Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1046

Muk Bi’s statement landed like a cannonball in a tranquil village, sudden and shocking.

“W-what are you saying?” Jeong I-ha stammered, clearly taken aback.

“Not going together? Wait, more than that, what do you mean by stepping down from our positions as elders and returning to our respective organizations?”

“It’s understandable that you’re all flustered, as I’ve cut to the chase without any preamble,” Muk Bi’s voice was peculiar indeed.

It was calm, yet held an undeniable authority. However, it also possessed a softness that prevented those who heard it from feeling particularly resentful.

This was partly due to her tone. While there was a hint of coercion, there was also a clear respect for the other party. Added to that, the aura of a supreme martial artist on the verge of reaching the pinnacle, combined with the hardened presence honed through countless battlefields, created a charm that completely dominated the conference room.

“Let me be frank. The current elders are not suitable as leaders of the new organization that will be reborn under the name of the New Mukryong Unit, the Black Emperor Fortress.”

“Please explain,” Hong Guk, the leader of the Suro Alliance, said, maintaining a cautious and composed demeanor despite his background as a former bandit.

However, he couldn’t completely hide his displeasure. It was not a pleasant feeling to have someone who had suddenly risen to a position of power within the organization, under the pretext of being the next vice leader’s relative, come and speak as if giving orders.

“We also thought that a moment would come when we would have to talk with the five of you. However, you can imagine how we feel when we are told to stay or leave without any explanation.”

“Of course.”

“Please explain.”

Muk Bi smiled.

It was a small smile, but it seemed to ease the tension in the conference room.

Among the current martial artists, there wouldn’t be many who had lived a life as rough as Muk Bi. She was someone who had literally gone through thick and thin.

As a result, her martial arts aura was naturally strong and sharp. That aura made it impossible for anyone to treat Muk Bi lightly, but conversely, it also diminished the charm she possessed as a person. [Aura refers to the energy or presence a martial artist exudes.]

Her tall stature, the slender physique honed through martial arts training, along with her distinct features and deep gaze, were enough to elicit admiration from anyone who saw her. Although her facial expressions didn’t change much, her occasional smiles made a significant difference in the atmosphere.

“I’m relieved. Each and every one of you elders is cautious and maintains your pride as martial artists.”

“……?”

“That’s why it’s even more frustrating. You care about your own families, but you don’t properly understand the world.”

It was a strange statement.

She wasn’t saying they didn’t know how to read the world, but that they weren’t actively doing so. It was a statement that implied they were not incompetent, at least.

“War is about to break out. I don’t know where it will start or when it will erupt, but I dare say that the entire Central Plains [the heartland of China, often used in martial arts stories] is likely to be engulfed in flames.”

“……”

“Do you think this is the time to worry about your own families? Or is it the time to think about the future generations?”

Hong Guk’s eyes wavered.

Jeong I-ha cautiously opened his mouth.

“Of course, the situation is like that, but it’s precisely at times like this that we should be cautious…”

“The patience of someone who can see the situation clearly is caution, but the patience of someone who is optimistic about the situation is nothing more than laziness, I believe.”

The smile disappeared from Muk Bi’s face.

“Thinking about the future of your organization is the right thing to do. No one can criticize that attitude. But aren’t you the elders of the Mukryong Unit?”

“……!”

“If you hold the title of elder of the Black Alliance, and if you know that the shadow of war is looming right before our eyes, you shouldn’t be like this. Although my experience in the martial world is limited, I know what needs to be done at this moment.”

“……”

“I also want a peaceful conversation. I have no interest in creating discord through fighting, slandering, or mocking. But you have been too timid.”

“Please tell us in what way we have been timid.”

“If it were me, from the moment I became the new leader of the organization, I would have reorganized the system, trained the warriors, and planned where to defend in wartime, what advantages to exploit, and how many troops to mobilize, and then submitted a proposal to the higher-ups.”

The elders’ faces hardened.

Muk Bi sighed and said,

“You were able to eliminate the ills within the organization and create a stable foundation thanks to Young Master Yeon, or rather, Vice Leader Yeon. But was that really where it should have ended?”

“……”

“The Vice Leader Yeon, whom you consider your benefactor, immediately left for the Martial Alliance, went to the Qinghai Divine Forest [a mythical location often associated with powerful martial artists] and fought a great battle, and then returned to the Alliance and suffered all kinds of humiliation before returning.”

“……!”

“If I had the authority of an elder, I would have led all the troops of the organization and rushed to the Martial Alliance. Even if the Vice Leader hadn’t given permission, I would have at least tried.”

“……”

“What on earth have you all been doing? Vice Leader Yeon chose you because he thought you had the ability, even if it was a temporary measure. If that’s the case, you shouldn’t just sit still and take care of your own homes, but you should have been able to envision the future beyond that.”

Han Jong-rim sighed and opened his mouth.

“Everything you’ve said is correct. However, let me say one thing. This is not an excuse… Honestly, we didn’t know what to do.”

It was an understandable statement.

They had the ability. If they had the ability, they also had the power.

However, they were still deeply rooted members of the Black Path [a term for the underworld or criminal organizations in martial arts settings], even if they were different from the previous leaders. They hated betrayal and possessed the spirit of chivalry, but they were seeds of the Black Path that had not yet sprouted.

