Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 584

Tang Gwan’s presence alone was enough to draw the attention of the entire vast Tang Clan.

And thanks to that, Yeon Ho-Jeong and his group were able to easily enter the opposite side through the side path that Tang Gwan had mentioned.

A man who could capture the attention of an entire village just by appearing. They had expected him to create some space, but they never imagined it would be to this extent.

‘That is.’

In the shadows of a dark alley within the Tang Clan.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned towards the numerous towering buildings in the distance.

‘The Tang Clan, indeed.’

Tsutsutsutsu.

An unknown sense of unease washed over him.

Those many buildings looked like a demonic realm teeming with snakes and scorpions.

‘The scenery looks different from the past.’

He had visited Sichuan several times during the era of the Dark Emperor [a powerful figure or ruler from the past].

Back then, Sichuan was quite a gloomy place. The streets were completely burned down by the invasion of the Three Teachings [likely a reference to a conflict involving three religious or philosophical groups], and people had no means of expression other than groans.

A scene where hellfire had swept through. The Tang Clan was not like this either.

‘Nevertheless, I feel a strong sense of unease.’

Everything visible to the eye was peaceful. But the atmosphere was different.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was more sensitive to the smell of blood than anyone else. The Sichuan he saw, and the Tang Clan, were filled with a tense, volatile atmosphere.

Moyong Gun opened his mouth.

“It seems the Clan Head has successfully held their attention.”

“It seems so.”

“Is there anything caught in your Qi network [a network of energy within the body, often used in martial arts contexts]?”

“No. Not yet.”

“Then we can proceed.”

“That’s true, but.”

“Why? Is there something bothering you?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

He was lost in thought. Moyong Gun, Hwang Seok-Tae, Pae-Yul, and Gang Ryang quietly watched him.

But even as time passed, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mouth remained closed.

Moyong Gun glanced at Hwang Seok-Tae.

“Are you going to be alright?”

“……?”

“Judging by your energy, you seem more suited for annihilation battles than urban warfare.”

A person’s energy reveals not only their fighting style but also their attitude towards life.

But it was not easy to read. Especially for masters.

It was proof that Moyong Gun’s level completely overwhelmed Hwang Seok-Tae.

Hwang Seok-Tae spoke in a blunt tone.

“I will retreat if I feel like I’m going to die.”

“Oh?”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“We’ve all risked our lives, but you’re saying you won’t?”

“I received orders to join, but I did not receive orders to throw my life away in a dangerous place.”

“You’re lucky to have no burden.”

Hwang Seok-Tae did not answer further. He just silently stared at the Tang Clan.

Moyong Gun turned his gaze to Gang Ryang.

Gang Ryang was the same. His gaze towards the Tang Clan was extremely cold.

There was also a glimpse of volcanic rage, but he had the composure to contain all that heat. It was the gaze of a cold-blooded swordsman that could not be obtained at a young age.

‘Not bad.’

He knew Pae-Yul’s abilities well. After all, he was someone who had actually gone on operations with Yeon Ho-Jeong.

However, he had doubts about these two. He had never actually seen them carry out a mission.

Moyong Gun muttered quietly.

“None of them are easy… Good.”

It was then.

“I suppose I should.”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes lit up.

“It can’t be helped. I’ll draw the second wave of attention.”

Moyong Gun frowned.

“You’re going to draw the Tang Clan’s attention?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took out several pouches from his chest.

The pouches, as small as a baby’s palm, were three in total. Each was a red, blue, and black pouch, and their contents were all made by Tang Gwan himself.

“No matter how I think about it, I seem to be the most suitable. I trust the skills of the Iron Brigade Commander, Pae-Yul, and Gang Ryang, but considering my resistance to poison, I feel uneasy about entrusting this task to them.”

It was a cold assessment, but since they were in the middle of an operation, no one took offense at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words.

Even if they weren’t in the middle of an operation, the opponent was the Tang Clan. Not only were there supreme masters, but the Tang Clan’s secret poisons could even poison masters of the Saintly Heaven [a very high level of martial arts mastery]. It was an opponent that anyone would be uneasy about.

Moyong Gun said.

“Not everything in the world goes according to plan. But aren’t you deviating too much from the start? Wasn’t Elder Pae-Yul supposed to draw the second wave of attention?”

Pae-Yul nodded.

The Jeomchang’s divine movement technique [a specific martial arts style] was as great as its practicality. There were many sects with greater long-distance movement techniques or instantaneous speed, but there were few sects that could match Jeomchang in terms of unconventional movements and hit-and-run footwork.

In fact, Pae-Yul’s true value lay in his terrifying practical footwork. The spear techniques with terrifying penetrating power, and the sword techniques that unleashed endless killing methods, all came from his footwork.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I know Elder Pae-Yul’s skills well. He’s not someone who can be easily defeated. But if something goes wrong, even by a small chance…”

“Commander Yeon.”

“……?”

“Aren’t you being a bit too cold-blooded?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“I am being cold-blooded enough.”

“No, you’re not cold-blooded at all.”

Moyong Gun’s words were definitive.

Just as Yeon Ho-Jeong was about to speak again, Moyong Gun continued.

“If you were truly cold-blooded, you wouldn’t have even considered being the vanguard yourself, especially since you’re also serving as the military strategist for this operation.”

“……!”

“I know your abilities are outstanding. If you step forward, there’s no one more reliable.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed with a sharp light.

“But you are the center of this operation. You are the one who knows the most about what’s going on in Sichuan, besides the Tang Clan Head.”

“Of course, but.”

