Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1071

Ham Tae-gong observed the young man before him.

Even when the rebellion had erupted, he had not entered the imperial palace, following the Emperor’s orders. This was because someone needed to manage the palace in case of an emergency.

Having endured each day with immense worry, he finally entered the palace after things had calmed down and took control of the civil and military officials. After that, he dedicated all his efforts to stabilizing the palace.

That was why he was only now able to meet this young man.

‘He’s more like a scholar than a warrior.’

He was a tall young man, but he was not as bulky or fierce-looking as Ham Tae-gong had imagined.

Rumor had it that he was a rough individual who could swallow a tiger whole, but seeing him now, he seemed more gentle than imposing.

However, Ham Tae-gong did not make the mistake of underestimating his opponent based on his appearance.

Having served the Emperor in the revival of the empire, he was quite knowledgeable about the affairs of the martial world. Therefore, he knew very well how extraordinary this young man’s actions had been.

A prodigy who had shaken the martial alliance before reaching adulthood.

A free spirit who had traveled the world, driving out the forces of the three religions, and playing a crucial role in stabilizing the martial world by moving between the orthodox and unorthodox paths.

Furthermore, a giant who had grown stronger faster than anyone else with his heaven-sent talent, and was now one of the most renowned masters in the martial world, stood before him.

A man who, despite being from a prestigious orthodox family, had crossed over to the unorthodox path for the sake of the Central Plains and had become the master of the Black Alliance.

He had lived for over forty years, but this was not an opponent he could take lightly.

“I am Ham Jeong-oh. An old man who has lived long enough to be tired of managing things, I am honored to meet a hero of the martial world.”

Ham Tae-gong was very polite.

Considering his position as Tae-gong [a high-ranking official], even if he treated the master of the Black Alliance with disrespect, no one could say anything.

Ham Tae-gong was setting aside his age and position to show respect to his opponent. If not for his position as Tae-gong, he might have bowed his head in gratitude for protecting the imperial palace.

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong also politely returned the greeting.

“Though I am inadequate, I am the master of the Black Demon Castle of the Black Alliance.”

Ham Tae-gong smiled.

He had heard that the Black and White Martial Emperor was known to be headstrong, disrespectful, and especially merciless to his enemies.

However, seeing his polite demeanor and composed voice, he thought that the rumors were exaggerated.

‘Well, a person who is only rash could not have accomplished such things.’

Moreover, he was from a prestigious family. No matter how reckless he might be, as the son of Yeon-wi, the master of the Heavenly Net Imperial Sword, he would not be inferior to anyone in terms of dignity.

“How could the lord who is rewriting the history of the martial world be inadequate? Rather, you have done what our officials should have done, so you are a benefactor of the nation and a benefactor of our officials.”

“I have never done anything that would make me worthy of being called a benefactor. It’s just that my bad temper couldn’t stand the petty actions of those scoundrels.”

“Courtesy is reciprocal. If not for you, the roots of the empire would have been lost. Please do not belittle your own achievements.”

“The imperial palace has been able to endure until now thanks to the efforts and loyalty of countless people. It would be too presumptuous to feel proud for lending a hand at the end when so many people have shed tears of blood.”

“To become the master of the Black Alliance at such a young age is not just because of your martial prowess. It seems that the officials should learn from the humility of the Black Demon Castle Lord.”

The words ‘official’ and ‘civil official’ came up in every sentence.

Yeon Ho-Jeong could read Ham Tae-gong’s mind at a glance. He felt a sense of indebtedness and apology towards him and the other martial artists.

He had thought that he was no ordinary person from the first time he saw him, but seeing this side of him, he was also very human. Yeon Ho-Jeong liked the old minister of the empire.

“If the situation were not like this, we could have had a conversation over tea, but it is truly a pity.”

It was a way of saying that they should get to the main point.

“You have come from thousands of miles away, shouldn’t you rest more?”

“I’m fine.”

“Then let’s get straight into the meeting.”

“I apologize for interrupting, but before the meeting, could I hear about the progress so far?”

This was a request from the leader of a force that divided the martial world. Considering his influence, this request was only natural.

Ham Tae-gong nodded.

“The secretary has written down the contents of the previous meetings, so please look at that first.”

The documents that Ham Tae-gong brought were dozens of pages long.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sat down calmly and began to read the documents. The speed at which he read each page was very fast.

About a quarter of an hour passed.

“I thought they would head for the plains, but they have turned towards Jilin Province.”

“Did you read it all in that short time?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. I did.”

He didn’t seem to be lying. Besides, with the war so close, it was not the time to lie about such things.

Ham Tae-gong was genuinely impressed.

“You are really fast. Do you remember everything written in the documents?”

“I remember all the important things.”

“That’s a relief.”

“But are you sure you’re okay? If you spend this much of the imperial palace’s finances, wouldn’t it be difficult to maintain?”

Ham Tae-gong nodded.

“It’s more than just difficult. But you, as a martial artist, know better than anyone the importance of the first battle.”

“Of course, I do.”

The first battle was an important fight that would determine the direction of the war.

The momentum, whether to pursue the enemy, to prepare defenses, to launch an all-out attack, or to buy time, would all be decided by that one battle.

The imperial palace had staked its fate on that one battle.

“His Majesty even said that it would be okay to lure the enemy into the imperial palace.”

“Really?”

“This old man also asked him to reconsider, but he scolded me, saying that the palace was not a problem when the country was about to fall.”

