Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 747

The imperial audience hall was utterly silent.

The Emperor, sitting carelessly on the dragon throne, had his gaze fixed somewhere unknown. Beyond the dragon throne, obscured by strange shadows, all that could be seen was the figure of its master, propping his chin on his hand.

The Empress was looking at Mu Heon, who remained motionless, his head bowed.

It was quiet, so very quiet. A commotion was raging far from the audience hall, but no sound reached this place.

How much time had passed?

‘…….’

Mu Heon’s eyes deepened.

‘What is this?’

When Palace General Mun Seok and his group crossed the third palace gate, the Imperial Guards and the Divine Flame Cult members of the Eastern Depot were supposed to move.

And they should have moved precisely. Calculating the time when the report of Mun Seok and his party’s movement came in, there was no way they could have missed the timing on their end.

The problem was the movement of ‘someone’.

‘Has the Red Dragon Sword already moved?’

The Red Dragon Sword was one of the few orthodox swordsmen in the Divine Flame Cult.

The Divine Flame Cult’s Scorching Yang Art was so distinct that even at the same level, it required more internal energy. [Internal energy refers to the vital energy cultivated through martial arts practice.]

Based on that powerful internal energy, they were skilled in Qi cultivation, so most of them used palm strikes. Using fire energy was more powerful and dangerous than using weapons.

The Red Dragon Sword had mastered the martial arts of the Divine Flame Cult, but uniquely, he was a master of the sword who had combined continental swordsmanship and foreign weapon techniques to complete his own unique martial path.

If a martial art other than Qi cultivation was completed, it would also be incorporated into the Divine Flame Cult’s martial arts, so the higher-ups also provided considerable support to the Red Dragons.

Although he had no official position, his treatment was equivalent to that of a military officer. His talent for analyzing and creating martial arts was so outstanding that even the leadership rarely interfered with him.

The Red Dragon Sword was the strongest master among the Red Dragons, along with the Red Dragon Bow and the Red Dragon Saber.

And that Red Dragon Sword had already stepped forward.

‘Does this mean he has met an opponent worthy of his interest?’

Like the other Red Dragons, the Red Dragon Sword was a man who had no interest in anything other than perfecting his own martial arts.

The reason he brought the Red Dragon Sword and the Red Dragon Bow to the imperial palace was because the Imperial Palace Armory had an enormous collection of martial arts manuals. Most of them were incomparable to the Divine Flame Cult’s teachings, but some were unique and mysterious.

‘Then, as expected.’

Mu Heon’s eyes gleamed.

‘It’s Yeon-wi.’

It was a pity.

Mu Heon had half-sealed his martial arts. He couldn’t show off his martial arts in front of the Emperor.

Even so, he had the sensitivity of a master of the highest level, but his senses were definitely dulled. It was difficult to read the energy waves unless they were those who had practiced the Divine Flame Cult’s martial arts.

‘He’s much faster than I thought. That means Yeon-wi’s martial arts are that strong. But he won’t be able to break through that barrier….’

It was then.

“Eunuch.”

Mu Heon bowed his head even lower.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do I need to stay here any longer?”

It was a statement that left the listener dumbfounded.

A rebellion had broken out. The rebels were currently rushing towards the audience hall. Although he had ordered the Imperial Guards to be dispatched to capture them, it was absurd to leave his post at this critical moment.

The Empress’s face was filled with undisguised disgust. No matter how skilled she was at managing her expressions, she couldn’t help but feel a chill at the Emperor’s incompetence at this moment.

Mu Heon laughed inwardly.

“I am deeply honored. However, if you would just wait a little longer….”

“If you want to keep me in this seat, shouldn’t you at least tell me who the leader of the rebels is?”

A strange light flashed in Mu Heon’s eyes.

‘Unexpected.’

He didn’t expect the Emperor to say such a thing. Now, he was a person who was completely indifferent to his surroundings and only cared about himself.

That had become so extreme that even when he received reports about what was going on around him, he would pretend not to hear them. It wasn’t that he wasn’t interested, but that he had given up on thinking altogether.

