Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 722

“Hmm.”

Yang Cheon lifted his cup.

Hwang Seok-tae, kneeling before him, remained motionless.

Yang Cheon, lost in thought while gazing at his cup, emptied it in one go.

“So that’s how it was.”

“……”

“Indeed, reports should be viewed from multiple angles. While Vice-Commander Yeon’s reports are always factually accurate, hearing the situation from Commander Hwang’s perspective gives a different impression.”

“I apologize.”

“And so,”

Yang Cheon asked, his eyes gleaming.

“How was the trip with Vice-Commander Yeon? Was it fun?”

Hwang Seok-tae bowed and replied,

“I was merely following the Vice-Chief’s orders, and in such a journey, rather than fun…”

“My order was for you to assist Vice-Commander Yeon in completing this mission.”

“Yes?”

“However, I also told you to run without looking back if your life was in danger.”

“……”

“But you didn’t run. You fought hard alongside Vice-Commander Yeon.”

“……”

“You must have moved because you judged it was necessary to jump in. Though it was nerve-wracking, thanks to your efforts, the Jongnam Sect [a major sect in the Murim Alliance] overcame the crisis, which is a very good thing.”

Hwang Seok-tae was taken aback.

‘Thanks to you, Jongnam overcame the crisis.’ While the words sounded good, they could also be interpreted as questioning whether it was necessary to help the Jongnam Sect, the leader of the righteous path.

Yang Cheon immediately noticed Hwang Seok-tae’s bewilderment.

He burst into laughter.

“Goodness, man, why are you so flustered?”

“……”

“Surely, you didn’t think I would reprimand you for helping Jongnam’s forces repel the foreign powers?”

“……No, sir.”

Yang Cheon smiled.

“Jongnam is a part of the Nine Great Sects. The Nine Great Sects are the leaders of the righteous martial world and the core group that forms the current Murim Alliance [a large martial arts alliance]. If Jongnam had fallen, the Murim Alliance would have been greatly shaken, and the hardliners might have gained power and tried to engage the enemies recklessly.”

“……”

“We formed an alliance with such a Murim Alliance. If we could have swept them away on our own, there would have been no need to form an alliance. The fact that you led Jongnam to victory in the war means that we have preserved a force that will be a reliable ally.”

“……”

“You’ve done a great job. It was a display of the abilities befitting the leader of the Dragon Fang Ironclad Unit, honed through countless training and real battles. Well done.”

Hwang Seok-tae closed his eyes.

“I only did what I had to do.”

“Haha. However…”

Yang Cheon shook his head.

“It’s fortunate that you performed so admirably, but from now on, be more careful. If you die, who will lead the Ironclad Unit? A unit without a leader is just a piece of flesh without bones.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“The Dragon Fang Ironclad Unit is one of the most powerful groups that the headquarters can utilize. You have no idea how much strength your existence, with the absolute support of that unit, gives me.”

An expression of emotion flickered across Hwang Seok-tae’s face.

Considering his usually stoic personality, it meant that he was genuinely pleased with Yang Cheon’s praise.

“You must be exhausted from your journey, and now you’ve had to give a report. You should rest well for a few days. Leave the training to the squad leaders.”

“I obey your command.”

“You may go now. The rewards for this will be given later.”

Hwang Seok-tae rose from his seat, bowed to Yang Cheon, and left the main hall.

After Hwang Seok-tae left, Yang Cheon smacked his lips.

“Did I look that incompetent?”

Baek Seo, who was standing to one side, looked at Yang Cheon with a puzzled expression.

Yang Cheon scratched his head.

“He was being so cautious even though he did what was obvious. If he led the docile Jongnam forces and defeated the bandits, how great is that? Yet, he’s still being so cautious.”

Baek Seo bowed and said,

“Commander Hwang is an outstanding individual. However, the Vice-Chief is the lord of all of us, including Commander Hwang. While no one doubts the Vice-Chief’s abilities and character, there might be some apprehension.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. And Commander Hwang’s behavior is ideal.”

“Ideal?”