Their eyes were only on Yeon Ho-jeong. It wasn’t that they wanted to achieve something with him, but that they felt burdened by the very act of moving without his orders.

It wasn’t because they were weak, but because they had lived that way. If they were vicious members of the Black Path, they would have been lining their own pockets at this opportunity, but they respected Yeon Ho-jeong, who had given them a new life, and saw him as a leader who would guide them.

They could be insightful leaders within their own organization, but in the larger world, they were doing nothing due to a timidity disguised as caution.

That was their limit.

They even acknowledged their own limits.

It was something that deserved to be praised as humble and honest.

But.

“If you knew your limits, you should have sought a way to move beyond them. Instead of accepting your limits and only focusing on what you’re good at, you should have been thinking about how to break those limits and move forward.”

“……”

“In peaceful times, people like you are needed. But war is imminent. We don’t need people who acknowledge their limits and stop, but people who strive to break those limits and lead the war to victory.”

“We are…”

“And Vice Leader Yeon, or rather, the next Black Emperor Fortress Lord, wants to win this war at all costs.”

“……!!”

“You want to repay the next Black Emperor Fortress Lord, don’t you? If you had known that, you should have already finished preparing for battle.”

Muk Bi’s voice, which had come full circle, was as calm and composed as it had been at the beginning.

“What the Black Emperor Fortress Lord wants is victory and survival. These cannot be obtained without sacrifice. To minimize that sacrifice, you must rise up. But…”

At that moment, Seo Jeong-gwang opened his mouth.

“It’s not easy for people who have once bowed their heads to rise up again.”

All eyes turned to Seo Jeong-gwang.

Although he had interrupted her, Muk Bi did not get angry. She simply nodded silently.

Seo Jeong-gwang spoke in a calm voice, no less than Muk Bi’s.

“That’s why you’re being told to stay here. In the first place, there needs to be a manager here, but also because there’s no benefit to moving together. No, rather, it’s easier for us if you stay here.”

“What do you mean by easier?”

“If you stay here, the warriors of the Ten Great Clans will also gather here. In other words, you can become the first line of defense for the Black Emperor Fortress.”

“……!!”

“If you’re people who can’t wield swords and spears with fire in your eyes, then at least guarding the front yard is beneficial to us.”

The elders’ faces turned red. It was more due to anger than shame.

Jin Yang, who had been quietly watching them, asked as if throwing a stone.

“Are you ashamed?”

“……”

“If you are, that’s a good thing. It means you haven’t died or given up yet.”

“……?!”

“As Jeong-gwang said, I’ve rarely seen someone who has acknowledged their limits and settled down rise up again to fight the world. But as someone who once led a Black Path sect, I also hope to be with you.”

Gang Ryang took Jin Yang’s words.

“I am the sole survivor of the prestigious Black Path clan, the Guicheol Sword Clan. I was destroyed by the Mukryong Unit Lord, the Fighting King Yang Cheon, so I can be said to be his mortal enemy. Yet, I am here. Why do you think that is?”

“……”

“I wanted to be a strength to my benefactor, Brother Yeon, but I also know that I cannot resolve my grudges unless I win this war.”

“……!”

“Well, with my current skills, I wouldn’t even last three moves against the Fighting King.”

He shrugged playfully, but in reality, he had lived a more miserable life than anyone else gathered here.

Sama Hyeon chuckled and said,

“I had nothing to say, but since you’re all allies fighting together, I’ll say one thing.”

“……”

“If you’re scared, just withdraw and leave. The leader is the kind of person who will quickly forget such trivial favors, so it will be beneficial for you too.”

“……?!”

“But pay a withdrawal fee. We need a lot of money to fight a war. You have that much loyalty, right? You’ve made a good profit thanks to the leader, haven’t you?”

His words were decisive.

Whoosh!

Fierce auras erupted from the elders’ bodies.

Dan Ri-hu, who had been silent, spoke in a subdued voice.

“It’s fine if you look down on us, but I can’t tolerate you thinking we’re such ungrateful fools.”

“Oh, really? Then what are you going to do?”

Bang!

The conference table was split in half.

Lim Geo-suk, the new leader of the Green Forest, who had not been able to properly follow the conversation, had his eyes burning with anger.

“What do you mean, what are we going to do! When did we, representing the Black Path, become cowardly worms! I may be a bandit, but I’m not a bug that doesn’t know loyalty!”

“Aren’t you still just a bandit, not just a bandit?”

“This bastard?”

Lim Geo-suk’s face turned into a volcano.

“You bastard! I let you talk because you’re the Vice Leader’s acquaintance, but you’re saying whatever you want! I can’t take it anymore. You, come out here, you punk!”

“I’m not going out, you punk.”

“W-what did you say?!”

“I’m always welcome to a fight. If you want to fight us, make your position clear first and then draw your sword.”

“What did you hear! The Green Forest is unconditionally participating!”

“Then you come out. Let’s see your skills.”

Lim Geo-suk stomped out of the conference room. Sama Hyeon chuckled and followed him.

In the chaotic conference room,

Muk Bi’s calm voice penetrated their ears.

“I’ll give you half a day to think. Once you’ve made your decision, come to us this time.”