Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 475

Jeagal Mun-Ho greeted Yeon Ho-Jeong with a welcoming face.

“You’ve arrived?”

“Have you been well?”

“Haha, I’m always the same.”

“You seem to have lost a little weight.”

“It’s the fate of those who use their minds. Even with all the tonics I’ve been taking, my gray hairs keep multiplying.”

His hearty laughter conveyed a sense of pride in his role as a strategist. It was a truly troublesome position, but it seemed he found it equally rewarding.

“Anyway.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face showed surprise.

“You’re truly remarkable. I used to be able to gauge your level, but now it’s just a blur. Have you already advanced to a realm beyond my sight?”

Jeagal Mun-Ho, as the head of one of the Six Great Clans, was a master of martial arts in his own right.

Especially in terms of perception, he was sharper than anyone. Yet, even to his eyes, the limits of Yeon Ho-Jeong’s abilities were no longer visible.

The difference in their levels had grown that vast. Yeon Ho-Jeong had grown so much that even with the sharpest perception, it was difficult to discern the end of his realm.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I’m still far from it. I can’t fight with peace of mind at this level.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho chuckled dryly.

“Isn’t your standard too high? It’s meaningless to even consider your age now. With martial arts stronger than the leaders of the great sects representing the White Path [the righteous martial arts factions], you have the power to discuss the world.”

“To discuss the world, one must reach the realm of Seongcheon [a legendary realm of martial arts mastery].”

“I never thought I’d say this to you, but… that’s excessive ambition. You’re not even thirty yet. With such martial arts at your age, you won’t find a comparison even if you search through all of history.”

“As you said, Military Advisor, in the world we live in, it’s meaningless to discuss age. Especially now, with the enemy’s power beyond imagination, we must gain the strength to face the enemy’s leader head-on as soon as possible.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“And, there is one master of similar age to me who is close to my level.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s eyes widened.

“Who is it?”

“One of the candidates for the Sword Empress of Bota Temple. In terms of talent and martial prowess, she’s the closest to becoming the next Sword Empress.”

“Huh! Bota had such a talent?”

“She’s only half-baked for now. Her mental fortitude isn’t enough to properly utilize her great martial arts. Well, we’ll have to see if she improves later.”

He wondered what made him feel that way.

Jeagal Mun-Ho asked.

“Even if it’s a bit tedious, can you tell me how you’ve been? Everything, including what you just said about that Sword Empress candidate.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled again.

“How could it be tedious?”

He told Jeagal Mun-Ho the same story he had told Moyong Gun. The only difference was that he fully recounted the events at Mount Bul.

Jeagal Mun-Ho nodded.

“There’s bound to be a difference between receiving a report and hearing it directly. Nevertheless, it feels like I’m hearing almost the exact same story I’ve already heard.”

“That means Ga Deuk-Sang’s abilities are outstanding.”

The report to Jeagal Mun-Ho was written by Ga Deuk-Sang.

The content of the report and the words of the field staff matched perfectly. That meant Ga Deuk-Sang had conveyed the situation well.

It was a skill befitting a member of the Beggars’ Union, who were said to be the best in the world at gathering information.

“Anyway, Bota…”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed.

“As you said, Muk Ryong-Bu’s greed was excessive. No matter how deep their grudge against the Demonic Cult, to commit such an act in this situation…”

“To be precise, it was something they had planned for years, but it was something they could have put on hold depending on the situation.”

“What do you think? What is your impression of the Muk Ryong-Bu Lord?”

“It wouldn’t be much different from what you see, Military Advisor.”

“Still, I need to hear it.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face turned serious.

“We need to send one of the core masters of the current Martial Alliance and the leader of the Yu-Gun unit to Muk Ryong-Bu. We need to know even the smallest details about the Muk Ryong-Bu Lord.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

“I apologize. For making such a decision without consulting you.”

“Yes, you were a bit much this time.”

“Tsk.”

“But what can we do? The decision has already been made. And frankly, if the losses from that decision were greater than the gains, I would have stopped you first.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed.

“It’s extremely dangerous, but… if the Muk Ryong-Bu Lord sees you favorably, I think it’s a good enough strategy to counter the Three Cults.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Tell me. What do you think of the Muk Ryong-Bu Lord?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong conveyed his thoughts honestly and without exaggeration.

Jeagal Mun-Ho clicked his tongue.

“I’ve been feeling that the Muk Ryong-Bu Lord’s movements have become sharper recently. Hearing your words, it seems he has definitely changed.”

“That’s right.”

“I understand. Combining what I’ve heard from you, I’ll try to persuade people in my own way.”

“Thank you.”

“And lastly.”

The most important topic remained.

“We need to catch the spy, right?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed. They were more serious than when discussing any other serious matter.

“I think you’ll agree, Military Advisor… this spy is no ordinary person.”

“Not just not ordinary. The Martial Alliance’s officials are all veterans with excellent insight and experience. To be able to hide oneself so thoroughly among them? This is not someone who can be described with terms like first-rate or top-tier.”

“What do you think, Military Advisor? To catch the spy, how should we start?”

He asked the Military Advisor’s opinion before his own.

Jeagal Mun-Ho realized from Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words that he had already thought of a plan to some extent.

“My thoughts…”

Jeagal Mun-Ho closed his eyes for a moment, lost in thought, and opened his mouth after a short while.