“Isn’t it natural for those who have sworn loyalty to fear their lord?”

“Hoo, is that so.”

Yang Cheon stroked his chin.

‘Fearing the lord…’

It wasn’t something he didn’t know. Moreover, the Mukryong Unit was a black-hearted alliance. The black path was a place that operated on the logic of power, and at its base, there was bound to be a strong undercurrent of fear-based politics.

‘Such emotions can cloud one’s judgment.’

That wouldn’t be a problem. Under his command, there wasn’t a single fool who wouldn’t do what needed to be done, even if they felt fear.

However, hearing this made him think of Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘With his insightful eyes, he can see this Yang Cheon for who he is…’

The corners of Yang Cheon’s mouth lifted.

‘At least that guy doesn’t fear me.’

He knew it, but thinking about it like this made him realize what an amazing guy he was.

Yang Cheon refilled his cup and said,

“To be feared by those who are deeply loyal. That is a sad thing in its own way.”

Baek Seo was taken aback.

“Vice-Chief.”

“But, as you said, it’s natural. It’s not because I’m the Vice-Chief of the Mukryong Unit. This Yang Cheon doesn’t need any other way. It has always been like this, and it’s right that it continues to be so.”

“……”

“That’s why it’s both hateful and welcome, I suppose.”

Baek Seo didn’t bother asking who that hateful yet welcome person was. He seemed to know.

Yang Cheon, having emptied his cup again, said,

“Summon Vice-Commander Yeon.”

“I obey your command.”

“And the group he brought with him.”

“Yes?”

Yang Cheon said nonchalantly,

“I heard that he brought some talented individuals from here and there. If that damned guy is interested in them, they must be quite remarkable. I want to see their faces at least once.”

Baek Seo bowed his head.

“I will summon Vice-Commander Yeon.”

“Do so.”

A short while later.

“Vice-Chief. Vice-Commander Yeon and his group have arrived.”

“Let them in.”

Creak.

The doors of the main hall opened, and Yeon Ho-Jeong, Muk Bi, Pae Yul, Gang Ryang, Jin Yang, and So Jeong-Gwang appeared in turn.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having walked to the center of the hall, clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“I greet the Vice-Chief.”

At the same time, all five bowed their heads.

Yang Cheon’s eyes sparkled.

Shhh!

A semi-transparent haze flowed from his body. He had released all of his energy.

“Oh ho.”

Deep interest arose in Yang Cheon’s eyes.

“I’ve seen two of them before, but the other three are new faces.”

He was referring to the three excluding Pae Yul and Gang Ryang.

Yeon Ho-Jeong introduced them one by one.

“This is Muk Bi, the Vice-Commander of the Murim Alliance’s Righteous Army. She is a comrade who has shared life and death with me. And this is…”

After briefly introducing Jin Yang and So Jeong-Gwang, Yeon Ho-Jeong sat down comfortably.

Yang Cheon, who had been looking at them with a strange gaze, then spoke to Pae Yul.

“You’ve completely broken away, haven’t you?”

Pae Yul’s face showed a puzzled expression.

Yang Cheon chuckled.

“Your spirit has become much fiercer. Even looking at you now, you don’t seem like a righteous path person at all. Your martial arts have also grown significantly, but the change in your spirit is far more impressive than the growth of your martial arts.”

“……”

“If you leave the Jeomchang Sect, I will give you great preferential treatment. How about it? Do you have any thoughts of joining the headquarters?”

Pae Yul’s eyes deepened.

Yang Cheon, who had been quietly looking at Pae Yul, then waved his hand.

“You’re as boring as ever.”

Pae Yul remained silent until the end. He just looked at Yang Cheon with deep, profound eyes.

Yang Cheon turned his gaze to Gang Ryang.

“You’ve finally broken through. That wall.”

“That’s right.”

It was an uncharacteristically stiff voice for Gang Ryang.

Previously, Gang Ryang had treated Yang Cheon gently. He had lost his parents, siblings, and sect at his hands, but it was of no help to stand against an insurmountable enemy.

But now it was different.

‘He’s huge!’