Such an Emperor was now showing signs of discomfort. Even if it was a rebellion….

‘Well, he must be anxious. The governor of Henan, who joined hands with the Thirteenth Prince, also had his head chopped off for treason.’

Mu Heon opened his mouth.

“I know where the rebels belong. However, I am not yet certain who the leader is.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I know who the person on the surface is, but I am not sure who else is behind them. Please forgive my foolishness.”

In fact, this was also a great discourtesy.

It was not just any matter, but a rebellion, treason. To tell the Emperor to wait even though he knew who the leader of the group was, was an outrageous thing to do.

The Empress glared at Mu Heon with sharp eyes.

“Eunuch, your arrogance is truly audacious. If His Majesty wishes to know, you should tell him. Moreover, it is a rebellion. No matter how high your power is, to look down on His Majesty is a grave crime worthy of execution, do you not know that?”

Mu Heon bowed again.

“How could I not know that? However, I am a person who lives only for His Majesty. I have been so in the past, and I will be so in the future.”

“Eunuch!”

“I will gladly accept this punishment later. Please, trust me.”

Was it necessary to go this far?

Contrary to her display of anger, the Empress was gripped by anxiety.

‘High. Truly high.’

Her posture was respectful, but she was not one to fail to read Mu Heon’s composure.

‘This rebellion… there’s a high probability that that bastard orchestrated it to target me.’

Of course, that might not be the case.

The Empress wanted to confirm it.

“Your Majesty. I will take my leave now.”

She was saying she would leave her post when a rebellion had broken out. Even if she was the Empress and not the Emperor, this was not a normal reaction.

At that moment, a languid voice flowed from the dragon throne.

“Empress, stay in your seat.”

Surprisingly, it was the Emperor, not Mu Heon, who stopped her.

The Empress looked at the dragon throne.

She could not see the Emperor’s face. The shadows were too deep.

‘Your Majesty.’

The Empress could not hide her expression. An unknown turmoil flickered on her face as she looked at the dragon throne.

“If the ruler of the nation, Your Majesty, and the mother of the nation do not keep their places, how will those unruly rebels think of the solemnity of the imperial palace?”

The Empress turned her head towards Mu Heon.

Mu Heon spoke with a stiff face.

“Please stay in your seats with His Majesty. We have deployed martial artists who look down on even the masters of the Jianghu [The martial arts world] around the audience hall, so there will be no harm to your two noble bodies.”

“……”

“You must show the unruly rebels that the authority of the Emperor is unwavering through your composure.”

Trickle.

A trickle of cold sweat ran down the Empress’s white nape.

‘He’s targeting me too.’

She knew that her older brother, the Palace General, had moved recklessly.

But that alone was not enough to frame them for rebellion. The Emperor’s dignity had fallen to the ground, and the power of the imperial palace was divided between herself and Mu Heon, so even if they had caught a weakness, they could not attack rashly.

However.

‘He’s definitely going to implicate me too.’

Just in case, she had sent messages to the high-ranking officials she was connected to before coming to the audience hall. It was to prepare for a counterattack in case they were targeting her.

But if he really intended to implicate her as well….

‘What kind of preparations has he made to be so confident?’

It was then.

Kugugugung!

A brutal roar echoed.

It sounded as if an entire building had collapsed. The terrifying vibration was so great that it shook even the audience hall.

The Empress’s face turned pale. Mu Heon’s face also stiffened slightly.

“How interesting.”

The voice coming from the dragon throne was strangely relaxed.

“Although the Imperial Guards always carry gunpowder, this roar and tremor don’t seem to be from gunpowder.”

Mu Heon said.

“The rebels have also brought in ruffians from the Jianghu, so if there are masters among them, it is not unusual for such an impact to occur.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“That’s unlike you, Eunuch. If you have allowed the rebels to infiltrate the sacred imperial palace, even to a place not far from the audience hall, it seems that this is not something to be overlooked.”

Even if he was an incompetent Emperor, was he worried about his own safety?

