Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 253

Spat. Spat.

The man climbing the mountain path looked up at the sky.

“Is it snowing?”

When you’re exposed to the mountain wind, you often feel a chill even in summer.

In winter, it goes without saying. The biting wind makes even the most skilled martial artists shiver.

But today, even that rough mountain wind was calm.

Instead, it was snowing.

The snowflakes falling one by one resembled scattered flower petals. The rather large snowflakes were turning the entire mountain white.

“It’s quite scenic.”

It was a view he had seen last year, but today, the scenery of Daebyeolsan [a mountain name] was particularly beautiful.

Even when looking at each detail, there was nothing particularly different, yet it felt strangely new. Perhaps it was not the mountain that had changed, but himself.

The man closed his eyes.

Crack!

A streak of lightning flashed in the quiet mountain.

Whoooosh.

The snow on the ground scattered in all directions.

Flap, flap, flap!

The stylishly tailored collar of his clothes fluttered in the wind. It was an unusually calm day, but the air was turbulent due to the man’s rapid movement.

And a moment later.

Swoosh.

The man, Moyong Gun, who had landed softly, looked up at the massive fortress.

Even up close, the scale of the fortress was enormous. Seen from high above, it would be wide enough to resemble the walls of a small nation.

Moyong Gun suddenly felt a dazzling sensation.

‘Indeed, the Martial Alliance is now practically a nation.’

When did it start?

Due to the treaty of non-aggression between the government and the martial world, they did not interfere in each other’s territories.

Sharing the same world but not infringing on each other’s territory was difficult to understand. In fact, it was said that for over a decade after the treaty was signed, all sorts of disputes never ceased.

However, as time passed, the government and the martial world had reached a point where they no longer paid attention to each other. The two groups, which seemed absolutely incompatible, had finally achieved coexistence.

‘The martial world appears decent on the surface, but it lacks a clear governing body.’

Moyong Gun’s eyes turned cold.

‘The Martial Alliance was established in such a martial world. The Martial Alliance will soon become the sanctuary of the entire martial world, beyond just the White Path [a term for the righteous martial world], and the leader of the Martial Alliance can become the ruler of the free-spirited martial world, like an emperor.’

Moyong Gun imagined himself as the leader.

Himself ascending the grand dais, receiving the blessings of all. Himself gaining the power to cause seismic shifts with a single gesture.

‘…Good.’

It is being drawn. His own image.

And the countless processes to get there.

“H-huh! Are you, by any chance?”

Moyong Gun opened his eyes.

The face of the guard at the gate turned pale.

“Lord Moyong?”

That’s right, for now.

Moyong Gun said with a smile.

“Open the gate.”

“Ah! I apologize, but… could you please show us your pass?”

They already knew his identity, but they couldn’t ignore the procedure.

Moyong Gun obediently handed over his pass.

“Verification complete! Welcome back!”

“Thank you.”

Thump, thump, thump!

The massive gate, the White Tiger Gate, opened.

Before entering through the open gate, Moyong Gun looked at the gate guard.

The tense gate guard carefully opened his mouth.

“Do you perhaps have any other instructions?”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“What is your name?”

“My name is Jeon Gang.”

The head of the Moyong family was asking his name. Although he didn’t show it, Jeon Gang was beside himself with excitement.

Moyong Gun smiled.

“You are the face of the Martial Alliance. Although it may be difficult, please continue to adhere to the principles and ensure that the dignity of the Martial Alliance is not compromised.”

“T-thank you!”

It was impossible to know whether this was a compliment or a sarcastic remark. Jeon Gang’s face was flushed.

Moyong Gun took out a small pouch from his pocket.

“Take this.”

“W-what is this?”

“You’ve worked hard in the cold winter. When your shift is over, have a nice drink with your colleagues.”

“H-huh! It’s alright!”

Moyong Gun burst into laughter.

“My dear man, even though I am the head of the Moyong family, do you think I would give you money as a bribe?”

“C-cough! That’s not it….”

“Don’t worry about it, just take it. The higher-ups are already discussing welfare for the guards and gatekeepers. We should have taken care of it sooner, I’m just sorry it’s so late.”

Jeon Gang’s face was filled with emotion.

Not only him. Everyone inside the gate, as well as the warriors standing on both sides, felt a surge of emotion.

Jeon Gang bowed his head deeply.

“Then… I will gratefully accept it.”

“There’s no need to thank me. Rather, we should be the ones thanking you. We can discuss the important matters of the Alliance with peace of mind thanks to all of you.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes became serious.

“Don’t forget. There are hierarchies of status and social classes, but at least what you do is as difficult and challenging as what we do.”

“….”

“Keep up the good work.”

Jeon Gang and all the gatekeepers bowed their heads.

“We are all prepared to lay down our lives for the Alliance at any time.”

“Hahaha, good.”

Moyong Gun, having patted Jeon Gang on the shoulder, finally entered the Alliance.

His walk was full of dignity, but his back was filled with a majestic aura that contrasted with his noble bearing.

Envy arose on Jeon Gang’s face.

“How much camaraderie must the warriors of the Moyong family have, working under such a leader. If it’s such a lord, it’s truly worth following.”

“Lord Moyong has returned to the Alliance!”

“Lord Moyong is back!”

“That bastard is back, they say?”

“Hmm, his return was faster than I thought.”

The news of Moyong Gun’s return spread quickly throughout the Alliance.

Moyong Gun, who had entered with a confident stride, went straight to the conference hall without stopping at his residence. It was to report on the events that had transpired.

Half an hour later, the officials gathered in the conference hall.

