Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 173

Tangma Myeolsa (4)

Stop the political strife.

It was an unusual statement. Yeon Ho-jeong never imagined Abbot Gong Gong would say such a thing.

Yeon Ho-jeong stared at Abbot Gong Gong for a moment, then smiled and asked,

“Did you say you gave teachings to Moyong Gun?”

It was an abrupt question, but Abbot Gong Gong answered calmly,

“I did.”

“You were planning to give gifts to the leaders of the two garrison units before their departure.”

“That was the plan, but it seems like an unnecessary gift for you. Moyong Gun has also established his own style, but you are different. You haven’t reached the peak yet, but it feels like you’ve already completed your own unique school.”

He wasn’t talking about the Four Divine Martial Arts [a set of powerful martial techniques].

The key was how to refine the martial arts one had learned in their own way. That was why the power and usage of the same martial art varied greatly depending on the person using it.

“It seemed like you already knew how to develop yourself further.”

It was an excellent insight.

Such insight wasn’t gained just by learning good martial arts. It was a perception that could only be obtained by facing countless masters through hundreds of battles.

Shaolin Temple. The myth of the White Path martial world [a term referring to orthodox martial arts schools], considered the best in the Central Plains [the heartland of China] in both Buddhism and martial arts.

Indeed, it seemed that not just anyone could become the abbot of such a sect.

Thud.

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had casually placed the Gwangryong Sword down, shook his head.

“Although I haven’t seen the Abbot’s true martial arts, it was still an impressive sparring match. Thank you.”

A strange light flickered in Abbot Gong Gong’s eyes.

It wasn’t about Shaolin’s true martial arts or secret techniques. He specifically referred to it as the Abbot’s martial arts.

It was a subtle difference, but Abbot Gong Gong, seeing Yeon Ho-jeong’s deep gaze, was certain that he had already noticed.

“Could you see it?”

“Yes?”

“I mean, my martial arts.”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“I don’t know well, but it seemed like you have a separate martial art that you are refining.”

“Haha.”

“Of course, that too must be a Shaolin martial art. However…”

“However?”

Yeon Ho-jeong stroked his chin.

After a moment of thought, he tilted his head and said,

“Are you perhaps thinking of compiling all of Shaolin’s martial arts, or even creating another martial art?”

Surprise appeared on Abbot Gong Gong’s face.

“How did you come to think of that?”

“It’s just a feeling.”

“Hoo!”

“In any field, when one reaches the extreme, they tend to return to the basics. But Abbot’s martial arts contained a principle that was simple yet difficult to explain.”

Yeon Ho-jeong extended his fist.

Wham!

It was a precise punch. The air around them vibrated.

“Principle is power. Power is emission, and emission is manifestation. And within the manifested martial art, a person’s ideology and enlightenment are revealed.”

“So, by observing the martial art I manifested, you read my intentions?”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

Abbot Gong Gong was genuinely impressed.

“My dream, which no one in the temple has noticed, is recognized by the greatest rising star of the current martial world, who was born and raised in Gangdong.”

“Didn’t you do the same, Abbot?”

“Hmm?”

“I mean, you called me and Moyong Gun out for a sparring match. It wasn’t just to give us gifts, but because you wanted to know the sincerity contained within the martial arts we manifested, wasn’t it?”

“……!”

“So, did you read my sincerity?”

Abbot Gong Gong, who had been quietly observing Yeon Ho-jeong, sighed.

“I thought you were a hidden dragon waiting for the time to ascend, but were you already a fully grown divine dragon?”

“That’s an excessive compliment.”

“It’s not excessive. It’s truly not excessive. Your martial arts are one thing, but your insight is already discussing the world.”

“That’s why I say it’s excessive.”

“Why?”

“Because my eyes are focused on people, not the world.”

Abbot Gong Gong lamented.

“Focused on people…”

Yeon Ho-jeong clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“I don’t have grand ambitions to save the world, but at least I know how to care for my own family. Please don’t worry too much.”

“Hahaha.”

“Then.”

Clang!

Yeon Ho-jeong, with the Gwangryong Sword on his shoulder, turned around, looking strangely carefree.

Abbot Gong Gong, watching him slowly walk away, opened his mouth.

“What’s your answer?”

Yeon Ho-jeong stopped walking.

“What answer are you talking about?”

“I asked you to stop the political strife with the Moyong Clan Head.”

“Weren’t you trying to understand the hearts of the leaders of the Tangma Myeolsa Army when you called us out?”

“Of course, that was my main purpose.”

“If you’ve achieved your purpose, isn’t that enough?”

“So, what’s your answer?”

Yeon Ho-jeong turned around again.

Abbot Gong Gong’s eyes were still clear and deep, but they held a hint of coldness.

“Before I answer, may I ask you one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“How did you know?”

Abbot Gong Gong burst into hearty laughter.

“You haven’t attended the Bonggong Council [a council of elders], so you wouldn’t know, but I tend to open my ears more than my mouth during meetings.”

“……”

“You have an incredible ability to see through your opponent’s weaknesses. You said that if a weak person tries to kill a strong person, they will see it, right?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s the same for me. I’m not good at politics. I was just busy observing who was leading the meeting and what they wanted.”

Yeon Ho-jeong clicked his tongue.

“The Abbot’s insight, to figure that out just by observing, is also extraordinary.”

“I was suspicious before. Even so, for the head of the Six Great Clans to fight with a rising star who hasn’t yet bloomed? It didn’t make sense logically. I could understand if it were the Jeagal Clan Head.”

Abbot Gong Gong shook his head.

“But after seeing the reaction to the recent Bokho incident, I was able to confirm it. That my thoughts were correct.”