There was an undeniable concern hidden in his languid voice. Mu Heon was able to read it accurately.

“The rebels will never be able to invade the audience hall.”

Mu Heon’s eyes flashed with a strange light for a moment.

“It will be soon.”

* * *

Clang!

Swords clashed, emitting a powerful vibration.

The two swordsmen staggered back. Their strength was almost equal.

“Impressive.”

The Red Dragon Sword, who was pointing his red sword at Yeon-wi, had an undisguised admiration on his face.

“I have spent nearly fifty years with the sword, and I pride myself on having grasped most of the principles of swordsmanship in the world. Although you are the master of the Six Great Clans of the Jianghu, I truly did not know that you would have built such a solid foundation in martial arts.”

He had spent nearly fifty years with the sword. Even if he had picked up a sword before he was ten years old, he would be almost sixty years old.

But his appearance was no different from Yeon-wi’s. That meant his enlightenment was high and his achievement in internal energy was great.

Yeon-wi silently looked at the Red Dragon Sword.

The Red Dragon Sword smiled.

“Since we are engaged in a match, is it a matter of no questions asked? You are truly an opponent I like.”

“……”

“Especially, I like your exquisite swordsmanship. I was confident that there were few in the world who could compare to me in swordsmanship, but you are one of them.”

Whoooom.

A red glow bloomed at the tip of the red sword.

“If we had time, I would have liked to exchange swords for seven days and nights and try to glimpse each other’s enlightenment. It is a pity that I have met a skilled person like you in this situation.”

Yeon-wi was still silent. His sword was naturally lowered, and his deep, deep eyes looking at the Red Dragon Sword did not show even a hint of fighting spirit.

The Red Dragon Sword frowned slightly.

‘A strange sword.’

They had exchanged swords for nearly thirty moves, even partially destroying a small palace.

Yeon-wi’s sword was the most orthodox of the orthodox. It was not biased towards attack, defense, evasion, or counterattack.

It was a dull sword, but its overall level was extremely high, making it a martial art that had been elevated to the realm of art.

However, no matter how excellent his swordsmanship was, it was useless if he did not try to fight.

The more they clashed, the more Yeon-wi’s fighting spirit decreased, and even the sharpness of his sword was fading.

‘He hasn’t lost his strength. But he hasn’t given up either. There’s definitely something.’

The Red Dragon Sword’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Interesting.”

Swoosh.

The Red Dragon Sword took a step forward, and a powerful fire energy surged from his body for a moment.

“Let’s see what kind of sword you have prepared….”

It was then.

‘……!!’

Horror washed over the Red Dragon Sword’s face.

‘He disappeared?!’

In a split second.

Thud!

The Red Dragon Sword’s body was flung far away. He had blocked a sword strike that had risen in an arc from the lower left, but the force had passed through his sword and arm, shocking his entire upper body.

‘This is!’

Whoosh!

The Red Dragon Sword quickly rotated his body and shot fire energy in all directions, reading Yeon-wi’s presence.

‘Behind!’

Thwack!

The Red Dragon Sword quickly stepped and turned his body, immediately raising his sword. Yeon-wi’s killing intent was aimed at the top of his head.

Thud!

The Red Dragon Sword’s eyes shook.

Before he knew it, Yeon-wi’s sword had pierced his midsection.

‘……What is this?’

His sword was straight.

With his left hand behind his back, Yeon-wi, with an upright posture, had no expression on his face as he looked at the Red Dragon Sword.

“The principle of the sword is the principle of martial arts, so there is no need to think of the sword and fist separately. Even if a person’s hand is beautiful, is there anyone who gives a name to their hand?”

“……”

“Your high-level sword principles are worth seeing, but since you have not placed your foundation in your heart, your skills cannot keep up with your martial arts.”

Thud!

The Red Dragon Sword knelt on the spot.

Yeon-wi, who had shaken the blood off his iron sword, turned his body.

“The path to His Majesty’s audience hall, if your level is like this, no one will be able to stop me.”