Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 636

“Vice Leader!”

Yang Cheon chuckled, watching Baek Seo, who was unusually agitated.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face so flushed.”

“Ah, I apologize.”

“Why apologize? So, what brings you here in such a hurry?”

“There’s been contact from the Tang Clan, from Vice Commander Yeon!”

Yang Cheon’s eyes gleamed.

He quickly read the several letters that Baek Seo respectfully handed over.

Yang Cheon nodded.

“I knew he’d succeed somehow. I knew it, but…”

“……”

“Paradise Hideouts, you say?”

“It seems the Tang Clan Leader’s younger brother colluded with one of the Three Teachings [a collective term for three powerful, often antagonistic, religious or martial sects] over a decade ago and created these so-called Paradise Hideouts all over Sichuan.”

The letters detailed the matter clearly.

Yang Cheon clicked his tongue.

“They’re truly ruthless.”

“……”

“At this point, I’m seriously considering whether we should hand over the identity of the Black Path [a network of underground martial arts groups] to them. Don’t you think so?”

“They’ve done something truly atrocious.”

“The world is vast, and there are many people. It’s just that we lack power; there are probably more inhumane bastards lurking in the back alleys of the Black Path than them. But even considering that…”

Yang Cheon frowned.

“This is a bit much. The hierarchy has completely collapsed. I don’t know if this is due to Tang Gwan’s lack of ability or his younger brother’s great ambition.”

“Or perhaps,”

Baek Seo said with a slightly tense expression.

“It could be that the Blood Demon Church’s schemes were that cunning and vicious.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

Yang Cheon leaned back in his chair.

Despite his relaxed posture, his expression remained grim.

“It’s unbelievable. When you think about it, we were completely in the dark. The Divine Light Church was meddling with the imperial palace and government, the Evil Sound Church was trying to establish a bridgehead for their expedition into the Central Plains through me, and the Blood Demon Church was turning Sichuan, the primary target for invasion, into a mess.”

“……”

“Amazing. Now, all I can say is that they’re truly amazing.”

“They’re cunning bastards.”

“Cunning, but also very patient.”

Yang Cheon shook his head.

“The estimated power of the Three Teachings, even at its lowest, is enough to wage a full-scale war against the Central Plains martial world. These groups with such power have been working behind the scenes for a long time without starting a war. Is that something ordinary?”

“……”

“Yes, the leaders might be able to show such patience. The problem is the underlings. They must have a great desire to see a new world in their generation, yet the leaders of the Three Teachings have thoroughly controlled even the desires of their subordinates while conquering the Central Plains.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes deepened.

“They’re thoroughly controlling their organizations. At the same time, their trust in their leaders is so firm. Such a grand undertaking is absolutely impossible unless they are armed with loyalty that makes them willing to sacrifice their lives.”

It was not wrong.

The larger an organization, the more people it has, and the more people it has, the harder it is to control.

There would be many warmongers in the Three Teachings who want to start a war immediately. Perhaps some of the warmongers might even be powerful enough to threaten the leaders of the Three Teachings.

The fact that they have controlled such people one by one and brought them this far was enough to earn the leaders of the Three Teachings praise.

‘Indeed.’

Yang Cheon’s eyes narrowed.

‘They were not ordinary vessels.’

He recalled his first meeting with the Evil Sound Church Leader.

‘Of course, this isn’t unconditional support. We also need to get back what we invested.’

‘I know.’

‘But what I’m curious about is whether you can properly integrate the Black Path. An organization can’t be run just with money.’

‘I know that all too well.’

‘No, you don’t. It’s not the same as leading a few gangs. Even if just two or three out of thousands or tens of thousands of subordinates speak out of turn, the entire organization’s atmosphere will become chaotic.’

‘……’

‘Only when you can control even that can you be called a true leader. You need to grow more than you are now. At least as a leader, that is.’

He seemed half-mad, but in that conversation, he showed the appearance of a seasoned politician.

The Evil Sound Church Leader was such a person. At the time, Yang Cheon could not see the depth of the Evil Sound Church Leader.

Neither his madness nor his governing power.

Nor even his martial arts.

‘The problem is.’

Yang Cheon stroked his chin.

His expression was sullen, and his eyes showed a sense of helplessness.

‘There are two more like him, and they possess quite a few experts comparable to the Saintly Heavens [a group of the most powerful martial artists].’

Thinking about it, it was truly absurd.

The experts who made it to the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats were all monsters who were recognized as having the potential to be the best in the world. It was not for nothing that it was said that each of them would have undoubtedly become the best in the world if they had been born in a different era.

The current world, teeming with countless geniuses, is comparable to the martial world of three hundred years ago, which was called the battlefield of the Half-Immortals.

But what if the Three Teachings also had experts comparable to the Central Plains martial world?

‘That would be a disaster.’

Yang Cheon shook his head.

‘It’s not an easy realm to reach. I don’t know how much power they possess, but even at most, it wouldn’t be as much as our Saintly Heavens.’

If there were many experts who had opened the Limitless [a high level of martial arts mastery], they wouldn’t have bothered to send lower-level experts to capture them, like in the case of the White-Clad Divine Army.

Of course, it’s possible that they might be in a situation where they can’t use their top forces due to special circumstances within their organization.

But Yang Cheon didn’t think so.

‘In any case.’

Yang Cheon said, looking at Baek Seo.

“They killed the Divine Light Church’s warriors, they killed the experts dispatched by the Evil Sound Church, and Sichuan, which was under the Blood Demon Church’s control, will also be purified.”

“That is correct.”

“Then, the Three Teachings won’t stay still any longer.”

Baek Seo’s face tensed up.

“Are you saying they will invade?”