“To be honest, I’m skeptical about catching the spy itself.”

It was an unexpected statement.

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed and continued.

“One of the officials is a spy. That fact means that even if we catch the spy, it will be difficult to keep it a secret. To be precise, we can’t even estimate the probability of whether it will remain a secret or not.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“Why do you think so?”

“Because we don’t know how the Three Cults will react.”

“…!!”

“There’s a spy among the Martial Alliance’s officials? That’s a scary thing. We need to catch the spy as soon as possible. But do you know this? The fact that a spy is hiding means that the Three Cults’ abilities are that outstanding, and at the same time, it’s an admission of the Martial Alliance’s incompetence.”

“We have to take that into account.”

“We have to take it into account. To be clear, I’m someone who believes that if the Martial Alliance has done something wrong, that fact should be made public. If we want peace for a century, it might be better to keep it hidden. But if we look further ahead, we shouldn’t bury our mistakes.”

“I think so too.”

“The problem is the current situation. The Martial Alliance’s history itself is long, but in reality, the current Martial Alliance is a newly formed alliance. That’s where it’s similar to and different from Muk Ryong-Bu.”

“That’s right.”

“What if we catch the spy? And what if the Three Cults reveal that there was a spy, not us?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes wavered.

He had never thought of it this way.

‘If so…?’

If the Three Cults publicly announce to the world that they had planted a spy in the Martial Alliance?

That couldn’t be. If that fact were revealed, the martial artists would be disappointed in the Martial Alliance, and it could also provide an opportunity for the forces of the Central Plains to unite as one.

No matter how powerful the Three Cults are, they wouldn’t take such a reckless move. If they did, there would only be one conclusion.

All-out war.

Attacking before the forces of the Central Plains could gather.

In other words, the Three Cults have no reason to announce that they planted a spy in the Martial Alliance. If they truly wanted an all-out war, they would have invaded without revealing the secret.

“I know what you’re thinking. They have no reason to do that. It would be better for them to gather all their forces and wage an all-out war.”

“That’s right.”

“But you seem shocked by my words. What’s the reason?”

A shadow fell over Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“The Three Cults must have planted spies in other regions and sects besides the Martial Alliance.”

“That’s highly likely.”

“The outcome of a public opinion battle is usually determined by the side that makes the first move. If the Three Cults reveal the existence of the spy and seize public opinion first, the Central Plains could fall into chaos before they can even gather their strength.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho smiled.

“You’re a smart man, as expected.”

“But… that’s not very likely.”

“That’s the problem.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho’s face, which had been full of smiles, hardened.

“It’s not easy to predict the probability. You should know why I can’t shake off this ominous feeling.”

“The Imperial Palace.”

“Exactly.”

They planted a spy in the Martial Alliance? That’s shocking.

But they also sent countless spies to the Imperial Palace. It was impossible to know to what extent the remnants of the Three Cults had taken control of the Imperial Palace.

That was unavoidable. No matter how powerful the Martial Alliance was, they couldn’t interfere in the affairs of the Imperial Palace. It was even difficult to send people to investigate the situation.

“This battle isn’t just a war between martial artists. One of the biggest variables in this war is the Imperial Palace.”

No matter how much they lead the public opinion battle in the martial world, if the Imperial Palace raises its head on the side of the Three Cults, all their efforts will be in vain.

Then why didn’t they infiltrate the Imperial Palace?

‘That’s absurd.’

They were martial artists. With the non-aggression treaty in place, if they recklessly started a fight in the Imperial Palace, the entire nation would declare the Martial Alliance as their enemy.

The reason why the Three Cults didn’t seize the Imperial Palace by force and instead spent a long time operating in secret and increasing their influence was because they knew the overwhelming power that legitimacy gave.

If the Three Cults were to occupy the Imperial Palace by force, the overwhelming victory they desired would be out of reach. They knew that.

“But it doesn’t make sense to not catch the spy and spread false information because of the Imperial Palace.”

“You’re right. If we had a leader, it might be possible, but it’s impossible now. No, even if we had a leader, that method wouldn’t work.”

“So we have to catch them.”

“We have to catch them. But I’m worried.”

Jeagal Mun-Ho sighed.

“We have to catch them, but I’m worried because I don’t know what the aftermath will be.”

They had to assume an all-out war just to catch one spy.

This was that kind of fight. It was a different level of fight than secretly annihilating the armed forces of the Divine Flame Cult.

Silence fell between the two men.

How much time had passed?

“Military Advisor.”

“Speak.”

“We have to catch the spy. It’s something we must do.”

“You’re right. You’re right, but…”

“I fully understand your concern about the future, Military Advisor.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“Then there’s no choice. We have to make the first move.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“A little while ago, I said that the outcome of a public opinion battle usually depends on who makes the first move.”

“You did.”

“…”

“You don’t mean?!”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“Isn’t it not in our nature to worry so much just to catch one spy?”

“…!!”

“Whether we fight a big battle later or not, let’s start by securing a few corners first.”

“That’s too dangerous!”

“It is dangerous.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and stood up from his seat.

“But if it’s dangerous whether we do it or not, we have to create a situation that the opponent didn’t expect and hit them in the back of the head. That way, they won’t be able to think of anything else.”