Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 55 - Toward Where the Wind Blows (5)

Chapter 55 – Toward Where the Wind Blows (5)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“Clan Head. A letter came from the Eldest Young Master.”

“Give it to me.”

Yeon Wi, who received and unfolded the letter, his eyes shone.

‘He is fast.’

It said he had already reached Henan. Even if he crossed over riding a horse, it was a tremendous speed. He probably changed horses several times.

‘He intends to make the Murong Clan urgent.’

Yeon Wi was able to realize what Yeon Ho-jeong intended at once.

He was surprised anew by his son’s power of action. He himself had accumulated countless experiences after becoming the Clan Head, but his son had never done so, had he?

Confusing the opponent with rapid movements. The confused opponent would reveal an unexpected opening, and the moment that opening was attacked, the enemy’s armament would be disarmed.

It was the method of an old veteran of the Jianghu who had rolled around as much as one could. Even for Yeon Wi, it was difficult to immediately think of such a response method.

Furthermore, when catching the spies this time, he directly dug into the enemy camp and toyed with the opponent to reveal the truth.

It was a bold method. It was a wise driving force. It was a method that did not even care about taking risks to defeat the enemy.

As a father, he was worried, but as a martial artist, it was a response he could not help but admire.

‘In any case, since Ho-jeong moved like this, the Murong Clan will also try to make contact somehow. However, since there is a distance, the probability that they will obtain the assistance of a reliable ally is high.’

Yeon Wi’s eyes deepened.

He recalled the conversation with Yeon Ho-jeong before he left.

‘It is unconditionally the Myeong Clan.’

‘Is there a reason you think so? In fact, the factions that could join hands with the Murong Clan are scattered all over. There is no need to necessarily associate with the family called the Number One under Heaven.’

‘Still, it is the Myeong Clan. It can only be the Myeong Clan.’

‘So, I am asking the reason why you think so.’

‘…It is difficult to give a definite answer. However, it will be revealed in this trip to Henan. Where the place that joined hands with the Murong Clan is.’

It was still a question now. Why did he think the Murong Clan joined hands with the Myeong Clan?

Yeon Wi also did not think the Murong Clan committed such a thing alone. The risk factors were too great for that.

However, the organization they joined hands with did not necessarily have to be the Myeong Clan.

‘…’

However, there must be a reason why his son spoke like that. While going through a series of incidents, he trusted Yeon Ho-jeong’s outstanding insight and judgment.

Yeon Wi, who was lost in thought for a moment, called Yi Baek-hyeon.

“Contact Branch Leader Iron Staff Beggar. Contact him and ask him to check if there are any sects or organizations related to the Myeong Clan near Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces.”

“I understand.”

Yeon Wi, lost in thought with his fingers intertwined.

A vivid sharp energy lingered in his eyes.

“…If it is really related to the Myeong Clan?”

At that time, he would draw the Clan Head’s Sword without hesitation.

* * *

The place where the young man guided Yeon Ho-jeong was inside a forest where people were rare.

He guided him to the forest at the time the sun was setting. Even if he knew where the opponent came from, it could not help but be uncomfortable.

However, Yeon Ho-jeong’s expression was nonchalance itself.

Signs such as fear, anxiety, or suspicion were not even visible. He also did not seem to be tense or excited.

He was just calm and calm. At least that was how it appeared on the outside.

The young man, Myeong Do, frowned.

‘Is this guy not even nervous?’

The Number One Clan under Heaven, the Nine States Myeong Clan, asked to see him. No matter how much of an Eldest Young Master of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan he was, it was normal to be nervous.

But such a thing was not seen in this guy.

“What is that?”

“What?”

“I mean the axe.”

“It is my weapon.”

Myeong Do spoke in disbelief.

“You use that big axe as a weapon? Not a sword?”

“Yeah.”

The Green Mountain Yeon Clan’s main martial art was the sword.

Their sword study was so outstanding that such words even came out.