Even Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was known throughout the world, did not think that the Emperor would go that far.

‘He’s really an amazing man.’

Who else but the Emperor would have such boldness?

Admiring the Emperor’s decisiveness once again, Yeon Ho-Jeong said,

“If that is the method that can inflict the most serious damage on the enemy, then so be it. But since nothing has been decided yet, it would be best to test the enemy’s blade first.”

‘Test the blade,’ he said. Ham Tae-gong thought that the terms used by martial artists were quite novel.

“What are you planning to do?”

“It is necessary to have a meeting to gather and supplement the opinions of many people to find the most reasonable method. However, we cannot miss the enemy’s movements while only holding meetings.”

“Then?”

“I think we need to dispatch a separate unit to directly confirm the enemy’s forces.”

“Hmm, your father and the Supreme Elder of the Black Demon Castle also said that.”

“What was the result?”

Ham Tae-gong smiled.

“They said that we should make a decision when you arrive. They said you are especially good at this kind of thing?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“Then, I will quickly organize things and move.”

* * *

“……”

A light aura rippled from the body of Mu Heo, who had quietly opened his eyes.

“What is it?”

Even when Tak Mu-ja, who was managing his upper dantian [an energy center in the body], asked, Mu Heo did not open his mouth. He was just deep in thought.

There was a seriousness that he did not usually show. Tak Mu-ja silently watched Mu Heo.

How much time had passed?

“I’ll be going somewhere for a while.”

“Where to?”

“To a place that is neither the underworld nor this world.”

“What nonsense is that?”

“Will you come with me?”

“I don’t think it’s our time to go to the underworld yet?”

Even as he spoke, Tak Mu-ja was already getting up. Mu Heo’s words and actions were too unusual.

Mu Heo left his residence without a word. Tak Mu-ja naturally followed behind him.

How long had they walked?

‘Hmm?!’

Surprise appeared on Tak Mu-ja’s face.

“This energy…?”

He had been receiving treatment for his upper dantian, so his senses were extremely dull.

But not now. Now that they were this close, he could also feel the power of another Supreme Master.

‘It’s immense.’

It was an aggregation of auspicious golden energy. It was as if a dragon had entered this vast imperial palace. There was a master who was exuding a truly intense presence.

A person with a pure power that made it clear that he was not an enemy just by his presence.

But for some reason, he felt familiar.

“Could it be?”

“Do you feel it now?”

“I had heard that he had grown tremendously, but I didn’t know he had become this great.”

Tak Mu-ja’s face was full of surprise.

“It’s similar but completely different. It’s not just that he has reached the Supreme level, but the nature of the power he possesses has changed. But strangely, it is clearly related to his previous power…”

“It must be that the Four Divine Energies have developed into the Yellow Dragon Energy.”

“What?”

“The Yellow Dragon Divine King Art. It is the legendary realm that every successor of the Four Divine Martial Arts dreams of. The Yellow Dragon is the liberation of martial arts and is close to the path of the immortals. If one reaches it, it can be said that they have already shed their human form.”

“The Yellow Dragon Divine King Art? Then?”

The two passed through several palace gates and reached the vicinity of the royal court.

Shortly after.

Thud!

A palace gate leading to the royal court opened in the distance, and a young man appeared.

His face was flushed, as if he had been in the middle of a heated meeting. He did not emit any aura, but the moment he appeared, he spread his energy throughout the area.

Naturally, without intending to.

The overflowing energy naturally dominated the space. It was an incredible level.

Mu Heo’s eyes trembled.

He felt a very familiar energy from the young man who was walking quickly but leisurely.

Thud.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had stopped walking in front of the long distance, silently bowed his head.

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong, the lord of the Black Demon Castle, and I greet the Fist God of Shaolin.”

A presence that he could recognize without even having a conversation. The presence of Mu Heo, who was called the Fist God, was so immense that even Yeon Ho-Jeong was surprised.

Mu Heo was speechless.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and looked at Tak Mu-ja. He didn’t say anything, but a look was enough.

Under Tak Mu-ja’s strange gaze at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Finally, Mu Heo opened his mouth.

“I am truly sorry for calling out someone who is so busy because of the war.”

“Please, don’t speak so humbly.”

“It is natural to show respect to the head of a sect, but you are the leader of the Black Alliance. You are not in a position to be treated lightly just because of your age.”

“Then, as you wish…”

“Furthermore.”

A divine light appeared in Mu Heo’s eyes.

In that instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong felt a chill run down his spine.

There was no intimidation or discomfort. He was just endlessly deep, and it was difficult to even feel his presence until he released his aura.

When a divine light flashed in his eyes, even Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was known throughout the world, felt his whole body tense up.

‘This is!’

This was the Fist God.

The former abbot of Shaolin and the greatest master in the thousand-year history of Shaolin.

A martial artist closest to being the best in the world, and an ultimate fist master who could shatter evil-doers dozens of feet away with a single punch.

“Three hundred years ago, if you are the descendant of the hero of the Central Plains who ended the Blood Cult Rebellion and the great first person of all time, we should bow our heads even if we only consider the seniority.”

“…?!”

“However, since there are eyes around, it seems that we can settle our relationship with this much speech.”

“Senior, your words…”

“I will greet you again.”

Mu Heo bowed his head and gave a half-bow.

“I, Mu Heo of Shaolin, greet the twenty-sixth successor of the Four Divine Martial Arts.”