Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 788

After finishing his meeting with the Emperor, Yeon Ho-Jeong went to see Yeon-Wi.

However, Yeon-Wi was not alone in the room.

Besides Jeagal Ayeon, Muk Bi, Gang Ryang, Jin Yang, and Gi Woo-Hui, Peng Mu-Gang and Ga Deuk-Sang were also present. Hwa Jin-Cheon was not there because he was busy organizing the area around the Imperial Palace.

“…So, that’s how it turned out.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

The father’s gaze, as he stared at his son, was like a lake without a single ripple.

“Do you not regret it?”

“Once I’ve made a decision, I will do my best to make sure it was the right one.”

“That’s true, but I know your hatred for the Three Teachings [Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism]. Although you’ve let go of much, it’s clear that your life’s goal is the collapse of the Three Teachings.”

“That is correct.”

“To fulfill His Majesty’s dream, there will be times when you have to do things you don’t want to do.”

“I will endure it.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Furthermore, my goal lies at the crossroads of the path His Majesty aims for. I just need to continue as I have been.”

“That may be so, but…”

Yeon-Wi asked, as if throwing a question.

“Hasn’t the Three Teachings ceased to be your top priority now?”

To unite the world to create a safe world.

Yeon Ho-Jeong could not imagine how difficult that task would be. However, to unite the world, the Three Teachings had to disappear.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes deepened.

“His Majesty has also accepted it. I told him that if the Three Teachings were to be part of the path he aims for, I would not tolerate it.”

“…”

“The collapse of the Three Teachings is the basic premise. A new era will come after that.”

“I see.”

“And…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I hate the Three Teachings, but this hatred is no longer mine alone.”

“Not yours alone?”

“Too many people have shed blood because of the fanatics of the Three Teachings. Also, now that the existence of the Three Teachings is known to the world, many people will be wary of them.”

“…”

“I don’t necessarily have to destroy the enemy with my own hands. It would be better if I could end them myself, but if the result is the same, I don’t care how they meet their end.”

Yeon-Wi smiled.

He hated the enemy and would annihilate them. His son was speaking such ominous words. As a father, it was not a situation to laugh about without a care.

However, Yeon-Wi was pleased.

If the result is the same anyway, there is no need to throw oneself into hatred and burn oneself out. That was what his son was saying.

‘He has grown greatly indeed.’

This was the very image Yeon-Wi had hoped for in his son.

Yeon Ho-Jeong was different from Yeon Ji-Pyeong. Furthermore, he was completely different from himself and the people of the Yeon family throughout history.

He could not force a son with a different disposition, personality, and values to become a gentleman. His son had his own philosophy and a way to achieve a better life.

This current appearance, although it was a sorrowful emotion of hatred, was enough to satisfy Yeon-Wi, as he had become somewhat free from it.

“I am much happier that your heart and thoughts are growing in the right direction, even if only little by little, than the fact that you opened the Limitless Path [a high level of martial arts mastery] for the first time in the main family.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled wryly.

“I don’t know if it’s the right path. Blood will flow on any path.”

“It’s an area that an individual cannot control. Times and situations are different. If you live your life doing your best in the given environment, that alone will make your life worthwhile.”

“Thank you.”

Yeon-Wi sighed.

“The non-aggression pact… I discussed that with His Majesty, but I, too, have never thought of it as awkward.”

Peng Mu-Gang suddenly interjected.

“Of course. The non-aggression pact was signed hundreds of years ago. We were born and live in a world where it is so natural. It’s understandable that we didn’t pay attention to it.”

“That’s right. However, we also read the words of the sages and learned history. If so, we should have known that the non-aggression clause itself was like a sandcastle that could collapse at any time.”

“That’s true too. Well, there’s nothing we can do about it. It’s already in the past. We should work hard for a better world from now on.”

Yeon-Wi looked at Peng Mu-Gang.

Peng Mu-Gang tilted his head.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“Are you alright with it?”

“What do you mean?”

“The Peng family of Habuk is one of the most prestigious families among the Six Great Clans of the Jianghu [the martial world], with the longest history.”

“Well, isn’t that so?”

“If His Majesty’s dream is realized, the realm of the martial world may disappear altogether.”

“Ah?”

Peng Mu-Gang nodded.

“So, what the Yeon family head is saying is that if the martial world disappears and the entire Central Plains is declared as imperial territory, the main family, which has wielded its power as a prestigious family of the martial world for hundreds of years, will lose its status. Are you alright with that?”

Yeon-Wi’s expression became a little awkward.

“That’s not far from the truth.”

As expected, Yeon-Wi did not know how to beat around the bush.

Peng Mu-Gang laughed heartily.

“The code of a prestigious family comes from the history and values it holds. Even if you own thousands of miles of land and have treasures piled up like mountains, can it compare to the value of the spirit and martial arts that have been passed down through generations?”

Yeon-Wi smiled.

Peng Mu-Gang smacked his lips.

“I know what the Yeon family head is worried about. When people are unable to enjoy what they used to enjoy, they tend to be dissatisfied, no matter how noble the reason may be.”

“That’s right.”

“Some adjustments will be needed in that regard. Both the Empire and the martial world will need to agree on certain things, and there will be many ways to gradually become one through appropriate policies.”

