Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 420

The unimaginable assassination plot of Yinshin Yayuljeok was brought to a close with minimal damage, thanks to the efforts of the Righteous Army and the Beggars’ Union, as well as the appearance of unexpected reinforcements.

Of course, many officials lost their lives. The number of dead officials was a staggering twenty-nine, all of whom played quite important roles in the administration and security of Guangdong Province.

However, twelve key figures, who could be considered the true core, were safe. This was thanks to the quick actions of Yeon Ho-jeong and the reclusive masters of Foshan, who managed to thwart the assassination attempts just before they happened.

Thus, the operation to minimize the chaos in Guangdong was half successful. Although the damage was significant, if the people of the Provincial Military Command, led by the Left Magistrate Jong-myung, worked together, they would be able to restore the atmosphere of Guangdong to its original state in the near future.

However, the damage was not limited to Guangdong Province.

The Tangma Army, belonging to the Righteous Army, suffered considerable losses. The Tangma Army, which had engaged the enemy while occupying Yaseong, suffered nearly half of its members as casualties.

It was a tremendous loss. Considering the enemy they faced, some level of damage was expected from the start, but it was a painful experience for both Moyong Gun and Yeon Ho-jeong.

Of course, considering the numbers and skills of the Dark Emperor’s Order, it was a great achievement to have ended it with that level of sacrifice. Moreover, the Dark Emperor’s Order were masters of the terrain of Yaseong. To have stopped them with that much damage was something to be praised for.

Yes, it was a great achievement. If you looked at the numbers alone, it certainly was. However, the feelings of those who were part of the army were bound to be different.

A mission that resulted in great damage and many wounds in many ways.

However, the situation did not end there.

* * *

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Ga Deuk-sang, who had been quietly looking at Moyong Gun’s face, let out a soft sigh.

“I’m sorry. The fact that the Tangma Army suffered so much damage is partly due to our intelligence team’s slow response.”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“Don’t say that. You did all you could, Ga Deuk-sang. Not just you, but everyone did. Who can we blame in this operation? Everyone worked hard, and everyone risked their lives.”

“Hoo.”

He would usually try to create a lively atmosphere, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t do it now.

Ga Deuk-sang carefully opened his mouth again.

“How is the morale of the Tangma Army?”

Moyong Gun spoke honestly.

“It’s hard to say it’s good.”

“…It’s understandable.”

“I think our Tangma Army is a well-trained organization. But it’s inevitable that they lack experience. That experience includes the experience of losing comrades.”

“……”

“I always thought that someday, my subordinates, including myself, would lose their lives to the enemy’s blade. So, at one point, I even tried not to get attached to them.”

Moyong Gun looked up at the sky.

The sky was particularly dark today.

“But how can people live like that? Since they are people who could be lost at any time, I should cherish them more, get closer to them, and make good memories.”

“You’re right.”

“Before the expedition, we all exchanged last words with each other. We will continue to do so in the future. That is the duty of the warriors belonging to the Martial Alliance’s Righteous Army, and the fate of all martial artists belonging to combat organizations.”

In times of chaos, everyone lives each day risking their lives.

However, those who belong to an organization throw away their lives not for themselves, but for orders. Whether it’s for a great cause or whatever, very few people end up living for themselves.

That’s why it’s sadder and more heartbreaking.

“I heard the Beggars’ Union also suffered great losses.”

“As Moyong Gun said, it’s fate.”

In that respect, Ga Deuk-sang would be a far senior to Moyong Gun.

For the Beggars’ Union, every day is a series of missions. There are many cases where they die unexpectedly, and it’s hard to find time for their own training in the midst of it all.

Ga Deuk-sang is in his current position after experiencing so many deaths.

“By the way, how are the gazes?”

“What do you mean?”

Ga Deuk-sang clicked his tongue.

“It was a mission received right after the Righteous Army was created. The Tangma Army’s losses are almost non-existent, but the Tangma Army…”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“Since I can’t know everyone’s feelings, it’s hard for me to give you a definite answer. But this one thing is certain.”

“…?”

“I believe that there are no fools in the Tangma Army under my command who would transfer their feelings of loss to others.”

Ga Deuk-sang shook his head.

“It may be different in reality. You know it in your head, but how can people’s hearts be like that?”

“If they are soldiers who can’t even do that, they are not qualified to be members of the Righteous Army. If there are any members of the unit who actually have such thoughts, I will seriously ask them to be discharged.”

“That’s a relief then.”

Although he said that, Moyong Gun couldn’t be sure that none of his subordinates resented Yeon Ho-jeong.

As Ga Deuk-sang said, that’s how people’s hearts are. Even if you think it’s unlikely, when you become a victim, you can’t think rationally.

‘I have to overcome it.’

No matter how outstanding Yeon Ho-jeong’s abilities are, he cannot see through the other party’s intentions completely.

His vision for the big picture may have reached the pinnacle of the Central Plains, but when it comes to actual combat, it is never easy to respond sharply to the variables that arise from moment to moment. That would be the same even for someone more outstanding than Yeon Ho-jeong.

Moyong Gun sighed.

“Anyway, does this mean that the situation in Guangdong is settled for now?”

“Only half.”

“Half?”

“The mission that Commander Yeon received was not just to eliminate Yinshin Yayuljeok. The order from above was to stabilize the entire Guangdong Province.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes deepened.

