Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1004

“What?!”Jeagal Mun-Ho jumped up.

“The Namgoong Family Head is dead?”

“Y, yes.”

It was enough to make even the usually calm and collected military intelligence officer stammer.

The Namgoong Family was not only the ruler of Anhui but also one of the Six Great Families. In its heyday, it was a prestigious family that boasted such immense power that it was even called the strongest family under heaven.

Even if Namgoong In wasn’t the family head, it would be a shocking event, but since he was the head of the family, this was no ordinary situation.

“H, how? Who is the culprit!”

“It’s said to be the Vice Head of the Mukryong Unit, Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

“……What?!”

Jeagal Ayeon, who was listening nearby, shouted.

“That’s impossible!”

Although he had a fiery side, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s reason was as cold as anyone could be, to the point where he could confidently say that he controlled his emotions better than anyone else.

In the first place, he was not the kind of person to do such a thing. Jeagal Ayeon, as well as Jeagal Mun-Ho, could not believe that Yeon Ho-Jeong was the culprit.

The informant continued hesitantly.

“That’s what’s being said for now. The rumors are spreading like wildfire. The Namgoong Family is on high alert, and it’s said that the young family head, Namgoong Pyo, is taking care of the body.”

“T, this is….”

“Currently, the rumors have spread beyond the inner city to the outer city. It’s too late to stop the rumors.”

At that moment, Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes flashed.

“……No, that’s not it.”

“Yes?”

“What time did the Namgoong Family Head die?”

Even amidst the tremendous shock, he was trying hard to remain calm.

“It’s said to be at the exact time of Misi [the time between 1 and 3 PM].”

“Then it’s only been a little over half an hour. In that short time, the rumors have spread to the outer city?”

“Ah!”

As the saying goes, words travel a thousand miles, and rumors have a much faster and more lethal spread than most people think.

However, for rumors to spread to the outer city of the Martial Alliance in a little over half an hour, not even half a day, was too much.

“There is someone leading the rumors. There’s no other way to explain it.”

From the perspective of a military strategist who formulates strategies and tactics based on all kinds of information, this was definitely not a natural occurrence.

Jeagal Mun-Ho, who had been staring blankly at the ceiling, spoke quickly.

“Conduct a thorough investigation into what’s going on. Contact the Head of the Criminal Law Department and tell them to dispatch warriors to the Namgoong Family territory immediately.”

“Understood.”

“And….”

It was then.

“Military Advisor!”

“Come in.”

Another informant, who had opened the door and entered, knelt down and said.

“It’s reported that those classified as the Anti-Black Faction are gathering in the inner city square. Intelligence suggests that they will all gather and head to the Alliance Leader’s office.”

“What?!”

The spread of the rumors was incredibly fast, but the movements of the Anti-Black Faction were just as fast.

The death of the Namgoong Family Head was like adding fuel to the fire of the Anti-Black Faction’s discontent. It was a decisive event that erased reason and triggered an explosion of emotion.

“Damn it.”

Bang!

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face flushed red as he slammed his fist on the table.

He couldn’t hold back his rising anger, but the moment he slammed the table, he regained his composure once more.

‘Even if the rumors spread quickly, the flow of thought that led the Anti-Black Faction to gather and decide to go to the Alliance Leader’s office is not normal.’

Even if Yeon Ho-Jeong had killed the Namgoong Family Head, people would usually be surprised and watch the Namgoong Family or see how things were going.

Anger only fully reveals itself after the surprise has subsided. It was the norm for anger to build up and then manifest in action.

But it wasn’t even half a day, not even an hour.

The fact that they had already taken action in just over half an hour meant that there was a strategic entity in the middle inciting people.

“Who among the Anti-Black Faction was the most vocal in making that claim?”

The words came out without him realizing it. Honestly, he didn’t think he would get an answer in this complicated situation.

But surprisingly, the informant had an answer.

“It’s said to be the Head of the Blue Lion Gate.”

“W, what?!”

