Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 570

“Huh?”

Gi Chung blinked.

‘Who is that…?’

There was a person who had come to this dilapidated village where only beggars lived, early in the morning.

His attire was subtly eye-catching. Rather than his appearance being unique, it was more that he stood out because of the peculiarity of this dilapidated village.

In this place where only beggars lived, a place so filthy that even the most hardened beggars would be horrified and run away, the sight of a young man wearing a pure white martial uniform and a jet-black robe was quite striking.

Clink.

Gi Chung’s eyes sparkled.

Although it was hidden by the loose robe, Gi Chung, with his keen ears, could hear the sound of metal clashing from somewhere on the young man’s body.

‘A martial artist.’

And not just any ordinary martial artist.

There was a consistent rhythm in his natural gait. Even masters who were considered first-rate had a slight sway in their walk, and those who were called supreme masters had a mechanical gait where their shoulders wouldn’t even move while walking. That was usually the case.

However, this young man, despite walking with a consistent rhythm, didn’t feel mechanical.

He was natural and smooth. Even a master with a discerning eye would find it difficult to grasp the young man’s level just by his walk.

But Gi Chung was different.

‘Amazing. He looks like he’s not even thirty at first glance…’

Could it be a return to youth?

Gi Chung inwardly shook his head.

He had never heard of a master in the current martial world who had reached the realm of returning to youth. Moreover, it was said that none of the Thirteen Seats of the Holy Heaven [a group of powerful martial artists] had experienced a return to youth.

The martial world was vast, so there might be a rare person who had experienced a return to youth.

However, the probability of that rare person coming to this place was close to zero.

‘Hmm?’

Gi Chung, who had been looking at the young man while pondering various thoughts, was suddenly startled.

‘When did he get this close?’

The young man, who had been more than twenty yards away, was already within seven yards.

Gi Chung felt a chill run down his spine.

Even though he had been watching him intently, he hadn’t noticed the young man’s fast pace. The only reason he realized it now was because he was constantly checking the broken wall that clearly marked the boundary of this dilapidated village.

Swoosh.

Gi Chung’s shoulders tensed up.

The opponent was a master. And a great master who far exceeded Gi Chung’s imagination.

Finally, the young man stopped walking.

Gi Chung stood awkwardly and asked,

“Wh-who are you?”

“Is this the Beggars’ Sect’s Samhap branch?”

“Huh? The, the Beggars’ Sect?”

The young man smiled and shook his head.

“There’s no need to deceive me like that, since I’m not an enemy. Don’t worry.”

In that instant, Gi Chung’s eyes changed.

He would have pretended not to know until the end if he could. But Gi Chung instinctively felt it. That the young man truly had no hostility. No, rather than hostility, there was an emotion closer to goodwill.

‘Who could be such a young master in Sichuan?’

Gi Chung cautiously asked,

“Who are you…?”

The young man opened his robe and took out two axes.

For a moment, Gi Chung tensed up, thinking he was about to start a fight, but then he realized that the two axes the young man had drawn were extraordinary.

‘Those are?!’

A black hand axe and a white hand axe.

The two axes were identical in size and shape, only differing in color. Furthermore, the dragon patterns engraved on the axe blades looked so vivid that they seemed ready to leap out at any moment.

They were masterpieces. Even at a glance, it was clear that they were weapons worthy of being called divine weapons.

The problem wasn’t that.

Two hand axes that had reached the level of divine weapons. And black and white.

Gi Chung’s face showed surprise.

“Could it be the Tiger Generals [a legendary pair of weapons]?”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong put the axes back in.

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong, the leader of the Martial Alliance’s Righteous Army.”

Gi Chung clasped his hands in greeting.

“I am Gi Chung of the Beggars’ Sect, and I greet Leader Yeon.”

The peerless prodigy who was considered the strongest among the young generation of the current martial world.

His martial arts were so strong that he was no longer even called a late-stage disciple. The level he had reached was too high to be evaluated with the term ‘late-stage disciple’.

The world said that Yeon Ho-Jeong’s level was exaggerated, that the world was not so easy.

