Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 835

The ‘light’ that Yeon Wi spoke of had only one meaning: Limitless (無極). A realm of the Martial God (武神) that cannot be described in words, simply called Limitless, a state that even those who have reached it cannot define.

“Before leaving for the Imperial Palace, when I gained my own enlightenment, I saw it in your eyes. I saw how high a place Great Master had reached.”

“……”

“Great Master, you must have reached the very threshold that all martial artists dream of, even in their sleep. I can still see it in your eyes.”

“……Lord Yeon.”

“But why did you give up going to the world of light?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho looked at the two men with surprised eyes.

Come to think of it, Moyong Gun had also said something similar to Great Master Gong Gong. Why hadn’t he reached the light?

If it were just Moyong Gun’s words, it might be nothing, but if Yeon Wi also saw it, then it could be said that Great Master Gong Gong’s enlightenment had truly reached its peak.

“If Great Master had reached that place, Shaolin would have become a sect with two names on the Holy Heavens [a metaphorical place of ultimate achievement for martial artists], the absolute power of the current martial world. Shaolin’s reputation would have risen far more than it is now, and its influence would have become incomparably greater than before.”

Even now, Shaolin was called the great mountain of the White Path martial world. Of course, Wudang was also called the great mountain, but when viewed objectively, it was sometimes considered to be slightly below Shaolin.

If even Great Master Gong Gong had made a name for himself on the Holy Heavens, the superiority would have been clearly defined.

Shaolin’s reputation would have been called the best of all time, not just the best of the era, and would have made a mark in history.

“I am also curious about the reason, Great Master.”

Meeting the eyes of the two men, filled with curiosity and admiration, Great Master Gong Gong sighed.

“What meaning would there be if an unqualified person reached the light? This humble monk is not foolish enough to bring back the agony that I have worked so hard to shake off.”

“Great Master.”

“Let’s end this conversation here.”

Great Master Gong Gong rose from his seat.

“This humble monk also intends to somehow smooth things over regarding Lord Moyong. Military Advisor, you should think about the Alliance Leader matter, as well as the Gangseo Alliance.”

“Of course, I will.”

Great Master Gong Gong raised his palm.

“This humble monk will now take his leave.”

With that, Great Master Gong Gong left the office.

Jeagal Mun-Ho asked Yeon Wi.

“Did you see it?”

“Yes, I did.”

Yeon Wi sighed.

“I’ve seen it before, but I didn’t bother to ask. There must have been a reason. There’s no point in touching on personal matters.”

“Hmm.”

“However, based on Great Master’s words, I suspect it was because he was wary of arrogance as a Buddhist.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled bitterly.

“For martial artists, the development of martial power is something that even those with good nature cannot give up, but Great Master was someone who could even give that up.”

For any martial artist who has trained in martial arts, the realm of Limitless is the greatest temptation and ideal.

If they saw that possibility, anyone would have forgotten to eat and sleep and worked tirelessly to move forward. Even Mu Heo, the strongest master of Shaolin, had not reached it.

Great Master Gong Gong protected himself even in the face of that destructive temptation. The reason was known only to himself, but since the realm of Limitless was something that any martial artist would want to obtain at any cost, Great Master Gong Gong’s patience was truly enormous.

“I agree.”

“Yes?”

“I also agree. I mean about Great Master taking the Alliance Leader position.”

“……”

“Frankly speaking, aside from martial power, if we only consider character and influence, it would be difficult to find someone as good as Great Master.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled bitterly.

“I am against it.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“I don’t want Great Master to take the Alliance Leader position.”

Yeon Wi’s eyes widened.

“Just a moment ago, Military Advisor, you were……”

“Yes, I asked Great Master to take on the role of the first Alliance Leader.”

“But why are you saying you’re against it?”

“I knew Great Master would come out like that.”

“……?!”

Surprise appeared on Yeon Wi’s face.

“Does Military Advisor think that Great Master is not suitable for the Alliance Leader position?”

“That’s not it. As a good Alliance Leader, a good leader, it would be difficult to find someone as good as Great Master or Ascetic Master Seung-Hyeon.”

“Then why……?”

“Because it is wartime.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed.

“Great Master would certainly be a good Alliance Leader, but he cannot be said to be a suitable Alliance Leader for this era. If a time of peace were to come after the war with the Three Teachings is resolved, and then he became the Alliance Leader, I would have served him with all my heart.”

“Wartime……”

“What this world needs now is not a kind and good-natured Alliance Leader, but an Alliance Leader with decisiveness, wisdom, and a sharp dignity.”

“……”

“At least, that’s how I see it.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho leaned back in his chair.

A bitterness lingered on his tired face.

“If only Lord Moyong had shown the same attitude from the beginning of the alliance as he does today… I might have seriously considered recommending him as the Alliance Leader.”

Moyong Gun’s desire was so overwhelming that it felt bizarrely blind.

But if you stripped away just that part, there was really no one else as suitable as Moyong Gun for the Alliance Leader position. He was smart, quick-witted, and his martial arts were also great. Furthermore, he had hatred for the Three Teachings and the boldness to take care of his own people.

He also had a background that would satisfy those who liked to consider lineage, so he was truly perfect for the Alliance Leader position in wartime.

“Great Master must be feeling a great burden from my words just now. Regardless of his true feelings, he will absolutely not want to become the Alliance Leader.”

