Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 837

Fssst.

White heat shimmered from the blood-stained blade.

The weather was cold, with snow still covering the surroundings. It was possible for steam to rise from a blade stained with hot blood.

However, the shimmering heat rising from the killer’s blade was not steam, but a tangible manifestation of killing intent.

‘Incredible.’

Tang Gwan’s eyes hardened.

The blade was filled with explosive killing intent, and the heat rising from it as it dissipated looked as if the souls of the dead were screaming.

‘I’ve rarely seen killing intent manifest so tangibly.’

He had seen it once before. It was with Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Of course, compared to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s killing intent, this was nothing. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s killing intent was so intense that it flickered like a black flame, not just a white haze. The sheer concentration of it was so immense that it was a wonder how she could remain sane.

This woman’s killing intent was not as strong as Yeon Ho-Jeong’s. But it was more serious.

‘Her killing intent is much more refined.’

The killing intent that coated her blade had been consciously honed. To wield a blade with that level of killing intent so freely required a level of killing experience akin to a demon. It required experiences closer to one-sided massacres, not just simple battles.

That was the minimum requirement. In addition, she must have gone through many fights to perfect her killing intent.

“Ho-oh.”

A sly smile appeared on the woman’s face.

She looked to be in her mid-thirties. Despite her age, she had a strangely innocent air. That made her smile even more terrifying.

“You’re not like these guys. You’re completely different, your presence.”

“…….”

“I can’t gauge your skill… It’s incredible? I can’t see the depth of it.”

The sudden appearance of a master. If one couldn’t gauge their skill, it was normal to be tense.

Yet, the woman showed no sign of tension. Rather, she seemed intrigued, her eyes sparkling with a dangerous killing intent.

Tang Gwan looked around.

‘Are they bandits?’

The atmosphere in Shanxi had been bad since the Jongnam War. Even so, considering their numbers and physical training, they must be a considerable force.

‘They seem to be a fairly well-known group, doesn’t the Mukryong Division manage them?’

At that moment, the woman spoke again.

“Hey, who are you? Are you with these guys?”

Tang Gwan turned his gaze back to the woman.

Her eyes were calm, showing no sign of tension.

The woman’s eyes, which had been filled with excitement due to her unrestrained killing intent, gradually hardened.

Srrk.

The woman took a step back.

It was just one step, but the distance widened by three jangs [approximately 10 feet]. Her movement was so smooth; the skill that had allowed her to kill so many bandits alone was evident in her footwork.

And indeed, the woman’s skill was immense.

‘There are countless hidden masters like grains of sand on the beach, but at her age, she has already surpassed the realm of a martial master and reached a state of maturity.’

Compared to himself, she was clearly inferior. However, considering her age, her level was truly remarkable.

Tang Gwan said calmly.

“You’re a great master.”

“…….”

“Where did you learn your skills?”

His voice was full of ease.

It was the ease of a strong person. The woman’s killing intent was impressive, and her skill was beyond reproach, but compared to Tang Gwan, the ruler of Sichuan, she was still far behind.

It was true that one could only know for sure by fighting, but the gap was already clear. The woman’s tension was only increasing due to the presence Tang Gwan was unconsciously exuding.

“Who are you? Reveal your identity!”

The woman shouted roughly, pointing her sword at Tang Gwan.

Tang Yun’s eyes turned cold.

He was a wise man, but he was also a true Tang Clan member who inherited Tang Hyeong’s blood. He could not be in a good mood when facing someone who dared to speak to the Tang Clan’s head in such a manner.

Tang Gwan opened his mouth.

“It seems we can’t have a conversation.”

“I asked who you are!”

It wouldn’t be difficult to know their identity just by looking at the patterns on their clothes. Any martial artist would know the Tang Clan’s emblem.

To speak like that even after seeing the scorpion and snake symbols on Tang Gwan’s sleeves and chest was something difficult to understand logically.

‘Should I just leave it be?’

He wasn’t upset that the other party didn’t recognize him. Her tone was annoying, but it would be difficult to view a master who suddenly appeared in the middle of the night favorably.

However, what bothered Tang Gwan was not the fact that she didn’t recognize the Tang Clan’s emblem, but the excessive killing intent flowing from the woman’s blade.

‘It’s a dangerous killing intent. If she’s emitting that level of refined killing intent, it’s hard to see her as a good person, no matter how you look at it. But…’

Tang Gwan was inwardly hesitant.

‘It’s awkward to make a move when there’s been no provocation.’

Even if he did make a move, looking at her venomous eyes, it didn’t seem like she would answer willingly.

Of course, he had all sorts of torture methods that could make even the most stubborn person talk within half a quarter [15 minutes]. He could use just a few of the poisons and hidden weapons that came to mind and make her spill the names of ancestors she didn’t even know.

The problem was whether it was necessary to go that far.

‘I don’t need to find out on purpose, but I can’t just leave it either. I should ask the others.’

Just as Tang Gwan decided to stop holding back, a voice was heard.

“Stop.”

The woman and Tang Yun flinched at the voice that came from somewhere.

“The person you are facing is the master of a martial arts family that has conquered Sichuan. Put away your sword.”

It was a clear voice.

The voice of a young and energetic man. It didn’t have any particular authority, but it was a voice that calmed the listener and was very pleasant to hear.

Srrreung!

The woman quickly sheathed her sword and walked to a corner, bowing her head.

Tang Yun was startled for a moment.

‘When?!’

Near the stone wall, in a deeply shadowed area, there was a rather large palanquin [a covered litter for carrying a passenger].

It was a palanquin, not a carriage. Two men, large and expressionless, seemed to be the palanquin bearers.

