Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 578

579. Scent of Treachery (1)

“Hmm.”

On a hill overlooking the distant forest.

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“They were one step ahead.”

No people were visible to the naked eye. However, the subtle killing intent emanating from a building in the forest already proved that the deed was done.

“Well, let’s go too.”

Thump!

Moyong Gun and Eon Ja-bang leaped down the hill.

“……”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned to the forest.

‘They’ve come.’

He hadn’t particularly gathered his energy, but the presence he naturally exuded was immense.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s brow furrowed.

It was a dangerous energy.

It was calm, yet it felt like it could explode at any moment. It was as if a blazing lightning bolt had been compressed to its limit.

It was as if his own Yeon-ga Divine Core [a technique that focuses and refines internal energy] had internalized his true energy. The extremely developed lightning energy was so tightly packed that there wasn’t even room for a needle to enter.

‘He’s improved.’

More than before.

‘Impressive.’

It wasn’t easy to show such rapid growth at Moyong Gun’s age.

Changes in true energy due to enlightenment or achieving a higher level of martial arts were possible. However, it was rare for the density of true energy within the body to grow so noticeably, as it had with Moyong Gun.

Beginners all experience gradual growth, but the growth of masters resembles a staircase.

Despite having reached a sufficiently high level, Moyong Gun was showing steady growth, as if he had just begun his martial arts journey.

‘Did he obtain a fortuitous encounter? Or is it due to the nature of his martial arts?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong recalled the Moyong Gun of the past.

His offensive power was incomparably strong. His enlightenment was also remarkable. The title of Sword God wasn’t something one could receive simply by becoming the leader of the Martial Alliance.

‘As expected, he hasn’t been just playing around.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t know what Moyong Gun’s future would be like. The era was already completely different from the time of the Dark Emperor.

But one thing was certain.

Moyong Gun would never back down. He would use any means necessary to achieve his dream. He would never give up until the end.

Shortly after, Moyong Gun and Eon Ja-bang appeared.

“It’s been a while.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled faintly.

“You’ve arrived.”

“We were going to move together, but it seems it’s already over.”

“That’s right.”

Moyong Gun looked around.

Beside Yeon Ho-Jeong were Gang Ryang and Pae Yul. And behind them, people tied up with ropes were lined up.

“……”

Moyong Gun’s eyes turned cold.

“Who are they?”

“They are bastards who deserve to be caught and killed.”

An unimaginable killing intent seethed within his calm voice.

Moyong Gun had never heard such a voice from Yeon Ho-Jeong. It was a voice that seemed like it would be crushed and burst at any moment, but somehow he was controlling himself.

“Can you explain the situation?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong briefly explained about Paradise.

As always, his explanation was concise and accurate.

“……”

Moyong Gun’s eyes wavered.

“Is that true?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong remained silent with his arms crossed.

Pae Yul pointed to the building.

“The Tang Clan Head is tending to the victims. Go inside and see for yourself.”

Moyong Gun and Eon Ja-bang moved with stiff faces.

Shortly after, a fierce aura surged from inside the building.

Gang Ryang sighed.

“Do you think it’s real?”

“What?”

“Moyong Clan Head’s anger, I mean.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“It’s real.”

“……”

“Of course, the reason for his anger is different from ours.”

Moyong Gun’s anger was somewhat distant from moral outrage.

Of course, he would have been shocked by the incident itself, and there would be anger stemming from humanitarian feelings.

However, the biggest reason for Moyong Gun’s anger was the Three Teachings [a powerful group of martial arts sects].

At this point in time, people belonging to the best sect in Sichuan were colluding to run such a place.

It was a morally terrible thing, but if you thought about it in a war situation, it was simply absurd. At least, Moyong Gun’s anger would be heavily inclined in that direction.

Moyong Gun’s anger towards the Three Teachings was almost blind. If there was anyone or anything that had even the slightest negative impact on the current situation, he would be the first to step forward and wield the sword of judgment.

“In some ways, he seems easy to understand, but then again, he’s so difficult to understand.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes.

“Moyong Clan Head’s anger is definitely necessary. It’s a relief that it’s genuine.”

Was that too harsh of a statement?

No, it wasn’t. Despite witnessing a situation that could not be ignored, they had to think about the future.

Sadly, they even had to use the enemy’s emotions. Even in this serious situation, they had to be able to grasp such things.

‘So that’s how it was.’

Gang Ryang was finally able to realize it.

He had already known it in his head, but now he could understand it with his heart.

‘Brother doesn’t have time to focus on himself.’

There was no one else who thought about the future of the continent and the martial world as much as Yeon Ho-Jeong.

It was easy to say, but caring for the world was by no means an easy task. He was investigating even the incidents that occurred in some remote part of the endless continent, and he was constantly thinking about how those incidents would affect the nation.

It was because they had to win.

If the war with the Three Teachings was inevitable, he was racking his brain every day to make victory in that war inevitable.

It was a life that Gang Ryang could not even imagine.

‘Even while living such a life, he’s still improving so much.’

Gang Ryang smiled bitterly.

‘I can’t even dare to say it’s hard in front of this person.’

At that moment, Moyong Gun and Eon Ja-bang came out of the building.

Moyong Gun’s face was frighteningly stiff. It was a face that looked like it would explode like a volcano if you just touched it.

He approached Yeon Ho-Jeong and said,

“What are you planning to do with them?”

“I’ve asked the Beggars’ Union for help. They will be here soon.”

“Will the Beggars’ Union be able to handle it?”

