Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 290

“Vice-Chief.”

“Hmm, you’ve arrived.”

Yang Cheon wore a faint smile.

Before him stood Moyong Yeon-hwa, clad in crimson attire, exuding an air of refined restraint.

“So, what is there to report?”

“It’s here.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa placed several documents on the floor with a respectful posture.

Yang Cheon flicked his fingers.

*Whoosh.*

A light breeze seemed to blow, and before they knew it, the documents were in Yang Cheon’s hand.

It was a sight she had seen many times, but Moyong Yeon-hwa was once again filled with awe and fear.

‘This is the realm of the Thirteen Seats of the Saintly Heaven [a group of powerful martial artists].’

He lifted documents from a distance of more than three yards with a single, light gesture.

It was truly an incredible display of internal energy manipulation. It was such an amazing martial art that even the word ‘amazing’ felt like an understatement.

‘He could easily lift a person, not just paper. I can feel that kind of confidence.’

With that kind of power, he could probably snap someone’s neck without even touching them if he wanted to.

It was not a power granted to humans. There was a reason why the Thirteen Seats of the Saintly Heaven were called the suns of the Murim [the martial arts world].

‘Can I ever reach that level?’

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s eyes burned with ambition.

A moment later.

“You handled it well.”

“Thank you.”

Yang Cheon wore a satisfied smile.

“Indeed, she is a talent worthy of the Moyong Clan Head’s confidence. Well, he wouldn’t have sent his own flesh and blood without considerable confidence. I was doubtful, but you’ve proven yourself in less than three months.”

“Thank you.”

It was praise from the King of Fighters himself. Yet, Moyong Yeon-hwa remained composed.

“However.”

“…?”

“You still don’t show the same level of unconventional work processing and insight as the former Head of the Intelligence Department.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face slightly hardened.

She knew who the former Head of the Intelligence Department Yang Cheon was talking about.

‘Yeon Ho-Jeong!’

In that instant, Moyong Yeon-hwa felt a fierce surge of hatred and jealousy rising from within her chest.

She knew. She shouldn’t tell Yang Cheon that the person was Yeon Ho-Jeong. If she did, neither her father nor she would survive Yang Cheon’s wrath.

But still, whenever she received such an evaluation, the urge to blurt it all out surged within her.

‘How dare he!’

Yang Cheon was not just skilled in martial arts. He was clearly superior to her in all aspects, including knowledge and insight.

But she didn’t want to admit it. She didn’t want to believe that she was inferior to Yeon Ho-Jeong. She wanted to think that Yang Cheon’s judgment was wrong, at least in his case.

Of course, she knew. This was just an evaluation stemming from jealousy.

Saying that Yeon Ho-Jeong was inferior to her was an insult to Yang Cheon and her father. There was no way their judgment was lower than hers.

‘Just what is it about that guy that makes him so highly regarded?’

Exceptional intellect, bold work processing.

She also admitted that Yeon Ho-Jeong was a rare genius. But in her eyes, there were quite a few people with that level of ability.

Yet, why was it that only Yeon Ho-Jeong was so highly regarded? Did Yang Cheon and her father really see something special that she couldn’t see?

“Are you feeling resentful?”

Yang Cheon saw through Moyong Yeon-hwa’s feelings at a glance.

Moyong Yeon-hwa let out a soft breath.

“Yes, I am.”

Yang Cheon smiled.

She didn’t make any clumsy lies. He liked that about Moyong Yeon-hwa.

Moyong Yeon-hwa was a talented individual. But she also cared about her reputation and was jealous of those who were better than her.

She showed the common traits that most people displayed. Nevertheless, Yang Cheon liked her because she honestly admitted her shortcomings and had the ambition to soar higher.

Negative emotions like anger, jealousy, and hatred could become a driving force for growth if filtered correctly. That was one of the reasons why Yang Cheon decided to use Moyong Yeon-hwa extensively.

“Don’t try to compare yourself to him. ‘Beauty is short-lived,’ they say. He lost his life at your father’s hands because of his extraordinary talent.”

“……”

“What’s important is not the ability itself, but whether you can grow with the ability you have. In that regard, you are much better than the former Head of the Intelligence Department.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa smiled bitterly.

‘If you think about it that way, I’m definitely below him.’

She didn’t need to deceive Yang Cheon. In other words, she was in an environment where she could prove her abilities to the fullest.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was different.

He had to deceive Yang Cheon, coordinate the Murim Alliance’s operations, and escape at the perfect moment.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had captivated Yang Cheon even in such circumstances. The fact that he left such a strong impression in an environment where he couldn’t fully display his abilities meant that she was still far from reaching Yeon Ho-Jeong’s level.

‘Okay, let’s admit it. I haven’t reached the realm of genius yet.’

To become a true genius.

Even in a realm where monsters were rampant, she would have to study harder and train more fiercely to stand out.

“In any case, you are showing results beyond my expectations. You’ve managed to bring the dying silk business to this level in such a short time. It’s an achievement impossible for an ordinary person.”

