Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 336

“Have you arrived?”

“Yes.”

Song Guk-Hyeon’s eyes widened.

‘An axe?’

A slender, scholarly-looking young man, who, apart from his great height, seemed utterly mismatched with the massive axe slung over his shoulder.

‘What is this?’

Jeagal Mun-Ho was the Military Advisor of the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance].

The position of Military Advisor was a high-ranking one, with the authority to exercise more power than even the Bonggong [a high-ranking official], depending on the situation. In times of war, they were sometimes considered more important than the head of the organization.

Moreover, this was the Murim Alliance. It might be a rash statement, but it was no exaggeration to say that Jeagal Mun-Ho was the de facto chief executive of the Murim Alliance.

Yet, such a person had allowed someone to enter his residence openly carrying such a menacing axe?

Yeon Ho-Jeong glanced at Song Guk-Hyeon.

‘……!!’

For a moment, Song Guk-Hyeon almost turned his head away involuntarily.

It wasn’t that he was glaring or exuding killing intent like Jeagal Mun-Ho had done earlier, but his gaze was so intense that it was hard to meet.

His eyes seemed to pierce through a person’s heart, analyzing their inner thoughts. Such a mysterious and imposing gaze was only the second Song Guk-Hyeon had encountered in his fifty-five years of life.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

It was a smile that was hard to decipher, yet Song Guk-Hyeon did not turn his head away. It was a matter of pride for Song Guk-Hyeon, the man, before he was a magnate of the business world.

“You have a guest.”

Bzzzz.

The air in the room seemed to vibrate intensely.

His voice wasn’t particularly low, yet it felt as if the very air was shaking. Just hearing his voice made the muscles in his whole body feel weak.

‘What kind of young man is this……?!’

An unusual presence. Sweat began to form on Song Guk-Hyeon’s palm, hidden by his sleeve.

“Please greet him. This is Jangju [Head] Song Guk-Hyeon, the head of the Central Plains Battlefield. He is a giant who is responsible for one of the pillars of the Central Plains economy.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh, a truly remarkable person has come.”

Thud!

Yeon Ho-Jeong, leaning his Gwangryong Axe against the wall, gave a brief bow.

“I am Yeon Ho-Jeong, the eldest son of the Gangdong Yeon family, and the commander of the Myeolsa Army of the Murim Alliance. It is an honor to meet you, Jangju.”

It was a very formal greeting. He was being polite to Jeagal Mun-Ho’s guest, even more so than to someone of his status.

Song Guk-Hyeon opened his mouth.

His lips were trembling slightly.

“I am Song, who leads the Central Plains Battlefield. It is my honor to meet the renowned General Ho.”

“You flatter me.”

That was the end of the greetings.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke to Jeagal Mun-Ho.

“I didn’t know you had such an important guest. I’ll come back another time.”

“No, it’s fine. My official conversation with Jangju is over, so I let you in.”

“Is that so?”

“Anyway, what brings you here?”

A slight look of puzzlement appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

He knew that his visit was also for official business. But to ask in front of an outsider meant that it was okay to discuss the Alliance’s official matters in this place.

“I was on my way after hearing from the information advisor. I heard that you had already reported to the Military Advisor.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes gleamed.

“The Deputy Commander?”

“……!”

Surprise flickered across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“Is it alright?”

He meant, was it okay to talk about the Shinwha Cult [a mysterious cult] in this place?

Being quick-witted, Yeon Ho-Jeong wouldn’t have asked such a question under normal circumstances. But the matter was so serious that he wanted to confirm it one more time.

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled bitterly.

“Jangju will be staying at the Alliance for a few days.”

“Yes?”

“It seems I will have to have many conversations with you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong turned his gaze to Song Guk-Hyeon.

Song Guk-Hyeon’s eyes deepened.

‘Really…….’

The gaze of the young master looking down at him had changed.

From a mysterious and imposing gaze to a chillingly indifferent and cold one.

‘He could kill a person with just his eyes.’

Song Guk-Hyeon inwardly clicked his tongue.

He was no less skilled in cultivation, but meeting Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes was too much of a burden. If it weren’t for the internal energy trained through Yangsengsul [a type of breathing technique] and decades of experience, he would have already shrunk back and been sweating profusely.

“I see.”

“Since you’re here, I’ll tell you why Jangju came all the way here.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho explained in detail his conversation with Song Guk-Hyeon earlier.

The corners of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mouth lifted.

“The Left Deputy Minister… It was worth it for the Military Advisor to make such a gamble.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Song Guk-Hyeon listened to their conversation without a word.

He was neither upset nor offended. The chilling atmosphere of the conversation made it clear how serious the matter was.

However, he was worried.

‘No matter how much I am the head of the Central Plains Battlefield, they are discussing the Alliance’s top-secret information in front of me, who has no direct connection to this matter.’

The Left Deputy Minister? An unknown organization?

It was beyond such issues. What was important now was how they perceived him.

‘Do they want money? Do they want to keep me here? Or…….’

Do they want my life?

Even the quick-witted Song Guk-Hyeon found it difficult to analyze the current situation. That was why he was quietly listening to their conversation, despite being in a position where he wouldn’t be inferior to anyone.

