Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 60

“Master, a guest from the Beggars’ Union has arrived.”

“Show him in.”

A moment later, Cheol Gon-gae entered the family head’s room.

Cheol Gon-gae, usually known for his sly demeanor, couldn’t dare to act nonchalant in front of the Yeon family head.

“I am Cheol Gon-gae. It seems this is our first meeting.”

His face was so grimy it looked like dirt was dripping off. Yet, Yeon-wi’s expression didn’t change.

“I am Yeon-wi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

A short greeting, yet it carried a powerful dignity.

Cheol Gon-gae felt a strange prickling in his throat.

‘He’s formidable.’

It was like facing a divine sword. The pressure he exuded was immense.

‘The Judge’s Sword. They said he’d be among the Thirteen Seats of the Heavenly Sword [a prestigious ranking of martial artists] in ten years. It seems the rumors weren’t exaggerated.’

One shout cleaves the sea, an iron sword drives away evil.

This was said of Yeon family head, Yeon-wi. Seeing him today, it seemed there was no exaggeration in his fearsome nickname.

“I must leave soon, so I’ll just tell you what I’ve investigated so far.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes gleamed.

It hadn’t even been two weeks, let alone a month. Yet, Cheol Gon-gae seemed to have found something.

“Very well.”

“Please take a look at this.”

From his tattered clothes, he carefully took out a folded letter and respectfully presented it.

His appearance was that of a beggar, but the letter he carried was very high-quality.

Yeon-wi’s eyes shone as he unfolded the letter.

“I was going to investigate up to Zhejiang, but it seems time is short, so I’ve summarized only Jiangsu Province for you first.”

“The forces listed here?”

“Yes. They are all in league with the Myeong family. The forces listed on the right have a higher connection with the Myeong family.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes flashed as he quickly scanned the letter.

“The Ancient Sword Workshop?”

“You’re familiar with them?”

“Could it be that they’ve also joined hands with the Myeong family?”

“To be precise, it seems they’ve received a lot of money from the Myeong family rather than joining hands. There’s evidence that they’ve been reporting the Yeon family’s movements.”

Yeon-wi felt a sense of hollowness inside.

The Ancient Sword Workshop was a place that did business with the Yeon family. More than half of the weapons used by the family’s warriors were made there.

‘So, the main family was quietly collapsing like this.’

Cheol Gon-gae opened his mouth.

“So, I came to ask you directly.”

“What do you mean?”

“There will surely be Myeong family stooges in Zhejiang as well. But I don’t think it’s worth investigating.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because the Moyong family has already extended its reach into Zhejiang.”

“…”

“In fact, the Zhejiang branch is making huge profits from maritime trade. No matter how powerful the Myeong family is, they won’t try to poke around in Zhejiang.”

“I see.”

“Yes, I thought it would be better to focus on the forces in Jiangsu Province and dig deeper, rather than investigating them all. That’s why I came directly.”

Yeon-wi nodded.

“You’re right.”

“Then, shall we start right away?”

“Before that.”

Yeon-wi took out a letter from his pocket and handed it over.

“Please send this to my son.”

“Ah, to the young master?”

“Yes. I’m sorry to trouble you.”

“Haha! It’s alright. It’s not like I’m the one doing the work anyway.”

Cheol Gon-gae, who had stuffed the letter into his pocket, asked as if he had suddenly remembered something.

“Um… by any chance.”

“If it’s about food, I’ve already told them. They’ll guide you to the guest hall.”

Cheol Gon-gae smacked his lips. Does this man really think I’m a beggar?

“That’s not it. Did you perhaps receive a separate letter from the young master?”

“I haven’t received anything other than that he arrived in Henan.”

“Ah…”

Cheol Gon-gae was genuinely flustered. He didn’t tell his own father? Isn’t this too much?

Yeon-wi’s eyes flashed.

“Has something happened to him?”

“Huh? Ah, no, it’s not that…”

“…”

“…I have no choice. I’ll tell you.”

Cheol Gon-gae cleared his throat and explained Yeon Ho-jeong’s current situation.

Yeon-wi’s eyes wavered.

