Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 82

83. The Wind Never Ceases (1)

The martial arts world was always turbulent, but rarely had there been such a massive incident.

A public enemy of the martial world.

These four words sent shivers down the spines of both the White and Black Paths, and even those beyond the borders of the martial world.

In a world teeming with murderers and madmen, it was rare for someone to be branded a public enemy of the martial world by the Temporary Martial Alliance. In the past hundred years, fewer than ten individuals had been designated as such.

The label of a public enemy of the martial world was not given lightly.

However, surprisingly, the entity branded as a public enemy of the martial world in this generation was not a ‘person’ but an entire group.

The Guju Myeong Clan.

Three hundred years ago, this clan had helped end the Blood Cult Rebellion alongside the Four Directional Martial Emperor and established itself in the Central Plains. For nearly two hundred years, it was an impregnable fortress of martial arts, renowned as the best in the world.

Such a clan had been branded a public enemy of the martial world. It was the first time in the history of the martial world that the most prestigious family of the White Path had become a public enemy.

Of course, being branded a public enemy of the martial world did not mean that all the warriors of the Myeong Clan would be killed.

The label of a public enemy of the martial world blocked all movements of the group. They would be apprehended, the facts would be verified, and if deemed appropriate, they would then officially become a public enemy of the martial world.

It was not an order that was easily issued. Given its extraordinary nature, the label was not given lightly.

However, to prevent the suspects from fleeing, the fact was announced throughout the entire martial world.

It was a somewhat intimidating order. But considering that even most murderers did not become public enemies of the martial world, it meant that the Myeong Clan’s wrongdoing was significant.

The martial world held its breath.

It was such a major issue that the Temporary Martial Alliance had to be convened. The fall of a prestigious family that had been renowned as the best in the world for a long time was a major event that drew the attention of all martial artists.

Hanam, Heochang, the main residence of the Guju Myeong Clan.

An immeasurable number of martial artists gathered around it. However, these martial artists were not ordinary.

Monks in Taoist robes, Taoists, and warriors in luxurious martial attire were everywhere. Their number was close to five hundred.

With five hundred people surrounding the Myeong Clan, it was impossible for anyone not involved to know how many people were inside.

Moyong Gun entered the Myeong Clan with a calm expression.

The warriors guarding the outer perimeter bowed their heads.

“We greet the Clan Lord!”

“Hmm, you’re all working hard.”

Moyong Gun, who had accepted their greetings, passed through the outer perimeter and entered the inner compound.

He went to a building in the inner compound. Inside the unusually large building, a faint medicinal scent permeated the air.

Wheeze… Wheeze…

An elderly man lay there, breathing shallowly.

His entire body was wrapped in bandages. Even his neck and face had deep wounds, and the wounds were still red.

It was Myeong Cheon.

Moyong Gun clicked his tongue.

“You’ve been terribly beaten.”

He had heard the general outline of the incident.

He had heard that Yeon Ho-Jeong and the Chang-Eung Squad had recognized Myeong Cheon, who was trying to go to the Yeon Family in Gangso, and had blocked his path. In the ensuing clash, Myeong Cheon had been unlucky and ended up in this state.

“Huh! A new divine art? To be defeated while developing a new martial art, you’re really unlucky. Don’t you think so?”

Moyong Gun turned his head to the side.

There, a middle-aged man was sitting on an angular chair. It was Myeong Woo-San, who had been holding his breath since Moyong Gun had entered.

Moyong Gun smiled and said,

“You people have gone too far. Killing so many workers to dig up your ancestors’ martial arts. The number is said to be around eight hundred, isn’t it?”

“……”

“How could you commit such a heinous act? What was so important about keeping that secret from leaking out?”

Myeong Woo-San bit his lip.

That’s right. The most powerful blow that Moyong Gun had delivered at the conference was the incident where the Myeong Clan had massacred innocent workers.

In fact, even the White Path martial world usually turned a blind eye to minor flaws or corruption. Especially the Nine Great Sects and the Seven Great Families.

