Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1147

Yeon Ho-jeong’s response was immediate.

‘It might be a novel idea, but I believe there are many problems with it.’

‘……Is that so?’

‘No genius in this world can predict the future. Therefore, no matter who creates a policy or draws up a political landscape, a bright future is not guaranteed.’

Yeon Ho-jeong lowered his head.

‘Of course, if Your Majesty thinks so, there will be many Limitless Realm masters who will burn their remaining lives for the world. But there is a big problem with that.’

‘Speak without holding back.’

‘It’s the pride of the martial world.’

It was an extremely sensitive statement. At least, it was not something to say in front of the Emperor.

Yeon-wi wanted to tell his son to be careful, but he held back. The son he knew was more intelligent and wise than anyone else.

The Emperor’s eyes sparkled.

‘The pride of the martial world?’

‘Previously, Your Majesty told me that you wanted to eliminate the martial world and create a unified empire.’

‘That’s right. And you also judged that it would help the world and said you would help as much as you could.’

‘That’s correct. But the process should never be rushed.’

‘…….’

‘The Black Path martial world can be controlled somehow if led by one absolute figure. Of course, there are many problems within the Black Path that need to be fixed, but if there is someone to lead them right now, there won’t be much dissatisfaction.’

It wasn’t that simple. Yeon Ho-jeong, the Emperor, and even Yeon-wi knew that.

The Emperor nodded.

‘And?’

‘The problem is the White Path orthodox sects.’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shone brilliantly.

‘Among them, there are many who are openly corrupt, and many who act like heroes in front but commit all sorts of crimes behind the scenes. But many more have used their martial arts for the sake of the world.’

‘I acknowledge that.’

‘The driving force that moves them is chivalry. They didn’t do it because someone told them to. That’s why they could be proud, and they can continue to be proud.’

‘…….’

‘And that also means that the White Path is harder to control than the Black Path.’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s voice gained strength.

‘Although the martial world is divided into black and white, the current Black Path has not yet properly revived. Therefore, when referring to the Central Plains martial world, it usually means the White Path martial world. Just looking at the name of the organization they established, the Martial Alliance, you can see the pride of the White Path.’

And that pride was justified.

If the Black Path martial world is put forward, the martial world will lose its justification at any time. It’s not just a problem for the White Path martial world, but the world itself, somewhere between reality and illusion, called the Jianghu [the martial world], is threatened.

That’s why the martial world must be fair and righteous. That was also the reason they could survive.

‘And the Limitless Realm masters are the pride of that White Path orthodox sects.’

The Emperor’s eyes flashed.

‘If you ask the Limitless Realm masters individually to become kings of a region without sufficient consultation and discussion, it could trigger an explosion of dissatisfaction from the White Path martial world.’

‘Is that so?’

‘For the Black Path as well, but especially for the White Path martial world, the Limitless Realm masters are the end of martial arts, those who have become gods while alive. They have devoted their lives to chivalry, they see the ideal world, and martial arts are no exception.’

‘…….’

‘If, by any chance, the Limitless Realm masters do not have enough dialogue with the White Path orthodox sects and follow Your Majesty’s policies based on their individual will, the White Path martial world will surely be furious with betrayal.’

‘……That could be the case.’

‘In the worst case, the White Path martial world may turn their swords against the empire, which has not yet established its foundation.’

Yeon-wi quickly interjected.

‘Your Majesty. The Black Dragon Castle Lord’s words are somewhat extreme. If we discuss the possibilities of the unseen future, anything can happen.’

‘I know that. I understand the Yeon family head’s heart, so don’t worry.’

Yeon-wi sighed inwardly.

How could he not know Yeon Ho-jeong or the Emperor? But if he didn’t act as a buffer in the middle, the conversation would become more and more extreme.

No matter how wise a person is, if they hear dark stories often, darkness will naturally settle in their heart. Yeon-wi didn’t want that.

Yeon Ho-jeong bowed his head.

‘The Yeon family head’s words are indeed correct. I was just assuming the worst-case scenario, and it would be difficult for the White Path martial world to make such a judgment.’

‘I think so too. But it’s good to keep the worst-case scenario in mind.’

‘This is what I want to say.’

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had raised his head again, straightened his back.

‘Please do not think hastily.’

‘…….’

‘Furthermore, choose dialogue over force, and coexistence over authority. That is the way to save both the empire and the martial world.’

He held hatred for the Three Teachings [Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism] that was enough to make the heavens tremble, but because of that, he knew how dangerous and terrible it was to kill each other.

There would be no big problem if they drew their swords against enemies, but if those who were supposed to live well together raised their voices and drew their swords, it would be an act of tearing each other apart.

The real problem was, who would suffer from such conflict?

‘The people.’

If those with power draw their swords, it is the powerless people who suffer.

But even if they know that the people will suffer, they won’t be able to stop once they’ve drawn their swords. Politics is about momentum. If they withdraw their swords for the sake of the people or ideals, they will have to retreat endlessly from that point on.

If the empire withdraws its sword, the rule of law will collapse at the very least, and if the martial world withdraws its sword, public order will collapse immediately. If they want a better world, the relationship between the empire and the martial world should not be driven to extremes in the first place.

