Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 790

The Empire’s Line (7)

“Did he leave the palace?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor, who was looking at Yeon-wi, picked up a bottle placed on the table.

The sound of the liquid sloshing was very clear.

“Have a drink.”

Yeon-wi carefully lifted his glass.

With a gentle pouring sound, the clear liquid filled the glass.

The Emperor said,

“It’s one of my favorites from Shandong [a province in China]. The taste and aroma are superb. Have you ever had it before?”

“I’ve had it once before.”

“Did it suit your taste?”

“It was too much of a drink for someone like me.”

The Emperor chuckled.

After filling his own glass, the Emperor lifted it.

“You should lift yours too.”

“I am honored.”

The two emptied their glasses.

This was not the royal court but Yeon-wi’s residence. Late at night, the Emperor had once again visited Yeon-wi’s residence with only a minimal entourage.

“Have you ever been sick of alcohol?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“You probably don’t drink that often anyway.”

“That’s correct.”

“I’ve been sick of it many times. Alcohol is a demon. If you drink too much, you lose your reason and your stomach gets upset. Yet, every night, I find myself looking for it again. The addiction is truly remarkable.”

It was not ‘I, the Emperor,’ but ‘I.’ In a private meeting with Yeon-wi, the Emperor had set aside half of his weight as the Son of Heaven [a traditional title for the Emperor, implying divine mandate].

“Yet, I’ve been sick of it many times. Do you know why?”

“I do not.”

“Because there was no one to get drunk with me.”

The Emperor shook his head.

“You can only enjoy drinking when you have someone to share it with. The drunkenness of the concubines, who wear masks and flatter me, was not genuine. It couldn’t be otherwise. Even if they are ruined, the Emperor is still the Emperor, and if they fall out of favor, their lives are in danger. How could they get drunk even if they drink a cup of alcohol?”

“…….”

“After you cut down the door of the royal court and annihilated the Shin Hwa-gyo group [likely a fictional religious or martial arts sect], leading the battle here to victory, I made a vow. I would never drink again unless it was with someone I felt comfortable with.”

It was a subtle expression of wanting to be together as someone who shared his feelings.

Yeon-wi bowed his head.

“I am honored.”

“If it’s burdensome, tell me anytime.”

“How could it be?”

“I mean it.”

Yeon-wi silently poured alcohol into the Emperor’s glass.

Watching the alcohol slowly fill the glass, the Emperor opened his mouth.

“Weren’t you curious?”

“Yes?”

“No matter how great your achievements, why am I so concerned about you, who is just a member of the military? Weren’t you curious?”

Frankly, Yeon-wi was curious. And he expressed his curiosity as it was.

“There are many people who have achieved greater feats than I have. It is an unparalleled honor that Your Majesty values me, but it is true that I was curious about what you saw in me.”

The Emperor smiled.

“It’s because of your current appearance.”

“Yes?”

“The honesty to say you’re curious when you are, and the courage to say what’s wrong is wrong.”

“…….”

“I don’t have anyone like that around me.”

An awkwardness flickered across Yeon-wi’s face.

“I just…….”

“Just accept yourself as you are. I am doing the same.”

“…….”

The Emperor, having emptied his glass, looked out the window.

The Imperial Palace at night. The colorful lanterns hung throughout the buildings were very beautiful.

“What do you think about the marriage with Yang Cheon?”

“Honestly…….”

Yeon-wi shook his head.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“That’s right.”

“Haha, you must have had many conversations with your son?”

Yeon-wi smiled and said,

“As Your Majesty has seen, my son has many shortcomings.”

“There is no one without shortcomings.”

“However, his insight into the big picture, his strategies, and his foresight far surpass his father’s.”

“Oh ho.”

“He is an outstanding son, but I was always worried. Because he is so different from me, I spent many sleepless nights whenever I sent him to the martial world.”

“I see.”

“But now, I accept my son’s true self and abilities.”

“It must not have been easy.”

“To be ashamed, it was not easy. However, once I accepted it, I felt at ease. I just needed to trust him, but I tormented myself so much for not being able to do that simple thing.”

Yeon-wi smiled awkwardly.

“Of course, I can’t completely let go of my worries. That’s just his personality.”

“……I see.”

“That’s why I don’t know even more. It seems like he has some hidden intentions that he hasn’t told me, but my mind can’t even guess what they are.”

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed.

“He has other intentions?”

“It’s not because he’s my son, but he’s a very smart child. When dealing with one thing, he approaches it from various angles to gain double or triple benefits. I think it will be similar this time.”

“That’s an interesting point. Various angles…….”

“My son knows how dangerous Yang Cheon is. In fact, Ho-jeong is the one who has clashed with Yang Cheon the most in the current martial world. Moreover, I believe he will handle this even more carefully this time.”

“……He might like that.”

“Yes?”

The Emperor chuckled and filled his glass.

“Yang Cheon, I mean. If he is the absolute power in the martial world, he would choose one of two things when he sees your son. Either reject him or make him his own.”

“…….”

“If a figure like Yang Cheon didn’t reject your son, it means he values him that much.”

Yeon-wi smiled.

“I heard he’s been trying to lure him to the Black Path [a term for a morally ambiguous or evil martial arts faction], saying he should come.”

“I would do the same. In fact, didn’t I do the same?”

“Haha.”

Yeon-wi just laughed. He had nothing else to say.

The Emperor, leaning back in his chair, looked up at the ceiling and muttered,

“Yang Cheon…… Yang Cheon…….”

