Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 382

Flash!

Yang Cheon’s eyes immediately sharpened.

‘You’re saying you’ll free me from the Yin Desolate Palm’s poison?’

‘That’s right.’

Yang Cheon didn’t ask how it was possible or how he knew the method.

‘Was that it? Your lifeline?’

‘It’s just one of several countermeasures.’

‘Countermeasures, you say.’

‘As you said, I didn’t come here without any preparation. I have a lot to do.’

Yang Cheon asked aggressively.

‘Is that ‘a lot to do’ about crushing the Three Teachings bastards?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then, was your infiltration into the headquarters as the head of the intelligence department also to attack the Three Teachings?’

Yang Cheon wasn’t even sure if the Yin Desolate Palm’s poison was real. In other words, this was the first moment he realized he was definitely poisoned.

Yet, he asks about Yeon Ho-Jeong’s goals first. It was as if he didn’t think much of resolving this poisoning.

An astonishingly bold nature. Yang Cheon, who had been lost in the sweetness of power and had forgotten his original nature, was finally regaining his true self through his confrontation with Yeon Ho-Jeong after being awakened by Moyong Gun’s rebuke.

‘Tsk.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong found Yang Cheon burdensome.

The man he thought he could easily handle before coming here now seemed to be facing him with several cannons aimed at him.

‘He’s a really difficult person. I don’t know how I caught such a guy in the past. But…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s smile deepened.

‘…Looks good.’

‘What?’

‘No, just talking to myself.’

‘Stop with the ridiculous nonsense and answer the question properly.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expression changed.

‘Yes. My ultimate goal is the Three Teachings.’

‘So, it was as I thought?’

‘I know what Vice-Chief Yang wants to hear. So, I’ll make it simple.’

‘I’m all ears.’

‘My infiltration into the Mukryong Unit wasn’t just because of the Three Teachings. At that time, I received information that Vice-Chief Yang was building his power, and for the future of the martial world, I needed to control the Mukryong Unit’s classified information and power…’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s explanation was neat and concise.

Gang Ryang was subtly surprised as he listened to Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words.

‘My brother is not only a master of martial arts and a leader of a unit, but his diplomatic skills are also outstanding.’

He knew well what Yeon Ho-Jeong’s usual tone was like. And he knew his personality well too.

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s explanation now was concise and well-packaged, considering Yang Cheon’s personality.

Words can change the listener’s mood depending on how the same truth is delivered. In that respect, Yeon Ho-Jeong, who is good at reading people, having such eloquence is a powerful advantage as a diplomat.

Yang Cheon nodded.

‘I understand. Why the Martial Alliance sent you, and what they wanted to gain from the headquarters.’

‘…’

‘The more I hear, the more absurd it is. In the end, we were being played by the Martial Alliance.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

‘Before that, the Mukryong Unit struck first, so consider it a tie.’

‘Struck first? What are you talking about?’

‘Didn’t you secretly take away a significant number of merchants who were under contract south of the Yangtze River from the Martial Alliance? Whether you received help from the Evil Sound Cult or not, it’s your business to establish the Mukryong Unit, but since you swept away money with a rake in the shadows, we also suffered quite a bit.’

‘It’s a bit much to say ‘took away.’ Merchants are just merchants. If there’s a better business partner, they’ll change without hesitation. How can you say I took them away?’

‘Let’s think about it the other way around. If we took away some of the Mukryong Unit’s major businesses, wouldn’t you feel wronged?’

‘…’

‘Fair competition and strategic acquisition are only a paper-thin difference. And what makes that difference is intent. In that respect, you have caused astronomical losses to our alliance.’

Yang Cheon’s eyes deepened.

‘That habit of calculating things in a very peculiar way hasn’t gone anywhere.’

‘It’s the truth.’

‘But… yes, what you say isn’t wrong.’

Yang Cheon nodded.

‘Alright. I’ll consider it a tie for you infiltrating and disrupting the headquarters.’

It was a cool and clear acknowledgment. Not just pretending, but genuinely considering it as if it never happened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

‘The conversation is going very smoothly.’

‘Don’t get the wrong idea. That doesn’t mean I’ll let you live and send you back.’

Yang Cheon smirked.

‘It’s a tie in the power struggle, but I didn’t say I’d forgive you for deceiving me. That score has to be calculated differently, right?’

‘You’re so meticulous. Just admit it. The one who got tricked is the fool.’

‘Since the fool got tricked, I should at least grab the sword hilt to vent my anger. Isn’t that right?’

It was a terribly brutal conversation.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

‘I must definitely detoxify that Yin Desolate Palm.’

Yang Cheon straightened his posture again.

‘Before I hear that, let me ask you one thing.’

‘What is it?’

‘If you free me from this poison, what do you want from me?’

‘Didn’t I say it was my life’s worth?’

‘Tell me the truth.’

‘…’

‘You know. You know that I’ve become difficult to deal with, but no matter what happens, I won’t kill you. At least not now.’

‘…You’re sharp.’

‘I had a vague idea that the master was experiencing poisoning symptoms. But I couldn’t be sure. After losing consciousness once, there were no other damages.’

‘Is that what you think?’

‘That’s what I think.’

Yang Cheon asked seriously.

‘Let me ask you directly. Is the reason you’re telling me how to get rid of this symptom to bring me over to your side?’