The Emperor sighed.

‘I have no choice but to admit that my thoughts were short-sighted.’

‘…….’

‘I have made a body here that can rule for the next half-century. But I couldn’t help but feel impatient. Even though a war has broken out, I have to draw the future of the nation, but there was no wise man to discuss it with right away.’

‘…….’

‘In the end, it’s all excuses. I was impatient.’

The greatest strength of the Emperor that Yeon Ho-jeong saw was not his intelligence, insight, or intuition.

The Emperor was a person who could admit his mistakes right away. It is not easy for an emperor, the master of a nation and the parent of all people, to have such a character.

Furthermore, he not only realizes his mistakes but also constantly reflects on his own state.

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

‘The world cannot live alone. It may be a somewhat presumptuous statement, but that applies to Your Majesty as well.’

‘Your words are indeed correct.’

‘I know that you value me because there is no one else right now. But there are countless wise men in the world. Someone like me, who wields a blood-stained sword and discusses politics, may be fine for now, but could cause big problems in the future.’

‘…….’

‘When you recruit talent in the future, I earnestly ask you to exclude their origin and background as much as possible and look at their abilities and character.’

If Yeon Ho-jeong had a good opinion of the Emperor, the Emperor had no choice but to have a good opinion of Yeon Ho-jeong as well.

Ripe rice bows its head. In the Emperor’s eyes, Yeon Ho-jeong was a properly ripened rice.

So he wanted to obtain him, but this rice, which emitted a golden, brilliant glow, knew its own state more clearly than anyone else.

‘The Castle Lord’s words are correct.’

Yeon Ho-jeong is an outstanding person. But his words and actions are extreme, and there is always the possibility of creating various conflicts.

It would be good if he could fix that and work for the empire, but this young martial god has already saved the Central Plains several times.

He cannot place a heavier burden on such a hero. A hero is just someone who saves people from a crisis and presents a better future, not a politician.

The person who must achieve the pinnacle of realistic politics is the Emperor himself.

He realized that fact anew.

‘You could become the administrator of the new era for me, but you are giving that up and trying to become the bridge that the wise men who will flock for the sake of the people will step on.’

‘…….’

‘It is truly fortunate to have you two, father and son.’

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

The Emperor, who had a bitter smile, spoke in a brighter voice.

‘Then let’s finish the conversation. Personally, I’m a bit uneasy and curious, but is there really no possibility that the Limitless Realm masters will suddenly cause a ruckus because they don’t like the world?’

‘If we are talking about those with an incomplete mind, it is impossible to know. But fortunately, there are many Limitless Realm masters in the world who are living for the sake of war and the world.’

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shone.

‘If a Limitless Realm master appears who casts a shadow over the political landscape that Your Majesty is drawing, more Limitless Realm masters will gather to catch him. The Black Dragon Castle and the Martial Alliance will surely do so.’

‘Yes, that alone is fortunate.’

Even a wise person needs to hear words of certainty from others to feel at ease. The current Emperor was like that.

‘Then we should wrap things up.’

The Emperor’s eyes, which had been filled with anxiety and pressure, regained their original sharpness.

‘When can I stretch my legs?’

‘It seems that the Yeon family head can answer that more accurately than I can.’

‘Is that so?’

Yeon-wi was flustered.

[You rascal, why are you suddenly doing this?]

[Father, please speak.]

[Why aren’t you continuing?]

[The way His Majesty looks at me is like a young man in his prime looking at an absolute beauty. Please share the burden.]

Yeon-wi clicked his tongue inwardly at Yeon Ho-jeong’s indifferent gaze.

The telepathic messages flew like lightning, and fortunately, the Emperor did not know that the two were talking.

Yeon-wi bowed his head once more.

‘It is presumptuous to say, but the possibility of the Three Teachings re-invading the Imperial Palace after this battle is very small.’

‘I think so too.’

‘But the whole country can change in any way. If Your Majesty has made up your mind, it is right to reveal yourself under the sun as soon as possible.’

The Emperor smiled.

‘It sounds like you mean it shouldn’t end with just revealing myself.’

‘……That’s right.’

Yeon-wi was momentarily flustered, but he revealed his thoughts as they were.

‘Of course, this war and the past infiltration of spies have made the Imperial Palace as dangerous as it can be. In this situation, insisting on the Imperial Palace in Beijing is, in my humble opinion, somewhat dangerous.’

‘Hmm.’

‘Currently, a man named Moyong Gun, the head of the Moyong family and the de facto leader of the Jiangxi Business Alliance, is building a new Imperial Palace in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.’

‘Of course, I know. I needed my approval. In fact, I provided a lot of financial support.’

‘Yes. It is probably more than half completed by now. Considering the journey, it is predicted that it will be more than 70% complete at the current pace.’

A plan that Yeon Ho-jeong, the Emperor, the Martial Alliance, and Moyong Gun had secretly promoted.

It was the construction of a new Imperial Palace.

Yeon-wi’s eyes shone.

‘The old Imperial Palace has reached the end of its life, so I don’t think we should have any more attachment to this place. Please go to the Imperial Palace in Nanjing and open the door to a new era.’