‘Why didn’t I notice it?’

The palanquin had been there all along. It was just that Tang Yun hadn’t noticed it.

“So you’re finally coming out.”

Tang Gwan turned his head towards the palanquin.

“Impressive. I didn’t notice it until halfway through. It’s easy for a master to hide their presence, but it’s not possible to hide a palanquin.”

“You are indeed amazing.”

Thud!

The door of the palanquin opened, and a man appeared.

He was tall and slender. He wore silk clothes that were not flashy but very luxurious, and he held a folding fan in his hand.

Tang Yun’s eyes sparkled.

‘He’s handsome.’

He was a typical refined young scholar. His white skin was flawless, and his features were so distinct that he would be called handsome anywhere he went.

His appearance was so feminine that opinions might be divided, but it was clear that he was a rare beauty. His face was so striking that it drew attention more than his clothes and demeanor, making him truly remarkable.

The young man bowed his head.

“My subordinate was ignorant and failed to recognize such a great person. She has only ever wielded a sword, so she has no interest in worldly affairs.”

“…….”

“I, as her master, apologize for this rudeness.”

A hesitant look appeared on Tang Gwan’s face.

A calm and relaxed tone. His voice was full of apology.

It was a model demeanor that completely erased the impression of the woman who had been wielding her sword with such killing intent. From his bowed head to the expression that could be glimpsed beneath it, to his tone and voice, there was nothing to criticize.

Tang Gwan, who had been quietly observing the young man, asked casually.

“Is it a formation?”

The young man straightened his posture and nodded with a smile.

“Yes, it is. As you can see, I have a weak body, so I had to learn a formation to protect myself in this harsh world.”

That ability to hide the palanquin and its bearers.

Tang Gwan chuckled.

“The world is indeed vast.”

During the Tang Clan incident, he had been trapped in the Guangxue Sect’s formation, and later he had studied the formation that the Guimun had deployed.

Although the opponent was the greatest master in the Tang Clan’s history, so it was easily broken through, even Tang Gwan would have had a hard time withstanding the Guimun’s formation. He had never been fond of formations in the first place.

Since then, he had studied formations from time to time, but it was still a difficult and mysterious study. Even if he reached the end of martial arts, he felt like he wouldn’t even reach the middle of Mount Tai when it came to formations.

“The other party knows my identity, but it’s a bit much that I don’t know theirs. Who are you people?”

The young man answered politely.

“I apologize. There are circumstances that prevent me from revealing my affiliation. However, I can tell you my insignificant name.”

“Circumstances… Alright, what’s your name?”

“I am called Cheon Hyo-Rak.”

His name was quite unique.

Tang Gwan tilted his head.

“I’ve never heard that name before.”

“That’s likely.”

It was a strange answer.

Tang Gwan’s lips curled up as he quietly observed Cheon Hyo-Rak.

“The smell of blood was strong. Your killing intent was also impressive. I wanted to ignore it, but because of my position, I couldn’t ignore it and came all the way here.”

“I see.”

“But is this really a coincidence?”

Cheon Hyo-Rak smiled.

His bright smile was so beautiful.

“It’s a great coincidence. I never imagined that I would meet the master of the Sichuan Tang Clan on my way to the Murim Alliance.”

“You’re on your way to the Murim Alliance?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Two groups heading to the Alliance. A meeting on that path.

“It’s a great coincidence.”

“Yes, it’s a great coincidence.”

Tang Gwan, who had been staring at Cheon Hyo-Rak, turned his gaze to the woman.

“I don’t know what the matter is, but is it okay to travel with that dangerous swordsman?”

“Haha, she might seem a bit dangerous, but she’s the type who would jump into fire if I ordered her to. You don’t have to worry.”

“I’m not worried. The question is whether she’s qualified.”

“Ah, well, as the master of the Tang Clan, your influence in the Murim Alliance must be considerable.”

“It’s not that considerable, but if I make a fuss, it usually works.”

“Is my bodyguard someone who shouldn’t enter the Alliance?”

“I don’t know about that, but it doesn’t seem like it would be good for her to go in.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak said calmly.

“Then, I’ll have her safely escort us to the Murim Alliance and have her wait outside.”

It was a smooth response. There was not a single hint of displeasure.

Tang Gwan chuckled.

“You can’t reveal your identity?”

“It will be revealed when we get to the Alliance.”

“I see.”

“Since we’ve met like this by chance, would you grant us the honor of traveling together?”

He was going a step further.

He himself knew. That his words and actions could cause a strange misunderstanding in the other party.

Yet, he didn’t care at all. Rather, he was even suggesting that Tang Gwan travel with them.

To none other than the master of the Tang Clan, the manipulator of poison and hidden weapons.

Tang Gwan shrugged his shoulders.

“I didn’t expect to have a travel companion on the way. However, our travel speed is quite fast, is that alright?”

“Of course. These guys are also quite nimble, so they’ll be able to keep up somehow.”

He was referring to the palanquin bearers. In fact, the internal energy of the palanquin bearers was also at a level that could be called top masters.

‘He’s a strange fellow.’

And it was a strange group.

‘They’re going to the Murim Alliance anyway…’

Tang Gwan smiled.

It was a smile that was hard to feel favorably about.

“I’ll guide the way.”

“It’s an honor, Clan Head.”

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Cheon Hyo-Rak’s face, which was already bright, became even brighter.

“It seems I’m having a stroke of good luck. To think I would meet the hegemon of Sichuan.”

Tang Gwan chuckled.

“Whether it will be good luck or the greatest misfortune of your life remains to be seen. I’m known to be a very unlucky person.”