Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 306

“What, what did you say?” Ga Deuk-Sang swallowed hard.

“So, you’re saying…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke calmly. “The information source of the Mukryong Unit [a secret intelligence group] was a fake. And I was the one who assassinated that fake.”

“You crazy bastard!” Bang! Ga Deuk-Sang slammed the table and stood up. “Are you out of your mind?! You’ve deceived the entire Martial Alliance and plunged it into chaos!”

The person who was disguised as an informant of the Mukryong Unit was, of course, Jamyeong Ilho. However, even if Jamyeong Ilho was imprisoned, it didn’t seem like Moyong Gun could do anything to him. Rather, if everyone gathered to investigate the truth and grilled Jamyeong Ilho, Yeon Ho-Jeong would be in trouble.

In other words, before Yeon Ho-Jeong could gather evidence that Moyong Gun had joined hands with Yang Cheon, the head of the Mukryong Unit, he could be backstabbed. It would be good if Moyong Gun killed or tried to approach Jamyeong Ilho, but if he tried to find out the truth about Jamyeong Ilho under the guise of official duties, Yeon Ho-Jeong would be in danger instead.

So, Yeon Ho-Jeong killed Jamyeong Ilho while he was being transported to the prison. In the future, when the connection between Moyong Gun and Yang Cheon is revealed, it was a way to lay the groundwork so that Moyong Gun could take the blame for this crime as well.

“He didn’t come out as aggressively as I thought. Moyong Gun’s abilities are certainly outstanding. But he is also human, so when he takes the offensive, he often reveals unexpected gaps.”

“And?”

“As he is playing a defensive game before the Alliance Leader election, it was impossible to catch his tail. So, I provoked him and created a fabricated situation.”

Ga Deuk-Sang was dumbfounded. “Are you crazy?! This isn’t just a matter of political strife! It’s a conspiracy and a trick!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly. “I know.”

“What on earth are you thinking…!!” Ga Deuk-Sang, who was about to snap back, let out a deep sigh. Well, no matter what he said here, the deed was already done. And it was too much at stake to tell Yeon Ho-Jeong to go to the Bonggong Council [a governing body] and confess this.

If things went wrong, the entire system of the Martial Alliance could be shaken. Furthermore, Moyong Gun, seizing that opportunity, could burn down the Jeagal family, including the Yeon family, and eventually become the supreme ruler of the Martial Alliance. It wasn’t an overreaction to worry, considering how dangerous and greedy Moyong Gun had been. It was only because it was Yeon Ho-Jeong that he could manipulate Moyong Gun; if Yeon Ho-Jeong disappeared, Moyong Gun’s rival would also disappear.

“Damn it!” Ga Deuk-Sang’s face contorted. “To be in a position where I can’t say anything even after seeing this kind of dog-like behavior!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“You should have just kept your mouth shut! Then I wouldn’t have been disappointed in you!”

“My people need to know anyway. Otherwise, we can’t work together.”

Ga Deuk-Sang finally exploded in anger. “Hey, you crazy bastard! After pulling off this ridiculous stunt, you want to work together?! You want to do more crazy things together in the future? You want me to condone this dirty deed!!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong understood Ga Deuk-Sang’s anger. The reason Ga Deuk-Sang had thought well of Yeon Ho-Jeong, and the reason they were able to build a friendship, was because he didn’t cross the line. There were times when he was somewhat extreme, and times when he did things that were too brutal. He was walking a tightrope, but at least he didn’t cross the line. Even the dangerous political strife that Yeon Ho-Jeong had been involved in had its own reasons. And Ga Deuk-Sang saw a great cause for the world in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s actions. But not now.

“This is a conspiracy, a trick, to drag in someone who was just standing still and bury them!”

“……”

“Yes, it’s true that Moyong Gun is a dangerous person! He’s a villain wearing the mask of an elder of the righteous sect! But at this rate, how are you any different from Moyong Gun!”

Every time Moyong Gun caused trouble and attacked, Yeon Ho-Jeong was deployed. And Yeon Ho-Jeong completely read Moyong Gun’s intentions and neutralized his schemes. But this time, it was like dragging Moyong Gun, who hadn’t done anything, into the game and beating him up without warning. He even set up a brutal game that put the entire Martial Alliance on alert. No matter how well you try to see it, this was clearly crossing the line.

Of course, Yeon Ho-Jeong had a clear line of protecting his own people. But Ga Deuk-Sang had a clear line of acting according to the greater good. The reason Yeon Ho-Jeong committed this act, knowing he would be criticized, was there. The reason Ga Deuk-Sang couldn’t understand Yeon Ho-Jeong was also there. No matter how deep their friendship was, their inherent tendencies were too different.

“I’m sorry.”

“If you’re sorry, then know your place!”

“I, I have nothing to say.” Yeon Ho-Jeong, who didn’t make any excuses other than apologizing after committing the act. Ga Deuk-Sang, glaring at him with burning eyes. After a long time, Ga Deuk-Sang spoke in a subdued voice. “Young Master Yeon.”

“Speak.”

Ga Deuk-Sang continued, sighing. “Moyong Gun… well, to put it simply, he’s a bad guy. If that guy becomes the leader of the Martial Alliance, countless innocent people will die to solidify his power.”