The Blue Lion Gate was a sect based in Shanxi, and it could be said to be the most famous sect other than the Mount Hua Sect and the Chongnan Sect. [These are well-known martial arts sects in Chinese wuxia novels.]

The Blue Lion Gate was also a sect that deeply hated the Black Path. In other words, they had a deeper conflict with the Black Path than the warriors of ordinary White Path sects. [The Black Path refers to evil or unorthodox martial arts practices, while the White Path represents the righteous ones.]

However, unlike the head of the Blue Lion Gate, who boasted a resolute and powerful martial art, he was recognized as a thoughtful and insightful figure.

Was it possible that he had incited the Anti-Black Faction to go to the Alliance Leader’s office?

“This is crazy!”

Something was off.

A terrible malice was felt. There was a strong stench that didn’t even make one frown.

‘Why on earth would they do this?’

Jeagal Mun-Ho had established one absolute premise.

Yeon Ho-Jeong did not kill the Namgoong Family Head.

No matter how the situation unfolded, at least that premise had to exist as an absolute fact.

And if he thought about it under that premise, the mastermind behind this was showing a very ambiguous appearance.

“It’s strange.”

Jeagal Ayeon, who had already recovered from the shock, said hesitantly.

“After committing such a huge act, why is the subsequent flow so sloppy?”

That was the right answer.

He didn’t know how, but he had killed the Namgoong Family Head, who was known throughout the world.

It was something that was impossible with ordinary abilities. He had even pinned the blame on Yeon Ho-Jeong, so it was an act that deserved a perfect score in terms of strategy.

But what followed was too sloppy.

If he had pinned the blame on Yeon Ho-Jeong, he could have just left it at that. That would have been more natural and certain.

In other words, there was no need to make the rumors spread unnaturally fast and stir up the public opinion of the Anti-Black Faction.

But it was like strong men running up and pushing a cart that had already started rolling downhill. Even though there was no need to!

“It’s as if they’re openly showing off that there’s a mastermind behind it….”

“Yes, and that’s why it’s even more frightening.”

“Yes?!”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face contorted.

“If this fact becomes known to everyone, the Alliance members will also know that Ho-Jeong is not the culprit. That one thing can be said to be fortunate, but what do you think the Alliance members’ trust in the Martial Alliance will be like?”

“Ah!”

“The martial world is a group of power. Putting aside the cause and the agreement, they trust a group that has that much power. That’s the common mindset of everyone who lives in the martial world.”

There had been many ups and downs since the establishment of the Martial Alliance. But there had never been an incident like the death of the Namgoong Family Head.

The reason why they had quietly dealt with the spies before was precisely because of that.

The Martial Alliance had to be the embodiment of power and an unshakeable fortress. Only then would the Alliance members have faith in it.

But what if such an incident broke out openly?

Trust would inevitably be shaken.

Even during the spy incident, they only roughly revealed what had happened after everything was over.

That was fine. Because everything was completed.

Rather, the Alliance members’ trust in the Martial Alliance’s ability to handle things in a cool manner increased.

However, if they were to see the process of the bomb exploding like now, the Alliance members’ trust would inevitably hit rock bottom.

Moreover, it wasn’t just once, but twice. They had already caught a spy once, and now this had happened again.

‘The foundation of the Martial Alliance could be shaken.’

It wouldn’t be a problem in peacetime. The fact that spies were sent was proof that it wasn’t peaceful, but it was okay until the word ‘war’ came out.

However, if they were attacked by spies twice in a situation where war could break out at any time, it would leave a fatal stain on the reputation of the Martial Alliance.

“We must quell the situation first. Gather half of the remaining forces in the inner city in front of the Alliance Leader’s office, and send the other half to the central square.”

“But Father! If we do that, the Anti-Black Faction will rebel even more…!”

“But doing nothing is an even bigger problem! Issue the order immediately!”

“……Yes!”

At that moment, the informant took out a letter from his pocket.

“I apologize. I should have told you this as well, but I hesitated because you seemed to be deep in thought.”

