Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 666

The cliff, bathed in the clear, serene moonlight, was a picture of tranquility. However, Ha Eun-gyo’s words instantly transformed that idyllic scene into something akin to an icy cave in the Northern Sea.

Yeo Gwang took a deep breath, his heart pounding twice as fast as usual. Despite his years of experience, he struggled to maintain his composure, which felt as fragile as thin ice.

How much time had passed?

“Umje,” Yeo Gwang began, his face outwardly calm, “If I may be so bold, this matter concerns our Jongnam [a prestigious martial arts sect].”

The atmosphere on the cliff grew even colder.

“I am not unaware of what you are implying, Umje. However, our sect also has its internal affairs. I cannot interfere in the matter concerning Hwasan [another martial arts sect].”

“I see.”

“However, dealing with the immediate issue takes precedence, so I had no choice but to come here. I am truly embarrassed that I caused such a commotion without informing you beforehand.”

It was an incredibly humble posture.

Martial artists may live by their pride, but even they have lines they must not cross.

One of those lines was that they should not assert their pride in front of a Saintly Celestial [a title denoting an extremely powerful martial artist].

It was a given that even if a Saintly Celestial expert were to annihilate a Nine Great Sect-level faction without reason, no one could stop them unless an expert of the same level stepped forward.

It was a matter of the survival of the individual, as well as the survival of the sect. Regardless of age or seniority, one had to be unconditionally polite in front of the Thirteen Seats of the Saintly Celestial.

Ha Eun-gyo shook her head.

“I only asked about the matter concerning Hwasan out of curiosity, and I have no intention of interfering. That’s only natural. I am not a member of Jongnam. If there are internal affairs within Jongnam, I cannot comment on them.”

“I am at a loss for words at your profound generosity.”

“However.”

Ha Eun-gyo looked at Hwang Seok-tae and said,

“I cannot tolerate the fact that you intend to settle things with one of their group.”

Yeo Gwang’s expression changed drastically.

“That is… !”

“The matter with Hwasan is Jongnam’s affair, but I have no choice but to get involved in the matter with these people. The reason is, as you can see.”

‘As you can see?’

Yeo Gwang, who had been looking at Ha Eun-gyo with a puzzled expression, was soon startled.

‘…!!’

Ha Eun-gyo’s aura was so overwhelming that even though he knew there were other people present, he hadn’t paid them any attention. He hadn’t even thought about them.

But when he became aware, Yeon Ho-jeong was sitting next to Ha Eun-gyo.

That’s right. The two of them were sitting side by side on the platform, looking at him.

They looked incredibly close. It was like a mother sitting with her child by her side. The fact that Yeon Ho-jeong’s usually fierce expression was awkward made it feel even more like she was being taken care of.

That wasn’t all.

Paeyul, who had seemed quite arrogant, was also standing respectfully, and Gang Ryang and Hwang Seok-tae were also standing around them, looking at this place.

They weren’t quite family, but they looked like a group with deep ties.

Yeo Gwang muttered involuntarily.

“How did Umje get involved with the black faction…?!”

In that instant, Ha Eun-gyo’s eyes flashed.

“Even someone who has no interest in the martial world knows that the Martial Alliance and the Dark Dragon Unit [a powerful group often associated with unorthodox martial arts] have formed a temporary alliance. Surely, the high-ranking members of Jongnam are not unaware of that?”

“Yes? Ah, no. That’s not what I meant… !”

“You have lived your whole life as a prestigious member of the white faction [referring to orthodox martial arts groups], so it’s understandable that you view the black faction negatively. But since when has black and white been divided solely into good and evil?”

“Umje, what I’m saying is…”

“What is it? Let me hear it. With the invasion of foreign forces imminent, the Central Plains martial world has united its strength. I am curious as to why the high-ranking members of Jongnam are trying to do something that would harm the alliance.”

Yeo Gwang’s face turned pale.

Ha Eun-gyo was more knowledgeable about the situation in the Central Plains than he had thought.

It was only natural. Yeon Ho-jeong and her group were recognized by both the Martial Alliance and the Dark Dragon Unit. Since they were close to them, they would be well aware of the current state of affairs.

‘Damn it!’

When he first met Yeon Ho-jeong and her group, he had no idea that they had such a close relationship with Umje.

No, he hadn’t even thought about it. What was important to him was Jongnam’s pride and the peace of Shanxi [a region in China].

Even when he was chasing after Hwang Seok-tae, he had never imagined that such a situation would unfold.

‘I have to retreat.’

Whatever the case, there was no way to persuade Umje here now. Although she wasn’t very active in the martial world, the name of Umje Ha Eun-gyo was well-known in both the black and white factions.

Moreover, Ha Eun-gyo was a figure close to the white orthodox faction, and many renowned masters actually respected her. Furthermore, she was even known as the protector of the world’s artists.

‘I have to retreat. There’s nothing to gain from this situation.’

Yeo Gwang tried hard to soothe his wounded pride. If he acted aggressively because of his pride, Jongnam might end up having to fight Umje because of him.

Even if they didn’t actually fight, if such a conflict spread throughout the Central Plains, it would be a great loss for Jongnam. If that happened, Hwasan would also subtly expand its influence in Shanxi.

‘Let’s retreat.’

Yeo Gwang swallowed the humiliation and turned his head.

‘…!’

In that instant, he saw the swordsmen of Jongnam.

These were the people who had inherited the great martial arts of Jongnam. The next generation of Jongnam had grown up with the pride of Jongnam.

Sparks flew from Yeo Gwang’s eyes.

“…Jongnam is not a group of street thugs.”

