Monochrome Sovereign (Novel) - Chapter 71 - Enemies, and the Source of Water (1)
Chapter 71 – Enemies, and the Source of Water (1)
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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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There are truly many incidents and accidents in the world.
People just don’t know, but thousands of crimes likely occur every day. And among them, cases where the culprit is caught and settled are less than fifty percent.
It is the same in any region. Although specialized investigators are trained in the government offices or the Murim, their numbers are small, and the Central Plains is so vast that many cases remain buried in the dark.
Unsolved criminal cases. Serious crimes that neither the government offices nor the Murim could solve.
It was around the time the warm spring weather was gradually heating up that the unsolved cases that had broken out in Jiangsu Province rose to the surface.
The shocking rumors started in Henan and spread to neighboring areas.
And the protagonist of those rumors was none other than Yeon Ho-jeong, the eldest son of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan.
Five years ago, the culprit of the Huishan fire incident in Jiangsu Province: Yeon Ho-jeong.
Five years ago, the culprit of the Haemin family mass suicide incident in Jiangsu Province: Yeon Ho-jeong.
Three years ago, the culprit of the Changzhou courtesan rape and murder incident in Jiangsu Province: Yeon Ho-jeong.
Two years ago, the culprit of the Taihu Main Building fire incident in Jiangsu Province: Yeon Ho-jeong.
In addition, there is a strong possibility of having committed similar crimes such as various fires, murders, and rapes.
Yeon Ho-jeong. The eldest son of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan.
A rising star who was previously called a dog son from a tiger father but recently gained the reputation of the Mad Wind Lion due to his outstanding martial arts.
That descendant of a prestigious family had supposedly committed countless crimes in Jiangsu Province. And those cases had all allegedly remained unsolved.
The shock given by the rumors was terrifying. Not only in the Murim but even in the government offices, people whispered about whether the truth should be investigated.
No one knew where the rumors had started.
It is not easy for rumors with no source to spread so quickly. While many people looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with eyes of loathing, those who thought deeply could immediately realize that this situation was not normal.
People cursing Yeon Ho-jeong, people trying to watch the situation further, people who noticed the strangeness, and so on.
In the chaotic Henan, Yeon Ho-jeong finally made his appearance.
* * *
Step, step.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s steps were refreshing. And the steps of the Goshawk Squad following him also did not waver in the slightest.
People retreated to the left and right all at once to avoid them.
There was no murmuring.
The group of Yeon Ho-jeong, crossing the wide public road toward Heuchang, was extremely majestic.
Flutter!
Surprisingly, about ten Goshawk Squad members were holding flagpoles over one zhang and a half in length.
On the flags attached to the poles, the words Green Mountain and Yeon were written in a grand size with exquisite brushwork.
It was the procession of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan, which was praised as a family of great chivalry and represented one wing of the Seven Great Clans. That procession, which was even solemn, was surely no less than that of a returning general.
And at the front of the group was Yeon Ho-jeong.
He wore a loose white robe that reached below his calves over white martial attire he had obtained from somewhere. His slender build, handsome face, and spotless white clothing made him look extremely noble.
This was the reason why people could not bring themselves to openly criticize the Yeon Ho-jeong group even after seeing them.
Was it because they were one wing of the Seven Great Clans? Or because they were a group of swordsmen moving while maintaining a sharp aura?
It was not so.
Most of the people’s eyes were fixed on Yeon Ho-jeong. They were not even intimidated by the blood-stained axe Yeon Ho-jeong was holding.
Woooong.
One step, another step.
Every time he took a step, a mysterious pale blue haze rose from under his feet.
The person Yeon Ho-jeong himself was special. People thought so. Regardless of whether he held an axe or not, people did not dare to open their mouths due to the dignity of a strong scholar with an integrity as upright as a bamboo.
It was an overwhelming posture.
The infinitely rough and ferocious Dark Emperor also had this kind of side. Depending on the occasion, he also knew how to show a mysterious side that shook the hearts of the audience.
‘Incredible.’
Yi Cheol-gyeong, who was looking down at Yeon Ho-jeong from the top of a tavern as high as a castle tower, clicked his tongue.