“What is it now?”

“It’s a letter that is presumed to have been left behind by Vice Head Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

“……!!”

Jeagal Mun-Ho hurriedly took the letter and unfolded it.

“……This is.”

“Father? What does it say?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed and handed the letter to Jeagal Ayeon.

Jeagal Ayeon gritted her teeth as she read the letter.

There were a few short sentences written on the letter.

“I am innocent. The Namgoong Family Head committed suicide. But the Martial Alliance cannot stand still. I will try to resolve this while running away to the end, so Military Advisor, please do what you have to do.”

The Namgoong Family Head’s suicide, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s claim of innocence.

No one had ever thought that the Namgoong Family Head would commit suicide. It was that shocking.

But the words that followed were even more shocking.

“Father!”

“Contact the Alliance Leader’s office and issue an emergency order to the Alliance. Take action first, report later.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho closed his eyes.

“I will issue an order to all warriors in the inner and outer cities to find and arrest the Vice Head of the Mukryong Unit.”

* * *

“It’s been a while, Abbot Brother.”

“Yes, you look well.”

However, the face of Abbot Gong Gong, who said those words to Beom Oh, was full of worry.

Beom Oh sighed and said.

“I heard on the way here. Vice Head Yeon Ho-Jeong is suspected of murdering the Namgoong Family Head?”

“That’s what they say.”

The rumors had already spread to the Alliance Leader’s office. The Bonggong, as well as the elders, were in an uproar.

“Siju [a respectful term for a person of high standing] Yeon is not that kind of person.”

“I know. But as things are going, we have to at least pretend to arrest him to calm the angry public.”

“Abbot Brother.”

“The Military Advisor’s office has probably already taken action. I must also officially step forward.”

“You know Siju Yeon.”

“That’s why I’m doing this. If I didn’t know Vice Head Yeon’s character, I would have gone to find him myself.”

Beom Oh sighed.

Abbot Gong Gong looked at the young man standing behind Beom Oh.

The young man slightly lowered his head. His manners were excessively lacking in a place where he was meeting the Martial Alliance Leader, but that appearance suited the young man.

“I greet the Martial Alliance Leader.”

“You have mastered an amazing assassination technique.”

“……!”

“Are you the Sima Hyeon that Siju was talking about?”

The young man, Sima Hyeon, was startled.

“How did you know that?”

Abbot Gong Gong smiled and pointed at Beom Oh.

“This monk sent several letters. I heard that you have changed wonderfully, reflecting on yourself in the mercy of Buddha.”

Sima Hyeon chuckled.

“You’ve already been informed about me.”

“That’s right. And that you are acquainted with Vice Head Yeon.”

“I wouldn’t say we’re acquainted, but I owe him a debt.”

Abbot Gong Gong stared at Sima Hyeon.

Sima Hyeon’s face, which had been cold and indifferent, gradually showed signs of discomfort. It was as if Abbot Gong Gong’s gaze was looking right through his heart.

After a while.

“Beom Oh.”

“Yes, Abbot Brother.”

“It seems that it was fate that you and Sima Siju came to the Alliance at this time.”

“Yes?”

“Currently, the leaders and experts of the Martial Alliance cannot move rashly. The atmosphere among the Alliance members is so tense. If we make a mistake, we might even get falsely accused.”

Beom Oh’s eyes lit up.

Abbot Gong Gong took out a letter from his pocket.

“This is a letter sent by Vice Head Yeon. It flew in through the window.”

Beom Oh respectfully took the letter and unfolded it.

A location was written there.

Abbot Gong Gong said to Sima Hyeon.

“Wouldn’t it be better to repay your debt as soon as possible?”

Sima Hyeon’s lips curled up.

“I’ll be working as soon as I arrive.”

“Siju, you are very smart.”

“I’m just used to this kind of thing.”

Abbot Gong Gong said to Beom Oh.

“Go to the place written in the letter. Go and help Vice Head Yeon.”