Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 221

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

Yang Cheon’s eyes gleamed.

‘He’s smiling?’

Surprisingly, Yang Cheon couldn’t discern Yeon Ho-Jeong’s true feelings from his smile.

Even without extensive worldly experience, once one reaches Yang Cheon’s level, grasping the essence of a person at a glance isn’t difficult.

And indeed, Yang Cheon was confident he had seen through the essence of the young man named Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘A path of extreme dominance. He has his own firm principles, but he’s the type who would do anything if necessary.’

That was the Yeon Ho-Jeong that Yang Cheon perceived. It was actually quite similar to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s personality.

But why? He had clearly read his essence, yet he couldn’t tell what the man was thinking right now.

Unless one was a god, how could one read another’s thoughts? But this was the first time he had encountered someone who could conceal himself so thoroughly.

Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his mouth.

“What do you think, Deputy Leader?”

“What I think is meaningless.”

“It is meaningful.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed.

“What meaning? If you were truly the one who did it, do you want to know how I would react?”

“No.”

“Then?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression immediately turned indifferent.

“As I said before, I hope the Deputy Leader is a person who sees far ahead. And as someone who sees far ahead, I hope you have a firm conviction.”

“Oh?”

“That’s why I’m curious. What value does this question have?”

Yang Cheon smiled faintly.

“That’s different from the confident demeanor you’ve shown so far. I hope you’re not trying to blur the issue with irrelevant words.”

“I’m not trying to blur the issue.”

“Then?”

“My answer is meaningless. If Deputy Yang suspects me, then investigate and dig deeper to grasp the truth.”

“……!”

“If my name is in the truth you reach, then you can capture me and deal with me then, right? But if your reaction changes depending on my answer, it means you lack confidence. So, asking such a question is truly meaningless.”

Take Moyong Gun as a prime example.

Of course, Moyong Gun sometimes probes, but he doesn’t usually ask so directly. He usually investigates and plans on his own, then throws out a question to decide whether to deal with this guy or not.

He values thoroughness that leaves no room for the opponent to escape. Although he is not highly regarded because he only uses his great abilities to gain power, at least his capacity is not small.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“I’ll say it again. My answer is meaningless. What’s important is the Deputy Leader’s ability and resolve.”

“…….”

“Therefore, it’s not a statement that deviates from the topic. It can’t be. From the first time I met the Deputy Leader until now, all the words that have come out of my mouth have centered around Deputy Yang.”

Yang Cheon let out a hollow laugh.

“You’re really determined to teach me a lesson, aren’t you?”

“A wise man finds something to learn even from a child’s tantrum. Don’t be ashamed.”

“Hahahaha!”

Yang Cheon, who had been laughing heartily, suddenly stopped and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

And he asked again.

“The successor of the Guicheol Sword Sect [a famous sword sect], did you take him?”

It was the same question.

Surprisingly, this time, Yeon Ho-Jeong answered readily.

“No.”

A smile spread across Yang Cheon’s face.

“It wasn’t you?”

“That’s right.”

“Can I believe you?”

“The judgment is up to the Deputy Leader.”

“That’s a strange answer. Usually, those words are what someone who is trying to hide their actions says as a last resort.”

A similar smile to Yang Cheon’s appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“I understand. I’ll stop trying to teach you, so believe what you want to believe.”

“You’re going to be stubborn?”

“I may not be able to beat you in martial arts, but I can beat you in stubbornness.”

“Kuhahaha!”

Now, a hearty laugh filled with sincerity burst out.

Yang Cheon said, as if satisfied.

“I believe you.”

Once he believed someone, he believed them to the end. If he was going to doubt, he wouldn’t believe them in the first place.

Yang Cheon was that kind of person. He had destroyed innocent sects and harmed even ordinary people in the process of gathering the Black Path, but he was also a man of outstanding personal charm.

People always live with duality.

To Gang Ryang, Yang Cheon was a sworn enemy who killed his parents, but to his subordinates, Yang Cheon was the hope of the Black Path.

So, Yeon Ho-Jeong had no qualms about deceiving such a man as Yang Cheon.

“Well, if you think about it logically, it doesn’t make sense. There’s no reason for a guy who came here intending to make me his lord to try to ruin the deal with unnecessary actions.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I might be a spy.”

It was a single sentence that completely eliminated the other party’s suspicion.

Yang Cheon shook his head.

“What kind of fool would use a talent like you as a spy?”

It was a logically correct statement. But he was overlooking one thing.

That spies could also be resources.

“That’s enough about that. I asked to test you, and I got more than I bargained for.”

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“I am. The deal is already more than 90% done. All that’s left is confirmation.”

“It’s also the moment when you should be most tense.”

“Do you even get tense?”

“When necessary.”

The smile on Yang Cheon’s face was briefly replaced by seriousness.

“Actually, there are quite a few other things I really want to ask. Well, I can ask them later.”

“…….”

“Since the deal is right around the corner, let me ask you one more thing.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed.

“What position do you want? What do you want to do in the main headquarters?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed like lightning.

It was a sincerity that couldn’t be hidden, and didn’t need to be hidden. He had been genuinely waiting for this conversation to come up.

