Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 718

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“You’re saying the Vice Chief is going himself?”

“Why? Is that not allowed?”

“…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly looking at Yang Cheon, held out his empty cup.

Yang Cheon silently refilled his cup.

There was a strangely awkward atmosphere.

The two of them hadn’t been like this before. No matter how long it had been since they last met, there was a certain relationship between them. It wasn’t pure, but it was a clearly defined relationship.

But now, that was gone between them. Naturally, the reason for this was entirely due to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

It was because Yeon Ho-Jeong’s growth, his energy, and his presence felt so new to Yang Cheon.

‘I had a feeling.’

Yang Cheon’s eyes scanned Yeon Ho-Jeong’s body.

‘I had a feeling, but I didn’t think he’d actually opened the Limitless.’

Limitless, Infinite.

No one, not even the strongest of the Saintly Heavens [a term for the most powerful martial artists], could define this realm, so they called it the extreme of chaos, Limitless, and the endless Infinite.

Since time immemorial, humans have given names to all sorts of materials, as well as metaphysical concepts. Yet, the very fact that there is no suitable word to define it proves the difficulty of this realm.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had reached such a realm.

Even in the present day, when it is said that more masters have emerged than during the golden age of the Murim [the martial arts world] three hundred years ago, he had stepped into a dreamlike realm that only thirteen people in the Central Plains [the heartland of the martial arts world] had reached.

‘I don’t know how many Limitless the Three Teachings [referring to Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism] have. Even if we assume it’s the same number as the Central Plains, that’s only twenty-six in the entire world.’

Yang Cheon’s eyelids twitched slightly.

‘At less than thirty years old, he’s entered the top thirty among all the masters in the Central Plains and beyond…’

He felt a chill. This was beyond the level of talent.

‘What kind of sky is watching over this guy’s head?’

The extreme talent that a human can obtain.

The extreme effort that a human mind cannot handle.

In addition to his innate talent and unimaginable effort, he also had an indescribable stroke of luck.

These various factors had created the current Yeon Ho-Jeong, this monster.

‘Moreover.’

A hint of bewilderment flickered across Yang Cheon’s face as he looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

‘Something… is different.’

He was subtly different from the masters of the Saintly Heavens he knew. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he was definitely different.

But that difference didn’t mean he had a half-baked Limitless.

This guy had clearly opened the Limitless, and he was breathing within it.

And he was doing it shamelessly naturally, frighteningly familiarly.

“Isn’t it time to put that aside?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about that bad habit of testing people just because it’s been a while since we’ve met.”

“A bad habit? That’s a disappointing thing to say.”

“Vice Chief, you know that Yeon Ho-Jeong has no desire for power.”

“…”

“You know, but no one knows how things will turn out in this world.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

“If I, the Vice Chief, disappear, that impudent Yeon Ho-Jeong might start a rebellion and seize the Black Dragon Unit…”

“…”

“You can’t let go of that one-in-a-million possibility.”

Yang Cheon silently emptied his cup.

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his cup and continued.

“And yet, you’re saying things you don’t mean… I don’t think you’re trying to test me, are you? Were you simply trying to see my reaction?”

“You know what?”

Yang Cheon put down his cup and glared at Yeon Ho-Jeong with sharp eyes.

“You’re a truly frightening person.”

“Is that so?”

“Even though it was just a few words, you can see right through someone’s intentions.”

“It’s because you’re not acting like yourself, Vice Chief.”

“Even if I’m not acting like myself, it’s hard to figure out my intentions so quickly. It’s not a matter of intelligence. There are many people under me who are as smart as you, but none of them can see through my true intentions as well as you can.”

“…”

“You have great insight.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“You make it hard to get a compliment.”

“This isn’t just a simple compliment.”

A cold aura flickered in Yang Cheon’s eyes.

“It’s also a warning.”

“…”

“I knew you would grow a lot. But I didn’t think you’d skip everything and open the Limitless.”

“Stop lying.”

“Lying?”

“You must have expected it. You just saw the probability as low.”

“That’s the same thing. The important thing is that you really did open the Limitless.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong emptied his cup.

Yang Cheon refilled his cup.

“I can’t treat you the same way I used to.”

“Is that so?”

“We’ve crossed the line where we could joke around. You’ve grown too fast.”

“Do you know what?”

“What?”

This time, Yeon Ho-Jeong refilled Yang Cheon’s cup and said,

“I have never treated you differently, Vice Chief, and I never will.”

“…!”

Yang Cheon’s eyes wavered.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I don’t care how you treat me. But you must be tired just from running the Black Dragon Unit, so I advise you to let go of worries that won’t help.”

“It won’t help?”

“When the war is over.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong looked directly at Yang Cheon.

“When the war ends in our victory, I won’t be able to treat you as warmly as I do now. Because I know you’ll be entering a power struggle with the righteous white path [referring to the orthodox martial arts factions].”

“…”

“But until then, to me, you’re just the Vice Chief.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“I’m sure you’re not stupid enough to break our alliance and side with them.”

“…If I side with them, then it would be betrayal, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Will you regret it then?”

“I’m telling you again, don’t say things you don’t mean. I know you won’t do that.”

“You never know in this world.”

“Are you going to live so pathetically that you’d endure the humiliation of being defeated by the Demonic Cult Leader?”

Yang Cheon’s face contorted.

“You really know how to get under someone’s skin.”