“The Myeong family?!”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s why he even brought in the Moyong family.”

Yeon-wi felt dumbfounded.

He could overlook the fact that he hadn’t told him. He must be too busy. But the idea itself was absurd. Joining hands with the Moyong family to strike at the Myeong family? What kind of ridiculous strategy is that?

‘This is bad.’

Thinking about it, this was a very serious problem. If things went wrong, it could lead to a war between families!

“If we needlessly provoke the Moyong family head…”

“Well, I was worried about that too.”

“Hmm?”

“He’s really coming.”

“…?!”

“Moyong family head, Moyong Gun, has really departed from Hunan.”

Cheol Gon-gae explained in more detail.

All the information about what Yeon Ho-jeong had been through had been passed on to the Beggars’ Union. It was only natural since Hu Gae was moving with him.

“Hmm.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes gleamed.

“Yes, hearing it in such detail, I can see what Ho-jeong is aiming for.”

Of course, he couldn’t know the details.

He didn’t even know how he found out that the Myeong family was behind it. And now, that guy had even captured the Myeong family’s intelligence network.

When he heard that part, he was momentarily stunned. He thought that his son was finally causing trouble because of his rough temper.

But after hearing the series of events, he could see how Yeon Ho-jeong was planning to deal with the Myeong family.

However, what worried him was.

“He’s drawing in the Myeong family?”

“Yes, and that’s probably… very dangerous.”

Cheol Gon-gae quickly added.

“Of course, the Beggars’ Union has dispatched experts to surround the area, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“I understand.”

“Yes?”

“I said I understand.”

“Ah… yes.”

“You’ve done well. Go to the guest hall and have a meal.”

Cheol Gon-gae scratched his head awkwardly. He said he was leaving soon, but he couldn’t refuse a meal that was offered.

“Th-then, I’ll have a meal without any shame. Ahem!”

With that, Cheol Gon-gae left.

Yeon-wi immediately called for Shin-mo.

“Did you call for me, Master?”

“How many of the Chang-eung Squad are currently outside the family?”

“All of the Chang-eung Squad are within the family.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Shin-mo asked with a puzzled face.

“But what is the matter…?”

“Go to Henan.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes turned cold.

“Take the entire Chang-eung Squad to Henan and protect Ho-jeong. If necessary, you may release your seal [a technique to unleash hidden power].”

* * *

Buzzing, buzzing.

Kaifeng in Henan was a historic ancient capital.

Being close to the capital city of Zhengzhou, it had a huge floating population. There were many people during the day, and many people at night.

As they walked through the streets, people would glance at one place while laughing and chatting.

“Um, how much is this?”

“…T-two nyang [a unit of currency].”

“Two nyang? For this?”

“Y-yes!”

“Is it that cheap? That can’t be right?”

“Ah…”

“If you sell it too cheap, you won’t make a profit. Here, I’ll give you five nyang, so give me that too.”

“H-huh! Th-thank you!”

A young man walked away with a smile, carrying the food he had bought.

His hair was freely let down. His neatly dressed clothes were impressive. He was tall, but his physique and attire made him look like a scholar. A handsome young man.

But what the young man was carrying on his shoulder was unusual.

‘Is that an axe?!’

‘Yeah. It looks like an axe…’

‘My goodness, I’ve never seen such a big axe! It doesn’t even look like it could be used on a battlefield.’

‘Can a person even lift that?’

‘His face doesn’t even change? How strong is he?’

What the young man was carrying on his shoulder was a huge axe.

Not a sword or a spear. It was an axe. And the size of the axe was enormous.

The axe handle was made like a spear, and the handle alone was six feet long and quite thick. The axe blade was especially impressive, being about twice the width of an average adult male’s shoulders.

It was almost the size of a person’s upper body. It was an overwhelming size, a sense of intimidation. It looked even more dignified when someone who didn’t seem like he would carry it did.

Kaifeng had a large floating population, so there were many martial artists. So, people didn’t get scared or think it was special when they saw a martial artist.

This young man was different. He had an appearance that couldn’t help but catch people’s attention.

Yeon Ho-jeong looked around.

