Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 372

Moyong Gun, with his Tangma Greatsword [a large, heavy sword used by the Tangma Army] planted into the ground, its hilt grasped by both hands, exuded the aura of a great general of a nation.

His entire body was encased in sturdy heavy armor.

However, it was no ordinary heavy armor. The heavy armor used by the Tangma Army was modified for use against Murim [martial arts world] warriors, unlike other armors. Its joints were flexible, allowing for unrestricted movement, and it could be detached piece by piece.

However, this was not their formal attire. Moyong Gun and all the Tangma Army members were dressed for departure.

The same was true for the Myeolsa Army.

Moyong Gun looked up at the sky.

“The wind is good.”

Before they knew it, the cold winter had passed, and it was now full spring. It was the perfect season to take the first step of a new beginning.

Moyong Gun, who had been gazing at the sky, closed his eyes.

‘Brother.’

He recalled his conversation with Moyong Gun.

‘I’m sorry. I did this without saying a word.’

‘What are you saying? From the moment I came to you, I vowed to humbly accept whatever happened. This is nothing.’

‘Still, I’m sorry. I’ve made you serve under someone younger than you. Even if it was a decision made with foresight, I don’t feel good about it.’

‘It’s alright. As you know, Brother, Commander Yeon’s abilities are genuine. Frankly, he’s not someone I could ever hope to match.’

‘Don’t say that. Of course, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s abilities are outstanding, that’s a fact. But I don’t think you’re any less capable than Yeon Ho-Jeong.’

‘You flatter me.’

‘However, just as you have things that Yeon Ho-Jeong doesn’t, Yeon Ho-Jeong has many things that you don’t. Although you’ve been at odds with him for a long time, he’s definitely someone you can learn a lot from. Learn as much as you can from him.’

‘I will.’

‘And I have a separate request for you.’

‘Please, tell me.’

‘As you know, Yeon Ho-Jeong is the eldest son of the Yeon Clan Head. And the Yeon Clan Head has built friendships with military officials and the Tang Clan Head. I’ve heard that even the Gong Gong Great Master and the Seung Hyeon Jin-in [titles of high-ranking Taoist priests] of the Wudang Sect think highly of Commander Yeon.’

‘He’s certainly a talented individual.’

‘Among the other six clans, there are two that maintain neutrality without sharp conflict. The Namgoong and Peng clans. Among them, Namgoong maintains a good relationship with me, but there’s a child of the Peng Clan under Yeon Ho-Jeong. Perhaps the Peng Clan Head will also be more inclined towards that side than ours.’

‘…….’

‘I’m not talking about the advantages or disadvantages in terms of power. I mean that a lot of information can flow to that side.’

‘Are you saying you want me to gather information?’

‘There’s no need to actively steal it. Yeon Ho-Jeong is quick-witted. If you push too hard, you could be in danger. Just let me know what you hear.’

‘…….’

‘Why? Does it bother you?’

‘It would be a lie to say it doesn’t. I am a member of the Murim before I am a Murim Alliance member, and before that, I am a commander of the Tangma Army. And now, I am a member of the Tangma-Myeolsa Combined Army.’

‘You are also a member of the Moyong Clan before you are a member of the Tangma-Myeolsa Combined Army.’

‘…….’

‘If it really bothers you, I won’t ask you anymore.’

‘No, it’s just how I feel. It’s not difficult for me to share the information I hear.’

‘Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome. I just hope this helps you become the Alliance Leader.’

‘Of course. I haven’t forgotten my dream, my goal. But before that, there’s something I must take care of.’

‘You mean the Three Teachings [a mysterious and powerful group].’

‘That’s right. I was furious just by the fact that those lowly outsiders were aiming for the Central Plains. But no matter where they come from, they have the power to plunge the Central Plains into war. No matter how important our dream is, it can’t be more important than that.’

‘You are right. Therefore, I also have something to tell you.’

‘What is it?’

‘The Mukryong Faction [a rising power in the martial world].’

‘……!’

‘I don’t like that you’ve joined hands with the Mukryong Faction Leader. But if you’ve already joined hands, it’s best to use him as much as possible.’

‘Hmm.’

‘However, I’ve heard that one of the Three Teachings’ organizations greatly helped in establishing the Mukryong Faction.’

‘Yes, that’s something that needs to be addressed.’

‘I haven’t seen him myself, but if the rumors are true, Yang Cheon, the Mukryong Faction Leader, is one of the most dangerous people in the Jianghu [the martial world] just because he is one of the Thirteen Seats of the Seongcheon [a powerful organization]. The Three Teachings gave such a person power and authority, and even allowed him to establish the Mukryong Faction.’

‘They’ll think they were using each other. Yang Cheon will certainly think so.’

‘It’s Yang Cheon’s freedom to think that way, but the important thing is that the Three Teachings are a capable and dangerous group.’

‘That’s right.’

‘To bring the Mukryong Faction completely under your control, a conflict with the Three Teachings in another area is inevitable. If that happens, the fact that you joined hands with Yang Cheon could be revealed to the world.’

‘…….’

‘I think we should deal with them before fighting the Three Teachings.’

‘I’m keeping it in mind. But it won’t be easy.’

‘Of course, it won’t be. But we can’t keep putting it off just because it’s not easy.’

‘Hmm.’

‘So, I propose that we fix the target of this combined army’s expedition to Heukdo [Black Island].’

‘Heukdo? Are you saying we should strike the Mukryong Faction?’

