Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 170

Moyong Gun’s face was as cold as ice as he entered his residence.

Ho-gyeong cautiously asked,

“My Lord, are you…”

At that moment, Moyong Gun raised his hand.

The cold gesture clearly indicated that he wanted to be alone. Ho-gyeong bowed his head and left the room.

Thus, Moyong Gun was left alone in the room.

He crossed his legs and tapped the table with his index finger, a strange sense of unease surrounding him.

How much time had passed?

For a moment, the corner of Moyong Gun’s mouth twitched.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know?”

Moyong Gun’s eyes, as he looked up at the ceiling, were as fierce as a beast’s, yet as deep and wise as an enlightened ascetic.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know that you were manipulating things from behind, using the Jeagal Clan Head as a front?”

Moyong Gun glared into the air with a chilling smile and eyes a thousand times colder.

Then, he burst into laughter.

“Hahahaha!!”

The laughter that erupted, shaking the entire room, was filled with a sense of catharsis.

“Truly, I cannot match your cunning. Indeed, you are a talent that this Moyong Gun would want to have. I kicked you out at the founding ceremony, and you immediately grabbed me by the hair.”

He was an incredible man.

Not only did he possess outstanding strategic skills and political acumen, but now he was even meddling with the very pinnacle of the Martial Alliance, the Alliance Leader’s office.

He wondered if such a person even existed in the world. This wasn’t about ability; it was a method that no one would dare attempt unless they were willing to risk their life over even the smallest matter.

This wasn’t courage or anything else. It was just madness.

‘Mad, but the fact that he has the capacity to handle that madness is the bigger problem.’

Even the most talented genius wouldn’t dare to think of using the heads of the Six Great Clans, who were of higher status than himself, as shields to control the overall situation.

‘Yet, that guy does it.’

That was Yeon Ho-jeong.

An insidious warrior disguised as a passionate military commander. In a way, his ruthlessness seemed even greater than that of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

‘I don’t know how long it’s been. Since this Moyong Gun was so helplessly caught in the opponent’s trap.’

Being tricked by Yeon Ho-jeong and made the commander of the Independent Vanguard? That was nothing. Rather, he had even created two vanguard units and made a position for Moyong Woo. The ability to turn a crisis into an opportunity was essential for a politician.

But this time, there was no way out.

‘I said we should decide after some time, but it seemed that the majority of the Bonggong [Council of Elders] already agreed.’

Now that the topic had been brought up, the position of Vice Alliance Leader would be pushed through no matter what.

Dividing positions meant dividing power. There was no sect in the White Path that welcomed the concentration of power.

It would take some time, but it would definitely pass. However, two Vice Alliance Leader positions were excessive, so they would likely settle on reducing it to one.

‘The important thing is the position of Vice Alliance Leader itself, which is meant to prevent the Alliance Leader’s dictatorship. Proposing two positions was probably to emphasize the importance of the Vice Alliance Leader position.’

Moyong Gun’s cheek twitched.

‘Is this Jeagal Clan Head’s scheme, not Yeon Ho-jeong’s?’

Jeagal Mun-ho was a fox.

No one could ignore Jeagal Mun-ho’s words, who had clearly demonstrated his presence in the past by talking about the Martial Law. [A set of rules governing martial arts practitioners].

That was why he had been nitpicking about the strict timing of the expedition. Even if the matters were different, it would be difficult to deny them twice in a row.

Especially if the person who brought up the matter was the military advisor, an important figure in the Alliance.

“Impressive.”

Moyong Gun smirked.

“It’s truly frightening when an unparalleled genius and a seasoned strategist join forces. I’ve been thoroughly outmaneuvered.”

However, there was one question that still lingered.

“Why the rush?”

Clearly, Jeagal Mun-ho had predicted that he would bring forward the Bonggong Council. And he had intended to bring up the matter of the Vice Alliance Leader position at that meeting.

‘Why bother?’

Whether it was sooner or later, it was only a difference of one day. Even if the meeting had been held on time, the result wouldn’t have changed.

Of course, it could have been to induce carelessness by bringing the timing forward and to emphasize the importance of the Vice Alliance Leader position with a decisive move.

But was that really all? Wasn’t there a reason why they had gone so far as to mobilize even the lay disciples of the Emei Sect to make him anxious?

‘……!!’

Suddenly, Moyong Gun’s eyes widened.

“You… ?”

Yeon Ho-jeong came to mind.

The face of the genius, with its slender features like a scholar and sharp eyes like blades.

“Did you use me to completely bring the Emei Sect Leader over to your side?!”

Master Bok-ho, along with the leaders of Shaolin and Wudang, was someone who placed great value on righteousness.

It would be impossible to bring such a person over to one’s side through ordinary means. They could never be made an ally unless a clear enemy was created and the enemy’s wickedness was highlighted.

“Ha! I’ve been tricked two or three times over.”

He knew that Master Bok-ho had gone over to their side, but he hadn’t paid attention to it because it wasn’t immediately important.

But now that he thought about it, this was no ordinary matter. The Bonggong members were well aware of Master Bok-ho’s sense of justice and morality. In other words, his voice carried that much weight.

The moment when a good person with power can become truly frightening is when evil appears.

Yeon Ho-jeong and Jeagal Mun-ho had branded Moyong Gun as evil in Master Bok-ho’s eyes.

“A factional fight… was it to balance the power?”

Moyong Gun unconsciously raised both hands.

