Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 54 - Toward Where the Wind Blows (4)
Chapter 54 – Toward Where the Wind Blows (4)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“Clan Head. A contact came from the Desolate Wind Pavilion.”
The Desolate Wind Pavilion was an intelligence organization directly operated by the Murong Clan. As an organization created during the time the Murong Clan was active in Liaoning Province, its history and loyalty were immense.
“What did they say?”
“They said they could not figure it out.”
“What?”
“A large-scale information control occurred across the entirety of Jiangsu Province. They said the informants of the Desolate Wind Pavilion could not break through that wall.”
Murong Jun’s eyes deepened.
“A large-scale information control? Across the entirety of Jiangsu Province?”
“That is right.”
“Jiangsu Province is big and wide. No matter how great the power of the Yeon Clan is, is a large-scale information control possible? In a short amount of time at that?”
“It is our judgment that it is impossible with the Yeon Clan’s power that we have investigated so far.”
“Of course it is. That is impossible for any of the Seven Great Clans. Even if two factions joined forces, it would be difficult.”
“That is right.”
“You must not have been able to approach the Heavenly Communication Group either.”
“That is right. Unless the informants directly jump into Jiangsu Province and sell their footwork, the method to contact them is currently non-existent.”
“In other words, that means.”
Murong Yeon-hwa spoke in a cold voice.
“It means someone is helping the Yeon Clan. A group that professionally handles information.”
“If it is on this scale, it means an organization worthy of being called the best among them intervened.”
“If so…”
“Beggars’ Gang, Black Sect, or Merchant Will Pavilion. It must be one of these three.”
The Beggars’ Gang was the best in the Orthodox Path’s intelligence world, and the Black Sect was the big hand of the Unorthodox Path’s intelligence world. And the Merchant Will Pavilion was an intelligence group that moved strictly for money, an information trader that handed over information of equal value if one just paid money.
“It probably is not the Black Sect.”
“They have the smallest possibility. The Black Sect’s information power is the lowest among the three. Furthermore, due to the characteristics of the Yeon Clan Head, there is no possibility he reached out his hand to the Black Sect.”
He was wrong.
The information power of the Unorthodox Path Murim was superior to the Orthodox Path Murim in many aspects. That was the driving force that allowed them, who lacked power, to survive until now.
It was just that it was not known to the world. Even the world-renowned Murong Jun could not help but not know about a field he was not interested in.
“If so, the Beggars’ Gang and the Merchant Will Pavilion are left.”
An unconcealable tension cast over Murong Yeon-hwa’s face.
“Either side is dangerous.”
“That is right.”
If the side that helped the Yeon Clan was the Beggars’ Gang, that itself was a huge incident.
Although they looked free-spirited and loose, the Beggars’ Gang revered chivalry generation after generation. It was because they handled information, so they valued maintaining a righteous mind even more.
Although the majority of sects had a history of being corrupted at least once, the Beggars’ Gang never had such a time.
Naturally, the Beggars’ Gang’s right to speak contended for the top level even within the Nine Great Sects and One Union. Having the highest right to speak among the Nine Great Sects and One Gang meant they could have a profound influence on the Orthodox Path Murim.
If the Beggars’ Gang was deeply involved in the Murong Clan’s ghostly scheme this time, it would become a headache in many ways.
If so, was the Merchant Will Pavilion a bit better?
That was absolutely not the case. In a way, what was more dangerous than the Beggars’ Gang was the Merchant Will Pavilion. Because one could buy information from any place as long as they gave money.
That meant the groups keeping the Murong Clan in check could also take away information regarding this incident as long as they paid money. Of course, they would have to pour in an astronomical amount of money.
If it was the Beggars’ Gang, it was dangerous right away, and if it was the Merchant Will Pavilion, it became a headache.
“It became interesting.”
Even in this urgent situation, Murong Jun did not lose his composure. Rather, he stroked his beard with an interested face, seemingly genuinely thinking this situation was interesting.
“Yeon-hwa.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I heard the Successor of the Beggars’ Gang also entered the previous Gathering of the Rising Stars.”
“He did.”
“By any chance, did it seem like the Successor of the Beggars’ Gang had a friendship with the children of the Yeon Clan?”
Murong Yeon-hwa, who was lost in thought for a moment, shook her head.
“The probability of that is low. Unless he is being wary of them.”
“Wary?”
“Yes. The appearance the Yeon Clan’s Eldest Young Master, Yeon Ho-jeong, showed at the gathering was excessively fierce and explosive. He actually almost killed the Namgung Clan’s Lightning Sword Group Leader.”
“Hmm, I heard that too. He is a great fellow, at that age.”
