Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 587

The Poisonous Land, and the Land of Blood (3)

“Hmm.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“He’s really making a scene. I can feel the urgency all the way over here.”

As Moyong Gun said, it was true.

The sound of the large, sturdy outer wall of the Dang Clan collapsing, followed by the screams of the warriors presumed to be the Dang Clan’s guards, could be heard.

It wasn’t just the sounds. The urgent atmosphere carried by the wind was clearly due to the heat emanating from the Dang Clan members.

“But….”

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes deepened.

“It seems he’s going quite deep.”

Indeed. Pae-yul’s flame-like energy had already crossed the outer wall of the Dang Clan.

It was an intrusion. It wasn’t through the main gate, but he had not only wreaked havoc on the outer wall of the Sichuan Dang Clan, known as an impregnable fortress, but had also broken through it and entered with confidence.

It was truly an event that would go down in the history of the Dang Clan. No master in the world would dare to think of infiltrating the Dang Clan alone.

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“He has to do at least that much. That’s how he can completely capture their attention.”

“But….”

Gang Ryang’s face showed a hint of worry.

“Will he be alright? No matter how skilled he is, he won’t be able to handle that many.”

“That’s why we sent Elder Pae-yul. He’s good at hitting and running.”

“No matter how good he is at hitting and running, if he gets trapped in an encirclement, it’s over.”

“Well, that’s also true.”

Moyong Gun looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.

“It seems like it’s time for us to move.”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“I think so too.”

He took out a map from his pocket.

“Did the Clan Lord memorize this map?”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“Of course.”

This map was a detailed layout of the Dang Clan’s interior, drawn by Dang Gwan himself.

It was truly astonishing. They were comrades working together to reclaim the clan, but they were still outsiders. Yet, he had revealed the layout of the clan, steeped in the long history of the Dang Clan, to these outsiders. It was not an easy thing to do.

“Even after this mission is over, it’s best not to have any unnecessary thoughts.”

Moyong Gun shrugged.

“You must think I’m a fool. Or perhaps you think the Dang Clan Lord is a fool.”

The act of Dang Gwan giving this map contained the meaning that even if he were to die, the operation should continue to the end. He wanted them to successfully complete the mission as much as possible by looking at the internal building layout, even in his absence.

Conversely, what if this operation succeeded?

Dang Gwan intended to completely overturn the inside of the clan. Not just the people, but also the buildings and formations.

A layout to change if he survived the operation, and a preparation for the future if he died and the operation failed.

That was the intention behind Dang Gwan confidently handing over the map.

“Then, I will give the operation instructions.”

Yeon Ho-jeong pointed to a part of the map.

“Currently, the person with the strongest resistance to poison among us must liberate ‘them’ from this place.”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“That would be me.”

“Yes.”

He had mastered the ancient martial art called Thunderclap Skill. As its name suggested, Thunderclap Skill was a martial art based on thunder energy.

How he could contain such destructive true energy in his body was unknown. What was important was that Moyong Gun possessed that energy, and the thunder energy, by its very existence, had the ultimate destructive power to burn away even the most potent poisons.

Combined with his years of experience and knowledge, there was no one more suitable than Moyong Gun for the first operation.

“You must be careful as it is the inner compound.”

“It will be difficult, but if the Dang Clan Lord’s plan works, there will surely be an opening. And to take advantage of that plan, we must move right now.”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“Depart now. You must properly coordinate with Elder Pae-yul.”

“Good.”

“And take this with you.”

Yeon Ho-jeong handed Moyong Gun a black pouch.

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

“You want me to use this?”

“Consider it as important as the mission itself. Even if the mission fails, you must not lose your life.”

“That’s a grateful yet burdensome thing to say.”

“Do not overestimate your own martial arts, and use it decisively when you need to.”

“Alright. I’ll follow the operation leader’s advice.”

“Go.”

Flash!

A streak of light seemed to burst forth, and in an instant, Moyong Gun had disappeared.

It was an unbelievable, terrifying movement technique, even after seeing it with his own eyes. Gang Ryang inwardly clicked his tongue.

“Now.”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Hwang Seok-tae.

“You will have to move with me. Although your martial art is specialized for annihilation battles, your spear technique is also useful for defense. You must protect me in case of an emergency.”

Hwang Seok-tae nodded.

“The Ironclad Unit is not just a combat unit that sweeps through enemy territory. At times, it must also take on the task of defense.”

And the leader of such a unit was Hwang Seok-tae. He was a person who was equal to, or even better than, Yeon Ho-jeong in terms of the balance between offense and defense.

“Lastly, Gang Ryang.”

“Yes, Brother.”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been quietly looking at Gang Ryang, sighed.

“There is nothing more foolish than mixing personal feelings into a mission, but honestly, I am worried.”

Gang Ryang chuckled.

Yeon Ho-jeong was speaking as if grumbling with a sigh. If he were truly worried about him, he would have silently gone with him or instilled confidence in him by saying he would never die.

The fact that he was openly expressing his concern meant that he acknowledged him to some extent.

“I’m worried about myself too. Honestly, I’m a bit nervous.”

“Of course you should be nervous. If you’re not nervous, you’ll die without even being able to use your hands.”

“I know.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“Your swordsmanship has already reached a high level. It’s practically a completed form.”

“Is that so?”

“But completing one martial art is not the end. The completion of a martial art is a long and arduous task, but beyond that world, there are countless people who cultivate their completed martial arts into their own unique martial ways.”

“Yes.”

“You have also risen to that rank. I have no doubt that this battle will be a great foundation for your martial arts.”

“If you keep saying things like that, I’ll get even more nervous.”