“Haha, it’s an undeniable, complete defeat.”

He never imagined that he would be hit with such a counterattack while he was off guard.

It had been a confusing day in many ways. Moyong Gun locked himself in his residence and grumbled for a long time.

* * *

“So that’s how it happened.”

“Yes, it is.”

Yeon Ho-jeong calmly drank his tea.

Yeon-wi, who had been silently watching his son, whose expression showed no change, asked cautiously.

“Did you say you were going to lead it into a factional fight?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m talking about bringing Master Bok-ho over to your side this time.”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s face became serious.

“The forces that have joined hands with Moyong Gun are at least four. With that much power, they would be able to change the agenda coming out of the Bonggong Council as they please.”

“Hmm.”

“His ultimate goal is the Martial Alliance Leader position. But in that process, he will sacrifice countless people.”

“…….”

“The people who will be the biggest obstacles in his path are a few people, including myself. But unfortunately, he is a Bonggong member, and I am just a vanguard commander.”

“So, you’re saying that since he’s at the head and you’re at the end of the body, you took measures in advance to prevent him from doing anything unnecessary?”

“That’s part of it. More than anything, he is skilled in vicious politics. There’s no guarantee that there won’t be another person like Moyong Gun among the Bonggong members, is there?”

“…….”

“I don’t know about the Black Path, which reveres power, but in the White Path, the concentration of power will make many people unhappy. No matter who becomes the Alliance Leader, it’s good to create a position that can prevent the Alliance Leader’s extreme dictatorship.”

Yeon-wi looked at his son with an astonished expression.

“You’re truly amazing.”

“Pardon?”

“Sometimes when I talk to you, I wonder where you developed such outstanding insight. It’s not like you’ve only shown such amazing things once or twice.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled wryly.

“It’s just a minor talent.”

Those who would use any means necessary to gain power existed everywhere.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s political talent was specialized in dealing with such people.

The means to conquer the Black Path was power, but a keen sense and insight were essential to govern the conquered Black Path. Having dealt with countless people who were aiming for the position of Black Emperor, his ability to see the essence of things had naturally grown.

That was why he knew. In the end, the White Path was no different from the Black Path, a world full of filth.

“In any case, Moyong Gun has been thoroughly outmaneuvered in this round without any means of resistance. He will be lying low for a while.”

“I think so too.”

“Externally, that is.”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“I don’t want to be entangled with the same kind, but both Moyong Gun and I are the type of people who always pay back what we’ve received. He may be quiet in front, but who knows what he’s plotting behind the scenes.”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“He might, but you and Moyong Gun are different.”

It seemed that he wanted to make that point clear before worrying about the future.

Yeon Ho-jeong shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, what does it matter if we have some similarities? I think that even if people have the same nature, they can become saints or villains depending on the path they choose.”

Yeon-wi smiled faintly.

“So, which side do you think you’re on?”

“I don’t think I’m a saint at all. My nature is quite petty, isn’t it?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s face became serious again.

“In any case, if Moyong Gun is determined to secretly plot something, there’s no way to find out.”

“That’s right.”

“In the end, we have no choice but to be careful, and then be careful again.”

Of course, if he went through Moyong Woo, he might be able to find out somehow.

But this time, the Tangma Army and the Myeolsa Army were going on an expedition together. He wouldn’t be able to find out through Moyong Woo, and even if he did, he would have to be careful.

If he made a mistake, Moyong Woo, a fatal card, could be exposed.

‘I need to let him win to some extent. The problem is how to adjust the level.’

He had to adjust it well. So that his intentions wouldn’t be exposed, and so that he would be perceived as a young, difficult opponent, not easy to deal with, just like now.

Yeon Ho-jeong didn’t know. That Moyong Gun was paying much more attention to him than he thought.

That was something that was difficult to know, no matter how outstanding one’s insight was. For Yeon Ho-jeong, it was a natural response, like breathing, but it wasn’t the same for his opponent.

He could guess it in his head, but he couldn’t feel it.

That was Yeon Ho-jeong’s weakness, if it could be called that.

“Now that I’ve done this much, he won’t be able to move rashly like before.”

“That’s right.”

“Don’t worry about this side, and take good care of yourself. There are only three days left until the expedition.”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.

“Don’t worry.”

Even if he was told not to worry, he couldn’t help but worry. It was a problem that had nothing to do with ability.

To Yeon-wi, Yeon Ho-jeong was his son. A child was always a child, no matter how old they got.

“There’s no need to compete with the Tangma Army. I know you’ll do well on your own, but don’t fight over merit for no reason.”

“I understand.”

“Although he’s Moyong Gun’s man, the Tangma Army Commander is very outstanding. The annihilation of the enemy is important, but the most important thing is to return safely, so work together and help each other.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Still feeling uneasy, Yeon-wi nagged Yeon Ho-jeong with affectionate nagging for a long time.

It was said that even good words could make one feel bad if heard too many times. But Yeon Ho-jeong was simply happy with his father’s nagging.

He wanted to hear such nagging for a long time to come, even after overcoming the chaos of the Three Teachings.

Yeon Ho-jeong sincerely wished for that.

How much time had passed?

“……?!”

“…….”

The eyes of the father and son immediately sharpened.

‘This energy?’

At that moment, a clear voice was heard from the distant gate.

“Amitabha. Is Commander Yeon here?”

Surprise flickered across Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.

“Shaolin?!”