“This matter should not be considered the same as the Twelve Martial Generals’ Jinmu case. Although he is acting alone, his position makes it difficult to touch him easily.”

“The real problem is if he charges into the Murim Alliance. Since there is no material evidence that he is an agent of the Shinwha Cult, we cannot respond if he decides to challenge us.”

“If we capture him, how much damage do you expect?”

“He is a Third Rank Deputy Commander. Someone of that rank has more restrictions on their movements than lower-ranking officials. He must have reported to his superiors, so even the Commander will step in.”

“If the Commander steps in…….”

“The Five Armies Command will be put on high alert.”

“That means the Imperial Family will get involved.”

“With a probability of over nine out of ten, I believe so.”

Song Guk-Hyeon’s face hardened.

Capture the Deputy Commander? Such a dangerous topic was being discussed? And in front of him, an outsider?

He sensed that the situation was far more dangerous than he had thought.

“We cannot be sure that he is an agent of the Shinwha Cult yet. We need to observe a little more.”

“But we must act assuming the worst-case scenario.”

“That is also true.”

“I have nothing to say on that matter. I should have anticipated the range of possibilities, but I never imagined that they would have devoured even the Deputy Commander.”

“How can that be your fault? No matter how exceptional your abilities are, you cannot know what you have not seen or heard.”

“Whatever the reason, it is now possible for them to hold any official position.”

“I think so too.”

“Let’s summarize the current situation. The most urgent issue is not to kill the Deputy Commander, but to prevent him from entering the Murim Alliance, correct?”

“That’s right. We need to put out the immediate fire.”

“I don’t want to approach this in a one-dimensional way. The first priority is to find out his identity, prepare for the worst, and go a step further to devise a plan to reach the root of their organization.”

“Do you have a plan in mind?”

“Not yet. But there is something that needs to be done before making that plan.”

“Done?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me.”

“…….”

“Why? Is it something difficult to talk about?”

“Yes. It’s something I thought of only after coming here, so I need to organize my thoughts.”

“Your creativity and unconventional ideas have always surprised me. I will agree or disagree after hearing it, so please speak freely.”

After a moment of silence, Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke of what he had in mind.

“……!!”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes shook as if an earthquake had struck.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

“To properly deal with them, we cannot afford to have our attention divided. No, I think it’s a miracle that we’ve even managed to keep this fight going until now.”

“…….”

“That’s what I think…….”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes deepened.

“Commander Yeon.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you really think that’s possible?”

“I’ll have to go and see for myself.”

“The opponent is not easy. And we have to consider the worst-case scenario. We didn’t bring up the topic of the Three Teachings [a powerful group] at the Bonggong Council for no reason.”

“I know.”

“…….”

“If you agree, I will go and investigate myself.”

“It’s not that I doubt your abilities. But… if he is also connected to the Shinwha Cult, what will you do then?”

“If I see even the slightest connection…….”

“…….”

“I will kill him by any means necessary.”

“The opponent is strong.”

“I said I would use any means necessary. I believe you understand what that means.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho let out a sigh.

“Is it that serious? The terror of the Three Teachings?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t tell you how shocked I was to learn that the Shinwha Cult had infiltrated the government. But we haven’t even properly grasped the enemy’s strength yet. No matter how much we assume the worst, we need to be able to deduce at least something…….”

“Please trust me. If they rise up all at once, the Central Plains will become hell.”

“…….”

Jeagal Mun-Ho, looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong with confused eyes, suddenly turned his gaze to Song Guk-Hyeon.

In that instant, Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes flashed.

“Hey, Commander Yeon.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Does the fact that you came up with that plan after coming here mean…?”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong also turned his gaze to Song Guk-Hyeon.

The hidden powerhouses of the Murim Alliance were watching him. A clear sense of tension appeared on Song Guk-Hyeon’s face.

After a moment, Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded.

“If Jangju allows it… yes, let’s take a gamble.”

“Don’t worry.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled at Song Guk-Hyeon.

“Am I not the master of negotiations?”

Cold sweat beaded on Song Guk-Hyeon’s forehead.

At that moment, he felt both the unease of having come to a place he shouldn’t have and the certainty that the adventure of a lifetime was about to begin.

* * *

That night.

“Hmm?”

Moyong Gun, who was drinking tea, suddenly opened his eyes wide.

Moyong Yeon-Hwa asked with a puzzled look.

“What’s wrong, Father?”

“…….”

“Father?”

“Yeon-Hwa.”

“Ah, yes.”

“We’ll have to postpone this conversation for a while.”

“Yes?”

“A rather troublesome guest has arrived.”

A troublesome guest? Who could it be?

Moyong Gun frowned and got up from his seat.

“Why is that guy here at this late hour? I thought we wouldn’t meet for a while.”

He looked out the window.

Whoosh.

In the dark night, two people could clearly recognize each other even from a distance of dozens of feet.

Moyong Gun’s lightning-like gaze and Yeon Ho-Jeong’s steel-like eyes clashed in the air, sparking like fire.

Moyong Gun, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong, reached his hand towards the wall.

Whoooosh. Clang!

He left the room, holding his treasured sword.