‘Henan is evaluated as the center of the Central Plains Murim thanks to Shaolin and the Myeong Clan. No matter if the opponent is a martial artist, an angry crowd does not consider the opponent’s power or prestige.’
In other words, it would be normal for even powerless commoners to openly jeer.
However, look at that scene. As if even the sound of an ant passing could be heard, no one was opening their mouth. There was not even a trace of murmuring.
It was because they were overwhelmed.
The existence of Yeon Ho-jeong and the mysterious aura he was emitting had completely sealed the mouths of the audience.
‘He is a remarkable young man.’
Unless one was born with such a thing, it is impossible unless one has commanded many people.
However, since he had not even reached twenty, there is no way he could have such experience. In other words, his innate dignity was that great.
‘At least looking at him like this, it doesn’t seem like he committed crimes.’
Yi Cheol-gyeong shook his head.
‘Let’s not jump to conclusions.’
Originally, most of those who accumulate evil deeds are people who look like they wouldn’t do such things. Thinking that way, Yeon Ho-jeong also cannot be free from these malicious rumors.
Following Yeon Ho-jeong’s movement, Yi Cheol-gyeong also moved to another building.
Slightly.
It was a remarkable movement technique.
He kicked off the roof with just the strength of his ankles, and before he knew it, his body had risen to the top of the target building.
Before the achievement reached, the level of the movement technique itself was outstanding. It was a peak movement technique that moved without the slightest tremor of the entire body.
People called this movement technique the Diamond Immovable Movement and revered it.
‘Anyway, he’s slower than I thought. At this rate, it’ll be late tonight… hmm?’
Yi Cheol-gyeong turned his gaze to the south.
Astonishment appeared on his face.
‘The Myeong Clan?!’
From far to the south, there was a group of people coming up along the public road.
It was the Myeong Clan.
About a hundred warriors were coming up in rows and columns, and their speed was quite fast. As if they had planned it, they were holding flags with the four characters Nine States Myeong Clan written on them, just like Yeon Ho-jeong’s group.
Yi Cheol-gyeong focused his vision.
Woooong!
The solemn internal energy rising from his dantian rapidly increased his visual power.
‘Blue Hall?’
Numerous military organizations were distributed under the Myeong Clan.
Among them was an organization called the Five Element Hall, which was divided into five organizations: Red, Blue, Black, White, and Yellow.
The Blue Hall of the Five Element Hall symbolized Wood, and all of them were spearmen who had practiced spear techniques.
‘They must have naturally known about Yeon Ho-jeong’s appearance. But…’
Yi Cheol-gyeong was inwardly puzzled.
‘Why the Blue Hall?’
He had only learned yesterday that the Myeong Clan had dispatched troops to capture Yeon Ho-jeong.
If nothing else, it was certain that they had sent peak masters of the Pure White Martial Arts School and warriors of the Home-Protector Hall. And Yeon Ho-jeong was said to have defeated them alone.
Even more surprising was the battle with the Blue Wolf Ghosts.
Although it was not yet certain if the Blue Wolf Ghosts belonged to the Myeong Clan, Yeon Ho-jeong was said to have fought seventy Blue Wolf Ghosts and killed them all.
Yi Cheol-gyeong could not believe it. In fact, it was still hard to believe.
Regardless of the strength of their martial arts, the Blue Wolf Ghosts were experts in killing. A youth who had not yet reached twenty had alone annihilated such fellows who reeked of blood?
‘There must have been a secret hand. But…’
Whatever the reason, even the Myeong Clan would not be unaware of Yeon Ho-jeong’s power.
And yet, they dispatched the Blue Hall. Frankly speaking, if a battle broke out, it would be difficult to stop Yeon Ho-jeong and the Goshawk Squad with only the Blue Hall.
Despite that, why did they specifically send the Blue Hall?
Thud!
Oh Gok, the leader of the Blue Hall, struck his spear. Then, all the Blue Hall spearmen stopped moving.
Before knew it, the Yeon Ho-jeong group had approached within a distance of about twenty zhang from the Blue Hall.
Oh Gok shouted.
