Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 820

The final hearing, attended by the elders and the Bonggong [a council of high-ranking martial artists], had come to an end.

In truth, it was more of a meeting than a hearing. So many things had happened in the Central Plains, and the power dynamics and flow between factions had changed so drastically that the Martial Alliance had to discuss how to proceed.

Of course, it wasn’t like that from the start.

It wasn’t easy to question Yeon-wi, who had saved the Emperor from external forces and even received the Imperial Sword from the ruler of the Empire. If this matter reached the Emperor’s ears, public opinion towards the Martial Alliance could easily turn sour.

The public opinion of the White Path [the righteous martial arts factions], and the public opinion of those who were not part of the White Path. A delicate balance had to be struck between the two.

Nevertheless, it was Namgoong In, the head of the Namgoong Clan, and a few leaders of the Nine Great Sects who strongly attacked Yeon-wi. Among the sect leaders who held the position of elder rather than Bonggong, some were stubborn, and for them, the defection of the eldest son of a prestigious White Path family was unforgivable.

There were meetings, but there were also many aggressive remarks befitting a hearing. It was the same even on this final day of the hearing.

However, all those attacks crumbled before the rebuke of Sun Woo, the leader of the Jongnam Sect.

“I’ve been trying to hold back while listening to all of you, but I can’t hold back any longer today.”

“What do you mean?”

“Instead of applauding Yeon So-hyeop [a respectful title for a martial artist], no, Yeon Dae-hyeop [a higher respectful title for a martial artist], for jumping into the fire of the Black Path [the unorthodox martial arts factions] with straw shoes on, you’re pointing fingers while talking about etiquette and history. I’m truly curious about your mental state.”

Namgoong In reacted sharply.

“Jongnam Sect Leader, please be mindful of your words. Everyone gathered here is the head of a sect. They are all wise and knowledgeable, so how can you insult them like this?”

“The dead cannot be insulted even if they wanted to be.”

“What?”

“While the sect leaders here were standing idly by, clearing their throats, Yeon Dae-hyeop led the strong of the White and Black Paths to save Jongnam, which was on the verge of annihilation.”

Namgoong In and a few other sect leaders cleared their throats.

“The war that took place on Jongnam Mountain was truly unfortunate and sad. But just because of that…”

“Surely, Namgoong Clan Leader, you don’t think that this sect is defending him because Yeon Dae-hyeop saved Jongnam Mountain?”

“……?!”

“What happened to our Jongnam could have happened to any of the leaders here.”

“……!”

“If you think that your sect or family is safe and free from such threats, you are greatly mistaken. The leaders gathered here are looking at the world from a narrow perspective, so they may not feel it, but those on the front lines are acutely aware that the enemy’s power and cruelty are unprecedented.”

“Sect Leader!”

“Look at what Yeon Dae-hyeop has done since he came into the world at such a young age. In his youth, which cannot be bought with gold, he has risked his life several times to defeat the enemies, all for the sake of saving the world.”

“…….”

“Is it such a big problem that he defected to the Black Path? It’s not because he dislikes the White Path, but to unite the White and Black Paths to fight against external enemies. Can you truly not understand even a fraction of his intention?”

“Your words are too harsh…!”

“You should be ashamed!”

“Tsk!”

“Everyone here knows that the law is important! But it seems that only a handful of people know that there are things more important than the law! If you want to condemn his actions as defection, then tell me! What were you doing while your sect was in such a state, while your disciples were dying!”

Sun Woo’s rebuke overwhelmed the assembly.

The cry of a giant who felt the reality with his skin, filled with personal tearful experiences, was so powerful that it could not be matched even with the power of the Supreme.

“To interpret any phenomenon, it is right to understand the cause, not just the result! Those of you who don’t know who he is, why he made such a choice, what his past is like, or what his purpose is, are only busy tearing him apart in this cramped meeting room. How can this not be a lamentable thing!”

“…….”

“If Yeon Dae-hyeop hadn’t exposed the lackeys of the Three Teachings [a powerful and evil organization] and defeated the enemy leaders over the past few years, half of you here would have been shedding tears of blood! And to prepare for more tears of blood in the future, you would have been sharpening your swords to take revenge on them!”

“…….”

“What crime has Yeon Clan Head committed? How much wrong has he done that you are holding a hearing and tormenting him? The merits of the Yeon family, who went directly to the Imperial Palace to save His Majesty and contributed to the world, cannot be pointed out even if it is a defection!”

“That statement! You must know that it has clear problems!”

“At least you shouldn’t be like that! Are you truly criticizing his actions because they are wrong? Or are you making a fuss to belittle him?! What are you so afraid of, what is so strange!”

“I will not tolerate any more insults!”

“If you feel my words are an insult, then take all the swordsmen of Namgoong and go to the outer regions and fight the enemies!”

“This bastard, really!”

Bang!

A sharp roar cut off the conversation between the two.

Crack!

Great Master Gong Gong, who had broken the stone table, retracted his fist.

“Calm down.”

His voice was calm, but his actions were not. At the uncharacteristic violence of Great Master Gong Gong, Sun Woo and Namgoong In could only glare at each other, panting, and could not open their mouths any further.

Great Master Gong Gong nodded and said,

“Jongnam Sect Leader’s words are correct.”

Namgoong In glared.

“Great Master!”

“And, I can fully understand the concerns and laments of Namgoong Clan Leader and a few other sect leaders.”

Sun Woo’s eyes trembled slightly.

Great Master Gong Gong sighed and said,

“Yeon Dae-su, no, Yeon Ho-jeong, the Deputy Clan Leader’s unilateral defection is worthy of criticism. Moreover, it was a decision made without informing even his own family, so it is clearly a great act of filial impiety.”

Yeon-wi closed his eyes.