“……That seems likely.”

“What I want from Great Master is the role of a strong supporter behind the newly appointed Alliance Leader. If the leader who governs the great mountain of the White Path, and moreover, someone with such great influence and character, becomes the political background of the Alliance Leader, who would dare to touch the Alliance Leader?”

“Are you saying……”

Yeon Wi’s eyes sparkled.

“Military Advisor, do you think that a new era’s hero, not an old era’s figure, should become the Alliance Leader?”

At that moment, Jeagal Mun-Ho was startled.

“Why do you think that?”

“The current elders and officials of the Martial Alliance all have immense influence. Of course, it would be better if Great Master were to support them, but they are also people who don’t necessarily need such help.”

“……Hmm.”

“If it’s an outstanding hero recognized by the head of the greatest Shaolin Temple… that wouldn’t be bad either.”

Amazing.

Jeagal Mun-Ho was genuinely impressed by Yeon Wi’s sharpness.

He had always had an eye for seeing the essence of things, but Yeon Wi was not the type to use his head. He was just a master of swordsmanship with good insight.

But both his analysis of Moyong Gun and now, Yeon Wi’s insight seemed much more meticulous and sharp than before.

“Actually, if we only consider ability and decisiveness, I think Lord Yeon would be a good choice too.”

“Hmm?”

“For the first Alliance Leader position, I mean.”

Yeon Wi firmly shook his head.

“Absolutely not.”

“Haha, I knew you would say that.”

Regardless of his abilities, it was something that should not be done.

The Yeon family was still being checked by some of the officials. Even his eldest son had turned to the Black Path.

A father as the Martial Alliance Leader of the White Path, and a son as the successor of the Black Path.

This was a picture that no one could accept. The Black Path might like it, but the White Path martial world would be in an uproar.

“A decisive hero suitable for wartime… someone wise and dignified…”

Yeon Wi smiled bitterly.

“I can’t think of anyone right now.”

“Me neither.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed.

“Really, nothing in this world is easy.”

* * *

The group, having arrived in the upper part of Hubei by boat, took a break at another inn. The boat was so fast and stable that their stamina was still fresh, but they still needed to rest once.

“Resting comfortably at an inn is the last time. From tomorrow, we will go at full speed, crossing Henan and heading to the Martial Alliance. We will take the shortest route, so you should be prepared to sleep outdoors.”

At Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words, the group solidified their determination to rest to the fullest today.

As each of them entered their rooms, Mak Won approached Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“You have a lot of money.”

“Yes?”

“This inn isn’t part of the Mukryong Clan, is it?”

“That’s right.”

“To rent such a large inn entirely, you must be someone of importance.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head.

“It’s not my money.”

“Haha.”

The reason why Yeon Ho-Jeong rented the entire inn was because of his identity.

Even if the Black and White Twin Dragon Clan and the Gyoryong Chain were fine, he had been traveling with the Gwangryong Axe, which was as big as a person’s body, on his shoulder. The rumor that the young leader of the Mukryong Clan had arrived in Hubei was already spreading like wildfire.

The White Path righteous sects were very displeased with Yeon Ho-Jeong, but they could not treat him carelessly. This was because the Mukryong Clan had formed an alliance.

The Overlord’s martial power was so notoriously terrifying that they couldn’t even try to pick a fight, and as the young leader of the Mukryong Clan, his background was also incredibly strong.

“It would be uncomfortable for me and the group, and it would be uncomfortable for others if we were all in one place. It can’t be helped.”

“You could just sleep outdoors, right?”

“I don’t want to endure that much discomfort. It’s also fun to spend other people’s money lavishly.”

Mak Won chuckled and pointed his chin at the Gwangryong Axe.

“I’ve been watching it all the way here, and that axe is truly monstrous.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with an awkward face.

“It’s a bit hideous, isn’t it?”

“Hideous? Where else can you find such a beautiful work of art?”

As befitting his nickname, the God of a Hundred Weapons, Mak Won was a man who loved all kinds of weapons. In his eyes, the Gwangryong Axe, with its large but well-balanced axe blade and the extreme quality and elasticity of its steel, could only be seen as beautiful.

“How about it? My younger brother also seems energetic, shall we have a sparring match?”

It was such a tempting offer.

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“I’d like that. I also wanted to fight with all my strength.”

“You should consider your old brother’s joints.”

“Where is age or joints in a match? Please say such things after you’ve become weak.”

“Hahaha!”

Mak Won burst into laughter and pointed outside.

“There’s an open space over there. Let’s have a match there.”

“Alright.”

Unfortunately, the competitive spirit of the two men, which was slowly igniting, could not be fulfilled.

“I’m from the Beggars’ Sect.”

The person knocking on the door of the inn was an elderly beggar from the Beggars’ Sect.

“Are you Young Leader Yeon Ho-Jeong?”

“That’s right.”

The beggar bowed politely.

“I am the branch leader of Xingshan in Hubei. I have come to deliver a letter from Sichuan.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“Sichuan, you say?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“If it’s Sichuan, could it be……”

“Please receive it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong received the letter and quickly read its contents.

Mak Won subtly glanced at the letter and asked.

“Who is it from?”

“It seems we have to leave tonight.”

A strange smile appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“I can already see those guys complaining that I’m late.”