Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 573

How much had he drunk?

Moyong Gun’s face was flushed. Yet, his eyes sparkled like stars, suggesting that the alcohol wasn’t a significant problem.

“……?”

Un Ja-bang, who had been looking out the window, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

“Did you feel it?”

Moyong Gun asked, lifting his glass.

“I told you they’d be here soon.”

A moment later, someone passed by the window where they were sitting.

A person who passed by so naturally. He disappeared from their sight in an instant.

And in that brief moment, a small piece of paper was placed on the edge of their table.

It was such a natural and discreet action that even if they had been paying close attention, they wouldn’t have noticed. Un Ja-bang was inwardly amazed.

‘Impressive.’

Just delivering a single note was enough to show the Beggars’ Union’s skill.

Even Un Ja-bang, a master of the highest order, had almost missed the movement despite watching intently. It seemed that having a high level of martial arts didn’t mean being aware of every movement in the world.

Un Ja-bang handed the note to Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun unfolded the note.

“……Indeed.”

Moyong Gun leaned his arm against the window.

Srrr.

From his arm leaning against the window, clear water dripped from the palm of his left hand. He had gathered and expelled the alcohol’s energy using his inner force [internal energy cultivation].

Moyong Gun’s face quickly regained its original color.

“Let’s move soon.”

“Where to?”

“Nearby. It seems the path is just right.”

“Do you think a battle will break out immediately?”

“I suppose so.”

Un Ja-bang’s lips curled up.

“Let’s go.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“Don’t overdo it in this long-awaited melee.”

* * *

“They really built it in a place like this.”

The building, erected in the dense forest, was quite large.

It was a three-story building, with a stream flowing behind it. Although it looked different from the building where he first met Song Ha-shinni, its size was almost the same.

Song Ha-shinni’s face hardened.

“Eun Gong.”

“It would be best if Shinni stayed here.”

“That won’t do. Shouldn’t I also witness their actions firsthand?”

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“Of course.”

She wouldn’t be alright at all.

But she still had to go. Song Ha-shinni had made up her mind, and Yeon Ho-jeong respected her decision.

“Understood. Then please follow from the rear.”

“……I will.”

She had realized that she couldn’t exert much power in actual combat. It was regrettable, but now was not the time to be stubborn.

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Tang Gwan.

“Do you feel it?”

“Yes.”

“It’s underground.”

Although the building was quite large, the place where most people were gathered was underground.

The presences were very faint. They had dug underground to create separate rooms, making it difficult even for the senses of top-tier masters to detect them easily.

“It would be best to attack from the top down, in order.”

Tang Gwan frowned.

“You’re really making good use of me.”

“You’re the one who can easily deal with those guys, aren’t you? Strategically speaking, if Clan Head doesn’t step forward, it will take a lot of time.”

“I suppose so.”

Though he said that, Tang Gwan also knew. That he was the most suitable for the initial surprise attack.

Yeon Ho-jeong said with a stern face.

“From the third floor to the first floor, you absolutely must not use any extreme poison. There might be civilians.”

“Don’t worry about useless things and loosen up your body.”

“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”

Srrk.

As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Gwan disappeared from the spot.

Paeyul clicked his tongue.

“That’s truly an incredible movement technique.”

The movement technique of Jeomchang was also fast and unconventional, suitable for actual combat.

But Tang Gwan’s movement technique was on a different level. It wasn’t so much a difference in the martial art itself, but rather a matter of understanding the movement technique.

Hwang Seok-tae asked.

“Are all the people from the Tang Clan skilled in movement techniques?”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“Of course, they would be. They are the ones who use poison and hidden weapons. It would be hard to find anyone as meticulous as them in gauging distances.”

“Hmm.”

Hwang Seok-tae had been interested in the Tang Clan’s hidden weapon techniques since his fight with the Samhyeondae [Three Mysterious Swordsmen].

It wasn’t to learn them. After this battle, he would be heading straight to the Tang Clan, and Sichuan Tang Clan was one of the most dangerous places in the entire Murim [martial arts world].

To fight there, it was important to know the opponent well.

‘Moreover, it’s unfamiliar terrain for us. Unpredictable movement techniques, vicious hidden weapons, and even poison. If a battle breaks out, we’ll be helpless.’

Of course, he had no intention of being helpless.

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes gleamed.

‘Poison and hidden weapons, or movement techniques. We need to block at least two of the three to make the battle easier.’

A moment later.

Srrk.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.

He sensed Tang Gwan, who had already climbed to the top of the three-story building, reaching the first floor after passing through the third and second floors.

“Let’s go.”

Paah!

The group instantly reached the entrance of the building.

It was then.

Piiiiiing!

With an eerie sound, all sorts of hidden weapons poured out from all over the forest.

As if he had been waiting for it, Yeon Ho-jeong swung the Twin Dragon Chain. Having absorbed as much inner energy as possible, the Twin Dragon Chain had extended to a length of over fifteen yards.

Chiririririring!

Swinging the long Twin Dragon Chain like lightning, the iron chain formed a huge hemisphere, deflecting the hidden weapons.

Gang Ryang whistled softly.

“That’s amazing.”

Chiriring!

Yeon Ho-jeong, having retracted the Twin Dragon Chain, scanned the surroundings.

‘As expected.’

Tang Gwan had climbed the trees in an instant and headed to the top of the building. But the group had boldly charged straight ahead. The hidden weapons of the mechanism, having detected that, were unleashed on the group.

‘Even a top-tier master would find it difficult to dodge or block this mechanism. This is the work of the Tang Clan.’

Yeon Ho-jeong walked at the front.

The hidden weapons that had been fired from all directions were not fired again after that.

Kkiiik.