It was a voice that had been suppressed and suppressed again.

Ha Eun-gyo’s eyes flashed.

“I am not unaware.”

“No, it seems that Umje does not know us well.”

Whoosh!

A powerful aura erupted from Yeo Gwang’s body.

It was difficult to see it as a combative aura, but it was also difficult to see it as a friendly one. The aura, combined with his wounded pride and an unknown anger, was quite intimidating in itself.

“Jongnam has contributed to the peace of Shanxi for hundreds of years. As a member of the Martial Alliance, I know that we must align ourselves with the Alliance, but at the very least, we cannot simply let go of those who have caused trouble in our land.”

“Is that so?”

“Moreover, they are from the black faction! A black faction ruffian has insulted Jongnam, and yet Umje is talking about the alliance and pressuring us?”

Ha Eun-gyo’s face hardened.

“Pressuring?”

“That’s right!”

Perhaps it was because he had gained momentum.

Yeo Gwang’s voice became noticeably louder.

“Even if we have formed an alliance, they are still from the black faction! Do you really not know how much harm the evil things of the black faction have caused to the world?”

It was as if he was spitting fire. Whether he had been harboring such feelings for a long time, or whether he was being stubborn because of his wounded pride, it was impossible to know.

The important thing was that no one could stop Yeo Gwang now.

“The black faction, who have impoverished the lives of the common people, have tarnished the name of the great Jongnam! And that too, in our land! Yet, Umje, how can you defend them? Is it simply because the Martial Alliance and the Dark Dragon Unit have formed an alliance?”

Yeo Gwang’s face was contorted.

“Could it be that Umje has always been in league with the black faction?!”

In that instant, the faces of the Jongnam swordsmen were filled with shock.

“E, Elder!”

Even to them, Yeo Gwang’s words were excessive. Regardless of the power dynamic, his tone was overly emotional. Moreover, the other party was Umje.

Yeo Gwang shouted.

“They are the ones who harmed my family in my land! How can you defend such a wicked bandit? I cannot understand why Umje is being so frustrating!”

“It’s the same for me.”

Ha Eun-gyo said coldly.

“I cannot understand why someone who is supposed to be the Great Elder of the great Jongnam is acting so petty and unreasonable.”

“Unreasonable? Even if you are Umje, your words are excessive!”

“Since when has Shanxi belonged to Jongnam?”

“…?!”

“Have you come to think that this vast land of Shanxi belongs to you just because you are called the overlord of a region? Did the ancestors of Jongnam, who have worked for the peace of Shanxi for hundreds of years, do so because Shanxi belonged to Jongnam?”

“That’s not what I meant!”

“As I listened to the situation, it seems that you were the ones who started the trouble. That spearman only went to deliver a message from Yeon Dae-su, and yet you stopped him and insulted him, didn’t you?”

Yeo Gwang’s eyes were bloodshot.

“Insult? Why should we care about the circumstances of such a black faction scum!”

“So you admit it.”

“…?!”

“I wondered if you really went that far, but after hearing your words, it seems it was true.”

“He’s just a black faction scum!”

“Did you see him commit a crime?”

“… !”

“Even if he did, how can the Great Elder of Jongnam start a fight with a messenger? Such a thing was not even done to the messengers of enemy countries in the distant past.”

“Why are you being so frustrating! Why are you defending such people!”

“Shall we inform the Martial Alliance?”

“…!!”

“If we inform the Martial Alliance about this incident as it is, what will the world think?”

Yeo Gwang’s face turned red.

Ha Eun-gyo sighed.

“The Great Elder himself knows that this incident is not justifiable, and yet he is trying to fill his wounded pride by talking about the other party being from the black faction, which is irrelevant to the essence of the matter.”

“…”

“I am extremely disappointed. The white orthodox faction that I know is far from the image you are showing. No matter how much you hate the black faction, where is the righteousness in blaming the other party without reflecting on your own mistakes?”

Yeo Gwang’s face was like a volcano about to erupt. His eyes were probably dizzy with rising anger and shame.

Ha Eun-gyo shook her head.

“Go back.”

“…”

“I hope you will return to Jongnam and calm your mind. In my opinion, the Great Elder is being overly emotional. As an elder of a sect, I don’t think it’s a good look.”

Sparks flew from Yeo Gwang’s eyes again.

‘Not a good look as an elder of a sect?’

It was not something he should hear in front of his low-ranking disciples. It was a statement that was more than enough to ignite the emotions he had been trying to control.

“From now on…”

Madness flickered in Yeo Gwang’s eyes.

“From now on! To Jongnam, Umje is no longer a respected senior!”

“I have never thought about receiving the respect of others.”

“Ha! Defending black faction scum who are worse than insects, you should be ashamed! If all the people of the world were to see your true colors, they would be delighted! Now that I see it, you are completely in league with the black faction!”

In that instant, Ha Eun-gyo’s eyes deepened.

“In league with the black faction…?”

“If not, how can you defend such an unreasonable… !”

“Then we are enemies.”

“…?!”

“You said that the black faction must be eradicated, and you see me as part of the black faction, so it is only right to say that we are enemies.”

Ha Eun-gyo raised her left hand.

Whoosh!

The air on the cliff seemed to compress in an instant.

“Now that we are enemies, is it okay to eradicate you here and now, since you are not in your right mind?”

“…?!”

“I gave you a chance to retreat quietly, but since you rejected it with your own hands, there is no need to keep an enemy alive, is there?”

Yeo Gwang’s face turned white.

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Distributed by Ajit Novel (formerly Ajitun Novel).

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