“Haha, you’ve really worked hard.”

Moyong Gun smiled at the calm praise from Grand Master Gong Gong.

“Is there anything to call hard work? I didn’t do anything. It was the working-level members who actually worked hard.”

“Hahaha.”

“Moreover, the ability of the working-level leader was so outstanding that there was nothing to do when we arrived in Honam [a region in Korea]. Except for a few adjustments, that is.”

“I see.”

“The mission is important, but the most important thing is that no one was hurt and we all returned safely. It’s a great relief.”

Grand Master Gong Gong smiled gently.

“It makes me feel very good that Lord Moyong says so. Yes, more precious than the mission is human life, so it’s fortunate that there were no casualties.”

“Hahaha.”

Moyong Gun looked around at the officials and said.

“Anyway, everyone must be busy, so I will briefly report on the events that have transpired.”

He explained the series of events that had occurred in Honam in a short and organized manner.

Of course, the details of the scheme he had committed were completely omitted. Even the psychological warfare with Yeon Ho-jeong and the meeting with Yang Cheon.

“Hoo.”

Real Person Yong Hwa exclaimed in admiration.

“It’s truly amazing. To be honest, I thought the reputation of being the ‘Tiger of Byeoksan’ [a title] at such a young age was a bit excessive, but he is truly a remarkable talent.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“Isn’t he a rising star who is being discussed as the best in the world? His martial arts are impressive, but his quick wit and the boldness with which he attacked Yang Cheon are worthy of praise.”

“Haha, that’s right.”

“A genius who freely uses martial arts and strategy in actual combat. Honestly, who would have imagined that such an unbelievable genius would exist in the world?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes deepened.

‘What is it?’

Moyong Gun was praising Yeon Ho-jeong as if he was genuinely impressed.

‘Although he is an enemy, Lord Moyong acknowledges the Commander of the Annihilation Army more than anyone else. But the praise is a bit excessive.’

Of course, he is a talent who deserves more praise.

However, it was suspicious that Moyong Gun was the one giving the praise. Others might not feel anything strange, but Jeagal Mun-Ho, who knew the relationship between Moyong Gun and Yeon Ho-jeong, found it hard to believe that his intentions were pure.

Jeagal Mun-Ho looked at Yeon Wi.

Yeon Wi was expressionless, but Jeagal Mun-Ho, who had built a close friendship with him, could read the bewilderment and unease in Yeon Wi’s eyes.

‘Lord Yeon also feels something is strange. What could it be?’

A little time passed.

‘…?’

Jeagal Mun-Ho noticed that the expressions of some of the officials were gradually becoming subtle.

‘Could it be….’

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s expression hardened subtly.

‘So that’s it.’

A glass of water is incredibly moving to a person who is severely thirsty. However, if you keep giving water even after the thirst is quenched, it becomes painful.

‘A small number of officials who do not belong to any faction are feeling uncomfortable.’

A hollow laugh escaped him.

‘Slandering is not the only form of attack. Creating unease with excessive praise to induce internal strife….’

Even without this, Yeon Ho-jeong’s reputation had spread throughout the entire White Path martial world.

And for good reason. Not only had he broken through the Wall of the Martial Ancestor [a metaphor for achieving a high level in martial arts] in his early twenties, but he was also appointed as the first commander of the Alliance’s elite unit, and before that, he had been at the forefront of destroying the Nine Great Clans [powerful martial arts families].

Age, martial arts, strategy, family, and even his magnanimous personality, he lacked nothing.

It was a talent and background that anyone would envy.

‘Lord Moyong. How long has it been since you returned, and you’re already resorting to such trickery?’

Just as Jeagal Mun-Ho was about to intervene.

“Commander of the Suppression Army is also amazing.”

All eyes turned to Yeon Wi.

Yeon Wi, who had quenched his thirst with a sip of tea, continued.

“Commander of the Suppression Army, Moyong Woo, also broke through the Wall of the Martial Ancestor not long ago. If he has reached that level at such a young age, he is a genius who is not inferior to the Commander of the Annihilation Army.”

Surprise appeared on Moyong Gun’s face. Even the great Moyong Gun could not hide his emotions this time.

“Woo, no, did the Commander of the Suppression Army break through the Wall of the Martial Ancestor?”

“Yes, he did.”

“Huh!”

The officials who had been feeling uncomfortable also relaxed their expressions.

“Congratulations, Lord Moyong.”

“The talent of the Commander of the Suppression Army is also a blessing for the martial world.”

“Indeed, they are worthy of being called the two pillars of the Martial Alliance’s combat forces. Like their names, the Annihilation and Suppression Armies, they are talents who will illuminate the White Path martial world.”

The officials each said a word, praising Moyong Woo.

Moyong Gun’s face, which had been stiff with surprise and joy, relaxed in an instant.

He looked at Yeon Wi.

Yeon Wi was quietly sipping his tea.

‘…Indeed.’

Moyong Gun smiled.

‘A tiger begets a tiger. Is he no less than his son?’

Yeon Wi looked at Moyong Gun.

“Is there something on my face?”

“Not at all. I was just thinking that Lord Yeon’s complexion is very radiant.”

“Thank you.”

At that moment, Jeagal Mun-Ho stepped forward.

“I have received all the top-secret information from the Mukryong Division [a division name]. There are many characters that are difficult to interpret, but I think it will be possible to interpret them all within fifteen days.”

“Oh!”

“It would be good to hold the official meeting again then. Lord Moyong must be tired, so how about we end the meeting for today?”

“Very well.”

Moyong Gun’s sudden return.

Winter, the time of the frozen wind, had arrived.