Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 259

“It’s been a while since we’ve met like this, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed, it has.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with a smile.

“You’ve worked hard in the meantime.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho waved his hand.

“You’re the one who’s been through a lot. To deceive the King of Fighters and extract so much information, who else but you could have done such a thing?”

Jeagal Ayeon spoke with a sulky face.

“I suffered too, you know?”

“I don’t even need to look to know. It’s a miracle if you didn’t just hold back Commander Yeon.”

“Father!”

Jeagal Mun-Ho burst into laughter.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“It would have been really difficult without Ayeon.”

“Haha, I know. There isn’t anyone who hasn’t suffered.”

“That’s right.”

“By the way, the Myulsa Unit is truly amazing.”

“Pardon?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho looked out the window with an admiring expression.

The soldiers were gathered together, taking a break. Judging by their serious expressions, they seemed to be talking about the sparring match from earlier.

“I heard that while you were away, Commander Muk Bi conducted quite practical training. But I didn’t expect them all to be so serious about it.”

“Haha.”

“Even if it’s a match that’s like a real battle, to exchange such deadly blows, I was truly surprised. What if someone gets seriously injured?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“It might be presumptuous to say, but I don’t think there’s any group in the entire Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance] that can match the Myulsa Unit’s attitude towards matches.”

“Huh!”

“A moment’s carelessness can cost you your life. They all know that, so to go easy on them would be an insult to the soldiers.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled.

“Like commander, like soldiers. I’m impressed.”

“It’s nothing.”

After taking a sip of tea, Yeon Ho-Jeong asked with a puzzled expression.

“So, what brings you all the way here?”

“Aren’t you already guessing?”

“…Hmm.”

The corners of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mouth turned up.

“Is it because of Moyong Gun?”

“That’s right. Of course, that’s not the only reason.”

“Please, speak.”

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho said with a calm face.

“The information you seized from the Mukryong Unit, is that all of it?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“Do you think I hid some of the information?”

“I haven’t really thought that. However, after analyzing the information, the quality of the information is so inconsistent.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho raised both hands as if to say he didn’t mean any offense.

“Of course, it’s not that there was only low-quality information. There was a lot of information that we wouldn’t have known for at least a few years if you hadn’t infiltrated and seized it directly. You clearly completed your mission successfully.”

“But why did you think there would be more information than that?”

“Well…”

Jeagal Mun-Ho tilted his head.

“I don’t know why I thought that either. However, I had a feeling that you could have brought in something bigger than this.”

“You’ve overestimated me too much.”

“Haha, maybe so.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed.

“I’m not doubting you. I just suddenly had that thought and asked. If I’ve made you feel uneasy, I apologize.”

“It’s nothing.”

Of course, there was information that he hadn’t passed on to the Murim Alliance.

It was information related to the Gwangshin Three Cults, especially the Saeum Cult.

‘I should tell Father about this soon, too.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong stared at Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes.

The eyes of a scholar full of knowledge and wisdom. Within them was a concern for the future of the Jianghu [the martial world] and a strong passion that was not outwardly expressed.

‘I should also tell the military advisor. If it were just me, it wouldn’t matter, but the moment I share this information, it would be meaningless if only we knew about it.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and continued.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

“It’s not that. If you say that, I’ll feel even more sorry.”

“However, I have become acquainted with someone who might be able to obtain more information about the Black Path.”

“Hmm?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho looked at Jeagal Ayeon.

Jeagal Ayeon scratched his head.

“Well, that’s, um… anyway, I’m also part of the Myulsa Unit.”

“…?”

“I thought I should keep my mouth shut until Jeong-i said something… I’m sorry. Well, I didn’t have a chance to say anything because I was knocked out for a few days.”

“What are you talking about?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said calmly.

“I believe you’ve heard the news that the Guicheol Sword Clan was destroyed.”

“Ah, of course, I heard. It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“But why the Guicheol Sword Clan?”

“The clan was destroyed, but there is one survivor.”

Surprise spread across Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face.

“A survivor, you don’t mean the successor of the clan?”

“Did you know?”

“Of course. After dispatching the practical team, we’ve been keeping an eye on the situation in Honam. Before Lord Moyong left, the two of us discussed that part.”

“I see.”

“That’s not the important thing. You don’t mean…?”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong pointed out the window with his thumb.

“I brought the successor of the Guicheol Sword Clan, Gang Ryang.”

“… !”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s expression changed.

Jeagal Mun-Ho, who had been quietly watching Yeon Ho-Jeong, said in a calmer voice.

“You, you must know how dangerous that is, right?”

“I know.”

“And you still brought him?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Why?”

“Because there is a common enemy called the Mukryong Unit.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes flashed.

“I heard that the Guicheol Sword Clan was destroyed by mysterious experts. We haven’t identified their exact identities, but we were sure it was Yang Cheon’s doing.”

“You are indeed amazing.”

“Yes, as the surviving successor of the sword clan, he would want revenge on the Mukryong Unit more than anyone else. But isn’t our Murim Alliance also his enemy?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“It’s certainly dangerous to bring Gang Ryang into the Alliance, but at the same time, I wouldn’t have brought him in if I thought he would turn against us.”