“I’m saying it so you’ll get more nervous. You say you’re nervous, but your eyes are full of excitement.”

“Hahaha.”

Yeon Ho-jeong pointed to a part of the map.

“You will wait here.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes gleamed.

“Is that alright?”

“It’s alright. The problem is that it’s entirely up to you to decide whether to move as a reserve force or to defend the front line to the end.”

“I see.”

“I won’t say much.”

Yeon Ho-jeong patted Gang Ryang’s shoulder.

“I believe in you.”

Gang Ryang was a master who had gained a lot of experience at a young age.

Even with a lot of experience, a young person’s vigor can sometimes cloud their vision.

But Gang Ryang didn’t have that. He always showed a frivolous tone and a playful expression, but in reality, he was a very calm and quick-thinking person.

The intuitive drive that youth provides. Combined with the experience of being able to read the flow of battle and his genius martial arts.

The mission that fell to Gang Ryang could be the easiest, or it could be the most difficult.

“Haven’t I experienced all sorts of crazy situations by your side, Brother?”

Gang Ryang got up from his seat.

“Trust my judgment.”

“Of course, I will.”

“I’ll go first.”

Swoosh!

Gang Ryang disappeared as stealthily as a ghost.

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Hwang Seok-tae.

“Shall we move too?”

“Good. But, is it alright to move now?”

“Hmm?”

“Pae-yul broke through the west wall, Moyong Clan Lord is heading to the inner compound through the northwest wall, Gang Ryang is at the south wall waiting area. And you said you were heading to the east wall.”

Hwang Seok-tae tilted his head.

“Even if we head to the east wall now, it will only attract unnecessary attention. Is there really a need to move now?”

“We are not going to the east wall.”

“What?”

“Where we are going is.”

Yeon Ho-jeong pointed to a part of the map.

It was a place where the ink was particularly thick.

“This place.”

“……!!”

Hwang Seok-tae’s eyes shook.

“Are you really thinking of heading there?”

“That’s what I intended from the beginning.”

“The Dang Clan Lord will not like it.”

“The resentment can be received after the mission is successful.”

“……You were planning to attack that side from the start.”

“That’s right.”

“Was there a reason to deceive our allies to that extent?”

“You have to deceive your allies before you deceive the enemy.”

“…….”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked to the right.

Beyond the alleyway, a tall tavern could be seen in the distance. It was the Green Water Tavern.

“Dang Gwan is the master of the Dang Clan. The master of the Dang Clan cannot be just anyone. He cannot ascend to the position of Clan Lord without having the wisdom and strength to face all the Dang Clan bloodline alone.”

“…….”

“And yet, we have placed the Dang Clan Lord in the Green Water Tavern and made it our command center. If we had entrusted Elder Pae-yul’s mission to the Dang Clan Lord, he would have been able to handle it even more excellently.”

“Yes, I was wondering about that too.”

“The reason is simple.”

The look in Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes as he looked at the Green Water Tavern became strange.

In that gaze, there was a strong trust that he had never shown to the Poison Monarch Dang Gwan during his time as the Dark Emperor.

“Because all the major figures in the Dang Clan, as well as all the people in the Dang Clan, will be watching the Dang Clan Lord. His very presence alone will paralyze half of the Dang Clan’s movements. That creates a much more powerful influence than directly taking action.”

“Hmm.”

“Furthermore, the Dang Clan Lord has already reached his limit. The possibility of him not being able to contain his anger the moment he enters the clan is close to 100%.”

“That’s true.”

“That shouldn’t happen. He must remain dignified and as a noble absolute being until the end. That’s how the reconstruction of the Dang Clan will be faster.”

For that one thing, the remaining people risk their lives.

Perhaps even if it were another clan’s matter, Dang Gwan would also risk his life with Yeon Ho-jeong.

That’s why it’s not a pity to move for Dang Gwan. It’s not a waste to risk their lives.

“But, if you want him to remain as such an absolute being, shouldn’t he not meet ‘him’?”

“No. That’s a different case.”

“Hmm… Well, I guess you have your own reasons.”

“Anyway, let’s get going too.”

“Alright.”

A subtle tension arose on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.

“I wonder how he will come out.”

* * *

Trickle, trickle.

Blood flowed little by little from the seven orifices of the two men.

The sight of them twisting their bodies grotesquely and trembling made anyone who saw them feel a terrible fear. Just what kind of poison was used and how, two of the joints in the two men’s limbs were bent in reverse.

They had soiled themselves with blood, sweat, and even urine. There was a foul stench.

But Dang Gwan was drinking his wine without changing his expression. The corpse of the woman who had fallen on the table was now shoved next to the two men.

“Hoo.”

The full wine glass was emptied again.

Dang Gwan refilled the glass as if it were a habit. Even after drinking so much wine, he was not even slightly drunk.

How long had it been?

“……?”

Dang Gwan turned his head towards the window.

Several of the Dang Clan’s buildings could be seen outside the window.

“……I knew it.”

The thread of the Spirit Sand Poison that had been embedded in the Fourth Elder’s heart snapped.

He was dead. He was probably killed by Dang Ho.

“Brother.”

A smile spread across Dang Gwan’s lips.

His eyebrows were distorted and his eyes were fierce. Yet, he was smiling. It was an expression that was hard to describe.

“Do you know that you are such an easy opponent?”

Shortly after.

Rumble.

More than three hundred presences were felt at the Dang Clan’s main gate. In addition to the one hundred elite soldiers waiting near the Green Water Tavern, they had sent three hundred more troops.

Dang Gwan smiled wryly.

“Power struggles are not my hobby.”

It seemed like he would have to make a few more scenes to get his heavy butt moving.