Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1025

The expressions of those who had taken turns reading the letter were extremely grim.

“That’s understandable.”

The first to speak was Gi Cheon-ung.

“The cunning of the Lord of the Demonic Cult is beyond imagination. Though it is a result of my own inadequacy, he is a man who can sow discord between father and son and concentrate power in one place. This much is nothing for him.”

His voice was bitter.

Peng Mu-Gang looked at Yeon-Wi with a heavy heart.

“Lord Yeon.”

Yeon-Wi shook his head.

“I am fine. It’s Ho-Jeong I’m worried about.”

“…….”

“Ho-Jeong has succeeded in things that even I, his father, could not have imagined. Though we are father and son, I do not have the insight to see what my son is doing.”

“I believe this is a different issue from ability.”

“Of course, it is.”

Yeon-Wi sighed.

‘My boy, are you really alright?’

He knew better than anyone how much Yeon Ho-Jeong cherished the Martial Alliance.

To be precise, it was because they were comrades who would fight against the Three Evil Sects, but how could people build relationships based solely on need? There were many in the Martial Alliance who cared for Yeon Ho-Jeong, and Yeon Ho-Jeong also thought of them as his own people.

Naturally, his son’s heart would be rotting away.

‘How frustrated and sad you must be, I can see it clearly.’

Still, he had no doubt that he would overcome it.

He would surely overcome it, and in fact, the letter stated that Yeon Ho-Jeong’s response was excellent.

However… in that process, he was worried and sorry for his son, who must have shed tears of blood because of emotions he could not tell anyone.

“Really.”

A voice that seemed to pour cold water on the troubled atmosphere.

“They are idiots who can’t think ahead.”

It was Yang Cheon’s rare anger.

The aura emanating from Yang Cheon was truly terrifying. He did not reveal his killing intent because of the situation, but if the Black Faction were in front of him, he would have torn them to pieces right away.

“Did they really not know what that young man risked his life for to cross the Central Plains?”

Surprisingly, Yang Cheon was angry not because they showed hatred towards the Black Path, but because he was worried about Yeon Ho-Jeong.

In another way, although they were only master and disciple in name, the two shared a bond close to brotherhood.

To put it more deeply, Yeon Ho-Jeong was Yang Cheon’s person. That’s why he was angry.

“If they hated and loathed the Black Path so much, couldn’t they have thought even a little that the opposite was also true? How frustrating!”

At Yang Cheon’s angry outburst, Yeon-Wi and Peng Mu-Gang could only sigh.

“We have no excuse.”

Even at Yeon-Wi’s words, Yang Cheon did not answer. That’s how angry he was.

Gi Cheon-ung shook his head.

“That’s not what’s important right now.”

Everyone looked at Gi Cheon-ung.

Gi Cheon-ung pointed to the letter with his chin.

“They said they need someone to represent the Emperor’s will. Lord Yeon and Lord Peng are in a difficult situation to move right now, and if the Deputy Lord of the Black Dragon Unit goes, it could cause unnecessary tension, so that won’t do either.”

“That’s right.”

“And if we tell Gok Gyeong, he will definitely shout that it’s impossible.”

The fact that the Emperor had faked his own death was something that would shake the heavens and the earth.

However, the Divine Cult might try to find out if it was true. If an accident were to happen in that process, it would be a big problem.

“I will go.”

Yang Cheon stepped forward without hesitation.

Gi Cheon-ung frowned.

“Are you planning to fight?”

“Of course not. I’m saying I’ll go to the Black Dragon Unit first.”

“To the Black Dragon Unit?”

“If my disciple leaves the Martial Alliance and heads to the Black Dragon Unit, there will surely be chaos within the Black Dragon Unit. We can’t hide what happened in the Martial Alliance forever.”

“That’s true, but.”

“The Three Evil Sects even attempted to assassinate the Emperor. It means war is imminent.”

“…….”

