Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 463

“You seem to come here quite often.”

As Yeon Ho-Jeong passed through the massive basin and headed towards the main hall, he clicked his tongue.

He looked at Gang Ryang.

Gang Ryang was gaping, looking around at everything.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

“……It looks like a place where a three-headed, six-armed monster lives.”

“The security is much tighter than before. I can feel an unusual sense of unease from the entrance, something I didn’t feel before. They must have set up some kind of hidden formation that’s invisible to the human eye.”

“That’s incredible. Considering the scale of this place……”

“It must have cost an astronomical amount of money. However, even though it’s underground, the security is excessively strict. At this level……”

Yeon Ho-Jeong muttered to himself.

‘It’s not like a fortress, but more like a prison.’

No one could know what Yang Cheon’s next move would be.

But one thing was certain.

‘Yang Cheon has no intention of ending things here.’

It wasn’t because of the underground location. It was because of Yang Cheon’s ambition and aspirations.

‘He will build a stronghold as grand as the Martial Alliance. I don’t know when that will be, but when that happens, this place will become……’

It might really become a massive prison.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been lost in thought for a moment, turned his gaze to Jeong-an this time.

Jeong-an’s face was severely stiff. It was as if she was wearing a hard mask.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Are you alright?”

“Huh?”

“I asked if you’re alright.”

“Ah, yes.”

Jeong-an, who had answered absentmindedly, soon sighed and shook her head.

“Honestly, I’m not alright.”

“Of course, you wouldn’t be.”

Jeong-an sighed.

“Thinking about it, what Ho-jang [a respectful term for a senior or leader] said is right. I was a fool who knew nothing. If Ho-jang hadn’t used his power, I wouldn’t have even been able to enter this place.”

“At the same time, a master of the Mukryong Faction, who couldn’t overlook your unresolved anger, could have tracked you down and killed you.”

“……That could have happened.”

“So, do you regret it?”

“Absolutely not.”

Jeong-an smiled bitterly.

“I don’t regret my decision. I’ve just realized anew that there’s so much to learn in this world.”

“The world is made by people. In other words, if you want to know the world, you have to start by knowing people well.”

“……”

“To know people well, you have to meet many of them and talk a lot. That’s what relationships are, and people see the world through relationships.”

“I see.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“That’s just my opinion. Everyone thinks differently.”

With those words, Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his mouth. He also had a lot to think about.

‘Yang Cheon.’

What he had been agonizing over all night wasn’t whether he could just let the incident at Bota Temple slide.

The matter of Bota had to be resolved. It was just a matter of timing and method.

What he was agonizing over was Yang Cheon’s statement.

‘As you said, if we are to face the Three Teachings, the Black and White Paths must join hands.’

‘That’s a given.’

‘But there has never been a proper discussion about that. That’s why I asked you that. Can you throw everything away to destroy the Saeum Church?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I like you. Your martial arts, your insight, your wit, and your drive, everything. But what I like most is the tenacious spirit you have to run without limits to achieve your goals.’

‘Thank you for the compliment.’

‘Come as a dispatch.’

‘Dispatch?’

‘Not as a spy like before, but as a dignified envoy of the Martial Alliance, come to the headquarters.’

‘……?!’

‘In this war, the Martial Alliance can never be the main force. The reason is that they will only stop calculating their interests and move after the fire has fallen on their feet.’

‘That’s……’

‘Don’t say it’s not. I know you also find that part frustrating.’

‘Things will change once the Alliance Leader is chosen.’

‘When will the Alliance Leader be chosen? Isn’t it next year at the earliest?’

‘……’

‘Even if we assume that the leader will be chosen early next year, there are still six months left. As you know, that’s more than enough time for the enemy to run rampant.’

‘That doesn’t justify why I should be dispatched to Mukryong.’

‘You are the core of the Martial Alliance’s politics. But you don’t have the power to unite the Martial Alliance as the core of politics. How can you unite the interests of so many sects in a short period? Well, I guess that’s impossible for anyone.’

‘……’

‘Leave that area to trustworthy people. Instead, don’t waste your energy on useless things and come to Mukryong. Come and let’s properly crush the Saeum Church. If you decide to do so, I will give you immense authority to use the headquarters’ forces and resources as much as you need.’

‘That’s a chilling proposal.’

‘That’s what I wanted to say most today. Think about it carefully, and if your heart moves, come find me. I hope it doesn’t take too long.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

‘He’s not entirely wrong.’

Yang Cheon, who had escaped the Yin-Huang Poison, had become a completely different person from the Yang Cheon of the past.

Or perhaps, this was Yang Cheon’s true self. The insight of a great giant who had fought the world for decades, ultimately achieving victory and earning the title of Fighting King, was second to none.

That Yang Cheon was saying that the Martial Alliance was not the main force in this war.

Yeon Ho-Jeong thought that it could be true, or it could not be true.

At least the current Martial Alliance could not be the main force. As Yang Cheon said, too many sects were gathered, and they could not be free from their own interests.

But if the Martial Alliance that Yeon Ho-Jeong envisioned were to exist, then it could be the main force in this war.

‘Brother.’

Moyong Woo also still had many shortcomings.

However, Moyong Woo possessed insight and intellect that were second to none, even compared to any old master, and he held a much more intuitive and clear sense of justice than their worn-out, slow justice.

He was also excellent at leading people, and especially since he was outstanding in virtue and popularity, he was extremely suitable for rebuilding the Martial Alliance after the war.

However.

‘The question is whether the name Moyong Woo will work for those who think that experience and position are the minimum qualifications.’

Of course, experience and position are important. But they are not absolute.

