Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1073

“The stars are beautiful,” Yeon-wi said, his voice carrying a chill.

White steam swirled around them, the moonlight, peeking from behind the clouds, seemed to beckon the unseen air closer.

A cool, blue light emanated from Yeon-wi’s sword-like gaze as he looked at the moon, causing the sky to appear a shade darker.

“It’s feeling shy.”

“Hmm?”

“The moon, I mean. It’s hiding behind the clouds because Father is glaring at it, isn’t it?”

Yeon-wi chuckled.

“You’ve picked up some strange jokes somewhere.”

“I was just saying what I saw.”

They were father and son, having been too busy to catch up during the recent meetings.

Yeon-wi turned to look at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“You look healthy.”

“I am actually healthy.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes softened.

His son wore a black martial uniform with a high-quality overcoat. Though dressed entirely in black, to Yeon-wi, his son shone brighter than the sun.

“How is your heart?”

“Pardon?”

“You caused such a commotion in the Martial Alliance and became the leader of the Black Path Alliance. After all that, you must have been worried about what your father would think.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“I apologize for not telling you in advance.”

It was a rare meeting between father and son.

However, a tremendous event had occurred while they were apart. And the main figure in that situation was none other than Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“What kind of contact could there be in such a situation? Honestly, even after receiving a letter about what happened, I was furious. If I had been there, things might have escalated even more.”

It was not an empty statement. Yeon-wi was a man who clearly distinguished between public and private matters.

If such a thing had really happened, and if he hadn’t been sure there were spies.

Yeon-wi might have withdrawn the family from the Martial Alliance. It would have been for his son, but also…

“The Martial Alliance also officially issued an apology. I thought about discussing it with you, but considering the hardships the Alliance Leader and the military advisor must have gone through, I figured they had enough on their plate.”

“The two of them must have gone through a lot.”

“Are you alright?”

“You know how I am. If I had any lingering feelings, I would have made a scene right then and there.”

It meant he held no grudges.

He mentioned his temper, but the incident was caused by spies in the first place. Of course, those who sided with them also had a big problem, but after things were resolved, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, helping the Martial Alliance’s operations.

Apart from that, Yeon-wi thought that Yeon Ho-Jeong had become much more mature than before.

It wasn’t because he had become the leader of the Black Path Alliance. The level of his composure was different.

“It seems you’ve built up good training over time.”

“Whose son do you think I am?”

Yeon-wi shrugged his shoulders.

“You were like this before, but now I really can’t compete with you.”

“You’re exaggerating too much. The moment you draw your axe, a mind sword [a technique that uses mental energy to attack] will fly, how can I win?”

“What kind of father in the world would try to win against his son by using a mind sword? And as I said, this isn’t a mind sword.”

“It is a mind sword. And you say father and son, but what’s that between martial artists? You have to win first.”

Yeon-wi laughed loudly.

His son was right. As a father, it was a great joy to see his son surpass him, but as a fellow martial artist, it was also a father’s destiny to be a wall for his son to overcome.

The two stood silently, looking up at the sky.

It had been a long time since they had seen each other, but there was no great need for conversation. Both Yeon-wi and Yeon Ho-Jeong were absolute masters who had reached the level of a grand master. As they were blood relatives, they did not feel burdened by the silence.

How long had it been?

“Don’t just glare from there, come over here.”

At Yeon-wi’s words, Peng Mu-Gang, who had been hiding in the shadows in front of the palace gate, scratched his head and approached.

“The atmosphere was good. Ah, I miss my sons too.”

“You were just cursing them.”

“Why are you acting like you don’t know? Even if they’re blockheads, they’re still my children, wouldn’t I miss them?”

“Hahaha.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head to Peng Mu-Gang.

Peng Mu-Gang waved his hand.

“We already greeted each other earlier. Besides, if the leader of the Black Path Alliance is too polite to the head of a mere family, that’s also a problem.”

“It’s not.”

Unexpectedly, Yeon-wi agreed with Peng Mu-Gang.

“Family Head Peng is right. The lives of tens of thousands of Black Path members rest on your shoulders. You shouldn’t be arrogant, but you also shouldn’t lower the organization’s status by being overly polite.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Peng Mu-Gang chuckled.

“Still, it feels quite nice to receive a greeting from the owner of the Black Emperor Castle. When there are no people around, bow your head once in a while.”

“I’ve been so unfilial, I should listen to my father’s words at times like this. I won’t bow my head again.”

“Just like his father, just like him.”

The three of them gathered under the wall.

“Is the meeting over?”

“Of course, it ended a while ago. Managing things is really hard work. Someone even fainted during the meeting. They said they hadn’t slept and were trying to grasp the surrounding situation.”

“What was the result?”

“What result is there to speak of? As the Lord said, the priority is to gather troops and scout the enemy. It’s their job to consider all possible scenarios and respond.”

“That is true.”

“The sects of the Northern Martial World have also begun preparing for war, and the Martial Alliance has sent thousands of troops, so the war is really just around the corner.”

“I can only hope that not too much blood will be shed.”

It was then.

“Not much blood will be shed. I’ll evaporate them all.”

It was impossible to know when he had arrived. Somehow, Gi Cheon-Woong had appeared on the wall.

The way he sat, looking at the moonlight, was truly poetic. His fluttering golden hair was so beautiful.

Yeon-wi smiled and said,

“Aren’t you cold?”

“If I were cold, I wouldn’t be sitting like this. It’s nice and cool.”

He was wearing loose clothes that exposed his chest and was barefoot. It was enough to make the onlookers feel colder.

