Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 674

The False Killing Intent (7)

Regardless of anything else, the Iron Palm Beggars’ information delivery skills were truly remarkable.

The Beggars’ Sect’s contacts reached various sects and masters nestled throughout Shanxi. The speed was unprecedented, indicating the urgency of the situation.

“Such… !”

“I have nothing more to say to my grand-disciples. However, just this once, please trust this person. We have made many preparations for Mount Hua, but the target has changed to Jongnam. Whoever it may be, shouldn’t we go to help?”

“Of course. Even if it were Jongnam, they would surely come to help us.”

“Whether they would or not, we must go. Yeon Ho-jeong and his group have already moved. They are amazing masters, but it would be too much for them alone to handle the vanguard.”

“Understood. I will immediately summon the Plum Blossom Swordsmen and elders who can be mobilized. Please understand that we must leave a minimum force at the main sect, just in case.”

“Haha, I am just an old man retired to his room. I am grateful that my grand-disciple is taking the lead.”

“How can you say that? Even if Elder Master had not said so, everyone should go to help.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Damn it, that damned man did this?”

“He did… wait, no! That’s not important right now, when did you get here?”

“A big incident happened in Sichuan. I was on my way to see my master, and it just so happened that the timing was right. This won’t do. I need to gather some beggars too.”

“Of course, you should. Will you join us?”

“The Elder knows the situation in Shanxi better than I do. I will lead the troops, so please take care of the rear, Elder of the Iron Palm Beggars.”

“Understood. Then depart immediately. The situation is urgent.”

“Understood. Let’s meet again alive!”

“D-don’t say such things! Of course, you must return safely! How hard do you think it will be for the Sect Leader to raise disciples again?!”

“…I’ve always wondered, do all the sect leaders of this sect have to have a few needles in their tongues? How can an elder say such things?!”

“What? Jongnam?”

“Yes, that’s what they say.”

“…But why did they contact us?”

“They said if we don’t help, they’ll destroy all our bases in Shanxi.”

“That crazy old geezer!”

“It didn’t seem like a joke? He looked like he was about to breathe fire. We’ve been ignoring his various requests, but if we ignore this one too…”

“…Is the Beggars’ Sect taking action decisively?”

“If Jongnam falls, or even if they don’t fall but take a big hit, Shanxi will become quite chaotic.”

“It’s a golden opportunity for us.”

“Yes. That’s why they’re trying to crush us first, isn’t it?”

“Damn it, that old fox.”

“What should we do?”

“What do you mean, what should we do! Can powerless guys like us ignore the Beggars’ Sect’s petty elder?! We have to gather everyone and go! Damn it!”

“Huh? Are you going too, Sect Leader?”

“If I don’t go? If I just send my subordinates and drink comfortably, they’ll come and beat me with a stick! How can I stay still?!”

“Oh, you’re exaggerating again. Honestly, would you really be beaten by that old man? These days, unless it’s someone like… who was it… Ah! Right, unless it’s the Twin Swords of the Tiger, there’s no one in the younger generation who can match you.”

“That old man isn’t young, you brat.”

“Anyway, you can’t lose if you draw your sword.”

“Then? Should we kill that old man and fight the Beggars’ Sect too?”

“…Huh?”

“Huh? What a mess. To have brought such a thing as a military advisor, the future of our sect is clear.”

“So, should we depart now?”

“Gather everyone! Let’s depart! Damn it!”

From famous prestigious clans to sects that have secretly grown their power.

The force of those who drew their swords and spears to help Jongnam was magnificent enough to withstand any external enemy.

However, no matter how fast they were, they could not be faster than the forces of the Four Evils, who had fought countless battles in the harsh lands beyond the border.

By the time each sect began gathering their forces and running towards Jongnam, the massive organization known as the Blood Wolf Corps under Myeong-geuk had already entered a position about a hundred li [approximately 50 kilometers] from Jongnam.

* * *

Swoosh!

The eyes of Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, snapped open fiercely.

He slowly rose from his seat, his face extremely cold as he looked north.

Paeyul asked.

“Did you sense something?”

“I smell something.”

“Smell?”

“A fierce and rough smell… the lingering scent of killing intent that cannot be hidden, no matter how hard they try.”

Paeyul’s eyes wavered.

“Is it the enemy?”

“I think so. Countless killing intents are directed towards this place.”

“…Damn it.”

Paeyul glanced back.

The gates of Jongnam were visible. Behind them were numerous lavishly decorated dojos and palaces.

“They are not ready yet.”

“I see.”

Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

“It doesn’t seem like they will attack immediately. Something is chaotic, they seem quite tired.”

“You can sense that too?”

“It’s just a feeling. I could be wrong.”

“But the probability of it being right is high, isn’t it?”

“I trust my instincts.”

“Then, when do you think they will invade this place?”

“I don’t know. However, the best way for the attacking side to crush the defending side is through a surprise attack.”

“…Nighttime then.”

“Yes. It’s not far off.”

Unlike ordinary people, masters of internal energy can see somewhat clearly even at night.

However, no matter how clearly they see, night is still night. Moreover, even that clear vision requires the use of internal energy to enhance eyesight. Considering that they have to consciously focus, the advantage of a night attack applies equally to martial artists.

“Still, we can’t be sure. It’s a little over a hundred li, but if they decide to charge, they’ll be here soon. Each one of them is no ordinary master. Their stamina will be well-distributed.”

“Then what should we do?”

Yeon Ho-jeong moved his lips.

“Cheonggung… Cheonhagwan… Taecheongso… Northeast…”

“What are you doing?”

Yeon Ho-jeong did not answer. He was just listing words with no apparent meaning.

Paeyul, who had been watching him quietly, crossed his arms. He thought there was no need to disturb Yeon Ho-jeong right now.

