Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 371

Five days later.

Moyong Gun visited the military affairs office.

“Have you arrived?”

“Are you busy?”

“It’s alright. Please, speak your mind.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sharpened.

“Are you really okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“At the recent meeting, you suggested postponing the election to next year and forming a joint military force.”

“I did.”

“Did the Yeon Clan Head and the Tang Clan Head tell you to make the first move?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled.

“How could that be? I took the initiative on my own.”

Moyong Gun was puzzled.

Originally, he was the one who was supposed to bring up this matter at the Bonggong Council [a council of martial arts clans]. However, Jeagal Mun-Ho brought it up first and strongly recommended it.

Moyong Gun and the Tang members, who originally wanted it, all voted in favor. However, Moyong Gun couldn’t help but feel bewildered.

“Why did you do that?”

“Are you talking about suggesting it first?”

“Yes. A smart person like you didn’t need to take on the responsibility while incurring such a loss.”

This proposal was bound to carry a lot of political burden.

As someone who was wary of Moyong Gun, Jeagal Mun-Ho didn’t need to shoulder that burden alone.

Jeagal Mun-Ho shook his head.

“It’s not about taking responsibility or not. I was interested in the proposal, and I thought this path was right.”

“Why?”

“I think Clan Head Moyong is a dangerous person. But before that, Clan Head Moyong is also a clear member of the Bonggong. If Clan Head Moyong had brought up this matter, there was a high possibility that a pointless fight would have broken out, regardless of the proposal’s effectiveness.”

“…….”

“This is something that a military strategist like me can handle. There are no hidden agendas, so you don’t have to worry.”

Moyong Gun thought that was impossible.

Of course, Jeagal Mun-Ho was someone who could sacrifice his life for the public good and the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance]. However, this matter was too much of a loss for him.

‘There must be something behind this.’

As if reading Moyong Gun’s thoughts,

Jeagal Mun-Ho said in a calm voice.

“In the eyes of a good person, the cup of wine offered by another will look like a gesture of goodwill, while in the eyes of an evil person, the cup of wine offered by another will look like poison.”

“…….”

“I know you must be surprised, Clan Head Moyong, but there really is no other intention, so please rest assured.”

“Can I trust you?”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to. Furthermore, I don’t think this is the time for you to be worrying about such things, is it?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho shook a document.

“This is a matter to be proposed at the Bonggong Council tomorrow. It’s about combining the Tangma Myeolsa Army [a specific military unit] into one and sending them to the Central Plains as soon as possible.”

“…….”

“As an elder of the Murim Alliance and as the head of the Honam Moyong Clan, who deeply hates foreign enemies, I hope you will be of great help to those who will soon be departing.”

Moyong Gun, who had been staring at Jeagal Mun-Ho, nodded.

“I will tell you what I think at the Bonggong Council tomorrow.”

“Very well.”

“Since I’m here, let me ask you one more thing. I know you’ve been secretly investigating the Bonggong members. Have you gotten any results?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho shook his head.

“I haven’t gotten any conclusive results yet. However…”

“However?”

“It’s highly unlikely that Seung-Hyeon Jin-In of the Wudang Sect [a famous martial arts sect] has joined hands with the Three Teachings [a group of opposing factions]. Of course, I can’t be sure yet.”

Moyong Gun nodded. He thought so too.

“However, in the unlikely event that there are spies among the Bonggong, I have narrowed down a few people who are most likely.”

“Who are they?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho silently looked at Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun said with a frustrated expression.

“It’s your prerogative as a military strategist not to trust me, but at least, those who hate them…”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you on that matter, Clan Head. I’m just being cautious.”

“Cautious?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho closed his mouth again and just stared at Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun, who was about to say something out of frustration, widened his eyes at a sudden thought.

“…Could it be one of our members?”

“That’s right. To be precise, one of the most likely people is on your side.”

“Who is it?”

“I cannot tell you.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho was firm.

“I haven’t told anyone about this yet. This is a matter that requires the utmost caution. If there is a spy among the Bonggong, and that spy thinks that an investigation into them has begun, we will never be able to catch them.”

“…….”

“It’s only because you are Clan Head Moyong that I’m even telling you that one of your members is a possibility. In that regard, you are not someone who would make a mistake, are you?”

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

Jeagal Mun-Ho said with a sigh.

“Ultimately, this is just a possibility. It’s just that if there is a spy among the Bonggong, it’s more likely to be on your side, not that I’m suspecting them as spies.”

“…….”

“I’ll take care of the internal affairs, so leave that to me and do what you need to do in your position. That is the path that is beneficial to everyone.”

“I appreciate the advice.”

“I’ll say it again. Do not act rashly. It is absolutely forbidden to try to find out more or set traps.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes sharpened.

“If you do such a thing, I will put you in prison on any charge.”

He wasn’t just saying it. Jeagal Mun-Ho really intended to do so.

The weight and sincerity emanating from his words were something that even the great Moyong Gun could not take lightly.

Moyong Gun nodded.

“Promise me. The moment you are sure about the spy, you will tell me.”

“Is that what you mean? Of course, I will inform you, Clan Head, as well as everyone else who knows about this. Don’t worry.”

“I understand.”

Moyong Gun left the office.

Jeagal Mun-Ho, who had been maintaining a stern expression, let out a soft sigh and leaned back in his chair.

“At this rate, I’ll have white hair in less than five years.”

Military strategists often focused more on external affairs than internal affairs.

