Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1146

The Emperor’s gaze and aura remained unchanged.

However, much else had changed.

His body, sitting cross-legged with a straightened back, was much thinner than before. But it wasn’t due to fatigue, poor eating, or illness.

‘Impressive.’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes involuntarily sparkled.

‘Even if he doesn’t know martial arts, his ability to control internal energy is enough to call him a genius.’

For a long time, the Emperor had maintained his body with a regimen only he could practice, but that was merely a health regimen, far removed from the internal energy cultivation methods of the martial world.

Hwa-jeong [a fire-based internal energy cultivation method] was different from other internal energy methods. However, the absorption and amplification of fire energy through breathing, and the removal of impurities, were undoubtedly aspects of internal energy cultivation.

‘It’s developed to the level of a decent master.’

The energy blazing from the Emperor’s heart was clearly visible.

The Emperor’s achievement in Hwa-jeong was comparable to that of a martial commander of the Divine Flame Church. It was clear how deeply he had immersed himself in Hwa-jeong in this short time.

“You’ve arrived.”

Yeon-wi and Yeon Ho-jeong knelt and bowed their heads.

“We greet Your Majesty.”

It was a simple greeting. The Emperor, who disliked unnecessary formalities, found the two men’s plain voices comforting.

“Before we discuss anything else, I offer my gratitude to you for leading this initial battle to victory. If not for the two of you, how could the Imperial Palace have remained safe?”

Yeon-wi spoke calmly.

“What I did was not significant. Rather, it was thanks to my eldest son, who drew the battle plan, and even more so to the countless soldiers who risked their lives to fight the enemy.”

The Emperor smiled.

“Yeon Clan Head is right. However, it is regrettable that I cannot appear before the soldiers in my current state. I know better than anyone the great efforts of the soldiers, so the Clan Head need not worry.”

“I am sorry.”

“Originally, I intended to meet after you had sufficient rest, but it seems we must move the meeting forward, so I have called you both. I know my shortcomings, so I hope you will criticize me after our conversation.”

His tone and demeanor were completely different from when he faced Gi Cheon-ung. He was well aware of his position, but the Emperor seemed more relaxed when dealing with Gi Cheon-ung. Gi Cheon-ung was also an absolute figure from beyond the borders, no different from an Emperor, so he could treat him a bit like a friend.

However, Yeon-wi was a loyal subject and benefactor who had entered the Imperial Palace for the sake of the Empire with only his conviction, and Yeon Ho-jeong was the key figure in this war and an important talent who would develop into the greatest pillar of the martial world in the future.

Therefore, the Emperor treated the two men more carefully. Knowing their loyalty and correct judgment, he thought he should value them even more.

And his feelings were well conveyed to Yeon-wi and Yeon Ho-jeong.

“Whether it is victory or defeat, after a battle, a general should visit Your Majesty to report the results of the war. Please forgive our disloyalty for not coming to see you immediately due to the circumstances.”

Yeon-wi also treated the Emperor more cautiously and reverently than before. He had seen enough of what kind of person the Emperor was.

The Emperor burst into laughter.

“It was I who faked my own death. You don’t need to say that.”

“I am honored.”

“However.”

The Emperor’s gaze became a little more intense.

“I have lain in the coffin long enough, and now I intend to stand under the sun again.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.

The Emperor continued.

“Originally, I intended to pretend to be a hidden son to start a new dynasty, but I have changed my mind.”

“…….”

“Even if the purpose is noble, I do not want to prosper the Empire by deceiving the world.”

“When you say deceiving the world…….”

“The people are the world. I do not want to deceive the people.”

Yeon Ho-jeong thought it was not a bad choice.

If the Emperor himself felt burdened by deceiving the people, that burden could directly affect the political situation. In that case, it would be better to honestly announce the current situation to the world.

Yeon-wi seemed to think similarly, nodding his head.

“If Your Majesty’s heart is so inclined, then it is right to do so.”

“However, if the truth is revealed, we will face many problems in the future.”

Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.

“You mean the rebellion.”

Yeon-wi was startled and looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.

The Emperor smiled.

“Indeed, you have the wisdom to serve as the temporary supreme commander of the Imperial Palace. I truly wish to keep you by my side.”

“I am merely a military man with a quick eye for the bad.”

“Your modesty is excessive.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s face hardened.

“A country is considered blessed if its ruler lives long. If you benefit the world with good governance, there will be countless people praising Your Majesty’s longevity.”

“That is so.”

“The problem is when something beyond everyone’s common sense occurs.”

The Emperor’s smile deepened. His smile was filled with admiration.

“The Lord is right.”

Yeon-wi remained silent, listening to the conversation between the Emperor and Yeon Ho-jeong.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

“Your achievement in Hwa-jeong is extremely high.”

“Can you see it too?”

