Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 782

As expected, the Emperor readily accepted Yeon Ho-Jeong’s request.

However, he stipulated that the prisoner must be met within the prison and that his closest aide would accompany them during the conversation. This was a perfectly reasonable measure. The Taoist was still a major traitor who had been aiding the Blood Jade Demon Lord, Gwak Jun, who had been gnawing away at the imperial palace. Under no circumstances could the martial artists harm the Taoist.

Just as the group was heading to the prison, a voice called out.

“Hey.”

Everyone turned their heads.

There, leaning against the wall of a half-destroyed building with his arms crossed, stood Gok Gyeong with a cold expression.

“……!!”

Surprise flickered across the faces of Hwa Jin-Cheon, Ga Deuk-Sang, and Peng Mu-Gang.

They were all top masters who could represent the martial world. Yet, until the unidentified man opened his mouth, none of them had noticed his presence.

However, Peng Mu-Gang recognized him instantly. He had seen him briefly during the battle.

“You are…!”

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke up.

“You’ve arrived.”

Gok Gyeong openly frowned.

“Your tone has changed? Are you trying to be polite in front of your elders?”

Ga Deuk-Sang’s eyebrows twitched. The other man’s tone was far too provocative to simply ignore.

However, they couldn’t speak rashly without knowing who he was. Ga Deuk-Sang simply stared at Gok Gyeong in silence.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and said,

“Haven’t we gone from being potential enemies to comrades? I’m just treating you accordingly.”

“What a load of crap. Is it always like this? Playing with people until you lose interest, then laughing it off?”

“Your words are harsh. When have I ever played with you, senior?”

“You’re a funny one. I can’t understand why His Majesty made such an offer to someone like you.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shrugged.

“Are you questioning the Emperor’s judgment?”

Gok Gyeong’s eyes turned cold.

“You really are arrogant. They say a dog can’t be born from a tiger, but it seems a sly wolf like you can be?”

“I don’t care how you see me. So, what’s the reason you went to such lengths to hide your presence and come here?”

Gok Gyeong glanced at the group and turned away.

“Follow me.”

That was all he said. As if certain they would follow, he walked away without hesitation.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

“It’ll be fine without me. Since it’s been approved by His Majesty, the prison should have been notified already.”

Hwa Jin-Cheon nodded.

“Go ahead then.”

Ga Deuk-Sang asked,

“Who is he that he’s so stiff?”

Peng Mu-Gang answered instead of Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“The Mad Ghostly Monarch.”

“…Damn, it’s a miracle he didn’t go berserk.”

Hwa Jin-Cheon clicked his tongue.

“Don’t let your personal feelings get in the way. This is the imperial palace. If you act like you do outside, even if you bring the entire Ten Thousand Beggars Clan, you won’t survive.”

“That’s why I didn’t say anything harsh.”

“Good job, very good.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke up.

“Then, I’ll see you later.”

“Alright. Be careful.”

“It’s not like I’m going to fight. Don’t worry.”

With that, Yeon Ho-Jeong left the group and followed Gok Gyeong.

Gok Gyeong’s pace was fast. Even without thinking about it, his walking speed was as fast as an ordinary person’s run. Yeon Ho-Jeong’s pace was no slower than Gok Gyeong’s.

How long had they walked?

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

The fierce wind whipped and tore at the bare trees.

It was quite a remote area even within the outer walls of the imperial palace. It was a space that had been untouched even during the recent battle, likely because it was so secluded.

Though bare, there were many trees. It was a small forest.

And in the center of that forest was a large open space.

Squeak.

Only then did Gok Gyeong stop walking and dig under a particularly large tree.

‘Hmm?’

What emerged from the ground he had dug up was a rather large box.

Gok Gyeong roughly brushed off the dirt scattered on the box and placed it on a flat spot. Then, he sat down in front of it.

“Sit.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong obediently sat opposite him as he was told.

Creak.

Gok Gyeong’s movements were very careful as he opened the box and took something out.

‘What could it be?’ Yeon Ho-Jeong wondered, but soon gave a deflated smile. What Gok Gyeong had taken out were two liquor bottles made of high-quality porcelain.

Gok Gyeong frowned and said,

“Why? Is it funny?”

“It is funny. What kind of precious liquor is it that the great Ghostly Monarch is being so careful with?”

“It’s not just any liquor. These liquor bottles that look like ordinary porcelain are made of Hundred-Year Cold Jade.”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“It’s good to be ignorant.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong snorted.

Gok Gyeong handed one of the bottles to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“There are no cups. Try it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong opened the stopper.

‘Oh ho.’

A refined and heavy aroma wafted from the bottle.

It was a strange scent, with a hint of leather mixed in. But it wasn’t unpleasant. It was a completely different kind of liquor from what he had drunk before, but he could tell it was a rare vintage.

Yeon Ho-Jeong put the bottle to his lips and slowly let the liquor flow in, then he was startled.

“Whoa, this is quite strong?”

Gok Gyeong, who had already taken a drink, exclaimed with a ‘Kyah!’

“It’s something that came from the Western Regions. I don’t know the name, but it’s completely different from the liquor of the Central Plains.”

“Compared to this, our liquor is quite flamboyant.”

