Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 758

The imperial palace was vast.

As the heart of the empire, it was naturally so. Especially after the signing of the Non-Interference Treaty, the empire expanded the already large palace to further consolidate central power.

In terms of sheer size, it was comparable to two large cities combined. That was the current state of the imperial palace.

As such, there were many people, and naturally, many places to hide.

The excessively large area of the imperial palace was, in fact, detrimental to the empire. Of course, this was not the time to consider such matters.

Although Gi Woo-heon, the second-in-command of the Shin-hwa Cult [Divine Transformation Cult] and a long-time eunuch who held a key position of power in the imperial palace, was dead, along with the masters who guarded him, it was only the beginning.

Rather, having killed a key figure of the Shin-hwa Cult, the situation was bound to become even more urgent.

In this volatile situation where anything could happen at any moment.

The Emperor and Yeon-wi were in conversation.

“Our Empress enjoys Longjing tea [Dragon Well tea]. It has been a long time since I last tasted it, but drinking it again brings back memories.”

The Emperor was still seated on the dragon throne. His face, shrouded in shadows, remained as dark and indistinct as ever.

The Empress sat on a cushion on the wide floor just below the dragon throne, leading to the stairs.

And a long distance away from the dragon throne, on a small table, Yeon-wi’s tea quietly steamed.

Surprisingly, Yeon-wi was sitting comfortably. It was because the Emperor had allowed it.

“Have you ever tasted Longjing tea?”

“I recall having it once before.”

“It seems it didn’t suit your taste.”

“If Longjing tea doesn’t suit one’s taste, what tea would? It was simply too extravagant for me to enjoy.”

“Extravagant… If you are the head of a prominent martial arts family in the Jianghu [Martial World], you would be able to wield a thousand gold pieces, so why do you call it extravagant?”

“I have earned enough money to live on for the rest of my life. Anything more is a luxury for me.”

The Emperor smiled. Though it was not visible, it somehow felt that way.

“I think I understand. I dare say, you have never coveted gold or been captivated by treasures in your life.”

“That is a gracious remark. In my younger days, when my blood was boiling, I sometimes spent money recklessly.”

“Then it is even more remarkable. If you were naturally without desire, it would be a given, but if not, then you have controlled your desires and lived as a gentleman.”

“You are too kind.”

He was maintaining the minimum level of courtesy, but his attitude was too frank and straightforward for a conversation with the Emperor.

However, Yeon-wi did not care, and neither did the Emperor. From the start, this was that kind of setting. Without needing to be told, the two were already quite accustomed to this atmosphere.

“If you wish, I will send you high-quality Longjing tea every year. What do you think, are you interested?”

“Such extravagance would surely be poison to an unworthy person like myself. Your Majesty’s boundless generosity is enough.”

“Are you not pleased with my gift?”

“It would be insufficient even for both of Your Majesties to enjoy. I am content with the ordinary tea leaves that grow on the back mountain of my family estate.”

“You are truly bold and simple.”

Yeon-wi slightly lowered his head.

The Emperor spoke again.

“I am not well-versed in martial arts, so I do not know the details, but I can certainly tell that your martial prowess is extraordinary. Therefore, I shall ask you.”

“…”

“Is there any external enemy in this imperial palace who can match you?”

“As of now, I cannot be certain. However, the external enemies have been lurking in the imperial palace for decades, wasting national power and corrupting talented individuals. It is believed that this would not be possible without financial power, authority, and martial strength.”

“Hmm.”

“For them, the imperial palace of the Central Plains is a place they cannot afford to lose. Although I cannot be certain, there will surely be masters who are not inferior to me.”

“Cannot be certain…”

“That is correct. And in the worst-case scenario… there may even be a monster that I would struggle to handle.”

“Are you saying there could be a master of the Saintly Heaven level?”

Yeon-wi was surprised and raised his head.

“Are you aware of the rumors in the Jianghu?”

“Rumors tend to spread. The rumors that travel with the wind also reach the imperial palace. Moreover, from the empire’s perspective, the Murim [Martial World] is a group that can draw their swords against the imperial palace at any time. It is only natural to pay attention.”

Draw their swords against the imperial palace at any time.

Upon hearing those words, Yeon-wi wanted to deny it, but he soon had to concede.

The Murim was not just for the White Path righteous sects. There was also the Black Path, and many martial artists who did not belong to either.

From the start, the boundary between the White and Black Paths was ambiguous. If the power of the White Path, which worked to maintain order on behalf of the empire, were to weaken, it was possible that the Murim could seize the imperial palace.

Because human desire is endless.

“And I have one person under my command.”

“Yes?”

“A master of the Saintly Heaven level.”

“…?!”

Surprise once again appeared on Yeon-wi’s face.

“Are you saying that someone belonging to the Saintly Heaven level was active under the command of His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Why? Is that not allowed?”

“No, it is just that I am surprised.”

The Emperor chuckled.

“You are no fun to tease.”

Confusion arose on the Empress’s face.

No fun to tease? The Emperor was not the kind of person to say such things in the first place. From the time she was appointed as Empress until now, she had never seen the Emperor, her husband and the ruler of the nation, joke with anyone.

‘When did it start?’

Now she was certain. Her husband had been living behind a mask all this time.

She did not know why he had lived that way. However, what was important was that the power structure of the current imperial palace had been shaken to its roots.

The Empress swallowed hard.

She was extremely uncomfortable in this place. Even a bed of thorns would be more comfortable than this.