“I have things to do here. It’s welcome that I have a lot of work in my old age, but I need to go and make sure my disciple is safe and come back to sleep soundly.”

It seemed like he had considered various issues.

It was his intention to soothe Yeon Ho-Jeong’s heart and, since he was in the Imperial Palace, to act as a proxy for the Black Dragon Unit.

Indeed, for Yang Cheon, he needed to give Yeon Ho-Jeong proper support right away so that those soft-headed Martial Alliance guys would come to their senses. This was not only because he hated the Martial Alliance, but also a necessary action for the upcoming war.

“It won’t take long. After handling the affairs of the unit and returning, let’s send Gok Gyeong then. If we all protect His Majesty together, a dangerous situation will not occur.”

In the meantime, it meant that there was a justification for persuading Gok Gyeong as well.

Gi Cheon-ung looked at Yeon-Wi.

Yeon-Wi nodded slightly.

“I think it’s not bad.”

Peng Mu-Gang spoke to Yang Cheon in a subtle tone.

“Now that I see it, you are incredibly smart.”

“Shut up. I’m not in a good mood right now. I don’t want to talk to the Martial Alliance guys for a while.”

If he really didn’t want to talk, he wouldn’t have even said that. Perhaps because they had become much closer recently, he was responding to Peng Mu-Gang’s teasing with teasing of his own.

It was then.

“There’s no need for that.”

The person who opened the door and entered without permission was Gok Gyeong.

And behind Gok Gyeong were Monk Mu Heo and Tak Mu-Ja.

Gok Gyeong said with a tired face.

“I’m going straight to the Martial Alliance. So, Deputy Lord Yang, go to the Black Dragon Unit and come straight to the Alliance.”

Normally, one would wonder why this guy was speaking so calmly, but the situation was so serious that such words didn’t come out.

Yang Cheon asked with a puzzled face.

“Why all of a sudden?”

Gok Gyeong pointed behind him with his hand.

Monk Mu Heo smiled and said.

“We have decided to stay by His Majesty’s side.”

Everyone was surprised.

Yeon-Wi said cautiously.

“I heard that Sword Saint Senior Tak is not feeling well.”

Tak Mu-Ja laughed as if it was interesting.

“So, do I look like I’ve already become half a corpse?”

“Ah, no. I didn’t mean it that way…”

It was Yeon-Wi’s rare embarrassment.

Tak Mu-Ja burst into laughter.

“If it weren’t for the bald monk, I would be a corpse. My personal physician is next to me, so there won’t be any problems.”

“If the two of you are by His Majesty’s side, there will be no better protection.”

Yeon-Wi looked at Gok Gyeong.

Although he looked tired, he was also a man who discussed the world. He knew better than anyone that he had to step up because the situation had become urgent.

“There’s no point in having a theoretical discussion. I plan to move right away, even tonight.”

Yang Cheon got up from his seat.

“I’m the same. Let’s leave right now.”

At that moment, Gi Cheon-ung raised his hand.

“I will go too.”

In an instant, everyone’s eyes widened.

Tak Mu-Ja tilted his head.

“Are you planning to play with fire, you?”

Gi Cheon-ung said with an unpleasant face.

“What kind of talk is that? Even though I’m an old man who is said to be one of the best in the continent.”

“That’s not important. But why are you going?”

“Isn’t it obvious? My idiot son must be hearing the report that the Emperor is dead by now. In that situation, what would he think if I stayed here?”

“Hmm.”

“It’s better for me to get out of here too. I’ve already finished my deal with the Emperor. But I can’t just stay anywhere in the Central Plains, so I should meet this rumored Overlord [referring to Yeon Ho-Jeong].”

“Why not go to the Martial Alliance?”

Gi Cheon-ung shook the letter.

“Are you telling me to go to a place where such ridiculous things have happened? Even if the spy’s tongue was sweet, if their minds were right, things wouldn’t have escalated to this point.”

“…….”

“Unless the Alliance Leader has a firm grip on the Alliance members, if I go, a second Black Faction incident will break out.”

