Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1070

“……Is that so.”

“Yes, it is.”

It was a spacious but dark secret chamber.

Although it was a secret chamber, the air circulated well, and the humidity was well maintained. The incense sticks lit in various places were subtle, creating a comfortable atmosphere for both mind and body.

And in the center of that secret chamber, the Emperor was present.

He looked more emaciated than before. However, that was only his physical appearance; his eyes, filled with a mysterious majesty, were reminiscent of an endless abyss.

Yeon-wi’s eyes sparkled.

‘He’s amazing.’

How old was the Emperor?

Princess Cheonghwa was of age but lived alone, while the other children had long since married, had children, and those children had children again.

He was at the twilight of his life. Although he had practiced the art of longevity that only emperors could master, it was too late to learn a new martial art.

Yet, a strong fire energy was felt from the Emperor’s body. Although small in size, the density of the fire energy was tremendous. Even Yeon-wi, who was watching, could hardly believe it.

As if knowing Yeon-wi’s thoughts, the Emperor smiled and said,

“Before the Divine Flame Cult Leader left, he transferred a small amount of internal energy through a barrier. It was a tiny bit of energy, but as I followed that energy and awakened the Fire Refinement Technique, it rapidly increased in size.”

“I see.”

There was a reason after all.

But even considering that, it was still amazing. A spark is just a spark. Whether it becomes a bonfire or a wildfire depends entirely on the practitioner’s ability.

The Emperor had already turned that small spark into a wildfire.

If he had learned martial arts from a young age with that talent and insight, it was unimaginable how high he would have reached.

“You have become much stronger than before.”

It wasn’t an easy thing to say in front of the Emperor. That statement implied that he wasn’t strong before.

Although it was just about his physical condition, any word could be considered rude to the Son of Heaven.

The Emperor smiled and replied,

“Do you think so too?”

“Yes, I do.”

“It seems I am practicing well. My body has actually become much lighter.”

“But you must practice more deeply.”

“Does it seem so?”

“Although I don’t know the incantations of the Fire Refinement Technique, I can see how it moves. Perhaps, if you reach a certain level, it will increase in size on its own without further practice.”

“Amazing. Your insight is truly remarkable. The Divine Flame Cult Leader also said so.”

“However, since Your Majesty is so outstanding, you will likely reach that level within the next two or three years.”

“Your words are sharp yet as smooth as honey. It must be because you truly care for me that they sound that way.”

“I am just being respectful.”

Yeon-wi was not the type of person to act carelessly just because no one was watching.

The reason he could have such a conversation with the Emperor was entirely because the Emperor allowed it.

Yeon-wi could sense the Emperor’s loneliness in his words, telling him to be comfortable when no one was around. The Emperor was also a human being.

“Anyway, one of them has shown himself.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The Emperor’s eyes were filled with the same intense majesty as when he sat on the dragon throne.

“It was unexpected, but it also makes sense. Although they claim to be united to target the Central Plains, they were never truly one.”

“That’s right. Since there is no leader among the three, someone might be dissatisfied with the prolonged situation.”

“It doesn’t seem to be the Demonic Sound Cult. Among the three, the most likely is the Blood Madness. I heard that it’s full of crazy demons. But…”

“……”

“I heard that the Qinghai matter was successfully concluded?”

“Yes, it was.”

“If they destroyed the Shinma Forest because they wanted something, it means they need some time. Then there’s only one answer.”

Yeon-wi’s eyes sparkled.

“Yes. It is highly likely to be the Divine Flame Cult.”

“I suppose so.”

The Emperor smiled.

“I heard from the Cult Leader that my son’s personality is quite eccentric.”

“Yes.”

“He has the brains of an average person, but it’s hard to call him outstanding… He’s a talentless person by any standard, and his temperament is hot-blooded and he can’t get rid of his sense of privilege.”

It seemed he was quite harsh on his own son.

However, Yeon-wi was certain that Gi Cheon-ung wasn’t saying that because he hated his son.

Gi Cheon-ung was also a remarkable person. Since he was in a situation where he might have to engage in a life-or-death battle with his son, he knew that giving accurate information was the best course of action.

“If the Divine Flame Cult has raised an army, it means that, contrary to what the Divine Flame Cult Leader said, the Demonic Sound Cult Leader does not have complete control over the Divine Flame Sub-Cult.”

“I think so too. In a way, it’s only natural. The Divine Flame Cult is not small enough to be swallowed whole just by brainwashing one leader.”

“Given his personality, the Divine Flame Sub-Cult might also be dissatisfied with the Demonic Sound Cult Leader.”

The Emperor stroked his beard.

“My expectations were off. That’s how things are with people.”

“I don’t think they moved just now. There are parts that are too sudden to say they moved because they couldn’t stand the wait.”

“I suppose so.”

The Emperor rose from his seat.

The series of actions of rising from a cross-legged position was as natural as flowing water. It wasn’t because he had practiced external martial arts, but because his body was moving ideally due to the longevity technique and Fire Refinement.

“They must have moved since the news of my death was announced. They must have moved secretly, little by little, so that we wouldn’t notice.”

The Emperor chuckled.

“Well, I can understand it. He couldn’t stand his own father’s reign and committed patricide under the influence of a wicked man. It would have been difficult to resist the urge to detonate a bomb right in front of him if someone lit the fuse.”