“It is not softer than the Wudang’s sword, nor more precise than the Mount Hua’s sword. It is not as solemn as the Namgung’s sword, nor as intense as the Murong’s sword. Still, the Yeon Clan’s sword is strong. Its honesty is the most orthodox among the orthodox, so in a way, it can be seen as the most suitable for the Orthodox Path’s martial arts.”

Even though it had only been fifty years since the Yeon Clan was counted among the Seven Great Clans, the reason it gained such great fame was not simply because they were righteous.

It was because they were strong. Their sword study was enough to represent the Central Plains.

Even with such amazing sword techniques, their power was the smallest among the Seven Clans. A gentleman does not reveal himself; it was the reason martial artists sent their praise.

“You use an axe as a weapon even though you are the Eldest Young Master?”

“What does that matter?”

Myeong Do frowned even more.

“I have been meaning to say this since earlier, but why do you not fix your way of speaking?”

“Do you think your way of speaking is full of courtesy?”

“…”

Indeed, since he told him to make time or not at the first meeting, he had nothing to say either.

However, Myeong Do honestly revealed his displeasure.

The Myeong Clan was the Number One Clan under Heaven. They were counted as one of the Seven Great Clans, but their level was different from the other Six Great Clans.

In the martial world, power was authority, and fame was status.

So to speak, the Nine States Myeong Clan was no different from the highest-ranking nobles of the martial world. Unless it was Shaolin, it was not a family that a small-powered Yeon Clan could look up to.

‘Is it because he is at the time when he puts strength in his shoulders?’

He inwardly ridiculed Yeon Ho-jeong.

He heard that he made a very impressive active performance during the Gathering of the Rising Stars.

He thought it was understandable for his neck to become stiff. Had not a guy who used to hear the words “A tiger father has a dog son” while being ridiculed by the world also obtained a plausible nickname called the Mad Wind Scholar?

‘Enjoy it a lot.’

Where were there only one or two masters who showed prominence and then disappeared without a sound or rumor? Myeong Do thought Yeon Ho-jeong would not be different.

Walking for more than half a shichen like that, the light of a bonfire was visible.

Myeong Do pointed toward the bonfire with his chin.

“Go on. There is someone who wants to see you.”

“I will.”

“Put that down.”

Myeong Do pointed at the axe.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who smirked, headed toward the bonfire without even responding.

Myeong Do’s eyes became cold.

“There is a limit to accepting your insolence. Put it down immediately.”

Yeon Ho-jeong still walked without a word.

Killing intent rose in Myeong Do’s eyes.

“How dare…!”

It was then.

“Leave him be.”

A clear voice heard from somewhere.

Myeong Do, who was about to use his hand right away, flinched. A command had fallen from a person he could not disobey.

In the end, he had to glare at Yeon Ho-jeong’s back with bloodshot eyes.

Yeon Ho-jeong did not care about Myeong Do. From the beginning, he had no interest in small fish.

He recalled the voice that was heard just now.

‘It is quite something.’

The internal energy loaded in the voice contained a depth that was not common. At this level, it was fine to see it as a Peak Master’s internal energy.

‘They brought quite a lot.’

Furthermore, the signs of presence he felt were more than one or two. They were gathered together so it was not precise, but it seemed like there were at least twenty.

His sense of presence was accurate.

“It is a tremendously big axe. The weight must be amazing too, yet you manage to carry it around.”

As he approached the bonfire, a woman sitting with about twenty warriors standing was visible.

The owner of the voice was the woman. She was a woman with delicate features who looked to be around the same age as Myeong Do.

Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.

“So who are you?”

“Oh? A fresh reaction. I heard your personality was rough, and as expected, it really is?”

The woman spoke while laughing.

“My name is Myeong On-ji. You have never heard of it, right?”

“I have not.”

“Hoho! You make a person embarrassed. Normally, do people not say they have heard of it even if just in words?”

Thud!

Yeon Ho-jeong, who leaned against a tree with his hands on the axe he had placed down, spoke with a nonchalant face.

“If you called a person, tell me the reason you called.”

