Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 727

The interior of the small palace was dark.

Though ornate candelabras were lit, sunlight barely penetrated, except through small windows near the ceiling.

Tsutsutsu.

It was a strange sight.

An almost imperceptible smoke enveloped the entire small palace. It was as if some unknown incense was burning. The subtle scent, not at all overpowering, made one feel languid.

The three, having walked to the center of the red carpet, knelt respectfully.

And before them.

Behind a dark-colored screen, the hazy figure of a woman could be seen. The interior was already dark, and the shadows seemed to sway with the flickering candlelight.

Do Beon, standing at the entrance, prostrated himself and spoke.

‘Before the most noble one, who surveys the world with the utmost benevolence, love, and wisdom, the Heavenly Eye, I, Do Beon, the head of the Northern Army under the Great General’s Office, respectfully…’

‘Enough.’

Do Beon’s words were cut short.

A languid yet clear voice flowed from behind the screen.

‘Even if the Imperial Palace’s etiquette is strict, this is not an official occasion. The Northern Commander may be at ease.’

‘I obey Her Majesty the Empress’s command.’

Do Beon rose and stood respectfully by a pillar.

Peng Mu-Gang’s eyes gleamed.

‘Impressive.’

He had been inwardly flustered by the strange aura he felt in the voice of the Empress, the mother of the empire.

But now, the voice flowing from behind the screen was different again. The rich aura remained, but the intense majesty within was befitting of the mistress of a nation, pressing down on the shoulders of those present.

‘She is the Emperor’s legal wife and the head of one of the factions that divide the Imperial Palace’s power, so it’s only natural, I suppose…’

The current Empress was much younger than the Emperor, who was over fifty. She was the new legal wife, brought in after the previous one died of illness.

She had ascended to the position of Empress twenty years ago, at the tender age of seventeen.

Having established her power in the viper’s nest that was the Imperial Palace at such a young age and now boldly dividing the Imperial Palace’s power, she was undoubtedly a rare figure. Whatever the situation, she was not someone to be taken lightly.

‘So, it is you.’

‘…’

‘From the Jianghu [Martial World], where ruffians run rampant, the righteous sects of the White Path are taking over the weakened role of the government. Among the countless martial clans, you are the heads of some of the most prominent families, so you must be extraordinary.’

Peng Mu-Gang and Jeagal Ayeon were taken aback.

The government’s power had weakened? That was certainly true.

But the Empress was acknowledging it directly. Whatever her intention, it was not something she should easily say.

‘One is said to be the head of the Peng family of Hebei, which is close to the Imperial Palace, and the other is the head of the Yeon family, known as the chivalrous family of Jiangdong, far away.’

‘…’

‘And the remaining one is a descendant of the Jeagal clan, the Hidden Dragon of Jungwon [Central Plains].’

The Empress’s voice was tinged with laughter.

‘It seems you have all come with your own justifications. You must have had a hard time coming all this way.’

The three bowed their heads even deeper.

The Empress said with a smile.

‘It seems Commander Do told you not to open your mouths until I gave the order.’

‘…’

‘Even if I am the mistress of a nation, what meaning does such formality have when I have called you here to ask for your help? Speak freely, and look at me comfortably.’

‘We are honored.’

The three straightened their backs.

A moment of silence fell.

‘Amazing.’

The laughter disappeared from the Empress’s voice.

‘They say that everyone’s gaze is different. But I thought that was just a feeling, yet you are different. Each of you emits an extraordinary light in your eyes. So much so that anyone can clearly see it.’

‘…’

‘I have never seen such intense gazes from any of the palace’s warriors or officials. I am truly curious. Just how great are you all?’

Peng Mu-Gang lowered his head and said,

‘We are but commoners who live with both feet on the edge of a sword.’

‘It is said that excessive courtesy is impolite. You do not need to be so humble.’

Peng Mu-Gang’s face became awkward.

The Empress spoke in a slightly subdued voice.

‘I heard that some of the palace officials have close ties with the Martial Alliance.’

‘…’

‘You must know well enough why I have called you here.’

‘Yes, we do.’

‘If you already know the situation here to some extent, there is no need to waste time with unnecessary words.’

The Empress sighed softly.

The faint smoke seemed to sway subtly with her sigh.

‘I want you to help us.’

Within those short, concise words were countless emotions and meanings.

After that, the Empress did not speak. She was waiting for the three’s answer.

A brief silence ensued.

The gaze of Do Beon, standing to one side, grew increasingly cold.

‘These fellows.’

The mistress of a nation was asking for help. In fact, while she was saying ‘help,’ if such words came directly from a noble person, it was no different from an order.

No matter how weak the nation’s power had become, the orders of the Emperor and Empress were absolute. If she asked for help, they should have bowed their heads and agreed.

‘They may call themselves righteous sects and the White Path, but martial artists disregard the authority of the Imperial Palace. They are truly impudent!’

At that moment, Yeon-Wi opened his mouth.

‘Since you said to speak freely, I will speak frankly.’

‘It would not do for misunderstandings to arise between us due to unnecessary formalities. You may speak comfortably in the manner of the Jianghu.’

‘I have heard that the current Imperial Palace is divided in power between the Empress’s maternal relatives and the eunuch faction led by Grand Eunuch Wooheon.’

Instantly, a flash of anger appeared in Do Beon’s eyes.

‘Hey!’

At that moment, the Empress spoke in a sharp voice.

‘If you interrupt one more time, Commander Do will be banished from this place.’

‘Your, Your Majesty!’

