Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 779

It was a proposal that was not only unconventional but also incomprehensible. Even Yeon Ho-Jeong, with all his worldly wisdom, couldn’t fathom the Emperor’s reasons for going to such lengths. No matter how perceptive one might be, the other party was a formidable figure who had been patiently waiting for decades for a chance to change the world, and crucially, information about the Imperial Palace was severely lacking.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been silently looking up at the Emperor, lowered his head.

“The Empire’s national power has weakened to the point of being on the verge of collapse.”

“I know.”

“At times like these, the core of the palace should unite and solidify, joining forces with the world to overcome the crisis.”

“That’s a textbook answer, but it’s correct.”

“There are many nobles in this country. Though they may not have the same power as before, I believe that uniting with them and first consolidating the Imperial Family should be the priority.”

It was a subtle refusal.

From the moment he rejected the Emperor’s request, which was not quite a request, Yeon Ho-Jeong was as good as committing a capital offense.

However, the prostrated officials swallowed hard once more at Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words. They instinctively knew that his words could also benefit them.

“Do you truly believe that?”

“Yes, I do.”

The Emperor looked around at the officials and said,

“Have all the officials retreat and wait in the outer court.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

The officials carefully rose and left the throne room.

As they left, Hwangbo Jeok and the soldiers also departed the throne room.

Now, only the Emperor and Yeon Ho-Jeong remained in the throne room.

Swoosh.

The sound of fine silk brushing against something.

A large shadow darkened Yeon Ho-Jeong’s vision. The Emperor had risen from his dragon throne.

Shuffle. Shuffle.

The Emperor descended the steps, one step at a time.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes, still lowered, deepened.

‘He’s not faltering.’

One can tell a person’s physical condition just by the sound of their footsteps. This was a skill possessed not only by Yeon Ho-Jeong but by most martial artists of a certain level.

‘His body isn’t broken.’

He had heard that the Emperor had been indulging in wine and women for decades.

Even a healthy person would inevitably lose their health after indulging in such pleasures for a long time. No, even a master of the martial arts would fall ill if they abandoned their training and lived like that.

But the Emperor was not like that.

Though not as profound as a master, his breathing was quite stable, and his gait was light. Although he wore loose imperial robes, his physique was not ruined.

He could never have maintained this condition without meticulous management. It was truly astonishing that he had not even learned any internal energy cultivation techniques.

“Raise your head.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong straightened his back and looked up at the Emperor.

“……!”

The eyes of the Son of Heaven and the Martial God met, person to person.

No one knew the identity of the shadow cast by the dragon throne. Yeon Ho-Jeong had also not properly seen the Emperor’s face while he was sitting on the throne. He could have seen it if he had focused his internal energy, but he had not bothered to do so.

And now, Yeon Ho-Jeong was finally able to see the Emperor’s face.

‘He’s young.’

It was difficult to guess his age from his low, dignified voice.

But just by looking at his face, one could believe he was around fifty years old. If one were generous, one might even believe he was in his mid-forties.

The Emperor was said to be over sixty years old. Yet, he maintained such an appearance. He looked remarkably young and healthy, despite showing no signs of having practiced internal energy.

His eyes, neither large nor small, were as sharp and fierce as a lion’s. His nose was high and prominent, his lips were moderately thick, and though there were wrinkles on his face, there were no blemishes.

It was a strikingly impressive face. Though not intimidating, it exuded nobility and confidence, truly befitting an Emperor.

The Emperor smiled.

“Indeed, it is clearer to see you up close like this than from up there.”

What was he referring to as clearer?

“Your physique is quite good. Not the large and grand frame of a warrior, but as solid as a rock.”

“……”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said nothing.

The Emperor, smiling as he looked down at Yeon Ho-Jeong, walked to the spot where Jo Chung had been prostrating.

Swoosh.

The sound of his imperial robes brushing the floor was chilling.

‘Amazing.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong was inwardly surprised by the Emperor’s audacity.

The Emperor, standing in Jo Chung’s place, had his back to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

If Yeon Ho-Jeong wanted to, he could stab the Emperor in the back in an instant. Of course, it would be the same whether he turned around or not, but psychologically, showing one’s back was an expression of confidence and proof of trust.

The Emperor looked down at the floor from Jo Chung’s spot and said,

“Though not as it once was, Jo Chung’s family was a prestigious one that produced several high ministers over generations.”

“……”

“It’s not just Jo Chung. Ho Yu-Jeong, who was sitting there, Jin Gung next to him, and Heo Byeong in the center of the third row, each of them were powerful figures in their respective regions, wielding power akin to kings.”

“……”

“But what are they like now? The appearance of their descendants.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong answered honestly.

“They seemed insignificant.”

The Emperor nodded.

“Insignificant indeed. In fact, they are worse than that. They are the children of prestigious families, so they have learned much, but they use it only for their own safety and squander the wealth accumulated by their ancestors. And when their coffers are empty, they use their meager power to suck the blood of the people to fill their coffers even more.”