“You’re not going to do that, are you? You’re not that kind of person in the first place.”

“…”

“Signs of betrayal can be noticed by the flow of the situation. So, don’t worry about me. If I see you’re about to betray us, I’ll start by cutting off your limbs.”

In the end, Yang Cheon threw up his hands.

“Your way with words hasn’t gone anywhere.”

“You shouldn’t be so worried about me that you miss something important. That would be a loss for you and us.”

“Heh heh.”

“Just admit it. There are oddballs in this world.”

“So you know you’re a monster?”

“I didn’t know and didn’t admit it, but now I just accept it. Honestly, it’s not an offensive thing to say, is it?”

Yang Cheon burst into a hearty laugh.

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head.

“I appreciate the high praise.”

Yang Cheon raised his cup.

“Let’s have a drink.”

“I’d like that.”

The two clinked their cups and drank.

Yang Cheon shook his head.

“Before we met, I was wondering whether I should kill this guy or let him live.”

“I won’t touch your successor. Don’t worry.”

“You’re like a ghost.”

“I’ll always point that ghostly insight at our enemies.”

“Ah, enough! Stop it! I’ll treat you like before, so stop comforting me!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“You’re fun to tease.”

“You’re such an arrogant guy. Who in the world would dare to tease me? You better be grateful you’re alive because you’re capable, you rascal.”

“Pour me some more wine.”

“You have no manners.”

Yang Cheon, who was refilling Yeon Ho-Jeong’s cup again, looked much more relaxed.

“Enough of that talk, let’s get to the main point.”

“Are you talking about the Winged King?”

“Yes.”

“You said you’re going yourself.”

“Isn’t it over yet?”

“Haha.”

Yang Cheon shook his hand and said,

“Actually, no matter where the Winged King appeared, it’s not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Whether he appeared in Jun County in Hubei Province or Mount Song in Henan, it’s just the appearance of a famous master. It’s not something to make a fuss about.”

“The problem is that he’s a master we can’t ignore, even if we want to.”

“That’s right. Maybe he’s just wandering around because he wants to take a stroll. But whatever his true intentions are, we can’t ignore him.”

“That’s right.”

“I told you before, let’s start with the Yin Emperor and the Winged King.”

“You did.”

“The Yin Emperor has left, so it’s the Winged King before the Creation King…”

Yang Cheon frowned.

“There’s no particular reason, but somehow, it doesn’t seem likely.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face also became serious.

“Have you heard anything?”

“About what?”

“About the situation in the Imperial Palace.”

“The Imperial Palace?”

“You haven’t heard, have you?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong explained in detail what he had heard from Hu Gae.

Displeasure appeared on Yang Cheon’s face.

“If they had such information, shouldn’t they have informed us, their allies, immediately?”

“The Black Dragon Unit also has its share of information hoarding, doesn’t it?”

“This is different. There are things you should hide and things you shouldn’t.”

“I’m not saying this because it’s my side, but they probably didn’t think of it.”

“Then that means we’re just allies in name only.”

“That’s why I’m here, isn’t it? As a bridge between the two. I’m here to fill in each other’s gaps.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong emptied his cup.

“They’ll contact us soon. They must have been busy too.”

“Well, let’s put that aside.”

A serious look appeared on Yang Cheon’s face.

“I don’t know much about the situation in the Imperial Palace, but I do know one thing. The eunuch Woo Heon is the closest to the current Emperor. I’ve even heard that he might be the closest eunuch to any Emperor in history.”

“That’s the problem.”

“A few high officials and the maternal relatives… For generations, eunuchs and maternal relatives have divided power. Thanks to that, many Emperors have lived as puppets.”

“It’s no different now. That’s why it’s more dangerous.”

“I’ve sent your father, so we’ll have to wait and see how things go.”

“That’s right.”

“The problem is…”

“The existence of the Winged King who appeared at this time. If he’s with the Imperial Palace, especially the eunuch Woo Heon, then this appearance itself is a sign of battle.”

Yang Cheon scratched his head.

“Is that possible?”

“I think it is.”

“The Murim Alliance found out about the Imperial Palace’s situation, and then the Winged King appeared? Isn’t that too obvious of a coincidence? I think it’s more reasonable to assume that there’s no relationship between the two.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his cup.

Yang Cheon refilled his cup again.

“Do you remember what I said earlier?”

“Hmm?”

“I said I look at the situation, not the person.”

“…Hmm.”

“If the Winged King is related to the eunuch Woo Heon of the Imperial Palace, then there’s no way his appearance at this time is a coincidence.”

“But there’s no way to prove that.”

“Of course, it’s just speculation.”

Yang Cheon’s face hardened.

“If that’s true, then your father is also in danger. It means that Woo Heon knows about our situation.”

“That could be true. But…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned and fell into thought.

“Isn’t it strange?”

“What is?”

“If Woo Heon and the Winged King are on the same side and know all about our situation, there’s no reason to make the Winged King appear on Mount Wudang. They would have captured my father and his group first.”

“…Hmm.”

“Assuming that Woo Heon and the Winged King are on the same side, the reason the Winged King appeared must be somewhere else.”

“Somewhere else?”

“The maternal relatives.”

“…?!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“The Imperial Palace doesn’t trust the Murim. The maternal relatives are the same, so there’s a high possibility that they leaked false information to Woo Heon’s side.”