Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 305

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having left Moyong Gun’s residence, let out a soft sigh.

Gang Ryang asked,

“Are you alright?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“What kind of intense conversation did you have? The sounds of things breaking were quite a commotion.”

“Could you hear it outside?”

“It was quite loud and unsettling.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“It wasn’t anything special. I just riled up an old fox.”

Gang Ryang spoke with a troubled expression.

“I don’t know what you talked about, but you’re really fearless, brother. He’s a high-ranking official of the Martial Alliance, are you sure it’s okay to anger him like that?”

“Moyong Gun can’t act recklessly right now.”

“Why is that?”

“All he sees right now is the seat of the Alliance Leader.”

The reason Yeon Ho-Jeong provoked Moyong Gun more than necessary was, of course, to gauge his reaction.

And he was more rational and indifferent than expected. It wasn’t that he was being lenient with Yeon Ho-Jeong, but that he was so focused on cultivating his image.

He wouldn’t be able to do anything that stood out. At least not in front of him or the other officials of the Alliance.

‘This is a terrible thing to do.’

Every time he had clashed with Moyong Gun, there had been a reason.

But not this time.

For the past few months, Moyong Gun had been too quiet. He hadn’t done anything that could be used against him.

That was also why the two hadn’t met. If something had happened, either Yeon Ho-Jeong or Moyong Gun would have moved.

In other words, Yeon Ho-Jeong had just slapped Moyong Gun in the middle of nowhere and run away.

‘He must be furious. But he still can’t move rashly. He absolutely can’t do anything that stands out.’

However.

‘The fact that they caught an informant from the Black Dragon Unit can’t be ignored. The moment they send him to the prison, he’ll do everything he can to kill that informant.’

Even so, he wouldn’t be able to kill him easily. If he acted hastily, the attention that was on the informant would all turn to Moyong Gun.

It was clear that he would either use someone who couldn’t be linked to him or approach carefully.

‘If.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘If there’s no reaction even though they said it was an informant, how should I interpret that?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong was certain that Moyong Gun had joined hands with Yang Cheon. [Yang Cheon is likely a reference to a character or group, possibly a villain, within the story’s universe.]

But there was no concrete evidence. In the worst case, all of this could be Yeon Ho-Jeong’s delusion.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

‘Don’t waver. People’s actions always reveal their intentions. If I read those intentions and eliminate the illogical situations one by one, only one obvious fact will remain in the end.’

That obvious fact is the truth and the answer.

He shouldn’t blindly believe in one assumption, but he should have enough faith to use it as a guide. That way, he wouldn’t be swayed by trivial reactions when carrying out his plans.

‘The answer will come if I wait anyway.’

He had deliberately revealed his plan to target the public affairs, because he wanted Moyong Gun to move cautiously.

If he moved cautiously, the Black Dragon Unit would surely approach him later. If he could read that moment, he could bring Moyong Gun down.

‘Now, I can hand this over to the strategist. I need to turn my attention elsewhere.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked back at Moyong Gun’s residence.

‘One of Moyong Gun’s backers must be from the same faction.’

He wouldn’t use both. It was a similar problem to Dang Gwan making one of his backers the Western Goddess. [Dang Gwan and the Western Goddess are likely characters or figures within the story’s universe.]

But he couldn’t not register a party member who would help him as a backer. He had to be mindful of public opinion.

‘One of Moyong Gun’s backers must be connected to the Black Dragon Unit.’

Of course, he didn’t know who it was yet.

If so, he had to shake Moyong Gun’s faction first.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was deep in thought when.

“Brother.”

“Huh?”

Gang Ryang scratched his head.

“By the way, why did you bring me here? You didn’t even let me inside.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“I’m going to use you a little. If Moyong Gun senses your energy, my lie will be more believable.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Why? Did you feel bad that I brought you here to broaden your horizons, only to use you as a disposable tool?”

Gang Ryang chuckled.

“Am I some kind of object? I’m not a child, I don’t get upset over things like that.”

“Then?”

“I was just curious.”

“About what?”

“Using others to eliminate your enemies, it’s close to ‘killing with a borrowed knife,’ isn’t it?”

“Right? It’s a bit much since he’s a monster that’s hard to kill.”

“If that’s the case, why didn’t you use me properly?”

“Huh?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong blinked.

At his unusually innocent look, Gang Ryang couldn’t help but laugh.

“Use you properly? What do you mean?”

“I’m a swordsman from the Black Path, aren’t I?”

“Right?”

“If you intended to make him feel my energy, then it’s safe to assume that the Moyong Clan Head also knows about my background, right?”

“Yeah. I revealed everything.”

“Then this rumor will soon spread to the entire leadership.”

“It could spread not only to the leadership but also to the outer city. So, what are you trying to say?”

“Whether they actually know or not, they’ll think that the successor of the Guicheol Sword Clan [Guicheol Sword Clan is likely a prestigious or well-known martial arts clan within the story’s universe.] is quite knowledgeable about the Black Path.”

“So?”

“You could say that you’re sending me as a spy to the Black Dragon Unit. Under the pretext of checking if anyone has joined hands with the Martial Alliance.”

“……!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face hardened.

‘A spy……’

He hadn’t even considered this method.

Gang Ryang smacked his lips.

“Of course, I know. That you don’t trust me. Well, even I don’t know if I can do the spy work properly. I’m not naturally good at deceiving people.”

