Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 59

Whoosh. Thwack!

A sharp, blue sword wind split the boulder in half.

Moyong Gun’s face finally showed a satisfied look as he examined the cross-section of the split rock.

“Now, that’s something to look at.”

The cut surface of the rock was eerily smooth. It looked as if water would slide down without scattering if dropped on it.

‘At this rate, I can advance my timeline by a few years.’

The Moyong family had many techniques.

Although swordsmanship was their main focus, the family also possessed countless martial arts skills. In fact, only half of the past family heads were swordsmen.

However, like other prestigious families, the Moyong family had a secret, ultimate martial art hidden by their ancestors.

It was an absolute sword technique that no one had ever mastered. The previous generation’s family head discovered it, the generation before him finished interpreting it, and Moyong Gun, the current family head, was now learning it.

Unfeeling Heavenly Thunder Style.

It was an invincible sword technique that utilized the ancient divine art called Thunderclap Power. Its sharpness and power were beyond description. Just reading the incantation sent shivers down one’s spine.

With this martial art.

With this high-level martial art, he would soon reach the realm of the Thirteen Seats of the Heavenly Saints. It would take, at most, about ten years.

“Hoo. By the way, it consumes a lot of internal energy. I need to increase the density of my energy further…”

Moyong Gun stared at the split rock, lost in thought.

Someone interrupted his contemplation.

“Family Head.”

Moyong Gun’s eyebrows furrowed.

It was a crucial moment. He didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone, especially now.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Once his concentration was broken, it wouldn’t return. Moyong Gun replied in a calm voice.

“What is it?”

“A letter has arrived from the Beggars’ Union.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.

‘The Beggars’ Union?!’

What business would the Beggars’ Union have sending him a letter?

‘There is one.’

Yes, there was one.

It was related to the Yeon family. Otherwise, there would be no reason for the Beggars’ Union to send a letter at this time.

‘So, the Beggars’ Union was helping the Yeon family.’

The fact that the letter came directly was enough to confirm it. He was so sure that he didn’t even need to read the contents.

‘Ha! This means I have to move faster than planned.’

Moyong Gun clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘They should have just not sent the letter. Yeon Family Head, you’ve needlessly hastened your death.’

Regardless, he had to read the letter since it had arrived.

“Give it to me.”

“Yes.”

Moyong Gun unfolded the letter.

The peace that had filled his heart.

That calm heart began to churn as he read the letter.

Crack! Crack!

Sword marks appeared on the ground around where Moyong Gun stood.

Buzz. Buzz.

A yellowish electric light flickered around his body.

It was the Thunderclap Energy that was unconsciously manifesting. This meant that Moyong Gun was greatly shocked.

“…What is this?”

His face remained expressionless, but he was greatly flustered.

The letter contained a lot of information.

The problem was that each piece of information was incredibly shocking. Even Moyong Gun, who rarely batted an eye, was taken aback.

He read the name at the end of the letter.

“Yeon Ho-jeong?!”

It was shocking.

Given the content, he had his doubts, but he never expected that the letter would be from the Yeon family’s eldest son, not the family head.

He calmed his racing heart and pondered each detail of the letter.

‘Thank you for sending your spies, I’ve chewed them up well. By the way, even if it was the children acting on their own, you should have at least made them carry something in their mouths. What kind of confidence made you send them empty-handed? If you plan to send spies again, send ones with heavy mouths.’

It was a meaningful statement.

He had expected them to catch the spies. But the next part was troubling.

Send ones with heavy mouths? What did those spies say?

‘Even if you were in a hurry, you sent the entire intelligence network of a prestigious family. Of course, it doesn’t seem like the family head specifically requested it. But tell me, what did you want to confirm through me that made you so hasty?’

This was the turning point. From here, Moyong Gun realized that something was wrong.

‘He knows that I’m allied with the Myeong family? How?’

He hadn’t even told the spies about that. It was obvious. The fewer people who knew about this, the better.

But where did this guy hear it? How did he know?

How could he be so sure?

And the most impressive part was this:

‘Come to think of it, it seems like the family head is too greedy. Not only the main family, but it seems like you’re planning to bury the Myeong family as well. Is it not enough to be the number one family in the world? Do you also want to become the leader of the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance]?’

Thud.

Without realizing it, he pressed down on the letter with his thumb. The edge of the letter where his thumb touched tore slightly.

The number one family in the world. The leader of the Murim Alliance.

The reason he couldn’t ignore these words was because they were actually his dreams and goals.

Of course, anyone could have such dreams. The problem was that he had been planning various strategies to reach the top for a long time.

The letter seemed to be saying:

‘You’ve been exposed, you know.’

‘Well, it’s okay. I respect those who use any means necessary to achieve their dreams. I’m the same way. So, let me make a proposal.’

He heard that he was not even twenty years old. How dare a young man use such language to a martial arts senior who was almost fifty? What an arrogant fellow.

However, Moyong Gun didn’t pay much attention to his tone. The content of the letter was far more shocking.

‘You sent spies, but I understand. But the ones who are actually sharpening their swords are different. I have no intention of forgiving the Myeong family. It seems like the family head has a decisive move, so let’s bury the Myeong family together while we’re at it.’

Bury the Myeong family.

It was a truly provocative and thrilling statement.

Aside from Yeon Ho-jeong’s arrogance, the thrill of that one sentence was immense. For him, who was aiming to become the number one family in the world, the Myeong family was the biggest obstacle.

That was why he had considered burying them with bad rumors instead of force. It was the best strategic choice, but if he had the power, he wouldn’t have needed to use such a strategy.