However, many people know that, but they cannot accept it deep down.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly.

‘If they knew my age when I founded the Black Demon Fortress, they would all be shocked.’

Is it possible because it’s the Black Path? That’s somewhat true.

However, if you have enough ability, there is no problem leading an organization, whether it’s the Black Path or the White Path.

‘Damn it, things in this world really don’t go my way.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head vigorously.

Gang Ryang said with a grumpy expression.

“You should wash up.”

“I’m cleaner than you.”

“If only you could keep your mouth shut.”

Before they knew it, the group had arrived in front of the main hall.

Yeon Ho-Jeong asked Jeong-an.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke to Baek Seo.

“Announce us.”

Baek Seo didn’t even turn his gaze towards Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“Vice Leader. I have brought the guests.”

“Let them in.”

Kugugugung.

As soon as the words were spoken, the massive stone wall moved.

Considering the width and thickness of the stone wall, the fact that this heavy stone wall was moving by a mechanism was astonishing. Jeong-an and Gang Ryang couldn’t help but gape at the magnificent sight.

‘A familiar staircase.’

The group followed Baek Seo’s guidance and ascended the stairs.

Suddenly, Jeong-an flinched.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“Calm down.”

“But……!”

“I know. The people of the Yeonhwa Gate [Lotus Flower Gate] are here.”

Jeong-an’s face was filled with agitation.

“Could it really be……in the Mukryong Faction……?”

“Keep your wits about you. Don’t say anything when we get there.”

Soon, the group stepped onto a long carpet.

“Have you arrived?”

A voice full of welcome was heard from afar, from the grand chair.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

“Indeed. That’s why it’s even better. It seems you made up your mind quickly.”

Yang Cheon pointed in front of him with his hand.

“Come.”

The three walked on the soft carpet and reached the foot of the grand chair.

It was then.

Whoosh!

A fiercely surging aura shook the group.

Turning their heads, they saw two women with shocked faces. One was a woman who seemed to be past middle age and into old age, and the other seemed to be about the same age as Jeong-an.

“Jeong-an?!”

Jeong-an looked at her with trembling eyes.

“Yeonhwa Gate Master.”

Jeok Yeon, who had been staring blankly at her, suddenly shouted.

“You! How dare you crawl all the way here!”

It was a much more violent reaction than expected. Even Yeon Sim, who was next to her, was taken aback.

Listening to that angry voice, filled with even a hint of murderous intent, Jeong-an thought.

It’s over.

Bota Temple, at least the Bota Temple of this era, would never regain its former glory.

Jeong-an closed her eyes.

Sparks flew from Jeok Yeon’s eyes.

“You dog! You’re just like your uneducated Heavenly Eye descendants! When you see an elder of the sect, you should bow your head immediately! You’re worse than a beast……!”

At that moment, a sharp gust of wind arose.

Whoosh!

A terrible heat wave slammed shut Jeok Yeon’s mouth.

Zzzzzzzing!

The rotating Yeon-ga Divine Platform [a device used for martial arts training] emitted a massive amount of true energy.

And that true energy was pushing the output of the Vermilion Bird Fire to its limit.

Flames swirled!

A tremendous fire and an unimaginable murderous intent bound Jeok Yeon’s body.

Jeok Yeon’s face turned pale.

An overwhelming aura was pouring out from the red-eyed youth who was glaring at her. The aura was so terrible that it was difficult to even breathe properly.

Yeon Ho-Jeong said calmly.

“Shut your mouth.”

“Wh-What!”

“She’s not done anything wrong to be insulted by a nobody like you. If you dirty our mood again, I’ll blow off that useless head of yours.”

“……!”

Jeok Yeon’s face turned red and then blue.

“You’re just like the Heavenly Eye Gate! How dare you join hands with a demonic head……!!”

In an instant, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fist wind exploded like a ray of light.

Kwaaaang!

With a loud explosion, Jeok Yeon staggered and was pushed against the wall.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t Jeok Yeon who blocked Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fist wind. In front of her, Yeon Sim, who had drawn her sword and was staggering, was there.

Even though she had blocked the fist wind, the aftershock was so strong that it pushed Jeok Yeon away.

It was a martial art that could be called monstrous power.

Yeon Sim’s eyes trembled.

‘Incredible martial arts!’

The power felt in just one move was truly beyond imagination. It was an instinctive swordsmanship, but even so, this amount of impact was unbelievable.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed with a strange light.

‘It’s her.’

A much younger and fresher appearance than before.

‘This is the Sword Empress.’

The Sword Empress he had met during the Black Demon Emperor era, the one he had talked to back then, was this Yeon Sim.

But even that surprise was only momentary.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled coldly.

“You’re not relevant. Step back. If you don’t step back, you’ll die too.”

Yeon Sim swallowed hard without realizing it.

The opponent’s words were not just a threat. It felt like he genuinely intended to kill them together, the murderous intent emanating from him was so terrible.

At that moment, Yang Cheon opened his mouth.

“Isn’t that enough for greetings?”

“……”

“Please calm down that aura. The atmosphere is too grim.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been staring silently at Jeok Yeon, withdrew his murderous intent.

Whoosh.

When it was released, it was like a mountain, but when it disappeared, it was like smoke.

The control of his aura was free and effortless. It was the divine skill of internal energy manipulation shown by a monster beyond genius.

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned and said.

“Shouldn’t you have cleaned up before welcoming guests?”

Yang Cheon smiled.

“Do we need to go that far between us?”

“What is ‘us’ to you?”

“Well, I don’t know yet, but somehow I feel like we’ll have a great relationship?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Give me some liquor first. Not white liquor, but something good.”