“Yeon Ho-jeong, the eldest son of the Yeon Clan and a suspect in the unsolved criminal cases of Jiangsu Province, listen! Immediately discard your weapons on the spot and peacefully go to the Myeong Clan…”
Oh Gok was unable to continue.
Yeon Ho-jeong did not stop his steps. Even though he saw the Blue Hall standing tall and blocking the way.
“Arrogant fellow.”
Murderous intent arose in Oh Gok’s eyes.
He didn’t even falter once. He was completely unconcerned about the existence of the Blue Hall.
Thus, the Yeon Ho-jeong group narrowed the distance to ten zhang.
Oh Gok shouted again.
“If you do not stop on the spot, I will forcibly escort you!”
Still, he did not stop. His walking speed remained the same, and his sharp aura also showed no tremor at all.
The distance narrowed to five zhang.
Oh Gok, who was glaring at Yeon Ho-jeong, shouted.
“Level spears!”
Wooooong.
One hundred Blue Hall members aimed their spears forward.
Oh Gok shouted while holding his spear.
“The Blue Hall will capture the suspect Yeon Ho-jeong…!”
It was then.
Boom!
Oh Gok’s eyes widened as if they were going to tear.
Just when he thought the boy had taken a strong step forward, he was already right in front of him. Behind the robes fluttering in the wind, an axe as large as a human body was raised high into the sky.
The startled Oh Gok raised his spear shaft.
Yeon Ho-jeong coldly struck down with his axe.
Crack! Thump!
The axe that split the spear shaft also split Oh Gok vertically.
Splu-urt!
Blood sprayed out.
It was like dropping red dye on rice paper. Droplets of Oh Gok’s blood were stained on the pure white robe worn by Yeon Ho-jeong.
“H-hall leader!”
“You bastard!”
It was then.
Whirrrr!
Small, white wind-like shapes gathered around the blood-stained axe.
The White Tiger Qi, burning upon receiving murderous intent, formed the fighting spirit of the Tiger King.
Boom!
Yeon Ho-jeong, who advanced another step, swung his axe as it was.
Clang! Crash!
“Aaaaaargh!”
“Uwaaaa!”
He swept them away with a single swing.
The overwhelming pressure of the wind spread by the axe blew away fifteen spearmen in front.
The spears held by the spearmen broke. The hands of the fifteen spearmen were severely damaged or even cut off and blown away. The formation was broken in an instant.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who had disordered the entire formation of the Blue Hall with just a single exchange.
He spoke in a calm voice.
“Annihilate the enemy.”
“As you command!”
Clang!
Yeon Ho-jeong, who slung the axe over his shoulder, and the Goshawk swordsmen who charged past him swung their ruthless killing blades.
Slash! Clang!
“Aaaaaargh!”
“L-lift your spears!”
In an instant, it became a mess.
The wide public road became a shambles in an instant. The commoners who were watching Yeon Ho-jeong’s movement fled in all directions while screaming.
Thump! Splat!
“Block them! Block!”
“You sons of bitches! How dare you touch us… aack!”
The swords of the Goshawk Squad were cold.
They were killing swords swung without a trace of mercy. The Goshawk Squad, having seen Yeon Ho-jeong’s overwhelming martial arts, displayed remarkable sword techniques that were not shameful to the Eldest Young Master’s martial arts.
The collapse of the Blue Hall happened in a moment.
Their leader was dead, their formation was disordered, and they were overwhelmed even from their momentum. Furthermore, the martial prowess of the Goshawk Squad could not even be compared with the Blue Hall.
This was not a confrontation but a one-sided slaughter. The Goshawk Squad thoroughly targeted the opponent’s weaknesses and quickly killed the Blue Hall members.
In the middle of the battlefield.
Yeon Ho-jeong leisurely crossed the battlefield as if it were a matter unrelated to him. Enraged spearmen attacked Yeon Ho-jeong, but the Goshawk swordsmen did not let that happen.
About a quarter of an hour passed like that.
The Goshawk Squad, which had annihilated the Blue Hall without a single casualty, followed behind Yeon Ho-jeong.
Flutter!
The ten members who had sheathed their swords raised the flagpoles again. They leisurely headed south along the public road.
Fear was etched on the faces of the commoners.