Therefore, Yeon Ho-jeong’s letter was as shocking as it was alluring.

Bury the Myeong family. Eliminate the current number one family in the world.

‘Actually, even I don’t think you’d believe me with just this one letter. I also find it hard to fully trust the family head. That’s why I sent it directly. The sooner we meet, the better.’

Putting everything else aside, he thought that this guy was truly amazing.

He was playing with people through a letter. If he didn’t know who he was, he would have mistaken him for an old veteran who had been through the wringer in the martial world.

The fact that he wanted to meet in person meant that he was confident. It made him think that it might be the real Yeon Ho-jeong, not someone impersonating him.

‘Come to Henan. I’ll be building up my evil deeds against the Myeong family. Since you are known for your great wisdom, I believe you know that any delay in your decision will be a loss for everyone.’

Moyong Gun closed his eyes.

‘He’s going to build up evil deeds against the Myeong family…’

With that one sentence, he decided to drastically raise the public’s opinion of Yeon Ho-jeong.

‘Is there anyone like this?’

How long had it been? Since he had been so impressed by a junior.

He had never been this impressed by his own daughter. He was just proud of her, but she had never surprised her father like this.

If he had to pick someone, it would be his youngest brother, Moyong Woo. But Moyong Woo was someone to be wary of, not a child who could match his abilities on equal footing.

‘Yeon Family Head… amazing. When did he raise such a monster with that stiff face of his?’

To some, it might just be ‘a mere’ letter.

However, Moyong Gun could read countless things from this letter. That was why he highly valued Yeon Ho-jeong.

‘So, the Yeon Family Head was not someone to be taken lightly either? Ha! There are so many talented people in the world.’

Moyong Gun chuckled to himself.

Having many worthy opponents was both tiring and exciting. Perhaps the rumors about the Yeon Family Head were not true.

“Summon the Chief Manager and Yeon Hwa.”

Soon after, Moyong Yeon-hwa and Ling Ji-zhao appeared.

Moyong Gun smiled and handed the letter to the two of them.

“This is a letter from a fellow named Yeon Ho-jeong. Read it.”

The two read the letter.

Soon after, their faces hardened noticeably.

“How…?!”

Ling Ji-zhao said with a dumbfounded expression.

“How did the eldest son of the Yeon family know about this?!”

He was talking to himself without realizing it. Considering his usual personality, it was unimaginable. That was how big of a shock it was.

On the other hand, Moyong Yeon-hwa was silent. Her serious expression indicated that she was thinking deeply about something.

Moyong Gun asked.

“Yeon-hwa, what do you think?”

“Before my thoughts, I have a question for you, Father. I need an answer to this question before I can share my thoughts.”

“Ask me anything.”

“What is the probability that this is a trap?”

Moyong Gun said decisively.

“None.”

“I see.”

“Were your thoughts different?”

“Either none or a definite trap. I thought it was meaningless to consider a middle probability.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“Alright, so what do you think?”

“Go.”

Ling Ji-zhao looked at Moyong Yeon-hwa in surprise.

Moyong Yeon-hwa smiled.

“It seems like you had already made up your mind before you called us here, didn’t you?”

“Haha.”

“This letter, the penmanship is unwavering. Is it overconfidence or arrogance? Neither. The underlying message of this letter is that he doesn’t care if this deal falls through.”

“You see well.”

Moyong Gun put his hands behind his back.

“That guy clearly has a card to play against the main family. Well, even the spy incident proves that. Since the Beggars’ Union is helping him, if he decides to go all out, the main family will inevitably suffer damage.”

“They won’t be shaken. They’ll just be scratched.”

“The main family must rise to the top of the martial world. There’s no reason to take unnecessary risks. At least not for now.”

“You’re right. Ah! And there’s one thing that bothers me.”

“What is it?”

Moyong Yeon-hwa frowned.

“He’s going to build up evil deeds against the Myeong family… what does that mean?”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled.

‘She’s not quite there yet.’

Well, she’s already amazing as it is. Considering her growth rate, she’ll be able to match his wisdom within the next five years.

‘Then, does that mean that Yeon Ho-jeong is already comparable to me?’

That was unknown. He might have a strategist by his side.

In any case, he was very surprised and intrigued after a long time.

People said that Moyong Gun was a hard person to see.

But that wasn’t true. Moyong Gun wasn’t someone who just sat in the family head’s seat and ordered his subordinates around. He was someone with the drive and courage to travel ten thousand miles if necessary.

That drive and courage were about to be unleashed after a long time.

“Henan… it’s a good distance for a trip.”

* * *

“It’s been three days since today.”

“I see.”

“The Myeong family will start to suspect something soon.”

“They probably will.”

“…Are you really planning to do this alone?”

“My martial arts are in a transitional phase. I think it’s a good opportunity.”

“Where does that endless confidence of yours come from?”

“Experience.”

“You’re still young, you know.”

“Just keep an eye on the Dark Assassins.”

“Don’t worry. They can’t escape even if they die and come back to life. Ha! Come to think of it, I’ve become a criminal too. Isn’t this kidnapping and detention?”

Thump.

Yeon Ho-jeong got up from his seat.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Young Master Yeon.”

“Speak.”

Ga Deuk-sang, who was looking at Yeon Ho-jeong with trembling eyes, clasped his hands respectfully.

“Please be careful.”

“You too.”

Clunk!

Yeon Ho-jeong opened the door and stepped out into the world.

The thick veins on his hand holding the axe throbbed.

“Which one will come first?”