‘You see right through me. Even that far.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

‘Yes. I heard that you said you would help ‘this time,’ but you didn’t say you would be completely on the same side. At least, Moyong Gun said so.’

‘…’

‘You are the Fighting King. Shouldn’t you get back at the bastard who left that awful mark on your chest?’

‘And that would be helpful to you.’

‘At the same time, it would be helpful to you and your subordinates. After all, their goal isn’t just the Martial Alliance, but the entire Central Plains.’

‘…’

‘It would have been nice if we had met as friends. But we’ve already come too far to exchange drinks purely without any intentions.’

Yang Cheon chuckled.

‘Friends at your age? That’s ridiculous.’

‘Whatever it may be.’

‘So, the enemy of my enemy is my friend?’

‘That’s about right.’

Yang Cheon, who had been staring at Yeon Ho-Jeong, smiled coldly.

‘That’s not all, is it?’

‘…’

‘There was something I didn’t quite understand in your story earlier. Your words and voice were based on truth and had great persuasive power. But whether consciously or unconsciously, you were particularly sparing with your words about one person.’

‘…’

‘Moyong Gun.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘Do you want to eliminate Moyong Gun?’

‘…Yes.’

‘Using me as a sword?’

‘That’s not it.’

‘Not it? Why?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

‘My father always told me not to cross the line.’

‘…’

‘Whether I use you or join hands with you, it’s for a greater cause. I have no intention of bringing in the Black Path forces to deal with internal enemies.’

‘I don’t see the difference.’

‘I didn’t know either. And honestly, I still don’t know. But I have a vague understanding of what my father meant when he said not to cross the line.’

‘So, you don’t want me to deal with Moyong Gun?’

‘That’s right. We will deal with him.’

‘That’s not it.’

Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed.

‘Even if you deal with Moyong Gun, I’m the only one who can shake his foundation, so you need to maintain a decent relationship with me, at least.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

‘That’s right. That’s the best the military advisor of our alliance wants.’

‘There’s no need to actually strike the Moyong Clan, but at least you need to subtly let Moyong Gun know that our relationship isn’t bad…’

Yang Cheon nodded.

‘Alright. All my questions are answered.’

It was a clean acknowledgment.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said,

‘Then, about the Yin Desolate Palm…’

‘From now on, let’s change the subject of this conversation.’

Swoosh.

Yang Cheon rose from his seat.

Whoooosh.

The cold mountain wind heated up again.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘What do you mean?’

‘In the Black Path…’

Chiiiiiiiiik!

White smoke billowed from Yang Cheon’s two fists.

It was as if they were on fire. But there were no real flames on his fists. Not even a hint of fire energy was felt.

Nevertheless, it felt hot. If you were hit by those fists, you wouldn’t just get burned, but the area of impact would be annihilated. It was a terrifying sense of incongruity.

‘There has been a rule since ancient times. Not when the back alley thugs fought, but when there were nobles in the Black Path. And those who consider themselves the true heirs of the Black Path still live by that rule.’

Zzzzzing! Zzzzzing!

Unusual flashes of light, like lightning, burst from the smoke that was rising.

It was different from the lightning flashes in Moyong Gun’s Thunderclap Art, and different from the light seen in Yeonwi’s Absolute Sword. It looked like lightning but was like flames, and like flames but also like blades.

‘There are many rules, but there is one you must remember.’

Whoosh!

All of Yang Cheon’s hair shot up into the sky.

‘Kuh!’

Bu Seon groaned and retreated more than ten yards. And Gang Ryang was the same.

Only Yeon Ho-Jeong, with eyes as deep as an abyss, looked at Yang Cheon and gripped the shaft of the Gwangryong Spear that was stuck in the ground.

‘A turncoat is given a chance to argue. If the argument is deemed reasonable, all grudges are settled by cutting off one of their limbs.’

‘…’

‘But if the turncoat refuses to argue, they are immediately executed. That is the rule of the Black Path.’

‘…’

‘Of course, there are exceptions. If the turncoat has a reason, and that reason is understood and accepted, then the old ways of the martial world are placed on the blade. That is…’

‘Three seconds.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong said calmly.

‘If you withstand the executioner’s three seconds, all grudges are immediately settled.’

Yang Cheon’s eyes flashed with a different light.

‘You know about that too?’

‘Yes.’

‘I don’t know where you heard it, but you’re right. If you withstand my three seconds, I will bury all the grudges between us in the wind blowing here.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly.

‘If I withstand three seconds… If I can’t withstand it and die, I won’t be able to cure the poison, will I?’

‘It doesn’t matter.’

Kwarurururung!

The ground where Yang Cheon stood cracked like a spider web.

Yang Cheon, emitting a dark red glow all over his body, the overwhelming pressure of an absolute master who had unleashed his full power for the first time in a long time was beyond imagination.

‘I am the leader of the Black Path and the Fighting King. Choose whether to resolve the grudge or have one of your limbs cut off.’

Yang Cheon grinned fiendishly.

‘You’re not the type to die quietly, are you?’

‘…You could have made it easy, but you always make things so brutal.’

Kwaang!

With a flexible movement, Yeon Ho-Jeong lifted the Gwangryong Spear and reached out with a triumphant look.

‘I will receive the Fighting King’s three seconds.’