“The one who blocked that ruthlessness was the Successor of the Beggars’ Gang, Ga Deuk-sang. Yeon Ho-jeong seemed to harbor favorable feelings toward the Successor, but due to the Successor’s personality, it was more likely for him to develop an antagonism toward Yeon Ho-jeong, and difficult for him to have goodwill.”
Murong Jun nodded.
“If so, the probability that they joined hands with the Beggars’ Gang is even higher.”
“Yes.”
Anyone would be wary of a category they thought was dangerous. If Ga Deuk-sang was looking at the Yeon Clan through Yeon Ho-jeong, the probability that the Beggars’ Gang took charge of this information control was high.
“Whatever it is, a problem is a problem. Hah! Since they suddenly came out so stiffly, it is bewildering.”
“Indeed.”
It was then.
“A new contact came from the Desolate Wind Pavilion!”
“What did it say?”
“They said the Yeon Clan’s Eldest Young Master came out of Jiangsu Province!”
Murong Jun’s eyes shone.
“Where did they say he headed to?”
“It is Henan.”
“…Henan?!”
The Yeon Clan was situated in the southern part of Jiangsu Province. And Henan was in the northwestern part of Jiangsu Province.
They did not know when he moved, but even if it was from the time information was cut off to the contact, it was a tremendous speed.
“Why Henan in this situation? And this quickly at that?”
Urgency lingered on Murong Yeon-hwa’s face.
“We must contact him first.”
“Of course that is so, but.”
Murong Jun frowned.
‘It bothers me why it is Henan.’
Since they did not know the situation over there, even inferring was not easy.
Murong Jun, who was lost in thought, opened his mouth.
“Make sure to contact the Myeong Clan right away. Inform them of the entire situation here. Tell them they unconditionally must contact him before the Yeon Clan’s Eldest Young Master does anything foolish.”
“Yes!”
* * *
“Heok! Heok!”
“Are you already exhausted?”
“T, to call that words… Cough!”
“Catch your breath a little. A gentleman called the successor of the Beggars’ Gang has too little stamina.”
Ga Deuk-sang suddenly flared up in anger.
“This gentleman! You travel riding a horse!”
“So did I not tell you to ride too?”
“Does a beggar wearing rags travel riding a horse? Is there a reason to spread rumors everywhere that I am an affiliated member of the Beggars’ Gang?!”
Yeon Ho-jeong was certainly going too far.
The two people, who came up to the central part of Jiangsu Province riding a boat, shot up straight to the northern part by land from then on.
The problem was time. They ran all the way to the northernmost part of Jiangsu Province in just five days, but excluding the minimum amount of sleep and rest, they only ran all day long.
Furthermore, during the two days they crossed over from Jiangsu to Henan, they did not even sleep. That meant Ga Deuk-sang was not making a fuss over nothing.
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke unenthusiastically.
“Think of it as stamina training.”
Just what crazy bastard would do stamina training this ignorantly?
Ga Deuk-sang sprawled out on the spot.
“I cannot go! Even if you beat me to death, I cannot go! Just kill me!”
“Is it that difficult?”
“You want to fight, right now?”
“Let us go for just half a shichen more.”
“Take a stance, you crazy bastard! Today, one of the two of us is heading to the underworld…!”
“Let us rest at a tavern for a few days. Since we have to wait anyway.”
“…A tavern?”
“Eat as much as you want to eat. I will buy.”
Ga Deuk-sang swallowed his saliva. He was not wrong, they had not eaten proper food coming all the way here.
“If it is really difficult, we can just rest here for a few days.”
“…Fuck.”
Ga Deuk-sang vigorously stood up from his spot.
“If it is a lie this time too, know that I will chop your teeth with an axe blade. Do you understand?”
Hiiiing!
“Let us go together, please!!”
Running for half a shichen more like that, the two people were able to arrive in Shangqiu, Henan.
Shangqiu was a county close to Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui. In Henan, the floating population to the east was considerable.
The two people entered a quiet tavern slightly away from the center of the county.
As soon as Ga Deuk-sang sat in his seat, he ate his food as if he was possessed by a starving ghost. He did not care whether people stared or not.
The faces of the people looking at Ga Deuk-sang were full of discomfort. Since some filthy beggar came in and scooped up dishes with his bare hands, it was understandable.
However, they could not tell the owner to chase Ga Deuk-sang out.
Thud!
“Ah, stand that axe up properly. If someone gets chopped, they will go straight to the grave.”
“I am sorry. Finish eating what you were eating.”
“Uh, I should. Since you mentioned it, it would be nice if you ordered one more of this.”
