Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 281

“Hmm, the tea has a rather nice fragrance.”

“That’s a relief.”

“However, for some reason, I feel like drinking today.”

“The sun is at its zenith. It doesn’t seem like a good time for drinking.”

Moyong Gun smiled at Jeagal Mun-Ho’s polite refusal.

“The era of drinking while keeping track of time is over, Strategist.”

“Is that so?”

“You don’t seem very impressed. I came here to have a serious talk after a long time.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes twinkled.

“……I see. If you have something important to discuss, it would be too rude to offer just tea.”

“Hahaha.”

“I happen to have some Gongbu liquor [a type of traditional Korean liquor] that I received from Lord Yeon. How about a drink with that?”

“That sounds excellent.”

A short while later, a simple table with drinks was set between the two men.

“Please, have a drink.”

Moyong Gun took a sip, lightly wetting his lips, and his eyes widened.

“Oh my, I heard the quantity of this year’s Gongbu liquor was greatly reduced, and now I see why. The taste and aroma have become very smooth.”

“Indeed. It’s such a rare liquor that I don’t bring it out easily unless it’s for a very special guest.”

It was a subtle hint that he had finished the pleasantries and it was time to get to the point.

Moyong Gun smiled and refilled Jeagal Mun-Ho’s glass.

“Strategist.”

“Please, speak, Lord Moyong.”

“Strategist, you are acquainted with the Divine Physician of Tongcheon, are you not?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes sparkled.

“I wouldn’t call it an acquaintance, but I have had tea with him a few times. A great person like the Divine Physician of Tongcheon wouldn’t easily associate with someone as uneducated as I am.”

“Haha, didn’t you call the Divine Physician of Tongcheon to treat Lord Yeon when he was on the verge of death due to the fight with the Myung family?”

“Of course, I did. However, at that time, he came not because of my request but because of my daughter’s request.”

“Either way, it’s clear that there is some connection between your family and the Divine Physician of Tongcheon.”

“If that is a connection, then it must be a precious one.”

He didn’t need to give a hasty confirmation when he didn’t know what the other party was going to say. Jeagal Mun-Ho approached the matter cautiously.

Moyong Gun nodded.

“As you know, Strategist, the Divine Physician of Tongcheon is known for his eccentric personality, but his skills are second to none in the Central Plains.”

“He is a great man.”

“But he is also a physician. I don’t know where he learned his medical skills, but if his medicine was heretical, he would have been buried long ago.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho frowned.

“It is an overgeneralization to belittle his abilities just because his personality is eccentric.”

“I know. I believe that the Divine Physician of Tongcheon inherited the orthodox medical lineage of the Central Plains. If that were not the case, he wouldn’t be able to practice even if he were the most senior elder in the medical world.”

“So, what is it that you want to say?”

Moyong Gun picked up a bundle that was under his chair and placed it on the table.

“What is this?”

“Millennium Snow Ginseng. And there are three roots.”

“……?!”

“There is a famous doctor named Hagok, who is among the top three in Henan. He gave these three Millennium Snow Ginseng roots to this person as a bribe.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes sharpened.

Moyong Gun waved his hand.

“Don’t misunderstand. If I truly intended to take a bribe, would I have openly said it in front of you, Strategist?”

“Then what do you mean?”

“Are you aware of an organization called the Medical Deity Society?”

“The Medical Deity Society?”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“Let me explain.”

He briefly explained what he had heard from Hagok.

Jeagal Mun-Ho frowned.

“A coalition of doctors who have inherited the medical lineage of the Central Plains.”

“Didn’t you dispatch the commanders of the Tangma Extinction Squad [a special task force] to bring the Western Region Goddess this time?”

“Of course, I did.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho stroked his beard.

“I had a sense of unease. The Western Region Goddess’s skills are certain. However, it seems that many doctors in the Central Plains are jealous of her and even try to harm her.”

“It’s not just trying to harm her.”

“I see. If what Lord Moyong says is true, then those who claim to have inherited the medical lineage of the Central Plains have been systematically tormenting her.”

“That’s right. They even maintain close ties with the government.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes sharpened.

“Is that confirmed?”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“What do you take this person for?”

“……”

“You can be sure of that part. Moreover, according to Hagok, it seems that the Medical Deity Society approached the commanders and committed quite a few impolite acts.”

“What?!”

Moyong Gun did not gloss over this part.

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed after hearing his words.

“They’ve made a terrible mistake.”

“Indeed.”

“Ha, I told Lord Yeon this: if anyone dares to touch them, crush them thoroughly. I never imagined they would organize themselves and do such a thing……”

“You know Lord Yeon’s personality, Strategist. Lord Yeon never forgets what he has suffered. Moreover, his abilities are more outstanding than anyone else.”

“He won’t let it go easily.”

“That’s right. Of course, since the mission comes first, he will start working on it after bringing the Western Region Goddess.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I am angry.”

“Angry?”

In that instant, killing intent emanated from Moyong Gun’s eyes.

