Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1020

“……!”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face shifted constantly as he read the urgent letters that had arrived.

He summoned his informants.

“Is this information accurate?”

“We will verify it once more.”

“No, you must verify it again, not just once, but ten times. As quickly as possible!”

“Understood.”

“Also, retrace the information delivery process all the way back to the Martial Alliance! Hurry!”

Half a day passed.

Jeagal Mun-Ho, having received the reports from the informants, gritted his teeth.

“Is anyone outside?!”

“Yes, Military Advisor.”

“Bring the Alliance Leader! No, never mind. I will go to the Alliance Leader’s residence!”

Jeagal Mun-Ho, frantically gathering various documents and letters, hurried towards the Alliance Leader’s residence.

A short while later.

“This……?!”

Discomposure flickered across Gong Gong Dae-Sa’s face.

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded and said,

“I have reviewed the matter several times, and also retraced the process of how the information arrived.”

The Martial Alliance’s intelligence network rivaled that of the Beggars’ Sect [a large information-gathering organization]. The Beggars’ Sect had assisted in the initial organization of the intelligence department, and the seals on the letters that had arrived were impossible to replicate.

“Are you saying it’s all true?”

“Yes, it is.”

“……Huh!”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed and said,

“The Beggars’ Sect also confirmed that the information is accurate. Furthermore, from the information that the Imperial Palace has been unusually quiet, to the behavior of the dispatched warriors, it can be considered certain.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa, who had been quietly looking at the letters, shook his head.

“I never imagined the situation would change so drastically.”

The information they received concerned the situation in the Imperial Palace.

They already knew that the Shin Hwa Cult Leader had come to the Imperial Palace with a portion of his forces.

However, the Shin Hwa Cult Leader had come to defect to the Central Plains Martial World, and in reality, the cult was currently being controlled by the Vice Cult Leader.

It was even written that the Protector who had accompanied the Cult Leader had attempted to assassinate the Emperor.

If this was true, it was no ordinary matter.

However, there was more than one letter, and the contents that followed were beyond imagination.

“How could His Majesty do such a terrible thing……!”

The Emperor’s own self-assassination plot.

It was said that the Emperor himself had suggested making it a reality.

This was not something to be simply surprised about and then forget.

Although he had lost power, the ruler of the empire and the sovereign of all people had declared that he would fake his own death.

The repercussions would be far greater than people vaguely imagined. Even if it was not the Emperor but a member of the Imperial family who died, rumors of the nation’s demise and the heavens’ wrath would spread. If rumors of the Emperor’s assassination were to spread, public sentiment would plummet.

“It seems His Majesty intends to exploit this to target the Three Teachings’ weaknesses.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa shook his head.

“Even so, this is too much for us to handle. If rumors spread, countless commoners will be unable to sleep due to anxiety.”

“We cannot let the rumors spread.”

“What do you mean?”

Although the shock had not yet subsided, the Military Advisor was still a Military Advisor. Jeagal Mun-Ho spoke in a firm tone.

“This rumor must not be allowed to spread, not even naturally. It must be strictly controlled.”

“……?!”

“However, we must show a slight opening.”

Only then did Gong Gong Dae-Sa understand Jeagal Mun-Ho’s words.

“Are you saying that to deceive the Three Teachings, we must deceive ourselves?”

“That is correct. And we must make it clear to the Three Teachings’ informants that we are actively trying to hide this fact.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa, who was about to shout that it was nonsense, quickly shut his mouth.

From being the Abbot of Shaolin to serving the Martial Alliance, and then becoming the Alliance Leader. He had experienced things that an ordinary Buddhist or martial artist could not even imagine.

He had only lost his composure for a moment because the subject was the Emperor. In reality, such information operations had occurred countless times. Of course, Gong Gong Dae-Sa had always shown his displeasure, but as the leader of the massive Martial Alliance, he could not afford to react emotionally.

“This is not something we can decide among ourselves. Since His Majesty cannot come in person, we must gather someone who can represent His Majesty’s will, the dispatched members, and the Black Path representative.”

“I share the same thought. However, as written in the letter, the Imperial Palace is already engaging in information manipulation.”

The reason why the dispatched members, Yeon-Wi and Peng Mu-Gang, as well as Yang Cheon, have not returned is because of this.

If the Emperor had died, the entire Imperial Palace would be on high alert. In such a situation, if those who could be considered the top martial artists of the Martial World were to return, that would also be a problem.

They must give the impression that they are protecting the Imperial Palace. That is why they cannot return.

“I am uneasy.”

“Yes?”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa closed his eyes.

“From the Black Path warriors who were manipulated by spies, to the Imperial Palace incident, and before that, the problem with the Shinma Forest.”

“……”

“We have experienced many incidents, but there has never been a time when such major events have occurred in succession.”

“That is true.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa, who opened his eyes again, looked out the window.

“……Is the time gradually approaching?”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa muttered to himself.

Jeagal Mun-Ho felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing those words.

Gong Gong Dae-Sa was a wise man. In terms of knowledge and information analysis, Jeagal Mun-Ho could not match him, but in the grand scheme of things, he was a wiser man than anyone else.

Furthermore, he was a Buddhist who had restrained even his intense desire to reach the pinnacle of martial arts, out of fear of his own corruption.

A Buddhist with deep enlightenment and a martial artist whose upper dantian ability [a concept in martial arts referring to a specific energy center] had reached its peak.

Such a Gong Gong Dae-Sa was feeling uneasy. And he was sensing something.

Jeagal Mun-Ho trusted Gong Gong Dae-Sa’s premonition, his intuition.

‘War.’

Gong Gong Dae-Sa was sensing the atmosphere of war.

He was intuitively aware that the shadow of war, which had been gradually approaching and could erupt at any moment, was now right in front of them.

