Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 137

“You’ve arrived.”

“Indeed.”

“Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Haha, I would.”

Shortly after, Moyong Gun and Moyong Woo sat across from each other at the table.

Moyong Gun, having moistened his throat with tea, asked,

“How was the ‘Heaven and Earth One Hundred and Eight Sword Techniques’?”

“It was difficult.”

Moyong Gun smiled as if he knew it all.

“It is the culmination of the Moyong family’s hundreds of years of history, the pinnacle of swordsmanship. I’ve been practicing it for nearly twenty years, and yet, there’s still room for growth.”

“I realized it’s an endless sword technique.”

“You saw well. Defense, sword power, speed, skill, and so on, it’s endless.”

“Thank you once again.”

“Haha, there’s no need for such formality between brothers.”

It was a strange thing to say.

Moyong Gun might have said it sincerely, but it was only possible because Moyong Woo had agreed to follow him. If Moyong Woo had continued to resist in Zhejiang, they probably wouldn’t have seen each other until death.

‘This is better.’

Moyong Gun had visited Moyong Woo for several days, engaging in various conversations. It was as if he was making up for lost time, treating Moyong Woo with care.

However, Moyong Woo knew. Moyong Gun’s kindness only applied to those within his circle.

‘Even though I knew, I was briefly intoxicated.’

The brotherly bond deepened. Moyong Gun would think so, and Moyong Woo partially agreed.

However, each time he heard such discordant words, he was reminded.

‘Brother is dangerous.’

The slightly wavering resolve became firm again.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes?”

“Leaving the Zhejiang branch to your subordinate, I mean. You’ll have to work under me for the time being.”

Moyong Woo said confidently,

“My subordinate’s administrative skills are superior to mine. In fact, he’ll be better at maintaining the branch’s operations.”

“Haha, is that so? If you’re giving him such high praise, he must be quite the talent.”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“Later, depending on the situation, let’s bring him to the main family.”

“Yes?”

“Hmm? Haha, why are you so surprised? If he’s your man, he’s also part of the main family, isn’t he?”

Moyong Woo, who had been quietly observing Moyong Gun, nodded.

“I believe you will like him, brother.”

Moyong Gun’s desire for talent was endless.

However, it was different from the way the Nine Great Families expanded their power. He was greedy, but if it seemed problematic, he wouldn’t even look at it. That was why Moyong Gun was able to build a stable foundation.

Moyong Woo’s expression suddenly hardened.

“Brother.”

“Yes, speak first.”

“There was something you mentioned before, wasn’t there?”

“What are you referring to?”

“The marriage…”

“Ah, the eldest daughter of the Jungwon Battlefield [a term referring to the Central Plains, the heartland of martial arts]?”

Moyong Gun smiled and stroked his beard.

“Don’t worry. I’ve seen her once before, and she was exceptionally intelligent and beautiful. She’s also young, so she’ll be more than suitable as your spouse.”

An honest look of bewilderment crossed Moyong Woo’s face.

“I’m not quite ready…”

“Haha, marriage is nothing special. Once you get it over with, you’ll wonder why you even worried.”

That wasn’t the issue.

However, it seemed like it was truly nothing to Moyong Gun. In fact, he had also married based on the bride’s background and abilities.

It wasn’t just him. That was how the world was.

It was a peaceful world, but this peace could be broken at any time. In this unending chaotic era, marriage with a powerful family might be a necessity.

“However, there might be a need to delay the marriage.”

“Yes?”

Moyong Gun took out a golden document from his chest.

Moyong Woo’s eyes widened.

“What is that…?”

“It’s a covenant document created after going through the Bonggong Council [a council of high-ranking officials].”

“Is it alright to leak such a document to the outside?”

“Hmm? Haha! This is also part of the Martial Alliance. Don’t worry too much about it.”

Leaking important documents to the outside was a serious crime, regardless of rank.

‘He trusts me.’

Moyong Woo examined Moyong Gun’s face.

Even though he had leaked the document, he didn’t seem worried at all.

‘He trusts me. He believes that even if the leak is discovered, it won’t be a problem.’

He wouldn’t be able to do this so easily unless his foundation within the Alliance was incredibly solid. That’s how confident Moyong Gun was.

‘He must have joined hands with several faction leaders in that short time. At least four or more…’

It was frightening.

It wasn’t just his martial arts and strategy that were outstanding. Moyong Gun also had a knack for politics, and that ability worked even on the giants of the martial world who had experienced all sorts of hardships.

“Why are you like that?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Moyong Woo read the document.

His eyes flashed.

“The organizational chart of the Martial Alliance has been completed. Of course, it will take some time until all the organizations are fully established.”

“…You are fast, Lord Moyong.”

“Indeed. In the case of the Independent Vanguard, we plan to select the best martial artists among those joining the Alliance. It will probably be a great help to you.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes widened.

“But the numbers are different.”

“Hmm?”

“The personnel limit for the Vanguard I will lead and the Vanguard the eldest son of the Yeon family will lead are different.”

Moyong Gun gave a chilling smile.

“Of course, it should be that way. There’s no need to give them a large number, is there?”

The personnel limit for the Vanguard Moyong Woo would lead was five hundred.

On the other hand, the personnel limit for the Vanguard Yeon Ho-Jeong would lead was only a hundred.

“Having a large number doesn’t guarantee good results. But if the abilities are similar, then external factors will have a great influence.”

“…”

“Within two years, either disband or integrate their Vanguard. That will be your first task.”

“Understood.”

Moyong Woo put down the document.