“I don’t need to say it again, but I know that your insight is better than anyone else’s. And as a military advisor of the Murim Alliance, I trust the abilities and achievements of the Myulsa Unit Commander.”

“Thank you.”

“But this isn’t a matter of trust.”

Tension rose on Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face.

“If they find out about that, you and Lord Yeon will suffer a fatal blow.”

Regardless of whether Gang Ryang was trustworthy, the fact that he was from the Black Path would create a political burden.

“You know, how much Lord Moyong…”

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Hmm?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled coldly.

“If he touches us, we have a bomb to give him in return.”

“… !”

“There’s no material evidence, but we can create it. Just by hinting that we know, he won’t dare to do anything unnecessary.”

“What is that…?”

“Of course, I won’t tell him about this unless I have to. I plan to keep this as a last resort.”

A last resort.

It was a rather chilling and heart-pounding statement. Honest curiosity arose on Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face.

“What is that bomb?”

“Hmm.”

After a moment of thought, Yeon Ho-Jeong opened his mouth.

“In a few days, if I contact you, could you come to our residence? It will probably be at night.”

“…?”

“There are things I need to tell my father separately. At that time, I will tell you everything I know.”

There must be a reason why Yeon Ho-Jeong was saying this much.

Jeagal Mun-Ho, who had been examining Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression with deep eyes, nodded.

“I understand. I believe that you will clear up this question I’m carrying today.”

“Thank you.”

“But for now, please take good care of the successor of the Guicheol Sword Clan. I know you’ll take care of it.”

“I’m thinking of bringing him into the Myulsa Unit.”

“Into the Myulsa Unit?”

“Yes.”

“…Hmm, yes. That’s not a bad idea.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded.

“I understand. I won’t talk about that anymore.”

“Thank you.”

It could be said that he got through this quite smoothly. Rather, from the perspective of a Murim Alliance military advisor, the fact that Yeon Ho-Jeong’s sudden actions were smoothed over like this was a break from the norm.

“The talk has gotten unnecessarily long. Let’s get to the real point.”

“Please, speak.”

“Before that, I want to ask you one thing.”

“What is it?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho asked seriously.

“Who do you think should be the Alliance Leader?”

Suddenly, an incredibly heavy topic popped up.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face also became serious.

“Why are you asking me that?”

“It’s a personal curiosity.”

“It’s a difficult question to answer. Even if I have someone in mind, it’s not something I can carelessly say out loud.”

It was a much more dangerous topic than Gang Ryang entering the Murim Alliance. It was no wonder Yeon Ho-Jeong was nervous.

“I see. Yes, I understand. Then, let me ask you one more thing.”

“…?”

“What do you think about your father, Lord Yeon, becoming the Alliance Leader?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head firmly.

“My father has no intention of doing that.”

“I know that.”

“Furthermore, I don’t know if I should say this as his son, but my father is not fit to be the Alliance Leader.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes flashed.

His father is not fit to be the Alliance Leader? It was a difficult thing to say from a close father-son relationship.

“Why do you think so?”

“Apart from his abilities, I think he is not suited for the role of Alliance Leader.”

“Hmm.”

“There are other reasons, but in any case, that’s what I think. Unless there are special circumstances, I think it’s best for my father to remain in service.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded.

“I’ve heard your honest answer.”

“But why that question?”

“Then, how about others?”

“Pardon?”

“For example, Grand Master Gong Gong.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“If it’s Grand Master Gong Gong, there wouldn’t be any public outcry if he became the Alliance Leader. But what’s the meaning of such a question?”

“It seems that Lord Moyong has started laying the groundwork.”

“Pardon?”

“Someone mentioned in private that Grand Master Gong Gong is suitable for the Murim Alliance Leader.”

“… !”

“The problem is…”

“Only the rumor that Grand Master Gong Gong is fit to be the Alliance Leader remains, and no one knows who actually said it.”

“You’re easy to talk to, as always.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho quenched his thirst with tea.

“Since that statement, the eyes of the Alliance have started to focus on Grand Master Gong Gong. When I first heard the rumor, I thought it was plausible, but the speed at which the rumor is spreading is faster than I thought.”

“Manipulating public opinion.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“Is it Moyong Gun?”

“No matter how much I look for the source of the rumor, I can’t find out who made that statement.”

“…”

“So, I think it’s Moyong Gun.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“The Murim Alliance has suffered quite a bit because of Moyong Gun. But I don’t think it’s good to conclude that it’s his doing without any solid evidence.”

“I think so too.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled.

“So, you don’t think it’s Moyong Gun?”

“Of course not.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong also grinned.

“Isn’t it too early? There’s a high probability that it’s Moyong Gun.”

“But I can’t be sure.”

“Then we should poke him.”

“That’s why I came to see you.”

“You did well.”

“What are you going to do?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong put down the Gwangryongbu [a type of sword] and stood up.

“A direct attack is not a good idea, I’ll go around and poke him.”