Jeagal Mun-Ho tried to speak calmly.

“There was also follow-up information while I was coming to the Alliance Leader’s residence.”

“What information?”

“It is information that the Shaolin’s Gwon-Shin [a title for a master of martial arts], Great Master Mu Heo, and the Wudang’s Tak Mu-Ja Elder are also in the Imperial Palace.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa’s eyes changed slightly.

It was surprising, but he did not seem too surprised on the surface.

“I don’t know about Elder Tak Mu, but my master…….”

“They said they did not want it to be officially announced, so it seems it was secretly delivered to the Martial Alliance’s intelligence department.”

“I see.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa thought.

‘Have you shaken off the demon?’

Mu Heo’s title alone was legendary.

However, to Gong Gong Dae-Sa, Mu Heo was not the Unrivaled Fist Under Heaven who had reached the pinnacle of Gwon-Shin, but a Buddhist with deep enlightenment, an ordinary monk well-versed in the Shaolin scriptures.

He was an ordinary man, and therefore extraordinary. A man who had attained deeper enlightenment than anyone else, yet never revealed it.

Gong Gong Dae-Sa respected his master not for his martial arts, but for his character, magnanimity, and enlightenment.

Such a master had secluded himself for a long time.

The exact reason was unknown. However, he had only left behind the words, ‘I have brought a wicked demon, so I must beat this guy’s head until the heavenly god who is lurking around Mount Sumeru opens his eyes.’

Years ago, when he had reached the front of the cave, wanting to hear his master’s voice, he had been able to hear his old and tired master’s voice for the first time in a long time.

‘The demon is so wicked that I might pass away here. Even if I shake off the demon and go out into the world, my life will not be long.’

He did not know what he meant by those words. He had only felt profound sadness.

However, Gong Gong Dae-Sa, who had now reached the pinnacle of martial arts, could feel it.

‘Master. Are you really going to leave without seeing your disciple’s face?’

He could intuitively tell. That the life of his master, who was revered as Gwon-Shin by the world, was not long.

He did not know the reason. He just felt it.

His master had come out into the world not as a Buddhist, but as an adult living in the world. He must have moved based on the judgment that his life was not long.

“Hoo.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa, who had calmed his confused mind with a deep breath, opened his mouth.

“Let’s send a letter quickly. Tell them that we need someone who can represent the Imperial Palace, no, the will of His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Understood.”

“Is Vice Leader Yeon still in the prison?”

“No, he is in his residence.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face hardened even more.

Gong Gong Dae-Sa’s eyes sparkled.

“Why? Did something happen?”

“That is…….”

“Speak.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho lowered his head.

“I apologize. It would be better if you heard this directly from the Vice Leader.”

“Why not give me a hint?”

In the end, Jeagal Mun-Ho told Gong Gong Dae-Sa the story that Jeagal Ayeon had told him.

Gong Gong Dae-Sa’s jaw jutted out.

“I must send a message to the Vice Leader.”

* * *

Yeon Ho-Jeong, sitting on the flat bench and looking up at the sky, had a nonchalant expression.

His atmosphere was different from usual. Perhaps that was why? Jin Yang and Gang Ryang, as well as Beom Oh and Sama Hyeon, could not easily open their mouths.

How much time had passed?

Yeon Ho-Jeong dusted off his bottom and stood up.

“I’ll be back for a bit.”

Gang Ryang cleared his throat, which had become hoarse, and said,

“Where are you going?”

“The Alliance Leader is calling for me.”

“Ah, is that so.”

Gang Ryang scratched his head and looked at Jin Yang.

Jin Yang shrugged and said,

“Should I go with you if you’re bored?”

“Would you be bored?”

“I guess not.”

Gang Ryang’s eyes widened, wondering what that meant.

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked at Beom Oh.

“It seems like the monk can come with me. I have to report anyway.”

“Ah, should I?”

Sama Hyeon frowned.

“What should I do?”

“There’s no chance of it happening, but if any crazy bastards come looking for trouble, cut their heads off before they reach the gate.”

“Is that okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

Of course, it’s not okay.

Sama Hyeon, who had swallowed the words that had risen to his throat, grumbled.

“I don’t know why I came all the way here.”

“Rest. Let’s clear our heads and have a drink.”

With that, Yeon Ho-Jeong and Beom Oh left their residence and headed towards a forest.

They encountered many warriors on their way to the forest, but no one made eye contact with Yeon Ho-Jeong. Of course, there were people who bowed their heads in greeting.

When the two arrived at the forest.

“It’s still bright, but I can already see the shape of the moon.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa, standing in the middle of a wide open space in the forest and looking up at the sky, resembled a stone Buddha with his hands clasped together.

Gong Gong Dae-Sa continued calmly.

“People think that day and night are different. But there must be day for there to be night, and there must be night for there to be day. Moreover, the moon comes first to announce the transition before night, so how can we say that day and night are different?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and said,

“Still, many people dislike the darkness of night.”

“That’s because they are not familiar with it. To show them the comfort of the night, you, the moon, have come.”

“If the darkness is stained with deep-rooted hatred and resentment, no matter how bright the moonlight is, it will only cause fear to those who live in the daytime.”

“I will hang lanterns in that darkness. I will do so at the cost of everything I have.”

“Darkness is not only in the night. It is dark even when you close your eyes.”

“I will make each and every one of those closed eyes open.”

“Is that how the Martial Alliance should be?”

“It is because it is the Martial Alliance that it should be even more so.”

“Do that after the war is over.”

Gong Gong Dae-Sa turned his head towards Yeon Ho-Jeong.

His eyes were bloodshot, unlike his usual self. His face was filled with passion.

“If you are going to leave, then drag me down from the position of Alliance Leader and leave. If you cannot do that, then I will not let you go either.”