Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1024

The murmuring that had filled the plaza died down, replaced by an expectant silence.

Between the plaza and the Martial Alliance headquarters, Grand Master Gong Gong, the elders, and the elite martial forces stood in formation, a formidable line of power.

Around the plaza, countless disciples, direct warriors of the Alliance, and workers were densely packed, their numbers stretching to the outer walls.

In the center of the plaza, the faces of those who had been part of the Black Faction were grim. Nearby, warriors who had not been active with the Black Faction but harbored a deep hatred for the dark path stood watchfully.

This arrangement was thanks to Jeagal Mun-Ho’s consideration. While he hadn’t explicitly assigned everyone’s positions, he had subtly guided those with ties to the Black Faction to stand near Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong briefly bowed his head to the Alliance Leader and the elders.

Grand Master Gong Gong’s expression was unreadable. However, most of the elders and officials wore expressions of regret.

They had been unable to actively intervene in the recent events. Following the discovery of a spy among the officials, the Alliance headquarters had severely restricted their movements.

Fortunately, none of them were spies. They fully understood the Alliance headquarters’ precautions.

Moreover, most of them were friendly with Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Some still felt uneasy around Yeon Ho-Jeong, but they acknowledged his tireless efforts against the Three Teachings [a powerful, antagonistic force].

The fact that the righteous and the dark paths had joined forces was something unimaginable before Yeon Ho-Jeong’s tireless efforts. Regardless of personal feelings, everyone recognized the significance of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s presence.

After greeting them, Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his gaze towards the distant mountains.

It was a distance that even most experts couldn’t see clearly. Namgoong Seung and Jongli Baek were there.

‘Master.’

He didn’t need to see it to know how devastated Namgoong Seung’s heart must be.

Once again, Yeon Ho-Jeong slightly bowed his head. Though the distance was vast, he was certain his greeting would be received.

“…….”

He turned his head back and looked at Grand Master Gong Gong.

Having composed himself, Grand Master Gong Gong’s eyes were clear and deep. However, he looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong not as a senior to a junior, but as a comrade who had fought alongside him, feeling a deep sense of regret.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

It was a smile that conveyed his belief that there was nothing to worry about, that they could achieve even greater things in the future.

Next to Grand Master Gong Gong stood the Alliance Leader candidates who had come out with him.

Dang Sang-A’s face was etched with regret. Peng Dae-Ho mirrored her expression.

Jeagal Jun tried hard to maintain a blank expression, but his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.

Oh Gu-Mun scratched his head. He didn’t have a strong connection with Yeon Ho-Jeong, but they weren’t enemies either. This situation was likely uncomfortable for him, as it was his first time in such a setting.

And then.

“…….”

Namgoong Pyo had lost a noticeable amount of weight in the past few days.

The look in his eyes as he gazed at Yeon Ho-Jeong was complex.

He knew that Yeon Ho-Jeong was not the culprit, and he had let go of his jealousy towards him. However, his father had died, and Yeon Ho-Jeong had been involved in the situation in some way, so he must have been in turmoil.

Yeon Ho-Jeong respectfully clasped his hands towards Namgoong Pyo.

“…….”

Everyone gathered in the plaza was surprised and looked at Namgoong Pyo.

Namgoong Pyo, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong, sighed and returned the gesture.

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his mouth tightly and sent a telepathic message.

[I’m sorry. I have nothing else to say.]

Namgoong Pyo, who had paused in his hand-clasping posture, soon released it and sent a telepathic message.

[If we meet again later, let’s have a drink together at my father’s grave.]

[Thank you for saying that. Thank you, and I’m sorry again.]

[You’ve worked hard.]

[Let’s be sure to meet again.]

After exchanging these simple greetings, Yeon Ho-Jeong headed straight to the platform prepared in the plaza.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, having ascended the platform, looked out at the crowd.

He saw many faces.

Faces of discomfort, of sorrow, of regret, of shame.

There were also many faces filled with worry about the future, confusion, and sadness.

And there were a few who were secretly relieved, some who were showing a sense of triumph, and others who were gloating.

Even though not all the warriors belonging to the Martial Alliance were gathered, there were so many people.

And in order for all of them to unite, it was right for him to leave.

Yeon Ho-Jeong realized anew how difficult it was to unite people with such different personalities, talents, and individualities.

In a strange way, he was grateful to Nam Su-Hwal.

As a result, Yeon Ho-Jeong had learned another lesson about the world. This experience, which would ensure that he would never fail again even if he made mistakes, gave him a profound realization.

‘That’s why.’

That’s why they had to unite even more to face the Three Teachings.

Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his mouth.

“I was in a very bad mood.”

His first words were unconventional.

His voice, filled with deep inner energy, spread far and wide while maintaining a calm tone.

The warriors’ faces gradually became uncomfortable.

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued.

“When something you’ve poured your heart into goes wrong, to the point where you can’t even look back at yourself, everyone feels empty and drained. I’m sure you’ve all had such experiences.”

“…….”

“But I was just in a bad mood. After thinking about why, the answer was very simple.”

“…….”

“It was just because of my bad temper.”