After a while.

“When attacking Jongnam from the outside, where do you think is the most vulnerable place?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Just tell me.”

Why is he doing this again?

Paeyul grumbled but answered obediently.

“It depends on who the attackers are. If they have arrows or cannons, they would probably target Cheongmok Cliff in the northwest.”

“What about ordinary martial artists with swords and spears?”

“Why would they hesitate? Either the entrance to the mountain gate or…”

“…”

“…Wouldn’t it be Sado Rock in the southwest?”

“You see well.”

Indeed, Paeyul had a good sense. Hwang Seok-tae would have known better, but considering that Paeyul had never commanded troops, his tactical insight was remarkable.

“The probability of them coming through the mountain gate is low. Even if the enemy’s forces overwhelm Jongnam, entering through the mountain gate in a fair fight would cause too much damage. Moreover, the place where the advantage of defense can be best utilized is connected to the mountain gate, and the advantage of defense becomes the disadvantage of offense.”

“Then, is it really Sado Rock?”

“Sado Rock, and Cheongmok Cliff. We need to watch both. We must defend the most efficient places the attacking side sees, and also the most dangerous places we didn’t imagine.”

“I have one question.”

Paeyul frowned.

“We’ve been to Jongnam, looked around, and learned the terrain from Elder Hong-jeok, but do they know this place well too?”

“That, I don’t know.”

Yeon Ho-jeong sighed.

“Because we don’t know, we must be even more thorough. However, they know the prestige of the Nine Great Sects. If they are going to attack such a great sect, wouldn’t they at least know where the weak points are?”

“True, there must be spies we don’t know about hidden all over the Central Plains.”

“For now…”

Yeon Ho-jeong turned around.

“Let’s go meet the elders.”

Shortly after.

When the two arrived at the Jongnam Sect’s main palace, several elders appeared before them.

Yeon Ho-jeong clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“I am Yeon Ho-jeong, the commander of the Righteous Alliance’s military unit.”

He deliberately did not mention that he was a special adjutant of the Black Dragon Unit. He did not want to provoke them unnecessarily.

Paeyul looked at Yeon Ho-jeong and thought that he was really holding back a lot.

The elder standing in the center, First Elder Gu-yun, returned the bow.

“It is an honor to see the young commander of the Righteous Alliance. I am First Elder Gu-yun. It is an honor to meet you like this.”

“You are too kind.”

“Since the situation is what it is, let’s get straight to the point. You said that an external enemy has dispatched troops to attack Jongnam?”

Paeyul was frustrated.

It had been a while since they had informed Hong-jeok and held an elder’s meeting, yet they were still just saying such things.

Yeon Ho-jeong calmly said.

“They are already about a hundred li away.”

“What?!”

The elders, including Gu-yun, were startled.

“The killing intent carried by the wind is directed towards this place. We do not yet know their full strength, but I believe they are not ordinary. And among them… there is one whose energy cannot be read.”

That meant that he was either equal to or stronger than himself.

Gu-yun asked urgently.

“They are already near here? Is that true?”

“Yes, it is.”

“How do you know that?”

“I can sense it.”

“Sense it? How?”

It was understandable that they would be curious. From Jongnam’s perspective, it could be seen as a necessary procedure to confirm.

But not for Paeyul.

He didn’t know how long he had been holding back his boiling anger. Paeyul shouted explosively.

“Is that what’s important right now?!”

The resounding voice echoed through the main palace and spread to the surrounding dojos.

“They are desperate to take over the entire Central Plains! Their forces are at a level where it wouldn’t be strange if they started a full-scale war with the Central Plains right now! Such enemies are already right in front of us, and you haven’t even gathered your forces while holding meetings!”

His voice was filled with anger.

Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Paeyul.

“Senior, please stop.”

“You too, do it moderately! Not only did you fail to welcome the guests who came to help, but you also left them standing outside, and now you’re taking your time with meetings for half a day! Do you expect me to stay still?!”

Hong-jeok shouted in an angry voice.

“Listening to you, you’re nothing but a reckless fool! You may be the youngest elder of Jeomchang, but do you think the world is yours!”

Paeyul, who was about to get even angrier, showed a look of exhaustion.

“Yeon Ho-jeong.”

“Yes, Senior.”

“Let’s go back. To hell with Jongnam, let them do whatever they want. With such a lack of sense, they should just be destroyed by the enemy.”

At that moment.

Bang!!

A tremendous roar and a fierce shockwave spread throughout Jongnam Mountain.

The elders, who were about to shout in anger, as well as the disciples of Jongnam who were far away, were shocked.

The source of the roar was Yeon Ho-jeong. Yeon Ho-jeong’s stomp was so powerful that it shook the entire Jongnam Mountain.

“Please calm down.”

“…”

“There are many people here who have not learned martial arts, and there are many young disciples. You must not cross the line just because you are angry, Senior.”

Paeyul closed his eyes with a groan.

Yeon Ho-jeong said to Gu-yun.

“The enemy is right in front of us. Please gather all of Jongnam’s forces and prepare for defense. You must pay special attention to Cheongmok Cliff and Sado Rock.”

“T-that is…”

“Those who cannot wield a sword must be sent down the mountain immediately. Swords have no eyes. Trying to protect them recklessly can actually harm them.”

Yeon Ho-jeong turned around.

He had intended to prepare more calmly, but as things had turned out this way, he had no choice but to be somewhat aggressive.

‘It’s always like this.’

Just like when he came up with the crazy idea of kidnapping a disciple to lure out Ha Eun-gyo.

This time too, Yeon Ho-jeong decided to resort to a method that no one else would ever choose.

A brutal method that would not harm anyone else, but would risk his own life.

“I will meet the enemy commander. I will somehow buy time. Until then, please prepare as much as possible.”

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