Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1113

Gi Cheon-Woong, upon hearing Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words, was unexpectedly calm.

Yang Cheon cautiously asked,

“Are you alright with this?”

“What wouldn’t be alright?”

Gi Cheon-Woong shook his head.

“Lord Yeon’s idea is indeed valid. Although I am a former leader who was expelled, is there anyone here who knows the Shin-hwa Cult as well as I do? If our ability to handle unexpected situations is similar, it’s better to send someone who knows the enemy well.”

The word ‘enemy’ came from Gi Cheon-Woong’s mouth.

‘Interesting.’

Although he seemed worried, Yang Cheon was very calm.

‘Whether he intended it or not, that one word, ‘enemy,’ has significantly reduced the anxiety of the people gathered here.’

In the royal court, there were Grand Preceptor Ham, high-ranking officials, powerful ministers, and even the Sword Saint.

In other words, all the central figures of the imperial palace except Yeonwi were gathered. In such a place, Gi Cheon-Woong’s statement was enough to inspire confidence.

Gi Cheon-Woong asked Yeon Ho-Jeong,

“How many troops will I command?”

“I don’t think having too many would be good. I was thinking about thirty highly skilled individuals who are quick on their feet and good at improvising. Would that be acceptable?”

“Perfect.”

It was absolutely not good. Even Yang Cheon was genuinely surprised this time.

“Even for a separate unit, isn’t thirty too few?”

“If a battle breaks out, it would be better for me to fight alone. If our troops fight together, it might only boost the enemy’s morale.”

The Shin-hwa Cult would believe that Gi Cheon-Woong, who had become the former leader, had betrayed them.

In such a situation, if they attacked with Murim [martial arts world] or imperial forces, their sense of betrayal would be immense.

Gi Cheon-Woong’s role was to focus on inducing confusion in the enemy and observing their forces. They shouldn’t unnecessarily unite the enemy.

“Of course, even if I fight alone, a good commander could rally the troops and turn their fear and betrayal into morale. But that’s only an issue after the battle is over. If their morale rises during the fight, it will be more troublesome. We can’t finish it there.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Gi Leader’s words are correct.”

“Then……”

Yeon Ho-Jeong could tell what Yang Cheon wanted to say.

“The reason for sending those who are quick on their feet, even though they don’t need to participate in the fight, is because you want to receive separate reports after seeing the enemy’s scale with multiple eyes.”

“Hmm.”

That was right.

In such wars, the time before a large-scale battle is often the most dangerous. The troops going with Gi Cheon-Woong had to complete their mission at the risk of their lives.

“I have one suggestion.”

“Please speak.”

Gi Cheon-Woong, still with a calm face, said something terrifying.

“There are Shin-hwa Cult troops who came with me in the imperial palace.”

“……”

“I want to select the special unit members from there.”

Ham Grand Preceptor was inwardly startled.

‘Dangerous.’

The Shin-hwa Cult troops had established residences throughout the vast imperial palace.

Of course, they hadn’t caused any trouble so far. They prayed for their god before sunrise, helped the imperial guards with their training, and did chores according to their leader’s orders.

Most of the imperial palace people had even become friendly with them. Although it was their leader’s order, they were generally good-natured.

The problem was that they knew the imperial palace too well.

Even if Gi Cheon-Woong betrayed them, it would be dangerous, but if those who knew the imperial palace well went and provided information, that could be a fatal move.

“……”

The atmosphere in the great hall turned cold.

Even though he knew the reason well, Gi Cheon-Woong pretended not to know and asked,

“Why? Is there any other problem?”

“No, there isn’t.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s answer was firm.

“There is no problem at all. If we were to make an issue of this, we should have suspected Gi Leader first.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Gi Cheon-Woong pretended not to know, but inwardly, he was grateful for Yeon Ho-Jeong’s sharp judgment and trust.

Furthermore, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words had the power to instantly suppress the anxiety of many people who were thinking of the worst-case scenario.

“People’s hearts are fickle, they say. They are different when they go into the privy and when they come out. But I don’t think Leader Gi is that kind of person.”

“You might have misjudged me.”

“The people here are not so incompetent as to make someone who misjudged Leader Gi the Grand Strategist of the imperial palace.”

It was a statement that put a full stop to the matter.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been looking at Gi Cheon-Woong with a smile, suddenly hardened his expression.

“Then, instead of thirty, take them all.”

“……?!”

Even Gi Cheon-Woong couldn’t help but be surprised at this outrageous statement.

“Take them all?”

“The separate unit is a unit that moves separately from the main force. Beyond its dictionary definition, it can perform all sorts of roles, such as reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, initial engagements before large-scale battles, and creating threats. That’s why they are sometimes called special units.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“Although the main mission is enemy reconnaissance, it would be a shame to end with simple reconnaissance if we take the Shin-hwa Cult troops. If we put more weight on observing the enemy’s reaction, it wouldn’t be bad to take all one thousand troops to further confuse the enemy.”

“……”

After a moment of silence, Gi Cheon-Woong asked in a more subdued voice,

“Does the Lord trust me?”

“I don’t think we need to have the previous conversation twice.”

At that moment, Ham Grand Preceptor cautiously spoke.

“It’s not that I’m misinterpreting or distrusting the Grand Strategist’s judgment. Nor am I overturning the trust in Leader Gi. But we need to be a bit more careful.”