“Looking at your martial arts, it wouldn’t be strange to put you in a leadership position like the Twelve Zodiac Generals right away. However, even for a country, such a drastic personnel move would be burdensome.”

“I understand.”

“Looking at your wisdom and organizational restructuring plan, you also seem to have outstanding talent as a strategist. There isn’t an official strategist position in the main headquarters, so it wouldn’t be too strange if you took that position.”

“The problem is whether the troops will follow me or not.”

“That’s right.”

If Yeon Ho-Jeong were to take the position of strategist, he would have the authority to control the entire military power of the Mukryong Clan [a powerful martial arts clan].

That’s what the position of strategist is like. Depending on the situation, even the Deputy Leader might have to follow the strategist’s orders.

It was truly terrifying power. It was a position above all others, a position that could control the fate of an organization beyond just its military power.

Of course, Yang Cheon had no intention of truly placing Yeon Ho-Jeong as a strategist. He was indeed a talented individual, but he wasn’t willing to take on that level of political burden.

“But I can’t give you a position that’s too low either. A position that’s too low compared to your abilities will inevitably reduce work efficiency.”

Yang Cheon asked subtly.

“What do you think?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly watching Yang Cheon, shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I didn’t come here aiming for a mediocre position.”

“I figured.”

“And I don’t want to work while being mindful of others’ opinions.”

“With your personality, you’d be good at being mindful of others.”

“I’ll make it clear. I want to rise to the leadership level of the Mukryong Clan.”

“Hmm.”

“I know it’s a burdensome personnel move. And I also know that in the long run, it will have a negative impact on the Mukryong Clan.”

Yang Cheon smiled without realizing it.

This confident fellow was looking at the future of the Mukryong Clan, not his own power.

“Alright. Then what should we do?”

“I don’t want anything mediocre, and a low position is not even a consideration. Then the only thing left is a leadership position, but if I take that position, the Deputy Leader’s burden will increase, and I will also have to waste my energy on unnecessary political strife.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“Then, wouldn’t it be fine if I return after achieving a feat that everyone has to acknowledge?”

Surprise flickered across Yang Cheon’s face.

“Return after achieving a feat?”

“That’s right.”

“You brought an organizational restructuring plan as a trade item, and now you’re going to add one more?”

“I’m just proving myself. If the deal is successful, the Mukryong Clan will also be the place where I will bury my bones, so I have to do anything that benefits the clan.”

He would do anything to help the Mukryong Clan grow.

For Yang Cheon, it was a statement that could only be described as exhilarating.

“Then, what kind of feat do you plan to achieve?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong stroked his chin.

“I’ve been thinking about what the Mukryong Clan currently lacks.”

“…….”

“I don’t know how you got it, but surprisingly, the Mukryong Clan’s financial power is tremendous. I can’t guarantee it, but it doesn’t seem to be lagging behind the White Path Martial Alliance [a righteous martial arts alliance], at least.”

“That’s right.”

“There is a problem with the quality of the troops, but this is not an issue that can be resolved in the short term. It could take at least five years, or even decades.”

“That’s also true.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had taken his hand off his chin, smiled and said.

“The funds are sufficient, and the military power is an issue that cannot be resolved immediately. Then there is only one thing I can do.”

“……?”

“To take away the benefits that go to the White Path Martial World.”

“……!”

“The funds may be sufficient, but taking away the funds that will go to those who will become our enemies in the future will definitely be a meaningful attack.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes wavered.

“Are you suggesting that you’ll touch the Martial Alliance?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“That’s an excessive move. Until we are fully prepared, it’s better for us to maintain the current situation.”

“Of course. So, you mean you’ll cut off the funds that go to them without the Martial Alliance knowing, but is that possible?”

The Martial Alliance’s eyes are spread throughout the Central Plains.

No matter how secretly we try to handle things, it’s hard to avoid the Martial Alliance’s eyes. And if we make a mistake, it could lead to war.

“It’s possible. At least in Hunan Province.”

“……!!”

“Hunan and Jiangxi are inland regions where commerce is developed, so there are many merchants and marketplaces connected to the Martial Alliance. I will cut them off one by one, and in the end, I will make Hunan Province the world of the Mukryong Clan.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged his shoulders.

“I think it’ll be better than being a king in name only, at least.”

“Hoo.”

Yang Cheon clicked his tongue.

“Do you think it’s possible to do such a thing without being caught by the Martial Alliance?”

“That’s why even if the deal is successful, don’t give me a position right away. I’ll be moving completely independently. Even if I get caught, I shouldn’t be connected to the Mukryong Clan, right?”

“So, the words about achieving a feat are… !”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“If I want to prove my worth, I have to risk my life.”

“Hehehe.”

“I’ll go and take one. Give me a position then. After that, I’ll clean up Hunan.”

At that moment, Baek Seo came out of the corridor.

“Deputy Leader.”

“How was it?”

“The result is perfect.”

Perfect meant that it was flawless. In other words, all the clever minds of the Black Path could not find any flaws in the organizational chart.

Yang Cheon smiled and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Welcome.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong knelt down.

“Jeong, the successor of the Mujong Sect, greets the Deputy Leader.”