Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 231

“Did you tell him?”

“……Yes.”

“You did well.”

“Young Master Yeon.”

“Speak.”

“I know Moyong Gun has crossed the line. But do you really have to go this far?”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“There is a problem. Clearly. You know that too, don’t you?”

“Even if there is a problem, I will proceed.”

“Young Master Yeon!”

“This is the order of the working group leader. No objections will be tolerated.”

“……!”

“I’m sorry. For using my authority like this.”

“Ah, damn it. He keeps using his ultimate move like he did last time.”

“…….”

“Let’s hear the reason. Of course, he did something terribly wrong, but shouldn’t our mission be completed successfully? Why go to such lengths to stab him in the back…….”

“Huga.”

“Speak.”

“Moyong Gun was originally that kind of person. I knew it too. And it may sound like I’m bragging, but I’m not the type to get backstabbed by someone I’ve already figured out.”

“I know.”

“Yet, I was hit hard. Do you know why?”

“……?”

“Moyong Gun thinks of me as the biggest obstacle in the future. So, his attacks were always aimed at ‘me’.”

“……That’s right.”

“But this time, it wasn’t like that. He put aside the obstacle for later and just moved aggressively for his own purpose.”

“…….”

“Do you understand? If he had targeted me, it would have been fine. But he brought a chess piece to the board and was removing stones.”

“……So, the chess pieces must be removed?”

“That’s right.”

“Crossing the line meant that.”

“He trusts us. Or rather, he trusts our abilities. He knows that he is the commander, but it is the field agents who actually determine the success or failure of the mission.”

“So that’s why he could do such a thing. Because he knew that there were talented people who could cover for his mistakes.”

“It could be like that this once. But he won’t stop here.”

“In the end, Young Master Yeon is going to such lengths to turn his attention back to you?”

“Not just turn it back, but to tie him down completely. Forever.”

“…….”

“It’s worth taking the risk for that one result.”

“Hoo.”

“I’m sorry. I apologize again.”

“Why?”

“……?”

“Why is Young Master Yeon apologizing? Moyong Gun is the one who caused this mess.”

“…….”

“I want the mission to succeed, but I’m afraid of our allies dying because of this mission. Achieving the mission and dying a glorious death? That’s nonsense. It’s definitely a mission with a lot at stake, but it’s not more important than human lives.”

“…….”

“But Moyong Gun brought innocent people into this mission and killed them. He didn’t even dirty his own hands. I didn’t say it to you, Young Master Yeon, but this is what a demon would do.”

“…….”

“Do as you wish, Young Master Yeon. But please, grant me just one request.”

“Speak.”

“Don’t become a more dangerous and vicious monster to kill a monster. That’s all I ask for now.”

“Huga.”

“……?”

“I’m sorry. I’m already becoming a more petty and vicious beast than Moyong Gun.”

* * *

“Oh, you’ve come.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong knelt down.

“I greet the Vice-Chief.”

“Yes, come closer.”

Yang Cheon was drinking in his inner quarters, unlike usual.

Yeon Ho-Jeong walked over and sat opposite him.

Yang Cheon said mischievously.

“I told you to come, but I didn’t tell you to sit down?”

“You even took out a cup for me to sit down, what kind of joke is that?”

“Hahaha!”

Yang Cheon laughed heartily.

Truly, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s confident spirit was more pleasing the more he saw it.

It wasn’t just because of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s abilities.

Yang Cheon was lonely. He had many trustworthy subordinates and had gained the best reputation in the Jianghu [the martial arts world], but there was no one he could truly open up to.

In that respect, Yeon Ho-Jeong was a truly refreshing person. He was respectful but not afraid of him.

‘I’ve obtained a hidden dragon among hidden dragons. Haha, is the hardship of wandering the Central Plains for years finally bearing fruit?’

Yang Cheon smiled and picked up the wine bottle.

“Have a drink.”

“Yes.”

The wine filling the empty glass had a beautiful jade color.

“It smells good.”

“It’s called Songpungju (Pine Wind Wine).”

“Did you make it yourself?”

“I don’t know how to make wine. It’s just a wine made in a region I know, and it’s not yet known in the Central Plains.”

“It’s an honor.”

“Now, let’s have a drink.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong emptied his glass.

Yang Cheon burst into laughter.

“You’re truly bold.”

“How could I leave the wine that my lord poured for me?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong picked up the wine bottle.

“I’ll pour you a drink.”

“Good.”

Thus, several rounds of drinks were exchanged between the two.

“So, you’ve been very busy these past few days?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Even if one has made great contributions in both martial and literary arts, trust is still trust. To fulfill my duty, I must fill this small head of mine with everything about the Mukryong Faction as soon as possible.”

“Hahaha.”

“It was a bit of a struggle, but it was worth losing sleep over.”

His voice was confident.

Yang Cheon smiled contentedly. Just by listening, he could tell how thorough Yeon Ho-Jeong was in his work.

“Hwansa was shaking his head. He said you were working non-stop.”