However, the Martial Alliance, especially the beggars of the Beggars’ Sect, knew well that there was no exaggeration in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s skills.

Many even thought that the rumors were understated. Considering the difficulty of the missions Yeon Ho-Jeong had accomplished and the battles he had fought without the knowledge of outsiders, his martial prowess was at least at the level of a head of a major sect.

A cautious look appeared on Gi Chung’s face.

“I heard that you entered Sichuan recently. But I never expected you to come to our branch.”

A beggar of the Beggars’ Sect could not not know Yeon Ho-Jeong, but there were not many who had actually seen Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face in person.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was an individual classified as top-tier on the Beggars’ Sect’s list of key figures. Naturally, his description was passed down to each branch and sub-branch.

But as expected, seeing him in person was different from the picture. Gi Chung was inwardly shocked by the opponent’s appearance, who looked much younger than he had imagined.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked,

“It’s different, isn’t it?”

“Yes?”

“Perhaps because it’s a branch close to Chengdu, there are many masters.”

Gi Chung’s eyes wavered.

“Can you sense it?”

“There are five supreme masters, and the other twenty-two are also quite skilled. At this level, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a sect.”

Gi Chung was surprised once again.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s senses were accurate. There were five supreme masters at this Samhyeon branch, and a total of thirty masters who were considered first-rate.

Currently, eight of the thirty masters were out on missions, and the other Beggars’ Sect members were gathering information by begging in the vicinity from early morning.

Five supreme masters, and twenty-two first-rate masters.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s senses were chillingly accurate.

‘He’s incredible.’

Gi Chung knew he was amazing, but the reason Gi Chung was particularly surprised was that the masters of this Samhyeon branch were more skilled at hiding their presence than other Beggars’ Sect members.

He was confident that even a transcendent master would have difficulty accurately counting the number of people unless they maximized their senses by drawing out their inner energy to the fullest.

Yet, Yeon Ho-Jeong had figured out not only the number of people but also the level of their martial prowess just by glancing at them.

It was a terrifying sense. It was an insight that surpassed imagination.

Gi Chung lowered his head.

“I’ve heard that Leader Yeon’s martial arts are already being discussed throughout the world. You are indeed amazing.”

“You flatter me.”

“But.”

Gi Chung asked with a puzzled voice,

“What brings you to our branch?”

“I’m sorry.”

“…Yes?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled. It was a smile that conveyed genuine apology.

“I’ll explain later.”

“What do you mean…?”

In that instant, Gi Chung felt the hairs on his body stand on end.

Whoosh!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s figure disappeared from his sight.

Gi Chung instinctively moved his feet. Or rather, he tried to.

Thud.

However, before he could even use his movement technique, Gi Chung collapsed on the spot. He had been acupunctured by Yeon Ho-Jeong.

It was an unbelievable event.

Gi Chung was one of the five supreme masters the opponent had mentioned. Furthermore, he was even the branch leader of this Samhyeon branch.

Such a master, even if it was a surprise attack, was subdued in an instant without even being able to take a single step.

“Wh-what are you doing?!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t look at Gi Chung.

His gaze, as he looked around the dilapidated village, had already become indifferent.

“Begin.”

Whoosh!

Where had he been hiding?

It was unclear whether he had fallen from the sky or sprung from the ground. A middle-aged man who had appeared like magic in front of the dilapidated village entrance, swung his fluttering sleeves wide.

Gi Chung’s eyes widened as if they would tear.

‘That person is?!’

Not just his attire, but the slightly tilted head, the sharp eyes, and the angular jaw were enough to reveal the identity of the opponent.

‘The Tang Clan Head!’

It was Tang Gwan, the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan [a powerful clan known for their use of poison and hidden weapons].

Whoosh!

In an instant, a gust of wind poured out from both of Tang Gwan’s sleeves.

That was it. Tang Gwan, who had swung his arms a few times, put his hands behind his back again.

After a while.

“It’s over.”

“Yes, it seems so.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said, turning around.

“Please confirm.”

Swoosh.

Gi Chung couldn’t turn around.

From that place, he could hear several footsteps. Each light and brisk footstep indicated that they were all outstanding masters.

Soon, three masters entered Gi Chung’s field of vision.

