Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 64 - The Eldest Son of Green Mountain (4)
Chapter 64 – The Eldest Son of Green Mountain (4)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“W-what did you say?!”
Myeong Cheon’s face distorted in shock.
“Gang-rim did?!”
“Yes, my lord.”
“His condition… what did they say his condition was?”
Myeong Wu-san spoke with a trembling voice.
“His internal and external injuries are severe. If the clan’s physicians had not acted quickly…”
“T-this!”
“Fortunately, he has passed the crisis, but it will take hundred days for him to regain consciousness. Even after he wakes up, they say it will take at least two or three years to recover his full strength.”
Crash!
The wall he struck with his fist caved in.
A murderous aura rose from Myeong Cheon’s face.
“What on earth was that fellow Myeong Chi-san doing while Gang-rim was being harmed?!”
“That is…”
Myeong Wu-san bit his lip.
“He is dead.”
“…Dead? Myeong Chi-san?”
“The warriors of the Home-Protector Hall are all severely injured, and it is said that Myeong Chi-san was defeated in a one-on-one duel.”
Myeong Cheon’s face, which had been full of agitation, gradually regained its composure.
As the situation grew more serious, he instead recovered his reason. That was indeed the character of the Myeong Clan Head.
“Is it certain that we sent him to the child of the Yeon Clan?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Right, we sent him to interrogate him regarding the disappearance of the Hidden Death Squad. And told him to bring him back by force if necessary.”
To be precise, he had ordered him to strike him down in a place where no one was watching and then bring him back. Under the circumstances, Yeon Ho-jeong was the only person who knew about the disappearance of the Hidden Death Squad.
“Yes, my lord.”
“But you are saying Myeong Chi-san died and the warriors of the Home-Protector Hall returned injured? Do you think this makes any sense?”
Myeong Wu-san could not easily open his mouth.
In truth, it was equally hard for him to believe. Rather, he had thought it might be excessive when Myeong Cheon decided to send Myeong Chi-san.
However, the revealed result was shocking.
“Myeong Chi-san was a very useful fellow even among the branch families. I personally saw his martial arts last year. Among the Pure White Martial Soldiers, there are not even ten warriors whose skills are better than Myeong Chi-san’s.”
This meant he was a master whose skills were fully ripened even among peak masters. In other words, if he had not belonged to the Myeong Clan, his skills would have been sufficient to be the head of a decent sect.
“Could it be that the child of the Yeon Clan Head is truly that strong?”
It was nonsense.
Yeon Ho-jeong was a young man who had not even reached twenty. No matter how great his innate talent was, there had to be a limit.
Of course, there were truly heaven-sent geniuses in the world.
Those called the Two Dragons and Three Phoenixes were such individuals. Although all five were well over thirty, making it awkward to call them ‘rising stars,’ they were the ones cited if one had to name the strongest masters among the younger generation.
The Two Dragons and Three Phoenixes were literally heaven-sent geniuses. One might call them the officially recognized next Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats. It was said that some of them had already refined martial arts that were not lacking compared to the leaders of great sects.
And one of the Two Dragons was the Eldest Young Master of the Myeong Clan and Myeong Cheon’s eldest son.
“Perhaps this child named Yeon Ho-jeong is someone comparable to the Two Dragons…”
“Nonsense.”
Myeong Cheon shook his head.
“The Two Dragons and Three Phoenixes are geniuses among geniuses. I am not saying this just because my son is among them. Those fellows’ talent alone likely surpasses even the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats.”
“…”
“It is said that even the Thirteen Seats possess talent rarely found in history. The Two Dragons and Three Phoenixes are possessors of talent that exceeds even those Thirteen Seats. Yet, a fellow who hasn’t even reached twenty is already comparable to them?”
“…”
“Even if he had learned the demonic arts of the destroyed Blood Cult, it would be impossible.”
It was not a wrong statement. Myeong Wu-san also entirely agreed with Myeong Cheon’s words.
However, the result was too shocking. Unless one possessed martial arts on the level of the Two Dragons and Three Phoenixes, it would be impossible to defeat all those masters.
Myeong Cheon’s eyes gleamed.
“There must be a hidden helper.”
He could not help but think so.
But then, one problem remained.
