Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1079

Having arrived at the imperial palace faster than they had left, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s group immediately met Yang Cheon.

“I’ve heard roughly what’s been happening on the way. What’s the current situation?”

“It’s incredibly chaotic.”

Yang Cheon’s face was grim.

“Gansu is moving with the Common Faction at its center, and Shaanxi is advancing with Mount Hua and Jongnam at the forefront.”

“Advancing…”

“The ones pushing down are pillaging and killing civilians. Gansu is especially bad. I don’t know what kind of monsters they are, but they’re destroying entire counties as they come down, and their speed isn’t slowing down at all.”

Murderous intent flashed in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

However, his voice remained calm.

“What about Shaanxi?”

“There are tens of thousands of cavalry. They’re all heavily armed, and although not as bad as Gansu, they’re quite fast. It seems like there’s a separate supply unit, but it hasn’t been spotted yet.”

In war, supplies are as important as the actual troops.

No, perhaps even more so. No matter how skilled a soldier is, they can’t fight without food. An army fights with physical strength, not just willpower.

However, things are a bit different for an army composed of martial artists.

Murtial artists can endure for several days on the same amount of food as an ordinary person, thanks to the mystical power of internal energy [qi]. A master of the highest level can maintain their full strength for three or four days with just a rice ball.

In other words, the amount of supplies needed is much less than for a regular army.

At that point, bandit groups who have learned martial arts can rampage madly, moving from village to village without supplies. They can display their full skills with little food.

Not to mention the forces dispatched by the Three Sects [referring to powerful martial arts sects].

Yeon Ho-Jeong, during his time as the Dark Emperor, also paid close attention to supplies, but compared to a regular army, it was less than half the amount for the same number of troops. When operating small elite units, it was common for individuals to carry their own improved combat rations and conduct operations for over a month before returning.

However, if the number reaches ten thousand, supply troops are essential.

Especially for cavalry, the horses’ feed would be crucial.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“There will be a supply unit, but we should assume it’s much smaller than we expect.”

“Why do you think so? Even if that’s the case for them, what about the horses…?”

“The horses of the north are different from those in the Central Plains. The horses they use aren’t large, but it’s common for them to run a thousand miles while grazing on the grasslands. Those that can’t endure that have long since disappeared.”

“Huh!”

Yang Cheon had also seen the horses of the northern grasslands.

However, he had only admired their sturdy muscles and powerful gallop, not knowing their ecology.

“How do they compare to the Yongah Iron Cavalry?”

“As you know, the Iron Cavalry’s horses are all fine steeds, but it’s difficult to compare them. The Iron Cavalry would have the advantage in power, while they would have the advantage in stamina. But when it comes to horse feed, they’re likely to be at a disadvantage.”

Yang Cheon had also wandered the world and created the Yongah Iron Cavalry based on his experiences. Among the horses he knew, there were none with a lineage as outstanding as the Iron Cavalry’s.

But from what he heard, the horses of the grasslands were different.

“They’ve been capturing and improving the bloodlines of the grassland horses using their own methods since ancient times. The horses of the Central Plains have their own characteristics, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses. We shouldn’t assume they’re the same.”

“Hmm.”

Absolute comparisons are meaningless, but the important thing is that they shouldn’t be viewed from the perspective of the Central Plains.

Moreover, the Three Sects possessed various techniques that the Central Plains shunned. What if they had trained their cavalry using those techniques or strange pharmacology?

“For now, we should only focus on the troops.”

“You’re right. In the case of Gansu, I expect one of the Four Rivers and Three Mountains [a group of powerful martial arts clans] to go help.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“If they move, it’s highly likely that the Tang Clan Head will move personally.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because he knows the importance of the initial battle. Currently, there are no Supreme Masters in Gansu. On the other hand, there are two in the Tang Clan in Sichuan. They can’t reveal the card of the Dark King yet, so the Clan Head will likely lead the troops to Gansu himself.”

Even in urgent moments, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s insight shone.

Yang Cheon nodded.

“You’re probably right. Moreover, since he has experience fighting the Demonic Ones, it’s highly likely that the Tang Clan Head will move.”

“The important thing is Shaanxi.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

“There are no Supreme Masters in Shaanxi.”

Of course, the absence of Supreme Masters doesn’t mean they can’t fight.

However, the problem was that they didn’t know whether Supreme Masters were mixed in with the ten thousand cavalry.

Even a Supreme Master’s life is in danger if they clash with a unit specialized in high-level combat.

To put it differently, it means that the power of a Supreme Master is so great that a unit specialized in high-level combat is needed.

There are no units in the Shaanxi martial world that were created with absolute masters in mind. Of course, the formations of Mount Hua and Jongnam are mysterious and some are specialized for high-level combat, but that doesn’t mean the power of a Supreme Master can be ignored.

‘The only saving grace is that they’re cavalry.’

The sword formations of Mount Hua and Jongnam start by breaking the momentum.

No matter how well the master trains them, unless the horses have internal energy, effective cavalry charges will be difficult.

‘That’s why we need Supreme Masters even more.’

If there are Supreme Masters on the enemy side, we need masters to counter them, and if there are no Supreme Masters on the enemy side, we need to overwhelm the initial battle, so we need them even more.

‘We must assume that there is one Supreme Master in each of the forces attacking from Liaoning, Shaanxi, and Gansu.’

At that moment, Yeon-Wi spoke.

