Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 437

“…And so, the Righteous Army, led by Hong Gwan, a disciple of Yang Cheon of the Mukryong Bu [a powerful martial arts faction], eliminated numerous assassins, bringing the incident in Guangdong Province to a close.”

Sighs of relief and exclamations of awe rippled through the room.

Pung Byeok-Ja, the head of the Cheongseong Sect, nodded in approval.

“As expected of the Righteous Army. They never fail to meet our expectations.”

There were a few among the League’s elders who had not yet made their allegiances clear. Pung Byeok-Ja was one of them.

They were people who had distanced themselves from politics. People who had spent their lives mastering martial arts, working for their sects, or for the greater good of the world. They were experienced and intelligent, but they had no desire to throw themselves into the power struggles of the secular world.

In that sense, Pung Byeok-Ja could be seen as one of the ideal righteous individuals, regardless of his abilities.

Jeagal Mun-Ho spoke calmly.

“Now that the matter is settled, we should order them to withdraw immediately. However, the damage inflicted upon the righteous martial artists of Guangdong is so severe that I believe it is best to have them remain until the power vacuum is filled.”

“Hmm, that is correct. The important thing is not to eradicate the roots of evil, but to prevent evil from taking root again.”

Pung Byeok-Ja nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Jeagal Mun-Ho.

At that moment, Deung Cheon-Gyo, the head of the Gongdong Sect, frowned and said,

“The military advisor’s words are indeed correct. However, I also believe that it is not good for the League’s power to be too dispersed.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho shook his head.

“While it is true that the Righteous Army is powerful, it is difficult to say that the League’s power has been dispersed just because one unit has been removed. There are countless other units within the League besides the Righteous Army.”

“Of course. The Righteous Army is just one of the League’s units. However, it was also the Righteous Army that made the League’s name known to the world. Now, the Righteous Army has become a unit that represents the Martial Alliance.”

“I agree with that point.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho asked, puzzled.

“So, what is it that Elder Deung wishes to say?”

Deung Cheon-Gyo stated firmly,

“The League Lord election has been postponed until next year. While it is important to eradicate the evils of the world and restore the people’s faith, I feel that we are engaging in too many external activities without even having elected a League Lord.”

Pung Byeok-Ja, also unable to hide his confusion, asked,

“How is that a problem?”

“Look here. The Black Path [a term for evil or unorthodox martial arts factions] has concentrated its power under the absolute master, Yang Cheon, the Tyrant King. However, when looking at the overall strength, especially the quality of the masters, the Mukryong Bu cannot be compared to our League.”

“And?”

“The problem is the fundamental difference between our League and the Mukryong Bu. Although we are both alliances, our League is made up of countless sects that have gathered for the sake of righteousness. Without a central figure like a League Lord, it is difficult for us to respond quickly to external matters.”

“Hmm.”

“On the other hand, the Mukryong Bu is different. Although it is called an alliance, the Mukryong Bu is no different from a small nation ruled by the Tyrant King. The Tyrant King has absolute influence over his organization, and the Mukryong Bu will always move and react in the direction he desires.”

Deung Cheon-Gyo asked Jeagal Mun-Ho,

“I would like to ask the military advisor. Do you think this difference is small?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho shook his head.

“It is definitely not small. As Elder Deung said, the speed of an organization that receives immediate orders from a single leader often surpasses the prudence of an organization run by multiple leaders.”

“That’s right. Regardless of what is more efficient, the Mukryong Bu has power. The absolute power of the Tyrant King, Yang Cheon. Until now, he has been lying low, but I would like to point out that the moment he moves properly, the League’s power could be defeated piecemeal.”

Although he had been criticized for his excessive radicalism, Deung Cheon-Gyo’s words were not to be ignored.

To be more precise, this issue had to be resolved at some point.

However, the reason why they had not discussed a solution to this issue immediately was because there were far more important matters at hand. Jeagal Mun-Ho was a person who knew how to prioritize according to the situation.

That was why he was questioning it.

‘Why at this time?’

It was a statement that anyone could have made at any time, in any way.

The problem was that the person who made the statement was Deung Cheon-Gyo.

Deung Cheon-Gyo was Moyong Gun’s man. He might deny it, but he was someone who was being manipulated by Moyong Gun.

‘Could it be?’

Jeagal Mun-Ho glanced at Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun was calmly sipping his tea with a composed expression.

‘Is he thinking of revealing his ambition again at this time?’

He was certainly capable of it. However, the anger Moyong Gun had shown while dealing with the Three Teachings [a mysterious and powerful organization] was genuine.

Of course, Moyong Gun’s ambition had not died. No, it would only grow stronger with time.

However, not now.

Jeagal Mun-Ho trusted his own eyes, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s judgment, and Yeon-wi’s intuition. In the eyes of the three of them, Moyong Gun was not someone who would reveal his ambition again, even in this situation.

‘Besides, it was Moyong Gun who suggested postponing the League Lord election until next year. It can’t be a trick to make us lower our guard. He’s not that petty of a person.’

Moyong Gun had even risked the life of his younger brother, Moyong Woo.

He had not risked his own life, so who knew what might happen? Of course, that was true. However, it was also a clear fact that Moyong Woo was an incomparably powerful asset to Moyong Gun.

There was no reason to make a reckless move. Especially at this moment.

‘Then.’

Jeagal Mun-Ho looked at Deung Cheon-Gyo again.

Deung Cheon-Gyo was looking at him with clear eyes.

‘He made this decision on his own.’

Why? What was the reason?

Deung Cheon-Gyo soon revealed the reason, a fact that would shock everyone who heard it.

