Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1007

It was a simple and crucial statement.

Putting aside everything else, Abbot Gong Gong’s first words were incredibly appropriate. It was the right approach for a leader who had decided to stand with his members, not to suppress them.

This was evident in the reaction of the anti-Black Faction warriors.

Most of them looked at each other with bewildered expressions.

It was already surprising that the Alliance Leader had appeared in person. But to hear that he had issued an arrest warrant for Yeon Ho-Jeong as soon as he arrived?

That statement meant that the anti-Black Faction no longer needed to be here.

The Alliance Leader himself had publicly declared that he had taken action against Yeon Ho-Jeong?

That was it. Could there be a clearer explanation? If anyone still refused to believe it, that would truly be crossing a line.

They might do that in front of others, but they couldn’t dare to do it in front of the Alliance Leader. Especially since that Alliance Leader was the Abbot of the great Mount Tai Shaolin.

A single mistake here could lead to expulsion from the martial world. While that might not actually happen, even a rumor could brand them as a sect at odds with Shaolin.

“……”

Silence fell over the plaza.

No one dared to open their mouths. Or rather, they couldn’t.

Abbot Gong Gong, who had been quietly observing the warriors, spoke.

“I understand.”

There wasn’t even a hint of wavering in his voice as he said he understood.

It was just like Abbot Gong Gong’s usual demeanor. Gentle and composed. There was not a trace of anger or disgust towards the anti-Black Faction warriors.

“I understand. Of course, I understand. How could I not understand? We have fought against the Black Way [Demonic Sects] and the Demonic Sects our entire lives, and our ancestors did the same. The rift between the White and Black Ways is so deep that we cannot even trace the beginning of that history.”

Like a grandfather telling an old tale to his grandson before bed.

Abbot Gong Gong’s voice was rooted in a primal affection for humanity.

It was far more powerful than anger, hatred, or disgust. The faces of the warriors, who had been so full of vigor, began to show signs of solemnity.

The ability to calm people’s hearts with just a few words.

No great eloquence or overwhelming force was needed.

It was a scene that proved Abbot Gong Gong was not lacking as the Martial Alliance Leader, but rather a giant with an overflowing vessel.

“However, we have come to face an unidentified enemy who was secretly watering the seeds of our destruction.”

“……”

“We are not wary of them because they live in other regions. We have joined forces because they are actively targeting us, our homeland.”

At that moment, one of the anti-Black Faction warriors, gathering his courage, spoke cautiously.

“Even so, wasn’t it too hasty a decision to join hands with those of the Black Way?”

His tone was polite, but his words were filled with a strong aversion to the Black Way.

Abbot Gong Gong shook his head.

“I have no intention of lecturing our precious Alliance members. I am not even someone who is qualified to teach others. However, if you acknowledge this humble monk as your Alliance Leader, I would like you to listen to my words for a moment.”

“……”

“There is a Blue Sect. The leader of the Blue Sect hates the Red Sect. The reason is that the ancestors of the Blue Sect were repeatedly harmed by the Red Sect. Although the balance of power has now collapsed, the Red Sect’s power was greater than the Blue Sect’s back then.”

“……”

“It is different now. Rather, the Red Sect is losing its power. It is because they are rough, lack discipline, and are rife with betrayal and murder. The reason they haven’t collapsed is that there are people within the Red Sect who are aware of the reality and have been trying to overcome the current situation.”

“……”

“The leader of the Blue Sect wants to destroy the Red Sect. But he couldn’t. There are many evil people in the Red Sect, but there are also many who are not evil. There were children and powerless women.”

The Blue Sect represents the Righteous Sects, and the Red Sect represents the Demonic Sects.

In fact, it was said that in ancient times, the Black Way Demonic Sects overwhelmed the White Way Righteous Sects.

It was inevitable. In those days when martial arts were not systematically developed, the rough and decisive side was bound to gain the upper hand.

No, it was a time when the distinction between black and white was blurred. It was a time when the world was in utter chaos, a time that was difficult for them to understand now.

“Let’s think about it the other way around. After the balance of power was broken, the people of the Red Sect also came to hate the Blue Sect. The reason is that many people died simply because they belonged to the Red Sect, even if they were innocent.”

“That is…!”

Someone spoke up but then closed their mouth.

Even if they opened their mouths, they would only say things like, ‘We are different from them,’ or ‘It was unavoidable for the sake of justice.’

Such words are nothing more than empty excuses. Rather, they are the kind of lies that the evil Black Way people they hate would tell.

“The Red and Blue Sects are clear enemies. They have been fighting since their ancestors. But now, most of them are drawing their swords at each other without even having a personal grudge.”

“That’s… not entirely true.”

Someone spoke again.

It was just nitpicking, but Abbot Gong Gong nodded.

“That’s right. Not everyone is like that. It wasn’t just the Blue Sect that was the problem, the Red Sect was also a problem. In the midst of the two sects that had become all about hating and killing each other, the value of friendship and understanding became a murky rain that was hard to penetrate.”

“……”

“In this situation where neither side can finish the other, a Green Sect that can swallow both the Red and Blue Sects has risen to power.”

“……”

“Moreover, they have been kidnapping people from the homelands of the Red and Blue Sects, committing murder, arson, and senseless violence, things that cannot even be put into words.”

The warriors’ faces showed discomfort.

Abbot Gong Gong’s words were true. The things the Three Teachings [a powerful, evil organization] had done in Sichuan and Guangdong were enough to make them irreconcilable enemies.

“We had to unite. The Red and Blue Sects are enemies, but the Green Sect is a disaster in itself. The only good thing is that it is a disaster that we can somehow stop if we join forces.”