Gi Cheon-Woong looked down at Yeon Ho-Jeong and said,

“You’re going to start with scouting?”

“That’s right.”

“Alone?”

“I think that’s the best way.”

“Didn’t you say there’s a high probability that it’s a myth?”

“That’s right.”

“Then shouldn’t you take me with you?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“Are you confident that you won’t get excited?”

“How can I not get excited? The moment I see them, my eyes will go crazy.”

“Then, of course, I can’t take you.”

“The important thing is whether you can control me or not, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Don’t worry. Even if my son is in front of me, I might get angry, but I won’t waver. Besides, I’m the one who knows the most about those guys.”

He was right. If he really didn’t waver, then taking Gi Cheon-Woong on the scouting mission would be the most rational choice.

“If you’re really confident, I’ll take you. But know this, the moment you waver and the enemies realize we’re there, the situation will become uncontrollable.”

“My goal isn’t anger. It’s to return the myth to its original state.”

His calm voice revealed a strong mental fortitude. Even with a problem in his upper dantian [energy center in the body], his unique mental strength was second to none.

As Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded, a cool voice was heard.

“Even so, if a fight breaks out, the presence of a master who can cut off the retreat and blow away the enemy becomes essential.”

People looked at the opposite side of Gi Cheon-Woong.

Though on the same wall, Gi Cheon-Woong was sitting, while Mo Ja-Seon was standing. Her figure, walking step by step with her hands behind her back, was truly reminiscent of a winter goddess.

“I’m going too.”

“No.”

The answer came from Gi Cheon-Woong.

Mo Ja-Seon didn’t even look at Gi Cheon-Woong.

“Is it okay?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“Didn’t you two keep bickering all the way here? The scouting team needs to be stealthy. If you fight and get caught by the enemy, we’ll be the only ones in trouble.”

Gi Cheon-Woong nodded vigorously.

“The Lord is right. I can endure anything else, but it’s hard to endure having an ice treat next to me.”

Unexpectedly, Mo Ja-Seon’s answer exceeded everyone’s expectations.

“I can endure it.”

“……!”

“The Three Teachings are enemies we must fight and eliminate. Although it was Gwanghyeol and Saeum who attacked the main palace, when the time comes, the myth’s forces will also cause great damage to our palace members.”

“……”

“I will follow the Lord’s orders. So take me with you.”

Gi Cheon-Woong looked at Mo Ja-Seon with surprised eyes.

Mo Ja-Seon’s face was still expressionless. But even in the middle of the night, her eyes were burning red.

Cold rage. The hatred of the leader who abandoned her homeland and fled was so deep that it could erase even the aversion of opposites.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“It seems like you’ll go alone if I don’t take you.”

“Of course.”

“I have no choice. Let’s go together.”

Yeon-wi said to Yeon Ho-Jeong,

“Are you planning to lead the scouting team?”

“I think I’m the best choice.”

It wasn’t wrong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had built up a martial prowess second to none, but he wasn’t the type to make mistakes because of his pride. He also had a lot of experience in surprise attacks and stealth, and his judgment was good, so it would be good for him to lead the people.

“Are you planning to take Bia, Jin Yang, and Ryang with you?”

“I’m planning to minimize the number of people for this scouting mission.”

“Yes, that would be right.”

“When are you planning to depart?”

“The sooner, the better.”

“……Looking at you, you came to see me tonight because you were planning to leave.”

“I should say goodbye before leaving.”

“Anyway, that terrifying drive of yours is still the same.”

Swoosh.

Gi Cheon-Woong and Mo Ja-Seon came down to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s side.

One was the leader of the Black Path Alliance, and the other was the former owner of the Mythical Cult, though she had broken away. The remaining one was also the palace master of the mysterious Northern Ice Palace.

People who were the heads of each organization decided to take on the scouting mission. It would be hard to find such a case anywhere.

It was also proof of how difficult this war was going to be.

“Did you tell the generals?”

“Yes, I did.”

“What about the Grand Duke?”

“I finished it during the day. I said I would leave as soon as I was ready.”

“Good, you did well.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked far to the west beyond the palace walls.

“If possible, I would like to see my mother, but it seems like it’s a time when they’re still in their honeymoon phase, so I couldn’t possibly greet her. Please tell her for me, Father.”

“I will.”

He had also caught up with Yang Cheon, but they had only exchanged brief greetings at the meeting.

As the son-in-law of the dead emperor, he was enthusiastically participating in the meetings of the officials. His political sense, learned from wandering the martial world for a long time, was fully displayed in the imperial palace.

Moreover, he was a self-made man who had started from the bottom and was the first to establish the Black Path Alliance. He was more knowledgeable about the flow of funds than anyone else, not just martial prowess. Naturally, he had no choice but to become the center of the meeting.

“There are hardly any branches of the Beggars’ Union in Jilin. The Martial Alliance’s intelligence unit will also be in the dark about the situation there.”

“It’s okay. The Black Emperor Castle’s intelligence unit is watching this place. I’ve already sent a letter saying that I’m leaving, so they should be ready.”

“You’re thorough.”

“My mind works well in this area.”

Yeon-wi smiled and patted Yeon Ho-Jeong’s back.

He no longer showed any signs of worry for his son, who was leaving for a dangerous mission.

“Come back safely.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong answered with a smile and kicked off the ground.

Whoosh!

A tiger with two wings of fire and ice soared to the west.

Yeon-wi looked up at the sky.

“Please hide them well.”

The moonlight, having been warned, completely hid itself in the clouds.