Peng Mu-Gang looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong and said.

“In order to create a unified world where order and law are alive, the help of the martial world is needed no matter what. It is impossible to subdue the martial world by force. Isn’t that so?”

“That is correct.”

“His Majesty is a wise man. I don’t think he will push forward with unreasonable policies that cannot be resolved.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“I believe he will make reasonable judgments. As the family head said, His Majesty has been patient for decades, yet he never rushes. He will not demand losses beyond what each side can accept.”

“I think so too. However, it is best not to jump to conclusions until such policies are actually implemented. For now, it’s enough to know that everyone is working towards a better world.”

It was a simple summary.

Indeed, Peng Mu-Gang was worthy of being the head of one of the Six Great Clans. As Yeon-Wi said, those who have power are bound to feel uneasy when the world changes drastically, but he, who knew exactly what the value of a prestigious family was, was not uneasy at all.

“Actually, the real problem isn’t about prestigious families or power.”

A serious look appeared on Peng Mu-Gang’s face.

“Are you going to be alright?”

There was a lot of meaning packed into that short sentence.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and said. It was a slightly tired smile.

“I have to make it alright.”

“As soon as it becomes known how the marriage between the Vice Chief of the Black Dragon Unit and the Imperial Family came about, many people will criticize you. And…”

Peng Mu-Gang glanced at Yeon-Wi.

“The Yeon family could be in danger.”

Yeon-Wi laughed good-naturedly and said a word.

“Help us when that moment comes.”

“Hah! Of course, I will help. However, I’m worried about whether those who are enduring it will be able to handle it.”

At that moment, Yeon Ho-Jeong interjected.

“I have thought about that part to some extent.”

“Huh? Is that so?”

“Yes. I don’t know if it will work properly, though.”

Peng Mu-Gang, who had been lost in thought for a moment, shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, I guess you would have taken care of it.”

Ga Deuk-Sang, who had been listening to the conversation quietly, slipped in.

“If there’s a real problem, our Beggars’ Union will also help the Yeon family.”

“Well, well.”

“And speaking of which, don’t you have a much more formidable backer than us?”

“Huh?”

“I’m talking about His Majesty the Emperor.”

“…Ah?”

Ga Deuk-Sang looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with a disapproving look.

“What kind of person is this guy that he would say he would help without a strong backer? If the Yeon family can’t hold out in the martial world, they can just stick with the Imperial Palace.”

The expression was a bit harsh, but it was certainly not wrong.

While it might be different for the Black Path martial world, the White Path martial world could never ignore the Imperial Palace. Even if the Emperor had no power, the moment he announced that he would visit the Martial Alliance, all the righteous martial artists would rush out and bow down.

That was the limit of the White Path martial world, which valued justification and revered morality and chivalry.

“As the Peng family head said, it’s not a problem that we can solve right now, so it’s best to end this conversation here.”

“Yes, the important thing is the Vice Chief Yang.”

Yeon-Wi’s face became serious.

“What are you going to do? Knowing your personality, you can’t pretend not to know.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“I can’t do that. Considering Vice Chief Yang’s personality, she would hate it more if I pretended not to know.”

“Hmm.”

“And Vice Chief Yang also has the freedom to refuse.”

“Huh?”

“We’ve only talked among ourselves, and we haven’t asked Vice Chief Yang’s opinion yet. If Vice Chief Yang refuses this proposal, no one knows what will happen.”

Peng Mu-Gang’s eyes widened.

“Refuse…?”

It was a marriage proposal directly from His Majesty the Emperor. From the start, Peng Mu-Gang had not even considered that there was an option to refuse it.

Yeon-Wi’s face became even more serious.

“Yes, that could happen. But if that happens…”

“The problem will become enormous.”

“Huh!”

“There is already a martial artist who has refused His Majesty’s proposal once. That is me. If even the martial artist introduced as an alternative refuses this marriage, His Majesty will not look at the martial world with a smile.”

“Isn’t this a complete checkmate?”

“It is a checkmate.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes turned cold.

“I will go with that checkmate result. If we are not careful, Vice Chief Yang may have to face both the White Path martial world and the Imperial Palace.”

Everyone in the room felt a chill run down their spines.

It was not just the situation, but they were also stunned by Yeon Ho-Jeong’s audacity in willingly taking on such a dangerous gamble.

“Really…”

Ga Deuk-Sang shook his head as if he couldn’t help it.

“Whether he becomes a Grandmaster or a Limitless Path master, that reckless extremism never changes.”

Jin Yang shuddered.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I know he’s more reckless than I thought.”

Jeagal Ayeon also added a word.

“It doesn’t seem like information will leak, but it would be better to move quickly if possible.”

Yeon-Wi nodded and looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed and said.

“I will leave for the Black Dragon Unit today. I will finish preparing to leave and then return.”

As he stood up, Muk Bi, Gang Ryang, Jin Yang, and Gi Woo-Hui also stood up.

Yeon-Wi said calmly.

“Hurry and prepare and come back. I have something else to talk about.”

“Understood.”

As one thing was resolved, another came up.

It was the beginning of another busy day.