Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1036

In the distance, countless units engaged in repetitive training, each adhering to their distinct formations. The training was fast-paced and intense.

The Gwangpung Unit, Doryong Unit, and Chamho Unit each splintered into dozens of formations, while the Blood Hawk Unit and Bisa Unit moved as a unified force, constantly shifting between horizontal and vertical lines as they battled against imaginary foes.

The highlight, of course, was the Yongacheolgi Unit. Hwang Seok-tae, who had returned immediately after the Shinma Forest incident was resolved, led the unit with even more refined tactics.

‘Magnificent.’

Except for the units that were out on missions, almost all units were training on the plains.

Yang Cheon smiled.

The units of the Mukryong Unit, which had grown alongside him, had all gained formidable strength and commanded respect throughout the world.

‘Still, to see this much…’

He was reminded of the time when he first unified the Black Road [a powerful martial arts organization].

Back then, he never imagined he would be able to command so many masters. He had dreamed of it, but making it a reality required immense sacrifice, effort, and a stroke of luck.

Fortunately, his subordinates had all embraced his dream and had developed to this point.

He felt a surge of pride and satisfaction.

How long had it been?

“Impressive.”

“Isn’t it?”

Yang Cheon burst into laughter.

“I poured in elixirs without holding back, and I modified and passed on the martial arts I acquired while wandering the world. In the early days after its creation, we repeated training that was all about killing and being killed. Thinking about that time, I realize how ruthless I was.”

“There must have been many casualties.”

“There were. But I didn’t force death. I only made a proposal to those who remained for the sake of their dreams and ideals.”

“……”

“Hundreds died. But even as they were dying, they looked at me with eyes full of dreams and goals. So, I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. A leader who has received the hearts of his dead subordinates can no longer be free.”

“I understand.”

Yang Cheon looked up at the sky.

“Although the form has changed a little, I am still running through the world. I was worried if my dead subordinates would understand me, but at least I don’t think they would curse me.”

“They will not.”

Yang Cheon slowly turned his body.

Yeon Ho-jeong knelt down and bowed his head.

“Master.”

“Rise.”

Yeon Ho-jeong rose.

Yang Cheon smiled and continued.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other like this, just the two of us.”

“That’s right.”

Yang Cheon had arrived at the Mukryong Unit twenty-five days ago.

However, he could not meet Yeon Ho-jeong right away. Yeon Ho-jeong had contacted Yang Cheon in advance and entered a huge castle that was under construction to manage and supervise it.

Even if a war didn’t break out, the Mukryong Unit was planning to move to a castle. But now, with the war possibly breaking out at any time, they couldn’t move their troops carelessly.

To assess the feasibility, Yeon Ho-jeong went to the castle himself.

And now, he had finally reunited with Yang Cheon.

“I thought I would handle a few things and return quickly, but as always, when I get involved with you, things never go as planned.”

“Haha.”

“So, how was it? The place we’re moving to?”

“It’s magnificent. The location is excellent, and it’s already more than seventy percent complete.”

“Seventy percent? Already?”

“It’s more than seventy percent, but it seems like there won’t be any inconvenience even if we move in right away.”

Yang Cheon chuckled.

“It feels like I can hear the voice of the heavens. They’re telling me to buy time somehow, so hurry up and move in and prepare for war.”

Yeon Ho-jeong also smiled back.

“Shall we take a walk?”

“Sure.”

The two strolled around the hill.

“Impressive.”

“Yes?”

“Your martial arts. You’ve grown again while I wasn’t looking. Now….”

“……”

“Even I am not confident that I can win.”

Even though he said he couldn’t win, there was no jealousy or bitterness.

Yeon Ho-jeong grinned.

“I am a genius, after all.”

“You damned bastard. You’re not a genius, you’re a demon that heaven mistakenly sent down. I don’t know how I got entangled with a guy like you.”

Yang Cheon clicked his tongue and continued.

“I’ve told my subordinates. To get ready.”

“As expected of you, Master.”

“Not for moving or preparing for war.”

“Yes? Then what?”

Yang Cheon stopped walking.

“Transfer the position of Vice-Chief, Lee Yang.”

“……?!”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Master.”

“Of course, I’ll be the Supreme Elder, so you can’t just go wild after I transfer the Vice-Chief position.”

Yang Cheon laughed heartily, as if he was very amused.

Yeon Ho-jeong cautiously asked.

“Why…?”

“Why? Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

“Yes.”

“You’re kidding me. How can a guy with such good instincts and quick wits not know?”

“I really don’t know. Why are you trying to transfer the Vice-Chief position?”

“Then should I not transfer it and keep going like this? I have to go back to the Imperial Palace?”

“……!”

“Of course, I’m confident too. Leading the kids and fighting, it would be very exciting. And since they’re kids I raised myself, we’ll work together perfectly.”

“……”

“But the person who should lead the troops in this war is not me. At least not in the Black Road.”

Yang Cheon’s face became serious.

“Before martial prowess, your leadership and strategy are unmatched by anyone in the world. Even if you can’t do anything else, a strategist with foresight will always achieve victory. If I don’t give the troops to you, who has all the qualities of a strategist, how can we win the war?”

“Master.”

“Besides, many of the Mukryong warriors are inspired by you. Especially this rumor was the final blow.”

“What rumor?”

“Ah, haven’t you heard? Well, you’ve been cooped up in the castle.”

Yang Cheon told him about the story of Yeon Ho-jeong that had spread throughout the world and his newly changed title.

