Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 738

“Become a person of His Majesty the Emperor.”

It was a sudden remark, piercing through the gap in an unexpected situation.

‘…….’

Yeon Ho-Jeong stared at Gok Gyeong with cold eyes.

Whoosh!

The unstable aura was instantly refined, becoming menacing.

A heated surge of energy. He tensed his entire body to regain his composure and prepare for any eventuality.

‘I expected such words would come someday, but…….’

Damn it.

“Why are you silent?”

“…….”

“Do you not wish to become a person of His Majesty the Emperor?”

Hearing such words right after a battle, even his strong mental fortitude seemed to waver.

‘Another life-or-death situation after a life-or-death struggle. I was careless.’

Those words were a checkmate.

No matter when or in what situation, it was a checkmate.

The reason was clear. Although he was acting as a bridge between the black and white, the Murim [martial arts world] and the Imperial Court, he was clearly affiliated with the righteous faction of the Murim.

The righteous faction of the Murim operated under the absolute values of maintaining the peace and safety of the continent, the well-being of the people, and justice.

And now, he was being told to become a person of His Majesty the Emperor.

If he refused, it would be an act of treason. Of course, they couldn’t drag him away for actual treason, but the mere rumor would cause immense damage to his family and the Murim Alliance.

“Why don’t you answer?”

A sinister smile formed on Gok Gyeong’s face.

“Could it be that you do not acknowledge the authority of His Majesty the Emperor?”

“How could that be?”

“Then why do you not answer? All under heaven should bow before His Majesty the Emperor. Does that displease you?”

Gang Ryang swallowed involuntarily. He too realized the weight of the question.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly observing Gok Gyeong, sighed inwardly.

“You said all under heaven should bow before His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Of course.”

“If you think only that, you are mistaken.”

Whoosh!

The killing intent emanating from Gok Gyeong’s body created a whirlwind.

“That is a blasphemy worthy of death.”

It was the expected reaction.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue.

‘No choice.’

There was no point in trying to resolve this situation with pleasantries.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chose honesty.

“I don’t want to have this conversation with you, and I don’t need to, but since you asked, I will ask you. Have you ever thought about the nation?”

“What?”

“I dare to guess that you have never deeply considered the nation. Because you are a person who only serves His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Nonsense. His Majesty the Emperor is the empire, is the world. The path of serving His Majesty is the path of serving the empire.”

“Is that why the world is in this state?”

“……You!”

“The nation has a duty to protect the lives and property of its people. We follow not because they are high-ranking, but because they are the ones who can protect us and make us live well.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I don’t know what kind of world His Majesty the Emperor desires, but if he wishes to become a true Son of Heaven and rule the world, it should at least be better than it is now.”

“A continuous string of sins worthy of death.”

“There is no progress because it is a world where even this much cannot be said.”

“You! At least the Murim people have nothing to say about that! One of the main reasons the empire’s power has weakened is the existence of the Murim!”

“This is not the place to discuss history and politics. I was merely stating my thoughts. If you want a deeper discussion, please arrange a time later.”

Crack!

Gok Gyeong’s voice was filled with raw anger.

“So, you are saying you will not follow His Majesty the Emperor?”

“That’s a different matter.”

“What do you mean?”

“The legitimacy of His Majesty the Emperor will be acknowledged by all under heaven. Isn’t that undeniable legitimacy why even the Empress and the eunuchs are just watching from the sidelines?”

“……!”

“I wish for the Imperial Palace to be set right. For the sake of everyone’s lives. That is why I will walk my own righteous path. But if you tell me to move for the sake of His Majesty the Emperor personally, I will not.”

“You are the greatest traitor under heaven.”

“That’s just your opinion.”

“What?”

“I have no intention of becoming a servant of His Majesty, but I am acting for the sake of the world. At least, I believe so. And……”

“…….”

“It was you who said that the existence of His Majesty is the world.”

Gok Gyeong’s eyes deepened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“It may sound like sophistry, but I can’t help it. That’s my honest feeling.”

“…….”

“If it’s hard to understand and only makes you angry, I can’t help that either.”

“You want to die by my hand?”

“I’ll flee to the Wudang Sect.”

“……?!”

“I have many things to do, and decisively, I don’t want to die right now.”

It was an absurdly nonchalant response for the situation.

Rumble!

The killing intent emanating from Gok Gyeong’s body transformed into a menacing storm of thunder and lightning.

‘Ugh!’

Gang Ryang’s face turned pale.

Just facing it was causing extreme consumption of his inner energy. A master of the Saintly Realm was a disaster that could threaten the minds and bodies of others just by revealing their presence.

When they were calm, it was hard to tell, but once they released their aura, they became completely different people.

No, not people, but something beyond human.

“So.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said calmly.

“Stop threatening me when you’re not going to do anything. My man is having a hard time.”

“…….”

Whoosh!

Gok Gyeong’s fiercely rising aura vanished as if washed away.

“Hoo!”

Gang Ryang gasped for breath. It was such a powerful aura that even a supreme master, a martial artist who had reached the pinnacle of internal energy, had his breathing disrupted.

Gok Gyeong asked in a cold voice.

“Did you expect this?”

“Partially.”

“…….”

“If you were really going to kill me with that personality, you would have shut my mouth first.”

“A strategist of the world, I see.”

