Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 783

For a moment, Gok Gyeong was speechless.

He had vowed not to be flustered or angry while talking to this guy today. It was because this Yeon Ho-Jeong was not ordinary in terms of personality, let alone martial arts.

But he never expected him to say such a thing so openly. He knew how great his position was, but wasn’t this a bit too much?

However, Yeon Ho-Jeong was serious.

“I am not an ordinary person. That’s how the world sees it.”

“What?”

“I don’t know how this came about, but let’s speak frankly. I don’t sincerely believe that what I have achieved is the greatest in the world. I have pride in my position, but I don’t think I am overwhelmingly superior to anyone.”

“And?”

“But the world sees me differently.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes.

“Sword Saint Senior, and even His Majesty the Emperor, told me to see my position accurately. At first, I thought it was just a warning that excessive humility could sometimes cause trouble.”

“…….”

“That wasn’t it, the meaning of what they told me.”

Gok Gyeong’s eyes flashed.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes, which had opened again, were tinged with a strange complexity.

“Even if the world sees me as it pleases, I haven’t changed. But for someone who lives in the world, and for someone who wants to do something with the world, the world’s view is something that can never be ignored.”

“That’s right.”

“I will look good enough. The eldest son of a prestigious family among the orthodox sects, and I made a name for myself as one of the Thirteen Seats of the Heavenly Stars [a prestigious group of martial artists], the best in the martial world, before reaching the age of thirty. I also rose to prominence as one of the most important figures in both the righteous and evil factions, as the leader of the strongest unit of the Martial Alliance and the head of the Alliance.”

“…….”

“I have defeated more fanatics of the Three Teachings [a collective term for opposing religious/martial groups] who infiltrated the Central Plains than anyone else, and even participated in the Imperial Palace battle and made contributions. Of course, there are many people who have made greater contributions than me, and one of them is even my father.”

“…….”

“And on top of that, I become the Emperor’s son-in-law? How will the world see me? A genius of the century, a hero of the era, a prodigy of all time… Do you think they will only see me like that?”

“……That’s not likely.”

“They might praise me like that on the surface. But their inner thoughts will be different. There are too many people blinded by power to count. Even if they don’t desire power, there are many in this world who harbor murderous intent simply out of jealousy for someone outstanding.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled bitterly.

“To become the most outstanding person in the world means to sit in the most dangerous position in the world. You saw how His Majesty the Emperor has been laying low for decades, so you should know.”

Gok Gyeong’s eyes wavered.

But only for a moment.

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Do you think so?”

“I know what you’re worried about. But it’s not right to worry before even reaching that position.”

“…….”

“If you’re born with balls, you should at least show the guts to handle everything.”

“I understand what you mean.”

“A guy who knows that is saying such weak things?”

“If I wanted to be the best in the world, if I wanted to be the most powerful person in the world, I wouldn’t have these worries. If I could fight and win against the Three Teachings alone, there wouldn’t even be any value in worrying.”

“…….”

“I’ll say it again, we must unite. That task might be as difficult as fighting the Three Teachings.”

“Why don’t we just kill off those who are blinded by their lust for power and don’t know what’s important?”

As expected of a master from the Demonic Sect, he was good at saying such brutal things.

Surprisingly, Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded at his words.

“It’s not that I haven’t thought about that. But that would make it impossible to unite.”

“Why?”

“Do you think those who are blinded by their lust for power are weak? No. Those who desire power are already powerful enough.”

“……!”

“What those who are weak want is a ‘method’ to solve the immediate problems they face. But those who have power don’t have that. They just want more power.”

“…….”

“If we kill all those who are blinded by their lust for power, the Martial Alliance and the Black Dragon Unit will collapse.”

“That’s a damn problem.”

“Let’s look at the Black Dragon Unit Leader right now. He is preparing a lot to win this war. But his war doesn’t end with the fight against foreign forces. He is also preparing to swallow the orthodox sects after the war with the Three Teachings.”

“…….”

“The reason I don’t hate him that much is that at least he’s not foolish enough to neglect the war in front of him for the sake of future power struggles. But such people are really rare.”

Gok Gyeong’s cheek twitched slightly.

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“Do you understand? I am already the biggest and sharpest awl in the world. I’ve already pierced through a few tough pouches. If my family forms a marriage alliance with His Majesty the Emperor, there is a very high probability that the martial world will collapse.”

This was something that someone who had not tasted the bitterness of fierce power struggles could not understand. Someone who had not experienced the conflicts and intrigues that arise from chasing power and fame could never understand Yeon Ho-Jeong’s concerns, even if they were to die and be reborn.

That’s why Gok Gyeong felt himself being persuaded by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words. He, too, had been sick and tired of seeing the petty actions of the imperial court officials.

“Perhaps it has already begun.”

“What has?”

“The groundwork to slander me and my family.”

“……Surely they wouldn’t.”

“The world is a place where things that seem impossible happen without a second thought. And the political arena is the worst of the worst.”

“…….”