The killing intent was so intense that even Jeagal Mun-Ho flinched for a moment.

Such killing intent was hard to show unless it came from the heart. Jeagal Mun-Ho realized that Moyong Gun was genuinely angry.

“If they are doctors, they should focus on fixing people’s bodies. How dare they interfere with the affairs of the Martial Alliance and try to muddy the waters?”

“……”

“The Martial Alliance is the strongest organization in the current martial world. No organization should challenge the authority of the Martial Alliance. Not even the government.”

“That’s a dangerous statement.”

“Don’t you think so, Strategist?”

“Of course, I am also angry at the actions of the Medical Deity Society. I didn’t even know such an organization existed, so I’m still dumbfounded. However, I believe that the strongest organization in the Central Plains should lower its head and bow even more.”

“Even when bowing, you shouldn’t hesitate to draw your sword when the time comes. Isn’t that why you sent Lord Yeon?”

It wasn’t wrong.

However, the two men had different perspectives. Jeagal Mun-Ho’s focus was on justice with caution, while Moyong Gun’s focus was on the powerful authority that could determine justice.

Since they were looking at different things, they couldn’t help but think of different ways to respond, even though they were both angry.

“Strategist, let’s talk openly, at least in this place.”

Moyong Gun glared at Jeagal Mun-Ho with piercing eyes.

“I dislike you, Strategist. I don’t like your lightness, that you don’t try to reach beyond your current position despite having such great abilities. I also dislike your timidity, disguised as caution, and your pursuit of a foolish ideal that doesn’t acknowledge the limits of reality.”

It was very harsh language. Whether in public or private, it was extremely rare for Moyong Gun to speak so fiercely.

“Nevertheless, the reason I respect you is not because I am afraid of you, nor is it to check the movements of the opposing faction.”

“Then why do you respect me?”

“Because I know that you are also a necessary presence in the Martial Alliance.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes deepened.

Moyong Gun continued.

“Since we both already know everything, let’s delve a little deeper.”

“What do you mean?”

“I am a person who seeks power.”

“……”

“I want to obtain the supreme authority that no one can even approach, no matter how much they struggle. I want to have overwhelming power that no one, whether it’s the Seongcheon Thirteen Seats [a council of powerful figures] or the elders of each sect, can oppose. I have such ambition.”

“I know.”

“But obtaining that much power is something I can never do alone. I need many talented people.”

“Are you perhaps trying to win me over?”

“From my perspective, you are someone I don’t need to win over.”

“……?!”

“No matter who becomes the Alliance Leader, as long as I am sure that the leader is not someone who will plunge the world into chaos, you are someone who will prioritize the safety of the people. And I want to reach the top with the Martial Alliance, not someone who wants to kill all the opposing factions.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face hardened.

Blue lightning flashed in Moyong Gun’s eyes. Because he was genuinely angry, the suppressed Lightning Energy was being released involuntarily.

“Do you understand? The reason I check you, sometimes stab you with a dagger, or hit you with a club is because you are blocking my path. But if I become the Alliance Leader, I will not purge the opposing factions.”

“……”

“I am that kind of person. That’s why I cherish my people. Similarly, the Martial Alliance that I want to obtain is a sacred organization that no organization should look down on.”

“Lord.”

“And that is!”

Bang!

Moyong Gun slammed his fist on the table.

The bottles and glasses fell to the floor and shattered.

“It applies to you as well.”

“……!”

“Even if we see things differently, you should also be angry. Why? The reason is clear. Those pathetic doctors, having gained some petty power, are daring to poke at the best organization in the White Path martial world!”

“……”

“It is certainly a virtue for a ruler to understand the hearts of the weak. But if you are going to govern while being mindful of the weak, then step down from your position right now!”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes wavered.

Moyong Gun’s cheeks trembled as he glared at him with terrifying eyes.

“Those damn bastards dared to threaten my brother.”

“……”

“Not Yeon Ho-Jeong, that damned leech! They touched my precious brother who returned to my side after ten years!”

Zzzzzzzing!

An ominous lightning energy emanated from Moyong Gun’s body.

He was not releasing his outer energy due to his strong patience, but it was like looking at a bomb about to explode. That’s how angry he was.

“I can abandon even my own flesh and blood to gain power. But all those actions are also for the sake of everyone under my command who has joined my dream or has been swayed by my silver tongue and has ultimately become one with me.”

“……”

“The commanders of the Martial Alliance were threatened. If we let this go, even if it means giving up my next chance at the Alliance Leader position, I will not forgive you.”

Moyong Gun stood up from his seat.

After taking a moment to catch his breath, he spoke coldly.

“I told Hagok. To not provoke Yeon Ho-Jeong any further. I firmly warned him that the Medical Deity Society, as well as the pillars of the government, would be uprooted. Do you know why?”

“……”

“Because they must fall by our hands.”

“……”

“I will certainly watch. To see if you truly have the qualifications to be a strategist.”

Bang!

Moyong Gun slammed the door shut and left.