“……”

“But the important thing is not actually sending me, but making the leadership believe that I can find out information, isn’t it? And also keep an eye on Moyong Gun’s movements.”

Surprise flickered across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“How did you come up with that idea?”

Gang Ryang shook his head.

“You said the Moyong Clan Head is an old fox, right? Old foxes are cunning, they won’t come out of their den if they’re surrounded by a pack of wolves.”

“……”

“To make him come out of his den, you have to make him think that it’s safer outside than inside.”

“This guy is a genius?”

“Huh.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Gang Ryang with admiration.

“You can use your head too?”

“Hehe.”

“But that won’t work.”

“……Why?”

He thought he had finally earned his keep, but he was saying he wouldn’t accept the proposal. Confusion clouded Gang Ryang’s face.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and shook his head.

“That method is very tempting, considering the headaches it would save in the future. It might even be the easiest and most certain way to test Moyong Gun in the current situation.”

“That’s right. So……”

“But you’d be in danger.”

“Huh?”

“There’s a safer way, I have no intention of sending my people to a death trap.”

Gang Ryang’s face hardened.

“Brother. I don’t know what you think of me, but I’m also someone who risks his life for a sword.”

“I know. But there’s nothing more foolish than risking your life for something that doesn’t need it.”

“……”

“Of course, if your martial arts and judgment were as good as mine, I might have considered it. But I still wouldn’t have used that method.”

“Why is that? Is it just because you’re close to me?”

“That too, but it’s because that’s the line I’ve drawn.”

“A line?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly.

Since meeting Yeon Ho-Jeong, Gang Ryang had never seen him look so bitter.

“When you look at it, do you think the political battles I’ve waged so far have been fair fights?”

“……”

“Most of what I’ve done so far has been deception, exploiting weaknesses, and making even the truth look like a lie.”

“Brother.”

“If you keep doing that, everyone will think this at least once.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked up at the sky.

“How many levels of hell will I fall to?”

Gang Ryang’s eyes sharpened.

“It’s for the Martial Alliance, for the world, to eliminate our enemies. There’s no need to set limits on that……”

“And after eliminating those enemies? Do you think that if I wash my hands, which are covered in mud and blood, in a clean world, the musty smell will disappear completely?”

“……”

“I don’t know what you think, but if I can, I want to eliminate my enemies without my people shedding blood. If I eliminate enemies by using my people just because it’s easy, I’ll become a real monster in the future, one that I can’t even control myself.”

“……”

“This is a home I’ve returned to after a long journey. I don’t want to disappoint my precious people.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong patted Gang Ryang’s shoulder.

“Anyway, thank you for even thinking about risking your life for us. I gratefully accept that friendship.”

“Brother.”

“Even if things go wrong in the future, I won’t regret not using this method. Because it was my choice.”

Gang Ryang sighed.

“But isn’t the situation too complicated? If the Moyong Clan Head has joined hands with the Black Dragon Unit, even if he doesn’t become the Alliance Leader, the entire Martial Alliance will be shaken.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong burst into laughter.

“It’s really funny when you say that. Hey, is the young master of the Guicheol Sword Clan worried about the Martial Alliance?”

“I’m serious.”

“I know, you idiot. Well, you’re right. The situation is complicated, and nothing has been resolved properly. Rather, it feels like things are getting more and more tangled, and we’re sinking deeper into the swamp.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“However.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked south. It was where Giu-Hui’s residence was. [Giu-Hui is likely a character within the story’s universe.]

“The answer always comes. To make sure that the answer doesn’t become multiple, but only one complete result. That alone makes this dirty deception somewhat appealing.”

“……”

“I’ve gathered the firewood, now let’s throw a spark. Who knows? That spark might start a wildfire, not just a fire in the stove.”

* * *

“Clan Head.”

Moyong Gun opened his eyes.

“An urgent council of officials has been called. A summons has arrived, requesting all officials to attend immediately.”

“……”

“……Clan Head?”

“Interesting.”

A cold smile appeared on Moyong Gun’s lips.

‘An informant from the Black Dragon Unit? That’s absurd. If they were going to send an informant, Yang Cheon would have contacted me first. There’s no way the King of Throwing would make such a bad move without coordinating beforehand.’

In other words, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words were likely a lie.

But the fact that a council of officials had been called meant that they had sent someone who could be mistaken for an informant from the Black Dragon Unit.

‘Probably one of his enemies that I don’t know about.’

The problem was, how should he act at the council?

‘I should push back strongly. I should even make sure Yeon Ho-Jeong’s name comes up.’

Just because they came out strong, he didn’t need to bow his head.

With that thought, Moyong Gun attended the council of officials.

But the situation was unfolding in a way he hadn’t expected.

“A, a terrible thing has happened!”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyebrows twitched. [Jeagal Mun-Ho is likely a character within the story’s universe.]

“This is a meeting of all the officials. What is so urgent that you raise your voice like that?”

The prison warden, who had suddenly burst into the meeting hall, swallowed hard.

“A, a prisoner has been assassinated!”

“What?!”

All the officials were shocked and rose from their seats.

“The inner city guards are currently moving to track down the assassin! According to the pursuit, the assassin is presumed to be fleeing south!”

Moyong Gun felt a sudden darkness descend before his eyes.

It was as if Yeon Ho-Jeong was whispering in his ear from an unseen place.

“You can never escape my grasp.”