The warriors’ faces, which had been uncomfortable, now showed a hint of amusement.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and said,

“I don’t know how you all see me, but I’ve lived quite diligently. But if I were asked if I’ve lived more diligently than anyone else in the world, I wouldn’t be able to answer yes, even as a polite lie.”

“…….”

“Everyone lives their lives doing their best in their own circumstances. It’s just sad that it’s a world where it’s hard to achieve anything even if you struggle so hard. That’s the same for those from powerful sects, renowned absolute masters, and even the leaders of small, remote sects.”

“…….”

“Perhaps I’ve become very arrogant these past few years. I’ve lived fiercely, but living fiercely doesn’t mean everyone achieves what they want, and I’ve been lucky enough to succeed in many things I’ve tried.”

“…….”

“And now, for the first time in a long time, I’ve tasted failure. Contrary to my expectations, it wasn’t easy for everyone to be of one mind and one heart.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his gaze towards the warriors of the Black Faction.

Most of them tried to avoid his gaze. Perhaps even they hadn’t realized it.

“It was only natural that I failed.”

“…….”

“I knew very well that other people’s minds are not the same as mine. But somehow, I had become accustomed to it, and there were things I pushed forward a bit too forcefully, thinking that everyone would be like me.”

“…….”

“I sincerely apologize for causing so much pain to many of you by pushing things too hard. I apologize from the bottom of my heart.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head respectfully.

The young master of the Mukryong Clan [a powerful martial arts clan], a person who could be said to have far more power than most of the warriors gathered here, had bowed his head.

That alone greatly stirred the hearts of those who had been uncomfortable and those who had been secretly relieved by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s departure.

At least, no one among those gathered here was unaware of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s achievements. Even if only half of what he had done was true, he could be called a hero who would go down in the history of the martial world for hundreds of years.

Naturally, the atmosphere became subdued.

“So, you all should apologize too.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had already raised his head, had eyes that held hot lava.

The person who had apologized was telling them to apologize too.

The warriors’ faces showed confusion.

“I’m not telling you to apologize to me. Apologize to the leaders of the Martial Alliance here, and to those who have been working day and night, risking their lives to fight against the Three Teachings.”

“……!”

“I have always been an outsider. In my family, in the Martial Alliance, and even in the Mukryong Clan, I am an outsider. And that’s understandable. I am someone who doesn’t know the proper way, and I’m a wicked person who always comes up with tricks and is more often called rude than unconventional.”

“…….”

“But the people behind me are different. They are people who have listened seriously to my words, which are hard to call kind even as a polite lie, and who have silently prepared for war, knowing that there would be strong opposition within the sect or the Alliance.”

“…….”

“It’s not me, but these people who are amazing. If it weren’t for them, the Martial Alliance would have already been consumed by the Three Teachings and turned into a sea of fire.”

The warriors’ faces turned pale.

The word ‘war’ always evokes fear. If only I were to die, I might try to be brave, but war is something that could kill all my people.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said in a subdued voice,

“The things I’ve done so far are things that anyone of you could have done if you had the will. But the things that the leaders of the Alliance do are not things that can be done just by having the will.”

“…….”

“What they want is peace. Peace is nothing special. It’s for the warriors gathered here, and their families, to live safely until they die without shedding blood. That is peace.”

“…….”

“If war breaks out, the peace of that one family and group will be shattered.”

The warriors swallowed hard.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been looking around at the crowd with serious eyes, smiled.

“But I’ve never thought that we would lose.”

“……?!”

“It’s true that we lack strength. But we have always faced such crises. Three hundred years ago, before that, and before that as well. Many people died, but in the end, we protected this land.”

“…….”

“Now it’s our turn.”

“……!!”

“If each and every one of you has the will to risk your life to fight against the enemy, that alone will increase the odds of winning this war. If half of us believe, the odds of winning will increase by half, and if everyone believes, victory will be certain. I believe we have at least that much potential.”

The warriors’ eyes shone.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded slightly.

“I hope that we can endure a little longer, even if it’s hard, tiring, and frustrating, so that our descendants can live comfortably. If we endure for one year, our descendants will live one year more happily, and if we endure for ten years, our descendants will also live ten years more happily.”

“…….”

“I will now go to the dark martial world, another alliance, and unite them. I will risk my life to stir things up so that they can have the same courage as the warriors who have shown me their brave eyes in front of me now.”

“…….”

“If I have even a single thoughtless idea or wander off from my goal, I will take my own life. That’s the kind of resolve I have as I embark on this path.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his waist.

“I beg you all to risk your lives with me.”

A quiet silence fell.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had closed his eyes and bowed for a long time, slowly straightened his back.

“……!!”

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes widened in surprise.

From the warriors of the Black Faction at the very front to the warriors who filled the outer walls in the distance.

Everyone was performing the hand-clasping salute towards this place.

It might not be for Yeon Ho-Jeong. It might be for the Alliance headquarters. Or it might be an oath to God. Perhaps it was just a result of mob mentality.

However, at least for this moment, they were all of one mind and one heart.

That alone was enough. People who had become one, even for a short time, would be able to become one again.

Yeon Ho-Jeong felt his eyes sting.

He said in a subdued voice,

“I will see you again in a new world.”