Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1179

Chal Geuk-pyeong opened his eyes.

In the dark night, a face was visible between two flickering candles.

“When did you come in?”

Gi Cheon-woong smiled.

“I just arrived.”

The two had built a rather solid relationship through their long conversations.

Chal Geuk-pyeong, who had been quietly staring at Gi Cheon-woong, spoke as if throwing a stone.

“If you simply wanted to see me, you would have made your presence known.”

“……”

“Have you finally decided to kill me?”

Gi Cheon-woong chuckled.

“That’s ridiculous. I told you from the start that I have no grudge against you. If I had intended to kill you, I would have requested an attack during the battle in the northern part of the Imperial Palace.”

Chal Geuk-pyeong’s eyebrows twitched.

“It’s quite something for the person who led the Divine Flame Cult to say such things.”

The very mention of requesting something irritated Chal Geuk-pyeong. Although their relationship was now ambiguous, Gi Cheon-woong was clearly the former cult leader to him. He didn’t like the idea of such a person saying he would ask for something from someone.

“You should abandon that petty stubbornness. The position of the Divine Flame Cult Leader is certainly great, but having stepped down from that position, I am just a commoner.”

“Only someone who is not a commoner can ascend to that position.”

“You’re wrong. Only a Gi can ascend to that position.”

“……”

“No matter how great your talent, no matter how deep your faith, the person who sits in the position of cult leader is already decided.”

A bitter look crossed Gi Cheon-woong’s face.

“If you think that way, the position of Divine Flame Cult Leader itself might be nothing.”

Ssshhh.

A subtle killing intent rose from Chal Geuk-pyeong’s body.

The killing intent was not directed at Gi Cheon-woong. It was simply a natural reaction to Gi Cheon-woong’s words, to the statement that the position of cult leader was nothing.

“Are you speaking so lightly of the position you were driven out of?”

“That’s not something you should say to someone who sat on that throne for decades.”

“……”

“You already know what kind of person I am. If you’re reacting so sharply because of pride or guilt, I won’t come to see you privately in the future.”

Chal Geuk-pyeong couldn’t say anything.

Gi Cheon-woong was right. He knew that Gi Cheon-woong had not betrayed the Divine Flame Cult, that he was someone who cared for the cult more than anyone else.

Yet, he was picking at words and getting angry because of guilt.

Even though he had decided to join them, he kept looking back. The reason was obviously because of the people who remained in the cult, those who had helped him in various ways for his sake.

And a pride much stronger than that guilt was supporting him.

Besides his outstanding talent, he had a steel-like pride and a fierce sense of purpose, which was why he was able to become the Ilwang [One of the highest ranking members in the cult]. That was why many cult members revered Ilwang Chal Geuk-pyeong.

“I…”

Was it because Gi Cheon-woong’s words had sapped his strength?

A small sigh escaped Chal Geuk-pyeong’s lips.

“I don’t know what to do.”

He temporarily put down his strong pride and revealed his true feelings.

Gi Cheon-woong shook his head.

“You’ve already made your decision. If you’ve made a decision, there’s only one thing left for you to do.”

“……”

“Yeon Seong-ju’s words are true. The current cult leader sent you to the Central Plains to die. If you’re going to blame yourself for not dying, you might as well die with everyone here right now.”

It was a statement that provoked the prideful Chal Geuk-pyeong.

But Gi Cheon-woong was certain. That Chal Geuk-pyeong would never die.

Because he was someone who trusted his own judgment as much as he was prideful.

The face of Chal Geuk-pyeong, who was silently staring at the candlelight, seemed to have aged several years in a short time.

“In the end, both you and your son abandoned us.”

When he let go of his pride, self-loathing rose.

Gi Cheon-woong’s eyes gleamed.

“Look at me.”

“……”

“I did not abandon you, nor did I abandon any of you.”

“If I hadn’t come here, I wouldn’t have heard those words.”

“Every choice in the world is made by abandoning something. I didn’t abandon you, but by making one choice, I missed the opportunity to clear up misunderstandings.”

“……”

“So, clear up your confused mind.”

Chal Geuk-pyeong, who had been looking at Gi Cheon-woong with wavering eyes, took a deep breath.

“So, what is the reason you came to see me secretly at this late hour?”

In an instant, Gi Cheon-woong’s eyes flashed.

A powerful glint that even the Ilwang of the world felt a moment of terror from.

“I believe in you. I believe in your pride, your loyalty, and your purity and steadfastness, which are considered foolish.”

“……”

“Therefore, there might be something that Woo-hwan didn’t tell you.”

“……?”

“At the same time, there might be something he told you because it was you.”

“What are you trying to say?”

Gi Cheon-woong’s upper body leaned slightly forward.

“I’ve received intelligence that the Gwanghyeol Cult Leader has descended upon Sichuan.”

“……!!”

Whoosh.

The candles were extinguished by a burst of energy.

But thanks to the cold moonlight, the two could see each other.

An undisguised look of surprise appeared on Chal Geuk-pyeong’s face.

“The Gwanghyeol Cult Leader entered Sichuan Province?!”

“That’s right.”

“……”

“Do you have any idea about that?”

“……Of course, I don’t.”

Chal Geuk-pyeong frowned. He even touched his lips as if he couldn’t believe it, proving that his words were true.

“Why would the Gwanghyeol Cult Leader enter Sichuan now unless he’s gone mad… Could it be that he’s invading with the entire force of the Gwanghyeol Cult?”

He thought that was highly likely. Otherwise, there was no reason for the Gwanghyeol Cult Leader to come in person.

“No, he didn’t.”

“Then?!”