Gi Cheon-ung looked at Yang Cheon and asked.

“Isn’t that right?”

Yang Cheon nodded silently. It was a silent agreement.

Monk Mu Heo smiled and asked.

“Is the Upper Dantian [an energy center in the body] training method that Malco told you about working for you?”

Gi Cheon-ung turned his head without a word. Whether he was embarrassed or not, he was the type of person who would have said it didn’t work if it didn’t.

Thus, all preparations were completed on the Imperial Palace side as well.

“Those who will go, go, and those who will stay, stay put.”

* * *

When new relationships and new footsteps were about to be drawn, people were bound to find their own places.

When Yeon Ho-Jeong was giving his last farewell in the plaza.

As if by appointment, the group that had finished their work in Qinghai also returned.

They passed through the outer walls in an instant and, with the inner walls in sight, they could immediately sense that the atmosphere of the Alliance was unusual.

The informants who confirmed their entry into the Alliance immediately contacted Jeagal Mun-Ho, and Jeagal Mun-Ho went out to the outer walls alone to explain the situation to them.

“Those bastards deserve to be torn to pieces!!”

Tang Gwan’s anger was truly terrifying.

It was a situation that instantly threw the joy of reaching the Supreme Realm to the bottom. There were many people around, so he couldn’t show his killing intent, but just by looking at his eyes, it seemed like he would catch all the Black Faction warriors and pour poison on them.

“What the hell were you thinking to do such a dog-like thing!”

Tang Gwan shouted at the gatekeepers guarding the gate leading to the inner walls.

“Open the gate right now! I will meet those bastards one by one and make them neither dead nor alive for seven days and nights!”

He was not a person without anger, but even considering his usual personality, he was excessively angry.

It could be seen that he cared for Yeon Ho-Jeong and thought about the safety of the world. However, his anger was too much to be simply for that reason.

Jeagal Mun-Ho raised both hands.

“Calm down, Lord Tang.”

“Is this something to calm down about?! What the hell were you doing! While those damned bastards were running wild…”

At that time, Muk Bi spoke.

“Lord.”

Tang Gwan did not turn to her. However, upon hearing her voice, he stopped speaking and just huffed.

Ok Cheong said cautiously.

“You must be careful. If you don’t control it well…”

“I know.”

Tang Gwan, who answered briefly, turned his head away. He seemed to be trying hard to control his rising anger.

Jeagal Mun-Ho, who had been calmly watching Tang Gwan, smiled and bowed his head.

“Congratulations on reaching the Supreme Realm.”

“…….”

“Let’s do better in the future.”

Tang Gwan, who had been huffing for a while, let out a deep sigh.

“Damn it, why can’t I control my emotions like this? Do people become like this when they reach the Supreme Realm?”

He had pride in the realm he had achieved, but there was also a glimpse of anxiety about losing himself from time to time.

Tang Gwan asked in a troubled voice.

“Where is that guy? No, I know. He’s near the Alliance Leader’s residence in the inner walls.”

“That’s right. The warriors will be dismissed soon.”

“The guys who belonged to the Black Faction, be sure to call them and let me confront them.”

“If you give me your word that you won’t use your hands, there’s no problem.”

“And…”

Tang Gwan hesitated and asked.

“How is that guy’s condition…?”

At that time, Yeon Ji-Pyeong answered.

“My brother will be fine.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho looked at Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

There was worry and pain on Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s face as well, but he seemed much more composed than before he left the Alliance.

“Isn’t that right, Strategist?”

“Yes, you’re right. Is your brother an ordinary person? Rather, he used this crisis as an opportunity to unite the warriors within the Alliance, so he is indeed a remarkable person.”

“That’s a relief.”

That was the end of it. He knew that there was no point in saying more unless he saw it himself.

Muk Bi spoke in a calm but firm tone.

“Please take me to Lord Yeon, Strategist.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded his head.

“Open the gate.”