Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 142 - Evil-Annihilating Army (2)
Chapter 142 – Evil-Annihilating Army (2)
===================
Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
===================
His expression was serious, but the content of his words was quite radical.
Yeo-guk frowned.
“What do you mean by a rabble?”
At that time, Yun-ho nodded.
“Young Master Yeon’s words are correct. We are a rabble.”
Most of the rising stars, led by Yeo-guk, looked at Yun-ho.
Yun-ho smacked his lips.
“Since it was brought up anyway, let’s talk about it. Among the people gathered here, how many came with a firm resolution to put their bodies into the mobile unit led by Young Master Yeon?”
Because they were not wrong words, no one could object to Yun-ho’s words.
Yun-ho’s face became serious.
“Any group in the world with an unclear purpose has no choice but to be called a rabble. Even if the members of the organization are each exceptionally outstanding.”
“Mmm.”
The rising stars let out groans.
Yun-ho asked Yeon Ho-jeong.
“Are my words correct?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“Half correct.”
“What do you mean by half?”
“You are a rabble because you do not unite as one, and you are a rabble because your skills are also not outstanding.”
Yun-ho’s face stiffened.
‘Skills…’
He was a first-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. Even though he had not learned all the secret arts of Mount Hua, he had the confidence to subjugate an ordinary group of bandits single-handedly even if he went out into the Jianghu right now.
‘It’s frustrating, but.’
Yun-ho sighed lowly.
‘I have no choice but to admit it at least in front of that person.’
For a few days, Yeon Ho-jeong had accepted the challenges of countless rising stars. And he won all those matches.
He even won all matches overwhelmingly. During the five times Yun-ho fought Yeon Ho-jeong, he too had never passed three exchanges.
In other words, it didn’t matter how high a realm one had built.
Yun-ho could not defeat Yeon Ho-jeong. Let alone succeeding in an attack, he could not even become a threat.
In the end, Yun-ho was weak, and Yeon Ho-jeong was strong. That was all.
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke.
“But you said something interesting. That your respective purposes are different?”
Yun-ho said with a sour face.
“Of course that is so.”
“Of course?”
“…?”
“Does it mean it is natural? Why do you say ‘of course’?”
“What… do you mean?”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“Does that not mean that most of you are trivial bastards who cannot even risk your lives on the path you chose, using caution as an excuse?”
“…!”
The faces of the rising stars became noticeably stiff.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes became cold.
“I, when I made the offer to you, must have clearly stated it. That the independent mobile unit is the Murim Alliance’s first organization re-established after tens of years, and it is a unit that operates independent missions away from the Alliance’s politics.”
“…”
“If it is a unit with that much distinctiveness, there must also properly be a sense of responsibility befitting it. I also added words to deliberate even more because there is not much time left. Do you not remember?”
Yun-ho stuttered.
“Y-You did say that, but…”
“We are all people whose lives stroll on the edge of a blade. If you came with determination, you should risk your lives. Could it be, were you guys just thinking of moderately playing around while sightseeing the Jianghu and then returning to your respective homes later?”
The rising stars became mute as if they had eaten honey. It was because in reality, the majority of them had such thoughts.
At that time, a young man spoke.
“How could that be.”
Yeon Ho-jeong turned his head.
He was a young man. He almost looked to be of a similar age to Yeon Ji-pyeong. At most, he was one or two years older.
‘Diancang Sect.’
Surprisingly, the person who came from the Diancang Sect was just that one young man.
Yeon Ho-jeong asked.
“Name?”
“It is Cheok-gang.”
“Are you a disciple of the Diancang Sect?”
“I am a first-generation disciple of the Diancang Sect.”
“Yes, Cheok-gang. Does it mean you have risked your life?”
“Of course.”
Although he was a young man with a mild appearance, his clear two eyes overflowed with firmness.
“I will go out into the world. I will go out into the world and train my martial arts. But there is no way martial arts where one has not risked their life can be strong.”
Strong conviction and belief were contained in Cheok-gang’s voice.
“While I was having such thoughts, Captain Yeon came to us. I thought it was an opportunity. That is why I came.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“You want to train your martial arts in the gap between life and death?”
“It was not a pure purpose. For that part, I offer a clear apology. However, it is true that I came with the resolution to bury my bones here.”
Cheok-gang took a martial salute.
“I look forward to working with you.”
It was an appearance overflowing with spirit.
When the youngest among them, Cheok-gang, showed such an appearance, shame lingered on the faces of the rising stars as well. Because they did not have that level of sincerity.
“I spoke of the distinctiveness of the independent mobile unit and to deliberate carefully. However, I never spoke about what kind of work our unit will do. Yet, to hope to enlist while risking your life is not an easy thing.”
Yeon Ho-jeong took a martial salute to Cheok-gang.
“Whatever your reason is, I will become a captain who is not ashamed of you. Thank you for joining me.”
Lifting his head, he looked around at the rising stars.
The majority were bowing their heads as if ashamed, and some were frowning.
“Why must I only bow my head to Cheok-gang?”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“You guys should have received my greetings. But excluding that friend named Cheok-gang, I no longer want to bow my head to you guys.”
“…”
“Know shame. Before martial arts, you guys lost to Cheok-gang in your attitude toward life.”
At that time, Yeo-guk opened his mouth.
“For that part, I will clearly apologize.”
“Name?”
“It is Yeo-guk of the Kunlun Sect.”
Yeo-guk continued speaking.
“Yes, I remember. You were serious. But I was not as serious as you. I knew that in your eyes, we could look like half-wits who just uselessly test the waters. I apologize.”
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.
“Good. I accept the apology.”
“However, bringing up the attitude toward life only looks like an intention to insult us.”