“Urgent news has arrived. Half of the Martial Alliance forces heading north have decided to go to Shaanxi.”

“Huh?”

“It seems that the Sword Saint is among that half of the forces.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s a relief.”

“We’ve roughly created a picture. The remaining is Liaoning, what about that side?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong explained the reconnaissance details in detail.

Pang Mu-Gang’s eyes deepened.

“I will go to my family.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to him.

“The Pang family has been known as the overlords of Hebei for generations. I know Hebei better than anyone. Just in case, I will take all the troops between Hebei and Liaoning and set up camp.”

Yang Cheon nodded.

“How long will it take?”

“It won’t take three days. Moreover, we’re not the only ones in Hebei. I’ll contact each sect and tell half to block the east and half to block the northern part of the imperial palace.”

“Good judgment. Please do so.”

“Then.”

Pang Mu-Gang immediately left the meeting hall and used his movement technique.

Yeon-Wi sighed.

“So, this was it. The source of that unease.”

Yang Cheon shook his head.

“Since it’s already happened, let’s only think about the future. Now, we’ve roughly prepared for Gansu and Shaanxi. The remaining is Liaoning.”

He looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“I’m ready anytime.”

“From the initial battle?”

“What’s there to be worried about?”

It was then.

“I will take charge of Liaoning.”

Everyone was surprised and looked at him at Yeon-Wi’s words.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was also startled.

“Father.”

“Everyone else can, but you can’t.”

Yeon-Wi’s voice was firm.

“Now that the war has begun, the relationship between master and disciple, and even father and son, is meaningless. It’s most important to place capable people where they’re needed.”

“…?!”

“Along with Yang Taesang, you are the most practical tactician in the current martial world. Your axe is needed everywhere, but not now. What you need to do now is to manage the entire situation with the imperial palace, the Martial Alliance, and the Black Emperor Castle, not to act as a military commander.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes wavered.

Yang Cheon nodded.

“I also agree with Yeon Clan Head’s words. Furthermore, you are a symbolic figure in both black and white, known as the Black and White Emperor. If you step forward from the initial battle, it won’t look good.”

It might sound somewhat frivolous, but upon deeper thought, Yang Cheon’s words were correct.

Whether he liked it or not, Yeon Ho-Jeong had become a hero of the martial world. If such a hero rushed out as soon as the war began, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

However, that would only affect morale temporarily. This war could last for an unknown amount of time. Yeon Ho-Jeong needed to maintain his center to reduce the number of people acting rashly.

And he needed to step forward and fight at the decisive moment. That was the weight that the name Yeon Ho-Jeong carried now.

“I understand. Then I will do as you say.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s strength was that he was quick to accept even if his own opinion was wrong.

“Now, tell me. What should I do?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been pondering over the map in the meeting hall, asked Yang Cheon.

“May I take the lead?”

Yang Cheon shouted to everyone gathered in the meeting hall.

“From now on, I appoint the Black Emperor Castle Lord as the temporary military advisor of the imperial palace.”

Although the civil and military officials were present, they did not show any discomfort.

This was partly because the Grand Preceptor had firmly controlled them, but also because they knew how important this moment was. Moreover, if Yang Cheon, who was responsible for this situation, appointed the Black Emperor Castle Lord as the military advisor, they had no justification or reason to oppose it.

The Grand Preceptor said.

“Our officials will support you from behind. We will handle various administrative tasks, so the commanders should take the lead in this war.”

Administration is also necessary in war. The Grand Preceptor’s words meant that if they made a decision, they would follow it.

Yang Cheon nodded and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said.

“From now on, I will call the martial artists who are in charge of the units Martial Commanders.”

“…”

“Since Father has to go to Liaoning, he is the Northeast Martial Commander.”

“Understood.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was about to speak quickly, frowned for a moment.

Yeon Ho-Jeong stared at the map, lost in thought.

After looking at the map for a long time, he drew lines on various parts of the map with his finger.

“Northeast… Northwest… North… Even with the sudden movement of the protruding stone, Gwanghyeol and Saeum reacted immediately…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“Something’s strange.”

What was strange?

Under everyone’s questioning gaze, Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his mouth.

“I will postpone the departure of Martial Commander Yeon-Wi for a while.”

Yang Cheon asked.

“Why?”

“If the Shin Hwa Sect had stationed troops without the knowledge of the Second Sect, wouldn’t they have been uneasy?”

“What are you talking about?”

“They may know each other well, but even so, could they have been sure that the Second Sect would react immediately and send troops?”

“… !”

“From the Second Sect’s point of view, the Shin Hwa Sect’s troop movement was a sudden act. They hurriedly sent troops to meet the front line, but that only proves the Second Sect’s excellent military capabilities and has no other meaning.”

“Then…?”

“And it’s unlikely that there are only fools in the Shin Hwa Sect. Even if the young sect leader did this, what would they have done if the Second Sect hadn’t reacted?”

Yeon-Wi’s eyes widened.

“A feint to the east?”

“It’s a tactic that has already succeeded once, but it’s not a prepared move. This wasn’t a calculated move, but a gamble from the start.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong slammed the map.

“I will send the Ice Palace Lord, Muk Shin-Jang, and Gang Shin-Jang as the Northeast Martial Commanders. Martial Commander Yeon-Wi will prepare for the northern surprise attack on the Martial Alliance forces and the imperial palace.”