Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 811

Yeon Ho-jeong’s movements were incredibly swift.

Originally, he had planned to take his time, addressing things one by one over several days. However, thanks to Jo Pil-do’s fateful blunder, he suddenly found himself with a lot more to do.

All the leaders gathered in the main hall, except for Byuk Woon-ho, were dead.

There was not a moment of hesitation in eliminating them. Both Yang Cheon and Yeon Ho-jeong were of the same mind.

To create a new world, it was important not only to reorganize the central organization but also to cleanse those who were aligned with it.

Yeon Ho-jeong believed that it was more urgent to deal with the black faction sects than the Mukryong Unit itself. This was because various sects would be highly sensitive to the changes within the Mukryong Unit.

As individuals specialized in survival, given time, they would hide what should not be hidden and reveal non-existent merits. Yeon Ho-jeong, having witnessed all sorts of scoundrels during the Black Underworld Emperor’s era, accurately understood their instincts.

The reason for sending letters to the sects of the deceased leaders was also the same. Originally, he had planned to gather them all in one place and resolve everything at once, but the situation had ultimately turned out this way.

“It’s refreshing, but aren’t you moving too hastily?”

To Yang Cheon’s question, Yeon Ho-jeong replied,

“The Green Forest [a term for bandits or outlaws] gave us an opportunity to establish order as soon as possible, so we should seize the opportunity and get rid of them. I actually think it’s a good thing.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“And this isn’t hasty. It’s just fast. With a clear map of the future laid out, there’s nothing to hold us back.”

Even in such a situation, Yeon Ho-jeong did not neglect his martial arts training. As Yang Cheon had said, thanks to the enlightenment of the Supreme and his intense practical experience, he had learned quickly. However, it was clear that the Black Serpent Self-Destruction Technique and the Whirlwind Lion Fist were top-tier martial arts, so it would take time to master them.

Thus, before the traces of the new wind in the Mukryong Unit could fade, another storm arose.

* * *

“This is the final report.”

Baek Seo said, unfolding a letter.

“We’ve detected covert movements near Gangseo and Zhejiang. It appears to be a fairly large group of experts, but they are not affiliated with the Three Teachings.”

“Our intelligence also indicates that all the noticeable members of the Three Teachings have disappeared, and the Beggars’ Sect has confirmed the same. It’s unlikely they are from the Three Teachings.”

“Yes.”

“What is their strength?”

“Not all of their forces have been revealed yet, but based on the information we’ve gathered so far, we estimate their power to be comparable to the Iron Brigade.”

“That’s significant.”

“We are currently investigating which organization they are associated with. However, it’s highly unlikely they are from our side.”

The Mukryong Unit was responsible for collecting most of the information about the black faction sects. Even if they had missed something, the black faction’s intelligence unit was not so inept as to be unaware of a military force comparable to the Iron Brigade.

“It could be a force from the white faction martial world, or perhaps…”

“It could be a force from beyond the borders. They are wearing Central Plains clothing, but they could easily change their attire depending on the situation.”

“That’s a valid point. Now that I think about it, it makes sense. Even though they’re keeping a low profile because of the Three Teachings, the sects from beyond the borders are also quite powerful. They might have seen the chaos in the Central Plains as an opportunity to strike.”

“That possibility is more likely. Moreover, they are reportedly engaging in some kind of trade with the Wae people [a historical term for the Japanese] through the Zhejiang coast. This is not something the white faction martial world, which values honor, would touch.”

Yang Cheon nodded.

“Make sure to investigate thoroughly. We’re not short on public funds, are we?”

“Of course not. We’ve invested the thousand gold we obtained earlier into the intelligence unit. They will show a sharper intelligence capability than last year.”

“Good.”

Yang Cheon sighed and leaned back into his grand chair.

“This world is never peaceful.”

“……”

“You’ve worked hard today. Go and rest. You’ve been too busy lately.”

“…Sub-leader.”

“Hmm?”

Yang Cheon looked down at Baek Seo.

His head was bowed, so his face was not visible. However, Yang Cheon knew from his past experiences that Baek Seo was hesitating about something.

Yang Cheon smiled and said,

“We may not be master and disciple, but I am the one who taught you martial arts. Although we are in a lord-subject relationship, is there anything you can’t say to me? Don’t worry about it and speak your mind.”

“I am just sorry.”

Baek Seo, lifting his head, looked at Yang Cheon and said,

“I just… I’m worried that the current situation is too sudden.”

Even though he was told to speak comfortably, he rarely expressed personal concerns so openly. This meant that Baek Seo was very anxious.

“In what way?”

“I’m talking about what the sub-leader is doing.”

Yang Cheon chuckled.

“So, that’s what it was?”

“I apologize.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. To be honest, I also flinch from time to time.”

Baek Seo’s eyes wavered.

“The sub-leader, no, the Overlord is definitely an amazing talent.”

Before, he would have called him by his full name. Even Baek Seo, who was known throughout the world, found it difficult to casually call Yeon Ho-jeong, who had made it to the Heavenly Ranking, by his name.

“In terms of martial arts and strategy, he is truly a gifted person. He is not only talented but also constantly striving, which is even more amazing.”

“Of course, he is.”

“However, in my humble opinion, this matter has gone too far.”

“Is that so?”

“The deceased black faction leaders have been a great help in the growth of the Mukryong Unit. Eliminating them so quickly will cause a great stir in the black faction martial world. No, the repercussions are already spreading.”