Ham Grand Preceptor also knew that his words could upset Gi Cheon-Woong or create a rift in their relationship of trust.

Still, from his perspective, he had to say it. Both Yeon Ho-Jeong and Gi Cheon-Woong understood him.

“Trust me. And you can send the trust you give me directly to Leader Gi. I am that confident.”

“Hmm.”

“If, by any chance, Leader Gi betrays us, I will somehow lead this war to victory and then take my own life, admitting my guilt for increasing our side’s casualties due to a flawed operation permit.”

When the Grand Strategist said something like this, no one dared to open their mouths.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and said to Gi Cheon-Woong,

“I’ve bet my life on your actions, Leader.”

“Your life is quite light.”

“My life may be light, but the trust I send is heavy. I will never break the trust I send with my own hands.”

Gi Cheon-Woong finally chuckled.

“You certainly know how to handle people.”

“Prepare immediately. In case of an emergency, I will also have Yeonwi Murim Leader prepare to engage in battle immediately.”

Half an hour later.

Gi Cheon-Woong, fully prepared, led one thousand troops out of the northern gate.

Yeonwi, who was looking down at them from the castle tower, nodded.

“I think it’s a good decision.”

“For this to truly be a good decision, Leader Gi and his troops must return after achieving some merit.”

“Of course, that’s true.”

“And……”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face became serious.

“I have something to tell Father separately.”

“Tell me.”

“This kind of information can make the general in command anxious and prevent them from carrying out bold operations. Please keep that in mind as you listen.”

“Don’t worry. This father always trusts you, doesn’t he?”

“Then, I will tell you about the reason for the northern surprise attack force’s advance, as I see it.”

Yeonwi was startled.

“Did you figure out the reason?”

“It’s a guess. That’s why I hesitated to tell you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong told Yeonwi what he had thought without adding or subtracting anything.

“……!”

Yeonwi’s face hardened more clearly than ever before.

“Do you really think so?”

“I checked the map based on the information I received. It’s not very likely, but I don’t think there’s a more plausible explanation for their advance.”

“Then isn’t that a big problem?”

“Therefore, I am also preparing in my own way.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said in a strong voice,

“No matter what happens here, Father, you must not waver. I am supporting you from behind.”

Yeonwi’s hardened face slowly softened.

“Yes, I will never waver.”

“If a battle breaks out, we will leave any unexpected variables to the judgment of the front-line commanders, apart from the grand strategy we have planned. We will also trust and respond to whatever judgment Father makes.”

“I understand.”

Thus, the two people had considered everything.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face was filled with caution as he watched Gi Cheon-Woong and the one thousand troops he led.

“……After this battle is over, I need to push the Open Sect’s elite intelligence unit to the north.”

* * *

“Leader.”

“Yes.”

Although complete darkness had not yet fallen, the darkness they felt was considerable because they were between the plains and the mountains.

Gu Maha, the best expert of the pro-Gi Cheon-Woong faction except for Yahareuk, cautiously spoke.

“Is your body alright?”

Gi Cheon-Woong couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“’Your body’? It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that expression.”

“I apologize. To us, you are the only leader.”

“I’m grateful that you think so, but the new leader of the Shin-hwa Cult after this war will be someone else.”

“Le, Leader?!”

“Of course, if I am still alive by then, I will assist the new leader in the position of Supreme Elder.”

“How can you say such a thing? You are……”

“I am also human. I am just said to be the agent of God.”

“Leader……”

Gi Cheon-Woong said in a cheerful tone,

“Let’s at least think that way until this war is over.”

“We cannot! We are……!”

“And my body is fine, so don’t get so worked up. We have a heavy mission right now. We need to focus on what we have to do.”

Gu Maha, who had barely calmed down at those words, lowered his head.

“We will only follow the Leader.”

“Haha.”

Gi Cheon-Woong, who had been smiling, hardened his expression.

‘I see it.’

They had crossed about half of the plains.

Although it was a power that would disappear again depending on the degree of martial arts manifestation, the mostly restored upper dantian [energy center in the body] gave Gi Cheon-Woong a divine eye that was not much inferior to his past self before he lost his power.

‘Now I can see it properly. A huge fire energy. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a large fire.’

He couldn’t see the mountains.

He could only see a huge fire quietly sinking behind the mountains.

‘To create that much fire, it’s absolutely impossible with mediocre troops. They must have brought more than half of their elite troops, and at least twenty thousand combat-ready soldiers.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s judgment and Gi Cheon-Woong’s confirmation were almost identical.

‘Interesting. With that many troops, it’s worth narrowing the distance. But even so, to this extent……’

It was then.

Whoosh!

Gi Cheon-Woong and Gu Maha saw a small flame rising from the top of the mountain.

It only looked small because of the distance. In reality, it would be the size of a house.

But the color of the fire was strange. It was not a bright vermilion color close to yellow, but a bizarre flame with a subtle cyan color.

“Fire magic?!”

“No.”

Gi Cheon-Woong shook his head at Gu Maha’s words.

“That is the flame of the Gathering Fire Order, used to gather the core members of the cult.”

“Th, then?!”

Gi Cheon-Woong’s lips curled up.

“They noticed my presence. Which Fire King could it be?”