The first-floor door opened, and Tang Gwan appeared. His face was as cold as ice.

Yeon Ho-jeong pointed behind him with his thumb.

“What is that?”

“It’s an Invisible Scattering Explosion.”

“Invisible Scattering Explosion?”

“It’s one of the hidden weapon mechanisms. It was created a hundred years ago and has been improved to this day.”

The more he spoke, the colder Tang Gwan’s voice became.

Although he had calmed his mind, he couldn’t help but feel anger when his family’s secret technique appeared in a place like this.

Yeon Ho-jeong entered through the door.

“You must not release any poison in the basement.”

“I know.”

The group entered Paradise Hideout.

Yeon Ho-jeong said.

“Gang Ryang.”

Paah!

As soon as his name was called, Gang Ryang moved at a terrifying speed.

Pishuk! Pishuk!

Eerie sounds of necks being severed and blood splattering echoed from all over the first floor.

He was killing all those who had trained in martial arts among those Tang Gwan had subdued.

It was a literal annihilation. He intended to send all the martial artists here to the afterlife, regardless of their personal circumstances.

Pishuk! Pishuk!

Gang Ryang, having quickly cleared the first floor, went up to the second floor.

The group scanned the first floor. They were looking for the path to the basement.

“It’s not easy.”

Paeyul frowned.

“Where on earth is the passage…….”

Kkiik.

Suddenly, Paeyul’s steps stopped. The rest of the group did the same.

The group approached Paeyul.

Paeyul put a little pressure on his right foot, which was on the floor.

Kkiik.

Another sound was heard.

“It’s here.”

Hwang Seok-tae raised his Crimson Dragon Spear.

“Let’s go in.”

“Wait.”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

“It’s not here.”

“Why do you think so?”

Then, Tang Gwan said.

“I can sense at least one hundred and fifty presences in this basement. But even though we’ve come this far, they feel extremely faint, as if they’re far away.”

“…….”

“It means the ground between the basement and here is incredibly thick. Even if a few fire bombs exploded inside, the ground wouldn’t collapse immediately.”

Only then did Hwang Seok-tae and Paeyul realize.

There was no way they would make the floor so loose when such thick ground was in place.

“It’s a trap. If we open this carelessly, the trap will be activated immediately.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. And decisively.”

Tang Gwan pointed to his nose with his index finger.

“I can smell the poison of the Blissful Fragrance.”

The Blissful Fragrance was one of the most potent poisons even in the Tang Clan.

The poison itself had almost no smell. In fact, it was difficult even for top-tier masters to smell it unless they were a poison expert.

However, the mouths of people who died from Blissful Fragrance had a very pleasant floral scent. That’s why it was named Blissful Fragrance.

Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.

“They’re really going all out.”

First, the Invisible Scattering Explosion, and second, the Blissful Fragrance.

At first glance, it seemed sloppy, but if you entered without permission and acted rashly, you would almost certainly die. Even if you avoided the Invisible Scattering Explosion, it would be difficult to avoid the Blissful Fragrance.

“Then where on earth is it?”

It was then.

“You can ask this guy.”

Paah!

Gang Ryang, who had descended from the top of the third floor in an instant, was carrying three sturdy warriors.

“I didn’t kill them just in case. These three are the only ones left, so get what you need from them and kill them.”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“Good job.”

He touched the acupoints and blood points of the three men.

Then, Tang Gwan waved his hand.

“……!”

The three men opened their eyes at the same time.

They looked at each other in surprise. Although their blood points had been touched, they could move their heads freely.

Yeon Ho-jeong said.

“Where is the path to the basement?”

“……?!”

The three men stared at Yeon Ho-jeong without a word.

Since their acupoints had been touched, they couldn’t speak. Yet, Yeon Ho-jeong asked for the location to see the expressions in their eyes.

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll just kill you all and break through the floor. I’ve already figured out where the traps are, so that would be a more refreshing method.”

“…….”

“Are you willing to tell me?”

The eyes of two of the three men shook violently.

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at the warrior on the far right, whose eyes did not waver. His eyes were full of venom, indicating that he wouldn’t open his mouth to any torture.

Yeon Ho-jeong pointed at him.

“Kill him.”

Paah!

Gang Ryang’s iron sword, slashed diagonally, split the man’s upper body.

Fuhwaaak!

A large amount of blood splattered, and severed organs and bone fragments stained the floor.

The faces of the remaining two warriors turned pale.

Even if you killed someone, you couldn’t kill them this horribly. Thinking that they would end up like that if they didn’t speak, their spines tingled.

“I don’t need two mouths.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“I’ll release your acupoints. I’ll only spare one of you.”

He flicked his finger.

Pook! Pook!

“Cough! Haa! Haa!”

“Haa! It’s, it’s not here!”

In an instant, Gang Ryang’s sword flashed.

Flash!

The neck of the warrior on the far left, who was just catching his breath, was severed.

The face of the last surviving warrior was stained with intense fear. He was terrified by the group’s brutal and savage killing.

Yeon Ho-jeong crouched in front of the warrior.

“Where is it?”

“Y-you have to go out of this building! There’s a passage near the stream!”

“Is that so?”

“It’s true! And that place has a structure that can only be opened with a key! You can only open it by inserting the key correctly and turning it!”

He meant to say not to kill him.

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled brightly.

“You’re quick-witted, I like that. You’ll live a long life.”

“Haa! Haa!”

“You can guide us, right?”

“O-of course!”

“Good. Let’s go.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled again at Gang Ryang.

“I really like this guy. Don’t you think so?”

Gang Ryang shuddered.

He was scared for himself, but it seemed that Yeon Ho-jeong’s wickedness was on a different level.