“According to the informants, there was no trace of a hidden helper who assisted Yeon Ho-jeong. It is said he acted strictly alone…”
“Then a master invisible to the informants’ eyes must have been guarding that fellow.”
Myeong Wu-san fell silent. It seemed Myeong Cheon absolutely could not acknowledge Yeon Ho-jeong’s skill.
‘Well.’
Rather than the hypothesis that Yeon Ho-jeong was the greatest genius in the Central Plains surpassing the Two Dragons and Three Phoenixes, the idea that an outstanding master was guarding him was more persuasive.
‘Moreover, until not long ago, he was a fellow who was called a tiger’s cub that turned out to be a dog.’
Thinking that way, he felt he could be certain.
“Then, what will you do?”
“What do you mean, what will I do?”
Myeong Cheon’s eyes turned cold.
“My child has returned severely injured. It would hardly appease my anger even if I exterminated that fellow and his three generations.”
“…”
“I believe you feel the same as I do.”
Myeong Wu-san remained silent.
In fact, his anxiety was even deeper than Myeong Cheon’s.
Myeong On-ji was one of his countless children. However, she was also one of his most cherished children.
Such a child had disappeared. Although he did not show it in front of Myeong Cheon, he had been unable to sleep lately.
In addition, Myeong Gang-rim had returned near death, and Myeong Chi-san had died in Kaifeng.
In his heart, he wanted to go find Yeon Ho-jeong himself.
“Then, whom will you send?”
“I must send those whom he would not even dare to dream of resisting.”
“Then…?”
“Unleash the Blue Wolves.”
At that moment, Myeong Wu-san felt the hair on his head stand on end.
“Clan Head.”
“Do as I say.”
“B-but, we must also be mindful of the public’s eyes. Isn’t choosing the Blue Wolves too dangerous a choice?”
Myeong Cheon flared up in anger.
“Are you telling me to worry about others’ eyes while catching the culprit who made the Clan Head’s child reach such a state?!”
“…”
“What kind of family is the Nine States Myeong Clan! It is a family founded by the meritorious officials of peace who drove out those lawless Blood Cult fellows! I am saying it is the greatest family that earned the reputation of being the best under heaven while soaking in the blood and sweat of our ancestors!”
He was someone quite honest in expressing his emotions. But Myeong Wu-san had never seen him get this angry.
It was because his child had returned injured. Who would not be angry?
“Soon, Jiangsu Province will also fall into our hands. If we seize Jiangsu, we can also seize Zhejiang. If we hold both land and sea in our hands, we can go beyond being the number one family under heaven and become the number one power under heaven.”
Myeong Cheon raised his head arrogantly.
“We, who will grasp the hegemony of the world, must not fear the eyes of the common people.”
“…”
“Unleash the Blue Wolves immediately.”
“I receive your command.”
Leaving the Clan Head’s room, Myeong Wu-san could not hide his unease.
‘Is it really okay this way?’
He understood Myeong Cheon’s anger. The command to unleash the Blue Wolves could also, from a broad perspective, be considered trivial.
Nevertheless, he was uneasy.
It was as if he had taken a step into a swamp from which he could not escape. He had to pull out before going deeper, but it felt as if he had already stepped in with his remaining foot.
‘I hope it is just an unfounded worry.’
Myeong Wu-san entered a certain building.
Flash!
Inside the dark interior where not a sliver of sunlight entered.
Dozens of pairs of blue eye-lights sprouted there.
Myeong Wu-san said calmly.
“It is a rather fierce prey. You all must step forward.”
* * *
Flying Tiger Beggar felt that his tension had reached its peak.
At first, he did not know why he was nervous. He even thought that perhaps his body had become weak lately due to this causeless tension.
But only now did he know. Why he was nervous.
Vrrrrm.
A faint white current was rising from the body of Yeon Ho-jeong, who sat in a cross-legged position.
That white energy wavered and created a strange shape. A figure that he couldn’t tell if it was a tiger or a lion was glaring at him.
Feeling unnecessarily uncomfortable, he took five steps to the side.
Then, the head of the translucent beast figure also turned.
‘Heh!’
What on earth was that? Was it a sorcerous art?
Of course, there was no way that was the case. Why would the Eldest Young Master of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan learn something like sorcery?
It was just uncomfortable. And amazing.