He had a lot to say. But he didn’t open his mouth until the end.

It was because he knew it was better not to. For the sake of his family and his son, it was better to remain silent, even if it was frustrating right now.

“However, many of you here have seen and know the merits and passion of Yeon Ho-jeong, the Deputy Clan Leader. As Sect Leader Sun Woo said, he is a knight-errant who has never drawn his sword for personal gain.”

Namgoong In sighed and said,

“It is true that he has made great contributions. However, entering the Mukryong Clan [a powerful and influential clan] as a disciple at such a chaotic moment can be said to be a flaw that shakes the very foundation of the White Path.”

“It is a flaw, but it is a flaw that I can understand.”

“Great Master! This is something that should never be overlooked. Do you think I wasn’t shocked by the defection of a talented person who has made great contributions? Everyone here was surprised and worried!”

“…….”

“But if we turn a blind eye to this act, we will set a bad precedent. If in the future, there are defectors who claim to have defected silently for the sake of the world, will we say that they should be forgiven because they have made great contributions?”

“Namgoong Clan Leader.”

“Those of us here must not only think about the present. We are the ones who must come up with policies that can embrace not only the present but also the future. If we overlook such a bad act, then in the future, the people of the world…!”

It was then.

“They will judge it as an unparalleled move.”

The door of the meeting room opened, and Moyong Gun appeared.

Great Master Gong Gong’s eyes widened.

“Oh my, is that not Clan Leader Moyong?”

Moyong Gun clasped his hands in greeting.

“It’s been too long since I last greeted you. I contacted the strategist separately and met with him, but I also had a lot to think about, so I only appeared now. Please forgive me with a generous heart.”

Everyone was surprised by Moyong Gun’s sudden appearance.

Even Jeagal Mun-Ho, who had been silent, was surprised. He never expected him to appear at this place today. After all, wasn’t he the one who said he didn’t want to get involved in a matter he hadn’t experienced himself and would not attend the hearing?

Moyong Gun looked at Jeagal Mun-Ho and said,

“I heard from the strategist directly about how the world has been turning. I thought it was better not to get involved since it wasn’t something I experienced myself, but I thought it would be better to add a word, so I attended late.”

“I see.”

Great Master Gong Gong pointed to an empty seat.

“Don’t just stand there, come and sit down.”

“Yes.”

Moyong Gun, who had taken his seat, looked around the assembly.

Everyone’s gaze naturally turned to him.

It wasn’t just because he was a latecomer. Moyong Gun’s empty aura was like that of someone who had not learned martial arts, but at the same time, it had a strange power that made it impossible to take one’s eyes off him.

In fact, not many people noticed the change in Moyong Gun’s simple aura. It was because the atmosphere in the meeting room was too heated.

“Hoo.”

Great Master Gong Gong said with an admiring face,

“It seems that the Clan Leader’s seclusion was very successful. It is a very impressive change.”

‘He can read it.’

Moyong Gun smiled and said,

“I have simply let go of my worries and attachments.”

“Worries and attachments. They are things that one must experience in life, and at the same time, things that one must try to abandon throughout one’s life.”

Great Master Gong Gong laughed heartily.

“If you have achieved such a thing, I can understand the change in Clan Leader Moyong. It seems that a great legend will soon emerge in the Moyong Clan.”

“You flatter me.”

The assembly was greatly shocked by Great Master Gong Gong’s words.

A great legend meant nothing else. It meant the Supreme [the highest level of martial arts]. If Great Master Gong Gong, who was recognized as the best among the Bonggong gathered here, said so, then Moyong Gun’s growth must be truly remarkable.

“It’s not right to say this after showing up late, but I don’t think this is the place to talk about me.”

“Hahaha.”

“Also, I don’t know if it’s okay to suddenly appear and say this, but I don’t think we should find fault with Yeon Ho-jeong, the Deputy Clan Leader’s defection.”

Namgoong In looked at Moyong Gun as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Clan Leader Moyong!”

“Yeon Ho-jeong, the Deputy Clan Leader, is the embodiment of chivalry.”

“……!”

“I’ll be honest here. I envied Yeon Ho-jeong, the Deputy Clan Leader’s outstanding abilities. I am such a flawed person that I felt jealousy towards a young man who is like my son, and at the same time, Yeon Ho-jeong, the Deputy Clan Leader, is outstanding.”

Moyong Gun shook his head.

“It was my fault. I was foolish.”

“Clan Leader Moyong.”

“His actions themselves are clearly wrong, but as Sect Leader Jongnam said, if it weren’t for him, the world would have been a sea of fire long ago. He has saved the martial world not just once, but several times, so how can we find fault with him for making a drastic decision for the sake of the world?”

“How can you say such a thing!”

“Decisively, if we oppress Yeon Ho-jeong, the Deputy Clan Leader, and Yeon Clan Head here, we will not be safe either.”

“……?!”

Moyong Gun smiled at Yeon-wi.

“Yeon Clan Head is a great knight-errant who received the Imperial Sword from His Majesty the Emperor. The merits of the Yeon family are great, and if His Majesty the Emperor has also acknowledged those merits, then we must also acknowledge them willingly.”

The Emperor’s wrath could fall.

Moyong Gun’s words were clear. Even if the Emperor was powerless, considering his legitimacy and status, the White Path martial world could not ignore the Emperor.

“The achievements of the Yeon family must be recognized. That is only natural. If we fight over this, wouldn’t it only please our enemies?”

Namgoong In gritted his teeth.

At that moment, Moyong Gun continued,

“Instead, since there are many eyes watching, it wouldn’t be right to just let it go. Many of our supporters are watching our decisions.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

“Well, I haven’t thought about it…”

Moyong Gun tilted his head and said,

“For now… how about reducing or eliminating the Yeon family’s right to speak and authority?”