However, harming civilians was a different matter.

It had been hundreds of years since the treaty of mutual non-interference between the government and the martial world had been established. However, there were times when the government intervened in the affairs of the martial world.

One of the most representative cases was when ordinary people were harmed.

If a martial artist killed an innocent civilian? It was something that could not be overlooked.

In name, martial artists were also subjects of the empire and belonged to the emperor. They had no choice but to intervene, even if it was just for show.

And the martial world hated the government interfering in their affairs.

In other words, it was a sensitive issue. If they had tried to keep it quiet, it might have been different, but since it had been publicly discussed, it was not strange that they had become a public enemy of the martial world.

“Tsk tsk. If it were me, I would have kept them under my wing. With proper jobs that would allow them to live their whole lives.”

“……”

“It would be easier to monitor them, and they would be useful for minor tasks. But you people didn’t think of embracing them and just killed them all.”

“……”

“And to make matters worse, the martial art you learned, claiming it was your ancestors’ martial art, is a demonic art?”

Myeong Woo-San’s eyes wavered for a moment.

“This is… not a demonic art.”

“Haha! Does it only count as a demonic art if it reeks of demonic energy?”

“……”

“It’s a martial art that corrodes the human mind. That’s well proven by the Clan Lord lying here and the few elders who fled.”

“……”

“There are still a few who haven’t been caught. It seems like it will take some time.”

Moyong Gun sat casually on the bed.

“Whether they are direct or collateral relatives, aren’t they all family? Those who fled will be killed without question if they are caught. But if they surrender, at least they won’t die.”

Myeong Woo-San’s eyes deepened.

“At least ten years in prison. And their dantian [energy center] will be destroyed.”

“It’s better than dying. And better than living in constant fear.”

“……”

“When you buried the workers, didn’t you expect this kind of outcome?”

Myeong Woo-San bit his lip without a word.

Moyong Gun’s eyes turned cold for a moment.

“I have a proposal.”

“……?”

“I’m sure you know that the Myeong Clan’s eldest son, who was in secluded training, has disappeared.”

Myeong Woo-San’s eyes wavered.

Moyong Gun smiled. It was a minor reaction, but a satisfying one.

“You know. Where did he run off to?”

“……”

“Let’s not make things too difficult. If you tell me where he ran off to, I’ll reduce the sentences for you and your daughter.”

Myeong Woo-San’s expression changed drastically.

“My, my daughter is also going to be imprisoned?”

“Did you think she wouldn’t be?”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“Even if it was an order from above, she’s a child who has learned a demonic art. And that child tried to kill the eldest son of the Yeon Family.”

“Th, that is…!”

“You know, don’t you? How great the status of that child, Yeon Ho-Jeong, is.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“The best of the younger generation who bravely challenged the hypocrites who were tainted by evil. The young tiger of Gangdong who stood alone against a huge organization to protect his family.”

“……”

“His martial arts and bravery are so outstanding that he’s even called the reincarnation of the Little Conqueror, Sun Ce [a famous general of the Three Kingdoms period]. And his wisdom is so great that he’s said to be the reincarnation of Lu Xun [a strategist of the Three Kingdoms period].”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“Amazing. Martial arts, wisdom, boldness, execution. There’s nothing ordinary about him. I’ve never seen such a talented person.”

“……”

“Do you understand what I’m saying? Currently, that child, Yeon Ho-Jeong, is a passionate hero who has the eyes of the martial world on him. In a way, it’s as if he alone has brought down the Myeong Clan.”

Myeong Woo-San’s lip burst. Blood flowed from his bitten lip.

“In other words, public opinion will be clamoring for those who tried to kill Yeon Ho-Jeong to be severely punished, regardless of the reason. Do you think your daughter can escape the arrows of the enraged public opinion?”

