Yang Cheon. She was a very famous master in the Black Path, known for her unique personality.

Hwang Seok-tae shook his head.

“He’s an unlucky fellow.”

“Is that so?”

“However, his abilities are certain. I understand why the Martial Alliance placed such a heavy responsibility on the shoulders of a young man who isn’t even thirty.”

The Fire Monkey’s eyes gleamed.

Although she hadn’t been in the Mukryong Unit for long, she knew how proud and picky Hwang Seok-tae was.

That Hwang Seok-tae had already acknowledged Yeon Ho-jeong. He was definitely no ordinary person.

‘Indeed, he’s the one who challenged the Ironclad Unit from the start.’

The rumor that Yeon Ho-jeong had performed a rite of passage with the Ironclad Unit’s thousand soldiers was a famous incident among the leadership.

His martial arts were one thing, but his courage was truly astonishing. Who in the world would try to face the Ironclad Unit alone? It was a matter of courage and confidence before martial prowess.

‘I’m curious.’

The Fire Monkey’s eyes sparkled.

‘I want to meet him once.’

Perhaps more than half of the leadership would want to have a private conversation with Yeon Ho-jeong. The other half would not even want to make eye contact with him.

“Anyway, I should move too. What will the Fire Monkey do?”

As a direct subordinate of the Mukryong Unit Lord, the position of the Zodiac was extremely high.

However, there were many people in the Mukryong Unit’s leadership who were stronger than the Zodiac. It was only due to the special nature of the Zodiac’s position that everyone respected them.

For example, Hwang Seok-tae’s martial arts were superior to the current Fire Monkey, the Twin Rod Rakshasa.

They were individuals who transcended the measure of strength in the Mukryong Unit, the epitome of the survival of the fittest.

That’s why Hwang Seok-tae also spoke to the Fire Monkey in a semi-formal tone.

“Let’s go together. Since I need to provide you with information about the south, it would be better for me to act as a bridge.”

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Paah!

The two jumped off the cliff.

It wasn’t just the Ironclad Unit and the Gale Unit.

The north of the Mukryong Unit was covered by the Dragon Slaughter Unit and the Tiger Slaying Unit, while the east and west were blocked by the Blood Eagle Squad and the Flying Serpent Squad, respectively.

With this level of encirclement, it would be impossible to escape unless one was a master of the Supreme Realm. Especially in Yeop Seong’s case, he had absorbed Jeon Hong’s inner energy and Won Jeong-gi with the Four Sucking Technique, but he would need time to control it.

Thus, a master of high status, the eldest son of the Mukryong Unit Lord, had instantly turned into a prisoner who needed to be captured and dragged away.

Within that, Yeon Ho-jeong and Gang Ryang began to target places others couldn’t see.

* * *

“This is quite something.”

Gang Ryang clicked his tongue.

“The situation is turning out to be very interesting.”

“You can say that again.”

Yeon Ho-jeong checked the pulse of a fallen corpse.

“The life force is gone, but it wasn’t sucked away by the Four Sucking Technique. The cause of death is poisoning. A rupture of the heart vessels due to a potent poison.”

He pulled out a transparent needle from the corpse’s neck.

It was a small, transparent needle, barely visible even to those who had cultivated inner energy. It was reminiscent of the Tang family’s hair needles.

“It’s not a hair needle.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked around.

It wasn’t just one person. There were several corpses scattered throughout the forest.

They had died in one place. All of them had been hit by poison needles.

“That’s amazing. They’re all formidable masters, and not just one or two, but all of them are dead.”

“That means they were attacked in an unexpected situation, with an unexpected attack. Of course, this hidden weapon was also strong.”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was looking around, suddenly focused his gaze on one spot.

“There.”

Yeon Ho-jeong pointed to a branch of a large tree with lush leaves. It was a tree that hadn’t yet lost its leaves, even in autumn.

“The hidden weapon was launched from there. There’s soot on the tree’s surface. They used gunpowder. It means it’s an explosive hidden weapon.”

“An explosive hidden weapon…”

Gang Ryang’s eyes deepened.

“Could it be something from the Tang family?”

The identities of these corpses were some of the Mukryong Unit’s leaders who had initially sided with Yeop Seong but had switched their allegiance back to Bu Sun.

Although they were leaders, they were practically powerless. Their martial arts were among the weakest, and they had no connections.

However, it didn’t mean that their martial arts were absolutely weak. It was just that they were weak among the Mukryong Unit’s leaders; individually, they were at a level that could easily lead a small or medium-sized sect.

“I don’t know if it’s from the Tang family. Honestly, if it’s a hidden weapon with this much power, there’s no other group that comes to mind besides the Tang family…”

There was one other place.

It was the Five Poison Palace of the Southern Barbarians. However, they had clashed with the Tang family and suffered a crushing defeat. It was unknown if they even maintained their lineage now.