“Senior Hwansa is a bit dramatic.”

“Senior?”

“He is my senior. Unless it’s a formal setting, he’s older than me and has served the Vice-Chief for longer, so it’s only right to call him senior.”

“Haha, you know a thing or two. The more talented one is, the easier it is to become arrogant, and such people are often threatened unexpectedly. But you have been planning to be humble from the start, so the way people look at you will soon soften.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“The task I’ve been given is too heavy to act on my own nature. To become a pillar supporting this huge organization, I must be flexible in my waist and knees.”

“Kyahahaha!”

Yang Cheon, who had burst into laughter, refilled Yeon Ho-Jeong’s glass and said.

“Well, anyway, I’m glad you’re doing well. That being said…….”

“Speak.”

“You must have seen and felt a lot from the intelligence agency.”

“That’s right.”

“What was it like? I’m very curious about what kind of organization the Mukryong Faction is in your eyes, and how we should move forward.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘You shouldn’t have joined hands with the Sayeum Cult in the first place.’

There were mountains of things he actually wanted to say.

No, he wanted to question him. If he truly intended to take over the world, he shouldn’t have accepted help from an organization whose identity he didn’t even know. He wanted to lash out at him, asking if he wasn’t ashamed of his reputation as the Fighting King.

‘You’ve already gone too far.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his mouth.

“I’ll just say one thing.”

“Hmm?”

“As it is now, even if we reorganize the organization, it will be difficult to narrow the gap with the White Path Martial Alliance.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed.

“Why?”

“The Martial Alliance is, as the name suggests, an alliance, so it has clear advantages and disadvantages. But one advantage is so great that it is bound to be burdensome for opposing forces.”

“An advantage?”

“Righteousness.”

“Righteousness?”

“Regardless of what the leaders of the White Path factions actually think, they move for the sake of chivalry and morality. In other words, there are many sects that will donate money and troops for the sake of chivalry and morality without any vested interests.”

“……!”

“As important as martial power is, so is funding. In other words, they are increasing their coffers for free under the guise of chivalry and justice.”

Yang Cheon nodded.

“That’s how it is.”

“That’s right. Furthermore, there are far more people who desire peace than those who want to conquer the world. The growth rate of the Martial Alliance will be as significant as the growth rate of the Mukryong Faction.”

“…….”

“If the growth rates are similar, the Mukryong Faction will never be able to surpass the Martial Alliance.”

Yang Cheon’s face hardened.

“Then, what do you think we should do?”

“There are three ways.”

“Three? Tell me.”

“First of all, the first method.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his index finger.

“It’s a method of bringing in external organizations for noticeable growth.”

“What kind of organization can we bring in beyond this?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong had to put all his effort into making sure that his voice did not contain any murderous intent.

“The Sayeum Cult.”

“……!”

“There must be a clear reason why they are supporting the Mukryong Faction. You didn’t tell me about that, Vice-Chief.”

“Hmm.”

“Whatever the reason, if we can absorb them, we will be able to stand against the Martial Alliance. Even if we are inferior in terms of troops, if we overwhelm them in terms of financial power, we can achieve victory without bloodshed.”

Yang Cheon shook his head.

“That is impossible.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong did not ask why.

“Then there is a second method. However, I do not recommend this method.”

“Tell me.”

“Public sentiment.”

“Public sentiment?”

“Even the finest porcelain made by a master craftsman gets stained, and there is no one who is completely free of flaws.”

Yang Cheon frowned.

“Are you suggesting we dig into the leaders of the Martial Alliance?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s not easy. Even if it were possible, it would require a tremendous amount of money. Furthermore, I don’t know if it’s worth pouring that much money into it.”

“It is worth it. But that’s assuming we have enough patience. In addition, we may have to spend more money for the people south of the Yangtze River.”

Yang Cheon shook his head.

“I’m not someone who doesn’t know the importance of public sentiment. But as you said, it’s a task that requires too much patience. Moreover, while public sentiment is an indispensable element, it cannot be said to be a decisive factor in determining victory or defeat.”

“We can be patient enough to determine victory or defeat. However, as I said earlier, I do not recommend it either.”

“I see. I’m against it too.”

“Then there’s only the last method left.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face became serious.

Yang Cheon sensed it. That the method Yeon Ho-Jeong was about to suggest was the one he truly wanted to recommend.

“The last method, what is it?”

“It hasn’t been a year since the Martial Alliance was founded.”

“That’s right.”

“The position of Alliance Leader is still vacant.”

“That’s right. I heard that they will elect an Alliance Leader next year.”

“…….”

“……You don’t mean?!”

“Yes, that’s exactly it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong wore a chilling smile.

“Interfere in the election.”

“……!!”

“We can install someone who suits our taste as the Martial Alliance Leader.”

“That is…….”

“And surprisingly, I heard that a strong candidate for the next Alliance Leader has entered Honam.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes widened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his glass.

“How about using the Moyong Family Head, Moyong Gun?”