Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1298

Moyong Gun stared at the battlefield with a cool expression.

Gong Gong Daesa spoke,

“Thank you for making the difficult journey. With the Moyong family and the Sangmu Alliance here, I feel reassured.”

Though he said that, the Shanxi war had already ended half a day ago. He had rushed as quickly as possible, but the war was already over.

Moyong Gun silently looked around.

His expression seemed a bit disappointed, so Gong Gong Daesa continued,

“I, as the leader, have personally witnessed the head of the family’s bold decision. I think it’s rather fortunate. With this much power preserved, we can now…”

“I’m saying this in case you misunderstand, but I’m not disappointed right now.”

Moyong Gun gave a wry smile.

“It’s a good thing if the battle ended quickly. Especially if it’s a victorious battle.”

Gong Gong Daesa asked frankly,

“Then why do you look so displeased?”

“It’s strange.”

Moyong Gun frowned again, a strange suspicion clouding his face.

“I’ve never seen such widespread traces of evil energy before. It’s as if madmen possessed by demonic energy went on a collective rampage.”

Surprise flickered across Gong Gong Daesa’s face.

“How did you know that?”

Less than an hour after the fight ended, all traces of evil energy had vanished without a trace. It was the power of the Shaolin Lion’s Roar [a powerful sound-based martial art].

Yet, Moyong Gun had sensed it. With a power that had not yet reached the Supreme level.

“Rather than traces, it should be called a stench… Anyway, it must have been terrible.”

Zhiing. Zhiing.

The surging lightning energy within Moyong Gun’s body kept stimulating his brain.

Although not as much as Yeon-wi, his upper dantian [an energy center in the body] was also vast and sensitive compared to his level.

The difference was that Yeon-wi’s upper dantian was like a cloud, while Moyong Gun’s was literally lightning. He couldn’t match Yeon-wi in size and vastness, but his intuition was no less than Yeon-wi’s.

Moreover, the lightning energy he possessed was the most destructive and fastest energy in nature. That lightning energy, true to its nature, was making his body and nerves extremely sensitive.

Gong Gong Daesa, impressed by Moyong Gun’s insight, explained what had happened during the war.

Moyong Gun listened silently, a look of bewilderment on his face.

“So, they just fled?”

“That’s right.”

“…That’s a bit strange.”

Gong Gong Daesa sighed.

“We also felt uneasy, but there were so many casualties in this battle that we couldn’t pursue them. At least, two of the Black Emperor Castle’s generals chased after them before we could stop them.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

‘It was a reasonable decision, but…’

How many Supreme level masters were left on the enemy side?

Of course, if they had attacked the rear of the retreating enemy, they could have reduced their forces significantly. But the allied Supreme level masters were too exhausted to choose that option.

If both sides had been annihilated, it would have been a great defeat for the Central Plains martial world. It was fortunate that they didn’t rush after them.

However.

‘It’s too suspicious. What did they hope to gain by staging such a large-scale operation? Even if they are cultists, the number of lives lost exceeds ten thousand. This was definitely not a war waged just to test the waters.’

Decisively, the strange formation created by the evil energy bothered him.

Moyong Gun looked around at the remaining people.

‘I know they tried their best, but they were too complacent.’

As the main participants in the battle, they must have felt relieved immediately after it ended. That was natural.

But if there had been even one strategist or someone with extensive combat experience here, they would never have let them go so easily.

‘So, that’s why the Black Emperor Castle’s generals went.’

Gang Ryang and Jin Yang.

Even if Jin Yang was excluded, the swordsman named Gang Ryang was a genius who could be counted among the best in the Central Plains, except for Yeon Ho-Jeong. The fact that he had surpassed the Martial Ancestor level at his age and wielded a mature sword technique meant that he possessed monstrous talent.

But his true ability lay not in his talent but in his experience. The experience and lessons he had accumulated while traversing countless battlefields with Yeon Ho-Jeong must have sharpened Gang Ryang’s senses.

That’s why he knew. That there was an undeniable intention behind this fight.

Even though they knew the enemy had some intention, their decision to stabilize the internal situation first was not wrong, but they should have taken a step further like Gang Ryang and Jin Yang. Since it seemed pointless to talk, they must have chased after them separately.

‘Or perhaps, even they were unsure. Whatever the case, we can’t leave them like this.’

Moyong Gun spoke to the Black Emperor Castle troops who had come with him.

“Your generals have chased after the enemies. The battle here is over, so it would be appropriate for you to go and protect your superiors.”

“……”

“The Black Path’s intelligence network is second to none in the Central Plains. However, the Sangmu Alliance’s intelligence unit is also quite capable in the vicinity of Shanxi and Shaanxi, so request their help to track the enemy’s movements and find the generals to join them.”

Moyong Gun took out a token from his pocket and handed it to the battle unit commander.

“If you show this token, you will be able to obtain information from the upper-level intelligence agents immediately.”

“Then we will do so.”

“But keep this in mind. As you have seen, the battle here was incredibly fierce. If you happen to encounter the enemy, do not engage them under any circumstances. Retreat. It’s not too late to fight after you have joined up with the generals.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

With those words, the Black Emperor Castle troops quickly headed north. As they were nearly half of the Black Emperor Castle’s total forces, a considerable number of people moved.