The young man who stood the axe that had fallen on the floor against the wall with a calm face.
A young man who looked to be just twenty years old placed an axe the size of a human body next to him.
That bloodthirstiness was not a joke. It was even more scary because the young man’s figure was like a scholar. It was because he easily lifted a heavy axe with one hand with that slender body.
Like that, the people ate their food with faces that could not be more uncomfortable.
“Burp! I ate well.”
“Did you eat it all?”
“Because I crammed in what I could not eat for a few days, I feel like my stomach will burst.”
“I heard you ate twelve geun of pork, but that was not an exaggeration.”
He did not know how many times they cleared the plates. Yeon Ho-jeong also ate a lot of food because his activity level was so high, but it could not be compared to Ga Deuk-sang.
Ga Deuk-sang, who seemed to have finally found some composure, looked around his surroundings.
“By the way, you caught a somewhat secluded place?”
“Because we do not know what kind of incident might explode.”
“Indeed. But this place is also amazing. Even though it is a secluded place, there are quietly people here.”
“Have you never been to this neighborhood?”
“I dropped by once in the old days. Because I literally dropped by for a short time, my memories are also dim.”
“I see.”
Ga Deuk-sang’s face became strangely serious.
“So, how long do you intend to stay here?”
“Until the opponent comes.”
“Blindly?”
“It will not take long. If the Beggars’ Gang controlled the information well.”
“Do not worry about that.”
“I have no particular worries.”
“Right, it is understandable for the Murong Clan’s side, who does not know the situation here at all, to fret. In the midst of that, they heard the Yeon Clan’s Eldest Young Master revealed his appearance in Henan, so they will try to make contact somehow.”
“I do not know who among the two families will approach first yet.”
The Murong Clan, and the Myeong Clan.
The Murong Clan settled down in Hunan Province, and the Myeong Clan settled down in Xuchang, Henan.
Ga Deuk-sang’s eyes sank calmly.
“I still do not know.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know the Murong Clan is related to this matter because I saw it personally, but…”
“Would I have entrusted the investigation regarding the Myeong Clan’s side for no reason?”
“Well, that is also true.”
Ga Deuk-sang leaned his back against the chair.
A quiet suspicion harbored in his eyes that looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with his arms crossed.
“Why do you look like that?”
“Do you still have no thoughts of telling me?”
“What?”
“I mean the Myeong Clan. Why they intend to attack the Yeon Clan, and how you noticed that in advance. Would it not be okay to slowly let me know?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“I think the results are more important than the process for this matter. When a satisfactory result comes out, I will tell you then.”
Ga Deuk-sang’s eyes became cool.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes were also the same. The gazes looking at each other were not warm at all.
Ga Deuk-sang, who looked at Yeon Ho-jeong for a long time, soon stretched.
“Oops! Now that I have eaten, I am sleepy. The room?”
“I paid in advance. I will go after staying a bit longer, so go in first.”
“I should.”
“Wash up a bit and sleep.”
“Do you think I am a beggar for no reason?”
Like that, Ga Deuk-sang quickly went into the room provided by the tavern.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was sipping tea, looked out the window.
‘It is peaceful.’
It was now fully spring. The wind was warm, and the sky was clear.
However, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes were dark and cold, contrary to the weather.
‘I purposely came together with the Successor. And I forcefully came quickly on top of that. If they knew this, the Murong Clan would also have an urgent mind.’
Furthermore, it was an area quite a distance away from Hunan.
‘They could send subordinates under their command, but I did not give them time to think. Murong Jun is a person who does not move unless he has at least seventy percent certainty.’
He was like that even during his days as the Murim Alliance Leader. Thanks to that, the Dark Emperor Castle’s damage was great due to fighting the Evil Lust Cult alone.
In other words.
‘The probability of the Myeong Clan approaching is very high.’
The corners of his mouth kept trying to go up.
The Murong Clan was definitely an enemy. However, the enemy he wanted to smash to pieces before that was the Myeong Clan.
In other words, his raid was headed toward the Myeong Clan, not the Murong Clan. Since shaking the Myeong Clan would make the Murong Clan urgent as well anyway, it was the same either way.
‘…’
Just thinking of the Myeong Clan made his bloodthirstiness try to surge.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who controlled his killing intent while grabbing his thigh, slowly closed his eyes.
Six days later.
“Are you the Yeon Clan’s Eldest Young Master?”
“What are you?”
“I heard your way of speaking was fierce, and it seems that was correct.”
A young man in his mid-twenties frowned as much as possible.
“I came from the Myeong Clan. There is someone who wants to see you, so make some time.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled brightly.
“I should carve out even non-existent time.”