“Rather than strategy, it’s confidence. In a situation where you don’t even know how I killed the Bi-Wang, if you acted rashly, wouldn’t you also get hurt?”

“I don’t know what tricks you used, but if a future danger is certain, I would have risked my life to capture and kill you.”

“That’s why I was relieved.”

Gok Gyeong frowned.

“You’re a really ambiguous guy. There are moments when I think I should kill you, and then there are times when I think I shouldn’t.”

“I like that you’re so honest, senior.”

“Shut up.”

Grumbling, Gok Gyeong plopped down on a rock.

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“Aren’t you going up?”

Gok Gyeong’s eyes twinkled.

“Didn’t you sense it?”

“Hmm?”

“Wudang sent people.”

“……?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong expanded his senses.

‘……!’

Gok Gyeong was right. Several masters were rushing towards them from the Wudang Sect at a terrifying speed.

A soft, empty, yet flawless aura. Surprisingly, each of them had an aura that surpassed Gang Ryang.

‘Are they the current elders? But even if Wudang’s name is renowned, they are too mature. With this level of martial prowess…….’

As if reading Yeon Ho-Jeong’s mind, Gok Gyeong said,

“Yes, they are the previous generation.”

“……Indeed.”

The previous generation of elders.

Various battles had taken place near the Wudang Mountains. If they were going to send people, they would have done so earlier.

Yet, the fact that they were sending masters now meant they were calling upon the retired elders of the previous generation, not the active ones.

‘The previous generation of masters, those who lived in the same era as Tak Mu-Ja.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

‘Tak Mu-Ja, did the Sword Saint send them?’

Then, Gok Gyeong asked,

“Did you get hurt badly?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your inner energy is unstable, and although you managed to hit, your bones are broken. You have quite a few internal injuries. But it doesn’t seem like you were beaten so badly that your senses are dulled.”

“That’s right.”

Gok Gyeong’s gaze towards Yeon Ho-Jeong became strange.

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“……Haven’t you realized it yet?”

“……?”

“Well, it’s better if you realize it yourself.”

What was that cryptic remark?

Gok Gyeong continued, speaking in a somewhat relaxed manner.

“It’s truly presumptuous, but in fact, what you said isn’t entirely wrong.”

“Hmm?”

“The nation must strive to fulfill its role… that’s not wrong. If the country becomes impoverished, it means the lives of the people, the foundation of the country, become impoverished. Those who live comfortably off the blood-like taxes of the people shouldn’t neglect their duties.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

Gok Gyeong shook his head.

“A country doesn’t fall into this state due to the fault of just one person. Especially when the threat of foreign invasion is imminent.”

“…….”

“However, you must know. There are people who despair at the reality that they cannot fix everything, even if they want to.”

“……?”

“Even in a helpless situation that cannot be overcome by effort, skill, or deep-rooted lineage, there are noble people who endure hardship and look up to the heavens.”

In that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

“Could it be?”

“…….”

“Has His Majesty the Emperor been……?”

“My throat is dry.”

Gok Gyeong stood up.

“They say Wudang’s Sky Soaring Step is the best under heaven, and it seems that’s not wrong. They’re already right in front of us.”

“Senior.”

“They say the scenery of Wudang Mountain is so refreshing, so I should take a few sips. If they refuse, I’ll have to spank their bottoms.”

Gok Gyeong turned and looked towards the hill in the distance.

There, six old Taoists were flying towards them.

“You’re Yeon Ho-Jeong, right?”

“That’s right.”

“I’ll thank you for dealing with the Bi-Wang.”

“…….”

“And congratulations.”

“For what?”

“For entering the realm of the Saintly Realm.”

“……!!”

“You too will have your name on the list of the Saintly Realm. As a rising star who killed the Bi-Wang, Gongson Baek-Ryong.”

Gok Gyeong turned to look at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong felt his fist clench involuntarily.

“From now on, you will taste hell.”

* * *

The wind that blew was very dry.

The lanterns danced. The candles placed everywhere mingled with the darkness, arbitrarily manipulating the shadows.

“Elder.”

Whoosh!

The dance of the lanterns stopped.

The wind calmed, and the darkness deepened.

“What is it?”

“I have found out the identities of those who visited the Empress’s palace.”

“Oh, already?”

“…….”

“Who are they?”

“It is Yeon Wi, the head of the Gangdong Yeon family, Peng Mu-Gang of the Hebei Peng family, and a young lady from the Hubei Jeagal family.”

“Impressive names. However……”

“…….”

“They are too conscious of this side. I expected at least one of the Shaolin Abbot or one of the Wudang leaders to come, but it’s just two heads of the Six Great Families and a girl who hasn’t even matured yet……”

“What should we do?”

“They’ve entered the tiger’s mouth, so how can we let them go? Of course, we must kill them.”

“Understood.”

“But.”

“…….”

“If we kill them immediately just because we can, what will happen to our future plans?”

“…….”

“The most important thing in the Imperial Palace struggle is dignity and formality. That’s why it’s difficult, and that’s why it’s dirty.”

“…….”

“We must observe them a little longer since we don’t know if they have completely sided with the Empress. Investigate in detail what is being said on their side and report back.”

“I obey your command.”

“And.”

Whoosh!

All the candles went out, and the surroundings were completely engulfed in darkness.

“I will go to His Majesty. Tell the underlings to prepare.”