Gong Gong Daesa asked,

“Moyong Family Head, is there something bothering you?”

“Didn’t you also say it was strange, Alliance Leader?”

“Of course, I did. But right now…”

“They are the ones who retreated even though they didn’t see the end of the fight, despite the casualties reaching tens of thousands. If their behavior was suspicious, the Martial Alliance should have at least sent an intelligence unit.”

“That is…”

“It’s not about catching up and annihilating them. It’s about finding out what their intentions are. This is something that should have been resolved immediately after the battle, and it could potentially shake the balance of the Central Plains war.”

“… !”

“Taking care of our own is important, of course, but clinging to the enemy is a separate matter. Not hundreds, not thousands, but tens of thousands. That many troops charged in and then retreated at an awkward moment. Considering the effort they put into coming all the way here, they should have finished off Shanxi.”

Gong Gong Daesa’s eyes wavered.

Hearing that, he suddenly felt a sense of urgency.

That was because there were so many casualties in the battle. In fact, Ha Eun-Gyo, as well as Mak Won and Tang Gwan, had suffered major and minor internal and external injuries. It was clear how fierce the fight against the enemies had been.

Everyone had fought with their lives on the line, so he thought they should definitely rest. He thought it was a natural decision to preserve their strength.

But after hearing Moyong Gun’s words, his thoughts changed.

‘That’s right. How could we have been so complacent?’

It wasn’t that they were complacent. It was just that they hadn’t thought that far.

This was not because their abilities were lacking, but because there was no one capable of grasping the overall situation in an instant. In terms of individual skills, any of them were more than sufficient.

“Then, even now, we should immediately… !”

“No, not now. The Black Emperor Castle is enough.”

Whoooong.

Lightning flashed in Moyong Gun’s eyes.

His innate talent for strategy, the insight honed by all sorts of political strife, and the ever-evolving Thunder Spirit Art were amplifying his brainpower.

“If we had sent people right away, it would have been different, but by now, they would have recovered. If they are capable of mobilizing tens of thousands of troops, even nomadic tribes from the grasslands, they must also be excellent at controlling their soldiers. If we send too many people now, there’s a high chance they’ll escape to a distant place beyond our reach.”

“Are you sure the Black Emperor Castle’s forces are enough?”

“Before discussing strength, it’s not good for them to be here. Although we are allied, the gap between the Black and White Paths is deep. Moreover, the Martial Alliance’s troops are injured. If we act too nervously, it could hinder future cooperation.”

“… !”

“Furthermore, there is no general here right now who can control the Black Emperor Castle’s forces. The Black Path martial world is much faster and more agile than the White Path martial world, but without a leader, it’s difficult to move efficiently. Although Lord Yeon trusted me and sent them along, their own superior would be much better than me.”

Their perspectives and thoughts were different.

Gong Gong Daesa felt like gouging out his own eyes. He had forgotten even the things he should have thought of first as the leader of the Martial Alliance, so he truly seemed unqualified to be the leader.

That’s why he was ashamed to ask this question, but he still thought he had to.

“Then, what should we do?”

Moyong Gun’s answer was as natural as flowing water.

“First, we must focus on managing the injured. And all the Martial Alliance’s own troops should be sent back.”

“Sent back? You mean right now?”

“It was good to bring the Martial Alliance’s troops here, but each region has representative sects that protect their areas. The Martial Alliance’s job is to unite them to block the enemy’s attacks and prepare countermeasures, not to fight alongside the regional sects.”

“That is…”

“Don’t forget. The Martial Alliance plays the role of the imperial palace in the White Path martial world. When war breaks out, the imperial palace troops can be dispatched to stop foreign forces. But who uses the troops guarding the imperial palace like warlords?”

It was in line with what Jeagal Mun-Ho had said. Yet, he also said that the Martial Alliance’s troops boldly charging here was a brilliant move.

It was the perspective of a prodigy who possessed the talents of both a leader and a strategist, a master of both the ruler and the military.

Now, he had the insight to truly lead an organization. Moyong Gun’s insight, which was being used for the world, not for political strife, and for all of us, not for his own self-preservation, had now reached the pinnacle of the world.

“From now on, the Martial Alliance will maintain the center. The escaped enemies will invade the north in some way, so from now on, it is right to predict the enemy’s movements in the realm of information warfare.”

Gong Gong Daesa, as well as Ha Eun-Gyo and Mak Won, who were far away, listened to his words as if they were mesmerized.

“Although Shanxi has been devastated, we have not lost everything yet. The Sangmu Alliance’s troops alone will remain in northern Shanxi to monitor the enemy’s movements and establish an intelligence network for the entire northern front.”

“What should we do about Shanxi?”

“Lord Yeon has gone to Shanxi. Worrying about that side is a waste of resources. If necessary, he will create a trap and keep them tied down for a hundred days, so don’t worry.”

He spoke decisively. It was as if he saw Yeon Ho-Jeong’s existence itself as synonymous with victory.

“The problem is Hebei. Now that the Hebei martial world has been devastated, there is a high possibility that they will push into Hebei.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.

“From now on, our Moyong family will defend Hebei. We will reorganize our forces and depart in half a day, so please secure the best quality food and water possible.”