“That’s right.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong took another sip, smiled, and put the bottle down.

“It feels like my throat and stomach are burning up.”

“Is your stomach empty?”

“That’s how strong it is. Of course, my stomach is also empty.”

“Liquor is meant to be drunk on an empty stomach.”

“How many people have you killed by getting them drunk with that ridiculous theory?”

“Arrogant bastard.”

Gok Gyeong also placed his bottle on the box.

Yeon Ho-Jeong tilted his head.

“I’m guessing that’s a very precious liquor.”

“It’s definitely too good to be wasted on your mouth.”

“What’s the reason for giving such good liquor to this wicked mouth? Do you have something else to say?”

Swoosh.

He raised his left knee and supported himself with his right hand on the ground.

Gok Gyeong, who had been looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong in a rather relaxed posture, asked as if throwing a question.

“I heard you rejected His Majesty’s offer?”

A strange weariness appeared on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face as he sighed, as if deflated.

“So, that’s what it was?”

“Did you think there would be another reason?”

“I had a hunch.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes sharpened slightly.

“So, are you here to persuade me?”

“Persuade? That’s a funny word. Why would I persuade you?”

“Huh?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head.

“Wasn’t that it?”

“There’s no need to persuade you. You’ll obviously have to go through with the marriage.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“Do you use the word ‘obviously’ so easily?”

“Everything is obvious in front of His Majesty the Emperor. Do you know why?”

Gok Gyeong’s expression was somehow languid. At least, he seemed more relaxed than Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“I called it an offer, but in reality, it’s no different from an imperial decree. If you don’t want to give up being human, at least if you live on this land of the Central Plains, you must never disobey an imperial decree.”

“It was an offer, not an imperial decree. Let’s make that clear.”

“Whatever His Majesty said, everything that comes from the Emperor’s mouth is an order and a destiny. I knew you were bold, but I never thought you were so unreasonable.”

“Don’t lie.”

“…Okay, to be honest, I’ve often thought you were unreasonable. But that was when you were dealing with me.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t help but laugh.

Gok Gyeong continued.

“I know what you’re thinking. I don’t know much about you, but I know at least this much. You want more than just saving the Central Plains from the Three Teachings.”

Saving it is a given, but he also intends to eradicate them completely.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s thoughts had always been like that, and they had never changed. Gok Gyeong knew that.

“As you know, it’s impossible to do that with the power of the martial world alone. Regardless of which organization is superior, without the help of the imperial palace, it will be difficult for you to achieve the result you want.”

“Of course, I know that. But the imperial palace also wants to destroy the Three Teachings.”

“That’s why His Majesty made that offer to you.”

“I know that trying to read the minds of superiors is not a good attitude. Especially when it’s His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Didn’t you like conversations where we throw away all sorts of useless formalities?”

It seemed he had come prepared.

Gok Gyeong never got agitated. He didn’t get swayed by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s answers, which were almost like wordplay.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face became serious.

“I know you didn’t come because His Majesty sent you.”

“Of course not. His Majesty is not that petty.”

He had said to throw away formalities, but he didn’t expect him to go this far.

“There’s one thing I want to ask.”

“I’ll answer what I can.”

“I’m not interested in your past or how you ended up under the Emperor. What I’m curious about is, why are you so concerned about me?”

Gok Gyeong let out a hollow laugh as if he was dumbfounded.

“His Majesty the Emperor wants you, so who else would I be concerned about? Should I be concerned about your younger sibling whom I’ve never even met?”

“I know that. But it seems too obsessive to be just for that reason.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“Let’s be frank. Yes, I’ve reached a position that others might find surprising. I opened the Limitless Realm before the age of thirty, which is not an easy feat for anyone.”

Gok Gyeong’s eyes deepened.

He was straightforward, sharp, sometimes aggressive, and sometimes vicious.

Yet, Yeon Ho-Jeong had never once boasted about his reputation or the position he had achieved. Rather, he was always trying to downplay it. For Yeon Ho-Jeong, what was important was martial arts, not being envied by others.

And now, that Yeon Ho-Jeong was speaking confidently. Saying that he was an exceptional person.

It might sound like boasting, but Yeon Ho-Jeong wasn’t saying this to boast.

“But His Majesty, and even you, senior, would be better off choosing someone else. No, you know it would be better.”

“Why do you think so?”

“I’m busy. Beyond busy, I’m always on the front lines. Is it true that in the martial world, the strong are respected? It’s not wrong. But trying to bring in a top master who could die at any moment is not a good decision from a strategic point of view.”

Martial arts, influence, family reputation, and so on.

In many ways, Yeon Ho-Jeong was the most watched master in the current world.

That’s why he could be a burden. Yeon Ho-Jeong was saying that.

“There are many young people who, while having a lower level of martial arts, have potential, are full of cooperation, have excellent insight, and even come from good families.”

“Before I answer, let me ask you one thing.”

“Please do.”

Gok Gyeong’s eyes became as serious as Yeon Ho-Jeong’s, or even more so.

“Are you simply against the marriage? Or are you burdened by forming a connection with the imperial family? Or do you have a woman in your heart?”

“…….”

“Why are you refusing this marriage?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s answer was a masterpiece.

“Because I’m too good.”