“Moreover, even the Dragon Head Sect has drawn a line, saying they are cooperating with ‘you,’ not ‘us.’ In other words, if something happens to you, this operation is half-failed.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression hardened.

Moyong Gun clicked his tongue.

“As a political rival, I would be relieved if you disappeared, but you are not someone who should die in such an operation. Have you already forgotten why we joined hands, why you called me?”

“……”

“Be cold-blooded. You said it yourself, that we all have to risk our lives. As you said, everyone here has risked their lives. Even…”

Moyong Gun chuckled and looked at Hwang Seok-Tae.

“Even this spearman.”

Hwang Seok-Tae did not deny it. He had said he would retreat if faced with death, but that was not his true intention.

“Even if you have the ability, even if you see it clearly, even if you are frustrated, you have to endure it. That is your role right now.”

It was an unusual piece of advice from Moyong Gun.

And that advice strongly resonated with Yeon Ho-Jeong’s heart.

That’s right. Moyong Gun was right.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had always been at the forefront, defeating enemies. Wherever battles broke out, the supreme master, Byeoksan Hojang, had always broken the enemy’s momentum.

But not now.

Unless the upcoming battle was predictable, the opponent was the Tang Clan. Moreover, it was an infiltration into the Tang Clan’s territory.

Yeon Ho-Jeong should not be at the forefront. He was the one who had everything about this operation in his head. Even if he could handle it himself, he had to entrust it to others, and even if an operative died, he had to remain calm and make this operation a success.

That was the burden of fate that a leader had to bear. It was the blood-soaked trust that all the conquerors of the world had to carry.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly looking at Moyong Gun, let out a soft breath.

“Alright. I will do as you say.”

Moyong Gun smiled faintly.

“That’s why you’re scary. Even when you hear something that bothers you, you understand and accept it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Pae-Yul.

“Elder, I’m counting on you.”

Pae-Yul snorted.

“Don’t worry. I haven’t had a proper fight to enjoy yet. And you promised me. You promised to take me to the most intense and fun battlefield in the world.”

“Do you like fighting that much?”

“Everyone has their own tastes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong handed the blue pouch to Pae-Yul.

“Here you go.”

“Alright.”

“This operation is only dangerous and not fun. Don’t go around recklessly and make me a liar who couldn’t keep his promise.”

“I can rest assured seeing your rude way of speaking.”

“I’m speaking as the commander of this operation.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong did not say anything cheesy like ‘don’t die’ or ‘don’t get hurt.’

“Please draw their attention properly.”

Pae-Yul grinned.

“I’m always a man who lives up to expectations.”

He opened the blue pouch and poured the contents into his mouth.

Whoosh!

In an instant, Pae-Yul’s skin turned red.

“Kuh!”

He tried to suppress it, but a suppressed groan eventually escaped. It was a pain that even the great Pae-Yul found difficult to endure.

But after a moment.

“Hoo…”

With a soft sigh, Pae-Yul’s skin returned to its normal color. The veins that had bulged in his neck also returned to normal.

With this, he had gained immunity to almost all poisons except for the Tang Clan’s five great poisons for half an hour.

And after half an hour.

No one knew what would happen to Pae-Yul. Not even Tang Gwan.

Sreung.

Pae-Yul, who had drawn his short spear and spirit sword, stepped forward.

“Get ready. I’m going to go wild.”

Paah!

No sooner had he finished speaking than Pae-Yul charged towards the Tang Clan.

How much time had passed?

Kwaaaang! Kwadedeudeuk!

With a fierce explosion, the sound of walls collapsing echoed everywhere.

* * *

In the center, a man in his early fifties, Tang Muk, bowed deeply.

“Third Elder Tang Muk greets the Clan Head.”

The elders on the left and right also bowed in the same way.

“We greet the Clan Head.”

Tang Gwan, who had been quietly watching them, pointed with his chin to the space in front of him.

“Sit.”

“……Yes.”

The three men sat down cautiously.

Just as Tang Muk was about to speak, Tang Gwan pulled a golden string on the ceiling.

“You’ve come all this way, you should at least have a drink.”

“We are sorry.”

Shortly after, a woman dressed in silk opened the door and entered.

“Did you call for me, Clan Head?”

“Bring three empty cups.”

“Yes.”

“Ah, not the same cups as mine.”

“……Pardon?”

In an instant, Tang Gwan’s eyes turned cold.

“I could gouge out your two eyes to make two cups, and pull out your lower jaw to make the last one.”

“……?!”

A look of bewilderment appeared on the woman’s face. It was such a sudden outburst that she didn’t understand what he meant for a moment.

At that moment, Tang Gwan waved his hand.

Thud!

The woman, whose eyes had glazed over in an instant, collapsed onto the table.

“……!!”

Surprise flickered across the faces of Tang Muk and the two elders.

The woman who had fallen on the table was motionless. But the skin on her hands and neck, except for her face which was covered in white powder, was gradually turning blue.

She was dead.

Tang Gwan had poisoned the woman to death in an instant.

“C-Clan Head? What on earth is this…!”

The elders were shocked by the sudden turn of events.

Tang Gwan poured himself a drink and said.

“Hoa held the majority of the shares in Noksu Jurou [likely a business or establishment], didn’t she? Did you think I wouldn’t know because it was done in secret?”

“……?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t hear something as loud as the Scorpion’s Traveling Sound [a metaphor for a secret communication or action], which reached eight-tenths of its full power?”

“……!!”

“It was quite a mess. As soon as you came in, you were all sending so many secret messages to each other that my ears were hurting.”

Tang Gwan emptied his glass in one go and said.

“Was it Hoa who seduced you? Or has Hoa also become a pawn of the traitors?”