“It will be even more visible to my father, but yes, I can.”

The Emperor gave a wry smile.

“It was because of Gi Cheon-ung’s guidance. I owe him a great deal.”

“Even if the person guiding is skilled, if the person holding their hand and running lacks talent, they would never achieve such a result.”

“Haha.”

Woo-oong!

Yeon Ho-jeong’s pupils flickered with golden light.

“I can see that all the impurities and evil energy that had resided in Your Majesty’s body have been removed.”

“Is that so?”

“I know it is disloyal to speculate on the Emperor’s lifespan, but if I may dare to say, you will easily live for another half-century.”

The Emperor chuckled.

“Though it was called endurance, it was a time spent abandoning the political situation and pursuing pleasure. If I have fifty years left, I will burn my life for the world without rest.”

“…….”

“But even if I work for the world for fifty years, there will be those who cannot endure it.”

There are always those who dream of a new world. And among those people, many with immense power desire the pinnacle of the world.

The most dangerous among them are the officials. They are working for the Emperor and the world now, but as time passes and generations change, there will be those who become greedy.

In an ordinary empire, such a thing would not happen. But if a group like the martial world exists, and if that martial world led this war to victory, they will inevitably try to create a new world by force in some way.

Yeon-wi, realizing the meaning of the conversation, spoke cautiously.

“Anything can happen in this world, but in my opinion, it seems like an excessive worry.”

The Emperor nodded.

“It may be an excessive worry. It may not even be an issue to discuss now.”

“…….”

“However, if the Empire does not properly build its strength, there will definitely be movements to overthrow the old era and open a new one.”

“……!”

“Even if the lives of the people are not so bad, such movements will arise.”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“A country without real power can experience conflicts both internally and externally.”

“That is exactly what I mean.”

The Emperor sighed.

“Many people will die in this war. It is a fact that can be known without great insight.”

“…….”

“Moreover, the war has just begun. In this situation, discussing a future that may not happen may not be right.”

Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth.

“But it is not a topic to be taken lightly.”

The Emperor smiled faintly.

“You understand me.”

“War is reality. But the Empire is the future. Even if we lose the war and the Central Plains collapse, if we do not plan for the future now, the lives of the people can become miserable even if we win the war.”

“That is exactly what I think. That is why I intend to reveal myself directly, unlike before. But if that happens, there must be someone to protect me and the Imperial Palace.”

It was not because he valued his life. Rather, the Emperor did not consider his own life to be so important.

Yet, the reason he desperately cultivated Hwa-jeong and called the two men who had just returned from the war to talk about protecting the Imperial Palace was for the sake of the people.

The Central Plains boasts a size that is on a different level from the eastern countries or the Wa [Japan] across the sea.

That is why it is difficult to unify the world, and it is also difficult to govern after unification. The reason why it is difficult to stop rebellions in various places is also because of the vast land.

“If a ruler more capable than I appears, I will hand over the leadership of the political situation to him, even if he is not of my bloodline.”

Yeon-wi was startled.

“Your Majesty.”

“But that is a matter to be judged after I have done my best. The reason why the heavens have not taken my life even until this war has broken out is because I believe my mandate has not been properly fulfilled.”

The Emperor’s eyes widened.

“Therefore, I cannot die during or after the war. I can only die after repaying at least one-tenth of the debt I owe to the people. That is my life.”

“…….”

“To do that, I need your strength.”

He was not referring to the two men. He was referring to the power of the martial world, the key players in this war.

“There are many half-immortals in the Imperial Palace now who have transcended the realm of humans.”

“…….”

“I have seen the Gyeong-gok [Imperial Guard] for a long time. The so-called righteous and evil factions mean nothing to me. To me, the Gyeong-gok was not just a simple bodyguard but a bulwark that protected the life of the Empire itself.”

“…….”

“After that, Yeon Clan Head and the Black Emperor Lord, and Yang Cheon, who became my son-in-law, were all outstanding heroes and people of exceptional wisdom. Even that Gi Cheon-ung has extraordinary wisdom and a good character.”

“…….”

“I was planning to appoint the masters of the Limitless Realm who had proven their qualifications as kings of each region after the war.”

Not only Yeon-wi but even Yeon Ho-jeong was surprised.

“It was not just a matter of character and wisdom. They are respected by the martial world just by their existence. Just their presence in a region can become the center of that region’s martial power.”

Even if one of them committed treason, the kings in charge of each region could unite to make treason impossible.

“The masters of the Limitless Realm are those who have transcended the realm of humans. I thought it was even more dangerous to release such people freely into the martial world.”

“…….”

“If they would follow my will, I wanted them to serve the Empire.”

The Emperor’s voice lowered.

“However, in my conversation with Gi Cheon-ung, I heard that the minds of the masters of the Limitless Realm are not sound.”

“…….”