Yang Cheon knew that Baek Seo was not lamenting their deaths.

“Repercussions, you say.”

“Yes. Their deaths are a natural course of events, but what’s important is how the various sects perceive it.”

Yang Cheon, like Baek Seo, knew that the world could not be conquered by force alone.

Of course, the greatest virtue of the black faction was power. However, if asked whether it was an absolute value, it could not be said to be so.

The black faction also had its own politics. In some ways, it was more brutal than the politics of the white faction.

In the politics of the white faction, yesterday’s enemy could become today’s friend and tomorrow’s nightmare.

However, in the black faction, betrayal could happen not just in a day, but in an instant. Someone who was just laughing and drinking with you could draw a sword and attack you as soon as they returned from the restroom.

In such a rapidly changing and treacherous world, the establishment of the Mukryong Unit was a near miracle.

Furthermore, Yang Cheon had used his own reputation and immense power to subjugate numerous sects and bring them under his command.

Therefore, those who followed Yang Cheon did not see him as a mere ruler.

To those who had a desire to change the black faction and the world, Yang Cheon was almost like a god. No one had ever shown such a figure before.

However, the world does not always go as one wishes.

It was only because Yang Cheon’s authority and influence were so overwhelming that no one had betrayed him. If his influence had been slightly less, many sects would have already left the Mukryong Unit.

It was not because they were foolish, but because that was how they had lived. And the black faction members did not think their actions were strange at all.

“Sub-leader, you are a gift from the heavens. The countless achievements you have made so far deserve praise. However, the recent actions of the Overlord, even if they are done with your permission, seem excessive.”

Wrinkles formed around Yang Cheon’s eyes.

“Why? Do you think the sub-leader’s radical actions might harm the authority of this position?”

“…Yes.”

For Baek Seo to say that, it must have been a very difficult thing for him.

But that was not the end of it. Baek Seo was determined to say everything he had to say today, even the things he dared not speak of.

“Furthermore…”

“That the sub-leader’s actions might diminish my influence and authority, and that it might even appear as if I am being controlled by him.”

Baek Seo squeezed his eyes shut.

“That is correct.”

“Haha.”

“Please kill me.”

“Goodness, man. Why would I kill you?”

Yang Cheon shook his head.

“I have many subordinates under me. But there are only a few who truly understand my heart. And you are one of them.”

“It is an honor.”

“It is unlikely, but even if you were to stab me in the back, I would never kill you. For whatever reason, I would forgive you at least once.”

Baek Seo’s face was filled with emotion.

In the black faction, one act of forgiveness meant the highest level of trust. It was common for one’s life to be taken for a single mistake.

In other words, Yang Cheon’s words meant that he would not hesitate to entrust his life to Baek Seo.

“And in a different sense from you, I trust that fellow Yeon Ho-jeong.”

“…!!”

“The trust I show you is trust in its truest form. It is trust in a person. But the trust I show Yeon Ho-jeong is different.”

Yang Cheon closed his eyes.

The expression on his face as he smiled, as if thinking of Yeon Ho-jeong, was quite impressive.

“I know his desires and his future. And I know that his desires, his goals, his dreams will never change.”

“……”

“He is a man who cares for his family more than anyone else. But because of this sub-leader incident, even his family has become the subject of gossip. I can’t even imagine how much he must have agonized before making that decision.”

Baek Seo’s eyes wavered.

“Of course, he must have had something to rely on. But that act itself must have been a devastating experience for him.”

Yang Cheon opened his eyes.

His deeply sunken eyes looked very wise, unlike his title of the Fighting King.

“Now, he has no way back.”

“That’s why I’m even more worried.”

“Just because he has no way back and is running forward, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s being hasty.”

“…Yes?”

“We have had many conversations about the new world. And now, I want to show you those conversations, the future, as well.”

What did this mean?

Leaving the puzzled Baek Seo behind, Yang Cheon shouted towards the door of the main hall.

“Let him in.”

Kugugugung!

The door opened, and Yeon Ho-jeong appeared.

“If you’ve arrived, you should have said so. Why were you so quiet?”

“It seemed like you were having an important conversation, so I waited.”

“Did you have such consideration, you?”

“Even if my relationship with my master is not like others, I should at least keep the minimum.”

Yang Cheon chuckled.

“Yes, even if it’s just on the surface, I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“Haha, I’m just joking.”

Yeon Ho-jeong knelt beside Baek Seo.

Baek Seo looked at Yeon Ho-jeong. However, Yeon Ho-jeong did not look at Baek Seo.

Yeon Ho-jeong took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his chest.

“This is the newly created organizational chart.”

“You’ve already made it?”

“Since the external cleanup is underway, we need to start the internal cleanup on schedule.”

“Take it easy. Even if you reach the Supreme realm, you’re still human.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Whoosh.

Yang Cheon, using telekinesis, took the paper and read the contents with interest.

“It’s not exactly groundbreaking.”

“That’s right.”

“But it’s definitely more practical than before. If we go this way, there will be quite a commotion.”

“That can’t be helped.”

Yang Cheon, folding the paper, turned his gaze to Yeon Ho-jeong.

“Shall we leave the cave soon?”

“Haven’t you been trying to leave since before?”

“That’s right. The construction has already begun. The new black faction alliance will be above ground, not underground, and will be able to look up at the sky with dignity.”

“Yes.”

Why was it?

At that moment, Yang Cheon, without realizing it, asked Yeon Ho-jeong this question.

“What would be a good name for the new base, for this castle?”