“……”

“A hungry thief steals clothes and food and runs away. But these guys are not only emptying the nation’s granaries but also squeezing the pus and blood of the people. They are the worst and most audacious thieves in the world.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong was surprised to feel the anger in the Emperor’s voice.

For some reason, he had always thought that the Emperor would only speak in a languid and dignified voice.

The Emperor now was not the Son of Heaven but a human being. He was angry as a person.

“It is entirely my fault that I let those guys get to that state.”

“It was an unavoidable situation.”

“There is no such thing as an unavoidable situation for a ruler.”

“……”

“The fact that floods swept away the homes and lives of the people, that lightning struck and burned down forests, that the country was ruined because we were not prepared for foreign invasions—it is all my fault.”

The Emperor chuckled.

“That is the position that bears all the responsibility, which is why that seat is so heavy.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

He had heard similar words before.

‘The Sect Leader of Jongnam.’

It wasn’t something he had heard directly. He vaguely remembered that when he was talking with the Third Elder who had come to visit, the Sect Leader of Jongnam had said something like that.

“Is it only the throne that is like that? From families, schools, armies, to the martial arts sects, the leaders are all the same. One cannot ascend carelessly, one should not ascend carelessly, and one cannot escape carelessly.”

“Isn’t that what you have endured for decades?”

“Of course. But who will soothe the resentment of the people who have lived a life full of suffering during that time?”

The Emperor looked up at the ceiling.

“A day felt like a year. Is this path truly the right one? Wouldn’t it be better to be remembered in history as a young Emperor who was assassinated while fighting against evil, so that someone burning with loyalty and righteousness would step forward and fix this country properly….”

“……”

“But I realized that dying for my own comfort when there is no one to take responsibility afterward is not something a ruler of a nation should do.”

It was a difficult yet simple statement.

In fact, the biggest and primary cause of this situation was the Three Teachings [Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism]. If one had to blame someone, it would be right to blame them.

However, the Emperor could not be free from blame either. He would be cursed even if he died, and he would be cursed even if he endured and persevered.

That was the responsibility of a leader, a ruler.

“For that long time, clenching my teeth, I made a vow.”

“……”

“When the time comes, I will surely overturn the world. And I thought, to overturn the world, it is right to start by reforming the Imperial Palace.”

The Emperor turned to Yeon Ho-Jeong and said,

“You said that uniting with the nobles was the priority?”

“Yes, I did.”

“In the world I see, there are no such things as nobles.”

Not ‘I’ but ‘me.’

It was a statement where terrifying resentment and responsibility coexisted, a statement that could only come from a person, not an Emperor, who hated his own fate and the corruption of the world.

“Etiquette, customs, common sense. They are all strange words that cloud people’s eyes. Of course, there are times when such things are necessary, but not now.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes gleamed.

“Do you intend for me to be the one to start that destruction?”

The Emperor smiled.

“You are undoubtedly remarkable, but I trust your father more than I trust you.”

Emotion flickered across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

Regardless of his character, the Emperor was still the Emperor. And this person, sitting in such a great position, was evaluating his father so highly.

“After hearing your father speak and seeing the look in his eyes and his aura, I thought this: Ah, if I had had just one loyal subject like him, the decades of endurance would have been halved.”

“……!”

“You are different from your father, but you are a remarkable person in a different way.”

The Emperor closed his eyes.

“The noble families in the world I want to create are places where people like you, who have great abilities yet are humble, use their wealth for the world, and are willing to step forward for others, gather to set an example.”

“……”

“My dream is to have such families spread throughout the Central Plains [the heartland of China], striving to enrich the nation.”

“……”

“I like you and your father, the Yeon family. I want the Yeon family to become the cornerstone of the new world and be a model for all.”

After listening, it seemed that this was not just a choice made to preserve the throne.

‘I think I’ve heard something enormous.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

The Emperor feigned a stern expression.

“By the way, you are quite something. Even if the Emperor’s authority is not what it used to be, to refuse when the ruler of a nation offers his daughter. There has never been anyone like you in the history of the Empire.”

“Children are not objects.”

“Who said they were objects? In these chaotic times, forming a marriage alliance to increase power is only natural.”

Because he was a person struggling with his responsibilities as Emperor, even his common words had a sense of depth.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“I do not have the ability to make a wife happy. I am constantly traveling across the Central Plains, getting my hands stained with blood. What wife would like such a man?”

“You are too romantic.”

“I am only thinking of the minimum respect. I don’t even treat my close friends well.”

The Emperor chuckled.

“It must be nice to live so carefree.”

The Emperor, who had climbed back up the steps and sat on the dragon throne, spoke in a much heavier voice.

“Whatever the case, the officials have heard what I said as Emperor, so at least pretend to consider it.”

“Of course, I will.”

“It seems you will never get married, no matter what.”

“Since it involves becoming in-laws with the Imperial Family, who wouldn’t consider it?”

“Lower that upturned lip before you speak.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong cleared his throat.

The Emperor chuckled and nodded.

“You may leave now. Today’s conversation was enjoyable.”

“It was an honor to meet you.”

“Think carefully about the marriage.”

“……I understand.”