A middle-aged man with a single spear on his back and a thick short sword at his waist.

A mysterious warrior with a red halberd on his shoulder, with a very sturdy physique.

And a young man with a common-looking iron sword at his waist.

Gi Chung could recognize their identities at a glance. They were the ones who had crossed over with Yeon Ho-Jeong when he entered Sichuan.

‘Elder Pae Yul of Jeomchang, Gang Ryang, the young master of the Ghost Iron Sword Clan, and the Iron Cavalry Commander of the Mukryong Unit!’

Great masters who were difficult to see even once in a lifetime had appeared in droves.

Not only that. Gi Chung knew that there was another master standing behind him, out of his sight.

Unrestrained inner energy. The subtle Buddhist aura that emanated frankly and honestly calmed his mind, which was out of place in the situation.

‘The Emei Sect [a Buddhist sect known for their martial arts]!’

Gi Chung was completely out of his mind.

‘What on earth is going on?!’

It was already absurd that top-tier masters of the martial world were appearing one after another, but they were attacking this place.

Gi Chung shouted,

“Leader Yeon! What on earth is the meaning of this! If this fact is known to the Alliance… !”

At that moment, a chilling voice was heard.

“Quiet.”

“…!!”

Tang Gwan glanced at Gi Chung and said,

“Keep your mouth shut until the cleanup is done.”

“…”

“If you cause any unnecessary commotion, you will turn into a puddle of blood immediately.”

Gi Chung’s mouth closed on its own.

He was second to none when it came to venom, but the opponent was the Tang Clan Head. No matter how venomous one was, they would have to grovel before the head of the Tang Clan.

After a while.

Pae Yul, Hwang Seok-Tae, and Gang Ryang gathered the masters of the Samhyeon branch, who had lost consciousness due to Tang Gwan’s poison, in the middle of the dilapidated village’s courtyard.

Pae Yul said,

“We’ve brought them all.”

“Begin.”

Pae Yul and Hwang Seok-Tae bound the fallen and made them kneel. They also made sure to seal their blood points one by one.

“It’s over.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Tang Gwan.

Tang Gwan waved his arm as if he was annoyed.

At that moment, an astonishing thing happened.

“Gasp!”

“Cough!”

The beggars of the Beggars’ Sect, who were kneeling in a row, all woke up.

“Ugh! Wh-what? Why is my head so…?”

“Ugh! Branch Leader?!”

“Who are you!”

Tang Gwan picked at his ear.

“These Beggars’ Sect guys are always so noisy.”

Gi Chung urgently shouted,

“You fools! Shut your mouths!”

Although he was said to have become more lenient recently, Tang Gwan was still Tang Gwan. It meant that he wasn’t called the Emperor of Sichuan for nothing.

If they were to offend him even slightly, they would all die, whether they were members of the Martial Alliance or not.

The surroundings became quiet in an instant. They too had sensed the unusual atmosphere.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Your obedience is like a knife. Truly befitting of the Beggars’ Sect.”

“…Leader Yeon.”

Gi Chung said, gritting his teeth,

“What on earth is the meaning of this?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took out a token from his chest.

Gi Chung’s eyes wavered.

“That token is…?”

“It’s called the Ojeong Token. Hu Ge gave it to me as a gift.”

“I know.”

“I heard that it grants the privilege of receiving immediate assistance from the Beggars’ Sect anywhere. Is that correct?”

“…That’s correct.”

“The reason I showed you this token is not to ask for a favor. It’s just to confirm that we are not your enemies.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“Of course, that’s only if you are not affiliated with a suspicious group.”

“…?”

“Although I know that the Beggars’ Sect is not involved, I had to subdue you first just in case. Report this matter to your superiors as it is.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying at all…”

“Do you know about the Paradise Hideout?”

In that instant, Gi Chung’s eyes widened.

“H-how do you know about that?!”

“…So you did know.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong squatted down in front of Gi Chung.

“Explain. When did you find out about the Paradise Hideout, how did you find out, and why didn’t you report it even though you knew?”

“…”

“I’m sorry to say this… but if your explanation is not convincing, you will not survive.”