“……”

“What about the mid-level officials?”

The mid-level officials the Emperor was referring to were not only high-ranking officials but also the martial artists of the imperial palace, as well as the high-ranking figures of the martial world gathered in the palace.

Among them, the most influential were naturally the martial artists. In war, the martial artists of the government were better than the martial artists of the martial world, but the individual martial arts of the martial world could not be matched.

Moreover, since the opponents were also those who had trained their martial arts to the extreme, the martial artists and the martial artists of the imperial palace had no choice but to help each other and fight together.

“They are gathered and discussing countermeasures.”

“What’s there to discuss? Just fight.”

It was a simple statement, but as the Emperor said, there was no reason to think complicatedly in the current situation.

What was bound to happen had finally happened.

The war was about to begin.

In war, the initial battle is a battle of momentum. Those who know the importance of momentum also know the importance of the initial battle better than anyone else.

“The gathered high-ranking civil officials are not easily interfering. However, what is important in war is not only military power, but the importance of supply administration is also central to troop operations. The civil officials are considering that.”

“Summon Grand Duke Ham.”

In the current imperial palace, Grand Duke meant the prime minister, and only one person held that position in silence.

Just as Yang Cheon had Baekseo [a trusted advisor], the Emperor had Grand Duke. Grand Duke Ham was an old retainer who had silently assisted the Emperor for a long time. Even at the age of seventy, he was a seasoned politician with a sharper intellect than any young person.

He was one of the very few people who knew that the Emperor’s death was a lie.

Yeon-wi bowed and left his seat.

How much time had passed?

“This humble servant, Ham Jeong-oh, greets Your Majesty.”

It was a simplified greeting. The Emperor nodded.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and an old man with a bent back approached with quick steps.

“To be direct, Grand Duke, issue the order of the Hundred Officials’ Strictness.”

“I obey Your Majesty’s command.”

The Emperor smiled.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“I am curious.”

“Declare the Hundred Officials’ Strictness and divert seventy percent of the palace’s finances to war funds.”

Grand Duke Ham’s eyes widened slightly.

But that was only for a moment.

“Furthermore, I will urge the officials to gather their private wealth.”

“Can you handle it? We don’t know how much they will give, and there may be infighting after the war as they try to claim credit.”

“After the war, I will issue the final Hundred Officials’ Strictness and dismiss all officials below the third rank who contributed private wealth.”

It was a terrifying statement.

Dismissing all officials below the third rank after the war was equivalent to not properly operating the imperial palace.

However, the Emperor was pleased with the Grand Duke’s decision. The Grand Duke was someone who had assisted him for a long time, so he knew the Emperor’s heart better than anyone else.

“Although it may be harmful to the new era, how else can new officials devote their loyalty to the empire?”

“I will do my last duty so that they can step down on their own.”

“Is it possible?”

“It is the fault of us, the hundred officials, that the imperial palace has come to this state. In fact, we should have hanged ourselves long ago. If it is for the sake of the country to give up our private wealth and make way for future generations, wouldn’t that be an ideal future for them as well?”

“A slight misstep in handling it could lead to big trouble.”

“I will bet my life on this war so that I can see the big trouble with my own eyes.”

It meant that the country could only become chaotic if they won the war. If they lost, the country would disappear.

The Emperor had no doubt that the Grand Duke could do it better than anyone else.

Also, that the Grand Duke himself would retire from his position after this matter.

The Emperor understood the Grand Duke’s heart.

“When I sit on the dragon throne again, I will recommend you again.”

“This old retainer is too weak to be Your Majesty’s eyes any longer. Please find those who are more talented than I.”

“I can find talented people, but it’s hard to find a friend at this age.”

“……?!”

“Let’s spend our remaining years by my side, sharing conversation and playing Go [a strategic board game].”

Tears welled up in Grand Duke Ham’s wrinkled eyes.

The most noble being in the world called him a friend. It was the moment that proved he had lived a life without regrets, even if he died right then and there.

The Grand Duke did not say not to say such things, that he was just a lowly old man and could not be the friend of the Son of Heaven.

“If this old retainer’s body is well after the war, I will rest comfortably by the side of the new country’s Son of Heaven.”

“I’m already looking forward to it.”

“This humble servant will take his leave now.”

“Work hard.”

War cannot be won by the heroic actions of one person. Even if one person’s presence overwhelms the world, in the end, winning the war requires the wishes and actions of many people.

The master of the Black Emperor Castle was leading the super experts north. The Martial Alliance also realized the seriousness of the situation and dispatched thousands of troops, and the sects of the northern martial world had each completed their war preparations.

Among them, the imperial palace, which could be called the core, had also released its financial restrictions, and the various factions of the Central Plains, which had been divided, became one at this moment.

Information organizations in various regions focused their attention on the north, and the various sects that remained in the rear were building defenses from the outside, not knowing where the enemy’s surprise attack would be directed.

The Central Plains was preparing for the initial battle step by step.

Beyond the snow-covered northern plains, a formidable enemy was beginning to raise a blazing red fire.

At that moment, when the two groups began to point their spears at each other’s hearts.

Yeon Ho-Jeong entered the imperial palace.