“Still, because of the contributions I’ve made and the many people who support me and my father, they won’t be able to move openly for now. But they will be watching for an opportunity.”

“……Then just devour them all?”

“Excuse me?”

Gok Gyeong, who had burned his esophagus with strong liquor, spoke with a calm face.

“If you and your family were to swallow the orthodox sects themselves?”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“There’s no reason it wouldn’t be possible. If you’re prepared to shed blood.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“Regardless of whether it’s possible or not, it’s putting the cart before the horse.”

“It seems to me that you still don’t know the exact position you’ve achieved.”

“……?”

“As you said, there will be those who are preparing to slander you and the Yeon family. But they will end up doing nothing and just sucking their fingers. If you marry the princess, that is.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Bringing down someone who has the Emperor as his father-in-law is the same as bringing down the dignity of the imperial family, and attacking you is the same as attacking the imperial family.”

“I am just a martial artist with ties to the imperial family. It may sound like a wordplay, but if I die as a martial artist, the imperial palace cannot interfere.”

“Because of the non-interference treaty?”

“Because of the non-interference treaty.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Yes?”

“I am the Emperor’s man, not a government official.”

“……!!”

“If you become His Majesty’s son-in-law, then I can’t ignore you either. As soon as something happens to you, His Majesty will send me to the martial world.”

“It seems like it will become more chaotic.”

“That’s what you need to let them know in advance. That even if the imperial palace can’t move, a master with the power of a major sect might go crazy if you are touched.”

It was a terrifying statement.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been staring at Gok Gyeong, also took a sip of his drink.

The liquor was still strong.

“I will consider it, but there is a high probability that this marriage will be called off.”

“Consider it? Well, it doesn’t seem like you have any intention of changing the answer you’ve already decided on.”

“I have a decided answer, but I will think about it more deeply.”

“Do you know? You’re a really strange guy.”

“Is that so?”

“Looking at your extreme personality, it seems like you would burn the world without thinking, but in these areas, you’re cautious.”

“Because I’ve shed a lot of blood.”

“What blood?”

“The blood that the empire and the martial world have shed was too much. There’s no way I can’t be cautious.”

Gok Gyeong, who had been quietly looking at Yeon Ho-Jeong, said as if throwing a stone.

“You haven’t given me an answer yet, have you?”

“Yes?”

“Why I’m watching you so closely, why I’m so obsessed with you.”

“That’s right. Please tell me.”

“It’s not because His Majesty the Emperor is watching you. I saw potential in you.”

“What kind of potential are you talking about?”

“The potential to be a bridgehead for creating a real empire.”

“……?!”

“I think you could play a decisive role in eliminating ridiculous treaties like the non-interference treaty and making this Central Plains world a complete empire.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes widened.

On the other hand, Gok Gyeong’s eyes narrowed. A strong dignity emanated from his small, narrowed eyes.

“You said that the empire and the martial world shed blood. But I don’t think so.”

“…….”

“If you think of the empire and the martial world separately, the martial world is just the martial world. The countless people living on the continent are not martial artists. They are all subjects of the empire.”

“……!”

“Behind the romance and elegance of the martial world, there is always a primitive fight and flowing blood. The martial world has always been like that. The martial world is also part of the empire, but you don’t think so. It’s understandable. It was the imperial family that first established the non-interference treaty, and that clearly meant a distinction.”

“…….”

“It is only the empire that has shed blood. Only the empire has shed blood. His Majesty the Emperor, who is the empire itself, has shed blood, and the people, who are members of the empire, have died.”

Gok Gyeong shook his head.

“Have you ever thought about how strange it is that people in the world see the empire and the martial world as different? Even though they are all members of the same empire.”

“The non-interference…….”

“Yes, it’s because of that damn non-interference. But if you look at the world from a little further away, anyone can see how easily the current Central Plains world can collapse.”

“……!”

“It’s not important who made that treaty first. There’s no need to think about the intention behind it now. What’s important is this moment and the future.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong swallowed unconsciously.

Gok Gyeong smiled faintly.

“His Majesty said, didn’t he? That he would change the landscape of the noble families of the world, starting with the Yeon family.”

“……That’s right.”

“Did you think that His Majesty would try to control the martial world by keeping you, who is likely to become the next best in the world, under his command?”

“…….”

“His Majesty is not that petty. The ideal that His Majesty holds is not that easy. You have only seen His Majesty as similar to countless powerful people, and you have not seen the blood and resentment that have flowed in the years he has endured.”

“Then……?”

“The reason His Majesty wants to make you his son-in-law is to make the world one again.”

“……!!”

“A complete empire. After calming the beasts that run wild with only their beliefs, ignoring the law and system, the grand plan to create one huge world is alive and breathing in his heart.”

“That’s…….”

“Do you know what people call that dream?”

The cold wind blew, teasing the bare branches of the trees.

“They call it the world (天下) [Tianxia, meaning ‘all under heaven’, a concept of a unified world under one ruler].”