“I do not need to distinguish between political affairs. However, it seems that such factions are important to you.”

“…?”

“The Mad Ghostly Monarch. That is what the Jianghu calls him.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes wavered.

‘The Three Monarchs!’

If it was the Mad Ghostly Monarch Gok Gyeong, he was an absolute master among the Three Monarchs, belonging to the Black Path heretical sects.

Although he was said to be a step below the Divine Immortal Monarch, his martial prowess was enough to discuss the world. Like the other strongmen of the Saintly Heaven level, Gok Gyeong was also a master who would have been famous as the best in the world if he had been born in another era.

“And I received a message from him. About half a day ago.”

Half a day ago would have been the time when they were first meeting the Empress.

“It seems there have been many things happening. He is currently near Mount Wudang in Hubei.”

“Mount Wudang…”

Yeon-wi’s fist clenched.

“Perhaps, Gongson, known as the Tyrant King…”

“You are wrong.”

“…?”

“Tyrant King Gongson Baek-ryong. That is what the Murim calls him. But that fellow is not someone who has his sights on the Jianghu Murim.”

“Then?”

“The Three Cults.”

“…!!”

“Among them, he belonged to a religion that uses the strange name of the Blood Frenzy.”

Yeon-wi was startled.

It was surprising that Gongson Baek-ryong was affiliated with the Blood Frenzy Cult, but what was even more surprising was the Emperor’s intelligence.

He had sensed it before, but the Emperor knew a lot about the Three Great Heretical Cults. Despite knowing all of that, he had been pretending not to know and had been lying low.

“Gongson Baek-ryong has visited the imperial palace several times. Of course, I have never seen him myself. Although their factions are different, they are still grouped under the Three Cults, so I assume he would have shared various stories about the imperial palace and the Murim through Eunuch Woo-heon.”

It was a limit.

With just a brief conversation, Yeon-wi could see the current limits of the Emperor.

‘His information is biased towards one area.’

The Emperor knew the Murim very well. It was only natural, considering he had the Mad Ghostly Monarch under his command.

However, he did not know how many members of the Shin-hwa Cult had infiltrated the imperial palace.

Currently, the imperial palace would not only have members of the Shin-hwa Cult. There would also be a small number of members from the Yin Sound Cult and the Blood Frenzy Cult.

The Emperor did not know that. He could not have known. Because the deceased Gi Woo-heon had thoroughly controlled that part.

“He is truly an unforgivable fellow. A man who was once a military officer of the imperial palace went out into the Murim and then joined the external enemies.”

“…Yes?”

“Gongson Baek-ryong, he was originally a military officer of the imperial palace. He belonged to the Imperial Guard of the Great General’s Office. He was so talented that he was said to have disassembled and combined various martial arts from the imperial palace’s martial arts library to create several unique techniques.”

This was another surprising piece of information.

“Of course, I do not know if he changed his mind in the middle, or if he was a member of the Three Cults before becoming a military officer. What is important is that I cannot forgive that fellow.”

Swoosh.

The Emperor, who had been leaning back on the dragon throne, adjusted his posture.

His posture, leaning forward, looked much more proactive than before.

“Gok Gyeong has gone to capture Gongson Baek-ryong. I do not know if he will be a match, but the Gok Gyeong I know is not someone who would foolishly charge into a battle without a chance of winning. He will surely bring good results.”

“…Yes.”

“The problem is you.”

“Yes?”

“The imperial palace and the Murim are separated by the Non-Interference Treaty, a truly absurd and clumsy treaty.”

“…”

“However, the Murim Alliance sent you to the imperial palace. I assume it was to help the Empress here, not me, to drive out the eunuch.”

The Empress’s face turned pale.

Yeon-wi lowered his head.

“Your Majesty’s assumption is correct.”

It was an extremely honest answer.

However, as if pleased by Yeon-wi’s honesty, a smile appeared on the Emperor’s lips, which were now visible outside the shadows.

“But you broke through that many soldiers and entered the imperial court. Recalling our earlier conversation, I can see that it was not for the Empress, but to see me.”

“That is correct.”

“I will ask you directly. Can the Murim Alliance help me restore the dignity of the distorted imperial palace?”

Yeon-wi lowered his head.

“Those who live on this land should naturally do so.”

“Even with the Non-Interference Treaty in place?”

“As I said, I am foolish and have not deeply contemplated that matter.”

“Yes, you said that this moment is important.”

“That is correct.”

“Can I consider you to represent the will of the Murim Alliance?”

“All those who live on this land must help the Son of Heaven and benefit the world. The Murim Alliance is no exception. If they were to insult the empire for any wicked purpose, my sword will be directed at them.”

His calm voice was accompanied by a will as hard as steel.

The Emperor, who had been staring at Yeon-wi, sighed quietly.

“If I had had a loyal subject like you in the old days, many things would have been easier.”

“You are too kind. I am merely a martial artist.”

“I know. That is why it is even more regrettable.”

The Emperor leaned back on the grand chair again.

“You will need more troops, won’t you?”

“I will.”

“Now that the eunuch is dead, they must be on high alert. If you want to contact the outside, now is the right time.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes lit up.

“Before entering the palace, while fighting the heretical fellows, I secretly contacted the Peng family through the North Heavenly Gate.”

“Oh ho.”

“If I send a signal from here, they will prepare immediately.”

“Will that be enough?”

“It will not be enough.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor nodded.

“I will have to contact Gok Gyeong again.”

At that moment.

Six horses and about fifty masters passed through Henan.