Yang Cheon, whom he saw again after breaking through the wall of martial arts.

What he saw was different from before. Even before, his terrifying presence made it hard to breathe, but now, with his breakthrough, Yang Cheon was nothing short of a monster.

Gang Ryang involuntarily looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘My brother is a monster too, but that guy…’

He almost clicked his tongue without realizing it.

‘He’s on a different level. Apart from the martial arts he’s learned or his disposition, he possesses a different level of martial prowess. I wonder how many moves even my brother could withstand…’

Yang Cheon said,

“Why? Do I look different from before?”

“……Yes, you do.”

“Hahaha! You admit it so frankly. There are many with outstanding martial talent, but it’s rare to find someone with such a well-honed mind. If we didn’t have such a bad history, I would have tried my best to recruit you.”

“It was the Vice-Chief who created that bad history.”

At Gang Ryang’s calm words, Yang Cheon burst into laughter.

“Hahahaha! You’re as audacious as ever, aren’t you?”

“……”

Gang Ryang, like Pae Yul, silently looked at Yang Cheon.

Yang Cheon chuckled and waved his hand.

“Alright. You can all go back now.”

He had only exchanged a few words with Pae Yul and Gang Ryang.

He had called them in just to see their faces, and now that he had seen them, he was telling them to leave. It was enough to hurt their pride.

However, none of the five who turned around had hurt pride on their faces.

Rather, they looked very surprised. Jin Yang and So Jeong-Gwang were almost out of their minds, Muk Bi’s eyes were shaking as if an earthquake had struck, Pae Yul’s face was scrunched up, and Gang Ryang’s complexion was a little pale.

Thud!

The doors of the main hall opened, and the five left.

And once the doors closed again, Yeon Ho-Jeong finally spoke.

“Are you interested in them?”

The relaxed expression on Yang Cheon’s face had turned frighteningly stern.

“What are they?”

“Surely, you’re not asking me?”

“Who else is here besides you?”

“Are you asking such a question now?”

“That female warrior from before, you said she was Muk Bi, the Vice-Commander of the Righteous Army?”

“Yes.”

“She’s more than just a rumor. Despite her young age, she shows the demeanor of a veteran who has fought a hundred battles. Her gaze, spirit, breathing… everything is top-notch.”

“She is one of my most trusted comrades.”

“It’s understandable that the girl named Muk Bi has been with you from the start, but what’s truly amazing are the other two.”

“……”

“How did you recruit them?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I simply appealed to them with all my heart. What other way is there?”

“Was that really all?”

“Of course.”

Yang Cheon, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong, sighed.

“One of them is already somewhat complete, and the other has a talent that is worthy of being called a genius. Ha! There are many talented people in the world, but it’s not easy to meet such gifted individuals…”

“……”

“And not just one, but two? You really do provoke my jealousy every time I see you.”

Leaving Pae Yul aside, among the remaining four, there wasn’t a single one that his disciple, Bu Seon, could confidently claim victory over, except for So Jeong-Gwang.

Gang Ryang had gone far enough, not like someone who had just broken through the wall of martial arts. The only one who could put up a decent fight was Gang Ryang.

What about Muk Bi?

Fighting is inherently variable, but Bu Seon would never be able to defeat her. Their levels were different from the start.

And the same was true for Jin Yang. While he might not be as good as Muk Bi, the difference was not that great. At least those two were several steps ahead of Bu Seon.

In other words, Yeon Ho-Jeong already had at least two people with the martial prowess of a major sect leader by his side, and two or three other experts who were close to that level.

With this much, there was no need to mobilize a separate unit. They alone were enough to handle most battles. There was no group that fit the term ‘small elite’ better than this one.

It was understandable that Yang Cheon was amazed. Considering the martial prowess of his disciple, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of deprivation.

“You didn’t just call them in to see my people, did you?”

“That’s right. That’s what I did, but I have nothing more to say.”

“Then I’ll speak first. I was going to visit you anyway.”

“……What is it now, man?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“I want to see the reaction of the Bi-Wang [a powerful figure].”