“……”

“But, if you look at it that way, there are many other people who shouldn’t become the leader of the Martial Alliance. You know that too, don’t you, Young Master Yeon?”

“……”

“I’ll be more frank. I don’t want Moyong Gun to become the leader of the Martial Alliance. And Moyong Gun will try to gain public support through all sorts of tricks in this election. But…”

“……”

“But, an election is an election. If Moyong Gun clearly does something wrong, then you should step in and correct it. But to try to bury him when he hasn’t done anything is putting the cart before the horse.”

When a person commits a crime, a constable steps in to arrest the criminal. However, there is no constable who would suddenly arrest and beat someone who has not committed any crime just because they have a history of committing crimes in the past. Ga Deuk-Sang was talking about such a natural order. And that natural order was clearly in line with the greater good.

“I’ll ask you. What is the reason why you are so desperately trying to prevent Moyong Gun from becoming the leader of the Martial Alliance?”

“……”

“As I said, I also don’t want him to become the leader of the Martial Alliance. But that’s just my personal wish, and at the same time, I don’t want anyone who is incompetent and lacks character to become the leader.”

“……”

“But looking at Young Master Yeon’s actions, it feels like you don’t care who becomes the leader as long as it’s not Moyong Gun.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly. “I don’t care who it is as long as it’s not Moyong Gun… yes, that’s true for now.”

The person he would ultimately push to become the leader of the Martial Alliance would definitely be Moyong Woo. But not yet. No matter how outstanding Yeon Ho-Jeong’s abilities were, the world was not so easy. In this world full of old and powerful martial artists, making a promising young man the head of the righteous martial world was as difficult as facing the three religions at the same time. So, Yeon Ho-Jeong had no interest in this election. To be precise, he didn’t care who became the leader as long as it wasn’t Moyong Gun. To be more frank… he even wanted someone incompetent to become the leader of the Martial Alliance.

‘Moyong Gun is too smart.’ If Moyong Gun became the leader, as Ga Deuk-Sang said, he would spend years, or even more than a decade, using all sorts of tricks to gain absolute power. That shouldn’t happen. For Moyong Gun, maintaining his own power came before external enemies. If he could only abandon that greed and ambition, Moyong Gun would not be a bad person to be the leader of the Martial Alliance. But Yeon Ho-Jeong was certain. That Moyong Gun was absolutely not the kind of person who would give up his greed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke calmly. “Whatever the reason, I’m sorry for causing you concern with this incident. What else can I say?”

“……”

“However, this incident has put a brake on Moyong Gun’s rapid advance, and that’s enough for me.”

Ga Deuk-Sang, who was looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a tired face, closed his eyes. “Only once.”

“……”

“Just this once, I will understand your actions. No, I can’t understand, but I’ll just let it go.”

“Thank you.”

“But, if you ever do this crazy thing again… then even if it’s Young Master Yeon, I won’t treat you like a human being.” Ga Deuk-Sang was speaking sincerely. And as always, sincerity was more powerful than a thousand lies. Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head.

“I was also frustrated, so I went too far this time. I will make sure this doesn’t happen again.” Ga Deuk-Sang, looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong with his head bowed, bit his lip. ‘Damn it, it’s not like he’s a pretty maiden, why am I so worried about this rascal of a friend?’ He said it sincerely, but Ga Deuk-Sang also knew. That even if Yeon Ho-Jeong did this again, it would be difficult for him to hate him because of his personality. He could force himself to cut ties, but he knew that he would try to understand Yeon Ho-Jeong. So, he had no choice but to answer like this.

“Yes, please do. I have a weak heart. Stop making my heart race.” Ga Deuk-Sang grumbled. “A crazy guy did a crazy thing, but as a crazy guy, that’s normal, so he did a crazy thing. So, how do you think the situation will unfold in the future?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head. “I don’t know. I only know that Moyong Gun will be much more cautious, and even if he has a conspiracy in mind, he won’t be able to commit it easily.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. This time, I also went too far, and Moyong Gun will have understood that someone can strangle him at any time.” Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue. “I think the number of people who will suffer because of Moyong Gun’s tricks will be reduced by half. Well, I can’t be sure about that either.”

“…Well, you did that kind of crazy thing, so there should be some results.”

“Of course, even so, the opponent is Moyong Gun. He will do anything to win this election.” Ga Deuk-Sang asked seriously. “You’re saying that he’ll only slow down his advance, but he won’t completely abandon the schemes he has planned?”

“I’m sure of it.”

“If he tries to leap forward again, when do you think that will be?”

“I don’t know that either. However, I can read the signs.”

“Signs?”

“Yes.” Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened. “Let’s wait a few days. Something will definitely happen that will change the situation.” Three days later. “Commander Yeon. Ah! The information advisor is here too.”

“Military Advisor.” Jeagal Mun-Ho spoke with a serious face. “I’ll get straight to the point. About what you asked me before. To monitor the southern part of Hubuk.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong and Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyes sparkled. “Was someone related to Moyong Gun caught?”

“That’s right.”

“Who is it?”

“Moyong Yeon-Hwa.”

“…!!”

“Moyong Family Head’s daughter, Moyong Yeon-Hwa, is coming to the Martial Alliance.”