Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 525

“Report.”

“Hmm?”

“A report has arrived from the Ironclad Unit in Guizhou Province. It seems best if you read it yourself.”

Yang Cheon chuckled as he read the information document handed to him by Baek Seo.

“He’s made quite a splash again.”

The report stated that they had captured Beonjak, the number one warrior of the Divine Flame Church, and had begun negotiations.

The seal of the Ironclad Unit’s leader and Yeon Ho-jeong’s thumbprint were both on it. This meant the information was reliable.

Baek Seo sighed.

“Is it going to be alright?”

“It’ll be fine. He wouldn’t have caused such a ruckus if it wasn’t.”

In truth, it wasn’t entirely fine.

Because of this incident, the Divine Flame Church would be even more determined to either appease or assassinate the Thirteen Seats of the Sacred Heavens. This was because Yeon Ho-jeong had learned of their plans.

It was fortunate that Yeon Ho-jeong had used swordsmanship. Of course, his actual martial arts skills wouldn’t have disappeared, so quite a few assassins would have lost their lives to his punches and kicks as well.

‘Depending on his main martial art, it might be difficult to trace his involvement.’

Moreover, the entire area was said to have been burned down by the Divine Flame Church’s Scorching Yang Art.

Among the various martial arts that Yeon Ho-jeong possessed, the most flamboyant and noticeable was his fire-based martial art. However, since the opponent’s martial art was also fire-based, it actually increased the chances that Yeon Ho-jeong’s involvement would go unnoticed.

‘That is, if the information doesn’t reach them.’

Yeon Ho-jeong was a smart one. When he asked for information, he would have thoroughly checked to ensure that no information from this side leaked out.

‘He would have handled it well. But…’

There was no way for this side to know for sure what had happened at the scene.

The report was well-written. It clearly stated what had been done, the current situation, and what would be done in the future.

However, like battles, operations were also filled with all sorts of variables.

They had to act as if the enemy knew of Yeon Ho-jeong’s involvement. Only then could they minimize their losses.

“Anyway, so they were moving after all.”

Yang Cheon stroked his beard and frowned.

“I expected them to move, but I didn’t think they’d strike so quickly. And they even mobilized cannons.”

Yang Cheon had thought that the Three Sects would focus more on internal affairs for the time being.

It was only natural. The Divine Flame Church was busy seizing the imperial palace and government offices, and had lost several warriors. The Shadow Sound Church had lost their trump card, the Yin God, and he, the master of the Dark Dragon Manor, was still standing strong.

That left the Blood Fiend Church, and through his conversation with Yeon Ho-jeong, he learned that there was a high probability that the Murim Alliance’s spy was from the Blood Fiend Church.

Yang Cheon didn’t know much about the Three Sects either. But the most unknown group among them was the Blood Fiend Church. He had never encountered any members of the Blood Fiend Church, so he had no idea what kind of people they were or what they would do.

However, even if the Three Sects each had their own roles, he didn’t think it was the right time to provoke the strong of the Sacred Heavens.

To appease or assassinate the Thirteen Seats of the Sacred Heavens?

It was a long and broad battle, but this was too fast. If they were provoking the Sacred Heavens, it could be interpreted as meaning that at least half of their war preparations were complete.

Naturally, the Three Sects wouldn’t have been able to do that.

The Divine Flame Church had lost several vanguard leaders, and the Shadow Sound Church had lost the ruler of Guangdong Province, who was their support and retreat point.

If they started a war in this state, the damage would be immense. There was no way that those who were trying to take over the imperial palace would start a war without being fully prepared.

‘Yet, they are provoking the Sacred Heavens. That means…’

Yang Cheon’s eyes deepened.

‘Could it be that they are actually somewhat prepared for war?’

He couldn’t be certain. From a macro perspective, it was a reasonable assumption, but he still didn’t know anything about the enemy.

‘Whatever it is, it’s clear that they can’t act recklessly.’

Now that the Murim Alliance’s spy had been exposed, it had become extremely difficult for them to obtain information about the two major alliances representing the Central Plains.

After a moment of thought, Yang Cheon asked Baek Seo,

“What is the eldest doing right now?”

“Ah, are you referring to the eldest young master?”

Baek Seo bowed his head.

“He hasn’t left his residence for several days. However, some of the manor’s key figures have been seen going in and out of his residence.”

Yang Cheon clicked his tongue.

“Moving according to the logic of power. That’s how the world is, by nature. But to already be dabbling in politics when his martial arts are not yet perfected.”

“Still, wouldn’t you say the eldest young master is quite impressive?”

He was more than just impressive.

At his age, with that level of martial arts, he was worthy of being called a peerless genius. In particular, the eldest young master did not rest on his genius, but instead threw himself into countless real battles to increase his martial arts level.

Effort that didn’t rely on talent, and the ferocity to throw himself into real battles where he could lose his life at any moment.

He was indeed worthy of being the next lord of the Black Path [a term for the underworld or the dark side of the martial arts world].

“He still has shortcomings. I wish he would realize that.”

“May I offer a suggestion?”

“Go ahead.”

“Wouldn’t it be a good idea for you to personally teach the eldest young master, like you did with the second young lady?”

“Teaching, huh…”

Yang Cheon, who was lost in thought with his chin in his hand, suddenly asked,

“Do you know what the commonality between me and Yeon Ho-jeong is?”

“Yes?”

“Me, and Yeon Ho-jeong. And if you look at it broadly, Moyong Gun, whom we saw back then, is the same. There is a commonality between the three of us.”

Baek Seo cautiously said,

“Could it be… political ability…?”

“Wrong. As you’ve seen, I’ve shown many pathetic sides of myself.”

“N-No, that’s not true.”

“Heh heh.”

Baek Seo thought for a moment.