“……”

“Moyong Clan Head and you are fighting fiercely. Your fight is shaking the entire massive group that is the Martial Alliance.”

He was an amazing person.

Common sense often leads to fixed ideas. The fact that something outside of common sense has occurred is synonymous with the breaking of fixed ideas.

In other words, Abbot Gong Gong had read the secret battle between Yeon Ho-jeong and Moyong Gun just by observing people and reading the flow of the situation.

Yeon Ho-jeong wore a faint smile.

“You are amazing.”

“I didn’t say that to receive praise. I just don’t want to fight.”

Abbot Gong Gong lowered his chin and stared intently at Yeon Ho-jeong.

“Please stop the political strife now.”

“Is that a warning?”

It was a provocative question.

“If it’s a warning, will you stop, and if it’s not a warning, will you continue?”

“Of course, that wouldn’t be the case.”

“Then it’s a meaningless question.”

“It has meaning.”

“Why?”

“If this is a warning, it seems like I’ll have to drag even the Abbot into the political strife I’m waging.”

Abbot Gong Gong’s eyes flashed.

“You must know that’s a dangerous statement.”

“From the moment I stepped into this game, I risked my life. What’s one more arrow in a battlefield filled with swords and spears?”

Abbot Gong Gong sighed.

“What is the reason for fighting him?”

“Because I don’t think he should become the Martial Alliance Leader.”

“Wha, what?”

He didn’t expect such an answer.

Abbot Gong Gong, surprised, asked,

“Are you saying that Moyong Clan Head is aiming to become the Martial Alliance Leader?”

“You knew that he and I were engaged in political strife, but didn’t you think about why that strife started?”

“……”

“Moyong Clan Head is a capable person. But he is also someone who is not satisfied unless he is the best. Until he reaches a position that satisfies him, he won’t bat an eye at the sacrifice of innocent people.”

“So, the reason you are opposing Moyong Clan Head is to prevent him from becoming the Alliance Leader?”

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“There are multiple reasons, but for now, that’s it.”

It was a strange answer.

It was an unclear answer, so it was frustrating for the listener.

“Haha.”

Abbot Gong Gong’s laughter was very hollow.

“Moyong Clan Head is aiming to become the Martial Alliance Leader… So, was the Jeagal Clan Head’s proposal for the Vice Alliance Leader position also…?”

“I don’t think the concentration of power is good. No matter who becomes the Alliance Leader, there should be a way to keep them in check.”

“The Martial Alliance has a capable leadership, including the Bonggong, who are dedicated to service.”

“And there are also people who are trying to bring those leaders to their side.”

“……!”

“No system can be perfect. But I will just say that this is the best we can do for now.”

In the past, when Moyong Gun became the Martial Alliance Leader, Tang Gwan, who was on his side, became the Vice Alliance Leader.

And the person who created that Vice Alliance Leader position was Moyong Gun.

That shouldn’t be the case.

It’s right to create positions and organizations to prevent dictatorship as much as possible, not to place one’s own people.

In other words, even the same Vice Alliance Leader position can be different depending on who created it, when, and why.

Abbot Gong Gong’s eyes deepened.

“If Moyong Clan Head gives up on becoming the best?”

“……”

“If that happens, does that mean you will stop too?”

Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.

“Moyong Gun will not stop. No matter who tries to stop him.”

“……”

“If you truly want to stop his rampage, Abbot, you should kill him. That’s the only way.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Therefore, my political strife will have to continue.”

“That’s why I said ‘if’. If Moyong Clan Head abandons his ambition, what do you plan to do?”

Yeon Ho-jeong smiled faintly.

“From then on, I will have to work to unite the power of the White Path, starting with the unity of the Martial Alliance.”

A smile spread across Abbot Gong Gong’s face.

“That answer is very pleasing to hear.”

“Is that so?”

“I understand your intentions well.”

Yeon Ho-jeong said inwardly.

You won’t understand, Abbot.

“Today’s sparring match was truly enjoyable. If there’s another opportunity, let’s exchange blows again.”

* * *

Three days later.

Thump!

The North Gate of the Martial Alliance, the Hyeonmu Gate, opened.

A thunderous voice echoed through the open gate.

“Tangma Myeolsa Combined Army, depart!”

Rumble.

The sound of horses’ hooves shaking the earth was like thunder.

It was the advance of a combined army of five hundred and fifty people, all composed of prominent martial artists. And at their head, Yeon Ho-jeong and Moyong Gun were riding their horses.

It wasn’t just the two of them. All the soldiers departing were riding majestic horses.

Flash!

The Tangma Army was all wearing antique armor.

It wasn’t heavy armor, but light armor. It was thoroughly modified to be easy to move in, and it seemed like it wouldn’t hinder any martial arts.

On the other hand, the Myeolsa Army wore no armor at all. They were just in their usual attire, and while they didn’t look as majestic as the Tangma Army, they looked natural.

Moyong Woo, looking ahead, asked,

“How was it?”

“What?”

“The sparring match with the Abbot.”

“It was thrilling in many ways.”

“I can imagine.”

“Did you train the Tangma Army properly?”

“Immediate training was meaningless. I just focused on uniting their hearts.”

“Good job. It would have been pointless to train them haphazardly.”

A subtle tension appeared on Moyong Woo’s face.

“Have you finished everything you needed to do?”

Yeon Ho-jeong glanced behind him.

“I’ve done as much as I could. My father and the other Bonggong will take care of the rest.”

“I hope nothing goes wrong.”

“It’s fine. Let’s just focus on our own work now.”

Thump!

The Hyeonmu Gate closed.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.

“Shall we start running?”

“Sounds good.”

Rumble!

The five hundred and fifty horses galloped down the mountain path, causing a violent tremor.

The destination was Shandong Province.