“At least, that’s not what’s important right now.”

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.

“What’s important is, if they had such a weapon, why didn’t they use it sooner?”

According to Bu Sun, Yeop Seong was practically on the verge of death.

However, Yeop Seong had said that he had saved one last move for his escape. He was caught off guard then, and Bu Sun couldn’t catch him as he fled.

But that guy had a hidden weapon too? If he had used it on Bu Sun at that moment, the outcome of the fight would have completely changed.

“There are two possibilities. Either a third party is helping Yeop Seong, or Yeop Seong has set up countless traps like this around the Mukryong Unit.”

Gang Ryang shook his head.

“It’s hard to believe it’s the latter.”

“Right. There’s no reason to do that. I don’t know what he’s planning, though.”

“Then… should we interpret this as meaning there’s a backup?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘This is giving me a headache.’

It felt similar to when he was catching spies in the Martial Alliance.

Without knowing Yeop Seong’s intentions, it was difficult to determine if there was a backup or if traps were set up throughout the Mukryong Unit.

‘When you can’t be sure of anything, choose the most likely option.’

It was a natural thing to do. He had caught the Martial Alliance’s spies in the same way.

But…

‘I don’t know why, but something is bothering me.’

Assuming that Yeop Seong had mastered the Four Sucking Technique, it could be assumed that someone connected to the Three Teachings had approached him.

If someone had approached Yeop Seong, what made Yeop Seong trust ‘him’ enough to accept the Four Sucking Technique without suspicion?

No, Yeop Seong was also skilled in recognizing martial arts, so as soon as he received the incantation of the Four Sucking Technique, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to judge whether it was dangerous or a martial art he could learn.

The important thing was the process of Yeop Seong receiving the Four Sucking Technique from ‘someone’.

‘It’s unlikely to be someone from the orthodox sects. It’s either someone from the Black Path or someone affiliated with a faction that Yeop Seong wouldn’t greatly suspect…’

It was then.

Yeon Ho-jeong subtly turned his head to the southeast.

‘Look at this.’

Yeon Ho-jeong, fixing his gaze on the southeast, said in a calm voice.

“Gang Ryang.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“Go to the Mukryong Unit right now and report the situation here. Include everything about the poison and hidden weapons.”

“Understood.”

“Be careful of your surroundings, as it could be dangerous.”

“Don’t worry.”

Whoosh!

Gang Ryang disappeared in an instant. It was the Ghost Shadow Step, which had pushed the Ghost King Energy to its limit.

It was a movement that emphasized stealth and mobility in the forest rather than speed. At that level, he would be able to reach the Mukryong Unit without being detected.

Sreung.

Yeon Ho-jeong drew the Black Dragon Sword and followed the traces.

Yeop Seong’s footprints remained faintly. There were no traces of blood, indicating that he had properly stopped the bleeding.

Yeon Ho-jeong walked cautiously, but at a fairly fast pace.

‘Interesting.’

He felt a faint poisonous aura emanating from the southeast.

It wasn’t just a simple poisonous aura. It was a sticky, indescribable energy mixed with sinister killing intent and death energy.

‘He’s watching me.’

Actually, that was ambiguous too.

It was clear that he was being watched, but he didn’t know where he was being watched from.

‘Whatever it is, if he’s already spotted me, there’s no reason to hide his presence.’

Whoooong.

Yeon Ho-jeong naturally released his energy.

Ziiiiing.

The Yeon Family Divine Core began to rotate, and the divine energy of the Four Gods emitted a sacred light from each part of his body.

Whoosh!

The energy wave, which spread out low and then suddenly expanded in all directions, was truly formidable.

Pasasasak!

The energy was so fierce that various animals, such as birds, mice, and snakes hidden in the trees, scattered in all directions.

‘……’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘Is he flustered?’

He wasn’t sure. The distance was too far. It was hard to read him.

Yeon Ho-jeong sharpened his five senses to the maximum.

It was then.

Bang!

Before the roar could even erupt, Yeon Ho-jeong’s body soared high into the sky.

Pa-ba-ba-bak!

Numerous needles were embedded in the spot where Yeon Ho-jeong had been standing.

Chiiiiik!

The weeds and fallen leaves hit by the needles began to melt, emitting a white smoke.

It was a terrible poison. It was far more toxic than the poison lurking in the bodies of the corpses he had seen earlier.

‘Crazy.’

Yeon Ho-jeong was flustered.

‘Did he really set up hidden weapons everywhere?!’

It was then.

Beyond his blurred vision, he realized that the opponent was once again accurately targeting him.

Flash!

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes blazed.

When the opponent looked at him, he also recognized the opponent. Yeon Ho-jeong accurately grasped that the opponent was in the southeast, and how far away he was.

Paah!

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been rushing forward, stepping on tree branches, soon landed at the entrance of a wide open space.

And there.

There was a man.