Myeong On-ji’s eyes sparkled like morning stars.

‘He does not have a normal personality.’

Whether one was rough or timid, or nonchalant toward others or wary.

There is no problem with a person of any personality. The real problem occurs when one does not know the opponent’s personality.

Looking at it that way, this young man named Yeon Ho-jeong was not normal. Because although his way of speaking was rough, his personality was not read.

“By the way, where did the Successor who came together with you go? I sent the kids to check the tavern, and they said he disappeared?”

It meant they had searched the tavern in that short moment.

Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.

“He is a self-indulgent gentleman, so I do not know either. So the business is?”

“Oho, I see.”

Myeong On-ji spoke with a bright smile.

“You came well even though you are alone. It seems you knew we would come?”

“Because my life is full of bastards who annoy me. I thought these would be those fly-like bastards again, so I came.”

“If they are flies, will you clear them out?”

“Are they flies?”

It was a provocative tone.

Myeong On-ji’s face was calm, but the gazes of the warriors standing behind her changed.

They did not leak killing intent. However, they were in a state to kill right away as soon as a command fell.

Even though they knew the opponent was the eldest son of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan.

“You have quite a lot of guts. Did you not hear from Myeong Do that we came from the Myeong Clan?”

“What does the Myeong Clan or whatever matter in becoming a moron who is not even as good as an insect?”

“Huhu.”

At this level, even Myeong On-ji found it difficult to stay still and listen.

“It will not do if you keep coming out so crookedly. What will you do if you get hurt before the business is even spoken?”

“So I am telling you to speak quickly. I think I have said it several times since earlier, by any chance, is your power of understanding lacking?”

Myeong On-ji’s eyes became cool.

No matter how much of a Great Leader of the Hidden Death Squad, the Myeong Clan’s intelligence organization, she was, it was difficult to maintain composure.

Unlike how she appeared, she was already over thirty years old. But she was also not at an age to be in charge of an intelligence squad.

That was why she was even more great. To become the head of an intelligence organization at that age, an outstanding ability and talent must be the foundation.

Maintaining composure was also her wonderful ability. But this ill-mannered fellow was shaking it.

“It is interesting. You are an interesting friend.”

Myeong On-ji continued her words while laughing.

“You mean you do not like wasting time with useless small talk? Good, let us go straight to the main point.”

“…”

“How is the Yeon Clan lately? Are you all getting along well and peacefully without any particular problems?”

Yeon Ho-jeong wore a cool smile.

She asked about the Yeon Clan while saying she would speak the main point. Even though she heard everything from the Murong Clan.

The way of speaking of people who are part of the so-called intelligence organizations or handle information is like this. Even while going into the main point, they slyly feel the opponent out.

It was not to confirm the content, but to confirm the opponent’s reaction.

Myeong On-ji’s expression, tone, and way of speaking were based on the speech of a strictly trained… to put it badly, typical… intelligence organization member.

“It has become an uproar.”

“Oh? Did something happen?”

“It is because some stupid family planted a few spies. My back and waist are aching to the point of pain from pulling them all out and doing some organizing.”

Myeong On-ji’s expression stiffened.

She intended to ask subtly, but he told her everything outright. Because she did not think he had the personality to let such a thing be known, it was even more surprising.

“To us, such a thing…?”

“And.”

Swish.

Yeon Ho-jeong continued his words while stroking the axe blade.

“There were probably also jackals who were trying to swallow the main house whole along with that stupid family, right?”

“..?!”

Was it because it received the light of the bonfire?

Myeong On-ji’s gaze seemed particularly flickering.

“Thinking about it, it is strange, right? The bastards who are most urgent right now are the Murong Clan, but you guys found me before those bastards? The Murong Clan is not a bunch of incompetent rice-eaters who would let the initiative be snatched away.”

“That is…”

“The signboard of the Number One under Heaven, you took it quite pathetically. Right?”

Wuuung.

Killing intent slowly rose from the axe.

“Since you took it easily, I do not think splitting it will be difficult either, but what do you think?”