‘Yes.’

‘No! That’s too dangerous!’

‘I’m not saying we should invade. I’m just saying we should give Yang Cheon a warning and provide a reason to bring him to our side.’

‘A reason?’

‘Here’s what I think. When we strike Heukdo…….’

At that moment, a powerful energy wave spread from afar.

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed open.

“All troops, line up.”

Clatter!

The lined-up soldiers straightened their postures once more.

The sight of five hundred warriors in dark heavy armor and fifty warriors in lighter armor, more focused on mobility, was truly a magnificent spectacle.

“…….”

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed inwardly as he looked at them.

‘They’re stiff.’

Two armies with different personalities were suddenly merged into one.

The orders from above were absolute. Since the order was given, it was natural to carry it out.

However, the two armies were too different in character.

For two units with such different personalities to merge into one, a certain process was necessary. It was the superior’s ability to make that process short and smooth, but it was still too sudden of an order.

‘It was Moyong Gun who first made this proposal. Regardless of his intentions, he also knows that the power is stronger when they are combined than when they are scattered.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘He must have some ulterior motive. He probably ordered his brother to do something. To plant an eye in the heart of the enemy, using his life as bait… That’s very Moyong Gun-like.’

Knowing that, Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t treat Moyong Gun carelessly. Of course, he had no intention of doing so, and they weren’t that kind of relationship anyway.

‘But besides that, there will come a time when the armies must unite to fight the Three Teachings. He must mean for us to start working together from now on in preparation for that time.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly without realizing it.

‘Moyong Gun was also in a hurry.’

Shortly after, Yeon Ho-Jeong stepped onto the platform. Muk Bi, who had come with him, stood behind Moyong Gun and looked up at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who was looking down at the united army with the Gwangryong Bow [a powerful bow] on his shoulder, opened his mouth.

“There’s a name that the higher-ups have decided on.”

The soldiers, who were looking up at Yeon Ho-Jeong with complicated feelings, had puzzled expressions on their faces. What was he talking about from the first word?

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and said,

“They said they’ll call us, the combined Tangma and Myeolsa armies, the Righteous Army. Isn’t it funny? Isn’t it a classic name to the point of laughter? Haha!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong might have said it as a joke to ease the tension of the soldiers.

However, unfortunately, his joke, which wasn’t really a joke, failed miserably. Like with Yeon Ji-Pyeong, he was a man who had lived for decades and returned to the past, and he was even someone whose emotions had been worn down by all sorts of wars. There was no way such a ridiculous joke would work.

“…….”

The soldiers looked up at Yeon Ho-Jeong with bewildered eyes.

And Yeon Ho-Jeong, seeing those eyes, was also bewildered.

He glanced at Moyong Gun and Muk Bi. The two sighed and shook their heads.

Yeon Ho-Jeong laughed awkwardly.

“Okay, I messed up the atmosphere by trying to be clever, which isn’t like me. Let’s just go with what I’m good at.”

“…….”

“From now on, we will move as one. The newly united us will be called the Righteous Army, and I am the Grand Commander.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said, looking around at the Tangma Army with a subtle gaze.

The Tangma Army members maintained their blank expressions, but even from afar, some of their eyes were distorted.

“It’s sudden, so some of you might be confused, and some might feel insulted. I dare to guess that some of you might be suspicious and badmouthing me behind my back.”

It was a rather blunt statement. At least, it wasn’t something a commander should say at a founding ceremony.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke candidly.

“Whether you curse me or lose your motivation, I don’t care. I don’t want to get involved, and even if I did, it wouldn’t mean anything.”

“…….”

“However, there’s only one thing I want from you. When an order is given, react immediately as you’ve been trained. That’s all.”

In an instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes changed.

“I can’t promise you honor. But I can promise you that I won’t let you die in vain. That’s the only thing I can promise.”

“…….”

“That’s all. You’ve worked hard standing in formation.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who came down from the platform, said to Moyong Gun.

“Commander Moyong, can you dismiss the soldiers and see me for a moment?”

Moyong Gun bowed respectfully.

“I obey the Grand Commander’s order.”

He turned and shouted.

“All troops, dismiss. There will be no training today.”

The Tangma Army relaxed their posture. A murmur spread among them, who had been silent.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong shouted.

“Myeolsa Army!!”

A terrifying dignity was carried in his booming voice.

The pressure of that shout was so great that the murmuring stopped.

All the Tangma and Myeolsa Army members looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with tension.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face was contorted.

“Can’t you hear Commander Moyong’s order? You must have heard him say to dismiss?”

“……!”

“React immediately to your superior’s orders. When I’m absent, Commander Moyong is the highest commander who can lead the Righteous Army in my place, and he is your superior.”

“…….”

“I’ll let it slide this time since it’s the first time. If I see such a poor display again, I will punish you all severely.”

The atmosphere of the training ground became grim with his fierce warning.

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded to Moyong Gun.

Moyong Gun shouted.

“All troops, dismiss!”

Only then did both the Tangma and Myeolsa armies relax their postures and disperse.

Yeon Ho-Jeong snorted.

“Those guys are so undisciplined.”

Moyong Gun, who approached him, clicked his tongue and said.

“My head is pounding from the middle of the day. Would you like a drink?”

“What? That’s creepy. Just do what you usually do.”

“Good. Yeon-je will buy the drinks.”

“You’re using informal speech already. You’re out of it.”

“…….”

“Let’s go.”