“They won’t try to wage a full-scale war. No matter how angry they are, they can’t recklessly start a full-scale war after all the time they’ve invested.”

“……”

“However, they will try to cut out the root of the problem.”

“The root of the problem, you mean…?”

“Vice Commander Yeon.”

“……!”

Baek Seo’s face hardened.

Yang Cheon rested his chin on his hand.

“Our Saintly Heavens, and the leaders of each sect, are worth considering. However, if they have the right information, they will try to eliminate Vice Commander Yeon at all costs.”

“……That’s dangerous.”

“It is dangerous.”

Yang Cheon chuckled.

“But it seems like he’s enjoying it.”

“……”

“Anyway, it’s a relief that the situation in Sichuan has been resolved. Now, I’ll slowly head to the Sound Emperor.”

Baek Seo’s face tensed up again.

“Do you think Vice Commander Yeon will be able to bring the Sound Emperor?”

“……I don’t know. The experts who have opened the Limitless, or rather, the Limitless, all have unique personalities. The kind ones are unbelievably kind, and the ruthless ones are so ruthless that you wonder if it’s even okay.”

“Yes?”

“It’s a realm where personalities tend to change drastically. There aren’t many who maintain their natural disposition like me.”

“……Yes, sir.”

“Personality is one thing, but their strength is another issue.”

Yang Cheon’s face showed a hint of worry.

“I wonder if it’s possible. No matter how talented he is, can he really do it with his martial arts…?”

* * *

“Are you alright?”

“Yes?”

Tang Yoon looked at Tang Hyeong with a puzzled expression.

Tang Hyeong smiled and said,

“I heard you’ve been very busy helping your brother. You don’t have to come here for every meal.”

Tang Yoon shook his head.

“I can always make time if I try.”

“That’s true, but I’m afraid you’ll harm your body.”

“It’s more frightening not to share affection than to harm my body.”

“Oh, my.”

“We haven’t eaten at the same table for over twenty years. From now on, unless something special happens, I’ll come whenever I have time, so please have your meals with me and my brother.”

Tang Hyeong chuckled.

‘Was our youngest always like this?’ he thought. The youngest he remembered was kind and sometimes timid. He was a child who rarely expressed his opinions confidently.

That child had now grown up and become someone who could naturally say such filial words.

He was moved and also felt sorry.

“By the way, how is your health?”

“That’s the fifth time. That question.”

“Please answer me no matter how many times I ask.”

“Alright. I’m not just fine, I feel like I could fly.”

“Really?”

“Don’t underestimate the name of the Saintly Heavens. Even though I’ve sealed two dantian [energy centers in the body], the strength of this body that holds such power is different from yours.”

Tang Yoon nodded.

He couldn’t understand his father’s realm with his level. But seeing him say this much, he seemed to be really fine.

“Your father is fine, so worry about your own body. You’ve become noticeably thinner than a few days ago.”

Tang Yoon smiled.

“I’ve gained some weight, so it’s a relief that I seem to have lost it.”

Tang Hyeong clicked his tongue.

“It’s such a waste to leave your talent as it is. Once things are roughly settled, how about focusing on your martial arts?”

“Martial arts…”

Tang Yoon, who had muttered with a bitter expression, said cheerfully with effort.

“I’ll think about it.”

Tang Hyeong understood Tang Yoon’s feelings.

Tang Yoon knew his talent well. If he started training properly, he would soon be able to catch up with Tang Gwan, even at this late age.

Tang Yoon was afraid of that. Although it was unlikely, he was afraid that if he ever surpassed Tang Gwan, it would damage the brotherhood.

Tang Hyeong said,

“Even if he has a strong pride, your brother’s vessel is big and wide enough. The more you worry, the more your brother becomes a lesser person.”

“Ah, I didn’t mean it that way…”

“Don’t worry, and if you have the will, run without hesitation. Both your brother and I only want you to be happy.”

Tang Yoon said with an awkward expression.

“I understand. I’ll think about it.”

Tang Hyeong, who had been quietly looking at Tang Yoon, got up from his seat.

Tang Yoon was flustered and awkwardly followed suit.

“Have you already finished eating?”

“I’ve finished eating, and a guest has arrived.”

“Yes?”

Tang Hyeong gave a meaningful smile.

“It’s someone who can help you properly unleash the martial fervor you’ve been suppressing for a long time.”

“……?”

Shortly after.

Yeon Ho-Jeong appeared before Tang Hyeong and Tang Yoon in the yard.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clasped his hands in greeting.

“You were having a meal. I wonder if I came too abruptly.”

Tang Hyeong shook his head.

“You came at the right time. As your benefactor, it’s right for me to go to you, but since I have to move anyway, I’m calling you here, taking advantage of your kindness.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded at Tang Yoon. Tang Yoon also nodded and exchanged greetings silently.

Tang Hyeong smiled and asked,

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet. I had an early breakfast.”

“Good. It’s best to exercise on an empty stomach so you don’t get an upset stomach.”

“Yes?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s bewildered face was a sight to behold.

Tang Hyeong shrugged.

“Don’t I have to repay your kindness?”

“……?”

“I’m old, I have no money, and I don’t have any valuables to give. And if I were to give you hidden weapons or usable poison, I can’t give out items without permission since I’m not the head of this family.”

“No, Senior Tang.”

“Of course, I don’t think this one time will repay all your kindness. Come visit me anytime in the future when you have time. I’ll help you with whatever I can.”

“I’m grateful for that.”

“Enough, let’s go to the forest next door. There’s a wide open space.”

Tang Hyeong smiled.

A cool shadow fell over his seemingly kind smile.

“You seem to be lacking in many ways. Let me fill in a few.”