“I didn’t hear that from the Commander.”

“There was no need to. It’s something you can know, but it’s also something you don’t necessarily need to know.”

“I guess so.”

“I’m guessing that the Tangma Army will be left to reorganize for the time being. The rest will be taken care of by Commander Yeon and the Myolsa Army somehow.”

A question arose on Moyong Gun’s face.

“By the way, where is the Commander now? I haven’t seen him since yesterday.”

“Ah, about that.”

Ga Deuk-sang scratched his head as if he was in trouble.

“Something unexpected happened.”

* * *

“Young Master Yeon.”

“Oh, you’re here.”

Thud!

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had put down the Gwangryong Axe, wiped his sweat-soaked forehead.

“Are you training?”

“There’s something that’s been bothering me. I thought I had to do it now.”

Muk Bi’s eyes deepened.

She was one of the people who knew Yeon Ho-jeong best. So, she could tell that he was feeling responsible enough for the deaths of his subordinates.

But training? Isn’t now not the time for that?

Muk Bi spoke honestly.

“One mission is over, but there’s another mission left, right?”

“I know.”

Muk Bi, who had been silently watching Yeon Ho-jeong, opened her mouth again.

“You haven’t even visited the Tangma Army yet, have you?”

“So?”

“……”

“Commander Moyong is taking good care of them.”

“But shouldn’t you go? So many people died.”

“Now is not the time for that.”

“……”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s expression was quite calm. It was not the expression of a superior who had lost his subordinates.

Muk Bi, who had been staring at his face, nodded.

“Okay. Then, please set the next mission.”

“I’ll let you know when the time comes, so until then, take care of yourself. You haven’t fully recovered from your internal and external injuries either.”

“That’s not what’s important right now.”

“That’s the most important thing.”

“What did you say?”

Yeon Ho-jeong looked straight at Muk Bi and said.

“The mission is not over yet. Perhaps the path ahead will be more dangerous. Even if it’s not a mission, it’s a situation where enemies could appear anytime, anywhere.”

“……”

“As a member of an organization, maintaining the best physical condition is basic. If you want to do your part in any situation, you need to think about preserving your own combat power first. That’s the priority.”

“Young Master Yeon.”

“Death comes anytime, anywhere. The Myolsa Army could all disappear tomorrow. That’s how the martial world is, and that’s how the world is.”

Yeon Ho-jeong picked up the Gwangryong Axe and slung it over his shoulder.

“Go and get yourself ready. I’ll give the orders separately tonight.”

With those words, Yeon Ho-jeong walked away.

Watching Yeon Ho-jeong’s back as he walked away, Muk Bi muttered softly.

“Young Master Yeon. I thought I knew you well, but sometimes I don’t understand you at all.”

Yeon Ho-jeong, who had left the temporary residence, headed to a secluded mountain.

Whooosh.

As if walking an unplanned path, Yeon Ho-jeong looked around here and there and felt a surge of majestic energy rising at once.

It was an energy calling to him. Yeon Ho-jeong immediately moved towards that place.

A moment later.

“Have you come?”

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes lit up.

There, was Beom Oh standing respectfully, and an old man sitting leisurely next to him.

The old man’s impression was truly strange.

It was hard to guess his age. He looked like he was well over eighty, but his white teeth and playful expression made him look forty years younger.

His hair was sticking out like a lion’s mane, and his clothes were so dirty that it was impossible to tell what their original color was. At first glance, it looked like it might have been a monk’s robe, but even that was not certain.

The old man said with a mischievous face.

“Heh, I’ve never thought of being respected by others in my life, but shouldn’t you at least know how to greet an older senior?”

“Who are you calling a senior?”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t know your identity. Moreover, I have no intention of treating a strange person who suddenly interfered with the mission, threatened people as he pleased, and ran away as a senior.”

Beom Oh shouted.

“Commander Yeon! Watch your words! This person is…”

“That’s enough.”

The old man raised his hand and stopped Beom Oh.

“Hehe, there were misunderstandings in many ways. But to call it a threat? That’s too much.”

“You don’t think that was a threat?”

“It wasn’t?”

What is this childish response?

Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened.

“You said that if I didn’t come to you at this time, the government offices of Guangdong Province would be devastated. If that’s not a threat, then what is it?”

“Hehehe.”

“You don’t need to know, but I’ll tell you openly. I’m holding back a lot right now. If Monk Beom Oh hadn’t been so polite to you, I would have taken an axe and split your head open a long time ago.”

Beom Oh said in a suppressed voice.

“Commander Yeon. This person is someone that neither you nor anyone in the Martial Alliance can treat carelessly…”

“Over two hundred of my subordinates died in this operation.”

“…!”

“I came without even being able to say sorry to my dead subordinates, or to tell them to resent me. Do you know why? Because I felt something was amiss. Because of your existence, and because of the ominous feeling that the remaining mission will be more difficult.”

The old man could no longer laugh. He just stared at Yeon Ho-jeong with profound eyes.

Yeon Ho-jeong’s gaze grew colder.

“I’ll pass on the wordplay. Don’t expect to be treated as a senior. Explain why you called me, and why you made that statement and ran away. If you try to waste time without a proper explanation, I will not leave you or Monk Beom Oh alone.”