“I, I…”

“Think carefully. As the person who hosted the conference, I can easily manipulate the sentences of the two of you. If you’re lucky, it might end with just the destruction of your dantian. It means you might not even be imprisoned.”

Myeong Woo-San looked at Myeong Cheon.

Myeong Cheon was still unconscious. Even if he regained consciousness, he wouldn’t live long. The doctor said his lifespan had been drastically reduced.

Myeong Woo-San lowered his head.

Moyong Gun, who had been quietly watching Myeong Woo-San, stood up.

“In three days, all the warriors of the Myeong Clan will be transferred to the Martial Alliance.”

“……!!”

“They’ll also elect a temporary alliance leader. Well, that’s not important.”

Moyong Gun patted Myeong Woo-San’s shoulder.

“I’ll be at a nearby tavern for three days. If your mind changes, come find me anytime.”

He knew that his mind had already wavered.

Then it was good to slip away. The information was only valuable when he came to talk on his own.

Of course, the promise he had made today would be meaningless then.

“Rest well.”

Moyong Gun, who had come out of the building, looked up at the sky.

“Hoo, it’s a bit hot, but it’s clear. It’s a good sky. Hahaha!”

* * *

Thud!

“Gerk.”

Ga Deuk-Sang, who had let out a burp-like groan, collapsed on the spot.

“Can’t you greet me properly?”

“Kuhuk! Ah, why are you suddenly doing this again!”

Crack!

“Ugh!”

Ga Deuk-Sang grabbed his shin and jumped up and down.

The old man clicked his tongue.

“I thought I had taught you to be a proper beggar, but you got caught up in something while loitering around and caused such a huge incident?”

“A huge incident? Why is this a huge incident! It’s a great thing!”

“You little punk?”

“……”

“If you talk back one more time, I’ll beat you until you’re covered in dust on a rainy day. Got it?”

Ga Deuk-Sang shrank back.

His master was a man of his word. And he didn’t seem to be in a good mood.

It was best to play it safe in this situation. Ga Deuk-Sang smiled foolishly.

“Hehe, I was just saying.”

“Ugh, I raised this idiot as my only successor. Our ancestors must be weeping in the underworld.”

“……But why is this an incident?”

“You little brat. Why do you even carry your head around? Almost everyone knows that you were involved in this, how do you think people will see you when you become the Clan Leader later?”

“……They’ll see me as someone who keeps his promises?”

“Aish, you crazy bastard! Do you not know how many snake-like people there are in the White Path martial world? Do you think they’ll join hands with a tiresome guy like you!”

Ga Deuk-Sang’s face crumpled.

“Then what am I supposed to do? You heard what the Myeong Clan did, didn’t you? Are you saying we should just let it go? Is that what the Beggars’ Union should do?”

Ga Deuk-Sang’s voice was slightly agitated.

Even at the age of over thirty, he was still hot-blooded. Even if he was beaten to death by his master, he couldn’t let things that were wrong go.

The old man snorted.

“Couldn’t you have done it without anyone knowing you were involved?”

“……Huh?”

“You should have hidden yourself thoroughly, you worthless bum!”

“Ah……”

“Ah? Huh! This guy is getting dumber by the day? Who filled your lungs with air? Was it that Yeon Ho-Jeong guy?”

“Huh?”

“Did that Yeon Ho-Jeong guy fill your lungs with air!”

Ga Deuk-Sang rolled his eyes for a moment, then nodded calmly.

“Yes, Master.”

“Hmph! Anyway, that guy is no ordinary person. Is he still around here?”

“Yes. He’s not in good shape either.”

The old man pointed his chin at the main road.

“Let’s see the face of that famous tiger. Lead the way.”

“Hehe, yes!”

“Hey, but why is his nickname ‘Mad Wind Warrior’?”

“I don’t know.”

“He’s a tiger now, right? Is a tiger after a lion?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Is he a feline?”

“He’s quite fickle.”

“He’ll probably hate you? You’re like a dog.”

“……”

“Let’s go.”

“Woof woof.”