“Thank you.”

Yang Cheon nodded.

“As promised before, I will appoint you as the leader of the Intelligence Unit of the Black Dragon Division.”

Intelligence Unit Leader.

Not a department head, nor a deputy head, but a unit leader.

Considering her age, it was still an unconventional appointment, but compared to Yeon Ho-Jeong, it was a position that was far from sufficient.

However, Moyong Yeon-hwa no longer thought of Yeon Ho-Jeong. Her anger and jealousy remained, but she had to do her best in the position she was in. She did not forget that.

“In fact, considering the abilities you’ve shown, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to promote you to the deputy head level. But as you know, you are someone who will eventually leave the headquarters. It’s still too much of a burden to give you a higher position.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa understood Yang Cheon.

“I will do my best for you, Vice-Chief.”

“Yes, I look forward to your continued efforts.”

“Yes.”

Yang Cheon adjusted his posture.

“Since we’re on the topic, I’m thinking of giving you an order.”

“Please command me.”

“The new year has passed. The day for selecting the Murim Alliance Leader is just around the corner.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s eyes lit up.

Yang Cheon smiled.

“No one knows that you belong to the headquarters. All information related to you has been manipulated and blocked, so not even the Murim Alliance’s officials will know.”

“Yes.”

“Go to the Murim Alliance.”

“……!”

“Go and deliver my gift to your father.”

“…I understand.”

“One more thing.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes blazed.

“Gather all the information that benefits the headquarters as much as you can.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s eyes wavered.

“Vice-Chief.”

“I know. It’s something I shouldn’t do, even for your father’s sake. In other words, I’m not telling you to steal information from your father behind his back.”

“Then…?”

“I will send a letter to your father. The two of you should discuss it well and send us information that is not too dangerous.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa swallowed slightly and said,

“Excuse me, Vice-Chief. I heard from my father that the support at the Alliance level would start after my father becomes the Murim Alliance Leader.”

Yang Cheon’s lips curled up.

“What if the Moyong Clan Head doesn’t become the Murim Alliance Leader?”

“……?!”

“Then wouldn’t I be completely wasting my money?”

“……!”

“Don’t say that it won’t happen. You never know what might happen. Even if everyone in the world helps, if luck doesn’t follow, it’s hard to sit in such a position.”

“How can that be?”

“The leader of an organization as large as the Murim Alliance is not a position that can be held simply by someone with power and ability. Such a position can change the fate of the world.”

“…Fate.”

“To sit in such a position, you need something more than ability. Something that cannot be explained in words.”

“……”

“I don’t know when, but you will know someday. How important that something that cannot be explained by logic is. I called it luck, but even the word luck cannot perfectly explain it.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes sank.

“There are many talented people in the world. There are geniuses, monsters, and unusual people.”

“……”

“But there is always only one at the top.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa’s eyes shook violently.

‘There is only one at the top…’

It might not be a big deal.

But Yang Cheon’s words shook Moyong Yeon-hwa’s heart strangely strongly.

Yang Cheon nodded.

“The gift for your father is still being prepared. You also need to prepare yourself, so you can think of your departure as being in ten days.”

“…I understand.”

“You may go now.”

“Yes.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa left the main hall with a pounding heart.

Yang Cheon, with his chin propped up, wore a faint smile.

“Conversations with young people are boring and exciting at the same time.”

Conversations with people who are not on the same level tend to cause fatigue. In that regard, Moyong Yeon-hwa was still far from being Yang Cheon’s conversational partner.

But conversations with young people with unlimited potential were different. Yang Cheon saw great potential in Moyong Yeon-hwa, and he also saw that if he nurtured her well, her growth rate would be faster than anyone else’s.

If she grew up without any problems, Moyong Yeon-hwa would surely become a great talent and take charge of one of the pillars of the world.

‘Yes, if she grows up without any problems, that is.’

At that moment.

*Twitch!*

Yang Cheon unconsciously placed his hand on his chest.

‘……Hmm.’

His eyes twitched slightly.

‘This is unpleasant.’

It was a sensation he had never felt before. The sensation was spreading from the golden handprint on his chest to his entire body.

It was like a tingling sensation, as if blood that had not been flowing properly was suddenly circulating.

It was too faint to be called pain, and too clear to be ignored.

“Evil Cult Leader.”

*Tsutsutsutsu.*

The fires that illuminated the surroundings flickered wildly at the low, oppressive killing intent of the absolute being.

“Yes, I knew there would be no help without a price. But I didn’t think you would try to swallow me whole.”

Yang Cheon smiled coldly.

“Wait. Even if it’s other small fry, I will definitely drop you, Evil Cult Leader, into the abyss of despair.”

He wouldn’t be fooled twice. Because what he suffered once, he would return tenfold.

That was Yang Cheon, the King of Fighters, the greatest fighter in the world recognized by the Murim.

Yang Cheon, who had been stroking his chest for a while, soon smacked his lips.

“By the way, when are these damn disciples of mine coming?”