Abbot Gong Gong’s eyes gleamed.

He had simply used the Red and Blue Sects as analogies for the conflict between the Righteous and Demonic Sects, and the Three Teachings.

But for the listeners, even such a simple analogy resonated deeply.

The reason was simple. The analogy allowed them to take the perspective of a third party.

That’s why they were uncomfortable. Regardless of their enmity, justice was always on their side. They might not say it out loud, but in their hearts, they always believed that the White Way Righteous Sects were right.

But the Alliance Leader was saying that it wasn’t so. The path of the White Way Righteous Sects certainly existed, but they, too, were human and had made many mistakes.

They were uncomfortable because they knew it was true. If he had directly said that their Righteous Sects were also at fault, they would have protested, but hearing it from a step back, it was different.

Since they were at least feeling uncomfortable, Abbot Gong Gong’s choice was, once again, a good one.

“There are many things that each of us wants to say. Each of you will have your own thoughts, and so do I. Even though we belong to the same faction, our thoughts are so different that even days and nights would not be enough to continue the conversation.”

“……”

“However, to us who have such different thoughts, this world is presenting one absolute truth.”

Abbot Gong Gong’s eyes deepened.

“The fact that the Three Teachings can overwhelm us.”

“……!!”

“If we split up here, the Three Teachings, who would find it easier to exploit the divided Righteous and Demonic Sects, would laugh heartily, saying they could minimize their troop losses.”

Chills!

Abbot Gong Gong’s words had the power to make an obvious truth penetrate deep into their hearts in one go.

The faces of the anti-Black Faction warriors turned pale. Even the warriors of the Six Dragons Unit looked at Abbot Gong Gong with slightly pale faces.

“If we fight each other here, it will only benefit the Three Teachings, who are trying to burn our homes and kill my family, my friends, my teachers, and my disciples.”

“……”

“It wasn’t an easy decision for us either. I believe that most of you were relieved at that time. As fellow people of the Central Plains [the heartland of China].”

“……”

“I ask that you please be a little more calm.”

The warriors lowered their heads one by one.

A solemn atmosphere filled the plaza. Due to Abbot Gong Gong’s sincere request, their fervor, which had been burning with near madness, had been greatly diminished.

It was then.

“I understand what the Alliance Leader is saying.”

It was Gu Il-baek who spoke.

“If the invasion of the Three Teachings is true, then the death of the Namgoong Family Head is also true.”

Once again, the embers of madness began to fly.

“Joining forces with the Black Way? Fine. If they show a clear commitment as allies, there is no reason not to join forces.”

Gu Il-baek’s eyes wavered.

Even the most shameless person would find it incredibly difficult to say such things in front of the Alliance Leader.

“However, the head of the Namgoong Family, one of the pillars of our White Way Righteous Sects, was killed by the next leader of the Black Way Alliance. How can we trust them in this situation? It was an act committed by the second-in-command of the Mukryong Unit, not just some ordinary warrior.”

“Hold on, Sect Leader Gu.”

“I apologize for interrupting, Alliance Leader.”

At that moment, Abbot Gong Gong saw Gu Il-baek swallow briefly.

It didn’t seem to be just from nervousness. At least, that’s how it appeared to Abbot Gong Gong.

“If that person was innocent, he would have appeared openly and tried to uncover the truth. But he left the Namgoong Family on his own and disappeared without a trace. He even took all the warriors who were said to be his brothers.”

“……”

“In this situation, how can we trust the Black Way?”

Some of the anti-Black Faction warriors nodded.

It might seem like nitpicking, but Gu Il-baek wasn’t lying.

Abbot Gong Gong spoke in a somewhat firm voice.

“Let me ask Sect Leader Gu one thing.”

“Yes.”

“If this humble monk had decided to eliminate the Namgoong Family Head, would I have loudly opened the gates and done the deed? Or would I have killed him secretly, using a method that no one would know?”

“……!!”

“Do you think this humble monk lacks that kind of ability?”

The dignified Abbot of Shaolin was beginning to step into the mud.

“If I set my mind to it, I can secretly kill anyone except for Seongcheon.”

“A, Alliance Leader.”

“Then, what about Vice Sect Leader Yeon!”

Abbot Gong Gong’s voice became intense.

“Was there a reason that others didn’t know about, that forced him to enter through the gates and kill him?”

“……!”

“No one would carry out such a reckless and hasty act, no matter the reason. Especially not Vice Sect Leader Yeon, who has risked his life every day since entering the martial world, traveling all over the Central Plains to defeat the Three Teachings!”

“……!!”

“If Vice Sect Leader Yeon is guilty, it is only one thing. As you said, he did not appear in person to explain exactly what happened.”

“……”

“Other than that, there is no evidence that Vice Sect Leader Yeon killed the Namgoong Family Head.”

“But…!”

“That is why we are trying to arrest Vice Sect Leader Yeon. As a suspect, as a witness to the incident.”

“……”

“If it turns out to be true that Vice Sect Leader Yeon killed the Namgoong Family Head.”

Whoooom.

A dazzling golden light emanated from Abbot Gong Gong’s body.

“I, myself, will punish him.”

“……”

“Conversely, if he is innocent.”

Abbot Gong Gong swept his gaze over the warriors.

The warriors lowered their heads and avoided his gaze, intimidated by the majestic aura of the Martial Alliance Leader.

“Depending on the circumstances of the incident, I, as the Martial Alliance Leader, will officially apologize to Vice Sect Leader Yeon on behalf of everyone. I will bear all the insults you have hurled at him here.”

“……”

“Do you have anything more to say?”