He had guessed, but it seemed he really stood out.

‘It’s different from the Black Road [a term for the criminal underworld].’

In the back alleys of the Black Road, there were all sorts of guys carrying all sorts of weapons. Some of them carried huge scissors, and some crazy guys carried ten swords.

Of course, both the Black and White Roads were distributed throughout the Central Plains, but Henan was where the Shaolin and Myeong families were located. There was no place for Black Road martial artists to set foot.

Was that why? The people’s gazes felt new.

‘I’ve looked around enough, I should leave.’

He arrived in Kaifeng three days after departing from Shangqiu. He spent four days wandering around the streets of Kaifeng. Of course, the Myeong family had also spotted him.

‘One, two… six.’

He had felt the presence of ‘eyes’ watching him since yesterday.

Those eyes increased one by one, and now there were six. And it didn’t increase any further than six.

‘The pot is heated [a metaphor for things coming to a head].’

He took the food he had packed and left the main street of Kaifeng, walking into a secluded bamboo forest.

He had to choose a place where people didn’t go, so there was nothing but the forest. At least the scenery was nice since it was a bamboo forest.

Swoosh.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.

From far behind, he heard the sound of bamboo leaves rustling. It was an ambiguous sound, whether it was rustling in the wind or brushing against a person’s body.

‘They’re here.’

It was a controlled gait. The mature training was outstanding. It was completely different from the Dark Assassins, yet there were strangely similar parts.

‘Dark Assassins…’

Yeon Ho-jeong thought of Myeong On-ji.

The Vajra Warrior’s martial arts that broke down the family’s gate, Myeong On-ji who had mastered that martial art.

‘Could there be someone among them who has mastered that martial art?’

A martial art that made the whole body solid. A martial art that made the whole body as hard as armor, drawing out strong defense and divine power.

‘If possible, one more time… hmm?’

Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head at the sudden thought.

‘But it’s strange.’

He had lost his mind the moment Myeong On-ji had used that martial art. The reason he had unleashed his killing intent without hesitation was because he was so angry.

But why?

Now that his mind was calm, when he thought about Myeong On-ji’s martial arts at the time, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

Was it because it was the Vajra Warrior’s martial arts that had come to destroy his family in the past?

It wasn’t exactly that, but there was a strange feeling.

Like a dream memory that gradually disappears the more he thinks about it.

Myeong On-ji’s martial arts, which gave him a strange sense of familiarity, made Yeon Ho-jeong feel puzzled.

‘….’

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been lost in thought, chuckled.

‘What kind of leisure is this when the enemy is right in front of me?’

He entered the bamboo forest and found a large rock.

Thump!

He put down the axe and sat on the rock, starting to eat rice balls.

They were well-made rice balls. The seasoning was just right, making them very easy to eat.

Eating the rice balls made him think of Yeon Ji-pyeong.

‘Are you hungry? Eat a lot. I’ll bring more tomorrow.’

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled without realizing it.

“You rascal. Your brother is in a faraway land, fighting with thugs, and you’re eating so well?”

He wanted to say that jokingly. Perhaps Yeon Ji-pyeong would be sulking and kicking the ground with his toes if he heard that.

Thinking of his younger brother made him think of his father’s face.

The deep affection felt beyond his stern face.

‘If the world calls my son a demon, I will put that world under my sword.’

‘Father.’

He felt strangely good.

It was a feeling he had never felt during his time as the Dark Emperor. Back then, he had comrades, but no family.

It was different now. He had a family he had longed for for decades, not the back alleys of the Black Road. Having a place to return to made him feel secure.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who was smiling as he thought of his family, said in a calm voice.

“This is my first meal today. Wait until I finish eating.”

Thud! Thump!

The rice ball he was holding in his hand had disappeared. An arrow had flown and knocked the rice ball away.

Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled.

“These rice balls are always having a hard time.”

He came down from the rock and looked ahead. Ten men were standing there.

The middle-aged man in the center asked.

“Are you Yeon Ho-jeong?”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“Yes. I am Yeon Ho-jeong, the eldest son of the Byeoksan Yeon family.”