“He came with only one disciple. Furthermore, it’s said that a thousand Gwanghyeol Cult soldiers appeared, and they are probably the Blood Emperor Corps [Gwanghyeol Cult Leader’s personal guard], the Gwanghyeol Cult Leader’s direct guard and the strongest shield.”

Both the Saeum Cult Leader and the Divine Flame Cult Leader had their own direct guard units.

But there was no guard unit as powerful as the Gwanghyeol Cult’s Blood Emperor Corps. Moreover, their number was a thousand, making them several times more powerful than a regular elite unit, despite being a guard unit.

The unit of gods, called the strongest shield in the entire Three Cults, not just the Gwanghyeol Cult.

That was the official story.

“Coming with only one disciple and the Blood Emperor Corps… doesn’t that mean he came for personal reasons?”

“I think so too.”

Gi Cheon-woong’s gaze intensified.

“It’s true that the Gwanghyeol Cult Leader is an unpredictable person. But he’s not crazy enough to take such drastic and impulsive actions in the middle of a war.”

“……”

“Do you know anything about that? If Woo-hwan didn’t give you any separate hints, is there anything in your memory related to the current situation?”

“No. No matter how much I think about it, there’s nothing like that…”

Chal Geuk-pyeong, who was speaking, suddenly looked at Gi Cheon-woong in surprise.

“Could it be that the reason you came to my residence without anyone knowing…?”

“It’s possible that he might have given some hints to Ohwa Wang Cheol Heum-gi if not you.”

The residences of Chal Geuk-pyeong and Cheol Heum-gi were only ten paces apart.

“That’s impossible. Surely the current cult leader didn’t think that we would all be with you? He could have predicted it. But the current situation is close to a coincidence. He wouldn’t have expected anything from Cheol Heum-gi.”

“I think so too. But I don’t know how much Woo-hwan’s madness has grown. I’m in a position where I have to consider various possibilities.”

“What if neither of us had any hints? Are you going to invade the Divine Flame Cult like this?”

Gi Cheon-woong shook his head.

“I can’t do that. It would be a disservice to the Central Plains martial world. If they lose their strength, we won’t be able to reclaim the Divine Flame Cult either.”

“Then what are you planning to do?”

“If we all have to move…”

Gi Cheon-woong looked far to the west.

“I have no choice but to meet the Gwanghyeol Cult Leader myself.”

* * *

“That can’t be.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s words were definitive.

“As Heo Dan-ju said, the common goal of the Three Cults might be about legitimacy. But I don’t think Cult Leader Gi Cheon-woong would know that.”

Heo Baek lowered his head silently.

In fact, it wasn’t easy for Heo Baek to say that. If Gi Cheon-woong had really thrown himself into the Central Plains with some kind of sinister scheme, it meant that Yeon Ho-jeong hadn’t noticed his true intentions.

“There’s no need to suspect Cult Leader Gi Cheon-woong. That’s what I think, and I believe in him. He is currently an absolutely trustworthy ally.”

Gang Ryang asked.

“Then how should we interpret the Gwanghyeol Cult Leader’s entry into Sichuan?”

“It can’t be interpreted. Because there’s no information.”

“Ugh.”

“And there’s no need to interpret it. At least not now. There’s no need for everyone to rack their brains over a problem that has no answer, no matter how much we think about it.”

“That’s true, but if we could know the enemy’s intentions, our response would be different.”

“That’s why we should leave it to the intelligence unit. Or…”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

“We could ask Cult Leader Gi Cheon-woong.”

“You said you trusted him?”

“He was someone who knew all the circumstances of the Divine Flame Cult. He has a lot of knowledge that we haven’t even thought of. If one of them helps us interpret the current situation, it’s worth investing the time.”

Jin Yang chimed in.

“Then let’s move right away. He should still be in Hebei, right?”

Yeon Ho-jeong couldn’t make a decision easily. That’s how unexpected the Gwanghyeol Cult Leader’s actions were.

Just as his worries were deepening.

“Ho-jeong.”

Ha Eun-gyo’s beautiful voice gently broke Yeon Ho-jeong’s concentration.

“Please speak, Senior.”

“It’s not like you to just worry without knowing the opponent’s intentions.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled bitterly.

“With one wrong decision, someone who doesn’t have to die could die. I…”

“Wasn’t that always the case?”

“……?!”

“Even before the war broke out, people who didn’t have to die died.”

“But…”

“I’m not saying we should give up because it can’t be helped. I’m saying that the situation hasn’t changed much from before the war broke out.”

Ha Eun-gyo’s eyes, which had now regained their past brilliance and deep wisdom, shone brightly.

“It might even be better now that the war has openly broken out. Because each region is preparing for battle.”

“……”

“If you’re going to try to save them all, I’m sorry, but I want to tell you to get a grip. It’s not something I should say, since I was just a nuisance until recently, but you can’t save everyone alone.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes wavered.

Ha Eun-gyo’s words were simple.

Don’t forget yourself just because there’s a war.

It was something that someone had to say, and the sooner the better.

“Act according to your instincts now. I know you’re a genius, but you can’t always come up with brilliant strategies and see through the enemy’s intentions every time, can you?”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had been quietly looking at Ha Eun-gyo, smiled.

“Thinking about it, Senior’s words are indeed correct.”

Yeon Ho-jeong got up from his seat.

“I think I was momentarily lost because the opponent was too unconventional. If there’s no answer even if I worry, it’s best for me to act like myself.”

Everyone could guess what his best was.

Yeon Ho-jeong grabbed the Gwangryongbu [A type of sword] that he had placed to one side.

“I’m going to Sichuan immediately.”