His eyes were somewhat shaken, but his expression was firm. It meant that he had some confidence.

“Before that, I think there’s something I need to do.”

“Hmm?”

Moyong Woo looked out the window.

“I need to meet the eldest son of the Yeon family.”

* * *

“Hmm, a hundred people.”

Yeon Wi sighed.

“I’m sorry. I tried my best, but this is how it turned out.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“You didn’t like the existence of the Vanguard in the first place, did you?”

“That’s why I opposed it. But if a Vanguard was going to be created, I wanted to give you strength.”

“Haha, it’s alright.”

A look of amusement appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“A hundred is the limit…”

“Actually, if you look at the activity clauses, it’s not that small a number.”

“It’s rather large.”

“What?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“I don’t intend to fill all one hundred slots. Of course, if capable individuals appear, I’d like to recruit them.”

Yeon Wi shook his head.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

“There’s one thing I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“When can we leave the Alliance?”

Surprise flickered across Yeon Wi’s face.

“Are you already thinking of leaving the Alliance with the Vanguard?”

“Of course. I didn’t need a hundred people in the first place, but either way, we’ve been outnumbered by them, haven’t we? If so, we have no choice but to go out and achieve merits as soon as possible.”

“Isn’t it too hasty? Besides, for the Vanguard to act as a Vanguard, there must be a proper purpose.”

“Isn’t it up to us to create a purpose?”

“…”

“…That’s what I said, but in reality, I think we just need to follow the righteous path.”

“Follow the righteous path?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

The goal he had been planning since he brought the Independent Vanguard card from Moyong Gun.

“I plan to clean up the Black Path [a term referring to the underworld of martial arts].”

“The Black Path martial world?!”

“That’s right.”

It was probably the first time. Yeon Ho-Jeong had hidden his true intentions from Yeon Wi.

“I will cut out all the vile factions of the Black Path that suck the blood of the people. Of course, if there are any entities that threaten the people, even if they are not part of the Black Path, I will eradicate them.”

Not all Black Path martial artists live saying, ‘I’m Black Path.’

Those who violate morality and commit clear illegal acts. What else could they be but the Black Path?

“That’s not a bad idea. No, it’s actually good. If the power of the White Path [a term referring to the orthodox martial arts world] martial world is concentrated in the Martial Alliance, the Black Path in each region will inevitably gain power.”

“That’s right. We need to start by cutting off those branches.”

“Hmm.”

Yeon Wi examined his son’s expression.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled faintly.

“Why are you like that?”

Yeon Wi could tell. Yeon Ho-Jeong was hiding something from him.

Now, he could see through his son’s intentions just by looking at his expression and eyes. That was how deep the bond between father and son had become.

“Is there any other purpose?”

“…”

I can’t lie.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

“There is.”

“Yes, I understand.”

That was the end of it.

He was eager to know what his purpose was, but Yeon Wi didn’t try to dig any further.

If it was something he could talk about, he wouldn’t have tried to deceive him in the first place. Yeon Wi didn’t want to trouble his son.

However, he had to get one promise.

“I believe it won’t be something that goes against morality.”

“At least, it doesn’t go against my morality.”

It was a vague statement.

Yeon Wi nodded.

“Yes, that’s enough.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong inwardly sighed.

He also wanted to reveal the existence of the Gwangsin Samgyo [a mysterious organization]. He wanted to say that not only the White Path Martial Alliance but also the Black Path should join forces.

‘Not yet…’

But not yet.

‘It’s not the time yet.’

It was his father, whom he had wanted to meet even in death. He knew that he was someone who would believe anything he said.

Still, not yet. When time passed and the enemy’s true nature became clear, it wouldn’t be too late to speak then.

‘Let’s focus on my work for now. There’s not much time.’

Originally, the Gwangsin Samgyo would invade the Central Plains more than twenty years later.

However, history had changed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, because of that one person, the Yeon family, which should have been destroyed, had survived, the Nine Great Families had fallen faster, and the establishment of the Martial Alliance had also been brought forward.

This change was by no means small.

‘They might invade later. Or perhaps, due to some incident, they might never covet the Central Plains for the rest of their lives. But…’

If they had been preparing for the invasion from the beginning.

‘Even if it’s not right now, it’s possible that it will be faster. Just thinking about that, there’s no time.’

The maximum leeway Yeon Ho-Jeong thought the enemies had was ten years.

At least within ten years, the Gwangsin Samgyo would advance into the Central Plains. He had to assume that and act accordingly.

In other words, within ten years, he had to make Moyong Woo the leader of the Martial Alliance, cultivate the power of the White Path, and at the same time, unite the power of the Black Path martial world to prepare for war.

That was his goal and his mission. He believed that the reason why heaven had given him another chance was precisely there.

Yeon Ho-Jeong truly believed that.

“In any case, I don’t think there’s a need to move too hastily. The situation is such that there hasn’t even been a clear discussion on how to select the Vanguard’s forces.”

“Don’t worry. I have something in mind.”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grinned.

“There are people who are not completely useless, and yet are free to roam the martial world. I don’t know how many will gather, but I expect at least thirty.”

“Thirty people…”

Yeon Wi’s eyes flashed.

“You don’t mean…?”

It was then.

The two of them simultaneously turned their gaze to the window.

Yeon Ho-Jeong rose from his seat.

“I’ll be back.”

“…It seems to be someone from the Moyong family.”

“That’s right. He must be my guest.”

The martial artist coming to Pagun Hall was none other than Moyong Woo.

‘It’s a good thing I prepared.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong touched his chest. There was a rather thick letter inside.