“I don’t know if you are aware, but I will tell you since it seems to be a fact that everyone should know anyway.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I have received information that there is an unusual group outside the borders.”

In an instant, the atmosphere in the conference room plummeted.

Pung Byeok-Ja tilted his head in confusion.

“An unusual group? What do you mean?”

“Exactly as I said. I have received information that a certain organization outside the borders has ambitions to take over the Central Plains [the heartland of the martial world].”

“Wh-what did you say?!”

An expression of shock was clearly visible on Pung Byeok-Ja’s face.

Not only him. Everyone who heard this information for the first time was shocked and looked at Deung Cheon-Gyo.

Deung Cheon-Gyo’s eyes shone fiercely.

“Our Gongdong Sect is located near the northern border. Of course, it is not as close as Kunlun, which is at the western end, but the reason why our sect was able to accumulate wealth was because we had influence up to the Jade Gate Pass [a strategic pass on the Silk Road].”

The Jade Gate Pass was the end of Gansu, the last gateway connecting Dunhuang and the western regions beyond with the Central Plains.

The Gongdong Sect was based in Mount Gongdong, which was located in Gansu. Of course, the distance from Mount Gongdong to the Jade Gate Pass was extremely far, but the Gongdong Sect’s power was so great that it encompassed the entire Gansu.

“All sorts of merchants, as well as unimaginable information, come through the Jade Gate Pass. Just filtering that excessive information is enough to keep our sect’s intelligence unit busy every day of the year.”

“….”

“Do you understand? At least when it comes to information about the northernmost part of the Central Plains and the outside world, our sect is second to none. No, it is even better. In other words, it is safe to say that there is almost no possibility that this information is wrong.”

“I see.”

“I would like to ask the military advisor on this occasion.”

Deung Cheon-Gyo’s expression turned grim.

“I know that as a military advisor, you have to pretend to be calm even when you are surprised, and pretend to know even when you don’t, but unlike the other elders, you are being too calm.”

“….”

“Did you know about this fact?”

Just as Jeagal Mun-Ho was about to open his mouth, after looking at Deung Cheon-Gyo calmly, a voice spoke.

“I knew.”

In an instant, everyone’s eyes turned to the Great Monk Gong Gong.

Gong Gong nodded.

“This person knew that an unusual group outside the borders was stirring.”

“What?!”

Deung Cheon-Gyo’s face contorted.

“You knew about it too, Great Monk?!”

“That’s right. And I was the one who informed the military advisor of that fact.”

“…!!”

The audience was unable to hide their shock at the bombshell revelation.

That was the same for Jeagal Mun-Ho and Yeon-wi. Even Moyong Gun’s eyes flickered slightly at Gong Gong’s statement.

Deung Cheon-Gyo’s eyes twitched.

“You knew about it, but you didn’t tell us?”

“That’s right.”

“…This part needs a proper explanation! Why didn’t you tell us?”

Gong Gong did not erase his calm expression.

“Because I couldn’t trust you.”

“What?!”

“This monk has learned how long they, or rather, the Three Teachings, have been aiming for the Central Plains, and that their power is capable of sweeping through the Central Plains.”

“Then all the more…!”

“And that some of them had infiltrated the government, the imperial palace, and even the martial world, and had already laid the groundwork.”

“…?!”

Gong Gong sipped his tea.

“This monk serves the Buddha. However, even though I serve the Buddha, I have not forgotten that I must strive for peace since I have come into the secular world.”

“….”

“The problem is the process of achieving that peace. I don’t know if it’s okay if the result is bad but the process is fine, and I can’t agree with the opinion that it’s okay if the process is bad but the result is good.”

“What are you trying to say?!”

Flash!

In an instant, Gong Gong’s eyes blazed with light.

The intensity of his gaze was so strong that Deung Cheon-Gyo flinched involuntarily. He did not turn his head away because of his pride, but if he had relaxed his mind even a little, he would have already avoided Gong Gong’s gaze, which was so burdensome.

“However, if they were encroaching on the Central Plains without any of us knowing, it would be as if we had already lost once.”

“….”

“There is something even worse. What if, by any chance, there was a spy from the Three Teachings among us?”

“…!!”

“There wouldn’t even be a proper fight. We would be watching the situation as they manipulated us, and then we would be defeated in a moment we never expected.”

Gong Gong sighed.

“I know how much of a blow this statement is to your pride. However, it is also the reason why this monk could not easily reveal the information.”

“Even so!”

“Their power is already complete. They have infiltrated the Central Plains over a long period of time for a perfect victory, not just a victory with scars, but if you only think about their actual power, it is estimated that they could fight the Central Plains martial world right now.”

Gong Gong narrowed his eyes.

“The secret that we have kept so well has now been ruined thanks to Elder Deung. The military advisor and I were investigating whether there were any spies among our elders, and if there were, where they were connected to, but if there is a real spy here, they will now try to hide even more thoroughly.”

Deung Cheon-Gyo was flustered. It was because Gong Gong had suddenly turned on him.

“How is that my fault…?!”

“I am not blaming Elder Deung. I am also guilty of deceiving the elders, so I must be punished for that.”

“….”

“However, I will not tolerate putting pressure on the military advisor in the name of Shaolin. Is it not an excessively rude attitude to criticize someone who works day and night for the sake of the world, someone who must achieve good even if it means deceiving everyone, for such a trivial matter?”

“….”

“If you want to throw stones, throw them at me. I will clearly take responsibility for my arrogance.”

“…I will remember those words.”

“I will not go back on my word.”

Gong Gong looked at Jeagal Mun-Ho.

“Isn’t that right, military advisor?”

Gong Gong smiled and winked one eye.

Jeagal Mun-Ho could only sigh inwardly.