Yeon-wi carefully asked,

“Is there anything else that bothers you?”

“Rather than bothering me…….”

The Emperor tilted his head.

“I just had a thought after hearing what you said.”

“Yes?”

“Yang Cheon’s insight is not to be ignored. Of course. Not only is his martial power great, but uniting those fierce Black Path martial artists is impossible without outstanding skill and insight.”

“I think so too.”

“Then he must be even more interested in your son.”

“…….”

The Emperor’s eyes deepened.

“……Well, even so, he wouldn’t go that far.”

“……?”

Yeon-wi was curious about what the Emperor was thinking.

But he didn’t bother to ask. It didn’t seem like it would be good for him to know, and there was no need to dig out what he wasn’t saying.

The Emperor said,

“If, just if.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“If, just if, your son becomes a person of the Black Path, what would you do?”

Yeon-wi smiled.

“If he is confident in himself, how can I tell my grown son what to do?”

“Huh…….”

“I trust my son. If Ho-jeong declares himself to be on the Black Path, there must be a good reason.”

The Emperor clicked his tongue.

“That’s absolute trust.”

“He has proven his life to his parents as a son. Even though I can’t help but worry, now I have no choice but to watch, right?”

“What if your family gets stoned because of that?”

“Then Your Majesty can protect us, right?”

“What? Hahahaha!”

The Emperor laughed heartily.

“People are different, but the blood flowing through their veins is the same. How can you say the same thing as your son?”

“Is that so?”

The Emperor, who had been laughing heartily, looked out the window again.

‘The Black Path.’

Looking up at the sky, there were many stars.

A meaningful light settled in the Emperor’s eyes.

‘If that guy really pushes through as I think…… the situation would be quite interesting.’

* * *

The group that departed from the Imperial Palace reached Henan [a province in China] in three days.

“It’s snowing.”

It had started to snow lightly when they left, but the snow was falling more heavily as they reached Henan.

It was the beginning of the full winter season. It should have snowed earlier, but this year seemed particularly late.

“Hoo.”

With a light breath, steam came out as if he were smoking a cigarette.

Gang Ryang said,

“Wouldn’t it be better to cross that hill today? It seems like it will be difficult to cross tomorrow.”

Even Gang Ryang, who had the lowest level of martial arts among the group, was a master of the highest level. Crossing a snow-covered hill wouldn’t be that difficult.

However, there was no need to go out of their way to exert more effort.

Yeon Ho-jeong nodded.

“Let’s do as you say.”

Whoosh!

The group, who had been traveling at a moderate pace, increased their speed using their movement techniques.

Looking at Yeon Ho-jeong’s back, who was at the front, Jin Yang muttered,

“That’s a really amazing movement technique.”

Cheonjong Unhaengbi [likely a fictional martial arts technique].

It was the ultimate movement technique of the Yeon family, a technique that embodied the upright posture of a gentleman, like bamboo.

As before, he was once again struck by the thought that Yeon Ho-jeong’s movement technique did not suit him. Apart from his personality, he was such a dynamic martial artist that he had always thought his movement technique would be flashy.

‘Come to think of it.’

Muk Bi and Gang Ryang also had great movement techniques.

For Muk Bi, an archer, movement techniques were the most important martial art. Her movement technique, which required her to move constantly while firing, was no different from Yeon Ho-jeong’s, even though she had not reached the pinnacle.

Gang Ryang was the same. The Ghost Shadow Steps of the Guicheol Sword Clan, the best family of the Black Path, combined with his domineering swordsmanship, created an absolute killing technique. There were not many agility techniques in the Black Path that could compare to the Ghost Shadow Steps.

‘Hmm.’

The reason why Jin Yang was particularly concerned about the agility techniques of the three was because of his own martial arts.

His agility technique was not inferior to others. He was even called a bear, but even with his large frame, he moved more flexibly than most women.

But…….

“It’s getting too dark. It’s better to rest now.”

As soon as they crossed the hill, Yeon Ho-jeong cleared the snow and broke off some branches.

Fwoosh.

Muk Bi’s skill in heating the damp branches to dry them and then immediately starting a bonfire was amazing.

Her familiarity was familiar, but her ability to control her inner energy was so skillful that it evoked admiration from those who watched. Jin Yang, a master of the highest level, could see that.

Muk Bi, who had quickly made two hot bonfires, felt a gaze on her and turned her head.

“Why?”

“Huh? Oh, no.”

Muk Bi tilted her head.

“Is there a problem?”

Jin Yang smacked his lips.

“I was just thinking that everyone is so skilled.”

Gang Ryang chuckled.

“Jin, your skills are not lacking either, right? You’re stronger than me, so what are you talking about?”

Having been together for a while, the two had become quite close.

Jin Yang shook his head.

“If we fought to the death, I might be on top, but it seems like I don’t have a solid foundation.”

“Oh ho?”

“I think I need to work harder.”

It was a serious and sincere statement, unlike his usual self. Even Muk Bi looked at Jin Yang as if he were new.

At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong got up from his seat.

“Then, shall we fill in what’s lacking?”

“……Huh? Now?”

Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.

“It’s good to improve your skills, right? Why? Are you tired?”

“Uh…… well, it’s not that.”

“We need to prepare a bit, right? This trip to Mukryong is different from before. If Vice Chief Yang intends to kill us, we should at least escape alive. Don’t you think?”

Jin Yang’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.

Yeon Ho-jeong slowly rotated his wrist. The cracking sound was very ominous.

“While we have time, let’s dissect your martial arts to the bottom.”

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