“Black and White Emperor….”

Confusion appeared on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.

Yang Cheon chuckled.

“I don’t know who came up with it, but they made a great title. As soon as I heard it, the life you’ve lived flashed before my eyes. It’s ten thousand times better than a title like Overlord.”

Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at Yang Cheon and said.

“I’ve truly surpassed my teacher.”

“You rotten bastard. Well, I guess we’re supposed to be master and disciple, but I haven’t even looked after you since you were a kid.”

“Still, a master is a master.”

“How many masters have you had with that kind of attitude?”

“Two, including you, Master.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“My first master ascended to the heavens.”

He really did ascend to the heavens, but to Yang Cheon, it just sounded like he died.

“I see. What kind of person was he?”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked up at the sky.

Even under the dark sky, the world seemed to brighten when he thought of his master.

“He was my savior. He was the one who raised a good-for-nothing fool like me to this level.”

“So, his martial arts must have been strong?”

“He had no equal in the world. He was a divine being who never revealed himself to the world.”

Yang Cheon clicked his tongue at Yeon Ho-jeong’s serious words.

“There are many eccentric people in the martial world, but if you rate someone that highly, he must have been incredibly strong.”

“That’s right.”

“Too bad. I wish I could have met him.”

Yeon Ho-jeong just smiled.

But that was only for a moment.

“Wasn’t there strong opposition?”

“What? To transferring the Vice-Chief position?”

“Yes.”

“There’s no way there would be opposition. They’d die for my orders.”

That’s what he said, but in reality, the opposition was considerable.

However, it was an undeniable truth that the persuasion was much easier than he had thought. Yang Cheon calmly explained the current situation, and his subordinates sighed and agreed.

“You’ve become the one who holds the lives of my subordinates, but you’ve shown your abilities enough. And thanks to the rumors that have swept the world, their morale is already high.”

“I see.”

“However, I’ll have to take the Twelve Zodiacs with me.”

Some of the masters of the Twelve Zodiacs had been with Yang Cheon since before he unified the Black Road.

They were not people of the Mukryong Unit, but rather people of Yang Cheon, the Vice-Chief. He could separate them if he wanted to, but that would not be respectful to his subordinates who had been with him for so long.

“You can understand that much, right?”

“Of course. Rather, if they said they would stay, I would have whipped them to follow you, Master.”

“Haha.”

“Vice-Chief… I never thought I would become the owner of the Black Road Alliance in this way.”

“You were always planning to take it over, weren’t you?”

“I was thinking it would be better not to take it over.”

Yang Cheon understood Yeon Ho-jeong’s feelings.

The relationship between the two was not one of blood ties. It could be said that it was a business relationship formed out of mutual need.

In other words, he had become a small owner of the Mukryong Unit, but there was no reason for him to take over the Vice-Chief position.

If war didn’t break out, Yeon Ho-jeong would have returned to his hometown after giving up the position of Sub-Chief.

Not wanting to become the Vice-Chief meant that he didn’t want the war to break out. He called for the overthrow of the Three Teachings, but Yeon Ho-jeong was also burdened by the war in which countless people would die.

“I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“If I become the Vice-Chief, can I mess around as I please?”

“If I tell you not to, will you not do it?”

“No.”

“Then why are you asking?”

“I’m thinking of changing the organization’s name.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes widened.

“Isn’t that a bit much? I put so much thought into the name.”

“It’s a bit childish.”

“You son of a…?”

“Haha. Then it’s okay. There’s a name that’s been etched in history, even if it’s childish, so it’s okay not to change it.”

Yang Cheon, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-jeong, asked as if throwing a question.

“Were you planning to change it when we moved?”

“If you allow it.”

“What do you mean by allow? The Black Road is different from the White Road [another martial arts organization]. The owner holds everything in their hands. In other words, they’re no different from a king.”

“That’s right.”

“Whether you change the name or reorganize the organization, it’s up to the king’s will. Of course, if the aftermath is too severe and the organization is shaken, then maybe not, but that’s not the case, is it?”

“Hmm, should I?”

“……Honestly, I’m not confident. The Twelve Zodiacs have been with me from the beginning, so I’m thinking of taking them with me, but the elders are different.”

“Elders.”

“My power is so strong that they can’t even breathe, but each of the elders is not easy to deal with. Compared to the martial arts alliance’s officials or elders, their scale is small, but each of them is a veteran warrior who has survived a bloody life in the martial world.”

“……”

“It’s not a matter of martial prowess, but a matter of influence. Of course, you’ll probably handle it well enough, but even in a kingdom, it’s not easy to control the ministers in the early days of the regime, is it?”

“That’s right.”

Yang Cheon, who had been staring at Yeon Ho-jeong, chuckled and stretched.

“Well, you’re good at beating those guys into doing their jobs, aren’t you? If you’re confident you can handle it, then do it. I’m just the Supreme Elder of the Black Road Alliance now, not the owner.”

“Hearing it like that makes me a little sad.”

“Well, it’s a relief that there’s at least one person who’s sad on my behalf. I haven’t lived in vain.”

“Hahaha.”

“But don’t spill blood.”

“Don’t worry. If it was something that would cause people to die, I wouldn’t have even thought about changing it.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t.”

Yang Cheon, who had been grumbling, tilted his head and asked.

“By the way, do you have a name in mind?”

“Of course.”

“What is it?”

Yeon Ho-jeong closed his eyes.

“It’s the Black Emperor City (黑帝城).”