‘The commonality between the manor lord, Vice Commander Yeon, and the Moyong family head?’

They were all very different people.

Powerful martial arts? That was true, but the eldest young master was also capable of establishing his own school of martial arts.

Ambition? The eldest young master seemed to have that as well. At least, that’s how it appeared on the surface.

Baek Seo honestly shook his head.

“I don’t know.”

“You weren’t thinking about things like martial arts or ambition, were you?”

Baek Seo looked embarrassed.

Seeing this, Yang Cheon burst into laughter. Baek Seo, who was so cold to others, was honest with him. He liked that distinction in Baek Seo.

“The answer is simple. We know when to strike and when to retreat.”

“Yes?”

“Of course, I made the mistake of provoking the Bota Sect. Well, it was something I had been planning for three years. I’m still greedy. But even if a war were to break out, the Murim Alliance [a large martial arts alliance] wouldn’t be foolish enough to break the alliance over the Bota Sect.”

That was obvious.

They were facing a historic enemy. If they claimed to have destroyed another sect to eliminate their own crisis, even the Shaolin Temple wouldn’t be able to touch the Dark Dragon Manor.

Even if they knew the true intentions, it would be difficult to touch them if they had such a justification. That was how the world was.

“In other words, even if it seems somewhat reckless, we haven’t crossed the line. A precarious line, a line that, if crossed, could destroy not only me but also my children. I don’t cross that line.”

“…”

“Yeon Ho-jeong is the same. Moyong Gun? That guy didn’t really see his opponent properly. He’s talented, but he lost the balance between ambition and ability. Still, he also knows to some extent when to step forward and when to step back. That’s why he’s so great and dangerous.”

“Then, are you saying that the eldest young master is not like that?”

“No, he’s not.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed.

“You can tell just by looking at the atmosphere. As the master of the Dark Dragon Manor, I favor Yeon Ho-jeong. Moreover, the second is learning martial arts directly from me, with my approval.”

“…”

“Is it time to strike, or is it time to retreat? What do you think?”

Baek Seo bowed his head again.

“I fear that my foolish answer will offend the manor lord’s ears.”

It was a subtle way of avoiding the answer.

Yang Cheon chuckled.

“If the eldest had openly attacked the second and third to try and take them down, I would have started his successor training in earnest.”

“…!

“But look. When it’s time to strike, he’s just lining up with some key figures and engaging in useless political maneuvering.”

“T-That’s true.”

“A warrior’s ability is not proven through politics. It’s proven through martial prowess and ideology.”

Yang Cheon leaned back in his chair.

“Of course, the manor itself is a group that cannot be free from politics. But what’s simpler and clearer than the Murim Alliance is that the principle of the strong ruling is firmly established here.”

The Dark Dragon Manor was like a microcosm of the Black Path itself.

In the end, the strongest warrior would take the lead. That was an absolute principle that never changed, even within the political chaos of the Dark Dragon Manor.

“I don’t know if he feels he’s sufficient, or if he has something to rely on, but at least it’s not the time to sit back and dream of a hopeful future.”

Yang Cheon shook his head.

“Whether he’s been given a mission, or is at the center of a situation involving simple grudges, or is in a situation where there are many competitors, like now.”

“…”

“He needs to read the situation, see the atmosphere, and properly judge whether he should move or not. The eldest lacks that. Even more so than the second.”

“Then… is Vice Commander Yeon better than the successors?”

“Yeon Ho-jeong?”

Yang Cheon smiled wryly.

“That guy is a political demon who knows better than anyone when to strike and when to retreat.”

* * *

Swoosh.

The masked man carrying Beonjak stopped walking.

“What is it?”

Beonjak asked, looking at Yeon Ho-jeong.

“Aren’t you going to follow?”

“No.”

“…?!”

What was this sudden change?

Yeon Ho-jeong looked around.

“Just as I thought. This is as far as it goes.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The places where I directly intervened in the battle.”

Beonjak frowned.

He got off the masked man’s back. He had endured the humiliation of being carried to conserve his strength. But the atmosphere was ominous.

Yeon Ho-jeong scratched his head.

“I guess I only need to take care of about five places. I thought there would be more, but it’s thanks to you. Thanks to that Scorching Yang Art, many traces of my martial arts have disappeared.”

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking of going back.”

“…What?!”

The corners of Yeon Ho-jeong’s mouth curled up.

But his eyes were not smiling.

“Did you really think I would believe you and follow you?”

“…?!”

“Information that’s not even half complete… it’s a bit disappointing, but if I think of it as free information, it’s enough.”

“You…!

“From the start, you had no intention of giving me the remaining information, did you? No, you were planning to kill me, weren’t you?”

Beonjak’s face hardened.

Yeon Ho-jeong shrugged.

“Let’s not pretend to be naive. We don’t live in a world where we’re so easily fooled.”

“…”

“Still, it’s a relief that I got something. But what about you?”

Yeon Ho-jeong, with a meaningful smile, turned his body.

Beonjak’s eyes flashed with murderous intent.

“You dare to mock me?”

“Mock? Is this the time to worry about that?”

“What?”

“I don’t leave those who break their promises alive.”

“…?!”

“It was fun, Beonjak. You were born from fire, so return to fire.”

In that instant, Beonjak felt an intense throbbing in his heart.

Thump! Thump!

His heart was beating fiercely.

Beonjak’s eyes were bloodshot.

“You, you bastard…!

Kwaaaaaang!

With a massive explosion, Beonjak’s body erupted. It was an explosion of tremendous power that instantly swept away even the masked man next to him.

The red flames that erupted soared high into the sky.

The soaring flames resembled the sun god, Vermilion Bird.

Yeon Ho-jeong whistled.

To him, the two were already dead.