Just what kind of martial art was he practicing?
“Phew.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s breathing grew heavier.
Flash!
At the same time, his eyes snapped open.
Flying Tiger Beggar felt his mood become hazy for a moment. The look in Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes as he looked at him was so mysterious.
One might say it was somewhat dreamlike. He never thought he would lose his senses just by looking into a man’s eyes.
“Did you come from the Beggars’ Gang?”
“Yes? Ah! That is correct.”
“Give me the letter.”
“Yes. Here…”
Taking the letter and unfolding it, Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“I got scolded.”
The letter was from his father.
Two pages had come, and it seemed they were written at different times. There was a subtle difference in emotion felt in the brushwork and content.
‘Still, it’s a relief.’
An enemy’s enemy is a friend. Therefore, it is not bad to temporarily ally for a common goal.
However, he was scolded that his handling of matters was too violent. In that content, a father’s worry for his child was seeping out.
Fortunately, his father was supporting his method.
‘He likely had no choice.’
He had already set the stage, so he couldn’t just stop. If he stopped here, even bigger things would happen.
‘I am sorry. If I had waited to exchange communications, I might have missed the timing.’
He probably understood that part as well. That was likely why there wasn’t much said in the letter.
Yeon Ho-jeong said calmly.
“You have worked hard. You may leave now.”
“Yes?”
Flying Tiger Beggar spoke with a dazed expression.
“Is there nothing else you would like me to do? Like delivering a letter, or a status report…”
“None.”
“Ah… yes.”
Flying Tiger Beggar bowed his head.
“Then, I shall leave first.”
“You’ve worked hard. Ah!”
It’s always like this.
Flying Tiger Beggar grumbled internally while showing the most favorable expression possible.
“What would you like me to do?”
“Please withdraw all the Beggars’ Gang members who are secretly guarding me.”
“…?!”
“If you tell the Successor that I personally told you to do so, he will understand. Do not worry and withdraw them all.”
Flying Tiger Beggar’s face stiffened.
“Did you know?”
“I did.”
“They are masters placed there to prepare for any potential situation. Since they are skilled individuals renowned even within the Beggars’ Gang, for Young Master Yeon’s safety as well…”
“The moment they reveal themselves, this plan will collapse.”
“Yes?”
“They think the Beggars’ Gang is helping me, but they don’t think I and the Beggars’ Gang have joined hands. That difference is bigger than you think.”
“…”
“Since I have defeated quite skilled ones, they will send even more certain individuals this time. If they are of that level of skill, there is a high possibility they will notice the Beggars’ Gang members’ concealment.”
“…I see.”
Flying Tiger Beggar sighed.
“Understood. I shall have them withdrawn immediately.”
“Thank you.”
“And Young Master Yeon.”
“Please speak.”
Flying Tiger Beggar cupped his fists.
“I haven’t said it until now, but all of us are rooting for Young Master Yeon. Please be careful.”
Yeon Ho-jeong replied with a smile.
“You should say those words to that side.”
* * *
Five days later.
“Heh! It has been a long time since I’ve visited Henan as well.”
A smile filled the face of Murong Jun as he looked around the grand and elegant building.
“In fact, Henan is quite an tempting place. If Shaolin had not been settled here, I would have tried to capture this place long ago. Is it not so?”
“You are right.”
Murong Yeon-hwa was also smiling brightly.
“Henan has Shaolin and the Myeong Clan. It truly deserves to be called the center of the Central Plains. Even if both Shaolin and the Myeong Clan disappeared, people would still regard Henan as a holy land.”
“Likely so.”
“That is why I am even more tempted.”
Murong Jun burst into a boisterous laugh.
“Your greed is even greater than mine.”
“One must have much greed to succeed.”
“Ho-ho, your words are right. I was worried whether I should entrust the family to you along with the Chief Steward, but it seems I brought you along well. Since you are the child of this Murong Jun, you should have at least that much boldness.”
“Ho-ho.”
Murong Jun looked at the mountain towering in the distance.
Songshan, the holy mountain where the Thousand-Year Shaolin had coiled its roots.
“When we return, let’s take a look at the superb scenery of Mount Song.”
“That sounds good.”
Clap!
Murong Jun clapped his hands.
“Now then, shall we go to meet the ambitious young man?”