Yeo-guk’s eyes deepened.
“That friend named Cheok-gang is definitely amazing. Setting aside seniority, coming with the resolution to risk one’s life for an organization whose purpose is not even clear is normally not an ordinary thing.”
“That is a correct statement.”
“However, it can also be said to be that much foolish. One should also risk their life in a place worthy of it. An individual’s life is not something so light.”
Yeo-guk pointed at Yeon Ho-jeong.
“Did you not also convey words of gratitude to Cheok-gang because you know that weightiness?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“That is also a correct statement. You are smart.”
“That is so. However, everyone cannot be the same. The differences of individuals are something that must be clearly recognized.”
Yeo-guk shook his head.
“It is fine even if you do not accept the apology for the insult. However, I just hope you know that we did not come with light hearts.”
Depending on how one hears it, it could get on one’s nerves. However, there was a point in Yeo-guk’s words in its own way.
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“Did you say you were Yeo-guk?”
“That is so.”
“If possible, I wish you would remain until the end.”
Yeo-guk frowned.
Remain until the end? What does this mean?
Yeon Ho-jeong crossed his arms.
“If it were not for the special environment you are facing, I too would not have pointed out your attitudes.”
The eyes of the rising stars widened.
A special environment?
Yeon Ho-jeong’s voice became cold.
“Yeo-guk.”
“Please speak.”
“If you return to the Kunlun Sect, or if you remain in the Murim Alliance, you could live comfortably enough, so why did you enter here?”
“…!”
“Is it because you could not become the best? Or did you want to escape?”
Yeo-guk’s face visibly stiffened.
That was not all. The expressions of most of the rising stars became similar to Yeo-guk’s.
Yeon Ho-jeong clicked his tongue.
“The reason I was late when you gathered in the backyard of the Destroying Army Pavilion is because I came after checking what positions you hold in each sect.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“There is no way talents that each sect holds tightly onto would come to me as they please, right? I was curious. What kind of circumstances there were.”
The faces of the rising stars burned red.
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“If what I saw is true, you guys should rather be more ashamed.”
He looked at Yeo-guk.
Yeo-guk was biting his lip.
“Yeo-guk.”
“…”
“Tell me again. Whether there is a reason for me to treat you guys as much as Cheok-gang.”
Yeo-guk could not say anything.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“However, your words are not wrong either. I too was a bit excited. I did not particularly have the intention to insult you, but to those receiving it, it could definitely sound like an insult.”
“…”
“I said there is no need to apologize, but still, I will apologize. Every person has a different nature and the environment they grew up in is different, but I judged you too much based on my own standards.”
“…”
“I am sorry.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s apology was serious.
However, in a certain sense, it was an apology worse than not making one. Because if they accepted that apology, they would truly become foolish people.
It was when the rising stars were filled with endless shame and unknown anger like that.
[Young Master Yeon. It’s martial artists.]
At Muk Bi’s telepathy, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shined.
[Number?]
[Over a hundred. But… no matter how I look at them, they are not from the Murim Alliance?]
There was nothing strange at all.
The Dabie Mountains spanned across three provinces. The Murim Alliance was merely situated at one point in the Dabie Mountains.
However, at this point in time when news of the establishment of the Murim Alliance was expanding throughout the Central Plains, there was definitely a problem.
The person who found out about that suspicious movement and their identity was precisely Ga Deuk-sang. And Ga Deuk-sang immediately informed Yeon Ho-jeong of that information.
It was the reason Yeon Ho-jeong brought the mobile unit party and came to this place.
“And I will apologize for one more thing.”
The rising stars looked up at Yeon Ho-jeong.
For a moment, they flinched without realizing it.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes were terrifyingly cold. At the same time, they were also that hot.
In those mysterious eyes that were difficult to describe with a pen and tongue, a bizarre majesty they had never felt before until now was burning.
“Whatever circumstance you came here with, I will absolutely not allow your departure.”
“…?!”
“Because you have nothing to do? To test the waters? You are arrogant, but do you think I would give up a troop of your caliber? Even looking anywhere in the Central Plains, it is difficult to find young experts possessing your level of strength.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled whitely.
“From the moment you gathered in the backyard of the Destroying Army Pavilion, you are my subordinates. You reject me? That is not possible. Since you entered under my command, the only way to escape from me is to die.”
It was a terrifying remark. To the rising stars of the Nine Sects with strong pride, it was too severe a provocation.
Yeo-guk, who was about to open his mouth while gritting his teeth, felt an unknown sense of incompatibility for a moment.
‘What is it?’
His eyes wavered.
‘Didn’t that person say he hoped I would remain until the end?’
Why did a person who says he won’t give up anyone and that they can’t escape from him unless they die say such a thing? Aren’t these contradictory remarks?
‘Just what is he thinking…?’
At that time, Muk Bi sent a telepathic message to Yeon Ho-jeong again.
[They are approaching the valley! Furthermore, they… are strong. They are experts!]
Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.
“Now I will tell you about the purpose of establishing this mobile unit.”
[They have entered the entrance of the valley!]
“The enemies you must face in the future are evil demons who can easily kill even a peak master with stratagems and viciousness that transcend imagination.”
[They are fast! They will arrive there soon in a little bit! What should I do? Are they enemies? If they are enemies, I should at least do check firing…!]
“Think of it as warming up before clashing with the real ones and try fighting. I will tell you beforehand, but if you do not kill, you might die.”
[Young Master Yeon!]
“Now, it is the first mission.”
Hwook!
From inside the narrow path, a group overflowing with killing intent appeared.
They were those with a thick smell of blood. A chilling killing intent was fully packed in the momentum they exuded prior to their martial prowess.
The light in Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes was dyed blue.
“Annihilate the enemies.”