Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 787

Moyong Gun, the Vice Chief of the Black Dragon Fortress.

As one of the Thirteen Seats of Seongcheon [a powerful group or organization], he was the king of the Black Path martial world and one of the most powerful figures in the world.

His martial prowess was exceptional, but his ability to unite the chaotic and unruly Black Path figures into a massive alliance was a testament to his capabilities. Although he received significant support from the Lord of the Demonic Cult, not just anyone with money could achieve such a feat.

The Emperor was also well aware of Moyong Gun.

That’s why he was surprised, and at the same time, he thought, ‘Indeed.’

“The Fighting King, Moyong Gun. Are you suggesting I send Cheonghwa to one of the absolute powers that divide the current martial world?”

“If you proceed with the same conditions you proposed to me, then yes. You would have to send Princess Cheonghwa.”

“Hmm.”

“However, the benefits you could gain from this would be substantial.”

“Is that so?”

“I believe so.”

The marriage between the Emperor’s daughter and Moyong Gun.

If this fact were to become known in the martial world, it would cause a tremendous storm.

“Are you alright with this?”

“Yes?”

“If it becomes known that you acted as a matchmaker between my daughter and the Vice Chief of the Black Dragon Fortress, there will be an uproar in your orthodox martial world [referring to the traditional, righteous martial arts factions].”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled. It was a meaningful smile.

“Of course, there would be.”

“…That’s unexpected.”

The Emperor, who had been gazing down at Yeon Ho-Jeong, turned his head to the left of the dragon throne.

“Is Ge there?”

“Your Majesty, what are your orders?”

“Prepare the royal tea.”

“Yes.”

Shortly after, two eunuchs brought in tea.

Teacups were placed on the table in front of the dragon throne, and a small tea table was placed in front of Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“What do you think?”

Confusion flickered across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“Yes?”

“The tea table in front of you, isn’t it quite extravagant?”

“Indeed. Even to my eyes, which lack aesthetic sense, it seems to be no ordinary object.”

“And it’s large. Unnecessarily so.”

“…?”

With a rustle, the Emperor rose and, holding his teacup, stepped down from the dragon throne.

Surprise was evident on Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

The Emperor placed his teacup on the tea table in front of Yeon Ho-Jeong and sat directly on the bare floor opposite him.

Even Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t help but be taken aback at this moment.

“Your Majesty?”

“It’s better to face someone up close to see them properly. Especially someone as outstanding as you.”

The imperial court’s rules and the dignity of the Emperor were completely discarded.

The Emperor, sitting comfortably on the floor as if he had lived that way his entire life, seemed more like a relaxed old man sitting on a bench in the marketplace than the ruler of a nation.

“Have some tea.”

“…Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong couldn’t hide the discomfort that was rising within him.

The Emperor smiled gently.

“Are you feeling burdened?”

“With Your Majesty sitting across from me, who wouldn’t feel burdened?”

“You certainly know how to say amusing things. I don’t think you’re the type to be like that.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong scratched his head.

“My reputation in the martial world isn’t very good. I’ve often been told that I lack manners. However, even someone like me isn’t so dull that I wouldn’t feel burdened in front of the Emperor of a nation.”

“That’s good then. If I can witness even you, who seems like you wouldn’t be flustered at any moment, feeling burdened, that would be a decent amusement.”

The Emperor took a light sip of tea and looked into Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes.

Yeon Ho-Jeong did not avoid the Emperor’s gaze. Although it was not in accordance with the rules, he knew the Emperor wanted to see his eyes, so he did not turn away.

“…”

A strange silence settled.

About half a quarter of an hour passed before the Emperor spoke.

“I haven’t been neglecting state affairs for the past few decades, but I haven’t been indulging in wine and women either.”

“…”

“Unable to avoid the eyes of the wicked, the books I could read were extremely limited. One of them was about physiognomy.”

Physiognomy, or the study of faces.

The history of physiognomy is deep. Of course, it doesn’t make sense to determine a person’s fortune and misfortune based solely on their appearance, but sometimes, people with surprising insight can use physiognomy to read a person’s past or predict their future, displaying miraculous abilities.

“Physiognomy wasn’t treated as a proper academic discipline. It’s a so-called pseudo-science. It’s not something an Emperor needs to read, nor is it a proper study for him to delve into.”

“…”

“However, I became interested in physiognomy, and it seems I have some talent for it.”

The Emperor’s eyes deepened.

“Yet, I can’t read you well.”

“I apologize.”

“I’ve seen your words and actions, and I know the history you’ve walked. If I exclude all of that…”

“…”

“…I don’t know.”

The Emperor chuckled.

“I don’t know if I was just deluding myself about my talent, or if you’re just a difficult person to read.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said with an embarrassed expression.

“I often hear that I’m unique.”

“It’s a strange face. Your appearance and the face itself seem exceptionally good… but that uprightness and clear sense of self don’t align with morality.”

“…?!”

“A father should possess a righteous face that will be remembered for eternity, yet I see no shadow of your father in you, his son. And if I were to ask which faction you belong to, none come to mind. It’s as if you live in a separate world. Like…”

“…”

“…as if you’re not a person of this era.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes wavered.

The Emperor smiled.

“It seems I’ve shaken your heart with unnecessary words. Just laugh it off.”

“…Yes.”

He said to laugh it off, but it wasn’t something easy to dismiss. At least, not for Yeon Ho-Jeong.

The Emperor took another sip of tea and continued.

“Born as the son of a prestigious family in the orthodox White Path [referring to the traditional, righteous martial arts factions], what did a genius who overturned the martial world with unconventional actions grow up seeing to live such a life? I was curious about that.”