“I’ll talk to them, and if I think it’s too much for them to handle, I’m planning to uproot the Paradise branches in Sichuan and then move.”

“……Good.”

Moyong Gun sat down with his back against a rock. He felt like he would kill them all if he kept looking at the tied-up bastards.

Time passed again.

A group of people approached from afar.

It was the Beggars’ Union.

“Great Leader Yeon.”

“You’ve come?”

The faces of Gi Chung and his subordinate masters were no different from Moyong Gun’s.

“Are those them?”

“Yes.”

Gi Chung, who had been speechless for a moment, took out a letter from his pocket.

“This is a letter for Great Leader Yeon. It’s directly from the main branch.”

“Who is it from?”

“It’s from Union Leader Yongdu.”

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“From Union Leader Yongdu?”

“Yes.”

Union Leader Yongdu.

He was the master of the hundred thousand Beggars’ Union and the teacher of Hu Gae-Deuk-Sang.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had also met Union Leader Hwa Jin-Cheon. He had come to see him when he was with Jeagal Ayeon right after the Myeong family incident.

Yeon Ho-Jeong unfolded the letter.

Soon, his eyes deepened.

Pae Yul asked.

“What does he say?”

“He says he’s in Sichuan.”

“Union Leader Yongdu?!”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong folded the letter.

“He wants to meet.”

“……Hmm.”

At this time?

Yeon Ho-Jeong said to Gi Chung,

“The letter says that masters directly under the Union Leader have been dispatched here. Did you know about that?”

“Yes?”

“You didn’t know.”

Gi Chung, who had a bewildered expression, nodded with a stiff face.

“I’ve handed over most of the work to Hu Gae, but he’s still the Union Leader. He must know about all sorts of incidents and accidents scattered throughout the world.”

“Knowing is not the issue. The important thing is when he knew.”

“What I wanted to say is that he knows about the situation here. Furthermore, the fact that he didn’t inform the Sichuan branches about this means that he is also being cautious.”

That was true.

“Wait a moment.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong went inside the building.

The victims were lying scattered on the first floor. They had spread blankets brought from the second and third floors, but most of them were unconscious or terrified and not in their right minds.

And in the midst of it, Tang Gwan, Hwang Seok-Tae, and Songha Shaman were moving busily.

“Clan Head.”

“I’m busy. If it’s not important, talk to me later.”

“It’s important.”

Tang Gwan was carefully dissolving a few pills in water.

Yeon Ho-Jeong waited patiently. Tang Gwan’s work was very meticulous.

Shortly after, Tang Gwan handed the medicine to Songha Shaman and said,

“Give this to those patients over there. Be careful not to block their energy flow.”

“Understood.”

Tang Gwan, having washed his hands, went outside with Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“What is it?”

“There’s a place I need to go to for a moment.”

“Where to?”

“I think I need to meet with Union Leader Yongdu.”

Tang Gwan’s eyes lit up.

“Was Union Leader Yongdu in Sichuan?”

“It seems so. He sent a separate letter.”

“Tell Union Leader Yongdu this. If he only knows how to listen and not how to act, then his legs are useless, and I’ll cut them off myself.”

If Union Leader Yongdu was in Sichuan, he would have a rough idea of what was happening here.

Yet, he hadn’t taken action. He might have his own reasons, but it wasn’t Tang Gwan’s place to interfere with that.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“I’ll pass it on as it is.”

“So, what have you decided to do with them?”

“It seems the Beggars’ Union can handle it. Union Leader Yongdu has dispatched his direct subordinates, so I think we can leave this matter to them for the time being.”

Tang Gwan’s eyes lit up.

He was clearly angry at Union Leader Yongdu, but he had no intention of belittling his abilities.

Union Leader Yongdu’s abilities were on a different level from other martial arts sects. If he decided to take control of the information in Sichuan, even Paradise, which was skilled in information control, would not dare to act recklessly.

“If Union Leader Yongdu takes over the Paradise matter for us, we can buy some time.”

“That’s right. Regardless of the truth, Union Leader Yongdu is considered a symbol of cooperation.”

His voice was full of edge.

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued.

“I can’t be sure, but at least he can hold them off for a month. We should be able to finish the Tang Clan’s work within that time.”

“The sooner, the better.”

“Of course. That’s why I’m going to meet Union Leader Yongdu right away, so let’s meet near the Tang Clan’s territory.”

“Alright.”

“Please endure a little longer.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having clasped his hands, turned around.

Tang Gwan, who had been quietly watching his back, said as if throwing it away,

“You brat.”

“Yes?”

“The Tang Clan does not forget favors.”

With those words, Tang Gwan also turned and headed back into the building.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

The Tang Clan does not forget favors. In other words, they would definitely repay him for helping them this time.

It was a statement that Tang Gwan would not dare to make under normal circumstances. That meant that Tang Gwan also considered this situation to be important.

Yeon Ho-Jeong left without a word.

It was a situation that was making Tang Gwan lose his usual self, so he had to make sure he could return to his usual self.

* * *

Half a day later.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had moved at a terrifying speed, had already arrived at a tavern near the Dujiangyan in Sichuan.

There were no people visible in the tavern. Instead, only subtle signs of life could be felt.

Without a word, Yeon Ho-Jeong went up to the top floor of the tavern, and in front of him, an old man stood with his hands behind his back, turning around.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clasped his hands.

“I greet Union Leader Yongdu.”

Union Leader Yongdu, Hwa Jin-Cheon, turned around.

“It’s been a while, Cat.”