However, Jeagal Mun-Ho worked hard without distinguishing between internal and external affairs. His work was also fast and accurate, and it could be said that he was the number one contributor to the Murim Alliance’s growth without any major problems.

But now, he had to deal with not only foreign enemies but also the existence of possible spies, and even the relationships between the Bonggong members. He was truly living a life where even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough.

Jeagal Mun-Ho was lost in thought.

‘This will strengthen my influence and at the same time, allow me to gather everyone’s attention.’

The reason he preempted Moyong Gun’s proposal and brought it up at the meeting was to increase his political influence.

If Moyong Gun proposed it, it would turn into a fight, but if the military strategist proposed it, it would become a serious discussion. And since there would be many people who would agree with this proposal, the Alliance Leader election would eventually be postponed by a year, and the two military forces would be merged into one.

If he succeeded in this big task, Jeagal Mun-Ho’s influence would inevitably increase. Naturally, the Bonggong members’ attention would be focused on Jeagal Mun-Ho.

That was what Jeagal Mun-Ho was aiming for.

‘If there really are spies among the Bonggong, they will be watching me the most.’

He didn’t care about that. No, he actually needed them to do that.

Because when the enemies focused on him, his allies, who were also unparalleled monsters, would secretly move to defeat the enemies.

That was the reason why Jeagal Mun-Ho took the initiative by stealing Moyong Gun’s idea.

“…By the way.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes deepened.

“Are they really spies?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho was not someone with a lot of free time. If he had investigated them casually and thought it didn’t make sense, he would have stopped the investigation long ago.

But surprisingly, as he investigated the Bonggong members, he began to suspect one or two people.

‘Are they all spies? Or is one of them a spy? If they are spies, why have they been silent until now? Of course, we moved secretly without the Bonggong members knowing, but even considering that, it’s been too quiet.’

After pondering for a while, Jeagal Mun-Ho shook his head.

‘No. I shouldn’t have unnecessary thoughts either. The investigation comes first. It’s not too late to worry about why they did this or that later.’

The important thing was that the Three Teachings were a dangerous group, enough to consider the possibility of making the Bonggong members of the Murim Alliance into spies.

“Really…”

Jeagal Mun-Ho couldn’t help but sigh.

“How is this world going to turn out?”

* * *

“Ugh.”

Muk Bi clicked his tongue as he watched Yeon Ho-Jeong groan and rub his shoulder.

“You’ve become everyone’s punching bag, really.”

“Shut up. You should have seen that martial art directly. It’s a miracle I didn’t cross the Yellow Springs [a metaphor for death].”

“Then you shouldn’t fight them.”

“Hey, look at these amazing weapons. I received such great gifts, so I have to repay them properly, right?”

“That’s ridiculous. You got all excited by yourself, saying you’d take it head-on, and then you ended up covered in blood, crawling on the ground.”

It was a statement that left him speechless. And it was also true.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smacked his lips.

“Anyway, it’s a relief that it ended like this.”

“You’re changing the subject.”

“It hurts. Let’s stop it.”

“Whether I stop or not is up to me.”

“Why are you so prickly?”

“What do you mean? If I’m really prickly, I don’t talk. I pick up my bow.”

“Oh my god…”

“So, stop dawdling and put on your armor and come out! The military forces are waiting!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grumbled at Muk Bi’s sharp shout.

“It’s like I have a master. Okay, wait a little.”

A little later.

Yeon Ho-Jeong appeared, wearing the light armor of the Myeolsa Army Commander.

Unlike usual, the round Gyoryong Chain [a type of weapon] was worn on his right waist, and the Black and White Twin Dragons, a gift from Tang Gwan, were slung diagonally across his back.

With the Gwangryong Axe [a type of axe] slung over his shoulder, Yeon Ho-Jeong showed a commander-like appearance for the first time in a long time.

Muk Bi tapped his shoulder and urged him.

“Let’s go, let’s go.”

“Ah, be gentle. I’m not fully healed yet. But, aren’t you going to ride a horse?”

“Why would you ride a horse when you’ve done nothing good? Run!”

“Damn it.”

Whoosh!

The two of them dashed out with impressive footwork.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked.

“What about the Captain?”

“He’ll be waiting. You know Moyong Commander’s personality, right? He’s probably trying to quell the dissatisfaction of his troops by establishing strict military discipline.”

“Yeah, he’s good at that.”

“But, Young Master Yeon.”

“It’s vacant.”

“Are we going to depart?”

“You’re not listening, are you?”

“Answer me. Are we departing as soon as the forces are merged? That’s the rumor going around the Alliance.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Not right away, but soon. The founding ceremony is just a ceremony. We need at least some time to coordinate with each other.”

“So, you’re saying we’re going anyway.”

“Why? Are you excited?”

“I don’t know?”

Muk Bi smacked his lips.

“Well, going out into the world is more fun than being in the Murim Alliance.”

“If we go out, there will inevitably be battles. There will be blood and death. You shouldn’t like that already.”

“I don’t like it. It’s just that if someone has to do it, I think it’s better for me to do it.”

As the two of them chatted, they soon arrived at a huge training ground.

There, a huge force of 550 soldiers was lined up.

Yeon Ho-Jeong took a deep breath.

Muk Bi smiled and asked.

“Are you nervous?”

“Yeah, I’m nervous for some reason.”

“You’re being unnecessarily honest.”

“Hehehe.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who laughed strangely like an old man, tapped his cheeks.

“Okay, let’s go.”