“I am just one of the ordinary people who exist everywhere.”

“Is that humility?”

“The world is inherently changed by the hands of ordinary people.”

“Hahaha.”

The Emperor nodded.

“You said to marry Cheonghwa to Moyong Gun.”

“Yes, I did.”

“I heard that Moyong Gun’s age is similar to mine.”

“He is an outstanding individual. His appearance is similar to my father’s. His achievements are exceptionally high, so if he lives peacefully, he will be healthy even past a hundred years old.”

“Are you saying that age doesn’t matter if one’s abilities are outstanding?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled without answering.

And that smiling face froze like ice due to the Emperor’s next statement.

“Are you planning to drive out Moyong Gun?”

“…!”

“If not, it seems you intend to put a shackle on Moyong Gun by confining him to the imperial palace, preventing him from running wild.”

“…You are amazing.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong readily admitted.

“Your Majesty’s insight truly reaches the heavens.”

“I just like to fantasize.”

The Emperor tilted his head.

“If your intention is to shackle Moyong Gun, there is one premise you shouldn’t ignore.”

“That’s correct.”

Making Moyong Gun the Emperor’s son-in-law.

At first glance, it might seem like doing a favor for the Black Path, but hidden within it was Yeon Ho-Jeong’s sharp scheme.

Moyong Gun has ambition. However, his ambition is strictly limited to the martial world.

He wants the Black Path to suppress the White Path and gain superiority. Furthermore, he wants the Black Path to unite the White Path, forming the first-ever unified martial alliance, and become its leader.

Regardless of whether it’s actually possible, the only thing he desires is the martial world. At least, that’s how it is now.

What if such a Moyong Gun becomes the Emperor’s son-in-law?

Unless the Empire is weak, with the Emperor opening his eyes and the forces of the Three Teachings [a likely reference to three major philosophical or religious schools of thought] that were lurking in the imperial palace being swept away by the power of the White Path, marriage with the imperial family would inevitably become a terrifying shackle for Moyong Gun.

Officially, the Emperor is at the pinnacle of power in the world. No one can exist above him.

Furthermore, the imperial palace is a cold place where even children are cast aside for the sake of the next Emperor’s power. Although such rules are similar in any group where power is concentrated, the problem is the legitimacy of the imperial palace.

To tolerate the growth of power from the outside that could threaten the imperial family?

That is impossible. For Moyong Gun to become the Martial King, he would either have to not marry into the imperial family or receive official permission from the Emperor after the marriage.

If not?

Then another war would inevitably break out. And in that war, the White Path martial artists who were defeated by the Black Path would thoroughly side with the imperial palace and attack the Black Path martial world.

Of course, if the Emperor were to join hands with Moyong Gun and work towards taking over the world, the situation would be completely different.

In other words, for Yeon Ho-Jeong to truly shackle Moyong Gun, one premise is necessary.

“What can you give me?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

This was it.

He had spent days contemplating this moment, this conversation. He had deep discussions with his father and gathered and analyzed as much information about the imperial palace as possible.

And finally, Yeon Ho-Jeong made his decision.

“Your thoughts are interesting, but I still want you. Yet, you mentioned the leader of the Black Path martial world as someone to replace you. It’s not bad, but it’s still not a better choice than having you. For me, that is.”

“Yes, I expected you would think that way.”

“What I want from you, what only you can provide. If you cannot give me that, I will never send Cheonghwa to Moyong Gun.”

“That’s why I had many concerns. And I have made a decision.”

“What decision have you made?”

A light of determination flickered across Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face.

“I recently had a conversation with the Mad Demon Lord, Gok Gyeong.”

The Emperor smiled.

“He reported to me about it a while ago.”

“Then, he must have reported everything about the conversation he had with me.”

“He did.”

“I understand that the reason Your Majesty desires me is to unite the world.”

In the throne room, where there was no one else but the two of them.

Even so, this was not a light matter to speak so frankly about.

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed.

“To unite the world… that’s not wrong. However, the issue is ‘what kind’ of unity it will be.”

“Yes.”

“Gok Gyeong is a talented individual, but he doesn’t fully understand what I want. He knows my dream, but he can’t know the details of that dream.”

“I thought as much.”

“Do you surmise? How I intend to unite the world, what kind of world I envision?”

“I have never considered the world Your Majesty envisions. My lifelong goal was to destroy the Three Teachings and safely protect the world from external threats.”

“I know.”

“I thought that was enough. I had no greater destiny than that. The only reason I lived was for that.”

“…”

“However, now I will try to live a slightly different life.”

The Emperor’s eyes curved.

“Your goal remains the same, but you will adjust the reason for achieving that goal?”

“That’s correct.”

In a voice that was heavier than any he had used before, both before and after his regression, Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke.

“A world where order is established, a world that is not perfect but not precarious, a world where the people of the world can live more peacefully than they do now.”

“…”

“For that future, I will step forward as the vanguard of a new era.”

The Emperor, who had been gazing at Yeon Ho-Jeong, reached out his hand.

Yeon Ho-Jeong bowed his head and took the Emperor’s hand with both of his.

The Emperor spoke.

“It will be very difficult.”

“I know.”

“Perhaps you and your entire family might be attacked by the White Path martial world.”

“I believe Your Majesty will protect my family when we are in danger.”

“…Hahaha.”

The Emperor’s hand, which was holding Yeon Ho-Jeong’s hands, tightened.

“The marriage with Moyong Gun, let’s proceed with it formally.”