‘It was I who wanted a frank conversation. And it was I who said to discard formalities, but only for our conversation. How dare you interrupt my conversation?’

Do Beon’s face turned pale.

‘I, I deserve to die!’

Do Beon, prostrating himself on the spot, was trembling faintly.

Do Beon was also a seasoned warrior who had seen many battles. Yet, he was terrified by a single word from the Empress. That was proof of how great the Empress’s power was.

‘That’s right. As the head of the Yeon family, Yeon Gaju [Family Head], said, the current power of the Imperial Palace is divided between the maternal relatives and the eunuch faction.’

‘To be direct, how much weaker is the power of the maternal relatives, with Her Majesty the Empress as their leader, compared to the eunuch faction?’

Flash!

From the Empress’s shadow cast behind the screen, a sharp light emanated from her eyes.

‘Did the officials tell you that?’

‘Even after thinking about it a hundred times, there is no reason for you to bring in martial artists from the Jianghu like us if you were not at a disadvantage.’

‘…I see.’

‘And if the balance of power had been noticeably tilted, you would not have been able to turn your eyes to us. In the power struggle of the Imperial Palace, martial arts may be an unexpected move, but it cannot be a decisive one.’

‘…’

‘Even if that were not the case, and you had somehow brought us here, you would not have thought of testing us by mobilizing even the Emperor’s organization.’

‘…!’

Peng Mu-Gang and Jeagal Ayeon looked at Yeon-Wi in bewilderment. She had said she wanted a frank conversation without unnecessary formalities, but even so, wasn’t that too direct?

What was surprising was the Empress’s reaction.

‘Your insight is truly remarkable. Did you already know that we were the ones who used the Sejeongban [Secret Investigation Bureau]?’

‘It was a guess close to certainty.’

‘If you knew that we tested your strength through the Sejeongban, you might have reached even more truths.’

‘I do not know what you mean, but I have certainly realized that His Majesty the Emperor does not have the power to resolve this crisis.’

Peng Mu-Gang’s eyes wavered.

‘Yeon Gaju!’

He had mentioned the Emperor, no less. Yeon-Wi was saying in front of the Empress that the Emperor had no power.

There was a limit to frankness. Yeon-Wi’s statement had the potential to cause problems in many ways.

It was then.

Chwarururuk!

A thick, soft screen was raised.

The Empress suddenly revealed herself. Peng Mu-Gang and Jeagal Ayeon, as well as Yeon-Wi, were taken aback and lowered their heads.

‘Raise your heads.’

The three, who had paused for a moment, raised their heads and looked up at the Empress.

In that instant, the three felt blinded.

The Empress’s attire, made of the finest red silk and lavishly adorned with gold tassels, looked incredibly noble and dignified, enough to make one’s jaw drop.

But even that attire paled in comparison to the Empress’s beautiful face.

Despite being nearly forty years old, she was as youthful as a maiden in her prime. Even with light makeup, she exuded a dazzling beauty.

Her face alone was a weapon. It was an overwhelming beauty.

Peng Mu-Gang, as well as Jeagal Ayeon, were momentarily mesmerized.

On the other hand, Yeon-Wi’s gaze was calm. He was also surprised by the Empress’s appearance, but his eyes were always focused on the other person’s true intentions.

The Empress’s eyes met Yeon-Wi’s.

Even though their eyes met, Yeon-Wi’s face was composed, and his gaze was as deep as before.

A strange light flickered across the Empress’s face.

‘You have a remarkable steadfastness. It is said that you are the most famous chivalrous family in the world, and indeed, that reputation is not misplaced.’

‘I am honored.’

‘A frank conversation… Yes, that is what I wanted. But seeing that I was momentarily agitated by Yeon Gaju’s words, it seems that I was not properly prepared either.’

‘…’

‘I have not even kept the words I just spoke, so how pathetic must I look? Please forgive me.’

Yeon-Wi bowed his head.

‘Your words are too kind.’

‘Hoho.’

The Empress’s short, soft laughter.

With that one laugh, the dark palace seemed to brighten for a moment.

Her beauty alone was a weapon that could captivate others, and her laughter was also incredibly alluring.

It was a natural charm. Her innate beauty was filled with overwhelming beauty. The Emperor, who was at the pinnacle of power, must have made her his Empress because of this, as one could tell just by looking at her face.

‘You are right. The current Emperor is no different from a powerless puppet. And…’

A cold aura surrounded the Empress’s eyes.

‘It is his own fault. If he has no ability, he should at least have some sense, and if he has no sense, he should at least protect himself, but he has done neither and has only indulged in debauched pleasures.’

It was a fierce criticism. It was such a harsh outburst that the three listening were all surprised.

‘I have ambition. But that ambition is small and comfortable compared to others. However, to achieve that ambition, I need a minimum foundation.’

‘By foundation, do you mean…?’

‘The stabilization of the Imperial Palace.’

‘…!’

A stern aura surrounded the Empress’s face.

‘Even if you grant my request, I cannot bring the Martial Alliance’s forces into the palace. A military occupation in the open is the worst way to drag the Imperial family’s dignity through the mud.’

‘…’

‘There is only one thing I ask of you.’

‘Please speak.’

‘The death of Grand Eunuch Wooheon.’

‘…!’

‘I want you to kill that eunuch who is harming the dignity of the Imperial Palace with the power he gained by flattering the Emperor.’

*****************************************************

Distributed by Ajit Novel (formerly Ajitoon Novel).

Enjoy conveniently in real-time on the web.

****************************************************